Dearest Elenora,
How are you? I hope my letter finds you well. I miss you dreadfully! You must write me and tell me everything you are doing and learning and all the people you are meeting. School has finally started again and though I am glad to be back I miss the long days of summer. I miss the picnics we had beside the Falnier's lake. I was thinking just the other day with a smile of the time we sank your father's small rowboat. Do you remember wading out of the water completely soaked, dragging our heavy skirts with us and laughing so hysterically we nearly fell back in? When you come back this summer (you will, won't you?) we must relive all those wonderful times as well as make some new memories to take away with us. Until then I suppose I shall have to content myself with your letters. I am sure I will keep quite busy with my studies in the meantime. I am taking some very intriguing classes this year. Of course I am taking the two required history courses for this year--Political and Societal History, and the History of Magic. I am particularly enjoying the studies of magical creatures. Along with these I am also taking Remedies for spells, curses and other magical mishaps, Music, fencing, insight, and herbs. While my herbs class is very interesting, I do not like the professor. He is such a prick; he is so precise, I don't believe the man has ever smiled. Needless to say I am keeping quite busy--all the more so because I am taking one more class than most people. I am quite sure that you are even busier than I as you try to get settles in and begin your studies in earnest.

Now the news from home…dear old Serna keeps asking when you will be coming over again. I have to keep reminding her that you've gone to Boadicea to complete your studies more in depth. The next day she'll ask again "When will that sweet girl come over to visit you? I want to make her my new strawberry tarts…" and on and on she goes until I remind her, "Oh yes, I remember" she says then becomes very quiet and pensive as she puts away the cream for the tarts. She is the best of cooks and the best of women, but she is also the most forgetful of women. She deserves some leeway, though, after all she'll be ninety-six in two months!

Your family is all doing well though they miss you terribly--your mother especially. Little Mauceri can't wait for you to get home--he wants to show you how tall he has gotten. It is true--he has grown a great deal. Someday he will pass you by as Octobai has already done. Speaking of Octobai, here's something to interest you, he seems to have a love interest in Miana. He would rather die than admit it, but one can not help but notice the way he looks at her. Your little brothers are growing up!

My family misses you as well. My mother spends more time than ever with your mother. The little ones Adilar, Erato and Fyvie tell me to wish you a special hello from them. Sevier became very quiet when I told him I was writing you and asked if there was anything he would have me say for him. Poor boy, he's still very much in love with you but he'll get over it in time. You were wise enough to know that it could never be--with time he will realize it too. Finally, Escalon wishes you his best.

One more thing: Uria. I don't know what to do about her. She has her eye on Escalon--I think she is trying to decide how best to draw him into her web. How I wish you were here. Together we were able to keep her at bay. Now it seems she has only one obstacle and she will not let it prevent her from ensnaring the eldest son of a wealthy family. I find it difficult to like someone who got the highest scores in Curses and Shape Changing and did nearly as well in Potions class. You always had the best ideas for getting rid of her.

That's most of the news from here. I miss you dreadfully and expectantly await your next letter.

Forever,
Airelithia

P.S. I have enclosed the packet of seeds you requested, it seems odd to me that the Naremeth plant does not grow in Boadicea--I am quite sure it is supposed to.

Aire dearest,

It's wonderful to hear from you! Bodicea is beautiful, but I find the scenery to be about the only good thing about this place. Windam Hall is dull as can be! The girls seem to drift down the stone halls in a silent daze. No one speaks during classes, and while I find the material fascinating, the teachers practically bore me to death! Everything here is stone and grey brick, and no one seems inclined to cheer anything up with a little decorative color. Wandering between classes, I've found a small garden tucked away behind the Dean's office. I don't think anyone has tended to it in quite some time, for it seems to have browned and shriveled in despair. I imagine this place might to the same to me if I don't find a way to occupy myself. We're not allowed off campus grounds unless it is for school-related trips. That is why I've asked for the seeds: I can't very well go out and collect them myself, and I intend to revive that little garden into my own personal paradise in this grim place.

Have I made mention of how imposing the walls are? I feel as though I'm in a prison, not a school. I long for the open fields of home. I miss you all so terribly. My room is on the second floor. I discovered early on how easy it is to climb onto the roof from my window, to a spot where I can't easily be seen my the authorities (why is it that no one thinks twice if a man climbs on a roof or does other dangerous stunts, but as soon as a woman does it there is a wild commotion and talk of death? I feel quite put out by this). If I crane my neck just so, I can see Gringham Hall across the valley. Late nights I'll sit up there and dream about what the boys are doing. Perhaps it is selfish of me to wish to sneak over to the boy's school. After all, the rest of the girls at Windham are content without male company. In fact, they all seem content without ANY company! I must find a way to socialize somehow, else I fear I shall burst from lack of social activity!

I'm quite glad to hear that all is well with your family and mine. Tell Mauceri and the rest that I shall write to them soon, and give them my love. I can't wait to tease Octobi about Miana! (But of course, don't tell him that…) I only wish I could do it in person.

Please tell Serna to send me some of her tarts! Goodness knows I'd like the variety. Food here is as bland as everything else, so you can just imange how it tastes.

Let Sevier know that I send my best regards to him. I'd feel terribly if I led him on, but at the same time he is just as much a friend as you are and I cannot cut myself from him completely, though that might have been the best plan to help him forget. Let him know I pray he finds a sweet girl worthy of him soon.

Uria is acting up again? Has that girl no shame? Do whatever is in your power to keep poor Escalon from her. I shall write quickly when an idea comes to me, but at the moment my mind can't seem to focus.

I would write more, but the Head Mistress is doing a dorm check. I must clear away all my decorations before she comes if I am to stay out of trouble.

All my love,

Elenora