First Letter

Dear Journal,

Such news!

I received a letter from my cousin Jack yesterday; it came with our first large delivery of goods from Mont-Havre since the first snowfalls. He has come to Armorica and plans to visit us—news enough, surely—but the real news came with the letter and not in it. Cumbria has claimed sovereignty over Armorica!

Indeed, this is why Jack is here. His Majesty's government has sent a fellow named Lord Dorcaster to be his "governor-general" in Mont-Havre. According to Guy, the wagoneer who delivered our goods, His Lordship addressed the Grand Parlement on his arrival and told them that Cumbria has no interest in Armorica's internal affairs, but only wishes to preserve her from Provençese tyranny.

"And this you may believe if you choose," said Guy, spitting on the ground by his wagon. But he admitted that Lord Dorcaster had made no attempt to claim the former Provençese governor's palace (now the home of what passes for the Armorican government). Rather, His Lordship had rented a house nearby for himself and his entourage.

"And what sort of entourage has he brought with him?"

Guy shrugged massively. "Just a squad of soldiers and a few servants," he said. "And his family, too," he said, shaking his head.

I sent Luc inside with the sack of letters for Amelie to sort, and then Luc, Guy, and I unloaded the goods into our sadly cramped storeroom.

"What are these?" said Guy, jerking his head at the shelf after shelf of warming blocks.

"A mistake," I said. "These boxes should go over here."

It was only after Guy had left that I found I had a letter from Jack and got more of the story.

It seems that Cumbria has Le Maréchal on the run! His troops have been driven out of Andaluse and Malague; more, His Majesty's government has made common cause with certain groups inside of Provençe, and with their help and connivance His Majesty's army is even now approaching Toulouse.

Jack had a bit to say about Lord Dorcaster, whose full title is Dorcaster of Avilona. He was raised to the House of Lords only a few months ago, as a reward for particular gallantry during the seige of Avilona in Malague; his quick action saved the battle and led indirectly to the Cumbria victory in that country. Prior to his exaltation he was but a captain of infantry, and Jack was his first lieutenant. Now he has brought Jack along as his right-hand man. So much for giving Jack a place to stay!

I mentioned to Amelie last night that as the weather was improving, it would soon be time to find Jacques and Madame Truc a home of their own. Jack would be coming soon, and we needed a room for him.

"Non!" she said, much to my surprise. "I will not hear of it." I looked at her in surprise, and she took my head between her hands, drew me close, and kissed me. "Non, we shall simply have to expand our house. For our children need les grand-parents, n'est-ce-pas? And where else shall we get them?"

I thought of what it would be like, per impossible, to have my father living with us in one house, or indeed in one country, and shivered. "Not from Cumbria, not if I have anything to say about it," I said. And then her words registered. "Wait. You said, children?"

"Oui," she said, and blushed. "And if I am to run the shop…"

I kissed her in return. "Yes," I said, "You are right. And perhaps we shall need to get Jean-Paul in to help you." And in truth I am glad, for Madame and Jacques have been very good to me, and I have often noted how they dote on little Anne-Marie.

And I am to be a father again!

I wonder how the Grand Parlement took Lord Dorcaster's address? Guy didn't know. I've heard little from M. Suprenant these past months, due to the weather. I hope I shall be hearing from him soon.

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