(2024-08-21) A Lady to Hold and Shine Steady

Details

Author:	Athena
Summary:	Avrenne replies to Siamus' letter after the hurricane on what the business is at home, and what fruit and or vegetable their children are now. 690~ words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Chain: Siarenne

August 21st, Year 28

Dearest Siamus,

Your letter assumes correctly. Ahead of word of both commercial networks, and your own letter of which I am exceedingly grateful for receiving, I had some foreknowledge of something of the storm as the sea stalk blossom was damaged, though not to the point of full death, leading me to understand that there had been some difficulty with the crossing, but not of the specifics. I am extraordinarily pleased to know that it was reflective of the severity of the storm, and not of a warning of your own wellbeing as precarious. I had utmost faith that the Lady Blanche would hold, and her captain would come through any storm. I am, as always, proud of you. The blossom remains – holds, and I expect that a new one will be a simple matter, when you come back, of gathering another from the lighthouse.

Fast word has been sent to Mr. Hamish Burt, and a suitable lodging has been obtained, courtesy of an acquaintance of mine, Mrs. Flores – her cottage that she has for let is small, but it is single storey and within an easy walk of a nearby clinic and apothecary, and her son, who is a grocer, lives next door, and is a most affable young man who is all that might be depended upon.

Harbor wise here, Mrs. McCall has reported that her firstborn was of a neat full 8lbs, and her labor was two and a half days from start to finish of a breech birth, which she recounted in detail that I shall not share here, though I will admit to you that it made me grateful for Ery’s smaller size. Miss Curran has withdrawn the amount and delivered it accordingly – your notes of amounts greater than five thousand have been updated, and the ledgers have been noted with the exact number of what amounts to a truly sizable gold rock.

Lady Ery remains well, although her latest trick is that she has learned that pulling upon the ribbon beneath her chin releases her bonnet’s tie, and we have lost another two to the wind. She has also been rolling more whenever she is placed on her back, necessitating new toys to distract her – shines on any reflective seem a particular favorite, and the louder the rattle, the better. I am in fully good health, and Ery’s younger siblings continue to grow well, each one up to the size of “turnip” in length, which we will take to be around five and a half inches, and, in deviation from the turnip in weight, approximately six and a half ounces. These are only estimations, of course, as we know reporting in exact numbers is not where my physician is a star.

In other news, Mr. Westwind has taken back up to his duties and work as a messenger, roaming where he is needed. Ralaea has returned north to assist with the efforts against the Cult of the Damned and the undead with the establishment of a foothold in Stratholme. Isla and Finley have been studying Gilnean history, etiquette, and culinary nuances, while Otto has been working with Larabie on establishing a Gilnean rosebush in the new gardens. Of some note that you may wish to have is that Lord Graves called upon you on the 19th on his way back from Westfall – sky darkenings threatening a rain perhaps played a part in his taking a moment of respite. He has joined Cobalt Company, as part of an agreement between him and Lord Ference, in order to open the door to the rest of the Gravehowl pack. The terms of their employment are specific to the worgens, and Lord Graves’ opinion is that while they are doable, they are harsh. The immediacy of Lady Kenelly’s initiative to work against worgen bias appears to be as necessary as assumed, and I expect soon that one way or another I will speak with her.

With my first, my last, and dashing words,
Your proud and faithful wife,
Avrenne Esprit Fallon

Included with the letter is a pressed alyssum blossom scented with lotus, and two turnips.

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