Eless had vanished up the stairs with Connar and the other woman and not reappeared. Which made delivering her presents a bit more difficult ? not impossible, only difficult. Eventually Kacey resorted to borrowing a piece of paper and a pen from behind the bar to write a note. Only a few short lines, and plain words at that.

Once the note was completed, Kacey folded it and tucked it into the ribbon tied to one end of the short solid rod carved with vines. It was the only wrapping on that gift, though the other was packed neatly in a box. There was no other convenient way to wrap the second carving, a pair of delicate hands cupped and cradling a flame. Kacey slid from the barstool to pull out the register, and it took some searching before she found a neat entry with Elessaria's room number alongside it.

The common room was almost empty as she climbed the stairs and made her way along the hall to Elessaria's room. Kacey looked up and down the deserted hallway and bit her lip as she considered the odds of the gifts being stolen. Eventually she shrugged and set down both the carved rod with the note and the small box next to it. They were placed in the doorway, and she could only hope they would neither be stolen nor tripped over. That complete, she retreated back down the hallway and into the night.

Eless, I do not really know if you celebrate Solstice, Yule, or neither one at all. These are late for the one or early for the other, so take them as you please. I believe the rod is strong enough to stand up to any abuse, even a forceful meeting with a hard male head. I hope you like the other carving. Thank you for everything, and the best wishes of the season to you. - Kacey