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Missives
A Vorare Story
By
Ivan Ewert
Start at the beginning of the Vorare series

November 23, 2007
Farmington, MN

Cotton,

It's been a long time since we talked, and longer since we shared a meal together. I hope that won't prejudice you against the things I have to say.

We found one of the lost up here some time ago. He's of the northeastern branches of the blood, but the family moved into your territory some time ago, and he moved up our way as he grew. Three generations were lost to us but we found him living in Wisconsin.

After we did the background checks, he came up true. Gordon Velander is the name, and if that doesn't ring a bell then take to your books and look up Morris Island during the War. Velander's great-grandfather was stationed with the batteries and took off sometime in the night.

Their blood was strong, and by my books the Commons expended a good deal of energy to find him. But you know better than I how many were lost forever in the antebellum, and what a triumph it was to find even one.

We worked to bring him into the fold peacefully, but failed. He'd been raised Outside and wasn't like to pick up on our ways so easily. After that is was the Pen, but someone worked to keep him and another alive. I'm not keen on sharing our failures, but I'm willing to bet you heard of the fire and all that followed it. That was Velander's work.

He ran, and we chased him, but he vanished into the woods. At the time we figured he went native or he died, and in the rebuilding work we had ahead of us he went to the bottom of our list.

When he came back, he cost us. Nothing irreplaceable, but it proved he'd gone native - taken up with one of the Others or turned savage against the Gentlemen, with all the trouble that entails.

We moved on his mother. She's no part of the blood, and the Master Farmer before me had promised to leave her be; but I'm not held to the promises he made a native. Sent two men, but neither has come back. Their phones don't work any longer and I'm sure they're in the ground somewhere.

I sent them to Whitmire, South Carolina. That's where his mother rested her head last time we'd checked. If Velander was there and did for my men, then he's likely moved her along at this point. Still, I figured it would be bad manners not to let you know there's a native moving in your territory. He's clever, and he's plenty strong. He lived through the Pen for three months. He knows the woods better than any man here, though that might be purely local assistance on the part of the Others.

We're like to send more men down soon, and figured you should know. I'll pay a call personally if you'd prefer, though there's plenty yet to be done here in preparation for winter.

Flesh of your own,
Farmer.

***

November 30, 2007
Chanton, MS

Farmer -

It's been far too long since I've heard direct from yours, and I have to say I do wish you were writing with better news.

I was sorry to hear of your recent troubles. As you guessed, I got word of it in the usual way. Family's ever prone to talk of one another's misfortunes. I don't recall when I last saw your father and predecessor but accept my condolences nevertheless. I hope, at least, you took comfort at his wake.

I don't wish to say it but the story you tell all but beggars belief. One native against the Farm stretches my imagination, especially if he's been through a breaking. If your Pen's all you say it is … but then, I know we've had our differences on such in the past, and I don't care to study about old wounds in this way.

We're looking to Whitmire on your behalf. It's over ten hours from here but still, closer than you are, I suppose. One man with a few housebroken boys should see to it, and I can afford to let them go a short while. There's not so much work to be done here to prepare for the winter as you must see to.

I'm not moving without some further discussion, mind you. Still, if they're planning to head out we might be able to track down a destination without sticking out as much as yours might. It pains me to say it but I don't know how long that'll make a difference - seems like every other person you meet these days is a carpetbagger.

As to your visit, though I understand all you have to see to at the Farm, I'd welcome it with open arms. If you want us to do much more than keep an eye open, too much can go astray when writing - and if we're to really understand one another then a face to face meeting would be the best idea in the world.

I can promise you a decent spread and all the hospitality that is your due, and took the liberty of finding a flight out in two weeks. You can layover in Memphis or Atlanta at your preference. I'm enclosing the information I found. Lord, how the prices do go up this time of year.

Your brother in all things,
Cotton

***

December 1, 2007
Farmington, MN

Cotton,

You're very kind. I've put things in order here - it's mostly hedge-and-fence work this time of year, the smokehouse won't kick into full gear for another few weeks as we look to the pigs. I will be flying down for a three-day stay with Brother Samuel, if that's acceptable to you and yours. We plan to arrive on December 5 in Jackson.

Don't worry yourselves on meeting us. We've rented a car and can be in Chanton inside of two hours if the directions from '96 still hold. Has it really been so long?

Story and Image by Ivan Ewert, Copyright 2008