I claim to own nothing in regards to Dragon Age, it's lore or its characters. That right belongs to BIOWARE. I am just a fan.
The guest house was just as extravagant as the main house. The housekeeper showed us each to a bedroom and curtly informed us what times meals were served. I had already explored the rest of the place and after a few hours the novelty of being in a new place had worn off. I found myself laid across my bed staring up at the ceiling. It never got this boring on that damned ship. I complained to myself silently when a knock interrupted my thoughts.
"Who's there?"
"Dorian."
I allow him to enter but from being sunk into the soft mattress and blankets I can not see him. "I swear I just heard her." He mutters to himself as I hear his foot steps move around the room. This is going to be fun. I think to myself as I sit up quickly "You did." I laugh as he jumps back a fire spell on his fingertips. "Sorry Dorian. I'm only teasing you. Was there something you needed help with?"
He blinks once before clutching his stomach in laughter. "That will teach me. May I?" he gestures to the bed.
I place a hand on my chest feigning shock. "We've only just met and you're asking to crawl into bed with me?" I tease.
"That's not. I didn't. Damnit woman." He sputters as I laugh at him again. I swing my legs over the side of the bed and pat the space next to me urging him to sit. "What brings you here?"
"Father says I should attempt to get to know you."
"Oh? Why is that?"
"Hell, if I know. How are you enjoying Minrathous?" He nervously wrings his hands together. "The architecture of the old buildings is beautiful. What are the little growling monsters along the roof of the chantry?"
Chatting with Dorian made the rest of the afternoon so much better. He was sweet, witty and an absolute gossip. I could easily see myself as friends with him. Before I knew it one of the houses many maids knocked and told me that she had been sent to assist me in dressing for dinner with the Magister.
"How offended would your father be if I just came down as my self and not some painted peacock?" I asked.
"There is always one way to find out." He replied with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. I ushered the boy out of the door as I asked the maid for a set of dress clothes.
"We have plenty of dresses for you to choose from messare." She flinched at my "No thanks." And asked for clarification. "I will wear a corset as long as I have a jacket as well and I refuse to wear a skirt so do you have anything like that?" She rushed away to look around and I drew a bath in my bathing room. I wonder if it is normal here to have more than one bathroom. There was only the one back in Kirkwall. The tub was no where as deep as this one is. If I make it back there maybe I will commission something like this in the estate.
I did not want to get out of the warm water but before I got too relaxed the serving girl returned. She offered me the fluffiest towel I had ever seen and I stood up out of the water with out thinking. The girl let out a horrified gasp and I startled. "Can't get into as many fights as I do without the scars to prove it." I tried to laugh it off but she continued to stare. I wrapped my towel around my waist covering my thighs and asked her for another towel.
20 minutes later I was dressed in a fine black and red ensemble that consisted of corset, jacket and pants with flared sleeves. She found exactly what I asked for. "Sues." I spoke to her as she braded the side of my head. I tried to look at her in the mirror but she kept my head straight so I wouldn't mess up her work.
"I would be really thankful if you could keep what you saw earlier to yourself." She got really quiet. Good job Marian. All the work you did to get her relaxed and talking to you and you just had to go and make it awkward again.
"I wouldn't dream of it messare." Her voice was barley above a whisper. "I wouldn't even know how to explain what I saw. Does it cause you pain?" her voice strained like she was fighting tears. "Sometimes." I admitted looking at my lap. "Nothing I can't bare though." Her fingers make quick work of the braiding she's done on the side of my head as she brushes and curls the rest of my hair. The awkward silence resumes. With my hair done she tries to pick up the various bottles of make up on the vanity in front of us.
"Those won't be necessary Sues." She rests her hands on my shoulders and the knot of anxiety in my belly lessens.
I am the last one to make it to the dining table. "What is it with you and pants?" Isabella barks at me in irritation.
"What? Do I not look ok?" I spin in a circle for her. She is in a light purple dress that shows off her golden tanned skin. Her gold jewelry is still around her neck but her hair is down and that strange square of cloth she usually wraps around her head is no where to be seen. She looks me up and down. "I guess that does hug you in all the right places and you've displayed enough cleavage to remind everyone you are in fact a woman. It will do."
I place my hands over my heart. "Ouch both a compliment and an insult rolled into one. Clever."
Sitting next to her I notice Varric has brought one of his scrolls and is scribbling away. He had tried to clean up with a new jacket but in his writing fervor I see specks of ink all over it. Zevran on the other hand wore the same armor he always does. Good to know he isn't too concerned with fine clothes. He was also encompassed in writing something of his own. "You look lovely." I compliment Isabella. "I do clean up nice, don't I?" she agrees fishing for another compliment.
We are served small appetizers to get started while we wait on the Magister and wine all around. I do not indulge. I did not care for the hangover the last time I braved alcohol. "Is your father usually fashionably late?" I ask Dorian who looked fine in his deep purple robes.
"Not really. He is usually very punctual." He frowns into his goblet. Halward must have a reason for his tardiness. If he does not show soon, I might make a visit to the main house looking for him.
Just as the thought crosses my mind the dining room doors swing open and Pavus rushes in. He has a stack of parchments in one hand and his plain staff in the other. I wait until he is seated and has had his glass filled by a servant before I greet him.
"These are my friends Isabella, Varric, and Zevran." I point to each and they bow their head. "Pleasure." His deep voice rumbles. As usual, his gaze lingers on Bella a little longer than the others. She smiles at the attention.
"You have heard back from The Archon so soon?" I question. "Yes. From the message he is very interested in this development." A parchment with the royal seal is slid before me.
"Of course there is another catch." I can not keep the annoyed edge out of my voice.
"His majesty has reason to believe Denarius is smuggling crown secrets to the Quinari and has requested your help in uncovering proof. Once you have done that, he will compose a writ of execution for Denarius and allow you to carry out that sentence at your leisure. He also states in his letter that all assets, estates and anything there in will be gifted to you in compensation. With exception of the title of course. Can't have a Magister who isn't a mage after all."
"It's not like she can just waltz into the guy's house and ask him to show her his papers." Isabella speaks for me.
"Yes. About that." Another paper is slid in front of me. I skim over the page. "This is a family tree."
"In order for you to have access to Denarius' house, you will be playing the part of my long-lost niece." Across the table, Dorian chokes on his wine.
"I am pretty well known as the Hero of Kirkwall." I remind Halward. "Of course, The Archon and I are hoping that your impressive status will be enough to stoke Denarius ego to inviting you into his house. It will be quite the status symbol for him."
"You and are he of an age are you not? Won't he know I am my mother's daughter?"
"He is a few years older and would have been further along in classes than Leandra and Aquinian. Besides, you do not use the Amell name. The Archon will make a paper trail and a story that you are my younger sister's daughter. She tragically passed away over 20 years ago but it was in as distant country. No one knows and no one would be the wiser."
"And my pretense for wanting to hang around his estate? Every one knows Magisters are mages and I am no mage."
"Correct. Denarius is a master of several languages. He also has several formidable warriors that answer to him. I am sure that asking to be taught by him will flatter him into an invitation."
Dorian finally speaks up. "Denarius already has an apprentice. Why would he want another? Especially one that can't use magic."
"We have the next few weeks to hammer out the fine details in this plan." Halward dismissed Dorian's concerns with a wave of his hand. "In two or three weeks I will be hosting a masquerade at the main house to announce my darling niece's return from Ferelden. You have that time to prepare. Dorian will instruct you in proper Tevinter etiquette and style. If you require clothing or anything else I will cover that expense. Please continue to use this house, the servants have been instructed to see to your every desire. There are museums, libraries, public gardens, theaters with in walking distance to the estate if you begin to feel cooped up. Are we in agreement?" Magister Pavus looks at me with hesitation in his gaze.
"You are offering all this simply because you want Denarius dead? You gain nothing else?"
"I gain the blemish of having my wife murdered in a spectacle wiped away. I know it sounds odd to those who do not understand our ways but think it the equivalent of a drunkard on the street pissing on your boots while you stand in front of a crowd of your supporters." Isabella laughs quietly at the analogy.
"There is also the fact that claiming the Champion of Kirkwall as his niece will boost his own political image." Dorian grumbles.
I laugh at the pink rising in Magister Pavus' face as I say, "As long as it ends with my knife in Denarius belly, I'll play this silly game."