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[Serelir]

One of us, one of us!

[raging_monkey]

Yup writing something now

[Uccio]

I need to be in that story.

Just jump right in.

[Serelir]

Dinner with the Magister, during which Elowyn eats nothing:

 

Spoiler

“So,” said Elowyn, addressing the Magister, “do you put every Magister’s apprentices through this little test?”

 

He turned his gaze upon her. Once again, Elowyn felt like she was falling into the black depths of his vision. She could practically hear the screams of his victims echoing from his eyes. She swallowed and kept her eyes glued to his without faltering.

 

“No,” he said, “I had a suspicion about you, and it proved correct.”

 

“And what was your suspicion?”

 

“Don’t you know what you are?”

 

“An elf?”

 

The Magister laughed. It didn’t do anything to relieve Elowyn’s tension. The laugh of this Magister portended no good, like the rattle of a snake before it strikes.

 

“You are a somniara.”

 

“A sleeper?” asked Elowyn, translating in her head.

 

“A Dreamer,” the Magister corrected. “A mage who can enter the Fade at will. They are very rare.”

 

“All mages can enter the Fade,” said Elowyn, attempting to cloud the issue.

 

“Not without lyrium,” he said.

 

“I guzzled a bottle of lyrium before I came here,” Elowyn parried.

 

The Magister just smiled and took a bite of his food. Elowyn’s appetite had deserted her. He chewed thoughtfully and said, “Do I need to lock you up for a day and test you again?”

 

“Do I have a choice?”

 

“There’s always a choice.”

 

“Then no, you don’t need to lock me up. However, I don’t know what use I could be to you. You’re doing quite well summoning demons on your own.”

 

This time the Magister threw his head back and laughed. Elowyn blinked and looked down at her plate, then spared a glance for Vel, who was looking at her like she’d transformed into a dragon. She smiled at him, and he blanched. She would have words with him later.

 

“Am I free to go, or do you intend to imprison me?” she asked the Magister.

 

“I will make you an offer,” he said. “You become my apprentice, and I will teach you what you are so eager to learn. I’ve seen it in you, the longing.”

 

“What about my position with Magistra Caracalla? I am not free to leave.”

 

He waved his hand dismissively. “The Magistra can be persuaded to let you go.” His gaze fixed her once again, “The question is, do you want this? I think you do, but I need to hear you say it.”

 

“Don’t I have an obligation to the Magistra, though? It was she who brought me here.”

 

Vel spoke for the first time, “’Brought’ is a nice way of putting it. The way I heard it, you were kidnapped by smugglers working for the Magistra. She ordered you like a pair of shoes from a cobbler: one Somniara, coming right up. If you had traveled here on your own, you would have had your pick of Magisters. You could have gotten much better terms.”

 

“Really? Surely there’s a surplus of apostate refugees up for grabs in Minrathous.”

 

“I have a suggestion,” broke in Caius, “Return to Aurelie’s house and ask her for the truth. Ask her why she wanted you specifically. Then make your decision.”

 

“You seem confident I won’t like her answer.”

 

“I would not have made my move without being confident of the results.”

 

“Alright,” said Elowyn. “You have been more gracious than I expected. You could have kidnapped me just like she did.”

 

“You’re no good to me if you’re unwilling. You would have discovered Aurelie’s deception eventually. She was running out of time to acquire your cooperation in her scheme.”

 

Elowyn reflected on the nature of Caius’ power: he didn’t need to use brute force or deception to acquire her consent. He was the most powerful mage she’d ever met. The southern mages were like wisps in comparison to gods: weak, impotent, vilified by their countrymen and imprisoned as criminals. This man before her represented everything she could be: a mage with the power to control her own destiny, to do great good or great evil. A mage who could change the course of history.

 

“I accept your proposal. I’ll return to Aurelie and hear what she says.” But she knew she had already made up her mind. 

[Uccio]

That is just awesome, Caius rolls with style. Scary style. 

[Serelir]

I was amazed that I channeled him so well   

 

Most of the time, I feel I have no idea what I'm doing, let alone masterminding a nefarious plot.

 

Anyway, I can't wait to write even scarier scenes with him!

[Master Warder Z_]

Psst Monkey.

 

Chapter thirteen is almost done

[Tevinter Rose]

Dinner with the Magister, during which Elowyn eats nothing:

 

Spoiler

“So,” said Elowyn, addressing the Magister, “do you put every Magister’s apprentices through this little test?”

 

He turned his gaze upon her. Once again, Elowyn felt like she was falling into the black depths of his vision. She could practically hear the screams of his victims echoing from his eyes. She swallowed and kept her eyes glued to his without faltering.

 

“No,” he said, “I had a suspicion about you, and it proved correct.”

 

“And what was your suspicion?”

 

“Don’t you know what you are?”

 

“An elf?”

 

The Magister laughed. It didn’t do anything to relieve Elowyn’s tension. The laugh of this Magister portended no good, like the rattle of a snake before it strikes.

 

“You are a somniara.”

 

“A sleeper?” asked Elowyn, translating in her head.

 

“A Dreamer,” the Magister corrected. “A mage who can enter the Fade at will. They are very rare.”

 

“All mages can enter the Fade,” said Elowyn, attempting to cloud the issue.

 

“Not without lyrium,” he said.

 

“I guzzled a bottle of lyrium before I came here,” Elowyn parried.

 

The Magister just smiled and took a bite of his food. Elowyn’s appetite had deserted her. He chewed thoughtfully and said, “Do I need to lock you up for a day and test you again?”

 

“Do I have a choice?”

 

“There’s always a choice.”

 

“Then no, you don’t need to lock me up. However, I don’t know what use I could be to you. You’re doing quite well summoning demons on your own.”

 

This time the Magister threw his head back and laughed. Elowyn blinked and looked down at her plate, then spared a glance for Vel, who was looking at her like she’d transformed into a dragon. She smiled at him, and he blanched. She would have words with him later.

 

“Am I free to go, or do you intend to imprison me?” she asked the Magister.

 

“I will make you an offer,” he said. “You become my apprentice, and I will teach you what you are so eager to learn. I’ve seen it in you, the longing.”

 

“What about my position with Magistra Caracalla? I am not free to leave.”

 

He waved his hand dismissively. “The Magistra can be persuaded to let you go.” His gaze fixed her once again, “The question is, do you want this? I think you do, but I need to hear you say it.”

 

“Don’t I have an obligation to the Magistra, though? It was she who brought me here.”

 

Vel spoke for the first time, “’Brought’ is a nice way of putting it. The way I heard it, you were kidnapped by smugglers working for the Magistra. She ordered you like a pair of shoes from a cobbler: one Somniara, coming right up. If you had traveled here on your own, you would have had your pick of Magisters. You could have gotten much better terms.”

 

“Really? Surely there’s a surplus of apostate refugees up for grabs in Minrathous.”

 

“I have a suggestion,” broke in Caius, “Return to Aurelie’s house and ask her for the truth. Ask her why she wanted you specifically. Then make your decision.”

 

“You seem confident I won’t like her answer.”

 

“I would not have made my move without being confident of the results.”

 

“Alright,” said Elowyn. “You have been more gracious than I expected. You could have kidnapped me just like she did.”

 

“You’re no good to me if you’re unwilling. You would have discovered Aurelie’s deception eventually. She was running out of time to acquire your cooperation in her scheme.”

 

Elowyn reflected on the nature of Caius’ power: he didn’t need to use brute force or deception to acquire her consent. He was the most powerful mage she’d ever met. The southern mages were like wisps in comparison to gods: weak, impotent, vilified by their countrymen and imprisoned as criminals. This man before her represented everything she could be: a mage with the power to control her own destiny, to do great good or great evil. A mage who could change the course of history.

 

“I accept your proposal. I’ll return to Aurelie and hear what she says.” But she knew she had already made up her mind. 

 

This is pretty intense, I like it.

[Serelir]

Words with Vel - every dinner needs a dessert!

 

Spoiler

Vel was assigned the pleasure of walking Elowyn back to Domus Caracalla. “Time to explain yourself, Barrius. That little maneuver with the staff – you planned that with the Magister?”

 

Vel had the grace to look sheepish. “Cassia intercepted your note and sent me to get you.”

 

“I should have given the urchin a better description.”

 

“Cassia took Zera’s cloak. The kid was probably too scared to stick around and get a good look at her. Don’t feel bad – Caius would have found a way to lure you into his house no matter what.”

 

“We both could have died! I thought that was the end for you – I’m not a good enough healer to fix a massive hemorrhage like that!”

 

“Caius knew exactly what he was doing.”

 

Elowyn contemplated this. She’d never been so frightened, not even when she and Guy had escaped the Tower or she’d been abducted and thrown into the ship. “I had a bad dream that he wanted to steal my soul,” Elowyn confided.

 

Vel laughed. “You’re too valuable to him alive. I’m a little surprised that he let you walk out of his house. He must be confident he’ll get what he wants.”

 

“And what do you want, Vel? Was your serenade just a pretense?”

 

Vel stopped and turned her toward him. He looked into her eyes with his soulful brown ones and lifted her chin with his hand. “I’ve never felt so drawn to a woman,” he told her. “Also, you owe me a kiss.” He proceeded to take it from her lips, and she responded, blissfully melting into his embrace.

[Serelir]

One more, and then I'll go back to my drawing. Everyone is welcome to jump in!

 

Back at Vaellanius Manor - Vel is Unmanned

 

Spoiler

Vel flung himself down on the bed and groaned. Publius looked at him with disgust. “That knife-ear has you by the balls, my friend. I’ve never seen you so discountenanced over a woman.”

 

“Stop distracting me with your fancy words! I’m busy imagining her naked. Such creamy skin…”

 

“The barmaids of Minrathous will strike in protest! Don’t let this little tart emasculate you – it’s not good for the economy.”

 

“You’re always telling me to stop ogling the women, Publius. You should be happy I’ve found my goddess.”

 

“She’s an elf! Have you no sense? You can’t be serious about an elf. You could buy half a dozen. Maker’s Breath, Magister Caius has a whole harem of them he’s not even using!”

 

“I want to crawl inside her skin and feel her from the inside. Those glorious globes of hers, those eyes, those lips!” exclaimed Vel. Publius made a retching noise.

 

Vel sat up and grinned at Publius. “You’re just jealous because you have only a snarl of ambition where your heart should be. You’re afraid she’s going to usurp your position, aren’t you?”

 

Publius huffed, “Hardly! She’s an Orlesian Circle mage, after all. She’s not worthy of cleaning his chamberpot.”

 

“Tell me you’re not hoarding his **** somewhere so you can take a whiff of his power whenever you’re feeling weak.”

 

“**** you, Barrius!”

 

Vel just grinned.

[Uccio]

Haha! You caught well the bro fighting between Vel and Publius. 

 

Spoiler

*Caius stood before the great hall´s large window overseeing the front yard and the second gate. In the colorful relief of the gigantic window a ancient battle was being fought, one of Caius´ forefathers defeated a Avvar tribal lord. Tiny magical enchantment made the characters move a little when gazed upon giving a touch of life for the tableau in the glass. But that was not what he was looking for.

 

Caius leaned on his staff in his thoughts looking after Elowyn and Vel leaving the manor and stepping into the streets. Momentarily Caius let himself drift into his memories. That look in her eyes, gestures. The way she carried herself. So painfully familiar.

A bittersweet old memory from times long gone. More simpler, innocent times. She smiled, swung her hair and gazed him smiling between the long locks of her hair. Caius laughed at her comment from the bottom of his heart sitting in the sunny flowery field.

 

World is a strange place, Caius thought. Sometimes ironic.

 

"You think she will come back?", Livia said with silent voice. She had glided next to him as Caius stood there looking out of the window. "Yes", he said with a confident voice. "I can offer her what she wants, Magistra cannot". 

He stood there for a while in silence, "I saw the look in her eyes, that hungry yet scared look when young mages with potential realize that what they have been looking for their whole life is within their reach". He turned to Livia, "and she has potential. Believe me".

 

Livia folded her arms behind her back, "is it worth it?". 

 

"A somniari? She will speed up my plans ten fold", a cold smile lingered on his lips shortly. 

 

"And how will you convince her to do your bidding, by lying?", she inquired interested. 

 

"No, there is no need for that. Truth is much more powerful, in small doses". Caius turned around walking away.

"Release Monkai, send him to his new home under surveillance. The one I bought for him. That should be sufficient even for him. Tell him to stay in the house, my new apprentice might want to study him".*

[Serelir]

She does! She does want to study him. Minutely! She wants to get in his head and crawl around.

[raging_monkey]

Psst Monkey.

Chapter thirteen is almost done

yes!

[raging_monkey]

Feels good to be "home"

Spoiler

the house was full of dust it was like it hasn't been used in decades. The air was stale and reeked of dirt. Monkai had been sent here by caius as show of "good faith". "This will be good for you lad you'll love it" he remembered...

"Bloody nug-humper " monkai said dragging his finger across the table. He was a messy person by nature but never this messy. The door knocked "who in andraste's red bush is it"

"Its us kai". The zera said between the door. He opened the door letting them in,not hiding the embarrassment from her and cassia and miriel

"Its smells in here" Muriel said sniffing the place like a dog. Odd she was a noble in public but always got "feral" around him.

"Then clean it up miri " cassia said eyeing monkai with a most sinister glance. "I'll prepare dinner then" zera said sensing the tension

"Come to gloat have you" monkai said leaning against the wall. "No maybe tomorrow but I am surprised you live... monster." Monkai hated that word "monster"... she said it just make him angry but he's in control again. "So your just here to clean the house and be my keeper... or do you need to fellate daddy" cassia's face turned red "your mother! You foreign nug-humping sword swinging-"
"Yeah yeah shut up and help" monkai said throwing her a broom

XXx

It had been a good few days since moving in. He was a free agent again not bound by the circle, caius, or that magistra and the house was clean and ready for research with cassia's approval ironically " the door banged most impolite. By the sound it was one of his contacts for lyrium "delivery ".

Monkai opened the door revealing a human man abnormally tall. "Hey red"

"Hello.. master" he said slowly as if trying to properly say it. He was a viddithari from the qunari they were once master and student but they quickly grew out of that paradigm. He let him in and be gain to chat

[Serelir]

Could it be... Red of Rivia?

[raging_monkey]

Maybe hehe old friends new adventures

[Red of Rivia]

Feels good to be "home"

Spoiler

the house was full of dust it was like it hasn't been used in decades. The air was stale and reeked of dirt. Monkai had been sent here by caius as show of "good faith". "This will be good for you lad you'll love it" he remembered...

"Bloody nug-humper " monkai said dragging his finger across the table. He was a messy person by nature but never this messy. The door knocked "who in andraste's red bush is it"

"Its us kai". The zera said between the door. He opened the door letting them in,not hiding the embarrassment from her and cassia and miriel

"Its smells in here" Muriel said sniffing the place like a dog. Odd she was a noble in public but always got "feral" around him.

"Then clean it up miri " cassia said eyeing monkai with a most sinister glance. "I'll prepare dinner then" zera said sensing the tension

"Come to gloat have you" monkai said leaning against the wall. "No maybe tomorrow but I am surprised you live... monster." Monkai hated that word "monster"... she said it just make him angry but he's in control again. "So your just here to clean the house and be my keeper... or do you need to fellate daddy" cassia's face turned red "your mother! You foreign nug-humping sword swinging-"
"Yeah yeah shut up and help" monkai said throwing her a broom

XXx

It had been a good few days since moving in. He was a free agent again not bound by the circle, caius, or that magistra and the house was clean and ready for research with cassia's approval ironically " the door banged most impolite. By the sound it was one of his contacts for lyrium "delivery ".

Monkai opened the door revealing a human man abnormally tall. "Hey red"

"Hello.. master" he said slowly as if trying to properly say it. He was a viddithari from the qunari they were once master and student but they quickly grew out of that paradigm. He let him in and be gain to chat

Haha, Red looks like a Viking

[raging_monkey]

Hehe yeah I had that in mind. Brutish but a bunny on the inside

[Serelir]

Hehe yeah I had that in mind. Brutish but a bunny on the inside

That just doesn't say "Viking" to me, lol.  Maybe all that raping and pillaging made them really mellow?

[Red of Rivia]

That just doesn't say "Viking" to me, lol.  Maybe all that raping and pillaging made them really mellow?

If you put a redhead in his way, you can say that.

[Serelir]

If you put a redhead in his way, you can say that.

*Hides behind Magister Caius*

[raging_monkey]

That just doesn't say "Viking" to me, lol. Maybe all that raping and pillaging made them really mellow?

technically I was going for a Beowulf esque form

[Red of Rivia]

*Hides behind Magister Caius*

Look for the good side, he don't have horns.

[Serelir]

technically I was going for a Beowulf esque form

Like this?

 

Spoiler

[Serelir]

Look for the good side, he don't have horns.

Horns can be interesting... but they snag on your sweaters. Just a minute... aren't those Qun followers the ENEMY?!