Sent January 13th, 1008
Paige,
I killed a griff today.
(The above writing is shakey, but the below is calm and ordinary, as if some time has passed between the two)
It’s all falling apart. I know you’re dealing with a lot over there, but things haven’t been so simple here either. Two weeks ago, half of the Regency Council walked out with Archon Eros. Its official. They’ve seceded. I don’t know the particulars, and lately I don’t exactly trust the newspapers, but apparently Duchess Eagleclaw and the Archon had it out, hard. Rumors say it got so bad that Knights from the Order of the White Lion and the Tower and Sword were squaring off with the Knights of Arcturius. The Barkginian Guard themselves almost got into it. Now, the southern part of the Empire’s gone. We really are falling apart here.
A week ago, Aquileia had another revolution. Another one. Which means there’s now another civil war raging over the border. Longsword’s just ended. Prywhen’s finally stopped. Now we’ve got one more war in Griffonia. Its insanity here.
There’s been riots all over the loyal Empire. Police can’t stop it. The Landwehr and the Imperial Guard can’t stop it. Chaos all over. So they called us in. They called in panzers to man roadblocks against angry civilians. It’s that bad. Or somegriff was that crazy.
We were ordered to (the location has been clipped out). It’s a town not far from Vinnin, within spitting distance of Griffenheim, so what happens there affects this place immediately. Griffons were freaking out about the secession, rioting in the streets, vandalizing and looting. Seems like the chaos was about to end, and now this. But we were to restore order. And that’s what we did.
I was told not to use the cannon unless I absolutely had to. So instead Sergeant Hellseig hands me his sidearm, shows me how to use it and then two mags. He tells me if it comes to it, don’t hesitate. Bold words for a griff on an MG. We set up Ludmilla at this checkpoint with a unit of military police soldiers, with me and Grimquill posted outside, waiting.
But the crowd comes down the lane, males and females both, young as teens and even a few older ones in the crowd. They don’t feel like that have a direction or a target. Just burning whatever they can because they’re angry and scared.
The lieutenant in command yells something at them, I think it was an order to stop, I don't remember, but the crowd keeps coming. He has the troopers fire warning shots over their heads, no good. Finally, he has Hellseig fire a burst to get their attention. They throw smoke grenades. Nothing. They’re still pouring on. We start getting debris thrown at us, incendiary bombs against the tank and the barricade. I heard a shot in the crowd. I knew it was about to get bad.
So the lieutenant orders the troopers to fire a volley into the crowd.
(The writing above is shaky, but below it seems to stabilize, as if calm once more.)
The Karabiner Kralle 06 is a 7.65mm rifle. Those rounds are based off hunting ammunition. The MG90 is the same caliber. So imagine what damage thirty rounds did at once on a bunch of ordinary griffons. A bunch of them fell. The rest of the crowd swarmed the troopers. Grimquill and I held our fire. We didn’t know what to do. This wasn’t the enemy we’d been trained to fight. This wasn’t a bunch of Republican shock troops or Aquileian fusiliers or Riverpony troops. This was a bunch of civilians who were just confused, angry and scared.
One griffon broke from the brawl, made for the tank. Just an ordinary Griff. Middle aged, probably a factory worker. I hesitated. Hellseig ordered me to fire. So I squared up and squeezed the trigger.
(Once more, the text appears to be jagged, shakey. The next whole line is scratched out. The writing then appears to clear up.)
This isn’t what I signed up for. But I wasn’t about to go out like my father.
(There is a visible space in the paragraphs, and the ink appears to follow a fold, as if the letter was folded up for a time before being resumed)
Maybe I shouldn’t have written that. Especially with your situation right now. The barracks are quiet now. Everygriff’s too on edge about what happened. Sergeant Hellseig says it doesn’t get easier. You just get more used to it. I’m not sure I want to.
If you still haven’t enlisted by the time you get this message, I’d recommend you hold off. I know that seems a bit off coming from me, of all creatures. But I enlisted to get out of Industrie. You still have your education. Equestria isn’t completely committed yet, and in the barest most heartless expression, it's not your country. You’ve got a lot of opportunities there. Of course, if you do volunteer I’d of course be very proud of you.
And worried for you. If things are getting bad over here, I shudder to think of how the war’s developing there. The papers still only publish the barest facts, but I think that’s more because we’ve got so much going on closer to home. How’s the university? I am of course hoping it’s alright for the time being.
Everygriff’s eyes are tracking the Empire as we slowly fall apart. The Regent Duchess has ordered a full mobilization of the Kaiserliche’s military force. I’ve been told we’re getting new panzers that just went through final testing from the Synovial division, something called a (the name is clipped out), but I’d personally like to stay on Ludmilla the 2nd as long as I can. We’ve been paired off with the 31st Heavy Panzer Brigade, which has an entire battalion of Beak landships, so we’ve got some heavy armor between us and whoever wants to take on the Loyal Empire.
Mother is worried, of course. This is the same sort of chaos my father was killed in. I’m not sure Sophie understands what’s going on. She seems just as cheerful as ever, keeps asking me the next time I’m going to come home. I wish I had a definite answer for her, but it doesn’t look like it’ll be anytime soon.
Don’t worry about dinner. I wasn’t going to be able to make it myself. Besides, it's a bit old-fashioned. What about one of those picture shows? They have a theatre in Rottendedam where they run them, but I don’t know what kind of selection they have, if any. Though I hear it's all Applewood films anyway. Talonsburg Studios hasn’t done anything the last few years but make propaganda pieces.
-Cyril
Sent January 29th, 1008
Dear Cyril,
The university’s been bombed, a few times. I think Sombra’s troops figured out the Guard was using it as a staging ground. They didn’t do much, mostly aiming for the Army troops forming up and heading north. But one of the wings was hit. No students have died yet, but it’s only a matter of time. Plenty of injuries. They’re talking about evacuating the school down south.
Equestria’s fully into it now. I hear all the propaganda about going to save the Crystal Empire. Evil shadow magic. Destroying the Crystal hordes. This is… not what I expected.
I decided against enlisting. Talked with a few recruiters, though. Army and RAF. That was a mistake, they chase me down whenever they get a chance. At first it was that foreign volunteers weren’t being taken quite yet. Now apparently that’s been cleared up.
Classes are going as best they can, when you have to keep running to a bomb shelter every other day. The Crystal War (newspapers are just so good at coming up with catchy names, aren’t they?) has thrown a bender in everything. So many students enlisted. Others went home, or transferred to a different school. All my classes are missing somepony.
But you’re right. I came here for a reason. I want to at least finish up my first year. Maybe then I can sign up and come back on this new education bill the recruiters are going on about.
I don’t want to talk about the war anymore.
That’s terrible, what happened to you! I honestly don’t know what to say or how to start. I’ve been caught in the middle of riots before, but I’ve never seen somepony get killed for it. And killing is another thing altogether. If there’s anything I can say, from what little I have heard of this, I can say a few things that might help you be put at ease. You did your job. You stood a roadblock, and these griffons were mad and scared enough that they charged a tank. It doesn’t sound like there was any good way that was going to end. At that point, it was you or him. None of this might help. I’m not there, and I wasn’t in that situation. You’re a good soldier, Cyril. You followed orders and did what you were supposed to in a bad situation. I know if might not help. But at least I want you to know I don’t think less of you for it.
I know you’re having trouble with the Daring Do book you’re on, but I sent you another one. Daring Do and the Marked Thief of Marapore. It’s one of my favorites. I always wanted to travel to exotic places myself. Equestria is the furthest I’ve ever been. Not quite so exotic, though. Maybe to the southern jungles out here, or someday all the way to Zebrica if I’m lucky. Though I hear there’s some issues in Abyssinia between the locals and the Wingbardy garrison. Maybe Maregypt or Hippogriffia would be a safer option. The Empire doesn’t have any overseas garrisons left, do they?
I miss you. Hard to believe it's been so long since we started writing. Talk about missed chances. I’m making the most of this, though. My family’s worried, of course. My father goes up and down the wall about demanding I come home, my mother tells me he doesn’t mean it and my brother says if need be he can see about ‘smuggling’ me out. I also got messages from a few of my friends back home in Rijekograd. I never thought myself a social butterfly, but now it's odd to go so long without hearing from them all. And it's not that many letters either. Still. It's nice to know they all care so much for me.
A movie sounds just fine. I never saw many of them myself. But with you, I’m happy to. After that, we can go for drinks if you like, though I know beer to you is more of a novelty drink. Sort of like soda pop.
Yours,
-Paige
P.S: the censors appear to be getting more diligent. Just warning you.
P.P.S: I paid a dragon to get this message over to you, extra quick. You sounded like you needed somepony to talk to.
Sent February 7, 1008
Dear Paige,
Thanks. You may not think you saying anything does much, but it’s amazing to have the support. I feel much better between what you and Mother have to say. Which is, amazingly, pretty similar. The riots have settled down. Enough that they’re not sending anymore panzers out there, at least. The Empire’s still in a shambles. They say the southern provinces have united into a ‘Holy League.’ Apparently Baron Leer of Angriver is determined to ‘return the Empire to the faithful’. So, things aren’t ever going to completely settle down.
I’m glad to hear you’re okay. I know that’s a bit of a tenuous thing with bombers overhead. But From what I hear, Equestria’s supposed to have a pretty large air force. Hopefully they’ll have the issue taken care of soon.
No, no frontier posts left. Unless Nova Griffonia comes back into the fold, I think I’m going to be staying here. Shame really. Wouldn’t mind a change of scenery.
Keep up the schooling as long as you can. The first year, at least for sure. But remember what I said; it's not your country. And you worked hard for that scholarship.
I went to temple today. I know that doesn’t seem like such a big thing, but I haven’t been to temple much since I was little. My mother stopped going after my father died. Definitely haven’t gone seeking guidance from the gods. I know you’re not very religious yourself, so I’ll keep it short. But there were a lot of soldiers there doing the same thing as me. Ever since the Archon walked out, temple has been a bit of an uneasy issue. But now, it can’t be helped. So I went and listened to the service, prayed for guidance. Then we sang what I think might be my new favorite temple song, ‘Der Morgen Kommt’. I doubt you’ve heard it, and I don’t think there’s many other translations, so it's good you’re fluent. Its all about steeling your heart through darkness, for holding on to your faith will see you through to the better dawn. That one hit me on a personal level, given what’s happening to you, me, and the rest of the world. That’s what we have to do, Paige. Just hold on and hold out for that dawn to come.
I haven’t told you, I’m getting better at Equestrian. I’m almost done with the first book you sent. I love it, and I’m happy you sent this one too. I know it's way too long to read a novel like this, but I’m kind of learning a new language too and I don’t get much downtime lately. I dug around a little, though, and I found you a new story you might like. Der Drache Krieg. Its an old novel about a group of knights from Vedina who have to hold out when the kingdom comes under attack by a horde of dragons. A bit dated, but I figure you might like a story about knights and chivalry. I liked it a lot. Just warning you, it hasn’t aged well.
You don’t talk about your friends in the Riverlands much. Then again, I suppose I haven’t asked much. I guess it never occured to me you had a social life back home.
Thank you for taking such time to be concerned for me. I needed it. But the rest of the crew has been there too. We’re all there for each other after what happened. I am touched that even in your current situation, you still find time to worry for a griff on the other side of the world. But I fear it won’t be over any time soon. With Aquileia falling apart and now the Holy League rising up, things are looking to only get worse here.
Beer is a fact of life here. As soon as I turned sixteen, I was drinking it with dinner. Sophie complains that she doesn’t get any yet, but she will one day. And sooner than I like. But mother is adamant that she does not get any until she’s sixteen, and not one day younger. Soda is the novelty here. It's actually not that common, usually only found in import shops and at fairs and carnivals. If you want to start figuring out griffon beer with me, we’re going to need to set aside a whole day so you can figure out your drink. Everygriff has one, and you do too. That one beer that just has to be yours above all others. But we can do some of that after the movie. So what we’ve got so far is a movie, drinks for a bit and then dinner? Or should we actually organize the whole night once we get together again?
Sincerely,
-Cyril
P.S: thanks for the heads up on the censors. Uncle August had a talk with me about it too.
Sent March 11th, 1008
Dear Paige,
It's been a little over a month since I’ve heard from you. I don’t know what’s happening over there. The papers say some of Sombra’s Legions broke out further east, and that Trotsylvania fell. Looks like Equestria has been well and truly invaded after all.
It’s been quiet here. The political wildfire is still raging, but fewer riots have been breaking out. We’re more focused on training, coordination and equipment. They issued us a shotgun and some pistols for the panzer, for close defense they say. Bluetalon got the shotgun as our driver, and he’s not letting it go. Shit-eating grin and all. I was issued a P01. Good pistol. Like the one Sergeant Hellseig gave me.
Gods, I need better material to write about.
I spoke to my mother. Finally told her I’ve been talking to you. She unsurprisingly did not approve. She asked what the ‘nature’ of our relationship was. I wasn’t sure what to tell her, so I said we were just friends. She settled down after that. But it got me wondering, and I wanted to ask you before I read too much into what we’re doing. So here it is; what are we doing? I mean, we’re separated by an ocean, national borders and now a war. Are we just friends, or are we trying to be something else through just letters? I don’t know. I’ve told you more about me and my life than anygriff else. But the distance does bring it into question, doesn’t it?
Maybe it's the lack of response getting to me. I shouldn’t send this letter, just wait until you get back to me.
Well, I'm still writing. Call me crazy. Am I being crazy? I want you to tell me I'm reading into this thing between us too much.
I visited Uncle August. He couldn’t tell me much, and the censors would take what was there. But I think it's somewhat safe over here, for now. He also said he’s read a few of our letters, to make sure we don’t trip the censors again. He’s of a similar mindset to my mother, says we shouldn’t let this get too serious. I really want your feedback on all this, Paige.
I was thinking about us going out to Rottendedam again. If we can help it, we should take a whole day. Get started in the morning and explore the sights before we get to all the things we want to do.
Gods, this letter is a mess. Just a bunch of idle scribbles. But I'm sending it unedited. Guess we’ll both have to live with the result, since every other time I try to start over it comes out worse, if that’s possible.
Please tell me you’re okay.
-Cyril
Sent March 26th, 1008
Dear Cyril,
I’m sorry to have worried you so much. I’m fine, but we had a brief incident where a few bombing missions came too close for comfort. It hit the school proper, and I know we had a few students die. But it looks like they were aiming for the recruiting stations. That was only the start though. The army lost several soldiers off in the woods, mauled. I didn’t get a good look myself, but everypony says it was gruesome. They organized a mission to go take care of what they thought were commandos that had parachuted in behind enemy lines. Turns out, they were some kind of umbrum. Magical attack beasts unleashed in the forest. That’s all I got from the rumors. Gloaming got blamed for it. The other students started insisting she was working for Sombra, and must have summoned the shadowponies here. Utter idiocy, of course. But she’s still withdrawn. Whatever little sliver of personality I got out of her before the war started is gone again.
When the mail came in, I got both of your letters at the same time. I’m glad you’re doing okay, though it sounds like politics aren’t. I’ve been a bit isolated here. They’re still talking about evacuating the school, but honestly I don’t see the point. No one can concentrate on finals. I’ll have to transfer to a new school, and I don’t even know if my scholarship is going to be honored elsewhere.
Seems you’ve had a bit of a religious awakening, I guess. No you’re right. I’ve never been one to believe in faith and deities. We’ve proven that ultra-powerful beings exists right here, so why worship those we can’t see? That’s not a challenge by the way, I’m just explaining. Anyway, if you’ve found your faith to get through, I don’t mind. No worries from me. And I listened to the song. It’s quite beautiful. I can see why you took such guidance from it.
I understand your mother and uncle come from a traditional mindset. It doesn’t sound like they dislike you talking to me, so much as anything going further. And I have to say I think that’s incredibly bigoted of them. I know griffon pony couples aren’t common, but who’s to say that it's any of their business?
We never really defined us, did we? I know it's tricky, and maybe we’ve both been sidestepping around what -this- is. Always expecting we could pick up the discussion in person later. I like you, a lot. I really do. And from what I can tell, you like me too. We’ve been talking about dinner and stepping it up to movies, drinks and now a whole day together at some unspecified date. We’ve flirted, we’ve assumed and we’ve avoided the topic. But now, I guess it's out there.
Please, don’t take this the wrong way. But given what’s happening in the world around us and the distance between you and I, I don’t think we’re in any shape to explore whatever this is between us. I still consider you a good friend, and I want to keep writing you. And maybe, just maybe, we can finally figure out what this is when things clear up.
I’m so sorry.
Yours,
-Paige
Sent May 12, 1008
Paige,
I guess what you’re saying makes sense. With everything going on and letters getting interrupted every so often, trying to (the rest of the line is scratched out).
Okay.
New topic. Aquileia finally finished its revolution. The 2nd Republic was declared. I honestly don’t know what to think about a nation that has to build itself by overthrowing its monarch. All I know is that Feathisia is moving troops to the border of Skyfall and Griefwald. There’s talk about Imperial intervention. I don’t know what that means either. Uncle August won’t tell me, and Sergeant Hellseig just says waiting and seeing is our only real choice.
I finished the Cloud City Daring Do book. I really enjoyed it, once I got a handle on the language. Tartarus, I went back and reread it once I could better understand it. A lot more made sense. I started on the Marapore book. Do you like the one I sent you?
You know, you’re talking about finals, but you never told me about those midterms you made such a big deal about a few months ago. Actually, you haven’t really talked about your classes much at all. Hope that’s all still going well for you. Can’t be easy to support an advanced education with bombs going off and magic creatures in the woods. Say hi to Gloaming for me. Tell her I’m sorry she’s so unfairly mistreated.
I heard the Changelings invaded Olenia. That’s not a fight that’ll last long, mark my words. It seems like the last two years have just been full of all kinds of insanity, on both continents. I know you said Equestria is peaceful and I’m sure it's a beautiful place like you mentioned, but it sounds like that age is about to come to an end, especially if Sombra’s Legions are giving the Royal Army the fight the papers say they are. I don’t know what to do aside from tell you to take care of yourself, and try to do what you think is right.
My mother and uncle are old-fashioned, yes. There’s a lot of griffs who still tell the stories warning of barbaric Riverponies. Longsword and Hellquill wouldn’t be wasting time on the Ostwall if they didn’t. I agree it's xenophobic, but I’m used to it. I’m sure griffons aren’t well liked back east either. I also agree that’s the understatement of this century. But Longsword’s managing to make it work with ponies in their lands, and you know about the dogs of Bronzehill. So maybe there’s hope.
(Another line is scratched out)
Sorry. I know you said to leave it (more words scratched out).
Right.
Keep in touch. Hopefully things will get better sooner or later.
Sincerely,
-Cyril
Sent June 1st, 1008
Dear Cyril,
You were right about Olenia. The Changelings stormed over the mountains. Vaverfront fell yesterday. It won’t be long now.
I agree with you that I’m wary about Aquileia. They call themselves a harmonic democracy, but at the end of the day they did summarily execute their king and commit to a bloody civil war. Vérany and his supporters are a bit of a grey area over here. The school used to have a pro-Republic club on campus, but they’ve lost enough members to army recruitment and transfers that they couldn’t keep together. I know it means something completely different to you than a set of political morales, but you have to remember I come from a republic. My view on democracy is a little skewed.
You were right. Reading about a tale of chivalry and knights and dragons was a welcome change of pace. No politics for a bit, no connections to the real world, no impending wars or invasions. Just an old story about knights rescuing damsels in distress. You’re right, it is a bit outdated. But I think the fact it was so different from today was what made it enjoyable.
(The words ‘You don’t have to be awkward, Cyril’ are crossed out with a single neat line.)
Okay, sorry. I meant you don’t have to tiptoe around. We can still be like before, we just have to wait before we really start talking about us again. I didn’t mean to make things awkward, but I fear that my trying to set down some (boundaries is scratched out) precautions may have made this a bit...odd.
Okay, i’m moving on. I think I’ve made my point.
My midterm results came back months ago. Mostly B’s though I did get an A in Theoretical Magicks. Finals are coming up, and I honestly don’t feel ready.
I just stumbled on a few of our letters from last year. So much has changed. We have a bit too, I think. Just a bit more sad. A bit more serious. Let’s hope things can change again.
They’re finally evacuating the school. Canterlot University is full up, so they’re taking us to the University of Hoofington. I don’t want to leave, but they say it's not safe. I don’t know what I’ll do after finals. Maybe that’s a discussion for the next letter.
Missing you. Hoping we can get back to how we were when we started writing.
Yours,
-Paige