A/N: Hey, thanks for checking out my story! This will be the first fanfic I've written since high school and those were awful self-insert Resident Evil stories. Hopefully I've improved since then. If you liked the story, please give it a review. I welcome constructive criticism and feedback of any kind.
Chapter I - Prayers Before Breakfast
No one ruined a great dream quite like Sister Mildred. Whereas Brother Elton would gently nudge you or tickle you behind the ear, Mildred seemed to take her weekly duty to wake the children as nothing less than a personal insult from the Revered Mother herself. Into their bedchambers she would storm, tossing the blinds open, ripping off covers, even resorting to swatting them with a thin reed if they didn't meet her preferred bed-to-bath schedule. This morning was no different. Agatha had tasted that reed more than enough in the past to get up on time, no matter how pleasant the fantasy.
Katerina had yet to take this lesson to heart.
"Get out of that bed this instant, you red devil!" Mildred shouted, smacking the girl's knees with the reed. Katerina's eyes opened wide, as she winced, kicking wildly at Mildred.
"Oi, let off Milly! You've interrupted a truly delightful picnic between myself and a prince! I was just about to save him from a dragon thankyouverymuch!"
Sister Mildred looked fit to burst.
"That is Sister Mildred to you, child! You are here, fed and cared for, by the grace of our Lady! And in return for our unending generosity, you will get your ruddy backside out of that bed and into the bath right this moment! I will return soon to be sure of it. If you are not neck deep in water by then, I will toss you into the horse trough myself!"
With that, Mildred made her exit, likely to terrorize the boys' quarters. Katerina turned and grinned at Agatha.
"I was just about to stab that big green bastard between the eyes when Milly had to fart all over it. I mean that too. All of a sudden, Milly appeared next to me, lifted her skirt and shot a big stinky honk over his face."
Agatha desperately attempted to hold back her laughter, to no avail. Soon enough, the two of them were giggling like Orlesian schoolgirls. If only everyone were so amused.
"You shouldn't insult Sister Mildred. She is a pious servant of our Lady and Maker and does not deserve our mockery."
The two of them turned to face Iona. She had evidently gotten up over an hour ago, bathed and dressed in her (unfailingly pristine) robes. Agatha noticed she had begun to wear her hair just as Mildred did, in a tight bun tied with a silver string.
Katerina rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't dare insult your precious Saint Milly within earshot of you, my dear. I was simply relating what occurred in my dream to Agatha. It's not my fault she intruded upon the picnic in my head."
Iona looked away, towards the mirror by the wall. "I expect to see you in the chapel." With that, she turned and left, carefully shutting the chamber door behind her. Katerina stuck her tongue out and made a particularly rude gesture towards the door. "So, did you dream of anything, Ag?"
Agatha's smile dropped. "Oh, uh, nothing as exciting. I was walking around in Tantervale. Going to the market. Visiting the Chantry cathedral. Playing games at the fair. Just things I've always wanted to do. Except I was...well...ugh, it doesn't matter. C'mon, we better get to the bath." She started to move to the door, before she felt a hand on her around, Katerina looked at her with concern.
"Hey, what? What's wrong?"
Agatha's cheeks began to redden. "In the dream…I was human. It's so silly, I know." She brushed away a lock of white hair stuck behind her left horn. "It was...interesting. To not have horns. To be...shorter. At least in a dream."
There was a short silence between them.
"I wish I had horns." Katerina was smiling kindly. "I could use them to headbutt people! And disguise myself as a ram! Or put flowers in them!" She reached up and touched one of them.. "I think they're really cool."
Agatha smiled back. "They make it really hard to put shirts on though."
Katerina chuckled. "I guess so. Hey, we better go bathe before Mildew creeps back in."
"Mildew...wow, that's good."
"Yeah, I've been waiting to use that one."
Located about twenty miles from the free city of Tantervale, the village of Andelburg was a cozy trading hamlet enroute to the capitol. With a population of less than two hundred, it had experienced very little excitement over its decades-long history. It's only true claim to fame was an ancient tree in the middle of the town square, said to have an image of Andraste's face in the bark. But twelve years ago, Andelburg had its first real glimpse of the outside world, when a dead Qunari woman was found on the Chantry doorstep in the middle of the night. She had been stabbed in the chest, and judging by the trail of blood, had traveled very far, before falling upon the cobblestone steps. In her arms was an infant Qunari girl, covered in her (presumed) mother's blood. The child's wailing had woken half the village, including the Revered Mother, who kept some of the more superstitious villagers from tossing the child down the well, as a bad omen.
In this child, the Mother saw an opportunity. To raise a Qunari in the light of the Maker would be a spectacular feat never before seen in recorded Chantry history. It would prove that the power of the Maker's word could reach across all the races of Thedas. So (despite villager protest) she had the Qunari woman cremated with a full Andrastian service and took the child to be raised in the chapel. She named her Agatha; after one of the first Chantry sisters martyred in her attempt to convert the Qunari. Over the next twelve years, Agatha lived, ate, slept and prayed amongst the chapel congregation, along with four other orphaned human children.
The daily schedule was very strict. Up at seven in morning, bath at seven-ten, prayers at seven-thirty, breakfast at eight, schooling from eight-thirty to noon, lunch at noon, chapel service from twelve-thirty to five, communal free time from five-thirty to six, dinner from six-thirty to seven-thirty, prayers at seven-thirty, bed at eight. No exceptions, short of the Maker's apocalyptic return.
After a hurried bath with only one small splash fight, Agatha and Katerina quickly dressed in their white and red robes and entered the chapel. Iona was already right at the front, kneeling with Brother Elton. As the two of them approached, Agatha saw Elton turn his head, his eyes open ever-so-slightly. The tiniest of smiles crept across his lips and he motioned for her to join.
Katerina knelt down on Elton's right. She knelt down next to the small boy on Iona's left.
"Hello Corin. Did Sister Mildred come to terrorize you as well?" She whispered.
Corin blinked rapidly, his mouth slightly agape. His face had become nearly beet red.
"Sister Mil...oh uh, yes. I mean, no, I was awake and ready but uh...well Zach he...made her quite upset." He stammered.
As if summoned by the dark act of speaking his name, Zachariah Roste came stomping into the chapel. His robes looked disheveled and improperly worn. Grinning like a hyena, he slumped down behind Agatha and Corin.
"Ello' Corn. Horns. Who we prayin to this fine morn'?"
Corin stiffened. "You know who we pray to Zach. Our lord the Maker, in the hopes he will forgive us and return to this world."
Zach deftly poked Corin in the back of the head. "That ain't who you were praying to las' night Corn. I erd' all of it. 'Ohhh Agatha, you're so nice to me. I lo-"
With an audible "THWACK", the back of Katerina's head impacted with Zachariah's face. Reeling back, Zach held his bruised nose and looked at her with malice in his eyes. Katerina's face widened in exaggerated shock.
"Oh dear me, I got a bit dizzy there. I'm sincerely sorry Zach, are you alright?"
"You little bitc-"
"All those who mock, belittle or torture the innocent, by their deeds or words, shall find the Maker's wrath close at their heels."
All the color seemed to drain out of Zachariah's face as he slowly turned his head. Staring back at him through cataracted eyes was the most severe looking old woman in all of Thedas.
"Ch-chanter Helen…"
Brother Elton swiftly stood and bowed to Chanter Helen.
"Good morning to you Chanter. I trust you are well?"
The old woman smiled, but kept her hawk-like gaze on the trembling Zachariah.
"The morning is the most glorious time of day, for with each new dawn, the Maker's light shines upon us all." She replied, as she sat down upon the pew bench
"As always, your voice is a tonic to the ears. Will the Revered Mother be joining us for the morning sermon?" Elton asked.
Chanter Helen nodded and turned to face the door. Sure enough, the Revered Mother, Gertrude, entered the chapel, followed closely by Sister Mildred.
Gertrude was a severe looking woman, about sixty-five years of age. Her shortly cropped brown hair was greying rapidly and her face was seemingly showing more creases each day. Nevertheless, whenever she entered a room, she commanded the attention of all those within it. This morning was no exception. Without looking closely at any of the children, Gertrude strode to the pulpit and removed one of the many scrolls of the Chant of Light from the shelf behind her. Unfurling it without flourish, she laid it upon the lectern and stared out across the room.
"There are many threats in the Maker's world. Wild beasts, marauding bandits and insidious politics. But none is more deceptive and dangerous than the power of magic. What should have been a boon of the Maker was twisted and corrupted by those who craved power. The Magisters of Tevinter show us what happens when mages are left free to do as they wish. Cruelty, arrogance and the perversion of the holy seat. The Circle of Magi and the Templar Order are necessary safeguards to protect the good, moral common folk."
The Revered Mother turned to Chanter Helen, who nodded, with a note of reluctance in her eyes. "Magic exists to serve man, and never to rule over him. Foul and corrupt are they. Who have taken His gift. And turned it against His children. They shall be named Maleficar, accursed shall find no rest in this world. Or beyond."
"It is true that Maleficar are a grave peril to the faithful, but know that not all mages are as such. The great majority are good people, who should not be scorned by us. They fight every moment of their lives to hold the darkness at bay. For that, they must have our care and support." Brother Elton responded, with only a hint of hesitation in his voice.
Chanter Helen smiled. "And Eileen spoke unto the masses, "My hearth is yours, my bread is yours, my life is yours. For all who walk in the sight of the Maker are one."
From the back of the room, Agatha could hear Sister Mildred snort in disgust. "Don't be fooled. At best, a mage is a cursed individual, deserving of barely more than pity. For their own good and for the good of the innocent, they must be kept under armed watch at all times. Without Chantry and Templar supervision, I'm certain almost all mages would turn to blood magic and demon summoning. You must never let your guard down."
Gripping her cane in both hands, Chanter Helen slowly rose to her feet, knees buckling but unrelenting. "And so Rajmael fell to his knees. By painting all his foes with but one brush, he had made art only of his own arrogance. 'Each of His children are their own being, with their own sins, blessings and beliefs. By reducing them, I merely reduce myself.'"
Sister Mildred's face began to redden, her lips open as though she wished to retort, but could not finds the proper words. Instead she crossed her arms and looking pleadingly in the direction of the Revered Mother. If Gertrude saw her plea, her face gave no evidence of it. Devoid of emotion, she broke the silence.
"Chanter Helen is right to speak these words. It is true that we must not color all with magical ability as possible maleficar. But nevertheless, these protections exist for a reason and as long as the Chantry stands as a bulwark of faith, so will the Circles."
Agatha watched as Corin raised his hand with such hesitation, that he seemingly felt that the Revered Mother would cut it down like a weed. Instead she merely nodded.
"Speak, child."
His eyes wide, Corin eked out his words. "What...what would happen if one of...one of us was a mage?"
"The Templars would come to escort you to the Tantervale Circle. There you would begin your new life with the rest of the local mages. It is appropriate you would ask this. In a month, we will be visited by a Templar from the Tantervale Circle. His name is Knight-Captain Callius. He is here to meet with you all and make certain our chapel is well representative of Chantry law. I expect all of you to be on your most immaculate behavior."
Katerina spoke up, suddenly. "Why is a Templar coming? Why not a Sister or Brother?"
"He personally requested to visit and the Knight-Commander agreed. He is very interested to meet with...some of you." For a moment, Agatha saw Gertrude's eyes flicker in her direction. She felt her heartbeat race.
"It's about time we had a member of the Order visit!" Zachariah said, grinning. "It's my dream to join them and keep Thedas safe from those blasted apostates! I expect he'll ask me to be his apprentice."
Chanter Helen began to cough, quite loudly, very suddenly. She soon composed herself, with a small smile. Zachariah seemingly did not notice.
"I'm sure he'll be an honorable man and we will learn much from him." Iona said placidly. "I'll preparer my finest robes."
"Well said, Iona. Thank you for the sermon, Revered Mother. " Brother Elton nodded in Chanter Helen's direction. "Chanter. I'm certain it has given us all much to ponder."
"Indeed. As it is now eight o'clock, you are all dismissed for breakfast. I expect you all ready for schooling at eight-thirty. Blessed be our Lady and Maker." Gertrude said.
"Blessed be our Lady and Maker." They all repeated, with Zachariah yawning as he said it.
As Agatha made her way into the dining room, she felt there must have been a deeper reason for this Templar to visit. And she had a sickening suspicion that she was that reason. Had the Chantry finally become fed up with a Qunari in such plain sight? Agatha knew the villagers complained daily and more than one angry notice had been nailed to the chantry door. She was rarely allowed outside for these very reasons. What would they do? Exile her to Qunari lands? Lock her away? Would they…could they actually kill her?
"Hey, Ag?"
The sound of Katerina's voice startled her, nearly sending her to the floor.
"Oh damn, I'm sorry Ag. Are you alright?" She asked empathetically.
Her heartbeat slowing down, Agatha nodded. "Yeah...yeah, I was just thinking about that Templar coming. Kinda weird huh?"
Katerina looked over her shoulder and back. They were in the southern hallway, the dining room ahead of them. Brother Elton entered, closing and locking the chapel door. He turned and saw Agatha and Katerina, looking surprised.
"Best get to breakfast soon girls, or Zachariah will have eaten the plates too. Boy has the appetite of an wolf..."
Katerina put on an embarrassed smile. "Agatha and I have to use the privy first. Won't be long Brother Elton."
"Wha-I don'"
She felt Katerina grip her hand tightly. Agatha took the hint.
"Very well." He replied, sighing. With that he left them in the hallway.
"C'mon, I have to talk to you alone."
The two of them went down the western hallway, eventually entering the room at the far end. The privy was spotless, thankfully. Agatha was glad to see her cleaning assignment the previous evening hadn't been for nothing. Kat closed the door behind her, leaving only the morning sunlight to shine through.
"What is it Kat? I'd really like to have some eggs. They're fresh from the-"
"How do you feel about mages Agatha?" Kat asked, her tone deadly serious.
Agatha was taken aback. She did not expect to discussing magical politics in the middle of the privy at eight in the morning.
"Well...I've never met one. You heard Chanter Helen and Brother Elton. The Chant says-"
"Yes, yes, I know what the Chant says." Katerina said, agitation growing in her voice. "But...what about you? Do they frighten you?"
Agatha thought for a moment.
"Snakes frighten me. And undead. And uh...some of the villagers. But no, I don't think mages do." She said. "Why are you asking me?"
Katerina looked away from her.
"Because you're my best friend."
Raising her right hand, Agatha saw Katerina's eyes close and her face tighten. Suddenly, a spark erupted from her fingertips. Then two. Five. Before her eyes. a ball of flame began to coalesce in her palm. Soon the room was aglow with orange, pulsating light. Mouth agape, Agatha looked Katerina in the eyes. They were filled with tears.
"And because this frightens me."