Correspondence. (AoA)

A letter arrives via Mog Mail to Ranulfe in Norg.

To Ranulfe Elspeth:

I hope you forgive the nature of this correspondence; as chance would have it, I am known to Ms. Kaede, and have in the distant past acquaintance with her family and cause to learn the skills and abilities of a Ninja. Although, I must confess, as you likely noted on board the ship from San d'Oria, I practice more frequently the Far Eastern arts of the Samurai.

Via a few business associates I have in Norg, I have had occasion to follow your adventures, out of concern for how you are faring after the mishap on the ship. I am pleased to hear that you are doing well, with no lasting ill-effects from the adventure. I also must express my sincere desire that the mishap should not adversely affect your own comfort and sense of safety when you traverse the seas.

I am glad that you have fallen into reliable company at Norg. As we discovered on our journey to this place, the world is filled with disreputable villains. One must keep one's eyes open and heart steadfast against impure influences. This is the best way to protect oneself, and those that are important. My own family is long-deceased, but you remind me in some small way of my late son. I wonder if you have any family, and what turn of events brought you to Norg? If this inquiry is overly personal, I understand, but I would much care to learn more about you.

Please write to me should you need any assistance, whether in your work or in anything else that you may require. I shall be traveling this week through the distant lands of the Empire, so I shall respond whenever I am able to access the Mog Mail system. I am hoping to meet with you, when as noted before, you have become stronger. There is much I wish to share with you about current goings-on on the mainland and in other parts of the world. You may have begun to sense it yourself, even at your youthful age, but the Emptiness is growing. Darkness threatens Vana'diel once more, corrupting the minds and hearts of men. You and I are in a position to do something about it.

Until such time as we meet again, Ranulfe, I remain most sincerely,

Kre'oss

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Kao'nir lay in waist-high tall grass on the wind-swept plains of La Theine Plateau, his arms crossed under his head, and stared up at the stars.

In his mind's eye, a face stared back, a face he could not forget, a face twisted in anger.

If I could just speak to him again, he would understand. If I could tell him, then he'd take back everything he said before. He'd agree with me. He'd see what I meant. I -have- to do this. It's my purpose in life.

It was the first time since he had left Jeuno that he had thought of anything apart from his duty.