Tower of Scabia — To the attention of Archmage Finia, with the seal and consent of the Inner Council
Dear Finia,
I am pleased to write to you from Glavendell, the small corner where I decided to retire—though every hour here convinces me that this retirement will be less peaceful than I imagined.
I arrived without major mishaps. The journey was long, but not unrewarding. Sometimes, the silence of the countryside offers more answers than all the books in the Tower combined. Glavendell is a modest village, but full of life, greenery, and deep roots. I have not felt distrust regarding my status as a wizard, only curiosity. Here I am simply "the stranger from the capital," and that—strangely—I find comfortable.
The family of the village chief, a man named Eunid, welcomed me with unexpected generosity. I have also met his daughters, each more distinct and charming than the last. Sometimes, simple life possesses a depth that marble halls cannot touch.
I confess something that might make you smile: I camped for the first time in my life. I did so by the river, at the edge of the house that Edictus—yes, our Edictus—built decades ago and never came to inhabit. The house is in ruins, or in transformation, depending on how you look at it. One part stands, another battles against weeds and time. But it has solid foundations. Like him, I suppose: contradictory, full of secrets, and yet steadfast.
I haven't finished unraveling what led him to build here, or why he kept it hidden. But it is his legacy. And as such, I have decided to try and rebuild it. Not for him, but for myself. I want to understand him better, perhaps thus understanding what I leave behind as well.
Now, let's talk about you, Archmage.
Leading the Tower of Scabia is no small task. I still remember when you arrived, trembling under your first cloak, and now you wear the white cloak of command. How proud I am of you, Finia. Not for the title, but for what it means: that you did not break. That you chose to go on. That you listened, learned... and now teach.
Do not forget that power does not always manifest in the form of fire or complex spells. Sometimes, it manifests in patience, in the silent steadfastness with which you support others when everything trembles. Being Archmage is more than mastering magic. It is being home, law, and frontier.
You will have doubts. You will be judged. And, at times, you will feel that you are alone. But you are not. My distance is not forgetfulness. You can always write to me, and as soon as I can, I will reply. Even from this secluded corner of the kingdom, my advice, my ear, and my affection are with you.
I send you a piece of carved stone from the entrance of Edictus's house. It has no magical value, but I thought you might like to have it. It is proof that even abandoned works can breathe again.
Stay strong, Finia. And never forget: being a master does not mean having all the answers, but having the courage to search alongside others.
With sincere affection, Dyan Halvest