Letters Home 1

After a rather eventful night, Sky settles into his room, slightly steaming from the bath he recently took. Siti curls up near the fireplace in his room. Pulling out several sheets of paper, an inkwell and quill, he sets them on his desk. Lastly he goes into a rather plain, but sturdy small bag. Feeling around he finds what he’s looking for and pulls out a small, statue of a cat, carved out of carnelian. Placing it at the desk he sits, and spends some time organizing his thoughts. “Let us do the pleasant one first, right Siti?” The cat gives a soft affirmative trill.
 
“Dearest Mother,
I hope this letter finds you well, and that father, and all my siblings are doing fine. When you find the time, I would truly enjoy hearing about you and them and what has been happening in the months that I have been here. I have found a room at the Skybound Inn. A quite cozy location, and a fine respit from the biting cold of this city. I remember complaining a few times about the cold in the desert on those clear winter nights. Oh if only I had known. That would feel like a warm bath compared to here. But I am doing well in spite of it.
 
I have made several aquaintances, and a couple friends in my time here. One is in desperate need of our help. They are someone who has been forced into being Reborn without their choosing. If they were among us, and our people I know they would be able get through this very trying time. However, I am the only one of us here, and so as one who has been touched by the Twilight Prince, I am taking it upon myself to help them. They are experiencing everything new, and it is overwhelming. Also the way they were Reborn, and the creature that caused it…it is too horrific to mention further. Lastly, it seems that many of their friends have questioned if this person is still with them, or if it is just a shell walking around, an echo of who this person was. So I would like to help them as much as possible.
 
They have mentioned not being able to sleep. And while I know that many of the great ones do not engage in such things, I also know they can enter a state of relaxation, of near sleep. My friend is also experiencing a side effect of smell. They say they have a scent of death upon them. To help them with these things, I would request a package from you, or from the Elders, whichever you feel is appropriate. I would like a shroud sent, as well as incense of rest and purification, and lastly some of the perfume that Elder Iset makes. Please tell her that this is for an Ursian who has undergone Rebirth, one originally from Ruskovich. I am quite certain that Elder Iset will know exactly which blends to use to help my friend. Their mind is troubled, and I can feel their spirit quake whenever I am near them. I wish to help them, desperately so.
 
I will include with this some delightful confections and expertly crafted chocolates in a cold box for you and father to enjoy. And any of my siblings so long as they have been good. My heart is always with you mother. Your son will do you proud.
 
With Love Beyond Counting,
Sky of a Sunset”
 
Finishing the letter, he lets the ink dry before carefully folding it and putting it to the side. He gets up and slowly paces back and forth in his room, both nervous and trying to order his thoughts. After a while Siti gives him an impatient meow and growl, and he laughs. “Yes, you are right. Nothing is gained in the delay. And any punishment is willingly accepted.”
 
Sitting back down at the desk he prepared another letter, this one written in a code as to be difficult to break that is to be used only for official communication. Paper in front of him, Sky dips the quill in the ink, and begins.
 
“To his most Royal Majesty, King of the Day and Pharaoh of the Burning Sands,
 
Emissary Sky of a Sunset sends you greetings and word of my mission. After several months of searching, the person of interest has been located. After contact and confirming of identity, they were entreated to return as requested. They refused, vehemently. Multiple requests met with the same response. I now know where they are, and what they are doing. I will continue in my duties and work to bring them home. I can say they appeared in good health and good spirits until approached by me. The location we were in was attacked, but they suffered no lasting injuries as a result. I apologize for my failure in not being able to convince them to return. However I will persist in this matter. However, without further information I believe it may be very difficult to compel them to return without being able to contact them beyond the current limits of permissiveness. I will not loose them again, and will keep at them until such time as they choose to return, or I am allowed to compel them to such.
 
Eternally in Service,
Sky of a Sunset, Dunerunners, Emissary”
 
Finishing that letter, Sky folds it up and pushes it to the opposite side. Pulling the cat statue to the center, he gets up and gathers a few more statues, all of the same stone but slightly different figures. Placing them on the desk in a line after the first, he also pulls out a healthy amount of Jade dust and a few pieces of honeycomb. The hour long ritual gives him time to figure out how to say it in as few words as possible. Once he’s done, he sets the trigger for the first as “with the letter in the hand of the Day King, and saying my title and name”, then he speaks the words for the statue to absorb.
 
“Has relationship with Prospero Eugenio Sebastian de Castille, prince. In airship crash. Currently staying at companion house, with Violet and Alex. No last names.”
 
Feeling more than a little exhaustion, and now ten gold lighter in spell components, Sky carefully packs up the letters and the statue, glad he only needed one. “In the morning, let us get the gifts, and make sure these go out with much haste.” He says to Siti, who is snoring by the fire. “I will not fail them.”