{ inbox for fade rift }

[aceso]

A waltz when she walks in the room
She pulls back the hair from her face
She turns to the window to sway in the moonlight
Even her shadow has grace

Comments

letter, late harvestmere;

[boneflayer]

Madame Delacroix,

I think that's the correct title to give an Orlesian lady, we have few visiting the Hold and Gjurd who is my teacher now bid me send word to you when the dreams came.

A raven comes in my dreams, dark as the longest night without the moons, stars hidden behind the clouds, cold enough to swear that Hakkon himself stands beside my bed, but I am never afraid because I know the raven is my brother. I know and the spirit that walks at my side knows: Asher went to the Lady of the Skies, but the Lady of the Skies is around us, and so he is with me.

That is not why Gjurd would have me send word.

There are lessons and duties as you would expect for a hold, but I have time to myself since I wasn't raised idle, I was raised with the stories of my grandfather in my heart as much as Asher was, I carried them with me. When the raven was shrieking in my dreams, when the raven burst through the trees on my patrol to croak laughter at the bear with the antler jutting through one eye, yes, this is why I was to write to you.

Hakkon Wintersbreath is Lord of War and Winter, firstborn of Korth the Mountain-Father. He of frost and steel, the one to lead us all in battle but not only are the warriors with valour and vigilance granted his favour but the wise. It is wise to laugh, I think, in the face of what might be a terrible thing that stops the breath. When I laughed, the raven ceased to shriek. Landed light upon my shoulder.

I slept in the hollow of a tree, woke to greet the dawn with thanks to the Lady. I found the stag to take back for the hold but gave the antlers and the liver for the Mountain-Father.

Lady keep you.

Aura Hardie, Honey Badger Hold

{ letter, mid-firstfall }

[aceso]

Dear Aura,

I thank you most sincerely for writing to me, and I thank Gjurd as well, because either through his wisdom, or the spirits, or both, he knew what I needed to hear at this time in my life. Kirkwall has provided me with a great challenge in many respects, and every day that I find myself growing accustomed to one thing, another problem crops up to replace it. Whether the issue is large or small, I have found myself longing for the mountains again. Not for the simplicity of life, for I would be ignorant to believe that life in Korth's domain is not harsh, but because of the people there. The Avvar have a system of support for their people that is unrivaled throughout Thedas, in my opinion. Within the Inquisition, there is infighting, perceived slights, the breaking down of diplomacy, and every issue must be argued over ten times with no satisfactory resolution. The Avvar ways appeal to me far more for being straightforward and to the point. It seems far less frustrating.

But now you have reminded me of many good things in my life. You have reminded me of a loved one I have lost watching over me, and to laugh at these petty squabbles that are rampant here. You have reminded me that if I wish to live in the Frostbacks one day, that I must surmount any challenge I find here in Kirkwall first. And for that I am truly grateful. Your words will be taken to heart, and already I feel a lightness within me that is new and very welcome. Yet here I have spoken of myself and my problems for far too long. How is the Hold? How are you and everyone else? Already we feel Hakkon's chill reach us even up here, so I imagine the mountains to already be in the thick of things. But those of Avvar blood are far more suited to the cold than I. Perhaps it does not bother you as much?

Every day my heart longs to revisit the Avvar holds familiar to me, and to put my hands to some useful work. When I am among you, I feel the Lady in the wind, and Hakkon in the chill touching my bones, and the Mountain father all around me as I look out at the beautiful landscape. Here with the stone walls around me, I must find that feeling where I can, but it is not like in the mountains.

But for now, until I can see them again, I will laugh, and remember the good things in life; and remember that I carry Hakkon's Wisdom so I can protect those around me through his gift. Thank you again, Aura.

Lady keep you and yours safe,

Christine

P.S. Please feel free to call me Christine. I do not really consider myself a lady.