I must confess, I believe I know you. Or at least, I have come to realize we may possibly, I daresay irrefutably, share a certain thread of connection.
As an avid reader of your luminous advice column, Matters of the Heart, I could not help but take notice of something rather jaw-dropping in the latest edition of the Val Royeaux Gazette.
(Which, as a brief aside, I insist on delivery to my rather tucked away pocket of reality, solely for the delight of your sensible, yet stirring, prose on romance).
In your latest—a reader mentioned the Veilguard and an individual whimsically referred to as "Ricky Volcano." To which you smartly advised that "Emmrich" had the more poetic resonance. At the risk of revealing an unflattering ego, I find I must agree, for I am he.
Of course, Emmrich is not a name one stumbles upon often, even by Nevarran standards, but just as well, you mention your cousin with whom I had a brief affair some years ago. An art collector and trader, no?
I do not presume upon your time, nor your inclination to respond. Yet, should you wish to further this curious correspondence, I would be most delighted to hear from you. Be it publicly, if that is more comfortable, or in private, as I consider this as an extension of formal invitation.
Perhaps, if it piques your interest, I might even shed some light on the true nature of the Veilguard, as much as I dare in these uncertain times. For I fear your well-meaning reader made a few errors beyond merely misnaming me.
Emmrich "Ricky Volcano" Volkarin.
(In reference to this letter)
Well, that was an unexpected letter. She hadn't expected to be, well, called out, in a sense for the reference to using a proper Nevarran name she had heard of when traveling with her cousin all those years ago. She did greatly prefer to keep her professional life separate from her personal life, but the discussion of this new team in the north was...
Fascinating, to say the least. And, perhaps, would have some material to add. The Inquisitor was getting a bit old hat, after all. This could perhaps be fortuitous, given the situation starting up in the South. But this would be best answered in private.
My dearest Professor Volkarin,
Your letter took me by surprise, to say the least. I had not expected my column to have such a wide reach beyond Southern Thedas. Perhaps into Antiva, but not much further. You do flatter me by stating you read it religiously, though.
Along with my less scholarly writings, I admit I am a small bit of a historian and do take interest in the current events in Thedas and what machinations are occurring. It is vital to keep records of such things, after all. The novel writing is merely a side benefit to this research, as it gives me some form of income to have as my own.
That is to say, I am quite curious to the team you are a part of and the members in it. Too often people who make a difference are either erased from history or misinterpreted and twisted to fit the view of who does so. I welcomingly accept your invitation for further correspondence on the matter. I would appreciate, perhaps, a general blanket description of your fellows, as to make sure I make proper understanding of their characters.
Gratefully,
Duchess Antoinette de Ghislain
