Bookblogging
Chapter 5- Jayde is working on working on deciphering some runes in one of the catacomb tunnels. One of her colleagues (she's the only woman on a 36 person expedition) tries feebly to come on to her. She gets irritated and leaves. Back at the base camp she discusses the days work Scrye Mors. Jayde wants to immediately explore the lower catacombs, but Mors disagrees. He mentions that the mail came today and there is a letter for Jayde. (Actually the only ones that ever write her are her younger sister Cress and her cousin Jory Whykk; her parents barely acknowledge her existence.) She returns to her quarters to get it; Tommart Shibe is waiting for her there. (They had a brief affair months ago, he can't let it go) He refuses to give her the letter unless she kisses him. She hits him on the head with a pan and tells him to read her the letter while she makes herself dinner. The letter turns out to be from her mother. It seems Cress has eloped with a Rhaoman adventurer. Her father, Lord Allaric, is heartbroken and wants Jayde to come home immediately. Tommart asks if its true and if she will really go home. Jayde says she doesn't doubt that Cress eloped but thinks the rest is just a ploy to get her to come home so he can marry her off. Tommart drops to his knees and dramatically pleads with her not to go. She hits him on the head again and tells him she isn't. She orders him out. After he leaves she sits down and begins writing a letter home. A dozen drafts later, dawn arrives and she is still writing.