[Not all that long ago, this particular information may have been met with little more than disbelief. What does she care who does or doesn't know her association with the arcane arts? Far more ridiculous that Byerly Rutyer could be an informant.
But working in close association with certain suspicious parties eventually inspires caution in even the most incautious people. And she has been spending a great deal of time with Richard Dickerson, and much as she might pretend otherwise Wysteria knows a thing or two about the man she's speaking with at present.
So, cue the aural equivalent of squinting and the bristling of hackles. Like how a small terrier might show its teeth—]
You're lying to me. No one asks to be told things they don't think are important.
The Queen intends no malice towards magic-users. Truthfully, she intends nothing at all towards magic-users - there are far greater issues at stake than meddling with one person.
But isn't that precisely why it would put me in danger? Because I would just be thought of as any mage and treated so, despite the fact that I'm most certainly not one. Not in the sense that you would think of it, in any case. Everyone is always clanging on about how dreadful that would be.
[Technically, no one can even prove she's a Rifter anymore—]
That's not the point. I want to know what you're imagining you'll tell— whoever it is you tell exactly. You don't speak with Queen Anora directly, do you?
[How do spies work. Surely there's some sort of complicated string of contacts like in the clever little books she sometimes reads.]
[ That's absurd enough that he gives a huff of something approaching laughter. Without amusement - this is a grim discussion - but. ]
Certainly not. I'd hardly be able to play a convincing scoundrel if the Queen herself were seen to keep my company.
But it is rather the point. I am asking if there is a version of this tale, which is true, which you would not mind finding its way to others' ears.
[ Has Wysteria worked with enough lawyers, in her real estate matters, to be able to imitate their twisty minds? Perhaps not. Especially not in a matter as weighty as this. ]
[ It occurs to him to wonder suddenly if the issue isn't that she's worried about her safety, but rather that she wants to know how she would be talked about. ]
Well. I have already described you in the past, as I've already sent reports. I could read my notes, if you would like.
[ There's the sound of rustling - and some odder sounds alongside the rustling, of mechanical clicking and wooden scraping. One's mind might go into thinking of false bottoms being removed, traps being disarmed. Then a flutter of pages, and he speaks again - ]
Wysteria Poppell. This was submitted when I first arrived at Riftwatch, hence the use of your maiden name. Recently arrived. Of tender years and a kindly disposition. Shows no evidence of abilities that might be of political significance.
[ He pauses just a moment, then decides to move ahead: ]
Then, a later addendum, after you had shown me a recent project you were working on. Wysteria Poppell has shown an aptitude for the development of weaponry enhanced by magic. Her alignment remains firmly against Corypheus. Nevertheless, there is a reckless enthusiasm that may well warrant caution. Her ambition is considerable enough that it, combined with her talents, may prove dangerous or destabilizing.
[Throughout this recitation, pauses included, Wysteria is very quiet. For someone so prone to little noises of acknowledgement and interjection, this may be a particularly ominous sign for what is soon to follow particularly as Byerly reaches the very end of this addendum.
Indeed, when he's finished, she is quite quick with her reply—]
Well yes, all right. I knew all of that already. Really, Mister Rutyer you ought to be thankful no one has ever intercepted your communications. You would be identified immediately. You should consider a most complicated cipher if you haven't one already. I've been reading all about them and would be pleased to show you—well, no, I haven't the time now. But I highly recommend Bartlebrown's Dictionary of Codes, Sign Languages, and the Various Secret Keeping Arts, Etc.
[Honestly.]
What would you write them next? If I'd no input. You must tell me truthfully. This is not an invitation to tell me what you believe I wish to hear.
Certainly could have been worse. Perhaps Byerly is simply too accustomed to Wysteria assuming his bad intent, so that this little entente - and with it, a belief in his better intentions - is still confusing to him. ]
Madame -
[ He cannot help but protest. ]
If a cipher has been written down, it is already quite thoroughly useless.
[ Honestly!! Anyway - more to the point - ]
And what I would write them next is an addendum that I now know that you have a magical talent, unspecified. That is all.
I wouldn't tell them anything at all, for starters.
But if I were for some reason obligated to say something, I might write a note along the lines of 'Very minor magical talent, wholly unremarkable.' You cannot say 'Magical talent, unspecified'! The reader will imagine all sorts of dramatic things! And when it goes in combination with what you have already written and sent of me—that I'm highly clever and have a keen eye for design—
[Are those the words he'd used? Close enough.]
—then I will seem highly formidable indeed. I can't imagine your masters are in the business of letting formidable persons simply do as they please. Particularly not once the war has ended.
My good madame, I think you perhaps do not understand Ferelden's priorities. They do not concern themselves overmuch with questions of magic per se. They would be anxious about you if you were passionately allied with the Orlesian nationalist expansionist cause. But simply being formidable, without any additional motivation involved, is not enough to trigger their paranoia.
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But working in close association with certain suspicious parties eventually inspires caution in even the most incautious people. And she has been spending a great deal of time with Richard Dickerson, and much as she might pretend otherwise Wysteria knows a thing or two about the man she's speaking with at present.
So, cue the aural equivalent of squinting and the bristling of hackles. Like how a small terrier might show its teeth—]
You're lying to me. No one asks to be told things they don't think are important.
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[ His voice is even. He doesn't sound like he's lying - though with a confessed spy, who can tell? ]
And if I thought this information would put you in true danger, then - [ Well. ] I suppose I would be compelled to dishonor myself.
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[ A small shake of his head. ]
The Queen intends no malice towards magic-users. Truthfully, she intends nothing at all towards magic-users - there are far greater issues at stake than meddling with one person.
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[Technically, no one can even prove she's a Rifter anymore—]
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How exactly do you mean to describe me?
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Is there any sort of description you’d be comfortable with?
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[How do spies work. Surely there's some sort of complicated string of contacts like in the clever little books she sometimes reads.]
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Certainly not. I'd hardly be able to play a convincing scoundrel if the Queen herself were seen to keep my company.
But it is rather the point. I am asking if there is a version of this tale, which is true, which you would not mind finding its way to others' ears.
[ Has Wysteria worked with enough lawyers, in her real estate matters, to be able to imitate their twisty minds? Perhaps not. Especially not in a matter as weighty as this. ]
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I'm asking how you would describe me to whoever it is you would be required to describe me to. I want to know.
[Lawyers, schmoyers. He isn't answering the question.]
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Well. I have already described you in the past, as I've already sent reports. I could read my notes, if you would like.
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Very well. Read your notes to me.
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Of course. Give me a moment.
[ There's the sound of rustling - and some odder sounds alongside the rustling, of mechanical clicking and wooden scraping. One's mind might go into thinking of false bottoms being removed, traps being disarmed. Then a flutter of pages, and he speaks again - ]
Wysteria Poppell. This was submitted when I first arrived at Riftwatch, hence the use of your maiden name. Recently arrived. Of tender years and a kindly disposition. Shows no evidence of abilities that might be of political significance.
[ He pauses just a moment, then decides to move ahead: ]
Then, a later addendum, after you had shown me a recent project you were working on. Wysteria Poppell has shown an aptitude for the development of weaponry enhanced by magic. Her alignment remains firmly against Corypheus. Nevertheless, there is a reckless enthusiasm that may well warrant caution. Her ambition is considerable enough that it, combined with her talents, may prove dangerous or destabilizing.
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Indeed, when he's finished, she is quite quick with her reply—]
Well yes, all right. I knew all of that already. Really, Mister Rutyer you ought to be thankful no one has ever intercepted your communications. You would be identified immediately. You should consider a most complicated cipher if you haven't one already. I've been reading all about them and would be pleased to show you—well, no, I haven't the time now. But I highly recommend Bartlebrown's Dictionary of Codes, Sign Languages, and the Various Secret Keeping Arts, Etc.
[Honestly.]
What would you write them next? If I'd no input. You must tell me truthfully. This is not an invitation to tell me what you believe I wish to hear.
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Certainly could have been worse. Perhaps Byerly is simply too accustomed to Wysteria assuming his bad intent, so that this little entente - and with it, a belief in his better intentions - is still confusing to him. ]
Madame -
[ He cannot help but protest. ]
If a cipher has been written down, it is already quite thoroughly useless.
[ Honestly!! Anyway - more to the point - ]
And what I would write them next is an addendum that I now know that you have a magical talent, unspecified. That is all.
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'Magical talent, unspecified—! Mister Rutyer, never has a more suspicious and concerning series of words ever been arranged!
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But if I were for some reason obligated to say something, I might write a note along the lines of 'Very minor magical talent, wholly unremarkable.' You cannot say 'Magical talent, unspecified'! The reader will imagine all sorts of dramatic things! And when it goes in combination with what you have already written and sent of me—that I'm highly clever and have a keen eye for design—
[Are those the words he'd used? Close enough.]
—then I will seem highly formidable indeed. I can't imagine your masters are in the business of letting formidable persons simply do as they please. Particularly not once the war has ended.
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My good madame, I think you perhaps do not understand Ferelden's priorities. They do not concern themselves overmuch with questions of magic per se. They would be anxious about you if you were passionately allied with the Orlesian nationalist expansionist cause. But simply being formidable, without any additional motivation involved, is not enough to trigger their paranoia.
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