Esteemed teacher Purple Paw,

I hope this letter reaches you, which it should given I put your name seal on front and plan on causing quite a ruckus before conveniently dropping it. I’ll smash some stuff and cast a few spells just to be sure they’ll start a proper investigation.

I have escaped from slavers after washing up on the shores of Botrelandt. I have basically nothing. They took my knives, my leather bracings, my dagger and padded cap I bought in Southbridge, the flux flask you got me for my fourteenth name day, my metal quill and crystal inkwell. Almost everything. The notebook was a mess so they left me at least that. I also managed to get my necklace back from the scumbag that took it as his personal trophy. He bled out quicker than he deserved.

I took one of their horses and rode it half to death until I arrived by the edge of the blue eyes' plane. With the help of a friendly ferryman bringing his wares down the river, I made it to Myrskattnholm, the only city in this entire area it seems. It’s small, even compared to Doessenhof. I tried selling my services as a singer – it’s what they call mediums here – but barely anyone even understands me. Also, I heard that the ice floes will soon make travelling out of the great bay impossible. But my return isn’t exactly my goal anymore.

I have had weird dreams. On Stakkarun I went beyond the veil, mostly against my will, and since I’ve been there, Ssil had insisted I take her there again. She said I need to get something back from there. Now her calls across the veil have been heard by someone on this side, in my dreams. He reaches out to me, tells me to come to him. North. Tell Elissa she shouldn’t worry, I am prepared. I will do this and then I shall return. I know I have about half a year time, so please be at ease.

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The most important part of my letter is however to tell you a great revelation that I have learned over the last few months, even if you might not believe me or not like what you’re about to read.

When you first found me, I had already made a promise to Ssil several years before. She came to me in the darkness and loneliness, all the way from the dense jungle, through the ley-lines, to comfort me, make sure I was not being harmed. One night, I asked her to free me. She was ancient and had been wasting away for centuries, and so she demanded that I promise her something. That one day, I would let my body be her new temple, to be tethered to this world a little while longer instead of starving alone in the jungle. I accepted her deal, then she left for several years and when she returned, she brought you with her.

She was my teacher and protector before you were, and I spoke to her in the forest many times without you knowing, especially after Elissa allowed me to take that stupid ward off. It was not your fault that I fell under her influence. She just saw you as the one supposed to train me so I could be her high priestess – for lack of a better word. I guess you could say the two of you were partners in my education.

Under the city of Plirova, I learned her dance, and on Stakkarun I learned that she would always guide me back to the path if I should lose it. Now it is time to do her a favour. She saved me and my mission enough times. I have to retrieve something for her, although I can’t yet fully understand what it exactly is.

I am sorry, teacher. You are dear to me and I will return under your tutelage. But not for now. She and I are one now. I guess the old Nannade is dead in a sense, but she was fine with that. Thank you and Elissa for giving me a childhood, even though most people would not call it that. Now it’s time to look ahead, build a future and prepare myself for it, I learned that on my journey.

With best wishes and in good health,

Nannade.

P.S. I no longer have Aaka with me, I don’t know how she is. I hope she is fine. She may have been a huge pain in the neck, but in the end, it was good to have her by my side.