Shadow:Without

I have told you about so many of my servants, haven't I? We are down to so few, now. It is time to meet Eldrimor, who is one of my favorites. Without, that's what he specializes in. What is without? It isn't within. It's lack, not loss. It is not an action, but a state of being. It is when there is no wind to fill your sails and no conversation to fill your ears. It is when an entire harvest fails to produce food and when your livestock is too diseased to eat.

Many believe that he only lords over the prospect of things that they would like to have, but currently do not have. Lack, in this way, is of course negative. If you are hungry, you want there to be food available. Eldrimor ensures that there is no food at that time, for one reason or another. But perhaps lack isn't always a bad thing? I think that you understand. In a room of a hundred people, a lack of conversation is much more pleasant than if every single one was speaking. A lack of sunlight under a particular rock provides refuge in the desert. Not all things must be present, you know. Many times, we appreciate the lack of something more than we appreciate its presence.

I am sure that you can think of many things that you prefer a lack of to the presence of. I am doubtful, though, that you would choose to lack sleep in favor of nightmares, would you?