The Late Night Letter
By moondragon
I take a seat at my desk, staring at the blank page before me. The candle light flickers, leaving shadows across the scroll and my blue cloak. I can hear my Lakiran Platypus snoring softly at my feet, and I peer down to see the soft rise and fall of his chest. I know I should be sleeping as well, seeing as darkness has fallen heavily around the keep, but I crave to finish my letter. The opportunity to speak with an unfamiliar mage, especially one who seems so knowledgeable, is one I cannot pass up. I inhale a deep breath, and begin to write.
Dear Emander Tyris,
Thank you so much for writing. I hope that you are doing well. I would be very interested in hearing about your anthropology studies, as well as the creatures you raise. Perhaps we could teach one another something new. Wouldn’t that be intriguing?
Summer at the keep is a very festive, bustling time of year. The air is light with adventure and the sounds of beautiful birds, such as Humming Birds, Talvar, and Puvia. The creatures that enjoy the warm weather begin to show their faces more, and the fire mages find themselves very at home. Magi bring their creatures outside to enjoy the warm weather and blossoming plants. The hatchlings from the spring have already begun to grow up at this point, and you can watch them run about the keep in play. A variety of fruits and berries hang from the plants, which can be eaten plain or used to make succulent jams and desserts. The new plant life attracts the creatures that like to eat them, and it is enjoyable to sit outside and watch to see what will come by.
On the other hand, there are some creatures, such as those from the Arkene, that must migrate North to escape the heat that we humans find such pleasure in. Other creatures that prefer the cold refuse to leave the keep and join in the outdoor events. For the ice mage, this time of year can be very somber. It is hard to watch ones creatures leave for the entire season, and occasionally some magi will make the trek North with their creatures. Additionally, the very adventurous mage may choose to embark on a quest while the weather is warm and enjoyable. One must be careful not to overheat, however, as some days the sun can be quite sweltering.
Many magi do not give up on their studies despite the summer months, and often find themselves pouring over books in the library and listening to lectures from their professors. I find that these activities are, of course, important for the aspiring mage to partake in. As a water mage, I spend a large majority of my time down by the lake. The summer is my favorite time of the year to study, as the water life is always in full bloom.
By the lake, the water is crystal clear and calm, lapping gently against the edge of the lake. The summer sun reflects against the glistening water and warms the surface, taking away any of the winter’s ice. My Karadis Dragon, Hippocampus, Trench Seahorses, and Koi make their homes in this lake. The other water magi often join me and visit their creatures, filling the afternoon with laughter and carefree smiles. The creatures enjoy the company of the magi, much as we enjoy their company. In the evening, after the busy events of the day are over, the lake is a nice place to relax and enjoy the smell of the water plants. Sometimes, I bring my books down with me and catch up on my studies.
On one occasion, my fellow magi and I aided an injured Feather Drake. True to her nature, she was a clumsy hatchling that had injured one of her wings by falling from the top of the tree. We found her clutching a tree branch near the lake side, whimpering for help. A simple healing spell sufficed, and we were presented with a feather in return. Perhaps, you may know the magical usage for such a feather?
I pause in my writing, pushing my chair back slightly to open my drawer. My Lakiran Platypus raises his head, blinking with a sleepy expression. I smile at him, feeling a bit bad about waking him up, and look into the drawer. The feather is still there, soft, pink, and shiny. My friends and I found ourselves unable to unravel its mysteries. After a moment longer, I realize I am wasting time, and return to the end of my letter. I know I must finish it soon, as exhaustion is beginning to tug upon my consciousness. My eyelids ache to close, and my body yearns for sleep.
I hope that you have found my letter helpful to your indulgent studies. If there is anything else you are interested in hearing about, please do not hesitate to write back and ask. I will always be willing to set aside the time to share information with a mage such as you. I am in the hope that you will share some information with me in return, as I am always eager to learn new information.
Sincerely yours,
I sign the letter, my quill almost running out of ink near the end of my name. Trying carefully not to wake my Lakiran Platypus yet again, I push my chair back and rummage through a different drawer. I pull out a plush, sapphire blue ribbon and set it upon my desk. My candle is beginning to run low on wick length, and the desk has become so dark it is hard to read over my letter. I roll the scroll, and the smell of dried ink and old paper wells in my nose as I do so. I tie the blue ribbon around it, feeling satisfied with my work. I will have to take it Thane in the morning, as I know there is no way the blonde-haired mage is awake at such an hour. I tip toe from my chair, leaving my platypus to sleep beneath my desk, and blow gently across the candle. Darkness cloaks the room, and the only light left is what the half moon filters in through the window.
Page Count: About 2
Word Count: 1,048
