Letter III (F.M. to C.D.)

Dear Cordy,

Thank you for your quick return note! I can’t tell you my relief. You’re probably wondering why I sent no response until now, but father had some business in the country and we left early Tuesday morning. I am writing you from Grandmother’s cottage at Seven Oaks* where I will be staying for a fortnight, provided there isn’t another emergency council meeting called. Should that occur, I'll get to ride into town alone, as there would be no available escort. Hurrah! I am hoping this will happen so I can try out the protection spell I just mastered. I do hate to leave Grandmother, but it would be worth it just to get mugged and see the face of the knave who dares attack me as he transforms into a ladies undergarment. Goodness, but I do have a sense of humor!

Well, I honestly can’t say who had the worst day. If I could have chosen between our two unfortunate afternoons, I suppose I would stick with mine (I don’t care how humiliated I am, I refuse to wear fringe). And it was satisfying to shower a few sparks on Lady Lucinda’s exquisite new hat. She was quite offended, but I explained to her how the effect gave the miniature knight and dragon scene on the top a more realistic look, what with the singed armor and smoking dragon. My argument would have been more convincing had I not been trying my hardest to not laugh, but as it was, well, let’s just say she won’t be inviting me to her next bun-snigger outing.

About the letter I enclosed in my last missive, I’m sure you’ve translated it by now and I’m positively dying to know the contents, especially after what happened today. Grandmother had a headache so I went to tea alone at the Seven Oaks Teahouse. The tearoom was packed, but I noticed, across the room, that same young man who I tripped over at the council. He caught me staring and I’m afraid I was red for a good ten minutes. I would have left immediately had he not been sitting right next to the door to the foyer. So I decided to wait until he was gone which was a big mistake since, as it turns out, he was waiting for me to leave so he could talk to me without actually coming over to me and drawing everyone's attention. A good half an hour or so passed before only the two of us were sitting there. Me, trying my best to avoid his eyes and dying from the three pots of tea I’d had to drink, and him, watching me with great amusement. Finally he spoke.

“You don’t remember me, do you?” he said, with an infuriatingly smug smile.

“Yes, I do. From the council meeting.” I tried not to blush at the memory of what had happened there.

“No, that isn’t what I meant,” he replied, “although that is a worthwhile memory.”

“Then, pray enlighten me,” I said, smirking to hide my embarrassment.

“No, I don’t think I will. This is much too fun.”

I stood up to leave. “Yes, well, as much fun as this is, I do need to be going so if you will kindly excuse me.” I tried to sweep dramatically past him to the door, but he stood up, barring the way.

“Actually, now that we're alone, I'd like to talk to you about that little delivery you made for me.”

He had my attention. “Oh, yes?” I said, forgetting to be upset. “Are you going to tell me what it said?”

At that moment, a large group of noisy patrons poured into the foyer. The young man’s face darkened before he pulled me close to whisper in my ear.

“Not now. Your little waiting game has cost me the opportunity to relate some vital information regarding certain Stones and their link to a certain recent melancholy event. This information wasn’t included in the letter since it only came to me this morning, but it must be passed on to your cousin. I have to leave now, but I can meet you in two days time at the magi tree in Woodshaker’s clearing. It’s close enough to your grandmother’s that you can go alone without anyone worrying. And come at sunrise since I know that’s your favorite time of day. Maybe you’ll be more civil then Foofribelle.”

He released me and left before I could even reply, although I didn’t really need to. Of course I’ll go. To gain any information I can for you and also since I now know who he is. Only one other person knows of our magi tree in the clearing. Aside from the fact that he's all grown up now, how could I not recognize him? Dearest, I will forward the information he gives me as soon as I receive it. I admit I’m intrigued. There must be a good reason why he is communicating all this through me instead of directly to you. I hope everything is all right. Please write to me any information you can from his letter so I will have some background information when I meet him.

With great affection,

Foofri

P.S. The mirror experiment came off swimmingly. Too swimmingly, in fact. I only wanted to summon a little fairy, but somehow managed to summon a lesser known sorcerer’s muse instead. I guess I do underestimate my abilities. However, I can’t get the dreadful thing to leave. He gave me the spell I wanted (I turned a rat from the woodshed into a serviceable pair of bloomers), but now he wants to teach me all the other wondrous spells he hasn’t had the opportunity to share (I told you he was lesser known). Of course, I should take advantage of this situation, but I’m on summer vacation for goodness sake! I don’t want to spend all my time learning spells.

P.P.S. I still think you should go into Beginning Magical Education. Fears should be mastered, I say! The dear little kiddies’ fears that is, after one day with you (I’m only teasing, dear).

*Historically, there have only ever been six oaks lining the approach to the picturesque village of Seven Oaks. While some historians postulate that the nominal fiction arose from superstitions pertaining to the good luck value of the number seven, a more likely explanation lies in the fashion regime instituted by the second Imperial Empress, who dictated that landscaping in even numbers was faux pas. The Empress passed on. The name did not.