Letter to Councilmen Warren

[AuroraWR]

"Oh, Boatmen! Excuse me!" The tillerman that shuttled people from Edana to Arandor paused, mooring line in hand, turning to watch the curious looking Human woman whose short legs were jogging along the dock, red curls bouncing as she waved her hand in the air, fingers wiggling, trying to get his attention. As soon as she caught up she doubled over, catching her breath momentarily.

"Phew... thank you for waiting. No.. uh.. I'm not getting on the ship but I was wondering if you would be so kind as to take this message to Edana when you return. It's for Councilmen Warren."

The sailor watched with amusement as she straightened up during her words, rifling through her clearly messy and overstuffed bag for something she couldn't find. His attention, however, was quickly distracted... eyes widening... as a massive shadow mauler stalked it's way up the dock. His mouth open, the fellow stumbled back a few paces, pointing in warning and making the woman turn just as the massive feline reached the woman, nudging her hip before dropping a glass bottle at her feet.

"Oh, thank you Whisper! I must have dropped it while I was running to get here..." Picking up the bottle, she took a moment to scritch the feline's chin before wiping the bottle off on her sleeve and offering it over to the sailor along with a pouch of coins. "Don't mind Whisper, she won't bother you. I promise."

Tentatively, and only after the feline seemed to truly be ignoring his presence, the sailor took the pouch of coin and peeked inside, looking pleasantly surprised, then nodded an agreement and snatched up the bottle. "Thank you so much! May the Valar watch over your journey, Sir!" He just nodded a few times slowly before quietly excusing himself and pushing the boat off the dock, muttering something about the strange woman under his breath.

A while later, the same boat pulled back into the harbor not far from Edana's graveyard. The sealed bottle was left with a guard to be delivered to the Councilmen's offices in the barracks upon their shift change.

The bottle, when examined, seemed to be a washed out clear potion bottle that contained a rolled up piece of parchment with the name "Councilmen Cedric Warren" written on the outside where it could be seen through the glass. The top was corked and sealed with wax. Once unsealed, the parchment unrolled and one could attempt to read the sloppy, but legible penmanship contained within.

Greetings Councilmen Warren,

I was told today, by a mutual acquaintances, that you requested a meeting. I would be happy to meet with you whenever you are able. I'm sure your schedule is much busier than my own, so I ask that you let me know a day and time that works best around your duties. You are welcome to visit my home here in Arandor, or I am I'm happy to come to Edana if that would make it easier. Either way, I'm looking forward to meeting you!

Sincerely,
Matilda Dawnvale

[AuroraWR]

Yet again the tillerman who traveled from Edana to Arandor was met with the sight of a small redheaded human woman and her large black cat. Perhaps it wouldn't have surprised him the second time around if it wasn't for the fact her menagerie had grown. This time, instead of fear for the oncoming feline, his stared agape, eyes fixed to where the woman sat astride a truly tremendous creature whose shoulders were easily as high or higher than the top of his own head.

Matilda grinned down from atop the massive Moose, walking it around to be near the boat and waving to the fellow.

"Greetings again Sir! Actually I really feel at this point I should know your name. Oh, but if you don't want to give it that's alright too. Either way, would you be so kind as to see this to the Councilmen, please?"

She pulled out a bottle with a letter written on a page cut from a book rolled up inside, and carefully tossed it down to the man who nodded in agreement much quicker than last time. The bottle was followed with a pouch of coin which he caught happily, actually grinning up at the oddity and her traveling zoo of furry friends.

"Thank you again, Sir! May the Valar guard over your journey and brighten your day!" Matilda waves as the man took off from the dock, then pulled the moose around back towards home. "You need a name. How about.... mmm... Gilbert?"

The bottle yet again contained parchment addressed to "Councilmen Cedric Warren", cork sealed in wax. The note inside was written in the same sloppy penmanship.

Greetings Councilmen Warren,

I hope this letter finds you well and that your endeavors to improve Edana have been successful. I heard word that your commissary may be open. I apologize I haven't yet been by to see it for myself, but promise to rectify that this week.

I wanted to write ahead of my trip to see if there was a time we could meet when I visit. I met someone today in Kamella who, given our conversations, I think you would like to meet. I know you are busy, and this is not urgent, so if this week does not work then it can be put off till you have the time.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
Matilda Dawnvale

[AuroraWR]

Matilda walked away from her conversation with Nam and his new companion Milk, pride of felines in tow, and her brows furrowed in worry. Things were far worse than she had heard and yet another had been harmed. She worried her lip as she walked, emotions knotting in concern for the Councilmen's wellbeing mixed with the bitter feeling of betrayal upon hearing how it occurred. The latter did not just stem from the cowardly treachery committed by Clyde and Solmyr, but she was kicking herself as well. How radically had she misjudged the commander? Yet through this there was the nagging question... why now? What had triggered all this? In the end though, did it matter? She couldn't imagine any reason justifying the wanton and, as far as she could tell, unprovoked violence that was unfolding.

As she neared the front gates she slowed, red curls blowing in her face as she eyed the gate and then the barracks. Seeming to decide in an instant, she shifted her path, reaching into her satchel for a bag and a bottle which she'd been carrying with her for some time. Slipping the bottle inside, she quickly ripped out a sheet of parchment from a half-destroyed notebook and scrawled a smudgy method using a charcoal stick she carried with her.

Greetings Councilmen Warren,

I hope this letter reaches you and that you are better than I have heard. I write with concern for your wellbeing and am sending this in hopes it will speed your recovery. Please do let me know if there is anything I can do, and if you feel well enough for visitor.

Sincerely,
Matilda Dawnvale

With that, the note was rolled up and placed in the pouch along with the bottle, and both were given to a guard with the request that they be delivered to Councilmen Warren when he is well enough to receive them.

[Safranum]

The gleam of an axehead rising in the desert sun. The snap of an axehead as it falls. A wave of nausea burned through him, hot as it rose, before cooling at his neck. Cool, then cold. He felt his head lift away from his body. He exhaled. So light and warm.

It was agonizing.

...

Cedric awoke with a start to the sight of Sister Patricia, standing over him, clutching a leather pouch. She handed it to him with the raise of a brow. "For you, Cedric. A gatesman delivered it overnight." The priestess then stepped away to straighten the other beds in the ward, glancing back on occasion as Cedric opened the package.

Inside were a letter and a bottle filled with a brilliant yellow liquid that churned on its own and glinted with flecks of gold in the candlelight. Cedric furrowed his brows as he turned the bottle over in his hand, watching its unusual contents swirl. He set it on his lap and took up the letter.

As he unfurled the scroll, flakes of charcoal fell from the parchment onto the white linens. He glanced to Sister Patricia, whose back remained a rigid line while she pulled sheets taut over a bed across the room, her movements practiced. He pursed his lips and swiped the mess into a grey smudge on the bedding before reading.

Cedric smiled with a soft sigh. That smile twisted into a grimace, and he gripped at his head, letting the scroll fall onto his lap and curl back in on itself.

"Cedric, are you well?" Sister Patricia strode over, her brow furrowed. Her eyes softened as they met the bottle.

"Yes, Sister. Ah... A headache..." He trailed off, pulling his hands away from his head. "Please, scribe for me."

The priestess paused, her gaze landing on the grey smudge on the sheets. She scowled.

...

A Mercadian courier carried a scroll to Arandor in the early morning, where it would find its way to Matilda.

Matilda.

I have the elixir. Its potency is great. Sister Patricia says to take it slowly over days.

I am in Edana again. I need to return to my work. A public meeting is being held in Edana this evening.

If you visit, I will see you.

Cedric.

The handwriting was not Cedric's.