Ioannes Tzetzes wrote two letters, trying to get a job at Xeros, near Apros (Thrace), for Leon the priest, brother of a good friend of his. He claimed that Alexios, nephew of the protovestiarios, who was working as a tax collector in the area, had promised him a position, and he sent Leon (with the letter) to fill it. The second recommendation reported rumours that Alexios liked employing priests local to the area. He should therefore choose Leon, either for that reason or out of affection for Tzetzes