*Sakamoto finally writes a letter home*

[psycho1976]

Sakamoto sat down, leaning heavily against the desk. The quill and ink stood on it, waiting for him to pick it up and use it. The parchment lay in front of him, white and untouched as it had been so for the past weeks. With a sigh he finally picked up the quill, dipped it in ink and stared down at the parchment, as if trying to will the words to life.

Mom and dad, Master and Teacher

I am sorry for not having written to you in the months since I left. After leaving I rather quickly discovered that the training I sought either was impossible to get?or insanely expensive. One supposedly Master of the Blade demanded ten thousand gold for some basic training. I had to resort to renting out my blade as an adventurer at the closest village. I made some gold this way...and even met some kind spirited people.

I scrounged up enough gold to further my journey, by ship to the mainland of Faerun. I had heard tales of a new city and great fortunes being made, specifically Sundren. The journey was terrible?never have I been so seasick, so I must admit I am not sure when I will gather the courage to return. I?d much rather face a horde of goblins than that trip again.

Finally getting on shore...I discovered to my horror that the cursed sailors had stolen much of my gold and equipment while I lay seasick. Again I had to post pone my search for a true Master of the Blade to further my education and instead seek out employment and adventuring.

Weeks passed during this...and NOW I understand why you dad sometimes talked so about those trips to the East that you had in your youth. Goblins fell to the Dragon-technique as wheat before the storm!

It was during these weeks I met someone, which I have grown to think of more than just a friend...I will speak more of her in a later letter I think. The night grows cold and I have duties to perform in the morrow. That is also another thing I will speak of?

*signed*
Sakamoto



((This is my way of writing a sort of diary for Sakamoto ))

[psycho1976]

Sakamoto entered the small room at the inn, quickly he took off the armour and put it on a nearby chair as he had done so many times before. With a sigh he acknowledged that Isiolia still hadn?t come back from her trip to the woods. The roomed seemed so silent and empty without her presence he thought. Then again, now he perhaps could get the time to write another letter home without any distractions.

Mom, Dad, Teacher, Master.

I am sitting in a small room at the inn where I have been staying for the past 3 or so months now, writing this letter to you both. I hope all is well back home and I want you both to know that I do miss you, but duty comes first as you have taught me.

Last time I mentioned duty, and yes now I have found a worthy banner to walk by. A group of likeminded have made an order called the Vigilant eye, led by the honourable Sir Kai Nightwind. We fight to help the lands against the evils that walk the surface. Undeads roam, goblins and gnolls likewise. Do not worry, as we do protect each other well, and I am also most careful in my dealings with the enemies.

Many a strange thing have I witnessed over the weeks I have stayed here. Back home mages were rare, but in these lands they seem to be taught by the dozens. It is a grand thing to watch, the magicks ripping the enemies of the land apart. Like today, I was out patrolling the land against the goblin scourge when I met a group of likeminded adventurers. Quite nice they were and we exchanged stories for a while near the fire. It was during this that a big orc (or possibly half-orc, I know not) came to us, bellowing for what seemed help. I have talked to many during my stay, but this one seemed to have had the axe to the head one time too many and trying to get information was like pulling a tooth. In the end I had to return to the inn, as I have another patrol for tomorrow early. I hope my fellow adventurers managed to help him.

In the previous letter I also mentioned that I had met someone. In fact we met close to home, but back then we were just friends. The Fortunes were kind to allow us to find each other again here in these lands. But mother I am NOT going to settle down yet, just because I have met someone I love. Besides she is an elf so I am not sure she even wants to do that...

In a later letter I will tell you about the good people here at Sundren. They truly are making a difference in the world.

*signed*
Sakamoto

Finishing the letter he put the quill away, sanding the letter, then packing it away for it to be sent the following day. Going to the bed he blew out the candles and quickly fell asleep dreaming about all the strange things the day had brought.

[psycho1976]

The room is dark, less the candles on the desk where Sakamoto sits writing a new letter. Looking at the darkness, he thinks to himself “I really should get some more light in here one of these days…” The thought of the lack of light vanishes quickly though as he continues on the letter, clearly a letter of some importance as he seems to consider what he writes much more carefully.

Mom, Dad, Teacher, Master

Again I write you, although this letter is of a more serious nature than earlier. I will keep my promise and tell you of the people here in Sundren in the next letter; if so the fortunes so grant me it.

I have for some time now been having visions, although not in a harmful nature, they do pose some problems. I am seeking help to solve the riddle they pose, so please do not worry for me or mine. A knowledgeable monk named Larani and a tiefling named Caelreth have been most helpful. The visions have shown me flashes of a woman, elven at that, who seemingly is to be my wife. Also in one of the visions there is a child, about five years old. What Isiolia thinks of my visions is enough for several parchments worth, and none of it good I am afraid. At times I fear they will rip what we have apart, other times they seem to bring us together.

Larani have come up with a few possibilities regarding the visions…One is that I see them through the eyes of somebody else. Another is that they represent my past, present and future. As in the child is me, living with elves…The worst part is that I feel as if I should know the people I see in the visions, they seem so familiar.

It is because of this that I need to ask you mother and father: have I lived with elves during my childhood? Also, are there any larger tree cities on the island? To my knowledge there aren’t, but I have been wrong before.

Please do write me an answer quickly.

*signed*
Sakamoto

[psycho1976]

Many days pass and no reply is received from his parents. Sakamoto had always prided himself for being patient, but the recent happenings had been slowly tearing it down. The meetings with Larani had gone so well that they had sparked a hope of solving the riddles the visions posed.

It was late one day when a runner came to the Four Lanterns, seeking Sakamoto, who by then sat alone next to a table enjoying more than a mouthful of beer. Whatever condition Sakamoto had been in when receiving the letter, he quickly sobered up after starting reading the letter.

The letter is clearly written by two people, one handwriting being feminine and gentle, the other more direct and forceful.

Dear Son

We are very happy to finally hear from you, and even more happy that you are well and prospering in this new city.

We both have taught you all we can and know, and from what you have told us you seem to have use for it all and perhaps even more.

This Isiolia you speak of, is she making you happy son? Please do remember that she walks the land differently than us, her being elven. If she does make you happy, we are content in that and also hope in due time to meet her.

The last part of your letter does cause us much concern Son, as visions are a thing that are both dangerous and very much unpredictable. One thing is for certain, never try to guide your life by them but live it as you would have without them. The Fortunes guide our Path, but we are free to choose from their guidance.

This monk you speak of, Larani, is sounding quite wise. Listen to her as she might have the knowledge that can guide you free. Your visions do havea meaning Sakamoto, but it is not our place to tell you what. Just remember that the past and the future might be one.

And no, you lived in the village all your years and we are quite sure you did not see an elf till you had been old enough to remember so.

Love

Mom and Dad.

Reading the letter for the second time, he slumps down in the chair. Was it too hard for his parents to say yea or nay and help him? It took a while before it dawned on him, that they wished to help him, but they could not. They might know some of it, but for him to learn from it he had to solve it himself. Now, what the hell did mother mean by the cryptic “the past and the future might be the same”?