"Dearest Aranea,
I have the most e%cellent of news. I have been taken out of the Academy. I have not been e%pelled, I assure you. I have, however, been destined to a much higher fate; the Grand High100d has chosen me to become his henchman.
Can you believe it, my friend? I, as a young b100b100d who has barely reached the sweet age of nine sweeps, have been selected among my peers to serve the Grand Highb100d Himself. It is a dream come true, Aranea. My fate is quite e%ceptional, and I thank the Gods for giving me this opportunity.
My Lord and Master has given me permission to send receive letters to and from my companions and quadrantmates. Naturally, you are the first person that came to mind, my dearest friend.
It almost feels like it was yesterday, when we were younglings, running in the fields, beating up gutterb100ds and feeding them to your lusus.
Good times.
I am cordially inviting you to come to my official investiture into the Highb100d's church that will take place ne%t week. I know that you do not enjoy ceremonies, but it would please me greatly that you would grace us with your presence.
I must cut this letter short for now. Please find enclosed the directions and password to the Castle in case you do indeed decide to show up.
I eagerly await your reply.
Yours truly, your dearest friend and Moirail,
Horuss Zahhak ♦
PS: Have you received my previous letter and package? I sent you a dress and necklace for your wriggling day last perigee. I hope that the package did not get lost in the mail (or stolen, who knows?).
I am, again, sorry that I could not come back home to celebrate it with you. Nine sweeps is an important age, after all."
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
"My dear Horuss,
I have indeed received your letter and package. I am wearing the necklace at the moment, though I am not sure I can find use for the frock you 8ought me. I am touched that you were thoughtful enough to buy me an actual dress for my wriggling day. Really, I am flattered.
Your news warms my heart, even though I have always told you that you needn't slave yourself away for the glory of the Empire. As a good friend, I cannot do anything 8ut encourage you, and that is what I shall do; encourage you.
I wish that you would encourage me as well. Do you remem8ber my dream, when we were wrigglers? The one of 8ecoming a pir8 and sailing the Seven Seas? Well, that is what I shall 8e doing from now on.
I am writing to you from the ta8letop of a tavern 8y the port of our hometown. A corsair who goes 8y the name of 8ackhand has accepted to t8ke me with him on his ship.
We leave tomorrow.
It appears, my friend, that out paths are diverging. You are going off to serve the Empire while I am off to fulfil my dreams. I shall send you letters whenever I can, though I do not wish to compromise myself in c8se the clowns ever wish to come after me. Therefore, I regret that I have to tell you that no, I shall not 8e present at your ceremonial entry in the Carnival.
Adieu, Horuss, until we meet again,
Aranea Serket ♦"
