Another Letter to Chip

Chip,
 
I have another bird to care for now. This one isn't a humanoid, nor will it make any use as a squire, but I have sworn to keep it safe. We found it in a spider's nest, before we killed the giant beast that lived there. You know I don't like to call any animal an abomination, but this one was a disgrace to nature itself.
 
After dealing with the spider that had been gnawing on Mother's roots we returned to the Whisper Tree, and I asked them the question that has been festering in my heart since I returned your body to ashes. They told me about the gate of death, and a rumor they had heard. I don't know what there is to it, and I don't know that there is much purpose to setting out on an errand like this without proof, or any extent of certainty, but I cannot let it go. I have a job, but assassinating some rich Araxian seems unimportant in the bigger picture now.
 
I suppose I cannot ask the kid to follow me into Death, but perhaps he'll be properly educated soon, and ready to go on on his own. It won't be good for him anyway to hang around a cynical assassin for too long anyway. Either way this is something to look into. Your brush with death might not be so permanent after all, Chip.
 
Yours, Flicker