Dear Lord Dysmas,



I apologize at how long my letter was delayed and can hardly believe it's the end of the year already. Where has our time gone? It's been 9 months since that fair in Praratios. It could have been a week for the way it feels. I hope that you and your family are well and that the winter's coldness has not greatly affected the Nikolaos family. My own family is doing as well as can be expected. I have a small cold, but it is the product lingering too long in the Taengean winds.



Oh dear! Boat races and unscrupulous circles sound like the sort of tale a nine-year-old boy would love. My only fear is, telling him that particular bit might induce him to steal away in the night to adventure in Athenia. With my luck, he'd forget to include me in the plans and I would be left here to pick up the pieces of his misadventure.



I've never doubted that your role within the Senate was anything but important and that you are of course quite gifted in your skills of diplomacy and mediation. It makes it all the clearer as to why your family depends so much upon you for fulfilling these roles. How are you coping with the role? Should you ever need to escape, I know that my family would be quite pleased for you to escape to Acharist for a few weeks when you can. I am not pushing. I know you are a busy man, but the offer stands whenever you have the desire and time to visit there is a place welcome for you here.



Impress me? Goodness. Humility. Humanity. Humor. The list is quite long, it'd appear that there are quite a few things that impress me if I were to be totally and unfailingly honest. Have I mentioned I am easily impressed by those who buy me food?



Forgive me, I find questioning you far more interesting than discussing me. I am not really that interesting. I live a dull life here in the shadows here in the countryside of Acharist. What are things that impress you?



Yours,

Lady E