Ioannes Tzetzes wrote a letter to Manuel Gabrielakites, who was stationed at Platamon in Thessaly. He said he admired Manuel, but as he was now in the area where heroes were trained, he was worried that Manuel might return as a Lapith or a Centaur. Manuel's praise of Ioannes was also exaggerated, and he wondered what his secret agenda might be. His letter to Manuel was ruined by grief for his brother Isaakios, and by the letter-carrier, who spent too long on his own affairs, gave Manuel's letter late then demanded a quick reply. Tzetzes sent best wishes from his surviving brothers, Alexios the nephew of the protovestiarios and Basileios Machetarios, to Manuel and his father