I don't know how to say this, lad, but it's easiest to just come out with it. We were hit this morning, just before dawn. Your Mother was still in town and was able to go to the public shelter, but your Da was already out doing chores with me and Charlie. We were trying to get the herds out to the far pastures when the bombs hit.
I'm sorry, lad, but your father was killed. We found him out in the field after. It's all cursed, half the land maybe, and we've lost most of the herd. Your mother's here with us now because the house in town is gone too, along with a good portion of Ottery proper. She's not holding up too well, but I know if she knows you and the girls are all right it will help. We're staying in the shelter for now, just in case, till we get an all clear.
We've got the house still and the small barn but the two big ones are completely gone. I know you're about to go off to fight, and I'm damn proud of you, lad, and know your Da was too. I'll keep the girls safe, so tell them not to fuss too much and that we're thinking about them and trying to get some things together so there's room for them when the term is out.