To my dearest mother, Yan Meilin

I hope this letter has found you well. A lengthy correspondence with

a courier has given me little hope that you yet still live. The hefty

sum paid to have a letter go to no one. Is that not a terrible thing?

It would be unthinkable were I not in such a fortunate position.

I am rambling at this point. Stalling. I should perhaps write something

of note, in the event this letter finds you in spite of your unknown

wellbeing.

I suppose to begin, we must begin. I am sorry. After twenty years of

not seeing one another. I left you so young. In spite my more recent

attempts to connect, I wouldn't call that a meeting. That was a 

disownership. We did not greet eachother as family then, but we met

as strangers, one side claiming they were someone who they were not.

This Speaker, Amedeo. Given penance for crimes they both did and

did not commit. I had thought to honor you by seeking forgiveness.

In this, I have abandoned our old ways. Our family. Our traditions.

I hope twenty years is not too late to reconnect.

Attached is a return address. I have found myself on a mission from

my clergy to go to the south and tame its faithless and lawless land.

I have found the opposite. It is perhaps more lawful than most places,

if a bit eccentric of a population. Rather finding a faithless land, I

find a holyland. A tower rises to the heavens, seemingly attracting

the fables and their faithful. A veritable holy land. There is a place.

A shrine. It is called the Kataware shrine. I was immediately

drawn to it. It looks much like the temples of your homeland like

you keep telling me. If only I had listened to those stories.

This is me reaching out and apologizing. I hope to make time.

Maybe even visit and we can speak face-to-face. Please. Enclosed

is a fraction of what I have managed to earn while here. This was

all gotten through charity. I promise that much.

Sincerey,

Your son, Speaker Amedeo

To 2nd Class Penitent Speaker, 'Amedeo'

It is good you have sent me the amount you have sent, for the courier was

sent from Sudvalkia all the way to Uul'san where I have since returned. The fare

for such a journey was expensive. However, whatever coin that remains I have

enclosed in this letter. I will not take charity from someone I do not know. I have

lost my son. This 2nd Class Penitent Speaker who wears my son's face has

abandoned all sense. Glad that face still walks this star, I cannot help but wish

my son had perished at the guillotine.

If you are truly so apologetic, you will give back my son's face. Scrub that name

"Amedeo" from your soul. To be penitent is your choice, but you abandoned me, as

did your father. To have two foolish men in my life has made me through with them

entirely. I offer my forgiveness to the one who claims their name proudly.

If this changling must know why goings ons. I have returned to Uul'san and rejoined

my clansmen in service of the great clan Odokhi. I pick up the hammer and bellows

to supply this great nation. Perhaps this will earn some honor in the eyes of the

the Great Birds. For you and your loathsome father have done nothing short of drag

our name. Perhaps this changleing will have some sense, and join me.

Sincerely,

Lady of the anvil, Yan Meilin Hatano