My Darling,
I received your letter with the glad news of the arrival of our daughter with the greatest of joy. It was also a great relief to myself, and also all of my staff, who have been getting constant demands of checking if any couriers have arrived from Boldhome at least three times a day. We have a daughter! I have already said a prayer and burned incense to the Lady Ernalda, I shall thank her again. I agree with yourself, Freyja is a good name for her and one already favoured in both of our families. She shall be known as Freyja YeallaEriksdaughter. I enclose with this letter two gifts for her. The toy horse is from myself, as a member of the Colymar tribe she will be a great horsewoman. I will write to the steward of our steading to look out for a suitable newborn foal to be her first riding horse. The toy Eagle is from the men and officers of the regiment. They had it made in brown material with real Eagle feathers in secret (it seems that young Steif Steifson was an apprentice toymaker before he joined the army) and presented it to me this morning with their best wishes to yourself and to young Freyja.
The regiment did well in battle last month, we drove the enemy from the field and I took no wounds. Yet we have not yet crushed the Lunatics, their army remains a threat to our control of Tarsh. And both the Army Commander and the Magical Union Brigadier have been slain, which forces us to reorganise. I have been appointed to command the Brigade for now, an appointment I accepted as my duty. Yet I fear I have been promoted too soon, I have no doubts as to my skill in magical matters and I am very confident to lead my regiment. But to lead three? That involves tactics and there I fear I am not yet as certain. I will, of course, do my best and I will not mention my doubts to the men in order not to discourage them. There is but one month's campaign left and then I can study tactics at the Military Academy. I confess my misgivings to you, knowing that you will keep my worries close, but I have no secrets from the love of my life.
You will have heard of the serious wound taken by my 2nd in command, Selena, which forced her to return to Boldhome in order to recuperate. I would ask you to visit her, and take some of Jorl's famous Pea and Ham soup from the Pea Pod. I am certain it will do her good. I sadly had to reprimand her for her action in this ridiculous trial of Torben's, hopefully you can assure her that whilst I deplore her actions, I still hold her and her courage in the highest regard.
I must end this letter here, I have to lead a patrol to check on the enemies positions. I long to hold you in my arms again and to gaze upon our wonderful daughter. I shall see you upon our return in Early Earth.
You hold all of my love,
Erik