A/N: Alright all, I am aware it took forever to get the final Installation in my Nights series. Here it is, i will honestly say this story was extrememly hard to finish. So, if it is not as good as the others. i do appologize, but all the same I hope everyone enjoys it. I will be releasing the full story as quickly as possible.
(9:41 Dragon 19th of Wintermarch. Leliana)
I had been most pleased to hear my wife and children had made it to Denerim. I missed them, but we had been having some difficulties finishing up the preparations.
The Conclave, was vast and having to find room for all the Mages and Templars who had come early, proved most taxing.
"This is getting very difficult. Keeping the Mages and Templars from fighting each other is a never-ending battle. We calm one confrontation, and another takes its place." Cullen says.
"I understand Cullen, but we can't just move up the Conclave. We have not even heard from the Seeker Order yet." Cassandra says.
One of my agents runs up to me. She hands me a message, it has the Seeker Order's seal. "I think we just heard from them." I said and hand the message over to Cassandra.
I see a hint of anger flash in her eyes and then disappointment. "They have refused to attend the Conclave. They do not think it will help matters." Cassandra says.
"Was that all we were waiting for? Perhaps, now we can discuss this with Divine Justinia." Cullen says.
"Unfortunately, no. We still need to wait for some key members to arrive. They should be here in a week or two." I added. Cullen sighs in frustration.
"Our men are exhausted. So far, they have done admirably to keep the peace, but the more exhausted they get…" He says.
He was still trying to convince us to move up the Conclave. Not for the first time, had I wished Sasha or Hawke could have been found.
"Your wife is in Denerim, yes?" Cullen asks.
"Yes, Phaedra and the children are there." I reply.
"No one else? The Champion? Sasha?" He asks hopefully.
"No, she does not know where they are exactly. Alistair says Sasha is looking for the cure to the Calling. And she has not heard from Rilia in almost 2 years." I reply.
He looked frustrated. "I had hoped she had reached them, perhaps she can come here sooner?" he asks.
"Why?" I asked.
"I could use the extra help. From what I have heard around camp, she is still respected. Maybe seeing her, would help." He says, grasping at straws.
"The last time she was sent to speak to someone they tried to imprison her and were setting her up to made tranquil." I said angrily. He looked shocked.
"But, she has never done anything wrong, and she helped save not only Ferelden but Kirkwall too." He says confused.
"They do not see past her magic. That is why after Cassandra saved her, I pulled her back." Justinia says.
I bow respectfully to her. I was grateful again to her for doing so. I was not sure how I would have reacted if they or someone else had been successful in making her tranquil or harming her or the children. Actually, no, I would have tortured and killed them in the most painful ways.
"Cullen, I know you and your men are exhausted. Please encourage them to hold on. I will move the Conclave up a week. Any stragglers can be escorted to the Temple when they arrive." She says. He nods in gratitude, then exits the Chantry to tell his men.
"I suppose we should see what is left to be done and get it done faster. I wish we had more room." Cassandra says.
Justinia nods at her and dismisses her. I looked at Justinia. "What is your wish, Most Holy?" I asked.
"I would like an update on all who have agreed to come, and news of the Grey Wardens." She says.
I follow her into her office, which if things were to go badly would become the Inquisition's war room.
"No word still on the Grey Wardens. I have reached out to all I have been able to. The rest are still in seclusion. I believe a few may be coming." I answered her.
"Do you know any of these Wardens?" She asks.
"Not personally, but they are senior members. That is all the letters say." I reply. She nods.
"Chancellor Roderick will be here by the end of the day, with a few of the Revered Mothers from Denerim and Redcliffe Village." I reply.
"I swear they are doing that just to irritate me. Roderick has always been a headache. He does not approve that my background is unknown. I will meet with him once, but afterwards, I would prefer to speak to him as little as possible." Justinia says.
She squeezes the bridge of her nose. She was no doubt anticipating the many headaches that will be added soon.
(9:41 Dragon 26th day of Wintermarch Leliana.)
Today the Conclave would begin. "My lady, a message." My scout says.
"Just put it on the table, Maelon." I told him.
"It is from Halla." He says. A letter from Phaedra. He hands it to me. I dismiss him with a nod. Very few people knew Halla was my wife.
Maelon, Charter, Cassandra, Josephine and Justinia were the only ones I had told her alias to. I sat on my cot and opened it.
"My lady Nightingale." I smiled. The next few lines had me worried.
"Nightingale, I hate to add to your already surmounting worries, but Da assan and Da Mi are Ill.
Brother Halla says they will be fine. But cannot travel yet. By the time this reaches you it will be a week and half from now. Brother Halla says not to try and travel with them for another week and a half."
"Always at your service, Halla"
I hid my tears and worries. My poor babies. Perhaps I should speak to Justinia, see if I am needed. I enter Justinia's office.
"Ah, Leliana. I know you will not like this, but I would like for you and Cassandra to stay in Haven. A few of Cullen's men will be escorting me to the temple." She says before I can speak a word.
"Might I ask why?" I ask.
"I would like you two to stay behind, Cullen and Josephine as well. You four are to keep the peace here and I would suggest you put armor on." She says.
"Do you expect trouble?" I asked.
"Leliana, you know as well as I." She says.
"Always expect trouble, and plan five steps ahead or more." I reply.
She nods. "Not all Mages and Templars are coming, the lower ranked ones are staying behind. I would greatly appreciate not to return to a pile of rubble. What is that you have in your hand?" She asks. I had Phaedra's letter in my hand still.
"From Halla." I said.
"How is Halla?" She asks.
"According to this letter, Halla is fine. However, Da Assan and Da Mi are ill. Her brother says they will be fine, but it will still be a week and a half before they can travel." I replied. Hiding the fact that my heart was sinking. There was no way I could leave now.
"I am sorry Leliana. I know you would want to go to them, but I need you here." She says placing her hand on my cheek.
I press her hand to my cheek and let a few tears fall. I walk her out, Cassandra and I wave her off. I send a few of my scouts with them too.
"Leliana, are you well. Your eyes are red and puffy." Josie says once we get back into the Chantry. I shook my head.
"Not really Josie." I said. We enter our shared room where Cassandra is already putting on her armor.
"What is wrong, Leliana?" Cassandra asks. I sighed, of course they sense my distress.
"I received a letter from Halla. She reports that she is fine, but Da Assan and Da Mi are ill, and will not be able to travel for another week and half after the letter had reached me." I said.
"I am sorry to hear that, but the little ones will be ok?" Cassandra asks.
"Yes, I just wish I could go to them. I know by the time I got there they would be fine and ready to go in a few days, but still." I said.
"I understand, if I could do this without you, I would." Cassandra says. I sigh.
"I know." I said and began unwrapping Josie's multiple cloth ties on her dress.
"I still do not see why I need to put armor on. I am diplomat for Andraste's sake." Josie complains.
"Diplomat or not, you can still be stabbed. If we need to re-instate the Inquisition, we will need your skills." Cassandra says.
She had finished and left the room, making sure our modesty was safely hidden.
I help her with the hardened leather and metal armor. "I am surprised it fits so well." She says.
"It should. I had it made for you specifically." I said. She looks at me.
"You are a heavy sleeper. I took your measurements." I replied.
"Very efficient. But I am not usually a heavy sleeper." She says.
"I might have slipped something in your tea." I admit.
"I suppose I should be suspicious of any food or drink you give me then." She says. I chuckle.
"I only did that once and that was because you stubbornly refused to go get fitted." I said.
"Fine. Help me with this dress." She says.
"But, you look so sexy without it." I teased.
"Leliana Amell, you know how I feel about being so exposed. It is not proper of a lady." She scolds.
I chuckle. Josie was the only one besides Phaedra to call me such, or even scold me. "Alright, alright. Come here." I said. After putting on the dress which was harder then taking it off, which made me wonder.
"Did you have this dress designed to be easily removed for intimate encounters?" I asked, partially serious, but she blushes.
"I would rather not have to spend ten minutes extra to remove this dress to take a bath or go to bed." She says.
"Uh huh." She blushes deeper. "Is their someone you would wish to get intimate with?" I teased.
"No. Even if there was that is none of your business Leliana Amell." She says. She checks my dress state and leaves her face red.
"We shall see Josephine Montilyet. We shall see." I said to the room. I had put Phaedra's letter in my book of chants. My eyes wandered to it, I sighed again.
I grabbed the Halla antler daggers she had made for me and stuck them in my boots. With one last look at the hidden letter, I left our room. Praying to the Maker for strength and patience.
As the first few hours passed, I kept feeling like something was off. I stood on top of the tavern, my eyes roaming the village. I saw Cassandra walking around the section bellow me and caught a glimpse of Cullen watching the training area.
Josie, had gone to her office. It had seemed quiet, then I heard a scream and saw a woman pointing to the Temple.
The sky lit up a green, that I had come to recognize as the fade. A pillar shot from the ground and up. I was frozen in horror as the sky tore open. "Leliana!" Cassandra shouted.
I nodded and quickly climbed down. Cullen was hot on our heels as we ran up the path, to the temple. We did not go far when the explosion made the whole mountain shake.
When the smoke cleared we ran harder. I had wished even more that Phaedra was here.
(9:41 Dragon. 27th day of Wintermarch.)
If I had not seen them carrying the dwarf woman in, I would not believe a survivor had been found. Cassandra believes she is responsible.
"She is a dwarf Cass. They can't use magic. She could not have caused that explosion." I argued with her after convincing her to at least allow her to be seen by a healer.
"It does not have to be magic, it could be an enchantment rune. Varric said Sandal had created an Ice explosion rune, it is not unfathomable." Cass argues back.
She had me there, Sandal was very gifted he even killed a whole room of Darkspawn with an enchantment during the Blight.
"My apologies my ladies. I believe I have her stabilized, but she is unconscious." The healer, an apostate elf named Solas says.
"And the Mark?" Cassandra asks.
"I still do not know, but my theory is it could seal the breach. They pulse at the same time, I think they are connected." He says before leaving the Chantry.
"Still do not think she did it?" Cassandra asks.
"Yes. I still believe she is innocent." I said.
"You heard Solas the mark and breach are connected." She says.
"Yes, I heard him. That still does not prove she is guilty. What if the Mark is a side effect of the magic used, maybe she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time." I said.
"I suppose I shall have to wait until she is conscious, perhaps she has some insight or something." Cassandra say angrily.
I knew she was not angry at me, but this is how she grieves. Not only did she lose the Divine, she had lost Regalyan too. I could only imagine how I would be if Phaedra had been there too.
(9:41 Dragon. 30th day of Wintermarch)
I had only spoken to the prisoner briefly when she awoke. In the few statements, I had heard, I still unequivocally believed she was innocent.
Cassandra had slightly altered her guilty assumption. At least she would get a trial now.
I nodded at Cassandra and went to the forward camp, she would bring the prisoner. I wish I knew her name, I hated referring to her as such.
I prepared myself for the headache coming as I saw Chancellor Roderick waiting.
About an hour passed before Cassandra was seen. The Dwarf prisoner, now unbound a two-handed sword resting on her back.
It had always amazed me how someone so short could wield something so large and effectively.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at Roderick, as he barked orders like it mattered. We were technically in higher authority then him.
But I suppose, he thought because Justinia was gone, so were our titles. Also, true from the Chantry standpoint. We just did not care.
After an argument and the Prisoner deciding to use the mountain path, much to Cassandra's displeasure. She was a soldier in her own right, avoiding confrontation on the battlefield seemed pointless.
She had said that at least in direct combat it could be ended sooner, instead of wasting energy to go the long way about the battle.
I suppose I could see her point, but if you go the long way you are less likely to be surprised by something.
Bow in hand, after they left, myself and my people headed to the Temple. We aided Cullen and his men, coming around the corner I saw Cassandra and her group had already gotten here. I knew the mountain path was quicker.
After a thrilling and long battle with a Pride Demon and a few Shades, the Prisoner lifted her hand. She gritted her teeth when the pain began but stayed standing.
After what seemed two minutes to us, which for the dwarven woman seemed much longer due to the agony. The breach had seemed to stable out. It had not been closed, but at least it stop growing.
The Dwarven woman collapses in pain and exhaustion. We were going to need a lot more power to close the breach completely.
I pinched my nose, so it would begin, we would squabble on who to ask. The Mages to boost her power and close it. Or the Templars to use their abilities to weaken the breach.
Word had spread, and the Mage/Templar war raged harder and fiercer. One side blaming the other for the explosion that tore the sky.
I felt my heart sink, I would need to send a letter to Phaedra. It would no longer be safe to travel the land. They would need to stay in Denerim. I could only hope I could get away to see them.
(9:41 Dragon. 30th day of Guardian)
Malika Cadash, or more commonly known as the Herald of Andraste, had done remarkably. She had managed to seal several rifts in the Hinterlands.
As well as recruit several new members into the Inquisition. She had also secured mounts, and Horse Master Dennet, which I was told was not entirely easy.
"Where is the Herald?" Cassandra asked, irritated.
"She will be here shortly, or so she told me when she left my office. She said she and Sera had something to do." Josephine says.
I could see the worry on her face.
Malika had proven to not only be a skilled warrior, but also quite the flirt, and when she was with Sera, a prankster.
In a way she reminded me of Zarola, that woman loved to prank, and sometimes had even dragged Phaedra into doing them. Especially, if I was the target. So, if they had gone off by themselves for extended periods of time, I knew to be prepared.
They had started small at first, just hiding small things, or putting them too high to reach. One time I had been bathing and they had stolen my clothes. I had sighed smiling, I had hoped my revenge would work.
I strolled through the camp as naked as the day I was born, my head held high and began asking the others if they had seen my clothing.
I smiled. Phaedra and Zarola appeared out of thin air. Phaedra's face redder than a tomato, and she draped her long coat around me and glared daggers at anyone's who had a lingering gaze on me. I had teased her that night.
"'What have you learned, ma vhenan?'" I had asked her.
"'Do not steal your clothes as a prank. Because then you will allow everyone to look at your nakedness.'" She had replied, her face still red. We had heard a distinct scolding from Morrigan.
She had threatened that if they ever try that prank on her, she would skin them alive and make stew from their flesh.
That stealing clothes prank lasted but once more, but this time it was Morrigan and I who pulled the prank. I had been shocked when she had suggested it. Phaedra could not look at Sten with a straight face for a month.
A minute after my memory, Cadash comes rushing in. "Who were you throwing pies at this time?" Cullen asks, a hint of a smile on his face.
"Huh?" she asks.
"You have pie on your tunic." Josephine states pointing it out. She chuckles.
"Surprisingly, Sera. We were trying to come up with the perfect pie to go splat." She says.
We left it at that. "So, I have decided to at least speak to the Mages. And before you get all grr Curly. It is not me saying I would help them. I am still thinking of the Templars. But, the Grand Enchanter did invite us, to at least speak." She says. I nodded.
"Very well, then. anything else?" Cullen asks.
"Hmm… I need to finish sealing those rifts. I will take the long way to Redcliffe, there were some smaller tasks, I had promised to see fulfilled." Cadash says. The others leave.
"Lady Cadash, a word please?" I said. She nods.
I explain about my concerns with the Grey Wardens and inform her of one in the Hinterlands. She agrees to speak to him. "Oh, and the best pie to use, is whipped cream." I said. She seemed shocked. "I had a friend, who had the same proclivity for pranks." I said and left her in the war room.
(9:41 Dragon. 7th Day of Drakonis)
I had received a bird saying the Herald would be back in a couple of days, today in fact. My spies had reported what had transpired.
She needed to return, a council meeting would begin as soon as she returned. Cassandra would be a day behind her, she had to escort a mage and a couple of children to Haven. Iron Bull and Solas were with her.
She entered the war room, her stance tense, her eyes, filled with resolve. "We are going to help the Mages Cullen. I was going to ask the Templars, but after Redcliffe, they need our help more. There were children Cullen." She says.
"How many children?" He asked.
"Does it matter?" She asked back.
"Not really, I was just wondering how many men I should send back with you to rescue and escort them." He says.
"Two children only. A boy of six, blonde hair, green eyes, slightly pointed ears, I would guess some Elven in his blood." She said. I gulped, the boy sounded remarkably like Bryce.
"A toddler. Aged two, with red hair, same slightly pointed ears. Bluish green eyes, I believe her name was…" I felt my body on the verge of collapse. I gripped the table tighter.
"Oisine." I said.
"Yes. That is her name." She replied.
"Their Mother, where is she?" I asked fear gripping my heart, I had not heard from Phaedra since the Conclave.
"She is why, I want to help the Mages. The Venatori, have imprisoned her." As soon as the words fell from her lips, I felt faint.
"Leliana, are you well?" She asks. I do not answer her, my mind blanking out.
"Anyways, I need another entrance. I have been informed, that it is a trap." She says. I swallow my spit.
"There is a secret passage into the cellar." I explained about the Windmill.
"Then, that is our way in. I would like a few of your most skilled agents." She directs to me.
"You may have all the ones in Haven, and I will be going too." I stated.
"Are you sure, you seem fatigued?" She asks.
"I am going. End of Discussion." I said already leaving to retrieve every weapon I owned.
They had better hope, I find my wife alive and unharmed in any way. I would kill every one of the Mages if I found her any other way.
"Do you have a description of the Children's mother?" I heard Vivienne ask.
"I do not." She says.
"She is a head shorter than me. Her ears are pointed as well. Her hair is Silver. I do not know if it is long or short, but she has worn both those styles. Her eyes are emerald green and sparkle. She has a tattoo running down her face." I said, wanting to urge our mounts on.
"You know her then?" Cadash asks.
"If I know her children's names, and what they look like. Obviously, it should follow, that I know their mother. My scouts and I will separate here from you, and sneak into the windmill." I stated. I didn't salute. I didn't care. She could yell later, after I rescued my wife.
(9:41 Dragon. 9th day of Drakonis. Phaedra)
I had been sent here by Alistair, once the Conclave exploded. Both to keep my eyes on the Rebel Mages as well, as keep us safe.
He had escorted us here with a company of men. As luck would have it we managed to bypass the fighting. That was more than a month ago. Now, I was imprisoned, after I refused to submit to Tevinter.
I was very much relieved to know my children and Brother were safe, so Grand Enchanter Fiona had said. It had probably helped that Calvin had not argued against Magister Alexius.
My neck itched and was raw from the collar that was put on me. It was much like the ones the Qunari Saarebas wear, minus the control rod. They had effectively blocked my mana pool.
The manacles too were cutting into my wrists. But I had surmised that if I could get my legs free, I could remove the chain from its hook and escape. I tried for the hundredth time to use the strength in my legs to break the shackles on my ankles.
"I don't know why you keep trying to break those, you won't be able to. They were made to chain Qunari." A Venatori guard had said.
"I do not give up easily." I stated.
They had at least left me in my smalls. Nor had they done anything worse to me besides cutting me off from my mana and chaining me.
So, I would have plenty of strength to fight out of here, and head to the secret passage. They would not waste a Mage, but they would keep me shackled until I had changed my mind.
Another guard came in, it was time for the guards to change. "Magister Alexius says, the Inquisition has just left. He expects them to come to the castle, and finish hammering out an alliance." The new guard said.
"How stupid is that Dwarf. The Elder One only wants the anchor. He will kill her to get it, then he will see his plans through." The old guard had said. I smiled quickly then hid it.
They had better hope my Nightingale has not heard of my imprisonment. If she has and is coming with them, they had better make peace with their gods. The hope Leli was here, had me trying harder to escape.
It was like I had, some renewed strength. I could feel her, she was in the Castle. Summoning every bit of strength, I had, I broke my leg restraints.
"How?" The guard asked. I twisted his neck between my thighs and watched his corpse fall to the ground.
Using the momentum from swinging, I grabbed the beam with my legs. Unhooking my chain, I released my legs and flipped down. I chuckled, this guard had the keys to my collar, wrists, legs and the door.
I looked down at him, he was far too big for me to use his armor. But his sword would do. Now free of my chains, and mana flowing again, I left the dungeon.
I had not seen Leli yet, but I knew she was still here. I headed towards the main hall. My eyes roamed, and then I was blinded by green and felt like I was being sucked into something. I landed hard in water. "Fenedhis! Where in Andraste's name am I now?" I asked.