Until I See You Again

My Dearest Oriana,

They have posted me to a city called Lorsan, far south of home. I tried to get a letter penned at the end of day one, but the writer was too busy. He is an interesting lad, a wood elf too, though city-born. He speaks like most of the central elves. He says he can teach me to read and write. Hopefully, I’ll be able to write these to you myself one day.

How are Alia and Sage? I worried about them much on the journey over.

There are rumours that the draconic wars have made their way to the southern stretch of jungle. They say Grizedale the Mad attacked one of the outlying towns. But there are so many stories here. This place is so big. Too big. Everyone is talking about something. Hard to keep up.

I long for the tribe again. To be among those trees with you and our daughters. The other conscripts and I are trying to work out when we will be granted leave. There are lads here from all over Misfore. It’s strange to think that only a few years ago, we might have been competing in a hunt. Yet some of them seem so young. They look barely older than Alia.

I worry for them. I worry for us all.

I will see you again, my love.

Yours,

Tious

…

Tious, My Love,

Apologies for the late reply. The Conglomerate, in their infinite wisdom, decided to reduce trade caravans through the jungle. We received a mountain of post all at once. Luckily, yours was near the top. The chief reached it fairly quickly, though it still took her some time to pen this for me.

Note: Whomever is reading this for Tious, know that I have many, many other duties.

Alia and Sage are doing well. They both ask about you often. Alia has made leaps and bounds with the bow. She can string one quicker than some of the elders.

Note: She told me to write a laugh here.

Sage is growing fast and quick on her feet. She would soon be able to catch you, I think.

I have heard no such rumours about Grizedale. That mad dragon can barely take to the skies. Who would ever believe him capable of such a thing? Why would he leave the safety of the jungle? The only thing threatening the jungle, and the tribe, is the Conglomerate. More men were conscripted not three days ago. At this rate, we will run out. All while they continue to take our land. This damned war would not even be happening if not for their greed. That land belongs to the dragons. Everyone knows that. And yet, they took it anyway. Demanded it.

But you mustn’t worry too much about us, my dear. Focus on staying alive. On staying strong. On coming back to us in one piece. Rumours of the horrors you will face have reached the tribe, and we pray every night that they are false.

Alia and Sage send their love. They worked together to weave the enclosed bracelet for you.

Stay safe.

Love,

Oriana

* Enclosed item, lost in transit.

…

My Dearest Oriana,

Please thank Alia and Sage for the bracelet. I love it. Those two are so talented.

They told me to choose a surname. Apparently, it is important to these high elves. The only one that felt right was your grandmother’s name, Yelxina. She was a fighter. A hero, of sorts. I hope you, Alia, and Sage will take it up too.

The training is intense. I am exhausted. Worst of all, they are cutting our antlers. These high elves are envious of our form. They want us to look like them. Boring, shaped by city stone, far from nature and magic.

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I have been introduced to the new lads, though not all from our tribe are being sent here. News must travel first. They are always nervous when they arrive. Terrified, even.

REDACTED

The trainers know I can handle a bow. I imagine they will rush the rest of my training. My next letter may be from the field.

Yours,

Tious

…

Tious, My Love,

Letters have begun to arrive more frequently, along with Conglomerate merchants and bureaucrats. The elders are worried. The Conglomerate is inserting itself deeper into the tribe’s affairs. Many fear they will soon claim this land outright. That we will have no choice but to join them, or flee.

I appreciate you using my grandmother’s name. However, I cannot take a second name, nor will I force our daughters to. You know this, Tious.

I am keeping things from Alia and Sage. I do not wish to, but I have no choice. They are too young to know the fate of a devoted wood elf, in the Conglomerate army. And I curse the gods for what they are doing to you, even if the chief looks at me poorly for saying so.

Note: If this reaches Conglomerate eyes, know that the tribe is willing to negotiate, so long as you cease the root trade. We do not need that filthy drug anywhere near our people.

Remember who you are, and where you came from, Tious. The Conglomerate wishes to change everything about us. They will not stop at your antlers.

Love,

Oriana

…

Oriana,

I do not wish to sound rude, but I had hoped your letter would be more supportive. The days are easier now, though my body still aches. I return from training only to hear my wife speak ill of the gods while I am out here.

REDACTED

REDACTED

I agreed to the conscription to protect you and our daughters. This voidish life is for you three alone. All so that I might one day return to you.

My love for you keeps me going.

Yours,

Tious Yelxina

…

Oriana,

I have not heard from you in some time.

The stories are thin, but I have heard the jungle has been annexed. Our home now lies under Conglomerate territory. Many tribes are fleeing.

Oriana, please, if you receive this, respond. Or come find me. Bring Sage and Alia. We are moving south to a city called Fangor. Mostly humans, they say. It lies on the west coast. I will have to travel by ship. A ship! No doubt made of the timbers from our jungle.

Traders go there often. You should be able to barter passage.

Until I see you again, my love.

Yours,

Tious Yelxina

…

Tious Yelxina,

We arrived in Fangor four days ago. The human who runs this hostel says he can get this letter to the soldiers for a few coin.

We are staying on the northern side of the city. There are many wood elf refugees here. To feed Alia and Sage, I have found work with one of the ruling families. Peddling root through the city. The stuff stinks, but it is good. Far better than the diluted poison imported into the tribe.

We are running low on coin. The pittance paid for our land has not lasted. Please come find us as soon as you receive this.

We need you.

Oriana

…

Oriana,

My love. I hope this finds you.

I have not heard from you in so long.

I am being sent to the southern edge of the Yste’Veil Divide, the last territory of Grizedale the mad and his followers. Few return from that place. It is the front line of this pointless war.

REDACTED

I hope Alia and Sage live long. Live happily.

Take care of them. Take care of yourself.

Goodbye, my love.

Yours always,

Tious Yelxina

…

…

Letters between tribal lovers during the early Draconic Wars.

Property of the Tel’Toran Museum of War.

…

Curator’s Note:

We are unsure whether either party survived the conflict. Military records from this period are heavily redacted. Cartel employment records exist, but are incomplete. Eight confirmed wood elves named Oriana appear in surviving documents. None are recorded as having daughters.

For now, their fate remains unknown.