Got up very early this morning and read 'Missio' straight on through. I absolutely could not stop! It is brilliant and grand--I can't think of a better word than 'grand.' It is an utterly compelling and fascinating read--I think you have outdone yourself! It works on so many levels--an amazing sense of place and 'times;' the metaphysical aspects, the core of the story, are so subtly drawn, so convincing that one need not "suspend disbelief." Plot, characters, dialogue--everything works perfectly.