A/N: I know I said that I would only have one more chapter to upload, but I felt that the two should be separate. The other's an epilogue, so it doesn't quite count. XD

Chapter 20:

Leaving Seheron

"So… back to my question. Details, please."

He was despairing, but I could not resist. "Kadan…"

"What? It is an innocent question." One that required answers. I tried not to smile too broadly.

"It is not appropriate to discuss such things-" He was cut off, by a gravelly sigh.

" At least, not when I am able to hear you, Grey Wardens." Yes. It was very awkward that we were within earshot of the arishok. Another time, perhaps.

xOxOx

Kiera

We were hurried, to the barracks—the ship to Par Vollen was to leave in an hour. This thief person had been sighted, and the arishok would be giving chase with the large (and fast) warships that have been docked at the mainland. My ship to Antiva would also be leaving from Par Vollen—I was about a month too early, but I figured that Zevran would not might my swooping down on the Crows quite so soon.

Sten had been reassigned to Par Vollen, and I hoped that he would be much happier there. Suited, at the very least. He certainly wasn't going to find any darkspawn here. We would go our separate ways soon enough and I must admit that I felt a certain… wistfulness at that thought.

No matter—farewells occurred every day, and I was not going to ruin the mood by bawling or doing anything similarly embarrassing. The qunari had that sobering effect on one. Ah well. I grabbed my pack, put on my platemail—which was now a lot… heavier than I imagined. I hurried to the docks, as quickly as I could, whilst sweating in the horrible heat.

Sten was already there, and everyone seemed to be waiting, tall and statuesque, outlined against the setting sun. The ship at the docks was medium-sized and had numerous oars sticking out its sides—a most majestic galley. The qunari colours were flying high, a splash of red on the thick, strong and pale cloths which I have also seen in the market.

I stopped in front of them, panting slightly. They seemed decidedly bemused at my flustered state. "I am not late. I still have about fifteen to the hour."

He merely smiled, a rare thing in itself—but that mute gaze was slightly nerving. Was something in my hair? I reached up to tie my messy hair—wishing he wouldn't stare so. I found my eyes drawn to the ship that was docked.

Thick hardwood masts stood on the ship, immense and glorious with the decorated sails— but it was the intricate carvings on the prow which drew my attention. Whatever that stood for, it was very beautifully rendered. I had been on the island for about two months, but this was the first that I'd noticed any art among the qunari—a great deal of sophistication went into these designs, despite their insistence on their objects and their utilities.

When I first arrived in Par Vollen, it wasn't just the immense architectural constructs that took my breath away— it was their culture—unfathomable things were among these people, and I truly felt that I had learned next to nothing about them. Seheron had less… grand establishments, but this I attributed to the constant warring with the Tevinters.

I realised that I had learnt one thing; that one should never challenge a tammassran.

When I finally tore my gaze from the magnificent ship, the arishok had arrived, and still there appeared to have been more staring at my mesmerized state. For giants—they were very adept at remaining undetected by my clumsy human senses.

xOxOx

Sten

The kadan seemed captivated by the ship, her eyes appraised its form without comment, widened amethysts that shone with such unbridled excitement. Was she perhaps wondering how it came into being? She did have a tendency to express interest at the the most mundane of things. But where she would normally be exclaiming her awe, she merely looked pensive, watching the workings about the ship. Watching us row the oars, speeding towards the Par Vollen.

We would be parting ways soon. My duty to the Qun may have changed, but I remained dictated by it. This was something not lost on her, I hoped.

The kadan paced, and finally settled on a place near the arishok, close to the prow of the ship, seeming to engage him with questions that did not anger. His patience with her— with us— was indeed quite remarkable.

If only she would walk closer. I did not like her so out of my reach.

There was something I had to give her, before… To a woman who had made so much of a difference, one who had showed me things which I had once thought impossible. She remained a bas, yet I felt nothing of the disgust that was once ever present. Something new had taken its place. She was now irreplaceable.

Kiera
I stayed near the arishok's seat, at the head of the ship, hoping that my proximity to their leader would stop that incessant staring. I felt caged by their gazes, almost trapped by their eyes, which lingered as if I were a rare animal—and that blinking would make the mirage disappear. Yes, I was female. Yes, I was in armor. Yes, I had my hair in a fashion similar to the qunari braids. The list went on. Gah.

The arishok at least, did not mind my closeness. He seethed with a rage that was directed at another. Isabella.

Thus sheltered, I let my mind wander, absently tracing the wooden carvings, which were striking me with all sorts of thoughts. What possessed me to ask a pissed-off qunari about the meaning behind the carvings I did not know. The arishok peered up at me, seemingly interested.

"Those depict the Will of the Qun. The triumvirate."

This had been covered in my first lessons with the tammassrans. "Ah. The three pillars of the Qunari arigena, arishok and ariqun?"

"Not in so simple terms." His voice was curt, but not fiercely so.

"Oh." I wanted to learn more, but I also knew that the teachings would not be so easily revealed to a bas like me.

"You wish to know the Qun?"

I put on my best diamondback face. "I don't intend to convert, if that's what you mean."

That one word dripped with so much sarcasm. "Pity."

"I only wish to study it. But I know that it will not be possible.

"One does not simply attempt to study and know a culture like in one of your pathetic imekari scriptures." Dismissive words were expected. The Qun was everything and more to the qunari.

"I know. And I accept that."

The arishok seemed somewhat amused by that answer. We had had this exact same conversation once before. "Then you will never learn your true purpose."

I shrugged. This was going nowhere. "Perhaps so, arishok."

There was something I wanted to say, and it was important that it got said now. Who knew if I would ever return again?

"I never got to thank you for saving the two of us from reeducation." Whatever that had entailed, it was surely not pleasant.

His answer was simple, and not without the weight of much consideration.

"The Sten is part of the antaam. His duty is not conflicted, and does not require reeducation." This was interesting. The arishok was of different minds with the ariqun? I wondered if it was due to my own credit that he felt this way.

"And me? I am a bas who needs guidance with the Qun, yes?"

"You carry an influence on your own, and evidently you know your boundaries. It is thus why I stand by my decision from earlier. That will be sufficient for the ariqun."

Those words were not particularly complimentary, but were better than any other. "I… see. Thanks, anyway."

The galley now pulled into the bay; and against the cyan heavens, I could see that outline of the tall structures that were the splendid constructions which I admired so much. It was such a shame that I couldn't picture them in any of my sketches. I had been expressly forbidden to do so the last we were here.

So engrossed with my wonder was I, that I almost missed the arishok's next words.

"Do you wish to ignore the Sten?" As a whole, the rowers readied themselves for shore. They were all very grim, now that we were in Par Vollen. There was an important task at hand for them.

I turned to stare at the arishok. "What?"

"It is rare."

"What?" In the ensuing rush of movement when we moved to disembark, I had lost his meaning. Torches now led the way to the Qunari city.

"Is it not obvious then? Your feelings for each other." There was still no smile, but I thought I saw a glimmer of something in the arishok's pale eyes.

"Sten and I? We're… comrades."

"If you say so." I gaped after the arishok as he walked down the planks—stately as ever.

P.S.: I know that he's my creation and all, but I love this arishok.