At Darkenhold, for Sylvius Duquesne, or Another

[Rance]

"You are overzealous," said Professor de Lanz to the seamstress.

"The sooner you write this letter, the sooner they might respond," the girl said.

"Which means the sooner you might be out of my hair."

"Do you dislike me?" she asked.

He shook his head. "No. I dislike what you have done to my image of Jernoah. It was once great, and proud, fantastic, violent, exotic, primitive, and glorious in my head."

"And what could I have done to mar that," she asked.

"You have made me realize it is just another place. You are not a remarkable girl, Glour'eya Wynsee; you are a truth-herald, in that your fellow people, your fellow Jernos, are likely no less unremarkable than you."

But yet, he took her dictation, and he sealed the note with his wax stamp. The next day, she secured a courier, gave him the few shillings Professor de Lanz had given to her for the postage -- it was the least he could do to make up for his sharp words -- and sent her letter.

At Darkenhold, To Whom it May Concern: Preferably, Sylvius Duquesne, but in His Absence, One of Equal or Greater Ability with Words.

A Letter, in which I Inquire of Placement in a Program of Studies for Rhetoric and Discourse, as Suggested by Master Regent Governor Glenn Burnie, who recognizes My Merit for a Future of Politics, that I may always be a Lowly Seamstress, but Aspire to Greater Purpose unafforded by the Conservatism of my Homeland.

I have come about a Collection of Great Books, Histories, and Poems that I wish to inter in your Wondrous Library: namely, a Meager Selection of Jernoan Texts that may be used for Language Study, Religious Discovery, the Recitation of Good Lyrics and Epics, and a Fantastic Pamphlet I found which outlines the Myriad Ways that Jah’zoon Urine can be not only a Beneficial Additive to any Soup, but as a Preservative for Certain Smokeroots.

Also, while I am not a Native Myrkener, I greatly wish to ask for the Tutelage of Msa. Duquesne – or, in his permanent absence, one of Equal Ability – in the arts of Standard Grammar and Composition, Verbal Elocution, Public Speaking, and Rhetoric. I have been Led to Believe that Myrken is a place for Opportunity. In Jernoah, a Woman is a Woman alone, meant only for a Spread of her Legs, a Teat for Babes, and Objectification under the Oppressing Eyes of Paternity and Husbandry. In Myrken, however, a Seamstress such as Myself might find New Purpose.

I have spoken to my dear Master C_____ of his Aspirations for the Future, and they are Great; in this Vein, it would hurt my Soul to never grow, to be no better than a Meek Seamworker for all my Years, to become Old and Gray while those I love become Great Men. What a Curse, to never become wise, to be relegated only to a Future of Cataracts, Incontinence, Dementia, Loneliness, and Stupidity.

I have an Undying Respect for Age, but I will not Age well; I have no Intelligence, Smarts, Wisdom, or Wit now, and cannot see Myself developing It without your Aid, Msa. Duquesne.

I wish be a Great Woman; I will ask for Schooling in Rhetoric at your Darkenhold.

Response may be Directed to the Furthermost-left room in the Broken Dagger Tavern and Inn. I look forward to your Retort. See Governor Burnie’s Letter – attached – for further Information regarding his Reference of Me to You.

Sincerely,

Gloria (Glour’eya) Wynsee
Seamstress, Uniformess of the Marshall, Humble New Myrkener

[Duquesne]

So few had been informed of his return and his presence at Darkenhold since has been a quiet matter. Therefore, the receipt of any letters is something of an irregularity and he is privately at loss... but only for a moment. Here is the messenger in the doorway of his study, a young man bundled against the cold and red in the face. He gestures for the lad to enter, receives the letter and offers coins in return--perhaps a coin too many, but he has some to spare and does at every chance. "Wait a moment outside, please."

The letter is opened and meticulously read, thereafter the letter of referral attached. And when these have been read, he leans back into his chair these few inches and musingly lowers the pages, the first arranged beside the second. Burnie's referral stimulates a thought, for there was a matter of complication regarding him these last months, as expressed to him in earnest by Ariane after his arrival home. But there was time to muse upon such things. The more pressing matter would seem to be the possibility of taking on a student. It had been some time since he had taught. Some long time.

He removes a clean parchment from a drawer and undertakes a response, here with fingers already trimmed with ink.

Dear Miss Wynsee,

Your contributions to the shelves of Darkenhold's library are most welcome. I invite you to deliver them in person at your convenience, that you might have the pleasure of seeing them personally to their new residence here and receive compensation for your trouble. We may also discuss your education.

With regard,
S. Duquesne

He sands the ink and then folds the parchment in quick, well-studied art, seals it with wax and addresses it to the young lady's lodgings as provided in her letter. Calling on the messenger, he passes on the note and an extra coin, then sends the lad on his way.

[Rance]

"Write," she said. "Quickly, please." She had gotten the courier's letter -- Duquesne's response -- and had gone to the professor with haste, interrupting his morning breakfast of blood sausage and clover-dappled eggs.

"You are not paying me for my immediacy," Professor de Lanz said.

"Would you prefer I speak slowly? Forgive my excitement. You should know from your life's work that Jernoah is no place for a woman to succeed; this is an opportunity I do not wish to waste in Myrken Wood."

He dabbed at his wrinkled cheek with a napkin. "I hope you recognize your abrasiveness will be a detriment to your continued education, child."

A Brief Response:

Do forgive the Abruptness of this Missive, Msa. Duquesne, for my Heart is near to bursting with this Cheerful News. Expect my Call to Darkenhold within the Week -- I will gather Knowledge of its Exact Whereabouts from the Locals, and will happily present the Texts from my Homeland to its Library in Person. While it will bring Unease to Me to have these Beloved Works out of my Hands, I feel they will suit Others well, for Knowledge should be Accessible to All who seek It.

I ensure You that I will bring all Hopes of my Potential as a Future Student, though the Final Decision regarding my Learning will surely be left to Your Discretion. I will say my Prayers to the Nameless for a Positive Reception. Also, if you or any other Residents of this Darkenhold require minor Mending or Seamwork, I will bring my Satchel to provide these Services.

Yours with Humble Sincerity,

Gloria (Glour'eya) Wynsee

She paid a courier the next day with her final few shillings. She did not know how she would eat -- perhaps she would ask Master Cherny for the kindness of his seemingly bountiful tab to acquire a bit of bread. And a bath. Yes, she would have a dreaded bath, for that was how things were done in Myrken Wood, after all.