There it is. What I thought was impossible, all in a tiny pot of salve. And I’ve seen it work so this is no peddler’s lie. After 20 years I had lost all hope. No, I never had any hope. They all told me it wasn’t possible. Clerics and officials, all convinced that the effects of a medusa’s curse are irreversible. And having seen my dreams turned into stone I don’t think I even dreamt that something like this would exist. Since the day that I saw the consequences of my own actions and greed.
But 20 years is a long time...
‘I don’t know of any time limit…’
Those were her words. And sadly they offer no guarantee that this will work. But I must at least try. And not contemplate how all this hope may shatter if it doesn’t. And no matter what, I’d still have stolen 20 years off a man’s life.
But enough dwelling on my own… revelation. Letters must be written. And this sent to Aresia as soon as possible.
Master Oriin,
I beg you forgive me for not writing for so long. My own destiny seems to have caught up with me in the strangest of ways. But the oddities of prophecies, gods and titans are not why I am writing.
In my travels I have come across a salve. One that I have seen used against petrification. I know this sounds mad, but I am enclosing one such potion with the hope that you would try to use it on Nicos’ statue. They say to use about half on the head and the rest on the extremities.
I have no guarantee it will work on someone turned so long ago, but this newly rediscovered hope is the only thing I have left. And I am so sorry for putting you in this situation, but there is no one else I can ask and unfortunately my mission here will be keeping me away from Aresia for some time. You’ve been so kind, I can only hope to repay you some day.
I’m also attaching a letter for Nicos and I am hoping you would give it to him should it work. It may help explain what has happened. It may help redirect his anger to the true source of his suffering… me.
All my gratitude,
Alke
P.S. Do you remember the cape you had given me to help me hide, the one that burned in the fire? I think I have found an enchantment to re-make. I will keep my promise to return it.
Beloved,
Nothing I can write will make any of this better.
I am at fault for you missing the last 20 years, trapped in a world of stone and stillness. I doubt it will make any difference to say that it was all out of love. The love of a child that didn’t know the meaning of the word ‘no’, but love nevertheless. In my heart all I wanted was you. But my obsession was your condemnation. And despite it not being in the way I wished it, you’ve never left me… you’ve been in my dreams ever since.
I am so sorry. Hopefully one day you may be able to forgive me.
Alke