Day 24 Post-Solstice

  Mum,

  I know you’re not happy about me running off into the blue, and I just want to get that apology out there right off the bat, but this is something I have to do. By now you (and the rest of the town, ugh) must’ve heard about what happened with Matthias, and I frankly can’t stand to hear another word of it. Yes, I gave him my congratulations and well wishes and whatnot, but I did NOT hide that I was miffed. I mean, three years together and suddenly he’s off with someone else? I realize we weren’t exactly progressing with things, but the least he could’ve done was tell me. Didn’t he realize how much I cared?

  Anyway, that’s why I needed to take the fortnight off. When Pazzio had his accident and couldn’t make the journey to the Capital, I jumped at the chance to go and renew the permits for him. I want to be back on my feet here, but I just can’t face this yet.

  Well, I hope you’ll forgive me for this sudden jaunt, and if you’re still planning to scold me for being a wayward young fool, I’ll soften the blow by sending loads of pictures. There are some beautiful sights on the way to Capital, or so I’ve heard, and I fully intend to see them.

  The coachman is announcing something—have to stop writing. I’ll update you later, so until then, goodbye.

  Your loving daughter, Victoria

  (a note on the picture) So, this is the ship that will take me across the country...

  Day 25 Post-Solstice

  Let me back up a moment. Sorry I’ve been away for a bit—one of the wheels was caught in a ditch and everyone had to help get it out. Even though we were well armed, I can’t claim I wasn’t checking the mist for signs of movement. At any rate, we made it, and I have some downtime before the ship is ready to board.

  The coffee they serve at the port cafe is passable, but Uncle’s is better. There is a single large window from which you can see the ships docking, although the mist is thick today and the gaze of the Paired Queens is still distant. Someone is singing at the corner for coins, and I can’t say they’re doing a good job at it.

  I’m going to see if the biscuits are any better than the coffee. By the time I’m finished, hopefully they’ll have called to start boarding.

  Day 25 Post-Solstice (cont.)

  Up, up, and away we go! The ship’s finished ascending to the lower sky and they’ve just given the announcement that we’re free to move about, so I thought I ought to write another entry. There isn’t supposed to be much turbulence on the skyway this morning, but if there are any stray ink splatters, I apologize in advance.

  The view of the mist is incredible, by the way. I know you’ve been up here a few times and know what I’m talking about, but it’s one of those things that manages to be beautiful no matter how many times you’ve seen it. I can see why the creatures up here have so many eyes—well, aside from the fact that there’s no mist rendering them useless, hah!

  Day 26 Post Solstice

  Can you believe it?! I am going to submit a complaint once I get to the Capital about the type of people they allow on our transport. I was just enjoying the scenery from the deck when I saw—of all things!—a band of Coalition citizens seated in the corner! Naturally, I brought the matter up with a steward immediately, who gave the usual excuses. Supposedly they’re just visiting the sights and’ve got all the correct paperwork. I still wouldn’t trust them.

  Around noon we saw a herd of hazeflockers. I know it’s irrational and my nerves are still shaken from the Coalitionists, but some fool had left the window open and a few of them passed through. Their little pincers got near my hair and I was overwhelmed and, well, the next thing I knew, a stewardess was letting me know I’d fainted. I thanked her, but you can imagine how embarrassing it was.

  If I’m acting like a bunch of nerves, I blame it on the Coalitionists. They have no business being in this country.

  Day 27 Post-Solstice

  Today we stopped in Dunsmouth for a spell before continuing west and up. It’s freezing cold out there and I popped back into the ship as soon as I could, but not before purchasing a blouse from some old gentleman’s stall. Yes, I know it’s tourism, but at least it’s tourism supporting our country. At least I can be sure what I buy is Aetherian- made and not from some foreign sweatshop.

  While we were waiting to take off again, I was feeling a bit peckish and decided to head back to the galley. And guess who I saw? Well, come on, guess! Ten pence says you didn’t say Barons Corvidus. Truly! There I was, just searching for a place to sit, and they offered the place across from them!

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  Gah! I honestly started swoon, but they were so cordial about the whole situation that I somehow managed to pull myself together enough to have a conversation. Yes, I know I’m being dramatic and they’re just a minor lord, but Mum, I had a real live conversation with the real live Barons Corvidus! We talked about pretty much everything, and they were so witty and charming!

  Did I, you might ask, receive a calling card? Well, ah, at the end I might’ve made the mistake of bringing in politics, and probably shouldn’t have mentioned my opinions on Jenkins joining Parliament, as it was a rather divisive subject among the barons’s heads. They all started to disagree and talk over one another, and it turned rather awkward after that. I suppose it wouldn’t have worked out anyway, but still, I got to hobnob with the nobility!

  Day 28 Post-Solstice

  The captain sent out a broadcast in the morning to let us know that last night we passed the border into the middle sky, as well as that due to some overnight delays, we’re not going to make an extended stop at Half-Snake Mountain. I’m a tad disappointed we won’t get to see it, but I suppose we’ll stop by on the return trip.

  Anyway, partway through the broadcast, it began to falter before cutting out entirely. Everyone in the ship started to get anxious, with the elderly lady next to me fanning herself, but the radio crackled back to life a moment later. I believe we all breathed a collective sigh of relief, even the heathen Coalitionists, knowing that it was only a message from the Paired Queens. As typical, Palladial’s song was the most clear, with the softer, higher notes of Rosarael’s static only rarely becoming apparent. The music lasted only a moment before the captain’s voice returned, but the ship remained subdued. One man doffed his hat in respect.

  Day 28 Post-Solstice (cont.)

  Ugh, it’s absolutely shameful what passes for reading material these days. There was a pile of magazines in the powder room, and I was just leafing through an article about that new skirmish on the Coalition border when I came across an absolutely scandalous story about the prime minister! The fact that they can print these baseless claims—what will they do next, directly insult the Paired Queens? I feel ill just considering it.

  Anyway, if the article on its own wasn’t absolute rubbish, it was right next to the horoscope. Apparently the convergence of the two moons means I should be lucky in love this month. It’s unbelievable that no matter how advanced we get as a society, we can still have fools who believe this magic.

  Day 29 Post-Solstice

  Well, we docked at Highgate today, and all got another moment to stretch. The wind was a step above freezing, so I must confess that I spent most of the time in the shops. There was a nice bakery selling fresh scones, and while I was there, I did some window-shopping. As port towns go, it doesn’t lean too into tourism, but they’ve still got the typical selection of novelties. At least they make a living honestly.

  On the way back to the ship, I made a donation to the widows and orphans fund. I figure I haven’t given to any charities yet this season, and one must do their part, especially around this time of year. The woman at the booth was wearing a dress that looked just like the one Aunt Lydia sewed for you years ago, and I struck up a conversation about it with her. Turns out she has some good friends in Moreton, just a few towns away from you! What a small world we live in.

  It’s a shame we had to cut the conversation short before I just about froze, but she let me take her picture. Please give Auntie my regards, and let her know that her fashions are worn far and wide!

  Day 30 Post-Solstice

  Finally, we just pulled into the border of the upper sky! There’s one more stop before the Capital, and it should be coming up soon. Already the air is getting warmer, and this morning I could finally take off my coat!

  On deck, I struck up a conversation with a young couple who boarded a few stops ago. They’re getting their new business registered, and have to submit some paperwork for it, so it looks like we’ll be going to the same place.

  Anyway, it looks like Skysend will be a short stop and then we’ll be onto the Capital, so I’d better get my fill of the chef’s special before we’re off.

  Day 30 Post-Solstice (cont.)

  We’ve just set sail again, and according to our fair captain, are on schedule to make port at the Capital early tomorrow morning. It’s positively balmy here on deck, and it’s supposed to get even warmer.

  I chatted a bit more with the young couple from earlier. Since they’re more local to the area, they recommended several places when we stopped in Skysend. We saw a few old statues outside the cathedral, and the inside was a fine example of late Baroque architecture.

  A pair of angels were perched on the rafters and watching the crowd. Unfortunately I couldn’t take a picture of them without burning up the camera, so this mural on the side of the cathedral must suffice.

  Day 31 Post-Solstice

  Finally, we’ve reached the Capital! Just this morning, we disembarked for good, and it’s been busy every moment since. I got to submit Pazzio’s paperwork and find out when the ship bound for home arrives, and somewhere in the middle, I found a moment to breathe.

  While I was walking back to the hotel, I came across one of those theaters set up on the side of the street. They were performing The Queens’ Lament, and I could hear the actress for Rosarael singing the closing notes of her first song, so I stopped by for the rest of Act I.

  Palladial’s entrance wasn’t as grand as it’s been in other theaters, as they couldn’t have her rise up through the floor in a shower of stardust, but she made up for it with her performance. When she and Rosarael sang their duet, you could hear the longing in their voices—Palladial surrounded by her beloved creations but with no one to call a true companion, and Rosarael’s uncountable years of lonely wandering. When they finally reached one another, Rosarael circled her cautiously at first, remarking that they made a strange pair. Palladial worried that she would devour her smaller companion if she moved any closer, and Rosarael feared to open her heart to one she would vastly outlive. And when the chorus of stars finished the Act with their warning of their inescapable future, they’d timed it so it coincided with the setting of the real suns.

  Speaking of the Queens, I found this really lovely portrait of them at the hotel. Whoever made it must’ve been on a freighter at the far reaches of the system, so you can see Rosarael in front of her brighter companion. The view from the capital isn’t nearly as cinematic, but maybe someday a trip out there will be in order.

  Well, that ‘someday’ will have to be in a good long while, because I haven’t even started the return journey!