For this chapter, I made up a lot of stuff about Antiva that is probably not accurate with how it "really" is, but there is a sad lack of info out there about every country other than Ferelden (and even Ferelden, really). Sorry for the delay posting this, hope you all enjoy!
And if you'll allow me to plug my other story, I started a "sidequel" to this story called "Sincerely Yours." It's a more traditional fanfic that expands on some of the scenes I've mentioned here. I hope you all like it!
To His Majesty King Alistair Theirin of Ferelden:
Good day, King Theirin. I have not written to you since your coronation nearly a year ago, and I apologize for the long delay in letters, but one king to another, it is probably best we keep it that way to avoid getting into trouble, eh? It is a fact that we never do truly know what would anger the other, and it would be rather unfortunate for a simple misunderstanding to cause a lot of unnecessary bloodshed!
But I must write you now, and must hope that you are in good humor, for I have a woman here in my palace in Antiva City claiming to be your wife, Irien Cousland-Theirin. She is rather tall and muscled and wears two swords as if she knows how to use them, and I understand in your culture that is more accepted than it is here, so I would not be surprised if it was in fact her. To be honest, I am surprised she made it to me without getting into trouble, and to come alone, without a royal escort or letter from you, seems rather foolish. If it is in fact your wife, I apologize for that last comment and hope it doesn't offend. But truly, journeying alone? It is quite a journey for a woman to make alone.
She says she can prove that she is truly the queen, and that you will confirm this fact. She says to tell you something about lampposts? Ah, my assistant tells me it was, "I hope you're not licking any lampposts while I am gone." I have not the faintest idea what this means, but I must assume that you do or she would not have said it. At least, if she really is the queen and we do not have a crazy person living in the palace right now. Other than the ones that usually live here, anyway.
She tells me that she is here to rescue a friend of hers, and yours, from the Crows. I am afraid she doesn't quite understand how the Crows work; they police themselves, and answer to no one, including me. She has demanded to speak with their leadership, but the merchant princes – who are, I sadly must confess, the true power in Antiva – are doing what they can to prevent this and to keep everything going as smoothly as it was before.
Unfortunately for them, her arrival has already caused something of a stir. She demanded a place in the ambassadors' wing of the palace, and is being kept under constant guard, for both her and our protection. But I was awakened one night to find that several Crows had killed her guards and attacked her, only to be killed as she defended herself. In her underclothes. And if it is your wife, I must congratulate you. All that fighting has made her extremely toned, though she is also covered in scars. You are quite a lucky man. And she stood there, unashamed! Such a change from the Antivan women, who are all shyness and secrets. If the women in Ferelden are all like Irien, then it seems like a fascinating place that I must insist I visit sometime, perhaps after I "retire" from being the king.
But I digress. She wouldn't say what exactly happened with the Crows who attacked her, but she demanded to be given a private audience with the Crows' leaders. I do not have the power or the authority to make such a thing happen, but the merchant princes most certainly do. They, however, do not even have my skeptical faith in Irien and her claim to royalty, but a letter from you confirming that she is your wife – or not, whichever – could change that. It might even allow her to meet with the Crows and bargain with them for your friend's life. If you tell me she is not, then she will be thrown out of the palace and told to return to wherever she came from. I leave the decision in your hands.
I hope that you are able to find time to write back soon. I feel that things are going to get very interesting around here very quickly. The Crows are not usually the type to leave a target alive, especially one that they failed to kill once.
I eagerly await your reply.
His Majesty Casimiro Vasco, King of Antiva