Dear Jessamine

[Géraldine Grangier]

Jess,

I'm going to the battlefield. I have someone to see into, who worries me much, though I promise to be prudent in my stay so close to the front lines.

I hope you'll tell Raisa as well my whereabouts! I promise to write from Camlach, as soon as I can.

Love,

Geraldine

[Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian]

I was surprised when a messenger handed me a letter. I thanked him and then opened the letter. I immediately looked to the bottom of the letter to see that it was from Geraldine. My lips curved up immediately, and my eyes moved back to the beginning of the letter.

My mouth opened a little when I heard Geraldine was going to the battlefield. I didn't remember her mention that she was proficient in any weaponry, so I guessed that she was in the healing unit. I felt a little sense of relief when she mentioned that she would stay away from the front lines.

I finished the rest of the letter, reminding myself to speak to Raisa in regards to our friend. I folded the letter up and placed it in a drawer of my desk. I hoped that my friend would be doing okay. I prayed that Eisheth would keep her safe in her work.

[Géraldine Grangier]

After I'd recovered from my emotions, I felt that I could write again to Valerian House, at least to give her news of my safe arrival in camp.

Dear Jessamine,

I made it safely to Camlach this afternoon, on the heels of a Tsingani kumpania. They were kind enough to get me close to camp, and I finished my trek there on foot.

Oh, I wish I could describe to you the horror of war, my friend. There are hurt men galore, some mutilated, some dealt wounds that prevent them from sleeping. It breaks my heart to think of it, in all truth.

I don't know if I could shoulder this place very long – perhaps I could, if the friend, oh, Jessamine, the love, dare I say, for he loves me! If my love had not been wounded while performing a heroic deed, then I would perhaps step on my selfish heart and stay, hoping to mend souls with love. But he suffers enough – and so as soon as I can endeavor to convince him to return home, I will. My war effort, I realize, will be to take care of my soldier. Him, and no other, it seems. He has my heart entirely.

Forgive me the vagueness of my statements – it is all so sudden and quite the whirlwind, and I feel as though I may be light headed. To write to you that he loves me, and I love him in return is terrifying enough – what if I woke, and this were all a dream? I should not confine his name to the page for now – it remains a sweet secret in my heart.

Have you any news of Raisa, since my last letter? I do believe you will have time to write to me once before we leave – I don't want to precipitate anything and hurt my love's pride. If you address it in my name, to the Healer's camp, then I should indeed be given the letter. I shall make sure that they can identify me well enough.

With much love, as always,

Your friend,

Geraldine.

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[Jessamine Verreuil nó Valerian]

Jessamine opened the letter carefully and read it with her lower lip sealed in her mouth. She was eager to hear from Geraldine, even though she had hoped that she would obtain a letter from her cousin. She wasn't sure why he was so distant from her, but she would respect his space.

She smiled as she continued to read the letter. It sounded like Geraldine was in love! Jess was happy for her and she was thankful that she had some free time to write back.

She took out parchment and quill and began writing.

Dear Geraldine,

It is so good to hear from you again! I am glad to hear that you are healthy and in good spirits. My apologies for not writing earlier. Although many men have joined the war, it seems those that are still here are eager for assignations. I seem to have a new one after I have healed from the previous. Naamah has surely blessed me.
I am excited for your blossoming relationship with this new beau. I pray that Naamah places her hand upon it. How fun it must be to have such feelings! I have never felt such before, but I do wish you all the best with him.
Raisa has taken on new employment and is in the midst of some secret investigation. There is not much that she can tell me, so there is not much that I can tell you. She is healthy and in good spirits, and thanks to her employment quite cared for in regards to funds. I am sure were she given the chance, she would write you as well.
I am so thankful to know that you are in the healer's camp far from the atrocities of war. With your every description, I wince a little inside. Do take good care of yourself. I love you and miss you, and pray that Eisheth watch over you. Be safe.

Your Friend,

Jessamine

[Géraldine Grangier]

It had taken me quite some time to find the words to write to Jessamine, and when I found them, I had to stop myself from crying, to stop my hand from trembling.

Oh, Jessamine,

Something terrible has happened, and my heart is broken asunder. There is no way for me to return to the City just yet, and so I am alas confined to remain at camp until such an opportunity is given to me to return.

He... did not survive his injuries, Jessamine, and I can't begin to tell you the sadness that has been welling up in my heart. Even as I write this...

... forgive me, my friend. Some things are unspeakable, and this is one of them.

Do take care of yourself, and give my love to Raisa,

Geraldine

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