Letter XVII (Foof to Cordy)

Dear Cordy,

By the time I finished your letter, this is what I gleaned from it: Blah blah blah, chandelier spike narrowly missing head, blah blah blah, bleeding, blah blah blah, and munches. You were nearly killed, dearest, I hope you realize that! Small wonder Damorin was so adamant about getting you out of there. How ironic if you were to be killed by something as random as a swinging chandelier, after all the safety precautions taken on your behalf!

Still, what better way to recover from near-death than by stuffing one's face with munches? It would almost be worth it! I haven’t had a munch in so long I think I would actually eat a certain person’s hat resembling one (remember how my stomach growled that entire council session?). Please tell me you ate a few (dozen) on my behalf. But listen to how cruel and unfeeling I am, bemoaning the funeral food I'm missing out on!

I'm glad the affair turned out well. He deserved at least that, even if he was not well liked. And at least the following installation ceremony wasn't long and drawn-out in traditional Imperial style. It wouldn't be appropriate following a funeral.

I do admire your self control in not goading my father more when you saw him. I admit I would not have been able to help myself, it's so satisfying to see him sweat. I'm glad he seems to be doing well. I do miss him even though I haven't completely forgiven him. Oh, and I'm completely thrilled you've decided to use my idea about whisking the Stones out of your vault. I can't wait to see how that turns out.

As for what I've been up to, after I sent the muse off with my last letter, I set about to trying to build a non-magical fire. After rubbing two sticks together unsuccessfully for what seemed an extremely long time (and a lot of what appeared to be silent laughter from the larat), Sean returned with several wild rucs in tow.

He got the fire started within minutes and had the little beasts roasting on a spit while I sat there trying not to look like a giant, useless lump.

“Sorry I'm not more help,” I said.

“It's fine,” he said affably, reclining against a log. “It's not as though I was expecting you to be an expert in woodlore.”

“But I am useless right now.”

“I wouldn't say that,” he said, but he followed it with that little disapproving noise he'd made the day before when we were having tea, and he ended his sentence with an unspoken “but”.

So I spoke it for him. “But what?”

“But,” he paused, obviously reluctant to speak, and then all at once, “but don't you think it would be beneficial to learn to do more things without relying on magic?”

I shrugged. “I've never had the need.

“Yes, I know,” he mused. “It's so odd!”

“Why?” I laughed. “What's so strange about that?”

“Nothing, if you've grown up that way,” he explained. “But considering that I grew up in the Outskirts--a place where magic was forbidden for years, where people who'd had horrible experiences with magic went to escape—considering that I spent a lot of the last ten years in such a stringent society, well, it's always quite jarring to immerse myself in a culture where even the non-magical people are dependant upon magic. It seems like it's always one extreme or the other.”

“All right, but don't you use magic a lot?”

He considered. “I love magic,” he said. “I love how it works. The theoretical side of it fascinates me like nothing else. But I think it's important to have a sense of balance between doing things with magic and being able to do them without.”

“But aren't you a Seventh Skillhouse magi?”

“No.”

“You're Sixth?” I asked, skeptical.

“No,” he repeated.

“Ha!” I said as I took a turn at the spit. “I've seen you transport. You've even transported me! With that much ability, you can't be anything but Seventh.”

He reached out and tested one of the rucs with a finger. Sitting back, he asked. “Foofri, what does being a certain Skillhouse have to do with anything?”

“The higher the Skillhouse, the more magic you can do.”

“Can do?” he replied, giving me a pointed look. “Or are allowed to do?”

“Both, I guess,” I said, feeling a little confused. “I mean they go hand in hand, right?”

“Sure,” he said. “If you're a student at the Imperial Academy of Magic.” Which he said in a certain tone.

“What do you mean by that?” I demanded.

He sighed, shaking his head. “I shouldn't have said anything.”

“Too late now.”

“Fine. I just don't agree with everything the Academy does, that's all.”

“And you're suggesting it should be a magical free-for-all?”

“No, just that the students should be a little more prepared. They learn the same old spells that have been taught for I don't know how long. They don't even begin learning theoretics until they've graduated and started apprenticeship. Experimentation should be included right from the start.”

“Isn't that a little...extreme?” I asked, throwing his word back at him. Because even though what he said actually made sense, I felt like I had to defend the Academy. It's my school, after all, and I'm pretty grateful to even be going there.

“Extreme?” he repeated. “No, not if you're careful.”

Which was too easy an answer for me. “Tell me,” I went on, “what is your experience in life that you can pass such harsh judgement?”

“Two things,” he replied. “First, before I started training for work in the Underground with your father, I traveled a lot. I've seen a lot of different cultures and a lot of different magic systems.”

“Second?”

“Second...I teach magic.”

“Oh, you teach magic,” I said, “and are all of your magic students equally proficient in building fires by hand and in sewing buttons on with a needle and thread?”

“Condering that I instruct in the Outskirts, yes they are.”

Drat him, he had an answer for everything. I wasn't finished with the discussion, but before I could think of anything else to say, he handed me a smoking hot ruc, dripping with juices. While devouring the little beast, I made a mental note of things I wanted to ask once we got back on the trail.

But once we were moving up the Pass again, conversation was a little difficult since it took all of Sean’s concentration to lead the larat over the rough terrain. The higher reaches of the Pass were much different than the lower portions, which were much like any other forest. There were beautiful tall trees covered with thick green moss, a cheery brook that ambled close to our path, and wildflowers that grew randomly throughout the landscape.

As we traveled higher and higher, there was a marked change in the landscape. The soft dirt of the forest floor gave way to shimmering gray rock smattered with grapefruit sized bumps, which the larat seized in her claws to propel us forward. Trees become more scarce as the dirt disappeared, and the rocks grew increasingly bigger until we were surrounded on either side by varying sizes of boulders. The only thing that remained the same was the bubbling brook which continued to accompany us on our way and which flowed across the rock, smoothing out the rough spots and eroding its path deeper into the ground.

Sean gestured to the brook when he noticed me staring at it. “It comes from a natural spring found at the summit. We should reach it by nightfall. There are some beautiful pools I’d like to show you in the morning and you can have a bath if you like.”

We continued on our way for a few hours, speaking very little, until the sun began to disappear and Sean turned the larat off the trail into a small smooth-floored cave with enough room for the three of us to sleep around a little fire. The riding had been exhausting, although once my body became accustomed to the rhythmic stride of our faithful animal, it had been fairly enjoyable. Now, I was given the task of preparing our beds, while Sean built up the little fire with wood he had brought from the lower region.

Once we both finished, Sean, sitting on his sleeping pallet, opened one of his packs and pulled out some apples, a loaf of bread, and some dried meat for our dinner. I was almost too tired to eat, but I managed to choke down a chunk of bread while Sean and the larat devoured the rest.

“Sean?” I asked as we all settled down to sleep in the fire lit cave.

“Mmmm?”

“You mentioned that magic was forbidden in the Outskirts for years. As in, past tense. And now you're teaching magic there. How did that happen? I thought the Outskirts were-”

“A barren, desolate wastland where no magic of any kind is allowed?” he finished for me.

“Well, yes.”

“Oh, it was. Believe me, it was. That's one extreme I never want to live in again,” he said urgently.

“So what happened?”

He laid back and put his arms behind his head. “It's not surprising what an isolated society will turn to when drought threatens their existence.”

I waited for him to continue.

“When it became obvious that it wasn't going away any time soon, a few of us went out and created a new weather pattern.”

“And the land rejoiced?”

“Hardly,” he said, wryly. “But when the river and stream beds filled up and the crops started growing, the town council could see the benefit of magical assistance 'in emergency situations'.”

“So then you started a magic school?”

“No, but I proposed adding some classes at the regular school. The other magi skilled enough to create spells like the ones involving weather patterns have other work and, like I said, I travel a lot. But we take turns instructing the students.”

“Weather patterns are my cousin Cordy's specialty,” I offered, suddenly.

“I know, I've read her work. It's brilliant. When we get to the Outskirts, I'm going to use some of her equations to re-enforce our rain regulating spells.”

“Oh, so you're actually going to use the work of someone who's been Academy trained? Isn't that interesting.”

He laughed softly. “The Academy is very good at what it does,” he admitted. “It produces some powerful magii. I only said I disagree with some aspects of what they do.”

“Like not teaching more variation in spell components.”

“Yes, among other things. But aside from those, it's probably the best institution for learning magic I've seen.”

“Earlier you made it sound like, during all your travels, you'd found your perfect society somewhere else.”

“I once thought I had.”

“Where?”

He rolled off his back and propped himself up on his side with one elbow. “Me. A society of one. Traveling wherever I wanted to go, learning languages, studying various magics, carrying important information between borders...” He picked at the edge of his sleeping pallet absentmindedly. “And going back to the Outskirts to teach when I could...” he trailed off again, reminiscing.

“That sounds pretty perfect.”

“It was...until now.” He lifted his eyes from the edge of his pallet to look directly into mine. “Turns out traveling with a companion is much more enjoyable.” He held my gaze for a moment longer before he laid back down and closed his eyes. “We should get some sleep.”

I laid down as well, hoping the firelight hid the blush I could feel creeping over my face, and went to sleep.

When I awoke, Sean was gone, but the muse was sitting in his place, your letter in hand. I don’t need to tell you how greatly I appreciated it just then. I didn’t write back just then since I didn’t know when Sean would return, plus the muse was considerably worn out and asked to be excused for a few hours rest.

Sean returned only seconds after the muse disappeared, his face freshly shaved and his hair still wet, an effect that was not lost on my female sensitivities. “If you'd like to bathe, I can show you where the pools are now.”

“Yes, thank you,” I said, running my hand through my dirty hair. “Do you by chance have soap or anything like that?”

“It’s already up there.” He turned and walked out of the cave, leaving me with nothing to do but grab a few things from my bundle and follow. He led me up a little path, through an archway of rock, and into what may be one of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen.

It appeared to be the very summit of the pass. On one side, a sheer drop-off, on the other, a high cliff, and in the middle, an array of multi-leveled pools fed by water from the enormous waterfall that gushed down the cliff wall. Water spilled into each pool from the one just above it making a smooth slide downward where it ran over the rock.

“Oh, Sean.” I gasped, and he smiled for just a moment.

“Here’s the soap and a few other bath accoutrements I never go without. I’m going to sit on this rock here, facing out so you’ll have both your privacy and protection.”

“Protection from what?” I asked nervously.

“Nothing. It’s just in case. But I am feeling slightly uneasy, so if you don’t mind hurrying a little...I’m sorry I didn’t wake you earlier, but I thought you should rest.” He turned and scrambled onto a rock overlooking the wild vista below while I undressed to my underthings.

The water was deliciously warm and soothing and I truly wished you could be there to experience it. When I finished, I stepped behind a tall rock to dry off with the cloth he had left for me and stepped into some clean undergarments and some clean clothes, which he had also left. I was just about to rejoin Sean when two huge and hairy arms grabbed me from behind and dragged me out anyway.

Once we were out in the open again, I was released, but one huge hand with long fingers stayed at my shoulder. It was the same troll I had seen in the woods the first night I followed my father to his meeting place with Sean. At least, it looked like the same one, but I couldn't tell for sure because it had been so dark that night. Also, the two other trolls with him looked very similar. When he said something in troll, Sean spun around, leaping from the rock as he heard the voice.

“Let her go, Arturo,” he said in Realm as he approached us and pulled me away. “She’s with me.”

I don't know what I thought they would do, but I didn't expect them to start laughing and nudging each other as they gestured at me and Sean. I couldn't help noticing things I hadn't been able to see in the woods on my first encounter. Like how ostentatiously they were dressed, their clothes sewn in wild patterns and garrish colors.

“My apologies,” said Arturo back in heavily accented Realm, “I thought she was spying on you.” He turned and gave me a look that said very clearly that he remembered me from the woods. I knew he had seen me! “I didn't know she was your woman,” he said, speaking the word ‘woman’ with a raise of his eyebrows, followed by a wink in our direction. The other two laughed even harder, bobbing their heads.

“She’s not my woman, she’s Montphish’s daughter,” Sean explained, “and I’m escorting her to the Outskirts. May I present Magi Foofribelle Montphish? Magi Montphish, I would like you to meet Arturo, Vincenzo, and Pilukio.”

“This is Foofribelle?” exclaimed Arturo with surprise. “And all this time I’ve pictured a little girl. Well, no matter. Let’s have us a spot of tea and get acquainted. Old Montphish is a good friend of ours and I’d like him to know we gave you the royal treatment…with all the trimmings!” He turned and all three of them began pulling interesting things out of their brightly colored packs.

“We’re actually on a fairly tight schedule, my friends,” Sean interceded. “Perhaps some other time.”

Arturo and the other two continued setting up as though Sean hadn’t spoken. “Now, now,” he said, “you’ve not even had your breakfast yet, I’m sure. You can sit down for a few minutes and let your bathing beauty here have some sustenance. Besides, we’ve just stocked up and there are loads of good things to eat.”

“Do you, by chance, have any munches?” I asked. I had just read your letter and when they mentioned good things to eat, it just popped out. They looked at me in surprise and started their raucous laughter all over again. Sean released me and glared, but gave in. I shrugged my shoulders somewhat guiltily at him.

“We don’t have any munches, Magi Montphish, but I think you’ll be satisfied with what we do have.”

I was. No munches, but it was a splendid tea, set out on the rocks, and there was plenty to eat. Even the larat indulged. I won’t repeat the conversation since most of it was teasing remarks regarding Sean’s and my supposed relationship, something that embarrassed us both deeply. The trolls were still eating (and drinking, and talking, and laughing) when we took our leave and packed up our things.

Sean waited patiently for me to try and do something with my hair and his non-enchanted comb, but after a few minutes and some of my less than lady-like grunting, he took the comb and ordered me to turn around.

“No, Sean. I’ll do it myself. I want to.” I held out my hand expectantly, but he ignored it and began combing through the tangles.

“Hold still,” he commanded as I squirmed and yelped, “you’re only making it worse…” I clenched my teeth and tried not to fidget. He seemed to take a little longer than I would have thought necessary, but his hands were gentle as they tugged through the tangles. Finally he said, “There, isn’t that better? Now braid it and tie the ends with this cord.”

We loaded up and began our descent down the other side of the Pass. Once we were well of out hearing range of the trolls, I said, “That was…interesting. Until now, I never completely understood why we’re always cautioned never to take tea with trolls.”

“This is one of the more tame experiences I’ve had,” he replied. “Amazing, considering there was a woman present. I believe it was out of respect for your father that nothing worse was said.”

I let out a big sigh. “Father. He becomes more of a mystery every day.”

“I’m sorry about that, Foofri. Really, I am.”

“I know.”

Hours later, we were making good progress when I noticed Sean’s head bumping into mine and looked back to find him falling asleep in the saddle. I wondered if he'd even slept last night.

“Sean,” I said, nudging his ribs with my elbow, “I can’t go on anymore right now. Let's stop for a little while and rest.”

“Mmmm? Rest? All right, if you think you need it,” he mumbled. We pulled off the trail and into a little alcove in the shade. He had scarcely lain down when I heard soft snoring.

So, here I sit, writing you, dearest. Once I finish, I hope the muse can get back to you before the ball. He's still acting rather anxious.

Good luck with your thieving! Also, I do hope your Anniversary gown turns out lovely, and that you receive at least one decent Anniversary kiss! Please write me all the wonderful details so I might attend vicariously!

Your faithful Foofri