Berated by Bart

Tonight Ash sits with Un'Gala, reading bones and pouring over Callum's gifted book of the Voda. Ashe would not have the strength to really confide in his friend on the true horror of Bart's face or the taste of ash in every sip, but reading these religious texts offers a semblance of the dwarf's good words. Ash finds calm in the words of his friend's god and the bones promise of a good new day, but as he and Un'Gala share scars and worries, he does not find sleep.
 
In the wee hours of the night Ash summons quill and ink to practice his own ritual, one long overdue and neglected. For the first time, he includes Igni in this ceremony so the little Imp may better understand who he is bound to.
 
"Dear Mother.
 
I regret my lack of letter these past many months. We sailed much work out of Martinette for a while, but the loss of a close friend there and a chance at better opportunity took us far further out to sea than I have ever gone before. In these tougher times I am painfully aware of the distance between us and for the first time I truely ache for home and the sip of grandad's apple ciders. It will be New Years soon and I only now realize I missed my chance to wish you a happy Ashen Wednesday. I hope the hearths were well decorated and the pies were plenty. The memory of gramma's sweet cider rolls filled my mind for days as we sailed and I will not be whole again till I have one.
 
I reside now for a time in Passarat, and the venture of a new nation excites me like I did not think it would. I met a grand people here all mixed in creed and color, those from all walks in a way I haven't seen since before we lost the pub. To say you would love this place is an understatement, and while I felt a stranger at first I am realizing now these are the people you welcomed and celebrated. The kind of seafaring free folk I grew up around are here in great number, and I cannot help to imagine I see you in every bartender and open door. Lutes better than mine crowd the streets with tunes that all seem to mix and mingle like some great Porttowne orchestra in the streets. If you are ever well enough to travel perhaps I will have to sail you here myself.
 
I will write again soon and not leave you so long without hearing word,
With all my love, Ashley"
 
After a few scribblings and re-writings and wiped away tears, Ash folds and seals the letter. Rather than rely on his little bird spell, and much to the little imp's surprise, Ashe neatly tied the note to his tiny ankle. Ashe would entrust Igni with flying out ahead of the ship to deliver the note himself (in the form of a red feathered bird of course) back home and meet the crew back at the cove a week later.
 
"Listen little friend. As long as Bart hounds me us he will be a torment we cannot escape, neither of us. But if we are both bound to hell, we can at least make sure we go our own way. Fuck Bart. I trust you to take this home to mother and report back on the status on my family, and in turn I will throw off my childish fear and truly help you find a way not only to rid us of him... but to out and out kill the bastard myself."
 
Connfusing the imp, Ash extended an open hand and the magic of a bargain offered to a devil was made clear. He would go on to promise Igni to treat him as partner not pet, offering more small bargains like this often to slowly increase his power, and in return have an ally against their shared curse.....