Northstar Vale you've made a pig's ear

astynome.

a strange name, thinks melkor whose had several beneath his belt these days. ❝you barely know her, tonttu.❞ the warlord — her rook — points out. he's not exactly enthusiastic about potential attackers tracking her all the way here ( in this he is very much arturo ) but it was likely a long way to travel and it wasn't as if courtfall was in any sort of vulnerable state. their numbers were steady and full with adults. ❝if you live with us you work with us, not for us,❞ because the wording the fiery eyed waif gives him a feeling of teaghlaigh with a punch of nostalgia right to his gut. or perhaps it is andraste's teasings.

already having the fey queen's approval trumps melkor's reluctance; she is the sovereign around here. not him; and yet his fairylight lover seemed much more preoccupied with him. it's the season, he thinks. or a lack of sleep. or both. ❝no doubt,❞ rumbles melkor to andraste. ❝but now is not the time nor place.❞ later, he wordless promises.

to astynome, his gaze returns. ❝do you have any skills you can offer courtfall?❞ useful things he might remind andraste of after a good night's sleep when she inquires about this later, for he assumes it will come up when she is more cohesive and not in such a half-slumbered state.