Chapter 71
The Inquisition owned about thirty dogs, including seven pure-bred mabari hounds. Having previous experience in raising his own, Aedan had decided to become the Inquisition's dog-keeper. He made sure they were looked after, well-fed, bathed, groomed, exercised and everything in between. Of course, he had help in the form of two young lads from the village but they let him handle the mabaris on his own.
At his request, his identity had been kept a secret. Nobody knew who he was outside of Alistair, Leliana, Cassandra, Cullen and Josephine. To everyone else, he was just the man who played with the dogs.
It wasn't his idea of retired life – indeed, he hadn't even considered retirement as an option ten days ago, but it wasn't bad. The dogs made it easy. Not being involved with the Inquisition's politics made it better. For once, Aedan Cousland didn't have to bother with the fate of nations. It was... strange, not being attacked or conspired against on a fortnightly basis.
He sat watching the dogs eat their noontime meal, a blade of grass held between his lips. It was a sunny day and the weather was quite enjoyable as a result. If not for all the drilling soldiers in the distance, it would have been hard to imagine that the shadows of war were gathering again.
"You should come to the meetings, at least," Alistair said, watching the dogs. He was on the other side of the fence, leaning his forearms against the top board. "I wouldn't have to repeat myself that way."
Aedan hummed and leaned back against the fence-post. "The more you speak, the better you'll get at it. You need the practice, Commander of the Grey."
Alistair scoffed. "Will you stop? Nowhere in the Warden manuals does it specify that the Warden-Constable gets promoted to Warden-Commander in case the predecessor suddenly gets cured of the taint by a Tevinter magister."
"We don't know that for certain. The Architect said it was probable. Doesn't make it fact. Could just as well have been a terrorist attack. Magic can do weird shit."
"True." Alistair was silent a moment. Aedan knew his thoughts had turned to Anders. "But it doesn't change the fact that you're still the Warden-Commander, taint or no."
"Can't be a Warden without the taint."
"Look, we can stand here and argue semantics all day, but the fact remains that nobody knows what's become of the Fereldan Warden-Commander. Weisshaupt will ask for information soon enough. Unless you want to take the Joining again."
"No thanks."
"Thought so. What're their names?"
"Hmm?"
"The mabaris."
"Oh. Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La and Ti." He pointed them out. Alistair snorted. "Good dogs."
"Seems like you're enjoying your new job."
"It grows on you. I've missed this... being normal. Doing normal things. Going places and eating things without having people salute me or dealing with uprisings and national level threats."
"Then why not go home?"
"I... I can't." Aedan looked down at his hands. "Besides, I'm here for a reason."
"And what's that?"
He whistled a sharp note and the dogs all looked up from their bowls. Aedan clapped his hands twice and they all went running to the pond for water. He pushed himself to his feet and set about gathering up the bowls and whatever bones were left over.
"I owe a debt," he told Alistair over his shoulder. "Whoever or whatever it is that took control of me needs to know that I didn't appreciate it."
"And how do you want to go about doing that?"
"With my sword shoved up its arse."