in which Drelas writes a letter home to his parents, informing them of the death of his twin brother. it doesnt end well…
Tirdas, 19th of Mid Year, 4E200
Dear mother and father,
I deeply regret to inform you, that my dear brother has sadly left us. Another student, whose name I will not include, attempted to preform a very dangerous and ill thought out experiment, of which Casvin was sadly a victim of, in his effort to protect a fellow student from harm. The incident has been ruled a complete accident, and the student has profusely apologized and has been expelled from the College.
He passed peacefully, just yesterday night. I am very sorry for not informing you of the accident immediately, but I was preoccupied and unable to sort my thoughts into an appropriate letter. Additionally, I knew that the letter would not reach you before anything was concluded, and didn't wish to worry you if he recovered in the mean time.
But he hasn't. He's gone, and so I send you this.
… It pains me, very deeply. I was able to do nothing – the healers were unable to undo the effects on time, and I could just watch. I saw him die. I held his hand as I saw the light fade from his eyes and his weak hands fell limp. I cannot tell if I'm burning inside, or if I'm frozen. I feel cold. But my heart feels... I'm not sure. Gross. Wrong. Raging. Gone.
What am I supposed to do? Casvin has always been there, ever since we were born, and now it's just me. That wasn't supposed to happen. We were supposed to learn together. HE was supposed to become so great, greater than I ever could be. HE was the one who wanted to come here so badly, HE was the one who insisted on this, HIM, not ME. No one was supposed to die.
The bastard who did this... I want to hate him. For doing this to me. To him. Taking Casvin away from me, from us, is unforgivable. I hope the bastard burns.
No... No, Casvin wouldn't want that. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry that I'm still unable to control myself, that I couldn't do anything as Casvin died in my arms. I can barely go into our chambers anymore. I'm writing this from the library, and Urag has left me to this, and even locked the doors to everyone else. I'm grateful for that.
A service honoring him will be held tomorrow, though people have been mourning him for a few days now – ever since it happened. We want to preserve the body and have it returned, but necromancy and the like are obviously banned here, and no preservatives are available. Not enough for a whole body. So he will be traditionally burned here, and the ashes will be returned home to you, soon after this letter has reached you.
I don't think I can stay here. I know you, and Casvin, would want me to, but... It hurts too much. I miss home, if you'll believe it. I was never supposed to be alone. This was his dream, more than mine. If anyone should have died that day, it was me. No. I'm sorry. He wouldn't want that either. But I can't help thinking it.
I can't write anymore. I'm sorry that this is the final version of the letter you'll receive, but I've run out of parchment to write a new one, so this will have to do. I will try. I am trying - to stay, that is. But I don't have very high hopes for it.
I wish I could say more. I love you, and I'm sorry again. That's all I really can say.
Your son, Drelas R'lo.