Salla woke with a start, and immediately grabbed her journal to write down the dream before the memory faded from her. Green light, and people shouting, and a cat. Uncle Varric had been there. He'd been frightened. Not many things could actually make her uncle show fear.

She sighed, and went to the window. There were hours yet before dawn, but getting back to sleep didn't seem a feasible option. Her next lesson with Feynriel was in three days. More questions for her growing list. With the trouble in Tevinter, though, he couldn't come to Kirkwall. And there was no way her fathers would allow her to go to Tevinter.

After a moment, she drew a robe around herself and went down to the kitchen. She was still looking when a voice spoke from the doorway. "Varric took them when he left."

"It didn't occur to him anyone else might want leftover cookies?" Salla smiled. "I didn't mean to wake you." She never meant to. And somehow she always did.

Fenris shrugged before he entered and began adding water to the teakettle. "What was the dream this time?"

"We were in the Viscount's Keep. And something happened. I could feel it through the ripples in the Veil." She sat down at the table, and he sat across from her. "People were screaming and panicking. And there was a cat."

"A cat?"

"I thought it was just an ordinary nightmare until the cat. All the chaos, and right in the middle of it there was just this black cat, watching me. And I needed to follow him, but first I had to show him where he was going."

He rose before the kettle could start to whistle, and poured cups for both of them. "So it was a boy cat?"

"Father." She gave him a teasing glare as she accepted the cup. Then she frowned. "Yes. The cat was a him. Not an it or a her. A him."

"We should see about getting another dog." He smiled before his face became serious once more. "In Viscount's Keep, you said? Was there anything I can pass to Aveline?"

"There were a lot of people there. Familiar faces. Agatha was there. There was a woman with one arm."

"The Inquisitor?" Fenris frowned.

"I think it might have been. I can't be sure, I only really saw her once. Lots of people in fancy clothes, all scared and angry. An interrupted party?" She sighed. "I held my hand out to the cat, and he rubbed his cheek against it. I felt a jolt, and that woke me up." She sipped the tea.

"To the best of my knowledge, the Inquisitor has never been to Kirkwall." He sipped from his own cup. "We can talk to her staff at the estate. She's likely coming to the Chantry dedication."

"Okay." She took another drink, letting the warmth fill her. "Speaking of boy cats, Guardsman Veluc invited me to get drinks tomorrow."

"Not the Hanged Man. You know what kind of riff-raff assembles there."

"You, Papa, and your friends."

"Exactly." He smiled. "Remind him that if he does not have you home at a reasonable hour..."

"He'll have his internal organs rearranged and set on fire. And then you'll have a word with Aveline about which guards are in need of remedial instruction on picking up griffin scat."

He stood, and kissed the top of her head affectionately. "Good girl."

#

Cullen counted the tiny fingers again. Still ten. The tiny form lay peacefully in his arms. Across the room his wife lay in one corner of the bed, and the mabari hound lay curled as tight as possible in the opposite corner. In the center sprawled his son. How someone so small managed to take up so much space never failed to amaze him.

His daughter made a gurgling sound as she curled some of those tiny fingers around his thumb. He slipped quietly out of the room so as not to wake the rest of his family. "Where were we?" He looked down at the small form. "Right. So, then your mother twirled her staff and shot a bolt of lightning right into the dragon's eye. It roared and leaped back, freeing The Iron Bull from its foul clutches. As it tried to take off, she summoned a storm of fire and ice, battering the beast back to the ground. Seeker Cassandra, shielded by your mother's magic, rushed forward, and put her sword right into the beast's dark heart."

"And the world was saved once more, thanks to the heroic Inquisitor."

He grinned up at Kels. "Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"Minaeve woke up an hour ago with a brilliant idea regarding wing structure and I never understand half of what she says when she starts on physiology. And I can't sleep when she has all the lanterns burning." Kels shrugged. "You?"

"Gavren had a bad dream and we need a bigger bed." Cullen gazed down at his daughter, and trailed a finger down her face. "I was thinking of crawling into his bed when Kailey woke up." He shifted her weight a little as they walked down the hall. "Anything interesting this morning?"

"Viscount Varric sent a letter saying Kirkwall has nearly finished rebuilding the Chantry. Divine Victoria wants to make blessing it a big to-do, and would like the Inquisitor to be in attendance." Kels shrugged. "I get the feeling she wants to make it a bit of a reunion."

"I like the thought, but did it have to be Kirkwall?" Cullen shook his head.

"Walter swears Kirkwall is much improved. He just made lieutenant in the guard." Kels smiled. "Caleb, Salla, and a few of the others are still there. It would be nice to see them again."

"I'll speak with the Inquisitor. You start making arrangements." He tilted his head.

"You do have an estate in Kirkwall, Comte."

"You had to remind me." Cullen glared at the younger man.

#

Saitada strode into the palace. Trian walked a pace behind her, trying to look dignified. An armored man, gingered hair going slightly gray, met them in the hall. "Warden-Commander." He bowed.

"Ser Gilmore." Saitada nodded. "The king is expecting us."

"There has been a slight complication. I..." He trailed off with a helpless shrug.

"Wynne is refusing to wear clothes again?" Saitada raised an eyebrow.

A small laugh escaped Ser Gilmore before he caught himself. "Would you like me to escort you to the residence?"

She shook her head. "I know the way." She gave him a half bow before heading in. Trian hurried to catch up with her. She entered the royal residence just in time to see a completely naked three year old girl dash through the room and dive under the bed, chased by her gown wielding father. Her mother, armed with an undergarment, came around the other side, attempting to corner the child. The twins stood in the crib, cheering for their sister while a young mabari pup howled along. The heir apparent stood with an older red-haired boy, occasionally calling advice to Wynne. "Yes." Saitada nodded. "These are definitely your children."

"You could help instead of stating the obvious." Alistair shot a glare over his shoulder as he attempted to prevent the girl's escape. Cathiel crawled under the bed after her.

"Where's the fun in that?" Saitada smiled and went to prevent the twins from removing their own clothing in rebellious solidarity.

Once captured, Wynne submitted to the indignity of wearing clothing and having her hair done readily enough. She even demanded ribbons. Saitada lifted Bryce out of the crib and set him on her hip. He immediately began babbling to her and playing with her braids. "So how is mighty Ferelden?"

"Feeling somewhat less dignified than it did at breakfast time." Alistair tried to brush the dirt off his doublet before giving up and heading to the wardrobe to grab a different one. "And Kal'Hirol?"

"We've recovered two more thaigs." Saitada gestured at her own heir apparent. "Trian arranged for Gorim's daughter, Terra, to apprentice with Dagna, and is working on making our ties with the College of Enchanter's more official."

"That's wonderful to hear." Cathiel finished tying the last of the ribbons before retrieving Maric from the crib. Wynne grabbed another ribbon and began decorating her mabari. "Fiona has sent a rather tentative letter requesting leave to build a small tower on Kal'Hirol's trust lands. I assume she's spoken with you already?"

Saitada gave Trian a pointed look, and he cleared his throat. "I've been working with Enchanters Fiona and Lenore on the matter. I brought copies of their plans, and I think the idea has merit."

"Something to discuss over dinner, then." Alistair checked Duncan over and gave the boy an approving nod before doing the same to his companion. "Come. The more dignified dignitaries await us."

#

Her brother was all but bouncing. Just once, she'd like him to act his age. Or his station. Or... a squealing sound escaped her, and she headed to intercept Merrill. "Can I..." Merrill was passing over the bundled infant before Salla could finish the request. She cuddled the tiny form. "Hi little Varric."

Nearby, one of the riders whistled. "Lieutenant, your fledglings are here."

Uncle Carver jumped down from one of the towers, landing easily. Salla was pretty sure her brother would try to duplicate the feat by the end of the day, and break one or both of his legs. A moment later, Leandra launched herself from the tower, laughing madly. Her father caught her, and swung her up onto his shoulders before walking over towards them.

Caleb was rushing up to him immediately. "You said you thought we were ready for solo flights."

"I did?" Their uncle raised one eyebrow. He looked up at his daughter. "Did I?"

"You did." Leandra giggled.

"And did you pick them out griffins?"

She giggled again. "Aravas for Caleb, and Dorf for La-la."

"Salla, you done cooing up there?" Carver called.

For a moment, she was torn. Ride a griffin, or cuddle a baby. Reluctantly, she handed the infant back to his mother. "Can I hold him more later?"

"We are coming to dinner tonight. You can hold him then." Merrill smiled.

Carver handed Leandra off to Greta, and led them into the griffin enclosure.

#

Ruya stood in the balcony overlooking the garden, watching Cullen and Kels spar. Gavren watched eagerly, wooden sword in hand, occasionally trying to imitate a movement. She saw a familiar shadow fall across the ground, and immediately headed for the stairs. "Bull."

Iron Bull picked her up and swung her around in a hug. "Hey boss." He set her back down. "Any new news?"

"Another assassination attempt on Maevaris, and a message from Dorian for you." She shook her head. She felt herself start to blush. "Which you are just going to have to imagine because I am not repeating it." She raised an eyebrow. "You?"

"Ran a mission with the new Seekers." He shrugged. "They've got potential. Cassandra sets a pretty high bar. And helped deal with some assassins." He grinned. "I want to meet my niece."

"I just put her down for a nap."

He stuck out his lower lip in an exaggerated pout. "Fine. I'll go be a bad influence on my nephew." He headed into the garden.

She rolled her eyes, and followed.

#

Cathiel smiled at where her brother was introducing his newest Bann to Arl Teagan. Goldanna's eldest, Cordell, had done well in her brother's service. His only niece had chosen to join the Chantry, and he'd arranged with Saitada to have the youngest of the bunch squire for one of the knights of the Order of Vigilance. The other nephew was... well, the Red Jennies weren't quite the nightmare they used to be, at least. She was somewhat disappointed Fergus hadn't brought her nieces or his wife. But then, the youngest wasn't old enough to stand yet.

The king was engaged in conversation with young Trian. Cathiel smiled. Saitada's choice of heir had caused a stir. From casteless boy to heir apparent of the most powerful house in Kal'Hirol was a considerable change. Of course, the fact that one of Orzammar's two living paragons had himself been casteless did help. And Saitada had chosen well. The lad had taken over the running of some of House Saitada's holdings and by all accounts they were thriving.

She turned to look at Saitada. "Maybe I should send Duncan to live with Zerlinda for a while."

"Actually, that's not a bad idea. I was considering talking to you about leaving Trian here for a couple months to learn more about Ferelden culture." Saitada looked up at her. "Understanding makes for better neighbors." She shrugged. "And the Deep Roads have never been safer. We've seen nothing but the rare straggler within twenty miles of Kal'Hirol."

"Do you think..." She hesitated. "He had something to do with that?"

Saitada closed her eyes a moment. Then she sighed. "That's my assumption. Have you heard anything?"

"No. You?"

"The last time I spoke with him, he said we would not meet again." Saitada stared ahead at something a thousand miles away. She took a deep breath. "The Wardens are still getting recruits. Everyone wants to ride a griffin."

Cathiel laughed. "Ser Gilmore's having the same problem." She saw a woman moving towards her through the assorted nobles, followed by a young boy and her elven maid-servant. Her eyes trailed over his face. Despite what the rumors said, she really didn't see any trace of Nathaniel Howe in his features. He had the fair hair of his mother. "Teyrna Anora."

"Your majesty," Anora gave a small bow. "Warden-Commander. Keeper Lanaya regrets she could not attend. The settlement is having some..." She sighed. "Difficulties, of late."

"Does the crown need to take an interest?" Cathiel raised an eyebrow. It never failed to surprise her how staunch an elven advocate Anora had become, especially considering what her father had done to the alienage. Of course, considering what her father had allowed to be done in the alienage, it had never failed to surprise her Jerath hadn't gutted the man.

"At the moment, I believe that would do more harm than good. It may..." Anora lowered her voice. "It may be a better solution for the Crown to consider officially granting title to Keeper Lanaya. Arl, if not Teyrn."

"You'd support this notion?" Saitada raised an eyebrow. "It would make the settlement rival Gwaren."

"The settlement rivals Gwaren now. I would rather my neighbors be content. And with..." Anora shrugged. "Things I am not supposed to know about in play, I wholeheartedly support extending friendship to the elves."

"I do not think we are prepared to create another teyrnir, but perhaps it is time we had an elven Arl. I will speak with my husband and Bann Shianni on the matter." She'd also contact Brehan, assuming she could pry him away from the Inquisition and the Divine for the matter.

#

Salla closed the door as quietly as she could. She was halfway down the hall to her room when she heard her father's voice. "What's wrong?"

The tears she'd been fighting back for the last hour started to fall, and she buried her face in Fenris's shoulder as he put his arms around her. "I forgot my cloak at the tavern." She choked out the words. "Heard Veluc talking to his friends. He's only interested in me because I'm the daughter of the Champion and he wants to be guard captain."

Fenris rubbed her back gently. "Do you want his lungs or his spine?"

"He doesn't have a spine. He's a gutless good for nothing piece of wishes he were noble shite." Salla pulled back and wiped at her eyes.

"Lungs it is, then." Fenris led her into the kitchen and started making tea.

"And then I'm going to melt them and pour them back up his nose." Salla sat at the table, and then took a cookie off the plate Fenris offered. "I really liked him." She swallowed the bite of cookie. Veluc had been the only boy to show interest in her, and he... "What's wrong with me?"

"Nothing is wrong with you."

"Other than I'm plain and a mage and I..."

"Salla." He caught her chin and tilted her face up to meet his eyes. "Nothing is wrong with you." He kissed her forehead.

"Plenty wrong with him." Salla watched him pour the tea. "Like the fact he's going to be missing his lungs. And be set on fire. And eaten by griffins."

"Hung upside down by his toes and forced to listen to Lord Charr's poetry?"

"Oh, that's a good one." Salla nodded, wiping the tears away again. "Definitely that, after the griffins shit him back out." She took a drink from the tea. "And rashvine in all his armor."

"How about a classic? Tar and feathers."

#

She moved silently down the roof line, and leaped across, catching hold of the window ledge and pulling herself up. It took her only seconds to work the mechanism, and then the window was open. She slithered inside and shut it behind her, adjusting the latch so it appeared to be still secured. A couple lengthened strides avoided the squeaking floorboard, and she found her objective. A quick twist of the lockpick, and...

Agatha cursed. A moment later, light flooded the room. She shook her head. "A barrier? Seriously?"

"Those are mine." Lenore folded her arms and narrowed her eyes. "You had your share already."

A low growl escaped her. "What did I..." Her head came up. "You warded your candy stash?" She gave the woman she'd come to think of as a mother a disbelieving look.

"Clearly not an unwarranted precaution." Lenore grinned and lowered the magic barrier. She took the box of carastian candy out of the safe and opened it to offer Agatha a piece. "You could have asked."

"Where's the fun in that?" Agatha accepted the candy and bit into it, savoring the flavor. "When are we leaving for Kirkwall?" She couldn't wait to see Salla. Letters just weren't the same as actually going boy-watching with her best friend.

"We haven't decided if we are attending." Lenore replaced the candy. "It's mostly Chantry business."

"But..."

"But I suppose House Brosca does have some interest, and we should consider at least sending a representative. If only there were a good candidate. Someone smart. Someone capable. Someone who wants to visit a friend." She narrowed her eyes. "Someone who knows better than to try to steal my candy."

Agatha popped the last of the piece of candy into her mouth. "What candy?"

"That's my girl."

#

"What's this about another assassination attempt?" Ruya raised an eyebrow at Brehan. "Divine Victoria didn't mention anyone trying to assassinate her in the latest missive."

Iron Bull folded his arms. "That's because the assassins weren't after her." He nodded to Brehan. "They targeted him. Idiots."

Ruya blinked, and turned to stare at Brehan. He sighed. "Someone hired a group of thugs to ambush me on the way back here."

"Not very serious thugs." Iron Bull shrugged. "Krem and I barely had to do anything."

"Were these because you're in a relationship with the Divine, or because you are a representative of the Inquisition?"

He sighed. "With certain rumors..." He shook his head. "The loyalty of elves everywhere is being questioned. The thought that a Dalish elf has the ear of both Divine and Inquisitor..."

"Not to mention the King and Queen of Ferelden and the Warden Commander." Ruya nodded. "I may assign you a guard detail again." She frowned. "Actually, for now I'm just going to assign you the Chargers. We'll be heading to Kirkwall in a couple weeks for the thing." She shrugged. "Cullen has already been in touch with Aveline regarding security, and we'll be bringing our forces, but I want the Chargers in as a less..." She tilted her head. "Formal unit."

"Can you believe it's been five years since we kicked Corypheus's ass?" Iron Bull grinned. "Think we'll get the whole gang together?"

"Sera is already in Kirkwall. Doing 'reconnaissance'." She looked over at Brehan. "Sorry. But she actually spelled the word correctly, so there is that." He shrugged and smiled. "Dorian will be attending in his role as ambassador. If Cassandra finishes her business in Nevarra in time, she'll be there. I haven't heard yet from Rainier or Cole. Vivienne will be attending as Grand Enchanter of the Circle." She smiled. "Cullen and I do have an estate in Kirkwall, so we'll have a base of operations other than the Chantry itself."

Brehan looked up at Iron Bull. "We should head out in advance. Check the lay of the land, secure the estate, make sure the wine cellar is stocked."

"I like the way you think, Songbird."

Ruya rolled her eyes, and left her spies to do their thing.

#

Duncan gestured for Jerath to stand guard. The older boy shook his head in disapproval, but did as he was asked. Duncan crept in closer to listen in on the conversation between his parents and the Warden-Commander, climbing onto a table so he could hear better through the screen. It appeared Keeper Lanaya was going to become an Arl. That was good, he liked Lanaya. She always brought him a toy when she visited. They were still worried about the wolf guy. And worrying about what the other guy, the one his friend had been named for, was up to and what it could mean.

"One of us, at least, should attend the celebration in Kirkwall." His father was speaking.

"I can't be away from the twins that long, and I'm not bringing them."

"Well, that makes it an easy choice. Will you be coming?"

"Yes, actually. And bringing Trian. It's past time he met the Divine and the Inquisitor."

Duncan grimaced. It wasn't fair. Just because Trian was older. He was an heir as well. He leaned forward to catch his father's next words and the table he was standing on collapsed beneath him. He tumbled off and landed sprawled in the hallway. Jerath rushed to him just as the king opened the door, the Warden Commander a pace behind him.

"Spies." Saitada folded her arms.

"That I sent to bed an hour ago." Alistair glared at his son, and then turned his disapproving eyes to Jerath. "Is being his second too much responsibility for you?"

Jerath wilted before his gaze. "No, your majesty."

"You do understand that the orders I give you supersede any he gives you?"

"Yes, your majesty."

Duncan got to his feet. "It wasn't his fault. I snuck out. He just followed to keep me out of trouble."

His father nodded, and knelt before him, looking him square in the eye. "One of the hardest things to learn about being king is that other people must pay for the decisions you make. Since you won't consider the consequences for yourself, consider the consequences for him. This time, he's going to face running drills for Kylon." Alistair stood, and stared down at his son. "One day, it may be an assassin's blade. Get back to your room. Jerath, report to Kylon first thing in the morning."

"It's not fair." Duncan shook his head and looked helplessly at his friend. Jerath hadn't even wanted to come and now he was the one getting punished.

"Another of the hard lessons a king must learn. To your room."

"Yes, father."

"Yes, your majesty."

#

Saitada watched the young prince leave, followed by his loyal vassal. She'd told Alistair of how her brother had once hammered the same point home to her. "You were listening."

"I do that." He shrugged. "Sometimes." He shook his head, and then looked at Cathiel. "I'm going to take those two to Kirkwall with me."

She started to object, and then nodded. "No, that's probably best. He'll need to start learning that being king isn't a fun job." Cathiel shrugged. "Hopefully, he's also learned his lesson about sticking frogs in the pockets of visiting dignitaries."

"Yep." Saitada nodded. "That is definitely your son."

"I hate you."