Armand’s First Letter. Amelia’s First Letter.

07 July 1023, Achin Court, Nexing Cross, Nexinghamshire

My dearest husband,

Let me begin with the most important thing. Armand’s Captain Grier is due in Toulouse this coming week. When you speak to him, could you ask him if he would kindly come along to Yorke and make a stop at the Guild Hall? I believe he usually does so, but I wish to be sure. And then, please ask if he would wait for me there.

I am sending a similar request to Grandmaster Netherington-Coates, in case my letter reaches you too late.

Yes, beloved, I have a plan—but I hesitate to speak of it, as it might not come off.

Now, on to the situation as it stands.

I received word from Orthopractor Simms today; he has been able to trace Bartholomew Sloane-Price, and in the most tragic and thoroughly unhelpful way. He began by speaking to Sloane-Price’s particular friends and acquaintances from his years at Edenford, those he could find, both to trace the man’s movements after he received his degree and to determine if any of them might have assisted him with the curse. Through one of them he was able to find Sloane-Price’s lodgings in Yorke—the lodgings to which he had brought Cathy.

The man’s neighbors, those still in residence, remember Cathy—and particularly her manner of leaving, for it was quite an unpleasant and memorable scene. One of them told Simms that Sloane-Price was a pleasant fellow, light-hearted and cheerful, but that he grew much more serious and driven after Cathy left him—”as who wouldn’t”—and that just a few months after their parting he was found in his rooms, dead by his own hand.

Simms continues to believe that Sloane-Price had an accomplice in effecting the curse, but that who it might be is anybody’s guess. His friends from Edenford have sterling records and seem unlikely candidates, though of course it might have been a singular event in aid of a friend performed by an otherwise upright member of the wizardly community. The accomplice might still be out there, doing wizardly evil for hire; or he might already have been caught for other misdeeds and had his magic excised. Simms’ organization keeps tabs on the latter group; he means to speak to those he can, but with their magic gone there will be little they could do to help Octie.

In short, Cathy has even more to answer for than we thought; and there seems to be little to no chance of the curse ever being lifted.

I have not spoken of any of this news with Octie. Simms had recommended that Octie might travel across the Abyss to receive some relief; I have not even suggested this to him, and for two reasons. Firstly, you know better than I what he would say: “What, leave Nexing Cross? There’s no time for that. And what good would it do me? I’d just have to come home again, or break my old dad’s heart.”

But more than that, he’s a stout-hearted fellow, your brother, and a true gentleman: he’s managed these past years without casting blame on Cathy or using the word “curse” where any of his neighbors might hear it. I fear that if I spoke of these things with him he might despair; and in his despair might cause a great scandal that the folk of Nexing Cross will be speaking of forever after. Neither Octie nor your parents deserve that, nor John Gamble neither; and whatever Cathy’s desserts I would not see her pilloried at the expense of these others.

I do have a plan, as I have said, but I must speak to Cathy and her brother before I say any more.

Jane remains well, though she misses her papa; and I hope we will be coming home to you soon.

Amelia

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