The Misery of War

From the moment Valerio endured life on the front lines of battle, he tried to find a silver lining in all things. If he could put his head down and listen without defiance, he would be favored by those giving commands. 

As he told Leonor in the brief note he gave her, he was going to climb the ranks and come back worthy to be by her side. There was only so much he could do without a strong family background, but it didn't mean he wasn't going to try.

Each morning he woke up in miserable conditions but he thought of giving her his love and finally having a family with her. It made it easier to go forward.

The cloak she had given him would be a placeholder for the hugs he wanted from her. He always kept it close to him.