Dearest,

I know I've been detached of late, lost in my music and travels. My eye, as Laorir so astutely said, does wander. It wanders as far and frequently as I do, collecting these songs and stories to share with you, as I venture to make myself a better man. A wiser man, and infinitely more handsome with each year that passes.

I was wrong to take you for granted. It humbles me that the mere sight of you was enough to take my breath away this morning. My practiced words, gone. The glissando, all but fled. How could someone so talented be at such a loss? Had I offended the Great Bard? Smugly, you watched me pace in front of the mirror, until the silence in my head and at my fingertips so unnerved me that I ran all the way to Caer Witrin's homey hearth and begged the innkeeper there for a drink. A drink for a song, the usual price, but as I played yet another "Ode to Shallam", I could think of nothing but you. No amount of sumptuous wine could flush you from my mind.

I was fortunate to find a quartet of like-minded poets at Centre Crossing, where Cyrenian dilettantes often dally between their own bouts of drinking and senatorial duty. Truly the gem of the South. There was lovely Lyrikai, with her drinking horn and one good eye, the ocean spray still beading in her carmine hair. Myndri, a siren as pale as sea foam. And their retinue, all good lads. You know Swikaan, the one with a surprising lot of gold in his back pocket.

One might even say they inspired me, though my words of admiration for you, who complete me, will be wholly original, like any self-respecting bard's.

You deserve only my best, and so I've been slaving over my lyre all day and night, perfecting my song that it might do you justice. I almost have it. Be patient a moment longer. You will, of course, be the first to hear it.

Yours always,

Lyaeus

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Summary: Struck dumb by love, Lyaeus sought help to refine his latest song, finding friends and inspiration in Cyrene. Little did his fellow poets know he was dedicating it to himself.

Penned by My hand on the 5th of Sarapin, in the year 915 AF.