Ameli Lihn - Prayers and Correspondence

[Kindo]

[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][SIZE=16]My loving Father,[/SIZE][SIZE=16]

[/SIZE]  [SIZE=16]How are things back at the farm? I have just arrived in the town of Hlint. As anxious and excited I was to get here, it did make me feel a bit nervous not knowing my way around. I suppose I felt a bit lost. Then, as if sent by Aeridin himself, a fellow Cleric walked up to me and offered her hand as my guide around town! She walked me through all the good-to-know places, such as the inn and the supply stores, as well as to point out the town's crypt, which happened to be at unrest.       I promised I would take a look into it later, offering what help I can in order to put the crypt's inhabitants to rest.[/SIZE][SIZE=16]

[/SIZE]  [SIZE=16]After a while, we ran into a good friend of hers, a Paladin man. Quite handsome, I might add, but I am not certain of their relationship. It is none of my business, of course, so I do not intend to make any inquiries of the sort. In any case, he was made to run a quick errand, so that I would be able to clean up my robes, having been quite spoiled during the long journey I took to get here. After I had finished that, we parted ways, as I was a bit worn out after the trip, and needed to get a good night's rest. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.[/SIZE][SIZE=16]

[/SIZE]  [SIZE=16]Your loving daughter,[/SIZE][SIZE=16]

[/SIZE]  [SIZE=16]Ameli[/SIZE][SIZE=16]

[/SIZE]  [SIZE=16]PS: Are you making sure to take the medicine I sent you? I know it tastes foul and that you are very stubborn about these things, but you know as well as I do that it is for your own good![/SIZE][SIZE=16]



[/SIZE]    [SIZE=16] Dear Nelya,[/SIZE][SIZE=16]

[/SIZE]  [SIZE=16]I am writing to you from a tavern in the town of Hlint. I arrived safely, much thanks to the supplies you gave me before I left. How are things faring now that I am gone? I take it the others are quite pleased to finally have me out of their way. I do not mean any disrespect to your people, I understand why they do not take kindly to strangers barging in on their settlement, laying their traditions in disorder. I must once again offer you my sincerest gratitude for taking me in, and also repeat my apologies, if doing so unsettled your standing within your society. Upon arriving in the town, I was soon greeted by another Cleric of the Lifegiver. She revealed her name to be Mirrim Cade. I do not suppose you have heard of her? She told me she had only been here for a few weeks, herself, but offered herself as a guide around town. She and her friend, Galan Iraes, both have proven themselves to be of the most generous sort, in the relatively short time I spent with them. I trust they can easily become esteemed friends. Mirrim helped me clean up the robe you made for me. It had regrettably become stained during my travels. I assure you it is now as sparkling and white as the day you gave it to me, though.[/SIZE][SIZE=16]

[/SIZE]  [SIZE=16] Pardon my prattling, Nelya. It is a new life for me, visiting new lands and meeting new people. I shall remain strong and honour not only the name of Aeridin, but yours as well, with my actions. I owe you my life. May the light of the Lifegiver warm your soul.[/SIZE][SIZE=16]

[/SIZE]  [SIZE=16] Ameli


[/SIZE] [/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][SIZE=16] My Lord Aeridin. I have just finished writing Father and Nelya, telling them about my arrival in this town. I thank you for sending Mirrim and her friend Galan my way. I am certain your love had something to do with their timely appearance. There is much to do here. The local crypt has been laid to unrest, and I shall make it my first priority to see what aid I may offer in its cleansing. I only hope Father is doing well without me. I fear he is lonely, and worse yet, that he is not taking his medicine. Please watch over him, my Lord. I am less worried about Nelya. She is a strong woman, and I do not think her people will turn their back on her. Still, would you mind making sure her heart is at ease? I feel I owe her so much. I still pay my daily respects to my husband. I will always consider him as such. Even though his body may be gone, I know that his soul is safe in your care. I am forever his. I think it is time to go to sleep, finally. I have a long day ahead of me. Thank you, Aeridin.  


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[Kindo]

[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]To my daughter,

  The farm is just fine. It's not like it's going to go under just because you're not here anymore. Need I remind you that I was running this farm long before you came into our lives, kicking and screaming. Hah! It's been in my family for generations, do you really think it's going to die out now that you've left home? No, no... Don't you worry about a thing. The farm is good, and so is your old man. I keep telling you I need no stinking medicine! I'm as strong as I was 20 years ago, mark my words! But I can't say no to you. If it's so important to you, I'll swallow some of that tripe every morning and evening, just as you instructed. See? I'm not as unreasonable as you keep saying.

  I hear you are keeping yourself with good company, but willingly entering a haunted crypt? Are you sure you're not better off coming back home to the village and lead a normal life? I'm telling you, this all started when you met that boy in the woods. He gave you a bunch of ideas, made you unhappy with what you had, making you want more. What's wrong with living on a farm with your family? I'm not mad at you. I just miss your mother, that's all. Her voice could brighten up the gloomiest of rooms.

  Stay out of trouble, you hear? I don't want to get any letters home explaining how my daughter was eaten by a zombie or squished by dragon.

  Dad



    Dear Ameli,

 I am most pleased to hear that you have arrived without unforseen difficulties. The road you took is not usually dangerous, but one cannot be too sure in these times. As for I, do not concern yourself about my standing with my people. I can assure you, no-one looks strange upon me for taking you into our lives, and to tell you the truth, I believe they actually miss you, now that you are gone. Not that they would ever admit to it, but I can sense as much.

 I am afraid the names of your friends that you have given me, do not strike me as familiar. There are many followers of Aeridin, and I cannot say my people are known for sharing our company with others. They are sure to be trustworthy, however, and you would do well to keep them close.

 I pray that you will find many adventures and chances to help those who suffer. May our Lord protect you.

 Nelya
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[Kindo]

[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]My loving Father,

 Please do not start this again! You know you mean the most to me, and my decision to leave the farm to lead a different life had nothing at all to do with you! As much as I loved helping you out on the farm, I eventually learned that there are other things for me to do, out in the world, outside the village. After what happened to Ceríl, I was devastated. Never had I thought such cruelty was allowed to exist in our lands. I entered the path of a Cleric of Aeridin, not as a means for revenge, but as a way to prevent others from going through what I went through. You know this already, I have been telling you many times before. Why can you not understand?

  I am sorry, Father. I do not mean to sound harsh. I simply cannot come back, there are too many people I can help here. I promise you that I will be careful, and I will make sure to come visit you, once I have the opportunity. In the meantime, just take care of yourself and remember that I love you.

  Ameli


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[Kindo]

[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]Dear Nelya,

 I have made a new friend, a tribesman by the name of Caelte. He brings with him his harp wherever he goes, and plays the most delightful melodies. We might not have as much in common as I do with Mirrim and Galan, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. They have all been most helpful these past few weeks. I have also started to learn how to cook and bake bread. Father will never forgive me for not learning this when I lived at the farm. "We could use a good cook", he would say, "now that your Mother is gone." Caelte insists on brewing him a lot of ale, but I have not yet managed to understand the entire process. The end result is usually most suspicious in both taste and form, when I make it.

 I am still concerned about my Father. I sent him the medicine you had made for him before I left, and he has promised he would take it regularly, but I told you how stubborn he can be. I cannot help feeling responsible for his well-being, ever since Mother passed away. I still feel guilty for choosing a different path in life, leaving him without his only remaining family. Maybe I should return home to see if he is doing well. It is a long trip, but I could be back here in two or three weeks. I will await your reply and advice first.

 Ameli
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[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]I seek your guidance, Lifegiver. The duty I feel towards my Father is telling me to drop everything and return home, where I can keep an eye on him and make sure he is of good health. At the same time, there is so many more matters to attend to here. I am torn. He was so wounded when Mother died. I still remember the look on his face when he was given the news of her illness. He consulted many healers of various nature, but none could help her. Some said it was fate, and it had already been sealed. The soul had been reserved for the underworld, and was not going to be returned. Such talk angered him, more than frightening him. Come to think of it, there was something peculiar about his eyes when those words were uttered. I never gave it much thought. No matter. They said her passing would be a gradual, and slow one, but it felt very swift. The days and weeks after her passing, Father tried his best to look strong, but even at my youthful age, I sensed the truth. He was as if split in two. With his loving wife not at his side, it was as if all had lost its meaning. I believe I was all that kept him going, but he never really came to terms with his sorrow. I will await the council of Nelya, before I make my decision. Please watch over my Father's soul.



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[Kindo]

[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]Dear Ameli,

 Keep your friends close. The value of friendship is far greater than anything else to any woman or man. As for your father, I will speak to him on your behalf. While your trip would take several weeks, I could reach his farm in a day or two at most, and you are needed more where you are now. You speak of guilt towards your own father, but I can assure you it is unfounded. Duty to one's family is of high importance, but you do not need to feel as if you have betrayed yours by answering the call of our Lord when you heard it. You walk a path fate put forth, and I must insist that you do not stray from it, even for a moment. The heavens are stirring, and we who dedicate ourselves to faith will play an important role in the times ahead.

 I shall write you again once I have spoken with your father. May the Lifegiver guide you.

 Nelya


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[Kindo]

[This event takes place at the farm of Ameli's father, and is not known by Ameli herself. -Kindo][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]It is dark. The night-sky is clear. Hints of movement can be sensed among the stars. Something stirs. A lone man sits quietly in a chair, staring into the crackling flames of a slowly dying fire. A cloaked and hooded figure is moving swiftly and soundlessly among the shadows, over a field of grass. The man breathes somewhat raspingly as he strokes his grey beard, his eyes fixed deep within the fireplace. The shadowy figure is closing in on a small settlement. Farms of varying sizes stretch out before its eyes, one house in particular appears to be the destination. The man's eyes widen as the slumbering flames suddenly spring alive. There is a presence.

"I didn't hear ye enter."

"My apologies. You know I prefer discretion."

"Aye, I do. I'm not surprised at yer visit. I don't have a divining eye such as yers, but still I knew ye'd come. It's about her, isn't it?"

"Yes."

There is a loud crackle in the fireplace.

"Well?"

"She is worried. About you."

"I keep tellin' the both of ye, I can take care of meself. I don't need anyone looking after me."

"You know how protective she is of you. She feels responsible for your well-being. She is even considering giving up her travels and come back to live here."

"A wise choice, that'd be. She had no use running away in the first place. At least here she'd be safe."

"The way things are going, not even your farm can be considered safe much longer."

"If ye're gonna start yabbering on about gods and stars again, I'll toss ye out! I believe none of that tripe."

"Even so, you know what the arrangements were."

The last piece of cinder dies out.

"Aye, aye... don't worry. A man's got the right to express himself, don't he?"

"Of course. I do not believe I need to remind you of how important it is that she stays away from here. Her destiny was decided before her birth, before she was given to you. The deal you struck was very clear. I was there with you, remember?"

"I know, I know. If I only could go back in time, make other decisions. All I wanted was a happy life, with a loving family. Me wife is gone, and me daughter doesn't live here anymore, risking her life every day... The happiness I thought I had bought has turned into misery. I'm nothin' but a poor, lonely man, slowly withering away."

"You are not alone. Come..."

A chill wind blows over the fields. A wooden gate opens and is shut close. Streaks of clouds fly across the sky, blocking the light from stars they pass. In a room at an inn, a young woman stirs restlessly in her sleep.
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[Kindo]

[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]Aeridin. I cannot shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong. Last night I was tormented by horrible unrest. Uneasy discomfort, causing me to toss and turn in my bed. I cannot recall any visions or dreams that may have been the cause of it, which makes me worry even more so. I only hope to hear back from Nelya soon. She might have news to put me at ease.


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