[A letter for Averroes Tashfhin.]

[Erudiche]

[A gritty envelope is hand-delivered to the address of Averroes Tashfhin by a terse, one-eyed caravaneer by the name of Volpi Brunkins, who speaks in onion-scented mutterings as he departs.]

Dear Averroes Tashfhin,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am presently a day's progress out from the Well, and have recently stumbled upon a caravan headed in the direction of the settlement. They have, kindly, agreed to ferry my letters back, so I have addressed a few letters while I have the opportunity. I have ventured off on this quest for the sake of the Mother, that I might prove my worth and learn something of this world which cannot be found in safety's walls.

I shall keep you informed as to my travels... in the eve which I departed the moon was high and so bright that it threatened to blind. I have a companion on my journey, at present, for on that eve I found, mired in bloody sand, surrounded by the coils of dead worms, a tortoise. Hastening to it, I offered the odd beast water and made quick use of some of my scarce supplies for its sake before making a brief camp to evade a brutal dust-storm, although thankfully no trace of the horrid Ash. The beast approached my fire, beneath a great arch of cyclopean proportions, and joined me in the gloom. I was, initially, somewhat alarmed, and feared the beast had dark designs, but it has thus far followed me silently and in forebearence of its wounds. It is slow, to be sure, but persistent, and I do not mind the company. I have combed through more half-sunk ruins, the most interesting of which was a rather peculiar statue -- it consists of but two vast and severed legs cleaved from their body, which stand as great fruitless and unbranching oaks in the sand. A distance away I might've spotted the half-sunk countenance of its head, but I could not afford such a detour. Unimaginably vast was the thing, it was surely a most splendid sight in its prime, and the stone was so seemless... what fascinating techniques must its sculptors have known.

If I should find any more travellers heading to the Well, I shall instruct them to continue my correspondance and will keep an ongoing journal of my most interesting experiences on my journey. I pray that all is well, and have full confidence that you shall be able to rally the faithful in this time of trial.

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Domhnall Judicael Guivarch