Damien carefully opened the white envelope, which was adorned with a delicate pink silk ribbon. He retrieved a neatly folded sheet of paper, the faint yet distinctly familiar scent still lingering on it. Tenderly, he traced his index finger over the feathers of the messenger hawk, offering it an affectionate pat before delving into the contents of the letter.
"Dear Damien,
I trust this letter finds you in good health. Please accept my sincerest apologies for the delay in my response; the weight of numerous duties and responsibilities has recently pressed heavily upon me. I take solace in the brief dispatches from the frontlines, which have conveyed the reassuring news of stability in the North and, most importantly, your unscathed well-being.
