(Page 1 of 17) Cry for the Wolf, Chapter 3. by Richard WalkerSUMMARY: Back with Rhiarra, staying with her teachers and mentors in the house of the Meloine sisters in Fallond, wrestling with the changes coming in her world.To the most honorable Lord, the right reverend and worshipful Father in the Light, Abbot Sagacious of Bedewind Abbey in Huppingscombe, otherwise known as Green Thatch Abbey, from Rhiarra, Lady Esturme, heiress of the five forests of Mummerset, also known as the Green Thatch, eternal greeting in the Light and my best love. I send thee the divine suffrages of prayer with all honors and all reverence, wishing thee, an it please thee, health and both the blessing of the Light and such happy success as is to the utmost of your desires, forever.
Most honored and, with all my heart, most dearly beloved abbot, I recommend me unto thee again as humbly and as utterly as I know how and best can, still desiring ever so earnestly to hear and truly know good and joyous news of thy welfare and that of thine honorable brethren, with unending orisons unto the Heavenly Light that I be granted always to hear such goodly things of which thou canst think and wish for and my heart most earnestly desire for thee, for the Eternal Light that permeates All knowest how truly my happiness is increased whene'er I have sweet news of thee.
Dear and reverend abbot, by the great love that has long lain between mine family and thy noble self for such a great multitude of years, I am so much surprised that to date I still have had no letters of thee, and that no reports of thine health or welfare have come to mine ears. Therefore may I entreat thee once more that, for the sincere joy and pleasure of my heart, it may please thee to keep me informed of all such by return post as often as would please thee. And most honored abbot, may it please thee much to know that at the time of sending thee this letter I find me still hale and of good health, praise the Light. I would take this opportunity to again thank thee for the very great affection and kindliness that thou hast had and pray still have for me and mine and for the other favors without number which it has pleased thee in thy very noble kindliness to do and to show to my family without our deserving any at all.
I know that on occasions previous thou wert wont to keep abreast of my own dear mother's recurring infirmities and at the mention of her I am minded to relate to thee that, at the time of my sending this letter, mother is just on the mend, praise the mercy of the Light Etemal, from her most recent bout with her mysterious malady, about which I wrote thee in my last letter.
In accordance with my earlier decision, of which I last wrote, I have come to Fallon, so here I stay, in the ladies' dormitory of the house of the Meloines. I await the day that the canons of the cathedral chapter will hear my petition, and it is here that thou mayest find me shouldst thou take it upon thyself to seek me out whilst thou'rt in town for the Crown Fête.
But, if I might trespass farther upon the love that thou hast borne me and mine by proceeding forthwith to the most grave matter which is the cause for this letter, I would move here to unburden somewhat mine heavy heart of other events and rigorous vexations for which I currently pursue some cure.
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