The next morning, I showed up to the office with a slight headache. It was nice to go to work. I had purpose here. It was my foundation, GMAF, Gaard-Ma Foundation, the organization I had set up in the capital city to keep Mama’s memory alive. We were doing good work with orphans, wildlife preservation, women’s shelters, education in rural areas, and other sensitive social issues. We were trying to regain some semblance of social purpose with the “normal” people, who happened to make up most of the world’s population. They needed work, better lives, and some way to feel like they belonged. With so many Protectors buzzing around and not enough work for everyone, it was no wonder there was so much social divergence going on.
“Good morning, Kaelyn,” Tissa said as I entered the space we rented in the bustling downtown. She was sitting at the table with paperwork splayed across it and a half-eaten granola bar in her hand.
“Morning,” I said. “Is that your breakfast?”
“You know how I am,” Tissa said. “Too busy to stop and eat. I can’t help it. We’ve been getting so much work these past few weeks. Just this morning we received an aid request from Lodden. Apparently, they need more than just the Askas to assist after the vicious volcano two days ago. I’m going over the bankroll to see if we can move some funds around and pay for extra aid workers. I’m wondering if we should pause the construction of the new school in the secluded Butri province of Krug. That way, the construction workers can relocate to Lodden.”
“No,” I said, sitting down at the table with Tissa. “If money is a problem, I can ask Papa for more funding. I don’t want to, but I can. We can also make some emergency calls for money if we need to. But that school is important. We should pay trained aid workers to go to Lodden and leave the construction workers in Krug.”
“All right,” Tissa said. “That sounds good to me. We sure are lucky to have Gaard-Elder to help support us. He’s been so generous since you started this foundation. I’m proud to be working here with you. I know Nnati is too.”
I smiled—both at Tissa’s kindness and at the thought of my father. “I think Papa needed to be a part of this as much as I did,” I told Tissa. “We were both so distraught after Mama’s passing. Papa was worse off than I was. It was like he had died, like his soul was empty without her around.” I sighed, pushed some loose papers around distractedly. “I can’t blame him for it. Times were tough. We were all depressed. It was GMAF that pulled us out of the slump. When I told Papa about my idea to start this foundation, he perked up for the first time since Mama’s funeral.”
I paused to chuckle, thinking back on the day. His reaction was priceless. “It could be good,” Papa had said to me. “You can pursue a charitable career in advocacy while at the same time keeping your mama’s memory alive. Not to mention that what you’re talking about—a foundation for helping the lower-class citizens, using Decens-Lenitas—can help advance your own status as a well-versed woman of the moral code. It brings you closer to the throne. Perhaps we can involve the Grucken somehow, get it publicized. Any funding you need, I’ll provide. I’ll help you move to the capital city. I’ll help you with all my business connections. Anything you need for this endeavor, daughter, I will help with.”
Tissa must have known I needed a friend-to-friend therapy session. She listened attentively as I said, “I remember the sparkle in his eyes. It was exactly what Papa needed. He helped me with the research, with finding this space for our office, with hiring you and Nnati, and with getting us noticed by the public. At the same time, he made sure I had private tutors to help me finish my studies. And now look at us, Tissa. We have daily requests coming in for our assistance!”
She gave me a coy smile as she produced a letter from her pile of papers. “Not only requests for our assistance,” Tissa said. “You’ll never guess who this is from.”
“Who?” I nearly jumped out of my chair.
“You’re not going to guess?” She waved the letter teasingly. “Come on, Kaelyn. You’re going to freak out when you find out.”
My mind was racing. We had gotten a lot of attention recently from potential donors. A manufacturer from Surrvul called Veeln-Co, the company that built and distributed visins, had approached us about partnering for an ad campaign meant to raise awareness about workplace harassment and workplace safety. I wondered if the letter was from them.
“Is it Veeln-Co?” I asked. I was on the edge of my seat.
“Even better.” Tissa was grinning fiendishly. I marveled at how adorable she was. She and Nnati were old friends from Nurlie. Nnati was only a few years older than Tissa, who was closer in age to me. Being in such a metropolitan city, the capital of Geniverd, I liked all the different faces, light and dark eyes, and complexions.
“Tell me!” I said. “Please, Tissa, tell me.”
“See for yourself.”
She handed me the letter, and I screamed when I saw whose name was on it. “No way!” I leaped out of my chair, doing a celebratory dance even though my head throbbed. “Is it real? Did you read it?”
“I was waiting for you,” Tissa said, enjoying my excitement. “For you and Nnati. I think we should all be here to see what Lordin has sent to us in the letter.”
That was when Nnati walked into the room. “Did someone say Lordin sent us a letter?” He looked nearly as excited as me. He readjusted his glasses with a
