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Fallen Magic

99. Interlude: Letters

From Electra James to Edward Blackthorn (via the Academy’s internal mail)

Edward,

Have you heard back from your father about the prospect of private lessons? If you have his permission, I am available to teach for the remainder of your stay at the Academy before the holidays, and I think an intensive week-long program is likely to be of more benefit to you than sporadic lessons throughout a term. We may begin on Monday if it suits you.

Yours,

E. James.

From Elsie Morris to Tallulah Roberts

Dear Tallulah,

This is just a brief note to let you know I’ve made it home safely – there was some sort of scuffle happening in a town we passed through on the way, but other than that it was about as smooth a journey as I can hope for. That is, I’m still aching from where I had to squash myself into a corner to make space for everyone and their luggage!

It’s strange to be back here – everyone and everything is just the same as when I left. It’s me who’s changed, and I don’t quite fit in back here any more. My brothers don’t tease me so much, not now they know I could hex them – I’m not sure I could even if I wanted to (which I don’t, of course!) but I’m not telling them that.

As for what we were worried about, it hasn’t happened at all so far. I’ve been back less than a day so I can’t be certain of anything, but I almost feel as if it’s gone away altogether. I wish it would, even though I know it doesn’t work like that.

I’m sorry this letter isn’t longer – there isn’t all that much to tell you yet, and Mum is giving me loads of chores, she says I should be able to do everything so much easier now I have magic. I guess it does make a lot of things quicker.

Write soon, please!

Love,

Elsie.

From Henry Blackthorn to Benjamin Roberts (via enchanted envelope)

There are rumours of a case being brought against me for improper filing of taxes – politically motivated, I’ve done nothing illegal. But you should be aware. I’ll keep you updated. If you don’t have books with the relevant sections of the tax code (7.18, 9.3.5, 10.4) let me know and I will have them sent.

From Edward Blackthorn to Electra James (via the Academy’s internal mail)

To Electra,

My father has given me permission to take private lessons from you if I choose to do so. I would like to accept your offer and begin on Monday, though I should make it clear that I will not under any circumstances leave the Academy’s ward network, and that my father and I intend to take appropriate security precautions also.

I would also like to ask whether it would be possible for Tallulah to join my lessons. I recognise that she is not as talented as I am and that the quality of tuition I receive will be slightly reduced as a result. But I do believe that she has genuine potential, and that given the right opportunities she will be a remarkable magician someday. I would count it as a personal favour should you allow her to join.

With thanks,

Edward Blackthorn.

From Louise Roberts to Benjamin Roberts (extract)

…I must once again insist that you allow me to see Tallulah during the holidays. She is my daughter, and you have no right to deny me the chance to visit her. You say she won’t want to see me, but the girl doesn’t know her own mind. Which is precisely why I must talk some sense into her…

From Elsie Morris to Robin Wilde

Dear Robin,

I guess you’ll have heard from Tallulah that I made it home safely. I meant to write to you at the same time, but Mum kept finding a dozen different things for me to do, I barely got that one letter finished. It all seems so mundane after the Academy. At some point I must have cared about chopping vegetables and washing clothes. I’ve been spoilt by having servants and enchantments to do everything for me, that’s what Dad says. Maybe he’s right.

I’m lonely, though, Robin. I get on well enough with my family, but I don’t feel like I can talk to any of them properly. Not like I can with you and Tallulah and Elizabeth. There’s so many things that have happened in the last few months that they just don’t understand.

Like all that stuff with Tallulah and the riot. Don’t tell her about this, but ever since I let slip that she and I were friends they’ve all been asking me about her. What gave her the courage to stand up to Lord Blackthorn? What did he do to her? Is she really friends with his son? What’s Edward like, is he as awful as his father?

I don’t know if I can stand another month of that talk. They don’t understand that she’s human, haven’t seen her suffering and hurting and carrying on regardless. If they had they’d stop asking about her.

But anyway, please write soon – I’m just dying for some juicy gossip to keep me entertained. And the Feast of Stars – you must tell me all about it when you go. Have you decided on the dresses you’ll wear yet? Do you think you’ll meet a handsome prince? Even if Edward won’t be there I’m sure there are so many other people who would adore you! I hope something magical happens for you there!

Love,

Elsie.

From Benjamin Roberts to Tallulah Roberts

Dear Tallulah,

Congratulations on making it through the tests! I’m sure you did really well, and you should be proud of everything you’ve learnt and achieved these past few months. It hasn’t been easy for you, I know, so take the time to enjoy your success.

I’m really looking forward to seeing you in a week’s time. The arrangements are all made, same plan as I said in my last letter. My new place can’t hold a candle to the Academy, but it’s perfectly serviceable and I think – hope – you’ll like it.

I also just wanted to warn you that I’ve been getting letters from Louise demanding to see you. I’ve told her no – several times – but she won’t listen. I’m worried about what she might do. But I’ll make sure everything works out and you have a lovely Holy Days, I promise.

Love,

Dad.

From Mildred Cavendish to Elsie Morris

Dear Elsie,

I know you don’t have much time for me any more – and I completely understand why – but please, at least read the whole of this letter before you throw it into the fireplace.

As you know, I’m deeply sorry for what I did to Tallulah. It was, I suppose, unforgiveable. I hope for forgiveness nonetheless. At the time, I believed it the right thing. Believed that Tallulah was dangerous, and that what I was doing was for the best. There were so many things I didn’t understand back then.

You know what I was going through – I was barely thinking straight, even everyday things were a struggle. Somewhere along the line, I made a mistake, and that mistake nearly cost Tallulah everything. I can only thank the stars that I realised what I was doing before it was too late.

There’s more I can say about it, but not that I can commit to ink, not when I know my mail is being read. I’m being watched, Elsie, for any sign that I might be complicit in my father’s treason. And I’m not, of course, but even so the constant surveillance wears one down. I want, more than anything, an honest and open conversation with a friend.

That’s why I’m writing to you. I know I can’t call you a friend now, but I did once and some foolish part of me hopes that someday I can again.

I’m not sure if you’re aware that I have a cousin who lives on an estate maybe ten miles from your home. But I do, and I expect to visit him at some point during this holiday. I would like very much to visit you, also, though of course if you do not want me you need only say so.

Kind regards,

Mildred Cavendish.

From Electra James to Edward Blackthorn (via the Academy's internal mail)

Edward,

Your assessment of the merits and disadvantages of allowing Tallulah to join the lessons is accurate. I am on balance against it, but these lessons are for your benefit and not mine. If you are prepared to accept the consequences of doing so, and if you would consider it a personal favour, I am willing to allow it.

I expect you, and Tallulah if she intends to join, to be outside my office at seven after midnight on Monday, wearing clothes that allow for flexible movement and not carrying any enchanted items.

Yours,

E. James.

Internal memorandum of the Ministry of Intelligence, for the desk of the Minister (extract, with POI designations replaced by names)

…the young magician Elsie Morris is deserving of our attention, if the Cavendish girl is determined to rebuild the friendship between them. It is likely that she views Morris as important more for her connections to others than on her own merits – she acted indirectly in an attempt to leverage the Minister before, and may be attempting to do the same again here.

This is not the only matter of significance. She appears to share a secret with Tallulah Roberts, as the extract from the letter she wrote to Roberts shows. It is deemed unlikely that this is of major importance, but it is brought to the Minister’s attention for thoroughness.

Please advise on what further action should be taken with regards to this…

From Sylvia Froment to Alistair Montague, senior civil servant in the Sirgalese government’s Magical Affairs Department

Alistair,

I’ve contacted everyone I can think of, and they’ve all laughed in my faces and told me to go away. You’re my last hope. That’s maybe not the most promising of starts, but I swear I’ve found something important – something only I can do. The details can’t be committed to paper, but I will gladly meet with you in person to discuss them. Suffice it to say for now that it involves my past – and, if my suspicions are correct, my niece.

Yours hopefully,

Sylvia.