Angst

45th July 364 SR

Making the Gift
All winter I gathered the last of the materials and prepared myself for the making of the gift, a magic ruby bracelet bearing my sign. At last the spring came and I was ready to make the attempt. There would be but one chance. So on a day and time when the light was at its best in Fretting Cottage I went to the Silverleaf Shrine of Virtues and sat in silent contemplation for a while. Returning to the cottage I laid everything out and closed my eyes to meditate on what I was to attempt. And then, putting forth all my love and what skill I had, I made the gift. And, lo, the bracelet was of high enough quality to bear my mark!

Eska'eldalie
Spring was passing into early summer when, on Mayday I arrived at Aldenkoi to await VanQa. We met joyously and she took my hand and led me to Eska'eldalie, where we sat and talked so that the precious hour flew by. I gave her the bracelet, no powerful eleven magic - I am sure she had better - but just an expression of my love. I once again declared my love for her and told of my hope that she would one day feel healed to return to Sosaria and live with me in my cottage by the sea. I believe and hope that she will.

A Love Poem
It was an ordinary Free Repairs Hour, quiet as many were away then fighting demons, I believe. We had a visit from a man, clearly a dear friend of Draxandru Rose, who greeted him warmly. Gildram Lochlor is a scarred veteran who had close friendship with the elves, Quessirenmellon, like me the first man I had met bestowed with the title he and I bore.

He talked of VanQa and her time in Valoria and the Sword and Shovel Tavern. I remembered some 25 years ago meeting a street urchin called Yobo Bones, who went to Valoria to catch fish and and sell them to VanQa. I never saw him again and heard rumour of his slaying by a reaper in Valoria.

But the remembering recalled to me the words of a love poem I had heard then, and to my astonishment I began to recite. I soon stumbled over my words in confusion and promised Draxandru that I would find the poem and send it to VanQa, bringing also a copy to her for the library. I found the poem among my books and must bring it soon as well as have the poem delivered to my beloved, ere summer passes to autumn, for it is beautiful and expresses well the meaning of love.