Don't Be Ungrateful, Gayle

{Mixed in with his other books and scrolls is a small dark leather journal. Gayle hides it inside an open copy of “Lesser Rites of Calishyn and Her Acolytes” and writes:}
 
Oh dear.
 
This is why I shouldn’t speak. First I bungle the matter with the High Priestess, and now I fear Master Xylund is cross. I admit I lost my head. But it was AMAZING! And then Master Xylund said I was part of the team, and the team was sharing stories. What story could possibly top meeting Her Grace?
 
They don’t seem to see it the same way, though. One can tell. They ate in Caeracht. They slept in Caeracht. And Corrin just nodded when I asked him about it. How is that not a life-altering affair?! I had to tell them everything. Well, not everything. But the highlights certainly!
 
I GOT TO MEET HER GRACE!!!!!! {scribbles of general excitement} And not in Court, although I would have liked to have seen the Seven Sisters for myself. (Don’t be ungrateful, Gayle!) In Her Solar, I got to sit and listen. ME. And Her Grace even spoke to me a little! She knew my family name! (In hindsight, that should not have been unexpected, but I was taken aback at the time.) And Her Grace spoke to Master Xylund like he was someone important. I knew he and his crew were interesting, but this was beyond everything! And then…Her Grace asked me to step outside. AND THEY SPOKE ALONE! Master Xylund and the Honoured Emmisary of the gods damned Grey. SPOKE. ALONE.
 
I have never known anyone to be alone with royalty, let alone a Nenmetal, let let alone someone like Her Grace. I have no idea what was spoken, but that doesn’t matter. Not even Ludlum has ever gotten a private audience to my knowledge. HOW IS HE NOT MORE EXCITED ABOUT THIS?!
 
If he was half as charming to Her Grace as the Druidess today, I can see maybe why the private audience was needed. How does he do that? She was speechless the rest of the trip, including when we went to see the Captain. That was probably for the best though, given their proven dislike of one another. For no apparent reason. I do not…will never…understand how women think. I should take more notes.
 
The Captain looked worse for wear when we called. We asked for a wagon, which, sadly, we did not get from her. As we were leaving though, she sent me a message…for lack of a better term. I’ll have to wait till the others are occupied before trying anything. Last thing I need is a sober Master Xylund being extra unhappy with me today.