Summer 63, 518
Okara knelt on the sandy beach facing the ocean, the noon time sun high overhead. A gentle breeze ruffled her loose, blonde hair around her shoulders. Her gaze looked out at the ocean then her green eyes drifted down to the sand, and then to her hands wrapped gently around her knees. She focused the opalescent scales covering the backs of her hands before softly closing her eyes.
”Lady Priskil, I am grateful for the hope you give me. I have hope for the day, I have hope for this settlement, I have hope for life. Allow me to be worthy enough to be embraced by the light of your grace.” Okara quietly intoned, letting her prayer float away on the breeze. As her prayer finished, a small stone statue of a woman beside her began to animate and come to life. Okara opened her eyes and looked down upon the Priskil idol she had taken to calling Mini P and smiled. The little statue patted her thigh reassuringly.
”Hey there, Mini. Its another hot day in the jungle.” Okara said pleasantly. She slowly raised herself from her knees and stood, sweeping the sand from her pant legs. The Konti bent down briefly and picked up the stone statue gently.
”Yes, another day. And this day, you have a visitor.” came the small voice of the idol, and Mini P pointed down the beach. Okara turned to look where it indicated and saw the settlement’s potter, Nesra, carrying a package and walking up the beach towards her. Okara raised her hand to wave at the woman and Nesra waved back. She hadn’t seen Nesra in a while, first having met her as a patient at the Panacea when she came in ill with food poisoning.
”Hey Okara!” Nesra called as she drew within speaking distance. Okara smiled at her, nestling Mini P in the crook of her elbow. The statue had gone still, though Okara knew it was still observing and would speak if she chose to reveal the truth of its being to Nesra.
”I was dropping off some pots at the Mercantile and Juli said this package had arrived for you. She was going to wait until you passed by but I’ve been at my wheel most of the morning and really needed to stretch my legs so I offered to bring it up here. I hope you don’t mind, I haven’t opened it.” Nesra said and presented the package to Okara. It was a lumpy shape wrapped in brown paper and twine.
Okara set Mini P carefully down in the sand and accepted the offered package. She carefully untied the twine and unfolded the rough, brown paper to reveal a backpack of worn, brown leather with an envelope pinned to it. Okara turned the backpack over a few times, studying it, before unpinning the envelope.
On the envelope was written, My darling daughter, this package arrived for you shortly after you left Mura. It took some time to find a Svefra pod that was traveling near Syka and could transport this to you. I hope this finds you well. ~ Mom. Okara smiled happily, the note was short but it warmed her heart immensely to see her mother’s handwriting. Turning the envelope over, she unfolded the top flap and withdrew the letter it held.
Okara, You do not know me, and frankly you never will. Your father, my son, Takari re Naphu has died from a long illness. On his death bed he requested that something be left to you that you may have some memory of him. His wealth and business will be given to his two legitimate children who are deserving of it. To you, the illegitimate mistake of my son’s youth, I send the backpack he used when he traveled Mizahar and met the woman with whom he begot you. The backpack is magical and will hold an unlimited number of things so long as they can fit through the opening. When you wish to retrieve what you have put on there, you must concentrate on the item and it will come to your hand. This is all the inheritance you will ever receive, do not attempt to come to Ahnatep and grub for further. - Sashara re Naphu (This letter has been dictated to and translated from High Arumenic by Safre the Scribe)
Word Count: 733
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