Chapter Ten

Details


"How else would I find out this jobs' details?" he asked as he leaned against the counter.

"I need you to assist the regent of Ferelden – the country we're currently in – while not revealing that you actually take your orders from the king; because the king is 'dead'." I pointed to Cailan.

Arthur grinned at him, "Welcome to the club."

"I'm… sorry?" Cailan asked.

"My brother dearest is a Dhampir – half mortal, half Vampire. Vampires are also called 'undead' because the normal way to become one is to die while their blood is in your veins. They're usually infertile until they live for a certain amount of time." I explained, "Vampires burn – literally – in the sun, can't be around garlic and can't cross running water, like rivers. But they can move fast, have acute senses, and other special abilities that vary from vampire to vampire."

Arthur chuckled – and I saw several of the people at the table shudder in desire… including Cailan, "Indeed – for me, I have the active ability to control animals and the passive of desire. If you don't share blood with me and you are attracted to men, you'll certainly desire me."

"That explains a lot," Sereda said, "I like men well enough – but you aren't my usual type."

"Don't worry – I can't make you do anything that you don't want; it's just meant to help me find a meal on occasion. Vampires drink blood. Dhampirs don't, so I don't actually need the passive ability." Arthur shrugged.

I cut back in, "Anyway – as I said, you'll really be working for King Cailan and Prince Alistair; thus working for me. Prince Alistair is my mate."

Arthurs' eyes scanned the table – he had always been protective of me, after all. Alistair was easy to pick out – he was red and looking away. Arthur narrowed his eyes, "He hasn't accepted you?"

I coughed and said, "Details, details. He's my mate, I found him, and thus I'm your boss. You'll be paid in currency from this world, of course – Loghain will take care of that; he's the regent. But I need you to interfere in somethings. Howe is embezzling from the crown and needs to be stopped so Loghain doesn't get desperate and begin selling Darriens' family into slavery. Protect the damn Alienage elves from that. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal – you needn't ask. Sia would have my balls if I allowed it in the first place." Arthur shuddered.

Sia was the most terrifying of my siblings – for good reason. Her mom may be an elf, but her moms' mom was the Fury Alecto – the Endless Rage. She punished moral crimes. Slavery was certainly a moral crime.

I shuddered too, "I don't envy Tevinter if Aunt Alecto comes here…"

Arthur paled, "Do not invoke her! We cannot risk it."

I nodded, "Good call. Here – a bracelet communicator. It's linked to this one and depending on the day, it'll be me, Cailan or Alistair that answers. Loghain has one too, connected to mine. Meaning he'll know what that is – but… don't call around him just in case Cailan answers. As I said, as far as anyone outside of this room knows, Cailan is dead."

"So we are supporting your mate as the heir to the throne?" Arthur asked.

"No!" Alistair exclaimed.

"Yes," Cailan and I said together.

Cailan continued, "I actually named Alistair my heir. We have the papers that Loghain signed. Speaking of, since I officially died, does that mean my brother takes the throne if we win the Landsmeet?"

"Technically, yes – and I'd prefer he stays on as royalty to prevent his fate as a Warden. If he stays a warden, he gets trapped physically in the Fade and you know – I'm not about to allow that. So, he'll be a true Prince or he'll take your crown. One or the other," I flashed an evil grin.

Arthur coughed, "Not sure what the fade is sister, but worry not – I'll make sure things are prepared for your prince."

"Physically… in the fade?" Alistair was pale.

I nodded, "Don't ask how, why, where or when – I don't know. I just saw that and… I can't allow it."

I saw Cailan contemplating and wondered what he was thinking.

Cailan spoke, "Meaning that – after the final battle against the Archdemon – Alistair will be staying with me, then. It's true enough that we can't have the heir to the throne constantly going off and placing himself in danger… but this raises a question. If I cannot have an heir of my own, then what about your children? You said once they turn 25…"

I was confused – why was he asking me? Alistair didn't even want…

Arthur spoke, "Sister, I do have a note for you – from Lachesis. I'm not sure if it will pertain to this or not."

The weaver of fate was sending me a… message. I took the glowing purple note with hesitation, and opened it. The first two children produced by you will remain human.

I blinked at it – I wasn't going to have children… was I? I thought we could only have our mates' children after… oh – Cullen! Cullen would accept me? A smile lit my face.

"What does it say?" Cailan asked.

"My first child will remain human. This means that I'll have children! It means…" one of my mates would accept me. The word 'first' also raised a flag – they'd just say both children if I wasn't meant to have more than two.

Hope bloomed through my heart and I hugged the note to me with a smile.

Alistair was frowning slightly – but looked… confused. Like he didn't know what to think. I supposed maybe he didn't want children? No – according to the wiki… maybe he was just upset that he might not have children with his chosen spouse after he rejected me or if he chose to just be with Cullen.

Oh – but if he went that route, my child would also be his. If he mated with Cullen…

Arthur leaned over and kissed my cheek, "Alright – I need a map, location and instructions for when I arrive."

Since this was going to help me get to howe, it was selfish. I used magic to create a detailed map of Ferelden with labels of all the major cities, towns, villages, landmarks and such. I pointed, "We are here – where this magical glowing blue dot it; figured you'd like to keep tabs on me. Your dot is the gold one. Cause – I like your eyes. You know that."

He gave a soft smile at my cheeky grin. I knew – and had known for a long time – that my dear brother idolized me. It was no surprise. Mom and her sister-wives didn't like the immortal reminder that dad had a kid before he ever met them. My siblings grew up listening to their mothers talk bad about him. And dad wanted to make his mates happy, so he never interacted with Arthur.

But as the only child with no 'full' siblings, I heard 'brother' and searched him out with my budding magic when I was still under 10. Mom had wanted to pitch a fit – until she saw how happy Arthur made me. I'd always been quiet and reserved until I met him. I didn't fit in – at the time, mom was depressed at the knowledge that she wouldn't have more kids and… maybe she didn't pay as much attention to me as I would have liked.

Arthur became a regular fixture in my life – mom would make excuses to have him over. She needed to go see to something and couldn't take me with, so could he babysit? She didn't want to take away my friend even if she didn't like him.

The result? Arthur would peel grapes for me if I casually mentioned that grapes sounded good. He had a bit of a complex – I didn't exactly encourage it, but I wasn't sure how to discourage it without sounding mean.

I loved my brother – and he would kill for me… had killed for me, even when I was 16 and a Vampire noble got a little handsy. Just as well – Arthur was the Vampire prince. He couldn't rule them well if they didn't fear him.

Not that he'd ever take the actual throne – it belonged to his sister; a full vampire. And he had 4 other siblings ahead of him in line too.

"You'll be going here – to Denerim. They'll be expecting you. Tell them you are the liaison that Princess Avalon of Elysion sent."

His brows shot up, "Princess? You surpassed Ziva then?"

"Uh… well… no. She abdicated when she learned people here were calling me Princess due to being the daughter of a king."

He snorted, "Well – it's better off in your hands."

"Did anyone tell you that I have 2 mates? Both human. I thought… but I was wrong." I said with a small smile – just thinking of Cullen.

"… I can make one or both into vampires, sister. I don't want you to die after such a short life," he reached out and patted my hair.

"It's not my choice. It's theirs. And besides… well…"

My face had fallen after a quick glance at Alistair. Arthur stiffened as he realized what I wasn't saying. I quickly continued, "In Denerim, you will be escorted to the Royal Palace. As stated before, your job will be 'Royal Secretary' – like you did for dad, but with considerably more praise, less hostility from the bosses wives, and the bonus perk of getting to see my cute face more often."

He laughed, "An all-around better job. I don't envy my son his new job at all. Though, your mothers do seem considerably more lenient with him."

"Well, grandkids are in a different league than kids, you know. Baba spoiled me rotten as a kid. Mom was always exasperated about just how many sweets could fit in my cake-hole in one go." I grinned.

Arthur chuckled before sighing, "I'm sure it helps that my son cut ties with me."

I stilled, "He what?"

"His mother was an Angel – as you know. But she… well, she had regrets. He had to renounce me in order to gain his wings and halo." Arthur rubbed his face. I was furious, "That… well, that just means he renounced me too. Since you're not his father, that means I'm not his aunt." That was how it worked, after all, "So they like him better because he isn't even 'family' to begin with."

Arthur sighed, "Story of my life."

I threw my arms around him, "You're my family, Art. I love you. Who cares if they don't?"

He smiled and squeezed me in a tight hug, "Thank you, little sister…"

"You can all me Ava – Avalon. I uh… very recently took an adult name since my master there swore to free me."

His eyes widened, "Avalon… really?"

I nodded – yes, that was why I'd chosen it. My dearest brother had once had a daughter named Avalon. She died very young. Assassinated.

His breath hitched, "You always were my favorite… Lonnie."

I giggled – he'd given me a different nickname, but I didn't mind. "Right – well, you know you always have a room here in my house. Though it moved since I had more guests than rooms… yours is now at the clear other end of the hall from mine, last door on the right. It faces the orchard."

"Well… as long as it faces the orchard, I won't get mad. Who took my room?"

"Originally, a man named Duncan. He… died… he was like a father to my mate, so I let Alistair take over the room."

Alistair – not knowing that the room he had was once Duncans – stilled and looked down to the table.

"This Duncan… in fact this whole place feels… familiar."

"Dragon Age – Origins." I explained.

He searched his memories, "Ah… the game father used to play. Well, I'll only interfere with what you tell me to. I should get moving."

"It's late – you can stay the night if you want."

He smiled, "I'd like that."

Solona spoke – now that I was obviously done talking with my brother, "So, when do we tell him that you were in a coma all day."

Horror flashed across my face as my head whipped around to glare at her, "Solona Amell!"

Arthur froze, "What happened?"

"I tripped and bashed my head on the sink in my bathroom. Solona saved my life, got me into bed, and shoved Alistair in." I muttered.

"And the week and half coma a bit ago?" Sereda asked. I threw bread at her.

Arthur gave me a look so I sighed, "Ugh – 7 arrows and like 15 blades. Alistair defended me until help arrived. After escaping the house – where I sent everyone when I had a bad feeling and my magic was drained to the point where I could send all but one."

"And you doing dangerous…" I leapt across the table to tackle Lyna as she laughed gleefully. "Traitors – the lot of you!"

"We're just reporting to your beloved brother – nothing wrong with that, right?" Faren smirked.

"What were they going to say?" Arthur asked.

"I uh… would you believe that I'm not sure?" I stood and sheepishly rubbed my neck.

"… How many dangerous things have you done?" his eyes narrowed.

"… a few…" I muttered with a pout.

"Tell me." He said. Ugh – I couldn't not tell him. He'd seduce the answers from someone else if I didn't.

"I fought a siege in a sheet with only a bow because I was magically drained. I rubbed super toxic poison into my blood to see if I was immune to it – good news, I'm immune to it. I allowed an unknown shape-changer to ride on my shoulder. Bad news, she's the most dangerous companion at this table. I drained myself changing my room but my mate didn't like it so I drained myself putting it back. And… um… fought in the deadly battle knowing my magic would be draining at an alarming rate because my master hadn't wished it and it wasn't part of my crusade?"

He sat heavily in a chair at the large table and said, "… And… in how long?"

"Like… two months? Maybe 3? I'm not sure at the moment. My heads' still full of cotton since I'm completely magically drained." I flushed.

"2 months, 1 week, and 3 days," Aedan said, "That's when I met you – and a few hours later, Howe attacked my home, almost killed my nephew here and me, and did kill my parents and sister-in-law."

I coughed, "There you have it. Saving Oren was his first and so far only wish."

"… I'll cuddle with you tonight since your mate doesn't share your bed. How did you even find him if you…?"

"I thought he rejected me." I shrugged, knowing Art would take that as – Alistair didn't reject me, we're taking it slow.

"I see. Why isn't he in your bed?"

"He's… ahem… innocent," I flushed.

Art stilled, "Oh… I didn't realize mortal men held such a value. I was sure it was usually the women that stayed that way until…"

"Woah, woah, woah – he's what?" Aedan asked.

Alistair groaned, "I was raised in the chantry – they preach heavily about that sort of thing. No uh… no… fun… until marriage. Was that in the page too?"

"I would assume so. But I um… learned it a different way. I was told… by my dad…"

"I… am unsure how to react to that…" he muttered with a bright red face.

"Aaaannnnd… I'm going to escape before this gets somehow more awkward." I coughed and shot from the room.

Well – I would have… if Mr. Arthur didn't use his vampire-speed to catch me at the door, "Now, Now, little sister – one might think you were embarrassed. In fact, one might think you were avoiding your mate by purposely making things awkward to have an excuse to leave. More than that, one might think that you were trying to push him away."

Shit. Busted. I gave him my best innocent look, "I don't know what you're talking about. You know I've always wanted my mate – mates. Why would I push him away?"

"Because you think that he'll be happier without you. Does he have a shared-bond?" Art asked.

Alistairs' head fell to the table. Solona said, "Guy named Cullen is all we got from him while she was out cold."

They had managed to get the name? I was impressed for a moment.

Art sighed, "So you feel that he doesn't need to fully reject you – because he can be happy without it."

I looked away – I didn't want to make Alistair feel like he ever had to sleep with me just to reject me fully so that he could be happy.

Art turned on Alistair while keeping me firmly hugged to him to keep me from escaping, "You – mate. Are you okay with this? Your mate is trying to push you away in an attempt to promote your happiness. She is certain that you want nothing to do with her. Is this what you want from her?"

I went bright red. Alistair gaped, "Maker no. I'm… I'm not okay with it. It won't make me 'happy' at all. Want nothing to do with her? Perish the thought!"

Art was smirking as I buried my face in my hands. I muttered, "Then… I apologize. I'll stop attempting to…" help…

Art could tell what I was thinking and reached over to grab Alistair by the arm – hauling him from his chair, and asking, "Do you want her? Because it appears that she is dead certain you don't. She seems to think you're okay being alone for the rest of your life – do you want her?"

"I-I… well… I mean, she's my soul-mate. How could anyone want to turn that down? To know that there is someone meant for you? I'm more than honored to hear it." Alistair was flushed. I began to hope – just a little.

Art said, "Uh-huh – but that doesn't answer my question. Do you want to be with her? If she thinks for even a second that you're only with her out of duty or because you think that you must, she won't go for it. And she shouldn't – she deserves love. If that's not something that you think you can give her, then speak up. Do you want her? Speak now or forever hold your peace."

I squirmed – but Art was holding me firmly; now covering my mouth.

"Of course I want to be with her. Maker, seeing her after the Tower of Ishal fell – full of arrows and wounds… I've been trying to get her to see my feelings since then." Alistair flushed.

"Do you vow to love her as long as both shall live?" son of a bitch – Arthur was…

"I do…?" Alistair sounded confused – he didn't see the trap, so they must have different wedding vows.

"And do you vow to stand with her – through anything that life will throw at you?"

"Of course," that part sounded confident.

"Then by the power vested in me as Prince of the Blood Shadow, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride," Arthur sounded smug as he shoved me toward Alistair.

Alistair caught me as I cursed, "Arthur!"

"What?" Art gave me an innocent look.

"You forgot half the vows," I glared.

"You already agreed – you didn't need to say it out loud." Art shrugged at me, "He said his part – we all knew that you wouldn't say no. boom – you're married. I'm going to bed now."

He sped off before I could go after him. I cursed.

Cailan asked, "Is that legally binding?"

"Oh, yes – he's perfectly authorized as long as both parties are willing. And he was right – I wouldn't have said no. Since Alistair, the only uncertain party here, agreed to the vows… well… ahem – we're married." I flushed – Alistair still hadn't let me go.

"Married…" Alistair muttered.

"It isn't too late to kill him – he led a long life," I suggested.

Alistair shook his head, "I-I… should really… thank him. I wasn't entirely sure how to approach you anyway. I kept trying to think of a way… you didn't pick up on my hints or words and just kept… I mean – I told you that I wasn't ever actually flirting with Lyna or Solona. I just learned to tell people what I thought they wanted to hear. But you still… thought they were my type."

"I think I'm a little insulted," I heard Solona quip.

Lyna snorted, "I know I am. Did we just get turned down?"

"At the same time," Sereda laughed.

Cailan was sniggering, "Well – if it's legal in your homelands, then I'll uphold it. Welcome to the family, Avalon Theirin."

"Avalon Angel Theirin. Avalon Angel is one name until I've transitioned to full freedom. One I'm free, then Angel is just a middle name. Also – I have two mates… what do I do about last names?"

"Good question – hyphenate?" Art said. He'd come back?

I glared at him, "You're an ass."

"The finest ass, but yes. I already called your family too. They weren't happy to hear from me until I told them the news. Expect wedding gifts. Your marriage is registered with the Blood Shadow Royalty too."

I rolled my eyes, "So… if Cullen accepts me, then I go by Theirin-Rutherford?"

"Pretty much. Alistair is your first mate, so his name comes first."

"Hold up – Cullen Rutherford? The boy who had a stammering crush on me at the Kinlock Circle of Magi? The one who blushed, stammered and ran away when I joked about finding somewhere private to get to know him – that Cullen?"

I frowned at Solona, "If you hadn't already told me that you're a lesbian, I might be jealous. Does 'that Cullen' have blond hair and gold or brown eyes? Stand tall at 6'3? From Honnleath?"

"Don't know about the last part, but yes to the first two."

"At least he rises above the Height of Stupidity," Alim quipped.

Morrigan smirked as Art asked, "The what?"

"Asked Morrigan what the Height of stupidity was – in her opinion. She said 6'2…" I motioned.

Arthur sighed, "I can't argue that – it took me marrying you for him to confess."

"You bull rushed us into marriage," I said.

Morrigan looked smug.

"I did – and I won't apologize for it. You are a swan-descendant. We saw what Sia went through before – I won't watch you die if I can help it."

I sighed, "Well, Arthur Shadow, you know you are always welcome here. Feel free to shadow-step in at any time after you leave."

"Shadow-step?" Alistair asked.

"It's how he 'teleported' to my kitchen. The Blood Shadow clan of Vampires is the largest clan. Their unique bloodline ability is the ability to travel through shadows to places they've been before. He can't just pop into Denerim since he's never been there, but once he has, then he can. It's why they're called the Blood Shadow clan. It's one of the more powerful clan abilities – one clan can walk in the light even as full vampires – they're called the Morning Star Clan. The Wolf Moon clan can each take an animal form. The Song Clan all have telepathy. Not sure why they're called the 'song' clan though…" I shrugged.

Arthur nodded, "And the High Royalty – the Shifting Sand Clan – can manipulate the very cells in their bodies – they can change their looks, ages, genders, and even racial look. They cannot manipulate the cells of others, but they can do so to themselves. The Blood Shadow clan is second only to the Shifting Sands – we are…"

"They are the Teyrn to the Sands King. The Grand Duke to the Empress. If the vampire race were at war, the role of the Shadow clan is clear – infiltration, assassination, information gathering. Sten, in terms you can understand, the Blood Shadows are the Ben-Hassrath of the Vampire race."

"So what is the high kings name?" Cailan asked.

"The High Queen is named Sapphire Sand. She has no mate at present," Art corrected, "Thus, no king. Her mate died – so I think she was looking for a political marriage next."

Cailan looked interested.

I cut in, "On that note – you need to stop with trying to make such an alliance with Orlais. It won't work and if you do it, then Orlais will overpower Ferelden. It's just a matter of time."

"The Qun will not allow that. Orlais and Ferelden cannot become one again," Sten said suddenly, "It has been decided that if that happens, we are to wage war once more."

Cailan sighed, "Good to know. I'll put a stop to it. Think Queen Sapphire might be open to it?"

Arthur thought, "Well… you are very good looking. I wouldn't push you out of bed, that's for sure. As long as you're open to playing blood-bag once in a while – feeding her, I mean – then I can't see why she wouldn't at least sit to talk with you."

"Is it painful?" Cailan asked.

Arthur and I shared a look before we both burst out laughing. I shook my head, "No! how would Vampires ever find donors if it were painful? Actually, the chemicals in their saliva make it so that you… ahem…"

"It's the best sex you'll ever have – and you'll only need to take your clothes off to change after," Art grinned devilishly.

I giggled, "Uh-huh – that. Anyway – I really am going to bed now."

"Take your husband with you, sister dear – I want my room back," Art quipped.

I flushed, "You're such an ass. You can wait until he's ready for that step. I won't be pushing anyone into anything."

"Uh-huh – oh. how did you know Solona is lesbian?" he asked.

"How else?" Solona quipped back, "I begged her to take me as her mate – look at all this stuff? She built this for her mates and it's half wasted on Chantry Boy there. It's really wasted on Cullen – as a templar, even if he gets married, his wife has to live separate from him and support herself. It's more of 'marriage in name' than anything. I guess there are… visits allowed – but point is…"

"That could just mean you're Bi – women and men," Art said.

"Ah – walked in on Alistair and Ava talking about how he was 'flirting' with me. He said he had no interest in me like that and I commented how glad I was for that because I didn't like men." She explained.

Arthur face-palmed, "Lonnie…"

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"Lonnie – you didn't take that as a hint that your mate liked you?"

"No – thought maybe he liked Lyna; he'd 'flirted' with her before Solona anyway. I thought he liked thinner women…" I confessed, "After he'd 'rejected' me, I only saw him flirt with those two… or, what I thought was flirting."

Art blinked, "Okay – then I can't fault you much. But just know – this whole situation is half on you for not taking a hint."

"Hints sail over me – people need to be direct," I pouted.

"… true…" Art sighed, "I remember you never getting hints. 'man, a cookie sure would be nice…' I would say. And you'd reply…"

"They're in the kitchen if you want one."

Sniggers rang out and I didn't get it, "What?" I pouted.

"Nothing," my brother grinned, "Go to bed."

I pouted and looked at Alistair, "If you want, my door is always open to you… it's your room too… if you want… ahem. Just… up to you. I'm going now, before I make a bigger fool of myself…"

I left quickly.