Friday, 24 October 1508

Oh, finally I got your letter my dear Mary Jane,
Duke Engelhart arrived yesterday after (what we were told) a peaceful journey, and with a LARGE package filled with homely food - and of course your divined apple pie.
We all ate, drank a lot of beer, sang and danced the “Jolly rave” until dawn.
The men forgot all about the battling for a moment and really enjoyed themselves.
Me, myself tried to stay as sober as possible…*laughing*
When most of the men had fallen to sleep, I spurred Lady Lavonia and rode up the hill where you can get a remarkable view over the “Secret valley”. I sat there under an almost naked beech tree and read your letter over and over - just to recall the memory of a certain beautiful authoress and everything else I miss back home.

I hope you are feeling better from the distress of yours. I know the abbey can get cold and unpleasant, but I also know that you are a very creative and stubborn young woman so you will manage quit well I suppose…
You always know how to enjoy your self and it made me a great pleasure to read that you are developing your painting talents and that you are fencing like a real knight nowadays.
Brother Angelo isn’t that easy to beat so I guess he gave you a rough lesson!
Some day Milady we are going to fight each other - then I’m gonna bite you!

I wish I had the time to paint but that is totally out of question in these uncivilized surroundings.
It happens that I make some sketches up the hills or in the valley; with borrowed coal and high quality paper from Father Joshua. I just do some snapshots but they’re not even worthy to wipe someone’s behind with…
You may see them someday…if I dare to show you… hm …

Of course I remember THAT day – and night, under the oak tree by the holy spring where we rested and I cleaned you wound.
How could I ever forget…?
You are the only one who ever seen ME and you know my inner feelings sometimes better than I do.
That is both frightening and fascinating, but in some way we are addicted to each other.
Even if we can’t be together as “convenient”, we can’t be separated either.
I think you somehow have tamed this old and cold hearted soldier…

In fact my dear there is something you can do!
You know Madam d’Anjou, maybe you could write her a letter and propose a deal – the kings adviser in exchange for Eddisbury and the south of Dover. Perhaps Madam d’Anjou can persuade the French king to set her beloved relative free! I think you are following...
There’s one more thing…
I really would like you to enjoy the group who will meet up back in England - hopefully around Christmas. I’ll send a courier before us when we have crossed the water of Dover. He will be carrying a letter to my mother and another one to Father Lingua, where I make a statement of the importance of your presence there and then.

Take care my sweet apprentice and send me some of your warm energy from time to time.

Yours devoted
M.R.