#I mean if it has to be sea related innit

[metacarpus]

why do the super rich have yachts? or worse yet, super yachts? why do they have useless, endless, tasteless luxury? what would you do with loads of money? would you get a yacht??

[shannaraisles]

Her Beacon And Her Shield - Chapter 9

 My Lady Trevelyan,

 I must thank you for your foresight in providing me with those letters for Madame Vivienne and Grand Enchanter Fiona. As you predicted, no sooner had the mages arrived than they fell to wrangling over which of them was in command of all mages now recruited by the Inquisition. The Grand Enchanter was, I believe, relieved by your instruction to defer to Solas in your absence; Madame Vivienne is reluctant, but informs me that your invitation to leave if she cannot cooperate peacefully is respectfully declined. Your methods are direct, but I confess myself relieved that you took steps to prevent magical war on our doorstep.

 The Iron Bull and his Chargers have been paid their requested advance. I believe Commander Cullen has set them to the task of training the newer recruits in the absence of further instructions. And, if I may be so bold, he misses you.

 With respect and hope, Josephine Montilyet

Herald,

The presence of a Ben-Hassrath agent has alarmed some of my own agents. His first report has already been submitted, and does not compromise our operations. Should this continue, he is welcome to stay.

I am removing Scout Harding to the Fallow Mire to investigate the disappearance of another scouting party. I will keep you informed.

- Leliana

 Cullen,

 It's raining. You remember how much I hate rain, don't you? Even Varric is complaining. Apparently moldy dwarf is not a smell I will enjoy. Not only that, but the constant motion of the sea is making me seasick on dry land. This is a wretched place, and I cannot stand the sight of it. I think I can be forgiven my awful mood, however.

 I failed them, Cullen. Harding's missing scouts were slaughtered long before we located them. They were just left where they fell. Their bodies hadn't even been looted. Cassandra has arranged for their bodies to be collected, and I believe Leliana is informing their families. The ones responsible call themselves the Blades of Hessarian, and that is where things grow complicated. I was furious, and I may have made an error in judgment. I challenged their leader, and no sooner was he dead on the ground than they swore their loyalty to me, personally. How can I possibly command the company that slaughtered our own people? They seem repentant, that they regret what they were ordered to do, and almost pleased that their former leader is dead, and yet I can't risk them anywhere near the Inquisition. I need your advice.

 Speaking of trouble, how are the templars and mages settling in? I understand Solas has been accepted as the mage-commander. Has that helped, or have I made your life horrendously difficult with my meddling?

 To end on a lighter note, I found some prophet's laurel today. That potion for your headaches should be ready by the time I get back. Do try to remember to sleep.

 - Ame

Amelia,

Try not to look at individual waves and swells. The sea taken as a whole can be quite calming.

Your stomach should recover with your mood; your physical state has always reflected your emotional state. You have failed no one. Our people know the risks, and still they volunteer, because they believe in our cause. Though the loss of them is grievous, it is no one's fault but the man who ordered their deaths, and you have already avenged them. The Blades of Hessarian are a known mercenary organization, and your actions have restored their honor. I agree that keeping them clear of the Inquisition is the wiser course. Have them stabilize and monitor the Storm Coast in your name - that should keep them occupied, and allow us to turn our attention to the rest of Thedas. The last thing we need is for our soldiers to begin fighting among themselves as well.

The mage-templar war made a spirited attempt to start itself up again over a missing gauntlet. The templar in question decided to forego a formal complaint and took it upon himself to try and force the mage he accused to submit to a search. By the time Solas and I reached them, several others had joined, and they were on the verge of open battle. Solas can talk fast when he needs to, can't he? You were invoked a few times before the original dispute came to light - the accused mage had, in fact, taken the gauntlet to have one of the Tranquil fix a faulty enchantment embedded within it. We reiterated the need for communication in all things, and Ser Barris has taken to randomly inspecting the templars under his command to make certain they are fully aware of the whereabouts of their kit and belongings. No one was at fault and everyone was forced to apologize, but we are all sleeping more lightly these days. The sooner their training for the assault on the Breach begins, the sooner they will start to notice their similarities over their differences.

The headaches are not as common, nor as bad, as you insist on believing. I have been meaning to ask, however ... why have you put the altus in charge of my lyrium doses? the man delights in annoying me. The Iron Bull seems the only person who can discomfort him.

Be safe out there, Ame. And leave the dragon alone.

- Cullen

 Cullen,

 How did you know about the dragon? Let me guess - Leliana can actually talk to those ravens she's got shadowing my every move. Don't you trust me?

 I've done as you suggested with the Blades. They keep going on about it being right and proper that they're taking orders from the Herald of Andraste, so I doubt we'll have any problems with them. Cumbersome as the title is, it does seem to get results.

 It doesn't surprise me to hear that the smallest upset can set off the mage-templar conflict again, but if the threat of my ire is actually having a positive effect, maybe you should let some of them know you're my husband. You may find them more inclined to listen to you over Solas in such a case. As good as he is, I do not fully trust Solas. I do, however, trust you implicitly.

 Dorian is in charge of your lyrium because I trust him with your life, and that should tell you how trustworthy he is. He teases because he likes you, and you always rise to the bait. He likes to play, that's all. Try giving as good as you get sometime. it can be quite a lot of fun.

 Thank you for sending the cloak, by the way. I may not be the most stylish holy symbol in the world, but at least I'm dry now. We're heading straight to the Fallow Mire, rather than coming to Haven. Harding has some dark suspicions about that missing squad, and I am not losing anyone else if I can possibly help it.

 Be well,

 - Ame

To my believed cousin, the Herald of Andraste, Lady-mage Amelia Trevelyan of Ostwick,

That is a mouthful, isn't it? It's only going to get longer when you finally get around to tacking your husband's name on the end there. And speaking of your commander, what an utter delight that man is. Hidden beneath that devilishly handsome exterior, I have uncovered a sense of humor nearly the equal to my own. And the barbs he can throw! I tell you, my dear, if he were not so clearly smitten with you, I might well have seduced him already. I am, of course, too enamored of you myself to give it more than idle thought. Have you planned your seduction yet? I am only too happy to offer guidance.

Haven without you is, I fear, gloriously tedious. Your stalwart Mother Giselle makes no bones about her distrust of the terrifying Tevinter mage, and several of her darling sister clerics follow suit slavishly. I did hear tell of some disaster with her laundry after one particularly public and strident exchange. Something to do with all her smalls mysteriously turning bright red and bleeding into everything white she owns. I believe your Red Jenny may be defending my honor, such as it is. I feel so loved.

I shall not go on further. I feel sure you have better things to do than read my fulsome prose. Do be a dear and come back in one piece.

Your esteemed cousin, Altus Dorian Pavus of Qarinus

 For the attention of the war room,

 It's raining all over this miserable bog. There are ambulatory corpses protecting the water for some reason. Our people are being held by an Avvar braggart who thinks his gods are better than ours. Will write soon.

 - Herald

Amelia, (scrawled underneath - Dearest, darlingest, Heraldest coochie-woo)

Fire is your ally with the undead. The smell, however, is unpleasant at best. Take care with the Avvar. They are a physically strong people, fierce and implacable in combat. My advice is to allow Cassandra and Blackwall to engage this braggart while you hold back. no mage armor is strong enough to withstand a blow from their heavy weapons. I would rather not lose you to your own zeal for justice. (in the margin - a picture of a stick figure holding a staff being squashed by another stick figure wielding a hammer)

Preparations for the assault on the Breach are finally underway. The necessity of understanding one another in order to work together appears to be overcoming blind prejudice in both ranks. There have been fewer scuffles, and while they still distrust one another, both mages and templars have accepted Inquisition authority. However, I suspect it is you to whom they are loyal. They speak of you with reverent respect at all times. (Well, duh. It's the glow, innit?)

Despite my reservations, I must thank you for the potion you concocted. It has all but banished my headaches. If only a cure for sleepless nights was so easy to come by. (You still not knocking boots? Aren't you s'posed to be married to your Cully-Wully?)

Be safe, Ame. You are missed. (in the margin - a crude drawing of marital relations with some features wildly exaggerated, captioned with - Smoochicuddlekins, touch my lovely hair and make me purr)

- Cullen

 Cullen,

 You really need to read these over before sending them. Sera enjoys your letters almost as much as I do.

 To cut a long story short, our people are alive and on their way home. The Avvar had a hard time capturing them, which seems to be why they kept them as hostages. The customs of respect in a warrior culture baffle me. Their leader was fearsome, but young, and no match for Cassandra and Blackwall. One of his people, Sky Watcher, has agreed to join the Inquisition - with luck, that should keep the Avvar from picking any more fights with us.

 I'm staying a while longer in this Maker-forsaken bog to hunt down an insane apostate. He seems to be responsible for the demons, and perhaps the undead, as well. I will be careful, I promise. I miss you too much to risk not coming home.

 - Ame

Herald - preparations are complete. Return to Haven. It is time.