[sandbox]

[bringspeopletogether]

The letter he finally sends is maybe a little more impolitic than it ought to be, but if he doesn't send something now, he'll still be writing when his Calling arrives.



Fiona,

Ivette Cousland is looking for you. The name might ring a bell. Hero of Ferelden? Slayed the Archdemon some years ago?

Anyway. She's not having any luck, so I thought I'd try my hand at getting in touch.

Cousland's been searching for a cure for the Calling these past five years or so; she even retired as Warden-Commander of Vigil's Keep so she could pursue her research better. She knows your leaving the Wardens wasn't like mine. You didn't just walk away from Weisshaupt: you managed to un-Join somehow, with no ill effects. You're our last, best lead on the matter, so you can understand why she's rather eager to speak to you. It's very likely she doesn't have much time left, what with it being almost a decade and a half since her Joining and living through a Blight.

Frankly, I don't expect I have much time left, either.

Cullen and I are in South Reach these days. I'll always know where to find Cousland, if you'd rather speak with her directly. For all our sakes, I hope you'll be in touch.

--Alistair





Two weeks later, a raven knocks its beak against their window frame.

This is a matter best discussed in person, says the note attached to its leg. I can be to South Reach by the end of the month.

It's signed only with the letter F. Alistair spends the next few hours talking up a nervous storm, hands digging in his hair, half anxious, half furious. (This is exactly what he didn't want: for her to read this as an overture. For her to think she could have any claim to Alistair's time, Alistair's space, outside of giving him and Cousland the information they needed.)

Then he writes a letter to Cousland and sends the raven on its way.

Comments

[bringspeopletogether]

"I've no idea if such an endeavor would be successful," says Fiona, still quieter than not, "but despite all the...difficulties, and changes, with the former Circles, I've held on to my own ties here and there. Friends. Former colleagues. I could attempt to call on them as well."

A fleeting glance to Cullen.

"Discreetly, of course."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen says, very quietly:

“Did you suspect anything of Remille, before you went into the Deep Roads? Did anyone?”

[bringspeopletogether]

"No."

That comes out as a long sigh.

"No, we did not."

[howtoactfereldan]

“It might be best to hold off on any contact with broader circles, then, unless we turn up something that could use their input.”

He does at least sound a little apologetic about it.

[highnever]

Lightly: “Agreed. If dealing with Avernus taught me anything, it’s that we don’t want to risk any of this information falling into the hands of someone like Remille. Avernus was bad enough, with all those experiments.”

[bringspeopletogether]

Fiona nods.

"If there's more help I can provide, I'm glad to do it." She looks to each of them in turn; Alistair only holds her gaze a moment before glancing away. "But it seems as if I may have done as much as I can for the moment. In which case I should perhaps take my leave...?"

Alistair's fingers curl, but he makes no reply.

[highnever]

Ivette blinks, glancing first at Alistair, then at Cullen — but then recovers. “If you’d like. — though if I could beg a favor? If you could keep Leliana apprised of your whereabouts...? Only so we can reach you quickly.”

[howtoactfereldan]

“Yes. Please.” Cullen rubs the back of his neck. “I’m afraid I haven’t kept abreast of developments among our mage allies, so I’ve no notion how much danger your life holds at the moment. But Divine Victoria’s networks are... still largely intact, from what I understand.”

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair adds, quieter than the others -- and still not quite looking at Fiona -- "Yes. If we need more of your help, we'll be in touch."

"And I shall answer." She rises from the table, offering a brief, light smile. "I hope this can help guide you toward what you seek, Warden Cousland. And I thank you all for your hospitality. You've been most kind."

[howtoactfereldan]

“Thank you for coming,” Cullen says, soft and serious and sincere. “I’ll keep you informed.”

It’s not — he can’t, he won’t try to force anything on Alistair. But Fiona was — a colleague. For a few frightening, intense years. And if a cure materializes, if her information helps — Cullen owes her.

“Can we provide anything for your journey?”

[bringspeopletogether]

"You've fed me quite well already," she says. "But if you're willing to part with a little bread, and let me fill my waterskin...?"

"We've got bread." Seizing upon the distraction, Alistair's out of his seat and moving toward the small counter near the stove. For an ungracious moment, he considers foisting one of his failed bread experiments on Fiona, but -- no, there's half a loaf made by an actual baker he can wrap up for the journey. They can buy more tomorrow.

They still need Fiona's help, and that means Alistair still has to play nice despite the tiny coal of resentment burning in the pit of his belly.

[howtoactfereldan]

“Of course.” Surprised. “We’ve even — I had time to rig a pump direct to the kitchen. Water’s no trouble at all.”

[highnever]

“It’s very convenient,” Ivette murmurs. “Gru, darling, will you come outside with me?”

Best, she thinks, to let Cullen manage this part (to manage Alistair), and say her own farewells to Fiona outside.

[bringspeopletogether]

Gru flicks an ear and lifts his head from where he's been resting on the floor. With a curious grumble -- and a quick glance toward Alistair and Cullen, just to make sure they'll be all right without him -- he hefts himself up to follow Ivette out the door.

Maybe there's a deer haunch out there! A big deer haunch ALL FOR HIM.

Alistair debates another moment as Fiona fills her waterskin, then retrieves an apple and bundles it up alongside the bread. Thank you, Alistair, she murmurs as he hands over the offering; he even manages to hold her gaze as he nods and mumbles a reflexive lie: it's no trouble.

Focus on the important part, he tells himself. They have a lead. A genuine lead, the first in a rather long while going from the state of Ivette's notes. Everything else is -- secondary.

(This does not mean he won't feel worlds better as soon as Fiona's out the door.)

[howtoactfereldan]

“Be well,” Cullen murmurs, as soon as she’s gathered herself, walking her to the door. “Keep safe.”

[bringspeopletogether]

"And you as well. Both of you," she adds. "Thank you again."

Fiona draws her hood back over her head. Steps outside to join Ivette and Gru.



As soon as the door's closed, Alistair roughly scrubs a hand down his face and braces himself on the counter.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen goes to the shelf holding the brandy and pulls it down.

Standing next to Alistair:

“Drink?”

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair huffs a laugh -- it only wobbles a little -- and lets his hand drop.

"Please, Maker, yes," he says. "I don't care how early it is."

[howtoactfereldan]

Without another word — but a small, sideways smile — Cullen pours a modicum of brandy into a nearby mug and slides it to Alistair.

“All yours, Theirin.”

[bringspeopletogether]

"Thank you, love."

He wraps both hands around the mug, as if it were a cup of tea he could draw warmth from, and leans his shoulder against Cullen's. (Sags against him, really.) He takes a sip, and another.

He...probably ought to say something. About five different options are busily churning through his mind, none of which cohere enough to -- well. Be coherent. So, we have letters to write. So it may be worth daring to hope, a little bit.

So I'm still incapable of being anything but selfish, or able to keep myself together, and I'm sorry for that. Again.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen wraps a steadying arm around Alistair’s shoulders, and kisses the top of his head.

“All done.” Quiet.

[bringspeopletogether]

"For now," he agrees with a soft sigh. He lets his eyes close. "For a little while."

[howtoactfereldan]

“Until this evening at least.” He squeezes Alistair briefly. “When we have to make dinner.”

[bringspeopletogether]

"Ought to get more bread for that," he mumbles, half to himself, before taking another sip of brandy. "And...other things."

A crooked smile.

"If there's one thing I miss about Skyhold, it's being able to stick your head out the door and ask someone to fetch you dinner."

[howtoactfereldan]

A disgruntled sigh. “It did rather make remembering to eat far more simple.”