The backs of the envelopes were sealed with wax, the indention of the seal a very common one. Only when she turned the bundle over and glanced at the hand writing on the front of the first envelope did Jahrra finally realize who these missives were from. Her brow smoothed, and her frown curved up into a radiant smile as her fingers traced over her own name penned in a familiar hand.
“This one’s from Torrell!” she cried, now frantically trying to untie the string binding them together.
The other three letters also had her name printed on the front, each in a different but easily recognizable handwriting.
“Oh! And this looks like Dathian’s handwriting, and Senton’s and Neira’s! Dervit,” she exclaimed, pressing the letters to her heart and glancing at the limbit with shining eyes. “These are from my best friends back in Lidien!”
Dervit, who currently had his mouth stuffed full of a scrambled egg and vegetable concoction, only widened his eyes and nodded.
Although the spicy scent of the food was making Jahrra’s stomach growl and her mouth water, she couldn’t possibly eat until she had read the letters. The knot in the string securing the envelopes together was stubborn, but Jahrra managed to finally get it free. She tore open the first note, the one from Torrell, and began to read furiously. The message started out with an exuberant greeting, sending Jahrra and Jaax blessings from Torrell and her family and a hope that they were making an easy journey. The letter then went on to describe all that had been going on in Lidien since Jahrra had left, including the new classes Torrell had signed up for, the practices she, Senton and, when he wasn’t too busy with Coalition business, Dathian continued to hold on the University campus, and finally, all the latest gossip. Jahrra laughed, both thrilled at this light-hearted and cheerful letter and aching to be amongst her friends again. Torrell ended the letter with a fervent expression of missing her friend, and Jahrra had to sniff back tears.
Neira’s letter was next. The Nesnan woman greeted Jahrra in the same way Torrell had and reassured her that she was taking good care of the apple trees growing on the patio above the kitchen. The maid further informed Jahrra that she and Kehllor were getting along just fine and that they couldn’t wait to see her again.
Once done with Neira’s short letter, Jahrra picked up Senton’s. Like Torrell, he told her of the new and exciting classes being offered at the University, including one on the history of the legends and myths of Ethoes taught by their favorite professor, Anthar the centaur. Jahrra felt a pang of jealousy at this. She would have simply adored such a class. Senton finished his letter off by telling her he was getting much better at sword fighting, and he expected to best Torrell any day now.
Jahrra snorted as she added Senton’s letter to the pile she’d already read. Perhaps she was imagining it, but she could have sworn she detected a hint of sarcasm in those final lines.
Lastly, she cracked open the seal on Dathian’s letter. This one was much more serious in tone, although the young elf did try to open up with some good news. The side of him that was her classmate and friend described the new places he and the others had discovered whilst on outings assigned by their various teachers. But it was Dathian, the prince of Dhonoara and dedicated Coalition member, who spoke more at length in this letter.
Clutching the paper so tightly her knuckles turned white, Jahrra read all about Shiroxx’s continued actions to undermine Kehllor’s authority and to turn the Coalition against them. He also informed her that Kehllor would soon leave his position to journey to the far south in order to seek assistance from those living in Terre Moeserre.
“Terre Moeserre,” Jahrra murmured to herself in disbelief.
Dervit, who had managed to keep himself busy all this time tasting the different dishes spread before them, glanced up and said, “What?”
Jahrra shook her head. “Nothing, sorry.”
Dervit shrugged, then turned his attention to a basket full of pastries while Jahrra continued to read the letter.
Kehllor informed us he spent time in the deserts of the east, long ago, and that he might have a chance at securing the aid of the Nephaari. They are a warrior tribe and have the numbers and the means to take on Ghorium’s might. No one believes he will succeed in convincing the Nephaari that to ignore Ciarrohn’s tyranny is to doom all of Ethoes, but he was adamant. He could not sit and listen to the members of the Coalition bicker and waste time. I must say, I have to agree with him. It may be false optimism, but at least he is doing something.
The letter ended with an old elvin blessing and Dathian’s hope that she and Jaax and Ellyesce remained safe and that they would win over the king of the Creecemind.
After finishing the letter, Jahrra took in a deep, weary breath and released it slowly. She clutched the parchment close and thought furiously, Oh, Kehllor, for all our sakes, I hope you are successful in your quest. Just as I hope Jaax and I are successful in ours.
She wanted desperately to find a quill and some paper so she could write a response to each of these letters, but she had no idea if this Sapheramin would be returning to Lidien any time soon, and she didn’t dare send them with a regular courier.
“Aren’t you going to eat anything?”
Jahrra looked up to find Dervit studying her. She grinned when she noted the powdered sugar on his face and nodded. “Yes, I think I will.”
Jahrra was just about finished with her first plate of food when she and Dervit heard someone knocking at the door once again.
“Yes?” Jahrra called out, as she scooped honey into her third cup of tea.
“It’s Ellyesce. May I come in?”
“Of course!” she called out, settling back into her blankets and pillows.
The tall elf entered the vast chamber in near silence, and when Jahrra caught sight of him she had to fight back a gasp of surprise. No longer did he bear the characteristics of a traveler too long on the road. His beard had been trimmed close to his face, and he donned a fine set of clothes that complimented his coloring perfectly. His dark hair was drawn back, and all the dirt from the road had been washed clean. Even the weariness that often tightened his features had lifted.
“You look as if you’ve been luxuriating in a hot spring for a week!” Jahrra proclaimed, setting down her tea.
Ellyesce laughed, and Jahrra felt her heart lighten because of it.
“No, I’m afraid not. Although Nimbronia does boast a collection of those particular geological features, I hadn’t the time to make use of them.”
Jahrra snickered, and Ellyesce joined her and Dervit by taking a seat on a stuffed chair. He gestured to the food on the rolling cart. “May I?”
“Please,” Jahrra replied, handing him a plate.
“You look well yourself, Jahrra. Feeling more rested?”
Jahrra nodded, unable to speak because she was too busy enjoying a delicious meat and rice concoction.
Ellyesce nodded as he spooned an egg casserole onto his plate. “I tried to visit you last night, but by the time I made it up to this part of the castle, you were already fast asleep and I didn’t wish to disturb you.”
Jahrra placed a piece of toast on her plate, then set it aside. “Dervit told me what happened after I jumped from the bridge.”
Ellyesce winced slightly, then let out a small breath from his nose. “Yes, that was a very brave thing you did. And, it gave us a slight advantage over the enemy. I think they were still rubbing their eyes when we made our first strike.”