From the High Desert
Just past Winter Solstice
My Dear Friend,
You cannot imagine how your letter has lightened my spirits.
Indeed, I had been feeling rather low, missing both true winter weather and any
kind of useful information for my search. I was beginning to feel as though the
quest was hopeless until your letter arrived and reminded me that we both still
have work to complete. A task to complete keeps the mind sharp. Truly, the heat
here must addle my wits! Your description of everlasting rain, I confess, made
me wilt with envy. We’ve had not a drop these many months past. I almost forget
the sound of rain, though when it does fall across the desert, there is a
sweet, clean petrichor to the air afterward unlike anywhere else I’ve traveled.
The library here is a wonder! I’m not entirely sure if I mean
that in a positive way or not. The books are in no order at all, half are
crumbling to dust – the horror! – and dust and mold reign supreme in every
corner of the place. I wouldn’t have thought mold would grow in the desert, but
it has managed to do so in this library. But just the small number of
manuscripts I’ve had a look at are promising. There is a wealth of knowledge
here. I have to hold onto the hope that the answers we seek will be found here –
at least in part!
I’ve found work, as you expected, in the scriptorium. At
first, they were hesitant to employ me – they did not think one such as myself
would be literate, let alone have skill in writing – but the head scribe, a
formidable woman, indeed, tested me and found me worthy. I now have duties
transcribing musty old manuscripts and have free access to the rest of the
texts when my daily duties are complete. It is an ideal arrangement, although
it pays next to nothing. I am fortunate that the lodgings and one meal a day
are included, so I am able to save some funds. I sense that our quest will
require them eventually!
About the ship – I heard an unsettling rumor about the very
ship you seek, or about her captain, that is. It seems he is something of a
picaroon, and he dealt very ill with one of the Duke’s favorite courtiers. I
was not able to get more details, but I will send more information as I gather
it. I know he is of vital importance, but I implore you to use the utmost
caution in dealing with him. It seems he may be rather untrustworthy.
My candle is guttering and I must retire before I draw too
much attention to myself. The lodgings may be paid for, but I am one of four scribes
sharing a dormitorium. I am expected to maintain a curfew.
I’ve enclosed a copy of a map for the lighthouse. It is
ancient and I thought it was beautiful, though I doubt it will help in any way.
But I hope it will remind you of home, and of happy times.
Your
friend and comrade,
X
P.S.: I nearly forgot. I found a text, nearly translucent
with age, that I thought rather strange. The book itself was on agriculture and
farming techniques, but it fell into my hands from atop the bookcase and opened
to a particularly ancient page. The text of the page discussed a serpent-like
creature, which I found intriguing, and in the margins was commentary about, I
believe, the most astonishing sea creatures. My report is incomplete because
most of the writing was illegible and faded with age and I couldn’t make it
out, but the illuminations were as bright and brilliant as if they were newly
painted, and did seem to depict some kind of marvelous creatures. I thought it
odd to include serpents and sea creatures in a book devoted to agriculture. I
don’t know if it is important at all, but I felt it warranted a mention. I have
the text secreted away and will return to study it further as soon as I can. ~X
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