Warin
Warin’s head still hurt from the night before. The hangover pills were working though, although not as fast as he would have liked. He made his way into his father’s private study. It felt odd to be back home, but it felt good.
Warin had decided to go alone to meet his father, against the protests of his wife Beth. Even Ozma wondered if that was the correct first move. She knew that he wished to present himself as strong and independent, no longer a kid but the System-lord, despite his fear, was smart, and had a way of convincing people to do his bidding. At the least Ozma wanted him to take a few guards, but Warin had dismissed the notion. Skyhold was his home. Regardless of everything, it was his home.
The System-lord was his father, and he always would be. No matter the difference that Warin had with him, he wasn’t there to score points against him. He would stand on his own principles in the council chambers, and do what he felt was right, but at the end of the day he had the duty of a son to a father.
The room was just as Warin remembered it. He didn't think any of it had changed in the two years since he had been gone from Skyhold. His father was dressed in the light blue and whites of their house sigil. The sigil of their house, The round white frozen ice flake with it’s simple yet elegant design on a background of blue hung on the banners which flanked the System-lord on his seat.
“My son,” Warin was greeted warmly by his father with a large smile. “Come sit, have a seat, let us catch up,” the System-lord said.
“Father,” Warin replied and sat across from his father on the other side of his desk. “How are my brothers Edmund and Egbert?” Warin asked. “They looked good.”
“Excited that you are home,” System-lord Walter said. “I know they send comms to you each week. I am glad you kept in touch with them.”
Warin looked away from his father. He almost felt bad that he hadn’t kept in touch with him, almost, but he tried not to think of that. “I had hoped that they would be at the feast.”
“They will be home tonight, I thought last night would be more of an adult affair,” The system-lord replied with a chuckle, and then reached for his cup before taking a sip. “Would you like some?”
“A little early for me,” Warin replied.
“Never too early to enjoy the fine things in life,” Lord Ice said as he looked at the engraved cup in his hand with a smile.
“Father, why have you asked for me?” Warin asked sharply. “I am grateful to be back in your good graces of course, but what changed your mind?” he asked with a little snark in his voice. “Last I recall you threatened to outlaw me if I married my wife.”
“A fathers love,” the System-lord said softly while he looked off into the room before he shook his head. “You were eighteen Warin. You had known her for a year and you had killed three people since you met her!” Lord Ice said, and his voice raised in anger but he quickly recoiled, and shook his head.
“They were justified killings,” Warin stated firmly. “I was cleared on all charges, and you of all people know what the Order is.” Warin tried not to curl his hands in fists at the thought of those he would have slain far sooner if he could have. “They would have killed her, and her father Bishop Lakes.”
“What?” the System-lord said as though he were confused, but his eyes displayed sadness. The System-lord let out a sigh. “Of course, but it was not the life I wanted for you.” he said quickly, and shook his head again. “I would never have outlawed you my son, never. It was a threat. You were safer away perhaps. At arms reach away, never able to be touched by the Order, and yet always under my protection.” The System-lord eyes were filled with tears as he looked at his son. “You must believe me, Warin. No matter what happened, I always loved you.”
Warin sighed. “I know father, and I do believe you,” he said, and he did believe him.
The System-lord leaned over his desk, and took Warin’s hand. “You are an adult now, free to make your own choices. I will always have the love of a father for you, but I know you are a man who must make his own choices.” Lord Ice smiled, and continued. “That does not change the fact that you are the heir of Holderness, the heir of Skyhold, and my heir. I thought it was time for you to take up your rightful place by my side as my Under-lord so that you may prepare for the time of my death.”
“Your death?” Warin asked in shock. He wasn’t sure if he was more surprised by the offer to return to become Under-lord or the mention of his father’s death. “Are you sick? You do not seem unwell.” he asked concerned for his father.
“What?” System-lord Walter Ice asked almost as though he had not mentioned it mere moments ago. “Oh, no, not sick. But there are dangers son, and I am old, and we do not live forever, and as you get older your mind dwells on such things. There are dangers to us all, Warin. When I am gone it will be up to you to protect this family from them. It will be up to you to lead this house as our ancestors have for thousands of years.”
“What dangers?” Warin asked his father. It was a question his father had always refused to answer but with vagueness.
“Hmm, well you never know,” Lord Ice said, avoiding the question. “Sometimes you know, and sometimes you don’t. It is not always clear. The best you can do is prepare for the worst, and I shall show you what to prepare for,” The System-lord said with a smile. “It is time.”
“Is this about the raid father?” Warin asked. His father had been forced to flee Skyhold when the Furse raided the system. It had been the first time the ancient fortress had fallen since the times of Taryn The Flame-bearer, their ancestor who had conquered the fortress from the Fabian Tutha would had held it. It was a shame that his father never forgave himself for.
“No, nonsense my son,” Lord Ice said sharply. The System-lord let out a sigh. “Not all threats present themselves in the open, my son. You should understand that simple truth. Not all can be spoken of in the open, but it does not mean they are not there Warin.”
It was Warin’s turn to let out a sigh. He had not missed the riddles and games of his father. His father could be blunt at times, but that was rare. “Is this about the Fabian Order of Drala?” he asked bluntly.
“I told you not to cross the Order,” the System-lord snapped and stood. He placed his hands on the desk and leaned over towards Warin. “I told you they would kill you. I told you you were a fool to try and stand against them.”
“They tried and they failed,” Warin countered as calmly as he could, but he felt his own blood boil. “And then I hunted them all down in the sector, and arrested or killed them,” he snarled. “The only ones that remain, if any remain at all, are those in hiding or those you protect here on Skyhold.”
Lord Ice’s eyes went wide. “Not here. Never here. I would never allow it. Not with my knowledge, but we cannot all be as bold as you my son.” The System-lord sat down. “They are not the only dangers, my son. Nor are they gone. Nor are they only in Holderness. You have no idea how far they go,” His father shook his head.
“King Oswald?” Warin asked and his father’s reaction was worse than the mention of the order itself.
“We do not talk about the king here, not even here,” Lord Ice said with fear overcoming him. “Please, my son. Our loyalty must be without question. Please, promise me. There are spies in the shadows,” The System-lord pleaded.
Warin was silent for a moment as he looked at his father. He saw real fear, and not the fear that hung around him day after day. “Okay father,” Warin said slowly. His father hadn’t confirmed what Warin had suspected, but his fear was enough for him not to push it for the moment.
“You will be my hand,” the system-lord continued quickly. “Return home and take up your rightful position as Under-lord. Attend the council meetings in my name and make yourself known to the lords of Holderness.”
“I have already made myself known to the lords of Holderness, and more important, the people of Holderness.” Warin counter sternly.
“Yes out there. And you have done a fine and honorable job of it my son,” Lord Ice said with a smile. “You have, and I am proud. But there are other things to know before you become lord.”
“Thank you father,” Warin said and felt bad for the sharpness in his voice.
“Please, talk to your wife. Talk with who you must and take all the time you must to consider it and let me know when you accept,” Lord Ice said.
Warin nodded, but he already knew what he was going to do. It was the reason they were here. “Father, I am here for the people of Holderness, but I’m also here for you. I May not be the best of children, but I am here to serve.”
“Thank you my son,” the System-lord said. “I have missed you. Your brothers have missed you. It will be good for you to be home. It will be good for me to get to know your wife, and in time, and I hope that day is not long, my grandchildren.” Lord Ice smiled, and Warin didn’t remember the last time he saw that smile.
Warin stood. “It may be some time before we have children,” he told his father. “But I know you will like her.”
