Background
The Correspondents
Isadora Lane — A mortal archivist in the kingdom’s Royal Library, tasked with cataloguing centuries of correspondence between the living and the dead.
Callum Ashvere — A vampire lord, one of the Old Ones who predates the kingdom itself.
The World
The Kingdom of Shadows operates under the Accord of Two Bloods, an ancient treaty that grants vampires sovereignty over the night hours and mortals sovereignty over the day. The realm functions in a carefully, enforced balance. It is, by all appearances, at peace.
To access all the letters click here.
Letter 7 (Isadora to Callum)
A month later
Dear Sir,
I don’t know why I’m writing you again, Callum Ashvere. I suppose it’s because you’re the only person, I know who knows what I know, and more importantly who knows the answers to my questions.
The vault in the library haunts me.
I’m sitting outside it as I scribe this note. I’ve taken to having my breaks and lunch beside the locked door. The mystery of what documents have been hidden inside draws me like a magnet and won’t let me go. What part of our history is hidden here? And why?
You told me to leave the darkness alone, but the problem is it won’t leave me alone. I must find the truth.
Adding to the mystery, Mr. Jay’s mother Amelia Jay caught up with me on my morning walk along the canal. How she knew she could find me there, I’ll never know.
Her face was as pale as death itself, her hair appeared had not been brushed for days, and her eyes held the empty stare of a grieving mother. She took me by surprise, but we didn’t waste time on pleasantries.
Amelia believes her son, Gregore, was murdered because he discovered something in the archives. I told her I wanted to know more about his death.
She explained the night Gregore died he gave her a letter for safekeeping. He said it came from the library and told her to hide it and not tell anyone about it. Amelia said she was only telling me, because I had asked about him, and seemed like a trustworthy person.
I assured her I would keep her secret.
Amelia warned me to not trust any officials or library staff or else I might end up hanging in a noose from the ceiling of his office like her son. I shuddered at that image. No wonder the details were kept from the staff.
The police claim her son’s death was a suicide, but Amelia says he would never take his own life, because of his religion. He wasn’t an unhappy man, she added. But the police would not listen to her. Tears streamed down her ashen face as she told me her tale.
I again expressed my condolences for her loss. She nodded and then asked me if I had found any odd documents in the Royal Library. The abrupt question caught me by surprise, and I was about to tell her about the vault. But something inside me made me hesitate. I simply shook my head.
We walked in silence for a few minutes and then I pressed her for more information. Amelia rambled on about how Gregore had been the best of sons, and how proud she was of him. She told me about how accomplished he was on the piano, and how he burned toast most mornings. She became lost in her memories.
When I finally steered her back to the library her shoulders sank. In a weaker voice she said she would bring me the letter Gregore had asked her to hide and let me decide what to do with it. She didn’t feel strong enough to keep it concealed herself.
I assured her I would process the letter properly and she could trust me.
We had reached the end of the trail and stopped “I’ll think about it,” she said, and then she disappeared into the morning crowd.
Should I have confided in her? I’m not sure. Our conversation left me with more questions than answers, and a horrid sense of danger that won’t let go.
The mysteries hidden in the Royal Library appear to be growing.
I’m sure there must be something you can tell me, to help me understand the situation.
With great respect,
Isadora Vane, Archivist, Royal Library
P.S. I am humbled by your age, sir, but I question your understanding of history. It takes many eyes to see what is really happening. Perhaps you are only looking through your own.
P.P.S. Currently I am reading the Chronicles of Lady Chantilly and enjoying her description of life in England after the Accord.
Letter 8 Callum to Isadora
a week later
Dearest Isadora,
At first your letter angered me. I am amazed you would dare to question my understanding of history, but after refection I came to respect your appraisal of the situation. You are seeing things through mortal eyes and limited horizons. That is to say you also have a limited view of things happening around you.
Thank you for keeping me apprised of your situation. It was a wise decision to not tell Mrs. Jay about the letters. Telling anyone puts you in more danger. You must be careful.
I wonder if you have a mate, family, or friends to protect you. I hope you do. I also wonder if they would miss you if you vanished.
In closing I repeat: Leave the vault alone. Forget it exists and carry on with your life.
With concern,
Callum Ashmere,
Vampire
P.S. I have not read the Chronicles you mentioned but I do remember dancing with Lady Chantilly. She had a quick wit and a fast step. I will read her work soon.
P.P.S. I am not used to conversing with mortals. I hope I am not too abrupt or indiscreet when I say I worry about you.
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Have a great Wednesday.
P.S. Two more letters drop next Wednesday. Will Isadora do as she’s told? Will Callum ever relax? Only time will tell.
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