Chapter 36: Future Plans
"I thought I might find you here."
The Viscountess chuckled, she had sounded…a little too much like her mother when she said that. Of course, that could not be helped. She was and always would be Lady Revka's daughter.
Sebastian glanced up at her, she…she had not seen him in almost three days. He had left the keep after they had successfully brought Bethany home. Lady Leandra had been crying with joy. She threw her arms around both them and Hawke, grateful that her little sweetheart had been saved.
The Amells had been lucky; Bethany awoke from Solona's spell herself again. She had…little memory of what had happened in the Harimann estate, and perhaps that was for the best. The city guard had taken the three Harimann children into custody, thought Solona doubted anything would happen. Flora, Ruxton, and Brett had been victims in this as well; their mother had sold her soul to Allure and had never looked back. Samson had examined all three of them, shortly after he finished examining Bethany, none of them showed any further sign of demonic possession.
They had been lucky…this time.
IOI
Solona had spoken with Flora Harimann this morning, the girl remembered what her mother had done to the Vaels, but had been powerless to stop it. She swore to the Viscountess that she would do everything in her power to make things right.
The Viscountess proclaimed Flora Harimann the new Lady of her house, but advised the girl not to return to the Harimann estate. Solona intended to have the place demolished and quarantined. She had no idea if anymore demons were hiding somewhere in the ruins beneath that estate.
She would not see it spawn anymore horrors for fair Kirkwall.
The new Lady Harimann accepted her decision, after what she had endured, she no longer desired anything to do with that place. It had claimed the life of her Father, and the soul of her mother.
The best thing was to let it go.
Alas, Flora knew nothing about the Maiden's Shield plot. She acknowledged that her mother might have been behind it, but could not say for certain, by the time that plan had been in motion; she had been too far gone to have heard anything.
Solona accepted the girl's word, and decided to consider the matter closed.
Not that she would drop her guard of course, Maker no. Even if Lady Harimann had been behind the plot to make her barren, she would not relax her vigilance.
Someone had gotten close to her, too close. She would not make that mistake again.
It was now necessary to deal with the aftermath of this little…adventure. Hawke had already mentioned the story to Varric, not surprising, the tale was already making its rounds in Lowtown.
Solona had chuckled when she had heard it. Her dwarven friend made it seem that she, Hawke, and Daylen were heroes of legend, that the three of them were virtuous warriors cleansing the corrupted estate of its demonic influence.
Daylen had laughed at the tale. She was happy to see that he could still laugh, the encounter with the desire demon had left her little brother…shaken. He had this nervous twitch when he looked at her now.
He seemed to be healing; perhaps all he needed was time.
He had smiled at Varric's story.
"Let the people see us as legends sister," he advised, "It simply justifies are position as the rulers of Kirkwall."
She supposed that Daylen was right, but she personally preferred to be seen simply as a benevolent ruler. She had no desire to be seen as a hero.
People enjoyed raising heroes, and enjoyed tearing them down with equal speed.
She had hoped to spend some time with Sebastian, now that the matter of his family's death had been dealt with, but her lover had fled the keep. He had retreated back here to the chantry. She had remembered him saying something about praying for Lady Harimann's soul, and she had granted him the time to do that, but at the same time, she saw that her love with in pain.
She desired only to see that pain taken away.
So she had become Lona the envoy once again and made her way to the chantry.
It was time that they talk.
They had much to discuss.
IOI
She sat down next to him, lighting a candle with a taper, and bowing her head in prayer.
Sebastian glanced up at her.
May I ask what you are praying for my love?" he asked.
She gave him a wry smile.
"I'm asking for the Maker's wisdom and guidance," she informed him, "I have three major decisions to make, and…I will likely need all the help I can get."
Sebastian chuckled.
"What of you?" she asked, "Are you all right?"
The former brother bowed his head.
"I…I had hoped that prayer would remove the stain of the desire demon's words from my soul," he said glumly, "Yet…I still hear her words so clearly. She was not wrong about me Lona. When…when I was a boy, I was extremely jealous of my brothers. I resented my place among them. My parents had their heir, and the spare, and I was left out in the cold."
"I see," she said, "I suspect that Daylen felt the same way, of course, Marius was taken when he was still very young, and then I went into exile."
"Perhaps I should speak with him," Sebastian offered, "I'm more than a little familiar with being the far from the next in line."
Solona laughed.
Sebastian gave her a sad smile.
"I wanted the throne when I was a boy. I wanted to be prince, and now…now my brothers are gone. Everything that they had is now mine, and they lay in ashes."
The Viscountess frowned.
"Is that what you want?" she asked, "To return to Starkhaven and claim your birthright?"
"I thought it was," he said, "I thought that it was my duty, my right, but…the more I think about it, I'm no longer sure. From what I can tell the people of Starkhaven are not crying out for my return. There are no people toasting to my health. The people are just carrying on with their lives. Does it truly matter what Vael sits in the prince's seat, as long as there is a Vael there?"
Solona fell silent, she…she did not want Sebastian to leave; she hoped…no she prayed that he would stay...stay with her.
She wanted him in her life. He…he had paid his penance, the wild boy that had been placed into the chantry at fourteen was now gone, the man that he had become…he…he was perfect.
She…she did not want to let him go.
"I don't want you to leave," she whispered, her hand finding his.
He gave her a warm smile.
"And it seems I have yet another reason to remain in Kirkwall," he said.
"You damn well do," she smirked.
"Language My love," he whispered, "You will offend the sisters' delicate sensibilities."
Solona laughed lightly.
The two were silent again for a moment.
"What decisions are haunting you?" he asked.
"Pardon?"
"You said you needed guidance on three decisions," he repeated, "What are they?"
She sighed.
"The first is the easiest," she began, "I have decided to reward Samson for his aid in the Harimann estate. I'm granting him a commission in the city guard; he will serve as my advisor on matters of magic and the Templars."
"A wise decision," Sebastian agreed.
Solona gave him a wry smile.
Brother Alec had almost had almost had a heart attack when she told him. Her Master could not believe why she would want a Templar in the keep. The two of them had had a very loud discussion on the matter. Samson was no friend of Meredith; she had left him to rot in Darktown, to slowly go mad from lyrium withdrawal. Solona would approach the grand cleric personally about getting his lyrium ration restored; she would like having a Templar in the keep. Meredith would rant, but Solona could deal with that.
She also remained her old tutor that Samson was not one of the men who had killed Livia. He could not blame Samson for her death.
He had given her that point, but warned that Meredith would not take kindly to this decision.
That was just too bad, Solona thought, Meredith had made her choice with Samson.
She had thrown the man away, she had no one to blame but herself that someone else had decided to pick the man up and make use of his talents.
She made no apologies for that.
The next decision would be a little harder to sell to the royal court, not to mention her Cousin Garrett.
"I have also decided to elevate Perrin Bradley to the nobility," she informed Sebastian, "He will be granted half the titles held by his father Lord Threnhold. House Bradley will rise in the place of House Threnhold."
"Good for him," Sebastian said, "Perrin is a good man."
"I agree with you," Solona said, "But my nobles may not agree, they fear the return of House Threnhold, and after what happened eleven years ago, I can't say that I blame them."
The former brother gave her a sly smile.
"I take it you have a plan to sell this to the nobles?"
"You know me so well," she grinned, "I intend to show the nobles that they have nothing to fear from Bradley, that House Amell has nothing to fear. I intend to bind my house to his through marriage."
"Oh," color drained from Sebastian's face.
Solona laughed.
"Not to me," she giggled, "To Bethany."
Sebastian sighed with relief.
"You enjoyed that?" he said with a glare.
"A little bit, yeah."
He gave her a friendly poke in the ribs, she giggled anew.
"I have already spoken with Leandra," Solona said, "She approves of the match, and Bethany and Perrin will likely say yes as well, but…"
"But?" Sebastian asked.
The Viscountess frowned.
"Cousin Garrett will not be easy to convince," she said, "He has been very over protective of his sister since the Harimann thing. I suspect he will accuse me of trying to sell his sister like a common whore."
"Perrin cares for Bethany, he would not think that."
"Neither would Bethany," Solona said, "She has been pining for Perrin for months, but Garrett might still not agree. It will not be easy to convince him of this."
"But you will try?" Sebastian said.
"I will try," Solona sighed, "Bethany is a princess of House Amell now, not just a Hawke. If I can find her a happy match that will serve our family as well, why should I not?"
"An arranged marriage goes easier if the two parties already care for each other," Sebastian nodded.
"Well said," The Viscountess replied, "It is settled then. I shall try to convince Cousin Garrett of the wisdom of this match."
"Good luck with that," Sebastian said dryly.
"Thanks," Solona smirked.
"Which," Solona said with a sigh, "brings me to my third decision, the one that you and only you can help me with?"
"I'm here to help of course," he promised.
The Viscountess blushed and swallowed hard.
This…this would not be easy.
"The time has come;" she said nervously, "for me to take a lord consort, the nobles are beginning to talk. I'm twenty three years old, though that is not old; the court is pushing me to consider the future."
"I…I can understand that," Sebastian whispered shyly.
She was blushing scarlet now.
"This is why I have sought you out tonight," she said, "If you desire to return to Starkhaven and take back your lands, you have my support, but…but if you want something else."
She looked at him with pure desire.
"I cannot replace what was taken from you," she said, "All I can offer you is a chance, a chance to make a new life for yourself here in Kirkwall…a…a new life…with me."
She bowed her head.
"I…I love you Sebastian Vael," she murmured, "And I will love you until I go to my pyre. I come before you not as your Viscountess, or as a noble woman, but as a simple woman…asking if you would share your life with me."
Sebastian had tears in his eyes, he brushed her cheek.
"Lona," he whispered.
She giggled nervously.
"I know it is traditionally the man who asks for a woman's hand, but these are strange times. I…"
He pulled her to him, kissing her deeply.
Solona groaned with pleasure, with happiness.
Sebastian…her Sebastian!
He broke the kiss, he was beaming at her.
She smiled shyly.
"I take that means yes?"
He nodded.
Giggling she embraced him, he spun her around happily.
"Sebastian?"
He put Lona down. The Grand Cleric stood before them; she gave them both a curious look.
They bowed their heads, like to children caught doing something unseemly.
"Greeting Your Excellency," Elthina said recognizing Solona.
"Your Grace," she replied.
"You seem happy," the older woman asked, "May I ask why?"
Solona took Sebastian's hand.
"We have just become engaged," she informed the Grand Cleric.
The elder woman smiled slightly.
"Happy news indeed," the Grand Cleric said, "My congratulations to you both."
"Thank you Your Grace," they replied in unison.
"May the Maker and his Bride bless this union," she said, "and let no man find objection with it."
Both Solona and Sebastian smiled.
They could not agree more.
IOI
Daylen returned to his room within the keep. The Lord Hand was feeling…distant…angry.
The desire demon's touch still haunted him.
Solona would never let him have his throne! He understood that now.
She would not abdicate when he came of age, he had been a fool.
If he wanted the throne, if he wanted what was his destiny.
He would simply have to take it.
A growl came to his throat, one that would be an envy of any predator.
Jealousy and ambition flooded his heart.
He could have done it! He could have won his throne in the Harimann estate with a single stroke of his sword, but he had resisted.
That had been for the best, patience was the sign of a true noble. He would wait a little longer for his throne.
When Angelique and he were married, when they had their first child, it would be time. Solona would not sit on the throne much longer. It was his.
It belonged to him! He was the lion's son!
He was the Lion!
He entered his room, the hearth was cold, and no candles were lit.
"Welcome my lord."
Daylen jumped with fear.
The hearth blazed to life, the candles flared. Neria sat at his desk, an arrogant smile on the blood mage's face.
He glared at her.
"Did I frighten you my lord Daylen?"
"What are you doing skulking in here?" he demanded.
She shrugged.
"I was not skulking," she said with a pout, "I was waiting for you."
He glared at the elf, after what he had experienced in the Harimann estate he doubted Angelique's wisdom of bringing the girl into this.
Blood mages were too powerful, they were beholden to demons.
Neria was in league with demons.
The elf's ears twitched with amusement.
"I am not Lady Harimann Milord," she purred.
"Stop reading my thoughts!" he growled.
She laughed.
"I could do that if I wanted, but in this case…it is not necessary," she said, "Lord Famish, the demon that I…consort with is a spirit of hunger. He is not the most powerful of allies, but he has been there for me since I was a child. He saved me, kept me from starving. Our relationship is more…symbiotic than Harimann's was."
The elf smiled.
"He feeds on the hungers of those around me, and in exchange, he grants me great power."
Daylen glared hatefully at her.
"Say what you came here to say blood mage," he spat, "Then leave me."
She pouted again.
"I prefer the term bard to blood mage," she said, "Lady Angelique and I were both well trained in the arts, but this is not about my training. I bring you news, and you give me grief, hardly a fair trade."
Daylen sighed.
"I…I am sorry," he said, "What I saw in the Harimann estate has left me…uneasy."
The elf smiled. She guided him to the bed.
"Lay down," she said.
"What?'
"Trust me," she said, "Lay down on your stomach."
He did as she bid, she started rubbing his shoulders, the warmth and pressure of her hands relaxed him.
He sighed.
"So troubled Milord," she purred, "Why are you so troubled?"
"I came to an epiphany this eve," he growled, "I'm not happy about it."
"Forgive me Milord," she laughed, "I'm just a simple city elf, and I don't know that word."
He chuckled.
"Yet, you know what 'symbiotic' means."
"Lord Famish taught me that one."
His eyes narrowed.
"Let us not speak of your demon," he said.
"As you wish," she purred.
Slowly he began to relax, her fingers draining away his tension.
"You said you had news," he murmured.
"Oh yes," she said, "I have discovered who told the Viscountess about the Maiden Shield. Who recognized her symptoms."
Daylen curled his fingers, his heartbeat faster.
"Who?" he demanded.
Neria leaned in close, her breath warm in his ear.
"It was Lord Hawke's pirate wench," she purred, "That Rivaini woman…Isabela."
Daylen felt his temper flare.
Damn that woman, damn her to the void!
Neria returned to her work.
"Would you like me to deal with her Milord?"
He thought of all the things that Neria could do to Isabela, he smirked, the thought of vengeance warming his belly.
No…he would handle this himself. Isabela had embarrassed him the first time they had met. He wished her punishment to be more…permanent, more lingering.
He would give it some thought.
"No. I shall deal with her when the time comes," he informed the elf.
"Very well Milord," she purred.
He smiled, he found himself looking forward to Isabela's…education.
It filled him with a dark warmth.
A warmth he wished to share.
"Neria?" he said.
"Yes Milord?"
"I desire…company this eve," he said, "Would Lady Angelique be offended?"
Neria laughed.
"I have served as …company for my lady several times, and we share everything" the elf said, "She would not refuse you such services I think."
Daylen smiled, he rose from the bed.
Neria smiled hungrily as she disrobed,
Daylen pulled the elf into his bed; she tore off his shirt and trousers.
The blood mage laughed, growing with desire.
"My lord has much aggression to work out this night," she said.
"I trust you are up to the task my dear?" he grinned.
"Of course Milord," she replied, it is my pleasure."
He took her hungrily.
"My…my pleasure," she gasped, "And…and yours!"
Daylen did not respond.
Not with words anyway.
Hunger and desire were not that different it seemed…
…Not that different at all.