A Song Yet Unsung

[NicktheRed20 215]

 

 

All of his life spent fighting. He had no one anymore. The band of brothers who called themselves the Storm Swords have long been killed off. Blackwood, disbanded, no sign of them anymore. Nicolas has no one. 

 

He has fought all he can, he has seen all the blood any man would want. The only comfort he finds now is at the bottom of a bottle of ale. "Where is Artemis when you need him? Nicolas says drunkenly stumbling about Felsen. He finds his way to his little hovel, slamming the door behind him, he shuffles to his table where a half empty bottle of vodka sits. He plops down into his usual seat where several letters are compiled. The drunken man uncorks his vodka and brings the bottle to his lips. Tilting his head back, he feels the alcohol rush down his throat, leaving a burning sensation in the back of his mouth. "That'll do." He says slamming the bottle back onto the table, a few droplets flying from the inside. 

 

He takes a piece of parchment and the quill that has been sitting in the ink well. "I need to finish this before the sun sets" Nicolas puts the quill to the paper, scribbling several sentences down. A tear appears in his right eye, it makes it's way down his cheek ultimately dripping on the paper, smudging some of the ink. He bites his lip, trying to hold back anymore tears from flowing through. 

 

"There is no place for me anymore" Nicolas takes the several notes in his hand. He brings each piece of paper to his lips and holds it there for several seconds before making his way out the door. He neatly places the notes side by side, arranged them in alphabetical order, hoping the courier would make his rounds and collect them. 

 

Nicolas heads back inside, tears flowing down his cheeks now. He unties his Ember rag that he always wore around his neck and neatly folds it on his desk. He crawls to his bed, unsheathing his dagger. He closes his eyes and begins to whisper "I'm sorry. I'm sorry to the people that I have failed, to the people I have hurt." Nicolas places his dagger close by as he rolls up his sleeves. He nods slowly to himself, the tears not yet stopping. He picks up his dagger once more, this time putting it close to his wrist. 

 

He takes a large breath in, closing his eyes. As he exhales the blade tears into his skin. Going up from his wrist, to the midpoint of his arm. A grimace forms on Nicolas's face as the blood starts turning his arm as well as his bed a crimson red color. He weakly passes the dagger to his blood covered hand, making a deep incision to his good arm. 

 

As he lays there bleeding, the tears stop. His breathes becomes shorter, his skin turns pale under the crimson blood. His eyelids become heavy, his heart fades to a light beat. His eyes start to close, he takes one final inhale, before his body turns limp. Nicolas 'Art' Headstead has become lifeless. 

 

For My Dearest Friend Artemis:

Spoiler

I was always hoping you would be the first to die. Sadly, it is me. Thank you for everything that you have done for me. For the fun times in Athera, for all the armor you have provided, for the infinite memories that you have given me.

 

I am sorry that I have not said goodbye to you in person. It would have been simply too difficult for me. I will see you, when I see you, Artemis Carlyle. I wish you the best in everything life has to offer. 

 

-Your friend, and fellow Night Rider, Nicolas

 

For My First Love Elluna

Spoiler

I will never forget the memories that we have shared. That one night with you, Artemis, and I in the bottom of the Viridian Pub. You held me, I pulled you closer, and from  that moment on I wish I would have never let go.

 

I wish you and Artemis a blessed life. May you find the joy in each other, may you make the other happier than the day before. Be safe, Elluna

 

-Your friend, Nicolas

 

For My Princess Rose

Spoiler

I miss you more than words can ever describe. Meeting you was one of the best things that has happened to me. Though you left, I still think of you, I still cherish our memories. You have seen me at my best and my worst, you will always be in my heart.

 

-Your friend, Nicolas

 

To My Favorite Fabulous Halfling Finnly

Spoiler

You my friend are the one that left without saying goodbye. I miss you Finnly. I will miss your stupid little accent, your fabulous pink hair, and how scared you were of Pikel. I better not see you in the Seven Skies.

 

-Your friend, Nicolas

 

 

To Lilyana With The Lumberjack Arms

Spoiler

I am sorry that I have caused you pain. It was never my wish to bring any harm to you. You will be in my heart, always

 

-Your friend, Nicolas

 

To My Favorite Monster Hunter Oan

Spoiler

We have met in the Storm Swords, we have killed and bled together. You were the first man I ever called 'Brother'

 

We met later in Vailor, where you told me all about your stories with the Marked. I wish you the best in everything, my friend. I hope fate has a better outcome for you than me.

 

-Your friend, Nicolas.

 

To The Greatest Dwarf Pikel

Spoiler

You were one of the best people I have met. You were my rolemodel, my friend, and my first employer. I'm sorry that I had to do say goodbye like this. Thank you for everything that you have done for me.

 

-Your friend, Nicolas.

 

To My Favorite Idiot Calvin

Spoiler

I will see you in the Seven Skies my friend. I am sorry that this is my final goodbye. Be safe for me

 

-Your friend, Nicolas

 

[TacoCat 5]

 Finnly's face brightens as he reaches out for the letter "Thank ye! It 'as been years since I heard from him!" He states as he grabs the letter, tipping the courier and walking back inside to grab his letter opener. However, upon reading the letter and the news of his friends death his face quickly falls into sadness and he collapses to his knees in tears

[Pikel Boldshoulder 175]

A bleary eyed Pikel opens the door to No.1 Steel Lane as the courier knocks. Taking the letter to read his weariness quickly vanishes as he grabs the courier by the scruff of his shirt, shaking the poor boy furiously.

"TELL ME WHERE T'IS LETTER WAS SENT FROM 'FORE I BEAT IT OUT O' YE!"

 The boy blurts out the address before being dropped in the dirt as Pikel storms his way off down Felsen's winding back alleys. Pikel crashes through the door, only to find his dear friend lying lifelessly in the small bed. The fury leaves Pikel in a long sigh, and the saddened dwarf carries his friend from the dark hovel and out into the night. 

[Sarcof 98]

 

It was hard for mail to reach those in the North. As accustomed as Oan was to having no mail of import reach his actual mailbox, and any mail worth reading reach him via a messenger bird, he was surprised to find a letter addressed from his friend Nicolas in the mailbox he kept at the Lorraine tavern. Of course it was opened, and he took in the scratchy, wavering writing at a glance, surprise beginning to seep into his features. While he didn't know it, he reacted similarly to the dwarf Pikel, grabbing the innkeeper and, in a quiet, dangerous voice, asking the man from where the message had been sent. Patrons, of course, summoned the local guard, who arrived to find the shaken, but uninjured, innkeeper telling them his account of the events. Oan arrived too late, not even having the blessing of attending the funeral. He placed his hand on the marker of his friend, murmured something, and made his way towards The Garrison to drink to his now dead friend.

[Pikel Boldshoulder 175]

In a quiet undisturbed corner of Felsen, Pikel seals the last slab over the casket of his departed friend.

"I mus' be cursed te watch all me friends pass me by..."

 

 

[Eggles the Beagles 252]

Rozaliya would be making her way around the Lorraine markets upon having a courier boy rush up to her. After speaking for a few quick moments and confirming her name with the boy, he would offer her a letter just before scrambling off. She would note that he seemed slightly shaken up with a perked brow before glancing down at the letter herself, a small smile forming her lips upon seeing the senders name.

 

"I haven't seen or heard this name in ages... I need to go see him, I left suddenly and need to explain my actions to him and... many others." She would mumble to herself with a heavy sigh, shaking her head a moment.

 

After one last stop to banter for some hay bales, she finds her way back to her home. Offering a wave to those working in the fields.

Many call out saying: "Hey Rose! Where you going, come sit around the fire with us and have a drink."

In response, she would wave and comment that she need to do somethings around her home then she would join them, all this said with a smile. She was home after all and surrounded by those she trusted, why worry and there was a letter from a friend to be opened. Kicking her door shut and throwing down her pack, letter in hand, she begins to open and read it over. Her smile quickly fading as she read on, tears falling down her cheeks and hand going to her mouth. Once done reading she trudges over to her bed, letting herself fall onto it and began to curl in on herself. The letter would remain clutched tightly in her hands as memories rush to her head with deep sorrow mixed into it all. When the voices finally came to her door and soon inside the small home, she would remain unresponsive despite them speaking her name in familiar voices. She didn't even feel the hands taking the letter with a gasp...

 

[Fuego 45]

Elluna would simply hang above the note, her chest heaving with each sob. Much of the ink had run and dispersed throughout the soaked parchment as the ring that bound her to Artemis rolled slowly along the floorboards. On this somber night, the only company she kept was her large, empty home.

Oh, what she would give to hear her friend laugh again.

[CheekyNolan 5420]

Moved to the Archive. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.