Thursday Deliveries
Sometime on Thursday, some letters and a parcel were delivered. It’s possible there were a number of letters and parcels delivered that day, but these were the only ones delivered from Valdemar.
______________________________________________
Gavin -
It's cold and I've only just gotten a pillow. Instead of sending a gremlin, please send me blankets, a shower, and an electric kettle. In all seriousness, it's not so bad as all that. Our hosts have arrived with a great deal of things to make this Vault more comfortable, all flown in by gryphons. Which is good, as it looks as if we will be here for quite a long time.
As cold as it is, and as much as I do not want to spend months living underground, it is for the best. Of everywhere, this place stands the best chance of holding a permanent solution. Even after all that we did, the respite is only temporary. But it is a respite, and we will find that solution. We have to.
Please take care, and keep an eye on the island. Florian says it's not as bad as I'm making out, but he's got a lot more hair than I do, and so he would. He also says that he might see if he can come back with me when it's finally time to leave. I'm not sure how we'd fit him in a dorm room, though.
This will probably be the only letter I can send, but I'll be back as soon as I can. Please watch out for gremlins, but if you can't, someone needs to take a photograph for me. And, if I may ask, would you keep an eye out for Andrew? I do worry for him.
-Karal
______________________________________________
Andrew -
I hope you are completely recovered. I am on my way - one of the Healers came and healed me, now I just need to rest and get my strength back. We are stuck here until winter ends, and while it is not as comfortable as Fandom, I wish you were here. You would love it, I think. The Kaled'a'in are sending a scholar in the ancient language to help decipher the book, and there is some thought that there may be other levels to this Vault, many more rooms and who knows what artefacts and devices to learn about.
I miss you, my friend. You are good and restful company, and you never fail to make me smile. Please be well, and take care of yourself. You're important, not just to me, but to others as well. I may not be able to write again, but I'll be thinking of you.
-Karal
______________________________________________
Jaina -
I hope you're doing well and are completely recovered. Winter has definitely set in here, and we are stuck until it's over, which is probably a good thing, given the ancient knowledge that this place holds. I already miss Fandom, though, and the people. Everyone seems to think that what we've seen is only the beginning of what may be stored here, and Urtho was know for his ingenuity with devices. Treyvan told me how intrigued you were with the devices you saw, so I will be sure to make detailed notes to show you when I get back.
May the Force be with you and Vkandis guide you. If you could pass that to Professor Skywalker as well, I would be grateful.
-Karal
______________________________________________
Inara -
I'm very sorry I did not get a chance to say goodbye to you, and I don't know when I'll be back. But I'm sure you're doing well. I will miss you, and there is someone here that you must meet if I can find anyway to manage it. He is a Kestra'chern, an ancient and honoured calling that traces his history back more than two thousand years. They take on clients for pay, and are Healers, of a sort. They care for their clients, physically and emotionally, undertake long years of training and are much sought after and respected.
They are like what you will be; a kestra'chern is this world's companion. Honourable, beloved, respected. You are all those things to me, though not because you are a companion! We had that misunderstanding once already, and once was more than embarrassing enough. I told Silverfox about you, and what I know of companions. He asked me to pass something on to you, a gift from one kestra'chern to another, and I'm sending it with this letter. Look after Gavin and let him look after you.
-Karal
______________________________________________
Dean -
It looks as if you will be without your priest for awhile longer yet. I'm currently living in the ruins of an ancient mage's tower, deep underground, in the middle of the Dhorisha Plains, and winter has arrived in earnest; it will be some time until we can leave.
You have the books I left you, and if you pray, Vkandis will hear you.
Please be careful should you find yourself hunting another demon, or anything else for that matter. I'll be very unhappy if I get home and find you haven't been careful!
The Sunlord watch over you and yours, and remember to take care of yourself. And before you can say anything -- if you take care of yourself, you can better care for others.
-Karal
_______________________________________________
Liir -
I hope you and Andrew are both doing well. It will be some time before I'm able to return, but I will still be your big brother, even if I'm not there. Please take care of yourself and Andrew, and I hope to see you both again soon.
-Karal
______________________________________________
Luke -
Don't worry, be calm, and relax. You're going to do an amazing job at your father's ceremony, just trust yourself. I do wish I could be there to see you.
I don't know when I'll return, or if you might have gone on by the time I do. If you have, know that you were and will remain one of my dearest friends, and I have the utmost respect for you as a Jedi. You are going to do amazing things for your people, I know you are.
Should the chance ever arise, I would very much like you to come to Valdemar and meet the Heralds. I think you and they have a great deal in common. Perhaps I could show you the Temple at Sunhame in real life, not simply the illusion of the Danger Shop!
May the Force be with you and Vkandis watch over you.
-Karal
______________________________________________
Aravis -
How I miss you. I wish I'd had a chance to say goodbye properly before we left, but I never expected to be gone for so long. I don't know how long it will be, but I know Trenor is in safe hands with you.
You are the best roommate I ever had, and one of my dearest friends. And I'm going to ask, if the school tries to give you another roommate while I am away, please don't let them. Don't hurt anyone, for Sunlord's sake! But I really do want to stay with you.
All right, I'd best go, Altra says someone is about to bring me yet more soup. I doubt I'll be able to write again, but I will see you when I return.
-Karal
______________________________________________
A large parcel wrapped in oilskin and tied up tight with leather cord was delivered to Evey's room.
In it was a letter from Karal, looking shabby next to the stiff formality of the eight envelopes that rested beneath it -- four white and four red, each sealed with wax. The white bore an impression of a flying horse with broken chains, the red a sun-in-glory. There were also eight wooden boxes, the size of a person's hand, again four white and four red.
The note at the top of the parcel read:
~~~
Deputy Chairwoman Hammond,
You will find enclosed a personal letter from Sun-Priest Karal Austreben, and formal missives from the Sun of the Son of Karse and her Majesty, Queen Selenay of Valdemar. I trust we may place them safely in your hands to ensure they are delivered to their intended recipients.
~~~
The envelopes were addressed to Pilot Darklighter, Jedi Solo, Scholar Wells, and Deputy-Chairwoman Hammond, one white and one red for each, and the boxes were the same, the names engraved on the front.
Inside the white box was a silver medal, a roughly triangular shield, bearing an embossed white flying horse with broken chains on two feet, with a pin to fasten it to a uniform and a swirl of blue and white ribbon wrapping the top bar. The letter accompanying it read:
For bravery and courage far beyond the call of duty. You risked yourself for a world not your own, and for that you receive Our thanks, and the highest award for bravery Valdemar has: The Medal of Valor. Wear it well, for you deserve it.
Queen Selenay of Valdemar.
In the red box lay a gold sun-in-glory, rays bounded by a circle of hammered gold and gold braid wrapping the top bar, and it hung from a heavy gold chain.
By My Hand this day, We award you the greatest accord known to the Kin, the Sun's Glory. Given only to those who have done Karse a great service, they are cast in the Flames of Vkandis' Own Fire. There are few more deserving than you, who left your world for a strange one and risked yourselves for it. Walk in the Sunlord's Light always.
The Sun of the Sun of Karse.
~~~
Karal's letter was several pages long, attached neatly at the corner with a braided leather thong.
Dear Evey,
It's been ten days since you left, and I miss you a great deal. But, I missed you from the moment you left, so that is not a surprise.
I hope you're completely recovered from the ordeal. Having spoken to Firesong and Treyvan, at least now that my wits have stopped wandering, they assured me that what we did stopped the mage storm as if it had never been. It is only a temporary solution, but it gained us even more time to find a permanent one.
I'm far better than I was, mostly because one of the Shin'a'in Healers came and fixed what was wrong with me. Apparently I misused that part of me that channels magic, as if I had bruised it by battering a rough stone around inside my skull, and that was why my head hurt so badly. He was able to take care of the bruises, so to speak. I'm still weak, but, truly, I'm much better, and people keep feeding me, so I shouldn't say thin for long.
The bad news is that we are stuck here until winter passes; the good that our hosts, and so the Shin'a'in have decided they are, have arrived with a veritable caravan of goods, which makes the Vault and its chambers far easier to bear. I actually have a pillow! Though I'd happily trade it for five minutes in a hot shower, or perhaps a bath. The best news is that no one has to eat Firesong's cooking any longer. He may be a great mage, but his skills in that area make mine look accomplished.
It's hard simply to lie here and let people care for me. That's not what a Sun-Priest should do. I know that I have to rest and gain strength and endurance back, and still it feels wrong when everyone else is working and taking it in turns to wait on me. But you understand.
The gryphons are leaving; they have stayed underground as long as they can bear it, and I think both wish to return to their gryphlets. It will be a long, hard flight back to Valdemar. But while we're losing them, we're gaining two new guests, and very strange ones at that. A kyree, which is a wolf-like being, and a hertasi, like an upright lizard the size of a child, both sentient. The kyree is a scholar in the old languages and the hertasi his secretary. It is hoped that they will be able to make sense of the book we found and some of the writings here in the Vault. They haven't arrived yet, but Silverfox says they will arrive by gryphon shortly. The storm did effect the world's magic, and the Gates are not and cannot be made safe.
I had the oddest encounter today, and by odd, I mean so unsettling it was nearly frightening. Chagren, one of the Shin'a'in here, was teaching us some of the history of the time before the Cataclysm (it is endlessly fascinating to learn how the events of two thousand years ago are shaping our lives here and now), and a stranger appeared. Literally appeared, from nowhere.
It took me a few moments to understand, but she was like Altra, except she was a spirit! I know this sounds fantastical, but it's the truth - she was a spirit who served the Shin'a'in's Goddess. I was only afraid for a moment, until I saw her eyes. They were kind, like Florian's, and I think they could see right through me. To make matters even stranger, she claimed kinship with one of my teachers in Valdemar! We spoke for only a short time, but I feel as if she saw every part of me. She must have been satisfied with what she found, because I've been promised that my right to be here will not be challenged, which is both heartening and terrifying. Like so much else, really.
I suspect this will be the only letter I'm able to send you. Altra is going to make the Jump to Valdemar to collect two more people, a mage and an artificer, and he will see that this letter is sent.
Evey, while this may be my only chance to send you my words, I promise you, they will not be the only words I write.
I love you.
-Karal
______________________________________________
[ooc: NFI unless recipients want to react in the post. Some portions taken from Storm Breaking by Mercedes Lackey.]
______________________________________________
Gavin -
It's cold and I've only just gotten a pillow. Instead of sending a gremlin, please send me blankets, a shower, and an electric kettle. In all seriousness, it's not so bad as all that. Our hosts have arrived with a great deal of things to make this Vault more comfortable, all flown in by gryphons. Which is good, as it looks as if we will be here for quite a long time.
As cold as it is, and as much as I do not want to spend months living underground, it is for the best. Of everywhere, this place stands the best chance of holding a permanent solution. Even after all that we did, the respite is only temporary. But it is a respite, and we will find that solution. We have to.
Please take care, and keep an eye on the island. Florian says it's not as bad as I'm making out, but he's got a lot more hair than I do, and so he would. He also says that he might see if he can come back with me when it's finally time to leave. I'm not sure how we'd fit him in a dorm room, though.
This will probably be the only letter I can send, but I'll be back as soon as I can. Please watch out for gremlins, but if you can't, someone needs to take a photograph for me. And, if I may ask, would you keep an eye out for Andrew? I do worry for him.
-Karal
______________________________________________
Andrew -
I hope you are completely recovered. I am on my way - one of the Healers came and healed me, now I just need to rest and get my strength back. We are stuck here until winter ends, and while it is not as comfortable as Fandom, I wish you were here. You would love it, I think. The Kaled'a'in are sending a scholar in the ancient language to help decipher the book, and there is some thought that there may be other levels to this Vault, many more rooms and who knows what artefacts and devices to learn about.
I miss you, my friend. You are good and restful company, and you never fail to make me smile. Please be well, and take care of yourself. You're important, not just to me, but to others as well. I may not be able to write again, but I'll be thinking of you.
-Karal
______________________________________________
Jaina -
I hope you're doing well and are completely recovered. Winter has definitely set in here, and we are stuck until it's over, which is probably a good thing, given the ancient knowledge that this place holds. I already miss Fandom, though, and the people. Everyone seems to think that what we've seen is only the beginning of what may be stored here, and Urtho was know for his ingenuity with devices. Treyvan told me how intrigued you were with the devices you saw, so I will be sure to make detailed notes to show you when I get back.
May the Force be with you and Vkandis guide you. If you could pass that to Professor Skywalker as well, I would be grateful.
-Karal
______________________________________________
Inara -
I'm very sorry I did not get a chance to say goodbye to you, and I don't know when I'll be back. But I'm sure you're doing well. I will miss you, and there is someone here that you must meet if I can find anyway to manage it. He is a Kestra'chern, an ancient and honoured calling that traces his history back more than two thousand years. They take on clients for pay, and are Healers, of a sort. They care for their clients, physically and emotionally, undertake long years of training and are much sought after and respected.
They are like what you will be; a kestra'chern is this world's companion. Honourable, beloved, respected. You are all those things to me, though not because you are a companion! We had that misunderstanding once already, and once was more than embarrassing enough. I told Silverfox about you, and what I know of companions. He asked me to pass something on to you, a gift from one kestra'chern to another, and I'm sending it with this letter. Look after Gavin and let him look after you.
-Karal
______________________________________________
Dean -
It looks as if you will be without your priest for awhile longer yet. I'm currently living in the ruins of an ancient mage's tower, deep underground, in the middle of the Dhorisha Plains, and winter has arrived in earnest; it will be some time until we can leave.
You have the books I left you, and if you pray, Vkandis will hear you.
Please be careful should you find yourself hunting another demon, or anything else for that matter. I'll be very unhappy if I get home and find you haven't been careful!
The Sunlord watch over you and yours, and remember to take care of yourself. And before you can say anything -- if you take care of yourself, you can better care for others.
-Karal
_______________________________________________
Liir -
I hope you and Andrew are both doing well. It will be some time before I'm able to return, but I will still be your big brother, even if I'm not there. Please take care of yourself and Andrew, and I hope to see you both again soon.
-Karal
______________________________________________
Luke -
Don't worry, be calm, and relax. You're going to do an amazing job at your father's ceremony, just trust yourself. I do wish I could be there to see you.
I don't know when I'll return, or if you might have gone on by the time I do. If you have, know that you were and will remain one of my dearest friends, and I have the utmost respect for you as a Jedi. You are going to do amazing things for your people, I know you are.
Should the chance ever arise, I would very much like you to come to Valdemar and meet the Heralds. I think you and they have a great deal in common. Perhaps I could show you the Temple at Sunhame in real life, not simply the illusion of the Danger Shop!
May the Force be with you and Vkandis watch over you.
-Karal
______________________________________________
Aravis -
How I miss you. I wish I'd had a chance to say goodbye properly before we left, but I never expected to be gone for so long. I don't know how long it will be, but I know Trenor is in safe hands with you.
You are the best roommate I ever had, and one of my dearest friends. And I'm going to ask, if the school tries to give you another roommate while I am away, please don't let them. Don't hurt anyone, for Sunlord's sake! But I really do want to stay with you.
All right, I'd best go, Altra says someone is about to bring me yet more soup. I doubt I'll be able to write again, but I will see you when I return.
-Karal
______________________________________________
A large parcel wrapped in oilskin and tied up tight with leather cord was delivered to Evey's room.
In it was a letter from Karal, looking shabby next to the stiff formality of the eight envelopes that rested beneath it -- four white and four red, each sealed with wax. The white bore an impression of a flying horse with broken chains, the red a sun-in-glory. There were also eight wooden boxes, the size of a person's hand, again four white and four red.
The note at the top of the parcel read:
~~~
Deputy Chairwoman Hammond,
You will find enclosed a personal letter from Sun-Priest Karal Austreben, and formal missives from the Sun of the Son of Karse and her Majesty, Queen Selenay of Valdemar. I trust we may place them safely in your hands to ensure they are delivered to their intended recipients.
~~~
The envelopes were addressed to Pilot Darklighter, Jedi Solo, Scholar Wells, and Deputy-Chairwoman Hammond, one white and one red for each, and the boxes were the same, the names engraved on the front.
Inside the white box was a silver medal, a roughly triangular shield, bearing an embossed white flying horse with broken chains on two feet, with a pin to fasten it to a uniform and a swirl of blue and white ribbon wrapping the top bar. The letter accompanying it read:
For bravery and courage far beyond the call of duty. You risked yourself for a world not your own, and for that you receive Our thanks, and the highest award for bravery Valdemar has: The Medal of Valor. Wear it well, for you deserve it.
Queen Selenay of Valdemar.
In the red box lay a gold sun-in-glory, rays bounded by a circle of hammered gold and gold braid wrapping the top bar, and it hung from a heavy gold chain.
By My Hand this day, We award you the greatest accord known to the Kin, the Sun's Glory. Given only to those who have done Karse a great service, they are cast in the Flames of Vkandis' Own Fire. There are few more deserving than you, who left your world for a strange one and risked yourselves for it. Walk in the Sunlord's Light always.
The Sun of the Sun of Karse.
~~~
Karal's letter was several pages long, attached neatly at the corner with a braided leather thong.
Dear Evey,
It's been ten days since you left, and I miss you a great deal. But, I missed you from the moment you left, so that is not a surprise.
I hope you're completely recovered from the ordeal. Having spoken to Firesong and Treyvan, at least now that my wits have stopped wandering, they assured me that what we did stopped the mage storm as if it had never been. It is only a temporary solution, but it gained us even more time to find a permanent one.
I'm far better than I was, mostly because one of the Shin'a'in Healers came and fixed what was wrong with me. Apparently I misused that part of me that channels magic, as if I had bruised it by battering a rough stone around inside my skull, and that was why my head hurt so badly. He was able to take care of the bruises, so to speak. I'm still weak, but, truly, I'm much better, and people keep feeding me, so I shouldn't say thin for long.
The bad news is that we are stuck here until winter passes; the good that our hosts, and so the Shin'a'in have decided they are, have arrived with a veritable caravan of goods, which makes the Vault and its chambers far easier to bear. I actually have a pillow! Though I'd happily trade it for five minutes in a hot shower, or perhaps a bath. The best news is that no one has to eat Firesong's cooking any longer. He may be a great mage, but his skills in that area make mine look accomplished.
It's hard simply to lie here and let people care for me. That's not what a Sun-Priest should do. I know that I have to rest and gain strength and endurance back, and still it feels wrong when everyone else is working and taking it in turns to wait on me. But you understand.
The gryphons are leaving; they have stayed underground as long as they can bear it, and I think both wish to return to their gryphlets. It will be a long, hard flight back to Valdemar. But while we're losing them, we're gaining two new guests, and very strange ones at that. A kyree, which is a wolf-like being, and a hertasi, like an upright lizard the size of a child, both sentient. The kyree is a scholar in the old languages and the hertasi his secretary. It is hoped that they will be able to make sense of the book we found and some of the writings here in the Vault. They haven't arrived yet, but Silverfox says they will arrive by gryphon shortly. The storm did effect the world's magic, and the Gates are not and cannot be made safe.
I had the oddest encounter today, and by odd, I mean so unsettling it was nearly frightening. Chagren, one of the Shin'a'in here, was teaching us some of the history of the time before the Cataclysm (it is endlessly fascinating to learn how the events of two thousand years ago are shaping our lives here and now), and a stranger appeared. Literally appeared, from nowhere.
It took me a few moments to understand, but she was like Altra, except she was a spirit! I know this sounds fantastical, but it's the truth - she was a spirit who served the Shin'a'in's Goddess. I was only afraid for a moment, until I saw her eyes. They were kind, like Florian's, and I think they could see right through me. To make matters even stranger, she claimed kinship with one of my teachers in Valdemar! We spoke for only a short time, but I feel as if she saw every part of me. She must have been satisfied with what she found, because I've been promised that my right to be here will not be challenged, which is both heartening and terrifying. Like so much else, really.
I suspect this will be the only letter I'm able to send you. Altra is going to make the Jump to Valdemar to collect two more people, a mage and an artificer, and he will see that this letter is sent.
Evey, while this may be my only chance to send you my words, I promise you, they will not be the only words I write.
I love you.
-Karal
______________________________________________
[ooc: NFI unless recipients want to react in the post. Some portions taken from Storm Breaking by Mercedes Lackey.]