Letters (open)

[ARWEN REDFERN]

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

I know this may seem strange once you receive this letter, but i swear it's nothing horrid. Rather, I'm feeling quite bored recently and so I've been sending out random letters to people so I would be able to at least talk to someone. My friend is always busy with..err...this really..um...let's just call him the king, shall we? Not that he may be one, but you know what I mean. I'm basically like a princess stuck in a castle yet I'm not a princess. I'm a girl who's always out for a nice adventure. You probably know me and I probably know you. That doesn't quite matter until you decide to write back.

Well, I'll be truthful. I'm in the Empire and I basically side with them. No point in lying, right? I'm sort of stuck here and I'm bored. So very bored. People here aren't really that interesting. My friend, I mentioned earlier? He's Murtagh. You know, one of the king's mightiest warriors? Yeah. Him. He's a rider. Positively amazing until you actually smell him. Well, after he's done killing a whole lot of people, he smells gross. Other than that, he's a real nice guy. He smells just fine, I can tell you that.

What am I saying? Well, I'm an assassin and I love my job. You can call me...er... Red, I guess. Wait. Um, you can call me Arwen too if you want. I don't know. Just respond. Someone just talk to me. I'm going insane.

A

[Kite]

Red,

Or Arwen. I know what you mean about Murtagh. Among those who ride, he is the least hygienic.
You would think he would have the most hygiene, as he was born a noble, but I guess he is just a greasy kid. I am glad you enjoy your job. Are you for hire, or just in retained service? I was a mercenary for most of my life, but now I am trapped into this gray hell of Uru’baen. I do not mind so much when with my dearest friend, but most the time I must spend my time with dry nobles. It feels like it sucks life out of me after working for everyone and anyone who could pay, as at least then I could travel… I miss the travel, and the people. And my sister. I would enjoy continuing correspondence with you, Arwen. You may call me Daran, and can send me a letter anytime you have time. Please do, actually.

[ARWEN REDFERN]

DARAN

You know Murtagh? I may of heard of you before, since he does talk about other riders. He complains quite a lot to be truthful. Daran, is it? Yeah, I've heard very little about you. He doesn't say much about you, which I think is good. Meaning you aren't on his hate list. Yes. Hate list. He has quite a long list. Not that he wrote it down, but I sort of did. Insane, right? Well, after living in this castle with almost nothing to do I would expect you to do the same as me.

Anyways, he doesn't always smell bad. I mean, the days he takes showers are the best. Well, baths. I complain about the smell in his room all the time and I'm the one who has to clean up after him. I swear, there are flies in his room. FLIES. I shudder at the thought of it. You may ask why I would know his room so well, right? I live right next door to him, that's why. The king sort of placed us together since Murtagh asked ever so 'politely'. As for my job, usually the king is the one who sends me off to missions. I don't usually take missions for others but if I know the certain person who needs my help, I'd be more than glad to take the job.

This hellhole. This castle. This...EMPIRE. It's a prison to me. I hate it all. I can't stand it. I have to stay here because I'm practically a slave here. I work for the king for I have sworn oaths. I'll never be free until the king old man dies.

You know what? I actually keep a diary about the days I spend here. It's that crazy. If you don't mind I would enjoy writing to you more often. You sound like a great guy. Perhaps we should meet up sometime? I have two brothers. Not blood related, but they are the closest family that I have. You know of Eragon Shadeslayer? He's my brother and his cousin, Rowan is also my oldest brother. I love them so much and to know that they are my 'enemies' pains me. You understand, right?

I really need to write more. Writing in my diary is getting sort of boring when you know nobody is listening to me.

A

[Kite]

Thats always good, I'd rather not piss people off that would beat me all black and blue. Im glad im not on hi... hate list! And I would probably find it interesting to read it, much less write it. I totally understand.

I like that choice of words. I'm sure by ask politely, you mean he demanded it. Why would he do that? Close friends? Relatives? And that is a good way to handle your jobs. Keeps them frequent and lets you take the ones you want when you can choose. I like it.

I know how you mean... My partner and I are now bound here as much as you. I hate the binding, and Salmissra chafes at it too. As soon as he is dead, we are gone... However, if you ever want to have some parole, I would happily take you where you would like to go.

I do understand, my sister Ava is working with the rest of my family in the Varden. For a large amount of money, but I still hate to know that I've ran some of them off. If you would like to visit yours, I can get us out for long enough to see them... We'd just have to be careful in Surda.

I never kept a diary for that very reason. Seems pointless with no-one to hear your "screams".

[ARWEN REDFERN]

DARAN

Glad you do understand. It's dead boring up here in my rooms. I basically train all day and then get some time for myself. It's then that Murtagh comes back all sweaty from his training to just rant on and on about things I know I should not say. Rather, it's not because I do not trust you, but the things are for me and me alone to know. Well, the thing is that we're not exactly related by blood but since Eragon is his brother..and I'm technically Eragon's 'older' sister I'm considered family. We stick together like sibilings. We argue like sibilings.

You do know that those two are related, right? I'm not quite sure if it's supposed to be a secret or not...but whatever. that little fact won't hurt anyone. Oh, and when I mean 'older' ,I mean I really was the one who arrived at Garrow's place before him. Garrow as in my adoptive father. My 'father' Garrow was his uncle and his son, Rowan is my older 'brother.' Sorry, but this whole family thing is kinda confusing. Bear with me, please.

OH GOD YES. Please take me with you somewhere. It's dead. I mean the castle is like dead. The guards are too stupid to do anything with you and the kitchen is getting boring. Hell, the maids are quite a gossipy bunch. The only people I ever talk to is this Lady called Lady Nayeli. She's such a wonderful person. We've become the best of friends and I treat her like my sister. Her dragon is quite funny and he's absolutely wonderful. You're a rider, right? You understand that Riders and their dragons bond, right? So they both share the same feelings. Thorn and Murtagh love me. Nayeli and Osiris love me too! So, technically I'm loved by only four people! Haha, I sound like a complete lunatic!

I'm all in for adventure with another rider and dragon. So far, the only friends I have are riders. Nothing else. Well, except for two elves I never really talk to. I just sort of bumped into them and sort of left them after. It was a weird meeting but oh well. I want to go to the Varden, for sure but it's because of this stupid oath I can't go near that place. Glaby, the king, refuses to let me near that place because he knows that I will spill everything to them. The old man hates me.

Did I mention that I'm half elf? Everyone hates me, basically. I'm a freak. That's what I am. If you're one of those people too, I really don't completely understand. It's natural to hate. Really. I get it.

And yes. I keep a diary because I've got nothing better to do with my time.

A

[Kite]

My, what an odd family you have. It must be interesting, knowing all of these people. I do not really know Murtagh that well, and I've never met Eragon, but I've heard of him.

You are not a complete lunatic, and I understand what you say about the various servants here in the castle. They are a tiresome bunch. I try my best not to deal with them, and busy myself getting what I need in person.

Yes, I am a rider. And yes, we do share similar feelings, although Salmissra is her own gloriously lazy being. And I'm sure she would like you, if I do. And I get the feeling that I would. Can't be too sure til we actually meet, right?

I'll happily take you where you wish to go. I have family down in Surda, if you wish to visit yours, or we can go to the cities of the Empire, or up to the Spine. Anywhere your heart desires, although Surda would be a problem. We would have to leave Salmissra in a city of the Empire and continue carefully on foot. We would be shielded from deception though, as my family is not exactly... bound by the Varden. We are also able to go because the old man won't know. Just a trip to the southern Empire.

I don't hate on people for their race. I guess that comes from being the arm of anyone who could pay, and the fact that my sister is a full-blood elf. She was brought into the folds of my family before I was born, under the guise of the "adopted daughter" of my parents.

My family is forms a Mercenary company. I was born into it, my parents lead it. We of the Vorandeer are trained to all be mercenaries, male or female. So, I sort of dont discriminate, if they don't attack me or don't pay. I would argue that you are not a freak.

I'm sure your diary would be interesting to read. Of course, the point of a diary is not to be read, right? Heh.

[ARWEN REDFERN]

DARAN

Yeah, I figured that you were a rider. What color is your dragon, just wondering? Well, it would be nice if I could meet her. Salmissra? That's her name? It's pretty! What does it mean? I mean, Eragon named Saphira after another dragon while I named Murtagh's dragon, Thorn because he looked thorny at first. They say that he named it, but truth is, I did the naming. I'm the one who first called him Thorn and Murtagh kept on saying, "No! I named him first!". I'm tell you, that man has short term memory loss.

Um, yeah. I'm always in the castle nowadays and I'd be more than happy to meet Salmissra and you~! I mean, the more friends the better, right? Of course, Murtagh doesn't agree with me on that point. Hell, he didn't even want me to write any letters to 'strangers' 'cause he thought it was dangerous. WHAT'S SO DANGEROUS IN WRITING LETTERS? THEY ARE JUST LETTERS, RIGHT? -ahem- um...right? Anyways, what is the worst that can happen? I'm a fighter! I won't go down that easily.

I'm glad that you don't hate me because of my race. Not many people like you would actually not consider me a freak. everyone in my home village thought i was a freak Oh, really? Your sister's an elf? What's her name? I might of met her before... well, I'm not a mercenary sort of girl. More of a farm girl.

oh, and my diary is boring stupid weird. Trust me on that one.

A

[Kite]

Arwen,

I just quite enjoyed the name Salmissra. She fits it to be sure. She is a lovely chocolate-esque brown. Thats a funny story. I believe it too. I don't see Murtagh coming up with a name like Thorn.

I agree with the "The more friends the better" statement. I totally agree... And Murtagh is silly. Your not writing treasonous things that will get you shot, and you are no longer writing to strangers. I would be happy for you to meet Salmissra and myself. Please, come at any time. Just say when, and where if you don't want to meet in the rooms. Somehow, I don't think you would go down easily.

Screw your home village. They don't know what they are talkin about. My sister's name is Ava.

I somehow doubt your diary is boring, stupid, or weird. But, I'll trust you.

Daran

[ARWEN REDFERN]

DARAN

Haha, I'm glad that you believe me! Your dragon sounds lovely and also sounds very beautiful. I would love to meet you. Perhaps if you have time tomorrow, we can meet over in the training grounds? I have to train tomorrow anyways.

Ava? Never met her before, but from what you've been saying she sounds mighty decent! To be truthful, I think that I'm a pretty strong fighter. At times I might lose because of cheap shots, but otherwise, I think I'm pretty good.

Writing stuff to you actually is sort of relieving. Mind if I write to you more often?

A

[Kite]

Arwen,

I would quite enjoy meeting tomorrow in the training grounds. I will bring Salmissra as well, if thats okay with you.

Ava is a very decent person, in both action and word. She is also one of the best fighters and spellcasters I know. She is aiding me in my training of magic, as I had not possessed the gift beforehand.

I am sure you are a very good fighter. And I would enjoy hearing from you more often Arwen. That'd be fun.

Daran