October 17th, 1752

Dear Alrik,

I can't believe that I've been at the academy for a month already. It seems like just yesterday that I was leaving Colbini and trying not to cry. I still miss all of you but it's easier now, simply because I'm too busy to think about it!

I started my self-defense training last week. Laying on the ground after practice was over and trying to catch my breath, I couldn't help but think of how easy you and Kadin always made it look. I mean, I knew that it was difficult but I had no idea that it was this hard! I ache all over and long for the day when my muscles finally catch up to my determination.

Classes are interesting but not too challenging, thankfully. I would hate if I was struggling academically as badly as I am physically right now. I know that the subjects will become more difficult and soon I'll wish things were the other way around, but it is hard to believe at the moment with how sore I am. I am walking slower than Countess Amelda, you would laugh if you could see me now.

I have made a new friend too. She's my roommate and her name is Elizabetta, but she prefers to go by Liza. I was worried that she wouldn't like me at first but it turns out that she's just naturally quiet. So I am learning to soften and she is adjusting to being more outgoing. It's been fun to learn about her and her family. Their life is so different from ours in Colbini.

I have to go, it's nearly time for lights out and I want to send this off before curfew.

All my love,

Aleydis

Nov. 3rd, 1752

Dearest Aley,

The castle is much too quiet without you around. Learn to soften but don't extinguish your bright spirit in doing so. We all love you just the way you are and would be sad if you suddenly became quiet.

As trite as this will sound, the only thing that will help with your sore muscles is time. You will adjust and soon even begin to enjoy it, but until then, it can be pretty rough. Soaking in a hot bath can help, so remember to take the time to do so, if you can. I'm also sending an assortment of balms and rubs that I use that should help. They've all been properly labeled and I've included instructions on how to use them in this letter, so please, please take care of yourself where I'm not there to watch over you.

I'm glad that you're making friends, we've been worried that you would be lonely there at the academy, too focused on your studies to try and get back home to us sooner. I'm sorry that I missed you on the last orb call but I understand why you only get one fifteen minute call a month. With as many students as I'm sure there are at the academy, most of whom want to speak with their families, they probably can't give students any more time than that. I will definitely make sure I'm there for the next one, even if I have to skip training to do so.

I'm sad to hear that you won't be coming home for Yule, but I agree that it's simply too far to travel during the wintertime unless you were to use the magic gates and that would leave you sick the whole time you were here. That wouldn't be fun at all.

Everything is pretty much the same here. All the supplies have been prepared for the winter and the rains have come enough that I don't think we'll have to worry about the drought next year. It may still be there a little, but I think the end is in sight, just as you said. You're so smart and both Father and Mother have tasked a team of scholars to focus solely on the recorded history of Colbini to work out the weather patterns and hopefully predict the upcoming cycles as well. It won't be perfect because weather is unpredictable at best, but having some sort of potential idea won't hurt.

I have to head to a council meeting, so I'll end this here.

Much love,

Alrik

P.S. Remember to wear your cloak when you go outside. Don't need to get chilled and sick, even if you are getting stronger because of your self-defense training.

P.P.S. Kadin says hi and asked me to send the book you mentioned in your last letter. Apparently his family had a couple of spare copies. I really am sending this now.

April 27th, 1753

Dearest Brother,

I am dying. 

Remember me fondly when I'm gone and warn future generations about being ambitious.

Now, before you panic too much, I am teasing, mostly. The term is almost over now and the amount of cramming all of us students are doing is insane. I saw one senior student running laps while muttering formulas under their breath, pale as anything. Thankfully, the instructor pulled them aside and said something to them, I was worried that they were just going to pass out right in the middle of training.

Since I am mostly on the Scholar path, I thankfully don't have to take the Warrior finals for the year. I've watched a couple of the senior tests while doing my daily training and they look brutal. I will stick to words for my weapons with pointy, stabby things as a last resort.

My tests start next week and I am dreading them. Even though I've studied and attended all of my classes faithfully, I still feel like I'm not ready. I probably shan't write for the next two weeks, I'm sure that I shall be much too drained to even eat, let alone think well enough to compose a letter.

If I wrap this letter up now, I will have time to study for an hour before bed,  so I will reluctantly end it here and send it off.

Much love,

Your suffering sister

P.S. I am also counting down the days until I can see all of you again. I miss you all more and more with every day that passes.

September 2nd, 1753

Dear Aley,

It's hard to believe that you're already back at the academy. The summer flew by too quickly, I wish that it would've lasted at least another month if not more.

I'm glad that you made it back safely and that the trip wasn't too arduous. We heard about the flooding in the Middle Plains and were worried that it would wash out the bridge, delaying you indefinitely. The guards opted to return via the gateway after hearing that the road would be shut for at least a month. It must've closed right after you went through there.

My instructor is dropping hints about me taking the knight test sometime this year but I'm trying to delay him. I want to take it next summer, when you will be there to watch. I want to make you proud of how much I've improved while you've been gone, so that you know that you're not the only one working hard for our family and the kingdom. Kadin's been talking about taking his test during Midwinter but says that if I decide to wait until next summer, he will as well. If he does take it at Midwinter, he will be the youngest knight in the past five hundred years.

He says that he doesn't care if he's the youngest knight or not. Since he's almost a year younger than me, he says that he'll always be one of the younger knights anyway until the next generation grows up. I don't appreciate the cheekiness but since he's one of the few people who always speak to me honestly, I'll let it go this time.

You'll have to write back and tell me if there's anyone interesting in the new batch of students that are starting this year. It will also be a good measure of how your diplomacy lessons are coming along.

Well, I have to go finish up the winter prep, so I'll end my letter here.

Missing you already,

Alrik

Brother,

If you and Kadin are considering testing at Midwinter, I will come and watch, even if that means using that awful portal. Some of the students and professors here have studied the effects of gate travel on people and the different results that can result from the travel. They have come up with a blend that is supposed to reduce the negative effects and I'm sure they will be pleased to have me test it for them.

Let me know as soon as possible so I can make the right arrangements.

Your very impatient sister,

Aleydis

X

Kadin was just finishing his warm-up when he saw a servant enter the training area carrying a letter. He rolled his eyes as Alrik immediately abandoned his warm-up, although he was curious too.

The royal siblings exchanged letters regularly, often weekly depending on the mail delivery system. However, Alrik had only sent off his last letter four days ago, so her reply shouldn't have arrived for at least two to three more days. But it had to be from his sister because Alrik had commanded everyone that her letters were to be brought to him immediately, no matter the time and place. No other writer was granted such a privilege, all the rest being handled in his office.

He hoped that nothing was wrong with her. She had only returned to the academy a few weeks ago and Alrik had said that she'd arrived safely, which had been a relief with the potential flooding.

The only other option was that she had sent a letter before receiving her brother's most recent letter. But that didn't make any sense either, since they always responded to the other. If she had sent a second letter, either something big had happened or some sort of trouble had happened. He really, really prayed that this was not the case, because Alrik would go to war for her without a moment's hesitation.

An exclamation drew him from his thoughts and he looked over to see Alrik grinning widely. Relief filled him, good news then.

The prince gestured him over impatiently and Kadin debated taking his time making his way over. However his curiosity was stronger than his need to irritate Alrik, so he quickly made his way over.

Alrik's grin widened as he exclaimed, "C'mon, we need to see if we can test at Midwinter. Aley will come home if we do!"

Allowing Alrik to drag him away from the training area, Kadin hid his smile.

These siblings sure were something else.