Fanfic:The Notebook
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At the edge of the Black Hills, where Kandor's border met that of Saldaea, was a fair sized town called Rugo Crossing. The town gained its name from a sturdy, wooden bridge made to allow wagon traffic to travel the road between Tar Valon and Maradon. Over the years, carpenters had taken to residing there in order to maintain the bridge, and so a town had sprouted.
Like many of the towns and villages along trade routes, this one had several inns - the Silver Whistle, the Carpenter's Headache, the Borderstead. The Carpenter's was the largest and finest of the three, rising three proud stories above the surrounding houses. It sported a fine dining room with rich pewter flatware, a stable-yard with room for several teams of wagon horses, and a small, cozy study with two full shelves of books.
Most were much-thumbed romances or adventure stories - the Travels of Jain Farstrider, Altaran Nights, Tales of the Heroic Hounds. The strangest was a small, leather-backed book with no title. Most who read it claimed that they had never read anything quite like it, and indeed, there were no copies of it elsewhere in the world. A patron of the inn had left it behind years ago. No-one remembered if it had been a wealthy merchant or a raggedy vagabond, and no attempt had ever been made to return it to the owner. No-one was quite sure if it was a true account of events, or a strange work of fiction.
Either way, it was quite entertaining.
The cover is stained with road-dirt and scuffed in places, and even after years away from its owner, it smells faintly of strong, cheap alcohol. Inside are a series of letters.
Dearest Liana This is the third day of my journey. I had decided not to write to you until something worth noting had happened, but I find I am unable to wait. So far it has been monotonous. The roads are clear and the weather good, and I have encountered no sign of trouble. I expect that I shall be in Kandor within the month. Until I write again -
Dearest Liana, Please forgive the frequency of my correspondence. I realize that it has only been a few days, but again I grow bored. As you know, I left Shae Drelle behind when I began this outing, in order that he might rest his sore hoof. Well, I certainly wish I had thought to bring a different steed now, for my feet have surely grown sore from so much walking! I never imagined how far it would be to the Borderlands. Though I imagine that any journey away from you would seem equally long.
Until I write again -
Dearest Liana Well, I have certainly run into a spell of poor luck! I am beginning to wish that I had thought to employ a Traveller for my journey, for it has begun to rain. It appears that autumn is closing in on me faster than I anticipated, and I have been forced to take shelter in a farmer's cottage along the River Ivo. He seems a kind enough man, though gruff - and I daresay he seems quite taken aback by my courtly manners. I imagine it has been quite some time since someone of my upbringing frequented this part of the world. For now I must caese writing - the infernal damp is damaging my pen. Until I can write again -
The letters continue in that vein for some time, each describing the minutiae of a man's life as he travels through the Caralain grass toward Kandor. Eventually, the letters begin to be addressed to other recipients, and in some cases to take on a more personal nature.
Light Illuminate you, Aric As we discussed before I departed, I have sought to spend some of my time on this outing looking for those objects which are of interest to us both. I have, up to this point, located three objects which I believe might hold some promise, and I am sending them back in the company of a young man who I believe will also be of some interest. He appears to be ta'varen. I have assured his parents that he shall receive the best care possible in your hands - please see that this is so. In the Light-
My dear Liana, These months away from you have been composed purely of torment. I would that I could return, but I cannot until my objective is reached. I have every confidence that I shall soon find the object of my quest, and upon retrieving her, make haste once again to your side. Please convey my best wishes to your family and to our friends, and know that I will return shortly. -
Light Illuminate you, Dan Asha'man,
Do not think that my absence has left you free from my scrutiny. Though I am not present, that which I had said would occur is still set in motion. Be ever vigilant, my friend - for so shall I be. In the Light -
Aric, I have not heard from you in some time. Have there been no new developments in our shared work, then? I had expected that I should receive regular updates from you concerning our field, and yet I have heard nothing. Obviously it is difficult for me to gather news in this remote location, and so I must rely upon you for updates. Are you silent because I have done something to offend you? If so, please accept my apologies. Awaiting notice-
Liana, my Dear - Winter has begun in earnest here in the borderlands, and I must admit I was not prepared for its ferocity. Yet, today I saw a sight that I felt I must convey to you. It seems that there is a tiny flower - I do not know its name - native to this part of the world that actually blooms in the depths of winter! I could not believe my eyes when I first saw it, bravely growing up right through the snow. I have plucked one, and enclosed it in this letter, that you might have some proof that there is beauty in even the coldest places. Until we meet again -
If there ever was a flower pressed between the pages of the book, it is long gone. Perhaps some reader has taken it, or perhaps the writer removed it from the book before leaving it behind.
The next letter is in a decidedly different vein - the penmanship is sloppy, and it is nearly illegible from what appears to be a liquid spill.
Zuri
Where are you? WHy do not you answer me? I write you time and time again, and never is there a reply. I know that you receive my letters.
I hope you aren't afraid?
You must know that I will find you.
ZURI -
Ink is like blood. Did you know that? Every time I write to you, I bleed a little closer to my death. You're killing me.
WHY DON"T YOU ANSWER?
Good day Mother, Papa, Aurilane, I regret that it has been so long since I have written to you, but as you know, I have been quite busy these past years. My career has led me to a venture to Saldaea, where I am wintering with some distant relations of ours. It has been some time since I felt the hospitality of one of noble birth, and their cordiality has reminded me of you. Though, I must admit Papa that their brandy compares neither in richness nor in quality to that of your own estates. I hope that this letter finds all of you well. I find it difficult to believe that Aurilane's debut has come in gone, for I still remember my sister as a dimple-faced school girl, not the young lady she must have become by now. Mother, I hope that your usual entertainments are proceeding well - please tell Aunt Sadellia that I send my best. Papa, how have your card games gone? I do hope that you haven't squandered too much of the family fortune - though I know you never lose, so that is unlikely to be an option. I expect that I shall be home in the fall, and look forward to seeing all of you then.
The letters continue on in nearly until the end of the small volume. There are letters that appear to be written to business partners, letters written in the lecturing tone of a schoolmaster, angry and pleading letters to someone names Zuri, and letters written to the writer's family. There are even several threatening letters to an Asha'man named Dan. None of them are signed, and one wonders what sort of man would write so many often contradictory letters apparently without the intention to send them to their recipients. Most frequent are the letters to a woman named Liana - they range from mundane recounting of the days events, to love letters that would make a wagon-driver blush.
The final letter is brief.
Liana -
I am sorry.
- Lembirt
