To Claire Mallory 6/14

[Cynthia Sterlyn]

Sent 6/14 from Solbra

Claire,
Forgive me for not have writing you sooner. Nothing has been well for me, or father since Claudia's death. I feel so alone Claire and I know my words my seem troubling but don't worry for me because I know you are happy in Svavel with your husband. There is a tourney going on now in honor for our cousin Edward's betrothal and the birthday for Allegrezza Sanseverino and although the tourney is exciting I feel even more lonely but I still go, to please mother and father. I know mother sends her love with this letter too and I am doing my best to be strong for mother's sake too but it's always been hard. I've joined Queen Fallon's retinue with her other ladies and that seems to help but I always feel the emptiness without Claudia and even without you. I've even met Lady Aviana, your husband's cousin and your cousin too and we are becoming fast friends. She is a rather interesting and strong woman and she has made my days hear far less lonely.

I heard about the Castells in Svavel and pray for your safety so that war does not come to you or your husband but it seems war is approaching sooner than I thought. I'm scared Claire, of what may happen to any of our family but please at least let me know that you are safe

Your sister,
Cynthia

[Claire Mallory]

Returned immediately upon receipt, 6/15


Cynthia,

I miss you so much, and given the tragedies to our family, I wish I was there to hold and comfort you. You were always there for me. Edmund is away and I feel lonelier than ever. I wish I had leave to visit home or for you to come down to visit me. It saddens me to hear that mother and father are still struggling, although how can I blame them, when I am struggling as well? I am still plagued by nightmares of what I saw in Odelia’s chambers and no matter how much I have tried to push the images from my mind during the day, they come back hard and strong when I am sleeping. I wake screaming sometimes, especially now that I am alone.

Ask mother and father if you can come south to visit with me! Fallon seems like a nice lady. I’m sure she would release you for a few weeks so you can visit. I could use the company. I feel so very on the outside here, not that I was much on the inside at home. Even as I write this, I realize I have very few friends.

We have all gathered so that the banners can speak to Christopher. I believe war is inevitable, but I wish we could avoid it. I penned a letter to our cousin Celeste to ask her to help stop her husband, but I have not heard back. I suppose I shouldn’t expect to. She took the vows to become Queen, false though they may be.

Give Edward my regards for his marriage... even though we were never very close.

With all my love,
Claire