Letters Home (Mel Darenda)

[kleomenes]

[parchment]My loving parents,

Good Business to you.

Its been a long time since I wrote, and part of me has been afraid to. I owe you so much, for giving me both my first chance at life and my second chance beyond Athkatla.

I admit, I felt ashamed each time I thought of writing to you. I was not golden, not silver. I drank from a copper mug. I came close to losing my honour, and all that would be left for you to be proud of.

I want you to know, now, that I didn't in the end turn my back on how you raised me to be. I am sorry for my silence. It was cowardly. I will write more often.

I'm no longer in Amn; well thats not true. I am in Nashkel, right on the edge of our homeland, and my business is looking north.

Business. And it's good business. I have found some partners I can rely on, talented ones, who are joining me in a new venture, trading goods up the Coast Way between Crimnor and Baldur's Gate. So far, memories of the war seem less pressing than the one that itself looms further north still, and there is money to be made. I cannot promise success, and I cannot promise it will earn me a fortune enough to repay you both, and buy me back to Athkatla.

What I can promise you is I have not stopped trying.

I hope that soon, once things are more established, you can come and visit. There is someone I want you both to meet, someone who is special to me. Her name is Bethany. We are both people who have been lonely in our wanderings, and now, together, we are not. She is a perceptive woman of sound business sense; and one with a strong sense of honour. I hope you will see her as I.

And before you ask, yes, she is also very beautiful.

Write to me in the Northern Lights Inn, in Nashkel.

Good business; and all my love.

Melden[/parchment]