The Things We Don't Say
"I promised to write." The thought hit him like a thick snowfall. It was quiet at first, but bit by bit it grew louder and louder, utterly unbearable. He had promised. And then he had lost himself to the mortal world for... Gladekeeper knows how long. He had even picked up their way of speaking! He knew the Gladekeeper cared not for him. Or his children.Yet he had been drawn to these dragons, to this domain. Nature spoke to him, resonated with his soul. This was his home, these were his dragons. Not that that excused the forgotten promise. What if they thought he was dead? Then again, if he was dead he would have returned home, back to the Graveyard where he belonged. No, not belonged. Where he and his family came from.
The broken promise clung like an oily film to his very soul. It went against everything he stood for. The only way he could find relief, to purge that slimy feeling, was to make good on it.
Pen and paper were easy to find. The words to say to her were not. What could a lost son say to his mother, his wonderful mother?
“
“Dearest Gladioli,
I have a mate too. The beautiful Etheria. We've had many beautiful hatchlings, though many-” his pen hesitated over the paper. He scratched yet another line. “
The dragons of this clan do not see much battle or death.
Is it peaceful there? You have always been-” what had she been? How could he put all that into words? “
I wish
Mentha”
As he finished writing the final letter he stared at it. The ink soaked into the page. It felt very final, very impersonal.
He picked one of his flowers from his arm, as near to his heart as he could, and set it on the page. With careful, deliberate movements he folded the sheet around his flower, pressing it flat within its embrace. He tucked it into an envelope and sealed it.
When his letter finally arrived, this is what Gladioli found.
Mentha wrote:
Dearest Gladioli,
I'm so glad I finally get to talk to you again. I hope you and the others at the cave have been well and your work fulfilling.
As far as my life, it's been good. Since leaving the caves, it feels like so much has happened, and yet not very much. I traveled a long while away from the caves, and came to a verdant place with many flowers. The dragons here are kind to me, and one, my dear friend Peirce, named me Mentha. He is wise in both plant life and mortal life, and we have many long talks. He recently found a mate, so I've had more time to myself lately.
I have a mate too. The beautiful Etheria. We've had many beautiful hatchlings, many that I've carried towards you, near the Veil to the Graveyard once more. It's hard to see them go, and I wonder if this most recent nest will follow them. I have a bountiful garden from honoring them.
The dragons of this clan do not see much battle or death. There is little for me to do but tend to the souls that still fill bodies. I can see that these ones are vibrant and healthy. Countless dragons go out from here. When they are committed to a deity, I do a small ritual for them and plant a flower in the glade. This garden too flourishes, and the clan is touched by my work.
I am one of many gifted dragons in this clan. We have many skilled warriors, though I don't know what they fight for. There are seers, though little comes to pass. All in all, we know peace.
Is it peaceful there? You have always been like a balm that soothes every hurt. Even from here I know your love burns strong as ever, and I imagine the others still with you can feel its warmth every day.
I wish I could visit, and perhaps if you write back we could arrange it. I look forward to hearing from you. Please thank Ymr for carrying this to you.
Mentha
I'm so glad I finally get to talk to you again. I hope you and the others at the cave have been well and your work fulfilling.
As far as my life, it's been good. Since leaving the caves, it feels like so much has happened, and yet not very much. I traveled a long while away from the caves, and came to a verdant place with many flowers. The dragons here are kind to me, and one, my dear friend Peirce, named me Mentha. He is wise in both plant life and mortal life, and we have many long talks. He recently found a mate, so I've had more time to myself lately.
I have a mate too. The beautiful Etheria. We've had many beautiful hatchlings, many that I've carried towards you, near the Veil to the Graveyard once more. It's hard to see them go, and I wonder if this most recent nest will follow them. I have a bountiful garden from honoring them.
The dragons of this clan do not see much battle or death. There is little for me to do but tend to the souls that still fill bodies. I can see that these ones are vibrant and healthy. Countless dragons go out from here. When they are committed to a deity, I do a small ritual for them and plant a flower in the glade. This garden too flourishes, and the clan is touched by my work.
I am one of many gifted dragons in this clan. We have many skilled warriors, though I don't know what they fight for. There are seers, though little comes to pass. All in all, we know peace.
Is it peaceful there? You have always been like a balm that soothes every hurt. Even from here I know your love burns strong as ever, and I imagine the others still with you can feel its warmth every day.
I wish I could visit, and perhaps if you write back we could arrange it. I look forward to hearing from you. Please thank Ymr for carrying this to you.
MenthaHopefully the "wip" version of the letter isn't awful to read, and given the quoted bit is just a cleaned version I understand if it doesn't count towards the word count. I figured it would make both reading and ensuring the letter is of sufficient length easier.
Edit: oop word count is 867 without the cleaned up version (1239 for the whole document)
Bump #16
