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Caramaine Tabris, Hero of Ferelden and slayer of the fifth Archdemon, Arlessa of Amaranthine and former Warden Commander of Ferelden-
"Zev please tell me we're almost there, I can't take another day of this."
All of these titles and accomplishments, and not one helped ease her of seasickness.
Zevran was holding his lover's hair back as she vomited off the side of the ship. "Give it another hour or so, amor. The Rialto Bay is just coming into sight."
Cara wiped her mouth on her sleeve and looked where he was looking.
A city, glowing with lit lanterns along the docks and throughout the streets, warm and inviting. "That's Antiva?" She asked in wonder.
Zevran smiled in that way that crinkled the corners of his eyes, something Cara always loved. "Antiva City, at least. Beautiful, is it not?"
Cara nodded, started to reply, then loudly threw up off the side of the ship yet again.
After finally docking in the harbor, Cara could finally get a look at the city Zevran came from without nausea distracting her.
"Is there… music?"
"Cí?"
"Not just old biddies reciting the Chant?"
"Minstrel is not a profession simply for tavern entertainment here, my Warden. This city is always alive with wine and song."
All around Cara, she could see the truth of her lover's words. People were dancing and singing along the boardwalk, fancy noble looking people too, not just peasants. The rich smell of spices wafted from the restaurants and spice merchants hawking their wares.
It must have been midnight, maybe later; but the lanterns all lit around them provided not just ample light, but ample mood. The mood being: "Enjoy life" not just "Make it to tomorrow" as she'd been used to her entire life.
Denerim went to sleep at night, only guards and criminals roamed the city after dark.
"When you said 'Capital City', I figured it would be like Denerim. This is…"
"This," Zevran said, taking her hand and leading her to the best restaurant he knew on the docks. "Is Antiva. Welcome mi amor."