Baba, Ahne
I write to you with nothing but Achillea root at my feet and the first light of dawn above the midgewater marsh. To be alone is a rare moment, but it is now welcomed as I have much to tell. Word of the Captain’s daughter's escape led me on a long-awaited journey to Bree and with a generous payment to a so-called watchman, I had been tipped off to watch a forge by the west gate. I waited for days behind stone wall and shadow until the filthy traitor finally emerged from her newly founded home. A sard of a woman is she who thinks to steal what is mine and live! She has the blood of a murderer and her only home will be whence her father had sent you from me! Y Ye Yet, I could not end her.
I was weak from travel and all coin for food had been wasted on the minds of corrupted men. I withered watching the sun rise and fall beneath the cobbled stone in defeat until a girl found me. She was kind in nature and took me to a secret barracks belonging to her kin. Their leader promised recovery, food and shelter and without further choice I agreed to join them. Many nights I now count within their protection and as we venture out on travels, my knowledge in healing has prevailed any suspicion of my true motive.
At first I refused to lay my confidence in them and sought for work with a brother of our own blood, but his contract was written with poison. The same one he used to betray me and taint the bear by which I was obligated to fetch. It was only fortunate he paid so lavishly as my arrows had not seized their appetite on a mere animal. Though as time continued I faltered. Despite my frequent travels to town and discreet arrangements to watch over that wrench of a woman, the company were always by my side. Together they are powerful and their bond as deadly as a burning flame leaving nothing untouched but the remnants of soot and ash.
Soon I began to give in to their trust and found myself wanting to join on their ventures, to heal, to listen, to confined, to care and to be free in the arms of someone I may I hope to I can't Once they found out the truth this will all mean nothing.
Don't worry baba av ahne, I will finish this quickly. My request for an old blade from the quartermaster has been met and word of that scum and her company journeying out of Bree will be my opportunity to seek her amongst the plains and strike where none shall hear her screams.
No metal is worthy of piercing rotten skin and bone but that of something ruined and unloved.
She will give back what she stole. I promise.
(After rolling the parchment up in her hands, she would take it back to the barracks along with the Achillea root used for a healing tea and throw the letter into the hearth. She stands with an emotionless expression on her face, as though this was an action of normality, and watches it being devoured by the flames. Nothing but the rising ash wishes her goodnight as she retreats onto a restless sleep.)
*Baba av Ahne - father and mother
