37 – Letter

Despite my body all but vibrating from anticipation, the day ground along at a glacial pace.

I didn’t want to disturb the sleep of my newest familiars more than I already had, so I unfortunately had to wait for nighttime.

At least dealing with running the manor was much easier now that Mia was back at my side. Lily had excused herself after lunch. The chandelier-traps were disarmed, much to my relief.

Having the risk of a lethal accident hanging over my head – literally – wasn’t the most pleasant thing. Of course I’d been avoiding walking beneath the two lighting fixtures, but not everyone knew or thought about them. Even if it didn’t happen to me directly, one of the people working for me getting hurt or killed by something I arranged would not help my peace of mind.

Nor my reputation. Not that it was as important as the possible loss of life. But still, it was another factor to consider.

For the past few hours, I had been reclined in the comfortable plush chair that used to be in the meeting room. It had been moved to the study, swapping places with the less pleasant seat there.

Try as I might, I couldn’t go to sleep. Despite that, closing my eyes for a while in a meditative state was relaxing.

It also gave me time to focus on other senses besides sight. Since I planned to be useless anyway, I had used all the fingers of my left hand in Anaster’s book. It confirmed my previous assumption of channels for mana in my hand and fingers. Besides that, it wasn’t all that noteworthy.

Maybe the mana-sense stuck around a bit longer even after I wasn’t empty, it was honestly hard to tell.

Sure, I flopped down in my seat as though boneless, but that was more pleasant than annoying right then. Mia was informed beforehand, so there were no worries.

Following that, I’d spent the remaining time of my incapacitation listening to hearts move throughout the manor. No idea how long I spent on it, but I managed to sort out my senses through the lack of mana.

Now I opened my eyes, greeting Mia as she entered the room quietly. Seeing me ‘awake’, she stopped putting as much effort into sneaking.

I’d been recovered for over an hour now, by my estimation. Not that I had to get up just because of a minor thing like that.

“Yes?” I asked, smiling at Mia.

“A letter arrived for you. Did you know there’s a pole for birds to sit on next to the entrance? Well, there’s a rather pompous hawk sitting there. Scared a bunch of people when it arrived.”

“A hawk, huh?” Not the most usual messenger bird, even in this world. “So, where’s the letter?”

“About that…” Mia shifted in place. “That bird refuses to hand its package to anyone. My best guess is only you personally will be able to wrangle it. It almost took a man’s finger off.”

“Is someone hurt?” This messenger hawk was already making itself unpopular.

“Luckily not, but it was close. Anders managed to pull his hand back just in time. I think the hawk let him, there is no way it’s not faster than that.”

Anders, huh? Looks like he was trying to be useful. Good.

“Fine, I’ll head over. I had wondered what the foreign heartbeat was anyway.” It was stronger than I expected from an animal.

Upon arriving in the entrance hall, an issue became clear. While evening was fast approaching, the world outside was still illuminated enough to be dangerous.

With a sigh, I had Mia escort me with the parasol. The sun was very low in the sky, so the cloth umbrella-lookalike was less useful than it could be.

Fortunately, the sun was almost directly west, so the roofed walkway connecting to the barracks provided a surprising amount of shade. Whoever designed the bird perch also had my eternal gratitude for placing it to the side of the main entrance in such a way that it was covered by said roof.

Even through squinted eyes, the hawk was impressive. Its size was more like an eagle, really. A large one at that. I would guess it weighed a lot too.

In the bird’s chest, its heart beat with steady power. It reminded me, in a certain way, of Lars. Not really the same, but the feeling of impact invited comparison.

Did the family send a magical beast to deliver a letter? Fancy.

As for the rest of the bird… Feathers, beak and talons had a metallic sheen to them. As the creature stretched to preen itself, I heard its coat shift with a decidedly metal-on-metal rasp.

It smelled amazing. The blood I meant of course. The bird itself barely had a scent. I’d even say it was more appetizing than Lars. Whether that was a mark of greater power, a difference in constitution or just actual flavor, I had no idea.

Don’t mess with this bird, got it. Mia’s assessment that it could have definitely taken Anders’ finger off if it wanted rang more and more true. In fact, this thing could easily slay everyone in the manor. Aside from Lars and myself, probably. No way to know without taking unnecessary risks.

Tied to the hawk’s leg was a tube with the Steelheart banner on it. A silver stag.

Unlike what its relaxed preening might suggest, the bird had been studying me ever since I stepped outside.

As I approached, it corrected its posture and even performed what could only be a bow. Then it stretched out the leg holding the message tube.

After a bit of fiddling with the silvery thread holding it in place, the tube fell into my hand. Popping open the equally silver wax seal on the top – my family might have a favorite color – a rolled up piece of paper greeted me.

Once unrolled, the letter, adorned with another silver wax seal bearing the family symbol – as I said, favorite color – was surprisingly short for an official communication.

Penned in a steady, bold hand. It might be vaguely familiar, but that might as well be my imagination. Kalin hadn’t received a letter personally written by the duke in… ever?

‘Addressed to Kalin Steelheart.

My son. I understand you have gone through quite a hard time in your exile.

Your great-granduncle Anaster already mentioned this in person, but you are no longer barred from returning, if you wish.

However, before that, there is an important matter. One of your sisters, Lenora, will be visiting you at your estate in approximately two weeks after you receive this letter. The duration of her stay is subject to various diplomatic issues and considerations, so I cannot predict it.

Expect a few months at the least.

I know you don’t have good experiences with the family, but treat her well.

Should I hear of misconduct on your part, the terms of your exile may be brought up again. Your pardon is conditional.

Try not to get caught up in more dangerous business, if you can help it.

Signed,

Duke Arran Steelheart, Patriarch of the Steelheart family.’

I lowered the letter when I was done reading, locking eyes with the hawk.

Well, that’s pleasant. Such a charmer, this father of mine.

My mind sprung into gear quickly.

Lenora was not a name Kalin knew. That could have two possible explanations – either he’d simply never met her while still living with the family, or she was younger than him.

Of course the first option was not very likely, all things considered. Everyone who lived at the family’s main estate knew little old Kalin. He was the favorite target for any other children to show off.

Maybe this Lenora grew up somewhere else. That wasn’t unheard of, as far as I remembered. Especially if the mother was an important noble in her own right, she would have a manor of her own. Depending on the relationship between the duke and the woman, she might not have wanted to live with him.

It was possible for this sister to be younger than me as well. Probably two or three years then, so they weren’t introduced into the general family population before Kalin was sent away.

As for reasons why a legitimate daughter of the duke would come here, of all places, I had no idea. Maybe she did something bad and had to come here for a while to let it blow over.