"Ah, yes, the southerners do have a different sort of Templar. The Imperial ones are little more than glorified soldiers."

"Well, if you want to learn more about the local kind you could ask Ambrose when he has a free moment. May not be for a while, as we're getting him crowned King of Ferelden in about half an hour."

"So quickly? Your trip must have been a success in respects other than fetching me unexpected presents."

"In addition to the ghoul, Arl Howe also couldn't seem to resist filling his dungeon with local nobles and their relatives. That is the sort of thing that tends to upset people. Elissa's off taking credit for the rescues right now."

"Tsk. He should have been more cautious about security."

"There's only so cautious a person can get."

"You were in and out in less than half a day, including planning time. Clearly, he had room for improvement."

"I'm not sure he could've kept us out for much longer than that, honestly. We cheat."

"He could at least have contrived it such that in the event of a breach like that, there wouldn't have been anyone left alive for you to rescue."

"Maybe."

"If you can't plan for a catastrophic failure of your security at least that well, you have no business doing things you don't want other people to find out about."

"Well, his lack of foresight is our good fortune."

"If one must have enemies, incompetent ones are preferable."

"True enough."

"I'm not keeping you from anything important, am I? Are you going to be attending Ambose's investiture or anointing or whatever it is this country does?"

"Elissa decided not to bring me along while she argues his case because she wants to minimize the appearance of foreign influence. But I'm supposed to casually wander past the building after the meeting starts in case a fight breaks out and they need backup."

"Is that likely?"

"Not likely, but not inconceivable."

"It wouldn't happen in the Imperium. A magister would respect the dignity of the institution, and simply send assassins later."

"In Ferelden, the dignity of the institution is happier about brawls than assassins."

She shakes her head sadly. "Barbarians."

He laughs.

Stalas grins at her. "Well, I'd better go lurk. Enjoy your research. And your breakfast."

"I will, thank you."