A reply to Glykon

Mother, my guiding light,

I'm so sorry that word has not gotten to you sooner. The reunion of Illara and Cassander with their respective parents made me desperately wish you were there too. I hope that at least the presence of this letter and word from Aunt Nalia will at least reassure you and my siblings that I'm alive and safe. I'm so sorry that you have to worry about me now as well as Dad. It's not fair to you. I wish I could say I'm coming home so that you wouldn't have to worry about me as well, but I think I have to be here.

I won't let you lose both of us. I don't want you to lose either of us, Mother. You deserve to have him back at your side. I have a lead on where he is and while it's incredibly dangerous, I have strong allies who have promised to help me find Dad and rescue him. Hold out. Be strong, we'll both be coming back to you soon. Feel free to chastise him for taking so long to get home.

I don't know what will happen with the Viscount. You are right that I have no idea what he's capable of. I do not have any plans to meet him in person, though he has sent me letters. I need to know what he wants from me. I think until I do I'll live in fear while I'm here in Crypha. I have seen some of what he is capable of firsthand–it's not something I care to repeat in a letter, but he has done some monstrous things that can't be forgiven. I just need to know why he's brought me into this.

If the fight is too much, I will write to you and meet you at the border. I want you to know I'm not afraid to leave if I have to, if it becomes too dangerous, but I have a promise to Illara and Volatia now. I've never been one to break promises, especially if they mean something personal to me. If you can, please keep writing to me. Your letters will be a source of strength as you have always been. With you, my feet are solidly on the ground and I can face anything that tries to knock me down.

-Your Sev

[The bottom of the page has a mirrored half of a heart, the edges are made like a puzzle piece and are a perfect fit for the heart piece Glykon drew. Scribbled at the bottom of the letter, like an afterthought, are a set of small words but big enough to be read: "I love you mom".]