Chapter Forty-One

Getting Settled

Roselle had done a marvelous job of setting up the house and Barracks. I had a few Mecha-gnomes and goblins come by to set the house up for plumbing, electricity and other modern conveniences. I even had secret rooms now – secret rooms! It was every girls dream. One of these was Anders room. I had the Goblins set his door to be part of the wall. No one would find a damn thing; same with the trap door to Darktown, the extra room in my closet and a few other rooms. The Barracks each had a shower room and three armoires a piece.

Hawke knocked on my door the next morning with his siblings, mother and Varric in tow. I greeted Leandra with a kiss on each cheek.

"Leandra; it's wonderful to see you again. Are you moving in?"

She flushed and nodded, "If you really don't mind. I can't believe my own brother… how could Gamlen lie to me about it? I wouldn't have cared about the money or the estate – I always say that family is more important – but to lie about it? He knew… he knew I worried that they didn't love me anymore!"

I smiled, "Altatra and Andan here can get you set up in any of the rooms you like. They aren't on duty right now. Dibink and Ka'yu are coming with me today, actually. Ivan is a good cook, so if you need something, let him know. He's like a puppy, so just toss a stick once in a while if he gets overbearing."

I heard several of my guards laugh. Taliwe snorted, "That's one way to put. He might have fleas though, Tara."

I giggled and Hawke looked confused, "What – he's a werewolf or something?"

I nodded, "Yes – 100% dog in man skin. He's house broken though so no worries. Just don't mind the shed on the couch."

Ivan grinned and let out a woof. "This beautiful lady saved my life as a child when the Undead – sorry, forsaken – let out a plague on Gilneas." I had glared at him when he said undead. I like political correctness… mostly.

"Show us your furry side," I teased. He rolled his eyes and shifted into a 6'5 black wolf-man with green eyes and elaborate beading in his hair. He still wore his clothes and said, "It's more of a hassle to cook in this form though. And there would be a good chance of hair in the food. Now, off with you, Tara – we'll take good care of Lady Hawke."

I nodded, "Taliwe, try not to maim everyone who comes to the door, okay?"

She shot me an amused grin, "I'm a blood elf – it's what we do."

I shook my head in amusement and kissed Leandras' cheek again as we all headed to the keep.

Varric was smiling widely, "So… you have some interesting friends."

I rolled my eyes, "And my house became state-of-the-art overnight. Plumbing for hot showers, electricity so that I wouldn't need candles all the time and secret rooms because what's the point of being rich if you don't do that?"

Hawke snorted and Carver shook his head. I grinned. We entered the keep with Dibink and Ka'yu drawing more stares than me – thank Elune.

Someone rushed up to me, "Lady Stormlight, the Viscount has been expecting you."

Ka'yu had jumped in front of me. I giggled and spoke to the man. He was 5'8 with red hair, blue eyes and flawless skin. I never would have guessed he had a son close in age to Hawke – who was by my estimate 25 about now. "Seneschal Bran Cavin, right?"

He perked up, "Yes, my lady – when we heard you arrived at the city yesterday, we were expecting you then…"

"I had to check on my estate and set my guards up in their places. And I needed to make sure my suitor was okay and see if Hawke – a dear friend of mine – needed any help since I hadn't seen him in over a year. I was busy. But since Hawke was on his way here today anyway, he showed me around."

Bran looked like he swallowed a rock as he glanced at Hawke before turning back to me, "If you'll follow me, the Viscount will see you when you are ready."

Ka'yu spoke, "She be goin' nowhere without me and the short one today. Our leaders set us as her guards personally, little man."

Bran nodded, "I would expect nothing less, My Lady – a noble is, of course, entitled to her guards."

I was glad he'd realized the diplomatic slip he'd almost made. I smiled, "Ka'yu, Bran is simply doing his job – as you are. Dibink, follow Hawke and make sure no one harms Bethany – I like her very much, after all. If you ask nicely, they may even tell you why I'm having you guard her specifically while I am here."

Dibink gave me a salute and followed after Hawke who was amused at my words. Ka'yu shrugged – she was okay as long as one of them was with me at all times. I followed Bran to the office. He kept shooting curious gazes at Ka'yu – I could tell he wanted to ask about her and Dibink, but knew better.

We reached the office and I went in with only Ka'yu – Bran moved over to his own office.

I sat and said, "Viscount Dumar – a pleasure to finally meet you. I was a bit occupied with killing slavers yesterday, so I was unable to see you directly."

He flinched, "There were slavers in the city?"

"The old Amell estate – I hope you don't mind me breaking in to clear them out; I refuse to live in such close proximity to such people."

"Not at all – Slavery is illegal here, after all. I will have someone go through and clear out the bodies, at the very least."

I nodded and heard Ka'yu give a small snort, "You be needin' plenty of cleaning fluid – there were at least 20 of them."

"26 in all." I nodded. Dumar looked at the green woman and said, "Er… might I know…?"

"She is a Troll – from Zandalar. She is a shape-changer; a druid. And she was set to guard me by Queen Talanji – her queen. My other guard is in your Barracks area right now – he is a Mecha-gnome – meaning he is approximately half made of metal with his upgrades. He isn't even 4 feet tall. I have other guards – I'm sure you've gotten a report. I will have at least two of them with me at all times."

He nodded, "I… of course, as a Teyrn from Ferelden I could expect… no less. I've heard you have relations with the Qunari?"

I chuckled, "With a Qunari, yes. A Sten out of Par Vollen. Let me guess – you want me to act as a liaison to the ones in your docks?"

He flushed and nodded, "If you do not mind."

I shrugged, "I don't – but they might. Give me time and I will see about approaching them on their terms, Dumar. As to other matter – stay out of my way, and I will stay out of yours. You know I am the Makers' Chosen, yes?"

He nodded, "Is there… anything we can do?"

"One – the Amell estate. While I was there, I found a will from the old inhabitants. Apparently, the Estate was supposed to be awarded to Leandra and her children, but it was gambled away by Leandras brother. Now, I don't know about you but that pisses me off. It should not have been allowed to happen and I highly suggest making that right."

He stiffened, "How…?"

"Perhaps finding a way to get the estate back to proper hands? Currently, I have Lady Hawke living with me. Her children are welcome to intrude on my hospitality, but I would be a bit happier if the estate was awarded to Leandras' eldest child. Garrett Hawke will make waves in the nobility soon – within the year he will be all that anyone talks about. Wait until the deep roads expedition is over with if you must – but that estate will go back to the Hawkes."

He nodded, "As… as you say."

"Good – now if you will excuse me, I need to go see my friend and meet this guard he speaks so highly of… an Aveline Vallen, if I recall the name right. If you have any need, send me a message. My days may be busy, but I am not without a sense of diplomacy."

Ka'yu snorted again. I shot her a grin as we left the room. She said, "You be a hard woman to talk to when you be wanting."

I shrugged, "The Viscount does not seem to realize how improper his request was. Most likely because he is not meant to be Viscount. He never wanted it but he was the most… pliable to the true authority in Kirkwall."

Ka'yu looked displeased, "He be a puppet?"

I nodded, "He's a better negotiator than a leader – and he damn well knows it."

About then we got down to the Barracks. Aveline looked at me in stunned silence before bowing, "My Lady, might I say what an honor it is to meet you?"

"Well, I'm flattered with it coming from you. Don't bow – you were at Ostagar. You ordered a scattered retreat when Loghain betrayed us. You saved the lives of many men with that order. You're just as much a hero as I am, Vallen."

She looked taken off guard, "You… you remember me there? I never saw you, I'm sad to say."

"I watched the final moments from the top of that tower, Guardswoman. I saw Marian die for Carver, I saw your ordered retreat when you saw what Loghain did, and I saw you notice the beacon. You couldn't see me, but I saw you. It's an honor to meet you."

She beamed though she was flushed. A few guards around us heard my words and whispered about it. She coughed, "I was just doing what I could…"

Ka'yu smirked, "Lady Stormlight honors those that time be forgetin' more often than not. You may not be seeing yourself as a big part of the battle, but she be seeing you just fine."

I flushed, "Just call me Tara, Ka'yu. I've told all of you this already – titles are not necessary."

"No – but they be proper on you. You be a noble soul."

"… Thank you." I took the compliment and decided to ignore the rest.

"So – Playing guard, am I?" Hawke teased Aveline.

"And no – you can't just go running off without me." She snipped back. I giggled, "I wouldn't let him if he said please or offered that thing I like. Hawke attracts trouble like Varric attracts stories."

Varric flinched, "That's harsh, scales – no one attracts that much trouble."

I gave him a look, "I'll repeat it if you don't believe me, Varric. Now, we all have a date with an ambush, yes?"

It took us two damn weeks to get things in motion after that – the Ambush had been easily dealt with and Donnic wouldn't have the satchel for a few days yet. Anders had been working with Lirene from Ferelden Exports the whole time and my guards – upon hearing what the goal was – helped Anders set up his clinic in no time. I think Dibink had set the place up with electricity and plumbing, I was certain that Ivan had added a non-perishable food station and I was funding it, even Andan added a few… security measures against the Templars; I didn't ask what and he didn't tell. I knew Ka'yu was helping with the patients too. All my guards found it to be a worthy goal.

I was sitting in the Tavern with Varric, the Hawkes and Aveline.

Varric said, "You told us that healer we would go after would be more… receptive to us with these things?"

Aveline had been reluctant to put the shackle on, but after that ambush, she did. I nodded, "I'm not telling you where to find him – it amuses me that you go through all the hoops of asking Lirene."

"Not nice, Tara." Hawke pouted at me. I shrugged, "A girl needs fun, Hawke… speaking of, we have a trip to the Gallows this afternoon, right?"

"I need to talk with a certain Mage there… why?"

I smiled, but didn't respond. Ivan did, "The Gallows is where your boyfriend is, isn't it?"

I waved a hand ambiguously, "Of course – I plan to get him all flustered and riled up. He's cute when he's all stammers and awkward flushes."

"You're kind of evil, Scales."

I shook my head, "I'm fun, Varric – besides, it makes for interesting stories."

He grinned. We went over and saw Lirene – who recognized me but still played coy about Anders. I almost bust a gut when Hawke used the female humor line from the game – "Tell me he has killer eyes and a nice smile; I'll marry him on the spot."

I wasn't the only one, either. Ivan laughed so hard he shifted and Taliwe laughed at that more than anything else. Others gaped at the Gilnean man as I climbed up his back and said, "Onward, my noble steed!" he laughed harder.

Hawke kept throwing me mock disapproving looks, but I saw the humor in his eyes. Aveline actually did disapprove, but still smiled a little.

But when I told them Anders wouldn't be in until a few hours later – he was asleep at the moment – we decided the Gallows would be the stop we made before that.

When we got there, Cullen was informed at once. I smiled at him, "Hello, love."

He flushed, "Uh… hello. I must say something… the binding enchantment that… that Inas put on these…"

I sighed, "People have tried to steal them, haven't they?"

"Um… well… yes; more than a few times. I was knocked out once – woke up, they were gone. Not a minute after I realized that, they re-appeared. Meredith tried to take them too – because they have magic – but she didn't get more than 3 steps before they were back in my possession. A question – is there a way to stop the sword from instantly utilizing the absorbed magics?"

I took the sword and said, "So this gem and the hilt? Press it in and it will store up to 10 charges before going back to utilizing any new attacks. That's what these 10 little gems are for – they each light up when they have a charge stored. Then, to use them, press the big gem again and it will use up those charges. And if anyone is bold enough to try and steal those weapons again, I will personally hunt them down and disembowel them… with a toothpick, I'm thinking. Ivan, what do you think?"

"I say claws are the way to go – like these." He showed off. I nodded and pulled out my own, "Hmmm… no – then I get unworthy blood under my nails and it kills them too quick… Taliwe?"

"… A chopstick. Blunter than a toothpick, longer for extra depth and with the added benefit of being able to pick their guts out of a small hole for them to see." People kept watching the beautiful elven woman and the handsome 'human' man. As far as anyone knew, they were my most normal guards… not wrong, I guess.

"Oooh – spread the word! And it's not like killing Cullen will get them the weapons either – my DNA is set as back-up. If he dies, they come to me. All killing Cullen would do is set me on a murderous rampage." I knew that a few thieves were actually listening. Cullen coughed, "You'd… disembowel someone?"

"For you, my love, I'd commit many heinous crimes; especially if it would keep you safe. If a few threats will do that, then perfect – but if need be, those threats will never be empty. I protect the people I love."

He flushed. I beamed, "I do so love that color on you. Reminds me of the time you saw me naked."

He sputtered, "That… I mean… I did not… you… you stripped without any warning! I wouldn't… have looked…"

I pouted, "Aw… am I not attractive enough?"

Ivan was laughing again – and this time I heard Hawkes laughter join in. Cullen groaned, "Why must you do this? Tease me every time? Of course I… find you attractive, My Lady."

I perked up, "That's a relief – I thought the tattoos were off-putting. I have so many of them. I got three more since you last saw me naked, by the way… would you like to see them? Only two of them require me to take off my pants."

He coughed, "That is… unnecessary, My Lady."

"Call me Tara – I only accept combat titles unless it's someone I don't like… oh look – someone I don't like!" I exclaimed as Meredith charged towards us.

Cullen groaned, "Please don't do that…"

I shrugged, "You think I don't know what she's been saying about me? How I'm a demon and against the Makers' path? You think I don't know that she set people to watch my house? If my son were here, she'd try to take him – I know she would, regardless of my 'pardon'. She thinks she's so clever – but all she is, is a pain in my fat ass."

Taliwe stepped between Meredith and me as the woman got close. Taliwe gave a feral grin, "No one gets close to the boss unless she says so. And since you are spying on her, I can't let you close. You see, when people spy, they tend to want to do something bad – and since her step-father, my regent-lord, set me to protect her at all costs… well, then – I might just have to gut you and call it an accident."

"Taliwe, fix your lipstick. Meredith… to what do I owe this displeasure?"

"You need to stop distracting my Knight-Captain. Unless you plan to join the Circle, stay out of the gallows."

I gave a dark chuckle, "You can't do that. You see, Beatrix was ever so kind as to give me permission to marry Cullen. And that means he's my fiancé unless he chooses otherwise. And that means I get to see him regularly. If he comes to me, well, that's nice. But I brought him lunch. I would figure you would want me seeing him – it gives you a better way to keep an eye on me, after all. I mean… if I'm here, I'm not causing trouble, right? Tell me, Meredith… her name was Amelia right?"

She froze. "How… blood magic!"

I shook my head, "I can't do blood magic, Meredith – because I can't talk to those icky demons. No… let's see… Amelia – shall I tell you what I know of her?"

She began to draw her sword – Certainty. I looked at it with a small smirk, "Ah, Certainty. How innocent it looks in this day – that will not last, will it? If only Knell could see you now. He'd be so disappointed."

She lunged and Taliwe parried the attack with her own great-sword. I looked at Cullen, "I really did bring you lunch, love; but it looks as though I've overstayed my warm welcome. Will you come see me at my place this weekend? I want to show you a few things…"

"Like… like what?" he asked, both of us ignoring the fight between the two women. "Like showers – a scientific miracle that can deliver an upright hot bath on demand. Oh and a special wax polish for your weapons… and maybe I just want to cook for you…"

He flushed, "I might like that… what day?"

"Oh, just whenever you're available – just let me know, okay?"

"… Fridays and Sundays are my off-days."

"Oh? Good to know… Friday then – it's a date." I winked and headed for the dock area calling out, "Taliwe, we're leaving. Stop playing with your prey."

The blood elf instantly got serious and put Meredith on her ass in two more moves before sheathing her weapon and following after me. I heard whispers – people wondering why Taliwe would 'play' with Meredith.

Hawke asked outright, "Why…? Why play around?"

"I don't get enough sparring practice here. Not many people seem to fight with the right style."

I grinned, "Carver plays with the big swords too – if you ask nicely, he might spar with you."

Carver flushed as Taliwe looked him over critically, "Good muscle definition… the calluses on your hand indicate you might be good with that blade…"

"Also – that job I'm going on tonight will put us in the path of an Elven warrior. He's about 5'7 and sounds like Father."

Her head swiveled so fast I would swear there were fire tracks. "I am intrigued. What time do we leave?"

I chuckled, "It's next shift, Tal – when Altatra and Andan are on shift."

"I will tag along – you said we can do as we like with our down time."

"Fair enough – just after dark then, right Hawke?"

"The Anso job? Yeah – we need to meet him in Lowtown around 8."

"I will be ready… by chance have you been listening…?"

"To the rumors people whisper when I pass by? Yes. To be quite honest, I think it's cute. It also saves my son some trouble if people think that having an elven heir makes Ferelden backwater. I do not believe they know the true extent of the treaty Alistair has with Azeroth. My son is more powerful than the Tevinter Imperium back in its height. For now, this is a good thing. And no one will attempt to fuck with me until people are a bit more… sure about me. You notice I have quite a few tails each day?"

"I have noticed some will rotate with others. You have at least two elven spies and about 8 human ones. There is also a dwarf or two."

I nodded, "The Elves are Qunari spies. Their people are far too… conspicuous to fallow me around."

Taliwe snorted, "Ka'yu told me of the request that the Viscount has made of you. And she told us what you said in return."

I leaned back against Hawke who started 'petting' my hair, "I like causing people to gossip but even I won't cross a line with a warmongering people. As of now, they don't trust me – especially after what happened in Ferelden. Proof that deities exist is not what they want. And the Dwarven spies… I have 4 of those, Taliwe – you need a recount. None are from Orzammar – they respect me far too much. Kal-Sharok placed them. There was a spy in front of Orzammar when I first went there and when he reported I knew a Dwarven man made of diamond, Kal-Sharok decided to keep an eye on me. They feel neutral about me right now, so I'm safe enough from them. I have at least two Tevene spies, 4 from the Gallows 3 from Orlais, 2 from Antiva, 1 from Rivain, 3 from the Qunari, and 2 from the Chantry despite having an official Liaison – people have realized that the Divine has dementia and regret that she granted me official pardon; none of the higher-ups like me at all. I'm an elf – no one in this world who holds power will like me… other than the First Warden. He was… not as I thought he would be. He still has a spy on me, but that spy is tasked with my protection. And if the First Warden says I'm good, the King of the Anderfels will follow suit – hence the gift and no spies. Who did the spy count? Because I listed three elves, fourteen humans and four dwarves – your numbers didn't."

She smirked, "Dibink the hunter. Little metal man missed some. Ivan – did you write this all down?"

"Did one better, pretty lady – I sent the information directly to the others; they'll update the board and ream Dibink a new one. Question, Tara – why are we here? You obviously don't need the guards Azeroth assigned you."

Hawke snorted and Varric laughed. Even Bethany covered her mouth looking amused. I grinned, "My former betrothed is more than a little protective of me… so is my cousin. Tyrande looks at me like Elune herself walks the world so I'm surprised I don't have a night-elf guardian too."

"She did try – she wanted to send enough to fill a temple dedicated to you as Elunes' chosen. I think you know how that went," Ivan snorted.

"… That would be offer number one – she's going to keep trying until at least one priestess is sent. I may as well cave now… with the stipulation that a Nightborne Monk male be added… just to keep things even between genders and factions with no overlap in class, right?"

"Ask for Renli Lushan – he's honorable and your fathers both knew him. He used to be a hunter until the Pandaren offered Monk training to the Nightborne – he took to that better and faster than hunter training."

I shrugged as we got to the docks and contacted Anduin, "Andy?"

"Duchess, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I understand Aunt Tyrande is pressuring you to send priestesses?"

"… I'm sorry if she tried to…"

"No – Ivan told me. I'm willing to allow one Priestess if you send a Nightborne by the name of Renli Lushan as her guard Partner. This will… work better."

"How so?" Anduin sounded surprised that I was caving.

"My Guards now don't even get a full day off! Only 20 hours at a time. If I add a fourth patrol… they get 30 hours off, which is a bit more than a day. You know I hate when people work too much – it's not fair to them. I already considered adding two humans from Ferelden, but… let's face it, Azeroth is superior in fighting and magics. I know part of your alliance was sending trainers of all varieties – other than Warlocks due to the massive stigma here – but they have only been there for a few months. So, I get Tyrande off your back, get my guards proper time off between shifts and stir the pot here some more since purple skin usually means demons here… it's a win for us all."

"… Thalyssra will agree in a less than a heartbeat and Tyrande will pack the bags of her person herself if she could. Thank you, Atarah – I was wondering how to approach you about this since you were so reluctant to have guards at all. Alexstrasza wanted to send a bronze dragon – she said she talked to you about that?"

"I expressed an interest in a time long past here, but that time was when the world here was… not divided as it is now so I don't think they could help. I will hold off on that until… the major event I'm dreading. Anyway, let me know when you have Renli and the priestess ready to cross and I'll pop a port."

"… About that… we have an official portal to Ferelden… I was thinking we could place a neutral port between your place and Dalaran…"

"It's not a bad idea – I can ward it to hell and back against intruders and since it's a neutral zone, no one would dare try to monopolize it. I'll see about it when I get home. I actually have a few things to do today so it could be a bit. Anything else, Andy?"

"Not at the moment – I should have the two ready to go by about… 5 o'clock your time?"

There was a two hour time difference between Stormwind and Thedas… I found it funny.

"Let me know." I said and cut the connection.

"… You really want to give Meredith a heart-attack, don't you scales?"

I gave Varric a smirk, "Oh, I want to ruin her before I eventually have to kill her. It won't be for many years – and by then, she'll be so fed up with me that she'll try to kill me herself so I'll have just cause."

"… Wow. I… wow." Hawke was laughing. Ivan snorted, "You've never needed just cause before, Tara."

"I didn't have to worry about offspring to protect before, Ivan. If I do things wrong, the Chantry may target my son. No one knew Asthan and Alstus were mine so they couldn't be used against me."

Taliwe nodded, "It came as a surprise to Lord Lor'themar – you know that they are the heirs to the regency now? Lord Theron has declared them his Grandsons and adopted them into the 'throne' so to speak. Bella is a princess as of next week when they get married."

I nodded, "Father told me when I officially declined the throne. Now… let's go see Anders, yes?"

Taliwe perked up and Ivan laughed.