Sophia, on Vincent after his first year in Dusith.

I understand the Latin of the title is incorrect. That's what was on the list, though.


Anno Mirabilis
Finished 05 August 2005

Dear Sophia,

I think that I may have managed to start a small revolution. Ten months ago the Dusith thought I was a fool in uniform. The current situation now is… somewhat different. Suffice it to say that I'm very sorry if I've caused you any inconvenience regarding 'that captain', which I understand is what I'm referred to as these days.

I am trying to spend as little time as possible on the ground. There are a number of people wanting to make my acquaintance. Not all of them are female, which I am not sure is an entirely positive thing.

I hope that all is well with you and Anatoly. I will be back for a few hours during my next run, in a week's time. I would like very much to see you.

Yours, sincerely,
Vincent

Sophia smiles. Reading Vincent's letters is always terribly relaxing.

She should just give him the title of cultural ambassador to Dusith, Sophia reflects. He's not been there a year yet and already everybody in Dusith recognises him. Vincent mystifies the ladies and embarrasses the men. The latter, in particular, seem to have difficulty believing that he actually is male, at least until they discover the hard way that Vincent has that nancy dress uniform because he's earned it.

Sophia suspects that what Vincent has now are prospective disciples; after all, he can charm women entirely by accident, which must certainly seem like a useful skill to learn.

The current situation is different indeed. Sophia has reliable information from other contacts in Dusith that Vincent is practically a household name, to be used in statements like 'Why can't you be more like that Anatoly captain?' She receives the odd outraged letter from Dusith officials complaining about his unhealthy influence, and she smiles and writes that she could of course recall Vincent Arthai, but that would also mean recalling the Urbanus, leaving Dusith without its largest – and free – cargo carrier. Alternatively, the Dusith could send some of their own people to Anatoly, which would make it even, and perhaps the appropriate term should be 'cultural exchange'.

It's strangely exhilarating to realise that this is the sort of thing that occupies their minds, these days; that it's gone beyond trying to make sure that people have enough to eat, clean water to drink, and a roof over their heads. Unhealthy influence! Once upon a time that would have meant plague.

They are living in strange times indeed, Sophia thinks. There are wonders everywhere she looks. Certainly if she looks in the direction of Dusith, where Vincent is absently working his magic.

She adds the letter to her growing collection: one letter every two weeks amounts to a fair number over ten months. Perhaps she will write her reply later, in the evening; there are other things that require her attention.

Sophia sighs, picks up her pen, and returns to work.