Letters+between+Cho+and+Kryster

Dear Madame Cho,

I hope the books you had arranged to get for the library have come in. It was quite a lot of work getting them to you. I had to deal with a few very unfavorable people, but as long as they’re what you were looking for it was all worth it.

I realize it would be much easier just to hold a conversation with you in the library, but I’m afraid I’m stuck at home. My wife is about to give birth to our third child and we’re very excited, but it takes quite a bit to take care of a centaur baby and I can’t make time to help her between the war and the library.

I’m sure you’re wondering why, if I’ve balanced a war, a baby, and time to be in the library before, I’m not making time for the library now. This season, I’ve been placed higher in the rankings and have been given more responsibility. It’s a great honor, but it’s one I can’t say I’m partial to. My country, as you know, treats war like a game. I’ve never been in favor of playing such games, but alas. Such barbarism is the way I earn my keep.

As it is, my wife has just told me she’s gone into labor. I hope to speak to you soon.

Deepest regards, Kryster Xen

My dear Kryster,

I was pleased to hear of your happy event. It has been so many years since I had my own hatchlings. The young ones do tire you out though and are often able to keep you from other matters, such as your time in the library.

I do not say this to distress you. Far from it. But we were coming so far in your education, and I was quite pleased with your facility with languages. Certainly, your wife needs you at this point, but remember, to be a centaur is to be a warrior AND a scholar, not one or the other.

In other news, the books did reach me and they were in order as expected. I thank you for the trouble that you went through to procure them. If, in the future, you have to deal with unsavory people, you should contact me. I have certain tools at my disposal that I could use to smooth the way. I am, however, distressed to read some of them. The ideas that the people of the West have! It is really beyond the pale and some of the ideas are quite unsettling to me.

I am sending along a toy for your new foal and a book, of course. Begin reading to her young and she will always have a thirst for knowledge. I leave you with this quote from //The Art and Science of War// by Chen Tao-Chin, “The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities... It is best to win without fighting.” Good luck in your war games. Out-think your opponents. //You// have been trained by Madame Cho. They have not.

With best regards,

Madame Cho

Dear Madame Cho,

I thank you for the toy and for the book. We chose to name my daughter Lucera and she’s already very partial to reading. I have a feeling she’ll be accompanying me to your library when she is a few years older. I’m afraid, however, that my sons are more than a little jealous of their new sibling. I’m sure that will play out eventually, but alas.

I do feel rather melancholic about putting a hiatus on my education. Though I am only 180 years old, I still feel there’s far too much to learn and far too little time to do it in. I can only wait patiently as this season wears on and try my best to remain unscathed. Fear not, however, for I practice languages around Lucera. She’s starting to pick up on some of the words already. It’s quite incredible, the young mind.

I had worried about the content of the books you were receiving. You and I are aware that dragons are nothing to fear. Unfortunately, we can’t all be as educated. I find that, with most things that are hard to understand, one corrupted being could ruin the reputation of the rest of the species. For instance, the dark mares and stallions were once segregated from the light mares and stallions, simply because of a few... shall we say bad seeds?

As far as that goes, I’m thinking of requesting leave for a day to come visit. I feel it would be beneficial to my learning to brush up on a few key things. It might not be the best, but it’s better than nothing.

Sincerely,

Kryster Xen

My dear Kryster,

I am very pleased to hear that little Lucera is already enjoying reading. When she is of age, you must bring her to the Library. I am also glad that you are practicing your languages with her! I hope that the war games are going well for you and that the rest of your family is healthy. I understand what you say about a few bad seeds spoiling a reputation, but, loathe though I am to admit it, I understand that there are some dragons who truly are evil. And, that being said, I understand why some humans would want to destroy that evil. I am glad to hear that the centaurs have stopped the segregation that they had in place. It was really unnecessary.

However, although I enjoy these pleasantries, I am writing you with a purpose. I know that centaurs are able to scry the night sky and read the omens and portents that are encompassed there. My dear friend Simeon (I believe that you met him at the Library once or twice) and I have both felt the gathering of dark forces. Kryster, would you read the stars for me? Tell me what you see. What storm approaches us?

I would, of course, welcome you to the Library any time that you care to visit.

My best to your family and my love to you,

Madame Cho

Dear Madame Cho,

It’s interesting you should mention the stars in your last letter. I, too, have been harboring feelings that something is amiss. Of course, when your letter arrived at my house, I immediately looked into it. As soon as night fell on the evening I got your letter, I went out to read the cosmos and I found something very interesting, but also very nondescript.

You see, the night was clear in Hintheria as I gazed, but as soon as I had detected something mysterious (and I might even go as far as to say ominous), a large cloud rolled over my line of sight, blocking me from seeing anything else. I have since attempted two more times, but I can never get a good enough look, though I know something is happening. The stars are trying to speak, but something even more dark is intercepting their words.

I have no idea what could be causing this. I only know that it is unnatural. I will write you back with any other findings. As for Simeon, I do recall meeting him a few times here and there. Do you suppose he would like a letter detailing what I have found as well?

I know you won’t refrain from telling me your thoughts on this matter. I look forward to your response.

I hope to see you soon.

Kryster Xen

My dear Kryster,

Your most recent letter was quite troubling to me. While I understand that the stars only reveal themselves partially at times, it is quite beyond the realm of coincidence that the clouds should cover them EVERY NIGHT just as you are about to discern meaning from them. No, there is something amiss, a great storm coming. Simeon and I have felt this, but your words confirms this to me. I have taken the liberty of writing to Simeon and passing your news on to him. I am anxious to hear what he thinks.

As you know, I am very old, and have seen this cycle many times. It is ever the same, for we are all composed of elements that are opposed. Good and evil struggle within us all the time, and the way of the Universe is impermanence. All things change. So, too, does evil rise again to threaten us; since it is a part of the world, it can never be truly destroyed, but only defeated for a short time. I fear that it is time to begin our preparations for a new fight. I hope that you will join me in this. I know that Simeon will be with us, and there are a few others that I know of who will be on the side of good. Still others we will meet as the time comes, for the Universe ever provides for us in our need.

My dear friend, I have been called away from the library on urgent business. The other Guardians wish to meet to discuss what is coming and our part in it. Do not hesitate to call on me if the need arises. I know not how long I will be away, but Lama Dorje will know how to find me.

Have a care, my friend. Look to your family and make sure that they are protected. I am sending you a //mandala//, an amulet of safekeeping. Nail it above your doorway and it should provide some defense for you. Again, be cautious. We move in troubled times, it seems.

I send you my blessings, Madame Cho

Dear Madame Cho,

I don’t expect the situation in Hintheria to escalate very quickly. I’m hoping you will return and read this letter before too long, but there is something I feel I should share with you.

In my admittedly short lifetime I have seen a phenomenon like this only once. With the death of a centaur by the name of Tameby Wade, the father of my neighbor across the street. I can’t say I suspect Eimon of being behind these new anomalies but he does have a handful of suspicious members in his family. You see, it is thought of the Wade family that they guised their prejudices long ago to be allowed into the migration toward the new Hintheria and have since harbored a secret distaste for dark centaurs alike to myself and my sons.

I have nailed the mandala to my threshold as you had told me and I thank you endlessly for the sense of security you have given me and my home. I fight alongside and against members of the Wade family in the war games, which should allow me to watch some of the more suspicious members closely.

I intend to gather information for you to receive as soon as you return and write me about your own findings. I’m curious to know what the Guardians have to say, provided they allow you to divulge the information to me.

Presuming that you get this after your return, I hope you have fared well on your journey and at the meeting. I’ll wait patiently for your response.

Luck, Kryster Xen

P.S. I was denied leave for the whole season, but the war games can only last so long.

My dear Kryster, Did you say Eimon Wade? He has been at the library recently, taking out many books on magic. I wonder if there is a connection? He has done nothing suspicious, but I shall keep an eye on him, just in case. It never hurts to be cautious. I am sorry that you were not able to get leave to come to the library, however, the fall approaches and soon you will be free to continue your studies. Please remember me to your family, in particular to little Lucera.

My meeting went as well as could be expected. The Guardians of the North and West are getting old and losing interest in the dealings of the younger races. In my opinion, they should soon step down. The Guardian of the South has been missing for centuries. And then, there is myself, of course, Guardian of the East. It seems that I am the only one who cares about what is to happen to our world. I feel certain that whatever storm approaches us comes from the South. There is no one there to protect it.

Simeon continues his quest, and I have recently begun corresponding with a newcomer named Acasius Ucciont. He will be coming to stay at the lamasery with us soon so you will have the chance to meet him then.

Take care, my friend, and remain vigilant, Madame Cho

Dear Madame Cho,

I’m not very concerned with Eimon. He is an acquaintance of mine and we harbor a mutual respect for each other. If he has any part in it, it’s likely to help his brother, but Eimon has always been curious about many subjects. I’m sure he’s just feeding his knowledge.

I should have asked previously, and it may seem explicitly obvious, but what, or who, are the guardians? What is it that they’re guarding? I feel as though should know this. Furthermore, I recall Simeon and meeting him, but what quest is he on? I feel as though I’m missing a large amount of knowledge that I should already know.

Everything is so hectic here lately, so confusing, and we still have yet to see a clear night. Three of our twelve religious leaders have fallen ill at the same time, effectively closing off three venues from the public meant for worship. Along with them, our grand master, secretary, and one of our jesters have been taken ill as well. The war games have become less friendly than before. We fight to win, but not to harm greatly. After all, this is a community with families and friendships. Lately, however, more and more damages have been dealt from both sides. There are soldiers in the hospital, even. I fear less for myself and more for my family. There is little that a centaurish family can do without its father.

I’ve been pushing some of the higher ups to speak to the younger members and remind them, but I don’t fully believe it’s just them. As it is, my family is in the middle of moving to our new home. I’ll attach the new address to this letter.

We’ll speak soon. Kryster Xen.

Dear Kryster, I have been shockingly lax in your education if I have not taught you about the Guardians! Or perhaps you were not paying attention? I am jesting only, my friend. I know full well that you are an attentive student.

The Guardians are a group of four, each of whom protects and guides a certain area of our world. For example, I am the Guardian of the East. All of the lands in that area are under my protection. I attempt to right wrongs, mete out justice and provide guidance in the form of knowledge and wisdom. I, and my counterpart in the South, are immortal. I was here before the first word was spoken and I will be here until the last star sputters out. The Phoenix of the South is also immortal. But, to my dismay, he disappeared many centuries ago and I have not been able to find him, though I have searched the corners of the world looking for him. This, I believe is why our world is in turmoil now. Without all four of us, the world is unbalanced. The Guardians of the West and North are mortal, although extremely long-lived. Many times they reach one or even two thousand years of age. But eventually they step down and they find another to take up the mantle of the Guardianship. I believe that we are in one of those times now. The Guardians will occasionally meet in times of trouble, which is where I was recently.

As to Eimon, I hope you are right. However, I am very old and, if you will forgive the immodesty, very wise. You would be well advised to be wary as it seems to me that you are describing a region in turmoil. Please take care. I promise you this, should anything ever happen to you, your family would be under MY protection, and I'd like to see the centaur who thinks he or she could triumph over a fully grown and very vexed dragon.

I must go down to the lamasery soon, we have a few new arrivals that I need to check on. One, by the name of Acasius, is most fascinating. I have no doubt you will meet him when you return from Hintheria.

My love to you, my friend, Madame Cho

Dear Madame Cho,

I’ll take your warning and will keep my eyes open, and thank you again for the mandala, as it seems the time of unrest in my region is ever growing. I’ve been out every night in the hopes that whatever is clouding up the Hintherian sky might forget one night, but I’m afraid it’s just not so. In fact, often times, the clouds stay well into morning. Naturally, because of this, we’ve been getting much more rain than we are accustomed to, causing everything to become saturated. The war games have been put off until the gridiron can be properly dried.

Furthermore, our youngest religious leader is very close to passing as we speak. This has produced quite a bit of worry. You see, he’s never been in bad health before, and he’s barely older than I am. We’re not sure what disease has taken its hold on his body, but I fear too much that it will take place in my children. I won’t let them outside of the yard, no matter how hard they beg. My wife and I fear too much of what could come.

I’m surprised I don’t already know of the Guardians. It seems everyone should know since, well, they’re guarding us. Would I, per chance, know of the Western Guardian? I think it might be in the best interest of those involved if I could have a discussion with him or her if it’s possible. I feel as though the west might need a little more guarding these days. Knowing you, I’m sure you’ve told him all I have gathered for you in letter, but I’d like to get his thoughts firsthand.

Madame, I fear the worst of these days. Until something can come to a head, though, there is simply no action for me to take. Furthermore, with a flooded gridiron, the war games will have to be postponed and might go into the following season.

Love, Kryster Xen

My dear Kryster, My condolences on the incipient passing of your religious leader. It is a shame when death takes one so relatively young. However, I disagree with your statement that there is nothing you can do. I would say there //is// something that you can do...you can investigate! You spoke of illnesses before this. Start writing down the symptoms, note how long each stage takes, note any treatments that have been tried. You have been trained, use your powers of observation! If you write these things down and send them to me, I can research them and perhaps provide you with information as to the source of the disease. You could at least //try// to find out if it is natural or perhaps magical in nature. I know you. You will fret if you have nothing to do. Therefore, the solution is simple. You //must// do something! But you must also be wary when doing so.

As to speaking with the Guardian of the West, I do not think that it would be possible. He is old and tired and does not much care about the trials of the younger races. I am, perhaps, an anomaly among my brothers, for I am deeply involved with the people of the East, and indeed, with all those who seek knowledge, wisdom and understanding. The other guardians are more like Watchers, you could say. They rarely involve themselves. You could, of course, try and I would be willing to introduce you, but I do not think it would bear any fruit.

Acasius and Simeon are soon to come to the Library. Perhaps you could come too, if the war games are still postponed. I will continue to hold you in my thoughts. I shall have my monks spin the prayer wheels for you and we shall put out more prayer flags in your honor. Perhaps the wind horses shall speed healing toward Hintheria.

My love to you, Madame Cho

Madame Cho, I grow more amazed by your wisdom, tenacity, and faith every time we talk. I've known many people, centaurs and others, in my years, but only my wife and yourself have ever been so innately able to motivate me. As you have suggested, I took time to speak to the loved ones, nurses, and doctors working with those who have fallen ill. It would seem that this new illness starts as a fever that covers the body gradually, starting from the head. Once the body is fully fevered, the hooves start splitting at an alarming rate. From there, body hair begins to shed but not regrow, an infection becomes apparent in the body, eyesight is lost, and the person who has struck ill will finally die. We've lost our jester as well as our youngest religious leader. It's become increasingly hard for the family as everything is too saturated to hold a proper funeral. As far as time, nobody knows for sure. The disease seems to pick its own time frame and spread out the symptoms differently for each patient. It is a strong and jarring plague. We've tried only herbal remedies and prayer, but I fear Ardivan is giving us a trial.

I have chosen to take up a short quest to Old Hintheria. There is a well respected man there who I'm going to try and speak with. He might know something from his time in other parts of the world. If not, perhaps this disease has been in Old Hintheria and they have answers. Of course, I'll have to go with quite a bit of caution. I'm a dark centaur and I've no idea the current social ladder there. It's very likely that nothing has changed in all these years. In the mean time, I can only hope for the best and stick to the plan.

Since this rain seems to have no end, I believe I'll be able to make it to the library to have a meeting. I just need to know when so I can plan my voyage to Old Hintheria accordingly.

Again, I thank you. Kryster Xen

My dear Kryster, The description of the disease that you sent troubles me. Since you have tried herbal remedies and prayer to no avail, I would suggest that the source of the illness is from some other quarter. In my opinion, it seems magical in nature, though I do not know for certain that this is the case. It is odd indeed that it should work so differently in each patient.

I think that your quest to Old Hintheria is an excellent idea. I would come to you, but unfortunately, I have been called away on a quest of my own, aiding two True Seekers, Simeon and Acasius. You see, stories have reached my ears of demons and a red dragon to the South who are terrorizing the local populace. Therefore, the three of us have agreed to travel South together to investigate, and, if possible, put an end to this madness.

However, although I may not come to you, I may do something to aid in your quest. I have enclosed a small coin. You will see that on one side is a mountain, //my// mountain, in fact, and on the other is a dragon. Not a very good likeness, but what can you do? Old Hintheria is within my jurisdiction and anyone who carries one of these coins is under my protection. You will be able to see and speak to the one you seek, I promise you. If not, well, let's just say that I shall be //displeased// and the leadership of Old Hintheria and I shall have a little chat.

I hope that you and I shall both find answers to our questions. With my love, Madame Cho

Dear Madame Cho, I don't think I could ever thank you for the security you've given my family in my time as your student, and yet you keep giving. This coin, as I'm sure you realize, will be more valuable to me in the next few days than possibly anything else in the world. I fear the worst of traveling to Old Hintheria. We in New Hintheria have cut ties completely, leaving no communication between us. This has effectively closed us off to the rest of the North. I know little of their customs or of their prejudices. I'm not even aware if the person I aim to speak with still resides there.

I will simply have to trust my own clairsentience as I voyage, and hopefully make it back alive and well. I wish you luck in your own quest. Send my regards to Simeon and Acasius, and do tell me your findings when you have, well, found them.

Thank you, Kryster Xen