Reprieve

Lialyeng says he doesn't know what the letter is talking about. Which would be fine, I think, he's usually pretty trustworthy.
'Cept the letter was under his pillow.

— Suspicious Imperial soldier

This strange letter was found in the Vosti Imperial Army camp at Kalidon in the possession of Corporal Lialyeng Nuulkei Nimipalje. It appears to be rather innocuous, though the identity of the author has sparked a great amount of discussion in the camp, much to Lialyeng's distaste.

Context

The Imperial Army has been mobilised since the 27th of Yaros, following on from a turbulent month of internal unrest. Its objective was to quash the rebellious Ishir-Kerinston faction, led by Duchess Larion of Ishir, whose own goal is to seize the imperial throne.
During the early weeks of this Second Vosti Civil War, a coalition of north-eastern towns and cities declared independence as The Medura, taking with them a bread-basket region of the Empire. While Emperor Brimeon IV and his appointed heir Grelan Tellis have yet to formally respond to this, it's widely assumed this will result in the army splitting to reclaim the north in future.

Recipient

Corporal Lialyeng Nuulkei Nimipalje is one of a small handful of full-blooded elves in the human-dominated Imperial Army, and has so far in his 8-year career proven himself to be a principled and loyal soldier. As a first-generation immigrant from Waal Zaimyatl, most believe his career has been deliberately held back due to 'suspicions' about his allegiances.
While the letter was found in his possession, it is unusually addressed inside to a "Zangsapumpám", a phrase in his native Zangsayoi language that roughly translates to 'True Heart'. This is presumably a term of endearment, though native speakers would consider it to be a deeply unusual one.

Author

The exact identity of the author of the letter isn't known. The author identifies themselves as 'Naria', a quite common female first name among the nobility of the Empire. She presently lives in the capital, and her father is someone who is 'kept abreast' of the war's development. She is also either a present or former soldier, having been with Lialyeng to the shores of Fovenis Lake, presumably during a training camp in 421 AC.

Lady Naria Varn

A popular suggestion for this mystery penpal is Lady Naria Varn, a minor noblewoman from the imperial capital of Shonyul. A few years older than Lialyeng, she has previously served in the same regiment as him. In 424 AC, apparently at the behest of her aging father, she completed her service in the Imperial Army to return home.
While she fits a few of the presumed traits, recollections place her as having very rarely interacted with Lialyeng, particularly around the time of 421. There is also no reason that her father, a commoner who married a baroness, would be uniquely privileged with regards to military information.

Prince Zaloren

A competing suggestion for the author's identity is the vosti prince Zaloren himself. He would fit many of the traits, having entered the army only a year after Lialyeng, as well as being a known close friend of the corporal. He was also withdrawn from the army just prior to its mobilisation to the west, stated to be for medical reasons but widely believed to be a political decision by his father the Emperor, a man who would certainly be the first to receive news from the front.
Complicating matters is the fact he was not present at the 421 training camp, having been granted leave for a diplomatic engagement.

Read the Document

Reprieve

23rd of Bremos
Dearest Zangsapumpám,
I hope this finds you well. News has been slow to return from the front, though I have it on good authority that my father has been kept abreast. Would that I could convince him to share in that information, or else to allow my return to your side, but alas.
The capital has been greatly abuzz in these days and weeks, hanging upon every word from west and north. Each day, I see more people stream into the city streets from distant towns, hoping to be safe here. I hope they will be proven right in their decisions - I myself find this city too close to the danger, given how recent the riot was. The south east may be safer, but I've heard nothing from the north west.
Do you remember when we were last along the shore of Fovenis Lake? Under the watchful eye of the shrillest seargant in the Imperial Army, we managed to steal a moment of peace behind the rocks to just watch the waves and the fishermen floating along. I've long wished I were an artist who could capture that time in oil or stone, else a writer who might immortalise it in ink. Alas, we are the both of us men of war, and I fear we could never describe it well enough for justice to be done by those with the talent.
I wonder if it might be safer there. The Ishirs and Kerinstons have little sway in the north, and that breakaway republic has little expressed interest in the west. If not safer from the threats of war, then perhaps loyal. I feel as though it would benefit us both if we could be there, to assure the north that the Empire knows them yet, and to know a moment's reprieve.
Though I know how my father would react to such a suggestion, I'll confess to you that I've thought the matter through far more than he ever could. When next I write you, I will hopefully be there already. My only fears - or, at least, the most important - is that I might miss a response from you, or news from the front.
I shall endeavour to write you the moment I'm there and no later, and will await your response with bated breath.
Till then, I beg of you to stay safe. Do not let the foolish orders of men like Daleon take you from me.
Naria

Close

Type

Text, Letter

Medium

Paper

Authoring Date

23rd of Bremos, 425 AC

Author

Unknown, possibly Naria Varn or Prince Zaloren

Sword and Chainmail by stronytwoichmarzen

North-West

Whoever the author is, their apparent decision to secretly head for the Empire's north-west is an interesting one. While it is true that the Ishir-Kerinston's have very little sway there, and that The Medura has little interest there, this two things are largely true because the north-west is not considered of importance by the Empire at large.
It's not known what "Naria" would hope to prove by showing the north that "the Empire knows them". Presumably it would be an effort to rally the populace to the side of an unpopular Emperor and his less popular heir, but how a single individual would do this is not clear.
If the author is indeed the minor noblewoman Naria Varn, this is even harder to fathom, as only members of her regiment are particularly familiar with her and her admittedly impressive service record.

While your instinct to investigate something out of place is admirable, I would thank you to never go through my belongings again, and to instead apply that keen eye to the enemy's movement.

— Corporal Lialyeng Nuulkei Nimipalje