Pircalmo's reaction was hard to place exactly, being between mild concern and quiet curiosity. Lunise's eyes lit up and she picked up right after Meesei's prompt.

"Indeed, a message." She took a breath to gather the right words. She slowly lifted the letter to eye level between her thumb and forefinger. "This is from mother," she said gently, holding the letter forward. "To you."

The wave over Pircalmo's expression told of a great many questions being answered by Lunise's few words. He stared at the paper envelope with overwhelmed fascination. "I beg your pardon?" he whispered.

Lunise took two gliding steps across the study to put the letter within reach, neutral, if determined. Meesei could guess Lunise was having far more success hiding her emotions this time. "From Nytala." Lunise gestured with the letter. "Go on."

Pircalmo took the envelope reverently with two hands. For a long moment, he simply held it in front of himself, looking down and shaking his head. He spoke in breathy disbelief. "How in all of creation did this come into your hands?"

"We met her," Lunise explained quickly. "She put it in my hands herself, though I will admit she wrote it following my encouragement. I think it best that you read it before I say anything else." She stepped back and clasped her hands behind her back, frowning and straight-backed.

Pircalmo did not look up from the paper. With reluctant, anxious movements, he opened the letter and unfolded the paper to see what was written.