3rd of Faelia,1525
Miss Nova,
I've been following up on every lead I can find, but it's slow going. I wish I had better news, but I've got a feeling that Theo might have been captured. There's no solid proof yet, but some of the men I've spoken to remember seeing him near the river during the chaos at Blackstone Valley. They said he was fighting off several enemies at once, trying to protect the wounded. Typical Theo, always trying to play the hero.
After we got separated, there were reports of soldiers being taken prisoner, especially those who were left behind when the retreat was called. It's a long shot, but I think there's a chance he might be one of them. I'm trying to track down more information, but it's difficult. So much was lost in the confusion of those last days that the clues are scattered.
Theo was a good man, the best I've known. He is my benefactor and has saved my life more times than I can count, and I owe it to him a life debt. I know how much he wanted to get back to you. It was all he talked about, getting home to you and leaving the war behind. It made more than one man jealous.
I'll keep searching and you will be the first one I tell. I'll let you know as soon as I find anything more. I'm not giving up on him, and I don't think you should either, no matter how dark things seem right now.
Sincerely,
Sirius
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
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22nd of Isara,1525
Sirius,
Your letter was both a relief and a new source of worry. The thought of Theo being captured is terrifying, but at least it gives me some hope that he might still be alive. I've been waiting for so long, not knowing whether to grieve or keep hoping. Now, at least, there's something to hold onto, however tenuous.
The idea that Theo might be out there, somewhere, waiting to be found... it's overwhelming. I've tried to imagine what he must have gone through, how he must have fought to survive, and it's almost too much to bear. But I have to believe that he's still out there, holding on just as I've been trying to.
Thank you for not giving up on him, Sirius. I know you owe him a debt, but what you're doing goes beyond that. You're giving me the strength to keep going, to keep believing that I'll see him again.
Please, keep looking, and keep me informed. I don't care how long it takes. I just need to know the truth, whatever it may be.
With deepest thanks,
Nova
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15th of Solara, 1525
Miss Nova,
I've found a lead that might be the breakthrough we need. I spoke to a soldier who was captured around the same time Theo went missing. He mentioned seeing a man matching Theo's description being taken to a prison camp near the mountains. The camp was notorious, and a lot of men never made it out, but some did. I'm trying to track down those survivors now. There might be some leads there.
It's not much, but it's something concrete. If I've learned anything, its to trust my instincts. Something tells me Theo is still out there, waiting. He's tough, tougher than most, and if anyone could survive that, it's him. We may find him in a bad state but it wouldn't matter as long as he is alive.
I know it's hard to hold on to hope after all this time, but I'm close to finding out what happened. Theo deserves to come home, and you deserve to know the truth.
I'll continue to keep you updated as I find out more. Stay strong. I'm not giving up, and neither should you. We will bring him home. No matter what.
Sincerely,
Sirius