To Edmund Mallory [Penned 6/24]

[Quinn Severne]

Sealed with the Severne eagle, a small "Q" beside it.

Brother,

Lady Severne has passed into Amalthia's arms, but the fever, it seems, has begun to break it's hold upon the city. Lord Theodoric has returned - sending mail seems to be easier now, the ports hopefully opened again within a few weeks.

Send me word. Your letters have not come with the same fluidity as they have before. Where are you? Neither have I heard from Christopher. Perhaps I expect too much correspondence from my family, but I had thought, while you are all still together in Svavel and it is I alone in the frozen north...

All my love,
Q.

[Edmund Mallory]

Quinn,

I apologize for not writing. Christopher had me rather busy with preparing my city and my troops for war. It was not so many months ago, that I used to lay awake and wonder if it would truly come to it. If we were ever going to raise arms against our neighbor. Peace was always my hope. I must admit, even if I did not like Lord Castell, it was comforting to see that he and Christopher had formed at least some semblance of friendship. But there is only so much Christopher can overlook. If not the past of condescension, then surely what happened in our brother's city was enough to star war.

I am now in Saefa with our cousin, Launce. It is a comfort to hear that things travel easier out of Alska. It means the worst of it is over. I am sorry to hear of Lady Severne. I do not remember much about her, but as I recall, she was a very sweet lady.

I also bear sad news. We recently received word from Christopher that his lady wife died after suffering a miscarriage. I wish I was there with him, and I wish I could tell you that he was handling it all right, but the truth is, I don't know.

I cannot say how long I will remain here in Saefa, for I don't know that either. But perhaps when this war ends, Quinn, I will venture North to see my baby sister.

Love,
Ed

[Quinn Severne]

Penned 7/1.

Ed,

I suppose it was all inevitable - but even now as we lay on the brink of disunion in Forsilvra, I still find it shocking that fate has actually led us to this. Lord Theodoric is moving the court to Pida, out of the devastation of Alska, farther from the reach of Leonard Althalos' forces, which creep ever closer with each coming day. I am worried that our communication will become increasingly infrequent. I am on the edge about what goes on in Svavel - if you are alright, and the girls - when and if we shall see each other again. The situation in Atra is growing ever more unstable.

And it seems that tragedy walks the footsteps of our family. I can only hope Christopher is distracted by his current situation and is not swept under the tide of his grief, as he was with Odelia. I wish I could be there with you. Send my best to Launce, Christopher, and our family.

Please keep safe. I love you.

All my love,
Quinn