51. Let’s go!

«Dear Armen,

I hope that you are doing better then your bald grandpa, which would not be a poor achievement, since I am as blissful as ever, apart from the fact that I miss your grandma, but the Holy Gods will make up for it one day, so let’s worry about the young generations!

I heard from your dad that you are going to take an examination to become a Hero. I could not stop laughing when I learned that! My grandson, you sure are a box of surprises :) (that is a smiley, you young ones write them like that, don’t you?) Anyway, I am cheering you up from my small cottage. Do not forget what I taught you about ‘not losing oneself to the world’. Being a Hero is not a simple job, but I am sure you will do well. And do not forget that a job is a job: don’t do more than you are paid for! My grandpa may have been a slave in the Farskyer Peninsula, but his children are not anymore! Also, have fun. You of to make up for spending your childhood in a lighthouse by having a lot of fun now. I am not saying that your parents didn’t do a good job bringing you two up, certainly not, they are two wonderful people with two wonderful children, and I am happy and proud to have you all as my dearest family.

The cucumbers are growing, and I ate a lot of oranges in December. The winter sun is very nice on Bird Island. I remember you said once it was cold in Farskyer City. You are as sensitive to cold as my daughter-in-law, so keep yourself warm. After all, health is the most important thing after food and a family’s love.

Lately, I have been doing a lot of things. I mended all my sockets, your grandma would probably say I did a sloppy job, lol (you write it like that, don’t you? If right now you are laughing at your poor grandpa, pull your ears for me). I also went to a convivial poetry contest the other day, in the neighborhood. I always liked poetry, rhymes and the like, and ever since you told me you started to play the violin again, I remembered I always had an artistic side too. Your grandma used to say so. She also used to say that, as long as you do something, it means you are alive! And it is so much fun to be alive, is it not, my dear grandson? So I’m keeping myself busy!

I could be writing for the whole night, but I guess that you would get bored reading the endless ravings of an old man, so, Armen, I wish you all the best, follow your ambitions to the end!

With love,

Your grandpa Kim.

PD: Let me add a little poem I just wrote, so you might remember your hometown and think of visiting your grandpa one of these days:

The sun rustles on the leaves,

The wind shines on feathered wings,

Quietly everyone weaves

Joyful smiles and happy dreams.»

My smile was as joyful as the ones in Grandpa’s poem.

I laughed quietly. Azritz said Grandpa’s writing was as chaotic as mine. Could be.

I folded the letter, put it into my bag, then looked around. Ray’s house was silent. I had cut the power and water, and unplugged the freezer and the fridge, even the console game. I had discreetly thrown away the lizard and the bird Louise had put into the freezer in the basement, as well as the mouse she had added to her collection a few days ago. I had also dropped by the Lord’s, received a very important special mission, said goodbye to Arkill, Sora, and Louise, accepted an additional drawing from the latter, then came back to Ray’s to check on everything again… I adjusted my bag on my shoulder.

Yosh. I was ready.

To go to that EPHT training. I grinned.

“Let’s go!”