Korranberg Chronicles Vol. 2: Strength and Remembrance

Hello, my wee darlings! I do have to admit how much I enjoy being out at sea again. Feeling the cool misty wind whisper past you like a secret lover as the salty air fills your lungs accompanied by the sound of crashing waves. It really is an experience for the senses, even for those lacking sight. However, I’m not here to tell you about seafaring life but instead dear readers I would like to write about this extraordinary woman I have met who too is seeking passage to Stormreach. I am utterly amazed at how she has not only handled herself during this trip but with her past, she is truly a strong and passionate woman. She is the former captain of Cyre's Fifth Infantry, the Queen’s Forward Blades, a Mrs. Zahra ir’Faldren, the widow of the late Egan d'Cannith.
 
During our travels across the Thunder Sea Zahra has been accompanying Gregory and me for our morning workout routines. It is during those lovely sweaty mornings that Zahra graced me with stories of her time during the war, while she was in Valenar. She told me about the squads under her command, about the bonds they shared, how much they needed to trust one another, and how their lives depended on each other while fighting against half-elven warbands. She particularly told me about a few Lieutenants that raised in the ranks alongside her. Lieutenants Theo and Bo Rees, Lieutenant Mikaela Wilkinson, and Lieutenant Caden King.
 
Lieutenants Theo and Bo Rees were twin halflings who always had a knack for sneaking in and out of things undetected which caught the eye of a specific general who quickly recruited them to the Queen's Forward Blades around the same time Zahra had joined. Just by the way Zahra’s voice sounded while talking about them made me want to smile, the joy the brothers brought her with the shenanigans they used to play on the squads in between missions. She said they always had laughter in their hearts and a smile not too far behind, trying their best to live each day to the fullest.
 
Lieutenant Mikaela Wilkinson was a fifth-generation Shifter legacy, her family and her found it was a privilege to survive in the military. Like her father before her Mikaela specialized in distant scouting, using that wonderful eagle eye of her to help with scouting missions. Though she wasn’t only known for being able to shoot the wings off a fly, Mikaela was also known for her harmonica playing. Zahra said that the way she used to play would touch your soul and bring back memories that were long forgotten. A sound I surely wished I could have heard and seen what memory it would have called forth.
 
Finally, Lieutenant Caden King a Warforged who surprised people with their knowledge of the land. They made it look easy being able to memorize not only hundreds of maps but the topography as well. Caden took advantage of the land around them, knew where it would be safe to camp, where they’d be able to hide themselves away from other parties, and which places would be best to avoid an ambush. Who knows how many lives Caden saved due to their knowledge, and I know for sure that Zahra was grateful to them for that.
 
Sadly, all the lives of the Queen’s Forward Blades, including Theo, Bo, Mikaela, and Caden were lost during the Mourning. Zahra was the only survivor due to having to retire from the military due to her marriage to Mr. d’Cannith. It was due to how Zahra talked about them, how she carries them with her every day that I was compelled to share them with you dear readers. Though don’t pity Zahra, a woman of her strength, her fortitude will always keep moving forward, always carrying on to what is next. I just hope that Stormreach could bring her the peace she had so obviously earned. Until then my darlings!