Dear Headmistress,
Thank you for your prompt reply. It was waiting when I returned to the inn. And thank you for your sage words. It means so much to me to be able to confide in someone. I visited a temple of the healing god and learned a little: What affliction this is and why the medic hadn’t recognized it. And also I’m past being cured. However, don’t think all is lost. The records found by the priestess suggests this is something I can learn to control. I may, in time, be able to at least visit my family and friends. For now, I’m headed out to the wildest, most isolated area I can find. I fear learning to control this will not be easy and it’s best if I’m away from populated centres for a while. When I can, I will write again. I hope with good news. Gratefully and sincerely, Antonia
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To my dear family,
I hope all of you are doing well. If you do write to me, I can’t promise to get your letters often. I will write to you anyway, as opportunity presents itself. Speaking of which, it could be a while before I write again. I’ve been a guest of the healing god’s temple. (Don’t fear for me. I’m as well as can be.) But I think, from here, I will be headed to wilder lands in search of some quiet. And perhaps a chance for a different sort of adventure and to learn a little about the natural world. While I’ve loved our life in the city, there’s a lot I could yet learn. I hope, when next I write to you, I will have a story or two to share. All my love, Nia Dear Headmistress,
Thank you for being such an inspiration. And thank you for the instruction which has served me well, if not entirely in the way many originally hoped. Perhaps I will never be the lady Grandfather dreamed of when he sent me to your school. I always found it hard to picture myself in that role. But in the military, during the war – what an asset! Again, thank you. I sincerely hope my trust in you is not misplaced. I’m in dire need of someone to confide in who is willing to advise me. This war has left its mark on me, the worst at the very end. Usually, when returning from a scouting assignment, I encountered no one. Except the last time. I stumbled upon… or did it sniff me out? I have no clear idea what happened. I was beset by a fearsome beast tagged with enemy colours. That much I do recall. I have no memory of making it back to camp. I’m told I stumbled in under my own power, but grievously wounded. I spent the tail end of the war in the hospital tent, recovering. I know a search was made for the beast. And there was report the site of the attack was found. But the beast itself, whatever it was, had vanished without trace. I’m well enough recovered, at least in body. Honourably discharged with the declaration of the end of the war. If only that were the end of the tale. After my discharge, I left camp with the intention of returning home. I miss my family. But one night, camping beside the road… To be completely honest, I have no idea what happened. I crawled into my bedroll and then I woke some distance away, disoriented and aching all over. And blood, I think from a small animal. I don’t know. But I fear to return to my family. Until I know what this is, I don’t want to see anyone come to harm. I wrote them, of course, to let them know I intend to travel a while, see the wider world. There is an inn I think I may return to frequently. Should you care to write and share your views, I would appreciate it greatly and the innkeeper will hold my letters for me. Gratefully and sincerely, Antonia To my dear family,
So good to hear all of you survived this horrid war and have returned home safely. You may have heard I was honourably discharged, which is true. But I don’t think I will be returning home anytime soon. As much as I would love to see all of you again, I also want to see more of the world. I’ll write, I promise. And maybe one day you’ll see me in person. All my love, Nia |
AuthorAlexandra A. 'Lexa' Cheshire is the author of numerous novels and short stories published through Howling Wolf Books. Lexa is a wife, mother, cat owner, and music lover. Archives
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