Sparkler and the Wolf

44: Protected

"Great news Serah Fenris!" Dagna beamed up at him the following morning after breakfast. "I completed the enchantment and it can be fused into your armour in under an hour. You won't need to carry anything or worry about losing it."

"You need my armour then?"

"Just for an hour." She nodded.

"I will go fetch it."

"Excellent! I'll be here finishing up my other work while I wait."

Fenris shook his head at the dwarf's energy and enthusiasm and headed to his quarters. He had just enough time to run his armour back to Dagna before he was expected in the War Room.

----xxx----

Dorian paced the floor of the War Room waiting for the Inquisitor, Cullen and Fenris to arrive so they could get this meeting over with.

"Dorian. If you pace that wall again I'm going to make you stop." Cassandra growled, her brow furrowing in annoyance.

"I wouldn't have to pace if Commander Cullen was more punctual." Dorian snapped, his nerves frayed. He understood having to inform the Inquisition, but the nature of the letter and the sender's identity were things he was not in a hurry to share. He just wanted this meeting over with so he could go back to pretending he wasn't in danger of being kidnapped. It had been a possibility since he left home, but sharing it with these people...

Fenris entered, ending his inner dialogue and on seeing Dorian's state, crossed to him and linked his fingers in his. "It will be all right amatus." He whispered, low enough that only Dorian could hear him.

Alethra entered then, a smile tugging at her lips when she spotted Fenris' proximity to Dorian. "I'm told you received a threatening letter of suspicious origins Dorian." She said, crossing the room to the other side of the table.

"Yes that's true." Dorian nodded, tensing.

She frowned, tapping her fingers impatiently on the table while they waited on Cullen who entered shortly after. "Good. We're all here. So tell us what's in this letter and who you think sent it."

Dorian took a deep breath, releasing his grip on Fenris and read the letter aloud, omitting the bits about his person and character.

"This should not be taken lightly." Leliana said when Dorian finished. "What can you tell us about this Rilienus?"

"Not much I'm afraid. He used to be a fine instructor at the Circle of Magi and his theories were extraordinary. When I left the Imperium he was still a fine instructor and his expertise on Fade research was invaluable. He was set to marry the year I left. Aside from that I know nothing about him. And if he hadn't written me I would have never have suspected he would throw in his lot with the Venatori."

"You're right. It's not much to go on." Alethra agreed. "Still, they've threatened an ally and more importantly, a friend. I want all the people here at Skyhold checked out. If we have spies among us I want to know about it."

"Surely they can't have infiltrated our forces Inquisitor." Cullen protested.

"I do not want to take chances with this Commander. We're all well aware of what the Venatori are capable of."

"I will put my people on it immediately Inquisitor." Leliana agreed.

"While you're at it, have Sera and Varric come speak to me."

"Of course Inquisitor." Leliana said. "If you'll excuse me."

"Josephine, Cassandra if you both could remain vigilant on this as well?"

"We will Your Worship."

"Thank you. I'd like a private word with Dorian and Fenris."

The two women nodded and left and Alethra turned to Dorian. "Alright what did you leave out?"

Fenris snorted, drawing a scowl from the mage as he met his amatus' eyes over his shoulder. "I left nothing out Alethra. Whatever are you talking about?"

The Inquisitor expelled a loud breath, quirking an eyebrow at the Tevinter mage. "Come on Dorian. I know you left something out."

"Ugh. Fine, but I'm not reading it to you. Here," he said, handing her the letter. "Read it yourself."

"Nug-licking bastard." The Inquisitor swore when she finished. "Are all mages in the Imperium like this or did they have to take lessons on being royal shits?"

Fenris laughed. "Personally, I think many are born like that."

Dorian huffed again and shrugged. "He's not wrong. I sometimes think the same thing."

"All humour aside Dorian, I hope you aren't going to ignore this."

"Even if I wanted to, Fenris won't let me."

"Good. At least one of you is taking this seriously."

"I never said I wasn't."

Alethra rolled her eyes. "Just don't downplay this. You're important to me Dorian and to many others. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Yes, fine. I understand and appreciate your concern. I promise I won't take any unnecessary risks."

"I certainly hope you mean that." She said, turning to Fenris. "Dagna has informed me her enchantments are finished. Her tests were successful then?"

"She's enchanting my armour as we speak." He nodded.

"Good. Then we'll be heading to the Emprise tomorrow. Pack for cold weather, I'm sure you've already heard about the river that froze overnight."

Dorian groaned. "Kaffas. We heard, but I was hoping it was only a rumour."

Alethra giggled. "Sorry Dorian but it's true."

"Come, my mage. We should start packing now."