Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 122
pulled a sheet of paper out of his pocket. He flipped it open
and began to read.
"Oh, Jordan, I miss you so much. I wish you were here
right now, but Sir Chan says you have to finish a job for him
first. Then you'll be back and bring lots of money.
"I'm sorry I ran away. Mom and Dad are really mad at
us, though they won't say it. They just don't talk about that
night. And they pray for you to come back all the time. I can't
talk to them! I wish you were here so I would have somebody
to talk to.
"Sir Chan told me to write something so you would know
it was me. Remember that turn on the stairs in the manor,
where we found the crack? Remember the note we hid there
before Dad mortared it up? I know what the note says--only
me and you know. The first word is 'Boo!'. Remember that?"
Jordan let his tension out with a big breath, and leaned
heavily against the wall next to Axel. He smiled at Axel.
"So, it's really her, is it?" asked Axel.
He nodded. "After Sir Chan found me, he gave me letters
of appointment to the king of Ravenon. I can't believe it-neither
could anybody else, but Castor did. And Turcaret--you
should have seen his face when Sir Chan showed him the
letters. He wanted to kill Chan, I could tell, but he was afraid
to. But Castor--he almost smiled, I think. Anyway, he told
Turcaret not to argue, and he signed the letters, and Sir Chan
lent me money to move in with the Sanglers which is where I
am now. Waiting for dispatches from Ravenon, who will come
to me before they come to Castor. I'm so proud, and scared at
the same time. And lonely. I hope you come home soon. Sir
Chan says you are okay and having an adventure. Please write
me and tell me all about it."
"Can I?" Jordan asked.