June 13th, 1248

Though it's been only a few weeks, I’m so happy to send a letter back to you, Katherine, ever since I left you at home. We’ll be seeing combat in the next week, and I’m excited to help our empire in any way possible. I still love you, and I can barely wait for you. Also, I already made friends. I talked to a few fellows called Hoarik and Volgn. We seemed to have things in common, and it appears they live in the next village up, Efford. Again, I love you and we’ll be home in no time.

Signed Caelen

 

June 16th, 1248

Katherine, I’m beginning to worry. Some of our men have been quite unusual lately in their behavior. I saw an older man, looked to be in his forties, just stare in the direction we were marching towards for a few hours before coming to his senses. Many also were praying heavily for some time for the past few days. Anyways, it’s only a couple more days before we reach the Plains of Yvenich, so I’ll be fighting for first time in a little bit. I don’t know what’s going to happen but you shouldn’t be worrying.

Signed Caelen

 

June 19th, 1248

I don’t know what happened Katherine, I don’t know. One minute we had the advantage and then everything went wrong. Flames across the fields, setting it ablaze. Everything was engulfed by the Darvik fire. Our men were cut down at such large numbers that the entirety of the plain was the corpses buried in the mud. Hoarik is dead. I saw him get impaled by a lance of cavalryman. I hope the gods are merciful for him. Volgn has been severely burned, and I was stabbed in my side, but I’ll be fine. I hadn’t realized what our men were worrying about, but I see now.

Signed Caelen

 

June 29th, 1248

I know it’s been a while, Katherine, but we’ve been having major problems lately. Our supplies have been cut off multiple times by Darvik Skirmishers, so food and water have been little in number. Disease has been also taking lives, especially with our captain. The Plains are still controlled by the Darviks as we made about no ground since the day we got here. I’ve tried helping our comrades, but they’re just dying only a few minutes later. Volgn is not looking so good as I think his wounds are infected. We might have to amputate. I hope you’re doing well at home and I love you.

Signed Caelen

July 6th, 1248

Katherine, I want to come home. Everyone is about dead and reinforcements haven’t arrived for the past month. I’m scared of what’s going to happen if we are overrun. Our new commander decided to pull our positions back to the Kelvij Foothills. We’ll be safer here supposedly, but I know that’s not true. We are just cornering ourselves to be attacked. My comrades know this, too, but half of them are not even sane anymore. I’ll keep it short, yet mark my words- this war will be the death of me.

Signed Caelen

 

July 15th, 1248

It’s silent now. No wind, no noise of the troops or the enemy, nothing. I was assigned to scout out the Darvik positions, and it’s comforting. Although the sky is clouded with rain and smoke, I am at peace. Katherine, I’m hopeful now. Maybe this is a sign. A sign that everything will be alright. Things have been terrible with the current conditions we have been put under, but I will not die. I’ll live on to be with you, my love, and our children. I’ll be home alive and well once this war is over. Keep me in your prayers.

Signed Caelen

 

Letter of Grievance

Members of House LeBurgouse and Katherine de Barbin, we are sorry to say that Caelen de Barbin, son of Lord Faroinus de Vacinde and heir of the LeBurgouse household, has been killed while in the line of duty. He suffered from a fatal wound of an arrow to the cranium on the 16th of July of the year 1248. He was identified by fellow comrades and commanding officers, which we are supposing that you are the family of Caelen. His body will be sent to the home of Katherine de Barbin, spouse of Caelen. His possessions were in order to be sent to Katherine de Barbin as well. Other non-mentioned possessions of Caelen will be sent to House LeBurgouse. Again, we are sorry for your loss and may the gods bless his soul.

Carried out by the West Crux Military Chantry of the Heltvo Duchy