Chapter Twenty: Research

I see Varric as I pass through the main hall. I'm headed to my meeting with Minaeve and Frederic of Serault in the library, and he's standing near the fireplace conversing with Solas. I frown when I see Fen'Harel. We still haven't had an opportunity to have our little "chat". Later today, I promise myself. I'll grab Tenebris and we'll corner that slippery elven bastard. But even seeing Solas can't distract me for too long. Varric doesn't see me at first, engrossed as he is in the conversation.

As I need to pass by them to head up the stairs, I announce my presence. "Excuse me, gentlemen," I say, and brush past both of them without looking at either one. Let them read into that what they will. I take the stairs to the second level, and I'm not surprised to see Dorian reading again.

"Don't you ever get tired of dusty books?" I ask, gaining his attention.

"Don't you ever get tired of dragons? Honestly, it's all people can talk about. I assume you're going to see Frederic? That little chap has been buzzing about talking with another dragon expert for days."

"I'm hopeful he's at least been able to identify the one they found in the Exalted Plains. Want to come with?"

"Why not? I've read this passage twice already anyway," he says, smiling.

"I knew I liked you, Tevinter," I comment, grinning back.

We walk together, waving at Fiona, who's talking at my brother. He isn't making even the least amount of effort to hide his boredom Play nice, brother. We finally find Minaeve and Frederic in a far section of the library. Minaeve is a slender elven woman with short auburn hair. She's plain-looking, but stands with confidence. Frederic is completely Orlesian - that is to say, dressed impeccably in a long red coat with shiny metal pauldrons and wearing an ornate mask that covers his features. I always wondered what the attraction was to those things. I suppose if you're a player in the great Game of Orlais, you could probably hide your expressions better under a mask to keep your intentions from being known.

"Hello fellow researchers," Frederic greets us. "I am already aware of who you are, Miss Ferox. I am Frederic of Serault, and I am most pleased to discuss the field of Draconology with you."

"Frederic, and that would make you researcher Minaeve," I say, nodding to each. "I hear you have a sketch of the dragon in the Crow Fens."

"Indeed," Minaeve states, and goes over to where she and Frederic have obviously already been comparing notes. I stop her as she flips through pages.

"That's an Abyssal High Dragon," I comment. "I thought it was killed by the Inquisition in the Western Approach."

"No, you are correct," Frederic states. "I had been studying its hunting patterns for the advancement of science. In that effort, the Inquisition helped me create lures, but alas, the beast attacked them and they had no other recourse but to kill the poor thing."

"Then you would have preferred to let it live?" I ask, hope filling my chest.

"Maker, yes!" he exclaims, although Minaeve frowns.

"I'm afraid we have a difference of opinion. I enjoy my studies, but I'm using the materials I gather to help identify weaknesses, to make it easier for our soldiers to fight the creatures."

"Now that I'm here, that won't be necessary for dragons anymore," I declare, and I feel Frederic's admiration go up a notch. Dorian chuckles softly behind me at my statement.

"It makes no difference. I will study them the same, but if my research in that area is no longer needed, then so be it."

She goes back to flipping through the notes until she sees the sketch. It's rough, but I'd know that coloring on the wings anywhere. I exhale and a wide grin spreads on my face.

"A Gamordan Stormrider! Those are famous!" I remark, quickly leaning in to study the picture.

"Yes, that was my conclusion as well, after seeing the sketch," Frederic states.

"Forgive me for sounding ignorant here, but what exactly does that mean?" Dorian asked from nearby.

"It's another lightning type. Their image is used in all kinds of decorating - paintings and the like - in Orlais. They're honestly my favorite," I tell him, turning my still-smiling face toward him. "They tend to frequent swamps like this. When I heard where we were looking, I'd hoped it would be one. Just as pretty as the Northern Hunter was in the Black Fens, I'm sure. See the markings here on the wings and tail? Breathtaking in person. By the way, Frederic, you will be happy to know that Miracle went quite happily to her new home and won't bother the people of Crestwood again."

"Miracle?" Dorian questions, raising an eyebrow.

"Varric's suggestion," I reply, shrugging. "She really was a beautiful dragon. This one should be fun."

"So you're going to talk to this one, as well?"

"That's the plan. This one looks a bit older than the other one. It should have no problems understanding the language."

"I should like to see this. The people of Tevinter are always going on about dragons, and old gods. I think I'd like to watch, if you don't mind."

"I would as well, for scientific reasons, of course," Frederic added in his thick Orlesian accent.

"Your company would be welcome, but it's Cassandra's mission. You'll have to get the approval through her," I inform him. "So far, she and I are the only members of the mission that I'm aware of."

"I'll take my leave then, and go seek the Seeker," Dorian says with a bow. "Will you be joining us for dinner?" There's a small upturn to his lips that tells me he's thinking of the last time that I attempted dinner at the Inquisitor's table.

"You know... I think I will."

After a few more minutes of discussion with Frederic and Minaeve, I manage to extract myself and I decide to go to my room to change for dinner. I return using the same path as before. Solas is gone now from the area near his room, and I wonder if he's avoiding me. I walk past Varric, but he stops me with a word.

"Ferox," he says. Damn it, that's not playing fair, saying my name like that. I stop, and turn toward him.

"Yes, Varric?"

"Got a minute?" he asks simply.

"For you? Of course," I answer, smiling at him. He gestures for me to follow and enters another one of the side doors. This keep really is confusing. We end up in what appears to be an underground chamber. It's dusty and full of cobwebs. I'm fairly certain these rooms aren't used very often, but he doesn't stop, going through another doorway on the far side. We enter a wine cellar. Okay, I guess we've met in similar spaces before.

I stand and wait for him to speak. He looks uncomfortable, running a hand over his hair, holding the back of his neck. I can tell he's trying to build up the nerve to say something, so I try to stay patient.

"I need you to clarify something for me," he finally says.

"Alright."

"When you told me all that the other day...did you mean…shit, I'm no good at this. I should just make up a story, it would be far easier."

"No, I like it when you're direct with me," I respond, attempting to encourage him.

"Did you mean you wanted to be with me? That you were willing to risk it?"

"I should stay away from you, but every time I'm close to you, all my resolve is gone. I don't want to stay away anymore. No, to the Void with the consequences-you're what I want."

"And if I touch you, I'm not going to turn into a toad or anything?"

"Okay, now who's yanking someone's chain?" I poke him. "I may have a lot of magic at my command, but I'm still just a woman, Varric."

"Good to know," he says, chuckling, and steps in closer to me. I take a step back, and see the confusion returning.

"Not if you still have doubts. I will wait for your answer, once you're sure." I step close, lean in and kiss him on the cheek. I turn and walk away from him. He lets me, which gives me the confirmation I needed that I had done the right thing just now, despite what the rest of me wants. You don't want him if he's not in it for real.

I reach the doorway when he speaks again.

"I'm leaving with Hawke and the Inquisitor to go the Western Approach," he informs me. "I may be gone a while."

"And I'm going with Cassandra to deal with a dragon in the Exalted Plains. Perhaps you'll have an answer for me when we both get back."

I look back, and he's crossed the room to reach me already. He embraces me, but doesn't move to kiss me. "Be careful," he says.

"You too, Varric. Be safe. Say hello to Alistair for me."