Ignoring Sorcha bidding her come eat alone in front of them, Maeve asked, “What is this?”
“Don’t be rude,” chided her mother.
Maeve stared at Imogen, trying to divine the reason for this strange get-together. Surely it couldn’t be a coincidence.
Eyes narrowing, she asked, “What did you say to Soren today?”
To Imogen’s credit, she didn’t shrink from Maeve’s tone nor even bat an eye. She merely shrugged. “I could ask you the same question.”
Tension crackled in the empty space separating them, which Sorcha, ever the diplomat, hurried to fill, putting herself between them. From her pocket, Sorcha pulled a neatly folded missive, and Maeve immediately recognized the cracked blue wax seal.
“I received a response from Aislinn this morning,” said Sorcha, handing over the letter. “She’s found a position for you, effective immediately if you want it.”
Maeve’s stomach flipped again as she took the paper. No excitement filled her with the announcement, only an aching sort of dread.
With the others watching, she could hardly read the short note. That was Lady Aislinn, always to the point. Maeve forced herself to read it, to know what she’d just walked into.
Sorcha,
Apologies for the delay. Between the festivals, spring planting, and root rot in Endelín, I’ve had little time to spare.
I asked Fia to inquire over possible positions, and she has come up with several, listed below. I believe any would suit Maeve, and all would require relocation to Dundúran.
I spoke with Mayor Doherty yesterday, and he confirmed that should Maeve want it, the position in Town Hall could be hers with all due haste. They are eager to fill it.
Please let me know your thoughts or send Maeve to me for placement.
Assistant Recordkeeper, Civil Division
Junior Guild Liaison, Civil Division
First Aid to Chatelain, Dundúran Castle
Second-Rank Filing Clerk, Judicial Division
Assistant Recordkeeper, Agricultural Division
Also, please inform Maeve I received her letter and will pass along her suggestion to Princess Isolde when she arrives.
