This was another of those fun to write chapters. I really enjoy writing about Teagan. And both Regina and Edwina (you will see more of them) had their origins in an old PnP game I played many years ago. I also really enjoyed writing the dream sequence in the first part of the chapter.

Chapter Five

The first thought that came to mind was that he really loved strawberries. The second thought was that he really loved it when Neria was feeding them to him. Between nibbles, she would kiss him, the taste of her mingling with the sweetness of the fruit. The sun on his face was warm, but the early spring breeze kept it from being too hot. Teagan felt life couldn't get any better than this.

Kissing her fingers where strawberry juice had dribbled, pulling them into his mouth to suck on them brought an answering trill of delight from his lover.

He took the bowl from her hand and set it to one side, rolling over to pull her into his arms. Her warmth pressed along him, he kissed her, holding her to him and enjoying the feel of her under his fingers. He kissed the soft spot behind her ear that never failed to illicit giggles and shivers in response.

"I miss you," she whispered.

"What?" he pulled back, confused.

"I'm not really here you know. This is just a dream."

He laughed, deciding to play along with her little game. "Oh, where are you?"

"In Amaranthine and in danger. I hope my new companions watch my back. You know me—I get careless when I'm protecting someone else."

He frowned, suddenly not liking this game and held her tighter to him. But like trying to hold air, she slipped through his fingers.

Waking with a start he rolled over, his hands reaching for her, but not finding her. He ran his fingers through his hair and rubbed his eyes. The dream had been so vivid. He could still feel her warmth and the softness of her skin. And it left him with a vague sense of uneasiness.

Tonight was the first in a round of salons the nobles would be holding, all trying to outdo one another, curry favor, and put out feelers for support. Teagan actually had fun watching them, usually, and was looking forward to seeing if Michael Cousland would be making an appearance. He watched, but rarely engaged in the dance of politics, leaving such to Eamon.

As for Eamon, he had said maybe three words to his brother in the past week and their meetings were strained. It distressed him that he didn't really know how to bridge the rift between them, but he wasn't going to back down. All Teagan knew was he had never been happier in his life than when Neria was with him and he wasn't going to lose that.

He sat up and slipped out of bed. It was still fairly early in the day and the household was barely beginning to stir. He could hear maids cleaning and the general chaos that the approaching festivities always created in the household. Isolde was never more in her element than when organizing these things. She was awake early and he could hear her even up in his room as she got the household moving, making everything perfect for tonight. Sometimes she really aggravated Teagan and at other times, such as now, he envied his brother.

Muffin rose from his spot when the man started moving around the room. The dog refused to be kenneled, trying to remain with Teagan and follow his mistress's last command, and for the sake of the kennel master, Teagan kept the dog in his room. Teagan liked the mabari—he had never owned one before and Muffin actually seemed to be developing a fondness for him.

The morning sun streaming in his window began to dispel the unsettling feelings his dream had conjured up for him, and looking down at the little flash of gold sitting on his nightstand, he smiled.

He picked up the golden locket and opened it, the lock of red hair reassuring him that Neria was real and not some dream sprite. He closed the locket, clutched it in his hand for a moment, and then fastened it around his neck. He finished dressing and decided to go see if Isolde needed any help.

When he went downstairs, he was nearly run over three times by harried servants all setting up flowers, spreading colorful cloth on the tables, cooking food, arranging seats. Isolde was obsessing over every little detail. She jumped when Teagan came up behind her and kissed her on the cheek in greeting.

"Good morning, Sister," he said.

"Oh! Teagan, I'm so glad to see you. The invitations got mixed up. Could you go to Bann Regina and deliver this to her? Her estate hasn't been rebuilt yet and she's staying at the Gnawed Noble. Her invitation wasn't delivered and I have no one to spare at the moment."

He started to protest, then found himself shooed out of the estate. He shrugged. Ah, well, he would go have some breakfast at the Gnawed Noble, he supposed. This was probably just Isolde's idea of removing him so he stayed out of her way. Even he had to admit he was useless in such preparations.

The tavern was quite full that morning. A good number of the banns here either had no estates or what they had in town had yet to be rebuilt to habitable standards. And some nobles simply enjoyed taking meals here. He saw Alfstanna and Bryland sitting at their usual table along the back wall, heads together. Ceorlic and several other older banns were at two tables not far from the door. Of notable absence was Arl Wulff, who had died in the battle of Denerim. His widow sat opposite the older banns near the door, picking at her food. Her only remaining child, an adult daughter sat next to her mother, trying to coax her to eat.

He walked over to her and she looked up at him. She was a tiny woman, and depression had taken its toll on her. Dark circles were etched under her gray eyes and where once she had viewed the world missing nothing, she had a lost expression in them now. There was also a lot more gray in her blonde hair. There was a certain dignity about her, though, Teagan thought, a sense of perseverance in the face of loss. She offered her hand for Teagan to bow over, mindful of etiquette even in her grief.

"Good morning, Arlessa Mathilde. How have you been?" he asked.

"Bann Teagan, it's good to see you. Things at West Hills have been as you might expect. Are you joining anyone here?" He shook his head. "Then, join us. Please, Edwina, make room for Bann Teagan."

Teagan didn't want to intrude on her sorrow, but decided he could sit and keep them company for a bit. Muffin sat at his feet, watching everything around them.

"I'm sorry I didn't come to call on you sooner," Teagan said.

"West Hills isn't able to support any visitors right now. Most of it is blighted and people are either dead or have run to other places. I wintered here in Denerim. How is your brother?"

"Busy," said Teagan. "He's been kept busy with rebuilding Denerim and the Bannorn. He rarely comes home at night."

"That must be hard on Isolde. I should pay a visit soon."

"She'd like that. You won't be at the party tonight?" he asked.

"We received our invitations, but no, I'm not in the partying mood, Teagan."

"I didn't expect you would be, but you know these things are more than simple social gatherings. And yours will be a powerful voice in the Landsmeet. People will want to know which way you'll go." He smiled gently at her, indicating her daughter. "Besides, how can you hide this young lady's light under a barrel?"

"If you are extending an invitation, Teagan, I'm sure my daughter would love to attend."

"Mother, I really shouldn't…"

"Nonsense, child, you deserve to get out and have some fun while you're still young and pretty. Go tonight. Bann Teagan, would you please make sure she has fun? She hasn't done much besides listen to me and my grief for months now."

Teagan smiled and inclined his head. "I'll make it my mission, Arlessa Mathilde. If only we could coax you into coming as well. The salon just won't be the same without your charming self."

At this she actually smiled and shook her head. "Better be off with you, you rogue, and leave me to my worries. But thank you all the same, Teagan. It's been quite a while since anyone talked normally to me. Everyone's been walking on eggshells around me, even my own child."

Edwina frowned. "Mother…"

Mathilde grabbed Teagan's hand and looked pointedly at him. "Be careful, Teagan. There are things afoot that reach beyond Denerim. The Bannorn is troubled this year. And watch over that pretty mage of yours."

"What's going on? What do you know?"

"I know the Hero of Ferelden wintered in Rainesfere. Teagan, who you choose for a friend is your choice—I don't care—but she has powerful enemies in Denerim. Not because of who she is, but because of what she is. Once their own skins were saved, a lot of the banns began to resent that Amaranthine, one of the richest arlings in the kingdom, was given to the Grey Wardens. Her fame won't protect her for long. Make sure you don't get caught up in that. Or, if you do, make sure you can handle it. You're one of the few decent men left in Ferelden. I'd hate it if something…terrible happened to you."

Teagan felt a wave of unease come over him that reminded him of his dream.

"Thank you, Arlessa, I'll be careful."

Teagan rose and bowed to the Arlessa and her daughter, then moved to a table of his own, ordered some breakfast and ate quietly. One of the banns at Ceorlic's table broke off from the group to approach Teagan. Teagan inclined a brow, politely.

"Bann…Guy, is it? Mather," he said, identifying him. "What can I do for you?"

"I understand you've been having darkspawn troubles on your lands, Bann Teagan," said Mather. "If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know."

Teagan heard the intent behind the man's words. Mather was fishing for information. Rumors were doubtless already flying around Denerim if other banns were being raided. He didn't really care for Mather—he was a minor bann with little more than a farmhold on his lands, more a gentleman farmer than a nobleman. There were rumors of the man's personal habits Teagan found objectionable and he tended to avoid him rather than get into arguments.

"I appreciate that, but our troubles are nothing we can't handle," Teagan replied.

"Of course, it helps to have a Grey Warden at your disposal," Mather said. "I understand the Hero of Ferelden wintered at your estate."

"Yes, she was injured and stayed to recover," Teagan said, warily. What was he fishing for?

One of his compatriots called to Mather and the bann bowed to Teagan before joining his friend. Teagan finished eating and went to the bartender to get the location of Bann Regina's room.

When he knocked on the door, her maid answered and ushered him into the sitting room. A few minutes later she came in to see him. He rose and greeted her with a small bow.

"Bann Regina, good to see you again," he said. "Isolde asked me to bring this by."

She opened it, read it and smiled. "I was wondering what happened to mine. But then I have been busy this year. I understand you've been busy as well, Teagan."

Teagan frowned. "I don't understand."

"The news around Denerim is that you've had some troubles at Redcliffe, or was that Rainesfere…?"

"A few. What of you, have you been having troubles?"

Bann Regina's lands had been in her family for generations and were nearly as large as Rainesfere. Though, as with the Guerrins, they had only regained control from the Orlesians thirty years ago.

She giggled. "Teagan I am trouble. But yes, I've had a few raids on my lands—mostly a petty annoyance." She waved her hand dismissively then sighed. "I don't have my own personal Grey Warden to help me."

Teagan didn't like the direction the conversation was turning. Did everyone in Denerim know about Neria staying at his estate?

"Well, the troubles weren't darkspawn, but human bandits. Highever was hit as well."

"They've been pretty busy this past year, but with the war and darkspawn troubles, it was a perfect opportunity to grab for what you could," she said. "Speaking of Highever, I understand the Cousland family will be growing in a couple of months."

Teagan smiled. More than she knew.

"Yes, Fergus' wife looks to be due soon."

Regina played with her fingers and smiled sweetly at him.

"I'll have to pay Leah a visit, too. Getting Fergus before most even knew he was alive was quite the feat. I wonder how she managed that."

Her smile seemed genuine, but he wondered what was going on behind those jade colored eyes.

"Will you be at the salon tonight?" she asked.

"Of course."

"Then I simply can't say no. It's been far too long since I saw you last, Teagan. We'll have to catch up."