Letters
To Mother,
I know it hasn't been a long time since I left home, but I feel like I have to write to you. Every day the caravan gets closer to the barracks in Ba Sing Se, and every day I wonder if I made the right choice. No, I'm not afraid of dying. I'm afraid of what will happen to you if I'm gone. The only money you have is from my pay. I don't want to make you worry, but the reality is that people die in war. Some even remain nameless, without a family to care about them.
I met a fellow recruit with no family, no friends, nothing. His whole life now revolves around the army. I never asked what happened to his family, but I bet it has to do with the Fire Nation.
Another thing that worries me is some rumors I've heard. They say that the Fire Nation tortures their prisoners to the point of insanity. I'll tell you this; I'm not letting them take me alive. But don't worry; I'm sure they'll never get a chance to capture me. Besides, Ba Sing Se is the greatest Earth Kingdom stronghold; the Fire Nation doesn't have a ghost of a chance of breaking into it. They've only gotten past the wall once, but we managed to drive them out. (Maybe we should have tried killing the general's son first off, eh?)
Tell me if there's any interesting news at home, especially about father. I'm worried about him. When I left, his condition seemed worse than ever. The Fire Nation nearly killed him. I just hope he'll be able to speak again, never mind walk. I wish I didn't have to leave you, but the Earth Kingdom needs every soldier it can get.
Sincerely,
Roga