Letters

Micahn flipped over to the next page of the Journal. The entry at the top of the page began 'I have at last received a reply...'

He picked up the next letter and began reading.

Lord Arken,
Pray forgive my long silence. I have been somewhat unwell in the past few weeks but am now fully recovered and eager to continue our conversation.

To answer you question, on a purely hypothetical basis, I have concluded that the most effective measures in governing the behaviour of young men are as follows; An enforced curfew and a limited amount of spending money that is to be strictly accounted for before more is supplied.

Please remember that these are only my views and I have, what I believe to be, logical reasons for them.

First: A young man who has not been out all night will, perhaps be more willing to take an interest in familial responsibilities.

Second: A young man who also does not have unlimited funds will have less reason to spend a great deal of time avoiding those responsibilities.

I must end this letter now, and do so on a purely whimsical note by telling you that the Hibasi in my private garden are blooming and look magnificent.

Yours etc S.L.

I have, at last, received a reply. Its contents were both interesting and perplexing. It seems that this new contact is not only a scholar but a gardener of some expertise as well. Or is, at least, in possession of a good gardener.

What's more, his arguments are quite compelling and I believe I shall ask permission to present them to my peers.

Twenty-eighth day of the sixth month of the Year of the Unicorn

I have, finally, managed to return to my writing. I was interrupted by a disturbance in the Women's Quarters.
How glad I am that the last of my sons went to live in a city. Perhaps I shall send the women away as well then I could get some peace!

Dear Sir,
I was most pleased to receive your latest communication. You are clearly an intelligent person despite your unorthodox thinking. Your ideas certainly have merit though and, with your permission, I would like to present them to some of my peers. I mention now that it would have to be under my own name. I wholeheartedly concur with your ideas and reasoning. They are such obvious answers that it is a wonder no one has thought of them before and I only wish my own sons were young enough to be disciplined in such a manner!
Yours etc, Lord Jahlen Arken.

It has occurred to me, after the sending of my latest letter, that Hibasi plants only bloom in the far north. I am wondering how my letter could have gotten so far off course. Still it cannot be helped until I receive a reply.

Later: I have sent my Information Gatherer[1] to find out whose Hibasi plants are blooming at this time.