(2026-05-25) Bagels and Artifacts
Details
Author: Luridel
Summary: Mordecai responds in writing to Colson's decision to stay in the Dread Wastes for a week.
Rating: T for Teen
Sir Colson Aspenwood Mordecai Aspenwood

[ A letter left at the drop point along with a care package of food that Mordecai did not make and a sealed paper bag of bagels that Mordecai did make. ]

May 25th, Year 30

Dear Colson,

I forgive you, of course, and I am not upset. I am a little disappointed, in a small and selfish way, that I cannot see you, but mostly I am proud of you, my paladin, for making the choice to stay. I believe it to be the correct one. I want you, always, but I do not have need of you right at this very moment. I am well and safe, and the bagels are in the oven, and I have time to write to you while I wait. I am once again in Halfhill. The bagels have been hugely popular. I hope you like them.

The Golden Lotus had us recover another three relics, which I was going to tell you about last week when you came home but then I got (positively) distracted. The distraction was, of course, well worth it, but I may as well tell you now. Snocoza is set.

They were all relics of the Thunder King himself this time: A spear, a helm, and an axe. The spear was in a shrine that had since become a little lake with some ruins at the bottom, and the spear was still there, just guarded by a quilen statue. Florande and Caspis both swam in to fetch it, and Mi Shu dove in to help them, and the rest of us got to stay where it was dry. The helm was in the Guo-Lai Halls, and once again Zhao-Jin was there, but we secured the helm and he teleported away. He didn't put any of us in chains this time - he was alone, he only had two statues with him. The axe was guarded by some sort of mogu trial, where we just had to defend ourselves while we were attacked by quilen and jade constructs for a certain period of time before the gate opened and we were able to secure the axe. Zhi the Harmonious is going to keep the artifacts under guard from now on.

I have been incredibly safe in the field. Most of the time I am not the only healer - Caspis is often with me - and Melancholy (Lena's apprentice) has been maintaining a soulstone on me with extreme consistency in her timing. Sir Dane is often there, as well as your sister, Lt. Baird, Lena herself, Florande, Mi Shu (you met her briefly), and once in a while a kaldorei named Ceiya, who I don't think you have met. I even fought with Aszera once. I have what I need: there are people who will hear me if I call for help. I do not have what I want, which is you, my love. But I am looked after, and I have not suffered any permanent harm. I have suffered relatively little harm at all, considering the amount of time I have been in the field. There have been no major wounds.

The bagels are cooling now. Know that I think of you always, and I pray for you and your team every morning or early afternoon. I had the thought that if I could wake up early enough, I could say my prayers roughly at the same time as you, but without you here I keep sleeping in. Still, the intent is there.

With you always,
Your Mordecai

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