It was strange, coming back to Tevinter with Aria in his arms, in her little yellow cloak and rain boots. He'd not been expecting the rain, but then, he'd not really checked the weather. It seemed of no consequence, when he was already delayed in returning with the child. She'd had a flu, prompting them to stay in the Marches for a week longer, before traveling. He'd only agreed to travel once he'd heard her chest clear up entirely.
And then, he'd rented a carriage for the journey.
Comfortable enough, though he was on the alert for bandits and the like. Wisely, no-one chanced messing with him, or the wards that he placed around their carriage as they journeyed. Perhaps they'd heard who was in the carriage... perhaps it was luck. He wasn't one to guess.
Arriving back at the Umbra Estate, with the little girl, restless and grouchy because the rain meant they had been unable to get out of the carriage and walk alongside it for a spell. He hauled himself out of the carriage first, before reaching to offer his hands to much smaller ones, helping the toddler step down (mostly) on her own.
Remember what I said, Aria? He inquired, as he knelt to straighten her cloak, and wipe remnants of her snack from her face. We're guests here, okay? Best behaviors. He'd visited the living quarters they'd be staying in — the estate manor was much larger than he'd been expecting — but he wasn't going to complain when their living quarters were so near to Lyric (and, unfortunately, Tiberius as well but he'd still take it as a win).
He scooped the girl up, so that she'd not trek in mud on her boots, and made his way to the front door. A servant let him in, and offered to take their cloaks (and the child's muddy shoes). The now-barefoot child was quick to rush away from her father, the moment she caught sight of her mother.
Folding his and her cloaks over his arm, he watched from afar for a few minutes, before he started towards the families' living quarters. To put the cloaks away, and change into something more comfortable — perhaps to ensure that the child's bedroom was setup appropriately.
Cloaks tucked away, he changed into a loose tunic and tights, and surveyed the living quarters. It seemed tidy enough, considering he'd been away for a few weeks to retrieve the child... but the wards he'd placed had faded, as expected after a long absence. He clicked his tongue quietly, and stepped outside of the suite of rooms, shutting the door behind of him.
In the corridor, he'd quietly murmur a spell to replenish the wards he'd placed during his first night in these rooms. It might look rude, as if he didn't trust their host... but he chose not to think about that too much. So, that's where he'd be found, seated cross-legged in front of a closed door, quietly crafting a stronger ward.
Lost in concentration, he'd not notice anyone walking past, or anyone who might stop to watch him.
It had surprised him, honesty. To hear that Blaine had done it – both that he’d left and that he’d actually returned with Lyric’s daughter. Late, of course, so perhaps doubt had been warranted. It wasn’t really worth worrying about now, not after seeing Lyric reunited with Aria.
They were now as safe as Tiberius could make them. If the House of Repose could infiltrate even here … Well, then. They would have to be a much better regional assassin guild than he gave them credit for. Tacitus Ursus, the seneschal, had been warned to keep an eye out, regardless. Just because the Nicolliers had no current cause for complaints did not mean their agents would keep clear.
But oh, It was nice to see Lyric unburdened. To steal a few moments wondering whether the child resembled her very much, guessing at what their future together might bring. Unfortunately, he had to excuse himself. For propriety – and to meet Blaine’s condition for bringing the girl here at all.
No claim in any way. Such a broad declaration; they’d see how long that could possibly last in his House. Tiberius found himself wandering the hallways and stopped short when he spotted Akibrus kneeling on the floor. A strange sight that came slowly into focus as Tiberius recognized the magic involved.
House Umbra was old, the protective spellwork laid into the stone itself dating back nearly to Ancient. Not surprising that it had rejected a stranger’s meddling without constant reinforcement and renewal. They’d only shred away if Blaine took another trip.
Which seemed rather likely; presumably the First Enchanter would have duties to attend to Starkhaven from time to time. Tiberius leaned his shoulder against the door frame, considering the invisible flow of magic running through the structure.
“These aren’t bad. Although … If this is meant to deter me specifically, you should know they wouldn’t keep me out.” If he was motivated enough to break in, he was motivated enough to bull through just about anyone’s wards. That said, few others had both his skill with Entropy and his affinity with the House itself. If Blaine was seeking to protect his room from other Umbras or wandering strangers, it would do that.
“Let me help you with this. Unless you’d rather recast your wards every couple of weeks?” Not to mention the way such a spell would constantly drain the caster. “If you hook it in just here, and here …”
Akibrus tilted his head, to study the other man. Don't have reason to deter you. It's your house. They're meant to let me know if Aria leaves in the middle of the night. And if someone entered while he was sleeping. But he drifted off, as Tiberius offered insight and advice, watching and taking note of what was being done. Aware it might never come easily to him; the magic he sensed throughout this house was older than anything he'd dealt with.
Some places were living places of magic. Perhaps this house was one such.
Thank you. Can you help me do the nursery? I'd like to do something similar for Lyric's room, too. Or does she stay with you? He stood, hands brushing off against his pants. She'll take off, as fast as she can, if she gets it in her head. Got a tracking spell on her but... Trackers were only useful after you realized someone was missing.
Sees a cat, or bird... She's a bit like her mother. He mused, with a chuckle. Lyric was just as easily distracted and deterred if something interested her.
Wards for his daughter. That checked out today, but weeks ago? Less so. And it wasn’t as if Tiberius had been earning Aki’s trust in the meantime. This was familiar, though. It brought to mind the Archon’s garden, that remarked upon sulking and immediate denial of sulking.
“You don’t like being caught out, do you?” He smiled, then turned his attention entirely toward the spell and raised his hands. It was a matter of alignment, not a flaw in the casting. It took very little effort to touch it lightly and snap it into place.
“Of course. Lead the way.” It was always interesting to see what other people did with familiar spaces. Though Blaine probably hadn’t had much time for that yet. The other question gave him pause for a moment. But if certain things could be said in the Imperial Palace, then surely he could speak just as freely in his own home?
“We are sharing a bed, yes. But for little more than sleeping.” Not that Lyric seemed opposed to the idea. Or that he was naive enough to think of marriage as much more than a contract. “It just seemed … Wrong, I guess. As if I stood to profit off her fear for Aria.” Tiberius wrinkled his nose at the thought. It was easy enough for an outsider to view it that way, as the Nicolliers seemed to.
And now that Aria was well and truly safe? His ears colored slightly red at the thought, following Akibrus into the rooms set aside for him.
Akibrus watched as the alignment was adjusted, keen on learning what he'd done wrong. And in this case, placement seemed to have been off. Not at all, he acknowledged, as he led the way further into his rooms.
The other man was answering about where Lyric stayed; quick to deny doing anything more than sleeping, and his ears flushed. Aki's lips curved, and he chuckled wryly. You will find, Lyric is not... overly sexual. She's comfortable with you, so I doubt she would refuse your advances. He spoke of his lover's sexual preferences easily, as if it were similar to tell the other man what book he might read.
Akibrus cleared his throat, The road was... fine. No bandits. Clear enough weather that we rode horseback a bit of the way; thrilled Aria to no end. He stated, with a chuckle. He gestured to a doorway that he thought should be warded. Is it easier for me to do the spellwork, and you the placement? He inquired, curiously.
Trust was meant to be earned; and Akibrus was of the mind that Lyric trusted too easily... but sometimes, he was keen to follow in her footsteps. And he doubted the Tevene Magister would want Aria harmed, if he cared about Lyric.
Not … Overly sexual? Tiberius wasn’t sure what to make of that statement. Especially since it appeared to contradict the one that followed. In his experience, Lyric had been perfectly unperturbed in their conversations about marriage and heirs. Not afraid of him, or scandalized – but not exactly overflowing with excitement at the prospect, either. Was Aki saying that she did not enjoy the physical act? He understood that some people did not.
But they already had a child, so that was at least once … ?
“Oh. Okay.” That made matters rather complicated. Simply put, he did not want to have sex unless the other party was an enthusiastic participant. To do otherwise? In any conceivable situation, Tiberius would much prefer to see to his own needs later and pretend the ghastly misunderstanding had never taken place. “I’ll … Take care to honor her preferences.”
Of course, this whole marriage-slash-haven-from-assassins business hinged on producing an heir. Lyric was bound to him by her promise and by contract, if not yet by Chantry law. Were she and Aki and Aria just going to live in his House until something changed with the Nicolliers and the House of Repose – then fly away?
What the fuck.
“Yes. You craft the wards and I’ll make sure they settle properly.” That, at least, was easy. Blaine was talented with this line of magic; he only had to soothe the House’s feelings a bit. With repetition, it was nearly effortless.
“You’ll fit right in, you know. Working two mages for a job one normal person could do.” Conveniences like enchanting an entire estate for the benefit of one young girl had been scarce during his time in the south. But Val Royeaux was not Starkhaven. He wondered what their Circle was really like. “Might as well give you the tour. You’ll need to keep her from the poison garden and the cliffs. Baths and stables too, I’d imagine.”
Akibrus studied the other man, but didn't immediately correct him. He'd thought he'd been clear, but it would be rude to correct Tiberius that the preferences were not Lyric's, but his.
He led the way through the suite of rooms they'd been given, and he crafted the wards, while Tiberius placed them. Each doorway and window were warded, and eventually they'd move through the house, Akibrus pointing out important spots he thought needed to be warded, waiting for Tiberius to agree or disagree—
Does Tevinter often work two mages for the job of one? He furrowed his brow at the inefficiency, though he didn't mind the other man's company, at all. A tour was offered, and he agreed eagerly — only to pause at the mention of a poison garden.
Why... do you have an entire garden dedicated to poisons?
“Ah, I simply mean that assigning a governess would be enough for most people.” Though, Tiberius wasn’t sure he’d count himself as most people when it came to child rearing, either. Hard enough to find a governess you could trust. One that would educate her charge or charges, keep them safe, and not to gossip overly much – and that was before contemplating Aria’s unique situation.
Lady Umbra and the half-elf magic tutor’s bastard daughter. The less such rumors he had to hear for the rest of his life, the better.
“I suppose the proper Tevene stereotype is more like: the same personnel you’d need anywhere else, plus a blood mage to bleed them.” Tiberius shook his head, abandoning the joke – such as it was. Blaine hadn’t seemed particularly amused by any of his jests.
They finished with the living quarters and were soon in the courtyard where the garden began. Under Lyric’s tending it was healthier than ever, certainly for this part of the year. Tiberius leaned against a pillar and dwelled on Aki’s question. Rarely did he have to consider the Southern Circles in such detail, looking for the culture beyond the famous abuses they had suffered.
“I suppose you’ve never had neighbors to measure yourself against. To my mind, we are not that different from any other nation’s gentry; posturing is a big part of the game. A House that cannot even demonstrate their wealth by pouring hundreds of aurums a season into an ornamental garden on their own ancestral grounds? They would look weak. There are other ways to boast about your wealth of course. Charity, big ugly statues of the Archon, the building of new chantries.
Akibrus tilted his head, furrowing his brow as the other clarified. Ah... I am unfamiliar with Tevene stereotypes. Perhaps I should learn them, though. If he and Aria were to live here, he'd need to familiarize himself with the country they were staying in.
He listened, as he studied the garden in front of him. I see. I am... afraid that my only interactions with the wealthy, are to those in Nevarra that I stole from, he chuckled wryly. He'd brought it, of course, he was attached to the damned orb as if it whispered a sweet promise of power in his ears.
He'd hidden it in the wardrobe in one of the rooms of the suite, determined to keep Aria away from it as best he could. It is a nice garden. Has Lyric been out here? She'd adore it, he mused, moving toward the garden.
I'd like to study the plants, if you'd not mind. He picked the first entrance to start warding, fingers dragging carefully through the dirt as he set the ward up.
He stayed next to the ward, moving out of the way so that Tiberius could correct the placement, though. Lyric seems to... really like you, he flashed the man an easy smile. What secrets has she told you?
A jest; there was very little that he kept secret, barring the foci hidden away. He didn't even know whether it belonged to an Evanuris or an Old God. He'd not had much time to research, with Aria to keep up with.
Huh. He hadn’t figured Blaine for a thief. Like any self-important old Tevene family, House Umbra had collected a pile of artifacts both magical and otherwise over the centuries. Curiosities stolen from Seheron, trinkets crafted by young mages. Not worth stealing, for the most part. Still, best not let his seneschal hear of Aki’s proclivities or the poor man might keel over from the stress.
“Of course. As future lady of the House, she has free reign to do as she pleases. It’s driving my head gardener mad, of course.” Tiberius was simply content that she’d taken an interest in something that practiced her magic. She had an undeniable talent – but a knack for chaos that he didn’t fully understand.
Watching Aki cast rather suggested it was a Lyric thing – and not a quirk of southern mages as a whole.
“As you like. If you require any equipment, just let the seneschal know.” An interest in alchemy, perhaps? Well, it took all types. Tiberius had never had any talent for brewing up potions and poisons. That, and Grandfather had disdained the art for its similarities to preparing mundane food and drink, work for slaves or the unmagicked.
Grandfather was, of course, a tremendous asshole. And what Grandfather disliked had left a few holes in Tiberius' education.
Aki changed the subject with a smile, giving Tiberius half a moment’s pause. Secrets could mean anything, and Aki was not like Lyric. He’d worked his way up to the top of his Circle and had surely dealt with enemies and rivals on the way there. There was a world where it was dangerous to answer such a question.
“Mm. Do you not trust her?” Tiberius pushed away from the pillar, a feline smirk gracing his lips for a moment. “I think she expected me to be worse than I am. If you know her parents – and that they supposedly picked me – Well, it’s a trifle to come up all roses compared to that nightmare. Then there’s the dog, of course.” Tiberius was many things but cruelty to animals was not among them. He wasn’t sure that was the best way to judge a person’s character, but he wasn’t complaining.
“Honestly, I’d rather hear your secrets from you. When you’re ready, of course.” For now, it was triumph enough to have added two powerful mages to his household instead of one.
Akibrus studied the other man, tilting his head to the side slightly. My secrets are Lyrics' to tell. He chuckled, shaking his head slowly. He was describing his thoughts; that he believed Lyric thought he'd be worse than he was.
Mmm, she was terrified. Her parents have never... they never approved of me, or of my partner. He rolled his eyes, You'd think being the head of the Circle would've changed their minds. But Rolan couldn't change what he was, he shrugged his shoulders. And neither of us had money we didn't work for. And neither of them had married Lyric when she'd gotten pregnant.
As he plucked a flower to take inside to study, he paused next to Tiberius, humming quietly. You have less to worry about than you think, with the legitimacy of Lyric's next child. He flashed a calm smile to Tiberius, I prefer men. Have only taken Lyric to my bed once, to see if I'd enjoy it.
He continued past the other man, twirling the flower he'd plucked between his fingers as he headed back to the house.
