My Dearest Priha’Di,

It’s been two whole cycles since I saw you last. I still remember what you said the day I left. To be honest, it’s part of what’s gotten me through this journey. Even with the Timids, we can only safely travel so far every day with a ship this large and highly manned, but today marks an amazing point in our journey. During the third hype today, we officially crossed the halfway point between the Bifrost and this new planet, Earth. I met with the Sheii’Cronell who’s taking us there about a week ago, and I must tell you, he’s nothing like the stories!

I had been going to the forward galley to talk to Veriar. You remember Veriar, I’m sure. I was one of his attendants at his wedding three cycles ago. It’s actually his third cycle-mark tomorrow, and I thought it would be fun to get together. So I was on my way to see him to make plans, and the ship encountered a planetoid cloud, so we started performing some of the flashier maneuvers these massive girls can do, and one of the pulse-cars beside me came loose of its fasteners and almost crushed me. I was terrified, Priha’Di. I must be honest with you.

Anyway, there I am, standing certain of my death, and this Sheii’Cronell just appears between me and the pulse-car in a blur and just catches it like it was a fielded playball. I thanked him, and he actually looked at me as if to say it was no bother! I had always heard that Sheii’Cronell’s don’t look a man in the eye unless he either greatly respects him as a warrior or wants to kill him, but there was something about his eyes that was almost gentle. It was a sad softness, too, like he had once experienced a great loss.

So he looks at me and says, “Are you alright?” And, of course, I was so blown away that he would even talk to me that I just blithered about the words trying to leave my mouth. And do you know what he did next, Priha’Di? He actually escorted me to the forward galley and pulled aside Veriar for me. Then he took us to his personal wardroom, where we had the most delicious meats and vegetables that he claimed actually came from the world we’re heading to! I really hope the people there are willing to join the Monarchy. It would be wonderful to eat such foods regularly.

I only wish you could have tasted the food! There was one fruit in particular called a watermelon… Oh, Priha’Di, it was so sweet, and the juices literally just flowed every time I took a bite from my slice. And did I mention that they’re easily twice as big as a head? For a small one? And speaking of small ones, there was this root called a potato. Apparently, the people of Earth actually pull it out of the dirt, wash it off, and use it to make all sorts of side dishes. Who would ever think to eat the root of a plant? I mean, yes, we use some roots to produce chemicals for medicines, but that’s different from just eating something that spent its whole life covered in dirt. Anyway, we had what he called mashed potatoes, where you crush the potato into a paste and mix in a small amount of churned cream to give it some color and add to the flavor. He even said that these are simple dishes made quite often on parts of Earth. Can you imagine?

While we were eating, the Sheii’Cronell asked if I had someone dear to me, so of course I brought you up. How could I not? You’re such an important part of my life, even if we are separated by such a distance now. And the Bifrost. Apparently, there’s a chance that the time that passes here does so at such a different rate from over there that a milliday on one side could be cycles on the other. Still, I cannot help but pray to the Great One that I may see you again one day soon.

After the dinner, I got to talk to the Sheii’Cronell about my job here. I often regret not going to the Academy, but he said I should just apply for the Dragon Riders since there’s no rank in the Dragon Riders, and he says there aren’t enough Riders with my particular skill set. I wonder if he had that in mind all along when he saved my life… So I’m going to apply and just see what happens.

Oh, and there’s something else about this Sheii’Cronell. I saw his eyes shine red just like the stories when he had just caught the pulse-car, but they’re usually just a light reddish-brown. I’ve never heard of someone changing their eye color like he did. Something about him just makes me think he’s not the same kind of demon the Sheii’Cronells have always been. There’s just something undeniably good in him.

But enough about that. In your last letter, you said you’d gotten into a fight with my sister. What happened? I know she acts tough, but don’t let the green hair fool you. She’s pretty sensitive about some things, so please don’t be too hard on her. She’s doing us a huge favor by helping you watch after little Gildr. And make sure you’re taking care of yourself, too! You can worry so much sometimes, I can’t help but think you might forget occasionally that you need rest, too.

I’ve heard that once we get to Earth and work out arrangements with the locals, we’re going to try to build a base over its southernmost pole. Wouldn’t that be great? Then, you’d be able to move there with me. I have a pretty good feeling I’ll get that position as a Dragon Rider, and they get excellent benefits. You could bring Gildr, and we could keep our little family close. I hope things go smoothly on Earth. Halfway there…

I miss you, Priha’Di. No matter what else is going on around me, all I can think about is you and Gildr. We’ll be together again. I promise it. Stay strong. Hopefully, the next time you see me, we’ll be able to enjoy an entire bucket of potatoes,
and I’ll cook them all sorts of different ways for you and Gildr.

With the greatest love,

Grie