#pugsanity

Off to the side, Nathaniel lets out a strained breath. “Commander, are you certain this is the wisest course of action? I am not opposed to the plan myself, but I don’t wish to make Velanna uncomfortable. Perhaps she should sit this mission out, and you and I can go in with another member of the party.”

“Yes!” Velanna says, even as she edges a step further away from Nathaniel. Now her entire face is pink. “For once, I agree with the human.”

“Well, let’s think about this.” Aeducan takes a gulp from her tankard, then stretches out her intertwined fingers, giving her knuckles a satisfying crack. “Who are our other options? Justice is out for obvious reasons. Oghren is also out for reasons that I hope are nearly as obvious. There’s Anders, but from what I gather of high-class human society, apostate mages are nearly as taboo as elves are. I suppose we might still be able to make it work, just adjust the plan a little—”

“I am not pretending to be married to Anders.” Nathaniel’s face creases into a scowl so deep his eyes nearly disappear.

“Okay. Well, that just leaves Sigrun.” Aeducan leans back in her chair, considering. “I actually have a fair amount of confidence in her ability to make it through the evening without getting blind drunk or causing any bar fights. More than I do with Oghren or Anders, anyway. But still…a former Legion of the Dead dwarf mingling among a bunch of snooty upper-crust human nobles? No offense, Nathaniel.”

“None taken.” Nathaniel sighs.

“It just doesn’t seem like the best fit,” Aeducan finishes. “So, there you have it. I think this really is our best option. Plus, if we get in a bind, Velanna’s fireballs and that teleportation spell could really come in handy.”

“It’s not a—” Velanna closes her eyes. “This is the most ridiculous plan you’ve dreamed up since I met you.”

“Noted.” Aeducan grins. “But I know you can do it, Velanna. I have confidence in you. Besides, you really have nothing to worry about. Nathaniel will treat you like a queen.” 

Now both of their faces have gone red. Aeducan’s grin threatens to widen, but she tamps it down.

“All right, that’s all I need from you two for now,” she says. “You’d better go and start getting ready. Make whatever preparations you might need. Brush up on your kissing techniques, maybe.” 

“What!” Velanna splutters. “You–you think–I am not–”

“Go on!” Aeducan waves both her hands. “Time’s a-wasting!”

Velanna looks about to say more, but instead she spins on her heel and stomps out. Nathaniel follows behind her, close but not too close, after sparing a moment to give Aeducan one last reproving look. 

They’ve been gone no more than a moment when a new voice sounds from behind her. “Commander, may I have a word?” 

Aeducan spins, groping for her dagger, but she sees only Justice stepping out of the shadows by the side of the room. His face is twisted in an uncomprehending scowl. 

“Justice.” She sets the dagger down, surreptitiously pressing a hand to her palpitating heart. “How long have you been lurking over there listening?”

“A sufficient amount of time,” Justice says, providing no useful information at all. “If I may, Commander. As you spoke to Velanna and Nathaniel, I was reviewing Kristoff’s memories about Grey Warden travels and permissions. It seems that generally speaking, Grey Wardens are uniquely entitled to travel wherever their missions may take them, in times of great necessity. In addition, after your recent heroics in preserving the world from the Archdemon, it is likely that all members of your party would be welcome at social events, regardless of their races. It appears, then, that you are being dishonest regarding the necessity of this…undercover marriage.” 

“Shh.” Aeducan holds a finger to her lips. “Velanna doesn’t know that.” 

Justice’s frown deepens. “I do not understand.” 

“Look at it this way,” Aeducan says. “If you take a peek back in Kristoff’s memories, can you see how he felt about his wife?” 

“Of course.” Justice blinks at her with what little remains of Kristoff’s eyelids. “They enjoyed a bond of deep affection.” 

Aeducan reaches up to clap him on the arm, then thinks better of it. “Which is good, right? The thing is, Nathaniel and Velanna also feel that same way about each other.” 

A long silence passes. Justice looks to the door where Nathaniel and Velanna disappeared, then back at Aeducan. 

“Their behavior toward each other does not seem very similar to what I recall of Kristoff’s interactions with Aura,” Justice finally says. “In fact, it is quite the opposite.”

“Well, sure. Because Kristoff and Aura already had wedded bliss.” Aeducan leans back in her chair, propping her hands behind her head. “But the path to getting there can be a bit more…rocky. Our two friends need a little push in the right direction. So you see, I’m actually doing them a favor.” 

“Perhaps I simply do not have enough information on pair-bonding,” Justice says. “But this seems to be rather unjust.”