Arcanum Magicka

A Letter from Wildfyre

The one known as the Frost Wolf sat in her office at Frostburn Manor. Previously known as Firebreak Manor, it was a home of great reputation and notoriety despite how she'd wrested control from its previous owners. Because of her fiery temper and icy cold apathy and logic, those in the nearby areas quickly took to her leadership, as she was also just and fair. She didn't allow her emotions or personal relationships with people to get in the way of what was best for everyone. Anyone who got in her way or made it clear they would present a problem to the safety and security of her people suffered the wrath of a thousand winters.

For what seemed like the thousandth time, she glanced over at the missive she'd received from someone named Wildfyre Flameweaver. She'd read it several times and still couldn't believe what it said. The young woman was from a town called Kingsport. It was a place she'd never heard of, but that wasn't the strangest part. What was unfathomable was the woman whom she'd never heard of before claimed they were siblings. If it wasn't for the fact her eyes had caught mention of her mother's name, Kefka, Snowfyre would have thrown the pages of the letter into the fire. Nobody, not even her husband, knew of her mother. So Wildfyre's words were worth considering only because of that name.

Wildfyre spoke of how she'd participated in some event called the Seasonal Journey and how, as a reward for achieving Guardian Rank for the first time, she was allowed to make any single request her heart desired. She'd chosen to learn about her mother and was given two small manuscripts. From those manuscripts, she'd discovered the existence of siblings, all of whom, except the two she knew, lived on Estuar. Only one had enough clarifying details for her to find, and that was Snowfyre. She hoped to come over, discuss their "siblingality" over a meal, and then travel together to find the rest. If that wasn't possible, she wished for Snowfyre's blessing and some aid.

According to the letter, two people would accompany her. A man named Lyndon and a woman named Eirena. Strange. Those were two renowned names from circa thirty years ago. Blackwater, in Hawezar, had a man named Lyndon, who hailed from the Western Kingdom, as its leader. This letter held the seal of Westmarch, but there was no way the writer could be from there. The only explanation Snowfyre could think of was that this had to be some sick ploy to unnerve her. Not just because of the coincidence of the names but because, by Wildfyre's age, they would have been twins, and the Kefka she knew wouldn't have abandoned her child. Then there was the mention of siblings, and, to her knowledge, Kefka hadn't had any children after her. But they hadn't spoken in fifteen years, so it was possible.

Snowfyre sighed, still uncertain whether she should entertain this idea. Her guards were loyal to her. Mostly. If things went south, they would sacrifice their lives for her. If for no other reason than they knew if their inaction brought harm to her family, she would kill them herself. And because she firmly believed that you kept your oath when you gave your fealty to someone, regardless of your feelings toward them. At least until they did something so outrageous that you could no longer stomach the thought of them. Then you asked for leave.

In the letter, Wildfyre said she'd sent it ahead of her. Based on the date of the letter and the fact it had arrived this morning, her supposed sister would have made it to Kehjistan today. If everything had gone according to plan, that was. Though there were Waypoints in the Western Kingdoms, she was certain, by the things Wildfyre focused on in the letter, that she'd take the scenic route to get here. Well, that, and the fact one needed to activate a Waypoint before they could use it, gave her a couple of weeks to prepare, weigh the options, and consider everything else involved in a decision this important.

Her icy blue gaze turned toward the door at the sound of footsteps. It was her husband, Faolan. He approached her, jovial at first, but his expression quickly turned to concern when he shivered. She looked away to hide her embarrassment, as that let her know without words the letter had caused her to lose control of her emotions slightly. In just a few seconds, the frostbitten air vanished, and in its wake was the usual toasty warm atmosphere that she preferred. Snowfyre smiled and held up a hand to caress Faolan's cheek when he reached her. "Worry not, husband mine. I'm just..."