Dear Nin Taliame, The letter began. It wasn’t long until tears mixed with the wet ink. A shaky hand drew the quill to the paper, urged to continue. The wielder was especially careful with his unsteady writing, for he knew it had to be legible. It had to be perfect.
I never could have foreseen myself writing this letter to you.
Blankly, Harlan stared at the page. A hundred memories crossed his mind. He could hardly hear himself think over the deafening sound of his own sobbing.
I stitched your robes as best as I could in case of your return. Did you know that I met Carsandra? I assured her that we would bring you back safely. I can’t lie, Nin, I was certain that we would bring you back to her. I envisioned the children you would’ve had, the wedding in all of its splendor. What a display it would’ve been.
Before you left us, I thought night terrors were a thing of the past, only present at a time when my soul was tainted with the greatest darkness of all. I was mistaken. Nightmares have haunted my mind during the sleep I do get. All I can reflect on is how close we were to you and Richard. I would’ve sacrificed anything, even my own life, to have saved yours.
As a result of Aeriel’s blessing, I believed that I could heal from any wound, but I know that this is a pain I will carry for the rest of my life. I will never recover from losing you. For the rest of eternity, I’ll lament over your absence. You were such a young and purehearted boy with the world at his fingertips.
I can’t call you a boy anymore, can I? You became mature. An Ascended, worthy of great respect in his magical talents and innovative gadgets alike. There is a reason why we all came to your rescue, Nin.
My greatest regret is that I was not able to even hold you in your last moments. I couldn’t have looked you in the eyes and told you one last time that you were treasured, and that your efforts to do good were never in vain, and that the world could hate you infinitely and forever but nothing could persuade me from believing that you could’ve done anything you put your mind to. I could have never foreseen your potential being squandered quite like this.
The Ascended remained planted in his seat. He squirmed as he pondered the letter’s unavoidable conclusion. It had to end somehow.
I know that I will see you again. Until then, I will carry on with the mission Aeriel wills, with an aching heart, and though you are not by my side, I will heave my sword with twice the strength to ease your absence.
I love you, Nin; my brother in Aeriel, my equal, my son.
~Doctor Harlan Everage Harlan Everage let the ink dry. He creased the letter twice. Neatly, the man tucked the note into Nin's restored robes, which he then placed into a box. Candlewax was painstakingly melted along the edge of the lid, sealing Nin's precious belongings away from the harsh elements.
Of course, Harlan knew exactly where to put it.