"Perhaps, but it's the kind of undue influence I enjoy."

Aegon answered honestly, his lips pressed together. It was clear he was irritated by what Mother Giselle had said and done.

Dorian's answer caused a frown to appear on his face. It bothered him that Dorian was being treated as such, especially when he valued what he brought to the Inquisition.

"How long has this been going on?"

"Rumors? What rumors?"

He blinked in surprise, his head tilted with curiosity. Perhaps he'd been too preoccupied to overhear these rumors.

"Heh, I'm no one special. I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Aegon smiled, folding his arms across his chest as he leaned up.

"I'd rather see the rest of you pampered, anyway. If I had to, I'd sleep outside."

"Why torture yourself, Dorian? There are much better things to do around here."

He chuckled.

"I do get lonely, you know."

A gentle and playful poke was delivered to the man's cheek.

Leaning his cheek in the palm of his hand, his gaze focused on him.

"Would you rather join me? You're always welcome to, you know. I could use your wisdom."

He grinned slightly.

Leaning over the mage, he rose an amused brow.

"What are you reading?"

He held back a chuckle, noting how boring the text was.

— And here he thought it couldn't get much more complicated. How wrong he was.

"Why would he rearrange time and endanger the Mage Rebellion just to get to me?"

Aegon went to theorize with Dorian, but before he could speak, Felix had finally appeared. Turning his head with interest, he focused his gaze upon him. His last few words caused him to furrow his brows. He did it to get to him? This puzzled him. Why would he do all of this just to seek him out? —

— focused on the man before him again.

A heavy sigh left the Inquisitor as Dorian continued to speak. Such magic was the last thing this world needed. He hated to think what would happen if he were to fail. Maker, he hoped he could live up to the expectations placed upon him.

"You're asking me to take a lot on faith."

Ice blue optics —

"He arranged it so he could get here just before the Divine died?"

Time distortion... To think, he was just another Dalish elf not too long ago. Now he's become the key to stopping whatever madness has taken over. He wondered if this was how the Hero of Ferelden had felt all those years ago.

"Are you the one who sent the note, then?"

Slowly but surely, it was all beginning to come together for the inquisitor. Perhaps Dorian wasn't as suspicious as his companions had assumed. Aegon was willing to give him a chance to earn his trust.

— earlier, his brows furrowed.

"Is there something wrong with him?"

The more Dorian spoke, the more Aegon began to get the feeling that they were in for something far more troubling and unexpected. Things could never be simple, after all.

"Alexius couldn't jump to Felix's side fast enough when he pretended to be faint."

He spoke as he recalled their meeting —

— landing back on Dorian.

"I was expecting Felix to be here."

He'd say as his attention focused on him again, a hint of confusion in his voice.

Despite his allies' suspicions, Aegon didn't seem threatened by the man. Although, this wasn't what he had expected when arriving here. He had expected to be meeting Felix.

Folding his arms across his chest, he gave a slight nod of his head. Sky blue eyes shifted, glancing around briefly before —