Moonpriestess30:
Chp 50 - Sneaky Rogue be sneaky.
Chp51 – Ewan always has been. Never really liked writing him.
Judy: You are a delight! *smiley face*
Chapter 52 – A snake in the grass
Elgon and Ciere bounced around their feet as they walked through the market. They were careful not to stray too far and knew not to go too near any stalls without their adoptive mother, it didn't stop them from getting attention though they didn't really like to be touched by strangers. After a little while Makatza called them to her side, they were growling once too often at people who attempted to pet them. Isabela swore and pointed to the far side of the market where she saw shining armour, 'Templars,' she said simply looking at Makatza who had gone a little pale.
'It's okay, it's fine I have my bracelet,' she said reaching into her pocket and slipping it on. Instantly the feeling of being underwater surrounded her as her mana was dampened to a unnoticeable limit. If anything they would mistake a discharge of mana as an electric shock. Makatza hated wearing it but she would take it out with her whenever she knew she was going to be in a public. Having forgotten it when she went to the Château she was determined not to make that mistake again. Isabela must have been recognised by one of them as they start to walk over their way, Makatza calls her pups to stay behind her as they could sense her fear and had begun to cower a little as they whimpered.
'Can I help you?' Isabela says simply as she folds her arms as the Templars arrive and stand in front of them. One of them begins to remove his helmet and as he pulls it off Isabela's facial expression lightens, 'oh you little bastard,' she laughs. Makatza looks up from where she had been comforting the puppies and smiled.
'Carver!' She says happily as she walks over to give him a hug already feeling so much better about the situation. 'Did you get my letters?' She asked.
'Yes, and I'm sorry about the late replies, Knight Commander Meredith has been... strict at the moment,' he says carefully. 'You seem to be doing really well, Katza,' he nods giving her a bright smile. 'As for you Izz, Garrett isn't giving you any trouble is he?'
'Aww look at you trying to check up on your big brother. No, he's being his usual prat self. What will interest you though is that I caught Katza all cuddled up on a sofa this morning,' Isabela smirks as Carver's patrol partner excuses himself to continue looking around. Makatza rolls her eyes and gives Isabela a look of exasperation. 'Go on have a guess,' she teases.
Carver laughs and nods as he adjusts his stance, 'hmm, okay... I'm going to say... Merrill,' he guesses making Isabela shake her head.
'Ah come on, that's not new news. They are always cuddling when she stays over. No, think man orientated,' she gives him a clue. Katza refused to say anything about it and simply glared at her friend.
'Okay, fair enough, though I must say that I am now really intrigued, I didn't think that you were interested in anyone Katza, you've certainly haven't shown any signs or written anything-'
'That's because we just fell asleep! There wasn't exactly many options to choose from!' She snapped unable to keep quiet. Her puppies stand up to try and lick her instead just pressing their paws against her hips as they lick air. She sighs and strokes them both to calm them down.
Carver is shocked by her outburst but grins, 'it gets interesting I see. Anders? No? Oh! Sebastian! No? Seriously? I would have thought that was going to be the answer. Varric? No, I didn't think so either... No, you're joking, it's not who I think it is is it? It is? No way! No way! I don't believe it!' Carver laughs as he looks over at Katza who had gone pink. 'You were cuddled up with Fenris on a sofa?'
'We couldn't exactly sleep anywhere else and we couldn't go through the town at that time of night so we made do with what we had,' she says with a little bit of a pout. 'It's not a big deal!' She whines.
'It's a massive deal. I can't even get him to show me any moves and yet you're getting all cozy-'
'We were just sleeping!' Makatza clarified. 'I wouldn't say we were cozy,' she mutters knowing it was a flagrant lie.
'He was all snuggled up against her, arm around her waist holding her on the sofa with a blanket over them both,' Isabela revealed, she was wrong, this was great teasing material and it was working wonderfully. 'They went to the Dalish camp together and they managed to find wolf puppies together,' she continues. 'Honest to the Maker, Carver, I've never seen him like it before. He's almost tender with her, it's sickening. He even makes jokes. It's like he's become a different person,' the pirate sticks out her tongue.
'You're reading far too much into it and the pups are mine, we didn't get them together,' she points out not wanting to mention that they see Fenris as their Alpha. Makatza didn't need them to know that, it was bad enough she knew.
Carver grins as he casts his eyes over the pups who were sitting patiently by her feet, 'speaking of. You're gonna have to get them some collars and register them at the Keep. Especially if they are wolves, you might not be able to keep them. They could be classed as dangerous. Though they seem well trained,' he mentions as they tilt their heads to look at him.
'They'll only do what I tell them,' Makatza says simply. 'We're going to go get collars made for them today, it's why I'm in town. How do I register them?'
'If they were some mongrel breed and you weren't nobility you wouldn't have to. But as a Lady and with dangerous breeds like a Mabari you'd be responsible should they hurt anyone. You'll have to take them to the Keep and ask to speak to the Registrar, he takes care of all licences etc,' Carver explains. 'Look, I gotta get back to my patrol, I'll reply to your letters as soon as I can, let mother know that I love her won't you?' Carver gives Makatza a sweet hug before putting on his helmet and giving Isabela a brief wave before he returns to his partner. They watch him disappear through the crowd and Makatza sighs as she takes off her bracelet.
'So, that's another job I have to do today,' she says simply. 'Izzy, you have a good repertoire with this leather worker yeah?' She asked as she began to undo her belt.
'Yeah we go waaaay back,' she says suggestively.
'Could you take this to him and ask for one that's exactly the same but with pouches around the length, and two more that are half the size with the ability to tighten?' She asks simply as she gives her the belt and her money pouch. 'I'm going to go to the Keep and get them registered before anything crops up. I know you hate the Keep,' she adds.
'I can't help it, it's a place of literal law, I feel like I should burst into fire when I step foot inside. I'll get these sorted for you and then we'll meet up to do some proper shopping?' Isabela nods as she looks over the collar.
'Sounds great,' Makatza nods as she hugs her goodbye for the brief time that they were going to be apart. Elgon and Ciere follow her as she leads them to the intimidatingly massive building that was the Keep, Makatza was used to the area as she came up to spar in the Barracks often, she missed doing that. She had the thought to make more of an effort to come train and see Aveline as she ascended the steps to the entrance. When she entered she found somebody who looked like they knew what they were doing and inquired about the Registrar, she was lead to an office that had a waiting room outside and told that she would be seen to as soon as possible.
She told the pups to lay at her feet as they waited, brushing down the wolf fur from her leggings she looked around. There were other people waiting so there might be a little bit of a queue, damn, didn't think this would take so long, though I don't know why I thought that, she muttered in her mind. Crossing her ankles she closed her eyes and just delved into the scents and imprints around her, it was fascinating and killed time. She heard the office door open and a familiar voice speak, 'ah, thank you. Yes, the foal is suspected to be of excellent quality. I will keep you informed,' she didn't bother opening her eyes and it wasn't until the scent trail of the voice paused in front of her did she look at him. 'Good Afternoon.'
Shit. 'Good afternoon,' she said politely as she stood up, recognising him. 'Lord.. .Bavent, yes?' She knew damn well who he was but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of thinking that she had taken the time to remember him.
'Lady Lorias,' he says giving her what he thought was a charming smile. He took her hand and kissed her fingers. 'You do brighten up one's day I must say. It is quite a lovely surprise to meet you like this.'
'Well... I am glad you think so,' Makatza replies trying to stay civil but he just made her skin crawl. Every hair on her body was standing on end at his presence. 'So, what brings you to the Registrar?' She asks thinking that if she knew she might be able to avoid this sort of thing in the future.
'My prize mare was mounted by a stud from a very excellent lineage and the foal seems to hold great promise. I have to register the birth as both horses have bloodlines going back years. It's all about record keeping. If the foal isn't to standard we will know that the stud isn't to be used any more,' he prattles on about the necessity of what he was doing and Makatza tried her best to keep an interested face. 'What brings you here?'
'Oh! I have to register my pups,' she says as she motions to the both of them, they were sitting as close as they could to her and did not like the man in front of them. He gave them a dismissive looks as he adjusted his coat and took a half step back from the fur that they seem to shed.
'Dogs? Never was a fan of dogs. Hunting hounds are bearable. I prefer to keep them in the outhouse,' he says simply.
'They're wolves,' Makatza says bluntly. 'Not dogs.'
He is a little taken aback by her tone but recovers well, 'I see. Why do you have wolf pups? A lady like yourself should have no need for such dalliances with nature,' he says simply in a way that made her grind her teeth. She clicks her fingers sharply as Ciere begins to growl at him, at her mother's scolding she stops and slinks behind her. 'At least they're well trained.'
'Perfectly so,' Makatza said keeping a strong gaze on him. She wouldn't back down, he was intimidating but not in the same way that say Hawke or Fenris was. It was darker and more sly, something nasty. 'I often visit my father and travelling to the Dalish camp has it's dangers. Wolf pups are the perfect protection,' she replies to his question and at the same time reminding him of her heritage which he seemed to have an issue with.
'Yes, speaking of protection, you are not escorted by your elf friend today? Was he just an escort for the party at the Château? I must say that you and your brother keep strange company, it's not seen for a woman like yourself to mix with dangerous people like that,' he says it as if he's bestowing her some great advice but all she wanted to do was hurt him. 'I did not see you leave, we all wondered what had happened,' he inquired.
She refrained from narrowing her eyes, 'Fenris was my escort for the party yes. You are correct in thinking that he's a dangerous man, so I'm comfortable with his company knowing that he'd never allow anything to hurt me,' Makatza says casually ignoring the fact that Lord Bavent was clearly annoyed at her statement. 'Also I was with him this morning as a matter of fact. I'll let him know that you inquired after his well being,' she adds knowing it'll piss him off. 'As to why I left the Château, I was feeling unwell. Hunting the Wyvern took more of my strength than I had realised at the time. My cousin was concerned for my health and demanded that I return home.'
Clearly Makatza was unlike any other woman he had ever spoken to and it showed, he just didn't know how to talk to her. He wasn't flustered, just unsettled and resisting the urge to show a temper. Makatza knew the look of a man trying to control his true nature. After a moment he smiled at her as he raised a brow, 'I was not aware that you were in the hunting party for the Wyvern. Are you like your cousin in being that way inclined?'
Nice way of asking if I'm a mage, she thought sarcastically. 'No, I am nothing like my cousin,' she didn't lie, but it wasn't exactly the truth. 'Though I think he would agree when I say that I am much more dangerous than he,' Makatza said matter-of-factly.
'Skilled in battle?'
'Deadly,' she replied simply.
'You carry no weapons like you cousin's companions and his ostentatious staff that he carries,' Lord Bavent comments as another lord passes him with a tip of the head in greeting.
Makatza crossed her arms and looked over at the Registrar's door, she was pretty sure she was next so she wouldn't have to deal with him much longer. 'I do not need weapons.'
It was only when she looked at Lord Bavent that she realised that he had taken her words in a completely different way. He chuckled as he looked her up and down without trying to hide it, she felt bile rise in her throat but kept a blank expression. 'I bet you don't,' he says quietly. Just like a miracle in disguise Makatza heard her name being called.
'Excuse me, Lord Bavent,' she said as she turned and nodded at the Registrar who was waiting on her. 'Another time perhaps,' Makatza wants to run to the office but settles with nodding at him in goodbye.
'Yes... another time, Lady Lorias,' he replied as she walked down the corridor. She thanks the Registrar for holding open the door for her as she slips inside and takes the seat that she's directed to. It was a pleasantly lit room with a wall of books and tomes that no doubt contained the entire history of Kirkwall. A large window let in the light and the Registrar took his seat at the desk in front of it.
'Greetings, I fear we have not met but you are the Lady Lorias, yes? Cousin to Lord Hawke whom is son to Lady Amell?' He says as he references a piece of paper on his writing block.
'That's correct.'
'And which side of your heritage is elvish?' He asks bluntly as he takes a quill.
Makatza mentally sighs. 'My father, Silvanus Lorias. My mother was Imogen Hawke,' she added knowing that she was probably going to be asked.
'Ah! Sister to the late Malcolm Hawke that married Lady Amell. I see. Well, now that I have a little bit more clarity as to whom you are, I just need a couple more details. Age? Marriage status? Lands?' Makatza answers all his questions to the best of her ability and he seems satisfied. 'I am going to assume that you're here to register these... hounds?'
'That's right. I am having collars made for them as we speak,' she nods. This man seemed kindly, firm and detail orientated but nice.
'They look like wolves,' he says carefully.
'Would it be a problem if they were?' She replied as they danced around the subject.
He took off his glasses and sighed as he leaned back into his chair. 'Normally, no. There are a few fanciful lords around that see it as an status symbol. The problem is, you are a lady and there are two. I wouldn't be very confident in saying that you could train them to the standard the city requires,' he says it in an apologetic way, not a patronising way.
Dear fucking god this place is so backwards, she swears mentally rubbing her eyes. 'Registrar, I mean no offence when I say that that is an idiotic reason to refuse my wish to register them. Do you wish to see how well trained they are at only a few months old?'
'Indulge me,' he says thankfully not thinking she was being rude.
'I am assuming that there are a few things they must know before being considered properly trained?' Makatza says simply. He nods and tells her that they need to know basic commands and restraints. Katza tilts her head and looks at Elgon who perked up his ears as he got her attention. She instructs him to sit up, lay down, move to the other side of the room. After calling him back she does the same with Ciere and turns to the Registrar. 'Anything else in particular?'
'Just a little test,' he says as he reaches into a drawer pulling out a little wind up toy. He turns the key and throws it in front of the pups, it was shaped like a badly mauled rabbit but Makatza could smell that it was real rabbit pelt. Her pup's ears pricked up but she snapped at them to stay perfectly still, he raised his brow at her reaction but they did as she said and sat next to her chair. 'Hmmm. How old did you say they were?'
'I found them at around three weeks and I have had them for just over a month,' she says as she strokes Ciere around the ears.
'Impressive. Are you used to dogs?'
'My cousin has a Mabari,' Makatza says smiling.
'Very well young lady, I am not silly. I can tell well trained animals when I see them, even though I was doubtful as they are young. I will ask that you return when they are around a year old for a reassessment but I am granting you your licence, once the cubs are collared it will be legal,' he says as he signs a piece of paper and melts some wax for the seal. 'Congratulations,' he says as he offers the certificate to her without a flourish. Makatza wanted to bounce out her chair but she took it gently.
'Thank you so much!' She said in a much perkier voice.
He laughs lightly and nods, 'you are very welcome, Lady Lorias. As to your marriage status, if you wish for some suggestions I know all the Lords of Ferelden and surrounding areas. No doubt your Aunt will be coming to see me about potential matches soon. Take care and good day.'
'Yes, you too, thank you,' she says after a moment totally thrown by his comments. She leaves his office and it is only when she spots Isabela waiting outside the Keep does she realise quite how serious that little predicament could become.
So, I have added him in again. I wanted his obsession to be a little more natural.
