Chapter Sixty-Two

Exiting the Roads


(I cannot stress this enough guys - I feed on reviews. you're staring me here! I accept constructive criticism and praise. My Husband says I am like a little pet with how much attention I require. at this point, I may end up shoving my FFs down his throat just to hear his thoughts since i'm not getting feedback here. when my phone goes off, I think 'is it FF? no? not interested'... so pretty pretty please comment?)


I made it to the room with the Ancient Rock Wraith. It was 12 feet tall with brown rock and blue Lyrium 'veins' that I knew could turn red. It felt surprised to see me, but it had no face to express that – it looked like a rock starfish to be honest.

It spoke, "How did you make it this far… without killing anything?"

"Can you just fuck off? All I want is a place to cry – I know you're a demon and at the moment, I really don't care; so count yourself lucky. My companions will catch up eventually, but… I just need a place to cry."

The wraith was silent for a moment, before it hummed, "You would not see my feast end?"

"I couldn't care any less at the moment."

It nodded and motioned, "You will be undisturbed over there then."

I stiffly made my way over to the little alcove and plopped down – allowing my wings to come out and surround me as I cried.

Of all the people I had thought might turn on me, I never expected it to be Varric – my guess was actually Sebastian due to his vows to the Chantry.

The wraith kept seeming to glance over every few minutes but otherwise went back to sitting dormant. It was several hours before the group caught up; I was sitting numbly by then. I saw them enter the cavern as I heard Hawkes voice, "You better hope we find her Varric. Fenris looks like he wants to rip your heart out."

Obsidian snorted, "I'll be ready to rip your heart out if we don't find her in the next… I'll give you 30 minutes. Her guards will certainly lay into me for this failure. And Hanan – if her mother doesn't return, I can kiss my mate goodbye, Varric."

"Look, I said I was sorry – what more can I do here?" Varric sounded weary.

"I don't know, man… if you haven't noticed, I think Fenris has already fallen in love with her, and you go and shoot an arrow at her?"

"I missed; on purpose… Broody didn't really have hit me, did he?"

"Varric, I'd have done worse if he hadn't…" Anders remarked.

I lifted my head slowly enough that they didn't notice the movement.

"Enough: you have proven your mettle. I would not see these creatures harmed without need." The Wraith re-formed once more.

"I'd say being attacked on sight gives us plenty of need!" Hawke shot back, looking up to the 12 foot tall pile of jagged rocks.

"They will not assault you further, not without my permission." The voice of the Wraith was deep and soothing… obviously a hunger demon.

"What are these things? They seem like rock wraiths, but…" Varric trailed off as Fenris glared at him. I noticed that the twins also stood a little away from him.

Obsidian stood right behind him – ready to make good on his threat.

"They hunger… the profane have lingered in this place for ages beyond memory, feeding on the magic stones until the need is all they know."

"The Lyrium; that's what sustains them?" Hawke asked in disbelief.

"I am not as they are; I am… a visitor."

Hawke snorted. "That's one way to say 'Demon'. I can sense it, you know."

"So could she. I would not see my feast end; and she did not seem interested in anything to do with me… a companion of yours, I believe. Unlike any mortal I have ever heard of. She longed only for quiet to despair in. I sense your desire: you seek to leave this place, but you will need my aid to do so."

"Where is she?!" Fenris glowed and the demon turned the front of its body to him. "You carry the Magic Stone within you. She is just there," one 'arm' gestured to me, and they all turned. Fenris rushed over to me and the asked, "Do we kill it?"

I knew my face was lifeless as I shrugged. "Do what you will." Even I wanted to flinch at the lack of emotion in my voice.

Hawke looked over to the Wraith, "We don't deal with demons."

"Most unwise."

Several profane and shades bled into the area. Fenris and Obsidian took a defensive stance in front of me, Fenris' body was glowing a fierce blue as he hacked anything that got too close. There weren't too many, so I didn't even bother unwrapping myself until the fight was over.

"Feathers… I'm so…"

I flinched as he reached out to me. Fenris growled and stepped between us. "Close enough, Dwarf."

Obsidian helped me to stand up.

"Feathers, I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"

My voice cracked as I spoke. "An angry mind is no different to a drunk one, Varric Tethras… it speaks sober thoughts. You meant it well enough; and it is good to know where I truly stand." I folded my wings away.

I kept to the back of the group, using a shield during the fight with the rock wraith but otherwise not engaging. I handed each person a void bag… well I handed Hawke two so he could give one to Varric. I was trying to stay out of the Dwarfs way.

There was at least a thousand gold worth of goodies when all was said and done.


Over the next 5 days of traveling back the way we came, the whole group stayed between Varric and me – no one let us be alone together. I was so depressed that Obsidian had 'called' Alistair on my mirror and explained the situation before handing the mirror to me…

Yeah, I cried like a baby while I vented my frustration on my mate. Alistair had threatened to skin the Dwarf for almost nailing me with a bolt – worse still, it was a bolt from the quiver I had gifted him.

I hadn't spoken to Cullen since the day we discussed me approaching Sebastian Vael – neither Cullen nor Alistair wanted to 'bug' me while I was in the Deep Roads.

We finally made it back to where we were when Carver and Bethany both collapsed of the taint.

"Carver, Bethany!"

Anders stepped up at once. "Well, it's the blight. I can sense it."

Everyone looked at me but I pointed at Anders.

"You know I stole the maps from a Warden that came to Kirkwall; I wanted to know if he was looking for me… the maps were because they were planning their own expedition."

"I have the letter of conscription for the both of them," I said softly, handing it to Anders.

"You know not everyone survives the joining, right?" Anders asked. I nodded, "They will."

I summoned two stretchers for the Twins, and we were off.

Obsidian was fascinated but the stretchers – but said nothing as we made our way through Darkspawn infested tunnels.

"Anders." Stroud said as we killed the last of the Darkspawn in the tunnel. He was 5'9 – I hated Thedas humans at this point as they were all taller than me – with black hair and that odd mustache from the game. His eyes were a pretty shade of blue-green and his skin was a nice even tan.

"Stroud; fancy meeting you here," Anders gave a tired sigh.

"I could say the same; aren't you supposed to be dead?" wait… I glanced at Anders who gave me a sheepish grin.

"That's the rumor; I didn't come here to swap stories with you." Stroud looked over to the two people being supported by Hawke and Fenris, "You mean… them as recruits? Of course you…"

"They've been conscripted, Stroud. I have Warden-Commander Couslands letter right here."

He took the letter and ripped the seal. "Who is Arvaala Cousland?"

"Me," I raised my hand.

Stroud sighed. "You'll have them back as soon as I can get them trained… assuming they survive their Joining. It could be a few years."

"You have 2, no more, no less." He nodded and the four other wardens with him moved to take Carver and Bethany.

I called out, "I expect status reports!"

"Yes, My Lady!"

Hawke pulled me into a hug and we continued on our way.

We barely made camp that night when my mirror began chiming as the gold button lit up. I answered it at once.

"Oh; thank the Maker – t-the bulk of the expedition… they just returned and said… your group was lost to the Deep Roads. I was terrified – I hardly heard your guards calling back to me that you were alive; I had to… I had to make sure." Cullen looked like he'd had an anxiety attack before I answered.

I pouted, "That nug-humper Bartrand locked my whole group – including his own brother – away in a vault. It was our luck that Dwarves are fond of distorted circles – there was a secondary way out. It took us nearly a week to get back to where the expedition started. Bethany and Carver were tainted; we had to detour to find a nearby group of Wardens to take them on – thankfully, we already had conscription notices on both of them. They were supposed to join after the Expedition. If that wasn't bad enough, I almost got hit with an arrow while we were escaping that vault! I… when I get home, can I snuggle with you one night? I just want you to hold me."

He snorted, "Makers' Breath – of course! I doubt I'll ever feel safe enough to let you out of my sight again after this, Ara. I thought you were dead…"

"I still need to go to Val Royeaux in a few months for the testing of the Fairy Queen…" I pointed out. He frowned, "Perhaps I should put in a request for some time off…"

"You're too new to Kirkwall, Cullen – you haven't earned vacation time yet. But if Meredith magically agrees, the Queen will not object to you coming along – Fenris is coming too. Alistair has too much to do in Ferelden or he'd meet us there."

"… I er… maybe now isn't the best time – but I had a thought… you said you need to be courting… four people within 3 years' time, right? But I… you have Alistair, Fenris, me and the Queen don't you?"

"N-no… I know I should tell you; I should come clean right now – but that's a discussion best had in person. I will tell you when I get home, Cullen – but I'm not dating the Queen. The only people I'm courting at the moment are the men on that list – which is why Alistair had fewer issues with me seducing the pirate; I like women and only have male mates so far."

"Oh… that does seem to make a bit more sense – but then… what is your relationship with the Queen?" he frowned.

"When I get home, I will tell you everything, Cullen. I love you – and you deserve to know all of my secrets before we ever make our way to the bedroom at least."

He sighed, "Okay – I'm just thankful you're alright; I worried… I feared I lost you. If you hadn't given me this mirror, I still wouldn't know you were alive and… Makers' Breath…"

I smiled at him, "Good thing that I gave you the mirror then – I wouldn't want to cause you undue stress; if it could have been avoided, I'd already be home with you."

"That's true – you'd never allow something you could prevent if it would stress your… mates… if there's nothing else I've learned of you; I've learned that," Cullen rubbed his face. I heard a knock on his end and Merediths' voice, "Knight-Captain?"

Meredith came into view looking confused, "What's this?"

I smiled, "Hi, Commander – these were gifts from Galaxia. Fae Mirrors – or Ley Lines – allow us to speak face-to-face over long distances. That's how the Queen talks with her council when she doesn't show up to the meetings in person. They're unique items only available on Danu – though I have the monopoly on selling them in Thedas as well as Danu Sending Stones."

She hummed, "Are they magic?"

"No – they're more like Eluvians; the ancient Elvhen portal mirrors. Those were created with magic, but didn't use magic to sustain them. I'm sure Cullen has already told you that the Fae Magic isn't actually… magic. The mirrors are crafted by special Fae holding a particular Water Talent that is quite rare; so not everyone gets these. You already know about the portal mirror outside of Denerim – they're made the same way."

"… Interesting… Knight-Captain, why do you have this?"

"Lady Cousland gifted it to me before going on the expedition so that I didn't worry too much if something happened. Fortuitous as it turned out – since her party was locked away by the expedition lead to die and had to find another way out. Two of their party succumbed to the taint – they were lucky to find a party of Wardens or both of Hawkes' siblings would now be dead."

I coughed, "It's my turn to cook, Cullen – so I'll call you tomorrow evening when we stop to rest. We'll talk about my relation to the Fae Queen when I get home; I promise."

I felt the vow slide into place – and from the widening of his eyes, he felt it too. His eyes darted to Meredith and back to me before he said, "I look forward to it; please be careful – I'm not sure I could survive another bout of someone telling me you didn't survive."

"That may change once you learn of my relation – but I will be careful. 2 weeks tops – and we'll be home. We're setting a relaxed pace since we don't have elderly, sick or injured with us – and we certainly have enough food to last us more time than that. Anders can sense the Darkspawn so we're not getting into fights much… I'll see you soon, Cullen."

He nodded, "2 Weeks – no more."

I beamed at him, "Not one extra day – and if you're curious about that one thing that I said and you looked surprised about, feel free to ask my guards; they will tell you anything you want to know other than the Queens' identity. If you want to know how the Fae Court, you can ask them and you'll get a three day explanation or something." the promise – he had felt it slide into place so it was only natural that he'd be curious about what that feeling was.

He nodded, "I may at that. Sleep well, Ara; I will speak with you later." Meredith interrupted, "One moment; Lady Cousland, if the Divine were to ask for these… Ley Lines – would the Queen provide them?"

I turned to motion Obsidian to cook – this conversation just got more complicated. He nodded as I sat on a rock – purposely not going into the tent so that Meredith wouldn't see it; Cullen already knew, "Perhaps – it depends how many she would want, if she wanted portals and communication or just communication, where she would be putting them, and how she planned to pay. You understand that such things cannot be given away freely – and we cannot have them falling into the hands of certain people like the Archon or the Qunari. I received them free due to my status among the Fae, who made them for me and my monopoly on Thedas sales; I keep all my guards supplied with my most expensive luxury soap and their families get a stipend amount of luxury items too so that helped in swaying the crafter. This is a set of five – I have one, as does Cullen, Alistair and the elf that came with me to sell you that dissolving thread. I'm courting all three of those men, and these Ley Lines are generally used for lovers that need to separate for any length of time or for council meetings due to the Queens' traveling."

"… How much does a set of two cost someone?" she asked.

"Portal or Face-Time?" I asked. "Let's say just the 'Face-Time' like this," She motioned to the mirror Cullen now held.

"In Thedas currency, you would need a minimum of 1000 Sovereigns for a set of two – and that's for the base mirror ore. Add in the options for actual jewels for buttons – like the Spirit Amethyst, Fire Ruby, Water Sapphire, Air Citrine, Earth Emerald, or other optional jewels as answering buttons like we have – the price will go up in accordance for the gems used. Then there is the backing – ours uses the highest quality Stone-Silver so that's another 400 gold coins. We can't forget the actual talent and labor – another 50 gold coins there. This set of five – that I was gifted – would have cost me around 15,530 Sovereigns if we'd used Thedas Money for all the enchantments, materials and such added onto the set."

Cullen was pale and doing the 'fish gape' now that he realized he was actually holding a small fortune in the palm of his hand.

Meredith looked like she had been struck by thunder. I pressed on, "Now, if we talked trade – that would be a bit different. If I had needed these and Xias' mother had needed something I make, then depending on what she needed from me, we could work out how much of my item she would get based on our thoughts of value. This is all discussed and decided in advance so that things aren't made and then wasted. There are of course many circumstances to take in with the trade aspect too – how badly does each party need each item, how long will it take to make, access to materials, level of talent, and sometimes even the phase of the moon. I could buy the whole set with three luxury jewelry items, tops, for the most expensive set with the highest quality materials in a set of five or six."

I heard choking and glanced over to see Hawke and the whole crew had been listening to my whole spiel. Varric said, "Feathers – most people don't casually use such expensive items in the Deep Roads?"

"I was given an extra 'durability' enchantment – this set will be more resistant to damage; take it underwater, throw it at a wall or just sit on it by accident; it won't break. You have to take a hammer and chisel to it for hours to make a crack, Varric. That enchantment is another 500 gold coins, if you were wondering." I kept my voice even – though all I wanted was to flinch away from Varric.

Meredith looked like she sucked on a lime, "I see… how much for say… a basic set of 16 – no extras or anything, just the most basic items for 15?"

I calculated – 2 sets of communication sized mirror ore was 1000, so 1 would be 500, add in stone backing, stone buttons, labor, the special talent and all the other necessary items… I hummed, "For the most basic, barest-bones, skeletal crew set of 15; it would be no less than 16,000 Sovereigns. That's 8000 for the special stone needed to make the mirrors, and then the rest is for stone buttons, stone backing, nug-skin grip, hand-carving, the labor and talent, and delivery."

Cullen sat there – not saying a word – as he processed the information. Meredith sighed, "It would be cheaper to invest in sending stones."

I smirked, "Good news – I'll be selling sending stone jewelry sets too. If you need a set of 16 bare-bones rings, I can do that for 8,000 – iron with inlaid crystal sending stones. No designs added and the crystals would be 'manufactured' through low-quality coal… you'd mostly be paying for the ability to talk long distance to 15 other people." The rings alone would only cost no more than 5 silvers a piece – but the 'spell' to make the sending stones would be nearly 1,000; add in 45 for labor and another 10 for the linking – she would be getting a small discount for buying bulk.

Hawke boomed a laugh, "Talking face-to-face is double… how much for portals?"

"53,872 at base prices," I answered after 10 minutes of calculations.

That did it – Cullen face-planted into his desk and muttered, "I'm dating someone with more money than sense."

I laughed, "I'm a Tycoon – it's my job to make more money than my spouses can reasonably spend in their life-times. Besides – Danu is only just entering the 'money' market when before they were strictly trade; since I know what needs doing, I will do it. We don't want to look weak to the likes of Tevinter or Par Vollen, but we also need to be approachable and fair – hence why my shops will have low cost and luxury items available; no one will get left out of the market."

Obsidian came over, "Dinner is ready, Ara – and we have an early start tomorrow."

I nodded, "Meredith, think over what I've said and decide if you want to contact the Divine about buying any of the options. If not then it isn't any loss to me."

I blew Cullen a kiss before hanging up.

Dinner consisted of soup and bread. Obsidian spoke, "You do realize that you decide the pricing system for those mirrors…"

Varric choked on his food. I shrugged, "So that's how much they cost now – that Mirror Ore is rare enough that if someone really wanted 16 handheld mirrors, I'd make them pay the whole 16,000 before bowing to pray to their creator for guidance. I can only see one reason why Meredith would want 16 – one for each Knight-Commander and one for the Right Hand. That isn't even include the Lord or Lady Seeker, the First Enchanters or other notable figures that are usually included in those meetings. For portals, I would make someone pay a lot more – base price being 53 thousand is cheap for that. As to the Sending stones, I was basing the price off of stones already available in Tevinter – those cost 2500 for a set, so people buying from me are getting a bargain. Let's not forget, I also add in charges for rude customers – so if people want to squabble in my shop, they'll pay the one they're deriding directly."

"… Was that charge in what you listed to the Knight-Commander," Hawke asked with a smirk.

"Nope – she asked nicely, so I only told her base prices. If she were to be rude about it now, I would have told her the price got increased to 17,600 – rudeness will cost you an extra 10% on every order. The bigger your order, the worse your rudeness is cost you."

Anders took a shuddering breath, "Isabela would never leave your side if you chose to take her as a mate – Makers' Breath; can you imagine that?"

Fenris growled lightly, "We have already discussed that – the pirate will not be Aras' secondary mate. In fact, we – her mates – have already chosen who will be her fourth partner if she doesn't find her fourth mate soon."

I smiled lovingly at him, "He won't be a partner – just a suitor for a few years who will never see the inside of my bedroom as a potential lover. He's a brother of the Chantry that took vows – you can see why he won the vote."

Hawkes' laugh was booming and even Obsidian shook his head, "That is one way to get around that old law… nothing says you have to have the intention to mate – just that you need to be courting four potential partners."

"Actually – it says I need to court four people who will potentially one day be Prince or Princess; Sebastian Vael will one day hold the throne of Starkhaven, so even if he doesn't mate with me, his title will be Prince since they don't have kings. He will have the title – just not as a Danu Prince. Isabela is called the Queen of the Eastern Sea by our mutual friend and a few others. That's why I narrowed it down to those two people for me to court. Hawke will be a Viscount, but so will Varric – of the same place no less. Fenris will be a slavers nightmare as the Blue Wraith, Aveline will still be the Guard Captain… our group is full of formidable people."

Choking ensued, "Woah – me as Viscount… what in the Makers' Balls would cause that?" Hawke asked.

I smirked, "Well… as Champion of Kirkwall, you'll be the natural choice when the current Viscount croaks. When you have to go into hiding to avoid the people chasing you, Brann steps in as temp – and then, when the time comes for me to join an Exalted Council, Varric will have the title. Kirkwall is your domain."

Hawke sighed, "I don't want to be Viscount."

"Tough titty said the kitty when the milk ran dry, Hawke – you'd be the best person for the job until you get into contact with Warden Loghain to discover… things. Look, if you don't become the Viscount of Kirkwall, that means you chose the wrong side in the major conflict and more people would die than would be needed. If you even think about choosing that side, I will step in and make you go the proper path just to avoid killing innocent people. I will already be upset about Anders' death at the time – you don't get to make that worse."

Anders' was nodding along, making the others look between us. Hawke looked like I had punched him, "Anders… will die before that?"

"Yes – he knows what I'm talking about because I already told him when and how and why he would die – so that he wouldn't do something stupid like move that plan up in the timeline."

Anders' spoke, "To be fair – my death will be greatly deserved and expected. Now – can someone pass the butter?"

Varric was looking at Anders' like Anders had gone crazy – a good enough assumption. I used air to make the butter dish slide across the table as everyone silently contemplated the info dump.


It took us 10 days to get back to the surface – and 2 more to get back to Kirkwall from there.

Cullen, Meredith, Aveline and Bela were waiting at the main gate to greet us – I had told Cullen when we would arrive last night during our 'good-night' call. He had insisted on calling each night since the night he had panicked over my potential death… I couldn't fault him – I looked forward to those calls and even called Alistair once or twice.

What could I say? I was a clingy sort.

Cullen rushed forward to embrace me – and I could tell that he had been holding back on what he truly wanted to say during those calls. He began looking me over, "You scolded me for being reckless and then you go on an expedition and don't return with the group!"

I smirked, "It would be boring if I were normal, don't you think? I need to keep you on your toes."

He snorted before gathering me into his arms again, "Maker take me… please don't scare me like that again?"

"I'll endeavor not to – but some things cannot be helped. Speaking of – you and I are slated to have a discussion about me and the Queen, yes?"

Meredith said, "I want to be in on that topic."

"Unfortunately the Queen has only authorized specific people to know – I can't even tell Cullen unless he first gives me his vow of secrecy that he won't tell you until after the Queen goes to Val Royeaux in 5 months."

"And you were made aware that vows with the Fae are unbreakable, Commander," Cullen sighed. I almost stilled – he had told her that? Wait; his words…

"Yes – that one called Magma was quite chatty about it," Meredith sneered.

I sighed, "So you know then."

"That you are Fae – yes, we know. We just don't know what element you hold," Meredith snipped.

I coughed, "Isn't it obvious? My skin is pale like the Air Fae, my hair is like living Fire, my eyes are the color of the moon that pulls the tides… what am I?"

Cullen groaned, "She is a Fairy – one of the nobility."

I hesitantly nodded, "I am – like Obsidian is. Does this… change your stance on our relationship?"

"It isn't magic – I talked to the Qunari, and even received a letter from someone named Sister Nightingale while you were gone."

"Oh no… what the fuck did Leli say?" I asked in exasperation.

"The Sister says that the Divine agrees – what the Fae hold will not be considered magic even if the Queen says it is. The letter was signed by the Divine and one Revered Mother Dorothea as well as the Right Hand; Seeker Cassandra Pentaghast." Cullen shrugged.

Meredith sneered, "I would think it changes a lot, Knight-Captain – for instance, the fact that she hid this from you."

"But she didn't – not really. You know the Fae can disguise themselves, but she didn't. She also dropped many hints about this over the last several months – it was how I guessed."

"Do you give your vow that the information you learn about the Queens' identity will stay with you until such a time as the Queen has been taken to Val Royeaux for the testing she has agreed to?" Obsidian asked Cullen.

He took a deep breath, "I swear to it – no one will learn the Queens' Identity from me until she personally dictates otherwise." Oooh – he changed it; Meredith wouldn't get the answer from him unless I said 'okay'.

Meredith glared at me, "Ser Karras was highly disappointed to learn this knowledge."

Oh shit – this meant they hadn't kept it a secret that I was Fae – the whole city would know…

I smiled at her, "Then I suppose it's time to stop hiding. Come Cullen – we can talk at my place."