"So Queenie, which one of these handsome, virile bodyguards of yours do we have to thank for your gorgeous smile and easy disposition this fine evening?" Jade bluntly inquires from down the table as dinner nears its end, "We're going to need to know who to smack around if they mistreat you."
The blond woman turns an icy glare towards the young Chaisnd mage, "I'm sure that I have no idea what you mean-and even if I did-it would be none of your business, regardless of your protective overtures."
He beams her a bright smile and shrugs, ever immune to her hostility, "Well, I also wanted to thank them for taking care of your needs and putting that stunning smile on your face. You've had to endure so much these last years and deserve some small bit of happiness that is just for you, not the entire nation. You can't fault me for wanting to see you content."
An older guard with the skin of fine Orlesian chocolate steps forward and rests his gauntlet clad hand on the high back of the queen's chair, "Her Majesty has given you an answer Ser MacKieran, please do your people justice and let the matter rest."
"And we have a winner," Zevran whispers to his mage while Jade manages to pull off a somewhat graceful apology.
Before Lynx can answer her lover, one of the Vigil's guards materializes at her shoulder, an envelope in hand. She open the parchment and silently scans the missive, then stands and looks to the monarch, "My apologies Highness, but an urgent matter has come up that Constable Aidan has asked our assistance with."
"What is the issue?" Anora gently demands, her features flickering with concern.
"From how this letter sounds, it seems that a Lord Bensley's eldest daughter was kidnapped from their estate nearly a week ago and the family wasn't able to discern any information on her whereabouts until today, when the Constable received a ransom note. The Amaranthine guard has requested that Grey Wardens personally oversee the exchange in order to keep things nice and polite," Lynx cringes inwardly at the madatory side trek during such a tense time, "The Arl himself has authorized an impressive payment for our services and since we are presently in no condition to refuse such a bountiful windfall..."
"Understood Lt Commander," the woman replies, though Lynx can see the gears begin to turn in the monarch's head, "I will pray that the girl be returned to her family safely. Do you require the assistance of my personal retinue?"
Lynx shakes her head, "Not tonight Highness, let them rest. We shall be on the road a fair few days though, so I will understand if you do not wish to tarry and be inconvenienced by all of the repair work going on."
Anora nods and bids the Wardens farewell as they file into the armory to collect what provisions they may need on their excursion.
When things are in order, the group makes a quick stop at the stables to gather their mounts-and a warpony for Oghren-then ride out into the rapidly encroaching darkness.
"Did the Arl really offer to pay us for doing this?" Anders dubiously queries, needing something to do other than coo and fawn over the now drowsing kitten Lynx had found playing in Zevran's horse's oats.
"No he didn't, but Aidan wrote that we were welcome to the ransom money if we disposed of the girls captors," the elder Warden admits, "I just said that to motivate Anora. She hates being outshined by any acts of charity those impetuous nobles cook up, so I know by the time we get back she'll have dredged up a few extra sovereigns for our cause."
"Look at you, the sly businesswoman, " Jade says in an approving tone as he urges his steed to match the pace Zevran's has set, "So how much is this ransom Auntie?"
"The sack the private handed me feels like it holds about two hundred or so worth of coin," Zevran declares, causing Anders to make choking sounds behind them.
"So we're jus' killin' em' then?" Oghren asks from his tenuous perch even farther back.
"Only if they truly need it," the mage surmises after a moments contemplation, "If these are just desperate people looking for a way to feed themselves and their families, we will simply scare the shit out of them and send them on their way...probably down to Denerim. The construction crews are always looking for workers, from what Alistair had said."
"Listen to you, so grown up now," Jade dabs at his eyes with the corner of his cloak and sniffles, "I'm so proud."
"You're big enough to survive a lightning bolt now boy," his aunt warns in spite of the grin teasing at the corners of her mouth, "Don't think for a second that I won't fry your ass if you piss me off."
"I'm too lovable and adorable to be fried," he confidently retaliates, sitting a little straighter in his saddle, "Besides, you wouldn't want to deal with me complaining about the burns in my clothes and armor for weeks afterwords."
"I'm no Seer, but after hearing you talk to her like that, I am most certainly seeing a seat full of fireweed rapidly coming up in your future," Anders deadpans before pulling his hood over his eyes, "Someone wake me when we get there...or when the commander finally tires of Jade's antics and turns him into a ferret or something."
The green haired elf glares at the other mage in mock hurt, "You just can't count on your fellow apostates these days."
"Bite me."
"Ooh, kinky. Anders, I had no idea that you were such a naughty boy," Jade leans over and flutters his eyelashes at the human, "I think I like it."
"Oh Maker," Anders sighs, realizing that he has just met his match in the young Chaisnd mage.