A black-feathered shape paces anxiously in his Temple provided accomidations, it's late into the night and although he's tired… he can't quite get himself worked down enough to sleep. Finally he lights an oil lamp at a desk provided in his room and begins occupying himself by writing letters…
Leeta,
I have gone on a trip, Temple business so I can't elaborate. Sister went home, life in Rephidim was getting too hectic so she went back to be with family in the country. I miss having family around, but my new helper, Star, a slave that I aquired in Faraon's Dome, is proving to be a decent replacement. She is not as skilled as sister was in many areas… but she is a very skilled cook. Perhaps you could bring a dish to your master… she makes a delightful soup called Moon's delight. It brings joy to my Brow every time, perhaps it will do the same for you.
My Master, Nicodemus, and my two children will probably remain in Temple care during the time I am gone. I do not feel comfortable with leaving the kids there… but I also do not like the prospect of bringing them into… wherever it is that I must go.Lesser of two evils I suppose. I know that you are busy in your duties, but if possible, please look in on them from time to time and make sure they're comfortable and happy. It would mean a great deal to me.They are my life.
-Zoltan
To the Wooden Shekel
As per our conversation in Faraon's dome, here is the information I know regarding the murder of the opera star, Abednego bar Abbas. I know very little… only that he was poisoned, and two Aeonians, one an Inquisitrix and another a Sylvanian noble were suspect. Apparently they had an immunity to poison and all three (the two Aeonians and the deceased) ate from the same plate. I think that it was assumed that one of the Aeonians was the murderer because they could have easily slipped the poison onto the plate and then consumed it without much concern. This occured some time ago, about three months I believe. This would indicate to me that most leads you would find now are probably quite cold. I wish you luck on your search though and apologize that I will not beable to aid you any further. I have been called on business out of Rephidim and do not know when I will be back. I will contact you upon my return and we can discuss this a bit further.
Sincerely
Zoltan Cambio
To Sergeant Danae Sapphire of the Rephidim Temple Scouts:
I have recieved word in regards to a 'fieldtrip' planned for the Scouts to the Naga Empire, and that there is an interest in my daughter going along. I respectfully deny her passage and ask that she remain in Rephidim.
Rephidim is still at war with Babel, which means that any ship exiting Rephidim could very well potentially find itself under attack, this is not the place for a young cub… nor is a place where Savanites are getting killed, sold off like mad, and so greatly resented against as the Naga Empire is now. Pouncer is obviously no Savanite… but she could easily be mistaken for one and easily suffer the same fate that many other Savanites currently suffer. I am sure that the fieldtrip can be postponed for a year or so until things cool down. Until then, the safety of my daughter is my greatest concern.
Signed,
Zoltanos Cambio, Father and guardian of Pouncer Cambio
Zoltan pauses in his writings… he feels a bit better, but there's just one final thing to get out of the way. He gingerly takes up his pen one last time and slowly begins writing. The flickering light from his lamp casts dancing shadows across the wall – but strangely, Zoltan feels more comfortable surrounded by the shadows… almost as if a goodfriend is nearby…
My dearest master Nicodemus
I've wanted to speak with you for quite a while now, but your condition had kept me from visiting you for too long… so I have gotten permission to leave you a note for you to read when you are well enough. Unfortunately that may be after I have left. The people that attacked us must be stopped before they potentially put all of Sinai at risk.
But I did not write this letter to speak of such things. I write it because, firstly I am deeply sorry for the trouble I have caused. I have left some money in a private account with the Temple, so you will not be without funds in my absence. Secondly, I wish to thank you again… for everything. I would have died years ago were it not for your paitence and love. Through you I have learned where strength truly flows from, and you are truly the strongest man in the world, my dearest Master… my dearest friend.
Although you have been like a father to me, I have never called you such. All the time holding an image in my head of what 'father' was like. In my mind, he was a very noble and great man, perfect in all respects. I never told you, but I recently learned of how wrong I was… I think I have finally learned of the fate of my father. And he was not a noble warrior fighting for goodness, he was not the loving martyr who died for his friends… he was Cambio Herbir, a pirate on a slave ship known as the Rotten Eye, persumed dead during the crash of the Lele Papu in the Hiamaat Desert. He die da pirate… just as he lived as one. I have been told that he eve nwent so far as to destroy an airship and kill most of those on board than to allow the passengers to escape.
Learning this news almost destroyed me, I had based a great deal of my 'change' on him… to be something that would make him proud of me and perhaps… even forgive me for abandoning him when I did. Part of me regrets leaving him even more now; if I had chosen to travel with him perhaps he would have taken a different path in life… or perhaps I would be a fiercer pirate than Cambio Herbir ever was.
Whatever fate would have done to us, he is wherever he has chosen to be… and I am where I choose to be, and I amWHAT I choose to be. I have decided that I will do what I can to right his wrongs; his blood still flows in my veins. What was once an act of mine to seek forgiveness in his eyes will now become an act of redemption for his spirit. I just hope and pray that I can someday bring myself to forgive him as I wished for him to forgive me.
Although I must leave, I want you to know that I will continue to follow the path that you placed me on. I shall do my best to keep a strong heart, a gentle spirit, and an open mind. Keep me in your prayers, master, I shall return as soon as I can.
With deepest love,
Zoltan Cambio
