Chasing a Letter

Mallvilt stretched as the train shook him awake. The sun was up and the train is moving, stretching he regretted not paying the extra lords to get a sleeping cabin. He watched the forests slide past the window and glanced at the letter that was staring at him from the little table it was left on. Mallvilt had read it multiple times. What is that girl thinking. He gave in and picked up the letter again.

Mallvilt,

I take it you will find this letter soon. I've had to leave to get more things prepared. As I said in my first letter; I can't think of any one more suited to study the ruins we would find up the Stugdulstulkli¹. Lost relics from a Stulamigava² or if we’re lucky a new ruined city to explore. I have almost everything ready, meet me in Stultegal, the city on Yamiga Pistugtul, I’ll get there in a few days and will stay a month. Hopefully I’ll see you there.

Fingstil

Of the letters he had found from her this one was the most and least helpful. Fingstil at least gave him a proper place to head to rather than having to try and track her down. A knock at the door pulled him from his musings. Opening it he found himself looking at a young flisavust³. “Good morning sir, I was coming by to let you know that we will be arriving into Stultegal a few hours earlier than expected as such lunch is canceled and breakfast will be extended into brunch.”

“Thank you miss, do you know when we will be arriving specifically?” Mallvilt checked his watch, it was not quite early morning anymore.

“Around noon if not a bit before that, we are making very good time.” She replied with a smile, “Anything else I can help you with this morning?”

“Nope, I think I’ll take advantage of the brunch menu.” Mallvilt said turning heading to the dining car. His mind turning back Fingstil’s newest adventure idea. There’s no way we are leaving from Stultegal to the Stugdulstulkli it’s too far. He pinned his train of thought arriving at the dining car. It was uncharacteristically empty.

“Does sir prefer to dine alone or may we seat other parties with you?” The host said putting on a fake posh accent.

“I don’t mind either way my good sir.” Mallvilt replied mimicking his accent with an eye roll. He was seated on the left side of the train and returned to his pondering. If Fingstil is correct we will make history. Yet those mountains are graves for more than just men. Once again his train of thought was stopped this time by a pair of women being seated across from him at his table.

“Good morning. Are you waiting for someone or are you traveling alone?” The first woman said taking of her wide brimmed hat.

“I am alone this trip. Been chasing a letter around for the past few weeks. Hopefully this time I’ll catch up with them.” Mallvilt put down his menu and took a second look at the women. The chatty one was shorter and likely a few years younger than himself. Her midnight blue dress was accented with silvers of silver and gold; it was covered by a storm gray overcoat, with matching large floppy wide brimmed hat. The dark colors contrasted with her bright orange hair. The leather and gem bracers peaking out of her sleeves hinted at her being a well practiced davlagust⁴. Her friend was an arctic fox davbavust⁵. Her white hair, fox ears, and fox tail provided stark contrast with her dark brown dress. She picked silver over leather but was clearly no less practiced in davlaiga⁶. “Might I learn the names of such lovely ladies?”

“I am Pustubli, and this is Nallag. Who is concerningly chipper this morning.” The davbavust introduced the two of them. “And who are you mr. gentleman?”

“Mallvilt, it’s a pleasure.” The three than turned to their menus.

“Who are you chasing the letter to?” Nallag said pondering over the menu.
“My friend Fingstil has decided we are to explore the Stugdulstulkli. She believes that we will stumble upon an archaeological treasure trove. I’m not as sold, they are rather dangerous mountains after all. Fingstil is correct that most of them are still unexplored. If nothing else it should be a good time.” Mallvilt looked out over the foothills looming large in the window.

“She sounds like a good friend.” Nallag laughed, “How long are you going to be out there? Anyone else going with you?”

“Hopefully we will be back before winter sets in. All mountains are rather dangerous in winter, let alone the Stugdulstulki. Although I don’t think she’s planned that far a head.” Mallvilt shook his head, “I hope she’s got a bit more of a plan by the time I catch her.”

“Winter isn’t that bad.” Pustubli chimed in, “Especially if you’re with someone, although depending on the duration. Binding⁷ might be a concern.” Pustubli stroked her chin contemplatively. Mallvilt chocked on his tea in shock. “I assure you, however bad Fingstil is this one,” Pustubli shrugged at Nallag, “Is worse. Without me she’d be bound up by now.”

“That’s not very lady like of you to say.” Nallag quipped, clearly feigning insult.

“I could go on about the letters I got from your trip with the fisavustma if you wanted properly unlady like.” Pustubli parried. Both then broke out in suppressed laughter. “I’m sorry Mallvilt. I’m sure this wasn’t the conversation you were expecting over brunch.”

Mallvilt shook his head, “I doubt anyone could expect to hear this at any table. Let alone one on a train.” He attempted to laugh off the squabble, “Where are you two headed?” Pustubli shot Nallag a glance seemingly passing the answering of the question over.

“Fine. We are headed east-ish. We are doing a wander. Mostly looking to find a good mentor.” Nallag mused, “Or an academy that can teach us something interesting. Usually we breeze though the exams and they can’t think of anything they can teach us. Which I suppose is a good sign.”

“Well may we all find what we are looking for.” Millvilt said raising his glass. They then settled into breakfast. As they ate the train snaked its way though the forests towards Yamiga Pistugtul, the waters coming into view as they finished.

“You have been quite a good breakfast date Millvilt,” Nallag said as she jotted down a few lines in her notebook. “Do you mind if I quote you directly?”

Millvilt was taken back, “What for?”

“Ahh yes, um.” Nallag’s confidence evaporated. “Have you heard of the Witch of Travels?” she winced at the name.

“Yes she’s quite a good author even if tracking down her books can be a bit of a chore.” Millvilt paused for a moment, “If I remember correctly she is supposedly putting out a new book soon. Are you one of her fans?” Pustubli broke barely keeping her laughter under control, as Nallag sunk into her chair.

“You could say that.” Pustubli said though her laughter. Nallag replied with a dirty look.

“I am the Witch of Travels.” Nallag confessed clearly expecting a negative response.

Millvilt was once again knocked off balance. “Really, then I would be honored. In fact if you wouldn’t mind; I have a copy of Summering in Dulastul Lufanti⁸ and I’d be honored if you would sign it.” Pustubli brought Nallag back to the table with a swift elbow jab.

“Yes, of course.” Nallag spat out. The group then went back to Millvilt’s cabin and the book was signed. “Well I believe we must get going.” Nallag mused checking her watch. “We are going to have to fly out if we are going to meet with the airship before it leaves.” Pustubli gave a pleading look but didn’t argue.

“Well I don’t want to keep you. Thank you for both the lovely breakfast and signing the book. If you have need of a historian feel free to reach out.” Millvilt said as the two women turned to leave. He then returned the newly signed book to it’s location in his backpack, then took the pack and went to the observation dome to watch the approach to Stultegal.

Arriving just in time to see Nallag and Pustubli turn out over the river as the train turned back inland. If nothing else Fingstil will be surprised that I met the Witch of Travels. Then the letter took center stage again.

More to come, Read the rest in the future Anthology.

1: Literally translated: Large important rocks. This is appears to be a large Himalayan style mountain range on the northern continent.

2: Literally translated: Ice paths. Other sources imply these are some kind of ice age migration route. From where and to where I have yet to determine.

3: Literally translated: corrupted woman. These appear to be women touched by magic. Other sources lead me to connect them to fairy or elven women.

4: Literally translated: Divine way woman. They are some kind of divine/nature based magic wielder. Seemingly common.

5: Literally translated: divine animal woman. This group of ‘divine animal men’ appear to be humans melded with animals though magic. Hinted at being a separate species or sub species.

6: Literally translated: Divine way. This is the magic used by the wielders in 4.

7: This appears to be some kind of magic related to marriage or pregnancy. Sources are conflicted.

8: Literally Translated: Pearl Islands. A group of small islands in a large bay to the north east of most maps.