Letters from Friends, Thaw 1149
To Tander, Mouse Guard, Lockhaven
The people of Copperwood are in your debt. The next new moon has been declared Mouse Guard Day and we will be hosting a performance in honor of your defeat of Red Hook and his accomplices. Hopefully the order of several bolts of silk I placed with this Samson fellow will come through in time for the banners. Tin’s examination of the Mint was accurate: while several ruffians may have escaped with all the currency they could carry, the presses and stamps were still safe. The disaster of counterfeiting will not befall the territories this day. Enclosed you will find our judiciary’s request for the handling of Red Hook himself. Please see that it reaches Gwendolyn or whomever else needs read it.
And on a personal note, the children’s nightmares have stopped. It got better for them when we got new blankets in the colors of your patrol’s cloaks. You have done my family an uncountable service.
His honor the 36th Governor of Copperwood, Lincoln
To Guardmouse Isolde, Lockhaven-
Thank you for bringing him to me. After the first months I figured I was going to survive, and I thought there was a real chance I’d get free if I was patient and smart, but I never imagined I’d learn how my captivity started. It took a lot of my time, wondering. I died that day. And I’d be ashamed to say it to anyone else, but I went back to Sheba with open arms so I could watch her, in case she was the one that set me up. But I think you understand. I think you know that a heart can feel a lot of different things for the same mouse. I’m so glad I was wrong though. Now we can live honestly from here. I hope someday you can do the same.
From Jordan
Dearest Zeke,
I know I can be stubborn. I guess we have that in common. But not long after you left I heard Old Tate is retiring. He has (had?) a tavern at Shorestone and taught me a lot when I was in my wandering days. When this letter finds you I’ll probably be on the road there. A few more square feet, gorgeous tile, and the horizon over the shore; it’s going to be great. I think I’ll like it there. I’ll keep the name to honor Tate, so my new address is The Sanded Jug. Please visit when you can, I’ll give you the whole tour. Look at us now. You’re giving ME career advice to save MY life this time. Wherever I go, know that I’m saving a place there for you.
All my love, Christophe
Hello Sable!
So glad we can write. We hope this letter finds you well. We have some new neighbors where the Wickets used to live, you know the place, and imagine our surprise when they said they knew you! They look like the loveliest young family, you’d never expect they came from such awful circumstances. And to hear you were there too! In those awful tunnels with those awful weasels! We raised you better than that, undercover operation or not. When a weasel is nearby, you RUN! And you make sure Lily runs too! Well I suppose it all worked out in the end even if I haven’t slept since I heard. Thank you for taking care of those sweet young men and their adorable child. If you’re coming this way on a future mission, do try to let us know. I want to make your favorites and don’t want to be caught without cashew flour this time.
Do update us on Lily when you can. We love you two very much,
Your parents
Our F,
Happy Spring! It was so wonderful to winter in Lockhaven again. It does me a world of good to see all those old faces, and meeting your tenderpaw was a treat all its own. Now I know you always tell me not to believe the rumors I hear, so tell me the truth: is old Ivy active in the Territories again? She was ancient when I was green. I was lucky enough to go on missions with her a time or two. Every day it seems your mom has been talking me down one way or another from going back myself. These are dangerous times! I still have limbs to use and service to give. Sprucetuck officially closed its borders to all weasels over the winter, and you know what that means. If we’re on a precipice, I want to grab the rope with the rest of you.
Your Ma
Hey there good looking,
It was nice to see you, Ivy. I’m getting around as well as I did before my fall now. Not sure it’s much of an improvement. Jonwyn insisted on moving in with me. I only agreed so he’d be out from under that death trap of a roof. It’s nice, though, sharing the load with a friend. Have to come up with excuses to get out of the house now since he’s only down the hall, but that’s worth the gain all told. When I do go out, the mood’s changed. There were fights; old grudges coming out. Now that the venting is over, it’s actually a nicer place to live. A secret weighs on you, even if you know pretty much everybody is already in on it. Still, nobody talks about what was happening over all those years, but it’s a different kind of quiet. Polite quiet, not terror quiet. Awkward, shameful, but not paranoid. Anyway, the berries are starting to sprout, and I’m getting someone else to go pick them when I want any from here on out.
Your friend, Lucius
LILY: You made a mistake. If Gayle is in captivity mice will die. The wheels of history are in motion. They cannot stop. We want to help you. We will help in ways you do not see. The Guard is blind to what is coming. Help us help you. Listen to Gayle. Listen to your mother. She is starting to see clearly. Isile is not your friend.