Kacey had spent some time considering this gift, wavering over it. Eventually she decided, and wrapped two items into a small box instead of one. The first was starkly simple, a mobius strip carved of wood and polished to a high gloss. The dark wood felt satin smooth and the grain of the wood followed the never-ending pattern almost flawlessly. The second item was, in sharp contrast to the first, intricately detailed, a cage of thorns with a rose suspended, trapped, inside. It was all carved of one piece, in a much lighter wood than the first, but was stained in three places with the dark reddish brown of blood.

It took almost as long to write the accompanying note as it did to decide on the present, for all that it was only a few sentences in length. Finally she folded and sealed the note with a drop of wax, then turned to write a name on the front. Lang.

Kacey hiked from the Red Dragon Inn to Icer's lair near the Glen after delivering Elessaria's present. It was snowing, and the dim moonlight reflected back off the whiteness " thankfully, or else she would never have been able to see her way. She was well aware of the wards that protected the lair and the guards that stood watch " unable to sense the one or see the other, she ignored their presence, and left the box and the note on a rock just outside the lair. She was careful to set them far enough from the spray of the waterfall not to be damaged, and in a place to be easily seen.

Lang, 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. You have been a friend to me through much, and though I have not seen you often of late, I do not want to lose that friendship. I hope that you are well, and happy. Thank you for everything, and all my best wishes for you. - Kacey