She actually knew that this was one of the reasons he did not always pay attention to people. He had a photographic memory and he felt uncomfortable remembering everything people said to him or even to others.

As she mused about this, she heard an odd tapping sound. She looked up confused as Asrar's head snapped up as he located where the sound came from. She followed his line of sight.

The window of the library had some kind of large bird pecking at it. She stood up and walked over to get a better look. As she approached the bird stopped tapping the window and instead c.o.c.ked its head at her. It was a beautiful brown hawk with black markings.

Asrar pulled her up short as she was about to reach out to touch the gla.s.s. She looked at him, knowing that he was wary of the hawk. "What do you think it wants?"

He peered through the gla.s.s at it, "I think it has something tied to its leg. A messenger bird?"

"Well, then, lets see what it has for us," As she opened the window, the beautiful bird hopped in with a flap of its wings and stopped beside of her, the side with a parchment tied to it turned towards her.

She pulled it out, confused about who would send her a letter. As she opened it she recognized the writing.

"My dearest Hazel,

I hope that you are enjoying Carendlus. Not too freaked out by their customs, I hope. And that you are actually making friends. Afterall, that is the whole point of our little custom – to make connections.

You are probably confused that I would write you out of the blue. I mean I have not exactly kept contact over the year I was gone… it was a rather interesting year. I'll tell you about it later. When you come home.

I don't exactly know how to broach this subject. I guess I'll start with the fact that almost as soon as I got home, Father and I started fighting. I will not bore you with the details but I may have done something that upset Father pretty badly, or that is I made a friend that he does not like. Think on that, sister dear, I actually made a friend and Father was upset!

Well, anyway, I was cooling off from a particularly nasty exchange of words when our Father was attacked. He is okay, all things considered. I mean he is going to live but he was damaged pretty badly. Father was. .h.i.t over the head with a large stone and slashed through the leg. He'll live but he will probably have to retire early. I may have to become a king sooner than I thought. Not sure I am fully ready for that.

They technically attacked me too, but I managed to fend them off. I've learned a few tricks they were not expecting. And my new friend was with me, so they did not catch me alone. We captured one alive and will deal with them to the best of our abilities. May have to seek help from Varenduil though.

Anyway, stay in Carendlus until this is dealt with, even if it takes longer than the initial year you were to stay. Carendlus, no matter how you might feel about the magic there, it is the safest of the five allied kingdoms.

Your ever-adoring brother,

Heron

P.S. – Say hi to Asrar for me and tell him to loosen up!

P.P.S – The hawk's name is Sun. If you want him to carry a letter back tie it to his foot and take him to the nearest window. Otherwise just take him to the window. Don't keep him, though, my friend will kill me if she does not get her precious Sun back."

The letter was typically Heron. Filled with affection and good cheer. Even if he was writing about something that was a bit alarming, he focused more on the bright side.

The fact he had made a friend was surprising. Heron might be an optimistic sort but his terrible health had always made their father treat him like he was incredibly fragile, which in turn had led to him never being able to meet many people and make friends. She wondered why their father would not approve of his friend.

She glanced over at Asrar, "Well, you read what he says. Obviously brother agrees with me, you really need to loosed up."

"I hope thy Father is okay," Asrar looked worried, "Heron would totally understate it if he twas in a bad state."

"He gave enough specifics, telling us what happened. And he even admitted that he was attacked too," She paused as her eyes lingered on that paragraph, "I wonder what skills he is talking about. Stealing pies is hardly useful for dealing with a.s.sa.s.sins."

"Jarenkul probably taught him some more survival skills. As well as improve his perception."

She began writing a letter back to her brother. She could not just send back the Hawk empty handed.

"To the Best Brother in the World,

"What skills? And who is this friend of yours? You used a female p.r.o.noun. Is this going to be my new sister-in-law? Is she pretty? Why does she own a hawk? Why does Father not like her?

Don't worry brother. I have made a few friends. I actually like Carendlus, and would not be adverse to visiting it again. The queen is currently pregnant and she is such a darling.

There are other things that I may tell you when I see you, but I do not want to write them in a letter. Oh, Asrar is loosening up just a little, though he still talks with that formal way he has all the time.

With love,

Your little sister

P.S. Asrar wishes you good health and says that he believes in your capability to rule."

She sent the hawk out, watching as it flew swiftly away.