The letter

Mary had opened her chest and put away her clothes in the wardrobe in the room. She had never had a wardrobe before, and it felt luxurious.

As she now looked into the rest of the content she saw a couple of small parcels, neatly wrapped in fabric alongside a wooden box. In the wooden box there were a few pieces of jewellery that had belonged to her mother. Nothing that expensive, except for a few items that her father had made.

In the parcels were the last items that her father had made before he got sick. She hadn’t looked at them in years. She had never felt the need to unpack them in her cramped room in the castle. Worried that Mrs. Meata would have accused her of steeling them from the caste.

But maybe it was time to take out a couple of them. It would be nice to have something to connect her old family with her new one, she thought, and started unwrapping them. She lay them on the bed as she unwrapped them and when all was displayed there, she looked them over.

There were four silver mugs with an accompanying tray. They had a simple, but beautiful, decorative border along the bottom and then again about two thirds up. The tray had the same border going in two full circles along the edge.

Then there was a small silver box. The lid and the sides were covered in intricate engravings, except for a circle in the middle of the lid that were void of any decorations. Mary knew that the customer that would have bought the box would have chosen a name, or a date, to engrave in the empty space.

There were two wases with slightly different designs on them. And then there was an assortment of pendants and rings. Some of them were plainer and had room for engravings, while others were made from silver thread that had been masterfully coiled and folded to form patterns.

Mary took the two wases and placed them on top of the mantelpiece to the fireplace. She took the small silver box and put the jewelry in. She kept her mother’s in their separate wooden box. The things her mother had worn were special. She put the two boxes on top of her desk.

The four mugs and tray were left on the bed, she would bring them down to the kitchen when she went downstairs. It was time they were used.

She then looked at the stack of paper and the wooden box Kopa had gave her. She had put them on her desk, so she sat down to arrange them. She placed the paper to the side and opened the box and drew in a breath.

Inside the box there were two long quills made out of feathers that Mary had never seen. They were long and almost fluffy. They were beige in color, almost with a pink undertone and she realized that the ends were made in silver. That meant that they wouldn’t need sharpening or to be replaced that often.

She looked at them with fascination, running her fingers along the soft feather. They were truly amazing, Mary had never used something like that. She gently put them on top of the paper.

In the box there were also three bottles of ink. One black, one blue and one red. And lastly a bottle of sand for absorption of ink. She was grateful for the gift that Kopa had given her, and she carefully lined up the bottles at the top of the desk.

She took out some paper and one of the quills, she opened up the black ink and stared down at the paper for a while before she started writing.

’Dear Anna

I hope this letter finds you well. I have now arrived safely in Salmis, the journey was long but uneventful.

The Lady and her two aari started to teach me Salamis on the way. I already know quite a few words and phrases. Did you know that they don’t use the same letters to write as in the common language? I am slowly learning the new way of writing.

When we arrived in Salmis Kopa gave me quite a surprise. He offered me a place in his home. I now live with him and his wife Bettina. They are my new family. I can hardly believe that I have a family.

It has only been a day, but they have been kind to me and made me feel at home. I really do feel at home here. I know you were hoping for me to find happiness and I think I can find it here.

Bettina is kind and patient with me. She is teaching me about my new home, and she will take me dress shopping soon. Kopa has already been more than generous and has bought me all I need to write this letter and many more if I so wish.

I have my own room in the house. I can’t begin to describe how beautiful it is. I have this big, round window, that is overlooking our garden. And my own bathroom. In the bathroom you get the water from a pump, into the room itself. Then there is a system that heats the water, fills the bathtub and drains it. I can’t wait to figure out how it works.

Bettina has taught me some new dishes. The food is tasty, and Bettina is a good cook, almost as good as Mrs. Karrots.

The Lady and her two aari has gone home to where they are living. But I will visit with the Lady again once I have settled down. We are to talk about my future.

Lastly, I would just like to say that I’m fine, I feel better than I have in a long time and I am happy to have a family. But I still miss you. I will never forget the kindness you have shown me. You don’t have to write me back, but I hope you don’t object to me sending a letter to you once in a while.

Best wishes

Mary

Dear Zerden,

I’m adding this to the bottom of the letter to your mother. If you wish to read it to her as well that is fine.

I just wanted to say that I hope you are well and that I miss you. It feels strange to not have you around to talk to, even though we haven’t had much time to talk the last year.

Thank you for reading the letter to your mother. I’m grateful.

Best wishes

Mary’

When she was done, she read the letter once more and nodded. She then just looked at it. What was she supposed to do with it now?

As she sat there wondering, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in” she said and Kopa opened the door.

“Can I come in?” he asked.

“Of course” she said gesturing with her hand for him to enter.

“Bettina sent you some hot milk with honey, she says it will make you relax” he told her, placing a mug next to her that was steaming.

“Please thank her from me, that was really sweet of her” Mary said and smiled.

“I see you have unpacked” Kopa said, glancing around the room.

“Yes, I don’t have that much so it was not that much work. That reminds me. When you go downstairs, can you take these with you?” she said, getting the silver mugs and their tray from her bed. She handed them to Kopa. He studied them for a while.

“Your fathers work?” he asked.

“Yes, I have unpacked his things finally. I was thinking we could use them”

“Are you sure Mary? If you want to keep them safe, that is okay”

“I’m sure. My father said that the things he made was made to be used. That no artisan liked the idea to work for hours on objects that were put away and forgotten”

“They are beautiful, I can se that they are made by the same man that made my cloak-pin.” he said.

He then looked around her room once again and started moving around, admiring the silver items she had put on display.

“They are all beautiful”

“Thank you. I hope you don’t mind if I have them out”

“Of course not. They are your legacy, a link to your father. I’m proud to have them in my home.”

“Thank you Kopa. I’m lucky to be in your home” Mary said.

“I’m the one that is lucky that you agreed to make my home your home Mary. Now drink your milk and get to bed”