He had intended to write in order for once, but first things had to be first. Alysei Aidan astin Velain to Alysei Athal astin Velain, king of Valdyas, either still in Solay or on his way home. Brother mine, Cora took me to Vurian just now –I realise I’d been putting it off– and I told him about what the two men said. Not very coherently I’m afraid, I can hear Raisse tutting at me! Or at least, I didn’t say anything at first, just sat wringing my hands until he said “you’re bringing bad news, and it isn’t Athal or I’d have heard about it.” “Torin,” I said, “and I’m not completely sure because I don’t trust the man who told me.” It became a family affair at once, everybody from twelve-year-old Erlyn up called into the room and I had to tell it again. Cora, meanwhile, was talking to Lara in the kitchen, girls’ stuff or grand masters’ stuff, probably both at once. There was an argument between Aine and Vurian, which Aine won, so she is going south on the fastest horse and Vurian is going to Valdis. Both, of course, to find out what really happened. […]

He was spirited away while unconscious. Not that he could have done any more fighting, even against doctor’s orders. Alysei Aidan astin Velain to Alysei Athal astin Velain, king of Valdyas, probably in Solay; otherwise please forward. Brother mine, I hope this reaches you in good order. Someone will know where you are, I suppose, it’s not as if you can disappear into the crowd. Not even I can, it turns out: as soon as people noticed that I was in Essle they came to me to sign their papers and settle their disputes. Now I’m writing on a river-boat on the swollen Rycha, so if the letters are wobbly and the ink runs it’s from that, don’t imagine I’m crying or my arm is stlll busted. I was very surprised to wake up on the ship, and even more surprised that it turned out to be the White Whale! It must have been easier to repair those whopping big holes in the side than it looked. Oh, and I was very surprised that Raith was there too, spirited away by Dushtan while she was knocked out. She told me that she does tend to fall unconscious for a while […]

If all goes well this will arrive before the report of victory, not with it. And if all does not go well, it may be Aidan’s last message, but he doesn’t realise that. Alysei Aidan astin Velain to Raissei Cora astin Velain in Turenay Darling Cora, I’m writing this in Iss-Peran! The north-westernmost point of it, a city called Kushesh in the kingdom of Jomhur. You probably know better than I where it is. It’s now full of our army, more soldiers than I ever thought I’d see, about ten times as many as left from Valdis. And that’s not even all of the army! Some troops have already gone forward to Solay, and I’m not counting all the sailors on the warships. Most of them are Iss-Peranians, but there’s a good thirty thousand Valdyans in all, perhaps more, because I didn’t see anyone from the old regiment of Turenay –the one that went first of all, before I even knew you– and I know they’re still active so they must be somewhere in the vanguard.. You were right about me being able to give Athal a bit of earth to keep him steady, though I wasn’t all that steady […]

This came with several crates of medicines from the White Whale. Dearest Cora, Here’s a load of medicines. I remembered just in time that if there were spices, there ought to be medicinal herbs too, and that you’d be glad to have them. After all, they’re ours, and we’re rich enough without selling them to strangers. I let Athal’s doctor Dushtan take what she needed, but that wasn’t much at all, mostly stuff to use at sea. Athal’s seasickness medicine, for one! Today he doesn’t have time to worry about the voyage, because he’s gone to the poor neighbourhoods with Raisse and Moyri and all the little kids to meet the people there. Prince Dhamir from Aumen Síth wanted to go too, but Raisse said it was only an occasion for the people of Essle to see their king, not an outing for foreigners. He was properly chastised! Now he’s sparring with my soldiers, coming along nicely, I think he’ll actually be able to fight a bit once there’s some fighting. Please, please don’t overwork yourself! I’d almost come home to keep you from it, but Athal needs me more now than even you and our child-to-be together. But take […]