Dear Fenter,

I am sending this letter along with the three bottles of Danberk's SilverCognac that you requested. I trust that my slave has delivered them all ina safe condition, and that they will prove helpful in your studies.

I regret that I have temporarily misplaced the manuscript you asked me toreview. I will critique it as best as possible from memory, and return itto you at a later date. The story that you sent me, of the Naga, the Khattaand the Raccoon, sneaking into an insane asylum, was immensely humourous. Ihave no complaints with your depiction of the Naga. We are so oftenportrayed as one-dimensional villains that your presentation was arefreshing change from the usual popular fiction. I found nothing odd,unexplained, or inappropriate for a Naga in the character, and mustconclude that your long association with the Nagai at the College hasallowed you to better understand us. I would also like to congratulate youon the raccoon, Khatta and bat that served as supporting characters. Yourtriumph though, was the inmates of the insane asylum. I would almost thinkyou had been there, your writing was so vivid. One character stood outabove them all, the mad singer, who used to be a performance genius, andnow can only progress the scales as far as 'eye'.

I would like to see more of this character. I wouldn't wish to have youinterrupt your studies for trivial matters, but should you find the time Istrongly encourage you to write. In case you were short on ideas, might Isuggest a more lengthy work, one that takes the characters and the singeraway from the city. Perhaps back to the ampitheater where the singer frozeduring his last performance. A work of this length would allow an adequatetime to explore the characters more in depth, expose the singer's flaws,and possibly allow a happy resolution by finding a cure for him.Alternatively, a deeper exposition of the stresses associated with publicperformance may turn out to be a better subject. In any case, you may feelthis would be an uninteresting project, I am merely trying to provide somesuggestions.

Should it be impossible for you to write such a lengthy piece, Iunderstand. I was hoping it would serve as a break from the studies thatplague you so. I would very much like to see more of your characters,especially the singer, and if a long work could not be arranged, perhapsanother short vignette would suffice. I understand the most difficulthurdle is explaining how the singer manages to leave the asylum. However, Ifeel you have adequately established that there is only minimum securitythere in your first story, so his escape and long absence should not be toohard for your readers to accept.

Please let me know if you are working on this, as I am liable to be headingback to the Nagai Empire very soon. My departure date is not set, but I canprovide you with a tentative one if you feel you can finish the piece forthat deadline. The insane singer seems perfect for breaking up the longtedium of an airship journey. Thank you once again for your assistance infinding a book for Tekki, it was invaluable. I hope to hear from you soon,preferably to be told that you have completed the 'quest' type story Isuggested.

Sincerely,
Bassai
Archaeological Scholar of the Nagai Empire