Freddie,

In case you have not noticed, you are still not here—deictic presently meaning "Halamshiral" rather than "the Frostback Mountains," so there is even less justification. I understand that you adore your desk and cannot stand to be parted from it for long, that the halls of the University are the only place you feel truly free, and that the dean is dearer to your heart than either of us could ever hope to be. But my need is greater. Our need is greater. Please consider a visit.

News other than my increasing but predictable desperation: I have spoken to the Right Hand of the Divine. She is magnificent. She is perhaps less impressed by Valentine than any woman I have ever seen. (Fereldans and Qunari excluded, of course, if they do indeed require specific exclusion.) I believe that you will adore her and that she in turn will be moderately tolerant toward you.

I have also met Anders, the mage who destroyed the Chantry in Kirkwall. You may be either proud or disappointed, or some combination of the two, to know that I kept my temper. I was in fact very civil. Perhaps I was even charming, given that he did not end our meeting by causing me to explode—or perhaps he was the charmer and I the charmed, as he began that meeting by bribing me with sweet bread. In either case I am not sure why this miraculously civil and explosion-free meeting does not warrant some sort of prize from the Inquisition equivalent to those awarded for tossing snow about.

That sounds envious. I suppose I am envious. I will not begin this letter again and hide the evidence from you now. But it is bad enough that the Maker must know of my sins; please do not tell Val.

Lastly, The Creature that I acquired in Rivain sends its regards, if I am correctly interpreting its noises. I may not be. It has bitten my hands three times in as many days. I do not think The Creature appreciates the cold or all that I have done for it. I would free it, but I also do not think it would live long in such cold climates or without company. Perhaps, when you decide that you can bear to be parted with your comfortable desk chair, you will have better luck convincing it of our good intentions.

Yours,

Jeannot