Dear Daniela,

Your letter has done me a world of good. It has been raining for three days, and I had nearly forgotten what it felt like to be dry. What I would give to sit by the fire with a good book to read!

I think you should write to your old maid, if you have not already. A diplomatic crisis is unlikely, if that was one of your concerns. Perhaps Baron Lansing may be able to help find her if she no longer works at the Brasadoran castle; he has connections there from before the first war. I know she will be happy to hear from you. You could even offer a position at Ternhaligon Castle, if it pleases you.

I am sorry I cannot write longer, we begin our next advance soon. No more ships have landed, but those that have already established a base have dug in and will not budge. They are unlike any people I have met before. They wear no metal armor and use only short weapons for fighting in close quarters. I thought their purpose would be to pillage at random, but they make few attempts.

Do not let these events cast a gloom over the castle; I shall not hear of it! If you want music, call for music!

Sincerely,

Charles

Daniela tucked the letter into her purse and stepped into the carriage. Nicole and Paulina were already inside, and Captain Phillips rode on horseback beside them.

"So, my lady, what are you thinking of for this gift?" Nicole asked.

"I am not yet sure. Perhaps a new book, or something practical?" Daniela responded.

Paulina sniffed. "It is most proper for a young lady to embroider a favor with her own hands for her new husband, instead of buying some trifle."

"Yes, and I do intend to," Daniela said, smiling to herself at Lady Paulina's predictable answer. "However, my needlework has always been slow. If I start now, the war will be over before I can send it to him. He has given me so many gifts since I came here and even before, but I have never given him anything. Now that I have realized it, I do not want to wait."

Paulina looked out the window with a little huff. She was only joining them because she did not trust Nicole to chaperone properly.

"Have you thought about sitting for a portrait?" Nicole asked. "I have seen people carry small ones of their spouses in their pockets."

Daniela blushed at the suggestion of such an intimate gift. It was presumptuous to even consider it. "No, I don't think so... besides, I would like to send it with my letter today."

The carriage arrived at the market in Greenholde and they got out to walk around. Paulina followed close to Daniela; Nicole lagged behind to walk with the captain. Daniela stopped at a little stall selling hard candies filled with cloves and ginger.

"Captain Phillips," she called back to him, "does His Majesty care for sweets?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I believe so. And these are thought to be good for your health."

Daniela bought a box, and Nicole and Captain Phillips carried it back to the carriage. She still wanted to get something more personal, so they continued to explore. Besides, Nicole had not yet had a chance to see the town, so she did not want to rush.

The bookshop was the first place Daniela wanted to stop. She loved looking around at the embossed leather spines and flipping through the pages of fine calligraphy, but there was nothing today that she thought Charles had not probably seen or read already.

Should she get him something useful, like new socks or quilted garments? No, she did not know what he preferred. If he really needed it, he would just send for it himself.

She stepped into the tight shop of the silversmith with Paulina. The walls were covered in decorative blades and sculptures. Intricate amulets dangled above, and charms and jewelry covered the tables.

"Your Majesty, look here." Paulina said. Daniela went to her and saw she pointed at two rings. Each was made of two thin bands of silver twisted tightly around each other. "Do you know the Brasadoran custom of wearing matching bands after marriage?" Paulina asked. "It is only common in rural areas."

"Yes, I had forgotten," Daniela said. "No one practices it here in Aramdeau. Do you think His Majesty would like it?"

"Yes, my lady, he would if it were a gift from you." Paulina smiled.

"Shopkeeper, I will take these two rings."

"Aye, Your Majesty, is there anything else I can get for you?" The bearded man wrapped the rings in soft fabric.

"Yes, I would like to buy two chains to go with them." To Paulina, she said, "Perhaps he won't want to wear it so obviously."

Daniela paid with gold coins and tucked the little parcel into her purse. They went outside. "Let's spend a little more time here, I do not think Nicole has had her fill."

"You are too lenient with Lady Nicole, Your Majesty. And she spends too much time cavorting with that guard." Paulina glanced at Nicole and Captain Phillips, who had waited outside together and were laughing over some sweet rolls. Daniela assumed Paulina's words were well intentioned, but they were too sharp for her liking.

"I believe they are both friendly people, that is all. If there is anything more, it is too soon to be concerned." Then Daniela faced Paulina directly and lowered her tone. "I have been lenient with Lady Nicole, but I have been lenient with you as well. Do not forget your position here. You share the same rank as that lady. I will not tolerate slander among those in my service."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Paulina bowed her head. Daniela hated to speak that way, especially when Paulina had just opened up to her, but she had allowed Paulina's contemptuousness to carry on for much too long.

Back in the castle, Daniela hurried to her writing desk, but then she struggled to think of what to say, or even how to start. Charles had been addressing her as 'Daniela' in his letters, but she had never called him 'Charles', either in person or in writing. And then what was she to talk about? Her day to day life did not vary greatly.

Then Daniela remembered where Charles was and the danger he was in. She resolved to put her inhibitions aside as best she could. She did not have to write well, she just had to write.

Dear Charles,

There is a custom in Brasador, in rural regions to the east, where married couples wear matching rings to represent their vows. I saw a pair in a shop in town and I am including one with this letter. You do not have to wear it, after all it is not an Aram tradition. There is a chain as well, in case you prefer to wear it around your neck or just for safekeeping.

I have received many wonderful gifts from you, while I have been able to give you nothing. Now that I am able, I wanted to give you some token of gratitude. The gifts that you sent over the years to the Abbey meant more to me than you might know. It is a little strange; I believe you are the first person in my life to ever give me a present. Sometimes I was jealous of girls who received many letters from home, but other girls had no one to write to them at all.

Sometimes at the Abbey, I would help the monks to transcribe books and manuscripts. When the other girls went out to perform charitable acts of service, I often could not join them, so instead I helped where I could. It was one of the few occasions when I could take a break from regular life in the convent. I would spend hours copying pages in my best calligraphy. That might surprise you since my handwriting now is not particularly neat. I lack the patience to ever write like that if I can help it, but I can show you a little:

Charles Ternhaligon

It is strange now to think that while I was copying books and playing with other children, you were already serving as king. I cannot imagine bearing such a burden at that age. While I was bickering with Nicole about where my plot of the garden ended and hers began, you were concerned with the borders of nations. Do you remember when you learned you would be king? While I was technically second in line after my brother, I was never considered a possible heir. Even before you inherited the throne, I wonder how different our experiences were when we lived as prince and princess.

I almost forgot, there is a box of spiced sweets coming in the next shipment of supplies. Write again soon no matter how short. As long as it contains news of your safety, any letter of yours is better than my pointless chatter.

Sincerely,

Daniela

Daniela read the letter over and thought about rewriting it. She would not have said half of this to his face. But the sun was about to set, and she did not want to delay any longer. She slid the letter into an envelope and dropped the ring and chain in with it.

The reply came within a week.

"A letter for you, my lady." A servant handed a sealed envelope to Daniela at her breakfast table.

"Thank you!" She got up from her seat and excused herself. Nicole and Marie whispered to each other, likely teasing her for being so excited. She didn't care. She didn't know when she began looking forward to letters from the King so earnestly. Maybe it was because they were communicating in writing, or maybe it was because she knew him a little better now, but she felt no apprehension about what he would have to say. Now she just wanted to hear from him.

She went back to her chambers so she could read in private, but before she could break the seal, there was a loud knock on the door.

"Enter," she called. It was one of the castle guards.

"Your Majesty, it's Lord Sutton. He's dead."