Chapter Twenty-One
Engagement – NSFW
I stripped the moment the tent was latched closed. Alistair groaned, "Maker…"
"Plan to join me? I won't push – if you don't want to…"
He kissed me, "Make no mistake – I want to; very much." He was quick to strip too before kissing me again.
I gasped as he lowered me to the bed roll, "Oh…" his body pressed firmly against mine as he kissed along my jaw. He murmured, "I have wanted you since the first time we spoke; you captivated me."
I gasped as his beard rubbed against my neck, "A-Alistair…"
"How long? Cullen hints that you've wanted me longer than I've wanted you but you both dance around the topic…" he nipped.
A cry escaped my lips, "Years, Alistair – you… you were my first… crush. That's why… Cullen got worried… you would steal me… from him." I couldn't help squirming as his hand trailed my body – finding every sensitive area and exploiting it expertly.
He growled approvingly, "Is that so?"
"More than a decade – ah…" this was so effective as a method of getting information.
I almost cried when his fingers circled the outside of my most sensitive area without really doing anything. He hummed, "A decade – I'm flattered."
My back arched as he finally moved to allow one finger to circle my clit. I whimpered, "Alistair… please… I need you…"
His lip twitched and he said, "You're aware – I hope – that I haven't been with anyone in two years; since Elissa left to search for a cure…?"
"Cullen – ah – said something similar… shit."
I flipped us – startling him as I kissed him roughly. His hand that had been holding him p came up to tangle in my hair. A strangled moan escaped my lips as I kissed my way down his neck.
He growled, "Keep this up – I certainly won't last long for the first round; the second, however…"
"I am already on the edge of madness – I told you; I need you. Tease me for too long…" I kissed along his chest. His jaw clenched as he swallowed hard, "Point taken… you win."
He pulled on my hair and pulled me back up to kiss him. He held me tightly to him as he rolled us to the side. He caressed my cheek, "Celeste… are you sure that you're okay with this?"
I nodded, "Alistair – I can promise you that I am; and that Cullen is too." Cullen had certainly made it known how arousing he found the thought of me with Alistair.
Alistair moved over me and lined himself up, "That's all I need to know."
He thrust – causing me to cry out in desire. He let out a groan when I gave his member a gentle squeeze with my inner walls and he hissed, "Minx…"
I cried out as he thrust roughly into me, the position meaning he hit a sweet spot with each thrust – I hadn't lied when I said that I was already on the edge of madness; I peaked quickly.
"Alistair… yes," I panted, my nails digging into his back. I raised my head up and bit into his neck, causing him to growl. I felt a thrill of desire shoot through me knowing I caused that sound to rip from his chest.
He nipped at my neck as I had at his – sucking on the flesh to make a mark. My legs lifted to wrap firmly around his waist as his hand tangled in my hair at the back of my neck. I was panting as his actions prolonged my orgasm.
He angled his hips, causing him to go deeper while moving against my clit. I knew I was crying out, knew I was screaming even, but I felt slightly disconnected. I would have sworn I was having an out of body experience were it not for the fact that I could feel my second orgasm approach – but he showed no signs of stopping.
As soon as he released my neck, I marked him in the same way; show the world that he was mine. He groaned, "Marking me?"
"D-damn straight… God, Alistair… I doubt… oh… that I'll be able… to walk tomorrow."
"That is the plan; make you ride my horse with me," he grumbled as he nipped at my lower lip. I gasped – well; I guess he'd get his way. No way would I be able to ride alone on my Halla.
I knew he was getting close as his thrusts became harder, more uncoordinated… I felt my nails latch firmly into his shoulders – but didn't really notice the drips of blood that fell onto me from the wounds I made. I was almost…
Alistair roared as he spilled himself in me, causing me to finally have my second – a scream of pleasure tore from my throat.
When he collapsed next to me, I snuggled deeper into his arms, "Question – is your tent enchanted so that sound doesn't escape like mine is?"
"Nope," he said without an ounce of shame. I hummed, "If I'd known that, I would have bit something to keep from screaming…"
"Varric would have fished for information anyway," He said.
"I'm an expert at diverting him, but it's your choice if you want people to hear us or not. I suppose a King can afford to stake such a heavy claim on his fiancée."
He smirked, "So… your tent is sound-enchanted?"
"All the tents belonging to my people are – we have excellent enchanters at Haven."
"Then we'll use your tent next time; but we'll keep the bedroll." He kissed me softly. I hummed, "You can't seriously be ready again, can you?" I asked incredulously as I felt something against my leg.
He cleared his throat, "Grey Wardens… there's a reason we're all famed lovers – even if we're mediocre in skill, we can make up for it in stamina."
"… What mediocre? I can really ride with you tomorrow?" he nodded so I added, "Then we can certainly make up for lost time."
The next morning, I chose to wear a tank-top in a cool black with my military pants and combat boots… if only to show off all the love marks. I was awake first and made breakfast – eggs with bacon and potatoes. I also made fresh tortillas. Solona shot me an amused look once everyone was gathered, "Have fun, Your Majesty?"
"Maybe a bit too much – Alistair, can I ride with you; I doubt I'll be able to stay on a Halla on my own today…?" I gave him a playful grin.
He flashed me a charming smile, "Aha – my plan to get you into my arms all day has worked."
Varric sputtered as he looked over the king – wearing a thin tunic that wasn't even done up all the way. I made Cassandra take over the cooking and knelt behind Alistair, pulling the shirt off. He allowed me and I frowned, "God – this has to hurt, Alistair; why didn't you say anything?"
At once Alistair pointed to Solona, "Don't you dare."
He hands – which had begun glowing green – dimmed and she gave him a confused look, "You don't want it healed? That does look painful…"
"It stings – but I think I'm enjoying the reminder of last night. So again – don't you dare."
Varric snorted, "It was rather loud last night – I hardly slept a wink."
"Then you should have gotten something to cover your ears. Alistair, my sweet – let Lona heal you, at least enough to close the marks; they're still bleeding," I pouted at him.
He sighed, "Very well – just a little, Solona." He pulled me into his lap as Solona jumped to heal him before he changed his mind.
Cassandra was bright red but said nothing… the guards were whispering about it. I yawned as I curled into Alistair and said, "I'm… tired."
He kissed my forehead, "Then sleep – no one will disturb you until we get packed up to leave. It's two to three days from here to Haven mounted."
I felt my eyes flutter closed…
I woke in Alistairs arms… on a horse… an hour after departing. I blinked up at him, "I never sleep so deeply that people can move me around."
"Apparently, that's a lie," he replied cheekily. Ellana sniggered, "We were just introducing the King to your party game of 20 Questions."
I stretched, "Alright – I'm in. Who's turn is it?"
"The King," Solas said.
Alistair cleared his throat, "Alright; what is your favorite exploit that Lady Rutherford has done so far?"
I flushed but answered first, "Dragon – my favorite, hands' down."
Cassandra shook her head, "Making sure all the people of the Crossroads were fed and safe."
"Recruiting a whole cult," Ellana said.
"Collecting and laying the dead from the Temple of Sacred Ashes to rest," Solas said without looking toward me.
Varric spoke, "Recruiting the Hero of Fereldens and the Champion of Kirkwall."
Maxwell sighed, "It's a tough call – but I think keeping my head attached to my neck after the conclave went boom is my favorite."
Alistair laughed, "Well – mine is securing the support of 3 quarters of the Landsmeet simply by telling me what Eamon did to my supposed nieces and nephew."
Solona spoke, "No – I still think convincing Cullen to marry her in under a fortnight is more impressive than all of that."
Anna joined in, "Telling the Qun 'my way or not at all' through Alistair was pretty damn impressive, if I do say so myself."
"I didn't realize I had so many 'Exploits' in Thedas already," I commented.
"My turn! Snowflake, how was your night with Waves?" Varric asked slyly – the rules I had put forth (when asked) stated that the question could be directed to the group or one person.
Alistair went red, "I'm not answering that one."
"Well, since he skipped, I'll ask it to Waves," Varric said.
I gave him a bland look, and said, "Shall I start spouting poetry or did you actually want details?"
Laughter rang out from most of the group as Varric grinned and replied, "Details."
"It's all such a blur of pleasure – you'll have to bear with me as I try to recall… let's see…"
Alistair put a hand over my mouth with a flush, "I'll take the penalty…"
"Strip the shirt, Snowflake."
Without hesitation, he did so. I chuckled but Alistair leaned forward and said, "You told me you could deflect him…"
"I can – when I want to. I'm not so humble that I don't like to brag about what I have, however." I shrugged.
Solas took his turn, "What is your wildest dream?"
I answered first, "Oh, you really do not want to hear that; it involves my men and a weekend getaway in a secluded cabin along with a bit of kidnapping and lengths of rope."
It got very quiet. Alistair – still flushed – said, "Maker forgive me; I need to know."
"See – Cullen is a quarter Avvarian, so it plays into the whole fantasy of my men kidnapping me to remote cabin for a weekend getaway where they proceed to spend the whole time torturing me with either sexual pleasure or making me watch while they have fun – it's a tough call which would be more erotic."
Varric shook his head, "Maybe you should write the romance serials, Waves…"
"I've read enough of them – what kind of books do you think I gave Cass there? She's been reading a series about a vampire queen with like… 17 mates-slash-husbands. And that's just the 1st 10 books – the following ones are other characters and it's rare that any of them have just one lover. It's all about werewolves, aliens, shapeshifters and magic – I gave you a kids series, Varric."
Alistair cleared his throat, "Can I just say that I'm glad you are only taking two husbands and no more?"
Cassandra was flushed, "… I like the large blue aliens and how they do not interfere unless their mates are threatened or they have permission from higher gods in the hierarchy."
I chuckled, "I'm the only one to answer so far!"
By the time we made camp, even the guards had joined in on the game. Alistair had me in his lap – yet again – and was just playing with my hair as he asked, "What other games do you know?"
"I spy – you know that one and apparently Sten does too… Who Am I? is a guessing game where you act or draw the famous person on the slip of paper that you drew and your teammates have to guess; if the other team gets more guesses right than yours then you lose. Never have I ever is a drinking game – you say 'never have I ever' and something you have or haven't done and whoever has done it, including you if you have, has to drink. Truth or Dare is a party essential; you ask someone which they pick and then they only get one skip per turn; truth means they have to answer a question no matter what the question, Dare… I dare you to go do this thing, and so on. Kiss-Marry-Kill is a fun one; give your person 3 names of people – usually fictional characters or famous people you'll never meet – and they have to categorize them into which one they would kiss, who they would marry, and who they would kill from that group. 2 truths and a lie – you say 2 true things and a lie about yourself and people have to guess which is the lie. And those are just spoken games."
Alistair looked amused, "Arishok, Zevran and… Greagoir; kiss-marry-kill?"
"Oh, Kiss Greagoir, Marry the Arishok and Kill Zevran – sorry Lona."
The whole group started laughing at my answer. Alistair coughed, "Not what I expected…"
"Dude – you know Wynne and Greagoir were a thing, right? Greagoir was the Father of Wynnes kid. But damn Greagoir was good-looking; be a shame to kill but he's also not my type so kiss. The Arishok… I think I could totally seduce him with Blakes' Cookie recipes and my martial skills. Zevran… damn crow is a little too smooth."
Varric spoke, "Let's play the drinking game!"
I gave him a look, "With what alcohol – the Brandy is mine."
"Surely, you could pull something from your bag…" he gave me a charming look. I sighed, "How fucked up do we want to get?"
"Not very – we have to be up to travel in the morning," Alistair pointed out. I thought for a minute and pulled out Chambord – a low content raspberry liquor – and bottles of Dr. Pepper. I mixed drinks and passed them out.
"I'll start – Never have I ever… had a pet cat."
Cassandra was the only one to drink but looked surprised, "Oh… it tastes like the drink Maxwell had that one day… with raspberries in it…"
Now everyone had to have a sip. Alistair said, "My turn – never have I ever licked a lamppost in winter."
I drank along with at least half the others. Alistair laughed, "Did you stick to it?"
I shook my head, "No – I had a bit more sense; it may have been winter but it was still warm out… it was Texas – they almost never see snow."
"That's no fun," Varric laughed.
Solas spoke, "Never have I ever had Orlesian Cheese."
Why was I the only one to not drink? Alistair laughed, "You have a roll in the cart – we can fix that."
I rolled my eyes – and the game went on.
We were all laughing together as we rode into Haven – playing two truths and a lie.
It was my turn, "Alright – I once had my nipples pierced; I love food more than people most days; and I used to fall from the sky for fun."
Varric spoke, "Falling from the sky."
"Nope – I had a big thing that slowed my fall each of those times; it was called skydiving."
"Then it has to be the food thing; you are far too social for that to be a lie," Cassandra pointed out.
I coughed, "No – I just know how to act like I like people… most of them are completely fucking useless. I've never had my nipples pierced – though it does sound like fun."
Alistair shifted behind me – I had to stop my devious laugh.
Cullen spotted us and came over with Jackson in tow as we reached the training yard on our mounts. He held his arms out and I hopped down – he noticed the new mark around my neck at once, "How'd that happen?"
"Same as Alistairs' family – drank some blood, passed out, so on. I missed you," I had my arms around him – not even paying attention as everyone else dismounted.
He leaned in and kissed my forehead, "And I missed you. Can you get people to stop calling me 'Arl' or 'Prince'?"
Alistair snorted, "What do you think she can do about it?"
I called out, "Next person to use nobility titles for Cullen or me is personally challenging my authority and will be dueled before being made to swim laps! Do I make myself clear?"
The whole camp called out, "Ser, yes ser!"
Alistair gave me a glance, "What did you do?"
"I swim in the ice-cold lake every morning for one hour when it's the coldest; I kick Cullens' ass daily while I'm here; I take no shit and give no fucks… Blake; report for a 2-6-10!"
My better half came rushing up, "Reporting for boot, Ma'am."
I straight up decked him, "You told them how I change the fucking subject, Blake."
"Yes, Ma'am – won't happen again, Ma'am." Blake laughed. I snorted, "Of course it won't – they already know now. As your punishment, I won't be sharing details on how good Alistair is in the bedroll."
Blake pouted, "You're a cruel mistress."
Alistair nodded to Elissa, "Good to see you again, Lis."
"No offense, but… good to not be married to you anymore. I did not like being Queen; or feeling like I was cheating on Leli."
"No – I get it; I think Celeste is a better match for me anyway. I told her I had a pet spider named George and she just asked me if I decorated his corner! Pretty sure I'm in love," Alistair laughed.
Elissa smiled, "Good – then I don't have to commit treason by threating your life if you hurt her."
Cullen snorted, "Anyway; our cabin is just that way, Alistair; if you want to unload your luggage."
I made a motion, "So… I did something the other day… can we get someone to transport the skull and scales of the Fereldens Frostback to Skyhold? Alistair will be taking the other bones to Wade and Herrin in Denerim for me and one claw for Blake here as promised…"
"Makers' Breath – you killed a High Dragon?" Cullen was pale. I smiled, "Uh-huh – I was the only one to hit it too! It was so fun. I think I'll have to take Blake hunting when we go for another Dragon later – I'm thinking Crestwood. Oh, this is Warden Blackwall; as I…"
Cullen shot Blackwall a cold look, "Stay away from my wife."
I laughed as Blackwall nodded, "She said you'd say that – and has told me to point out that you certainly want more shields to protect her…"
I said, "Blackwall saved me from being baked by the Dragon when I pissed it off – but if you want a crispy critter…"
"… Fine; just remember she's married."
Alistair chuckled, "Celeste, Cullen – could you show me to the Cabin? I'd like to drop off my luggage. Oh – hello Nate!"
I looked at Blake, "That wagon has metals, herbs, leathers, and everything else I collected for Harritt, Adan and Threnn – see that it's distributed accordingly; it's all marked. Jackson, help get the horses into the paddock for Master Dennet; the Halla are fine. Josie… I gave out two tokens – a Lazurite one and a gold inventor one. This recipe came from an Elf named Hyndel in the Crossroads – it helps with breathing problems. Both people that received tokens are elves."
I explained what they both looked like and why I gave the tokens – she wrote it down. Cullen and I then showed Alistair to the Cabin. I pointed, "That is our room – the bed is big enough for 6 people so… I figure we can share."
He poked his head in and laughed, "So it is – Cullen; Celeste told me you really don't mind her and I… being together, but I want to be sure."
"I really don't mind, Alistair – as long as it's you, anyway. Blake can stuff it – by the way… how did you convince that scout to play along that she was your lover?"
"I doubled her pay increase. What happened?"
"Blake cornered her when he heard her name and asked her if she was really your lover – she got such a dreamy look on her face that I almost believed it as she regaled Blake with a recount of how you saved her life from two rogue templars and it was love at first sight and… I almost believed it and I had already been warned by you that she would play along. Blake lost his mind and just… walked to the lake and jumped into the almost freezing water."
I laughed and Alistair was sniggering, "All you did was double her pay increase?"
"She likes a good laugh; so it tickled her to fuck with one of the Advisors of the Inquisition at the behest of the Inquisitor. If I'd asked, she would have fucked with all of them."
"… I told Leliana to actually triple her pay; because I knew it was a lie but almost fell for it anyway. She's good; She'll make a good agent. When Leliana heard why I said triple, she agreed. Now – I do believe you owe us a song; I've been curious about it since Blake had such a reaction after I told him the song."
We headed out toward the Tavern.
Blake caught up with us after I'd had a drink with the two men. I gave him a smirk, "I see you built some drums for yourself."
"You weren't here – what was I supposed to do in my down-time, sister?"
Yeah – he had been officially adopted and – as such – was a Cousland.
I smirked, "After Sold by John Michael Montgomery, I want to do Believer by Imagine Dragons. I'm feel generous tonight."
He saluted and handed me the Guitar I'd left here before heading to the Drums he'd et up in the corner – I could see the whole inner circle in the Tavern and the windows were open – people wanted to hear… so I a pulled out a mic and a solar-powered speaker before charging it and stood up.
I had a voice that was well suited to medium and lower ranges – Blake and I both had amazing rages so we could both hit high or low… but he could do the lowest while I couldn't (Bass) and I could do Soprano while he couldn't.
Well I went down to the Grundy county auction
Where I saw something, I just had to have
My mind told me I should proceed with caution
But my heart said, "go ahead an' make a bid on that!"
Alistair was amused and Cullen was smiling at me. Believer was next. I winked at my two men and gave Blake a mic too so he would sing with me.
First things first
I'mma say all the words inside my head
I'm fired up and tired of the way that things have been, oh ooh
The way that things have been, oh ooh
Second things second
Don't you tell me what you think that I could be
I'm the one at the sail, I'm the master of my sea, oh ooh
The master of my sea, oh ooh
Varric lifted a cup and I put away the mics and the speaker before plopping into Alistairs' lap and starting to eat from his plate. He chuckled, "You're a lot less picky about image that I would expect."
"Blake?"
"We don't give a damn 'bout our bad reputation – that's another song, by the way."
Cullen snorted as Josie said, "On the contrary, your reputation is quite good; we could certainly go to Val Royeaux and appeal to the clerics now just based on our influence… why are you sitting in King Alistairs' lap?"
"Because I'm engaged to him with Cullens' blessing," I said sweetly. The Tavern got very quiet as Cullen said, "Alistair and I have been friends since childhood – I do not mind him."
"So… you are no longer the princess, but the Queen-in waiting?" Josie asked.
"Uh-huh… Oooh; are those tiny cakes?" I asked, pointing at the plate in front of Leliana. She slid the plate to me with an apologetic smile, "Apologies."
"Accepted. So…?" I was looking at the people being silent across from me. Leliana smiled, "When is the wedding?"
Alistair laughed, "I'd go for it as early as yesterday if I could swing it."
I shrugged, "I can marry you in the big fancy wedding that Blake is planning for me – but he's officiating because he's an Ordained Priest where I'm from, so if you want a Chantry Mother to participate, speak now or forever hold your peace," I warned.
"Blake is Ordained?" Alistair asked in interest.
"Uh-huh; he lost a bet – he's not a full-time priest, obviously, but he is technically a priest. So – up to you if you want a revered mother to be in the mix, but I'm getting married my way."
"I suppose I should say that we need a Revered Mother or the Landsmeet will be a bit peeved that the marriage isn't official in their eyes." Alistair frowned. Blake looked over, "Oi – Mother Giselle; we'll be needing a Revered Mother for that Wedding you're helping me put together!"
She nodded regally, "I will be happy to oblige."
"Taken care of," Blake said, "With the way preparations are going, things should be ready by Guardian for a fancy wedding in the Skyhold Main Hall. Also, I need your input for the music – there are no DJs here in Thedas…"
"Well, there's one," I pointed out. Blake sighed, "Are you going to get me a setup?"
"If I did, would you, could you, ever so kindly?" I asked.
He snorted, "As though I can say 'no' when you will kick my ever-loving arse?"
"Then it's settled – input for music given. Make sure my chambers are properly done up with the… you know." I was being elusive because I went through that journal of Cullens and didn't see the rose petals or candle light or what have you… and I felt that these men deserved to be surprised with some romance. Blake snorted, "I never really knew how much of a romantic you are, Admiral."
I stuck my tongue out, "So what if I am?"
Alistair kissed my cheek, "I see no issue with it. Now, let's discuss plans for the Orphanage you plan to found."
He pulled out the blueprints for the Arl of Denerims' estate – people were listening in, but so what?
"I want all these rooms in this corridor turned into bedrooms – no more than 3 beds to a room… this corridor too – boys in one corridor and girls in the other. The kitchen and dining halls can stay the same, but this room here needs to be turned into an extra pantry; with that many kids in the place, we'll need more food in the house. The old dungeons can be storage for materials like books, herbs, training equipment, and such. The second floor can be classrooms – this one is a chapel so we can turn it into where they learn the Chant of Light; but I won't be forcing religion down the throats of kids who have lost everything. Alchemy classroom here can be combined with botany. Mathematics here. This one will be reading and writing. Each of these will be Antivan, Elvhen, Orlesian and Tevene language classrooms – they can pick one to learn. Fighting training can be held in the yard here. Science here. History of Thedas here. Governmental laws in this room. This can be the music room – optional learning. The ballroom can be used for dancing lessons. These children will be allowed to stay until they are 18 – but I won't be kicking them out without resources. They will be set up with jobs or such before being made to leave by the time they turn 20 – no later; unfortunately, people will take advantage if I don't set a limit. This corridor – the only place left untouched in my plans – can be used for staff bedrooms. Teachers for all subjects, chefs, maids, and guards. That's pretty much what it's used for now anyway… and this room – the old Master Bedroom – can be the nursery for the infants."
I had labeled each and every room on a separate sheet of paper where I had redrawn the whole damn blueprint. On yet more papers, I drew out what rooms should look like while labeling them – I drew out what a kids room should look like, what the classrooms should look like, and so on.
Elissa looked fascinated, "You plan to teach the kids that much?"
"I'm modeling after my own childhood – I know; there's not quite as many classes, but I don't want to completely overload the kids… and if they want to learn more than just one instrument or language, they can…" I sighed, sitting back against Alistair.
"No, no – it's good. It will teach the kids as though they are Orlesian Nobility – even Fereldens don't learn that much… wait – you learned all that?"
"And then some – I want to teach them to cook too, so that can be done in the Kitchens. Hunger affects everyone, so it isn't a gendered skill. I know two languages, two instruments, and a load of other things."
Blake nodded, "She's just making sure they get the basics that anyone should know – it's basic education after all. If they want to learn to be an engineer or something, they'll need higher education."
Alistair cleared his throat, "Well – it'll be expensive, but I believe it's a good investment in the children of Ferelden so the Crown will personally fund this endeavor… honestly, I think it's a really good idea to make sure they're all educated as much as we can; I'll think of it as an investment in the future. If this works out well, maybe the Bannorn will follow suit and educate all the children in their areas regardless of status."
"Dude – I was raised by the religious authority where I grew up; the fuck is the chantry doing not educating kids? Where are the soup kitchens to feed the poor people, the priests leading the charges on clothing the needy, healing the sick, or even just shelters for the homeless? Where are the Clerics doing anything to restore faith in the people? If all the Chantry does is preach then it's no wonder that faith is waning. I was under the impression there were charities, but the fact that all of you seemed so shocked by my words tells me that the Chantry isn't doing enough. Josie, did you get everything I listed? We are the future arm of the Chantry – we will start these things and hopefully it will catch on. Get donations to open soup kitchens, get donated clothes for people who have nothing to wear but rags, and for the love of the Maker, open a public school. If kids don't know their nightshade from their roses, people will never develop a cure for cancer here."
Josie nodded, "As you say, Inquisitor – we've gotten enough donations to begin work on this at once; we will begin in Redcliffe if that is your will."
"No… Ask permission of the Empress to begin in Orlais – I am already starting the Ferelden branch in Denerim, recall? Celene values education – she sponsored an Elven Math prodigy to the University of Orlais. Opening a school in Val Royeaux for younger children… she may even fund it. Tell her we can discuss at the Winter Ball; that will promise us an invitation. Celene is very progressive and a wonderful player of the game – she'll want to listen…"
"I will send a courier at once, Inquisitor… what if children wish to attend the schooling at your orphanage without being… orphans?" She asked delicately.
"Then they can attend – for now, it seems to be the only proper school in Denerim. Actually, that makes it a boarding school – kids living at the school… we could set it up so that the kids who want to learn can register if they aren't orphans and they can go live there and learn for 8 months of the year and go home for holidays and a summer vacation. It takes pressure off the parents so they can work without having to find child care and gives the kids a better chance in life. The exception being that the orphans would stay year-round rather than going home… because they are home… Alfstanna seems a good sort; you can visit her on your way back and see if she might be willing to invest in it. If we do it right, we can find another place to do the same as a boarding school for the Mage children; same lessons but with magic classes too. We can discuss more tomorrow though… I'm exhausted."
Alistair and Cullen stood and we headed for the cabin.
