For Mordrena

[Josette]

The letter, placed by someone unknown, by a fly the belonged to the spider, would be found in a locked jewellery box on the queens dresser. The lock is not damaged, nor is the box.

My Dearest Mordrena,

It has been a while since I saw you last, and even longer since you saw me. How goes life as Queen Reagent? I hear your son is growing up to be devoted to his dear mother, I’m sure when the time comes he will be a great Siourean King.

My flies tell me the High King is retraining his army that he is concerned for the future of his throne because of the rumours of the return of the old empire. Surely he should be looking closer to home? What with Ajurah crossing your lands? You should be careful with Rajegh, my dear they cannot be trusted.

I will be coming south in the winter. Your hospitality is always welcome.

Yours sincerely,
Josette

p.s. Watch out for my flies Mordrena, they are everywhere.

[Mordrena of Medria]

Tricks. She hated tricks, especially when they concerned her own safety in the palace. Sebastian would learn about this.

Dearest Josette,

I do not wish to discuss issues that involve my lands in letter, especially with someone so notoriously untrustworthy as you. Before you rip this letter in half, I mean that as a good thing.

I do know how easy it is for women to lose their composure after they reach a certain age, and I would hate to see you satisfying your rage on this letter.

My castle is always open to you, as long as you bring me news and a good trading agreement. I cannot wait for you to test my new "cooking" skills, I've been told I'm quite talented.

Queen Mordrena of Medria.

PS1. It's Queen Mordrena.

PS2. It's very easy for a Queen to squash bugs.

The letter was sent with a black crow.

[Josette]

Josette laughed at Mordrena’s response, she would not reply, nor would she destroy the letter. Jeremy, a stiff man with hair as black as night waited for his lady’s response, he was not like the others he did not fear Josette.

“Your reply, my lady?” Josette shooed the queen’s crow from her windowsill and gave Jeremy a devilish smile, before opening a large cupboard, inside which were several glass tanks. Spiders were her favourite insects, so why not keep them as her pets. Carefully extracting a black spider with red knees she placed it into a smaller box and handed it to Jeremy.

“The boy’s chambers. The poison is not deadly, it will only make him sick for a couple of days.”

“She will kill you for that, my lady.”

“Well, if her past cooking skills are anything to go by, then she intends to try to anyway. We might as well give her a reason to hate me.”

Two days later, Mordrena’s son found the spider in the box.