Griffin's Walk

Denerim, the Bann of Waking Sea's mansion

Warden MacTheirin:

I was uneasy. Bann Alfstanna was hosting much of the nobility and many more of their attendants. That many guests crowded even the large mansion, especially when the Grand Cleric and her entourage made their appearance.

As I trailed a little behind Trinna, I looked for our guards. Karward was easy to spot, and I envied that he could wear full silverite armor as he guarded me. It took me longer to spot Warden Tabris, who evaded notice as he watched Trinna.

I got some looks from other guests, not from wearing the Grey Wardens' badge, but from my wearing the Amaranthine one as well. It didn't take long for the angry queen to stalk over to Trinna, glaring at both of us as she made another querulous demand about Trinna's marriage.

Trinna only twitched her sword hand, before sinking into a deep curtsey, her court dress billowing out. “My apologies, your majesty. I wished it to be clear that I was attending to your word.”

Anora's nostrils flared as Trinna held position. Then the queen stepped forward in front of me and ripped the Amaranthine arms from my tunic. In her anger, she tore more than the well attached badge, so my tunic had a large rent showing both scars and skin. “This is not a proper announcement from the Banns, Cousland.”

Holding my face stiff, I couldn't prevent a flush when familiar chuckling as well as quiet tittering spread out in a wave around this scene.

Trinna apologetically met my eyes while she was still kneeling to the queen.

The queen looked around, the nobility hanging still to witness every instant of this humiliation. It wasn't quite a sigh but Anora gestured that Trinna could rise and told me, “It is still in these chambers, Warden. I would appreciate a dance.”

That left me no choice and I escorted Anora to the dancing area as the musicians suddenly began the introduction to a dance of some kind.

I couldn't think of anything to say that wasn't stupid.

Anora was silent as well throughout the piece. As the music wound down towards the finale, she finally spoke. “We will not allow Amaranthine to become vacant or a Warden bauble.”

Silence seemed the best thing, so I bowed and returned her to the dais and her consort.

I had trouble crossing through the crowd as many spoke to me, many stared at the remains of my fine tunic. Many spoke polite nothings, but others asked about my supposed fiancee again or commiserated about my tough decision between the two women.

When I found Trinna, she was at the center of an open space in the crowded rooms, and Tabris was the closest for a change. Our plans in tatters like my costume, I took her arm and moved toward the exit. “We should go home, pet.”

She took my hand in an iron grip and we retreated.

The badges were removed that night. That had solved nothing, and may have made it worse.

The next afternoon held a regatta in Denerim harbor. There weren't that many ships that wished to participate as the harbor was notorious for hidden rocks in a race would not allow time for safety. Amaranthine also had a busy harbor, still rebuilding, too much to race.

As Trinna was Arlessa, we had coveted spots from the top of Fort Drakon, along with the owners of the racing boats.

When we reached the roof, the memories of our desperate battle up here against the Archdemon crashed in. I was afraid of it, of course, but I'd been more afraid that I couldn't protect her enough and she would die as Riordan warned. Then only I would be left with Morrigan, laughing at me for being foolish enough to believe her joke.

Gripping Trinna's hand and looking around, I didn't think any others present had been up here that day.

I focused on the present when I realized that we were being approached by a man wearing finely designed and heavily quilted robes of a Tevinter mage. He had two graceful elves watching for threats and almost dressed in daggers.

“I am quite pleased to meet the heroes of that fifth blight. I am Domitius Solasicus, just appointed ambassador to Ferelden. Details about the final battle are few and I am agog to learn more.” He had piercing blue eyes that seemed familiar to me and sounded friendly, dangerous for someone who was probably a Magister. “Well, after the races, of course. I brought a ship like what performed well in races in our arenas.”

The sound of the dwarven explosive powder and several ships began to move, some more quickly than others. One, an oared ship with what seemed too many banks of oars, gained the prime start location quickly.

The Tevinter was oozing superiority and his name sounded familiar like so many Tevinter names did. The same name would be given to anyone in newly reconquered territory.

Trinna asked, “Is that your ship? It looks different.”

“Yes, it is my personal ship and an old design, a quadrireme named The Fifth Element, because it was unstoppable in battle.” He grinned at us, caressing his staff.

Trinna was interested in making elemental runes. “Isn't that the spirit element? The other four are paired, correct?”

The mage almost seemed to smile like a proud teacher. “Yes, very good, Warden. Few non-mages are aware of that distinction or the primacy of quintessence.”

Then I remembered two things from Kinloch. First, the fifth element, once was called the quintessence, was closely associated with blood magic because it dealt with souls and death.

More importantly, the Tevinter general Domitius Aemillius won the battle at Solas since the new year. That meant he could add that name to his own and he must have. This mage had proven he could expand Tevinter, and he was in Ferelden now.

A/N: Challenge words are: quadrireme, querulous, and quintessence. Thanks to my beta reader who has been kind enough to read this and point out stupid flubs. Any typos that remain are not intentional... Reviews or a PM to let me know what you think would be very appreciated.