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You never forget where you were when a piece of your world shatters. Pauline received the report first. It was after all about one of her couriers. Her shoulders hunched lower as her eyes whipped faster across the page. A part of her refused to believe what it was reading. But the diplomatic part of her was already analyzing and understanding the report. Of course she would go back into a burning building. She would never have hesitated despite the danger. Pauline felt her courier’s mask slipping as the facts sunk in. Despite decades of keeping her emotions off her face under pressure her eyes began to sting. Pauline’s next thought was how would she tell Halt, then like a delayed reaction she reeled at the thought. How could she tell Will?
News always has a way of getting around, especially terrible news.
Pauline told Halt first, later that night in their chambers. They spent the night consoling each other in their own quiet way.
The next morning Pauline made her official report to Baron Arald. Knowing Will was still away on an assignment, he asked if a courier should be sent to inform him right away. But Pauline shook her head, she and Halt had discussed it, they wanted to tell Will themselves upon his return. But it was agreed missives would be sent to her former ward mates (her closest thing to next of kin) and of course Princess Evelyn.
Pauline let herself be swept up in the list of tasks. Preparations for the remains to be received, and a memorial service to be scheduled, the missives sent promptly. Halt took it upon himself to recover the remains and to learn more about what happened that night.
Jenny was already up, having been baking for the breakfast crowd since before dawn, when she received the missive. At first she was going to set it aside to continue preparing to open the restaurant, but then she saw it was the Baron’s seal. Dusting off her hands on her apron she hastily broke the wax and read the news. The paper fell from her shaking hands as Jenny, always an open heart, began to cry for her old friend. Mentally though she began compiling Alyss’ favorite recipes she would make for the service. Because of course she would allow no one else to cater the somber occasion.
Horace was trying to catch his giggling toddler and get her to lie down for a nap. When there was a rap at the door. He called for them to enter, it was a maid who bowed and said that the crown princess had asked he be summoned at once and she would take over the settling down of the young princess. Feeling a bit sorry for the maid, Horace left, while little Maddie started to scream. Hurrying through the castle he made it to Evelyn’s study. When he knocked there was only an indistinct mumble for an answer. Opening the door he immediately became concerned seeing Evelyn face in her hands sobbing at the desk. “What's wrong? What happened?”, he asked coming to her and placing an arm around her shoulder. Crying too hard to speak clearly, she only shook her head and pointed to the open letter on the top of her stack of papers. Horace picked up the letter and then clutched it tighter as he read. “This is terrible! Have they discovered the cause of the fire yet?” He almost yelled more than asked. Taking a shuddering breath Evelyn managed to say, “I should have been there,”. “What?”, Horace asked confused. Shaking her head again she said, “I should have been with her. We weren't just friends, we fought together! If we were going to die I thought it would've been when we fought the man eating tiger together. She shouldn't have died alone. If I have been there, I could have…” her sentence trailed off with more sobs. Horace took her in his arms comforting her, and said, “ You know very well she wouldn't have let you follow her into that fire. And you couldn't have stopped her from going. Alyss' determination is the only kind I knew to rival yours. She died doing what she knew was right. We couldn't ask for a more honorable death for her,”. Evelyn nodded into his chest, but continued to let her tears fall. They stayed that way holding on to each other until a servant came knocking to ask for help with the royal toddler.
George was in his library, translating a particularly tricky piece. His wife knocked on the study door and he could hear the usual shushing as she reminded their children when Father was in the study they were not to disturb him. Tired of the translating, George decided he could use a break. Opening the door he nearly tripped over the pair of small heads trying to peer inside. “I'm sorry to disrupt your work dear, but this letter just came from the Baron,” his wife said, smiling regretfully. “It's alright I needed a break anyway,” he replied, giving her a peck on the cheek that sent the two kids squealing down the hallway. As he read the letter though his own smile faded. “What is it?”, his wife asked, “bad news?”. George just shook his head suddenly looking up into her eyes. He couldn't imagine losing her while they were still young and he grieved for his friend Will. George didn't want to think about what he must be going through.
Will felt something was off the moment he stepped into the cabin. A fire was crackling in the hearth, but instead of Alyss’ willowy silhouette there were two shapes by the fire. They stood up, it was Pauline and Halt. “What's going on? Where's Alyss?” he asked. After exchanging a quick glance Pauline spoke first, “Will I'm sorry but there's been an accident, Alyss was investigating rumors of child trafficking…”. Will didn't quite hear what she said next, his ears were buzzing and it felt like an arrow had lodged in his chest; he couldn't breathe. But he did hear Halt say almost under his breath, “Well some say it wasn't an accidental fire,”. Will pushed his wild emotions onto this one point. Anger, something to lash out at, was easier than facing the tidal wave of grief threatening to consume him. With an inhuman growl he turned and opened the door, almost kicking Ebony, who had been waiting to be let in, as he stormed off into the woods. Pauline took a few steps to follow him, but Halt touched her arm and said, “ Let me go after him,”.
Years later Pauline was back at her desk reading reports when there was a knock at her door. “Enter,” she called without looking up. At a small cough she glanced up surprised to see a young girl standing in front of her desk. “I'm here to become a diplomatic courier,” the girl said without hesitation. Pauline raised an eyebrow. “Lady Pauline, ma'am,” the girl quickly added. “Why do you want to be a diplomatic courier?” Pauline asked.
“Because when I was a child one of your couriers saved my life at the cost of her own. She was a hero and I want to honor her sacrifice by continuing in the same work she did,” the girl answered. Pauline paused for a moment thinking about how funny life can be, she was mere months away from retiring, but it looked like she would have to postpone. “What's your name?”, she asked. “Margaret Cooper, ma’am,” the girl replied. “Miss Cooper, I hope you're ready for rigorous training. From my couriers I expect someone eager to learn, quick to listen to correction, and willing to do a lot of hard work,”. Margaret nodded eagerly hope in her eyes and a smile fighting to spread across her face.
“Alright, welcome Margaret Cooper to your apprenticeship with the diplomatic core. I look forward to teaching you,”.