A letter from the ambassador of Orlais to Ferelden to his wife:
My Dear Wife Méritécourte,
How long it has been since we last spoke! I do hate to break such lovely silence with news that will be unpleasant to us both, but I am afraid it must be done: my dear, I am returning home. As vexing as this news is to me (as I am sure it is to you as well, my sweet!), there is no avoiding it. The entire Orlesian diplomatic party is to be escorted out of Ferelden within a week's time.
Believe me, my lovely, heinous bride, I tried to fight this decision with all the strength I had. However, the great houndlord Loghain proved stronger. Last night, I along with a few of my…friends…was rudely awakened in the middle of the night and dragged to the teyrn's office. There, I was stripped of my golden seals of diplomacy and placed in the custody of a military escort. I am now halfway between Amaranthine and Highever.
I shall return to Val Royeaux within a month. Be sure to move your lover out of the house before I arrive.
With deepest regards,
Minard, Marquis de Paufrecont
An official letter to the Empress of Orlais, written on fine parchment and bearing the seal of the Fereldan Crown.
To Her Imperial Radiance Celene, Empress of Orlais,
I am ashamed to write Your Radiance yet again regarding the behavior of my father towards your diplomatic corps. However, I must beg your forgiveness for the expulsion of the Marquis de Paufrecont from Denerim this past week. The death of my husband has affected all us of greatly, and I assure Your Majesty that my father's actions were merely an extension of this grief. Please send my deepest regards to the poor Marquis, and as for the letter my father sent along with him…well, all I can say is that I sincerely hope that Monsieur de Paufrecont had the good sense to rip it to shreds.
Regrettably, I must also inform you that as of now, the border between our two nations is closed by an act of the Crown. Regardless of what your ambassador might say, I assure Your Majesty that this decision was made out of the utmost consideration to you and your people. These darkspawn have proven to be a far greater threat than we had first anticipated; the imperative now is to keep as many innocents out of danger until the threat is dealt with. The Lord Regent Loghain and I wish to assure you, however, that as no Archdemon has yet ben sighted this outpouring likely is not a true Blight.
We are all thrown into difficult and trying times, and the answers to our problems are anything but clear. I thank you for your words of comfort regarding the death of King Cailan. They were most appreciated.
Maker watch over you,
Anora Theirin, Queen of Ferelden
A letter written hastily in strange symbols, hidden within the official missive to the Orlesian Empress.
Celene,
There is no time for niceties. Prepare Orlais for war. At the moment Ferelden does not have the strength to defeat these darkspawn, and I greatly fear that we are to be plunged into another Blight. Already the south is lost to us. Make sure that Orlais is ready when the time comes.
My father cannot know I am writing you like this. He is growing irrational and I am not sure how to act. It may come to the Empire to save us all.
Anora
The writing on this scrap of paper is laborious yet untidy, as if written by a very serious child.
Howe,
Received reports that Wardens spotted in villages across Bannorn. Heading towards the Frostbacks. Assassin has either betrayed us or has been killed. Sweet-talking Antivan elf reported by informant – likely the former, then.
Told of growing unrest in Alienage. Must be dealt with quietly – raids against the elves attracts unwanted attention. Be discreet.
Highever. Redcliffe. The Wardens. You've failed me three times now, Howe. Take care not to do it again.
Loghain Mac Tir
Another scrap of parchment, this one written in a clear hand.
Lorris,
If I'd wanted your opinions, I'd have asked for them. I don't care how many of these bastards you have to imprison, so long as they keep asking questions we're keeping them under lock.
Send for some men to move my things into the Orlesian ambassador's quarters – there have been too many bags of flaming shite left for me on the doorsills of the Cousland estate for comfort. Besides, the Marquis's room had the best view of the royal gardens. Bring some of the good Antivan claret from the palace cellars while you're at it.
Your report on the Queen's actions was very interesting. Send the official letter to the Empress, but keep the second with us. Should Anora send any more messages to Orlais, let me know. With a bit of luck, we'll crack this code and win leverage against her with the teyrn.
As for the Tevinter magister, write him again expressing casual interest on my part in his proposal. His offer might actually be of use to us, provided we can give a proper front for his team here in Denerim. Don't use the teyrn's seal until they begin to demand to see it – by that point, we should have a better idea of how to proceed anyways.
You did well spreading rumors of the Marquis de Paufrecont's treachery to Teyrn Loghain. With him out of the way, I should be able to obtain more influence with His Grace.
Do be sure to kill whoever hired that assassin for me.
Arl Howe
A fine-written letter on expensive parchment.
Alfstanna,
First, good news – there are living Wardens still. What's more, Rowena Cousland is one of them. Maker willing, Highever won't remain in Howe hands for long.
Unfortunately, I bear more bad news than good. All our worst fears are true. Lady Rowena confirmed that Rendon Howe attacked the Cousland family with no provocation – she was the sole survivor. The Wardens also confirm that Loghain betrayed the King at Ostagar – thus, he is to blame for Cailan's death.
While I wish I could say I knew where to go from here, I must admit I'm at a loss. My brother remains in critical condition, and our only hope at saving him seems to be based in superstition and legend. If Eamon does die, the Bannorn will have no opponent to rally behind against Loghain, especially now that Bryce Cousland is dead. We must pray to the Maker that my brother will be spared.
Regardless, my friend, spread the news across the Bannorn – the Wardens live, and Howe and Loghain are filthy traitors. They'll pay for their crimes, even if we have to call a Landsmeet to do it.
Have faith, Alfstanna. The Maker will guide us through these dark times, I am sure of it.
Teagan Guerrin
