Lady Rachel Newbury, upon entering her bedroom, noticed a piece of paper sitting on her dressing desk. Her maid had enticed her up here from the evening meal with a whisper about her dress having a large stain on the back.

"Oh my lady do forgive my lies," her maid blurted out once the door had clicked behind them, "but your father was staring at me so piercingly. I did not want to just tell you a letter awaited you...it was given to me by a rider in town. He instructed me to deliver this to you without Lord Cullens knowledge!" The poor woman seemed over her head and distressed. "P-please my lady...do not tell your father of my forked toung."

This was the contents once Rachel opened the letter:



~Translation~

Rachel, this letter is from Robert. I know you and I are not to correspond, but even fathers wrath couldn’t keep me from writing you any longer. Damn him and his eyes if he discovers this note.

How are you? I trust all goes well in Newbury. I miss our conversations and your insights; I miss our rides to the river. I miss you my dearest little sis, and I hope fathers anger abates soon only so I can see you again.

Things progress well here in the garrison. I train every day and ride Quirinus every morn. I have seen a couple of small skirmishes but have yet to see great battle. The size of the camp around the garrison grows daily. Hundreds of refugees, soldiers, and camp followers arrive throughout each day, further expanding our size. One could get lost in the faceless crowds of this tented city.

My lodgings are meager but acceptable, but I am lucky to have noble blood. They gave me my own large tent because of it; instead of having me share with another knight. The weather is agreeable and I find myself in excellent health. I attribute this to the climate and extra daily training.

Soon, I will be challenging another knight in hopes of attaining an increased rank in the army. Perhaps, if I become a knight Captain, I will be able to catch the king’s eye, and be granted my own fief. Wouldn’t that be spit in father’s eye? I ache to prove him the fool for his actions toward me, and I push myself harder each day in hopes of doing so.

I hope you are well dear one. As I stand firm by my words to father, you are the only family I have left. The others are dead to me.

~R

"My lady the rider said he had been instructed by the sender to remain at the Inn for one eve to see if a response was forthcoming." her maid stated; once she noticed Rachel had finished reading the letter.

Rachel read the letter, her eyes wide with surprise and excitement. She thought to herself that the maid probably thought she was seeing someone she shouldn't be, and she was half right. She beckoned for the maid to stay and sat down to write her reply.

Dear Brother,

I'm so glad to hear that you're getting along fine. I too miss the adventures we used to have. I don't know if you have heard this already or not, but Julian is getting married to Lady Elena Lawley. I haven't met her yet but it's scary to think that brother is marrying someone only a year older than I am. I guess that's the only thing Father thinks I'm good for. And don't worry. He doesn't know about the letters.

I'm also inviting you to the Wedding if you'd like to come. Father wouldn't approve which is half the reason I'm inviting you. Also, it's a chance to see you and I'm sure Julian misses you as well. Almost as much as I do. Well, no, not really, but he still misses you.

I do hope that your challenge goes well if it hasn't ended by the time you get this. Don't hurt yourself. If you get a fief of your own, I'll be the first one there. Reply back if you can.

Love,
Rae

Rachel sealed the letter and gave it to the maid. "Please send this back to who you got the letter from. Please don't let my father see you or the letter. Now leave." The maid left Rachel alone with her memories.