Page 61 of Ocean of Ink

What does a Gifted storyteller keep on her writing desk?

Do you prefer to pen fiction or history?

Would you ever craft a story for someone if they offered to pay for your services?

Your partner in name only,

Castien

Year 822, Week 36, Avisa

Dear Castien,

I will answer your inquiries, but you are correct in thinking it is only to ensure a high mark.

On my desk are books, ink in varying colors, my quill stand, and a small statue. I prefer a clear desk to a cluttered one, yet my poor maid has to clean it often.

I will confess I have a fondness toward fiction, but I do not mind dictating history. There is a weightiness to it that gives purpose to my work.

Lastly, are you asking this question for the essay, or because you wish to make a request? In either case, I have only ever written fictional tales for one person. It would be a high price indeed for me to add another.

Since I am already making this correspondence, it seems prudent to add questions of my own. However, I am rather distracted and cannot think of any. So I shall ask one of yours instead: what does a Gifted strategist keep on his desk?

Ever begrudgingly,

Wren

Year 822, Week 36, Avisa

Dear Wren,

Your answers have only produced more questions. I am forced to pester you a while longer, or else I fear I will not capture your essence properly. After all, I am not a Gifted writer like you.

Why do you keep multiple colors of ink? Does black not suffice?

As for my inquiry about requests, I meant it for the purpose of the essay. But now I am curious, what is the price? My title you so abhor grants me many luxuries. I’m certain I could afford it.

Before I tell you about my hazardous desk, I must know what has you so distracted. What could possibly steal your attention away from our magnificent correspondence?

Curiously,

Castien

Year 822, Week 36, Avisa

Dear Castien,

Dinner is almost upon us, and I do not know if this letter will arrive before you take your leave. I hope it doesn’t, and you are forced to sit through the meal without knowing if I have responded.

To answer your question of ink: I write so much and so often that one color becomes a strain on my eyes. I interchange them during long bouts of writing to combat fatigue.

The price of my words is one that not even you could afford, pompous prince.

Since you do not deign to give a proper reply to my inquiries, I shall abstain from telling you what draws my attention away from your lackluster writing.

Regretfully,

Wren