“You will be leaving for Ava Na Isla soon I suppose?” Lumnieve offered a drink to the ghostly figure sitting next to her. It was not often she had guests of this specific nature and she had taken out what was an eight century-old Taw Berry wine in the face of such a rare guest. “Surely you can stay a bit longer, sister?”

“Sister?” The ghastly woman tittered. “If the Great Spirit of Water was here, she would be quite insulted at your words.”

“But that’s never stopped me before.” Lumnieve laughed. “But old stories aside, I should thank you, for bestowing your blessing onto my scion.”

“...That child of yours has a very strange soul disposition. I was intrigued by the one that had the ability to wield three primordial elemental affinities. It has been a long time since someone like the Spirit Walker had been born into the world.”

“Lin’s different. We all know what happened to the Four after he realized that they were influencing him. I warned them not to mess with human feelings, and as usual, they wouldn’t listen. At least you heeded my words, my dear sister. Still, I really must thank you for giving your blessing to my scion.”

“It is strange to be thanked. Gratitude was once a foreign feeling to me.”

“But that is no longer the case, is it?”

“It seems they have grown into me during the little time I have spent here, tethered to this world.”

“If I remember correctly, you took on the form of a conch shell, was it?”

“My years were spent sitting upon the brow of a small sailboat, owned by a couple who adored each other. Those were some peaceful and enjoyable days, and they were good people. Those two were not the heroes of power coveted by the greater spirits, but I would not give up those days. I can understand your words from back then, when you sided with the humans and the Spirit Walker.”

“If only the others back in Ava Na Isla will see it that way. Those like me are outcasts, sister. And our kind... let’s just say some of them follow tradition a bit too closely.”

“Times will change. Or perhaps they already have.” The figure raised her glass as her form started to grow blurry. “ One more drink, it is almost time.”

“Farewell. I hope your return to Ava Na Isla will be heralded as a celebration and your experiences change the views of the others.”

“And to you, my outcasted sister. May you find the heart to one day return to us.”

As the two of them indulged in the drink, the sound of ice shattering could be heard as one of the cups fell from midair and shattered on the floor.

“Let us get straight down to business. What do you want with us, O’ head of the Irona family?”

“A certain individual has been rather... troublesome in our dealings. He was a valuable customer, but he decided to overstep his bounds. I will have you teach him that there are some people he should not threaten.”

“The usual then. May I inquire if this is a public figure, if so then there will be-”

“He is a nobody with too much of value in himself.”

“Then the price will remain the same.”

“I will also want you to ‘secure’ my nephews and nieces, unhurt of course. Merely a precaution and making a point to a rebellious daughter.”

“We would like to do some recon on the target first...”

“Do as you will. Use any method you’d like. Our business is concluded.”

“My dearest Leifaur, it seems that I have won our little bet about which one of our students is more apt. Now let us go out a celebrate, just like old times!”

“When did I ever make a bet with you...?”

“In that case, let us make one right now! What should we bet on?”

“I have no interest in playing around with a gadabout. Go ask Wuulf or something, I’m sure the two of you would hit it off.”

“That man and I don’t get along.”

“Oh? And here I thought fellow alcoholics would instantly become friends as soon as the liquor touches their lips.”

“...I’ve stopped drinking the hard stuff. I’m reflecting on my mistakes Leifaur.”

“It’s too late for that, Orshan. You’ve betrayed our trust in you.” Without another way, she walked away.

“...Woman can really hold grudges.” Orshan sighed and accepted it. Forgiveness is not so easily earned.

“Father.”

“Ah.. Loys. That spar you had today was quite an impressive display. Several of the instructors were asking me about you.”

“I’m afraid that I’ll have to decline any invitations from the fine ladies. I need to be back in Tel’naraa in a few days.”

“They were all men. One of them was-”

“I’m afraid I will have to decline it even moreso!” Loys shouted. ”I came here to witness the budding of youthful flowers, not brawny men!”

“...I will pretend I didn't hear that, less I call the guards. Did Duncan get my letter?”

“He did. His words were to wait until the route has been established. It’s still too soon.”

“There’s actually a personal matter I need attending too...” Loys pulled out a thin sketchbook. “I am trying to find the artist that created such a thing. It seems I have acquired it during a drinking night. Regrettably. I am afraid I blacked out that night.”

A few moments later.

“…Get out of my office.”

“But father! This is of utmost-”

“GET OUT!”

Na nepo dor, sai eldruu

Faltka inha lingui tyna

Colga roon irs sor dor na

Wase wtrihai elbisia

Ar sayue lasye lasye aulla

En lasye iy filaik tisa

Wase tuoka han minl srai yeeel ruul

Qualpe rida warce

Ware briyua palna lasye anw forlinde

En kapa chs fwal, en coall celle

Din naver na pagle srayf ritme

Bryte friyay ley tisa

Fa-tey han guiltay se tday

Nor shi finshe tu shiiki fayyen siha

Was tudun ditowr ka tes

Na nepo dor, sai eldruu

Iter riter fifna sos tirla

Forgandal yerlla wista

At the edge of a scorching desert, a long forgotten land

There was an old seashell, all alone covered by sand.

And I strongly wish to tell you a story about it from long ago.

By pure chance, a traveling young child arrived.

And found the shell amidst the dunes- bringing it to a small boat with her father

Where it sat at the top of the mast, overseeing the world.

And the days passed by peacefully in the ocean breeze.

The girl with the smile of the sun eventually grew up.

And happily married a boy with the temperament of the moon.

The father returned to the heavens and became the wind that wandered the world.

And then those pleasant days continued the past by.

One day, a great storm surged from the war of the ancients.

The two were fated to sink into the deeps,

And so they prayed to seashell, a charm left by their father.

At the edge of a scorching desert, a long forgotten land.

A battered ship arrived, protected by a mystical power.

And a seashell sank into the sands, gifted with memories.