A/N: I apologize to those of you who follow me. I'm sure you know that I have been ill for a while now and this past year or so it got really bad. I'm feeling more in control now so I removed this story arc to redo it and it got a new name. It was Of Demons and Mages but that title didn't fit.
Now we're looking at a much more cohesive story line and a more involved work. Thanks for your patience friends.
Disclaimer:I don't own DA, believe me if I did there would not have been so many stupid decisions made on the game story.
Chapter 1
The First Act
"See to it that Commander Cullen of the Inquisition gets this message." The dwarf nodded brusquely as she took the missive from the small hand that held it. The ancient creature cackled before it continued speaking.
"Give it to Tethras; I will have a good laugh at that!" Once more it cackled, then broke into hacking coughs. "Water, Urchin! Bring me water!" The small elf that now answered to 'Urchin' scampered to a nearby barrel and dipped a cup into it; the dwarf left before she could see more. She didn't need to see more; she remembered her days answering to Urchin.
Varric Tethras watched the strange dwarf with curiosity as she approached him. She had the look of a casteless dwarf that had been exiled to the surface but she didn't have the tattoos. She wore Carta clothing, if not their colors and she moved as if she were waiting to be attacked at any second.
He caught a flash of yellow from under her hood before she bowed and handed him a very thick folded vellum. Her voice was soft enough he barely heard her say who it was for before she turned and left with the same deliberate pacing she'd approached him with.
Varric looked down at the missive in his hand and frowned with curiosity. It was in Dwarven; when did Curly learn to read Dwarven? More importantly, who was sending Curly messages in Dwarven? Most importantly, why did he have to deliver it to Curly?
'What the bloody hell am I doing sneaking through the fuckin' dark?' The assassin asked internally. 'Because the fuckin' guards at the gate asked your business and then turned you away' Was the internal answer. Turns out that the Inquisition actually pays attention to their merchants and traders.
One should be grateful that the new Spymaster pays closer attention than the old one did; the Inquisitor was still needed after all. It did, however make the assassin's job harder. Being paid to put an end to this particular woman was all well and good; even if it made no sense to the person paid to do the ending.
'Why couldn't I have volunteered to go after that elf?' This time they didn't have an answer for themselves.
Dorian; Altus of Tevinter, scion of House Pavus, and pariah of some fame; double checked his reflection in the full-length mirror that The Iron Bull bought him the last time he was in Val Royeaux. The black-haired mage plucked an imaginary speck off the royal purple tunic he'd had made to show off his perfect tan. Dorian smiled winningly at himself in the mirror before turning, grabbing his staff and leaving his highly ostentatious room. He was running late for his weekly game of chess with the delectable; if taken, Commander of the Inquisition.
It was mid-morning in late winter; even in the Frostback mountains, spring was beginning to make an appearance. Many of the people at the keep were wearing lighter clothing than they had been just a few weeks ago and Dorian was no exception. He smiled as he passed several Orlesian and Fereldan nobles who were complaining at the lack of parties now that winter was passing.
"Sparkles!" Varric called out. Dorian stopped immediately to give him his undivided attention.
"Yes, Varric. How may this humble mage assist you?" Dorian grinned to show his even white teeth. Varric laughed at his overblown antics.
"Going to your game with Curly?"
"Yes, and I'm running late." Dorian replied.
Varric handed him a thick vellum with dwarven writing.
"Would you mind giving him this letter? I have no idea who it is from and as curious as that makes me, I have no time to work it out. I promised our illustrious Inquisitor that I'd assist her and Tiny with some issues in Kirkwall."
Dorian laughed at the expression on the rogue's face.
"Not really looking forward to being cooped up eh?" Dorian asked with sympathy.
"It's not really that; although we will be in her quarters for this," Varric said. "It's that I am starting to feel guilty for still being here when Kirkwall really needs me." Recognizing the sentiment of the Dwarf's, Dorian smiled and patted his shoulder.
"I know how you feel; but you do know Bronwynn will understand should you decide to leave," Dorian reminded him. "By the Void, she'd probably offer to go with you to help with the restoration." To that, Varric laughed heartily.
"That's why I'm still here!" Varric cried in partially mock horror. "The last thing I want is to be responsible for Her Worship to feel obligated to help fix one more thing that Blondie was responsible for." shaking his head Varric waved and headed to the rear stairwell that led to the Inquisitor's chambers.
Dorian waved in return as he turned around to go out the garden door. He held the door open for two maids who had their hands full of linens. The girls blushed and jabbered their thanks as they rushed through the portal. Dorian shook his head with humor as he continued on through the short hallway to the keep's herb garden. It still amazed him how his participation in the Inquisition's defeat of Corypheus had turned him from That Magister into Hero. He remembered the look on Revered Mother Giselle's face when she realized those who were here in Skyhold were singing his praises instead of condemning him. It hadn't hurt that the New Divine Victoria VI-formerly Leliana-was also touting his skills as worthy of learning.
He shook his head to clear it of the reverie as he walked through the second door. The fragrance of the garden was soothing, and the warmth of the sun began to relax him within seconds of stepping outside. He made his way to the stone gazebo near the rear of the garden. It was so ornately carved, it appeared to be made of wood instead of stone. He gave a slight frown when he realized that Cullen hadn't yet arrived. He knew he wasn't that late so where was the Commander?
Cullen stood at his desk holding a trio of reports with a frown on his handsome face. He heard the clock in the room chime the quarter hour and cursed. He was late for his chess game with Dorian. Shaking his head, he placed the reports back on his desk and decided he'd talk it over with Bull after his game.
Exiting his office through the western door-the one that went directly into the keep-e knew that Solas wouldn't mind him using the solarium as a pass through. The Library's sitting room was quite a beautiful room with the frescos that Solas had painted adorning the walls. Bronwynn had given orders for several types of elven herbal and floral mixtures be kept in the room, so it was also very relaxing. The sitting areas had ample lighting to make it possible to read should one want to bring a book down and do so; but it was also dark enough to simply sit and relax. He knew his bride was pleased the elf decided to stay with her and the Inquisition. His knowledge of the Ancient Elves had proven invaluable over the last year.
He passed the fireplace where Varric could usually be found and wondered briefly where he may have gotten to before he rushed through the opposite door. His blue eyes scanned the garden before turning to the gazebo where they usually set up their game. He gave a huff of breath when he saw Dorian already waiting for him in the warm air.
"There you are, Commander!" Dorian exclaimed with jaunty humor. "I was afraid you'd decided you didn't want to lose again," he quipped with a jovial laugh, drawing a crooked smile from Cullen.
"Since I won the last three games, Lord Pavus," Cullen said with mock formality. "I would think it was you who was tired of losing." Dorian laughed lightly and gave a wave of dismissal.
"Pure luck on your part," he replied loftily. Cullen joined him in his laughter, recognizing that he was putting on airs to keep up appearances.
"I apologize, Dorian, for being late," Cullen said as he sat down opposite him. "I lost track of time while reading reports."
Dorian gave a real laugh at that.
"Only you; Ser Knight, would lose track of time reading reports!"
"Ha!" Cullen exclaimed as Dorian began setting up the board for their game. "Clearly you have paid absolutely no attention to how long the Inquisitor takes to read her own reports." He chuckled at the expression on Dorian's face.
"You mean she isn't actually having her wicked way with you the first three days after we return from sealing those unholy rifts?" Dorian exclaimed with horror.
Cullen groaned and rolled his eyes heavenward; begging the Maker for patience and the strength to not kill his best friend.
Their banter stayed quite lively as they played, amusing the audience they gathered.
"Ah-ha!" Dorian crowed as he made the winning move. "Check and mate!" He was so excited to have actually won, Cullen couldn't help but laugh for several minutes at him.
"That's what happens when you don't cheat!" Cullen finally gasped out as Dorian looked at him with consternation. After that statement, however, he had the grace to laugh at himself as well.
"Ah, thank you for the game, Dorian." Cullen said as their laughter died down.
"No, Commander, thank you!" Dorian insisted. "Oh!" He took the thick packet of vellum out of his shirt, and handed it to him. "Before I forget, Master Tethras asked me to give this to you."
Cullen frowned when he saw the writing. He didn't recognize the hand and not many people knew he could read Dwarven.
"Thank you, did he say who it was from by chance?" He asked without much hope of an answer.
"He actually said he had no idea who it was from," Dorian said with some curiosity.
Cullen sighed dismally and sat back in his chair looking at the letter.
"I'm going to die of curiosity, Cullen." Dorian said after he watched him stare at the paper for five minutes. He hadn't even opened it.
The statement startled the Commander as he jerked from his reverie.
"I somehow doubt that curiosity would kill you," Cullen said with a smirk.
Dorian laughed as he rose and nodded his agreement before excusing himself.
"Dorian!" Cullen called before the mage had gotten too far. "Perhaps you're a little bored as well as curious?"
Dorian turned to face the Commander as he thought about his answer. He could see Cullen had surprised himself with the question.
"In truth, Commander, I am."
Cullen stood and walked toward his friend while he considered if he actually wanted to involve him in this.
"How are you with mysteries?" Cullen asked quietly when he was only a foot away. This brought a frown to Dorian's face.
"Fictional mysteries or real?" he asked.
"Real. Very, very real." There was a combination of deep anger and heavy concern in his voice that snapped Dorian out of his affected ennui.
"Fasta Vas!" he cursed softly. "What do you need, my friend."
Instead of answering, Cullen beckoned, and Dorian followed the Commander's lead back to the barracks.
"I've managed to identify all twenty of the Ben Hassrath agents here in Skyhold." Iron Bull said as he handed several sheets to the Inquisitor. Bronwynn looked over the names.
"Amazing that we only missed five of them in our first sweep." Bronwynn said with a shake of her head.
"Having Sera and Varric help out was a good idea, Inquisitor. Have to admit, I wouldn't have thought of it any more than Red did." The Qunari spymaster admitted.
"I have to admit that I like having big friend's." Sera barked out with a laugh. The sentiment was echoed by Varric.
Bronwynn joined the laughter before moving on to more pressing concerns. She noticed that Varric's mind seemed to be wandering more than usual so took pity on them and shooed them out of her room.
"Boss," Bull said when the others had cleared the room.
"Yes?"
"I have gotten another report regarding someone hiring assassins." Bronwynn sighed and sat back in her overstuffed chair.
"Still no clue regarding either who is doing the hiring or who is the intended target?" She asked wearily.
"No, and that bothers me more than just getting reports about assassins." Bronwynn laughed sardonically.
"Well, at least we know which Bards are in play;" Bronwynn sighed thoughtfully. "See which strings you can twist for more information." He nodded before turning to leave.
"Bull!" She called softly to stop him. "Work with Cullen to add a few guards to the agents on watch, please?" Once more he nodded, this time leaving the room. Bronwynn closed her eyes in thought for a brief moment before she heard her next appointment entering from the stairwell.
It was dark in the hallways behind the kitchen, despite the mage lights and candles scattered around. Two elven maids followed a red-haired, dwarven agent named Sabina who was leading them through the columned hall, giggling softly. The dwarf grinned and laughed with them as they moved along quickly. She turned to wave them through the stairs leading up to Ambassador Montilyet's apartments, before returning to the kitchens. Sabina made her way back to the training grounds to get her orders for the day; joking with those she passed. She placed her right fist over her heart with a slight bow in salute and moved off for her rounds.
A second red headed dwarf came up from the Undercroft, also smiling and joking with those around her. She worked her way to Cullen's office above the barracks by the gates. Dagna left the Commander and the mage laughing as she headed down the stairs and back to the forge.
Dagna opened the door from the Great Hall into the Undercroft and heard Harrit shouting in shock and fear; the Arcanist shouted for guards as she drew her hammer and ran into the forge. Harrit had his own hammer drawn and was fending off a giant spider. Dagna shrieked in anger and leapt over the railing to throw her weight against the creature's side.
Sabina heard the shout from Upper Yard and turned to join the fray just as she felt a sharp sting at her throat, a hard pressure and her vision greyed out for a moment. As it cleared she was on her knees and she could feel something warm and heavy flowing down her left side from her neck. Touching the area, she felt liquid, looking at her hand she couldn't comprehend what she was seeing when her vision went dark.
"Dannazione!" The voice was soft and couldn't be heard above the shouting from the upper rooms. Moving the dwarf was tougher than one would think, she was much denser than believed.
"Ah! Merde!" Slightly louder, the voice was still inaudible over the scrambling through the halls. The assassin had no idea what caused the stir and didn't care. They had two jobs and the first was done. Killing the Arcanist was merely a means to keep the Inquisition off center while their employer took the next step.
The assassin made their way back to the prison, their point of entrance only to discover the area was now full of guards.
"Her Holiness warned against leaving the area in disrepair." Ser Morris said wearily. "If only we'd had the time as well as resources to actually make the repairs she wanted."
Bronwynn and Cullen came from the prison, covered in ichor, followed by Sera and Dorian; also covered in ichor. Sera wielded a large spiny leg of one of the spiders and she was whooping and crowing about her victory. Dorian stood shaking his head and whining about the ichor; though no one thought he was serious. Even those who didn't know him as well as the Inquisitor and her Circle knew he wasn't truly as arrogant as he sounded.
"Should have stayed back if you didn't want the new robe destroyed, Ser Mage!" Cullen laughed as he moved towards the troughs by the fighters training area.
"Just because you don't appreciate the effort that Iron Bull went through to get this for me, doesn't give you leave to show no pity in the destruction of it." He responded, exaggerating the haughtiness of his speech. Those around were already laughing at the banter when Bronwynn gave a high-pitched shriek as Cullen dumped a bucket of ice cold water over her head.
Even the assassin was caught off guard and froze with the rest of the people in the courtyard. Their green eyes widening in shock as the Inquisitor turned to her husband with flashing eyes.
"Oh, husband." The Inquisitor said with a laugh. He grinned wickedly and lunged for her just as she hit him with a very large ball of magicked water.
The assassin was amazed when all those within a ten foot radius of them all began to grab water containers or snow to join in the impromptu hoopla. The person realized after a moment that there were now more guards guarding the entrance to the prison; the only entrance.
"Maghi cazzo!" Luckily there were plenty of places the assassin could hide for the time being.
"Commander."
"What is it, Captain?"
"Corporal Sabina is missing." Cullen's head snapped up at that. Captain Harron met his Commander's look levelly; worry clear in the young man's eyes.
"When did she last report in?" Cullen was moving around his desk, taking the Captain's arm and pulling him out the east door.
"Eleven this morning, for her duty on the West Gate." Cullen grunted. He only kept one guard on duty there at a time. "She checked in with Cap'n Montgomery before the spider attack."
"Who was she relieving?" They reached the lower courtyard, Harron waited until Cullen finished calling orders before answering.
"Dornen, Ser. I sent Harding and two scouts to check on him." Cullen heard the disgust in the Captain's voice and shook is head. Dornen was young, eager and easily bored; however, he had a good heart.
"Good. He would have joined the fight if he'd been relieved; of course, Sabina would have joined the fight if she hadn't made it to the Gate first." Cullen frowned with worry. When he saw Harding running towards him, he turned to her and the two accompanying soldiers as she slid to a halt before him.
"Dornen is dead, Ser." She said breathlessly. "Throat slit, and it looks like it was from behind."
Cullen leaned his head to the right and raised his brows in question. Before he could ask anything, he saw a figure running full tilt down the stairs from the upper courtyard. That figure resolved into Dorian as he stumbled up to the small gathering, taking a moment to catch his breath.
"Dorian?" Cullen frowned.
"Bull's scouts think they found where the spiders came from. They think the entrance was opened by someone coming through hidden caves below Skyhold."
"Through what?" Harding exclaimed incredulously. Dorian nodded as he finished catching his breath.
"The scouts found the entrance already?" Cullen asked. Dorian nodded, handing the Commander several pieces of paper.
"Lace, I swear I'll not quibble over the supplies you ask for again." He said as he looked over the drawings on them. She chuckled. Clearly whatever had been found thus far was enlightening.
"I'll hold you to that, Commander. What are we looking for?" she asked.
"You and Harron find out about Sabina's movements before eleven this morning, meet me in my office in half an hour."
"I'll talk to Captain Montgomery." Harron said, hurrying past the others to the middle courtyard where the Captain was handing out duty assignments.
"I think I'll go talk to the guards who were on last night and this morning, mayhap they noticed something strange." Harding said, sounding as if she were stretching for hope.
Dorian and Cullen watched the two head in different directions before giving one another dark looks.
"Bull agreed to let me assign senior guards to the scout patrols outside the walls as well as on them." Cullen said softly. Dorian hmm'd to show he was listening. "He convinced me to let Sera and her friend's do their own investigating into who may be hiring assassins as well."
"I hope they're looking at more than just Bards." Dorian replied, his voice held a curious note.
"I mentioned that to Sera in passing. She laughed, tweaked my nose and blathered on about her friend's liking Bron too much to overlook an assassin of any kind." Cullen laughed at the memory.
They turned to head back to his office, walking in silence until they reached the west door to his office. Cullen stopped and looked at the mage beside him thoughtfully: black hair gleamed in the fading sunlight, not a hair out of place despite his earlier run down to the lower courtyard.
"Why do you never get teased about your hair?" Cullen asked.
Dorian merely laughed again; straightening his back, squaring his shoulders and raising his chin. Taking on the haughtiest of expressions, he spoke.
"One would not dare to tease a man as handsome and important as I, Serra knight." He held the pose for a second before returning to his normal stance.
"It's a good thing you're known to be such a softy." Cullen said with a straight face and even voice. Dorian snorted and shoved his armoured shoulder before they went into the Commander's office.
"Amicus meus, I'm known for being wonderful, handsome and quite the catch, not for being soft."
"Answer a question for me." Cullen said, by way of subject change.
"No, I am not going to tell you how to get her to dance the Remigold in the nude. I'm just not going to do it." Dorian's comment stunned his friend into shocked silence; he sat behind his desk blinking at the Tevinter mage for a full minute before his entire head turned red.
"Did you just envision our illustrious Inquisitor naked, dancing the Remigold?" Dorian asked with scandalized delight.
Cullen cleared his throat, and though he blushed deeper he shook his head.
"Perhaps I'll get you a copy of one of my favorite books." Cullen said after clearing his throat of the obvious lump.
Dorian caught a slight smile on his friend's face. The kind of smile that caused Dorian's mouth to go dry in anticipation. Whatever Bronwynn had done to illicit that smile from this man… Dorian swallowed at the possibilities.
"I'll be happy to read it." He managed to answer. He swallowed once again and shook his head to clear it of sudden fantasies.
"What was your actual question, my dear Commander?" Dorian asked when he could speak. He didn't miss the wicked smile that Cullen quickly hid.
"Bronwynn's friends, the spirits?" Cullen asked, smiling as Dorian nodded his understanding. "Would it be possible for you to … speak with them?" He held his breath as those dark brown brows drew together in confusion for a brief moment before they widened in understanding.
"Hmm, I don't see why I couldn't." He steepled his long tan fingers together and closed his eyes. A small crease in his brow showed his concentration.
Cullen knew he was successful when Dorian finally smiled.
"Well, I have to admit, these two are quite coherent." Dorian gave an excited laugh. "Knowledge says she's pleased you've stopped thinking entirely like a Templar." Cullen chuckled in response.
"I guess I don't." Cullen agreed, never having thought about it before. "Knowledge and Compassion have been with Bron and I for a very long time," he admitted. "I have always known my mage had special insight; I just didn't want to think about it too hard." Cullen chuckled at his youth.
"Well, they wish to know what you're seeking." Dorian replied. "Apparently they aren't impressed with my humble self." Cullen laughed aloud before answering.
"I was hoping one of them could tell me if there were any spirits here in the Keep that could shed some light on who killed our guardsmen." Cullen's even voiced question surprised the mage enough for him to allow his jaw to drop.
"What? I spent twenty years in the Circle. I seem to remember being told repeatedly, the fade is all around us and we are surrounded by spirits who all seek to possess mages and make of them abominations." He said this with such an exaggerated importance that the astonished mage laughed heartily.
"I forget sometimes amatus, that you were one of Ferelden's dreaded Templars." Having said that as he finished laughing, Dorian once again concentrated.
"Knowledge tells me the others are old and faint. But..." The mage drew out the word with a sound of interest. "They saw a bard with black wings peck the shield by the setting sun then roost where the stone child wouldn't see." Dorian took a deep breath, shaking his head, brows furrowing. He was silent for a moment before continuing.
"Compassion … observed: the wings unfurl while sound clashes, it sees a red stone child; no, it sees two." Dorian's frown deepened, his head tilted onto his left shoulder.
"Compassion!" At Dorian's sudden exclamation Cullen leaned forward in his chair. "Too much at once, slow down. Please!" Dorian begged. Behind the mage's eyes, near chaos reigned. The spirit was not only exuding a feeling of excitement, it was forcing images into his head faster than he could interpret them.
"Dorian?" Cullen stood, his voice echoing the concern on his face. His friend held up his hand and shook his head. The images were slowing, allowing him to see more. He could still feel his head swimming, but it no longer felt as if it were going to spin away.
"There are claws that strike out and... still the stone." Dorian took a breath and waited; no more images came and the spirit retreated apologetically. Dorian collapsed into the chair he was already seated in.
Cullen was glad that it was one of the many overstuffed chairs Bronwynn insisted on throwing around the Keep. He quickly poured Dorian a cup of water.
"Well, that was…" Dorian took a deep breath and then a large swallow of water. "That was interesting, to say the least." His slightly panicked eyes met Cullen's. It didn't take a mage to see that Dorian had been unprepared for the full deluge of information he was just given.
"If you tell Bull about this, so help me, Commander, I will ensure you are unable to romp with your lovely wife for several weeks." Cullen snorted.
"You imagine I'd tell my Qunari Spymaster that his Tevinter lover was nearly overwhelmed by my mage's spirits." Cullen gave his friend a wide eyed look of mock fear as he went back behind his desk.
"He would do more than prevent me from making love to my wife for weeks; he'd beat me senseless."
Dorian joined in the laughter, grateful Cullen hadn't hovered or asked any questions. He wasn't sure how to explain what had happened; though he'd speak with Her Worship about it later.
Dorian was finding it rather nice having friends he could actually trust about.
"Your descriptions were rather concise, but I'm not sure how helpful they are." Cullen paused and sighed. "Thank you, spirits. I appreciate you helping where you can."
Dorian nodded his approval. Unlike the Southern mages, Tevinter mages accepted that there was a difference between demon and spirit. He suspected, it had to do with Tevinter having taken much of their philosophy on magic from the Elves.
"I have an idea, Commander." Dorian rallied.
"Go on."
"Let's bring the expert in." Cullen smiled at the suggestion. Opening the eastern door, he grabbed one of the squires and sent him to ask Solas to join them. It was only half an hour later when he did.
The elf's typically serene features shifted to concern when he took in Dorian's appearance: pale under his normally tan skin with sweat rapidly cooling on his brow. It was easy to see by the slight frown and narrow squinting of the eyes, that Dorian's head was hurting him. He quickly moved to Dorian's side, opening the pouch he carried as he went.
"Dorian, what has happened? You look as if you have seen a ghost."
Dorian chuckled, taking the proffered headache remedy gratefully, he quaffed it while Cullen answered.
"We've a puzzle, Solas. We were hoping you could help us sort it out." Cullen said, relief so clear in his voice that it caught Solas' attention.
When he turned his frown toward Cullen, Solas found himself the recipient of a grateful nod. Unsure why the Commander would be grateful for a small bit of elfroot he asked the obvious question.
"What puzzle is that, Commander?"
"One of our guards has been killed, another is missing and presumed dead," Dorian interjected, the pain fading quickly allowed him to focus.
"By whom?" Solas asked, surprise and outrage evident in his voice.
"That is what we are hoping you can assist with." Cullen said.
"Anything, Commander."
"We were hoping you would speak to the spirits for us; see if you could better interpret what they've told us to help us figure out who did it." Dorian replied. He started to move when Cullen placed a hand on his shoulder to still him. Grabbing one of the oversized chairs, Cullen moved it closer for Solas.
"I'm afraid I may have missed something when Wynnie's friends showed me what they were seeing." Dorian went on before giving a brief summary of what the spirits told him.
"A bard with black wings killed the guard at the West Gate and then killed a red stone child; presumably Sabina." Solas nodded his agreement.
"Well, I would be willing to try." Solas said, curious but wary; as he was accustomed to the way spirits usually communicated.
Dorian and Cullen smiled when they all heard an excited cry, clearly from the spirit of compassion. Solas joined in the laughter that followed.
"Very well." Solas sighed and composed himself. He would normally do this while sleeping; but as the spirit was so strong all he had to do was go into a light trance.
The spirit of Compassion appeared before him, his appearance recalled a young Cullen. His gaze shifted to another spirit, one he felt was knowledge bordering on wisdom. She reminded him of a younger Bronwynn.
"Hello," he said, his soft voice polite as ever. The spirits smiled, Compassion stepped forward, holding out his right hand.
'May I' The spirit asked.
Solas nodded, taking his hand. He was surprised at the warmth of the being, quickly realizing that it was because of its association with the Inquisitor.
His breath caught as this spirit; who was very much in the here and now, connected him to the older, fainter spirits of the keep. Fleeting images of the past filled his mind. Experience allowed him to let it pass without trying to make sense of it.
Now came the new images, fresh memories. At once he understood the confusion. The spirit that was acting for the assassin saw two dwarves, two women, instead of just one; because he was expecting a different dwarf.
The water clock in Cullen's office gave a single chime for the half hour just as Harron came into his office through the northern door and Harding came in through the east one.
Dorian looked up when he heard Cullen snort softly and saw Harron and Harding blinking at one another. He found himself wanting to laugh as well when they just stood there staring at one another. Clearly, they were also attempting to conceal their own laughter. It became harder when Bull stepped up behind Harron and said, "Excuse me."
"Grab a seat Harron; Harding." Cullen indicated the wooden chairs along the wall, which they retrieved and placed in front of the desk next to Solas who appeared to be meditating. Bull moved to stand behind Dorian and Solas was apparently meditating in his chair and was studiously ignored.
"Harron, what did you learn?" Cullen asked the newly promoted Captain of the Skyhold Guard.
"Cap'n Montgomery confirms that Sabina reported for duty a few minutes late, two of the kitchen maids having asked for a quick escort through the lower halls of the Keep." He reported. "According to the guards on duty in the Yard, she was already in the tunnel when you went rushing into the prison." He sat back in his seat.
"No one saw her after that, and in the confusion of the attack and clean-up, no one realized that Private Dornen hadn't reported in either." Cullen nodded.
"Harding?"
"I didn't learn anything different." She reported. "However, I have spoken with the scouts who entered the tunnel system." Harding smiled triumphantly with the news.
"What have they found?" Bull asked with interest.
"Well, the tunnels were definitely dug by the spiders, Ser. However, they aren't very long." She stood and placed several sheets of paper on the desk. All but Solas rose to look at the drawings.
"Hold on." Dorian said with a mischievous grin. He flicked his wrists and suddenly the images on the papers rose to hover above the desk. Eight eyes widened in surprise.
"Sometimes magic is actually useful." Iron Bull said with surprise. "How long have you been saving that spell?" "A few months." He admitted with a very cocky grin. "Harding, if you please." She grinned wider before continuing. She then pointed to the section of the map that showed where the tunnels started.
"This is where Charter found ropes, piton, and picks for climbing." Cullen frowned, before he could ask anything she switched maps.
"She climbed down and found the roots of that tree that grew in the grotto below the Keep."
"She find anything else?" Bull asked. She nodded.
"Took her about an hour but she found an opening. Said it had to be an elf that came through, too narrow for even a small human to navigate."
"Well..." Cullen began sheepishly, and all but Solas snorted at his expense.
"Hey, Cullen - isn't that the grotto that you and the wife like to go to when you want... privacy?" Bull grinned lasciviously causing Cullen to rub his neck in embarrassment. Bull chuckled, then directed his next question to Harding.
"I sent her up to the Inquisitor, Commander. I'm sure she'll find a way to seal it."
"Well, we found the entrance for whomever entered." Cullen said after clearing his throat. "Now to figure out who and where they are."
"Perhaps I can shed some light." Solas said as he came out of his trance.
"That took longer than expected." Dorian said drolly.
Solas grinned in return.
"Most of the spirits here are… fading." He said sadly by way of explanation. "It has been a long time since they had anyone or anything to interact with." He pursed his lips in contemplation as he thought about how to explain what he had seen.
"What did they mean by the spirits seeing two dwarves?" Dorian asked the most pressing question first.
"Apparently the assassin was only given a vague description of the target and a title instead of a name." Solas looked to Cullen with narrowed eyes.
"From what I was able to interpret, his target was the Arcanist, but was only told to kill 'a red-haired dwarf'."
"Dagna!" Cullen blanched and began moving. Lace was out the north door instantly with Cullen and the others right on her heels.
They sprinted across the inner archway, through the Solarium then into the Hall. The speed with which they moved turned heads and only Cullen calling 'remain here' kept the guards on the walls. Into the Throne Room then, they slowed just enough to keep from slamming into one another as Harding slammed open the door to the Undercroft.
"Dagna!" Cullen shouted, grasping the railing above the molten-fire pit with relief when he saw her standing by one of her many beloved machines.
"Yes, Commander?" She answered brightly, then squeaked in shock when Bull leapt down the stairs and grabbed her to squeeze her tightly.
"Thank the Maker."
"Thank Mythal."
Cullen, Dorian, Harding, and Solas all spoke at once; clearly grateful their friend was alive.
"What's going on?" She asked squeakily as Bull continued to squeeze her. "Bull, please put me down." He laughed with relief, but did so - very carefully.
"Bull, how many can you spare?" Cullen asked.
"Hell, just tell Sera." He responded. "She'll be the best guard for our Arcanist." Cullen frowned as he thought about it.
"Stay here until I get her." He ordered but didn't have to go further than the Throne room. Sara had been in the lower courtyard when Cullen shout Dagna's name. When she had seen them rushing across to the Keep she headed up the fastest way to her, through the kitchens.
"Good." Cullen said. Grabbing her by the elbow, he propelled her through the Undercroft door before him. "You're on guard for your girl until further notice." He cryptically told her.
"Hold on!" she demanded, her street accent a clear contrast to his cultured one. "What's this about?"
"One of the assassins we've been searching for has managed to infiltrate the Keep." Bull said from down by the forge.
"Never!" She cried out. "After all Varric and I did?"
"This assassin snuck in from the grotto." Harding said, and Sara frowned.
"What about the guards down there?" Sara asked with concern." Harding smiled reassuringly.
"Both are fine, although feeling rather ashamed that they allowed someone to sneak past them."
"Unlikely they'd have noticed a Crow." Solas said. Even Master Harrit was shocked by that statement. The elf looked at Dorian before continuing.
"That was part of the puzzle. This assassin is one of the Antivan Crows." Dorian's eyes widened in understanding.
"Aha! A bard with black wings! That means the two red stone children were two red haired dwarves. The assassin must be inexperienced." Dorian said darkly.
"Why do you say that?" Harron asked echoed by Harrit. "They had enough skill to sneak past a pair of nightingales." He explained. "But not enough patience to find out which of our many red-haired dwarves was the Arcanist."
Sara sighed and sat on one of the many boxes along the wall. Her hazel-green eyes lingered on her dwarven lover.
"I'm grateful it weren't my girl, but it shouldn't have been any of our people." She turned to look at Cullen, eyes full of sadness. She was unsurprised to see the same sadness in his eyes.
"Solas." She said softly and without her usual rancor. "Don't suppose you know what that bard looks like?" She saw him shake his head from the corner of her eye. "You're sure he's after my Widdle?" Solas nodded and her pretty face twisted into anger.
"You'll stick with her, Sera." Cullen said, not an order but no request either. Sera gave the Commander a look that made it clear that was a very stupid thing to say.
"Dagna, I know it's early, but give our Friend her present." Dagna's smile widened as she and Harrit moved towards the storage chest.
The others watched as the two blacksmiths pulled out a bow like none they'd ever seen. Sera's eyes went wide with awe.
"What is that?" Dagna beamed as the awe was echoed in Sera's voice, pride clear in her own when she answered.
"We're calling it a compound bow." Harrit grinned as he handed the weapon to Sara. Iron Bull leaned forward from the lower floor to check out the design.
"Okay, so the upper and lower limbs, as well as the riser are dragonbone. Looks like you added some sort of guard to the back of the riser." Sera commented as she looked the bow over. With the upper limb she tapped Bull on a horn for him to move and lifted the bow.
"It's light, even with the bone and extra string. What's this?" She plucked at the double string just behind the grip. By then Dagna was standing next to her.
"This is the arrow shelf." Dagna pointed to a small jettison, just wide enough for an arrow shaft above the grip on the forward part of the riser. Normally where Sera would place her forefinger to hold the arrow. "Just above that is the sight."
"The what?" She looked down at her girlfriend and frowned. "You saying I need help to see my target, like Varric?" Dagna snorted.
"No, but you're not the only one going to be using these, just the best." She answered. "Pay attention, elf." She teased, causing everyone else to laugh as Sera stuck her tongue out at the smaller woman.
"Here is what we're calling the cable guard; these would be the cables." He pointed to a small square shaped metal that held the two 'extra' string for the bow.
"Why do I need the extra string, and why are there wheels on my bow?" She asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.
"Now that's what is going to make this better than any other bow, but Bianca. The cams, as we're calling them, both help with the draw on the string as well as to make it smoother." Harrit mimed the drawing of the bow as he explained.
Sera started to pull the string and grunted when she felt the resistance. Lowering the weapon she took a deep breath and visibly focused. Once again she lifted and drew the string, it was clearly a hard draw but she easily made a full one on the weapon. Her hazel-green eyes widened ever so slightly when she felt the pressure on the string seem to pause. Holding it for several seconds before she carefully released the string.
Then she smiled. Her wide lips split in such a self satisfying way it was infectious.
"I need to practice, but I think I'll like this." She said, turning to face Cullen. "Whose idea was this?" she asked him.
"I'll let Dagna explain. We," he waved to include the others that had come with him to check on the Arcanist. "Still have work to do." A brief salute to her and he led the others back into the Keep.
Bronwynn stood five feet from the door, raised brows and pursed lips a clear indication of her annoyance. Cullen halted, giving her a matching look, only to have her narrow her eyes at him.
"Bron …" He started to speak to her when the lunch gong sounded. Had it not, he might have gotten away with not telling her anything important. He didn't want her involved more than she had to be.
Apparently, however, he was the only one not afraid of his wife.
"Bull, perhaps we could take our lunch at the Rest?" Dorian said, almost casually.
"I will join you, if you don't mind." Solas said; which of course caused a stir among the small group. Solas wasn't very sociable.
"Harding, Harron, may as well come too." Bull said with amazing diplomacy before they all awkwardly ambled away.
Sighing, Cullen led his new bride out of the Throne Room into the Dining Hall.
"I guess we're eating?" Cullen murmured with frustration as he waved to the table that was now empty but for their two seats.
She narrowed her eyes at him and he sighed briefly before pulling her into his arms for a brief kiss.
"I love your kisses." She told him wryly. "But you are going to tell me what is going on." She finished before kissing him again. As always melting into him.
"I would rather have you for luncheon." Her Templar said, lips pressed against hers. She could hear the hunger in his voice.
"You would say this when I have no time." She sighed with disappointment. He kissed her briefly again before leading her to the table. She slid into her chair after he pulled it out for her, quickly digging in as food was placed before her.
"Did you forego breakfast again, my love?" He asked with concern as he tucked into his own food.
"Yes, I did." She informed him loftily, wringing a light laugh from her husband. "Now, tell me what is going on?"
Cullen took a few bites of his meal, using the excuse to gather his thoughts before telling her what was happening and to figure out how to convince her to let him deal with it.
"Bronwynn, my heart, I will tell you what is going on but only because you are the Inquisitor. You needn't burden yourself with this on top of everything else you juggle." His voice was firm. She sighed and sat back in her chair knowing he wouldn't budge.
"Fine," she said grudgingly. "I don't like it, though." She gave him a smile to show she wasn't really angry and indicated that he should continue.
"We believe Dagna is the target of an assassin." He told her quietly so as not to upset the others eating their lunch.
"Harron reported to me that Corporal Sabina was missing." Cullen went on. "He sent Harding to look into it and she found Dornen dead." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, letting what he just said have a chance to sink in.
"Harding found Dornen's body at the West Gate, but not Sabina." Bronwynn's eyes narrowed in concern. Her husband shook his head to stave off anything she may have said.
"Dorian later brought me the news that the scouts found the tunnel the spiders came from; Charter filled you in, I'm sure."
"Dorian and Solas communicated with your spirit friends, Compassion and Knowledge, getting what information about the assassin they could." Cullen took a moment to decide how to explain the rest.
"The assassin was supposed to kill the Arcanist and we're figuring they are likely inexperienced because they killed the wrong dwarf."
Bronwynn then summed up the brief explanation.
"So the assassin most likely killed our Sabina?" She asked him. His nod drew a frustrated sigh from her. "Is Sara watching over her Widdle?" Bronwynn snorted at the nickname. Cullen smiled himself but nodded in answer to her question.
"Now my heart, I ask you to stay out of it. I'll be keeping Dorian here with me when you head out for the next mission; but you're not to involve yourself in this." He put a finger to her lips to forestall her speaking.
"You have far too much on your plate right now and I need you to have your mind occupied only by your missions when you're out there." Her features softened, and she nodded her agreement.
The Commander of the Inquisition stood at the entrance to the Great Hall of his Keep after lunch and signed softly. He let his thoughts flow over the day thus far. His hand reached out and gently snagged the sleeve of a passing paige.
"Charles." The lad was small, most likely no more than seven or eight, and the tilt of his eyes gave the hint of elven blood, human though he looked.
"Yes, Ser?" The boy's eyes were bright with anticipation. Clearly a lad who liked his assignment as a paige.
"Do you know if Bull, Dorian, and the others are still in the Rest?" Cullen raised his brows as he asked the question. The boy nodded eagerly.
"Aye, Ser! They're sitting upstairs talking 'bout magic and such." Cullen said thanks and waved the boy on his way. He made his way quickly to The Herald's Rest.
With the lunch hour mostly gone there were very few people in the tavern. He nodded a greeting to the minstrel Maryden, who discreetly pointed above his head. Nodding once more, he moved to the second level and found the group at the largest table deep in conversation.
"Have you three come to any conclusions?" He asked with a grin as he joined them.
"Depends," Bull said after swallowing a mouthful of ale. "Did the Boss break anything you may need?" Cullen smirked at the Qunari before snagging one of the extra mugs on the table.
"Actually, we may have." Dorian spoke over Bull's laughter, drawing Cullen's attention.
"Do tell."
Solas and Dorian exchanged a brief glance before Solas nodded and spoke.
"There is a chance," the elf said. "That we know where Sabina's body is." Cullen waited with a frown.
"There's that ledge along the tunnels where we keep archers' supplies." Dorian said.
"It's a good place to hide things." Bull said in contemplation. Cullen nodded then frowned.
"So why are you three sitting here instead of looking?" He asked them, left eyebrow rising with sarcasm.
"We sent Harding and Harron out to check." Dorian replied loftily, aristocratic nose in the air. He then spoiled the look with a grin when a barmaid named Meg snorted at him.
"Right, Messer. You sent Captain's Harding and Harron to check after they mentioned the archer's dias." Cullen's wicked grin broke out as the Orlesian girl gave the Tevinter Altus grief.
"All right, you little minx, you can stop giving me shit." He laughingly responded. "Getting above your station, you wench!" He joked with a gentle swipe of his hand.
A clatter from below heralded the entrance of soldiers; the sound of the hobnails was distinctive. They stood to look over the railing, upon seeing Harron entering, Bull jumped over the railing.
Solas, Dorian, and Cullen hurried down the stairs instead, all wanting to laugh at the Qunari but understanding the urgency.
"Aye, Sers; we found her." He said softly when they were all close enough. Not that it mattered, the Inquisition was a tight knit family and word had gotten around rather quickly. Silence fell when he spoke, to be broken by a collective shocked gasp when even Solas' head fell with grief.
Cullen's head turned, blue eyes latching onto a pair of golden. Sabina's husband stood behind the bar, his whole body shaking as the realization began to wash over him. Cullen glanced around, catching Varric's eye as he entered. Not needing instructions, Varric called for Meg and went behind the bar. Taking hold of the barkeep's shoulders, he gently led him into the back of the tavern.
"Ser?" Meg asked hesitantly.
"She was found." The Commander said softly; sadly. Her brown eyes filled with tears, though she didn't let them fall. She lifted her chin and straightened her shoulders.
"Leave it to us, Commander. We'll take care of him, and the others." She gave a curt nod before turning to take over the bar.
Dorian had moved the others outside during the exchange, Cullen caught the last half of the discussion,
"We can't just put the Keep on lockdown, Amatus." Dorian was saying to Bull, who was seething.
"He's right, Bull." Solas agreed, drawing an irate look.
"It's been long enough that this assassin could already have left the keep. I don't want to give them longer to do so!" His voice carried across the yard, drawing attention when he hadn't meant to.
"Chief Iron Bull," Harron interrupted the beginning of a storm. "I already gave orders to the guards on the gates to keep an eye out for anyone they don't know. Coming or going." His words caused Bull to let out a deep sigh, but he nodded in understanding.
"Come with me, Amico mea." Dorian took his partner's large hand and pulled him to the keep. Cullen dismissed Harron to his duties with instructions to be in his office the next morning after breakfast.
Cullen made his way down the stairs the following morning, earlier than usual as he'd been awoken by Bronwynn scrambling over him to reach for the basin to be sick. He'd managed to stay calm while helping her re-arrange herself on the bed.
"Care to explain?" He asked her softly. He didn't want to think she would leave him in the dark if she were seriously ill but she wouldn't necessarily tell him.
Bronwynn grinned up at him with sheepish glee before giving into chuckles.
"I was hoping to avoid this part of the process." She told him, aiming for mysterious but falling short. Cullen narrowed his glacier blue eyes at her before sliding out of her reach.
"Then you won't mind my leaving early." He taunted. Her laughter at his antics was interrupted by another bout of vomiting, causing Cullen real concern.
"My heart?" He asked after once again settling her in bed. This time she sighed and put her head on his chest.
"I'm pregnant." She said and even though she was clearly tired from being sick she also sounded hopeful.
Cullen shook his head, unsure if he had said what he'd heard.
"Truly?" He asked, awe and hope filling his own voice.
"Yes." She answered, nodding. Cullen carefully gathered her into his arms to hold her for a moment before leaping from the bed to shout in excitement.
"You're happy, then?" She asked, laughing merrily once again.
"My heart!" He crooned before kissing her forehead. "How could I not be?"
Instead of making it to his office before the others, he was late, though he wouldn't say why.
Once more Cullen found himself awoken by Bronwynn getting sick and though he wanted to coddle her, she'd begun throwing pillows at him for the attempt. Knowing Elena would be in their rooms within minutes of him vacating he felt confident in leaving her alone.
Cullen opened the lower door and was surprised to find a young paige asleep on the floor. Seeing it was Charles, the Commander sighed in frustration. He'd told the boy repeatedly not to do this.
"Charles!" He exclaimed, not at full volume, but loudly enough to wake the boy. He almost ruined the look of anger he was going for when the youngling startled awake, mumbling and saluting from the floor.
"What are you doing down there?" Cullen demanded.
"I wanted to be here," the boy yawned in the middle of his answer. "If you or the 'Quisitor needed me, Ser." Once more Charles yawned and this time he stretched. Cullen could see bruises along the boy's shoulders that didn't come from the floor. Cullen reached down and picked him up, turning to take him up to his quarters with Bronwynn.
""Bron!" Cullen called, anger in his voice. He was on the second landing when she leaned over the railing.
"What is it?" She asked sleepily.
"I would like you to take a look at Charles." He answered. The boy in question then began to squirm and demand to be let go.
"If you think I'm going to let you go back to whomever put those bruises on you boy, you clearly have no idea who I am." Cullen replied. "Be still." His voice was stern, but the young man could tell he wasn't angry with him personally.
Bronwynn heard what her husband said and frowned as he reached the open door.
"Down to his smalls, please." She said to Cullen as she turned to heat the water in the basin by the fireplace.
"Ser! You don't have to…" Cullen gently took the boys chin in his hands to make him look up.
"Unless you did something to someone who was weaker than you, there's no reason you should have two-day old bruises on your shoulders. Not even if you are particularly terrible at sword work." Cullen said softly.
Charles being quite young wasn't sure how to answer. Bronwynn sat beside the boy and gently ran a warm cloth down his back and though she kept her face placid the boy's wince let Cullen know there was more damage on his back.
As he removed the child's breeches it took all he and Bronwynn had to remain calm and collected.
"Charles," Bronwynn began, a question in her voice. "Is there anyone in this Keep more powerful than the Commander or myself?" The question surprised the boy.
"No, Messer." He answered, though he started shivering.
"I know someone died." She went on as she laid him on his stomach and laid a poultice on his back. "But do you think we let that happen?"
His body had relaxed from the heat of the healing bag and his eyes had closed so he didn't see Cullen's face twist into a ferocious grimace when he saw the obvious signs of rape on the boy.
"He said I could only be a paige if I let him."
"Who said, poppet?" Bronwynn asked, maintaining the same tone despite being ready to flay someone alive.
"Ser Montgomery." Now the young boy fell asleep and before Cullen could move, Bronwynn was already pulling on her armor.
"I will…" He started, and she turned, eyes flashing in anger. He raised his hands in supplication. "What would you like me to do?" He asked instead.
"Call Elena and Loudon." She said softly. "Then get Bull, Varric, and Sera." He cocked his head to the left as he waited.
"Bring them to the Undercroft; to the small library down there." She said. The menace in her voice would have frightened anyone else. Cullen simply nodded and left the room.
"Compassion?" She called softly, unsurprised the spirit readily made itself visible. "Ask Cole to come here, to keep an eye on Charles? Please?" she asked. "Then stay with them?" The spirit nodded before leaving to do as she asked.
Bronwynn worked to find her calm so that she didn't burn the man to a crisp as soon as she found him.
Elena, Louden, and Cole arrived in her rooms at the same time, Charles was still sleeping so she quietly told them why he was there. The two elves gasped in dismay and Cole wanted to help her find the culprit.
"In this case, dearest, I'm going to deal with it alone." She told him. She could see concern in his eyes just as he glanced quickly at her stomach.
"Yes, Cole?" She said, knowing he wanted to say more.
"The babies…" He started to say when Elena placed her hand on his arm.
"Serra, MiLady won't take that kind of risk."
"Promise?" He asked Bronwynn who nodded in response before turning and leaving the room. She heard Louden asking how long MiLady has been expecting and getting a mixed response as Cole seemed certain she'd been pregnant for at least six weeks where Elena was saying only three.
It didn't take her long to find the Chevalier in question. He was oblivious to his audience and the children he was currently berating didn't let him know the Inquisitor was there. Several of them had looks of relief in their eyes, however.
"Who else has this… man, harmed as he harmed Charles?" She asked loudly. The man turned abruptly, guilt clear on his face before he pulled a mask of indifference over his expression.
"Whatever that inadequate brat told you was a lie." He said arrogantly, his Orlesian accent so thick she almost didn't understand him. She smiled at the man and the children in the room moved to the far wall when she did.
"He didn't have to tell me a thing." She replied as she stepped forward. Her hands were clasped in front of her, she looked deceptively relaxed. "Commander Cullen did." Montgomery sneered at the Inquisitor disdainfully. Bronwynn merely kept her highly unpleasant smile upon her lips.
"The brat is lazy, clumsy!" Montgomery shouted, his face turning red. "He needed to be beaten to learn his duty!"
Bronwynn stepped forward, once again putting herself a staves' length away from him, she dropped her arms to her side. Along the wall, the children had begun to cry in fear.
"Why am I defending myself to you faen ta deg mage!" He drew his sword with a haughty flourish. "Jeg svarer ikke pa deg, lur!"
Montgomery made a flashy move with his sword, his free hand in the air as if they were in a formal spar.
Bronwynn raised her hand in response, flexing the fingers of her right hand so a vortex of fire surrounded the child rapist without touching him.
"Sa savar til Andraste." Was Bronwynn's reply. "I will leave your fate to Celene." With that, she summoned one of her staves and bashed him on the head, knocking him unconscious.
When she looked at the ten children along the wall she shook her head to clear it of the anger. They were already afraid and didn't need her to terrify them more than she already had.
"Ir abelas." Bronwynn said softly as she waved her staff away and sent a small wind to clear the air of smoke. They could clearly see that Montgomery was not burned and that seemed relax them.
"How did Ser Cullen know?" One of the older children asked and Bronwynn gave them a sly grin.
"I lied." She admitted. "Cullen found Charles sleeping outside our chambers again and saw the bruises on his shoulders." She pursed her lips before going further.
"I'd like to share a surprise with you, if I may?" She asked. "It's not a bad thing, I just don't want the adults to know yet because they'll get all …" she thought about the right word when one of the younglings found it for her.
"Authoritarian" the young boy said softly. Bronwynn laughingly nodded before replying.
"Since I'm the Inquisitor, I am the only one allowed to be bossy." She whispered conspiratorially.
"What is the surprise?"
"I'm going to have a baby." She told them, smiling happily. The ten children all gasped in shock before calling out in awe then rushing to her. Ten little hands gently reached out to caress her stomach.
"So, when Cullen saw the bruises, he got very angry because Charles shouldn't have had bruises on his shoulder for any reason. None of you should." Now Bronwynn lowered herself to her haunches so she was on their level.
"Cullen would have been angry in any case, but me being pregnant made it so he got even angrier." The oldest of the ten swallowed hard and started to shiver.
"He's not angry with Charles and he won't be angry with any of you." Bronwynn said gently. "I'm not angry with you either. That…" She snarled the next part. "Dathrasiwill answer for what he has done to you." She looked them each in the eyes.
"I swear to you, he will pay."
Ten pairs of eyes focused on her and she could feel the weight of their hope and despair. She let them decide what they wanted to say, knowing from experience that actions meant more than words when someone has been abused.
"Inquisitor?" A young boy about the same age as Charles said hesitantly. She nodded at him.
"Will you keep us safe?" Tears welled up in her eyes as she reached a hand out to take his little fingers in hers.
"I will do everything in my power to keep you safe." She swore.
"Inquisitor?" Bronwynn looked up to the oldest of the ten boys and nodded.
"Maybe we can all be your pages?" Bronwynn smiled at him and nodded.
"I think my husband and I would like that very much." She answered.
"Did Charles tell you who was hurting us?" One of the others asked. "You didn't tell us if he did or not." Bronwynn reached up and gently stroked his hair from his forehead.
"Yes, he did, and it was very brave of him." Bronwynn gave them all a sad smile before continuing.
"Montgomery convinced you all no one would care, that no one would listen, and that everyone would blame you." All the boys nodded in unison with her words.
"That is always going to be a lie." Bronwynn said. It was clear to the boys that their Inquisitor had gone through something similar; they could hear it in her voice.
"Indeed, Commander Cullen listened to me when I was in the circle. He kept me as safe as he could." She smiled as she said it.
"You will always be able to tell either of us anything you want." Bronwynn then stood up and asked one of the boys to grab some guards. When they arrived, she had them take Montgomery to the prison and from the look on her face, they knew he was guilty of a horrendous crime.
"Please go to my quarters and tell Elena, Loudon, and Cole you need to be taken care of." They all looked nervously up at her.
"Cole isn't really scary." She said, and they shook their heads.
"Elena is, though." One said, bringing an amused chuckle from Bronwynn.
"That is because she's so very protective." She told them. "When you tell her I asked her to take care of you, she will be scary for you." She turned and led the way out of the room.
"Head on up and let them know, please? I need to speak with Cullen before I join you, okay?"
Bronwynn watched the children go up through the kitchens before heading for the ancient Undercroft library. The only thing she'd allowed the servants to do, was clean it of the spiderwebs and broken wall pieces. With Iron Bull in the small room, it seemed even smaller; he even seemed slightly disturbed by all the books.
"Any idea what this room was used for?" He asked as she entered.
"I suspect, some very dark research." She replied. Cullen reached out and pulled her into his arms for comfort.
"He's in the prison awaiting transport to Val Royeaux." Bronwynn told the group.
"Any idea how many others he hurt?" Sera asked seriously. Bronwynn shook her head.
"Not at this time, but that is where you my spymasters come in." She told them. "I know you've all got your hands full with the investigation into the assassin, but I'm hoping you can spare some agents to look into it or perhaps get some Friends to tell what they have heard or seen."
Tears fell from her eyes while she spoke. They could see her shivering.
"I know Cole will do what he can to help them heal, I also know Compassion will as well." She looked at them, anger and sadness mixed.
"I want to know who else thinks they can hurt anyone under my care." She took a deep breath.
"I promise, kadan," Bull said just as seriously as Sera. "We will find them." They all nodded as if it were a pact and Bronwynn let out her breath slowly, nodding as well.
Bronwynn looked back at Cullen and tugged on the arms holding her.
"Let's go talk to the boys. Mayhap they'll be willing to tell us more." Though Bronwynn shook from the force of her anger as well as despair she moved with a solid purpose. She couldn't do anything about the assassin yet, but she could stop this.
