Letter 1: Gustavus' Opening Missive
As mentioned in previous sections, General Gustavus the Griffon is regarded as one of the more notable leaders of the Griffon armies during the invasion. He is credited with the victory at old Baltimare and commanded the southern army during the Haysead Campaign. Rather uniquely, his military coordination is the best documented of all the Griffon generals due to his extensive correspondence with his overseas wife, and thus he remains our clearest insight into the motives and thought processes of Griffon command during the war.
However, another notable feature of Gustavus' writings is his mysterious and poorly-recorded encounter with an unknown clan of ponies in the Haysead Swamps. Though this subject only appears in a hoofful of his letters, the events recorded remain an unsolved mystery and a continuing subject of debate in historical circles. The intent of this section is to more closely examine the actions the Griffons took five hundred years ago, and to perhaps make an educated guess at just what exactly the griffons found in the southeastern swamps.
Below is the first letter Gustavus sent, written shortly after his arrival in Equestria.
My dearest Guinevere,
I write to you from just outside the pony city of Baltimare. I have ordered my battalion to make camp near the shores of the bay here, and we prepare to reinforce the brave and noble conquerors to the west. We number just shy of four thousand and two hundred well-trained warriors, so do not fear, I shall be in no danger while I am here in the pony lands. As you wish, I shall see to it that I do not place myself in harm's way, so that I may gaze upon you and sweet Genoa once again.
The war at large proceeds quite well by my understanding. The house of the ponies atop the grand mountain is near siege and General Goestrom's master stratagems are no matter to take lightly at all. I believe that the ponies in their capitol will hear the wingbeats of our troops in but a few weeks.
We are to break camp and fly on the overmorrow. Until then, I oversee the delivery of more goods and arms for the troops, as I'm told our current supplies are not enough to brave the swamps the ponies call Haysead. Though we are able to pass over those troublesome lands, I am to secure them completely and root out any pony forces that may be conniving beneath the canopy. A courier from General Garrowind, who commands forces in the west, has reported troubles along his rearguard— I suspect I shall have to clean up for the waste of an eggshell once again.
I have scarcely left, and yet I yearn for the day that I may again feel your plumage against mine, my sweet. How fares Genoa? Are her chicks well? Is that tom of hers staying in line? If not, inform me at once. Though I am far from you, I am not so far that he finds himself out of my reach, so to speak.
All the love in the skies,
Your Gustavus