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CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Her Majesty Queen Boleyn of the Palace of Brynd, and His Majesty King Henry, eighth of his name, cordially invite you to the

Four hundred and ninety-ninth

MOON BALL

A celebration of the Kingdom of Elben as has never before been witnessed.

To Her Majesty Queen Boleyn,

I shall be glad to accept your invitation to the Moon Ball at Brynd.

Please may I trouble you, in the spirit of sisterhood, to make provision in addition to the usual royal household, for three hounds, my hunting dragon and a dozen or so ferrets, from whom I cannot be parted.

I trust that our sister has already warned you of my ways and hope you will not be alarmed.

Yours ever,

Queen Cleves of Cnothan Castle

Dear sister,

Your invitation to the Moon Ball was received with much excitement in my little remote castle, where entertainment is, I must confess, not easy to come by.

I shall gladly attend with a small party of my most faithful nobility, and trust that we will all be very merry in celebrating our rightful and glorious marriage to the King, our most excellent and kind husband.

In anticipation,

Queen Parr of Mathmas Castle

To Queen Boleyn,

I send thanks for your invitation to the Moon Ball. Alas, as you are aware, my health conspires to keep me at Daven, but I will send my daughter in my place, trusting that she will be as welcomed by you as I would have been.

Please accept my good wishes in arranging such a ball. I have hosted many in my time as the first queen of our cherished husband, and it is never easy.

Always,

Queen Aragon of the Palace of Daven

Dear sister,

We shall be glad to attend the Ball.

Yours for ever,

Queen Seymour

To Her Majesty Qween Bolyn of the Palace of Brynd

Deer sister,

You see how I am getting better at my letters. Voda Kelaverinn teeches me well. I hope you are not angry with me. I cherysh you for ever and a day.

We are all very exited for the Moon Ball at Plythe. I am looking forwad to seeing you and the other qweens, and mostly littel princes Elizabet. I hav had the best gift made up for her. I think you and she wil like it.

So please take this as YES to your invitashun.

Your sister,

Qween Howard of Plythe