At some point, he probably should have anticipated the question. Tony has seemed content not to ask too much about Ellis' history and relations, and Wysteria has been happy to talk about a wide range of things that do not include familial ties, but inevitably the thought would occur one of them that Ellis may actually have relations here. But still, he isn't prepared. (And in the end, tucks the note away with the rest, and does not consult it when he begins to draft his reply.)

He has a few days to consider it. There are three days of chilly, drizzly weather in which Ellis is charged with leading drills in the training yard. Progress on the vent out of Wysteria's root cellar awaits a part that Tony has ordered, and clearing out the attic ends in a minor flurry of knick-knacks flung at all three of them when Ellis and Fitz try to shift an armoire towards the staircase.

Three books are drawn out of the breast pocket of Ellis' coat before he follows Fitz out the door. He puts them directly into Wysteria's hands, and promises to finish up with the armoire in the morning. The note is tucked between the returned copy of epic Nevarran poetry, the book of prayers, and the very latest serial out of Orlais about a noblewoman posing as a knight to win the hand of her lady love.

Wysteria,

Please add the Nevarran poetry to your library. I don't have enough room for a library in my quarters in the Gallows, and I think you'll make better use of the book than I will. (We'll fix the rest of the shelves next week.)

The prayer book was charming, as you said. I've had little time to visit the bookseller stalls, but if I happen across it I know of one collection of Marcher devotions that is comparable. I know how you enjoy making connections in your reading. In the meantime, I borrowed this serial from one of the guards I've been on rotation with. You'll have to tell me if it's as riveting as he claimed.

— Ellis

There is nothing noted on the back, nor any postscript.