The Past

Another letter

The baby was terribly cute. He nested in Teirr's arms, a little tuft of blonde hair flat against his pale forehead. He had his father's sky-blue eyes, a perfect combination of Paves and Teirr.

Th'alane had also taken a liking to the child, his dewy green skin a stark contrast to the baby's smooth dry skin. He stood watch, always by the side of either Teirr or Paves.

"It's far past the time for naming him," I mentioned to Teirr as I knitted a small pair of socks in the sitting room that the innkeepers had granted our group.

"Paves refuses to, until we travel to our new Realm. She wishes him to be called by one of their names, not ours."

"Is he meant to spend years nameless?"

"Pray not, Kinheal." Teirr swayed gently, trying his best to keep the child asleep. "We must find the Mirror before then."

"I know. We are doing our best, we truly are, we simply require a period of rest before continuing the search." I threw the spool of yarn and sticks onto the ground, and they made contact with a loud clatter. "I don't know what else we can do."

The baby began to bawl, and Teirr shot me a murderous glare.

"Sorry," I whispered as he tried to calm down the child. I stood and left the room, searching for positively anything to do.

After so much time spent constantly searching, moving, or talking, it was difficult to simply rest. Sitting still felt unnatural, as though I had something better to be doing at any given moment. The feeling made my skin crawl, and I shuddered trying to shake it away.

I opted to return to my room and do something I hadn't done in quite a while: write a letter. At first, I wasn't sure who I'd even write to, but the quill seemed to choose for me.

Dear Mother,
I'm sorry for leaving in the way I did , and I'm sorry that I haven't written you since. Please tell Jes and Seno that I miss them dearly, and that I will return as soon as I can. My journey is much more important than my task at court was, but I've found that the two may intercede. Prince Aeremordus is a kind god, and I believe he cares for me in the manner which you would desire. Athern has also joined me on this journey, and enjoys competing with Aeremordus, but I believe those are his only intentions. Please fret not, for I will find someone to wed upon my return, even if it is not one of my current companions. I apologise for how I have treated you in the past, and I now accept that it is simply a matter of duty. As for the succession of Doran's land, Teirr will not be returning with me.
On an entirely unrelated matter, I would like to present you with an idea. When we were in Lask, the people there called our kingdom by your name, Zalta. Arke's land was called Arketh, and Doran's was Aldora. I find these names quite likeable, and recommend that you record them for posterity. Enclosed is a prophecy, given to Alarithe, regarding us and our descendants. Store it well, for I am certain it will have worth someday.
We will meet again soon.
All my love,
Kinheal of Zalta

Retreating from my desk, I curled into my bed and pulled the blankets up over my head. I missed my mother, and my brothers. I missed the stew we had and our honey-wine. There was no way for me to stop the tears as they began to stream down my face, for the first time in a few months. I had hardly been alone these past months, but now the silence of solitude hit me with full force.

By the time my eyes were so dry that no tears could come out, my pillow was quite the contrary, as was my gown. Anya had hopped onto the bed at some point in my grief, and tucked herself safely behind my knees as I lay on my side, sobbing quietly.

Despair overcame me as I wondered if we were to ever find the Mirror, or if I was going to discard my life searching for it, until Mother died, upon which time I would be forced to return home and take her throne.

No.

I shook my head and thrust myself off my bed. I would not succumb to despair. Despair would not rule me, nor destroy me. Finding the Mirror was my fate, and I was determined to see it out.