"It's hardly a true test of the theory if they demonstrate an ability beforehand," she says, mild as a lamb, "but I've no true intention of doing so. To even attempt such a thing might rather strain tolerance, I fear."

Rifters might not be viewed with the same level of suspicion as they once were - but less isn't none, and Kirkwall is a powder-keg of many kinds. There's no sense in courting that disaster for little more than academic curiosity's sake; she can live with unfulfilled curiosity a sight better than she wishes to toy with the ceasefire between Chantry and local mages. The suggestion that magic might be beyond their control in even more ways - that it could be learned by the unadept -

She has no desire to change the nature of the game while she is still learning its rules.

"I've noticed the same, in any case. Spells for which there are no local equivalent, it's almost as if the air itself fights me to complete them. And they can be done, certainly, but the effort involved is - interesting. Of course, some would present me a challenge regardless, but I feel I've tested it enough with what I know well to be assured it isn't merely my inexperience."