[It is instantly apparent from the sound of Ortus' laughter that he does not do it often. There is a dusty unfurling quality to it like an ancient scroll spinning out, ending in a clatter of a cleared throat hidden behind his raised hand. His eyes are warmed by it, dark, rich soil under sunlight.]

Nonets? Perish the thought.

[A weak denial, shortly followed by the admission:]

Not for some years. My work is in enneameter, the nine foot line. It is the traditional form. I thought it fitting to use a style contemporary to the time I depicted.

As you say. Conflict is more lovely in the abstract, confined to a regimented form.

It seems you know your poetic conventions. Have you ever found one of your own battles so depicted? Again, forgive me the question, if it is too forward.