A Letter Home

Dear An’da & Min’da…

Grinthey Skystrider was sitting in the Golden Keg the morning after her student interview. The young adventurer has just finished eating a quick breakfast, and now, she stared at the blank parchment before her, pencil in hand. It had been a few months since she last visited at home, and An’da had become increasingly concerned in his letters. Wanting to know that she was safe, that she was eating well. He had always been the more domestic of the two parents, of course. He hunted for food for the family, but the majority of the time he would take care of the home, cooking and cleaning and caring for Grinthey.

On the other hand, Min’da would go out and work, be it selling little inventions she tinkered away at, or fixing things for other citizens around Steelhaven. Once upon a time, she had been a mage of decent enough skill, but those days were long behind her, now. Still… it made Grinthey smile whenever she caught Min’da using a little magic here and there. Starting a fire to cook with a few quietly muttered words and a flick of her hand, or levitating an object from a high shelf down to her grasp… and, well, being a gnome, that was most shelves, to her.

From beside her, Gully squawked, and she reached into her pocket and silently tossed him a treat. Greedy bird. Grinthey giggled and shook her head. So many thoughts. How was An’da going to react to finding out? Not just that she was going to school, but that she wanted to become a soldier? Would he be proud..? Min’da would be, certainly, because she had always encouraged Grinthey to chase her dreams and see what life had to offer. At the very least, An’da would respect this course of action due to the involvement of a Steelhaven noble. Even if he didn’t like it, he would mind himself.

…Lady Isbeth Steele.

The young half-elf counted herself luckier than most to have had such chance encounters in such a short period of time! First, the faculty and staff of the university, at the Jed’hin tournament not even a week prior, and then to run into Lady Isbeth at one of their events? And that she had been so quick to sponsor Grinthey, to pay her tuition! To give her a shot. It felt… incredible. Even becoming her ward, working off the debt… could it ever really be repaid properly? Maybe not, but she was willing to try. She had to. Such a gracious gift from the nobility of her homeland simply couldn’t be taken for granted.

Grinthey stared at the parchment, chewing on her pencil. Everyone at Stormwind University seemed to be rather put off by Lady Isbeth. For the life of her, she couldn’t understand why. And hardly any of them addressed her by title, which was purely disrespectful, but that could simply be a matter of cultural differences. Something deep down told her that it wasn’t, though. Even Dean Crowelley herself didn’t seem to like her. It was… puzzling, to say the least. But… no! This was Lady Isbeth, a Steele woman! Her family was known for their kindness… well, and their lust, but that’s unimportant! Grinthey would remain loyal and trusting of her lady, through and through.

Finally, she resolved to stop stalling herself with all these pointless thoughts and concerns. The letter wasn’t going to write itself, and An’da needed to know where to send her allowance next! She put pencil to parchment and began…

Dear An’da and Min’da,

I write with great news, today! I am well, as is Gully, and we are currently in Stormwind City, in the Dwarven District. I’ve recently met several members of faculty from the university here, and I’ve decided- I’m going to go to school. Dean Crowelley even attempted to reach out to the Highlord for a scholarship for me! But… then, I ran into Lady Isbeth, of all people, and she said she would sponsor me! I have to work it off with her, but that really only seems fair, don’t you think? She’s so kind. I feel like the luckiest girl alive!

They asked me a bunch of questions at this student interview, all about me and what I wanted to study and things like that. This one lady… Miss Anklaris, I think? She’s a mage like you used to be, Min’da! But she was really rigid and stiff… I think she’d make a good drill sergeant in another life, actually… Oh! But there’s this really nice lady who teaches culinary classes, she’s really sweet! She asked me about my favorite foods and flavors, too. I doubt her cooking compares to yours though, An’da.

There’s an important part of all this, of course… what I’ve decided to study. So, An’da, please don’t freak out, okay? I want to study combat and become a soldier for Steelhaven. Lady Isbeth is doing so much for me, and I feel like the only way to repay her fully is to serve my homeland and protect my fellow citizens. Give back to the place I’m from. You understand, don’t you? I’m sure you do. Besides, I’ll get to show off the wicked archery skills you taught me, An’da! Everyone is gonna be so impressed, I’m sure of it! And Gully will be with me the whole time, so you’ve got nothing to worry about… except perhaps him gorging himself in the kitchens!

Anyway, I’m hoping to squeeze in a visit back home before the fall term starts, so I’ll see you soon! I love you both so much, and I promise I’m going to make you proud.

Surfah Ende,
Grinthey