I trust this letter finds you well and happy...

We are still touring the islands, swimming in the warm sea under moon and stars. On our next venture, we shall ask you and Edward to join us. But tell him not to worry. The ship is large. We could go days without seeing one another.

Corsica, Sardinia...

It had been so long since my last trip to these islands that I had forgotten how remote and at once immediate they seem. If you desire company, you will easily find yourself swallowed in some of the best the Mediterranean has to offer. Or it may seem that you are the only one remaining on earth. Rarely is it anything in between. There is such incredible peace here. It has been a welcomed change from Monte Carlo for us. Ian and I have been taking excursions from the ship to surrounding deserted beaches, swimming in eddies along the shore and exploring the rock-face caverns that once boasted (and some may still have the honor of being...) the lairs of pirates.

I am content these days, these nights, to let the salt sea wash the paint away...

The last year has been so filled with us simply returning to Europe -- and all that entails of visiting, settling into Strathfayr and Chinon -- that in the business of it all I have been neglecting art. But for the ceiling painted last year, I have been on a kind of accidental sabbatical. This has changed with Corsica and Sardinia. The evenings are filled with aquamarine. Such color. Once, it was among the most precious things on earth. So rare, only the finest artists could afford to gather the elements of it and mix it. Now, you may buy the color almost anywhere. Time is the most eccentric artist of us all. Five hundred years ago, to have this color you should be working on a ceiling for an emperor. Now, one may buy the color aquamarine by the bucket.

In my life, I have ever only had two true occupations -- a general of armies and a mixer of colors. Many of my larger, long-lived family have been perplexed by this. Why should a general, a duke, such as I spend his time with such pursuits. Clearly when there are other things I should be doing. They say this, without realizing how very similar the occupations are to one another.

It was probably two years after arriving in Florence those many years ago that I was even allowed near the brushes. It was my first task to learn the elements that go into the craft. Mixing colors, knowing what ingredients to use for specific purposes, effects, which were too expensive to truly use but for the most exclusive of customers (insert name and location of pope here), to the smallest detail. Many, in truth, never progress beyond that point, or didn't. Then, an additional two years learning how to prepare surfaces, what surfaces worked best with which ingredients, and so on. It is not unlike knowing what terrain is best for which sort of defense or attack, how best to gauge one's enemies strategy or strength, or what men do better under what conditions. I think this is the reason I progressed so quickly with Andreas. It certainly was the reason I learned so quickly later when in employment with Leonardo. I have never been able to explain this to the world's satisfaction. I gave up many centuries ago.

You may find that what drives you, what impassions you, what interests you, and, truly, what you are fit to do is different from the expectations The Others may have of what you should do. Do not be discouraged. In a thousand years, there are a billion paths. Who among anyone in this world may say which one is right or wrong? Or that any path chosen out of desire is right or wrong. Do not buy into the advice of the stodgy Establishment, go your way once you find it and you will come to know happiness...

Ah, wait... I am the stodgy Establishment...

To things less somber then. There has been an explosion of art on board The Rigel. I think Ian is happy for the extra focus it gives me -- rather, that I have other pursuits than him with which to occupy my time. And hands. Having two of my most prized models along for the ride certainly hasn't hurt matters any. And before Edward goes red-faced for my last request of several pictures, it is only for the objective study and memorization of your features. (Do you think he'll buy that after knowing me so long?)

Tell him: I promise... with all my Angevin heart...

I should close this now. It is time for Ian to rise and I should be there. We are leaving the islands tomorrow and may turn back toward Barcelona or Valencia, on our eventual journey to Cairo and points east.

Give Edward our love, and mine in particular...