Why does that not surprise me? She has patience, I'll give her that; even the few nobles I entreated in Ferelden to continue commerce in Amaranthine and for the Wardens were enough to infuriate me. She's handled hundreds of others at least.

[ And she can only imagine how she would react to the Comte at this point. The myriad of ways she could embarrass him alone has a small smile on Neria's face, but really, Kaia's absence is a snub in and of itself in the nobleman's direction; she has already made it clear that what the Comte is doing is no threat.

Neria turns to Cullen with a smile, stepping close to him. ]

I cannot see why you would feel guilty. You aren't the only one pleased with this reprieve. A few more days wouldn't hurt.

[ They were wise to choose soldiers unlikely to bother them, competent enough to stand on their own without too much direction. The handful of soldiers without as much experience know to speak to their superiors before coming to Cullen or Neria, and she's glad they have this time to share together without interruption. ]

Every moment we seem to be able to find together back at Skyhold is cut short one way or another.

[ It's no one's fault; they're attempting a romance in the middle of a war that could decide the fate of the entire world. They are both needed. It's simply more frustrating than she anticipated. She remembers wondering, years ago, if allowing herself to feel for her companions on the road would have made things more difficult. Would she have minded then? Should she mind now when she is past the point of caring?

Still, their privacy has been important. And she prefers not being asked so many questions when there is already so much she is fearful of, so many things she has not said.

She smiles. ]

It's been good to be here. Why would I not wish, even selfishly, for a few more days of you?