Letters Home
What Martin writes when the Second Dawn is far from Port Mercy — invented letters, in his voice.
Invented correspondence. These letters are fan-written fiction, in the voice we imagine for Martin. There is no real Martin Tidewell posting mail from the Blue Seas.
To Keeper Anselm, Port Mercy Lighthouse
Dear Anselm — We are three weeks out of Brass Anchorage with a hold full of tea and a crew full of opinions about the tea. Pip has named seventeen new stars, or possibly invented them; either way the charts are fuller than they were. The bell still rings flat. I still pretend not to notice you were right about the rigging. Feed the cat the good fish, not the harbor fish — he can tell, and he tells me, in his way. See you at the next dawn. — Martin
To Sef the Chandler
Sef — Forty feet of good hemp rope, to be collected on our return. Put it on my account, which as you never tire of reminding me is unlimited and unused. One of these days I will actually buy something on credit just to watch your face. The crew sends regards; Brinley sends a list of things you allegedly overcharged us for in 2019. I told her the statute of limitations has passed. She disagreed, at length. — M.T.
To the Lighthouse Cat (dictated, transcribed by Pip)
Dear Cat — I have the fish. The paper twist is in my coat pocket, as per tradition. Do not let Anselm tell you I was delayed; I was not delayed, I was sailing. There is a difference, and you of all creatures understand it. See you at dawn. — The Captain
To the Gull Parliament, Gullhaven
Honored members — I write to congratulate the Harbormaster on a third term. The fish allocation for the harbor festival is enclosed under separate cover (it is in Brinley’s boot; ask her nicely). Democracy remains safe, the tides remain punctual, and I remain your obedient servant. — Martin Tidewell