The statue is a constant reminder.
We've tried to destroy it, move it, anything to stop having to see our past mistakes.
Anything to forget.
But it still stands, a memorial to our crimes.
Believe it or not, that was the first time I killed a girl. It's not like I had some just moral code, it was chance and nothing more, but I think it was a bit poetic.
And it was all because she wasn't human.
It sounds disgusting to me now. Repulsive that something so stupid could drive men, good and bad, to do such heinous things to others.
I won't defend my actions, they were wrong. I used to believe I didn't have a choice, that if I didn't do as Hert said, I'd die, and my mom would never be out of that bastard noble's bed.
But it was just a lie I fed myself. There were plenty of things I could have done. He said he'd let me walk away. I could have picked up my life, become an adventurer or a merchant, a trade that wouldn't have me murdering innocent women purely because they were elves or dwarves.
But that is the past.
Now I'm doing the right thing. I'm going to get my penance, turning myself in.
I know you probably don't want me too. You'd say I did it all for you, or for mom. You'd be right, but that doesn't change what I did.
I've killed too many to forgive myself, and I won't have you be known as the sister to a criminal.
You'll be taken care of, they've put out a reward to anyone who can turn in the gang, and I know just where they are.
That reward will be going to you, Jess.
Use it however you think you should, I won't tell you how you should. All I ask is that you don't get into the same business I did.
Maybe you'll start a family, make me an uncle.
I'll miss you, of course. Not much I can really do about that though. Help mom through it, she won't accept it, she might even try to get that noble to do something about it. Stop her. I don't want her to go back to him, especially with how she came home the last time.
Be careful, Jess, and live your life to the fullest. If this is the last time I get to tell you, I love you.
Your Big Brother
Lyle