A chill ran down my spine as my eyes glided over the glass vials filled with crimson liquid. I was battling internally between my conscious and my sense of wrong and right. I looked up at Jowan who had been a close friend to me over my years here at the Circle Tower. He remained oblivious to my deception as he and his love, Lily, scoured the shelves and surfaces for Jowan's phylactery. I wanted to help my friends with all of my heart but I knew in my mind they were going about this the wrong way. Convincing myself it was all I could do in hopes of saving my wayward friend, I had gone to First Enchanter Irving for council on the matter. He ordered me to go along with their plan. That of which brought me here to the lowest level of the Circle Tower; squinting around the repository with what little light Jowan and I were able to conjure up.
My stomach cringed when I spied Jowan's name scripted across a flask and I hesitated for a moment.
"That's my phylactery! You found it! I can't believe this delicate vial stands between me and freedom" I watched inertly as the enthusiastic Jowan plucked the vial from my hands and looked at it hysterically. "So easy to be rid of it; to relinquish its hold on me…"
Jowan held his phylactery for a moment more before a shatter clamored through the silent hall and a small pool of blood materialized on the cold, stone below our feet. He closed his eyes and breathed a deep inhalation of relief.
"…and I am free."
"Can we leave this place as soon as possible? I don't want to be here a moment longer," Lily whispered as she glanced around the haunting room.
"Come on, we should go now," I let my eyes linger on the spattered blood.
Jowan excitedly grabbed Lily by the hand and together we all ventured out of the soul-chilling basement. When we reached the upper floor, Jowan began rejoicing. I felt a guilty tinge in my stomach but I had fulfilled my duty. Now it was up to Greagoir and Irving to complete this remorseful deed. I would feel better when I knew that someone from the Chantry would receive punishment and not just a mage this time.
"We did it! I can't believe we actually did it! I can never thank you enough, Adelynne. Thank you, thank you!" Jowan grasped my hand firmly. "Perhaps someday we'll meet again and you, too, will be free of this burdensome way of living. I wish you the best of luck my dear friend and Maker watch over you."
"Thank you Jowan, but I don't deserve such kind wishes," I said cryptically. "Maker watch over us all."
"It looks as though what you told me was true, Irving," the unmistakable voice of Knight-Commander Greagoir echoed through the hall. I turned to see Greagoir accompanied by First Enchanter Irving and several templars. "An initiate conspiring with a blood mage. I am disappointed, Lily. She seems to be in control of her own mind; not a blood mage thrall. The Chantry will not allow this to go unpunished. Then there's you, Adelynne. A newly harrowed mage and you're already flouting the rules of the Circle."
"This isn't her fault, it was my idea," Jowan stepped in.
"Adelynne was here on my orders, Greagoir. I take full responsibility for her actions," Irving insisted. Jowan's face contorted in astonishment and disgust.
"Adelynne… you lead us into a trap?" he demanded.
"Jowan, I'm sorry. But you-" I felt like I had been punched hard in the abdomen.
"Don't you dare speak to me!" he snarled. I was silenced, but my mouth remained agape.
"Enough!" Greagoir intervened. "As knight-commander of the templars assembled here, I hereby sentence the blood mage to death. The initiate has scorned the Chantry and her vows. Take her to Aeonar."
"No… No! Not the mages' prison! Please… I beg you!" Lily implored as Greagoir's templars closed in on her.
"I won't let you touch her!" Jowan cried and pulled out a dagger. I saw the flash of panic and intent in his eyes.
"Jowan don't!" I charged for him, but it was too late. Jowan took the dagger and slid it across his palm. Blood slowly dripped through his pale fingers. Using the forbidden magic, Jowan forced us all to the ground. I remained on the rim of consciousness and begged Jowan through my dazed state.
"Jowan! What have you done? How could you… you said you'd never!" Lily gasped as tears gushed from her eyes.
"I admit; I dabbled. I thought it would make me a better mage," Jowan tried to justify himself to his beloved.
"Blood magic is evil. It changes people‒ it corrupts them!" she backed away from him slowly.
"I'm going to give it up! I promise! I just want to be with you, Lily," Jowan pleaded. "Please, come with me."
"I-I trusted you," she shook her head with sobs lining her voice. "I don't know you, blood mage. Stay away from me!"
Jowan looked panicked and heartbroken with tears rimming his eyelids. He turned and fled just as I had managed to get to my feet. I called his name as I stumbled after him, aware I would never reach him with my pace. I tried using magic to slow him but it was no use; my mana had been drained as a result of Jowan's blood magic. Hearing Irving groan behind me, I paused and looked after Jowan's trail. Irving then uttered my name and I rushed to his side.
"Irving!" I helped the old man sit up.
"I'm fine. Is Greagoir all right?" Irving responded.
"I knew it… blood magic," the knight-commander creakily rose.
"He's fine," I glared up at him, but I was ignored.
"To overcome so many… I did not know he had the power," Greagoir continued.
"He told me he'd never turn to maleficarium," I whispered as I got Irving to his feet.
"None of us expected this, Adelynne," Irving explained. "Are you all right, Greagoir?"
"I would be better if you would have let me act sooner," Greagoir fumed. "None of this would have happened. Now we have a blood mage on the loose and no way to track him down!"
"He can't have gone far, I'm sure your dogs can track him down," I replied icily.
"Believe me, we'll use every resource," he spat at me and then changed his focus. "Where is the initiate?"
"I-I am here, ser," Lily spoke up from the corner.
"You aided the blood mage. Look at all he's done. Look at all he's hurt!" the knight-commander spoke directly in her face. Lily blinked tears at his words and looked past him.
"Knight-Commander, she didn't know Jowan was a blood mage," I spoke up for her causing his face to redden and his jaw to tighten.
"Save your breath, I can speak for myself," Lily trembled. "I… I was wrong. I will accept whatever punishment you see fit. Even… even Aeonar."
"Get her out of my sight!" Greagoir commanded with disgust and his templars carried her off. Then he turned to me without letting his expression falter. "You! You were in a repository that was full of magics locked away for a reason!"
"Did you take anything, child?" Irving asked in a significantly calmer tone than the templar leader.
"No, I didn't," I replied.
"But your antics have made a mockery of the Circle! Ah… what are we to do with you?" Greagoir pinched the bridge of his decrepit nose.
"Nothing, perhaps? I was only doing as I was told," I suggested with a hint of sarcasm coating my voice. I could tell he was losing what little patience he had with me.
"As I said before, she was operating under my orders," Irving confirmed.
"And this improves the situation?" the knight-commander demanded. "The phylactery chamber is forbidden to all save you and me!"
"I have my reasons," the First Enchanter responded secretively.
"You're not all-knowing, Irving! You don't know how much influence the blood mage might have had. How are we to deal with this?" Greagoir threw up his hands in frustration.
"Knight-Commander, if I may," the Grey Warden, Duncan, entered the room and we all turned to face him. "I was not only here to recruit for the king's army, but for the Grey Wardens as well. Irving spoke very highly of this mage and I would like her to join the Wardens."
"What? You promised him a new Grey Warden?" Greagoir boomed.
"Adelynne will make and excellent Grey Warden," Irving insisted.
"We look for dedication in our recruits. Fighting the darkspawn requires such dedication, often at the expense of all else," Duncan explained.
"I object! Irving, you say this mage was under your orders, but I do not trust her," Greagoir scoffed hatefully. "I must investigate the issue and I cannot release her to the Wardens."
"If the Grey Wardens will have me, I'll gladly go," I stared directly at Greagoir.
"Knight-Commander, mages are needed‒ this mage is needed," the Grey Warden pressed. "Worse things plague the world than blood mages. I will take Adelynne under my wing and bear all responsibility for her."
'This mage does not deserve a place in the Order!" Greagoir spat. I breathed in quickly, readying myself to unleash my withheld hatred on him, but Irving discreetly raised his hand to calm me.
"I think it is a good reward. She has served the Circle well," the old mage announced and then turned to me. "You have an opportunity few even dream of. Do not squander it."
"So am I to become a Grey Warden?" I asked.
"Yes, child. Be proud. You are luckier than you know," Irving gave a hearty smile.
"Thank you, First Enchanter. For everything," I gave him a gentle hug.
"Come, your new life awaits," Duncan said and he lead me out of the hall. "I'll let you gather some of your things, of course. I will be waiting outside when you are ready. Just please do not take too long, we are due in Ostagar in two days."
"Thank you, Warden-Commander," I nodded my head in thanks.
"Please, don't be so formal," he chuckled. "You may call me Duncan."
"Thank you, Duncan," I smiled and he nodded in response. He turned and walked towards the exit while I proceeded to the mages' quarters. As I walked through the corridors, I felt a sense of freedom that I never had before. Though I was still trapped within the Tower walls, my soul felt lighter as if it were escaping the oppressive boot of the templars. I felt like my head was held higher and it seemed as if I were untouchable. To each of the templars I passed in the halls, I sent taunting smiles towards them. The thought of them not being able to control me was absolutely thrilling. I had never really liked templars. Ever since I was a little girl, I blamed them for taking me away from my family. My resentment was so strong that I seldom talked to any of their kind for fear of not being able to control my tongue, hands, or more seriously, my magic. I always kept my distance and sent poisonous glares from afar.
Once in my only recently inhabited room, I began to put together a small pack of what little items I owned. My pack was very light as I threw it over my shoulder. I grabbed my staff in one hand and looked around my room one last time.
"So it's true," said a voice from behind me which gave me a start thinking I was alone. I turned to see Cullen: the only templar who was capable of causing me to stray from my stereotypical views of his order. I spied intense sorrow in his eyes as I nodded my head solemnly. "Things… will be different without you. You will be missed greatly. I‒I will miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Cullen," I smiled at my tolerated friend, placing my palm on his face. I rose up and gently planted my lips on his stubbly cheek. I pulled away, leaving him slightly agape. "Thank you."
"For‒for what?" he squeaked and blinked, trying to diminish his pleasure and astonishment.
"For being different," I smiled. "Maker watch over you, Cullen."
"M‒Maker watch over you as well, Adelynne," he stammered as I walked away. In a way, it was horrible for me to do that, but I had seen the way he'd always looked at me. I noticed his gentle and caring tone when he spoke to me and his extreme tolerance when it came to my magic. I'd never looked at him as anything other than a friend, but I knew his actions were meant to be more intimate. That was all behind me now.
I made my way downstairs and neared the great door that I had only had the privilege of using precious few times. I clutched the strap of my cross-body bag as I took my first breath of free air in what felt like ages. Duncan was talking with a few men near some horses. He spotted me and beckoned me over. Together we mounted the steeds and rode away quickly. Upon a hill, I stopped and turned when I had a good view of the Tower. A gasp caught in my chest as reality was sinking in.
"Is everything all right?" Duncan backed up next to me.
"This is the farthest I've been from the Tower in years," I spoke softly.
"You're going to get a lot farther from the Tower than this, dear mage."