Chapter 40
Two days passed before the first letter was slipped beneath Maeve’s hospital door.
Dearest Maeve,
If you wake without anyone at your bedside and happen to read this first, know that the stewards wanted you confined to the infirmary, but Nan and Tristan pitched a fit and had you brought to a room in Leyland’s City Hospital. You’re in the Widden wing, if you haven’t already figured that out. You can thank my darling grandfather yet again.
You’re also probably wondering what is happening, and so are we! The stewards and the constabulary have been ever so cagey. Nobody knows what took place in Mordraig’s quarters before your fall, and Mordraig swears up and down that you jumped. None of us believe him, of course. Tristan has been studying your father’s Silver Scribing and thinks Mordraig knows more than he says to such a great degree that he’s put up a fuss about it with the House of Ministers. They might open an investigation tomorrow and at least search Mordraig’s room. Tristan mentioned something about working on a door for the ministers if they do what we ask. Though I’m not sure what that entails. Hopefully it’s a metaphorical door to answers!
I’ll write more when I can. Please don’t die in the meantime.
Yours in wondrous health,
Shea Widden
Maeve,
You horrid, horrid roommate. Please consult me first the next time you decide to toss yourself over a windowsill. All kidding aside, you need to hurry up and heal. I know Shea wrote two days ago, but so many things have happened in the past few hours that it deserves another letter. The constabulary searched old Mordy’s room and discovered a corpse! They won’t tell us who it belongs to, but it was enough to arrest Mordy while they investigate. Then an hour later, we got a visit from a researcher with the university who talked our ears off. Tristan took them a sample of Mordy’s writing the day after your fall, along with Sibilla’s entry in that accounting log. The handwriting was purposely made to look different, but they determined it was still Mordy’s hand that signed for the Oxblood ink. Can you believe it? He bought that blasted bottle of ink and wrote the letter that choked me. I think once the constabulary sees the chirographer’s report, old Mordy will start to talk. I can feel it.
Miss you dearly,
Nan
Maeve,
I bet you never expected two letters from your dear roommate in a matter of hours, but the best thing happened. They’ve arrested Mordy! He confessed to killing Fion Claryman. That’s right, the body in Mordraig’s room belonged to poor Fion blasted Claryman. The same man who nearly killed you with that letter. The constabulary interviewed all of us immediately, and they now know how Fion connects to everything. The only bad news is Mordy still won’t tell anyone why he did it, but fingers crossed that a few days in Stonewater will get him talking.
Oh! I nearly forgot the best part. When the news broke about Fion, my lovely father called me in about your article that he’d ripped in half. He wanted to print it, given what’s come to light. I said fat chance in hell, then snatched it and walked four blocks and handed it over to the editor-at-large for the Gloam Times. Tristan and I added a section at the end explaining what happened in the Second Library and how you kept the Aldervine from escaping. Word is starting to spread about it, and we wanted to make sure you get credit for that foolhardy move you did tossing the vine with your bare hand. The article is running tomorrow with your name printing across the top for all to see. Except for you, I guess. Don’t die on us.
Yours always,
Nan
P.S. Now that your name is in the paper, I have a feeling you’re about to receive an avalanche of letters wishing you well. Good luck.
To Miss Abenthy,
I’m writing you from where Eamon Mordraig is being held. After reading your article in the Times, I felt obliged to say that I believe your version of events. Eamon Mordraig has said several alarming things to my guards, and I’m of a mind that he should not be allowed to leave this prison. I plan to write a longer explanation for the constabulary, but I’ve heard the rumors that he may have pushed you out his office window, and wanted to send you this note of reassurance in case you were worried.
Kind Regards,
E. Graham
Head Warden, Stonewater Prison
Dear Miss Abenthy,
I am penning you this letter as the Postmaster, but also as Tristan’s father. I wanted to give you an update myself as something monumental has occurred. The constabulary has located a diary belonging to Molly Blackcaster buried in Eamon Mordraig’s things that tells the origin of the Aldervine, mainly how it’s an advanced form scribing. After the discovery, I visited Mordraig myself, alongside a few other ministers and stewards, and showed him the diary, and it seemed to break open something inside of him. He confessed to everything, including pushing you from the window. He even confessed to releasing the Aldervine into the Second Library and lining the exterior with crematory ash as soon as he saw you go inside. He said it would have been better for everyone if you were blamed for it all, which, of course, was grievously alarming. The most shocking part of this is he asked to be made an advisor on the future of the Otherwhere Post now that the truth of the Aldervine is out in the open. And he believed I would somehow snap my fingers and make that happen.
I’m telling you all of this so you can see the horror that you helped contain. You, Miss Abenthy.
Tristan tells me that you’re making good progress and can sit up on your own. I’m sure you must think that I worry about my son and wish for you to pull through for his sake, but that is not the case. I worry about Tristan, of course, but I also know how badly people need heroes. And I believe you have more than earned that title. Along with my deepest respect.
When you are recovered, I would like for you to pay me a visit. I was close with your father once, and I have a few anecdotes from our days together that I think you would like to hear.
Well wishes for a speedy recovery,
Postmaster Onrich Byrne
M. Abenthy,
On behalf of the House of Ministers, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude for everything you have accomplished. It takes great bravery to face an evil like the former steward Eamon Mordraig. If you are ever inclined to run for public office, I would be honored to have you on my team. Regardless of your political aspirations, we will discuss your future in the worlds as soon as you are well and able.
My deepest regards,
Ailbeart Cunningham, Leyland Minister of Communication
Maeve,
I have to run deliveries this morning, but I will be there as soon as I can.
Yours always,
Mr.Tristan