Memoirs of Adventure Creative Writing Contest (NA) - Official Entry Thread

[AriaVitali]

To my dearest friend,

It has been much too long. I have just returned from a pilgrimage your House’s manservant had suggested I take. Before you begin teasing to how I am much too young to be enjoying such leisures, a woman by the name of Matoya had already chided me for such decisions.

Nonetheless, I write to voice my passions to you. To ever hold these memories close to my heart so that, when I am eventually returned to Hydalaeyn’s side, I am able to recount every detail of mine adventures to you beyond the Light. So pray forgive me for my musings, as I suspect you also wish of mine forgiveness that fateful day that you defended all that I was.

All that you saw that I could be.

If you allow me to speak plainly, I was frustrated. Why did you choose me to sacrifice yourself?

For days following, I wandered and dreaded the continuation of mine responsibilities. For the first time since offering myself - offering mine own name and who I was up to the Seventh Umbral Calamity - to bear the title of “adventurer” and, eventually, the "Warrior of Light", had I regretted my initial decision to embark on my journey of grandeur. For what was the point of attaining such noble titles if it were to be at the expense of those I loved?

It was when I had come to you to the place where we lay you to rest that I understood.

And what have you come to understand? You may ask, with that boyish laugh I remember you fondly for the day you renamed your- no, our encampment the Falling Snow.

I had come to understand the value of mine own life.

Long had I pitted myself against the face of death without much care, simply because it was a task only I can do. From the final stand at the Steps of Faith to standing at the opposite end of a Garlean prince’s blade to facing an Ascian with a mortal wound to the stomach in a world different from our own. Surely, I should have recognized it sooner. That which you had tried to help me realize before it was too late.

So, my friend, I tell you now: I do understand. And I thank you for keeping your promise, for standing with me at the end of the good fight when I felt it was barely enough. Thank you for being one that aided me in saving a dear friend’s life where I could do naught to save yours.

Please know, I will no longer take this life you had saved in vain. Your father, Lord Edmont, reminded me of it, as well - that wheresoever I go, your spirit is sure to follow.

However, it will give me utmost joy if you take your turn to rest, my friend. Rest and watch over me from the heavens, along with the Twelve. It will take me awhile to join you, but be patient, for I will have stories to recount once we meet again. Surely, those will take up the rest of our eternity.

For now, I will continue fighting the good fight. Along with those that believe in me the way you once did … and continue to do.

Your Friend,

The Warrior of Light

[Leunide]

When you handed me that deed, when you told me that little house on the hill was mine, I should simply have been grateful. After all, it was such a small thing to you. What’s several handfuls of coins to someone who could buy the realm over if they so choose?

But instead I felt more than just simple gratitude. To me, this wasn’t charity, it was more. You gave me a home to call my own, a place to rest my head after a long day’s journey. You gave me the freedom to express myself in a space fit just for me. You, who always had my back when I needed it, gave me something that made me feel welcome. I had a home, and with it, I had a family who would always make me feel welcome within it.

I always could have worked hard, earned the coin myself. But then it would not have been the same. This was a gift from someone very dear to me, and if the gift had been a simple thing to you, just some coins tossed my way, then know that to me it meant more than I can express. You showed me that you wanted me to stay, you showed me that I was someone you wanted to stick around, and you made me feel like someone was happy to see me here.

At night, when all have gone their separate ways, and the setting sun takes with it our last goodbyes, I find myself pacing the grounds of my estate. I step into the parlor and I gaze upon the stern faces among the many paintings, and as I do, I find myself smiling as I know tomorrow will return to me your wondrous personage once again. So long as I have this home, I know I am truly never alone. For, to me, this home is more than just a place to stay warm and dry, it’s a beautiful reminder that I have a family here, one who treat me like I truly belong. One who are always happy to see me come the morning after.

They say that home is where the heart is, that anywhere can be your home with the right company, but when you gave me the deed to this place, when you told me that this little house on the hill would be mine, I don’t think anyone would have truly realized just how true to life that old saying would become. Because so long as I have you here with me, I know that my heart truly is in the right place.

So thank you, to the one who found me a place to call my own, the one who made me feel like I was truly home.

(Item Desired: Scarf of Wondrous Wit)