>>6341946>You open the black seal firstYou pick up the rolled-up envelope, breaking the black seal first. The eagle loses its right wing and you can read what has been written inside. You do not know the calligraphy, but the style is certainly familiar, as is the name it has been signed with.
And the worries you two share: about the Worm.
“This is Sandora’s. Where did you find this?”
“It floated up from a ship wreckage a few miles off the Maduan coast.”
“What.”
“There might have been a smidge too much tension, coming up with your Trial and everything that was related to it. So the Priests of Flame might not have taken kindly to a diplomatic vessel.” A pause. “And they did enter Maduan waters.”
The memory of the immense flash from the Eye of the Sun dawns upon your mind. You stand up.
“You blasted that thing at Sandora?!”
Again. It was starting to become a habit.
“Sometimes regrettable accidents happen. Sit down, please. Carnaval made sure to pick up every one of them, they all survived, and there will be diplomatic reparations put in place,” she adds with a grumble. “One apparently has to apologize even if she steps on an anthill, but such is the hollow wisdom of our silly days.” Rosandra runs a hand through her hair, clearly thinking of better times.
Such as when the Glass Heath was formed, you suppose.
“So Sandora is alive?”
“Your Asterite friend is currently hosted on a floating station off the coast.”
Right. No Heathen touches the sands of the Holy Land and lives to tell the tale. Like it had happened to you when you stepped down the ship. You sit down, feeling the newfound weight of your right arm.
Wonder when you will be able to enjoy even a full day of peace. You, or Master, or your family… or all of you together.
Probably when the Worm is once again dead and you have taught a lesson to Willow.
“I will want to see her,” you try. Rosandra seems to be on better terms with you, so perhaps you can try to make yourself clear. And besides, you did survive the Trial.
And Soralisa and Rubida’s attentions. Not to forget that.
[cont.]
