((This chapter heading is from the poem Futility by Wilfred Owen, which I know from Britten's incredible War Requiem.))
Chapter 9
Fatuous Sunbeams
'You can't imagine … well, you probably can. It's worse than it was. Or maybe I just never saw it before. So much self-righteousness in one place. And of course everyone thinks the venatori are crazy. No, no way they'd support that. Now tell me, how do I find out the liars?'
Fenris's chuckle came through the crystal, clear as if he were right there. 'You'll manage. Do you have anyone you trust?'
'Yes. A select few. Maker, I miss you Fenris. How are you holding up?'
'I'm … coping.'
'I just … I didn't realise how this must look. The moment you're permanently inured, I vanish. Please don't think for a second that …'
'Pavus. I don't.'
'I'll come back to you. Not soon, but I will come back.'
'And I'll wait for you.'
Dorian rubbed the bridge of his nose. 'Thank you. If you can't cope … if you absolutely need me …'
'I'll go and whine to Varric. Despite his promise to leave, he's still here. I think he believes I'll fall apart if he leaves. You do what you must, Dorian. Worst case, I'll come after you.'
'Don't. Not now. I need to accomplish something on my own, for once.' He frowned. 'It's odd. There's this one woman here, the overseer. She's a servant and she's up to something.'
'How do you know?'
'Someone's been shuffling through my letters. I haven't the faintest idea what she means by it, but I fear that she might be spying for someone.'
'Why?'
'One, she's a mage. That isn't unusual in an overseer. But it means she can read. My father's slaves are rather literate in general, but still. I have a feeling they'd respect my privacy a lot more.'
'Pavus, face the facts. They're your slaves, not your father's.'
'What would you have me do?'
'Be honest to yourself, for a start.'
'I haven't changed their status, but I'm paying them, if that helps. If I free them all, people will think I'm insane.'
'It doesn't help enough, but I'm no fool. I see your point.'
'Irina Natalis and I plan to make a few changes to the law. Like making it compulsory that the body of a slave must be presented to … whom we're not sure yet, but it should help prevent people from buying large numbers of slaves for blood magic. You buy a slave, said slave is registered. Slave dies, you present the body and if the cause is suspicious, you're getting looked at. Closely. This might even pass. Since everyone is so eager to demonstrate their opposition to the venatori, it could work. Natalis has a few people in her pockets, and I might still sway some.' He smiled. 'The entire thing, of course, helps us find likely venatori sympathisers or practitioners of questionable magic.'
'Dangerous.'
'I know.' He cleared his throat. 'Well, it was good to hear you, but there's a letter I need to finish.' He continued in an undertone. 'Someone's eavesdropping. Bet you it's the one we talked about. I … I love you Fenris.'
'Take care of yourself, Dorian. I want you back in one piece.'
