Aww, Anders trying to defend Grace when he thought Bran had been the one to blacken her eye was so sweet! I like that protective streak. I smiled at this as well:

"Perhaps a beefsteak would help?"

"Are you hungry, sweetling? I've an apple in my pocket," Anders replied cheerfully, handing her a badly bruised apple. Her eye knew exactly how it felt."

I never thought of magic having a smell... that's a pretty interesting detail, and now I wonder if you'll use it in the story some way. :)

Bran jealous of Anders! Cutest thing ever. I can't believe Anders' little digs worked. xD

This bit here reminds me of Gone with the Wind, with Bran as Rhett Butler - Clark Gable's version, not Timothy Dalton's, natch - and Grace as Vivien Leigh's Scarlett:

"Jealous! He truly was jealous. Grace nearly bit her tongue off trying to contain her gloating gleefulness. "Such a declaration, my dear man, you have me quite swooning."

"Not by half I don't, but I will," he threatened and pulled her into his arms, his lips finding hers in a kiss that was as ruthless as it was lush, lips gliding with silky intent and sensual promise. Grace returned it with fervor, her mouth opening to his tongue's velvet assault. When he stepped back, she clutched at his arm, her knees weak, her resolve to become a lady of society winging its way out his window."

And now I'm swooning, too!

Have I mentioned how much I love the name 'Junders'? Everything about that scene - and now I forget which quest that was, exactly - was so witty, I'd love to quote all of it, but these are my favorite bits:

""You don't hurt the people you're trying to save, Junders. That's as foolish and nonsensical as your trying to turn lead into gold."

With a defensive growl, Junders – still awash in ethereal blue – muttered petulantly, "They guaranteed such a feat was possible.""

LOL! And this:

"The blue glow began to fade, but flared up briefly. "Are you quite certain your own sentimentality does not cloud your vision, Grace?" Justice asked in a reasonable, if disappointed, voice that resonated off the nearby stone walls."

I love that! Who knew there was a funny side to Justice's crusade? xD

Just one more:

""Now, if you have someone outside of Kirkwall to run to, I suggest you do so. Immediately. Or perhaps sooner. There will be the demon to pay for this day's work, I suspect."

"Ha, ha, Grace. You really ought to stand up on stage with that act," Anders said sarcastically. "Demon to pay? And no doubt I'll put up a spirited fight?" he guffawed, bumping shoulders with her."

I know I said this before, but I love your version of Anders! :D

Oh, I love the way you put this:

"Grace's eyes, of their own volition, rolled upward. She could no more stop that action than she could cry halt to the setting of the sun."

Once again, I wish I'd thought of such a novel way of expressing that action. :)

LOL ""The Funkyl twins, Art and Gar were each sporting what appeared to be black eyes. Naturally I inquired as to the nature of such a thing. Well, they were a bit incoherent about what happened but it seems that black eyes are now the latest rage and that it's considered ala mode to have such a distinguishing mark, though they are in the way of using cosmetics to simulate the black eye. I can scarce credit how absolutely goose-witted people are. Trust me, I would not deliberately seek to have this shiner, as you so adroitly called it, Keir."" Hilarious! xD

I loved the ending, too! I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter, as usual. Great work! :D

Dammit, Bran! Of course, get what you want first, and *then* regret it. xD

"With a long-suffering sigh, and many a tragic glance cast in Bran's direction, Grace scooped up her clothes and began to dress, wincing as she realized a rather large bruise had formed on her hip. "Brute," she uttered quietly. He traced the shape with a light finger, looking somewhat sheepish, which made him appear ridiculously boyish, a most unusual look for him."

Aww, what a sweet look at his affection for her - I could picture it so vividly!

LMAO! "Darling, look at you, well laid … out and ready for a massage. Did we have an appointment?" Serendipity teased, her husky laughter trailing behind her as she moved about the room gathering several small pots of emollients.

That was awesome. I love Serendipity. xD

lol at the fists flying. That was so awesome. Great chapter! :D

"She felt like they were equals but wasn't sure equals in what precisely. The more she searched for a logical answer to her feelings, the less she understood."

I love that look into her confusion, and the fact that she *is* confused. Real love is never a fairy tale, but it's so much richer for that.

Ah, Mother Petrice! Another storyline I hated that I couldn't influence. Well, that was all of them, really. But this one really stuck in my craw. Plus, I hated the bitch. xD

I like Vicount Dumar much more in your story than in the game - he seemed such a powerless coward in the game. Here he's much more dynamic and decisive, more believable as a leader.

"Now is hardly the time for a personal discussion."

"As we never seem to have personal discussions, I am left to wonder when such a time will present itself."

I love that! And so true... as it is for so many men. I need to memorize that line. xD

"Leandra had taken the Dalish First under her wing and the other companions were making book on who would be "Leandracized" next."

I know I sound like a broken record, but I love that too! You have such unique ways of conveying your characters' personalities.

"I am meeting a fellow countryman at Messeres Abercrombie and Fitch."

HA! I love when writers work contemporary references into their stories. :)

Isabela's song suited her personality perfectly, and I had to laugh at Grace's crowd surfing. xD

And, I am absolutely thrilled with the ending! Finally! :D

Oh, thank God I wasn't drinking anything when I read this:
"Oh, my lady! You have fallen and can't get up!" Orana exclaimed in distress.
I would have had to get a new laptop. xD

There are so many points in this story that have some small similarity to CRS - simple things like a character trying to suppress a sigh - and I find you putting something so elegantly and uniquely it's hard not to be jealous and wish I could have thought of that.

"An internal sigh wandered around in the confines of his mind."

Okay, maybe I do wish it a little. I cannot help it, your writing is such a pleasure to read and I wish I had some small measure of your talent. :)

Oh dear lord, you are brilliant! All the tension and drama of that last scene, and then the bit of humor at the end: "Just say: Grace killed the mage in the laboratory with the lead pipe."

There aren't many writers who can wring that much emotion from me, amateur OR professional! :)

And I absolutely adore your resolution of this questline!

Bravo! *stands to feet and claps*

Dammit you tease! xD I should have known better...

'If there was any irony in her reflections, she chose to ignore it.' Ha! Well, at least she's aware of it. xD

LOL, okay the ending makes up for the beginning. :D I love that her mother caught them, but even more that Bran admitted to his son that his feelings for Grace were serious. :)

Awesome chapter!

Reaching across the table, she plucked up a piece of dry toast and swathed it in her serviette, aware of her mother's teasing smile the entire time and wishing with a whole and true heart that she hadn't seen it. Handing the carefully wrapped package to the young courier, who was pulling on his forelock and shuffling nervously, she smiled, inordinately pleased with herself.

"Please ensure Seneschal Bran receives this and tell him it is my response to his most generous gift."

Hah! Dry as toast - awesome response, Grace. I really wish I had half her wit.

'No matter how many times she entreated the young woman not to bow, her pleas fell on deaf ears, which laid waste to the common misconception that elves, because of their long ears, had especially acute hearing.'

And

"Show them into the morning room, please, and have tea sent in. Better add a few pear tarts for the prince. He does love his tarts."

I swear, the more I read, the more I admire her - and I really like that you gave her the name 'Grace'. :)

lol, if I quote all the bits I love, I'll quote it all. And I feel like a broken record, but there are so many lovely turns-of-phrase that it's hard *not* to comment.

LOL she had Quentin arrested! I never saw that coming - it's brilliant!

omg omg omg what an ending! What a page-turner! I can't wait to see what happens next! :D

"I suspect that there are agents who wish to see the city guard fail with the intent of replacing their ranks with the templars. That will not happen as long as I am the seneschal, but Captain Vallen must deracinate the provocateurs promptly and decisively."

"Hmmm, she'll also need to get rid of the troublemakers quickly and resolutely."

Bran eyed his friend, an unwilling smile threatening his stern expression. "I believe that's what I said."

"Yes, but which of us will she understand?"

"She may understand your words more easily, your Grace, but she will understand my intent more readily."

I love that exchange. :) And this:

"There was a reason I was more popular with the ladies than you were!"

"Yes, I believe that had to do with the amount of sovereigns in your pocket and absolutely nothing to do with the size of your – "

The preemptory knock was answered by a relieved Marlowe Dumar, who used the excuse to exit with alacrity, if not grace.

I love the friendship between them; they obviously know each other well.

"Don't look now, Grace, but I believe that rather handsome gentleman, the one with the distinguished grey hair, has his eyes on you."

Naturally Grace ignored her mother's advisement, turning her head and staring at the tall man dressed in the robes of a scholar, a pretension Grace found both annoying and amusing. His eyes widened and he looked away in a completely furtive manner, which made Grace long for her daggers and a menacing scowl. Instead, she affixed a bored expression on her face and turned away with what she hoped was haughty disregard.

"He's old enough to be your father, Mother, and is not in the least attractive, comely, handsome or otherwise pleasing to the eye. I really believe you are in need of a set of those spectacles Seneschal Bran pretends he has no use for. And that antiquated old fossil appears to be fixated on you, dear Mama, if I am not mistaken."

Wait, that's not *Quentin*, is it? Eek, I hope not. That gives me chills, even though I know Leandra is still around, well at least as far in time as your challenge entry. But still...

The door opened again and she continued to fix her gaze on the book titles, pretending ignorance of the doddering old codger's sudden presence in the small shop.

"Messere Quentin, that book you ordered has arrived. I'll just fetch it, shall I?" the proprietor asked, his voice as chipper as a spring morn.

OMG it is Quentin! :O

(I love that the bookseller is Dickens and his brother is Charles, btw. :D)

"Dancing seems to be out of the question. I propose a geopolitical lesson for today. Tell me what you know of Rivain," Bran said in such a brisk and impersonal manner that she found herself blurting out her answer without thinking, the image of them kissing dissolving under the bright glare of reality.

"They grow grain."

"I beg your pardon?"

"In Rivain," she added with an internal groan of mortification. What had befuddled her to such an extent she was incapable of coherency? The ignominy of her baffling behavior was enough to make her writhe internally.

"Do I understand you correctly? They grow grain in Rivain. Is that the extent of your knowledge?"

"The grain in Rivain grows mainly on the plain," she added helpfully.

LMAO! That was awesome. :D

And Bran's concern over Grace was so touching in this chapter.

Wow, I think maybe *this* is my favorite chapter yet. It has everything - humorous scenes, chilling scenes, witty banter, and a budding romance. I'm truly in awe of your skills. :)

Keir Drummond looked nothing like his mother and very much like his father. From the jet black hair to the dark brown eyes and swarthy skin, he was a reminder of a failed marriage, a public humiliation and a woman's true nature. As much as he loved Keir, it was impossible not to discern the truth of his parentage when gazing upon him. And while Bran was able to overlook the obvious truth and love his son as if he were his own flesh and blood, the city rumormongers were not willing to abide by those same precepts.

Aww, that is so heartbreaking! Poor man. :(

lol, it's so funny that they're both fighting with their minds to keep their thoughts away from the other. And both failing! xD

"Orana, dear, fetch my wrap if you would? It's terribly cold in here," her mother cut in quickly, giving the daintiest of shivers.

The maid nodded, bobbed and nodded again before bowing out of the room. Refusing to rise to her mother's obvious bait, she turned to the viscount and bestowed upon him her most charming smile.

I love Grace's mom, she's as quick-witted as Grace is. :)

OMG, if I quoted my favorite bits from the card game, I'd have to quote them all! Leandra really shines here, seeming to redirect the conversation at every turn as if she knew ahead of time what would be said. :D

LOL, Grace's dance of gloatiness is awesome! I need a dance of gloatiness too. :D

What an awesome chapter. I think this is the best one yet! :)

You know what I like about Grace? She *eats* when she's hungry - and not like a bird either - without worrying about her weight! It's so refreshing to meet a female lead character who has a healthy relationship with food. :D Even if an unhealthy one with alcohol. xD

"However, I applaud your irony in using the word 'porcine' to describe my manner whilst I was eating ham."

I love her wit too! I wish I was as witty as she is.

I like the way you write Anders - he seems to be more laid back and funny and much less like the crazed terrorist he was in DA2. The back and forth between Grace, Justice, and Anders was a hoot.

'Lady Arabella Atherton Achingarse' LMAO Varic. He's so awesome. :D

"I have forbidden knowledge that I don't want anyone to have so I'll just put it all in a trusty tome and hide it most conspicuously. How wise am I and how gullible is the one who finds it and uses my forbidden knowledge!"

LMAO!

Yeah, it's been *my* experience that men are bigger gossips than women, too.

"You've been ostracized, demonized and cast out of your clan over this mirror and the compact you made with a demon, yet you wish to continue in hope of returning a piece of their history to them, which they will refuse because it's been tainted by dark magic and darkspawn plague? In the end, you must ask yourself, and reply truthfully, if it is worth the price."

That's so true! I never thought about that while playing.

I had to laugh at Grace wishing gorgeous Aubrey would keep his mouth shut - lord knows I've had that same thought a time or two when I was younger. xD

I really enjoyed the last scene with Serendipity, and how astute she is to notice Grace and Bran like each other. But the best part was at the end, with Grace stepping from behind the screen in her smalls. xD I can't wait to see what the card game will be like. :D

The back and forth between Grace and her friends at the Rusty Cock was so entertaining. I especially loved this:

"Pay her no heed, Hawke. You are the epitome of refinement and elegance," Fenris announced, glaring haughtily at the others.

"Thank you Fenris. I appreciate your kind and honest assessment of my current state," she replied with great dignity.

"Perhaps, in the interest of attracting a higher class of clientele, we should all dress in such a foppish manner," he continued with a regal nod in her direction, a telltale smile curving his lips.

Gammoned by the best, demons plague him! Laughter erupted all around her. Even Sebastian, his eyes merry and his cheeks a lovely shade of red, chuckled, though he immediately said, "Ach, Grace, forgive me. I'll nae make fun of ye."

And this:

He looked adorably drunk, and she had a strong desire to reach across the table and ruffle his hair or pinch his rosy cheek. She doubted he knew that his glass contained only water and had for some time. She stared at him, wondering briefly if he was drunk enough to take her bed but still sober enough to perform if he did. The thought made her grin and she gave into temptation and ruffled his hair, which made him smile in delight.

"A wee dram for Hawke, an' one for her lads and lasses!" he exclaimed, waving a serving wench over.

"Hawke, that Maker god of yours won't be happy if you take advantage of Choir Boy," Varric warned in a quiet aside, though loud enough for those present to hear.

"Varric, I canna sing a note. I'm nae choir boy," Sebastian explained earnestly.

"Right, and I'm no gold-loving dwarf."

LOL! I have to admit, I'd be a bit tempted to take advantage of a tipsy Sebastian as well... Those gorgeous blue eyes! *swoon*

"Dance of gloatiness" I love that phrase. xD

Aww, I love the ending. Perfect!

Okay, I seriously need sleep. Great read, though - very hard to put down!

A sharp rap on the still vibrating door followed by the sound of it opening caused her to whirl around, hands on hips. "That menace of a seneschal is a furuncle upon the fundament of mankind!" she growled at the woman who stood in the doorway, smiling quizzically.

"Really, Grace, I know that Bran can be a bit of a scalawag, but he is hardly a boil upon the posterior of mankind. What has he done to put you in such a tear?"

Grace blinked, surprised by the question. She was outraged; shouldn't her mother support her in that? And how could she explain the inexplicable? There were no words adequate to express the indignity she had suffered. "Scalawag? Really, Mother! Anders is a scalawag; Bran is a – a blustering, bloodless bounder!"

A broad smile gave way to a tinkling laugh that further infuriated Grace. Before she could expound on her theme her mother spoke with that soft clucking noise that all mothers seemed to possess. "Your theatrics are firmly entrenched once again, I see. What has this blustering boil of a bloodless bounder done to you, my darling daughter?"

To Grace's utter horror, she found her lips twitching. They seemed determined to wing upwards into an answering smile, to her great disgruntlement. "I will not say, Mother, I will give neither voice nor thought to his intolerable actions, for to do so gives them credence when they deserve none."

Her mother's brows rose and then she brought her hands together, clapping softly. "Oh, well done, dear. There was just the right amount of condemnation and haughtiness to be convincing. If," Leandra continued with another bright smile, "one is easily hoodwinked. Now, tell your dear mother what has you so distressed, lest I need challenge the boil to a duel."

Grace's laughter escaped before she could stifle it, her ill-temper easing. "Fie upon thee, Lady Amell-Hawke! I was in a perfectly justifiable state of umbrage and you've destroyed it with your theatrics!"

The ridiculousness of the situation gave rise to another wave of laughter and the two women hugged briefly, before her mother spoke in a serious tone. "Welcome home, dear. I was concerned for your safety, but I appreciate the note you sent apprising me of your plans. Did you find what you went in search of?"

Aww, this is so sweet - I love seeing the affection between Grace and her mother.

"I am very well aware that you saved the lives of many people today, Grace. If I don't make light of it, as unnatural as that may seem for a mother to do, I will worry myself into an early grave."

A shiver skittered along Grace's spine at that image. She had lost enough and she was not prepared to lose her mother as well.

This is so sad, especially knowing what will happen to her mother later on. :(

"Weep not, Mother; he and I will never be more than friends. He is much too spirited for my liking, and he's like a man possessed when it comes to his work."

LOL! Good one, Shakes! :D

My studies are going well, thank you, Bran. How are your studies going?"

Confused, Bran frowned at the young man, who was his father's son in looks, but more his mother in temperament, a dangerous combination. "What studies would those be?" he asked, almost immediately regretting the question, wondering, rather than draining the wine from his glass, if spilling that liquid would not distract the three people in front of him long enough for him to escape.

"Wasn't that what you were doing with Serah Hawke's li –" Here the young lad broke off as a sharp elbow, attached to the arm of the viscount, made contact with the boy's ribs.

Bwahahah! Poor Bran. xD

Silence descended and when he glanced up from his paperwork, it was to find his doorway empty. He would only admit to relief that their relationship was once again where it should be, but the small knot of disappointment refused to believe it.

Awww, poor Bran. *Hugs Bran*

*sigh* I guess one more chapter couldn't hurt. xD

"Have you no court healer, Seneschal Bran? That cough of yours sounds quite serious. Perhaps the deleterious effects of the dampness here in Kirkwall? I believe we discussed how easily things rust here," Grace said with a wicked smile.

Heh, excellent shot, Grace. :D

Unattractive braids wound tightly around each ear? Like Princess Leia? :D

By the end of her diatribe, she was standing within a hair's breadth of the man, who had a strange glint in his eyes. She blinked. Had he actually been concerned about her? She nearly laughed aloud at how ludicrous such a thought was and began to turn away when she was caught up in his arms, his lips descending with profound authority, leaving her to wonder if he hadn't been subjected to the saar-qamek as well.

After the searing kiss, he continued to his office without a backward glance. Grace, stunned into speechlessness, and apparently no longer able to move her limbs either, stood staring after him for several long, silent moments.

Politics and bedfellows, indeed, she thought indignantly as life returned to her limbs and her brain began to respond to her commands. She slammed out of the keep without so much as a by-your-leave, determined to put all thoughts of the man out of her head.

But the pressure of his lips on hers stayed with her long after she'd returned home.

:O Wow. For some reason, I didn't see that coming. He must have been *really* worried about her. *swoon*

Dammit, I said I was going to sleep, didn't I? Hmm... maybe I could fit in just one more chapter.

More sparks between those two!

I love how, in the first section it sounds like she's talking about the slaughter of *people*, and then we find out she's referring to her *wardrobe*. She's such an awesome lady. I could hug her. xD

'The items that had remained behind were hardly worthy of salvaging but he was reluctant to leave her sans apparel, fearing she would take that as an advisement to stroll the streets of Hightown in her smalls.'

LOL, she probably would, too! :D But poor Grace, to lose those links to her father and brother. :(

'Grace, wearing a dark dressing gown and a pair of scruffy slippers, was sitting before her fireplace, where a merry fire cackled at the drenched state of her hair.'

Oh, I love that turn of phrase! *claps*

Oooh, Bran's jealous of the new Nevarran ambassador fawning over Grace. Heh, I love it when a monkey wrench is thrown into the mix. I hope they see more of each other. *evil grin*

Dang it! I was supposed to go to sleep after this one, but I want to see what happens next! Maybe just one more chapter. :D

I have to admit, I had to break out the dictionary while reading this chapter and look up 'gudgeon' and 'contumacy' and 'fustian' and 'mantua-maker'. I had a rough idea about 'obstreperous', but I couldn't have spelled it correctly to save my life. xD Which makes me wonder about what Grace's upbringing was like - my guess is her mother, with her noble background, had a larger hand in it than her father, who was an apostate, right?

Your descriptions of her hangover reminded me of all the times I suffered through one in my younger years. I'm so glad I'm past that now. What misery that was!

I do like her observation about noble's time apparently being more valuable than a refugee's. She's so down-to-earth. :)

"I will endeavor not to cause offense," he replied, and he wondered if the amusement in his tone would cause another outburst from her. When it did not, his shoulders relaxed, and he refused to acknowledge the brief flare of disappointment.

Ah-ha! So, he does like her. :D

"I doubt most have taken notice of you at all, Serah Hawke."

"Grace! My name is Grace! I would prefer it to the scornful, scathing manner with which you call me Serah Hawke, as if I was the basest, most repulsive bit of refuse ever placed before you."

Bran lowered his head to hide his smile. She would unquestionably disrupt his life in ways he had yet to imagine. Even so, he could not help but admire her spontaneity and her refusal to be dismissed for who she was. She had a natural gift for language and accents, he noted, and that would make the elocution lessons much easier.

"If that is your preference."

"It is."

"Very well, so be it."

"Good."

"As you say."

"Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Say it, you impossibly obstinate man!"

"The first order of business will be to rein in your temper," he responded, once more taking up his quill and making a note on the vellum that was already covered with his neat script.

Without another word, she strode to his door and opened it with such force he expected it to come off its hinges. To his relief, and surprise, she shut it very quietly behind her. He was still smiling as he went in search of the guard-captain several minutes later.

Heehee - I love the sparks between these two already!

LMAO "purve of tits" I actually read that as "perve of tits" at first, which is even funnier. xD

Oh, I loved the song they sang. Kudos to Ole and to you! :D

Great chapter. I already love Grace and Bran and their relationship! It's sure to be an interesting one. :D

LMAO! "Boney Parts" is such an awesome name! xD

'Hmm, I might have overdone that last bit.' cracked me up too! Her thoughts always amuse me.

She hadn't intended to speak with such censure in her voice; she had intended to be as flippant as always, but her frustration chose a different tone. Her mother lost her newly-dawned aristocratic mask for a brief moment and displayed the face of a grieving woman.

Wow, you captured such a complex relationship so powerfully, and in so few sentences. I sincerely wish I could write half as well as you do.

Leaning forward and refusing to roll her eyes, even though they were dying to do just that - I love the way you write about her eyes like they're sentient beings in their own right. xD

They were soft and worn, and if she closed her eyes and inhaled, she could almost smell their unique scents, almost believe they were all still together - wow, that's so evocative and beautiful. Well done!

Man, I really *will* quote the whole chapter if I try to quote the parts I love. xD

This is so beautiful. Reading your work is always such a treat. My apologies in advance for my stream-of-conscious style of reviewing - I can't seem to help just writing my reactions as I read. :) Ooh, and now I know the wager you were referring to in First Night. Really nice symmetry!

Okay, maybe one more quote:
Disappointment was a finely-honed dagger in her heart. *claps*

Oh wow, Bran played her like a fiddle! I so love your characters and your expressive style. I'm probably going to sound like a broken record shortly if I don't already. xD

Bravo! Wonderful work!