Dragon Age Inquisition: Farms and Estates

Journeys

With help from Alistair's staff, Evie managed to find a shipping vessel that was bound for Orlais that afternoon. For once Evie felt little guilt about dropping Cecily's name and title. The Captain, initially reluctant to take on a passenger, quickly changed her tune when she realized that the Inquisitor's sister would owe her a favor, and was willing to pay an exorbitant passage fee in the meantime.

Evie packed only what she could fit in a small cloth bag, and asked Maria to remain in Denerim to cancel her social engagements and make any necessary apologies. Krem, no stranger to mustering out on short notice, was ready to leave within the hour. By midday both of them were standing in front of the palace, waiting for the carriage that Alistair's secretary had arranged for them. The vehicle that arrived was plain—sleek and clearly built for speed, but with no royal crests or ostentatious decorations to draw attention. Evie was grateful for the anonymity.

As Evie handed her bag up to the driver, Krem opened the door to the carriage. Her bodyguard put one foot on the step, then paused, staring at the inside. "You know, I think I'll ride up front. Fresh air and all that," he said casually, stepping down and pushing the door half-closed again.

Evie gave Krem an odd look, then slowly, understanding dawned. She stepped up carefully and peered inside.

Alistair was sitting on one of the interior benches, hidden from the outside world by heavy curtains. He gave her a sheepish smile and a little half-wave. "I wasn't sure when I'd see you again, and I thought you could use some company. Or maybe you'd rather be alone. Was this a bad idea?" he asked tentatively.

Evie shook her head emphatically. "No. It was an excellent one. I could use a distraction."

*

Alistair used the carriage ride to narrate a tour of Denerim for Evie—although perhaps not the version of the tour he saved for most visiting dignitaries.

"You're making this up. The Hero of Ferelden did not rob all of those estates," she laughed.

"Naia's a woman of many talents. I played lookout once or twice. But all that heavy armor I wore during the Blight is apparently very bad for sneaking."

"So instead of becoming a burglar you had to settle for being King?"

"Yes, that's exactly how it happened. You can imagine how disappointed I was."

All too soon Evie felt the ground under the carriage shift, from cobblestones to planks of wood; they had arrived at the docks. As the carriage drew to a stop, she looked over at Alistair and swallowed a bit, but he spoke first.

"Evie—I'm sorry about your sister."

"The note said she'll be all right." But Evie couldn't hide the wobble in her voice. "I'll feel better once I've seen her myself. I—I hope your invitation is still good for a while longer. For riding, or dinner."

"Quite a while longer," Alistair assured her.

Evie heard two telltale thumps; their bags were being unloaded. On an impulse, she leaned forward and kissed Alistair on the cheek. "Thank you," she said softly as the door opened.

The King of Ferelden was wearing a very happy smile when Evie slid out of the carriage.

Evie's answering smile was almost ridiculously bright, but she felt it fade as the door closed and the carriage slipped away from the docks. With a lump in her throat, she pulled the morning's note from her pocket, and read it again for what felt like the thousandth time.

Evie—Cecily is alive, and she stopped the Viddasala's plan, but she's been badly injured. She lost her left arm. I believe she will recover but it might help if you were here. Come quickly, if you can.—Dorian