To my dearest sister,
I, Argider de Roldan, send greeting from the north:

Your recent letter has brought me great joy, and though you and your husband and the boys are always in my prayers, I will be certain to include an additional prayer for your unborn child.  And for your sake and sanity, I may even pray that the good Lord grants you a girl this time.  Lord bless you both, dear sister.

I have much news, but so little time and energy to relay it all.  I sent word to Harith about my intentions, but he has not yet replied.  I hope he takes the news well and is able to see some decency in me.  Our relationship has not been the same since I left Montford nearly a year ago, despite my efforts.  If you chance to write him, will you put in a good word for me, Arlais?  Perhaps my foray into merchant-hood will convince him that I am not such a useless fool, after all.

Between my duties at the Keep and my training as a craftsman, I have had little time for much else.  Working with my hands has proven to be a great comfort to me, but the climate here, both socially and physically, is wearing upon my soul.  I turn to the Lord for guidance and solace, but in truth, I am counting the days until Spring and the return of color to the earth.  Any color but red, blood red.  The people here are always fighting.

But I will take your advice, sister, and strive to make some friends.  I think, perhaps, I may have found one?  I shall try not to undermine myself too much by being clumsy with my use of Lithmorran, but I can make no promises…

And of course, some things are hard for me to say even in Farin.

May you and yours remain in good health always, Arlais.  I will write again soon.

By my hand this day, Arendas, Maritus 9,
In the year of Our Lord 357,

A_____ de R______