Vigil's Keep

It had been a frightfully long two years, Roderick thought as he looked out the window overseeing the Keep. He was still unused to the title Warden-Commander although he had worn it for several months now. Factions and reports of infighting among their ranks had reached his ears, although he kept those missives aside for now.

Perhaps it would lessen over the years, but even then, he knew that the Order had to change. Still the Ferelden branch was far too weak to stand on its own. It was tempting to reach to those in Orlais but he knew after Clarel's mistake at Adamant, they too needed to regroup and he was on his own.

His recruiters had come back with good news. There were those left ravaged with the war who wanted to join the Order; those who sought a greater cause; those who sought to escape execution or punishment. The Right of Conscription was always useful. He himself had used it to save himself since his escape from Kirkwall.

With a deep sigh, he wandered over to his desk to take a look at the names of those who were to undergo the Joining. It was always a difficult thing to watch, but Grey Wardens were always made from them.

In War, Victory.
In Peace, Vigilance.
In Death, Sacrifice.

It was terrible to think things had become dull, he did not come with any faces he had personally worked with and social could not be counted as one of his skills. Conversations were always stiff, he was stiff. Was no less so coming to see Roderick Vimes. There were people above him of course, always, that he could have gone to with these sorts of matters but it was better to speak to the head of the beast rather than the shoulders or knees. Especially when you didn't quite know who the shoulders and knees were. This was a different build than soldiering for the Inquisition was.
A few hard knocks on the door. Things that one should always remember. Those in positions above frequently liked to speak first, liked lengthy introductions, and bows.

The Commander is was studying his papers when he heard several sharp knocks.

"Come in," his voice called out across the room. He knew how loud to make himself such that it would carry through the wood, but no further than that. While it had seemed odd to the others, one of the first few things he had done was to test the sound in the room; how loud could he speak before anyone with an ear to the door could hear him. It would do no one any favours if they were speaking of confidential matters if he didn't know how loud he was.

Lines had formed permanent creases the 45 year old's face. He had seen far too much even for one his age and it made him appear far older than he was as he looked up towards Gaius. The Mage wore his staff on the sling at his back. Even when he slept, his staff was never far from his hand.

Should Gaius come closer, Roderick continued looking through his work, although it was more of a test of the other man's behaviour. Would he wait until he was addressed or given attention? Or would he make a noise of sorts to indicate his presence.

Either way, he would turn to look at the soldier after a while, whether at the noise or when a minute had passed, eyes silently asking the reason for his presence.

A stiff bow was given to Roderick after he entered. One that said Gaius was used to the sort of quick urgent ones that came with hurried encounters. That was the majority of his experience with any in such high positions. While he figured royals and the like expected far different he didn't suspect the wardens were going to bother him for not knowing if he were meant to do otherwise. His words, or word, was quick and simple for a greeting as well, "Commander."

As the man began to go through his papers though he would continue to stand a statue. Waiting for further urging to speak. He was an important man, with probably important things in front of him. He would not interrupt and cause him to lose a thought. When the look was given he would speak, giving the same stiff impression. "Ser, my name is Gaius Bastida. Served for the Inquisition. Recently arrived. I thought to discuss my work here with you. Not to say that I am not satisfied wherever you may see fit to place me, I'd rather just be certain you knew of my specific skills so that I could be of the most use where I am placed."

A nod was given when Gaius greeted him, though he returned to his papers.

As the soldier spoke, Roderick would give him his full attention. It was always a sign of respect between people as he saw it. Unless more pressing matters were at hand. In this case, the most pressing was an introduction by the new Warden recruit.

"Gaius Bastida. I do believe I saw your name on the list of new recruits," he said as he rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "And I do appreciate the proactiveness in seeking me out, although most do leave a note to make an appointment. Nevertheless, it is still good to meet those who would be under my command. Grey Wardens possess a myriad of skills."

He went over to the window, looking at the direction of where the Breach had stood for months.

"Of course, and you know what happened to the Wardens during the siege of Adamant. It is good to welcome a former comrade in arms," he said before he turned around to face the soldier. His features still stern and serious, but what could one expect from a man fresh in his position of command?

"Now tell me Gaius Bastida, what skills of yours would you wish to show me?"

"Many things happened. Many things will." He recalled the seige of Adamant, of course. He recalled betrayals and allies made enemies made allies. These times were dark, and what he knew was that in any brief clearing of the sky, man would make their own storms with each other. Be it with elves, mages, or for the sake of the devine. There was never peace, which was why it was better to let the past go. A friend and ally was unpredictable. The only thing he'd been certain of in a long time had been the Inquisition and the leadership of the Inquisitor. Everyone needed purpose, though. So the Wardens would be friends until the world was torn apart again by some new blight, war, or unholy event.

"Notes become lost, or placed in spots to be visited later. You're a busy man, I'm sure. This seems the easier way to do this. I am certain that you have those in your service who are trap makers? While it is difficult to shoe I can explain unless you'd like me to demonstrate with something at a later time. I specialize in clockwork. In locks and traps of a different kind."

The commander chuckled as Gaius mentioned notes would go lost. "I suppose you're right on that. Although I've been doing a better job on keeping them in order of late now that things have settled."

As the man went on about trapmakers, Roderick raised an eyebrow as he listened. Interesting, he had expected the soldier to mention his own battle prowess but here he was offering something more useful.

"An artificer I see. Well I would certainly welcome your talents among our ranks. Although I'd have to ask, how proficient are you? Wait no. Don't answer that," the man said as he pondered a little more. Walking over to his desk, he scribbled a note, followed by his own signature before folding it and holding the note out to Gaius.

"If you don't mind a small task Gaius, perhaps you could build one of your contraptions for me to take a look at. A small one of course. Seek out Quartermaster Bryon at the courtyard. He shouldn't be too hard to miss. He'll show you what components we might have to spare for you to make something. May I expect to see something by next morning? Or would you require more time?"

The note contained instructions to Bryon and it wasn't sealed. Roderick trusted that Gaius would bring the letter unopened anyway.

There was no offense taken to the question of his skills, and Gaius would have been happy to explain further. The Commander had already halted him, though, and so he didn't speak further. He watched the man scribble a note, standing just as he had when he entered. He gave an impression of being fairly dull company otherwise.

"I will return with something tomorrow so long as I have adequate supplies. And that, I am certain, will be." There had to be a clock that could be picked apart. It meant he would not be sleeping through the night, but it would be worth it to have his hands on something to do again. He missed his projects. And though they would be of a smaller scale he was glad that they would be put to use. The letter was accepted and another quick bow was given. "Thank you, Commander. I will return with something to demonstrate."

Roderick nodded his head. "I shall look forward to your presentation then Gaius."

With that, he headed back to his desk, as the warden recruit was wordlessly dismissed. It wasn't that Roderick was unfriendly, but the weight of the rank was on his shoulders and the man looked weary. Life still went on despite all that had happened, and he was glad the past few years had been providing some sort of breather. How long till the next war.

Already their headquarters had reports of in fighting, but he felt no need to tell his own command that yet. Let them discover it on their own if they must. He did what he could do to bring peace to the region and defend it. Sitting down, he resumed looking at the reports of darkspawn, recruits and what not, not sparing a glance to Gaius.

(You can head to the courtyard for your next post if you like, or we can speed it up here for the presentation of the clockwork.)

Gaius would be out quickly. He had things to do. Supplies to gather. He went to Bryon and delivered the message and would get himself to work. It was, as he suspected, a long night. Squinting by light of fire and candle always made the eyes ache a bit but it was a familiar feeling. There were plenty of long nights already in his life. In the lives of most, he suspected. He did not believe anyone born in these times lived a life absent of tragedy. Anyone untouched by all the pain this age had started throwing at them since the blight had to live in a hole.

When he arrived in the morning, it was with bloodshot eyes and bruises under them. But for all of that, he did not look much different than the day before. A chest was brought with him. Small, but still requiring both hands.

Roderick was expecting the young man, and he figured the best sort of thing to have at hand, was some bread and jam. Those could always wait a few hours rather than a hot bowl of porridge.

"Come in," he'd instruct and when it turned out to be Gaius, a nod was given.

"Take a seat and have something to eat first if you've yet to break your fast. It's not the tastiest meal but it should do."

He was eager to examine the box but it worried him in the event the younger man had forgotten to eat in his excitement.

There was a moment that might have been hesitation or confusion at being invited to sit and eat before his presentation, but he did so. He had not eaten, not an uncommon thing for him to forget when he was in the middle of a project. He had no complaints on jam, "this is quite fine, thank you." There were times when fruit was not the easiest to come by. Wines and jams were ways to remember the flavors during those months. The chest was set down on the floor beside him and as he lifted his bread he offered, "I've found a common trouble with the safe storage of important documents is that there will always be a skilled enough thief to pick a lock. No lock is truly safe. Nor is any door." He finished a piece of bread after speaking.

The Commander nodded as he listened. He had judged the man correctly in his opinion. Here was a hardworking lad who forgot to take care of himself. A mental note was made to attach someone to him if Gaius was ever working on another project, just to make sure he slept and ate enough.

The mage took a closer look at the box, running his fingers over it as he checked for crevices and what not.

"I see," he said, his tone wanting to know more.

"Be careful, I would not recommend trying to open it yet." Now that Gaius was finished with his food he took up the box and removed a key. Unlocking it to show the internal mechanism. Two spring like latches held the lid on, and connecting to the springs along the walls of the box were a set of metal cords that lead to the back of the lock which looked a bit more like a clock.

"With the proper key, we open. No harm done. Now.. if you were picking the lock.. searching around for the opening mechanism.." He removed a metal file from his pocket and moved it slightly in the keyhole. A small click of a cog set the mechanism off, the cords pulling and with a sharp snap the loaded springs shut the chest. "This is fairly simple, and can be done to doors or chests for extra security. It can also easily be altered for a trap. You want to get someone stuck inside a room for snooping? Set it so there is a delay. The door will lock. Add sharp edgings to the chest if you want the hand of your thief. It has many uses."

Roderick raised an eyebrow, withdrawing his hands as Gaius demonstrated the mechanism.

The Commander folded his arms as he watched the presentation. It was impressive. Considering all he had given the man was a chance and scrap and a night.

"That's quite fascinating," he said, keeping his tone neutral. He didn't want to blow the boy's ego up. "Did you come up with this yourself or did you learn it from a master? The mechanisms seem very dwarven to me, but I'm no expert on Artificing."

"I worked for a clockmaker for a time. And, I was poor. I just came to understand clocks and.. locks." Gaius didn't like that those two things rhymed. He felt like it made him sound like he was attempting to be silly. Keeping a straight face just in case to make sure the man knew he was not trying to be clever with it. "I cannot take credit for the mechanism itself, it is a common thing in more animated clocks. Applying it to a lock though. It is simple. I am sure others could be doing the same thing once they have an understanding of how both things worked.

An ego was not something that Gaius had. What he had was a fascination for the craft. "I should have liked to work with more dwarven mechanisms. They have some very elaborate methods that I should like to study. And on a grander scale."

The Commander nodded his head. He could certainly use the young man's help among the wardens, and the Joining was risky business. It was a risk that had to be taken, he decided as he regarded the soldier.

"Perhaps in due time, we may even see if you spend some time with dwarven artificers in Orzammar. The Grey Wardens do share a good relationship with them," the mage said as he sat down. "Now other than mechanisms, how do you fare in terms of combat? I'm afraid my information is limited. It is no secret that we wage war against the Darkspawn and while I appreciate new recruits, should they be in need of combat training, that would have to be seen to. I would not have inexperienced Wardens."

Gaius had impressed the commander with his clockwork, but if he proved to be a warrior, it would be quite the blessing among their ranks.

There was a pause, and Gaius spoke carefully, "I am not a Warden and I am not one of the recruits, I am sorry. I am here as one of the soldiers from the Inquisition, but I do not mean to be participating in the joining." Now he looked uncertain, had he not understood this situation?

"I can fight, but I am stronger in other areas. I would fight if that is where I was placed." But he was not going to drink darkspawn blood, not about to go killing himself for no reason. He didn't want to end up choking and dying any time soon and the whole Warden thing.. sounded fairly miserable. What with the dreams and the terrible deaths.

Roderick frowned as he looked at Gaius, and took a look at his notes, running through them. "So you say. I'm afraid I will have words with whoever wrote this report," he said with a sigh. Although he didn't look disappointed, more pleased rather as he sat in his chair, clasping his hands together as he regarded the artificer.

"That is no problem for me though. We could use your skills. The some of the keep's vaults had been damaged at one point and we're still in the process of restoring it. Perhaps I could assign you to take a look at the mechanisms to see if you can salvage the works. We don't exactly use that section but if we could get it up and running that would add to our strength. Would that be suitable?"

It was the first time Gaius smiled, with that. "I would like that. I will begin work immediately." Vaults, doors, multiple projects of a grand scale. And while he was repairing and not inventing anything this was better work than he could have hoped for. Besides, he was going to learn much from these vaults. It was what he wanted, to learn from new and larger things. Not invention, but the next best thing.

There was a feeling like perhaps he should apologize for not being a new recruit, but he figured that could not be much of a surprise. Besides, he was the last living child of his mother. Someone had to be there to make sure she was taken care of at the end of it all. If there ever was an end of it all.