Vigil's Keep

Throughout the journey back, Selora would learn that Skaldrin and Jeram were brothers-in-law. Skaldrin had been wed to Jeram's sister and from the way they spoke, she had not been around for a long while now. And she would not find out more unless she specifically asked about it. The two dwarves though had developed a good relationship with each other over the years and were recounting some of their fights. Skaldrin had apparently ridden on a bear by accident when his blade got stuck.

Javier was mostly pensive throughout the journey, although he spent most of it resting.

---

Back at the Keep, Jeram was the one assigned to report to the Commander and he'd just check, out of politeness if Selora wanted to come along.

When they entered the room, Roderick was busy writing letters and he honestly... looked worn out more than anything. The chains of command were heavy but someone had to bear them.

Selora mostly listened to the banter. She wasn't a Warden and as much as she had grown to respect and like Skaldrin and Javier, she wasn't a member of their Order. At any rate, she had the books to study as well, and such kept her occupied during much of the downtime on their way back. She'd continue to treat any wounds that needed to be, helping to speed recovery with magical assistance, but otherwise not making a nuisance of herself. As much as the Wardens may have been disconcerted to have two of their own go missing, Selora was disconcerted (if not entirely surprised) that some of her countrymen were continuing the Venatori cult. Especially since Corypheus had been defeated by the Inquisition. Skaldrin's story about riding a bear, however, elicited a genuine laugh from the elf.

When they reached Vigil's Keep, Selora did choose to accompany Jeram to the debriefing. She brought some of the recovered tea with her in a satchel, as well as some of the sweets, which she'd also shared with the Wardens on the way back. Vimes looked tired, worn out. The burdens of command, possibly. Or other missions having gone wrong. She doubted they would discuss it fully with her in the room, but she'd likely to be able to pick up more of the story once the dwarves had time to drink.

"Warden-Commander." She greeted Vimes.

Then Jeram no doubt had to give his report so she let the other Warden do so.

The two dwarves would dislike the tea when they tried it, although Javier found it quite interesting to say the least! He would ask for more if they had any... although all the wardens happily helped themselves to the sweet. Such a treat was hard to come by at the Keep and it wasn't as if Roderick allowed a steady supply. He had other concerns on his mind.

"Lady Selora," he said with a smile on seeing her. He'd turn to Jeram. "Good to have you back Jeram, I was worried given we couldn't spare more. A pride demon is nothing easy to handle."

"Aye but we got him square in the nuts. So anyway sir, here's a brief report. We got em good and got a bit of loot along the way. Number of spellbooks were given to Lady Selora here. Orlesian army lost a few good men, but the wardens.... well now see funny thing," Jeram said uneasily. "Orlais sent three wardens, but two of 'em ran off mid fight, stole a few things too."

Roderick pinched his nose. "Well that's not good for either of our forces," he said with a sigh as he heard. I'm glad we didn't take any loses... although dissertation is a problem there. I'll see what the Warden-Commander in Orlais will have to say about that when I receive their report... Is there anything else?"

Selora shared, saving enough of the treats and tea so Roderick would get some as well upon her return. She was glad for Javier's interest in the drink, though hardly surprised the dwarves didn't go for it as much. Their kind usually favored stronger stuff. Even now, she listened to Jeram, and considered that if she led a Warden's life, she might favor the strong stuff too.

"The Orlesian mage comported herself well." Selora added. "Her healing talents saved more than one life after the battle. Lest her fellows hold her in league with the deserters."

The elf smiled.

"And I recall you previously expressed an interest in Tevinter tea, Warden-Commander. It so happens I came across some on my travels. If you'd care for some?"

Roderick nodded his head as Selora reported on the Orlesian mage. "That would be delightful. Thank you for your report Jeram," he said and he'd bring out a tea set. The dwarf saluted the mages and left, probably going for a drink or two.

If Selora passed him the tea, he'd get a decent brew going soon enough unless Selora wanted to handle it.

"I'm glad you made it back alive Lady Selora. Did you find anything of interest to the mages? I take it the artifact wasn't secured since it wasn't in the report." And the dwarves and rogue couldn't be half-assed to figure it out. To them it was just some Dalish trinket. Even if there was information about it, it was all... Tevene after all.

Selora made the tea; the Warden-Commander looked to have enough going on. She also opened the box holding what remained of the treats and offered it to him, should he wish to partake. It didn't take long before the smell of the Tevinter brew was filling up the office. To her, it was a nice reminder of home. To Vimes, she didn't know. Selora supposed it would depend on whether the man liked the drink or not.

"I'm glad to make it back alive as well. The Venatori were indeed present... which is troubling in and of itself. My countrymen could really be more original. Even with Corypheus defeated, they still worship a dead darkspawn." Or whatever that monster had truly been. "I recognized some of them from back in the Imperium. I'll be notifying Magister Deracles, hopefully he's able to root more of them out over there. It really is amazing how many Tevene mages will follow a person if they whisper the word 'power' enough times."

The elf mage shook her head. She wasn't without her flaws, naturally. Being a member of an insane cult wasn't one of her failings, however.

"The artifact... was stolen by the two missing Dalish Wardens. I didn't get a chance to examine it in this world, I was only able to see it's effects on the Fade, which were many." She took a sip of her tea, letting out a content sigh. "I didn't see the Wardens for sure. But while I was attempting to secure said artifact, someone dispelled my magic as I tried to freeze a hidden target in the Venatori's tent. With the two Dalish now missing, it adds up."

Her ears tilted back, cat-like, irritated at the memory of being one-upped.

"I have most the Venatori's personal effects, correspondence, and spell books. Studying them may reveal more clues about what they were doing there and what function the artifact had. The Orlesians didn't turn on us after we finished with the Venatori either, which could be considered progress."

Vimes did appreciate the tea, and he sipped it quietly. While Selora brewed the tea, he listened to her report on the Venatori and frowned.

"Recognised some of them? Interesting," he said as he stroked his beard. "Hopefully giving how the Imperium doesnt condone the acts of the Venatori, your master might be able to weed out more of their supporters."

The man sipped the tea quietly when it was presented to him, savouring it's flavour. It was good stuff. One was a magister after all and that came with perks and privileges. He frowned when the Dalish mages were brought up. Some of the Dalish clans had vanished for sure... the frown grew worse as Selora highlighted that the Dalish had turned midbattle.

"Could I request a translation of the spellbooks? Other than those that are in the trade-tongue of course. Do you require help on them? I can assign a junior warden to assist you... probably Javier since he's in recovery."

"Hopefully." Selora agreed about rooting out the Venatori. "The Imperium doesn't approve of the Venatori in the same manner it doesn't approve of blood magic."

There was a joke there somewhere.

"It's... more socially taboo. But still seen as edgy. Mostly younger, bored, high class types but I think the Imperium's reputation for seeking power is well documented. No matter how nebulous the source."

She had a seat in one of the chairs, making herself comfortable for a moment.

"What did Javier ever do to you?" Her lips curled into a smile again, she was sure the man wouldn't relish being used as a scribe. All the same; "I'd welcome the help. I'll translate anything written in Tevene but it'll take some time. A few are in the trade tongue but most are in the home language. So far, nothing earth shattering, but one never knows."

Roderick rolled his eyes when she made clear what it meant when the Imperium didnt approve of the Venatori. At the question on what Javier ever did to Roderick, the commander broke into a smile.

"Oh Javier did nothing, he's just seems to enjoy working with you. That and he possesses the intelligence to process a good number of things for analysis. Javier is far more effective where one is required to think out of the box compared to a direct route, a good compliment to Skaldrin. Although he needs to shore up on his manners. You'd expect him to have more manners given his background and upbringing but he seems to take joining the Wardens as a reason to abandon it," Vimes said as he sipped his tea.

"Skaldrin is the one who you send when you need something done. Javier is who you send when something seems amiss," the commander said explaining the allocation. This was followed by a long sigh as he thought about his other wardens. He only dared speak about Javier and Skaldrin for the woman was familiar with them both.

"Besides I'm quite sure if Javier is not brooding, or chasing birds, or occupied with something I might end up with some internal trouble on my hands given how he tends to prod about tactlessly."

Selora debated saying something about the eye roll... it was hardly as if the Wardens were without fault. How long ago had they been murdering each other and doing the will of a crazed darkspawn at Adamant? She held her tongue however. For all her loyalty to the Imperium, it too had faults aplenty. Such was the history of Thedas. Instead, she smiled as Roderick confirmed Javier hadn't done anything.

"Yes, I have noticed the lack of decorum on occasion. At times it's highly amusing." And at times it was highly frustrating. "Very well then, I'd welcome his aid. If he proves especially adept, I may injure him again so he can continue assisting me. Lucius is a capable warrior but he lacks anything resembling a scholars mind."

She was joking about Javier, she hoped clearly.

"I'll see if I can keep his internal troublemaking to a minimum, or divert it into more productive pursuits. I'm content to enjoy our tea together but I also do not wish to interrupt, Warden-Commander. Did you have other matters you needed to attend to?"

It was probably good Selora knew how to hold her tongue on that. That had been a stain on their history as the Grey Wardens.

"He was educated at the university in the past, although he doesn't make it known... and if you need to injure him again do inform me prior to that so I can get the paper work done," he said rolling with it. "We do have other scholars here, not many but if you prefer someone else I'd be happy to assign them to assist you."

At the question of other matters, the warden commander glanced at his papers. "Yes..." there was that resigned sigh of why did you remind me.

"Javier will do just fine." Selora answered. "I know him, he was there when we got the books, and more importantly, I trust him more than I would a total stranger."

She'd worked with Javier twice now. Fought alongside him. The Wardens were his family, of course, but she was a long ways from hers. It was easier to work with a person she already knew then learn to trust another. Not that she trusted Javier entirely... but enough.

"I'll let you get back to your work then for now." Her eyes had a mischievous glint to them. "But if you complete what you'd planned to, and there are enough hours left in the night, I'll be in the library for some time and I'd welcome a game or other diversion. If you have time."

With that, Selora simply excused herself. Before she did anything in the library, however, it was time to wash. Her robes had traveled a long ways with her and she wanted to be clean.

Roderick nodded his head and smiled.

"Fair enough. I would trust my wardens with my life," Roderick said simply. But he had the tired look about himself. Was he deluding himself on that? Or just tired of the games. No one wanted his job anyway so there was some security in that.

He looked a little surprised at Selora's invitation for a diversion and raised an eyebrow. "I'll take you up on it if I can find the time then."

It wasn't a promise but hey at least he had that option.

Over here then to the library!