Field trips and sinking ships

[freedom_is_grey]

It's cold and snowy on the lakeshore, but Ysalwen is walking there anyway. The cold is bracing, she has exercises to do, and it's a good place to think.

The number of Warden recruits is increasing, and while she refuses to offer the Joining to some of them, there's still been a doubling of her numbers in a relatively short time. It's time to start thinking how to turn a ragtag band of friends into something a little more --

Structured.

And that's something with which she has too much of the wrong experience.

Hence thinking.

Or maybe brooding.

A little.

Comments

[howtoactfereldan]

It is indeed a very good place to think, and also a good place to escape the dank, stagnant sea air of Kirkwall, whose humid salt fug is nigh unbearable during the summer -- especially if, say, you grew up in southern Ferelden, accustomed to cold winds and long winters.

Cullen isn't exactly dressed for the weather, but then again, he doesn't have to stay out long. Just long enough to feel better.

Only --

"Ysalwen?"

[freedom_is_grey]

It takes her a second to register her name, that's how deep in thought she was.

"Cullen?"

She turns, shoving her cloak's hood a bit away from her face so she can see him more clearly.

Liranan barks a cheerful hello.

"How long have you been out here?"

Did she miss him for multiple minutes?

[howtoactfereldan]

"Not long," Cullen says, crouching in order to better greet Liranan. "I'd thought to get very cold and then compensate with whiskey."

It's a genius plan, really.

[freedom_is_grey]

"That's certainly one possible plan."

She cracks a smile, quick and crooked.

Liranan, meanwhile, breathes hot dog-breath all over Cullen's hands and face.

"Though I have to ask -- have you ever had something called hot chocolate?"

[howtoactfereldan]

These are the risks you run when you are friends with a dog.

Carefully turning his face away so as not to encounter more of the dog-breath than he has to, Cullen says, "I don't believe I have. I'm partial to tea, if pressed."

[freedom_is_grey]

"It's a kind of miraculous drink they have here, though I think the qunari have chocolate, too? At least Sten mentioned it once or twice."

Anyway.

"It's a little overwhelming taste-wise, but it's very warming. And filling. They make it with milk?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"Sounds like whiskey," Cullen says, and straightens. "I shall have to try it."

[freedom_is_grey]

She laughs quietly.

"I think it only burns if you drink it while it's scalding. But you're welcome to try. I'm sure it strengthens the throat wonderfully!"

[howtoactfereldan]

"No thank you." That is not the kind of burn Cullen enjoys.

He looks out at the lake (and the fat flakes vanishing into it), then back at Ysalwen. "What brings you out here?"

[freedom_is_grey]

"Personnel problems. Well. More how to prevent personnel problems in the future than anything actually happening now."

She smiles faintly.

"Our numbers have doubled, which on the one hand, more Wardens hooray! And on the other -- now is the time for structure, which -- I have no idea how to successfully build."

[howtoactfereldan]

"That rather depends on the kind of structure. If you've a good second, they ought to be able to help with it -- it's the point of having senior officers."

He catches himself. "I'm sorry -- you weren't asking for a lecture."

[freedom_is_grey]

"Nathaniel Howe still doesn't trust himself, not after learning the truth about his father."

Ysalwen exhales heavily.

"Maybe I am asking for a lecture. Or -- outside experience, anyway. We're in danger of becoming a little too insular, up in Amaranthine, I think."

[howtoactfereldan]

"How so?" Cullen frowns a little. "It's not all on his shoulders, is it?"

That might be part of the problem.

[freedom_is_grey]

"Well, Justice is gone, Velanna has no patience for shems, and Sigrun's cheerfulness scares everyone who only thinks they understand what being of the Legion of the Dead means."

Her smile is crooked.

"She picks up the slack, and she's good at it, but -- she wouldn't agree to take over the arling even if I paid her for it. For one. So there's Nathaniel, and then behind Nathaniel there's Sigrun, and after that -- "

Blank space, really.

[howtoactfereldan]

There's your first problem, Cullen thinks. An awful lot of people are left out of that list. Time to start thinking more comprehensively.

"Which would mean -- you've gone from four Wardens to eight. That's not nearly enough to defend an arling. Who patrols? Who keeps the peace when you and your Wardens are occupied? Who makes sure everyone's fed? Who manages the accounts and keeps the records?"

[freedom_is_grey]

"Varel, Mistress Woolsey, and Captain Garevel. And -- twelve Wardens. We were six before."

So it goes.

"I worry about crossing the lines irrevocably. I don't know that it will be best for Ferelden to always have a Warden ruling Amaranthine. For instance."

Her mouth twists.

"You know how far I trust Weisshaupt."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen nods, careful to keep his expression schooled.

"I -- want to make sure of this," he says. "Are you asking my advice, or trying to talk yourself through a problem?"

[freedom_is_grey]

She thinks about it for a few long moments, nestling deep into her cloak as she ponders.

Then --

"Asking for your advice. I've been thinking myself in circles and not getting anywhere for -- at least two circuits of the lake, by now."

Ysalwen looks up.

"If you don't mind, that is?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"Never." The fine lines at the corners of his eyes crinkle as he smiles, quick, light. "We'll need paper -- shall we go in?"

First, a list. Then a chart. Then some decisions.

[freedom_is_grey]

"Drawing in the snow seems like it might be good exercise, but -- inside it is."

She smiles, quick and bright.

"I'm starting to actually notice the cold."

Which, since they are both Fereldan, may give him an even better idea than he previously had about how long she's been out here.

[howtoactfereldan]

It does. Cullen elects not to mention it, instead turning back toward the bar. "We'd rather like a record of what we're about to do, anyhow, and the snow won't work very well."

[freedom_is_grey]

"I don't know, I could probably freeze it solid, though hauling it back to Amaranthine would be difficult. Maybe if I lived closer to the actual Frostbacks -- the dwarves might think it was funny, anyway. I'm not sure about the Avvar."

She's still going inside, however, trotting along next to him.

(Okay, Ysalwen herself is just walking, but Liranan is definitely trotting. Prancing, even. Good job, Cullen! She is going inside!)

[howtoactfereldan]

"...or we could use paper," Cullen says, amused, holding the door open. "Start thinking about every person at your keep with a specific responsibility. We'll be writing them down."

[freedom_is_grey]

"Official and unofficial?"

That's -- well.

It's probably a good thing that Ysalwen is on friendly terms with a lot of the Keep's staff.

Though since he's so insistent on paper, she'll stop by Bar and get some, first. And a few pens.

And an oxtail for Liranan.

[howtoactfereldan]

When they're settled:

"Official is most important. I suspect that what might help more than anything right now is to establish clear chains of command -- beyond Nathaniel and Sigrun. Everyone should have a commanding officer, or the equivalent."