Beauty from Pain Tragedy/ angst/comfort
Dear mother and Father,
Things are going really well here, but I can't wait to see you again. If it weren't for my friends, I would have run strait from here to you. They have been great; they're so comforting…and funny. This morning in the mess hall, Neal was so tired that he fell asleep in his porridge; it had taken him a moment to realize what he was doing. And now when my friends see him they pretend to be falling asleep on there're feet. Surprisingly, Neal just laughs along with them.
How have things been with you? How is the rest of the family? It's been so long since I've heard from them (except for Anders); I'm guessing they've been busy. Though I hear Adalia is with child; I'm very excited to see my nephew, or Niece; I haven't heard if it's a girl or a boy yet. But I have heard you've gone to Mindelan; how is Anders? Last time I heard from him, Mindelan was cleaning up after a big storm which was followed by a twister. He said they had gotten hit pretty badly. But I'm guessing you knew that, seeing it yourself. Could you tell him I said hello and that I really miss him. Thank you.
Well, there's the supper bell. I have to say goodbye. When you get back I, would like to come see you. I'm so glad you live in Corus now; it makes it so much easier to visit you. I'll write you again soon. I love you very much.
Love, Keladry
Keladry of Mindelan, the first known female page; stood from her chair, leaving her letter on the desk to send later. She walked to the door and stepped out locking it behind her. On the way to the mess hall, she met her friends along the way and they continued on together laughing and making jokes.
Keladry sat down with her plate across from Cleon, her carrot top friend. Cleon was a tall boy of five feet and ten inches with gray eyes and fiery, unmanageable red curls. He was very enthusiastic and was always thinking of new nick names to call Kel (Keladry's nick name between her family and her friends) such as, 'Pearl of my heart' and 'Queen of the pages.'
"Hello Keladry, my… my…" Cleon faltered unable to think of a new name.
"Can't think of anything Cleon?" Neal teased him, talking in a dramatized voice, "I'm shocked."
Cleon stood from his seat and spread out his arms exclaiming, "Quick, everyone! I need an inspiration." Everyone turned to look at his display, "Go and find me everything beautiful: Flowers, butterflies, roaches." The room went silent after this until Cleon said chuckling sadly, "tough crowd, tough crowd," and sat back down with a heavy, exasperated sigh.
"That's disgusting Cleon." Keladry said, trying not to laugh.
"I need inspiration." Cleon stuck out his bottom lip like a child begging his mother for a sweet.
Merric, shaking his head lightly cuffed his friend on the back of the head. He exclaimed with good humor, "How's that for 'inspiration?'"
Cleon rubbed the spot the he was hit, smiling, "Keladry, my wonderful thwacking friend." He grinned at Merric who was pursing his lips, mock glaring at him.
The door to the room flew open slamming into the wall. Keladry could not see who it was; everyone else had stood to get a look at the person. Kel finally realized who it was when he neared her table. It was her brother, Conal; he was racing toward her and when he reached her he collapsed on the floor. Keladry put a hand on his back; he was shaking uncontrollably. It scared her. "Conal, are you alright, what's wrong?" she knelt on the floor next to her brother, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
"Kel, they're gone!" he yelled, his voice echoing against the walls. Conal grabbed her shoulders shaking her gently but urgently "Our parents and Anders are dead! The scanrans have killed them!" Conal's eyes were wild as they looked into her frightened ones.
For a moment, Keladry couldn't hear a thing; her mind went numb as she tried to stand and her legs wobbled. A buzzing sounded in her ears and the edges of her vision darkened; everything begun to spin and she couldn't keep track of anything. She felt something thump against the back of her head and then she was floating in nothingness, just drifting in the black.