Submission (#3113) Approved

Looking out the window Rosemary Sighs deeply at the icy landscape. She misses her dear friend and wishes for nothing more than to visit her. However it is Miasma season and she dare not leave her home for fear of the consequences. Turning to what she has laid out on her table she looks over her parchment and calligraphy tools. Smiling to herself she picks up her pen determined to write a letter this day.

-Dear, Riley

How are you today? I miss you dearly my friend. Stuck out here in Strynhalde as always. The ice and snow seem colder these days. It has been snowing non-stop since the miasma appeared this year. The frozen tundras are currently buried deeply in snow and no one seems to be able to get through.

The white trees are barely visible as the snow makes them blend in perfectly. All of the leaves have crystallized and some are even breaking off the trees due to the howling wind. My home is currently buried by the snow as well. The fire in my fireplace the only thing keeping me and my home warm. Thankfully due to help from neighbors I have plenty of firewood so I will not run out.

Icicles reach from my roof all the way to the ground and create beautiful designs across my walls when the rare rays of sun pass through them. I haven't seen anything but ice and snow for quite some time now and can't wait for this season to pass. I fear the snow may become so deep that it shall cover the entirety of my house this year. Though that has almost happened in the past. I haven't heard the sound of any animals recently they all must be in hibernation.

While I could go out a few weeks ago I noticed the river near my home had frozen fish within it. It appears they could not dive deep enough to avoid the ice as it formed. It must have been almost instantaneous for them to have been caught like that. I also noticed that the ice bridge I use to get to Iorumund has fallen victim to the harsh conditions. It seems to have collapsed at some point this month. After the miasma clears and the harsh snowy weather calms down I will have to find a new path to the city.

The nearby mountain has a pass but that is buried in the snow and the glacier is currently unstable. Hopefully the snow won't stay there long and it will slide down and out of the way to make it safer to traverse. That way I can mail you this letter. Love your dearest friend, RoseMary-

Standing up Rosemary goes to fetch her wax to seal the envelope. She heads back over to her table and sits down glancing once more out her frosty window. The snow is still coming down harsh and sideways, it is impossible to see more than a few feet. Turning back to her letter she sets the wax down next to the candle and her seal. She picks up the letter and folds it carefully now that the ink has dried. Slowly and carefully she folds the letter and slides it into the envelope.

She folds the flap closed and picks up the was and candle carefully melting some of the wax onto the edge. Quickly she places her seal on top of the wax before it can harden. Rose sets the wax stick down and blows out the candle before getting up to put the candle and wax stick away. She shivers as cold wind from outside blows out the fire in her fireplace. Walking over to it she picks up her magic tool and lites it back up.

Standing there for a moment she adds some more firewood before walking back to the table. Nodding to herself she walks back to the table sitting down and lifting her seal up and off of the now hardened wax. Rose smiles softly at the imprint of candy now molded into the wax. Setting her seal down she picks the letter up and moves over to her glass cabinet. Gently opening the door she looks over the other letters she has written with a small smile on her face. Sliding the letter in her hand gently into an open slot she hopes the snow melts soon so she can mail them soon.

The End