aDISCLAIMER: I base my stories on Intellectual Property (IP) owned by BioWare ™ and EA™. I pretend to live in their world.

SPOILERS: I refer to information from the games, the novels and the comics. If you have not played or read, please beware.

"Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment…"
That was Ferelden
Ruled by King Maric the Savior
Camelot – Lerner and Lowe

Chapter 4: THE SCARS


9:18 Dragon 28 Solace === Redcliffe Castle

Lys remained in their apartment while her parents were at dinner. She wanted to see Alistair again, but not if he would get in trouble. Her father would tell her, in the morning, if they could spend time together. She read for a while, lying before the small fire, but grew restless. "Freya," she said to her nurse, "I'm going up to the tower roof. The stairs are at the end of this hall, so I won't be far. I'll take a blanket, a skin of cider, apples and some cheese. Will that be alright?"

Freya agreed, "Yes. Thank you for asking, Lys. I'm glad to see you acting so grown up this year." She smiled, "Just think we've been here for half a day and the Arlessa hasn't been in to complain about you yet."

Lys gave wrinkled her nose and gave Freya a sidelong glance. "I can change that tomorrow if you like."

Freya laughed, "That's not necessary, my lady, just don't fall asleep up there. Here take a candle and come back before it's burned down two marks."

Lys donned her cloak, headed down the hall and up the stairway to the roof. Unlike the towers at Castle Cousland, which had trap doors opening onto the roof, this stairway ended on a landing or vestibule of sorts, with a door. Before she stepped through, she put the candle in a nook on the wall. She wanted to keep the roof darkened and the candle lit, out of the wind. Stepping outside the enclosure, she found the heights breezy and the sky almost dark and very clear. Moving to the edge of the tower, she sat on her blanket, which softened the hard stone floor. A parapet ran around the tower's circumference. Only the blocky, stone vestibule structure broke the alternating crenellations of the battlement. She leaned against the wall and gazed up into the sky. As night descended, a gibbous moon rose over the lake throwing her part of the tower into shadow.

Alistair crept up the tower stairway, carrying a blanket. He would not be able to sneak through the guest quarters once all the guests arrived. Tonight, however, the guests who had arrived were at dinner and he could avoid the few servants remaining upstairs. The guests would, he hoped, sleep late in the morning after the heavy meal and days of travel, allowing him to make an early escape. He often slept on this, the tallest tower, in summer. Cooling breezes blew off the lake. It felt safe lying under the stars. He sometimes wondered if there were other worlds out there. The Chantry said that their world was the center of the Maker's creation and that everything in the sky revolved around it, but he wasn't sure he believed everything the Chantry said.

Alistair noticed the candle as he passed, but didn't see anyone when he opened the door. Someone must have checked the roof earlier and left it, he thought. He curled up against the battlement wall in the moonlight. Happily, the stone still held the sun's warmth. He would be cold later, even with his thin blanket. He unwrapped the bread and apples he had liberated from the kitchens. Fortunately, the cooks had been so distracted serving dinner, they did not see him sneak into the larder. As he took a bite of the apple, he heard a rustle from the darkness.

"Who's there?" he whispered getting up to look around. Seeing nothing, he walked back to his blanket, his night vision not yet fully adjusted after the bright candle on the landing. He started to sit on his blanket and yelped as he landed on a leg. "Maker, who is that?"

Lys giggled, "I have apples and cheese too. And some cider. Shall we share?"

"Lady Lys?"

"No!" Lys complained. " Lys, just Lys."

"Touchy, aren't you My Lady Just Lys."

"I am when my friend insists on using a title," she retorted and sniffed.

"Oh, Maker, you're not going to pretend to cry aren't you?"

"Well if it would work. You can't see me pout in the dark."

"It won't," he assured her. "Unless you want to scare me and watch me run away, screaming."

Lys giggled again, "No that would be the opposite of what I want."

Alistair settled back. "What are you doing up here? Rooms too hot? Straw sticking to your arms? Oh wait, can't be, you stay in the castle and sleep on mattresses."

"Is that why you're here? You're going to sleep up here? It is lovely and cool." She leaned back against the battlements next to him. " I came up to look at the stars. I promised to go back before the candle burns past two marks."

"Ah, that explains the candle. Yes, I sleep up here in summer. At least when I think I won't get caught." He was quiet for a while. " I like to look at the stars too. There are so many. Sometimes I wonder if there are other places like Ferelden out there. I wish I knew more about them."

"Well, perhaps not like Ferelden. I'd like to think other worlds would be different. I think there are other worlds out there. There must be if there are so many stars. I could send you a book," Lys offered.

"About other worlds?"

"No, silly, about stars. They form patterns called constellations. The constellations have names."

Alistair was quiet. I…um… don't read very well."

Lys looked at him surprised. "The Arl doesn't send you to school? I thought you were his ward."

"No, well yes I am his ward. He did have Sister Eleutheria try to teach me, but she complained so much that he agreed to stop the lessons." He rubbed his hand through his hair remembering her daily complaints to the Arl.

"Aleestair iss amposseebley stupeed, un cretin. I cannot anstruct a fool complet," he said, imitating the Orlesian Sister in a high squeaky voice.

When she stopped laughing, Lys asked, "So did she instruct you in Orlesian? Maybe that was the problem."

He chuckled ruefully, "If only. In the Common Tongue with the accent and some Orlesian thrown in every so often. She's right though, I couldn't do any of the work she gave me."

"That's hard to believe, Alistair. What did she complain about besides you being un cretin? Which you are not, by the way."

"That I couldn't read any of the passages of The Chant I was to memorize. I didn't understand any of the arithmetic problems she gave me."

"She started you with the Chant and problems? She didn't teach you your letters and numbers first?"

"No, she said I was doing easier work than what they taught at the village Chantry school. That's why I couldn't go there with my friends. I'm too far behind and too slow."

"That doesn't sound right," Lys responded, frowning. "Maybe she's a bad teacher. Everyone goes to school in Highever and they all learn to read and figure. You're smart. I don't believe you can't learn," she responded.

"I'm smart? That's an interesting thought," he said, catching her frown as he finished.

He quickly changed the subject. "Highever must be a wonderful," he marveled, going back to her comment that everyone went to school. "I bet you don't put your people in the dungeon cells or whip them as much as we do here."

Lys sat up, "You are smart and we don't whip anyone ever. Castle Cousland has an old dungeon, but only Fergus and his friends go down there and only on a dare. No one gets locked up there. That's what the guard posts are for."

Alistair looked at her disbelieving, "If Arlessa Isolde caught me here with you, I'd be in the cells before you made it to your room. I'd be whipped in the morning. You don't do that in Highever?"

"Maker no. Why would she punish you for being here with me looking at stars and eating apples and cheese?"

"It's inappropriate. Arlessa Isolde is very proper and pious. It's bad enough I've invaded the castle without permission. But, well , you're a girl, a noble, I have food I stole from her kitchens and she told me to stay away from guests."

"Invaded and stole? That's absurd. You live here. You're Arl Eamon's ward."

"Yes, well, that's the problem. I'm Arl Eamon's ward. She thinks he's my father. He's not," he added quickly. "I'm not entitled to take food or be in the castle, at least not since she arrived." He looked at Lys. "Or talk with noble girls."

"That's horrible, but I am a girl – see I knew you were smart." He rolled his eyes as she continued. " We're children, Alistair. What could we possibly be doing wrong? I know Fergus might get in trouble if he was up here with a girl, but they're grown up and would be touching and kissing and all that silly stuff. We're kids. We're eating cheese. My cheese, by the way, but all kids raid the larder. It may be wrong, but it's hardly a major crime. My father said you could play with me. And you don't harm anyone by coming to the roof."

"Wow. You're good at speeches, My Lady of the Vocabulary."

She stuck her tongue out at that remark.

"So your mother and father would think this was fine," he challenged.

"Yes, Alistair, they would," she replied. "In fact, I'll tell them you were here when I go back. They know you're my friend, they know I like to star gaze and they trust me to do the right thing."

He became very quiet. "Alistair," she asked after a while, "are you alright? My parents won't tell the Arlessa."

"Yeah," he whispered. "It's just so different from my life." She took his hand and leaned against him, as they both settled back against the parapet.

"Let's just enjoy the night, then. I wish I could fix it for you, but I can only be your friend."

"Thanks, for being my friend. I'd like to be your friend too." He was quiet again.

"Alistair, did Arlessa Isolde really lock you in the dungeons and have you whipped?"

"Yes. She puts me in a cell without food or water for a day sometimes. It's…well I try to be brave, but it's dark and scary down there. I don't cry anymore though. I think that makes her angry too."

Lys shivered at the thought of sitting alone, locked in a dark place for a day. "Who whipped you?"

"One of the servants."

"With his hand?"

"No." Alistair hesitated, "With a switch or a whip." He grinned weakly, "I guess that's why they call it a whipping, right?"

"Not funny, Ali," She responded. It was Lys' turn to hesitate. "Di…does it lea.. leave marks?"

"Yep."

"Where?"

"My bottom and back."

Lys grimaced, then asked, "can I see your back?"

Alistair pulled away. "Why? You think it's fun to look at the stupid stable boy's scars?"

"No! Of course not," then added gently, "I just...need to see them."

He sighed deeply, "You don't believe me, right? Sure, why not." He lifted his tunic. " I didn't lie, Lys," he whispered.

Lys inhaled sharply, but reached out to touch the fine ridges across his shoulder blades. He shivered at her touch. "Oh, Ali, how can she be so cruel? No one in Highever would treat a child like that, not for any reason. I'm sorry, I couldn't believe she could do this. Does the Arl know?"

He shrugged. "I don't think he cares. She does what she wants."

"Didn't she have the mage healer heal you afterward? You shouldn't have the scars."

"No, there is no mage healer here. Arlessa Isolde would never allow a mage in castle. Mages are evil and should be imprisoned or killed.

"They are not evil!" Lys objected. " Nyla is not evil." She saw his confusion. " Nyla is a free mage and our household healer. She's with us now."

"You brought a mage into the Castle? Aren't they all locked in Kinloch Hold?" His face reflected his astonishment. " Does the Arlessa know?"

"Nyla is a part of our household. Our family has always had a household mage healer. Why would the Arlessa need to know." Lys thought for a moment, "I don't think Nyla can heal scars though."

Alistair stiffened. "Heal me? A mage? With magic? No, no need, really. Master Wilmot takes care of me. He uses the salve and poultices he has for the horses. It works. I've only had an infection once. That time the Arl did have a Chantry healer see me. He made the Arlessa stop the beatings for a while, but the next time he went to Denerim, she just started again."

Lys frowned. She wasn't sure what he could do, but she would tell her father. Better not tell Alistair, she decided, he'd probably make her promise not to. She took his hand again. "Ali, I'm sorry."

"Why, it's not your fault," he mumbled. Time to change the subject, but I can't think of a joke. He tried a different tack. "Would you tell me about Highever?"

"What would you like to know?" she looked puzzled as she settled back against the wall.

"What does it look like. It's on the coast, right? I've only been out of Redcliffe once, when the Arl took me to Denerim, but I didn't see much. I rode in the cart with the hounds and took care of them. Denerim is big. The Arl has an Estate there. When the King visited for dinner, the Arl brought him out to see the hounds. I had to stay away, but I saw him from the loft. He's very tall."

He stopped. "I'm babbling aren't I? It's all the talk of magic. Makes me nervous. Does your mage turn people into toads?"

"You are babbling," she giggled. "You're teasing right? Mages don't do that. Nyla is a healer. I'll tell you about Highever if you want. Or do you want to keep on insulting Nyla?"

"Highever, please. Sorry, I didn't mean to insult your mage. I was teasing about the toad thing."

"Mages aren't scary Alistair. They're people like you and me. They just have a different gift."

"A gift?"

"Yes. Some people can sing, some can draw and some can do magic. We all have some gift."

Alistair frowned, "That's a different way to look at things. Nicer than the Arlessa's."

"Well, that has to make it good, right?"

"Absolutely. Now, tell me about Highever, My Lady of the North. I don't want you to be angry with me."

Lys grinned in spite of herself. At least he listened and thought about what she said. "So, Highever," she began. "I had to write an essay describing Highever for Aldous, our tutor. I'll see if I can recite it for you."

She cleared her throat and sat up straight, "Highever borders the Waking Sea. The Cliffs of Conobar are very high with lots of caves, which are fun to explore. The coastline has coves for swimming when the water warms in late Justinian. There are seals in Highever harbor and sea lions on a beach west of the Castle. Seagulls, puffins, cormorants, all kinds of birds soar over the coast and make their homes in the cliffs. The Sea changes all the time. In storms it's grey, on sunny days in summer it's blue, in winter more green and at night it's as dark as the sky. You can't tell where the sea starts and sky ends if it's calm with the stars reflected in it."

She stopped her recitation, "you can't see across it you know, it's much bigger than Lake Calenhad."

Alistair's eyes widened as he imagined a body of water larger than the lake.

"Sailors and merchants come from all over Thedas to Higheverport. Rivainers, Antivans, Nevarrans, Marchers, even some Orlesians. And, of course, we have boats at the Castle docks too. I've sailed since I was little." She looked at Alistair, "but you must have sailed too living on the Lake."

"I have," Alistair replied, "I've sailed a few times, but never by myself. One of the fishermen's sons was a friend and his father sometimes took us out. It's fun, like flying almost with a strong wind."

Lys grinned, "It is like flying, just on the water not in the sky. I don't sail alone yet. There are a few small islands near the coast. Fergus goes out on his own or with friends. I'm not allowed to yet, mostly 'cause I'm just not tall enough and strong enough."

"So, you sail and you ride? How about flying?"

"Actually I have flown," she said quite seriously. It was true of course, but it had not been in Ferelden.

"Now you're teasing me, My Lady Who's Done Everything."

"Yes, I do ride," she replied. "There are open lands along the coast. They're perfect for riding. There are small farmholds, but most farmholders use the land for grazing horses and sheep. The best horses in Ferelden come from Highever." she proudly claimed.

"And the best fleece. Mum works with the Cloth Merchants and the Spinners, Dyers and Weavers Guilds in Higheverport. Her work encourages more spinning and cloth production in Highever. Trading cloth brings in more profit than trading the raw fleece," she added knowingly. "I've been helping. I spin and weave pretty well actually."

"Spin and weave? That's unexpected."

"Why?"

"Well, I guess I see you more as a Battle Maiden, like Queen Rowan. Riding, sailing, archery, sparring with blades…flying."

Lys hit his arm.

"Ow! Hurt. I'm hurt." He laughed. " You punch pretty hard."

"Don't you dare say 'for a girl', or I will punch hard. It's bad enough you think I can't do things like spin, weave and enjoy dressing up?" She glared at him, "do you think I can't do those things?"

"I'm guessing the right answer is no, I don't think that?"

"Of course it is. I can do whatever I put my mind to. I love clothes and fabrics. Freya says I clean up very nicely," she said smugly. "Besides, I need to understand how to keep Highever prosperous. I'm a Cousland. It's my duty to our people."

"How do spinning or weaving do that?"

"Alistair, spinning and weaving provide products for trade. Trade is important to Highever and to Ferelden. Trading cloth is much more profitable, than trading whole fleeces and woolsacks. My mother and the Arlessa of Higheverport have worked hard, since the Rebellion ended, to establish the Cloth Merchants' Guild and the Weaver's, Spinner's and Dyer's Guilds. Now that Pippa and I are older, we work with our mothers. Knowing how to spin, weave and create colors for dying is important work. Sorry, I'm preaching. I guess. I sound like Mum."

"It's interesting. Another good speech too. Don't hit me, I bruise you know." He pretended to cower against the parapet, while she crossed her arms, frowning and trying not to laugh.

"It is interesting, just not things I usually think about. I…we don't have sheep here…or horses, except in the stables. I never thought about trade. I guess the Arl does. It's not something a stable boy needs to understand I suppose. You do learn battle skills though, too right?"

"I do practice my battle skills. Orlais will always present a threat. Orlesians need to know that no matter how wealthy we become, we are vigilant and strong. I'll join our Guards when I'm older. Brigands and bandits will always infest some parts of the Coastlands." She wrinkled her nose, "Sorry, preaching again. It's the Cousland duty thing."

"Trade and the economy, the Guards… I guess I never thought about anything outside the stable and kennel, My Lady of the Spindle, Loom and Bow. Here I thought as long as I kept White Knight's stall mucked out all would be right with the world."

Lys tried to look annoyed, but couldn't quite stifle a giggle. "Well, every contribution is important, my Papa says. Afterall, Redcliffe's farmers need manure to grow their crops for trade. I'll call you Ser Alistair of the Compost."

"Great, that's so…good-hearted of you," he replied dryly. "I'd actually like to know about the wider world and have a choice about what I do. I didn't choose to be an illiterate stable boy, you know."

Lys didn't know how to respond. The Arl was so unfair to him. "I know," she murmured.

"Who's Pippa?" he asked, gently, noticing her discomfort and changing the subject again.

"Pippa, Philippa Broughten, is my closest friend, a sister really. She's the daughter of the Arl and Arlessa of Higheverport. Her mum and mine are cousins."

"Oh. I see. It must be nice to have a best friend." He looked away, but not before Lys saw the emotions flash by. Sadness, loneliness, anger, perhaps a touch of jealousy.

"Ali, you are my friend too, we just don't see each other very much. I wish I saw you every day too. Papa would make sure you went to school and learned from the Arms Master."

"Tell me more about Highever. Is there a forest or mountains?"

Lys went along. "Yes, of course. In some places, the forest comes down to the sea. In others, the open land stretches back to the Coast Range. They're not as high as the Frostbacks, of course, but they're still mountains. There are several passes into the Bannorn from the Coastlands. We hunt in the forests. There are lots of deer and some boar. I'm not allowed to hunt boar yet, of course."

"Boar, I've never seen one. Have you?"

"I have. Boar are huge with great long, tusks and very dangerous. They're like large pigs really. Very large pigs. They're fast and nasty when they're angry. Fergus killed his first one a few months ago."

"So you hunt?"

"Of course. Mum is an expert with her bow. I've learned to shoot as well, but I like my blades. Our Arms Master says I'll be a good dual wielder and Fergus has been teaching me forms. I'll try to practice while I'm here. You could practice with me," she invited.

"I could? I don't have any training or a practice sword. Maybe I can borrow one from the Armory and you could teach me."

"Well, of course you can, if I say so," Lys assured him. "I can teach you some forms, when I practice mine."

She realized the moon had moved well above the horizon. "Ali, I need to check the candle." She went into the vestibule.

Returning, she said, "I need to go, Ali. I need to keep my promises to Freya, so I don't get in trouble."

She bent down and kissed Alistair on the cheek. "Good night, Ali, I'll leave my blanket for you. Leave the cider skin and blanket here. I'll get them in the morning."

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

With that, she was gone, leaving Alistair wondering if he had only dreamed her. She could be overwhelming, but in a good way. I wonder what it would be like to have a best friend, people who loved you, and choices. Someday, maybe I will be lucky enough to have someone love me. He pulled Lys' blanket over him and crumpled the edge in his fist as he curled up to sleep.

Lys, remaining on best behavior, returned just as the candle burned down two marks. Freya looked up approvingly from her sewing. "I'm beginning to think you are growing up Lyssie," she greeted her. "Or should I be worried that you're planning something?"

"No Freya, I'm not." Lys protested. " Although, it's true, good behavior could be a diversion. I should tell you that Alistair came up to the tower when I was there. I didn't know he would. He sleeps up there sometimes in warm weather."

She frowned, "I have a question, Freya. Are we so very different in Highever? I mean, all our people go to school and can read and figure. We don't' whip them or lock them up or even yell at them very much. They seem happy and they seem to do their work well. When I go to the Guilds with Mum, they seem to really like her, not phony like her. Am I wrong?"

Freya looked at her surprised, "what brought this on? No, Highever is not unique. You've seen Rainesfere. It's very similar. So are Waking Sea and South Reach."

"Yes, but now I'm here and it's not the same."

"Are you saying the Arl whips his people, locks them away and yells at them?"

"Maybe not the Arl, but the Arlessa does. I know she yells and is nasty, because I've heard her. She threatened to lock up a person and told him she would whip him. And…I know he's been whipped. I saw the scars on his back."

Freya looked at her concerned, "Who has been showing you his back. No man should be doing that."

"It wasn't a man, Freya. It was a boy. A boy my age. Alistair. I can't imagine Papa or Mum whipping a child."

"Whipping a child, Lys?" Eleanor said, "What in Thedas would make you say that?"

Lys whirled to face her parents as they came in from dinner. "The Arlessa had Alistair whipped. We, well, I went up to the tower to star gaze. Freya knew where I was," she added defensively. Freya nodded behind her. "Alistair came up. I didn't know he was coming. He sleeps there in warm weather if he can sneak into the castle, 'cause it gets hot in the stable and all the straw sticks to him."

She stopped to collect her thoughts, "Anyway, we talked and he admitted she had him whipped. I, well, I didn't believe him, so I asked to see and hurt his feelings."

She got more passionate as she continued, "Mum, he has scars on his back. And they don't have a mage healer. The Arlessa thinks mages should be locked away or killed! And they don't give him healing poultices. The Stable Master puts salve on them; the same that he uses for the horses."

She turned to her father, "Papa, Alistair can't read or figure. No one teaches him. Why are the Arl and Arlessa so mean? He … he's one of the nicest people I know. He's wonderful and kind and fun and smart and they treat their animals better than they treat him. Why?"

Bryce and Eleanor looked at each other. Sadly, Alistair's situation had deteriorated during the past year. "I'll speak to Teagan and Loghain," he said quietly. "I don't think he knows."

"Who? Who doesn't know, the Arl or Bann Teagan and why Teyrn Loghain?" Lys demanded.

"Don't worry about it, Pup. I want some advice from Teagan and Loghain. I'll speak to Arl Eamon too."

He paused, "Oh, and I did talk to Eamon about Alistair accompanying you. He agreed it was a good idea for you not to wander about alone," Bryce said with a smile. "So, you have a companion for the rest of the visit. Eamon has a horse for Alistair to ride. I'll check it out to be sure it's appropriate. If not, I'll get a horse from the stable in the village. Now, off to bed young lady, its late."

She ran over to hug her parents. "Thank you so much. I didn't realize how lucky I am. I'll try to deserve it, truly I will." She pulled away. " He's very special. I like him a lot. No one should be treated the way she treats him, but especially not Ali."

Eleanor watched as she went off to her room with Freya. She turned to Bryce. "She's growing up, but I wish it wasn't this harshly. This can't be what Maric intended for him, Bryce."

Eleanor thought about the unspoken risk – magic. She knew magic often manifested when a child became overly emotional, particularly angry. Anger about unwarranted punishment, such as that meted out by Isolde, would be a catalyst that could cause magic to manifest. If he was a mage, his magic should have already shown. Even so, she supposed, eight was too young to assume he wasn't a mage, so even if Maric meant to acknowledge him, it wouldn't happen for years. Yet, he must be a wonderful boy, as Lys said, if she liked him enough to defend him. Lys always had good instincts about people.

"No, I don't think so either, but let's tread carefully." Bryce responded, interrupting her thoughts. " It won't do for Bryce Cousland to show too much interest in Maric's illegitimate son. I'll speak with Teagan in the morning. I'll talk to Loghain, once he arrives. Better to go through him, than to King Maric directly I think.

"Also, don't mention magic or Fiona. I don't think Eamon, or even Loghain, knows as much as we do. Fiona and Duncan landed at Higheverport because it was familiar to Duncan. They knew we were friendly to Grey Wardens, unlike the Howes, and wholly loyal to the Theirins. Duncan knew we would keep the babe's existence secret, but it's one more reason we need to be careful. Maric's never been comfortable that we know he's half-elven and possibly a mage."

Eleanor pursed her lips thoughtfully, "Yes. I just feel so badly for that poor little boy. He probably has no idea who he is or why he's treated like a pariah. I know Fiona was a mage and he has to be watched in case he manifests magic, but not in such a cruel manner. Surely, that is not what she or King Maric intended. And if Eamon and Isolde don't even know…,It's as if Eamon wanted to punish him for his parentage, although he was born well after Rowan died. I just want to take him home and love him. "

Bryce wrapped his arms around his wife.

"These are the times I wish we could just transport him to Areth and let him live a life free of all this. Give the boy some choices." He felt his wife shift. " No Ellie, you know perfectly well we can't do that."

"I know," she replied, "damn The Rule, it would be nice to help him escape."


A/N: Thank you for reading. If you have time, please review. Book 1 may be complete, but I'm working on Book 2.

After completing Brief Shining Moments, I re-read and edited the entire work. From Chapter 14 on I had the support of my wonderful beta Kira Tamarion which resulted in far fewer errors. Any remaining are mine alone. There may be a few tweaks to wording, but no content changes.

I've received the support of many reviewers. Mike3207, Arsinoe de Blassenville, Caraine, clafoung, SnowHelm, katdancer2, dustywalker, Easternviolet, ElyssaCousland, Nymra, ChaoticHarmony1991, EveHawk, susyjohn, Judy, maradeux, DjinniGenie, Pollyanna24, Contess. Others have followed and favorited the story or posted kudos. Thanks to all of you.

I created some appendices with commissioned art, timeline, character ages, calendar, fest days, travel distances, etc. If such things interest you, please go to Archive of Our Own series, I Shall Endure.