The Orchid and the Star

The deer with the mail satchel slung around its neck bounded off with the letter and small gift box she placed inside the satchel. The small antlered teifling watched it go, weaving through the trees of the Great Forest. Once the deer was out of sight she grabbed her bow from the base of a tree and took off in the other direction, a determined look on her face.

Dear Salem,
I hope this letter finds you well. Today, I am writing from the Great Forest. I arrived here yesterday to start my Squire training with Father and Kaleyha. Learning this new magic and these new abilities is more difficult than I imagined it would be. You would certainly get the knack of this far faster than I ever could. It's hard to think that our party will be apart for so long but I know it's easier to prepare for what's coming this way.
All the best and I hope you're feeling better than the last time I saw you.
Your friend,

— Akraia

He sighs and puts the letter in his bedside drawer. Looking down at the temporary prosthetic that is now his leg, he smiles. Saving her was worth it. If he hadn't pushed her out of the way, she could have been seriously wounded. Much more than he was. Taking his quill out, he starts writing on apiece of paper. As usual, he was generally unsure of what to say to her. So he decides to just wing it.

Dear Akraia,
I am doing much better. I'm still waiting on the Misean Prosthetic, but I hear they take quite a while to make. I'm hoping this one will be better than the one I currently have. New magic can be taught, I agree. You're more than capable though, don't worry about that.
I appreciate the little souvenir of the carved deer you gave me. What kind of wood is it? I also appreciate you letting me know where you are, it calms me knowing that you all are safe. Have you heard from the others? I heard Ciel and Vallista went back to Shas Carim with Daymond.
I look forward to seeing you,

— Salem

Setting the letter in a hidden pocket of her bag, she smiles to herself. She was happy he was doing better. She still felt awful. He had pushed her out of the way of that Magic eruption Thalia gave off. He lost his leg because of that, because of her. It was something she couldn't shake. She sighed and set to work on the crocodile carving she was making for Salem from the wood of the Great Swamp. She had a knack for it and her parents were happy to have her home for a bit, even if Mama had come with her. During most of her training she was not allowed to leave the realms of Kaleyha's reign. She was lucky her parents lived in one of them, and she was able to visit them often. Usually accompanied by Mama or Father. Kaleyha wanted to make sure she maintained her training regime. She was determined to get stronger, better. She wagers that the threat that's on its way is not going to be easy to defeat.

Dear Salem,
The wood is from the heart of the Great Forest. Although, I am unable to tell you where exactly I got it and what tree it came from. I have heard from Lina and Grum, but not the others. Lina went into Arixia with Althea. Althea mentioned that she has a hand in making your prosthetic. Grum is touring around Luclecia apparently. I'm visiting mom and dad back home for a while, while still training. Different environments are key to this training, it seems. The training is getting easier, thankfully. One step at a time, Father tells me. I will be passing through Crossing soon, but only to go through the portal. Mama wants to take me to see her home.
I wish I could stop to see you.
Until next time,

— Akraia

Placing the letter in the drawer with the other one, he plucks the flowers that fell from the letter off of the blanket. They were so small, but so fragrant. They smelled just like her. Carefully, he sticks the flowers into the pages of the book he is reading to preserve them. He smiles at the crocodile carving and places it next to the deer. As he sets aside a fresh piece of paper to write back, there is a knock at his door. He shakily rises from his chair and goes to open the door.

Dear Akraia,
You were right, Althea did have a hand in making my new leg. It fits perfectly. I'd even say it's better than the original. It feels natural, like nothing even happened.
It's a shame I missed you as you crossed the portal. We'll meet up soon enough. It's not too long now until this 'Anathema' shows itself. It will be good to see you, we have so much to catch up on. I can't wait.
I hope the others are doing well. I've learned new spells recently and I've been scouring the libraries of Crossing to figure out what this threat is and how to stop it. Not a whole lot of luck in that department, but I'm sure if I keep digging, I'll find something. Cepheid has given me full access to every library in the city. It's amazing. I've never had this kind of access before.
Love, All the best,

— Salem

Holding the letter close to her heart and sighing, she puts the letter in the same pocket she's been putting all these letters into. Love? He must have not meant to write that. She frowned, she needed to focus. She doesn't have time to think about that. Even if she did feel anything for him, she had to make sure that it doesn't get in the way of this battle. As much as she can't stand the thought of losing anyone, it was Salem in particular she absolutely couldn't lose. Not after he saved her like that. She wouldn't let him do that again. She had to be stronger, faster. Make sure that nothing happens to any of her friends. To Salem. Shaking her head, she gets up and goes to find Mama to practice her spells. She wasn't going to give Anathema any chances to hurt anyone. Sighing, she pinches the bridge of her nose. She was sure she felt something for him, but she wasn't sure if she should. It could complicate things. Make her a distraction. Make him a distraction. Both of them could get hurt trying to reach the other. She'd have to see how this whole thing goes. Maybe it could work?

Dearest Salem,
Thank you for the book, it's been keeping me busy, and it has helped my spell casting. Enclosed is a raven I carved from the Black Pine here in Arixia. I unfortunately don't have any updates except one: It's almost time and I'll be able to see you. I can't wait. We have so much to talk about.
See you next week!
Love,

— Akraia

Smiling as he read the letter for what must have been the hundredth time today, he waited in the Hall of Heroes. The door opened and before he could register the antlers coming his way, he was tackle-hugged by someone much smaller than he. Caught off guard, he stumbled and fell backwards. Akraia landed on top of him, laughing as they fell. He noticed the familiar scent of florals on her. He was so familiar with this particular flower because he kept every single one of the flowers that fell from her hair into the letters she sent. He noticed he was holding her against his chest, and they stayed like that for maybe a second too long before they heard someone clear their throat.
"Well, Akraia! You certainly seem happy to see us." Ciel smirked from the bar.
"Oh.. Yes! Of course I am." Akraia lifted herself from his chest and his entire being suddenly felt empty. He got up from the floor.
"Well, you seem to be all grown up now, look at you!" Ciel purred and gave Salem a pointed look.
Salem took it as a "You better not mess this up" look from Ciel. She smiled as he looked down at Akraia. Her antlers seemed to have grown a little more. She looked more sure of herself. He put a hand on the small of her back briefly. Her whole body tensed. It felt as if he had been burned. His heart was pounding in his chest. Catching the smell of the small pink flowers that adorned Akraia's hair, he breathed deeply. This smell was something he would never get tired of. But, he needed to focus. There were only 12 hours until this threat showed its face. He would make sure she didn't get hurt. He had to protect her. No matter what.