A letter to the College of Balladeers [Gaston]

[Don Nadie]

Dear Gaston,

I heard the Bellows while I was away. By the time I returned, I was too tired and too long had passed. My apologies!

I do trust it wasn't terribly urgent. I shall be arround in my usual hours (which don't seem to always align with yours, alas), so if it is too tricky to speak in person, do feel free to let me know what you need in letter.

I am, as ever, happy to help.

Yours,

Alejandro

[Karp]

Dear Alejandro,

Thank you for reaching out, and I appreciate your willingness to help.
I am, as you may have heard, a most curious individual. And lately my interest has been piqued on the topic of statues. Rather, one in particular. One of our beloved balladeers, one whom I've been told you were rather close with. One such Velan Volandis.

I am rather curious about why the statue of a known brooker was not only erected in the first place, but allowed to remain within our halls. But, well, I've heard all kinds of rumors about it. I've even heard he has been "Mari Blacked".

I'd like to either clear up his name, or destroy this wretched statue, whatever the truth demands.

Would you meet with me?

Gaston Fournier,
Student at the College of Balladeers of the Lost Hearth.

"What is to Give Light, must Endure Burning"

[Don Nadie]

Dear Gaston,

It is a not unimportant topic. I will address it in letter, for  a start, just in case it takes us long to meet... Our schedules, after all, not always align. Needless to say, we can still discuss more details in person.

I wouldn't exactly say Velan and I were "close". The opposite, if anything. The man was, in my most sincere opinion, an idiot. This, mind you, is coloured by the fact he requested I tell a Tale praising him in order to let me enroll as a Student. He also decidedly acted in a suicidal manner which put all of the Rose in danger and thwarted some of my own plans - all so that he could die a protagonist. I do not know if he was "Mari Blacked", either. Perhaps? He certainly was foolish enough. But then again, Cosine is particularly keen on spreading rumors of hidden Gellemendes in the Rose for his own political gains, so who knows.

On the nature of his charges: he claims he brooked to save us all in a dangerous mission where we fought a djinni to protect Amelie. I claim he lied, to paint himself a tragic hero. We all did emerge from that horrible trial with a mysterious book made of flesh which we all - except him - burnt. I do suppose that is some level of brooking, on his part. I also think he was just too stupid, and too dissapointed at not having died a hero in the event, to care. Can one brook by negligence? Maybe. But I had witnessed the man often enough re-telling events in a way which made him the hero to know that any claims of "saving everyone" was likely a lie.

The charges themselves were, in my opinion, more a political maneuver than anything else, as they were brought up in the last election where members of the Accord were allowed to run. Then-Legate Sol Auk and the Jannisaries made much effort to ensure Balladeers were not able to run, much less win. Velan Volandis played directly into their hands. I seem ro remember he refused to defend himself, in the trial, just agreeing with every charge the Jannisaries leveraged, in his desire to die to the Lions.

I may be wrong on my details of the trial, however, as I was not present and merely heard of it. Ultimately, the truth is now beyond our reach, with most of those actually involved dead or gone. If you want to have more information, maybe the Scribes have a transcript of the Trial itself. I could also pull some strings and see if I can get a peek at the Jannisaries internal report on him.

The matter of statues is, in itself, complex. His was erected by a fan, with other fans often leaving tribute to it. Many of us in the College felt quite irritated by it, but understood that there is a difference between the real, physical man, and the inspirational story people tell themselves. To not douse the flames of hope, we let it stand. Later, a Ballestriere broke it in a fit of fury, which in turn led us to get the coin from him and get a new statue. This second one was made to my specifications, and I much prefer it. The original was plainly heroic, this one at least has some more problematic undertones, I believe.

Statues, regardless, have little to do with the person itself. They are symbols - symbols of hope, or of history - for those who care to remember. I can tell you that Velan Volandis would likely hate his statue and the underlining melancholy of its expression... Just as Lynneth would hate hers.

Ultimately, whether you want to let it stand or not is an internal College matter. I think that to break it is to believe the rumors that he was a brooker, and to concede them. I would, hence, urge caution. Particularly, it is smart to consider who is telling you what rumors. The Legion and the Tower have oft been keen on using Velan against the College, another reason why we allowed it to stand: to not concede.

I hope this letter helps clarify some issues. Let me know if I can help further, and let us talk in person, if need be.

Yours,

Alejandro

[Karp]

Dear Alejandro,

Your letter has been well received, I did not expect this amount of information, but I am very grateful for it. As to your concerns, fret not, I am quite wary of any rumors and secrets I come across. One must wade through the fog, still.

I will send a letter to a scribe and ask for any pertinent documentation of the trial. Do you think Bashir would be able to help?

I am sorry to hear you weren't as close to Velan as rumors led me to believe. Well, after reading your letter, perhaps sorry isn't the right word. People are complicated beings, they all are. Do you know of anyone who might have been close to Velan as a true friend might be? I'd hope for someone outside of the College as only Aurelio is aware of my investigation, at the moment.

I do agree with your take on the Statue. Art, after all, transforms. And it is not for the artist or the subject, but for the regular man to grasp meaning from it.

A complicated figure is Velan Volandis' legacy, and perhaps that is not only most apt, but what Should Be.

Do you remember who participated in the trial?

Thank you for your help. Esteemed Alejandro.

Gaston Fournier,
Student at the College of Balladeers of the Lost Hearth.

"Searing sorrows forge the luminous blade of enlightenment"

[Don Nadie]

Dear Gaston,

People are complicated. Velan Volandis certainly was. Perhaps Aubrey was actually close? He and I interacted mostly briefly, and while it was never unfriendly, I certainly did not like the man. It may be spiteful, but his keeping me from the College unless I praise him still stings.

As for the trial, I sadly was not present, and do not know many who were. Doña Aaisha may be well informed. I seem to remember she worked under Legate Sol Auk. The Jannisaries may also have some information. If you are to ask, I suggest speaking with Eamon. He is a decent Waradim, and if you express honestly your cause, I'd hope he'll oblige.

Yours,

Alejandro

[Don Nadie]

Dear Gaston,

You asked me to ponder the matter of sacrifice. The greatest sacrifices I had seen whilst in the Well.

In truth, I never witnessed many grandiose sacrifices directly. I think of Lynneth's death, of Snorri's death, and I find that everything else feels pales, by comparison. There were, in my life here, few moments that compare to this noble act of self-destruction.

Most sacrifices my mind comes to are often performed in distant places. Acolyte Leiah, for example. She was a wise woman, who gave her life to aid the dwarves of Kulkund unearth and understand their past. She was killed by a vile Duregar Senator, in the Halls of the High King, which had laid closed for an age. Or Pirouette, from ourthe College, who died to liberate Amelie from a wicked djinni. She perished in flames, within a prison of flesh and mirrors. I think of Boucher and Kayo, bravely swinging in distant shores.

Their absence is felt here, yes, but their sacrifices - the ultimate ones - were done elsewhere.

To mind come, too, the sacrifices of the Balladeers. The very many times we all smiled through the Rossa's transgressions against honor because of the Quest, because their armies are needed for the Quest. This is a daily sacrifice, made for the promise of a better future. Small, but noble and constant. And, like any sacrifices, made of constant loss. 

To mind comes, finally, the dripping of deaths of the poor, the refugees, the wormingers. Dead to the elements, dead to the Tormented. Dead because the political will cannot be mustered to do something for them. Like the Balladeer's, a daily sacrifice, if one made upon the altar of greed, weakness and cowardice. A sacrifice unnoble and unworthy, unfair. But one which happens every day. How many are bled, constantly, unwillingly, so that things may remain the same?

Ultimately, your request has provoked a lot of thinking in me. That being part of the purpose of Art, I can but already commend you on some success.

If you want more details on any of these, let me know. I do look foward to seeing your work.

Yours,

Alejandro

[Karp]

I would learn of their sacrifices. Let us meet.