Putting Feelings to Paper

Well now, what's this?

What should I do? I've gotten this far, but... Oh, I don't know...

A lady without a chaperone in these parts is an unusual sight. What brings her here, I wonder?

I don't think I've seen her before. Maybe she's a traveller or something?

Good day, young madam. Fair weather, is it not?

O-Oh. Um, hello, sir.

Might I be right in assuming that you are here to fulfil a rendezvous of some kind?

No, sir. Not quite.

I see. Apologies.

I hope you do not think me a prying, old square but I couldn't help but notice a shaken air about you.

I thought perhaps there might be something troubling you that my companions and I could assist with.

Well, that's very kind of you, sir. Thank you.

To be honest with you, I'm on my way to see my older brother. He's a merchant by trade.

How lovely. The two of you must be very close for you to be travelling on foot to see him. Where is he?

He's in Unigan, or so I've been told.

That's really far! Not to mention the route there goes through the Karek Swampland. That's no walk in the park.

So I've heard. I surprised even myself by coming this far but I don't know if I can make it the rest of the way.

Understandably. The path becomes significantly higher-risk from here on.

Precisely. I was trying to decide if I should keep going or give up.

In that case, allow us to escort you to Unigan. We would be remiss to leave a lady to brave the road there unattended.

Really? Oh, but I simply couldn't ask you to go to all that trouble just for me.

You don't have to worry about that. We were just going back to Unigan anyway.

You were?

Yes. You see, only a moment ago my friend here and I were talking about something we forgot there.

Weren't we, Aldo?

Uh...We were?

Surely your memory can't be more lacking than mine, given your youth? That thing we were thinking to go back for minutes ago.

......

...Thaaat's right, I remember now! That thing, right. Yup. Totally forgot it back there.

There's the sharp wit I expect of you.

So, as you see, we have reason to return to Unigan ourselves. It is no trouble.

Okay then, thank you. That would be great.

You're very welcome.

Now then, let us be off. To Unigan.

This is it. The Royal City of Unigan.

I really can't thank you enough. I don't know how I would've gotten here without your protection.

Not at all, not at all. We really were on our way back here anyway.

That's absolutely right. Yup.

Well then, young lady, I bid you adieu.

I wish you a very happy reunion with your brother.

U-Uh, well...Yes, thank you.

I'm going to go look for him now so, uh...farewell.

...By the by.

Please excuse my rude curiosity once more. Does something still trouble you, my dear?

......

Uh, Zilva? Hello?

I simply cannot reconcile your deflated expression with the fact that you are finally in Unigan and able to see your brother again.

If there remains anything I could do to help, please, ask for my aid freely.

Again, the offer is very kind of you but... Didn't you both have something you needed to do here? Hence why you came back?

Did we indeed? It's terrible, really. When you get to my age your memory really starts to go.

I had completely forgotten about that thing we had..."forgotten."

Oh, my! You don't mean that you did all this for my sake, do you, sir?

So, is there something you're worried about?

There is. My brother and I are actually, um...estranged.

Really? That is unfortunate.

We previously kept in contact by letter. But a short while ago we got into an argument. Looking back, it was really something stupid to fight over like that. But argue we did. And after that the letters from my brother just stopped.

Completely?

Yes. And I've never had him stop writing to me, never. Especially not so abruptly. So...

I see. You wish to make reparations with him in person.

That's right. I do worry that he'll refuse to talk to me face to face if he's so angry he won't write, but I have to try.

Hmm. As things are now, you might still allow him further space until his temper sufficiently cools down. I myself have often employed such a method in the past when my wife and I had difficulties seeing eye to eye.

Although it must be said, the results were... varied in their degrees of success. Hahah!

There is a saying that is old but no less true: "When in doubt, follow your heart."

If your heart urges you to apologize now then you should continue to seek out your brother.

Hmmm.

Who knows? Upon seeing him face to face you may in fact find that this matter has all been an unfortunate misunderstanding.

You're right. I should keep looking for him now. Thank you for your advice, sir. I'll start at the tavern. I was told he often goes there and is friendly with many of the other patrons.

I presume that you are unfamiliar with the Royal City. If so, we would be happy to accompany you.

Wouldn't we, Aldo?

Indubitably. Uh, I mean, sure. We'll go with you to the Unigan tavern.

You're lookin' for your merchant brother?

Oh, I know the guy you're talkin' about.

You're an acquaintance of his then? It's good to meet you.

Likewise. So you came from your hometown lookin' for him, huh?

Guess that means he didn't up and quit the merchant biz an' head back there, then.

I'm sorry, what?

To tell you the truth, missy, I haven't seen him around for a while.

What? So he's already moved on to do a different town?

That's just it, I don't think he has. He told me he was plannin' on stayin' here a little longer. And I mean, if you're buyin' and sellin' Unigan's the only place that makes sense to be at.

So I couldn't help wonderin' if he's got himself into a spot o'trouble or somethin', the way he just disappeared without a trace.

No! My poor brother, !

Now, now, let's not jump to conclusions. There may be some other explanation for his absence yet.

Perhaps the city Knights know something of his whereabouts.

Right. Let's go ask them if they've seen your brother recently.

A young merchant, hm?

Yes, my older brother. Apparently he's been missing recently.

Now that you mention it, I just received word of a bandit gang operating out of the Karek Swampland. They've supposedly assaulted and kidnapped a merchant from Unigan.

You have?! Then why haven't you done anything about it?!

Have no fear, young lady. While your brother's case may still be unrelated, my compatriots and I will look into the matter.

And if this hostage is not your brother, rest assured, we will continue to help you find him.

Oh, thank you! Thank you so much! Yes, please!

It might be dangerous. Can you wait here for us to come back?

Of course.

I...really am so grateful. Please be safe, both of you.

It is our pleasure, really. I have pledged to always swing my axe in the cause of helping others.

Just as I promised my wife I would...

The Karek Swampland, right? Come on, Zilva. Let's hurry!

C'mon! Show us where it's hidden!

You listenin'? Move it, scrub!

Ngh!

I'm runnin' outta patience real fast, now. Where is it?!

Y-You'll really let me go if I tell you?

REALLY really, pinkie promise! But y'gotta hand over ALL the goods. Got it?

Fine, just...Don't go back on your word. I hid all the money and assets I made from my merchant business just up ahead.

Well, well, what have we here? A fussy pair of brats up to no good, hm?

What do you think you're doing with that merchant?!

Wha? Who the heck are youse? Stay outta this!

You two, run! Run and get the Unigan Knights!

Hey! Shutcha trap or I'll shut it for ya!

Guah!

Cease this barbaric conduct at once! Preferably before I make you.

Hah! Getcha butt back to the retirement home, Grandpa! You ain't young enough to be pickin' fights no more.

There's no reasoning with a stubborn whelp, I suppose. No matter.

That is what corporal punishment is for.

Right! If they won't listen we'll just have to deal with them the hard way!

Fine, I warned ya. Say hello to my little friends!

W-What's with these twerps?! They ain't no joke...!

E-Eyaaaahhh!

Blast it! Cowards!

Argh...What the heck, old man?!

I can't...move...my legs...

No, no, I'm fine. Thanks to you.

That was incredible, Zilva! I barely had time to blink before you smacked those guys down.

I need to ask you something. Do you have a little sister you've been exchanging letters with, by any chance?

Yeah, that's right. How'd you know?

Big Brother! Oh, thank goodness!

Wait, what?! What are you...

Where in the world have you been?! What happened? Don't tell me you got yourself involved in some shady business dealings?!

I-I, no! I, um...

They weren't exactly shady but your beloved elder brother certainly was caught up in some rather... Intense business negotiations.

Weren't you, my boy?

Uh...yeah, right. Exactly.

Is that all? Goodness, what a relief. I'm so glad you're okay.

You came out all this way just to see if I'm fine? I don't get why you didn't just send a let...

Well, I did and you didn't answer! THAT'S why I was so worried!

Look, I'm sorry but it wasn't like you had to come out all the way here. I just had a lot going on, that's all.

Really? I travel all this way to see you and you act like you don't even want me here?

I just knew you were mad about that letter!

Hey, I'm not putting words in your mouth so don't you start, !

Now, now, you two, settle down. Why spoil a long-awaited reunion between brother and sister with petty squabbling? Young lady? There was something you wished to get off your chest, was there not?

O-Oh, right. Um...

Well, I suppose it's not uncommon for the words to stick in your throat when the moment of anticipation finally arrives. To leave your true feelings unsaid, however, would be quite the shame.

You know, my wife lives very far away, leaving me little to no opportunity to see her. Much like the two of you, I communicate with her by way of the written word.

Therefore I think I have just the thing to help you express to one another how you really feel.

You do?

Here.

A piece of paper?

Why not try pouring out all those feelings you find your voice unable to express into a letter?

What? But...Here? Now?

"A letter is the mind alone without corporeal friend." Irrespective of distance a letter can always say what you mean.

......

Okay. I'll try. Wait here a little while?

Got it!

It's not very long and I know my handwriting's messy, but...here.

That's fine. Well, here goes...

......

Thanks, sis. You can write to me anytime and I'll always be happy to hear from you.

I mean, it's nice reading about how you, Mom, Dad, and Grandpa are doing. Even though we live far apart now when I get your letters it feels like we're still close by and that gets me through a lot of rough times. So...I'm sorry. You didn't deserve all those harsh words I wrote you in return.

Oh, Big Brother...!

So if you promise you'll keep writing to me, I promise I'll keep writing to you too.

Of course! Nothing would make me happier.

Looks like they're getting along again, as siblings should. That's nice.

Yes, it is. A truly heartwarming sight to behold. I'll be adding this to the ever-growing list of events I intend to tell my wife about. In fact, I think I shall write her a letter myself.

You write to your wife a lot, don't you, Zilva? You two must be really close.

Yes, I love her dearly. More than I love any other.

Sadly, I haven't had the opportunity to see her face in quite a long time, but... Through letters I am still able to be close to her. Or that is how I feel, at any rate.

Anyway, thank you for your help, Aldo. I apologize if it may have inconvenienced you, but it is certainly much appreciated.

Hey, don't mention it. It's just what I do.

Hah, you are an easy-going young fellow, aren't you?

Then if you don't mind, these old bones will be counting on your help again in the future.