Submission (#3109) Approved

The miasma season had been long and Koko had been away from his home with his adoptive mother for some time now. Nari had been taking good care of him since she had found him in Ahza where she and her mate Ha-ru had quickly taken the kittom in. They had found him hidden in some bones, afraid and slightly wounded. His wounds had healed long ago and he had decided to accompany his mother on her travels. They had been traveling through Kyendi as she was in search of some special herbs. She was a healer and the idea of helping her and learning her craft pleased him. He also wanted to pay back the favor because without his adoptive parents he had no idea where he would be now. He had longed for so long for a loving family that he never wanted to part with them. But this adventure brought him away from home where his father did not follow. 

The climate in Kyendi was very different as Ko was used to sandy warm weather with beautiful oases. But this was nothing like home. The climate was not as warm and there was no sand to soak your toes in. Instead he found many waterfalls and shrouded forests. How could he forget Sunshard Isles he had never seen anything of the likes with detached floating isles with their waterfalls. Even here people were different, he was starting to miss the warmth of home. 

He looked up at his mother “when will we go home. I miss father and home” he said to her as he started to weep. His mother Nari was like an angel that’s what made her so effective at her job. She smiled at him knowing the trip had been long and she could see it started to wear down the little one. She handed Koko some paper as she patted his head ever so softly. “Why don’t you write him a letter and tell him how your adventures have been in Kyendi so far. I know you have enjoyed some of it haven’t you. Why don’t you do it under the Eldertree” still smiling at him softly as he handed realized that today trip had taken them to the Eldertree. He had never seen anything like it looking up at it’s grandeur and it’s weeping branches that covered the lake and shaded the area. Sitting under the shade of the Eldertree he began to write his letter making slightly less homesick as he recalled his adventures and of what he had seen so far. He couldn’t forget but write about how some of the cities and towns were built within the mountains, wondering if his father had ever seen something like it. At first he told him how he had been afraid of the shrouded and dark forest but as they traveled he felt less afraid and wondered also if his father had ever experienced it or if he only knew the sun of Ahza. The next thing he went on to describe where the forgotten cities were left in ruins in the tropical forest that had long been abandoned and that nature had begun to reclaim it. He wondered then how long ago civilization had abandoned it. Koko also pondered why it had been left behind to rumble as it had seemed to be a grand civilization that had built it. He also wrote about the rare herbs he had helped his mother collect half hanging from a bridge over a waterfall as some of the earth had crumbled into the stream. Scary as it had been, he wanted to keep doing it. Ko's spirit was lifting as he got more into writing his letter and he began to gain his adventuring spirit for whatever else Kyendi had to offer. 

The miasma season was not quite over yet but slowly nearing its end. He missed home but for now he wanted to stay here and his letter made him realize that. Because when he would go back home he would have many stories to tell especially to his adoptive sister Oriana. She had been left behind along with Ha-ru. He made sure to include a small letter as well for her.They hadn’t been siblings long but he missed her as well. They would get themselves in trouble together all the time. He hoped that next time she would come along as well because she had to see this place. He imagined how they would both try to reach the floating isles if that was even possible. He made sure to press in the letter a fish scale he had found left behind on a rock beside a waterfall he had swam in. He imagined she would have enjoyed the swim as much as he had. The waters were always cooler than what he was used to but they were more refreshing and you could stick your head under the fall. 

As he finished up his letters with a brighter spirit and wrapped them up so that they wouldn’t get lost or damaged. He ran towards his mother, tripping on a rock as his letters went flying but his mother had been quick and caught them. “ Koko, you need to watch where you are going. This place is not as flat as what you are used to; the grass, forests and mountains are a lot more uneven ground.” Embarrassed he rubbed his knee which he had scraped as he tripped and nodded at his mother. He pulled out some salve which his mother had prepared for him and had come quite handy. For this was not the first time he tripped and hurt himself. His little legs were not used to this place yet but maybe they would be in the time they had left here.