The Letter

My day begins an hour before the sun rises, as is customary. I awoke and went downstairs for breakfast. I went to the desk expecting to see Canra but instead encountered another clerk. When I asked where Canra was, he said her shift had ended at midnight. When I introduced myself, he said, "Canra told me about you. She stated that she forgot to inform you that you are entitled to free meals in the cafeteria because the fees are already covered by the mayor. Please enjoy your stay, Mr. Burghe."

I gladly nodded and proceeded to the cafeteria, where I discovered a variety of meals from which I, like the other travelers, could freely choose. I ate fried eggs, fried rice, and a cup of hot coffee.

After breakfast, I went to the town hall to retrieve my clothes and transport them to my room, which has a private bathroom. On the way, the guards wished me a good morning, so I reciprocated.

I left my other necessities at the town hall because they won't be useful any time soon. I returned to the inn and hung my clothes in the wardrobe.

I went for a walk around the neighborhood, and they were already busy, despite the fact that the sun had not yet risen. The docks were crowded with fishermen transporting their catches, while others were preparing their boats. The markets were being filled up with various items for sale by local merchants, and merchants from outside were arriving at the gate.

While I was watching the farmers plow their fields, a guard approached me and said, "Good morning, Sir Burghe, the mayor wanted to see and talk to you about the letter." I immediately followed him into the hall, where the mayor sat in the lobby.

"Good morning, Burghe. So, what did you have for breakfast? ", the mayor said as he greeted me. I told him what I had done earlier, and he listened intently. He then showed me an envelope with a stamp from the post office in my hometown.

He let me open it first so I could see my mayor's response. I carefully opened the envelope and took the letter out. There were two of them. I sat down and read the first content;

"Greetings, Hullings, to my neighboring mayor. I read your message and realized what was going on. I have not received any reports of the aforementioned group, but I am currently instructing the guardsmen to look for clues. As for Elias, I'm disappointed that I wasn't be able to help him when the time he needed a hand came. I also began a search for his wife and their child. Please make him feel welcome and keep him safe in certain ways. He is a good, responsible man who is respected by everyone in Fagardo."

I handed over the first letter to Mr. Hullings, as it was intended for him. I continued reading the second paper because I assumed the second letter was for me;

"Good day, Elias, Fagardo's Peacekeeper. I am deeply sorry that we were unable to assist you when you encountered the said group. I'm not sure if it was you or these men who did it, but when the guards searched your house, it was a mess. A large amount of paperwork from the town hall was torn apart. Volunteers are cleaning your house right now, and soldiers are looking for clues about your family's whereabouts. I'd love to see you back in town, but due to a few circumstances, please refrain from returning for the time being. They could still be out there looking for you. Once I have more information about the group, I will write Hullings a letter. Maintain your safety while you're out there. Your squad, Al Squadra, sends their best wishes."

These were not the words I expected to hear from my mayor. He is typically the type of person who is strict when necessary, which is most of the time. Despite the fact that he, like Mr. Hullings, is a good mayor.

The mayor responded to my hometown and asked if I wanted to write back; I agreed and wrote a letter of thanks to Mr. Felaure.