'Have you visited the soldiers at Ashmargathâl? I miss them dearly, even if I do not miss trudging through piles of snow. I'll return to my post soon enough, but before that happens, I'd like to deliver one of these cups to my wife who's stationed there.

'Of course, my gift isn't important enough to warrant official resources for its delivery, so I've been hesitant to ask. But you have a sapper-bomb, and Lúka would be interested in studying it. If you find yourself heading north at some point, you could give my cup to her too.

'Let her know that I'm on the mend, and please, please tell her not to worry. I'm sure she's already beside herself with grief.'