Now that Alain was actually paying attention, he couldn't help but stare around at all of the books in the library. It was true that he had seen bigger, but it had felt like a lifetime ago. Now he was just so happy to be surrounded by books again. After glancing around to make sure no one was watching him, he hesitantly ran his fingers over a few spines, just feeling them as if to reassure himself that they were real.
"More important?!" The raised voice startled Alain, making him jump.
"Yes," came the calm measured reply. There was no mistaking that voice for anything but a Tranquil and Alain couldn't help but shudder. "My research is more valuable to the Inquisition at this time, therefore I need that book."
"Well!" the first man said indignantly. "I'll have you know everything I do is important."
"It will have to wait," the Tranquil said. She held out a hand.
"There you are," said a voice behind Alain causing him to flinch guiltily. It was Varric. "Are you ready for dinner?" He glanced in the direction Alain had been looking and said, "Sparkler, you gonna join us?"
"Yes, I suppose I will since I seem to have nothing to do here," the man said as he handed the book over to the Tranquil woman.
Varric led the way outside to the tavern, Alain trailing behind. He entered the tavern last and when he saw what was inside he froze in terror. A Qunari. Images of a burning city flashed in his memory and he staggered back, bumping into someone.
"Oh, excuse me," said whoever was behind him.
He practically jumped aside to let the newcomer through, his desire to get out of the way overriding his fear of the Qunari. The man behind him must have seen the fear in Alain's face because he followed his glanced and smiled.
"No need to worry about the chief," he said with a grin. "He doesn't usually bite."
Alain ended up sitting between this man, who introduced himself as Krem, and Varric. He spent most of the evening trying to hide behind Krem to avoid being seen by the huge Qunari, but overall it was rather… pleasant. No one was really paying him any attention, which was how he liked it. Everyone seemed to be having so much fun. He just sat and listened to everyone talk.
Alain couldn't remember the last time he was somewhere warm with people laughing around him. He was so used to the cold and the screaming. Even sitting around a fire with other mages or refugees hadn't been like this. A few Templars entered at one point and Elden froze in terror, sure they were coming for him, but Varric must have seen the fear in his eyes because he sat up a little straighter. The Dwarf was short, but Alain was curled in on himself so tightly that he could almost hide behind him. It didn't matter though because the Templars didn't even look around. In fact Alain was surprised to see them join a few mages in the corner. Soon Alain forgot to be afraid, forgot to watch his back, and simply watched the people around him. Someone put food in front of him and he even risked eating a little.
Varric didn't leave his side all night.
Alain wasn't sure how long they had been in the tavern. The sun had set and Alain was beginning to feel overwhelmed. The Qunari in particular was so loud. Suddenly Varric stood.
"Well, I think it's time for me to turn in," he announced. "Alain?"
Alain scrambled to his feet, worried if he wasn't quick enough he would be left behind. To his utter astonishment several of the people who had been at the table wished him a good night by name. Varric escorted him to his room again, which Alain was very grateful for. He wasn't sure he would be able to find it again, particularly in the dark.
This time he sat on the bed instead of the floor. He still pressed himself into the corner though. Before he could even think about sleeping someone knocked on the door. Had he remembered to lock it? Whoever was out there didn't try the handle. He hesitated, but when the second knock came he knew he had to open it. He reluctantly slid off of the bed and padded as quietly as possible over to the door, wondering if he should have put the dresser in front of the door again. As the door creaked open, he nearly slammed it closed again when he saw the Inquisitor on the other side. The man was huge. He wasn't exactly tall, just wide and solid and Alain felt the familiar sick cold creeping up his spine because even with magic he knew he wouldn't stand a chance against this man. Not that he could use his magic against anyone ever again.
The Inquisitor just smiled at him though. His eyes were still kind.
"Good evening," the Inquisitor said. He didn't push into Alain's room. "I just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing. Have you had dinner?"
"Varric took me to the tavern," Alain muttered, unable to meet his eyes.
"Oh good! I hope you had a lovely time."
Alain could only nod.
"Do you need anything else tonight?"
Alain shook his head.
"I'll leave you to it, then," he said. "Have a good night."
Alain numbly closed the door and just stood there for a long time. The Herald of Andraste had just stopped by to see how he was doing. Was this all really happening? He kept waiting for everything to go wrong but it never did. Maybe this place really was different.