The Festival

Rena had seen the messenger approach from a ways off...it was largely white and relatively flat in her northern outpost, and so she stood out like a peacock among the swans. So she ran out to greet her, smiling at the face of an old friend.

"The message?" she asked, eagerly awaiting the news.

"You have been invited, dear girl."

"To the Festival?" her eyes lit up.

"Yes, the Festival of Light and Dark."

"But when?" she asked, knowing that she had taken this post knowing that it could not be given up easily, and that it was her duty to serve until the order was given that she might take a short break home, to rest and be with her loved ones.

"The eve of September's 16th," came the reply, stated simply. "Whilst thou be in attendance?"

But she did not need to ask, the reply shadowed Rena's face.

"No m'am, give them the word that I whilst not. While my heart would have me make the trek back to fair Raven's Reach, my Commander has stated that he will have desperate need of us until the 22nd of that month, if not until later. If things went well I might be able to return a few days earlier than that, but the 10th, nay, that unfortunately I know I cannot do. The ice has reached this half of the land, I must do my part to keep things moving here, I did, afterall, promise my Commander that much." She paused for a moment to catch her breath. "May have the scroll? I would have it to keep me company, to know that I was thought of when I was so far away."

The messenger extended his hand palm upwards, offering her the scroll. Rena reached out, grasped the hand that held it in thanks, and smiled.

"Thank you m'am, I hope you do all enjoy the festivities. In the meantime I shall continue my studies here. It is not too bad, once you get used to the cold and the never-ending night. My Commander has arranged for me to obtain basic medic training in three days time, and I have already gained much insight on wilderness survival. I can only see these things, and my weapons' skill, improving in the coming months. Not so much with my dagger, but perhaps with my bow, as there is an abundance of wild game here if you know where to look. But that will all come in time. Perhaps I will call my Prince up here in the winter - we shall see. We have been keeping in contact by the messenger birds these last few weeks, and unless it gets so cold their feathers freeze shut on the ground, I do believe we will continue to do so until I return. Tell all my friends, and even my foes, that I will be returning for Yuletide at least, and that I welcome them to my hearth at that time for merriment and drink. Til then, Good battles to you all, if you must have them!"