The letter would have a long way to go though the smith was sure that the Rhydinian mail company could deliver it though. It had been a long time since Nord had left. Kruger missed the old running partner, even though the two rarely spoke in all those miles. They were silent together, sharing in something that had put a strange sort of bond on Kruger at least. He put the pen to the paper and began to scrawl out a message that he wasn't sure he would be able to have make sense.

Nord,

Been a long time, I hope you found the fight you were always looking for. You know that victory has never really been my own issue to achieve, and it has always worked for me. I am outclassed by so many fighters that for me taking them the distance is my victory. To keep punching when my arms are too tired to hold up and my legs will barely move, that is what the fight is to me. Still I find myself in a strange place. Captain of a team and I have no idea why I was chosen.

My own record, and the direction of my fights has always been a choice I make. You will remember that I choose to fight well beyond my own level on purpose. I haven't been unsuccessful in such bouts, but now I am not simply dependant on myself, others are depending on me as well. Not just to win a few fights but to support them, to make decisions that will determine who they fight, when they do. I just don't know if I am the man for this job. The thought of having so many looking to me unnerves me some. I am not worried about the fights themselves, not mine anyway. Inside the ring we both know that no team can help you, it is you against your opponent.

That is preferable to me, I don't know why I agreed to this Nord. I was crazy enough to believe that perhaps I had something to offer, now we face our first event on Friday. The card is set and while I have taken the heaviest burden myself, I worry that perhaps I am asking too much of my teammates. How do I look at them if every decision I have made is one that leads to utter defeat' Train harder, I heard you the moment you thought it. You are of course right about that, and perhaps what I am feeling is normal prematch jitters. I feel the burden though of knowing all of us have something to do, a part to play for the whole. Jonas, he's a good guy, but lacking in experience, I wanted to show him my confidence in him. I want the team to show theirs as well. To perhaps give him the boost he needs to fight far beyond his level. His opponent has years over him in the ring.

Much of the team is what I would call underdogs, but they are my underdogs. They are mine though aren't they' I miss our runs Nord, I miss the harmony of stride and the silent acknowledgment that we shared. I could wish that you were part of the team, but I am sure I would try to pass my own uncomfortable place off onto your shoulders. I can't do that though, for good or ill this is my fight. I will give it every ounce of energy and thought I have.

I want to know about you too though. Your departure was abrupt I might even say unexpected, but I would never say it was out of character for you. You were always the best of us, and determined to test yourself to the fullest. I know that some of the others might have been shocked, me I was happy for you. Despite the lack of your solidness at my side, I want what is best for you. I only hope that you were able to pull something from me to make up for all that you gave. I really only think Robin understood the profound effect you had on me. I can't say for sure, Robin always seemed to want more for all of us. Maybe that was why she was so good at what she did.

You're right though, I was chosen for a reason and I need to find what it is that the others saw in me. I think I am gonna quit writing now Nord. I think I will go for a run.

Hoping this letter finds you still standing when all others have fallen,

Krugs