Written in excellent black calligraphy on the finest parchment, carefully folded and still pristine upon delivery:
Bridget,
I’d say it’s quiet at Camelot without you, but of course Arthur is here, so I barely know a moment’s peace. We’re all still clinging to each other like we expect somebody to knock the door down any second. I’ve moved back into my own room now that Gabriel is out of bed; I’m sure Arthur’s thrilled, as I was thwarting his attempts to make midnight visits.
The mood here is still very strange. People have been coming from all over to swear fealty to Gabriel, which would usually feel like overkill, but is actually quite reassuring in the circumstances. He looks embarrassed half to death when they insist on doing all the customary kneeling and the ring-kissing. Plenty of cultists have come, I suppose the ones Willard couldn’t turn against Father; they seem horrified by what happened here, and determined to make it very clear that they had no part in it. They think he was hardly a cultist at all, and was simply impersonating one to rally people to his cause. It reassures me, I suppose, that we won’t see a repeat.
I hope they didn’t mind too much that you were late to arrive at the tournament. It feels as if they should make allowances, considering.
I miss you. I hope you win.
Gwen
Scrawled on what looked like half a ‘Wanted’ notice, in two different colours of ink:
Gwen,
Start of the tournament was postponed for decency. Lost my first tilt, feel like a bit of an idiot, but Neil says it’s the altitude. I told him it’s just a hill, but he insists it tampers with the brain. I think his brain is the one that’s the problem.
Somebody (Neil) let on about the battle and Willard and Excalibur to all his little squire friends, and everyone keeps looking at me like they’re expecting me to fly or spit fire. Actually really annoying because nobody will have a normal conversation with me or tell me where the blacksmith is.
I can already feel the weather turning. Never been so happy to see frost on the ground.
Keep holding on to each other. I’ll be back soon.
Bridget