Morning light settles across the Phoenix Company dormitory before the bell calls the boys to the refectory. At the long table, Edwin takes the place beside C. S. Lewis, with Parsley close on the other side.
Edwin
The porridge is less offensive today. I think it has been warned about its conduct.
Edwin glances toward Lewis, then toward Parsley, careful not to crowd either of them. He leaves an empty place between himself and the next boy, as though making room for a choice rather than claiming it.
Parsley
You may sit there, if you like. Or somewhere else. Nobody is keeping a tally.
John
That would be a novel improvement. We might even choose our tea without consulting the constitution.
Morris
I should like to see the rule that governs marmalade.
A quiet laugh passes around the table. Edwin reaches for the marmalade, then pauses with the spoon suspended, looking first to Lewis and Parsley before offering it across the table.
Edwin
Would either of you like some? I can pass it, or leave it here.
The refectory continues its orderly clatter around them. For once, the small decision belongs to the boys at the table, and nobody needs to disguise that it does.
✓ Quest Accepted
Keep Edwin freely included
“Lewis smiles and accepts the marmalade for his toast. He asks John and Morris what they have been up too. Lewis hasn't had the chance to hang out with them for a few days.”
SUCCESS (Superb Etiquette, rolled -1)
C. S. Lewis
Lewis smiles, accepts the marmalade, and asks John and Morris what they have been doing while he has been away from them.
The spoon crosses the table into Lewis's waiting hand. He spreads the marmalade over his toast, and the small exchange settles without ceremony.
John
Mostly lessons, and an argument with a Latin exercise that refused to admit it was wrong. I lost the argument, naturally.
Morris
We have been helping sort the Company papers. John claims it is administration. I claim it is hiding from the cricket field.
John
There was also a visit to the library. We found a history of the northern expeditions, though Morris insists the maps are better than the men.
Morris
The maps do not boast. That gives them an advantage.
Edwin listens with his shoulders easing. Parsley nudges the bread basket toward him, leaving the invitation unspoken and entirely his to accept.
Edwin
You have been missed, Lewis. We kept your place in the conversation, even when you were not here.
John
You may have the full report after breakfast, if you like. No attendance is required.
Quest Complete
Keep Edwin freely included
“Lewis laughs and accepts the bread basket, taking a piece before passing it along.”
Lewis laughs, takes a piece from the basket, and passes it onward. The ordinary gesture keeps the table’s welcome moving rather than placing it all upon Edwin.
Edwin
That is a useful rule for correspondence too. No one person should have to keep the whole thing alive.
+ New Item Acquired
Bread slice
“Lewis offers his hand to Edwin under the table. He asks Morris if they showed Paul the book about northern expeditions yet? As that is one of the boy's interests.”
Under the table, Lewis offers his hand to Edwin. Above it, he asks Morris whether they have shown Paul the book about northern expeditions.
Morris
Not yet. We ought to take it to him after lessons. He will have plenty to say about the ice.
Edwin
Then I shall look forward to hearing about it too, if you will have me.
“Lewis asks John how quickly they are growing now? He sees more and more new members from the junior boys every day.”
SUCCESS (Good Perception, rolled +3)
C. S. Lewis
Lewis asks John how quickly the Phoenix Company is growing now. Every day, he seems to see another junior boy joining.
John
Quickly enough that we must learn to count more carefully. Three boys asked about it yesterday, and two have already attended a meeting.
John sets down his cup and reaches beneath the table for the Company notebook, turning it open beside the marmalade.
John
The advantage is not merely numbers. The younger boys are beginning to bring their own rules and questions. That makes this a company, not a shelter built around one or two names.
Edwin
Then I should like my letter to be counted among those beginnings. I have written the date and my address, if Lewis still wishes to receive it.
Parsley
He does. And you may decide what comes next, Edwin. Being included must not become another duty.
Morris
John, mark him as correspondent, not recruit. The distinction may save us from becoming exactly what we dislike.
John
Agreed. Edwin's first letter is his own beginning, and the Company will not claim it before he sends it.
“Lewis says that he definitely still wishes to receive it. And he produces his own letter that he wrote for Edwin the night before.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
C. S. Lewis
I definitely still wish to receive it. I wrote you a letter last night, Edwin.
Lewis draws his own folded letter from inside his blazer and places it beside Edwin’s, the two envelopes forming a quiet exchange across the notebook.
Edwin
You wrote before knowing whether I would dare send mine.
C. S. Lewis
I thought you might.
Edwin
Then I shall read yours as myself, not as an assignment. And you may read mine in the same way.
Parsley
That sounds like correspondence beginning properly, with neither of you owing the other a performance.
John leaves both letters outside the Company record, while Morris shifts the notebook aside to give them a private space.
Edwin
Lewis, would you like to exchange them now, or keep the first reading for later?
Quest Complete
Begin correspondence with Edwin
New Gift: Devoted Correspondent
“Lewis says he would prefer they should exchange and read them right after breakfast. If that is alright with Edwin?”
SUCCESS (Superb Etiquette, rolled +1)
C. S. Lewis
I would prefer that we exchange them and read them together after breakfast, if that is all right with you.
Edwin
Yes. Together, but privately. I want to meet the letter as your correspondent, not as someone being tested.
Edwin places his letter beneath Lewis's, aligning their folded edges. He keeps his fingertips there until Lewis has taken hold of it.
Parsley
Then the choice belongs to both of you. The Company need not witness every word simply because it helped make room for them.
Edwin
He has made room for me without asking me to become someone else.
John
I will record only that the correspondence has begun, unless either of you later says otherwise.
Morris
And after breakfast, there is the quiet end of the library passage. No one will trouble you there.
Edwin finally releases the letter into Lewis's keeping. His shoulders ease, though he watches Lewis's face for the answer that matters more than any entry in the notebook.
Edwin
When we read them, may I ask what you meant by anything I do not understand?
✓ Quest Accepted
Read the exchanged letters together
+ New Item Acquired
Edwin's letter
“Lewis says that he may ask and Lewis will explain freely.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
C. S. Lewis
You may ask. I will explain freely.
Edwin
Then I will ask plainly, and I will believe your answers are offered, not owed.
After breakfast, the two boys carry the exchanged letters to the quiet end of the library passage. John and Morris remain behind, while Parsley gives them a small, reassuring nod.
They sit side by side beneath the tall windows and unfold the pages together. Edwin reads Lewis's letter; Lewis reads Edwin's, each turning a page at the same unhurried pace.
Edwin
You wrote that you want me near you, but not trapped by what that might become. I understand the words. I am still learning how to trust them.
The letters lie open between them, read from beginning to end. Edwin keeps his own page beneath his palm and looks across the shared silence, ready to ask about anything that remains unclear.
Quest Complete
Read the exchanged letters together
“Lewis nods. He says that he could tell how Edwin felt pretty early on on their friendship. Before the company was officially formed. And he has wanted to help Edwin feel like there is a place at his side ever since. Lewis cares a lot about Edwin and always has.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Lewis nods, then answers without dressing the truth up.
C. S. Lewis
I could tell how you felt quite early, before the Company had a name. I have wanted you to know there was a place beside me ever since. I have cared about you all along.
Edwin
He means before I asked for anything. Before I knew what I was asking.
Edwin
Then I was not mistaken about being seen. But being wanted still does not mean I must become anything in particular.
Edwin lifts his palm from the letter and folds the page carefully, not hiding it, only giving the words a place to rest.
Edwin
I will stay beside you because I choose to. If that choice changes, I will tell you. You may believe me now.
He places his folded letter with Lewis's, then rises and offers the small stack back to him. The private reading is complete, and Edwin remains included on terms he has chosen.
Edwin
Will you walk with me to the library desk? I would like to begin my next letter while this courage is still mine.
✓ Quest Accepted
Support Edwin’s continued inclusion without obligation
“Lewis smiles softly and agrees. He says he will write his next letter too. And he says that yes, Edwin was wanted there with them regardless of what shape he was in or he chose to take. They never planned to put conditions on him”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
C. S. Lewis
Yes. I will write my next letter too. You were wanted with us, Edwin, whatever shape you took or chose. We never meant to place conditions on you.
Edwin's hand closes around the folded letters. He steps into the passage, leaving the private table behind without leaving the choice that brought him there.
Edwin
Then I shall try to believe the plain meaning, not invent a test hidden underneath it.
They walk beneath the tall windows toward the library desk. Edwin keeps pace beside Lewis, neither trailing as a guest nor leading as though he must prove his place.
Edwin
For my next letter, may I write about this morning? Not the private parts, only the feeling of being given room.
At the desk, Edwin sets out fresh paper and steadies the inkwell. The first line waits beneath his poised pen, while the empty chair beside him remains open.
Edwin
And what will you write about, Lewis?
Quest Complete
Support Edwin’s continued inclusion without obligation