7th of Faelia,1519

Nova,

It's been a month since I last wrote, and I'm sorry for the delay. Things have been... chaotic, to say the least. We've moved closer to the border, and the tension is obvious. Every day, we train harder to prepare for what's to come. I have never worked out so much more than I ever have. My body is sore all over. It's like the time when I fell from the oak tree in front of Mr. Morrisons butcher shop but 10 times worse. I've seen the fear in the eyes of the new recruits and it makes me uneasy. We all know what's at stake if things go wrong.

Sirius has become a good friend. He reminds me so much of Sol, he's quick-witted and fiercely loyal. He follows me around like a puppy. He talked a lot about his home and the things he's left behind. He's from a small village in Arcadia and he's an orphan like us. I think that's another thing that drew us together. We shared understanding of what it means to belong to no one and everyone at the same time. Though, I do have a place to go home to, to you.

The nights are getting colder, but I've gotten used to it. The blankets are thin but I have been able to find an extra one somehow. What I can't get used to is the silence that falls over the camp after dark. It's a different kind of quiet than what we had in Mistveil. There, it was peaceful. Here, it's calm before the storm.

I keep your letter close, reading it when I need to remind myself why I'm here. I can almost hear your voice in the words, and it helps me feel less alone. I miss you, Nova. More than I can say. But I'll keep writing no matter what. I hope i don't have to but I will fight so that i can come home back to you. I know you're waiting for me.

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Always yours,

Theo

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15th of Isara,1519

My dearest Theo,

It feels like the days here are growing shorter with nights even longer. Without you here, everything seems just a little less bright. But your letters have been helping me out. They're my light in the darkness that has now come into my life. I carry them with me everywhere, reading them whenever I feel the weight of this war pressing down on my heart. They have become a bit worn and tattered from me folding them so much.

The children at the orphanage are well. I have been working with the younger ones more to try to keep my mind off of things. They've taken to calling you their hero, you know. I think they're proud to know someone who's out there, fighting for what's right. They do not know what war really is and how scary it can be. I've been telling them stories about us and the things that we did before some of them came to us. They love hearing about our adventures, and it brings a smile to my face to see them so engaged. A story or two I shouldn't have shared as we had many scrapes and an almost broken arm. Lets just say that the tree at the edge of the meadow is now off limits. Sister Lily scolded me for what seemed like days.

Mistveil is much the same, though there's an undercurrent of worry that wasn't there before. The war feels closer now, even though it's still far away. The prices of goods for the city have gone up but it is still manageable. People talk in hushed voices, and there's a tension in the air that's hard to ignore. Many of the wives have been restless now that their husbands and sons are gone. I too understand how they feel with you being gone.

I visited the glade yesterday as it is a small comfort to me. The leaves have started to fall, blanketing the ground in a carpet of red and gold. I collected the leaves to begin making crafts for the Fall festival. They were always the prettiest ones as you know. I sat by the old oak tree and closed my eyes, imagining you there with me. It brought me a sense of peace, however fleeting.

Please take care of yourself, Theo. I need you to come back to me, safe and whole. I'll be here, waiting, just as I promised. Do stay safe.

P.S Tell Sirus I said that he needs to make sure that you return in one piece.

With all my love,

Nova