Office of the High Herald
*| The door to this room is partially blocked by a giant
|| bookshelf, the first of a dozen or so placed around the
W-* * *| walls of the room. In the center of the mess and half
| | || hidden by another large bookshelf, is a grand desk with
@-*-*| a tall and softly padded chair. A large soft rug fills
|| the floor of the room, with a smaller mat intended for
*| shoes, so that visitors won't track mud all over the already
| cluttered floor. Two fine oaken doorways open to the north
| and east. A painting of the High Herald is hanging
---------+ on the wall.

[Exits: north east]
A mirror is on the wall, shimmering with magic.
A set of mystic bones is on a leather covered desk.
A desk covered with soft leather rests here facing a window.
A glass cabinet is mounted above the desk containing a golden parchment.
(Charmed) A tiny wisp hovers here, shedding its essence as it bobs in the air.
(White Aura) Azerayhna the swamped herald maid is rushing around here.

You remove a wicked witch's black hat from your head.

You put a wicked witch's black hat on a leather covered desk.

You get a pair of red-tinted spectacles from a satchel embroidered with the crest of Heralds.

You put a pair of red-tinted spectacles on a leather covered desk.

Valindra examines the letter clenched in her stubby, emerald fist . . . word from Acadia, a prayer from a sister long since dead. Age yellows the parchment like jaundice.

Valindra turns toward the painting that hangs upon her office wall. Such a fine likeness, she thinks.

A tiny wisp named Hibbadibbity zooms and darts about the rafters of the office, getting wisp essence EVERYWHERE! but especially upon the little goblin witch.

A tiny wisp named Hibbadibbity says ‘Are you sure?’

Valindra croaks ‘No.’

Valindra spares a last look for the letters she’s neatly arranged on her desk. Avenar will see them delivered, she thinks.

[ 40]: <HERALD> Valindra: goodbye
To: Trillian
Dear Trillian,

It turns out that fate is an even crueler mistress than I: today I will step
through the mirror again, and I do not think I will ever return. Where I
travel you may someday join, though I hope that you can find me there ...
In a new body, in a different time. Maybe Hibba can light the way.

Take care of the Heralds. Take care of Avenar. He is immortal, but I do
not think we should hold that against him. He helped me stay here for a
long time when my own magic could not. I owe him--and you--many favors I
cannot repay.

I leave to you Mama's memory box so that you might divine its greater
purpose or use it to destroy the realm. Only -- don't forget me.

I love you,
Valindra

[ 39]: <HERALD> Valindra: instructions
To: Wylsin
Master Plindane,

It seems only appropriate that I leave you these bones; after all, they
belonged to a mystic long since dead. I keep tossing and tossing them
today, but always the same message--I get a sense of absence from the
position of the remaining bones.

I'm still sorry about your eye. Will you give Foggledonk back his toe?

I couldn't help but steal pieces of all my favorite people.

I weighted that statue with stones and sunk it somewhere no one should find
it. It is my last and abiding wish that you make sure that they don't.

Your friend,
Valindra

[ 38]: <HERALD> Valindra: sealed with a kiss
To: Ilromie
Dear sister,

I cannot believe that I get to say goodbye first. Do not be covetous of all
the attention I receive in death, for many look forward to dancing upon your
own grave someday. Know that your enemies were always my own despite the
many times I plotted your demise. I guess I always liked it best when you
were looking at me.

I return to you the handkerchief you gave me at our first meeting. I have
spent years filling it with snot and some of my best curses. I hope you
find it useful.

My wish for you is that you find some measure of happiness in your dotage.
I'm afraid you deserve more than a world like this can give.

And I was always taking.

Your sister,
Valindra

[ 38]: <HERALD> Valindra: whoops
To: Avenar Vevier Davairus

Whoops!

<>

A tiny wisp named Hibbadibbity lands upon Valindra’s shoulder.

Valindra enters the mirror.