Aurie and Goff Brown
Dear Kay,
Happy Winter Solstice to ya, hope you and Torm are spendin’ it cuddled up with the kiddos, some spiced whiskey and a fat chunk of steak! Gosh, I’m just realizin’ that those little ones are growin’ up so fast! Evan’s almost a man now, I see him tryin’ to practice huntin’ with Torm’s bow when he sneaks out sometimes, and Mare’s already startin’ to cook, and sew and keep that house in line like her momma!
Goff and I are doin’ just fine too, will probably be spendin’ the day relaxin’ in bed before the big festival tonight. I think the Hewers are hostin’ this year, although I’ll send Goff out to ask as soon as we’re done with all our sleepin’.
Hope you like the gift, Goff had to wiggle and waggle when that trader came into town but when we saw it we just thought of y’all and couldn’t let it go. Love y’all more than life itself!
See y’all tonight,
Aurie
Evan Brown
Dear Val,
Things have been getting better since you left. We’ve got enough food to make it through the winter, and everyone’s been able to stay warm. Yesterday I had a meeting with all of the men of the village to figure out what to do over the winter and when the spring comes. Tomorrow, I’m going to meet with the women too, to see how they can help.
I’ve also been practicing the things you taught me every day. I can hit a target most of the time now, and I’ve practiced tracking in the valley, although nothin’ has come through. I’m going to get some more advice from Bick, one of the last hunters here, in spring, but I promise I’ll remember what you said.
Some of the older people are taking charge, but they let me talk with them and speak about plans, and I notice a lot of people asking me questions when a problem happens. Sometimes I don’t know the answer, and I feel bad, and sometimes stuff happens that’s sad or scary, and I feel like crying. When we had to bury the people who were dead, I was really sad, especially when they said Aurie and Goff’s names, but I remembered what you said, and I’ve been strong.
I hope this letter gets to you someday.
Evan
