Love in the City of Stone - Short Story (Patreon)

Asta

I have so much to thank you that I don't know where to start. My life was dull and boring. It was day after day, meeting diplomats and participating in tedious dinners where each nobleman tries to show himself more willing to sacrifice himself for the king. That changed at the forge dinner. The annual festival that celebrates all blacksmiths in the city. I was at my table enjoying the meal when the worst and most repulsive of all the dwarves in town came to court me. I've heard countless rumors that he likes to abuse his maids and exile them, or worse, when one ends up getting pregnant. I lost my appetite and tried to find some excuse to leave, but I couldn't. Until my knight in shining armor approached. Pretending to be a childhood friend, she hugged me and took me to one of the balconies to talk. That was more than enough to delight me. Of course, being more beautiful than a pristine jewel helped a lot. I still can't understand how I spent so long without you in my life.

Forever yours - Sati

Sati, my dear.

Your words move me, but I have to disagree. You were the one who rescued me from a colorless world. My life has always been about working in the forge and improving my skills. For years nothing was more important than having one of my armors in royal armies until I saw you at dinner. As soon as you entered the room, the whole scene changed colors. The reds vibrated with your arrival, the blues danced around you, and all gold jumped for joy just by your presence. I thought that saving you from that nasty little man would be as close as I could get to you. I was surprised by the fact that the dwarf princess feels for me, a mere blacksmith, the same as I feel for her. These past few months have been the best of my life. Some days when I see you. The roof of the cave seems to shine, and when we are far away, the memory of your embrace keeps me sane.

My heart is yours - Asta

Asta

You don't know how many times I think of asking for help to understand you. Someone who grew up in the forge can be wiser than many palace scholars. When we stayed in the gardens, lying looking at the stars through the hole in the cave's roof. Hearing you talk about what the world is like out there, only made me fall more in love. I love how you know about the countless stars in the night sky, about the sea, which is nothing but water, thousands and thousands of liters of water as far as the eye can see, and about other races. It looks like you've lived on the surface. I wonder if I'm not too boring for you. A spoiled little girl who always had everything she wanted and never tried to discover new things. I hope that spending time with me is not too boring for you.

Forever yours - Sati

Sati, you're crazy.

I can't believe you ran away from your father, the king's birthday party, to be with me. Even if it was on the same day as my birthday, you need to be more careful. We can't let him find out about our relationship. You know better than anyone that he would never accept that. My family is used to selling weapons and armor to travelers. I was always curious and asked everything I could imagine for them. When I was little, the travelers responded smiling. After a while, I had to offer a discount in exchange for the information. Never think that you are boring. Seeing you negotiating with merchants is fantastic. Not to mention that you are able to tell stories in a way that makes you feel like you were there when it happened. You are amazing, Sati. Never doubt it.

My heart is yours - Asta

Asta

Forgive me. You need to get away. I know I said horrible things to you today, but that's not what I think. I love you, I have always loved you, and I will always love you. My father found out about us. He forced me to humiliate you like that during the party to keep you from me. All because he was unable to have another child, and he doesn't want his bloodline to end me. I don't care about that. I just care about you. He threatened to sentence you to death for treason to the kingdom. I obeyed him to save you, but now I find out that he still sent assassins after you. Helena heard from the king's servants that the contract has already been paid. They will kill you tonight. You need to get away now. Please run as far as you can. Get out of that damn cave, go live with the surface dwarves, or better yet, with the humans. I'll be fine, knowing that you're alive and having the memory of our love is all I need. Run, live, find a new love and forget me. I've caused you enough pain. I don't want to be a burden on your life. Be happy.

Forever yours - Sati.

Sati

Sorry for the delay to write you. It took me a few months to find a good place to live. I am living in a human city, close to the sea! Do you believe it? I am near the ocean. Some members of the caravan who brought me here have taught me a lot about the surface, including learning to swim. I suck at it, but the feeling of water in my body is indescribable. You feel like you're flying. Speaking of which, the sky is the most fantastic thing I've ever seen! So many colors, so many stars, the setting sun is something that made me cry with emotion. My only regret is that I was unable to bring you with me. When Helena handed me the letter I was in tears, I thought our love had been a lie that I was just a toy for you. But when I read your letter…. Forgive me. I should never have thought of that. I love you. I understand that you worried about my safety, but I would die for you anytime. A day with you is worth more than a lifetime of riches and adventures. I tried to go to the castle to convince you to run away with me, but Helena stopped me. The guards were looking for me, and I would have been killed if I approached you. I'm sending this letter to Helena so that she can deliver it to you. I pray that you are safe.

My heart is yours - Asta.

Asta

I am happy to know that you are well. Don't worry. I'm safe. I am going to marry Varner, the general who was talking to me when we met. It will make me happy, and I will have many children who have become future kings and queens. Nothing could make me happier. I ask that you do not send me any more letters because I am happy, and I know that what we had was just an attempt at rebellion against my father. Now I will do what is right.

Sati.

Asta

Forgive me for the last letter. My father saw your letter and forced me to answer in front of him.

I hate what he's doing to me. I hate being part of royalty. I hate this city. Asta, my love. I wanted to be by your side. Looking at the stars with you. Knowing that you are well was the best thing that happened to me this year. My father has already set the wedding date in a few months. I'll have to be that pig's wife. I lose sleep thinking about what will happen to me at the hands of that man. Don't worry. Your letter gave me strength. I will face my father and refuse the marriage. If he doesn't accept, I will run away. I will fight. I will do whatever it takes to get rid of that sentence that was put to me. I'd rather burn at the stake than marry him.

Forever yours - Sati

Sati

Please tell me that you are fine. I came as fast as I could to the kingdom's capital, but when I got here, I saw that the entrance to the underground city collapsed. And everyone talks about a fire that started yesterday, on the day of their wedding. Tell me you didn't do anything crazy. Please tell me that you are fine. I can't imagine a world without you, Asta. Give me some sign that you are alive. It's crazy to ask you to answer, I know. Every day I will return here, in the hole in the garden that we spent hours together watching the stars. I won't stop until I find you, even if I need to dig the entire mountain. Please, my love, tell me that you are fine. Please.

My heart will always be yours - Asta.

Asta.

I love you

Forever yours, in this world and the next - Sati.