I remember how you chafed at our theorizing, always wanting to do something with your spells. Just remember, I was the one doused by that stink potion Chow-warth got when he tried to make sweetwater in the Alchemiologicia. I'm sure you remember puffy little Chowwarth.

But, I haven't explained by what subtle machinations I suddenly came into possession of your whereabouts. It was pure Fate (blessed be the gods) that brought your name and place to me. I had just arrived here in Luthcheq-I'm on my way to Corsk near the border, so post any reply there-and took it in my head to go see Timrik, who's got a post out here. (At the Academy, he was the gnome one rank back, studying to be an artificer, remember?) He had news of how you had put down some dragon that was raiding farms in the mountains, was it? The gods only know how he got your name, but your adventure sounds quite dashing from what he told me. You must write and tell me about the entire thing. I burn for some excitement. Anyway, he gave me the name of the inn you were staying at, so I seized the opportunity to write you.

Imagine, you a dragon killer! My own life seems horribly dull in comparison. I'm off to Governor Hamid's court, where I'll be the provincial magister. After you left the Academy, I had to bear the burden of being 1st initiate, and I learned why you were always so studious and solemn. I persevered through it all, though, and managed to pass with not-too stinging words from the dean magisters. That spurred me enough that after the Academy I studied for the ministerial exam and managed to place right over all the minor posts and start directly at the Learned rank.

Well, it sounds like bragging, but what it really means is that I was assigned to something dreadfully dull and safe-assistant under secretary to the privy council's secretary of arcanum. I spent half my days in musty scrolls, reading arcane lore, and the other half explaining what I'd learned to puddle-wits who couldn't tell a flux contagious from a similarity-much less care. Thank Fortune my pleas for transfer were finally heeded, or I would have gone rather cracked like the Academy's old librarian, Avarle, clucking around my dusty shelves. Even so, it's not like I'll be out there chucking spells at dragons like you, eh?

I think Fate gave me your whereabouts for another reason, too. I've been doing some research, and you could be a great help to me. While I was digging through the Arcanum's libraries, I came across one fascinating bit in all those dusty scrolls. Do you remember that epic, the Duel of Tromdarl and Greenwinter-the one Master Feurgond droned on about in Philosophic Lore? Well, I actually found some letters that I'm sure are the great artificer Greenwinter's very own. They are full of references to what I'm guessing was his last researched creation.

You know the tale-in jealousy, Greenwinter binds his spirit to a mighty rod of godly fire and uses it to destroy his rival, Tomdarl. The whole thing ends with Greenwinter and his rod going off and never being seen again, which is the only proper way for a story like that to end.

I'm sure if I can get all the pieces put together, I'll be able to find the artifact of the tale. Imagine the fuss there'd be if someone registered that in the imperial arcanum!

Unfortunately, Greenwinter came from the mountains, and there certainly aren't any mountains around Corsk. From the clues I've gathered, I'm certain he hailed from your territory. What I was wondering was if you'd ever heard of something called the "snake-bound pattern." It is an important clue to finding the device-a map maybe. I haven't any information what it really looks like.

Oh, dear, I almost forgot. You must give my greetings to your wife, Lady Marriana. Of course she is as beautiful and graceful as when we both courted her. I am still jealous (and a little crestfallen) that you wooed her so well. As hard as I tried, you still won her hand. What wizardly charms did you use on her?

I should ask also how you are. You must tell me what you have been doing since the Academy days. Living out there in the wilderness must be a constant adventure. I can imagine all sorts of horrid deaths and daring escapades. From the way Timrik described things, you're quite respected in your village or town or whatever. How do you withstand the boredom?

Now of course, I am being coy. Since this should reach you on your birthing day, you're also holding a package from me. It's a present. I did not want to send just anything. No one needs another wool scarf or gilt wand case. Instead, I have a real surprise for you. I researched it myself, and I know you will enjoy it.

Farewell, for now. I'm relieved to hear you have overcome all the obstacles of the past and that something good has come of all that bitterness.

Your old Academy fellow,

Perfect and Absolute Magister of Corsk, Pavish

P.S. Like the title? I've hardly gotten to use it yet, so forgive my little vanity.

Posted from Tyn's Rock Inn

Greetings Magister Pavish (or should I address you Perfect and Absolute Magister Pavish?),

I confess I had no intention of replying, so you can thank Marriana for this consideration. She will not abide my rudeness.

I am sure you can imagine my surprise upon receiving your birthday wishes. I have gone to some trouble to avoid all ties to my previous Academy life, so your note was most unexpected. I do not even know how Timrik knew my whereabouts, though I am less than pleased for it-yes, I remember him perfectly. I remember everything from those days quite clearly-though I no longer wish to remember them.

Timrik's information was a bit dated. By the time your package arrived, I had moved on. Travel is both a necessity and a habit in my life. It was only by chance that I came back through Tyn's Rock. The landlord is a honest fellow and held it for me in hopes I would return.

Accept my obligatory congratulations on your posting. I must say I am amused. You were adamant about not entering politics behind your esteemed father and were set upon being an adventurer. I suppose now that you may have earned your position on your own merits, a political career holds more interest. Minister Pavish must be proud of his son. It is interesting how our lives change.

One thing, though, has not changed-your dramatic sense. The fire sparkle dust you sent was ingenious. Fire sparkles indeed! Unfortunately, there was a slight accident. The inn's spit-boy prevailed on me to let him toss a pinch on the fire. Instead of sparkles we got a rushing blue fireball. The damned thing scorched off all his hair. Fortunately, his burns weren't too bad, and the adventuring life has taught me to dodge well, but the common room here was badly blackened. I would recheck the component proportions before making a new supply. It cost me the purse of the gold I'd earned off that dragon you were so curious about.

Fortunately, he was an old brute with a considerable hoard. The locals called him Silverskin because they kept finding bits of old coins around his kills. It turned out he'd lain on his treasure so long it had embedded right into his skin.

So you can see, from what I am telling you, I have no need or expectation of repayment. I do not wish to be indebted to you. Still, I owe you some little amount for not standing against me like the others at the Academy.

Perhaps in payment, I can offer you an answer to your business about Greenwinter. I believe I have seen the snake-bound pattern you asked about, though I did not know what it was at the time.

I was high up in the mountains, in white drake country, as it is called around here. There was a rock shelf, bare of snow, that thrust out over a gorge. At first I thought what I saw was claw marks on a dragon perch, but when I got closer, the pattern was clearly carved and polished into the stone. I've enclosed a sketch of what I saw, as best I can render it from memory. I would not call it a map, really. That is all I can tell you. Any more you will have to learn on your own.