letters.

[spellsteal]

To the Esteemed Lord Renaer Neverember,

— From Belthazar Summerspark,
former student of the Academy.

I hope this letter finds you well. There were a few things I wanted to say to you that were better left in a letter.

It is not easy to recover after a captivity such as yours, and I hate to remind you of that, but I wanted to make sure you were recovering apace. If you have need of a healer, Flynn is a very good one, though I think by now it is one of those situations where the heart needs to heal, too. In that case I can only recommend good food and good friends. I am not so bold as to count myself among the latter, but if you do require some favor in the future, know that I will answer gladly. With this letter I've sent a package of homemade chocolates and berry tarts made from a cookbook I read some decades ago. They're easy on the palate but they're very rich, so please be sure not to eat them all at once. If such a package is missing, you might interrogate your post carrier and remind him that elves have a very long memory for slights.

Your strength and resolve in the face of adversity is something to admire-- not to mention your endless patience while dealing with us. I myself am something of a green adventurer but you took the lead without fear and you set an example. I wanted to thank you for fighting alongside us and protecting us. Truly you are a noble in all senses of the word, and your people are very, very lucky to have you.

I also wanted to express my sincerest apologies for failing so terribly at the end of our adventure. The whole situation was, quite frankly, embarrassing. But you didn't hesitate to help us even then, and I appreciate that as well.

I am not sure what else to add to this letter. I hope that if we fight alongside each other again, I can support you as well as I would like.

Sincerely yours,

Belthazar



----



To Floon Blagmaar,

— From Belthazar Summerspark.

I'm not sure you remember me considering my catatonic state during the rescue, but I was the wizard in the rescue party. I hope you'll forgive me as I was woefully unprepared for that encounter with the wobbly brain creature.

At any rate, I am writing to wish you good health and a hasty recovery. If you are still in need of something after that terrible week, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thanks in part to you, my friends and I have opened a tavern where the old Trollskull Manor used to be. As the head chef and... only chef, I'm happy to cook you whatever you like.

There is no quicker way to lift the spirit than good food and drink. This is something I've long believed. I've attached two dozen macarons with this letter, flavored with various berries, chocolate, and pistachio. I do hope you enjoy them.

Best wishes,

Belthazar

Comments

[still_waterdeep]

To the Esteemed Wizard Belthazar Summerspark,

I offer you my most heartfelt thanks for checking up on me. My recovery has been coming along very well, though I must admit with some chagrin that I've lost my fondness for small rooms such as the one you found me in. This, too, I'm sure will fade in time. I do hope that your own recovery is going well, and that the Xanathar's Guild and Zhentarim have not caused you further trouble.

You're very kind for sending along these homemade goods. They're absolutely delicious. If this is what tavern goers at your fine establishment can expect to have as a dining experience, then perhaps I should start becoming a regular myself! I must confess that it's hard to keep myself from eating more than one or two at a time.

I'm glad that I could inspire you to achieve greater heights, and that I was strong enough to keep you all safe. I'm sure that in no time at all, you and your companions will become far stronger than I could even dream, and achieve great things in so doing. You all have the makings of great heroes. I know that my people will soon be grateful to have people such as you protecting our fair city.

That being said, you naturally have my forgiveness. Please, try not to be too hard on yourself. As you said earlier, you're just starting as an adventurer. It would be folly of me or anyone else to assume that you would come out unscathed against an intellect devourer for the first time. You will learn and grow from the experience, and become a much stronger and wiser wizard for it.

I, too, hope that if we fight alongside each other, I do not hold you back in the slightest.

With sincerest gratitude,
Lord Renaer Neverember

P.S: I heard from Mirt that you and the delightful Mayhem have recently joined the Harpers. I, myself, am a member of this network, and I'm looking forward to seeing how you grow within our ranks.

[still_waterdeep]

To Belthazar Summerspark,

Of course I remember you! You were awfully brave for going up against that dreadful creature's pet! Volo and I just can't thank you enough for saving me in the nick of time. I hate to think what would've happened if you hadn't arrived when you did.

Oh, perfect, you got that old tavern up and running again! I know I'll be sure to pay some regular visits, then. And, naturally, drag Volo along for the ride! Goodness knows he'd love to speak more with his, and I quote, "Official Number One Fan."

The macarons are absolutely delicious and Volo is certain that his third book should be about magical recipes. Just between us, he's been talking nonstop about how he'd absolutely love to collaborate with you on that book. He just has to finish writing his guide to spirits and specters or whatever its title is.

Magnificent wishes,

Floon (+ Volo)