Page 55 of Pawns of Fate
“I’ve been here the whole time. You’re just unobservant.”
“I wanted to read this letter in private.” Rose felt like chucking a pillow at the mage, but thought better of it. She was indebted to Lyla for being able to communicate with Nicholas at all.
“You should have chosen a different mailman if you wanted things to be private. Are you going to write back to him?”
“Yes, of course I will write back to him.”
“Thank god. I wasgoing to fake a letter from you to avoid the awkwardness. Now I don’t have to brush up on my forgery skills.” An ornery twinkle shone in Lyla’s eyes.
“Lyla!” Rose did toss the pillow at her this time.
“I’m going to be giving Nicholas a daily report, so have your letter ready by tomorrow,” Lyla said and waltzed out of Rose’s room.
The afternoon passedin a blur. Dinner, too. Rose wanted to wait till evening to pen her reply so that she had time to think about it. But she couldn’t focus. Ava pushed her away when she’d tried to help with the dishes, demanding that she just go write the letter already.
So, Rose found herself back in her room, sitting at her desk, pen in hand, staring at a blank paper. She looked over at the tiny cacti on her windowsill and sighed. Finally, she began to write.
Dear Nicholas,
I am sorry you had to join York on the swamp campaign. If both Sharp brothers are needed for the fight, there must be a terrifying number of monsters in that swamp. I’m sure that you will be victorious. Even before we were married, I’d heard tales about how brave and fierce you and your brother are on the battlefield. With two lightning-magic wielders, the army will destroy the monsters quickly, no matter how many there are.
My lifehere with the Ojoh has been rather mundane compared to fighting monsters in a swamp. I’ve enjoyed spending time with Ava. She’s a very talented cook. I’ve been eating some of the best food here, all because of her. She’s teaching me how to prepare different meals, too! Perhaps when we’re reunited, Ava and I could give the dinner staff a night off and prepare a meal for the family.
We spend most of our time in the house the Ojoh provided. Two guards watch us, but they are kind and treat us more like guests than prisoners. It gives me hope that our time here might result in the Ojoh and the people of Onanish enjoying more productive relationships in the future.
Ava, Lyla, our two guards, and I often go into the city. Ava enjoys exploring the market, and I enjoy exploring the Uddedin’s library.
Rose sighed. What else should she write? She wanted her letter to carry more affection and warmth. Nicholas was in a perilous situation. If something were to happen to him, she didn’t want her last words to be about eating good food and visiting the library. She needed to say something romantic.
She sat for a few more minutes. Finally, after a lot of internal debate, she picked up her pen and added a few lines to the letter:
I find myself thinking of you often. I hope we are reunited soon, dear husband. You have captured my love. Though Itruly am safe and well taken care of here, every time I wake up without the warmth of your arms, I am reminded that part of my heart was left in Onanish with you. I don’t think I’ll feel whole again until we’re together.
Affectionately,
Your Wife,
Rose Sharp
She slid the letter into an envelope and addressed it to Nicholas. It had gotten late while she’d been writing, so she decided to give the letter to Lyla the next morning.
Rose went to bed with a small smile and the memory of Nicholas’s warmth, causing her to fall into a slumber deeper than any she’d had since she set out from Castle Sharp.
The letter andLyla were gone when Rose woke the following day. It annoyed her, but she’d begun to expect the lack of privacy where Lyla was concerned.
Rose tapped the place on her desk where she’d left her letter and wondered how the shadow mage felt aboutplaying magic mailman. She’d assumed Lyla would deem such a job beneath her.
Rose and Ava ate breakfast peacefully, then began Ava’s daily lessons. She was progressing more swiftly than Rose had initially thought possible and could already read short words even though they’d only been working for a few days. Rose was a proud teacher.
They went out to the market in the afternoon. Ava wanted to pick up a few new ingredients for dinner. Lyla didn’t like to leave one girl at the house while she accompanied the other, and Rose didn’t feel like staying cooped up, so she decided to join the outing.
As Ava shopped for her culinary supplies, Rose was drawn to the jewelry shop she’d visited when Depaerth first showed them the city. Over the past month, she’d visited the shop a few times and purchased bracelets and several earrings.
She meandered to the shop, paying no attention to the lanky Ojoh warrior behind the counter. He was using a large straw hat to cover his face and take a nap. Rose wondered where the pretty, yellow-haired shopkeeper from yesterday was. That woman had been courteous and attentive. She would have to wake this man up when she wanted to make a purchase. It annoyed her, but the unique jewelry pieces that sparkled like tiny sunbeams had already piqued her interest.
“Hmmm, I didn’t expect to see you back here already,” the lanky warrior said as Rose selected a few earrings. She looked up.
“Camillus!”
