"Alistair!" Kora yelled, knowing full well he would sugar coat the answer to her question. Alistair rushed back into their bedroom, panting.
"Yes dearest?" he asked, trying to catch his breath. His stare raked over her body almost hungrily. "Maker's breath but you're beautiful." He took a few steps toward her but her hand flew up to stop him.
"Don't!" she insisted. Pulling at the skirt of the navy blue dress she wore she peered up at him sheepishly. "Does this make me look big?" Alistair shook his head and closed the distance between them, taking her into his arms and kissing her forehead.
"You must be kidding," he whispered, "you are breathtaking dearest. You are the most beautiful expectant mother alive. Anyone with eyes can see it." Kora huffed disbelieving. Pressing his lips to her forehead again, he took the back of her head in his hand and drew it back to look up at him. "Do you think I would lie to you?" She laughed.
"Yes!" she insisted. "Anything to keep me appeased." He smirked down at her.
"Well, you are a bit cranky as of late," he playfully agreed. As Kora tried to free herself from his grip he tightened it, taking her lips in his passionately. Her struggling ceased and a few moments later they broke apart, smiling at one another dreamily.
"I don't mean to be cranky," she whispered. Alistair laughed, pushing a few stray strands away from her face.
"You are beautiful when you're angry." He kissed her lips once more and gave her a final squeeze. "Your brother, on the other hand, not so much. He's waiting for me in the yard, we were supposed to begin sparring ages ago!" Releasing Kora, Alistair gave her a quick bow and ran back out of the room. She smiled, his excitement at having Caden as a sparring partner bringing back memories of her childhood with her twin.
Returning to the task at hand, she stood in front of the full length mirror once more. Turning right to left she tried to decide if the garment fit properly or if her husband was trying to protect her feelings. Realizing he was not capable of telling a lie, she threw her arms up and dove into her trunk for matching shoes. Then she headed to the kitchens to give the staff instructions for the day and then to the yard to greet their guests from The Vigil.
As she got closer the ringing of steel vibrated through the air. She heard a few shouts of encouragement and smiled, recognizing the woman's voice immediately. Her pace quickened until she stepped out into the bright morning sun, shielding her eyes and searching for her sister-in-law.
The tiny red-head stood just outside the sparring circle, clad in a simple white linen shirt and black leather breeches. High-heel black boots up to her knees completed the outfit, making her legs seem longer than they were. Kora laughed as she watched the Warden hop from foot to foot watching the show the other two Wardens were putting on.
"Lissa!" Kora shouted. When Elissa looked her way Kora waved, eliciting a screech as she ran over to her and pulled her into an embrace.
"Shit, Kora, you look beautiful!" she squealed, looking the pregnant woman up and down, eyes and hands finally resting on her swollen belly. "When do we get to meet him or her?"
"Wynne said it could be any day," Kora grinned, "but I am trying to enjoy having him or her close for now. Maker knows they will run away soon enough." The women laughed and hugged each other again.
"Well then," Caden's voice rang out, "there is my beloved sister carrying my second nephew!" Kora gave him a nasty glare.
"And when this child pops out missing a certain limb what are you going to say?" Alistair punched Caden in the arm.
"Don't answer that, every question she asks is a trap!" he insisted with mock fear. Elissa laughed.
"You're damned right it's a trap, one he falls into regularly," she said as she walked over to her husband. Cupping his cheek she hopped up to give him a peck and then a swat on the arm. "Go get cleaned up, we're expected at the palace in an hour."
"That's right, being Warden Commander you have to check in with His Majesty once in a while, huh?" Kora asked, crossing her arms over her protruding belly. "I take it he is back from his trip? Tell him he still owes me five sovereigns."
"To be fair, Oghren was still conscious when the sun came up," Caden asserted. Kora shook her head.
"The dwarf sleeps with his eyes open, it's not a way to determine if he is still conscious." She approached Alistair and gave him a sniff, wrinkling her nose. "Ick." He flashed a look of hurt then smirked. Realizing his intentions Kora put her hand on his shoulder, pushing him away. "Don't do it, I will throw up on you." Caden and Elissa laughed, walking past and into the estate to change. Kora waved Alistair inside as well, pinching her nose as she followed.
Once bathed and changed, the three Wardens took a carriage to the palace. Kora elected to stay behind, resigning herself to the baby's nursery decoration for the day and making sure her 5 year old son completed his studies with less a fuss than the day before.
Duncan's new tutor did not have the back bone to stand up to the rapidly growing boy, even if he was only five. Between his charm and his likeness to his father he was difficult to say no to, even when asking for a snack so he can use it as a distraction to sneak back out to the training yard to watch the soldiers spar. As his mother, however, Kora was fully capable of telling the boy no and hoped she could pass on that ability to the young woman she had hired the previous week.
"Duncan," Kora said softly as she entered her son's room, "time for your lessons." The boy turned to look up at his mother, standing in front of the window overlooking the yard.
"Do I have to take lessons today, Mother?" he pleaded, putting on his best pout. "Father is at the Palace, he doesn't have to know." Kora let out a surprised laugh and crossed the room to take his hand.
"Do not think that your father not being here is an excuse to neglect your studies," she said, leading him toward the library. "Nice try though." Stopping in the hall she kneeled in front of him, parting his sandy blonde hair. "Now, I want to be very clear in what I expect from you today." Duncan rolled his eyes.
"I know, no sneaking out to the yard," he drawled out, hunching his shoulders in defeat. Kora lifted his chin with her finger and shook her head.
"You, young man, will not play any more games with this tutor," she said, using her best authoritative voice. "You will pay attention, you will do as you are told and you will learn. Nothing more, is that clear?" Duncan nodded and Kora kissed his forehead. "That's my good boy. Now run along and keep in mind I will stop in to check on you a few times today so no funny business!"
"Yes Mother," he mumbled and took off in the direction of the library. Kora laughed to herself and headed toward the nursery.
"I've been receiving some disturbing reports from the Free Marches," Caden said as the Wardens sat in Cailan's study. Cailan sat behind his desk, resting his elbows on it.
"Explain," he stated, sitting back in his chair.
"Wardens have gone missing," he began, "quite a few. And when they sent scouts to search for them THEY didn't return either. I think we may have to get involved." Caden shook his head and sighed. "It's so strange it's… disturbing."
"Before we send anyone," Alistair interjected, "maybe ask your sister if she knows anything about it." Caden looked at Alistair.
"Hasn't she already told you everything?" Caden asked, surprised. Alistair shook his head.
"You know that I asked her not to involve herself once we found out she was pregnant for Duncan," he insisted. "Honestly I'm quite content dealing with just our issues, not worrying about Kirkwall's as well. And then Anders' involvement…" he shook his head, brow furrowing, "no. I stopped asking and she stopped sharing." Cailan stood and the Wardens followed suit.
"Alright, let's go have a chat with Arlessa Kora," Cailan grinned mischievously. "It's been far too long anyhow. How is she?" Caden laughed.
"She's as feisty as ever," he said, "you are in for a world of shit when we get there too, by the way. She mentioned the last time I visited that she hadn't seen you and the look she gave me was heated." He elbowed Alistair. "Poor boy has his hands full." Alistair shook his head and smiled wide.
"I wouldn't trade her for the world."
Kora sat cross legged in the middle of the floor on a pile of pillows, swatches of different fabrics in every imaginable color scattered around her. Picking up a small piece of pink cloth, she rubbed her thumb over it and smiled.
"How about this one?" she asked, handing it to the raven haired elf seated next to her. The servant-turned-personal-assistant took it, rubbing it between her palms and smiled.
"It's so soft," she whispered, brushing it against her cheek. "That is definitely a contender." She tossed it into a small pile that had accumulated to her right. Kora glanced at the pile and smirked.
"I just realized every sample we like is a shade of pink," she said, smiling. "May, do you think it's coincidence or am I just dreaming of a little girl?" The elf laughed.
"If you weren't I'd think something was wrong with you," she said as another servant entered, bowing to Kora.
"Your Grace, the Arl has returned with the Warden Commander and Warden Constable, however His Majesty is with them as well and they'd all like to speak with you. They are in your study, Your Grace," the young blonde man said with another bow. Kora tried to stand, uncrossing her legs and moving to her side to push herself up to no avail. She huffed in frustration and looked back up at the messenger.
"Thank you Aaron, but could you please help me up?" she asked quietly. May stood up and they both assisted her, each taking an arm.
As she entered the doorway of her study everyone stood. She smiled around the room until her eyes met Cailan's and she sneered. Lifting her chin in the air she walked around behind her desk and sat down, motioning for them to do so as well.
"To what do I owe the distinguished honor, Your Majesty?" she asked, throwing her hair over her shoulder. Cailan sighed.
"Kora, I've been a bit busy," he tried to explain. Kora raised her eyebrows.
"Too busy to come see your nephew, never mind your brother in the last five months," she persisted. Caden snorted and her glare shifted to him. "Something to say?" He put up his hands and shook his head.
"Nope, not saying a word," he insisted as he covered his mouth. Elissa laughed, slapping his arm.
"Caden warned His Majesty he was 'in for a world of shit' when he got here," she smirked. Kora nodded.
"And deservedly so, what have you been doing in Orlais anyway Cailan? Trying to get yourself killed I hear." Kora crossed her arms over her belly and sat back in her chair. Cailan shook his head.
"Trying to secure a future for Ferelden, dear Sister," he replied. She narrowed her eyes and he stood, walking around the desk to kneel next to her and give her his best pout. "Forgive me for looking out for my country instead of coming to visit?" Kora picked up a 10 page report off her desk and swatted him over the head with it.
"A letter, a messenger, any word from you would have been welcome," she growled. "I worry, we all worry and you know it." Cailan took her hand, kissing her knuckles.
"I am sorry," he said, all sarcasm gone from his face and voice. "I know you worry and I should have kept in touch. I apologize." Kora's face softened as she nodded.
"Please don't do that again," she whispered, the hint of a tear in her eye. "Now sit, what is it you all need to speak with me about?"
"We need to know all you know about the Wardens in the Free Marches," Caden said. Then it was Elissa's turn to snort.
"To be specific," she interjected, "Wardens disappearing in the Free Marches." Caden gave her a glare which she promptly waved off. "Shit, Caden, she knows everything else. The more details you give her the more she may be able to tie together." Elissa turned back to Kora. "So a bunch of Wardens are gone and every Warden who goes looking never comes back. Thoughts?" Kora swallowed, her heart jumping into her throat as a memory came to the surface.
"Corypheus," she whispered. She looked at her brother expectantly. "You're not getting involved, are you?"
"We may have to," Caden replied. "Wardens are disappearing, Kora, we have to do something." She shook her head emphatically.
"No, stay away, leave it be." She stood, pacing the room. "Just stay out of it and it will resolve itself." The gears in her head were turning, thinking of every possibility, and she realized it may not resolve itself and then what? The Wardens in the Free Marches may let this thing loose? And it would be her fault for not interceding. Even though she promised Alistair she would stay out of Kirkwall's problems he was still a Warden, what if this affected him too? She growled, scrubbed her face with her hands and sighed. "Shit." Alistair stood and sighed.
"Maybe you should fill in the blanks, dearest," Alistair said, moving to stand next to her and place an arm around her waist. "On your time." He knew not to push her and just waited. A few moments later she took a deep breath.
"Corypheus is a magister," she breathed out, "and not just any magister, a magister of old. Supposedly he is one that served Dumat and entered the golden city." Not waiting for a response to that she hurried on. "He's been trapped in a Warden prison for Maker knows how long and remains there with wards put in place by blood mages the Wardens have recruited since." Her hands started shaking so Alistair took them in his, running his thumbs along her palms. He nodded to her and she continued.
"The last mage was Malcolm Hawke. He was no blood mage but they threatened the mother of his unborn child to get him to reinforce the wards." She shook her head, disgusted. "As we all know Wardens do what they must no matter the cost. Anyway, apparently this blighted creature is awakening and can call out from its prison to any blighted creature, Wardens included, beckoning them to help free it. He can… control Wardens." Her knees felt weak so she motioned to the chair. Alistair walked her over and helped her to sit.
Silence filled the room as what she said settled on everyone present. On one hand it verified the Chantry's teachings of the blight. One the other, it meant that the good and the bad were true. Cailan sighed as he rubbed his eyes.
"Alright, so this thing can control Wardens," he said, "which means if a Warden tries to investigate…"
"They will either fall under this thing's spell or worse," Elissa chimed in. "Well, shit."
"Great, so now what?" Alistair asked. Sitting on the edge of the desk facing his wife, he grinned down at her. "Good thing you are indisposed." Kora reached over and gave him a swat.
"Lucky for you," she replied then looked at her brother. "Do not send Wardens, do you hear me?"
"Then who can I send, Kora?" Caden asked. "I have no jurisdiction now that the blight is over."
"What happens in the story?" Cailan asked, looking to Kora.
"Malcolm's oldest child breaks the seals and with a band of companions at his, or her, back kills it. Not without extreme difficulty, of course." She shook her head. "I couldn't imagine what battling that creature would be like in reality. Have the Wardens from the Marches asked for help?"
"Thankfully no," Caden replied, "but that will probably change and soon. I have to be able to respond." He stood, as did Elissa. "Thank you, Sister, for the information." He nodded to Alistair then Cailan. "Your Majesty." Once the Wardens left the room Cailan rose.
"I should probably go as well," he said as he approached Kora, pushing her hair behind her ear. "Take care of yourself, love, you hear me?" She smiled and nodded as he looked to Alistair. "Make sure she does, Brother."
"Always do," he said, taking her hand and kissing it. Kora reached out and grabbed Cailan's hand.
"Dinner, tomorrow night, no excuses," she insisted, a pleading look in her eye. Cailan smiled softly and nodded.
"As you wish," he said and left. Kora shook her head, smiling after her beloved brother-in-law.
"Cheeky bastard."