Naga Letter - #3
My daughter,
I fear the great sleep has caused me to slow somehow. Events are moving so quickly that it is difficult to keep up with them. I will try.
As you know, we followed Daini into the Empire of Men, and we have twice encountered the armies of the Dark Land. Our armies were twice victorious. The men fear the armies of dead men. I can see the fear fill their eyes as they march upon us. Their limbs freeze and their tongues waggle with madness. Our armies, however, are not so affected. Our Warlord Shahadet laughs when the men freeze and calls ours to charge into battle. It is his courage that brings bravery to the men. I am glad for that.
We have met with the man Toturi. I have looked into his soul and I have seen much courage there. I have seen what Daini saw, and now I know why he chooses to follow such a man. There is a great strength in him, and a great sadness. He cares for the men he leads, and they can feel it. We were wise to side with him.
But I am no longer on the battlefield. I am in a secret place with the men who call themselves "ambassadors" of the Clans. They represent their families at the Great Lord's court, but have been sent away by a wicked woman who now rules the Empire. We meet in secret so that the armies will not know our location, where we may talk.
I have tried to convince them of our concerns of the Dark Land. So far, my success has been limited. Only the Phoenix and the Crane will listen to me. There is another, however, a man named Akodo Kage. He is from the Lion Clan. His face is full of smiles and his voice is full of laughter, but his eyes are full of daggers. I do not trust this man, even if he is from the same family as the man Toturi. Family means nothing if the soul is corrupt.
We have divided our army in two. One has remained with Toturi, and the second Toturi sent to the East to assist another. I do not know who it was that Isha went to aid, but I do know that it is a great friend of Toturi's who is in dire need of aid. I only hope he can assist him.
I pray these letters reach you, my dear daughter. I know how much you wanted to come with us on our journey, but Shahadet was right. Your skills are indeed great, but you need more practice in the arts of warfare. Dear Mara, please hold your mother close for me and promise her I shall be home soon.
Dashmar