To Verina,
I don't know if this letter will ever find you, but I feel compelled to write, if only to untangle the thoughts that weigh on my heart. The war camp is unlike anything I've ever known, a strange mix of camaraderie and a heavy burden that presses down on my chest. The air here bites with a chill I hadn't anticipated, and the ground is hard and unyielding beneath my boots—so starkly different from the soft earth by the lake where we last shared our hopes.
I was thrust into this chaos with little preparation, like a soldier expected to wield a blade without ever having held one before. Some days, I feel adrift, as if I'm wandering through a haunting dream from which I cannot awaken. The faces around me are often grim, etched with worry about the battles ahead. We speak in hushed tones, exchanging tales of home and the warmth of the people we miss.
It's curious to reflect on how I once dreaded this duty. Now, I cling to the memory of our last meeting, you are a bright beacon cutting through the darkness that surrounds me. I hope you're finding joy in the small moments, and that the world continues to spin in a way that feels familiar. I miss the warmth of the sun on my face, the gentle rustle of leaves, and the serenity of your lake.
I've come to appreciate the little things— the crusty bread shared among comrades, the crackle of laughter around the campfire, and those fleeting moments of connection that briefly banish the weight of our circumstances. Yet, even these simple joys pale in comparison to the radiant happiness I felt just being near you. I wish I could share more of my thoughts, but I worry my words might burden you with fears you shouldn't have to bear.
As winter settles in, the nights stretch long and cold, and the stars seem impossibly distant. I often gaze at the night sky, hoping you're looking up at the same constellations, and that my thoughts can somehow reach you through the void.
I promise to write again soon, even if it's merely to keep the silence at bay.
Stay safe, Verina. You are in my thoughts, always.
Yours,
Victor