Of Horse and Dagger
13 Firstfall, 9:38 Dragon
Ali and I are still treating each other with extreme delicacy. Each touch, hug, and kiss is gentle, careful, as if we are making sure that it is welcomed. We are almost back to normal – but full normal will have to wait until Ali comes home.
He and Zevran left this morning, riding Sunset and River Dancer. After a brief stop in Kirkwall to pick up Varric, they will make their way straight to Qarinus. They should get there just in time for the ball.
Apparently Varric procured a trained donkey and will ride alongside Zev and Ali. They won't make as good time if it were three horses, but they allowed for that in the timetable. I am still trying to imagine Varric riding anything, much less a donkey. He is a one-Dwarf wonder, and is undoubtedly prepared for the inevitable Ass jokes that will trip off the lips of both Zevran and my husband.
But the bitch of all of this is I have no idea how long they'll be gone. Travel time alone is well over a month. Fortunately, it's wintertime. Crossing the Silent Plains in the heat would have been brutal. This time of year it's much cooler, even quite cold at night, but they're prepared for that as well.
Still, if the unthinkable happens, how will I know? News in Tevinter is hardly likely to make its way to me. My only hope is that the King and Queen have a way to find out.
Andraste guide them and keep them safe.
18 Firstfall, 9:38 Dragon
It seems that Teagan and their Majesties have worked together to keep Cricket and Siobhan occupied while Ali is away. Teagan, as our Ambassador to the Imperial Court, met with the Chancellor of the University of Orlais. Specifically, they talked about Cricket and his desire to study botany with an eye towards finding a way to heal blighted land. Teagan and the Chancellor have arranged for a private tutor to work with Cricket in Denerim at the Palace, to start him on learning the foundational knowledge he will need before applying to the university.
Siobhan will also be going to the Palace, also courtesy of Orlais. The young ladies of our Fereldan nobility have recently taken up an Orlesian sport called Dressage. The import of this sport is a form of cultural exchange, so Teagan told me. As far as I can understand Dressage is special training for horses that builds upon their natural ability and willingness to be attentive to the rider. More importantly, the horse and rider work together, developing, as Teagan explained, a 'oneness' of being.
Siobhan is bringing Elfroot. Within a month after Siobhan arrived here, the 10-year-old mare attached herself to my daughter. Elfroot got her name "on a lark," Dennet said. He was tired of fancy sounding names. She is a beautiful horse. Siobhan is eager to learn Dressage. She is also looking forward to the interdictions, because she learned from Dennet (who supplied several of the horses) that most have been given "fancy sounding" Orlesian names.
As Siobhan told me, aping the cultured tones we've both heard in Ferelden: '"This is my horse Jolie Fie." "This is my horse Belle Fleur." Then I walk up and say "This is my horse, Elfroot."'
Siobhan and I have very similar senses of humor. What I wouldn't give to see the expression on the genteel faces of some our noble young ladies!
Soon, two of my children will be ensconced in the Palace, enjoying themselves and focusing on something other than what is happening on the other side of Thedas, for which I am truly grateful.
30 Firstfall, 9:38 Dragon
I am feeling a bit out of sorts. My husband is somewhere between Orlais and Tevinter. Walter is in Orlais with Teagan, Siobhan and Cricket are at the Palace. Elaina and Dennet have gone to South Reach to visit with Dennet's Sister's family. Seanna and Bran are tending the horses. It is really just Lily and me. I have taken up drawing again. I thought I would draw pictures of Lily, so when Ali get home he can see how she's grown...
Siobhan wrote to me about the introduction of Elfroot. It was just as she pictured. There were 10 young ladies including Siobhan, and all of their horses had Orlesian names. Then she introduced Elfroot. She wrote, "The other girls started to look down their noses at me, but our two Dressage trainers— one is Orlesian and the other is Fereldan—both said that Elfroot is the best trained, and best behaved horse. Our Fereldan Dressage trainer, Master Colin, told me that she is also the most beautiful horse."
I love it.
7 Haring, 9:38 Dragon,
Yesterday was the Ball in Qarinus; today Lily said, "Dada." I really don't have the heart to write anything else.
~oOOo~
Marnie placed the journal back in the box. "I really didn't have the heart to write anything until you came home."
He pulled her into his arms. "The pictures you drew of Lily were beautiful; I knew I was going to miss so much, but your drawings really captured her growth."
~oOOo~
15 Wintermarch, 9:39 Dragon
I have been sleeping on Ali's side of the bed, on my left side facing the door. I have also reverted back to my Kirkwall habit of sleeping with a dagger under my pillow, which I can reach with my right hand. Last night, something woke me up. I kept my eyes closed as I listened. Someone was definitely in the room; I could hear footsteps moving slowing across the floor. My hand was already under my pillow and I gripped the dagger. Just as I cracked open my eyes I heard the dresser creak sharply and a grunting groan.
While the dark shape was hunched over and its back to me, I quickly took the advantage. Slipping out of bed, I pressed the dagger against the intruder's back and said, "Move and you die."
Then I heard, "It would figure that I kill a Magister only to be stabbed by my wife in my own bedroom"
I dropped the dagger.
~oOOo~
AN: Thank you to the readers! Special thanks to Judy, Melysande, and KoraKendalls for your reviews, and to my fabulous Beta ElyssaCousland. Melysande, ElyssaCousland, and KoraKendalls are terrific authors who all have active stories I highly recommend!
Melysande I Shall Endure Book 2: In Plain Sight
ElyssaCousland There and Back Again
KoraKendalls Made to be Broken