Novembris 17, 378

To my trusted Castellan, Mikhail von Khalturin:

By the time this letter reaches you, another Yule season will already be upon us, and once again, I will spend it somewhere other than home. I hope these words find you and your family in good health, and I trust that in my absence, Vechnyy Castle is well-prepared for the coming winter, with enough food, wool, and firewood for those who remain behind. In truth, a part of me will miss those frigid stone halls and roaring fires…

With this letter, I send three Yule packages, which are to be delivered to my children in confidence. You will complete this task personally, as you have done many times before.

To Aleksandr, my eldest, I gift an exquisite chess set of pale stone and frosted glass. May he practice with it often and continue to hone his skill at strategy.

To my daughter Elizaveta, I gift a set of fine porcelain dolls, one of which is a very good likeness of Her Royal Majesty. The others are likenesses of the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, the current Lady Keeper of the Seal, Grand Inquisitor, and Lady Earl Marshall.

To Sevastyan, my youngest, I gift a rare children’s book to kindle his imagination. May he enjoy this time of early youth, ignorant of the burdens and responsibilities he will all too soon come to bear.

You will find that I have also included a small token of my appreciation for you, as well. Please accept it with my gratitude, Khalturin. It is a comfort to know that I can rely upon you with these matters while I am away. Do convey my kindest regards to your wife and family, and as always: may your Winter be short and mild, your Yule merry.

By my hand,

*signature and seal*

Octobris 29, 378

To my daughter Elizaveta:

I experienced my first Lithmorran Magebane Festival tonight. The evening was filled with masked revelry: Troubadours’ song and dance, clapping and stomping, and much noise-making besides. We held candles as we marched the streets and wore masks to hide our faces from witches’ prying eyes. All this to ward away evil spirits while the moons are banished from the sky.

In truth, I do not know if these masks and diversions are at all effective at deterring demons, but I did enjoy myself in the camaraderie. I think you would have, too, my little one, as I hear from your nursemaid that you have recently become quite fond of stomping and shouting. No doubt, you would have warded away many an evil spirit this night, much to Missus Kossova’s dismay.

Please be good, little one. Be graceful and kind, as a young lady must. I will see you again soon.

Lord bless and guide you,

Your Loving Father