Author: Alex Namba

[A letter transcribed by Gisla, sent from Runeheim with a courier going south.]

Hi mom, hi dad. Great news. Virgil and Olof survived as well. They wandered in, two months after us, and I guess Olof carried Virgil out of the mountains. No surprise there. We hope the rest of the party is still out there, and we’ll see them soon.

I saved the hunt. Java took us down a winding path and we got surrounded by Skoder’s offspring. We had to fight our way out, and barely did. Vestri and I looked around after we got out, and came to the same conclusion, and I had to run. And it worked. I drew seven of its offspring away, and kept them busy long enough for the rest of the party to kill Skoder. But that should have cost my life. I was lucky enough to be saved by the priest that was with us. I shouldn’t be alive.

They’re saying I’m gonna be a branded man.
I don’t want that.
But Runeheim needs it.
Is my life decided for me already?

Thanks for your advice, dad.

PS I still see the eyes of the offspring. Green eyes in the branded.

[A tuft of Scogerblodi’s fur is tucked into the envelope. It has a very strong smell – like a wild beast, but not any one in particular.]

[A letter transcribed by Gisla, sent from Runeheim with a courier going south.]

Hi mom! Hi dad! I just wanted to write to you to let you know that I’m still alive. We got through a blizzard! We got lost in the mountains and I thought I’d lost everyone. By chance, Vestri and Gisla and I reunited and we made it out of the blizzard and the mountains to this town called Runeheim.

This is a very important town. There’s a knight here, a lady, a mage, and at least one branded man? And there are so many different people. The knight thinks we fight well, and that makes me proud. I don’t think the lady knows who we are, but it’s pretty cool to see her. Also, you lied, the mage is super friendly! There’s also this branded man, whose skin is so hard they say it’s made of stone. I don’t believe him, but he got stabbed three times and it didn’t look like it hurt.
(The knight is Sir Knut Witchbane, the lady is Lady Vindicta Dragomir, the mage is Java, and the branded man is Ragnar Stoneskin –Gisla)

We met a greater spirit, called “Skoder” (Scogerblodi –Gisla). He commanded us to hunt him next season. Do you have any advice? Have you heard of this before? Here’s some animals and some plants from around the forest if that helps.

I think we’re gonna stay here for a while and help the town. They seem like they need it.

With love,
Vogel

PS What’s a sacrifice?
[the line was written and then scratched out]

[A shed lizard skin and some leaves are tucked inside the envelope.]