Year 124, Spring
Lalli,
Both I and my family have come through this recent “pan-demic” without further loss, though that can scarcely comfort you. I keep thinking it over, seeing in my mind’s eye the gods looking down on our arrogant assuredness that, having survived the Rash, nothing less could strike us down, and watching their response, this outbreak of influenza.
I look at Tuuri’s last letter over and over, finding no hint in it that it would be the last ever. When the news came, I shut myself in my office and simply howled: for Tuuri, who braved the Silent World only to die in her own bed; for Onni, ever fearful of the Rash, but felled by yet an older enemy of Man; for Mikkel, who tended the sick and dying until he himself dropped; for Sigrun; and, yes, for Marta.
I look upon my own words above and despise their inadequacy. I would come to you, but they still haven’t lifted the travel bans here in Sweden. Anyway,
I’m glad to hear most everyone under the age of 50 survived. It was that way here, as well, though the majority of our wisest and most venerable succumbed. Give all your surviving kin a big hug of condolence from me.
Esko has announced that he will be a doctor when he comes of age, as he desires to make the sick well.
They’re still letting letters through, so please keep writing. Enclosed is a translated letter from Reynir, who was in the habit of writing to Mikkel. Now that we three alone are left, he wants to chat more.
Your Cleanser friend,
Emil Västerström
*
Year 124, Winter
Lalli,
I’m a grandfather, twice over. How odd.
Apparently, Aku has been seeing this girl Hanna for some time, and when the Flu hit last winter, they decided to throw caution to the wind and marry, unwilling to waste time they might not have. So, of course, she got pregnant--with twins, no less!--and came through that and the delivery like a trooper, and only then did they think to inform me of all this.
Of course, I’ve been rooted here at the Cleanser Training Camp, while Aku has been heavily involved with the recent actions up in the far north, near Luleå and the Ironworks, but still, he could have written, at the very least.
They have let me meet my grandchildren, though, and the two of them are so like Aku and Esko at that age that it’s uncanny. They have named the boy Mikkel Emil, and the girl Hanna Marta. Don’t worry; I’m sure your name will float around in the family pool of names for some time to come.
Did I mention Aku’s been promoted? They’ve made him a Captain already, after barely two cycles in the field! What madness is this?
Your last letter mentioned you’ve been having some stomach problems, so I’ve enclosed a copy of Tuuri’s hot mash recipe, in case you lost yours. It’s seriously the best stomach-soother that I’ve ever had. Take care of yourself.
Your Cleanser friend,
Emil Västerström
