41st of Red Mo

on, 416

My dearest Kai,

It has come to my attention that you are causing quite the stir in Sera with your unique skills. Because I care deeply about your safety and well-being, I would love to finally meet you and discuss these powers and how you can best utilize them. There are many who wish you dead for the simple fact that you exist—and, may I say, I am very happy to hear that past attempts on your life have failed or fizzled out. Regardless, my dear, you have such immense power because you are an anomaly, and the fact you exist defies the rules of the gods. I would love to explain more, but it is much too dangerous to put everything in writing. Therefore, I must request that you make your way to Whispermere with haste. I will try to explain everything to you when you get here. There are more options available to you than you may have ever dreamed, and you would be of more use taking one of them than to be killed because of who you are.

I have instructed my messenger to destroy this letter upon delivery. I am sure you understand, and I trust you will make the right decision.

Sincerely,

Your Mother

My eyes stayed glued to the last two words, my heart having slowed its pace to attempt to meet the stilling of my thoughts.

“My...my mother sent this?” I looked up slowly, finding the messenger to be nodding. “Who is she?”

“I...cannot answer that,” he admitted, apologetically. “Only she is permitted to tell you. I assure you, I can say that she is very important, and you would be best listening to her requests.”

“How can I find her if I do not know her name?” I asked, the tone of my voice laced with emotional desperation.

“If you come to Whispermere, we do not allow many people within. Simply tell them who you are, and you will be taken to her.”

Taken to her. It all sounded so...formal. So business-like. “How do I find Whispermere?” I asked the messenger next, my voice barely more than a murmur.

“I have a map made just for you,” he replied, pulling out a small, folded piece of paper from a satchel at his side. “This details the best routes for the least resistance. Nevertheless, the path is hard and the weather in the mountains can be finicky. I suggest you bring an entourage of people you trust and enough supplies to last you a year. It took me two moons to get here, but the winter was harsh. If you leave soon, you may get there after only one moon or so.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

I nodded slowly, trying to wrap my head around everything. “And you...can't tell me anything of my mother? Nothing? I've spent twenty-one years not even knowing if she was alive.”

“The only thing I can tell you is that she has many people dedicated to her, Miss Sera.”

I swallowed, frowning at him. “Dedicated? Why?”

“She's very important. Very protected. Going into public would cause a stir. It is why we built Whispermere for her.” The messenger hesitated, and his cheeks reddened. “I have already said too much. I am sorry—”

“Whispermere has existed for hundreds of years, has it not?” I protested, becoming confused. “It couldn't have been built for her!”

The messenger shook his head furiously, looking down at the ground and slowly backing away. “I have said too much. I apologize, Miss Sera. Your mother will explain everything. Please, come to Whispermere.”

I was silent for a few moments, watching the man desperately for answers. I was so frustrated. To know more than I ever had about my true parentage, and yet it still wasn't enough to answer any of the questions I'd never thought I would get a chance to ask. I was good at reading people, however, and I knew by the looks of the man that no more would be said.

“Very well,” I finally murmured, my words barely more than the hiss of an exhale.

“Oh, thank you. Thank you.” The man reached out a hand, as if asking for the letter. “Please, Miss Sera, I must destroy it.”

“May I read it once more?” I requested. When he nodded, I did so, trying to memorize as much of it as I could to discuss later with Nyx and Silas. Finally, and regretfully, I handed over the letter, watching as the messenger took it, folded it, and pulled a small box from his satchel. When he opened the box, I saw a green, fine powder inside. He put the box on Bjorn's desk, before pulling out a small bottle of what appeared to be water, and pouring it into the box. As soon as the liquid hit the powder, it thickened and sizzled as if it had begun to boil. Then, without further words, he put the folded letter within, closed the box, and gave it a shake. I heard nothing but a dull fizzling for a few seconds, and then silence. He opened the box again, and there was nothing visible within, as if the box had never had contents.

“What matter of magic is that?” I asked him, intrigued.

“A mixture of alchemy and alteration magic, is all,” he explained shortly, as if in a rush. I knew of alteration magic, but had never learned it. It was a school of magic much like illusion or elemental, though it was much more focused in the altering of matter to suit certain needs. I knew alteration spells existed for telekinesis, or even to reshape objects or to detect other life from through walls and other physical objects. I wondered what kind of spell he'd used. Perhaps the remains of the letter had been transported elsewhere.

“May I have the honor of knowing an estimated date for your departure from Sera, to relay back to Whispermere?” The messenger asked, as he prepared to depart.

“I will leave within the fortnight,” I replied, because I knew that was possible. It gave me enough time to plan my trip and to say goodbye to Bjorn and Terran.

He bowed toward me one last time. “Very well. I will report as such back to...your mother. Thank you for meeting with me, Kai Sera.”

“Thank you,” I replied, watching him leave the room. I did not follow for the moment, my mind swirling with thoughts and possibilities. I'd had no idea just how much one simple message could affect me until now.

Bjorn and the others came looking for me a few minutes after the messenger had left, concerned when they found me in such a pensive state. It took me awhile to finally begin relaying what little information I knew about the letter and the upcoming trip. There wasn't much we did know, but the one thing we certainly could count on was that Nyx's earlier comment was right.

We had a destination in mind for our adventure.