PLANET 5 / CH. 9: CORRESPONDENCE
LETTER TO HIS IMPERIAL HIGHNESS, CROWN PRINCE SALAY
Imperial Highness, I have been wondering how to write to you since I opened the case of the ambassador the evening of the day before yesterday. Yesterday was rest-day, when it is the tradition here in Caneth to do no work. My late husband-in-name commanded that I address this letter as I have done so. I must admit it seems unheard of to think that I can promise the bearer of a letter funds against the royal purse, but how else can one ensure the message arrives, I suppose? I hope I do no wrong. My late husband also wrote I must write widely, fully and extensively. But I don't know what that means, really. So, I shall write of the political changes that have happened in these last two weeks. Two weeks ago, the day after the night of the lunar eclipse, dramatic events started to unfurl, but I and the other residents of the city knew precisely nothing about them. There seemed to be more soldiers in the streets, looking grimmer than normal. But I, so uncertain of my position and role, did nothing, but I heard they were asking questions about suspicious events overnight. Had anyone noticed anything? I now know that the king had become ill and Regent-at-need princess Esmetherelda, had been kidnapped.
Let me go back a bit. Prince Henk, her (only) brother, was known to me, as some weeks ago, soon after my late husband's death, he had come and introduced himself to me via the ambassador for Tesk, and had enquired about how I was provided for, financially. A week later he introduced me to a man who seemed to be of questionable status who was quite interested in the medicines my late husband brought with us. Mostly what he listed as having value to his customers were ones that come with warnings of side-effects that alter the mind, or form addictions. But I did have some financial needs and thus when he named one substance of which I had a stock, I sold him some. The price I obtained formed further questions in my mind. Perhaps I am more expert at haggling than I believed, but it went thus. He offered ten, 'You insult my ability at maths and sanity in one breath, get out', 'a hundred', 'Do I look like a charity?', 'fine, fine, a thousand,' 'I thought you were a reputable businessman, not an impoverisher of widows.' 'ten thousand,' 'And that's your final offer, is it? Get out!' 'Fifteen' 'Fifteen what? Fake washers?' 'Lady, he said you had no idea what it was worth. You can't blame me for trying. I can't sell a dose above three hundred, no way. That's a hundred doses, so I'm losing money if I top thirty thousand.' I was sure from his eyes that he was lying, and the amount I have on the table is for a thousand medicinal doses. 'This is pure. No grass clippings in this product.' 'Forty thousand.' 'Sixty thousand in unclipped gold.' — three hundred coins, each worth a month's wages for a menial worker, he had a standard money pouch, and I estimated it could only hold two hundred such coins. 'You think I carry that much on me?' 'Then buy half now, and maybe I'll sell you some more later. Assuming you're not cheating me, of course. Probably I should not sell you so much even, this must support me for years, so I have to maximise value, after all. You don't think I have a donkey-load full of this in a back room somewhere?' I don't, just half a donkey-load. I cannot believe the prices. Three month's wages for ten doses? 'Forty thousand for half, I'll be back next week for the other half, same price.' 'Deal.' And he was true to his word, he brought another two hundred coins. Why do I write this? Accounting, and perhaps confession. Received from the shady character of unknown address in the much improved clothes compared to last week, four hundred gold coins a bit smaller than a crown at home. I have since also received a regular order for another medicine from a much more reputable customer. A medicinal dose for one patient, who, under medical supervision will be hoping to reduce his dependency on it. I spoke to the doctor, and a relative. Even knowing the patient can afford it, I will not be charging what their previous supplier asked. That unknown person charged half a gold coin per dose — outrageous — and I have plenty. have said that I will charge only one gold coin per month. When my mother used this medicine it cost her one copper coin per month. My father spoke often of supply and demand, well the supply is available, and there is competition in the market, and I hope the demand is static, so let the cost reduce but not too much. One gold coin — two hundred-crowns — per month will keep me from going hungry even with my exotic taste in fruit.
But I have leapt ahead in my account. Forgive me, highness. There are occasionally announcements from the palace. Such and such law has been made, the 'war' — a trade embargo with loaded cannons — with the Isles continues, but without shots fired, and so on. I notice that the pronouncements are made in the name of the queen, not the king. Most people don't seem to.
The soldiers on the streets continue to look grim, muttering in the markets become more muted. The price of basic food continues to grow, not just meat, which is affected by the loss of fish imports, but fruit that is locally produced. Father's advice comes to mind again. When local produce starts costing more, then there's been a tax change, a harvest has failed or someone is worried: either the farmer, the merchant or the waggoner, so that goods are not getting to market, or someone is buying more. Or maybe someone is paying too much, making the traders hopeful. I have noticed no reduction in the wagons passing on the road, so I watch the market. Yes, there are strangers in the market, looking military, but not in the normal uniforms for here. People are shopping more quickly, not wanting to stay and haggle. The strangers speak with strange accents and have too much money, they are not haggling at all. I see one who looks to come from the empire, looking at the strange fruit. He notices me, and I indicate he may come to pay his respects. I say to him 'The produce is strange here is it not?' 'Very, honourable lady. You officiate here?' 'No. I am wife to honourable ambassador. You are a mercenary?' 'Yes, honourable lady. In the employ of prince Henk.' 'Ah,' I nod sagely, not giving away emotion. 'The traders expect to haggle here. The yellow berries there taste as if they were red and fresh from the slopes above Wahleet. Ignore the price label and offer a third, that is still more than they asked for last week. I do not believe the season is even nearly over.' 'I thank you greatly, honourable lady.' He goes and haggles, buying a small portion. His face lights up on tasting them, and buys a much bigger portion at the same price. His friends come over, and he enthusiastically offers it to them. Some pull faces of dislike, others ask the trader how much. The trader points to his label, and the mercenary from the empire laughs 'that's his opening bid, mate' when his friend gets out his wallet. 'What did you pay?' And the trader does not make so much profit. The soldiers start to walk away. At that point, I go to make my purchase, and say, 'has anything really changed since last week, when you will remember I paid you ten for a measure?' 'Supply and demand' he replied. 'Yes. At ten there is demand for a measure today, but at eight there is a demand for two measures today, two tomorrow and all next week, above ten there will be supply and no demand from me, ever again.' I have been preserving the fruit. It is a simple domestic chore, but I enjoy it, and I will have a taste of home until next year. The elderly fruit seller also has a smile when he sees me, because I am true to my word, and each day except rest-day I go straight to his stall and buy two measures of the berries and what they think are exotic produce and I know are good. and I will happily tell the other buyers how it tastes and how to prepare it. I increase his trade, do not haggle too hard on imported fruit, and he tells me about the mood among the traders: there is concern.
I speak to the only other ambassador I know, he of Tesk. He explains that things are a little tense in the palace at the moment, that I would be wise not to ask questions there, and he talks to me a lot, but about nothing.
A friendly voice and intonation like my dead father's is reassuring to me, but I suspect his motives. He explains overly often that things are different here, but not how. I had the impression when we first arrived that things were very different, and that there was hardly any formality at all preventing an ambassador from speaking to officials or the crown, but he assures me that he has passed on my wish for an introduction to ministers, officials and other ambassadors, but it would be wiser to wait for a formal invitation from the palace.
Almost a week after my discussion with the mercenary, I heard the sound of marching boots stopping outside my door and orders given, I grow concerned. Soldiers or police? A firm knock at my door. Am I to be arrested for selling contraband drugs? No, it is the Princess-Regent with a body guard. She has come to introduce herself, and to tell me that the Tesk ambassador has not been passing on any questions from me. She introduces me to prince Hal of the Three Isles, her rescuer and now her future husband, who has awakened in her the Gift of Tesk. She explains that her father has been poisoned, prince Henk is a traitor, and as regent, her voice is as the king's, and that it has long been her father's will that she rule after him. She then surprises me further. I need no papers to talk to her, no further introduction, and that papers and seal or not, she considers me full ambassador, and insists others do so too. If I have any worries, she insists I talk to her, and ask for guards if I feel at risk. I should feel at risk, because of the wealth of medicines I have, and so I accept a small guard from her. When she hears that my father was from Tesk, she invites me to the palace, to spend time with her and Prince Hal, to see if I am affected by his catalytic presence. I do not know, highness, what you know of the Gift of Tesk. I can tell you that Crown Prince Hal knows of the following who have it: his two sisters, crown-princess Esmetherelda who developed the gift after spending about four hours with the prince from her rescue until the time she could clearly hear the thoughts of those around her. Princess Isthana of Caneth who hosted prince Hal and princess Esmetherelda for two evening discussions. And finally, me: near to prince Hal about one and a half hours at that first meeting, which ended with prince Hal introducing me to an immigrant couple he had first met in Wahleet — my sister and husband! — and then after another three hours at various other times, I found that the thoughts of others were not vague and uncertain, but clear.
I have taken the opportunity of employing my sister to be my 'housekeeper' which means I no longer need to cook and clean unless I want to. WHer husband is a man of thirty-five, an honourable trader in quality coastal maps and other manuscripts who got some advice from my father when starting up in his trade. They live in the servant's quarters of this embassy, and I am no longer so alone. My sister does not have the gift, but after spending an hour and a half in the ship of prince Hal while he explained to her and her husband the faith of Jesus, she has grown insightful, that is to say she understands the reason behind words spoken, the first step in gaining the gift. She says that is sufficient for her, and having spoken to me and to princess Esmetherelda, she asks Hal to stay away from her. She meets too many people and would not like to know what they are all thinking. We are bottling four measures of berries while the season continues.
The ambassador of Tesk knows no-one on Tesk or indeed outside this city who has the gift of Tesk. As you may have noticed, Princess-Regent Esmetherelda does not hold herself aloof from speaking to ordinary people. She spent an hour interviewing sailors from Tew, a few nights ago, determining that the captain of their vessel had no knowledge of plans to have her abducted to Tew. That there were such plans was suggested by some rumours from the mercenaries and confirmed by other rumours onboard, but the captain burned the sealed orders he was to have read after being met by prince Henk. Princess Esmetherelda commended him for his wisdom in that, preventing any need for an official response. That ship brought princess Yalisa of Tew, who was due to have married prince Henk or be exiled from Tew. She is planning to discuss possibilities with prince Sal of the Isles, precluding her father from imposing on her any other marriage that would be repugnant to her faith. Thus, as well as an almost certain marriage between the crown princess of Caneth and crown prince of the Isles, a marriage between the possibly crown princess of Tew (the prince, her brother is gravely ill after an accident) and the younger prince of the Isles seems likely. All share the same living faith. Is this the beginning of the Last Kingdom as the skies burn?
Highness, my late husband-in-name commanded me to write fully, so I will be scandalously open and frank: I was given no opportunity to raise objections to my late husband, I took no vows to him, and I did not seek his embrace. He did not seek mine, which I did not understand but for which I nightly thanked God. So, I am the virgin daughter of a slave, I have the gift of Tesk. I understand from what I know of the prophecy — mostly guarded hints from my husband-in-name — that this might make me a suitable empress in your sight. However, I also have faith in God most High, born as a human to save our elder-sibling creatures and all creation from sin. Unless or until you share the same faith as I, then I will not be able to take an oath of marriage to you. If you force me unwilling into a marriage, it will be counted under the laws of Tesk, Caneth and of the Isles as aggravated rape or enslavement; grave crimes. It may be that you consider this presumptuous and pre-emptive objection itself to disqualify me from any role in your service. I am not so used to the title of ambassador nor so certain it is really mine that I expect to regret it as much as I would regret not writing. I hope you will also note that if we can find for you another daughter of a slave with enough Tesk blood, then prince Hal is — so far — quite willing to sit and chat about world politics, seamanship or the good news of his faith for an afternoon. As long as he can hold Esmetherelda's hand for most of it. They are not afraid of showing their attachment, and now I have the gift I am certain that their love for one another is a genuine meeting of heart, soul and personalities. The title you have granted my husband, highness, presents what Esmetherelda — to her face she insists I use a shortened form of her name — calls 'interesting travel opportunities'. As ambassador to the 'royal court of Caneth', I am ambassador to where the ruling monarch or regent is holding discussions. Most other ambassadors are ambassadors to 'the government of Caneth', which is taken as meaning that they stay in the capital. She therefore tells me that I am derelict in my duties as Ambassador to the court if I do not travel with her to the Isles when she goes there to negotiate the treaty of marriage between her and prince Hal. She expresses herself quite clearly when asked if she really needs to go in person, and says 'It's a well known route through well-charted waters and we're not going to take risks with the weather. And I wish to meet my future sisters-in-law, mother-in-law and father-in-law. Particularly King Val, since I need to explain about this war.' Various documents have been signed by Esmetherelda and Hal regarding the war between Caneth and the Isles. Most of them are subject to ratification, as they touch on things outside prince Hal's authority to negotiate. Their intention is to rule Caneth and the Isles jointly, as a single entity with different laws applying, but a common foreign policy and a very gradual harmonisation of laws, where appropriate. They resist the title empire, and prefer the term confederacy. They are open to suggestions, and have asked the academy of Tesk to come up with a model that would make admission for Tesk an attractive thing for that fiercely independent island. Tesk has changed since its glory days, highness. It is seen in the Isles much as a rebellious teenager who has rejected his parent's faith, run from home and lives in poverty rather than return home. It broke away from the Isles eighty years ago, and has discovered that fame does not mean riches, lack of monarchs means lack of balls and the fashion industry simply collapsed. (A result of an artificial change to demand, my father explained, meant that the supply was abundant and the demand so low that that sector of the economy collapsed, as did secondary industries. Even domestic helpers found themselves out of work, as people had more time and less money.) No fashion parades meant no tourism, too, but Tesk still blames the Isles for everything. It remains stubbornly opposed to empires. It is still a centre of scientific learning, and a genetic treasure trove if you want a thought-hearing wife, but as they banned the catalyst from visiting in the decades before independence, and the catalyst normally has no effect on older women who might travel, very few have gained the gift from Tesk, and none who live there. High fashion is not of much interest on the Isles, and the princes of the Isles spend much of their time out at sea, so there is not even the chance for the old industry of modelling to be a route to obtaining the gift. What is the catalyst? An experiment could be done, it would be possible to bring some young woman from Tesk into prince Hal's presence and allow him to shake hands with some of them in formal greeting and not others — that formal greeting is the only time he and I were in contact. Then we could learn if contact is involved. We could put groups of them in pens at different distances. Esme suggests we could steal some of his clothes from the laundry and see if it is some kind of scent he gives off, we could tie a mask on his face to see if it something he breathes out. What is certain to me is that prince Hal is an unusual man. Very open in his attitude. He expects to have his thoughts understood by girls with Tesk blood. I wonder if it would be ethical to trick him, and introduce a girl with no Tesk blood as if she did, or vice-versa and see if it is nothing to do with Tesk at all, and some change that Hal performs on girls all unknowing. But I doubt it. There are the Tesk attunements that help people to understand one another, available to all from Tesk in the right circumstances and not to others as far as I know. There seems to be some kind of link to Tesk. Esmetherelda became attuned to Hal through the dangers and risks of her escape and their joys and excitement getting to know one another and Hal discovering that the pretty woman that had knocked her jailer unconscious and he'd helped escape was none other than the princess and alleged kindred spirit he had come to woo, despite the war. That war is now over. Ships and soldiers have been ordered away from their patrols and once more look nervously at war-like Tew instead of the piratical but friendly Isles. Piratical? Not really but there is a history. They do plan for naval encounters, they do know the firepower of their ships, and those of their neighbours. A Tew warship, I learned, can easily shoot more canon than a warship from the Isles. But the Isles know how to sink a Tew warship in the first salvo, or at least disable the complex mechanism that gives the Tew ships this power, and their gunners practice for accuracy rather than just speed. Do not think to start a war with this fledgling last kingdom, highness, I implore you. I have seen the size of the harbour defence guns in Wahleet; they are smaller than some on-board the customs clipper Albatross, the vessel prince Hal captains. I have seen the harbour defence guns of Caneth port. They have calibrated sights, range finders, wind adjustment meters. The shot it fires must be loaded by four strong men. They practice once a month and the town reverberates to the shot. If the small target boat towed (a long way) behind the mother vessel at top speed is not destroyed with the first shot it means shame, dishonour, and (more importantly for the attitude here) their wives or mothers will feed them no better food than bread and water and their wives will refuse them for a month. This they talk of, it last happened twenty years ago. Such is the defence of this port, and I am told it is normal here. Yet, prince Hal looked at it, and described it as adequate as a single weapon, though improvements had been made on those in the Isles. But there would need to be three times as many to defend the city in a shooting war should the whole navy of Tew come at once, and ten times as many to defend against the ships of the Isles. He also pointed out that the practice target was always going in the same direction, and never actually towards the city. Why were they practising shooting at passing ships? There will be changes, then, and the gun-commanders look worriedly at their men, thinking of bread, water, and frustrating nights. This I saw, and heard, this I report. Tew currently have aggressive tendencies, king Val of the Isles loves to demonstrate his prowess in naval strategy in bloodless exercises, and the king of Caneth is a player of political chess games that leave me shocked and confused. He seized a flimsy opportunity to declare war on his friend king Val in order to ensure king Val's navy was prepared for a real war with aggressive Tew, and to get prince Hal talking to Esmetherelda — his plan had been that they negotiate the peace, and seal it with their wedding. He was surprised by his son's treason, but it is clear to me, having spoken to him for ten minutes yesterday — about all he can manage — that the kingdom Esmetherelda and Hal will rule has been his goal for a long time.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Thus I come to the end of my first letter, my prince. I hope it answers more questions and uncertainties than it generates. I pray that you already serve my God or can be persuaded to, and that you will listen to my presumptuous objections and unasked for advice. There are scary things I have not felt capable of writing. This letter should be delivered by the hand of academician Teng of Tesk; please listen to him. I listened to his thoughts and he has no knowledge of the prophecy of the final kingdom, but his studies predict that the sun will destroy us unless we have help from the aliens. He is the brother of queen Eslind of Caneth, and if his project to call for that help is to work, he needs Imperial support from Dahel as well as what he has from Caneth and what Hal hopes his father will agree to. Perhaps the full version of the prophesy tells you you can reject me personally and not this request, highness. I do not know, but please, I beg you, listen to him whatever opinion you have of me, and when he has convinced you as he has convinced me, seek an audience for him with your most honourable father also. It is not just money that is needed.
Your servant,
Hayeel, accepted here as Ambassador to the court of Caneth.
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LETTER TO THE HONOURABLE LADY HAYEEL, WIDOW OF THE AMBASSADOR OF DAHEL
Lady Hayeel, I read your late husband's death-bed letter to me with considerable frustration, and as the sea-captain that delivered it felt nervous of somehow triggering his own arrest by delivering it, he has left port and this letter to you must chase him downstream before he reaches the open ocean and returns to Caneth. I hope this letter finds you well, and hope that you understand despite my lack of time for even rudimentary polishing or rewriting, I bear you no ill will at all. He writes that for his own reasons he has not shared with you all that I expected him to, even as he dies, and that therefore you are ill-equipped to continue in your service. If he were not dead, I would throttle him. Forgive my outburst. Literally, I read of his confessed failings and request for forgiveness less than thirty minutes ago. Many of the things he has not told you of, I cannot commit to paper, and yet you are so far away! How can we meet in person that I may explain what he has not? He writes that the land of Caneth is free of slaves and beggars, clean and stable. I hope that you have a pleasant home, and that your mourning of his passing to glory has not debilitated you too greatly. He also writes that he thinks you might be accepted as full Ambassador in your own right, as there is a lady minister. May that be so! Your late husband speaks most excellently of you, and whether they accept you as full ambassador or not, you remain a high official in my service, and I am sure you are gaining valuable insights. Any sign of how you might encounter the catalyst? It would be good if you could. I expect, that given your title, and the ignorance your late husband kept you in, you may wonder if I will send you another husband. Certainly that I will not do. I also warn you and command you that as a high official in my service you may not form any romantic attachments without my prior authorisation. That would be most unbecoming conduct. If there are any who seem they wish to form such, I beg you to warn them off.
Your late husband, may God forgive him his sins against both us and your family, wrote concerning his non-expression of his feelings for you, and his growing certainty that he ought to order the soldiers to turn around. For that difficult restraint and the honour that he did us, I find I must most wholeheartedly forgive him for my part. I apologise if what I write confuses you, your late husband was vague on what he did or did not say. If travel were ten times faster, and you had a suitable escort I would order you back to discuss things, or come and discuss things with you myself, but sadly I must assume you are in the right place at the moment. Do not hesitate to write to me if you have any needs, most honourable Lady Hayeel, and also do tell me of your life there. I hope it is bearable, for I must ask you to bear it longer. Just in case Caneth do accept you as ambassador, I enclose your seal of office. Of course it is not complete without your personal seal. As my ambassador rather than father's you don't -yet- have authority to warn of a military response to insults to your person, but know I hold you in the most high regard.
Salay.
ps. Mother asks about lady's fashions there. What does the average high-born maid wear around the city or at a ball? Context: I'm writing to you having escaped from a ball, and a large proportion of the girls (or their mothers?) seem to think that the more of their flesh I am forced to see, the better the chance they have of gaining the title empress. I am tempted to say their lack of decorum excludes them from my presence for a decade, but their mothers and fathers might declare that is a social change. May the saviour have mercy on all their twisted souls, and give me strength to avert my eyes. Personally, I am convinced that as the fires burn in the sky I must marry according to the whole prophesy, that I have read hundreds of times, and you have not seen even once and I may not write to you all the terms in it.
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ADDITIONAL NOTE, HASTILY ADDED TO HAYEEL'S LETTER
My prince, I was just looking for a passage for academician Teng when a ship from Dahel arrived with your letter. What you write fills me with hope that some of the fears that prompted me to write as I did were not well grounded. Do you truly serve the Risen Saviour with all your heart? I pray it may be so, for international relations as well as my own feelings. Have no fears regarding me forming romantic alliances, highness. The (ex) ambassador of Tesk has been interviewed by the princess and sent home with a ceremonial kick from me and a written reprimand from her. I will seek to serve you as best I can. Do not, I beg you, feel you must risk yourself at sea in one of our river boats to come and visit me here. Certainly do not come over land! Prince Hal has visited Wahleet before and princess Esmetherelda has expressed a desire to see its harbour wall for herself. I am expected to travel with them as ambassador, just as I am expected to travel with them to the Isles. I am told their ships never topple over unless they are sinking already because of war or rocks or the most furious storm, and that this is because of the shape of the hull. I heard prince Hal's thoughts, and they confirmed his words, full of technical terms I did not understand.
Perhaps you should warn your imperial father that as well as a royal visit, they intend to set up an embassy on board a warship (fully manned with soldiers used to fighting on ships!) if one cannot be established on land, and that in Tew their embassies are in the habit of regularly granting protective citizenship to land-slaves with a marital connection to Tesk, Caneth or the Isles. They might extend such protection to other categories too, and of course, there are many younger men on the crew who are unmarried. They would not be too proud, I expect, to fly banners proclaiming the ship the royal property of the Isles, and embassy of the Isles and Caneth, and even listing the services they provide. These civilised barbarian rulers move quickly, highness. It is thrilling and exciting and exhausting to be swept along with them. And with my new seal in my possession and your kind words of reassurance in my heart, I find myself emotional too. I will try to answer your questions in my next letter, which I am tempted to write at once. I think I shall be more restrained, however.
Your ambassador, Hayeel.
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LETTER TO HIS IMPERIAL HIGHNESS, CROWN PRINCE SALAY
I was intent on being restrained. But then I mentioned your mother's question on fashion to princess Esmetherelda who gave a shout of joy and dragged me to see her married sister, princess Bethania. I find I must now send the attached book of artwork. It seems that the princess has taken to heart the command of her mother to make up for Esmetherelda's lack of artistic dedication and has been painting and sketching court ladies and gentlemen for the last decade, as well as other subjects. A chance remark by Esmetherelda led Bethania into printing and thus her house is now part printer's studio where she has volumes such as this one in various stages of production. To make it clear, this volume was bound by an expert book-binder, but the original artwork, the carving, the printing and the over-painting were all done by princess Bethania of Caneth without anyone else's help. It is her hobby, her joy, and it is also her sister's sorrow that when Bethania looks at the growing pile of these these wonderful works she sighs that they have not yet found a real outlet for them. My brother-in-law is sure that, were he back in Wahleet, he could sell them as curiosities to the nobility at a considerable profit to what I paid, but he knows of no traders there now. She has produced the following volumes: Court fashions of Caneth and its neighbours, (190-200 A.V.), enclosed; Caneth wildlife; and Caneth plant-life. She and her husband will be joining us on the trip to the Isles, so I expect further titles to be added in the future. I have of course paid what I deemed to be an appropriate sum for a princess's handcrafted work. She, thinking only of the materials, balked at how much I offered, but I refused to accept it on any other terms. If the court ladies (and gentlemen?) would be interested, I have set a price of twenty gold pieces for this sample book, but of course that is direct to the artist herself and does not include transport costs, agent's fees, etc. Please do not pass on how I obtained those twenty gold pieces, I am now sure that the drug trader should be hanged. I hope I have done well, highness; I took the liberty of asking the princess to dedicate it to your honourable mother. I hope it is a suitable gift from son to mother, since all I have, of course, belongs to you.
Your ambassador, Hayeel.
Ps I have realised that I have not written to you of timings.
The journey to Wahleet is, somehow, faster than to nearer ports. I don't quite understand how or why, and takes five weeks normally. The return apparently takes six and a half. The journey to Captita, the capital of the Three Isles, takes about a week to a week and a half, depending on winds. We will probably stay there a week perhaps a week and a half, and the expectation of Esmetherelda is that her wedding will be about a week or two after her return, or about when you will be reading this.
Prince Hal states that unless the storms are very early this year it would be safe to journey to Wahleet immediately after the wedding, but that would mean there is not really time for a return journey. Thus it seems that Hal and Esme will not be travelling to Wahleet before spring.
Caneth and the Isles have a system of message passing using flags on towers, drums or pulsed lights. They use it to send messages to troops or ships. The scholars on Tesk who call the aliens will do so using a strange method the aliens gave them some hints of, involving metals and acids and glass tubes, and the message arrives as fast as light. I am envious. Three months before you can reply to anything I write or I can reply to anything from you is too long, my prince. Three months is too long to know if I have interpreted what hints my late husband-in-name gave me correctly or if by my boldness in my first letter I have marred your impression of me irredeemably. I must wait and pray.
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