Rabiya's Family from Tira
Teacher,
Caravel, Haze and I are preparing to depart with our collection of would be heroes. I think you’d like them for the most part. Some of them remind me of Miriam, Nina and Dawn. I’ve been reflecting a great deal on the stories you’ve told of bringing them away on their first adventure. I don’t expect this group to grow nearly as fast as your human understudies did, but they have potential none the less. Caravel started with a thousand and he’s winnowed them down to the hundred that he feels has the most potential, despite the upset from some noble houses when he excluded their sons and daughters. He’s been very firm that we’ll need people with more than just strength and capability. Haze and I served as the last exam and we both feel that these hundred younglings have real heart. Wish us luck in tempering them into worthy partners for dragons.
I did succeed in another important task - I’ve located Rabiya’s tribe. Teacher, I found his mother, still alive! Her name is Biqnoq and she’s remarkable. She was found near senseless, badly frost bitten and wandering in the hills beneath the barrier range. Sadly, some of her injuries aren’t things that can be easily recovered from. She lost a third of her tail, half of her fingers and toes, and little remains of her crest. Her spirit, however, is absolutely unbreakable. I’ve rarely seen such determination and will, even among the most battle hardened, and by all accounts, before the Collective captured her, she was an herb gatherer. Since returning to her clan, she’s dedicated herself to the moon and mysticism, following her own heart and path, teaching her clan how to counter the magic of the Collective. She has a younger brother, Tiqinik and an older sister Laniqa who would be Rabiya’s aunt and uncle. Both are well, and Tiqinik seems to share Rabiya’s head for trade and business. I told them about Rabiya. They’re all very proud. Biqnoq wrote a letter which I’ve included for you to send along. It’s written in both Elvish and Carthian so he can begin to learn his mother tongue. Biqnoq says’s she’ll wait, as long as it takes, until her son can come home. She’s added his name to their ancestral record and promises there will always be shade and soft moonlight for him there.
Hella, Alder, Miriam and all the rest are doing well. I’m sure you’re hearing from them directly so I won’t descend into the details, but they’re all on steady paths even if those paths have some danger. Your parents and brother also send their regards and wishes for your safe return when things have reached the point that you can do so. For the rest, I’ve left Alwen in charge of the family. He’s been alone for so long, but now it’s his turn to mind the others.
Safe travels teacher, I miss you.
Tira
Comments