Small Magics

Chapter 3

Prologue

Dear Thomas,

We greatly enjoyed your last letter. It is good to know that your life at the Academy is still as interesting as ever. We wish we could hear from you more often, but we know you are doing exams and one cannot fault you for spending your time in study. Your mother and brother are well and your mother wishes me to say how pleased we are at the work you are doing, which we are. It is not every family that can boast of a son studying both the law and philosophy, let alone one that has done as well as you.

To the meat of the matter: come home! Your mother and I haven’t seen you in four years and that is far too long. A summer away from your studies will do you no harm, and I should like to see you while there is still some of the boy you were left in your features. Not to mention, I should like an opportunity to show off the youngest son I’ve talked so much about.

If you can be here for the start of May, you’ll have a chance to meet Bishop Malloy, who, between ourselves, is a pompous creature and something too proud for one of the High Father’s servants. The bishop will be in Elmvale during the May festival to appoint the new priest for our parish, and will certainly be visiting our home. I have been working to secure a contract to supply all robes for the High Father’s churches in our district, and expect to close the deal when he visits. I have no doubt he would like to meet an able young man like yourself.

Come home, Thomas. You can show off the skills you’ve gained—though not, I hasten to add, those fencing skills of which you seem so inordinately proud. I know the study of fencing is required at the Academy, but I have always held that swordplay is not the proper pastime for the son of a merchant.

But I have given my opinion on that point often enough, as you have given yours. We will debate the matter in person when you come home.

I have included enough silver for you to ride upriver in comfort, and I expect you to do so and not spend it on books.

With love and affection,

your Father,

John Flarety