18.iii
Mother, I’ve received your handbook, and I promise I will consult it deeply in its time. It is truly a work of wisdom. However, acts of most import have occurred here in the territories ruled by my lord Charles, the son of the late king Louis.
Oh, the scribe tells me I should explain the matter clearly from a beginning.
As a responsibility bequeathed to me as my lord’s ward and noble hostage I’ve been set to watch over and tend to one of my lord’s family treasures, a true wyrm egg! But just this last year the egg hatched!
The beast that emerged from within has taken to me as alike to the most loyal hound’s pup. The matter is a thing of some great import! By word and song, from the upper northeast and the lower southwest is the same spoken and sung, that such beasts hatched and reared by men are royal things!
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Rulers and Protectors to whosoever should have them. Powers that match and even overturn the word of gods and magisters. My lord’s taken great interest and he even has called for Father to return from his place mustering for war.
I am told that hatching a True Wyrm Egg will mean great honor for my lord’s house, esteem and our own family. I will admit that the character with which my lord deals with me has changed too since the beast’s hatching, more so for how it howls and frets when I am distant.
Many new duties have come to me since regarding the wyrm’s care, my lord Charles gives much advice to me directly now and the offering of many advisors and scholars. But I find it is very rewarding!
There is also-
Ah! the scribe signals that the parchment is nearly exhausted, and I have duties with my new ward. It is curious to be a ward of a ward don’t you think?
Your dutiful son WIlliam.
-Letter to the Lady Dhuoda Countess Consort of Septimania, By her Son William.