Letters From Armin: Tension At Nordhaus

Selected Letters of Armin R. Tolor, No. 2

This is Selected Letters of Armin R. Tolor, a serial which will release every three weeks. To catch up on past letters, see The Index. For information on the illustrations, see the footnote¹.

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Dear Jason,

No, I am afraid the mood has not improved. It has been weeks—Father and Mary are at an impasse. More on that in a moment, I want to reply to the substance of your letter!

Do you think there is a risk of conflict? I know the Maristos have long feuded with the Midlands, but I hoped the Duke would intervene before it rose to violence. He has an incentive to resolve this conflict peaceably, without drawing the ire of the Viceroy of the planet, or dare I suggest the King of the whole Iris system. To read your report makes me think the Duke is preparing for war to break out. We will know the crisis has gotten out of hand if the Duke draws a levy of manpower.

I regret to report that Father is looking for an angle on this. I don’t see one, personally, but I am an amateur at politicking.

I am glad to hear, otherwise, that your family is well! I think of them often, and remember fondly their many visits in our childhood where our friendship has its roots. Your parents were always very loyal and seemed very good—the fruit of this borne in your quality character. I wish my Father the Count rewarded your family, but I fear he took their goodness for granted, if not for advantage.

I hope the tensions resolve and you are able to get some leave. Thank you for writing, despite the anxiety in your barracks.

As for me, like I said, the mood has not improved. The bishop has specified to Mary that she needs Fathers blessing to enter the Monastery. Mary has been tackling it through the only two ways available to her: prayer, on the one hand; rhetoric, on the other. Mary is as handy with an argument as she was with those wooden swords.

In all honesty—I wonder if a monastery isn’t a good life for me, too. Mary’s example is inspirational and it is quite moving to me. I seem to be the only one unconditionally supporting her. Ella and Lars remain…idiotic, frankly. My goodness, I feel like I have seen their true colors for the first time in my life. How they are willing to treat their own sibling has been horrifying to me, and it has been the cause of more than one argument. There are a lot of cold shoulders around the Nordhaus grounds.

I digress. A monastic life, perhaps, appeals to me in its simplicity, perhaps for just being a means of escaping all the nonsense my family is entertaining at present. My Father—I call him The Count when he is being boorish—has been short with everyone and quite unpleasant to be around. Mother has followed up behind him making every which excuse, as she has done all our lives. It occurred to me in this incident that I have never once heard my father say ‘I’m sorry’. It’s always been Mother apologizing for him. I wonder if this won’t turn out the same way. I wonder how he will find a way to save face in front of Mary’s relentless determination.

I only hope it ends soon—for Mary’s sake more than for my own. She is suffering silently, but has told me that this suffering is purifying, ridding her of her last attachments, and allowing her to put her trust and focus entirely in God’s hands.

I don’t understand this, but do admire it.

Please write again soon, and keep me updated on the Maristo situation. I do pray all resolves amicably.

Your friend,

-Armin

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1. Illustrations were created on commission by

The Chronicler

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