Just outside the ballroom lay another room. It's intended purpose was unclear, but for the moment it was set up as an infirmary/reception area. Cots occupied fully half of one end of the room where the healers were checking over Loghain, Alistair, and Aveline. The other half was open; long tables covered with food were pushed off to the side. The rest of the guests mingled and chatted, availing themselves of refreshments.

"Hello miss, good to see you again! Could my boy or I get you anything?" An old dwarf carrying a tray hailed the redheaded Orlesian. She shook her head and smiled at him and the younger dwarf trailing behind him.

"Nothing for me Bodhan, but maybe you have something for Schmooples here?" She indicated the odd-looking pink creature following her.

"Enchantment!" The young dwarf bent down and patted the nug. TBodhan shrugged.

"Barbeque sauce?"

Somewhere near the barrels of wine and ale, another two male dwarfs were quaffing foaming mugs.

"So, Varric Tethras, eh? Any relation to the former noble house of Tethras?" The red-bearded dwarf asked his drinking partner.

"The very same, my good dwarf."

"Huh. My old man was in one of those 'fixed' Provings. Can't say I'm pleased to see the likes of you here."

"I had nothing to do with that. I'm a simple merchant. Here, have another ale." Varric took the other dwarf's mug and refilled it from one of the barrels. "And you must be Oghren. I've heard stories about you."

"Yeah? Most of them a whole lotta nug droppings, I bet." Oghren took a swig from his newly refilled mug.

"Oh they are. I should know, I made a few of them up myself."

Over by the door, the two largest members of the party stood looking over the rest of the proceedings.

"I have a question for the Qunari. Why does it participate in this madness?" The golem asked slowly and gravely.

"I don't know, kadan. Perhaps it is because these people have forgotten what I am capable of and must be reminded. I was also promised a week's worth of cookies if I fought these vastly inferior opponents."

"Ah. I see. I was wondering why the Qunari did not just crush their heads."

"It is talk like that, kadan, that prevents you from showing your skill." The qunari, Sten, laid a single hand on Shale's rocky shoulder.

"It wants me only to stand guard. Most monotonous. But it has also tasked me with clearing the feathered fiends from the ballroom. Apparently it does not want droppings on the floors."

"Mahariel can be very wise on occasion."

"It would not let me get rid of the feathered mage, however. I feel that was a mistake."

"As do I."

Over at the food table, a slightly distracted elf in Keeper robes bumped into another, angry-looking elf.

"Oh, excuse me, sorry..." The small dark-haired Dalish looked into the face of the blonde woman. "... I think I know you. Velanna isn't it?"

"Excuse me?"

"I'm Merrill. We met at the last Gathering of the Clans. Or at least the last Gathering I was at. You were that other clan's First. We talked. Or at least I talked... we discussed our studies... you didn't say much, and I thought... never mind..." The small elf trailed off. Velanna narrowed her eyes.

"Yes. I remember you now. The chatty one. That was the last Gathering I went to as well. I was... not part of the clan after that."

"Did they move you to a different clan?"

"I was exiled."

"Oh! Me too! I didn't think I'd meet another like myself. Although I wasn't exiled really, well... I sort of was. My clan really didn't like me working blood magic, but I was careful, I really was. Why were you exiled? Or is that to personal? Oh dear, I've been talking to much again..." The other elf was speechless. "Ah well. The food here is good, isn't it? You should have some. We'll be needing the fuel. I'll see you in our round. I'm sure it will be very exciting!" Velanna could only watch as the dark-haired ball of energy skipped off with a plate of food.

"Blood magic? Her?"

"OW!" Cried the King of Fereldan as Wynne tapped his knee. "Whaddya do that for?"

"I'm just testing your reflexes. Now quit your whining."

"But I'm fine! Really! Aveline doesn't hit that hard." At that comment the woman on the next cot pulled out her sword, startling Bethany in the process.

"I could hit you harder if you wish. My King." Aveline's smile was predatory. Alistair looked slightly alarmed.

"That's okay..."

"Now sit still, and if you're a good boy, I'll give you a sweetie." Wynne said as she examined Alistair's ears. Aveline rolled her eyes and put her sword away.

"Carver, don't go anywhere near that woman." The man in the bright white armor with a Starkhaven accent told his companion.

"What woman? I'm not looking at any woman."

"Oh no? Then it must have been the chocolate fountain, and not the witch standing next to it that has kept your attention for the past fifteen minutes. And before that, it was probably the qunari she was sitting next to. Seriously Carver, she is an apostate..."

"Shut up Sebastian. I know that Chant as well as you do. It's just... Maker... I've never seen anyone who looked like her before."

"Not outside the Blooming Rose at any rate. And I don't mean to be preachy. What I'm trying to say is, please stay away from the woman who turned into a bear because Isabela hit on her. For my sake?"

"Fine."

Barkspawn and Sir Fluffy stood in the entrance to the doorway. They barked once majestically, and the room went silent. When they had everyone's full attention, Barkspawn barked twice more, and both mabari hounds marched back into the ballroom. The guests followed slowly. Their break was over.