Letters The Pennings of Serelai & Lilette

[Lilette Blackbriar]

Dear Serelai,

It is with great glee I doth report to thee mine safe arrival within the twin cities of Alliria.​

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Naught of trouble did'st I meet upon the road for which I remain most thankful, and many a face hast I since met. From the kindly farmer who sheltered and drew water for me amidst rainy night, to fellows of the Celestial Temple, they wert often kind and gentle souls whose paths crosseth with mine.​

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I wishest thou couldst see it; such bustling markets and stalls overflowing with every colour of fruit a mind may conjureth. They comest from great ships the likes of which I hast never borne witness hitherto, though confessedly I hast seen very few since leaving mine woodland home. But most of all methinks the harmony between races upon these cobble streets giveth me joy and hope.​

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Alas, It is for business I comest and business shalt keepeth me awhile longer.​

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As thou know I search for they who forged mine brother's blade and maille long ago, But it seemeth now that house of metallurgists, House Yldore, hath fallen on hard times since last a Blackbriar set foot upon their threshold. ​

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Nevertheless, Lady Xeraphine hast been a most gracious host, and agreed to lend service in recompense of service in kind.​

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I dare not commit to ink the business of a noble house, yet wilt tell thee I hath found adventure here.​

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Thou mayest soon expect another letter and just as well I wouldst much enjoy if thou takest to ink with me.​

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Thine Companion of Quills,
— Lyelette

 

[Serelai Virelle]

Dear Lilette,

I don’t think I can properly explain how glad I was to see your seal on a letter at the inn. I opened it at the desk and then immediately had to sit down because I realised I was grinning like a fool. I read it once, then again, then, well, at least five times before the owner asked if everything was all right. I w
It made me so happy to see and I'm glad you're safe.

Alliria sounds exactly as I always imagined it might, and somehow still grander for coming from you. Ships I can picture, markets I can smell just from the way you describe them, and the mix of people. That part especially. It’s strange how much comfort there is in knowing you’re walking those streets safely. I didn’t realise how much I’d been carrying that worry until it lifted.

Things here are quieter, by comparison, I suppose. I’ve been mostly tied to the inn, picking up extra shifts where I can, and spending what free hours I manage in the library. I’m working on my application for the College. Ugh, the forms alone. They want statements, references, proofs, histories, attestations, as if learning can be weighed and stamped and filed into neat little boxes. I understand why they do it, I suppose, but that doesn’t make it any less infuriating. I still don’t know when they’ll decide, or if they will at all.

Sometimes I think I’m doing something sensible. Other times I feel as though I’m just standing still while the world keeps moving. I keep catching myself thinking how a place might look with you beside me, or how you’d react to some small absurd thing, and then realising you aren’t there. I miss you more than I shou I miss you, Lilette. I miss travelling together, and the feeling that whatever came next, we’d face it side by side.

I wish I could say I’m ready to throw this all aside and follow you again. Part of me wants to. Another part is frightened that I wouldn’t be enough, that I’d just slow you down, or fail when it mattered most. I’m still trying to work out which voice deserves listening to.

Still, I hope our paths cross again soon. Truly. Whether it’s on some muddy road or in a city far too large for either of us. Until then, I’ll hold onto your letters like small pieces of you, folded and safe.

Write again when you can. I’ll be eagerly waiting.

All my lo
Best wishe
See ya
With lo
Peace out

Yours,
Serelai

---

Lilette Blackbriar​

 

[Lilette Blackbriar]

Dear Serelai,

It pleaseth me to know that I might offer thee some small reprieve in thine busy hours, as thou hast done for me in kind. ​

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Though lacking in such rich smell and vibrant colour as described, I hath dried an assortment of fruits wrapped and boxed with this attached letter. If thou shouldest find these contents missing, prithee tell me so that I mayest pen a most stern parchment for the guard. I recently discovered some of the Allirian militia doth confiscate outgoing goods.​

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I shalt be honest with thee, the merchant city has proven not what I thought it to be.​

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Corruption runneth deep through the veins of this city, and though it doth serve my particular needs, as thou knoweth, I find myself treading lightly by day.​

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My work for House Yldore hast delivered me unto the hands of violence perpetrated by organized crime within these walls, and mayest keep me awhile longer than planned for both our safety. But prithee know I wouldest relish the company of a friendly face were it not to endanger thee, and that to read thine letter this morn hast lifted my spirits and parted the rainy mist beyond my window.​

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Thou mustn't worry for me however, for I hast weathered darker days than this and shalt live to visit thee upon the enchanted stones of Elbion once more, of this I am sure.​

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Wistfully,
— Lyelette