James' Letter to a Friend Back Home رسالة · Valley of Ashes

My dear Angus,

I pray this letter finds you with dry boots and a full belly, for I have neither of these. I must admit, this war is far less glorious than I expected... Don't get me wrong, Angus, general Lothaire is a fine soldier. But he grows stranger with each campaign and his devotion to the Emperor has become something closer to worship.

Only last week a poor fool in our company muttered that Napoleon had led us into misery - Lothaire heard him, said not a word, and struck him across the leg with the shaft of the Golden Eagle banner. Broke the bone clean! Then he ordered the man carried to the surgeon, as calm as if he'd merely corrected a crooked button.

Will, my comrade, says the General is a mine about to explode. I pray to God it never bursts with us standing too near.

Your faithful friend,

James