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Celeste was smart. She had already drawn the conclusion that there must be more stairways because of the simple fact that nobody in their right mind would want to bring their chamberpots down those beautiful marble stairs in full sight of the entire congregation. The captain quickly located another set of steps, not guarded as closely, and she melted into the shadows with an ease that reminded Nicolette a great deal of Leliana. The memory of her friend eased the subtle press of unease at Nicolette’s back, and she imitated Celeste as best she could. Nobody appeared to notice, and they gained the stairway without anybody stopping them, taking advantage of a guard’s distraction by two laysisters.
Success! They were through. And then they climbed, and climbed, and Nicolette kept pace even though her lungs started to burn after a while. Dancing and walking every day of her life had kept her very fit, but the stairs were steep and she was not used to moving her legs in such a fashion for so long. When they reached the top, she dragged in a grateful draught of air, and almost choked on the smell that came with it.
Mercifully, the bats had already taken their leave for the evening, and it did not take long to claim their prize. In fact, everything had been quite easy to this point, and even though Nicolette was relieved that they had not ended up in trouble she was a little disappointed that it had not presented more of a challenge. Which was why when Celeste suggested sightseeing, the logical voice that usually steered Nicolette in these situations was completely overwhelmed by impulse, and she grinned as Celeste mentioned wanting to see a Grand Cleric’s bedroom.
“Well, I think it would be a waste of our time if we did not take the opportunity to see as much of the Chantry as we can, seeing as we went to such trouble to break in to begin with.” Well, not even that much trouble, which was part of the issue. Nicolette jumped down from the attic to the floor below, landing neatly, and waited for Celeste to follow before continuing their journey.
It took a few minutes, and they found it; but when they did, Nicolette was not sure if they had actually found the right place. With religious leaders, as with nobles, she imagined them sleeping in opulent beds with towering carved wooden columns that gleamed softly in candle or firelight, swathes of quilts and pillows, carved golden objects glinting around the walls. This bedroom was quite modest; the bed was small and simple, there was a desk, and a small shrine mounted in the wall on one side. In fact, just as a religious leader’s room should be, if they did not want to be counted as an almighty hypocrite.
The one concession to luxury was a set of double doors leading out to a balcony, and Nicolette went to investigate. When she pushed the doors open, she was greeted with a view over Kirkwall that was better than any she had seen before; with the very last vestiges of the sun still casting some light form beyond the sea, the silhouetted homes of the city were lighting up at the windows like so many fireflies. Around the edges of the balcony were flowers that had obviously been lovingly tended.
It was beautiful. It also made Nicolette want to take advantage of being here, and she looked over her shoulder at Celeste, smiling with a decidedly naughty tint to her gaze. “There is a view worthy of the Maker, here. Perhaps you should come and admire it.”
Success! They were through. And then they climbed, and climbed, and Nicolette kept pace even though her lungs started to burn after a while. Dancing and walking every day of her life had kept her very fit, but the stairs were steep and she was not used to moving her legs in such a fashion for so long. When they reached the top, she dragged in a grateful draught of air, and almost choked on the smell that came with it.
Mercifully, the bats had already taken their leave for the evening, and it did not take long to claim their prize. In fact, everything had been quite easy to this point, and even though Nicolette was relieved that they had not ended up in trouble she was a little disappointed that it had not presented more of a challenge. Which was why when Celeste suggested sightseeing, the logical voice that usually steered Nicolette in these situations was completely overwhelmed by impulse, and she grinned as Celeste mentioned wanting to see a Grand Cleric’s bedroom.
“Well, I think it would be a waste of our time if we did not take the opportunity to see as much of the Chantry as we can, seeing as we went to such trouble to break in to begin with.” Well, not even that much trouble, which was part of the issue. Nicolette jumped down from the attic to the floor below, landing neatly, and waited for Celeste to follow before continuing their journey.
It took a few minutes, and they found it; but when they did, Nicolette was not sure if they had actually found the right place. With religious leaders, as with nobles, she imagined them sleeping in opulent beds with towering carved wooden columns that gleamed softly in candle or firelight, swathes of quilts and pillows, carved golden objects glinting around the walls. This bedroom was quite modest; the bed was small and simple, there was a desk, and a small shrine mounted in the wall on one side. In fact, just as a religious leader’s room should be, if they did not want to be counted as an almighty hypocrite.
The one concession to luxury was a set of double doors leading out to a balcony, and Nicolette went to investigate. When she pushed the doors open, she was greeted with a view over Kirkwall that was better than any she had seen before; with the very last vestiges of the sun still casting some light form beyond the sea, the silhouetted homes of the city were lighting up at the windows like so many fireflies. Around the edges of the balcony were flowers that had obviously been lovingly tended.
It was beautiful. It also made Nicolette want to take advantage of being here, and she looked over her shoulder at Celeste, smiling with a decidedly naughty tint to her gaze. “There is a view worthy of the Maker, here. Perhaps you should come and admire it.”