Letters to Gorimdor

[Cal Soulshadow]

It had been, what, two weeks since he’d left for Gorimdor, and she felt his absence keenly.

She wondered how he was settling into life in Sandholt, her former garrison. Located on the Kaldor-Treido border, Sandholt was the largest of the Kaldorian garrisons, and was the main staging point for raids on the barbarians to the south. Approximately five times the size of Strongholt, and surrounded by an imposing sandstone wall that had been bleached almost white by the sun. Though the desert lay some fifty miles to the south, there was little in the way of vegetation, save for dry yellow grass and a patch of scrubby trees that gave Sandholt the second part of its name.

If the area was unwelcoming, the facilities, at least, were decent. There was running water and, in winter, under-floor heating. It also had a decent tavern and the bath house was reputedly the best outside Kaldor City. Luckily for Kai, there was also an excellent gymnasium. With no nearby mountains for him to climb, she was sure he would appreciate having somewhere to train.

But, whilst Sandholt itself had its share of home comforts, those stationed there frequently had to endure gruelling treks into the desert, culminating with several nights at one of the desert forts. With names like Dustbowl, Sandblast and Sunscar, the forts were as inhospitable as they sounded. Facilities were rudimentary at best, and sustenance came in the form of dried rations, or whatever desert creatures Kaldorians could catch. Cal had eaten a few snake stews in her time.

If they were lucky, one of the nomadic desert tribes might stop by to trade. The nomads were a tough and wily race, and their knowledge of the desert in which they lived made them excellent guides. They knew where to find water, and whether a storm was on the way, long before the dust haze could be seen on the horizon. They also drove an incredibly hard bargain, and would demand weapons, reagents and Kaldorian luxury goods in exchange for goat meat and water. Sometimes, though, they would trade their knowledge of the barbarians in exchange for protection of their women, children and livestock. The male nomads were good fighters and some, like Azedine, made excellent soldiers if they could be persuaded to enlist. Most, however, preferred the freedom their nomadic lifestyle afforded them, dangerous though it was.

Smiling faintly, Cal picked up her quill and, dipping it into her inkwell, began to write.

Kai,

I hope your journey went smoothly and that yer now settled in well at Sandholt. I did several stints there between the ages of eighteen and thirty two, and it’s not a bad place in all. It’s a lot hotter than yer used to, especially when the sun heats up yer platemail. There are no mountains down there I’m afraid, but walking through the sand in plate will be all the endurance training ye need.
The barbarians are fierce fighters but not well armed. They favour leather and use spears and bows and arrows. They are not hard to kill, but attack the forts in great numbers, usually at night. Ye must always be on yer guard, but this will be drummed into ye during yer acclimatisation period.

Things are quiet here. Mordred and Shelly have gone to Gorimdor for a month, and Veggy and Foxy are back fighting the undead up near Veggy’s estates. I’ve made Kade acting sergeant in their absence. He’s a good lad and accepts the responsibility gladly, though in truth, he is missing Foxy and needs the distraction.
We’ve also signed up a new recruit, Locke Greywolfe, the nephew of the old Trinsic Paladin captain. He’s a quiet man but seems a good sort, and I’m sure he’ll work out well.

Talon is now a father of sorts. He and Elise have adopted Keina, the little half-drow girl, and will raise her as their own. They make a nice family. Devante has also retired as Marksmen captain, leaving Elise to take over, which will ensure peace remains between Kaldor and the Marksmen. It makes more sense than squabbling over Serpent’s Hold.

If ye get any patrols down to Vaast, ye might see Duo or Jhan, so be sure to say hello.

Be safe, Kai. I miss ye every day.

Cal

Folding the letter carefully, she sealed it with a little blob of wax, scented with her perfume, a subtle blend of sandalwood and spices.
The mail ship was due tonight. If Kai was not on patrol, he might receive the letter as soon as next week.

[Cal Soulshadow]

Grimacing, Cal sat down heavily. She had decided to practise more with her axe, and her shoulders and upper back were aching abominably.
Why was it that she had gone back to using an axe, she wondered? Perhaps it was because she missed Kai.
Smiling faintly, she picked up her quill and began to write.

My dearest Kai,

I hope this letter finds ye well. Have ye seen action yet, or are they letting ye settle in before they send ye south to the forts?

Kelen returned to us last week, although it was for a short time only. He had come to say goodbye. I?m not sure how well ye recall yer time with Damarus, but do ye remember when he stabbed me in the side with the Hand of Xathos? The wound began to fester and it would only have been a matter of time before it killed me. To save my life, Kelen used his clerical abilities to take the wound unto himself and, not being a follower of Raza, he was able heal naturally.

It seems that the Council has become very interested in Kelen?s wound, though it is but a scar now. They have requested that he return to Gorimdor so that he may be observed. I would not be surprised if yer own transfer there is for similar reasons. Be careful, Kai. I fear that the barbarians are the least of yer worries.

Should ye need someone to turn to, contact my father (Havarian Soulshadow, not the father of my blood, who is the very last person anyone in their right minds would want to meet!). He knows ye and can help ye if ye need it.

Things are still fairly quiet back here. There is still a thick carpet of snow on the ground, and the Trinsic Rose?s second anniversary had to be postponed a week due to a blizzard.

Talon has stepped down as Viper Captain. He wants to concentrate on being a husband to Elise and a father to Keina. Rather unexpectedly (since she nay thought she could have children), Elise is carrying Talon?s natural child, and it will be born in the summer. I can understand Talon wanting to live long enough to see his child born, so I have relieved him of his duties as he requested. Fortunately, Sergeant McJepp has returned so I have promoted him and he once again wears the captain?s cloak.

Yew has been quiet, but I have a feeling that we are experiencing the calm before the storm. Last week, Vesper made an unexpected attack on Trinsic, leaving Kaldor in a difficult position, since we are allies to both. One of the Vesperians, a man named Lance Sanders, was in the stocks for an assault on two children, one of whom turned out to be Keina. Hanse Davion took exception to this and demanded he be released, but Kaelyn refused. A fight broke out and Vesper were beaten, and Hanse put in the stocks, so of course, once they had recovered, they returned and repaid the favour.

I had been called upon to treat Keina, who had an infected wound (not from Lance, but from some drows who tried to kidnap her, apparently), and when I went to leave Trinsic I found the Vesperians flogging Kaelyn in the stocks. I was furious, but fortunately they stopped when I appeared and I was able to get her to the healers and treat her injuries.

I hope Vesper do not persist with this war. It is futile, considering that they are at war with almost everyone else, including Cove. Their behaviour did not impress me and it is as I could do to restrain myself when I saw what they had done to Kaelyn.

The times ahead will be interesting, I am sure, but certainly not untroubled.

Write soon, Kai, and let me know how yer doing. I miss ye with all my heart.

Cal

[Cal Soulshadow]

Kai,

Good news! I have been granted the leave I requested and will be with ye in a matter of days. In fact, I'm not sure whether this letter will get to ye before I do.
This trip will do me much good, I feel. It is an enormous relief to throw off the burden of responsibility, if only for a while.
Be safe, Kai. I'll be with ye soon.

Cal