To Vanera, from his mother - Summer/Fall 451 TE

My Darling Vanera,

I do hope you are well and that you are not catching cold. They say it gets dreadful on the moors, even in the summer time. I must admit I still do not understand why you insisted on going off wandering through barbaric lands when there is a good position as a court scribe--and even an advantageous marriage, if I can arrange it--waiting for you back at home. But, if your sister is any indication, it's the purpose of one's children to disappoint one so, for they will go off and have their mad flings without any consideration to a mother's feelings. If you find Anaris a trial to bear, my darling son, you may know that it is but one tenth of the misery your absence has caused me. Won't you come home and marry?

There is certainly plenty to talk about. We went to stay at our house in Sencankarr this spring. Vitherai was danced with by many handsome young men at the king's fete, and I have every hope that when her time comes, she will be able to do our part to raise the fortunes of our house. Of course all of the great gossip was really around young Neras Garini, of whom you must assuredly have heard. He's the heir, mind you, not just of the Garini house, but also of the fabulous fortunes of the Amosbo family. I can still remember when the Amosbo line failed. I was still a young girl then, and it was only a few years after the War. Ralus Amosobo died young and without male heirs, and the fortune defaulted to the Garinis by right of two intermarriages with the Garini line which produced Tengelyan Garini, Ralus Amosbo's wife. There were rumors in those days that Tengelyan Garini denied her husband children so that the fortunes of their household would pass over to her father's estate. The Garinis were and are mad, it's said, though very beautiful, and there is a cunning streak that comes in from those perennial schemers the Eirukos. 

But all of this is, as we say in the Capitol, ancient history. Of great interest right now is the fate of Neras Garini. He is, as I have said, the heir to two fabulous fortunes, and is a great favorite of Onwae. I suspect that he will in time become one of the greatest men in the land. They say he has his eye on Talarja Sathneinor, though after her rogue of a brother killed her last suitor in a duel, I'm not sure how anyone can be expected to give that girl a second glance.

It would be greatly to your sister's advantage were she to set aside her frivolous pursuits and come to Sencankarr at once so that a proper introduction might be made. If not, Neras has three sisters who are all quite young and beautiful. I will speak to Engelyan Thianra, Neras' mother and the matriarch of the Garini clan, on your behalf should the opportunity arise. 

With love and many tears,

Your mother Ridenyan Kjavabo.