Chapter Three

Alliances


I coughed, "I think Alistair needs to learn more about his mother, Duncan. I can look up all this information on the past – of course I know who his parents are. You tell him – or I do. See, you don't know what that shrew is like – the one he believes is his sister. She'll try to bilk him for money or life-long support and that's a bad idea. Very bad idea. I believe Alistair might be one of the two that I mentioned to you about – so…"

"Y-Your Majesty…" Duncan began with a sigh.

Cailan looked surprised, "What is it, Duncan?"

I blinked, "What – you don't know that Alistair is your half-brother?"

Cailan blanked – completely froze, "He's… what?"

I hummed and said, "He's Marics' son – with another woman. A serving girl from Redcliffe Castle, I believe. That's where he was raised. He remembers you; you know – when you were younger, you went to the castle and he recalls that he greeted you but you were intent on the swords there."

Cailan looked horrified, "I… I had no idea that he… my brother? Loghain?"

"It's… true, Cailan. Though I'd like to say it's not." Loghain shot me a dirty look. I flashed him my most charming smile, "I don't know how you didn't see it – he looks almost exactly like you – his hair is just shorter, red and his eyes are different. Otherwise, you two might be twins. Theirin Blood is quite strong, I think. Did you still want to chat with me, or should I catch up to the others?"

"If anything, I want to talk more than ever," Cailans' face grew harder.

I followed him back to his tent and he said, "You're dismissed, Loghain."

"Cailan, we can't trust…"

"I trust her more than I trust you at the moment. She didn't hide my brother from me when I have no heir… oh, right – if my brother stays a secret and I don't survive this, I suspect Anora would have the throne all to herself with you at her side, yes? I'm not the fool you two keep trying to make people see me as. Get. Out."

Loghain scoffed, "That boy wasn't groomed for the throne – and Anora can't keep the throne without you, boy."

Once he was gone, I instantly asked, "He gives me a bad feeling. You didn't tell him about the trinket that I gave you, right?"

"I hadn't had a chance… I think I'll keep it quiet for now. I'd like to discuss an alliance with your people, however." Cailan sat and motioned for me to do the same.

I did, "What are your opening terms?"

"Marriage." He flashed me a smile.

"What – I'm sorry, I was under the impression that you were already married – and I don't know who…" I think I flushed. I was incredibly attracted to him. It was… possible that he was my mate. Or more so that Alistair could be – since the two looked so alike.

"Anora – my wife – is… baren. I've already sent a petition for an Annulment of my marriage to her. I'm King – I have to sire an heir… or, well… I did. I didn't know I had a brother. The thing is, if I knew he existed, I might not have sent for the Annulment since I do have an Heir. At this point, the Annulment was already accepted – in one months' time, Anora and I will no longer… I had plans to discuss this with the Empress of Orlais; I am hoping – was hoping – that I might broker peace. But I think it might be better received with your people than if I married the people that enslaved us for a time. My father liberated us from Orlais with Loghains' help – I can see how he might…"

He was smarter than I'd given him credit for.

I bit my lip, "The thing is… my people have soulmates. I know that I'll have two, both human. I am unsure if I'll meet them both at the same time or not. We experience strong attraction to our mates, but the only way to know for sure is to sleep with them. This is… I mean to say, it would be permanent if you were my mate. If I slept with you and we are mates, then the bond is forged and we'd already be married. I never wanted a crown – but… if my mate were a king or prince, you can bet that I'd take the crown to keep others away. We're highly territorial beings despite being loving and open people. Aedan Cousland is my master until he makes his third and final wish – to free me – as such, when someone tried to kill his nephew, I swore an oath of vengeance. I can't even be free until Arl Rendon Howe pays for the lives he took in blood. Sorry – off topic. I have a tendency to do that. I will consider your offer – but we'd have to get quite close just to see if it were possible."

"I'm not opposed to the idea," he smiled, "In fact, I'd propose that tonight would be a wonderful opportunity to get to know one another… if you're agreeable."

"More than agreeable. Shall I invite you to my home or slip into your tent? Either way, no one will see us together." I hummed.

"I would love to see your home." He said.

I stood and stretched, "Well then – I'm going to rejoin the Wardens. Oh – and your brother doesn't care for his blood. Maybe don't talk to him about it until after the battle… and in private."

I poofed into existence beside the former templar and said, "So – how done are we?"

"We have half the blood. But this last will and testament from a missionary asks that we deliver a keepsake buried in his camp to his widow. Their sons body was found before his was. This woman lost… I can sympathize," Aedan said at once while the others all jumped at presence.

"Hmm – let's collect the keepsake then. I can hold onto it until an opportunity arises." I frowned.

"How was your talk with the king?" Solona asked.

"He and I have a date tonight to see if he's one of my soulmates. I don't know what joke the fates were playing when they decided that the only way to discover a mate was through sex, but it's not funny."

"… I-I… excuse me?" Alistair was bright red.

Solona explained before adding, "We know I'm not her soulmate either. Discovered that about 2 weeks ago. So you and the King, huh?"

"I'm attracted – but I'm also attracted to Alistair. I'm sort of hoping that the King isn't my mate. I have no desire for a crown. But I won't be upset if he is, either. He was so sweet when he found out about… ahem; actually, that isn't my secret to tell. Apologies." I sighed and rubbed my face, idly picking a white flower with a red center.

This one was for planting. I was told they were called Andrastes' Grace. It smelled like honey.

"So you're going to crawl into a married mans' bedroll?" Alistair asked.

"Actually, I've invited him to my bed. On top of that, he's already divorced, his ex… just doesn't know it yet. Besides, if he wants a marriage alliance, then it needs to happen. I wouldn't be jealous of him having a previous mate and keeping her if he wanted. The jealous is only if he's sleeping around without love. Love is one thing – sex is another. As it is, I feel awful that I may have to cheat on my own mates. Let's say that you were my mate, Alistair – I'm slatted to have two. I'd still have to sleep with some people to find my second. And if I'm wrong the first time? Being a Jinni is… not always fun. We have power, but the times have changed and non-Jinni don't often find us attractive anymore. We sometimes lose our mates because we aren't up to their standard as it is. Add in mates that don't like the thought of us having multiple mates? We… I feel like shit just knowing that I may not… if my first mate was opposed to it, then I wouldn't try to find my second. And that could doom my second mate to a life alone. Mates of Jinni don't find love outside their mates."

"Maker – so a jealous mate dooms any others?" Alim asked.

I nodded sadly, "I'm… scared. I mean, there is a way – but it still involves me finding the second mate. They'd have to break the bond with a complete rejection. There has to be no fond feelings of me in their heart whatsoever as they declare that they hate me and wish that I weren't their mate. As it stands, I'm effectively immortal until I meet the second mate and have my first child. I can't even have kids until I meet my last mate."

"But your father…?" Sereda asked.

"Mom was his third mate – my other moms only died in the last 200 years; you know. I'm the oldest child of my fathers' mates because you can't have kids until you meet all of your mates. The only exception is if you aren't meant to meet your next mate until the first dies… well, and having kids before turning 25… or if the fates intervene. If I meet my first mate and my second mate is alive but unmet, I'll know within a month of mating my first mate."

"How?" Faren cut in.

"… Because I would get pregnant right away if my second isn't meant to be met yet." I sighed.

"Jinni are complicated," Lyna snorted.

"And Elves aren't?" I shot back.

"… no; we're fairly simple." Lyna had actually considered the question.

"What if you meet them but don't… mate with them?" Aedan asked.

"It only counts as meeting if we mate with them. There's also a time limit on the whole rejection thing. A mate can only reject us in the first month after mating – if they don't, then they're stuck with us."

"That doesn't make much sense…" Alistair muttered.

"Most of our traits don't. For example – it's almost unheard of for Jinni to have another Jinn as a mate – it's always something else. Mom is a Mermaid, my dads' mom is a Banshee, and my granddads' dad was a dragon. Not a dragonkin – but an actual dragon. Oh, but not just any dragon – the King Dragon, as he likes to brag."

Even if I hadn't read that Alistairs' ancestor was Dragon Blooded, I would have known it. He smelled like a dragon. Increased senses was all I got from that blood though. As to my banshee blood, all I got was the ability to go incorporeal for a moment or two at a time.

"That's… odd – any ideas why?" Faren asked.

"Well, that much is obvious. So, here's the thing – before we turn 25 and our abilities manifest, we can easily have kids – but they completely belong to the opposing parent race or they're human if both are Jinni. After 25, we can't have kids until we meet our mates and those kids will be Jinni 9 times out of 10 – it's all but promised that our kids will be Jinni. We always have mates outside the Jinni because it brings in new abilities and blood and keeps us from inbreeding. At one point, there was only one Jinn. So… it just makes sense. Let's take me for example – my Dragon blood gave me heightened senses; I can smell more, have impeccable taste, and I can hear better. My banshee lineage means that I can go ghostly for up to 55 seconds at a time. Scared the scales off my mother when I was a baby – we gain our lineage abilities young. My moms' dad was a siren – I can sing beautifully because they could lure men to their deaths with their songs. Mine isn't so potent, but it is beautiful."

"Really? Can it lure anything?" Solona asked in excitement.

I laughed, "Curious looky-loos only. My little brother can call critters to him like some fairy-tale princess. And yes, he has them help with his chores."

"What did you get from your mom?" Sereda asked.

"… I didn't know. Not until I healed Oren from near death. Breath of Life – the ability Jinni use to bring people back from the brink of death – always has a consequence; sometimes that means the person is paralyzed from the waist down, or they become brain dead or mute or even blind… there's always a consequence. But there isn't when mermaids bring people back because they are the embodiment of water and water heals. Make no mistake, Water takes too – hurricanes, typhoons, drowning… but it's the number one healing force of nature. I think… that's what I got. Better healing ability."

Alistair was… oddly quiet. I was worried about him.

We got to the make-shift camp… it was overrun. I pulled my bow – no point in using magic. I wanted to save that for just in case. I glanced at the Squirrel that had been following the group since before I arrived. It stared back at me and I sighed – using magic to pull it onto my shoulder. I wasn't sure who the shape-changer was, but I wasn't about to risk them getting hurt.

I whispered, "You may perch here for now – as long as you do not intend us harm."

The 'squirrel' nodded and sat regally.

Once the darkspawn were dead, I headed over to one and poked it. Alistair jumped out of his silence and said, "Don't… don't do that – their blood is toxic. You really could get sick. Their blood is liquid taint – it corrupts…"

I injected, "It smells familiar. The blood – not the bodies."

"… if you get tainted, you'll have to undertake the Joining. The same as Lyna." Aedan said.

I hummed, "I'm aware. But this is something that my people will need to know. Does the Taint affect the Jinn – beings made of pure magic? Can you corrupt pure magic?"

"… Do it then," Faren said, "It's a good idea to check, topsider. She plans to introduce her people here; they need to know if they're in danger too."

Alistair sighed but just moved to collect another vial of blood – I thought he'd had enough by now?

I cut my finger and pressed some of the blackened blood into my wound. I waited while keeping a waterskin next to me to wash it out.

The others all crowded around me – some glancing at the squirrel on my shoulders, but not saying anything.

After a good 10 minutes, Alistair spoke, "You're… not tainted. You should be, but… you're not. The Wardens will want to know about this – that there's someone immune to the taint…"

"Well, first, we'll need to test it again with someone else. Who knows if it's the mix of my blood or what? It could just be me – or it could be all Jinni. But maybe it's actually mermaids? As I said – water heals." I pointed out.

"Ah – good point. We'll hold off for the moment then. Come on – we need to get the treaties and get back." Alistair frowned.

"I can put the blood in stasis – that will keep it fresh for up to 3 years as long as it isn't opened. If your worried about it." I said.

He simply pulled out the 10 vials of blood and I put the spell on them – the tops flashing with a blue ward.

We headed toward the ruin and Alistair said, "You know… what if your mate was jealous but didn't want to… doom… someone else to a loveless life?"

"Huh… I don't know. I don't think most Jinni will even tell their mates about it – so that they don't feel obliged, you know? Because it is the choice of the mate. The Jinni will almost always concede to their mates. Likely a holdover from our service state – being in service to other beings, granting wishes, we don't usually think of our own wants. Even our homes – we build them ourselves based on what race our future mates will be. My home is the epitome of human architecture and has all of Earths' most modern features and comforts. I thought that having a human mate would mean having a mate from Earth. No one knew about Thedas." Not as being real, anyway, "So my home is built around my future mates. I adapted to like those things when I prefer simple things. As long as there's a pool, I'm good. I was literally raised in the water."

As we got to the ruin, the squirrel on my shoulder scampered off. I pretended not to notice – but I couldn't deny when I felt the magic of their shifting. So – I was about to learn who the shape-changer was.

Aedan knelt to search through a broken chest – finding only a few things that weren't scavenged over the years, but nothing of any value.

A sultry voice spoke from off to the right, "Well, well – what have we here?" we all turned to look at the woman. She was 5'7 with sleek black hair pulled into a bun and adorned with black feathers. She was both elegant and wild – charming and aloof. Her reptilian golden eyes took us all in – evaluating how we reacted to her 'sudden' presence. Her top was halter-strapped, backless and dipped down to her navel. She did not wear a bra so her boobs were actually poking out the sides. Her pants looked sturdy enough though and her boots were lovely too. She was adorned with a thick golden necklace.

"Are you a vulture I wonder? A scavenger, picking amidst a corpse whose bones were long since picked clean? Or merely an intruder; come into these darkspawn filled wilds of mine in search of easy prey?"

Aedan spoke, "We are Grey Wardens – and this tower once belonged to us."

"'Tis a tower no longer; the wilds have obviously claimed this desiccated corpse. I have watched your progress for some time, indeed. Where do they go, I wondered; why are they here? And now, you disturb ashes that none have touched in so very long. Why is that?"

Alistair had moved between me and her, "Do not answer her, Aedan – she looks chasind."

Morrigan smiled, "Oh, you fear barbarians will swoop down upon you?"

"Yes… swooping is bad…" Alistair growled out.

I finally stepped in, "You were the squirrel."

Heads whipped around to look at me. Morrigans' smirk grew, "And you knew me for what I was. Come then – women do not frighten like little boys. Tell me your name and I shall tell you mine."

"Avalon Angel of Elysion, Genie and daughter of the King. It is my honor to meet you, Daughter of Flemeth."

She jerked, "I am called Morrigan. I suppose there's no point in dancing around the topic then? You already know who I am, then I suppose you also know…"

"That your mother took the treaties? I'd appreciate it very much if you could take us to her, but I won't force it. I could likely find her by following your blood scent."

"… I will escort you – given you explain more about yourself and your knowledge." She inclined her head. I inclined my head, "I'll grant that."

We began walking as the others all glanced at me in confusion. Daveth and Jory didn't really talk all that much since I'd appeared.

Morrigan asked, "What, pray tell, is a Genie."

"Beings composed of magic. After the age of 25, we all go into a servitude pact. We serve 200 masters or until the master uses a final wish to free us. We grant 3 wishes to each master. Aedan – this one, right here – is Master 199, though he swore a binding oath to free me anyway once our… crusade is done." I continued – going in-depth about the various abilities that Jinni possessed, our characteristics, mates, and the 'home realms'.

"It's a realm connected to our Magic Core. In other words, we retreat within ourselves. It's where we build our homes. We can connect it to an outside vessel – in the old days, it was always lamps. Like, one of these," I pulled an old gravy-boat looking brass lamp out, "It was for the showy aspect of coming out the nozzle here, mostly. My token is the coin at Aedans' hip. When I'm freed, it will break into three pieces – one for me, and one for each of my soul mates. That way, we can always be together even apart. My mates will both be humans. It's… odd, actually. Usually, Jinni have mates of different races. I think I'm only the 4th in our history to have more than one mate in the same race."

"Not the first?" Solona asked.

"Oh, no – if it can happen, then it already has by now. I'm not the first to travel to a world outside of Elysion or Earth. We know of 17 distinct worlds connected to Elysion at this point – including Thedas. As I was saying about our homes though – they're only as big as our magic allows. My home is large, with plenty of space inside, a yard big enough for a farm, a small ocean – it's too big to be a lake or a river – and even a roost for 100 mating pairs of Griffins. It's full at the moment. Since I'm powerful enough, I wanted to lavish my mates in luxury. I didn't anticipate that all of the things I collected would be foreign to them. That I'm in Thedas means both of my mates are from here too. My home might seem more like a palace to them when back in Elysion, it's rather… normal."

"I thought you were moderately powerful." Solona accused.

"… I am. Genies get bigger when they gain power. You saw how big my dad is – Ziva Flower is almost double my weight. Yet somehow, my power is close to hers without me looking as big. It makes no sense – unless, as I told my dad, the Fates don't want me to be Queen of the Jinn."

"The… fates? Don't you just mean Fate?" Jory asked.

"No – the Fates – there are three of them. They're also called The Moirai. Let's see… Clotho spins the threads of humans life; deciding when someone is born, bringing them back to life if killed, and deciding their import by picking what color their thread will be. Lachesis is the Lots; she measures out the thread that Clotho spins. In other words, she picks your lifespan, destiny and luck. And then there's Atropos – the inflexible one. She chooses how, when, where and why you die. She cuts the thread after it's measured. Together, they weave the tapestry that is life – who you will meet, where you will go, and even who you will love. Without them, there is nothing."

"So, you believe these mythical beings can alter how you'll look just because they don't want you to do something?" Jory looked in disbelief.

"Mythical? I suppose to one who has never heard their stories. But I've met them – in fact, they showed me my tapestry. I didn't even realize it at the time that I would… well, the tapestry isn't going to make sense to those who don't understand how it was woven."

"There – that is my home," Morrigan pointed out a shack across a small stream.

We approached. I was thankful that my father had introduced me to the game and thus, the Wiki. There was an older woman in the garden of the home; she was 5'8 with long white hair pulled back into a ponytail and wearing an old brown dress. She had the same eyes as Morrigan. She looked harmless but I was blown away by the feel of her magic. She felt more powerful than my father.

The house itself was a two-floor building. A quick, impolite sensing with my magic revealed that it had five bedrooms, a living room, an office and a kitchen.

The old womans' head snaped up to look at us and I could feel her magic wash over us. Her eyes settled on me as Morrigan said, "Ah, mother – I bring before you some Grey Wardens who…"

"I see them girl. Hmmph – not quite as I expected…"

Alistair scoffed, "Are we supposed to believe you were expecting us?"

"You are required to do nothing – least of all believe. Shut ones' eyes tight or open ones' arms wide… either way, one is a fool."

Daveth spoke up, "She's a witch, I tell you. We shouldn't be talking to her."

I gave him a funny look – and would have responded to him if Jory hadn't beat me to it, "Quiet, Daveth – if she's really a witch, do you want to make her mad? Besides – the Princess has far more powerful magics that any we've heard of; perhaps we'd be fine."

I snorted as Flemeth laughed, "There is a smart lad. Sadly irrelevant to the larger scheme of things, but it is not I who decides. Believe what you will. And what of you, girl? Does your womans' mind give you a different viewpoint – or do you believe as these boys do?"

Oh – she was… talking to me? I regarded her and replied carefully, "Belief itself is irrelevant, I think. Some things – no matter how impossible or improbable – should be accepted despite believing that they can't be possible."

"I agree – look at Avalon; she brought us Griffins. An extinct species, brought back? Impossible – but it happened," Aedan said.

"That is certainly the answer I was looking for; clever lass. So much about you is uncertain – and yet, I believe. Do I? Why; it seems I do," she laughed.

Alistair cleared his throat, "So this is the dreaded…"

I cut him off, "Asha'bellanar, Mother of Vengeance, we seek your aid – you protected the treaties that the Wardens left behind in their haste and I would ask that you return them to us as we have need of them."

Surprise flashed in Morrigans' eyes as I heard Lyna hiss a breath. Flemeth laughed again, "Very well – and before your man there starts barking, the seals wore off long ago. I've protected them."

When she handed them to me, I passed them to Aedan – he said, "You have our gratitude, then, Asha'bellanar." He took my word as law, it seemed.

"Such manners – how refreshing. But before you go, I have one question, girl. Who – or what – are you?"

I beamed at her, "Oh, well – Morrigan beat you to that question. Once we're away from here, you may badger her at length about it… old bat."

The woman laughed manically, "I do like you! Very well, you have what you came for." I was so glad she didn't take offence to my ribbing. I'd taken a chance.

Morrigan pipped up, "Time for you to go then."

"Don't be ridiculous girl – these are your guests," Flemeth admonished.

"Oh, very well. I will show you out of the woods… follow me…" she began but I shook my head, "That's quite alright. I can take us from here."

I teleported us to the entrance to the camp.

Jory snapped at me, "You did not even ask!"

I leveled a look at him, "Oh – I suppose you wanted to be late? I didn't take you for a coward, Ser Jory."

"I… am simply trying to stay alive. Your magic isn't something we've seen before."

"And yet, I am oath-bound to follow Aedans' orders. He trusts me and that is more than enough for me. But I also have the confidence of your King, the Warden-Commander, and I suspect everyone else in this group. You will mind yourself, Jory. I am trying to save your life – I cannot help if you throw it away." I growled at him – more than aware that my blue hair was moving like waves against a cliff in a storm… it was a mermaid thing.

Alistair stepped between us, "Ava, Thank you for getting us back here quickly – Jory, you need to learn that the Wardens take any and all help that is offered. Many of our rank were former conns, apostates, and even murderers. We take the help we can – anything to end the Blights. If Ava wants to teleport us right up to the Archdemon – if she's able – then we would more than happily accept the aid. You said you have a wife with child back in Highever? What would you give to see them safe and protected?"

"Anything," he said at once before sighing, "I see your point, Ser Alistair. I apologize for my outburst."

We headed in and I walked directly over to the Kennel Master first – handing him the wilds flower and waving off a reward before getting back to the group.

Duncan said, "I will take these recruits for the Joining, Ava – King Cailan has had some new thoughts and wishes to speak with you again. This time with Loghain present, I believe."

I nodded and walked over to the Royal Enclave. I didn't wait for an invite, simply walking into the tent. The two men looked up at me – it looked like they were arguing.

Cailan cleared his throat, "I was just discussing your potential marriage to my brother, Lady Ava."

Wait – what? I thought… I played along to see where this would go, "I told you – I have to convince him to sleep with me first. If he's not my soulmate, then I can't marry him. Not even politically."

He looked at Loghain with a smug look, "You see, Loghain? Your man lied to you."

"He must have – she didn't look confused for even a second. If you and she were plotting to marry…" oh – we'd been spied on earlier.

I scoffed, "Marry Cailan? We Jinn are open to sharing with previous mates, but let's be honest here. Cailan is simply not… my type. On top of that, I have no desire for a crown or throne. If I were to get with him, I'd have to insist that he stays with his wife so that she may keep the crown. I prefer to be behind the scenes, Loghain – not in the spotlight. If you called me here to insinuate that I might be a social climber, then I will simply leave this tent now and go back to what I was doing. I am more likely to ask Alistair to my bed than I am to ask Cailan."

That was actually true – if Cailan hadn't broached the subject first, I would have propositioned Alistair by now. I saw him first, after all.

I was almost sure that one of the two brothers was one of my mates – but I wasn't sure which. The attraction I felt didn't differ from one to the other, so I knew it wasn't both.

Loghain looked surprised, "I didn't intend to insinuate… I will have my man flogged for his lies."

I snorted, "Just fire him and call it a day – it's not like his words led you to attempt to harm us; you simply confronted us about it. It's better than if you had just left us to die in a petty rage. No harm, no foul. Look – was this all?"

Loghain looked contemplative, "No harm, no foul? Interesting saying. Very well – I'll drop it. How did you know about Alistair, anyway?"

"As I told Duncan – I can look up any past event. I know you were born to a farm holder from Oswin named Gareth, for example. I know that King Maric once liked a woman named Katriel but that she was a spy. I know what happened when the Orlesians took over Kinlock Hold – and you led an assault on the tower. You wrongly thought it was the Wardens that did it."

"Wrongly?" Loghain sneered.

"Yes – Wrongly. There was another force at play that managed to… elude you. Have I been wrong so far?" I asked.

"Well… no. No one knew about Katriel – so I will take you at your word for the moment. Are you not joining the Wardens too?"

"I can't. I'm not sure which part of my heritage it is, but Alistair said that the Joining won't work on me – not sure what he saw while we were out there that makes him say that. It might be moms family – maybe dads. Or it could be my dragon heritage – great grandpa was a dragon; real long story there. Maybe it was the Banshee blood? Point is – I don't know. But other point? I can't be a Warden. Without whatever they go through… not sure – and don't care to find out."

Cailan smiled, "That's good. Anyway – sit. We can discuss some things about how the alliance would work if Alistair is your mate."

I sat, "Okay – lay it on me."

Loghain began, "You say that your people want to come here?"

I nodded, "We don't take up much space. Our houses are in another realm and linked only to tokens. But we love to travel – it also makes it easier to find our mates."

"So… what would your people expect from us?" Loghain asked.

"Not much – just mutual respect. We can live together in harmony and peace – though… your circles might be a problem if you expect to lock us up. As demonstrated, your Templars don't work on us – our magic is different. I do wonder how demons might react to us – my mothers' grandmother was a demon, come to think of it. Though, my research indicates that our definitions are very different. Anyway – we aren't connected to the 'Fade'; our magic resides within us. We don't use external forces. Dad says the magic is teachable to those that are magically inclined – as long as they don't mind gaining a bit of weight. Solona and Alim – the Mage Recruits that Duncan brought – aren't compatible enough to learn more than enough to drag the salt across the table, however, so… it all depends."

"I don't think the Circle will be an issue – since the Templars are useless to you. Though, we would have to contact the Divine about it…" Cailan mused.

I shrugged, "I wonder how they would plan to hunt us down if they didn't agree. I mean… with our homes not on this plane of existence, there's nothing they can really do."

"Right – well, as to our side of things. What could we expect from your people?"

"… come with me?" I asked.

Loghain and Cailan both nodded so I took them into my house. I said, "Feel free to have a look around. This is what you can expect from us. Kitchen appliances, nice furniture, and so on. Everything you see here is within the realm of possibility… oh, Ariel."

My cub purred as she moved against my ankle. Oren came sliding into the room and froze, "H-Hullo."

"Well, who's this then?" Cailan asked with a grin.

"King Cailan Theirin, Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir, may I introduce Oren Cousland? Aedan and Oren are the sole Cousland survivors of the attack on Highever. We keep Oren in my house so that Howe doesn't know he lived. Howe… almost…"

"Uncle says I'd be dead if Miss Ava hadn't saved me." Oren said softly. "He said that… that I was almost dead – then miss Ava appeared and breathed life back into me to save me. Then her mom came… and healed me the rest. Miss Pearl is a real nice lady."

I smiled, "Careful – my mother will come over and pamper you like you're her grandchild if you flatter her like that. And anyway – your uncle made a wish; I granted it."

"You can bring people back… from the dead?"

"Almost death, Loghain. If they're dead, then I can't help. Oren was still alive when I got to him. He was fading fast though. I almost – almost – didn't have enough power to do that, though. I'm glad I did. Though wishes like that usually come with a price. If it had been anyone else granting that wish, Oren might be blind, mute, deaf or paralyzed. But I'm half mermaid – mermaids are natural healers. We were… very lucky. Oren studies while we're not here each day."

"Miss Maria has been letting me help with the Griffins." Oren smiled.

I chuckled, "That's good. 100 mating pairs isn't easy to care for."

Loghain and Cailan each wondered off to look around. I tuned into the Joining – Jory had fought with Duncan; damn. He still died. Daveth too – though he did still stand firm.

The others all seemed fine so far.

Cailan returned, "Alright – let's get back."

We did and all began walking towards where there would be a strategy meeting. Loghain said, "We'd be getting the better terms, Cailan."

"I agree." Cailan replied.

"… Speak with Alistair – he should see to this as soon as possible."

We got to the point and Cailan sent a runner to invite Aedan to the strategy meeting.