Week 2 of my war with the spiders.

Since our last battle, my adversaries have grown bold. They built strongholds in occupied lands instead of the neutral territories we had agreed upon. Such an act of aggression could not be ignored and I was forced to use The Machine, that great and terrible beast. It pains me, mind and body, to use but it is effective.

Despite the ferocity of our battle this day, few spiders were injured and none were killed that I could see (although I am not ignorant enough of the horrors of war to imagine that no casualties could have occurred without my perceiving them). Those who were captured were released in their home lands.

I pray that this act of mercy will lead to the end of this war, to this needless violence. I pray that peace between our two peoples can be achieved. I pray, but I do not dare to hope. I have long since lost hope.

Give my love to the children and to your mother. I will see you again my love, I swear it. Be it in this life or the next.