Dearest Aliks,
I pray that my parcel has reached you safely. The beautiful painting was done by a trader friend of Marco’s and, when I saw it, I knew immediately that it must hang in the halls of Cereus House. It depicts a phenomenon called the Northern 
Lights, a most magical event only seen in the most northern areas of the world. Please accept this gift with Marco’s and my affections.
After a month here in Alba, Marco’s business is finally complete and we will head for Aragonia and continued adventures. My time with Marco is wonderful and I do not regret my decision to join him. Alba is beautiful – green as emeralds, just as the poets write – and, without Marco, I surely never would have visited on my own. Thanks to Blessed Elua and Naamah that I have the chance to see this lovely isle before our next destination. I do, however, dearly miss home and my friends and loved ones in the City and at Cereus House. While Marco has done his best to secure the highest quality lodgings, I now realize just how spoiled I have been growing up in the Night Court. He has even taken to teasingly calling me Princess when I struggle to hold my tongue over cold baths or lumpy beds of straws!
Marco promises that once we reach Tiberium, we can settle into a much more leisurely pace and truly be together as we would like. Perhaps once I have experienced this, I will know better if I do wish to leave the life of a Servant of Naamah and become Marco’s wife. Only time will tell.
All my love,
Petrea
