Oh dear reader, I know my family only just left a few weeks ago, but already I have so much I must write and tell them about! Goodness, and so much to tell you about, for I’ll soon be leaving too!
A few days ago Lorenz pulled me aside in the village green to ask if we could meet soon, just the two of us. We’d not had time alone together since the Spreenin Faire, and I had been holding on to the Impression I made for him that day, so we arranged a time.
Lorenz and I met along the riverbank near the forest. It was beautiful. The afternoon light made all the leaves look golden, and the sound of the water playing over the rocks and roots was soothing to the soul. We found an old nest, perhaps belonging to the swans we’d been seeing all this season. I carefully walked down among the reeds for a closer look, and goodness, can you image what I saw lying in the nest? A stone with a white ring! I pointed it out to Lorenz and this gave him an idea. We spent a few minutes combing the bank and, sure enough, we found a few more of the magical stones. I was delighted but puzzled, and asked Lorenz if he knew how they might have found their way here. He thought for a moment then ventured to guess that perhaps they had been enchanted, much like everything else in Greenwood. We knew the water from the Well of the Green Sister flowed out and joined the river. Maybe some of the rocks had absorbed the magic too.
We stood side by side, looking at the stones and then out across the water. It reminded me of the Spreenin Faire, and I asked “Do you remember what you said that day? About wishing you could save those feelings?” I took a small vial from my pocket and held it out to him with both hands. The Impression was not so unlike the Tenderness remedy, in soft shades of warm affection. He clasped his hands about mine. “Sonya,” his eyes were misty and I looked away, feeling timid and shy. “Sonya,” he continued, “I wanted to ask you something.” His hands felt gentle and reassuring, and I encouraged him to go on. “Sonya, I’d like you to come to Alvena, to the capital, with us. I talked to Baron Rhodes, and he thinks you and your Impressional magic could be a great benefit to Alexander during his exam. Of course, Alexander himself sees you as a dear friend. And I…” His voice faded, and when he spoke again it was deep and hushed. “And I want you to come. I’d like you to meet my family, my aunt and …father.” I’d often heard Lorenz speak of his aunt. I knew he was very fond of Lady Leland, of her country estate, her partner, and their many, many dogs. And he’d often spoke of how she bucked social norms to only ever wear trousers. But I could not remember him ever mentioning his father. I wondered what kind of a man he was.
Lorenz continued. “There are so many things in the capital! Great gardens and libraries! And Sonya, I… I want to share them with you.” I looked into his bright eyes, filled with the hopeful light of all the things he imagined… and breathlessly answered him yes. Lorenz gazed back at me; though I could feel my heart pounding and my cheeks flushed under his gaze I did not look away. Our hands were still clasped together around the Impression. He leaned down, his face so close to mine, and then for the first time… we kissed…
…So you see dear reader, I must write to my family! Goodness, I’m not certain I’ll tell them everything that happened, but I must let them know that soon I’ll be away in Alvena! I’ve heard so much about the capital city, home of the king and meeting place to the council of barons. It’s by the northern sea; I’ve never seen the ocean. And Lorenz says there is an enormous library at his old university with thousands of books! Goodness, I thought Baron Rhodes had a lot of books! It all sounds so wonderful. Truth be told, I’m a bit overwhelmed, but I’m sure that as long as I am with Lorenz everything will be alright.