Letter to Luke 1

Dear brother of mine,
 
I am always happy to hear from you, even though it is too few and too far in between. My hopes would have been that we could have stayed in touch more here in Keralon, but I am afraid our respective duties take up too much of our precious time.
 
So another beautiful girl has stolen your heart I see? For a while I thought you would have stuck to Elsa, but I guess you have seen as much of the Collins as I have over the past year. Though I must admit that in my case I have also been avoiding them, and nobles in general. Everything that happened on our trip to Keralon has taught me that nobles only care for one thing and one thing only, and that is their own privilege, and holding on to it as much as possible. So far I have seen no exception to it. And yes, you will say I sound bitter, but I know you share those feelings.
 
Either way, I wish you all the best with Emily, she sounds like a wonderful person and I hope to meet her some day (latest at your wedding). And of course I accept the honor of being your best man/sister/witch. There will be epic tales written about your stag night!
 
It also delights me to hear your studies are going reasonably well. Be patient my brother dear, I know you are eager and impatient at best, impetuous at worst. Your time will come and Keralon will know you as one of the greatest wizards to ever walk amongst them.
 
Alongside the letter I have included a package (which I’m going to guess you have already opened by now). Inside you will find some things that might be useful in dealing with your bullies Darius and Samuel. One is a shamble I have created for you, hang it up at Caern Fussil, it will ward you from any influence they might try over you. The other is a pendant I have crafted for you. Nobles of their ilk will certainly hear rumors, and rumors are there is a vengeful witch named Midnight roaming Keralon, who can curse you and your offspring with a single look. This is her symbol, and they might be wary to incur her wrath.
 
Now some news from my side. After handing over Liliana to her new owner, and you leaving for Caern Fussil, I have not had much contact with any of the others. Partially of my own volition, as mentioned before, and part because we are all so busy with our own lives. I had found an apprenticeship with an old witch named Greta, in Canalside, who has taught me quite a few interesting things, mainly on how to deal with the people there. Since then I have been very busy bandaging wounds, gathering herbs and making cures for all sorts of ailments, doing my rounds in helping and assisting people, helping with births, and holding wake over the dead.
 
My days are filled with tasks, and I usually have very little spare time. But it does come with some perks. A few months ago, Jacob, one of the regular guards of the southern gate, had a lovely baby boy, whom I helped deliver into this world. The mother of one of his fellow guards, a burly man by the name of Marcus, fell ill with a high fever a few weeks ago, and I sat by her bedside for days, keeping her fever down. It was a few long nights, fighting on the edge of a blade, but she pulled through. And a few more I have helped here and there, some sprains, cuts and bruises…and since then, I have had little trouble leaving and entering the city.
 
What spare time I have I have spent researching my dagger, and sending letters home, to mom and dad and to Terrin (also in the hopes for more information on the dagger). The rest of my research has gone into the feywild and how to possibly break that horrible deal. But not much luck there.
 
As for our travel companions, I have had no news of Liliana or Ileas, which was to be expected. I have avoided Alistan and the Collins as said before, and I guess they are very busy being nobles anyway. I did receive a letter from Gael though, in which he informed me that he had found Robert alive and well! At least that is some good news. No, from our companions the one I see the most is Dorr, I have managed to keep in touch with him, and whenever he is in town, back from one or other mercenary thing he does, we have food together and share tales.
 
But my life has become far more busy still over the last month, as old lady Greta passed away. So now I sort of run her cottage and take over her tasks, which keeps me busy. I also visit with the other alchemists and witches in and around the city, to learn more, as I am still only an apprentice after all. But I feel the people are starting to respect my presence, and maybe fear it a little too.
 
When I next have time to spare, I will make the trip to Caern Fussil and visit you and Amarra there. I would very much love to see more of you again. Your presence is very missed my darling brother.
 
Your loving sister,
 
Hayley