Chapter Seventy-One

Negotiate


There had been chairs brought in – 30 of the fucking ornate black chairs; obviously he wasn't expecting me to bring less than 15 people!

I gave Dorian a coy look, "Escort me to my seat?"

"Oh, with absolute pleasure – I do so love the looks I'm receiving from your men… you think I have a shot with the Elf?" his voice was low enough that only my party heard it.

"Considering he was Danarius' slave at one point and was subjected to magical horrors that makes the folly of the Blight looks minor in comparison… Fenris, my dearest love – what are your thoughts on Tevinter mages?"

"Touch me and I will rip your heart out, Mage," Fenris growled at Dorian.

"Loud and Clear, my friend," Dorian was still smirking so he wasn't too put off. Urian however, said, "If you hate mages, then why are you… with the Queen?"

"She isn't a mage, for one – for another, even if she was, she cannot do blood magic or be possessed by demons. I have personally witnessed such. As for Hawke… he is decent enough, I suppose."

"Thanks, Fen – we love you too," Hawkes' voice was full of humor.

Fenris snorted and pulled me into his lap – I let him. This had to be traumatic for him – being back in Tevinter so soon after his escape from that son of a whore. I curled into him, "Amatus – I want a kiss…" I pouted at him. He obliged.

Urian coughed, "You speak Tevene then?"

"A variant of it – called Latin; I learned it in my late schooling. Fenris has been teaching me more of it, of course. I learned Elvhen during the Blight – and Dwarven too. How could I not learn Dwarven when I am a Paragon? I call all my mates by different endearments – Alistair is Ma Vhenan, Fenris is Amatus, Cullen is… well, you get my point I hope?"

"Much – let us discuss terms, then."

"Terms… terms for what?" I asked in amusement.

"An alliance of course – Tevinter and Danu could mutually profit from such an alliance."

Ah – so that was why the Archon was here too. Radonis – Archon of Tevinter since 9:29; cunning, politically well-versed and a powerful mage… and if Wiki could be believed, he had a soft spot for cats of all things. He was 5'10 with tanned skin and a black beard to bring out his brown eyes. He wore green and gold robes with a three-headed dragon staff.

I hummed, "And you are agreeable to this Archon Radonis?"

He looked me over shrewdly, "I will heed my Divine in this. I have seen the things he purchased from your shop in Kirkwall – the quality of the goods was comparable to things made here in Tevinter. It is surprising that such a powerful force would ally with a place like Ferelden."

"You didn't do your homework then… disappointing," I said dismissively. He looked like I had shot him with a fire-bolt. Urian coughed, "I'm afraid I don't understand either."

I waved my hand toward Rain, "Explain."

He pulled out a copy of the book that detailed Fae and stood, clearing his throat, "So it is that the Goddess has blessed our people – for we can find our mates; the other pieces to our very souls. Many have between 2-5 mates – but very few have a simple one mate; those that do are blessed in ways far greater than knowing they have that love all to themselves." He snapped the book closed and sat back down looking equally disappointed.

I sighed, "The book is available for retail – I have seen to it that books made their way here to Tevinter even if they had to be smuggled in so that you could have a chance to show if you were really interested in us or what we could provide. I said it before – I will not offer less to one religious chapter than I have to the other. I allowed them a chantry in Danu and a liaison assigned to me. I will offer the same to you. I will entertain offers in what you might export for trade, but… it appears you are only interested in what we can do for you."

Dorian let out a jovial laugh, "But didn't it say – right after that bit – that mates are not all primary? How many mates do you have, dear?"

I smiled widely, "Perhaps this can be salvaged after all – I have 5 at present; two of which I am entertaining as secondary mates. I have yet to find my fourth primary mate – such a pity that it isn't someone as pretty as you, Dori."

He grinned, "You have no idea how often I hear that."

I could see Urian and Radonis shooting grateful looks – discreetly – at Dorian. I pulled out a platter and slid it over to him – he was sitting next to me anyway.

He looked it over and lit up, "Is this the Dragon Cheese?"

"Fire Smoked Cheese – among all the other types that Danu has to offer. The one with the Orange and Red swirls is the one you're looking for."

He popped open the patter easily and took one of the swirling cubes popping it into his mouth as I snuggled into Fenris again. Fenris said, "She does not say things that she does not mean."

Urian coughed, "Well – we can offer an assortment of magic weapons, sending stones, quality fabrics, ores, and also herbs…"

"I have no need of any of that – already our crafting reagents are better than yours and our weapons are also better… Rain, allow them to see the Sword I was gifted by the previous Queen."

Rain pulled out my black sword and explained the meaning of the sigils. I hummed, "And I know you bought the Onyx Ley Line set that I was selling on the first day – so you know we also have no need of Sending Stones… especially as we can make those sending stones so easily. The price I set on the ones I sell is more a reflection of how expensive they were already. Also, our armors are superior to the ones you craft… there is very little you could really offer us."

Radonis sighed, "What could we offer then?"

"In truth… I do not know; see, Danu has been self-sufficient for more than 8,000 years. And we've had to tame dragons and worse to survive. Even the White Divine knew better than to try and call for alliances. We have an alliance with Orzammar due to my status as a Paragon; Ferelden fell in when I married Alistair; Orlais is trying, but they have nothing of interest… they are overly opulent and not very practical."

"What about… slaves?" Radonis was grasping at straws… the wrong ones. Fenris growled and began to glow. Cullen snapped, "Think of the Babe, Fenris."

It had the desired effect – Fenris buried his face in my neck and took calming breaths. Urian paled, "You are…?"

"Mmmh – only a month along, but yes… you notice I did not touch the wine?" I lifted an eyebrow.

Dorian snorted, "As though it wasn't obvious? Fenris here can't help touching her belly like it carries the secret of all life, the Templar there can't resist glancing at her – and it – every five seconds, and if the black haired mage got any more defensive then I would fear for my life if he got so much as annoyed by a fly. Oh – and the one in the dashing white armor seems to have a hero complex almost as blinding as that fashion statement."

I laughed giddily, "I do like you, Dorian – it is such a shame you aren't interested in me. I might be tempted to debate the merits with my mates for you."

Cullen frowned, "You want him?"

"He's just so pretty, My Lion – I like pretty things, but no – he's not my type of bed partner. He won't dare to be a savage for even a second."

Dorian laughed as several others in the room had various scandalized reactions.

Sebastian snorted, "Savage, Ara?"

"I like some very depraved things Bas – you haven't gotten that talk yet, but let's just say that I have a safe-word."

Bas groaned, "I think I need to pray…"

"Pray all you want, Choir Boy – Ara is just very… ah…" Hawke shrugged.

"Please don't call me that, Hawke…"

"Prince Vael then," Hawke teased. Bas sighed, "I suppose if you must address me by title…"

"Prince? So you already married him then?" Dorian asked. I sniggered, "No – Bas is the heir to the Prince of Starkhaven. If I had mated with Bas, his title would have a creature before prince – as I am the Angel Empress of the Court of Beings. Alistair is the Dragon King, Fenris will be the Wraith Prince, Cullen will be the Lion Prince, and if I were to be with Hawke… his is too damn obvious. His first name is Garrett, sure – but he is the Hawke."

"What about Sebastian?" Hawke teased. I looked at Rain, "I don't… I don't know – just because I proposed all the other titles… but I had basis for those! Alistair is Dragon-Blooded, Fenris is called the Blue Wraith and Cullen is the Lion of Ferelden! I don't know… help me here."

"This is a topic that will only require attention if he makes it to the mating phase. The others all got their titles because they are Primary or Obvious – in the case of Hawke – so…"

I relaxed a bit more. Dorian said, "Right – well, what would I need to trade for more of this cheese?"

"Your time," I flirted to him. He laughed, "Ah – I should ask for more, then – my time is very valuable."

"Darn – here I hoped to negotiate with a man who didn't know his worth," I laughed at my joke.

Dorian chuckled, "A shame for you, then."

"Hmm… I'll offer you the cheese; a set amount each month, free of charge. I happen to like you; you actually did your homework – that's quite refreshing. Here – this sending stone is connected directly to one that I have. If you have need of me or just wish to chat with someone with a little more class than what you usually hang around with… give me a call."

"I do have one question – past you knowing who I am, what else do you know about me?" he asked – and if someone didn't know him, they'd miss the nerves in his eyes.

"Oh honey – what don't I know about you? I also know who you will one day call Amatus. You won't even believe it for another couple years anyway. How is Felix though?"

He stilled, "Felix is good…"

"That's good – poor man isn't going to have a good run of it. I'll speak with you about that more… privately."

Fenris growled, "You will have an escort."

"I said more privately – I didn't say alone, Amatus; I will bring Cullen with me if you're so worried about me being alone with a mage. Dorian won't mind one bit."

Dorian looked over the future Commander and said, "Not one bit – you're quite right."

"Right… I will select a Revered Father to act as Liaison in the meantime and I will begin selecting people for the Chantry in Danu…"

"Now, I've already gotten promises from the White Divine that her people will be Civil since their chantry will mirror yours – right across – and I want a promise from you too. I won't allow infighting in Danu. Danu is not a place for you to push your religious agendas – we don't worship the maker in the first place. I will admit to interaction with the Maker – indirectly – but I still worship the Goddess. There is also a Temple of the Moon and a Temple to the Dalish Creators in Danu – both near the Chantries. Religious Freedom is a principle I will defend like a dragon."

The Black Divine assented so I motioned to Rain, "Set it up."

Rain pulled out a full sized Ley Line set with Onyx and set it up on one side of the room. I looked to Urian, "This connects directly to the Chantry for your people. The White Divine has one that connects to her Chantry too. I will treat you both equally – unless you do something that voids that. If there are infractions between your people, I will have it fully investigated. I will not pick sides between the factions of the Chantry – because you are both right and both wrong on several points. Danu has meticulous records of what has happened in Thedas over the time we've been 'isolated'. Yes – we know everything there is to know about the Magister Sidereal and how the Blight really started. We even know what started the taint – and no, it wasn't the Maker."

"And… if we wish to purchase things from Danu?" Radonis asked.

"Sure – buy things, whatever; you'll pay the same as anyone else would for those things, though. Ley Lines aren't readily available if that was your thought – they are sold in my shops, mostly; and only on occation. If people have Ley Lines in Danu, usually it's because they knew the one that made them and traded for them. As I told the White Divine, it takes 5 Fae working day and night without stopping to make those mirrors – they are fed by their mates' hands as they work, they do not sleep and they do not falter while they do their step in the process. The gift that allows them to make those is very rare – I only know one person with it and that's because she is my guards' mother. There are more – obviously – but I don't know them personally. There are no Slaves in Danu either – the Fae get quite… volatile in protection of their mates and it can lead to some… not pretty results. For example – the Fae can go into what is called 'The Protective State' – King Alistair calls it my 'Goddess Mode' – where we push past all of our own natural limitation; we can use all of our abilities to their very limit. We can't suddenly shapeshift if that wasn't one of our gifts, but we can use our gifts to their very edge. There is a Grey Warden outpost that was abandoned for 200 years in Ferelden… it looks a lot nicer, all the demons and Darkspawn are gone, and one would almost swear it is brand new – all because my mate caught a dull blade with his shoulder while battling a ghoul. So no – there are no slaves in Danu."

"… And what if our slaves escape to Danu?" Radonis asked.

"Guard that mirror well then – there are no extradition treaties in place. I have already set down a law for political asylum – if someone makes it to Danu and asks for Political Asylum we will look into the matter; if they have a good character and case for it, then they will become citizens of Danu and thus… no longer slaves. If they are criminals or murderers, then you can have them back – we are trying to keep the crime element down on Danu, you understand. But my thought on the matter was – I am a former sex slave and one of my mates is also a former slave… the two of us endured horrors beyond your imagining. In fact, I was not supposed to be a slave – and especially not to the two that had me due to their status in my family. Slavery was illegal where I am originally from – and no, I am not originally from Danu. I placed that order – the asylum order – when I heard the plea from an elf that had been stolen from the Denerim Alienage after I managed to retrieve them. I do hope you aren't incensed about Caladrius dying by my hand – he was operating illegally."

"Caladrius… I do not know him. If he was in Denerim taking Elves, then it was without my knowledge," Radonis said… interesting; he wasn't lying at all.

"He said he was a Laetan, so it isn't surprising that you didn't know him. Sorry but I used your name to throw him off, Dorian."

"By all means – if it makes a Laetan quiver in his boots, use my name; that makes me all fuzzy." He grinned at me. I loved Dori so much!

"How did you use his name? You've never met him before," Fenris frowned.

"I said that 'in the future' I would be friends with an Altus named Dorian Pavus. Cal just didn't hear the 'in the future' part and rambled about how he couldn't match a scion of House Pavus. Seriously – is it so hard to believe that I can see the future?"

Dorian snorted, "Since the last one to do that was Andraste… yes, it's a little difficult. But you've greeted us all by name like you had seen us before, you know far too much about me to know it through spies because there are things that – while I don't hide them – my father would have squashed before it could reach your ears, and you know Felix who has been in isolation almost his whole life. So… I believe you even if the stuffy old codgers don't."

The Divine and the Archon looked sour at being referred to as such – but I knew that since I was responding best to Dorian, they wouldn't do a damn thing to him over it for fear of being ousted from Danu permanently. I smiled brightly at him, "Oh, I like you – can I keep him, Fenris?"

"No – we do not pick up every stray you manage to find."

I pouted, "But he's like a kitten – he can even wander off from time-to-time and come back holding the latest shiny to catch his eye!"

"There are Qunari in Kirkwall," He said.

"Oh… I wouldn't want my new pet to get hurt… I suppose I can't take him home after all…" I sighed dramatically.

Dorian laughed, "You couldn't keep me anyway, dear – you know that."

"Who said you had to be in my bed for me to keep you? I have Flame Smoked Cheese – you'll stay for a free supply anytime you want it. Not every stray I pick up is in my bed, Dori – I also adopted a daughter that had been abused and abandoned; I have Hawkes' siblings because I saved their lives; I have the future Left Hand of the White Divine because she's like a sister – though I do keep trying to seduce her; I have the future Arishok as my Kadan because I restored his honor and made him cookies; I have a powerful Senior Enchanter because I helped her to know who her son was; let's not forget a former Crow that happens to be clearing out a whole damn cell of the Crows because they would kill him for his failure to kill me back during the Blight – thus proving that if he couldn't kill me, they weren't powerful enough to take that contract in the first place. I have all manner of stray pets – only a few of them share my bed."

I could see the Black Divine looking sour, "Even former slaves?"

"Just one at the moment – Fenris is my mate, though, so it's to be expected that I would kill every threat to him despite my religion telling me 'Do as ye will but harm none'. I am a Grey Wiccan – I will defend my life and those lives of the ones I love, but I won't recklessly kill people. This doesn't mean I can't fuck shit up and ruin lives in the process – ask Bhelen how he set up his rival to the throne in Orzammar on my suggestion some time. From now on, I am naming Dorian Pavus as my Liaison to Tevinter – if you need to send correspondence, do so through him. I will return all other mail unopened, and if he dies, then you had better hope that you find someone exactly like him or our buissness is done. Come, Dori – we have things to speak of in private; Cullen that means you too."

The two men stood and followed me from the room – without dismissal.

Dorian was sniggering, "That will teach those old goats a thing or two. So what was it that you wanted to tell me, my dear?"

I smiled even as Cullen clenched his fists, "You need to start working on how to cure the Blight – I know you abhor blood magic, so even better. In a few years – I can't say when – Felix will be tainted with the Blight; it is only through your efforts that the young man has several years added to his life past that."

Cullen gaped, "What… this man can cure the Blight?"

"Not cure – delay. One day, I'll set him up with Aedan Cousland who plans to be doing the same research after Dori has already done some of it. Dorians' father taught him that Blood Magic is the last resort of the weak mind; rare for a Magister to think so… and on that note, I will be sending an Elf-Blooded mage to your family in like… 2 years. He's a Dreamer."

Dorian hissed, "Somniari – that's very rare… and very powerful."

"Demons clamor around him – I'll have to fight off at least three before I can send him to you – Torpor, Desire, and Pride. But by then, he will have learned how to see the seams in the Fade…"

Cullen grabbed my arm, lightly, "There is an apostate in Kirkwall?"

"He's not an apostate, Cullen – and he's not in Kirkwall either," I sighed; Feynriel was with the Dalish – as their temporary first, he wasn't an apostate.

Cullen relaxed, "Good… I worried you would be keeping more apostates from me…"

"Just the one," I smiled – since Hawke wasn't an apostate anymore, Merrill was the only one.

"Back to Felix…" Dorian said.

"Right – you do your research and by 9:37 you'll be an outcast back to the life of debauchery, engaging to such excess that the scandal will lead your family to abduct you! You will eventually leave Tevinter will not a coin to your name and come to me."

"Because of this research?" he looked upset.

"No – because you're gayer than any man I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I know – Cullen is more your type than I am… I really can't blame you either – he is rather yummy."

Cullen went bright red, "I… what?"

Dorian grinned, "Well – I suppose Tevinter will only change if someone like me makes a difference. And yes, Knight-Captain – I am gay. I flirt with everyone, but I refuse to pretend to be interested in a marriage with a woman. It's a bit of a sore spot between me and my father, really – we nobles need to at least pretend to be above everyone else and keep the dirty secrets… secret. Have no fear – your mate is not in any way in danger of me swooping in to lift her skirts… or… whatever that is."

"They're shorts – like cut-off pants. I know; short enough to be a belt rather than pants but I wanted to cause a scandal right out the carriage."

Cullen snorted, "You could have taken your Griffon Shapeshift form to cause a scandal – no need to give these people ideas."

Dorian looked wide eyed, "You can take a Griffon form?"

"Uh-huh; Gold and White – I miss when it was black and white but an icky Darkspawn trapped me in the Fade and changed my colors. We should head back to the Great Hall – I'm ready for food now."

Dorian took my hand in the crook of his elbow and escorted me like a proper lady. Humorous – since I was wearing such a revealing outfit.

When we got back to the table, Fenris pulled me right back into his lap; again he buried his nose in my neck to calm himself – a side effect of the Fairy Song scent was calming anxiety.

Dorian sat right beside us again and said, "Say – will you show me the Griffon shape-shift form sometime?"

I shrugged, "Maybe after I give birth. After three months, I'm not allowed to use half of the Abilities I have or I could harm the baby. So I have to use them sparingly – emergencies only. Don't think that leaves me vulnerable though – I can still use the abilities with a chance of the babe being just fine and I will have no less than 15 people sworn to defend me and the babe around me at all times. My four Sylph guards, my four guards from Denerim, Hawke, Bas, Fenris, Cullen, Guard-Captain Aveline, Varric, the whole clan of Dalish I associate with… even the Qunari in Kirkwall will defend me like I am the Ariqun or Arigena… the do call me Aribas, after all. I fear the whole damn city will be walking on eggshells around me!"

Fenris snorted but didn't say anything. Cullen, on the other hand, said, "The Gallows will be keeping a close eye – Meredith will want to know if you have a human or Fae; if the babe is Fae, then she'll keep watching to see how Fae children are – if the babe is human, then she'll want to be sure the babe isn't a mage."

I frowned, "If she so much as tries to touch a single hair on my babies head in a harmful manner, I will chop her finger off. I already have the note from the Divine telling her to back off of me and my baby – and Hawke has his pardon from the Circles."

Cullen sighed, "I know – she will be forced to cut the amount of Templars in your home by at least half. She will keep me there – no doubt about that – but at least two of the others will be asked to leave."

"Basilio can take a long hike off a short pier; he looks at me like one would look at a whore they particularly disliked. I get the feeling he views me as little better than a social climber. Axel can stay – he's kind of sweet and I see him sort of like a son. Alano and Caspar are sort of… iffy at the moment; not good or bad. Anyway, the Templars can stay until any one of them makes an actual misstep, I suppose. We can pick and choose based on actual performance and Beatrix will say nothing if I don't. It keeps you in my house, my Lion, so I don't mind as long as they don't harm me or mine and keep cordial. Their job is to observe and shadow – that's all."

Cullen looked flushed in embarrassment – originally the job was just to observe… he added shadow.

Urian spoke, "You allow Templars in your home… when you don't need to? By the Maker; why?"

"As I said – it keeps my Templar mate in my home while still doing his job. I see him so much more often like this. Besides – Templar abilities do not affect me at all. They are useless to stop my abilities or even harm me with so many people and Fae enchantments in my home. Honestly, they are pretty much on vacation if they are in my home. And also, one of them is related to Nevarran Royalty, one of them is like a son, one is my mate and the other two are… eh. If Basilio really makes any remarks about me, then he's out."

"You are more shrewd than I gave you credit for if you only keep one around for his relations to royalty." Radonis remarked.

I rolled my eyes, "How do you think I got this far, Archon? I didn't get to be 51 years old by being stupid and childish."

Urian stilled, "51?"

"Uh-huh – 20 years spent in a magical sleep, but I am 51. Not to mention that Fae live to be 3-4 hundred years old and our mates share in that longevity. It is not transferable otherwise…"

"What does taking a secondary mate entail?" Radonis asked.

"Love, for one thing. I would have to love the one I took as a secondary mate and they would have to hold similar affection for me. For another thing, it requires a small ritual while lying together to complete the bond. There 4 or 5 steps in order to take a secondary mate. That is why I am merely wooing the men and not already mated to them. I like Hawke and Bas – but I am not in love with them and they are certainly not in love with me. Hawke mostly agreed to me courting him in order to make Cullen pull his head from his arse and realize that he loves me regardless of if he knows it now or not. Hawke will be left with his pirate if Cullen comes around to me; if Cullen does not, then Hawke and I will court in earnest."

Dorian laughed, "I do like how you don't hide Hawke being a side piece used for jealousy."

Hawke snorted, "I don't need to hide anything. We all know it's only a matter of time before Ara falls madly in love with me. Cullens' days as her mate are numbered if he doesn't shape up. Besides; if I succeed in wooing Ara, then Bela – my pirate – will be ever so pleased to share her bed again. Apparently, Ara is an addictive lover."

I smirked, "So says Bela and Alistair. They and one other would know the most at the moment."

Cullen looked like his jaw was clenched and he was looking away. Dorian smirked too, "Looks like your ploy is working – the Knight-Captain looks very jealous indeed."

Cullens' eyes snapped to mine and I gave him a small smile before looking back at the Archon, "As we were saying. Other than being mated to a Fae, the longevity is non-transferable… even if our children are human, there is no way to transfer it. Goddess – we have tried and tried and failed. Watching our human children die while we stay young is painful – a parent is not supposed to have to bury their child. Blood magic doesn't work for squat on us, we can't use blood magic and demons are also not helpful. If there were a way, we'd have already found it – so it wouldn't be prudent for you to try kidnapping us and looking for a way. As the Queen I have the ability to sense the location of each of my people – and if I had to, I would declare war on Tevinter – and we would win, Archon Radonis. You can hardly touch us."

Urian was pale, "We had no intention of that, Empress Theirin." Lie.

I snorted, "A word of advice – do not try to lie to an Empath; I can sense your emotions and I know when you are lying through your teeth. One more lie and I will take my leave – with the Ley Line – and you will be considered at war with us. My people are not toys or experiments, Urian. Try to harm one of mine without due cause and I will end you personally. As it stands, I will be warning my people to use caution if they ever plan to set foot in this forsaken country."

"Forsaken…!" Radonis looked offended.

"It is falling apart around us, Radonis. Without slaves your people are nothing; and that is just sad. You can't even survive on your own. You are nothing more than overgrown infants – and it is really no wonder that the Qunari go so hard on you. Danu is what Tevinter could have been – if you weren't self-centered, selfish, ignorant, elitist pricks. I came here with every intention of being fair and neutral, but one more misstep and you will be left out of Danu – permanently. And if I find out you knew about the poison in the wine glass…"

"What – someone… I swear I didn't know," Radonis was pale. Urian more so, "We will find the ones responsible for the poison; it wasn't sanctioned."

"Very well – as I said, I know a lie from the truth. You're lucky that I'm pregnant and had no inclination to drink the wine anyway – if I had lost the child, all of my mates would have killed you and then Rain would have gotten them out, and war would have ensued. If I had died… well, talk about things getting worse. You think me weak because my people were isolated for 8 thousand years – but you failed to brush up on your history. If you had bothered to read that book, then you would know that I personally am from a whole other world. The Queen has historically been chosen through a ritual of transmigration. I was a 27 year old human woman – a successful writer and surgeon – until last year when I woke in this 50 year old body as a Princess. So if you think you can pull the damn wool over my eyes, then you are so wrong. The Game is not over until the fat lady sings – and honey, I haven't even hit the first verse. You are puny compared to the world I come from – so puny that I get the urge to squish you under my boot and wipe it away like dirt. So you get to sit down, shut up and look pretty – if you can manage that."

Dorian was grinning ear to ear, "You'd fit right in here in Tevinter. If women could be Divine, you might have a decent shot – maybe the next Archon?"

"Radonis is set to be Archon for another decade at least – so long as he does not start a war with my people. Urian is in the same position. You have less power in your whole body than I have in one pinky – and this is the truth as I know it. You know what? I feel tired – we can continue this conversation when cooler heads prevail and you get the idea of enslaving my people out of your heads. I would like someone to show me to my rooms – and because I don't feel safe here, I will be asking all 4 of these lovely men to bed with me and Brienne can share a room with Rain – since he will be fine sleeping on the floor, but I will not leave an Andrastian Mother alone in your Spire when you have shown hostility to me and mine."

Dorian hopped up, "I'm feeling the need for a walk – I can show you to a room with a bed big enough for five."

Urian coughed but didn't try to stop us from leaving. I was pissed.