My dearest niece, Selene,



Your father tells me that your ship has been redirected, on its route home, to Colchis. While I am, of course, concerned for your safety on the seas and in a strange kingdom, I have received word that you are currently residing not in our family home but in the manor of the Kotas family. While I feel it is important to stress not to outstay your welcome in a home so grand as to belong to the Colchian royals, I cannot express the calm it brings to my mind to know that you are being effectively looked after. For I am sure that no injury or fear could befall you in the home of so many brave warriors.



Please find enclosed with this letter a parcel of my gratitude to the Kotas family. I say parcel and yet the gift is slightly larger than I could find tape and paper for. The mare is one of our finest on the Acharist property and I feel would do very well for the young princess of the house - perhaps they might allow yourself to put the creature through her paces before she is gifted - while the stallion would suit only the crown prince, I feel. Please tell him that though bred from the finest of stock, the creature has yet to be broken or tamed and I wish to offer it specifically to him, challenging and gifting him with the opportunity of being the only man to do so. I would like to think that the animal's beauty would be temptation enough for him to at least try.



As for other news, my niece, I am pleased to inform you that your sisters are doing well and all in your family are in good health. Your sister's matrimony to the Lord Achilleas is temporarily postponed due to the chaos of the city but then I'm sure you are already aware of this. I expect the nuptials to take place as soon as Vasiliadon is once again calm - perhaps in a few months. Meanwhile, I heard that the sea north of Serenn is strewn with storms. Several of my shipments have mentioned the difficulties in sailing and I send this letter and my gifts with the knowledge that they may not arrive. Should they indeed reach you, however, I encourage you not to risk your own life with such a journey and forward my request to the Kotas family that you trespass on their hospitality but a few more weeks before braving the journey.



I am sure, with your grace and intellect, Selene, that you will be able to make use of yourself to the Kotas family in this busy time. I understand a recent storm has brought great difficulty on them. I charge you with the responsibility of caring for them and aiding them to the best of your ability. Relations such as the Kotas' are not to be negated.





Regards,



Fotios of Leventi