Hello to riversend! Thank you for reading!

I apologise for the shameless plug, but I've started a new story and have published the first chapter. It's called Human Nature, is rated M and is a Cullen/Anders friendship story with a bit of romance thrown in. (Not between the two of them, mind :p)

If anyone fancies having a look, I would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you!

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

Dear Alistair,

I hope this letter finds you well. Further to your recent correspondence, I would not miss the Landsmeet for anything, and actually feel quite excited about it. Let us hope it is less dramatic than the last one!

I probably will bring somebody with me, if only for company on the trip. Of course I understand that not just anyone is permitted to attend the Landsmeet. I am glad, though, that both Amaranthine and the Grey Wardens will have a voice there, as it has always been.

Until the Landsmeet, then!

Cori

o-o-o

Cori cackled to herself as she sealed the letter, and was still smiling as she wrote to Weisshaupt, informing them of Nathaniel's appointment, and the reason why she could not continue as Warden-Commander. She was hoping that their interest would be piqued and that perhaps they would investigate themselves. Cori had enough to do, and so did Nate.

She also wrote back to Bann Esmerelle, who had written several times requesting an audience with her. Cori made an appointment with her for next week. The Keepers had a long trip ahead to The Wending Wood.

Cori meant to investigate the reports from the market traders that any deliveries made along the trade routes to Denerim were being intercepted or stopped, and she had heard rumours that darkspawn had been responsible, so happily, her duty to the Arling and Nate's duty to the Wardens coincided.

First, though, she and Nate had planned a trip into Amaranthine. As Warden-Commander, Cori had always insisted that the Keepers had at least a full day's rest at the Keep between investigations or trips. Nate had no intention of changing that.

They took Sigrun along, too, as Cori wanted to show her the City, and purchase a few sundries for her. They took their horses into the City, Sigrun riding along with Cori, as she had never been on a horse before.

The three of them spent a pleasant morning there, with a reluctant Nate being dragged along to buy fabrics and furnishings for the annex, and 'women's things', before they visited Delilah.

Delilah had never met a dwarf before, but made Sigrun feel very welcome, bringing out a smaller chair for her to sit on. Delilah's baby bump was beginning to show, and Cori, fascinated, bombarded her with questions.

"It's such a shame that the two of you will never be able to have children." Delilah sighed.

Cori and Nate looked at one another. Now that Cori was no longer tainted, and with Anders an expectant father, they both knew that there was now a chance, but they hadn't yet discussed it.

"You never know, Delilah," said Nate, gazing lovingly at Cori. "Where there's a will, there's a way."

Cori beamed and gazed back at him. Sigrun listened to their conversation with interest.

"Why can't the two of you have children? Is it because you're not married or something?" she asked bluntly.

Cori nearly choked on her tea. "Erm…something like that, yes."

Sigrun's brow creased. "But the two of you do, you know…grease up the old Bronto. I've heard you. Isn't that a little risky?"

Maker's Breath! Thought Cori. Is there anybody that hasn't heard us?

Delilah looked scandalised. Cori wished the ground would swallow her up. Nate was laughing. "That's one thing about dwarves, Delilah. They always speak their mind. I find it an admirable trait," he smiled.

The time came for them to leave. Delilah, now recovered, politely told Sigrun that she hoped they would meet again, and bade them all farewell.

Before they departed Amaranthine, Cori went to see Captain Aiden, to inform him of the change of hierarchy at Vigil's Keep. He greeted them as they approached.

"Ah, Commander, Warden Howe. I had been hoping to see you. I need to speak to you about something."

"Alright," said Cori, wondering what he meant. "But I am no longer Commander of the Grey. Nathaniel, here, is now Warden-Commander."

Aiden smiled and shook Nate's hand. "Commander." Then he addressed Cori. "Is this because of your new duties as Arlessa?"

"Yes," she replied, half-truthfully.

Aiden's expression became more serious. "That is what I wanted to speak to you about. Arlessa, Commander, will you come with me? We should go to my office. I do not wish to discuss this here." Then he looked at Sigrun.

"She is an associate of ours," said Nate. "She can be trusted."

"Very well," replied Aiden. "Please. This way." He led them through a door in the stone wall. They passed through a large room containing several bunk beds and lockers. Finally they reached his office. He had someone bring in two extra chairs and invited them to sit.

"Commander…forgive me. Arlessa. I will be blunt. Since you were officially named as Arlessa, some disturbing rumours have reached my ears. I have no proof that they are true, but I have made discreet enquiries on your behalf. I did not wish to bother you with this without having something more concrete to report.

I have heard of a conspiracy against you amongst some, or all, of the nobles of Amaranthine. Apparently they disapprove of the fact that a mage has been made a noblewoman, and they also disapprove of your relationship with the Warden-Commander." He paused, to allow this information to sink in.

Cori and Nate looked at one another. "Go on, Captain," said Cori.

"I believe Bann Esmerelle to be the ringleader. I also believe that Lord Guy and Lady Liza Packton are involved. All three of them were known to be in Howe's pocket." He looked at Nate. "I'm sorry, Commander. I didn't mean…"

"It's alright," shrugged Nate. "I've heard far worse things about my Father. Please continue."

"Thank you, Commander," replied Aiden. "Unfortunately, that is all my men and I can turn up. There is no proof, and any trails we have followed have gone cold. However, Arlessa, I would still advise utmost caution. These people lost a great deal with Arl Howe's demise, and they are ruthless and cunning."

"I agree," said Nate. "I know them well. They are underhand and out for what they can get. Bann Esmerelle, in particular, is well known for her shady dealings and lust for power. She lives like a Queen while the people on her lands are ravaged by disease and poverty. She sickens me."

Cori leaned forward. "Bann Esmerelle has been asking for an audience with me for ages. I've just written to her, making an appointment for next week. I wonder what she's up to?"

Aiden looked troubled. "Arlessa, you should be very careful. I have heard stories about Esmerelle 'eliminating' her enemies and people who got in her way. Alas, no proof of this exists, or she would have been arrested long ago. I shall arrange for an escort to take you back to Vigil's Keep. I recommend you put your men on high alert."

"This is all we need!" cried Cori, still thinking like a Grey Warden. "Our presence in Amaranthine is to eliminate the darkspawn threat, nothing more. Why can't they just let us do our jobs?"

Nate put his hand on her shoulder. "Captain, would you consent to your men accompanying us to Lord Guy's estate? It is but a small way from Vigil's Keep. Let us see how he reacts when he sees us approach. If there is no reaction, we will think up an excuse for being there."

Aiden nodded. "A fine idea, Commander. And the Arlessa doesn't need an excuse for being there. You don't need to explain yourselves."

Cori smiled at Nate proudly. I chose well, she thought.

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

Cori, Nate, Sigrun and four mounted soldiers approached the outskirts of Lord Guy's estate. They stopped.

"I knew this would come in handy," chirped Sigrun, taking out a spyglass she had purchased in Amaranthine. Cori had given her some money to spend on herself. Sigrun put the spyglass to her eye and faced towards the estate.

"Uh-oh," she muttered, before handing the spyglass to Cori.

Cori sighed. "Looks like Aiden was onto something. The place is heavily guarded, which is unusual, and they all seem to be on alert."

Nate dismounted from his horse, took the spyglass and looked through it. "Well, we're way out of range here. They'll see us coming. I recommend we return after nightfall then launch a sneak attack."

"Your favourite," Cori smiled.

He smiled back wickedly. "At the very least, it will send a message to the other conspirators."

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

They returned to the Keep without incident. Sigrun skipped away, laden with clothing, linens and various baubles and decorations for her room.

After informing Varel and the rest of the Keepers of their news, Nate and Cori went over to the annex. Cori began dressing the place up with curtains, throws and wall hangings. Nate, not being the slightest bit interested in anything like that, went around making a few minor repairs.

He returned to find Cori trying on one of her new gowns. "Maker's Breath!" he exclaimed. She wore a deep purple velvet gown, which was slashed to the waist and barely managed to contain her breasts. It was long, and skimmed her curvaceous figure. There were two huge splits running up the front and back, which revealed the whole length of her legs when she walked. She walked backwards and forwards several times to demonstrate.

Nate closed his mouth to stop himself from drooling, then finally remembered how to talk. "Where are you going to wear that?"

She smiled at him beguilingly. "Why, here of course. I have several more, for use in the annex alone." She winked at him. "Do you like it?"

Nate put his hand over his mouth and stared. "Very nice," he said hoarsely. "Now take it off."

Cori backed herself into a corner of the room. "You take it off."

Nate advanced on her, his eyes glinting. "I am the Commander of the Grey, I'll have you know, and I command you to remove your gown. Now!"

"Well, I am the Arlessa of Amaranthine, and as one of my vassals, I order you to obey me!"

Nate stood in front of her and brought his face next to hers, trying his best not to laugh. "You're not the Arlessa in here, sweetheart. Now, do as I command!"

Neither Oghren nor Sigrun heard what happened next, and the horses in the stables next door paid little attention as they tucked into their hay.

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

The Keepers, Sigrun and Aiden's soldiers arrived at Lord Guy's estate under cover of darkness. They tied the horses up and crept forward through the tall grass surrounding the estate. As stealth specialists and archers, Nate led one group around the left side, and Thibault and his group approached from the right. As Nate's group neared the main residence, the front door opened. Out stepped Lord Guy and Lady Liza Packton. They passionately embraced each other.

"Wait," whispered Nate. "This may be why the place is guarded. Lady Packton is married. Let's give them a chance."

"This is Nathaniel Howe, Commander of the Grey," he called. "I have reason to believe that you are involved in a plot against our Arlessa. If you have nothing to hide, then surrender yourselves, and you will be shown mercy."

They had their answer immediately. The two nobles ran inside and bolted the door. Several guards advanced in the direction of Nate's voice. They were met by a Fireball from their Arlessa. Thibault's group, which was larger, broke from cover and assailed them from behind. Nate and Cori dropped back, as did Thibault and Anders, and they picked off the guards from a distance, while the soldiers from Amaranthine, Justice, Varel and Oghren engaged them at close quarters. Sigrun disappeared behind the house.

When it appeared that all of the guards were defeated, Cori summoned an Inferno to light up the estate. No other guards were around.

"Unhand us, filthy dwarf!" cried an indignant voice from behind the house. Lord Guy and Lady Packton emerged, with Sigrun in between them. She had her arms around their legs, with a dagger pressed against Lady Packton's belly, and the other against Lord Guy's genitals.

"They tried to make a break for it!" sang Sigrun enthusiastically.

"Well done, Sigrun!" Cori laughed then walked up to the two nobles. "Inside!" she commanded.

The two nobles were pushed down onto a bench inside the residence. Cori walked up and down, glaring at them both. "Well," she scowled, "you two have a choice. Either you talk to me, now, or we take you to Amaranthine and have you thrown in prison."

Cori crouched down and addressed Lady Packton. "I doubt you would survive one night in there without your lady-in-waiting, servants, fine foods and wines. And toilet facilities." Lady Packton looked as though she were about to faint.

Cori then turned to Lord Guy. "And as for you…a handsome noble such as yourself could keep a lonely inmate company. Or several of them. I hear they're very sharing sorts, too, so you'll be in huge demand."

"Alright!" cried Lord Guy, his hands up. "W-We'll tell you everything! It wasn't us…it was Esmerelle! It was all her idea! We just went along with it because…well, because…she forced us to. She knew about our…secret, you see."

"Get to the point!" barked Nate, unmoved.

"Yes, o-of course. Esmerelle means to kill you, Arlessa. She used to do very well out of Arl Howe, as did we…but we wouldn't have gone this far! You must believe us!"

"When? Where?" demanded Cori.

"She was trying to arrange a visit to Vigil's Keep. Once there, she assumed that you would dine with her, and she meant to slip poison into your food."

The room fell silent. At last Nate spoke. "Where is she now?"

"I don't know, Howe. That's the truth. She keeps to herself and just calls on us when she wants some dirty work done. I'm almost relieved this has come out. I didn't agree with it, and neither did Liza." Lady Packton nodded frantically.

Nate was unconvinced. "You always were a weasel, Guy. You haven't convinced me. You can try your luck with the Captain of the Guard in Amaranthine. Get up, both of you!"

The two conspirators were tied up and left in the house. The soldiers escorted the others back to Vigil's Keep, then returned to collect the nobles for transportation to Amaranthine, where more thorough questioning would take place.

"Another problem," moaned Cori to the others in the dining hall. "We were supposed to be on our way to the Wending Wood by now. Do all landowners have these troubles, Nate?"

Nate shrugged. "There is always wrangling, and some troubles, but most nobles are not as corrupt and devious as the Amaranthine lot. I'm afraid you've inherited my Father's friends. That should tell you what kind of people we're dealing with."

"I agree, Arlessa," said Varel. "Until Bann Esmerelle's whereabouts are ascertained, I recommend you and Nathaniel stay inside the Keep. The annex is rather isolated, and we have few enough guards as it is."

Cori groaned. "Wonderful."