He doesn’t slam the book closed, but his hands are shaking as he flips the pages open to the back. He takes a deep breath before dipping his pen into the ink bottle and setting nib to page. Then, sharply and decisively, he marks out the requisite runes and name.
It takes a bit longer to compose the message, which does not take up much of the small page at all. He considers adding more, but what else is there to say? Nothing that will fit here.
I miss you.
Telnys,
Thank you. So much. The wine brought back memories of our picnics together, the happiest times I can remember. And yes, your sister and her troll husband arrived safely here. They immediately began trying to put together a party, but I suspect they had to go to the nearby town to do so; the Hozen typically leave more destruction in their wake when they’re having fun than when they’re actually trying to cause damage.
I’m doing well here; I’ve met and worked with a variety of people, from other Sin’dorei (A magister, even) to Forsaken. It’s … unsettling, working with some of the undead, but I focus on our enemies and I find that I’m able to put it out of my mind while we do what we need to.
Telystra and Howsa I believe will be leaving tomorrow morning; they’re a restless pair, aren’t they? I’ll never know how you managed to keep them around the manor for so long. I hope that you aren’t sent out until you are ready for it. And even then, I wouldn’t be sad to hear you were kept in Eversong.
I miss you, and would give almost anything to have you with me out here.
Lallorisan
Dear Lallorisan,
I am sure Telystra and her new husband have told you their news already, as they are the ones delivering this letter. If not, please do try to look surprised - the rest of us had to.
The training is progressing at a good rate, and we’re to leave in the next week or so. We’ll be joining up with the neighbors (you remember the Greenleafs) and then off we go. I shouldn’t write where, but please don’t worry - it’s not far, and I do not think we will see much battle at all, at least at first.
I admit that there has been no time for any picnics, but family dinners have continued as usual, occasionally with guests. The last one was particularly fine, but then I did give our cook advance notice of the announcement to come. I only had a few days warning of Telystra and her troll’s plans myself, though I had seen it coming for some time and they seem quite happy together. I suppose they will have had their ceremony already, on board the ship - would you give them my congratulations?
I had thought to send you a piece of Silvermoon, stowed away in their luggage, but I fear that I could think of very little that would last the trip. I hope what I did select is to your liking.
I think of you often, and while I would not like my people to be sent somewhere as harsh and uncivilized as the new continent is said to be, I do at times wish that I might go myself and see you. Take care of yourself, and please write again when you can.
All my love,
Telnys
[Hand-delivered with the letter are a bottle of Suntouched Special Reserve and a small, plain tome. The cover is soft leather, perhaps lynxskin, and the interior pages are blank and unlined. There is a small note tucked inside with instructions.]
