DISCLAIMER: I base my stories on Intellectual Property (IP) owned by BioWare™ and EA™. I pretend to live in their world.

SPOILERS: I refer to information from the games, the novels and the comics. If you have not played or read, please beware.

A SONG IN THE STILLNESS

Chapter 6: Incomers

Areth, Revona City

Lys paced from one end of the conference room to the other. At this point in her pregnancy, walking felt better than sitting, particularly when she could not put her feet up. At least that would be what she would tell the others when they arrived, but, in truth, it helped her hide her anger and anxiety. The day before, after more hours of questions and equivocation, an unexpected message, delivered late in the day, informed her that the Secretary of the Travelers Council would meet with her today at 14:00 hours, which left her with half a day to anticipate the denial of her request to bring Kai to Areth. A litany of objections and arguments ran through her mind as she paced. Each time she began voicing them aloud, she reined herself in. It would not do to be seen talking to herself. She peered through the frosted glass in the panel next to the door. Shadows passed, but did not enter. At least they can't see me.

Lys stopped pacing and stood at the window looking out over the city of Revona. ZIPs sped along ground routes carrying citizens to and from work, school, shops, and home. One was carrying her Aunt Olivia to the meeting from the Cousland-Burke townhouse where Liv resided. Few people had PVs or personal vehicles, preferring to use the underground U-Tranzs or GroundZIPs which showed up on demand and carried passengers along the quickest route to the requested destination. For longer distances, Arethians used AirZIPs or shared surface or air commercial transportation. High speed Tranzs, running on their air cushioned tracks, and Planzes, flying faster and at higher altitudes than AirZIPs, carried citizens throughout the planet. Interplanetary travel for pleasure and commerce departed from hubs outside of Areth's major cities. Lys could see a transport rising in the distance from the Revona SpacePort.

The city itself spread out below the hill on which the Travelers Council Building stood. High-rise residential and commercial buildings clustered around the base of the hill. Beyond this core, lower buildings extended for miles in all directions, interspersed with green spaces and parks. When the refugees from a distant planet they called Earth had arrived centuries ago, they had endeavored to avoid the mistakes which had caused their flight. Myths of that distant world told of poisoned water and air, violent storms, spreading deserts, failed governments, and the planet taken over by oligarchic business tycoons who hoped to restore some semblance of governance and economic stability as political leadership failed. The refugees, a small number of scientists, doctors, artisans, teachers and artists had fled, hoping to reach a distant planet they believed would support life. Somehow, they had made it to Areth where the incomers had asked for refuge on the lightly settled planet and been cautiously welcomed by the humanoid inhabitants. The two peoples had intermingled and intermarried in that distant past, blurring any differences which once separated them and turning stories of Earth into a mythology of how not to live.

A few days before, when she arrived in Areth, Lys had called her Aunt from her room in the Council hostel. The family townhouse provided far better accommodations than the spartan ones in the hostel and she had been tempted to stay with her aunt, but she had taken a room in the Council building rather than showing up, unannounced, at Olivia's door. Liv had been stunned to see Lys' face on her vid screen, but recovered quickly, agreeing not to mention Lys' survival to anyone without Lys' approval. As she made the promise, Lys had seen her aunt's eyes narrow, but the thought behind those eyes did not escape Liv's lips. She wants me to contact Mum. Lys had counted on her Aunt Olivia's patience and trust. She would tell Liv the whole story…eventually, but right now she needed her aunt's help on one specific issue: bringing a Thedosian elf, unrelated to any Arethian, to Areth. Permission depended on the value the Travelers Council saw in the individual. She asked Liv to help her get approval for Kai.

After receiving the invitation to meet with the Secretary, Lys had texted her aunt, asking her to attend too. Liv immediately replied that she would be there and suggested they arrive early so they could talk further. Lys guessed her Aunt had let the staff know they would arrive early when they graciously provided refreshments and let her use her CTab, her personal communications tablet, a privilege not always granted in the secure confines of the Council's headquarters. When she texted Liv, her aunt had simply replied that she was on her way. Lys hoped a call from her aunt to the Secretary had resulted in this meeting, but feared it meant a denial of her request, with no hope for appeal. Certainly, none of her experience up to now had given her reason to hope.

After hours of interviews and explanations, the Council members with whom Lys had spoken on her first visit had continued to equivocate and refuse to approve her request. I think, she had told Liv, that they believe I'll give up. Instead a message had popped up on her screen late the day before telling her that the issue had been elevated to the Secretary. This would be it. The top of the pyramid. The Secretary's decisions left no room for appeals.

Lys looked at the time on the CTab display. It was only 13:10. She took a sip of water and nibbled on a slice of apple, once more wondering why she had come so early. Still restless, she crossed to the window, wondering if would see her Aunt at the entrance below. As Lys squeezed a lemon slice into her second glass of seltzer water, the door behind her opened and her aunt entered. Lys turned, chewing on her lower lip, and waited. Olivia, smiling, came around the table, held out her arms and took Lys' hands in hers.

"Well, you are pregnant," Liv said, grinning. "I didn't get the full wide-angle view on the screen last night." Lys laughed, as Liv touched her cheek. "You look well."

"I am. I'm sorry our vid was so short last night, but-"

"-it's a very long tale and should be told in person." Liv leaned against the table. "I'm not Fergus or your mum, Lys. I'll not doubt you or treat you like child. I'm quite sure you have good reasons for leaving Thedas and bringing your friends here, particularly Kai. I'm anxious to meet her, you know; I've heard so much about her from you, Eleanor and…Oriana."

"Once we're here and safe, I can make further plans, but right now I…we can't remain in Thedas."

"I don't see a problem," Liv said, as she motioned to the chairs. "Let's sit." Once Lys settled, Liv continued. "The Council has allowed such exceptions in the past, although never for Thedas, which is a point in our favor. They don't like to make too many exceptions for any one place."

"It's not a bad sign that the decision is up to the Secretary?"

"If the answer was no, we wouldn't be having this meeting. Alexandra will have reviewed reports and recommendations from everyone who's interviewed you, as well as my input."

Lys blew out a breath and visibly relaxed. "Alexandra?"

"She happens to be a friend." Liv smiled. "My input will have some weight, but that's all I can promise." She grinned as she saw the cloth of Lys' tunic move. "You didn't say when you're due."

"Oh…end of Firstfall, but that's meaningless here. Um…four or five weeks, according to the docs I spoke with yesterday."

"And a boy."

"Ali would have been happy with a boy or a girl, but I guess I like the idea of a little Ali, although I won't name him after his father or either grandfather. I'm thinking of William, after Papa's father."

"Fearchar's a bit too unique?" Liv smirked as she said her father's name with a perfect Storm Coast accent. She had left Long's Reach just after her seventh nameday, to keep her safe during the Rebellion, but had kept her fluency in the Storm Coast dialect. Her father's bann had passed to Eleanor after their brother's death at White River and one day would pass to Melysande.

Lys opened her mouth, but hesitated, before smiling and nodding yes. "Particularly if we try to return to Thedas, but not Ferelden. William doesn't label him a Fereldan as Fearchar would."

"A reason both Eleanor and I use our mother's surname, Burke, rather than MacEanraig when in Nevarra…well, at least when one of us wasn't being a pirate."

As they spoke, the door opened to admit Secretary Alexandra Simonov and her Deputy, Marc Mesny. Liv stood and greeted the Secretary, as Alexandra reached across the table to shake her hand, and then shook the hand of Deputy Mesny. Before Lys could stand, Liv introduced her. Secretary Simonov waved her hand, as Lys tried to lever herself up.

"I think we can skip the handshakes, Ms. Cousland-Theirin. Please stay seated. I understand you've already been to see the doctors and both you and the baby are well, despite your recent ordeal." Noticing the quick, sidelong glance Olivia gave Lys, the Secretary continued. "You have not yet told your aunt?"

"Not the complete story, Secretary Simonov. It's long and not one I enjoy reliving. We'll get to it, but it's easier with my companions present."

"Ah, yes, I can see where that would be true. Well, clearly the baby's grandfather and both grandmothers may come. Interesting that the paternal grandmother is an elf and a mage. I hope she will speak with Liv, but," the Secretary shrugged, "it must be her choice. Your friend, however, is no relation."

Lys heart sank. "No. If I had a sister, she would be no closer to me than Kailian is, but," she held up her hand to forestall the comment she saw forming in the Deputy's mind, "I understand that my emotional ties have no bearing, Deputy Mesny. Her experiences do, though. I'll defer to my aunt to explain how Kai might increase our knowledge of the elves - both Alienage and Dalish - and of Ferelden during the Blight."

"She could provide invaluable knowledge," Olivia said. "We've never had an elf incomer. It's rare to find an elf who trusts humans enough to be open to questions, even when we visit Thedas. We can learn so much from one who will speak openly and perhaps even join our expeditions. I do agree with Lys, that I should be the lead interviewer and protect Kai's interests. Nor should this be a conditional agreement. Once here, Kai should have full rights as an incomer, no different from any other relative from any settled world. This time should be no different than any other time we've approved allowing non-relations to come Areth before, Sasha," Liv said, using the Secretary's nickname.

The Assistant looked at the Secretary. "We've done this before? Let in outlanders not related to a Traveler?"

Alexandra sighed. "You know we have Marc. Or do you mean, not human?"

Lys opened her mouth, then thought better of it and did not speak.

"Of course not, but those incomers were always from more advanced cultures, Secretary, making it more likely they can adjust to life here."

"So…humans from Thedas are advanced enough, but not elves?" Olivia asked.

Her Deputy opened his mouth, but thought better of whatever comment he had intended.

"Where did you do you years of service, Deputy Mesny?"

"Here."

"But you've been off-world?"

The young man shifted uncomfortably. It was not the first time this question had been asked of him.

"No?" Secretary Simonov frowned. "I was not told that when you became one of my deputies." Eyes narrowing, she only said, "We'll speak in my office when we finish here." The Secretary turned to Liv. "I'm sorry, Dr. Burke. Ms. Cousland-Theirin. It seems we've been less open-minded about this request than appropriate." She looked through the documents. "We don't pay as much attention to Thedas as we should sometimes."

"It's a backward land," Lys said, trying to control her temper. "Hardly worth your attention."

Secretary Simonov bit her lip. "Sadly, some here may have that bias, but I would hope," she glanced at her Deputy, "that any bias here relates to Kailian Tabris not being a relative, rather than her race or home world. Neither concerns me. I approve of your request. I see no issue with allowing Kailian Tabris, an elf born in Ferelden, Thedas, to immigrate, live on Areth, and have full use of the portals if or when she chooses to return to her native Thedas."

"That's it?" Lys said. "I…sorry. Thank you, Secretary Simonov."

"You will explain the agreement to your friend? That she will be interviewed and we will have some expectation of cooperation from her?"

"We," Lys looked at her aunt who nodded, "Aunt Olivia and I will explain it, Secretary. Kai will agree, I'm certain. Thank you for agreeing to my stipulation that Liv be the interviewer."

"That wasn't hard. Liv would be the obvious choice." The Secretary rose, but stopped at the door, waving her Deputy ahead of her. ""Good luck, Ms. Cousland-Theirin. I hope you and your family find the safety and peace you seek. I, by the way, would be most interested in what your friend has to tell us. I'd love to meet her." She grinned. "And your father-in-law. I know a bit of Ferelden history. He's quite the hero."

Lys hesitated, surprised, before replying with a grin. "He is that, but he prefers to be plain Mr. Theirin here. Perhaps you'll come for dinner, Secretary, and meet them both."

"I would love to," she said and left, followed by her Deputy.

Lys, her hands on the arms of the chair, pushed herself up.

"Anti-climactic?" Liv asked.

"Definitely. I've answered so many questions. I don't have my diaries, so I had to write out what I remembered since…since Howe attacked the castle. They had Mum's story, but nothing from me. Pippa and I visited a few months ago from Highever, but only for supplies, not a debriefing or diary drop-offs." She blew out another breath. "I really thought they'd say no. The interviewers and Deputy Mesny…well they didn't make me feel welcome, questioned why it had taken me so long to report in, as if we had some schedule to meet, much less indicating they would accept Kai. It's never been like that before." She took one last drink and threw the cup into the recycling bin. "I know they have to be careful, but I felt like I might actually be turned away. I do think the Secretary is right. Kai not being related kept coming up, not that she's an elf. They also had so many questions about the Blight. I think they feared I would infect them, even though I'm vaccinated and can't carry or transmit it." She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. "Ok, it's over. Moving on. I'll go back tomorrow and talk to Kai. If all goes well we'll return right away."

"Lys, stop making lists for now. Let me take you home, soak in a tub, have a good meal and, if you want, talk. I'm still overwhelmed by what little I know. King Maric? Alive, and Alistair's father! Alistair's mother an elven mage. You with child. Your request to bring Kai seems ordinary compared to the rest." She held out her hand. "Let's go. We'll stop by your room and get your things and then hail a ZIP and go home."

As the GroundZIP stopped in front of Lys and Olivia outside the Travelers Council building, Lys began laughing. "How will I explain all this? A ZIP - that has no meaning to them. A cart with no horse or mule?" She clambered into one side of the vehicle while Olivia climbed into the other. She settled into the seat, fastening the safety belt, as Liv stated their destination and the ZIP took off towards the townhouse.

"Fortunately," Liv said, "you won't have to explain it all. There is an orientation at the Council building, after the medical examination and before the shopping trip and tour. It includes a history vid and a vid of life today on Areth."

"Shopping trip?"

"Oh, you didn't come with Oriana on her first visit, did you? Yes, any incomer gets a CTab, credits, and a shopping trip to buy Arethian clothes on the last day of orientation. The trip includes a tour of Revona City. It's quite popular."

"So, I can go too?"

"You can sit in with them through the whole process, Lys. I'll join you if you want, in case they don't attend all the same programs. Will it be just King Maric and Kailian? Or will Fiona join them?"

"Just Maric and Kai at first." She grinned. "At least he can be Maric here and not some stupid alias. We've been calling him Maren. And it's plain Maric, Liv, not King anything, just Mr. Theirin."

"Ah, that makes sense…and here we are."

The ZIP stopped in front of the townhouse, an old building, several stories tall, in a neighborhood just outside the central city. Lys and Liv climbed the steps to the front door, where Lys put a hand on Liv's wrist.

"I won't find any surprises inside, will I?"

Liv frowned, realizing her niece had learned to distrust everyone during the past year. "No, Lyssie, no surprises. Just Felix," she added, as barking sounded through the heavy door.

x==========x

Sitting on an upholstered couch, her feet up on its matching hassock, Lys sipped tea from a pottery mug, as Felix curled up beside her, his nose tucked under his tail. She had told Liv her story after they arrived home over an earlier cup of tea. Once told, she had left Olivia to absorb the tale, and gone off to take a long bath with scented soaps, bath oil and bubbles. It seemed as if months of grime sloughed off as she scrubbed and soaked. Toweling herself dry, she realized she felt clean for the first time since before the Final Battle.

Upon returning to the living area, she poured another cup of tea, knowing she would regret all the liquids, but wanting the comfort the warm lemony ginger blend offered. Good smells wafted from the kitchen where Liv placed fresh vegetables on the counter, ready to be chopped into a salad.

"Liv…um, I have another favor to ask. Two actually."

Liv looked up from chopping vegetables for a salad, to see Lys' brows drawn together.

"The doctors said they would prefer I not travel until after the birth. They didn't forbid it, but-"

"-you're thinking it would be best not to go back? Lys, I was going to go with you, so I'll just go alone. Sam and I can handle everything. You can write notes to Kai and Maric. Take a picture of the two of us together or we can take a vid." She smiled, shaking her head as Lys took a deep breath and blew it out. "You did well today, by the way, not admitting you had already told Kai about Areth, even though I'm sure Sasha…Alexandra that is, realizes you have. That's good, because I suspect I won't have to explain CTabs, vids and such."

Lys smirked. "CTabs and vids will be new, but not pictures or music."

"What a surprise," Liv chuckled. "Now what's number two?"

"Well, there's a second part to number one. Can you speak with Fiona too? You met her didn't you, with Mum, before you left for Haris Manor with Elin? She'll trust your word. Sam arranged for her to talk to Reina and get her settled somewhere, and told her about me being alive, but I didn't get a chance to meet her to tell her about the baby…or Maric."

"I can do that." Liv put the chopped vegetables in a bowel with greens and began tossing. "And number two?"

"I want Mum here for the birth. Just Mum. Not Pippa. Not Fergus."

Liv's smile told Lys how relieved she was not to have to keep a secret from her sister.

"I know Mum will keep us secret and understand why we need to stay that way. I'm not sure that Pippa and Fergus' duties and connections won't take precedence and demand they tell someone. Loghain, Anora, Nate - they can't know Maric is alive or what Thomas did or that I carry Alistair's baby. They won't intend to put us in danger, but they will, they'll try to fix it or take revenge, and Tevinters or Orlesians will find out."

"I understand. Pippa's husband is a Howe, isn't he?"

"Nate is fine-"

"-exactly. He would feel guilty about his brother's actions, just as I assume he does about his father."

Lys smiled and relaxed against the cushions, as she ran the fingers of one hand through Felix's fur. "And Fergus…he seems to accept Nate, but I'm not sure if this wouldn't push him past his point of acceptance. Maybe Mum will tell us Fergus is fine, but he wasn't last time I saw him."

"And your loss may have pushed him closer to that edge, Lys."

"I know. Both me and Ali."

"Your Mum spends a lot of time in Denerim. It's one of the reasons we haven't met since I brought Elin back to Ferelden. It may take time to reach her."

"Right, no portal there, but Sam could get a message to her. He has birds and so does Pippa. He can invite her to Cumberland - Haris business or something."

"I'll ask what's quickest." Lys got up to set the table as Liv made the salad dressing. "I look forward to meeting Kai. I'll make sure she and Maric know you're OK."

"You're the best, Aunt Liv. Maybe Fiona can come later with Mum?"

9:31 Dragon, FirstFall === Cumberland

"I was going to ask Lys how much older she was?" Kai said, after Olivia introduced herself to the elf and Maric as Melysande's aunt. "She's only been gone for a half-turn of the glass."

"A few days," Liv replied, "and she's fine, but the doctor recommended she not travel again until the little guy is born."

"So, she will have him in Areth?"

"Yes. It's safer, Kai – and Cumberland isn't home for her. It's not Highever."

"Highever isn't Highever," Kai said, a slight frown appearing.

"No, it has too many memories, even if she believed it safe. In Areth, the baby will be born in a birthing center, but when he leaves with his Mum he'll have a familiar home and family, including you both, to welcome him." She looked at Maric, who had remained silent after viewing the note and vid from Lys, which asked them to go with Liv. He nodded, but remained silent. Olivia decided to focus on Kai and assume Maric would speak when ready. Looking at the elf, she said, "Now let's go over what you can expect. May I call you Kai?"

"That's my name," Kai said and then realized it sounded rude. "Yes, you may, and you probably already know my full name is Kailian Tabris."

"I do. Mine is Dr. Olivia Burke, but please call me Liv."

"Doctor?"

"Not medical, although I do know some basic healing. It's a title which indicates I've achieved a certain level of education."

"Right."

"Lys says you study us," Maric said, finally speaking from his seat by the hearth. "As an…anthropologist? And you can call me Maric. There's no need for an alias in this Areth, is there?"

"No need, Maric, and, yes, anthropology is my specialty," Liv said. "We study the culture of a country or society and how it changes over time. Usually, I ask the questions, but, now, you should ask any questions you need to. Especially you Kai. Make sure you're comfortable before you make your final decision."

"She's having the baby in Areth and I can go there and come back, right?" Kai asked, arms crossed in front of her chest.

"You can come back and forth," Liv answered.

"Then there's no question. I join her there. An 'incomer,' you call us, right?" Liv nodded. "When do we go?"

"As soon as I know Reina's settled."

"Senior Enchanter Fiona is in with Reina now," Maric said. "Apparently, Sieur Haris contacted her right after Lys spoke with him and she arrived just after Lys left. She hasn't seen me yet. She'll come back after she speaks with Reina and I'll speak with her."

Kai told Liv she had taken Fiona to meet Reina, and left them to discuss how Fiona could help. Before Kai left them, Reina had told Fiona that she wanted to return to a Circle if she could do so safely. She didn't care where. Fiona had thought that the Nevarra City Circle would be best, since it was not visited by other mages very often.

"So many Senior Enchanters," Fiona had told Reina, "visit the College at the Cumberland Circle."

At that Kai had said "Wynne," and Fiona chuckled, agreeing that the Senior Enchanter enjoyed meddling in College politics and would be likely to show up, which would put Reina in danger of discovery. To avoid that, Fiona would focus on creating a believable story for the Knight-Commanders in Cumberland and Nevarra City. She mentioned the Starkhaven Circle, suggesting Reina might be a mage who escaped the fire there and had made her way to Cumberland. With a letter from Fiona and the Knight-Commander in Cumberland, Reina could go north to the Nevarra City Circle with a Haris caravan.

At that point, Kai had left the two mages to work out the details. "Too bad Jowan didn't destroy her phylactery," Kai said to Liv, "but as far as anyone here will know, it is gone with all the rest from Starkhaven." Kai wrinkled her nose. "Sorry, a phylactery is-"

"No worries, Kai. I know the term and, from what I know of the Circle, I doubt anyone in Ferelden will look for her now, after so much upheaval and death, but the farther from Ferelden she is the better." Liv said. When Kai's eyebrows rose, Liv added, "Lys expressed some concern about this Jowan."

"She's always wondered if Jowan would work out as a warden," Kai said. "She felt something a little off with him, but Liam seemed to think he'd do."

Nodding towards the door, Liv asked Kai to invite Fiona in to talk. "We need to tell her about Lys and Areth. You're all approved as incomers."

"And about me," Maric said, leaving, but promising to return to meet Fiona.

A short time later, Kai returned with Fiona and introduced Liv. The mage's eyes narrowed. "Where is Melysande?"

"And therein lies a tale," Kai said.

Fiona frowned. "What tale?"

"A tale of other worlds, Senior Enchanter. Liv has something called a vid she wants to show you. It's a message from Lys, who is in a place called Areth." Kai held up the CTab Liv had brought and placed it on a table, the screen facing a chair. "You should sit first." Sitting on the edge of the wooden chair, Fiona's eyes widened as Lys appeared on the screen and began to talk. As she spoke briefly about Areth, the view receded, and Fiona could see her pregnant bulge.

"-it's Alistair's," Lys said in the vid, pressing her hands against her belly. "You'll be a grandmother, Fiona. It's why I especially want you to come and visit."

"How?" Fiona managed to ask as the vid ended.

"That's a big question," Kai said smiling. She received a sidelong glance from Fiona, but the mage also smiled.

"Let me try to answer," Olivia said. "First, there's what we Arethians call a portal, a path to this other world, Areth. It's not magic, it's science based. There's no magic on Areth, so you may feel…odd…when you're there, Fiona. I'm not sure you'll feel your mana. But it's also safe. There are no Orlesians or Tevinters. Not even Travelers from either place. There are no portals in Orlais or Tevinter. Thedosian Travelers are from Ferelden, Nevarra, the Marches and Antiva."

Fiona leaned back in her chair as Olivia spoke. "Orlesians may be a threat to Lys and the baby, but why would Tevinters care about Lys and her child? Why can't her family protect her?"

"That would be my fault, Fiona." Maric had walked into the room behind the mage, locking the door behind him.

Fiona stood and turned as he spoke. "Maric!" She grabbed the back of the chair beside her and Maric's lips quirked as her fingers frosted.

"Bad copper." Maric said softly. He pointed to one of the chairs by the hearth. "Please sit, Fiona, and warm up your fingers. I'll explain my part in this."

Fiona looked from Maric to Liv to Kai, frowning, but sat, saying, "Melysande left a few things out of her…vid."

"It's a long story, Senior Enchanter," Kai said. "Better we all sit together and give you the full version."

"Please do." She looked at Maric, who had taken the other seat by the hearth. "You can at least tell me how you came to be here?"

"Rendon Howe held me in a windowless cell for six years. Every month he would take my blood for the use of some magister in Tevinter."

"Your blood?"

"Blood of the dragon," Kai said, taking a seat on the stool beside Maric's chair. "The old tale of Calenhad drinking dragon's blood."

"Which I think is true. At least, Flemeth believes it to be true," Maric said.

"The Witch of the Wilds?" Fiona asked. "This story slides into the realm of fantasy."

Maric chuckled. "Fiona, you have no idea. Do you believe we can travel through the stars as Lys suggested?"

"I don't know." She leaned against the back of the chair and rested her now thawed hands on the arms. "I've…" she looked at Maric, "we've seen some fantastic sights, but traveling to other worlds?"

"Well," Maric said, "Lys tells us this Areth is a land where carts move themselves and no one rides horses."

Fiona rolled her eyes with a hint of a smile. "No wonder you want to go there."

Kai slipped out to get a meal delivered, anticipating a long afternoon and evening. Good thing Olivia is there too; she'll certainly help explain Areth.

Several hours later, Fiona stood. "I won't deny my head is spinning." She looked at Maric. "And, I will say this once, but it must be said: I will always wonder why you did not put Alistair with a family in Highever. Or even in Gwaren with Loghain. Much as I dislike the man, he was loyal to you, to a fault."

"Because I was a fool. That the Couslands knew the identity of both Alistair's parents made me uncomfortable. It gave them power over me, particularly if Alistair stayed in Highever, and that concerned me. I knew Bryce and Eleanor, but they weren't family, as Eamon was. Eamon never knew you were Alistair's mother. And I thought Eamon a better man than he proved to be. As for Loghain…he hated my part in the Deep Roads adventure and relationship with you. How could I entrust him with our son? I don't apologize for Dragon's Peak, however, although I never intended him to become a templar, only that he have the best education available in Ferelden."

"And after the first months he said that he came to enjoy it," Kai said quietly. "It wasn't until the Chantry took him to Denerim that it all went wrong. He believed that was Orlais' doing." She looked at Maric. "That would never have happened had Howe not captured you."

"No, it would not have. I planned to acknowledge him and betroth him to Lys. He'd have been a knight and a bann and lived what passes for a normal life."

"And he would never have become a warden?" Fiona asked.

"There would have been no need," Kai said, "but Loghain's two years away didn't help either. He left Cailan and Anora alone. There's blame to go around, Lys would say."

"But, had I left him with the Couslands, he would be alive," Maric said.

"Would he?" Liv said. "What would Cailan have done if Alistair had been acknowledged? We'll never know, but it's not only your decisions that affected Alistair's fate."

"It all goes back to my original bad choice."

"No," Fiona said, walking over to Maric, who sat slumped in his chair. "Any of this could have happened, even if Alistair had gone to Highever as a babe." She laid a hand hesitantly on his shoulder and he covered it with his own larger one. "Now we need to keep you and our grandchild safe. It seems the child's mother has a good plan."

"Will you come to Areth when we're settled?" Liv asked.

"Try and keep me away." She smiled.

"You will have no magic," Liv reminded her.

"Perhaps that will be a blessing." She squeezed Maric's shoulder. "It's good to find you alive and safe, old friend."

Even with Maric seated, Fiona's head barely stood above his own. He looked up to meet her eyes. "And you, Fiona."

"I will arrange for Reina to join the Nevarra City circle," Fiona said. "It' s a powerful circle, but, being in the capital city, one focused more on Nevarra, with few visitors. Once I have her settled, I'll visit you. Will Melysande tell Eleanor?"

"Yes. Sam's sending a bird today, asking Eleanor to visit him here," Liv said. "We'll tell her once she arrives."

"I'm glad. She's lost so much…she should not lose this child too, simply because Melysande won't tell her." Fiona sighed. "Will Sieur Haris know how to reach you?"

"He will. We'll look forward to seeing you and introducing you to the baby," Liv said. Fiona squeezed Maric's shoulder and left.

While Kai and Maric packed their belongings away for Samuel to store, Liv left the brief note Lys had written for Reina, telling her that Kai, Maren and she must leave. Kai, as she promised, had helped divide the treasure, allocating some into accounts for themselves, some into another for Reina, and leaving the bulk with Samuel Haris, to distribute to Highever, Amaranthine and the Regents. The gold could be used in Thedas or Areth to fund their lives.

Maren – who could be Maric again in Areth, Kai, Olivia, and Sam went to the portal, where Olivia went through first. Sam then sent Maric and Kai through to where Olivia waited.

Areth, Revona City

"I didn't realize how long a vid could be," Kai said to Lys. "Or that those flying things could take pictures. I feel a little dizzy." She looked at Lys. "No wonder you like high places. They remind you of here."

Lys chuckled. "I never thought of it that way, but, maybe?"

Lys and Olivia had joined Maric and Kai during their orientation sessions, but remained mostly silent, leaving the Council experts to follow their process. Orientation for the Fereldans had included old style videos, not holograms or immersive three-dimensional vids, which the two incomers would find too disorienting. Just seeing views of the ground from an AirZIP or VidDrone tended to make earthbound incomers unsettled. Between vids, they attended lecture and discussion sessions with experts. The initial vid Maric and Kai saw gave a simple, high level history and overview of Areth today. It related that the descendants of those early almost mythical peoples had, for the most part, adhered to the rules those original Arethians and the refugees from that other planet had laid out. Their ruling body, a Parliamentary type government, had ensured that education, health care, housing, and a basic income formed a safety net which would allow all citizens to thrive and pursue education and work that mattered to them.

This safety net did not come without obligations. All citizens living on Areth, from age eighteen, served for two years, either in the military, on farms, as health care workers, teachers or in some other capacity. Often, citizens volunteered for more service in their later years. All paid taxes. Like any society, Areth had businesses, hospitals, schools, mines, farms, artisans and artists. Its people lived in cities, towns, villages and in the countryside. They knew of fossil fuels, but powered their world with solar, geothermal, wind, water, hydrogen, and atomic power. Long ago, they had developed energy storage systems and safe disposal of depleted resources. They had no wish to despoil their beautiful planet; they relied on science, interchanges with their Alliance partners, and their own inventiveness to keep it safe, beautiful and prosperous.

Maric and Kai learned that the Arethians had explored nearby planets and as those other cultures had reached out to them, an alliance of like-minded people of disparate races evolved. Arethians, like their neighbors, respected science and education, retained a voice in their government and remained vigilant about protecting their environment. They encouraged exploration and establishing good relations and trade with their neighboring planets. Not that there weren't conflicts, crime, sickness and discord; there were. Each planet had its military, and police. But the main thrust of the civilization, of which Areth was only one planet, emphasized mutual benefits and cooperation. For the most part, it worked, based on a centuries old treaty overseen by a Planetary Council with representatives from each planet. Areth's Council building sat on a hill a mile to south of the Travelers Council. Both overlooked the city.

The two Fereldans had seen vids of the city, the country side, and the SpacePort with a few minutes of space vids at the end, showing some of the allied planets. Seeing ZIPS, Tranzs, Planzs, and Space Cruisers moving on the ground or in the air had disoriented the two incomers, even with the preparation Lys had provided. The central heat and cooling, water flowing from taps, hot baths and showers and toilets had been easier to accept, as were the people of Areth. Some people on the street from Areth looked like the humans of Thedas, while others, who represented different races of the Planetary Alliance, looked different. All were humanoid, but their physical appearance differed as much as that am among dwarves, humans, qunari, and elves on Thedas. The differences piqued the curiosity of the two Fereldans, but they held their questions, confident that Liv and Lys would explain further.

Finally, Maric and Kai learned why the Couslands lived in Ferelden. Traveling, while available to all the Planets in the Alliance, became the specialty of Areth. For some reason, curiosity about other civilizations and cultures drove Arethians to explore. Only Areth sent its citizens to settle on other planets, making those faraway places home. It only worked because the Travelers Council oversaw the far-flung outposts, maintained the portal network, and adhered to the Rule. The Council removed Travelers who introduced advanced ideas and technology to their adopted world.

Chewing on her lower lip, Lys had wondered about that punishment and how much the Council knew about her distribution of Blight pills. I haven't done anything that introduced any ideas or technology. Fereldans can't make the pills. Surely the Council knew I would hand out the Blight pills when I requested so many. It's not like I found some way to immunize everyone in Thedas and then did it. The Rule allows us to save lives with medicines, provided it looks like a native method. Easier done in Thedas than on some other worlds, because you can give credit to magic. She settled back into her chair and decided not to worry about it.

Coming from Highever, with its textile industry and trade, the clothing had fascinated Kai. Women in the vids either wore breeches, some loose and some quite form fitting, or gowns of varying length, while hair covering seemed optional, and some clothing revealed more of the body than any respectable Thedosian would allow. Kai had grinned. Zev would love the view! And Ali would blush. Her expression grew more serious, at that thought and the next. Now I see what Oriana loved about this place! Fantastic fabrics and styles.

Maric did ask a question, wondering what sorts of weapons they used, since he saw no one carrying knives, swords, or staffs. That question led to a discussion of the planet's defense and government. Maric had been intrigued, but Kai began to yawn, and the young professor who had joined them to answer his question promised Maric they would continue their discussion later. The vids, medical exam, and introductory meetings took most of two days, but Lys and Liv had stayed with them to answer questions and provide support.

After the final session, a Council rep took Maric and Kai to be outfitted in clothes and receive their welcome package. Kai returned grinning, outfitted in deep blue leggings and a blue, white and yellow print tunic that reached mid-thigh. Soft leather ankle boots and a long blue and white striped silk scarf completed the outfit. She carried a large cloth satchel.

"They've given us CTabs," Kai said, excited, "and I've been looking at the shopping sites and the archery range. Did you know I can practice anytime?"

"You can practice at the house, Kai. Like all good Fereldan nobles, we have a range in the back garden."

"But you aren't nobles here."

"No, but we're, not wealthy, but comfortable and we bring some of our habits with us. We've had the land for centuries. When my Cousland ancestors, Melysande and Jadyn, became Travelers, they left family behind. At some point Mum's Burke ancestors became a Travelers, and later Burkes intermarried with Sam's family, who are also Travelers, in Nevarra. Then Mum's mother, a Burke, married Fearchar MacEanraig, the bann of Long's Reach in the Coastlands. Then Mum married Papa. Both families have done well in Thedas and here. We trade in both worlds and that helps support us here and in Thedas. Trade runs in our blood I guess. We also have land outside the city that we farm and the town house here. It's a large house the Couslands and Burkes share. Right now, only Aunt Olivia lives in the Revona City townhouse. Its where we all stay when we visit and where we'll go tonight. Sort of the Traveling Couslands' and Burkes' home away from Ferelden."

"Oh." Kai took a deep breath.

Lys chuckled. "More family history than you wanted to know?"

"More than I expected, but it explains a lot, so I'm glad you told me."

Liv looked at Maric. "You're quiet, Mr. Theirin."

He snorted. "Mr. Theirin. That's better than Your Majesty or my lord, but let's just use Maric. Both of you, please."

Lys shook her head, grinning. "No. I'm opting for Gramps."

Maric laughed. "That title works, too." He shook his head. "Honestly? I'm still absorbing all this new information."

"Me too," Kai said, "but I'm also looking forward to getting out into this new world." She grinned at Lys. "Just think, a new place with no dangers! Just new things."

Lys mouth quirked, but did not quite achieve a smile. "There are dangers. Speeding ZIPs for example. Just no one attacking you." Her brow furrowed. "There are criminals Kai. Not many, but robbery does happen and-"

"-the rep told us that," Maric said. "There are guards you call police, right?"

Lys and Liv nodded yes.

"So still safer than Thedas in most ways?"

Olivia agreed and suggested they venture forth. They still had time to shop, although the formal tour of the city and surrounding area would happen on the following day. She took Kai under her wing, promising to meet Lys and Maric back at the townhouse for dinner. Maric stared as the two got into a GroundZIP and took off.

Touching his arm as the second ZIP stopped in front of them, Lys said, "We're going to some different stores, Gramps. I need baby stuff, you need more clothes, and I have a few other places you might like."

"This is our," he frowned, "GroundZIP?"

"Yes. It's not that it's too far to walk, but it would take too long. Our purpose today is to shop, not walk. We'll go walking or riding after your tour tomorrow, if you like."

"You have horses in your back…garden?"

"No," Lys laughed. "It's not that large, but there are stables in a nearby park and riding trails. Something like riding out from the Palace into the woodlands just outside the walls, but open to anyone. They have gentle ones."

Maric snorted, but decided not to react, saying only, "Ah, that's because of the democratic republic thing they talked about." He looked around. "Somehow I think we'll find more fascinating pastimes than riding."

He got into the ZIP and fumbled with the seat belt. Lys let him keep trying, figuring a man who could put on armor would figure it out, and he finally fastened it. As the ZIP moved away from the curb, he braced himself against the dashboard with his hands. "It's faster than galloping. Getting used to all this is going to take a while!" He took one look out the side window to see the buildings rushing past and quickly faced forward again. Somehow, focusing on the traffic just ahead seemed less unsettling.

Lys put a hand on his arm and he almost managed a smile. "You will become used to the speed in time, and to everything else. Some things come quickly, others take longer, but we're safe here. There are no Tevinter Travelers."

"And no magic." He had relaxed his hold on the dashboard, but quickly braced himself again as they came to a stop.

Lys led him into a small shop, tucked between a clothing store and an office block. Maric looked around. The shelves overflowed with books, with more stacks and open volumes spread out on the counter. Maps hung in the few spaces without shelves. He stopped, surprised by a map of what he believed was Thedas. He looked at Lys, his eyebrows raised.

"It's Thedas. Quite accurate, as it's based on a view from those satellites I pointed out."

"They take…" he thought for a moment, searching for the word, "Pictures?" He laughed, softly. "Of course, they do. Is it for sale?"

She nodded, grinning.

"How costly?"

"Not expensive at all." She pulled a rolled-up duplicate from the pile stacked below the one on the wall, held its tag up to her CTab and when it beeped back at her, said, "We'll take it."

"Just like that?"

"Just that like," she replied. "Bought and paid for."

He looked around. "I've never seen so many books."

"Most of what we see and read is on our CTabs," Lys explained, "but some of us still like books and maps. We have a library at the house, but I thought you might like a few of your own." She watched as he looked around.

"How do they produce so many?"

"Printing." She opened a book and showed Maric the printed pages. "Not written by scriveners or scribes, but printed by machine. Not the small machines you may have heard of in the Free Marches and Nevarra, but big ones. The maps too, although some are hand decorated."

"Loghain would love this place."

"Ali would have too. He worked in the scriptorium at Dragon's Peak. He draws, did you know?"

"Loghain told me, but I never saw any of his work." He studied her. "You needn't be so careful about speaking of Alistair…or Loghain. That is…unless it pains you too much?"

"It helps. Remembering. Sharing. I loved him very much."

"I know. I'm sorry, Lys. I did mean to keep that promise I made to you in Eleanor's garden in Highever."

"I know you did. Let's just share our memories." She looked at a shelf of illustrated books. "Look, these are for children. Maybe they have some Fereldan tales. Or," she grinned at Maric, "we could write our own. Our lives have been the stuff of tales."

He laughed aloud. "Dragons, monsters, witches…you might have a point."

A/N: Thank you for reading and to those of you who reviewed, favorited or gave kudos. Thanks to my wonderful betas Kira Tamarion and Elyssa Cousland whose efforts make this a better story. Any errors are mine. I hope you continue to read and enjoy.