Dear Cecilia,

Sorry I didn't write for so long. I went to that dark place I sometime go. But I'm back now! I think I found a job. A good, honest one working for a local theater company. Don't tell Mama, she'd roll right over if she knew I was working the theater, but it isn't like that at all. I think I have Vraden talked into working there too. I'm going to go by tonight when I know everyone is sleeping and see if I can't loosen a board and get under the stage. I can make up a little nest there if there aren't too many spiders. If I'm quiet enough they won't ever even know. It is still strange sleeping without you beside me kicking me all night long. Sometimes I still think I see you there before I am really awake and I'm not so lonely.. Remember when we were really little how we would stay up telling stories all night long? I guess I'm out living them now, I just wish you were here too. My birthday is coming up, the big twenty. I'm going to make all my second family come eat with me, just like we used to celebrate. Wish you could come to that, too.

Love and Miss you,

Aria

Devin,

So much has happened! You would have been way better at being an adventurer than me. I can barely even lift the sword so I've been using a hatchet. I like it best, remember when you tried to teach me to chop kindling? I should probably give it another try now that my aim is improving. I have gotten to know a couple of warriors now. It is different talking to them on equal footing and not just pouring their ale. I can just see you out there swinging a sword and killing everything. You'd love Vraden, he likes killing things, too. I got a few gifts for Winter's Warming, remember the time you wrapped up that poor frog and I almost dropped over dead when it jumped out at me? And you all were too busy laughing to care that I was laying there dead-ish. I wonder what happened to that poor thing. I have another pet now, a bug. You'd be proud! Well, proud of that. You wouldn't be proud of adventurer me. I just hate killing things. I think it is the blood. I tried killing prairie dogs but worried the one I killed might have a family and then I started thinking about you guys and crying. There was just so much blood. Maybe I can find something to kill that doesn't bleed.

Love,

Your BEST sister.

My love,

I made a sickle this turn. You'd be proud. It was strange being in a forge again. All the memories of you just came flooding back. All that time I'd spend hiding in there from my folks and endless chores needing done. I could close my eyes and pretend it was you hammering and sharpening. Even the smell was of you, the lingering scent of sweat and the tang of metal. Smoke. How can that scent hold such sweetness and such horror? I remember the dreams I used to pretend, watching you work. Dreams of holding our babies and of our bonding. I have a callus on my hand now. Same as you. I keep brushing it over my cheek. I can close my eyes and almost pretend it is your hand against my skin. Almost.

I miss you.
- Aria

Dear Cecilia,

I have hardly had a chance to sit, much less write! The adventuring life is starting to grow on me, just like you said it would. I've made friends, I never thought I'd have friends I wasn't related to but everyone here is so nice and generous. A woman named Anna reminds me of you, so serious and determined. I haven't had any more luck getting her to come play as I had luck getting you to sneak off and play. I find myself really missing home though this Winter's Warming. I can just see you all in the hustle and bustle, smell the pies baking, feel the heat of the ovens. I've gotten a gift, though! A black flower, the like of which I've never ever seen before. It is so delicate, I'm almost afraid to wear it incase I lose it or smash it. I also acquired a pet caterpillar. His name is Colin Blob Cappy the Fearsome. I worry he will become a butterfly and get eaten. I think I know why Mamma was so against me leaving the inn and making my own way in the world. I'm not a butterfly though. I wish you could join me, everything would be more fun with a sister to share it with. Oh, I met a guy, well...okay I've talked to him and we went on an adventure. I don't know though. I wish I had you to tell me if he likes me or if he is even worthy of liking. I guess I always depended on you for things like that.


Love you always and forever and ever.
- Aria

Oh, remind me to tell you about Vraden, he is the best!

Dear Mamma,

Sorry for not writing sooner. So much has happened! I got to Dundee, apparently, all adventurers are expected to actually adventure. I wish they had told me that from the get-go. Anyway, they give you a bit of training, stick a sword in your hand and push you out the door. The sword was almost as big as me and heavier! I hid it in a bush along with the ugly clothes they foisted off on me. I met a lovely man who bought me boots, equally as ugly as the armor. I tossed them in the bush too. Another kind fellow got me some nice leather shoes.

Also, I met Vraden. You'd love him, he is old and grumpy but seems interested in keeping me alive. He keeps trying to make me train, but I just hate killing all those things. I can't see why everyone is so in love with killing around here. I met another man, he seems more interested in farming than in killing. He also seems interested in keeping me alive.

Oh, and I went to a place called N'rolav. I've decided to be a romance author. Or a cook. Or both, I guess.

Give Pops and the kids kisses for me! Miss you all so much!

- Aria