To Lord Renate Fleurant

[Melari Forthwind]

(arriving about 4/13).

Your Grace,

My lord father recently informed me that he has arranged I spend some months with my mother's family in Ahestere. I'm very grateful to you for this, particularly since I will soon be of age and have never had such study outside Demere. I have always wished to travel, and I miss my mother, so I think it very fine to see a new province as well as to make the acquaintance of her kin. I will do my best to be worthy of your House.

Thank you again.

Your servant,

Melari Forthwind.

[Renate Fleurant]

Arriving 4/15

My Lady Forthwind,

It is nice to meet your acquaintance, if it only by letter yet. However, one thing before I begin. Do not address me as Your Grace, for am I not your King. Lord Fleurant will suffice for the purpose of addressing me. You are also not my servant, though the sentiment is appreciated.

Now then, I am pleased that you have chosen to write me. You have excellent penmanship, though it could improve. Be sure to stay diligent with your practice. You are very polite, I can see that, and is it very becoming for a Lady your age.

House Fleurant is eager for you to meet Enos. It is a magical city, and I am sure that you will not be disappointed. While staying with us you will be allowed to study anything and everything you will like. Our libraries and resources will be at your full disposal. Be sure that you treat them well. If you wish to travel, Ahestere will be an experience unlike any other.

Warmly,
Lord Renate Fleurant

[Melari Forthwind]

Sent 4/16

My Lord Fleurant,

Somehow, I'm always surprised to be addressed as Lady Forthwind. In my head the title belongs to my mother or elder sister; it doesn't quite seem to fit me. I'm trying to get used to it.

I'm glad that my letter pleased you. I was pleased to receive your response -- the letter arrived on my birthday, which was a nice surprise even if it wasn't meant to be.

My lord need not fear that I will neglect my penmanship. I love beautiful things, and I love to write, so I think l shall be practicing until the day I die. Hopefully I will become better before too much longer.

I do try to be polite. I think you will find, my lord, that I can be ignorant of finer manners (as evidenced by my mistake with your title), but I would be very disappointed in myself if you or anyone else found me ungracious, ungrateful, or coarse. I am not ambitious in the usual sense, but I do hope to be my best self.

Thank you for your compliments and instruction. It's very kind.

I'm eager to meet Enos, too! How could I not be? I may study anything and everything I like, and I'll have libraries at my full disposal. You warn me to treat them well, my lord, but I ask you: What man upon finding a Paradise he yearned for proceeds by setting fire to it? It would take a very foolish and wicked-hearted man, I think...I might be foolish but I doubt even a foolish maid could do anything so awful. Your studies are my dream come true, and I promise you I'll treasure them.

We will be in Beleille shortly. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you.

Best regards,

Melari.

[Renate Fleurant]

Sent 4/18

My Lady Forthwind,

My sincerest apologies for not knowing that it was your birthday. I hope that your birthday was excellent and you received everything you wanted. You will find a birthday gift in the small pouch attached with this letter.

Do not worry, we will fix all of these when you arrive in Enos. You will never be ignorant of finer manners again. But that is okay, for everyone needs to learn at some point.

Looking forward to meeting you,

Lord Renate Fleurant

( In the pouch is a necklace with a small chain and an a snowflake pendant)