I'd probably gotten up around one or two. I was prowling the ramparts, planning on turning back in soon, when two mages came up to me. You know, I seem to recall that these two don't actually get along all that well. Unless they're doing the magic thing. Crap.
"You're not sleeping. You told me you were fine, Dove."
"I am fine, Dorian. I'm just enjoying the night air. Why aren't you in bed? Hello, Solas."
"We've been talking about the situation. I seem to be incapable of seeing what you see, but I do think I understand at least part of what you are experiencing. Solas appears to understand, but can't explain it to me. We have questions, and when I spotted you walking…"
"Where's Elias?"
"Him? I don't know. His bed, probably?"
"Dorian, did he come up to see you?"
"Chrissy, we are talking about MAGIC. Solas, you tell her."
"Chrysopal, I do have a few questions, but probably not ones you are willing to answer at this point. I do need to know more about your usage of magic."
I sighed. "If I'm to be interrogated, I insist on comfort. Let's stop in the kitchens, and then we can use my sitting room. I'll tend to Elias in the morning."
Dorian protested. "But the library!"
"You can go back to the library if you wish. I'm going to my room."
Solas actually smiled at Dorian. "I told you she was recalcitrant. Infuriating woman."
"Indeed. I should have remembered her large stubborn streak."
"I am neither stubborn nor recalcitrant. I am merely headstrong."
I then traipsed to the kitchens and assembled a tray from the servants' larder. Bread, cheese, almost-overripe fruit. Both men had followed me. I handed the tray to Solas, handed a pitcher of fruited water to Dorian, picked up some glasses, and went off to my room. The Pampered Prince bookends looked startled to be handed the refreshments, but why should I do the heavy lifting?
I left the door open for them, and sat on my settee, putting the glasses on the small table. After they arrived, Dorian started pouring. "Before we get started, I have a completely unrelated question."
"I reserve the right not to answer."
"Fair enough. Did you really tell the Inquisitor that he should be glad you weren't screaming or vomiting?"
I was surprised, to say the least. And trying not to laugh. "Where did you hear that?"
"That's what he told Varric as the money changed hands." Solas looked at us both with that inquisitive look he has.
"Well, it wasn't quite that blunt, but those words may have crossed my lips. I said I couldn't be bad for his ego because of that."
"Priceless."
Solas arched an eyebrow. "Would someone care to inform me what's going on?"
"Our little Chrissy here completely crushed our poor Inquisitor after he tried to kiss her."
"He succeeded in kissing me. I don't see why people are finding it funny."
"He kissed you, and you told him to be glad you didn't vomit?" Solas' eyebrows went up to his nonexistent hairline.
"That's not precisely how it went. New subject, please. And there is no cause for the laughter. Dorian, how much have you had to drink this evening?"
"Oh, enough to be fuzzy, but not too much to participate."
"So you're only a little sloshed."
"Quite right."
I sipped the water and waited. The men were silent. After a few moments, I quirked a brow of my own. "I thought there were questions?"
Solas took a deep breath. "Dorian told me that you've been doing magic only since the breach."
"I have not done anything like Thedasian magic before that point, yes."
"Evasive, but fully true."
"As clear as possible."
Dorian was looking at us. "Why do I feel like I'm missing a conversation somewhere?"
"Solas and I took a while to come to a tentative truce."
"That's one way to put it, yes."
"I see. Or not." Dorian did look confused.
"Did we come here to discuss my personal life? Because I would DEARLY love to ask you some questions, Dorian."
"No, of course not. Basically, elven skeptic over here has requested clarification of the things you've done with your glowy dust. He's clearly not been paying attention recently."
"Certainly. It's fairly short list. Potions, veiling, nearbeer, painting, invisible writing, untying knots..." I glanced at Solas, then continued. "basic healing, creating fire, changing fire, making light, connecting things to other things, moving rocks, and a barrier."
Dorian's mouth dropped open. "That is NOT the list I would give, my dove. Let's try this again. I remember Eadras talking about potions. True?" I nodded. "What is this 'nearbeer'?"
"Removing alcohol from wine, beer, and spirits."
"Alright." Solas was nodding as Dorian spoke. "How much wine, beer, and spirits?"
"All of it. Why?" Solas stopped nodding.
"All of it?" Solas' voice was too calm.
"Well, it wouldn't do to affect only half of it. How would I tell the difference? This barrel but not that one?"
"And that's when Elias said you had the nosebleed," Dorian continued.
"That was because I fell off the wall after passing out. It was only two days after the annulment, after all."
"Quite. Everyone gets nosebleeds when they remove all the alcohol from a town two days after an annulment. Painting, what did you paint?"
"Actually, I didn't, really. Someone tossed paint on the bulletin board we made, so I spread it evenly and turned it red."
"Turned it red. Of course. What other color would it be. Invisible writing?"
"He knows all about that. I wasn't sure it was him, actually."
"Is that why you were so pleasant?" Solas broke in.
"Probably. Since you're going in order, Dorian, Invisible writing is writing stuff with the glowy dust you are so offended by. Untying knots, he knows that one too. He tied a magic tether to me and it took hours to undo. Basic healing was encouraging the cells of my alveoli to replicate, healing my lungs enough to be able to breathe."
At the confused looks on that one, I told them alveoli were the little bitty sacs in your lungs that actually held the air. Then I continued, "Fire, that was in the mountains, to make a pyre of sorts. I changed it to sing the memories of the lost, turning it purple."
"That's what you modified on our little trip?"
"Yes, Dorian."
"You also added the stone basin."
"Yes, but I didn't take into account the trinkets there. A really bad job on my part."
Solas asked, "How did you make a stone basin? And how big was the fire?"
"The fire was about normal size for a funeral pyre, I think. About the size of a druffalo? As for the basin, I sort of looked to see what materials around, wanted the obsidian to make a basin real bad, and twisted the magic into doing what I wanted. The rock bubbled up and formed itself into a shallow pool. So I scrubbed it into a bowl-ish shape." He took a deep breath. "If you growl, yell, otherwise criticize, or do anything except potentially explain how I did it and how I might refrain from hurting myself next time, I will hit you and then I will never speak to you again." He shut his mouth.
Dorian looked at us. "Chrissy, I don't think I've ever heard you speak to someone like that before."
"I have cause."
"No, no. It's fascinating. I thought you got along with everyone. Do continue."
"I get along with most people. Even him, sometimes. Anyway, the barrier was a joint effort between Andrew and me. He put up an antimagic barrier and I nudged a physical one up behind it, and then we sort of blended it together at the edges. That was only because you told me not to show people my magic, Dorian."
"I do recall, yes. And instead of refraining, you decided to play with swirling a Templar's abilities with magic. And the 'making light' is what you are calling glowing and making those visual patterns in the air."
"Yep."
"I'm assuming you don't want to discuss the clogging of your magic or the disappearing conduits, either?"
"Certainly not. I wasn't doing magic for that."
"See what I mean, Solas? Elias says she does these wonderful bits of magic but can't defend herself at all."
"Oh, I forgot that I can clean and grow people's hair, too. And I once hurt someone when Feren was beaten, but I think that's only when I'm mad and I don't know how I did it."
Solas let out a sigh. "And you forget this one." He tugged on the connection between us.
"Ow. Please don't do that right now. It hurts." I rubbed my chest.
"Doing even that hurts?" Solas sounded concerned.
"Just aches, really, except for the actual tug. Doesn't so much hurt anymore. It's improving."
The bald one looked at Dorian. "You were right, she's a completely untrained apostate desperately in need of some sort of guidance. She mixes magic styles and does things that should require significant study. And she's damaged something."
"And you know the others have figured it's her."
"We'll have to arrange for something."
"Whoah, boys. I only asked that someone find out what's happening, not try to order my life. I've got too many threads in the air already, and I really don't have room for however long "guidance" or whatever arrangement would take." They looked at each other and nodded like they'd made some sort of decision, but they kept their mouths shut. "Just tell me if the glowy stuff is real, and if it really does get stagnant if left in one place for too long."
Dorian said no at the same time as Solas said yes. Well, that was helpful. So I said that. The two mages proceeded to start debating the issue. Sounded like a conversation for which I came in during the middle. Dorian talked of invisible magic that could be felt and shaped. Solas spoke of color and texture. I figured people interpreted the sensations in some way they could understand. They disagreed, arguing late into the night. After a while, I fell asleep. I truly was tired. I woke up alone, in my bed, with the dishes and cups and stuff cleared. I would have thought it was just a dream if the candles hadn't been glowing. Not lit, mind you. Glowing. Joy.
It was actually mid-breakfast when I got out of my room. I'd missed my consulation with Cook. She told me she'd send up a note with the changes and approvals she needed, because she was way too busy at the moment. I grabbed a quick bite and went with Gethon to the stables. There was a hart, in a strange saddle, waiting for me this time. "You're kidding, right?"
"Dennet says that you've got the right kind of seat for a hart, and that you should try Drummer, here. Just try it, Chrissy."
"This thing's back is over my head, but okay." I stepped into the stirrup like I'd been taught, and threw my leg over, settling. It did feel different. Leaned a hair further back, knees a touch closer together. When I looked, there was no bit in Drummer's mouth. Entirely neck and knee led. Gethon led us for a while so we could get used to each other, and then told me to go in a circle in the paddock. And I did! It worked! Drummer's gait was a little odd, but I like riding the hart better than the horses. Guess Dennet's good at this stuff. Shocker, I know.
Gethon was grinning as I slid off Drummer's back. "Dennet said if you suited each other, Drummer would be your usual mount. Looks like that's what's going on." I tended Drummer and bid farewell to Geth. Dennet was nowhere to be seen, or I'd have said thank you to him.
Paperwork. All the typical stuff. There's a shocking amount of paperwork. Laura was right about fostering. Leliana's in talks with a couple up in Val Foret about taking our little lady in. Josie would like assurance that everything's on track for Summerday. Cullen sent me a copy of the notice he's posting tomorrow regarding proper treatment of people, including servants. Three petitions to "join" Ethelathe. Forwarded by Eadras. One mediation, in writing. I made a decision on that one (everybody gets out what they put in, and the rest goes to the Inquisition), and grabbed the three petitions. I needed to talk to Eadras. Who was nowhere to be found.
I did find Zathras, though, as he was coming to look for me. I put the paperwork back and we went out. Ten minutes a day is not enough. I got in my breathing, though. He chastised me for not practicing enough, and walked me in for lunch. He reminded me I'd promised he could buy me dinner in the tavern, I told him I'd meet him there at dusk tomorrow, and he left me to my own devices.
I checked on Sera, who loved her rooms, but was busy doing stuff. Something with bits of string and fluffy balls. Maybe making "spiders"? I spent some of the afternoon down with Harrit. Enborr has his room down here, but Wulfgang works down here. I don't quite understand that, but Harrit says it's probably because Enborr's a dwarf. They're waiting on some new supplies and an Artificer. Dagna's coming! I spoke to Elias, and he wasn't hurt by Dorian's rebuff last night. Good thing. "It's not like that, Chrissy. I mean it is, but it's not." Clear as mud. I double-checked the stillroom and the cloth storage, recounting to match against inventory.
Dinner, singing. There was quite the stir when Dorian, Inquisibabe, and Solas came downstairs. They're not usually seen by us peons. The Tweedles immediately started bugging Sam, who was sweet, but told them he needed to talk to me. My first thought: What did those two do? I led Sam to my sitting room, and shut the door before Dorian or Solas could join us. Sam piped up. "Dorian just lost money."
"You boys are betting on who I let into my rooms now?"
"Nope. Solas said you'd shut them out. Dorian said you wouldn't."
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Inquisitor. You are here officially, aren't you?"
"Actually, yes. It's been pointed out to me, again, that you are an untrained mage. Fiona is asking, demanding, you be put under her tutelage."
"So much for freedom for mages, I see. I'd rather be stabbed."
"That's… abrupt. The other option is that you allow someone else to give you lessons and guidance. An hour a day is all I ask."
"Which one?"
"Which one what?"
"Which one cooked up this harebrained scheme?"
"You should be glad the Templars aren't calling for your head."
"The Templars know better."
"I'm not answering your question, Chrissy. Choose a mentor, or multiple mentors, or whatever, but you need training. That much is clear."
"Fine. I will meet with the Templar Andrew on the morrow to discuss a potential mentor for me." Inquisibabe looked shocked. "You object to my consulting the Templars on a suitable instructor?"
"No, no. Just surprised, is all. Most mages wouldn't want to do that."
"If that is all our business, Inquisitor?"
"Are you mad at me?"
"No. I'm annoyed with the lot of you. Exactly what am I supposed to dump to make time for the new lessons? I'm already doing paperwork, handling the residence, overseeing the repairs with Eustace, taking riding lessons, taking physical fitness lessons, keeping track of Ethelathe, planning for a celebration, working up rosters, managing children's schedules, and now you say I need to carve another hour out of my day to study magic. I haven't read an actual book in weeks. I'm busy from sunup to sundown and my only real free time is in the middle of the night."
"I'll tell Josie you need an assistant. Is that all?" I huffed at him.
"That is not what I meant."
"You'll get an assistant. You'll confine your Residence work to mornings and emergencies and decision making instead of minutia. You'll trust your area bosses to report to you instead of checking on them in person every day. You'll ride in the morning as usual. You'll start taking your DEFENSE lessons in the afternoon, along with magic lessons. Ethelathe can have afternoons, too. DELEGATE, Chrissy. Hire some people. You're not the person to be delivering meals, entertaining children, or cleaning privies anymore. You have to realize that. Pick any job. We have elves and maidens and lads begging for it below in the valley. Why don't you interview some instead of taking their work? You can start the day after Summerday. Until then, you're on vacation."
"Vacation?"
"Yes. Until you heal. And sleep. The bags under your eyes are huge. You have bruises on your arms, probably from carrying things. Bull, Dorian, Solas, Leorah, Eadras, a little girl named Laura who showed up at two the other morning and pointed you out on the walls, and a dwarf named Enborr say you are either working too hard or spread too thin or not sleeping, and my mages claim you've hurt yourself on your little field trip back to that first camp as well."
"I need to get the paperwork done, at least. What am I supposed to do for the next four days?"
"No paperwork. Take strolls. Be seen. Rest. Sleep. Sing. Play. Read a book. Whatever. I'll even let you keep taking riding lessons and start your magic lessons."
"Let?"
"Don't make me do that. I will pull rank if I have to. I'd rather ask this of you for a few days, okay? Stop walking the castle at night and sleep."
"I hear you. And I will try to do some resting."
"Chrissy, you've scheduled every single person under you for two days off every tenday, right?"
"Of course."
"When was the last time you took a day off? Josie's was three days ago. Except for this, I was taking today off. Cullen takes days off every seven days. When was yours?"
"I took that trip. That was a day off. I delegated everything."
"And hurt yourself. Doesn't count. Talk's over, Chrissy. I win. Want to really mess with people? We could ruffle our hair, mess up our clothes…"
"No, Sam." He pouted. "You're worse than Eadras, you know."
"He said you weren't listening when he asked you to slow down. You have to listen to me. And if he'd known you were hurt, he'd have grounded you. I've heard him do it before. I don't appreciate being polished off and propped up to Inquisitor at you."
"Fine. I'm going to put frogs in your bed. Actually, I'm going to tell… Nevermind. I'm going to talk to Sera." He paled a bit. "Shall we relieve their minds, Inquisibutt?"
"Of course, Beloved. If you're going to Inquisibutt, I'm going to Beloved."
"It'll make for interesting gossip."
We went back out. Everyone pretended they weren't watching the door, but it was fairly obvious. They were doing the normal Thedas songs, not my songs. Dorian raised a brow. "You, my love," and I pointed at him, "will pay. I am being required to sleep. Either find me a cuddle buddy who will not rub his dangly bits on me without permission, or you and Elias are having company. Or find a way to magic me to sleep that will still let me wake up if necessary."
Solas raised a brow. I looked at him and said, "You better not ask. I've answered a lot of personal questions recently."
"I've not heard you answer a single one."
"Are you claiming that an integral part of my being isn't personal, Solas?"
"An integral part of your being? You may have a point. A small one. One of these days we just might exchange question for question." He was looking at me strangely.
Dorian piped up. "Elias and I are not an every night sort of situation, Dove. Your bed or mine?" I pointed back at my room. He looked at Solas. "I sleep with her, by her choice and mine."
Solas responded, "I know. I just don't know why."
"Because she's warm."
"I see."
I looked at him. "I doubt it, but I think you'll figure it out eventually. I'm told you're smart." And I smiled.
"It'd be easier if you would share your reasoning."
"A question for a question?"
"Not today, Da'asha." I smirked at him. He was no readier to answer personal questions than I was.
Inquisibutt chimed in. "That was fascinating. Truly. Chrissy if you need a cuddle buddy, I offer my services."
"Thank you, but I did specify no rubbing of dangly bits, did I not?"
"I can be good!"
"No." That word came from all three of us mages at the same time. Dorian, Solas, and me.
Sam shook his head and said, "Well, I guess that's final. Goodnight, Chrissy. If you need, you can pop up to my room." He turned to walk backwards and waggled his brows. Ugh. But he was kidding around, not serious. I think.
I tucked the littles into bed, said goodnight to Eadras and the others, and went to my room. Dorian showed up a moment or two later. I'm writing this while he enjoys my private bath, and we're heading for bed.