Alistair stood alone at the window of his study, leaning against the frame, his fingertips pressed to the cool glass as he gazed out over Denerim. The city sprawled beneath him, citizens going about their evening routines, oblivious to the hollow ache spreading through their monarch's chest.
Captain Vordan entered after a respectful knock, his expression grim. Alistair didn't turn; he'd long since learnt to read the Captain's news in the reflection of the glass. Vordan's face told him everything before a single word could be spoken.
"They're gone, aren't they?" Alistair asked, his voice oddly steady. "Both of them."
"Yes, your majesty." Vordan removed his helmet, a gesture of respect and apology. "Word just arrived from Val Royeaux. Master Kieran disappeared from the university evening before yesterday. His belongings were carefully selected—essentials only. The guards posted to watch him were... distracted by an incident involving a drunken dwarf youth near the library."
A small, sad smile touched Alistair's lips. "Hirik. That would be Hirik's doing."
"We believe so, sire. There was also an elven boy matching Tai's description seen in the vicinity."
Alistair nodded slowly. "All four of them together, then."
"So it would seem. The Royal Guard awaits your orders regarding the search. We have agents throughout Orlais who can be deployed immediately."
"Do we have any idea where they might have gone?" Alistair asked, turning from the window at last.
Vordan shook his head. "No, Your Majesty. They left no trail, no clues. They could be headed anywhere—Antiva, Nevarra, the Free Marches..."
Alistair moved to his desk, fingers trailing over a small wooden figure—a mabari hound, crudely carved but treasured. A gift from Kieran on Alistair's thirty-fifth birthday, almost a year after they had met. Beside it sat a portrait of Evie, Kieran, and Ben—a gift from Evie last Wintersend, drawn by her. His children had always been thoughtful that way.
Could the children be trying to find their soulmates? Evie's was obviously Antivan. Would they head there? Kieran's soulmate had an elven name that hinted at no particular location. Hirik's was Qunari; surely they wouldn't head up there. And Tai's hinted at no particular origin.
"Continue the search," he said finally, his voice quiet but firm. "I want them found; I need to know they're safe." His eyes were distant, focused on memories rather than the man before him. "And if found, watch over them. From a distance. Ensure their safety. Report their wellbeing back to me." He looked up, meeting Vordan's gaze directly. "They're not to be approached unless they are in clear danger. They're not to be detained. They are not to be forced to return to Ferelden against their will. Just find them, but guard them only. I want weekly reports on their welfare. If they are in danger, our people will intervene, but only then."
"And after the danger has passed?" Vordan asked.
"They withdraw again. To watching." Alistair's expression softened. "My children have chosen a path away from here. I'll respect that choice. But that doesn't mean I'll stop protecting them."
Vordan nodded, leaving Alistair alone in his study once again. He returned to the window where night had fallen over the city.
Somewhere out there, in some direction he couldn't guess, his children were travelling away from him, toward unknown shores and uncertain futures.
He pressed his forehead against the glass, eyes closing.
"May the Maker watch over you both," he whispered. "Be safe. Be happy. And please, write to your father sometimes. Just so I know you're well."
He dreaded the day Morrigan discovered her son had fled. He would inform her himself, but he had no idea where she was. Same for Evie's mother and Tai's parents. He had people looking for them as well, but the bulk of their efforts were on finding the children.
Alistair remained at the window long into the night, divided between duty and love, torn between protection and freedom. He had failed to shield Evie from the vitriol of the court, but he would not fail to watch over her now, even from afar. Silent guardians would stand in his stead, and perhaps someday, when they were ready, his children might find their way home again to visit their father, who had never stopped loving them.
-
Evie had been uncertain about heading to Antiva; she had no desire to come across her soulmate. But Tai decided he wanted to know more about what his father had been up to with the Crows. He wanted to know more about this contract, about why they were still such a clear and present danger to Zevran. And maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to have the contract on his head rescinded. Evie had no idea how they would even go about it, but for Tai, they'd try.
Though the Crows had a significant presence throughout the country, from what they gathered, Treviso was where their leader resided and issued their orders.
The city itself was beautiful and never seemed to sleep. It seemed ridiculously easy to spot a Crow, however. They didn't even try to hide their presence. But then, it did appear they were something of guardians of the city perhaps, or some kind of law enforcement. It was difficult to understand their place in the political arena, but clearly they had clout.
The four of them had rented a loft just outside of the Drowned District; it wasn't large, and it was barely furnished, but they didn't have a steady flow of coin yet, and they had spent the bulk of what they had on the journey, and what a lengthy journey it was! It had taken months and months to get here, especially with all the detours and distractions.
Evie still had a few pieces of jewellery, but having only just arrived in Treviso, they hadn't found anyone to sell it to yet. They wanted to make as much off of them as they possibly could; in desperation, they had definitely undersold a lot of pieces to fund their trip. Evie had made a little coin performing in the Grande markets, but they would need more to truly set up their lives here.
Still, this loft was theirs; it was their home, and they cherished it.
Evie rolled over in her bed – a thin mattress on the floor; it was all they had at the moment. But it was still more comfortable than the months they had spent travelling. Kieran was next to her, with Tai and Hirik on the other side. There was only one room in their loft.
Hirik was already awake, begrudgingly. None of them liked mornings. And she and Tai had been out a lot at night since arriving in Treviso, watching Crow movements, learning everything they could as discreetly as they could.
They knew the Crows operated out of the Cantori Diamond, a casino. They had also learnt a few things about House Arainai. They just weren't sure what to do with the information yet.
Evie sat up, smoothing down her hair as she watched Hirik putter about the kitchen area.
"Morning," he greeted, his voice soft so as not to wake the others and his movements careful for the same reason.
Evie offered a smile in response before getting up and stretching out her muscles. Before she could walk away, a hand grabbed her ankle. Kieran's face was mostly buried in his pillow, but she could just make out an eye cracked open ever so slightly.
"We're doing it today," he reminded her.
She nodded, her smile falling. They had agreed to write their father today and send that letter off. The more time passed, the harder it was to put ink to paper. She didn't know what to say; all manner of apologies swirled about her head and little else. There were still some days she wanted to just go home and see him, see Ben.
She had put it off for long enough. He needed to know they were alive and well. That they had found joy here, despite their goal that Alistair didn't need to know anything of.
"Since you're awake we can do it now," she said. "I'll get the ink and parchment."
As she did so, she heard the rustle of his blanket as he sat up. When she returned, she sat on the floor beside him, the paper between them. They would both write it, taking turns, telling him whatever they felt the need to while being wary of giving any clues as to their whereabouts.
Once they started, it was difficult to stop, the words pouring out of them. They told him of things they'd seen, moments that imprinted themselves in their minds. They brought up memories with him, their favourite times with him.
They must have been at it for near two hours before they leaned back, giving the ink space to dry. Their eyes were wet, both quickly swiping it away before anything could fall.
"Either you two are far too dramatic, or I'm the king of stoicism," Tai said, suddenly appearing beside them. "Here's my letter for my parents; send it with yours so Uncle Alistair can pass it on."
To be honest, it was probably a little of both. Or Tai was lying. They hadn't seen him craft his letter; he could have been bawling the entire time.
Hirik had already written his letter days ago, just waiting for them to finish - start - theirs.
"I'll have these sent on my way to the marketplace," Evie told them.
She needed to get dressed. For privacy they had erected a screen, not the beautiful ornate divider she'd had in the castle. Just a scrap of fabric pinned to the roof, long enough to almost touch the floor and wide enough to give some semblance of privacy as long as everyone kept to the other side of the room.
When she was done, she grabbed her lute, bid the boys goodbye, and made her way to the marketplace.
She loved performing there, and she managed to draw quite a crowd. By day they lead a simple life, and she'd found it suited her. By night, scampering over rooftops and following assassins around could be draining. But it was for Tai and Uncle Zev. She wouldn't stop until they were successful.
And they needed the practice too; it was good for them.