A peaceful evening, for once:
Elowyn felt a pang when Caius left the study. She wished she could have him all to herself for the night: no mother, no servants and retainers, just the two of them. She thought about Caradoc’s confession: what must it have taken to drive him away from Aurelia? She knew that he was devoted to his mistress. Perhaps he had been sent as a spy. Caius had ways of discovering duplicity. She shivered at the thought of his capabilities. He’d been pressing her to learn blood magic. She felt reluctant, though he’d informed her that she’d been using it already, intuitively.
She returned to her suite, relieved that she could shut the door and have privacy. For once, she fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. Mostly dreamless: she remembered a fleeting fragment about being on a ship. She spent a few hours the next morning writing letters of inquiry, trying to track down the members of Decentius’ squad. She wasn’t sure whether she should make contact with the unit in Carastes or just show up and surprise them. If she asked Caius to accompany her, would he take over the investigation? Or would his presence open doors that were closed to her? She was having trouble deciding. The thought of having Caius to herself for a little while was delightful. But she didn’t want to have that frivolous desire cloud her judgment.
At mid-morning, she found Venerandus and went over the apprentices’ schedule with him. “I wanted to let you know,” he said, “I made arrangements for your mother to spend the day with the elven ladies.”
“Elven ladies?” asked Elowyn.
“Ah, yes, the Gray Girls, as they’re affectionately known. It’s a group of freewomen, senior ladies that get together for activities. They’re attending a lecture on the artistic styles of Minrathous through the ages this afternoon.”
“That sounds interesting!” said Elowyn.
“Oh, would you like to attend?” asked Venerandus.
“I think I’ll leave it to the ladies,” laughed Elowyn, “Thank you so much for introducing my mother to the group.”
“It was my pleasure,” said Venerandus, giving a slight bow. He was so competent, and so gracious! Venerandus really was a treasure. Elowyn would have to think of some way to reward him for his help. He was quickly becoming indispensable to her.
She spent the afternoon in the still room, preparing potions. She took great pleasure in using her home-grown herbs to produce the household medicines and fortifying preparations for the guards. She carried the key to the room on her belt and maintained strict control over the servants who stocked the supplies and cleaned the equipment. It was imperative that enemies of the household not gain access. Poisonings were rampant in the cutthroat feuds between Magisters. It was almost as bad as the situation in Orlais, though the Magisters had magical weapons at their disposal. Still, the Orlesian nobles kept household mages and pretended that they didn’t use them for intrigues against each other.
As she adjusted the flame under the retort, she considered the hypocrisy of the Orlesians: the lip service they paid to “Magic serving Man.” Indeed, the mages of Orlais were dehumanized tools of the nobility that controlled the Chantry. The nobles combed through the circles, selecting the most beautiful and talented shemlen mages to serve them. Just like the slaves of the Imperium. Meanwhile, the Orlesians and Fereldans made speeches about “freedom” and not being controlled by the “evil mages” like the poor oppressed citizens of Tevinter. It was all the same everywhere. Only the rhetoric varied.
After she labeled and stored the new potions, she tidied up the still room and had a light supper by herself on the balcony of her apartment. The sun was setting in the sparkling water around Minrathous, gilding the skyline with peach, rose and orange. A slight breeze ruffled her hair. It was a perfect evening, and Elowyn felt content having put in a day’s work and been spared her mother’s negativity for a few hours.
It was lovely having a suite all to herself. She’d always lived crowded in with other people, first in the alienage, then in the Circle. It had felt luxurious to have her own room at Caracalla manor. To have a whole suite to herself at Vaellanius manor felt amazing, and she enjoyed every minute she spent there. She’d had the walls painted in tones of grey-lavender, storm blue and burgundy to suit her tastes, and Caius had generously allowed her a budget to furnish the rooms with antiques. The dealers loved Elowyn: they’d see her coming and bring out their best wares.
She felt slightly guilty enjoying her privacy when she thought about the crowded servant quarters and the way her people lived in the alienages. Though there were people who enjoyed the hustle and bustle and would find a whole apartment to themselves to be too quiet.
She turned her mind to the Nocen Sea and wondered what creatures swam its depths. She’d ask Aminia if anyone was working on a device for breathing underwater. How wondrous it would be to explore under the oceans!
Her thoughts were interrupted by Caius stepping onto the balcony. She smiled and gestured to the seat next to her, pouring a glass of wine for him.
“I’m glad to see you!” she exclaimed.
“It’s a lovely evening,” he said, “What were you thinking about?”
“Sea creatures,” she replied. “My brother is studying them over in the Amaranthine, by Estwatch.”
“Full of pirates!” Caius exclaimed.
“He’s probably oblivious,” said Elowyn. “Once Venyanen gets his head into a project, he forgets everything else. He even forgets to eat.”
“Like his sister,” smiled Caius, raising his glass. “I’m glad to see you’ve had some refreshment. You were looking a little wan yesterday.”
“Ah, it’s my mother. I feel like she sucks the life out of me.”
“How she gave birth to such a thoughtful creature is a miracle indeed,” said Caius. “You needn’t fear her – I shall keep her too busy to trouble you.”
“Master, can you truly take time off to accompany me to Carastes?” she asked.
“Nothing would please me more!”
“I wouldn’t want to endanger our house. If you were absent, would our enemies take the opportunity to strike?”
“I have an army at my disposal, and my guards and advisors are the best in the Imperium. You need have no fear: this house will withstand any assault.” Caius took her hand. “Darling, we’ve spoken about blood magic. It’s time for you to learn how to wield it properly.”
A small sigh escaped Elowyn’s lips.
“You are reluctant, I know, but blood magic is simply another tool. It can be used to heal as well as to destroy. How to use it is your choice. It may save your life one day, or the lives of those you love.”
“Alright, Master, you’ve convinced me. Though I long to spend the evening here, in your arms.”
“It may surprise you how intimate it will be to practice blood magic on your Master,” Caius laughed.
Elowyn smiled wryly and stood up to follow Caius to the dungeons.
Retour en haut
. Hopefully it is not calm before storm.
