?l? lounges on her bed, inspecting her nails as Dyder stands up from the writing desk, enveloped letter in hand. “Who’s that for?” She watches her tone carefully, not wanting to come off as overly concerned about a simple letter.

  “My father, I need to let him know about the dates for the wedding.” He pauses, taking a moment to admire ?l?, before continuing. “And the wedding in general.” He heads for the door but stops before opening it, turning once again to face ?l?. “Would you be alright with me using your F?terbrunem?”

  “That’s a heavy question.” She’s slightly taken aback. “We aren’t even married yet.”

  “No, I don’t mean now; just in general. I was speaking to high priestess Seliani—”

  ?l?'s face distorts as she clenches her teeth. “I don’t want you speaking to her. I’ve said this before—you know this!” Her voice is level but strained.

  “This was in the presence of ?nnywella and others; you have nothing to worry about.” He is unable to tell if the outburst is from annoyance or nervous grief.

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  She calms slightly and meekly apologizes. “Sorry.”

  “It’s alright.” He walks over and takes her hand before continuing his original point. “She was saying lots of younger women are refusing to acknowledge their F?terbrunem when it’s used by their husbands; I was wondering if you were the same.”

  “I’m not; you are welcome to use it. I think ?l? is prettier than Ilsenila anyway. Just wait until after the ceremony here, in town; if Father hears you use it before then, he will be furious.”

  Dyder nods, letting go of her hand. “I have to go into town; I need to mail this letter and talk to high priestess Wiese about using the temple for our wedding.”

  “I will be joining you.” ?l? stands up from the bed, and Dyder opens the door for her. The two head from the south wing back towards the central wing.

  “Bal?, please fetch me my pattens.” Says ?l?, before turning to Dyder. “I would like to walk into town and enjoy the autumn air with my betrothed.”

  “While you’re in town, would you be able to post these for me?” Alavel says from behind them.

  Dyder agrees, taking the two letters from Alavel; one addressed to Romyll Dornytter, and the other to Gekaryna vela’Herst. Bal? returns with ?l?’s patterns, and the two head into Sc?dstan.