Alistair -
I have written a long letter regarding how we came to our current circumstance, and how possibly we can move on. All you need to know though is my respect and admiration for you is considerable, and I have every confidence in your success, both personally and in your new role.
Andraste's blessings on you brother, now and forever,
D
Dear Alistair,
Not so very long ago I was in the worst mess of my life, for trusting and helping a man I regarded as my brother. Jowan was never good at looking past his own circumstance & thus I was left in the lurch, in danger of losing my life or being made tranquil. Duncan saved me, in part at least. The larger part of my rescue he bequethed to you.
All that I am now is through your belief, your support and your moral guidance. I find myself far less of the easily-led, dispassionate scholar-mage, and now, not only am I more charitable toward my fellow-man (especially in the case of the Chantry and Templars!), I now think about the moral implications of my choices.
In this vein, I swear to you, I did not just spring the idea of Loghain's Joining on you. I had been trying to talk to you about it since Harrowmont's Coronation.
I don't think that having joined the Wardens that for Loghain 'all is forgiven', but in my opinion Loghanin has been trapped by his own nature, and his allies, into actions that have not borne him fruit. It is one thing to be autocratic, paranoid and untrusting if you're a largely self-taught general – less useful if you're trying to run a country through a 'boy' you've never understood or respected, and your own daughter is a manipulative siren with an inflated self-regard...
Regarding Anora – I may have erred in pushing the marriage on you both. May I suggest a long engagement in which to get to know one another? (If you wait until the Blight is dealt with you may have years to plan...) If you are truly not suited, you'll have had a good long while to figure out how to compensate her for the loss of power and prestige.
You'll do fine politically so long as you always have a buffer advisor between Eamon and Anora. May I suggest Alfstanna? She struck me as being sensible and forthright, and, as a woman, be more able to see when Anora is using feminine wiles. (No offense my lord, but you make my clumsiness around women look assured in comparison!)
I've decided to take our small group on a shakedown mission so that we all get a feel for working with one another with Loghain in the mix. We'll be tackling that Dragon in the Frostbacks. It's a risk, but considering the ArchDemon is both dragon andn old god, we need some experience fighting dragons. It is bitter returning without you though. I would never have made it to the Sacred Urn without you. Considering all the interest (and trouble!) that Bro. Genetivi has stirred up, a considerable number of your subjects may find themselves in her path otherwise.
Once we're done there, I will head to Redcliffe to tackle the amassing darkspawn and aid Riordan in tracking the Arch-Demon. I intend sending Leiliana or Wynne to join you as advisors. I expect to see bands of genlocks and hurlocks over quite a distance, and for months yet, so the efforts of everyone in Denerim and places North to provide for the army is almost as urgent as finding places for the refugees.
It eases my mind considerably that we are finally in a position to start resisting this Blight. I hope the intelligence we gained from the Ostegar expedition can be put to good use – Leli can definatly be put to work there.
All the best sheild-brother.
May your reign be glorious.
I was always my best and bravest, with you at my side. Maker guide us all.
Daylen Surana
Warden Commander
Accredited Mage
Elf-friend
Known to the Stone, etc