Chapter 4: A Tearful Reunion
It's been a day since Hawke and his followers had returned to Kirkwall. Jared had spent part of his fortune on something that came to the markets from the Imperium. Something he knew Yvea would appreciate, or at least make decent use of. But before he could give it to her, he had to find her. The first place he sought to check was the Gallows. Where he would assert to the Knight-Commander his status as a Grey Warden, and maybe meet up with the Qunari who saved his life. He finally managed to learn his name the other day. Arvaarad Morgraine. His parents were Tal-Vashoth, but HE was raised by humans in Denerim before joining the Wardens. He took his first name afterwards in a poetic sense. Arvaarad literally translated to "one who holds back evil."
Jared had modified his bracer to bear the Grey Warden seal, an instantly recognizable griffon that would let any templar know they had the wrong man, meaning he could now go out in the daylight hours with all of his arms and armor. He left his little hovel, taking his staff with him. He was now free to show all of Thedas that he was indeed a mage. He walked through the streets out to the docks, where he would travel by boat out to the Gallows.
On the other side of the trip, Jared was greeted by the Templar guards who tried to arrest him. "Halt, apostate." said their captain. Jared recognized him immediately from the Ferelden Circle.
"Cullen, is that you?" Jared asked.
"Jared Varth? I was wondering what happened to you. Why didn't you return from that Lyrium pickup?"
"I heard that the Circle was overrun with demons. I didn't want to go back in case the rite of annulment came through. I spent most of my time in Tevinter before I came back here. So, you're Knight-Captain, now? I'd say you've really moved up in the world."
"What about you? What have you accomplished in the Imperium? You were always one of the strongest in the Circle. Did you get to be a Magister?"
"No, merely trained by the Black Divine. Mastered blood magic, came to Kirkwall, became a Grey Warden."
"Wait, what were those last three parts?"
"Blood magic, Kirkwall, Became a Warden." Jared explained. He showed the knight-captain his bracer bearing the Grey Warden seal. "No way you're shoving ME in the circle. Before I forget, I'm looking for a Qunari in plate armor. Did he ever come to the island?"
"He's looking at some runes that one of the Tranquil is selling." said Cullen.
"Thanks. I'll see you later. Maybe we can catch some drinks at the Hanged Man, catch up on old times." Jared said as he walked toward the templar hall. He walked in through the gates and was met by Knight-Commander Meredith.
"Halt, apostate. I don't know how you got past Cullen but I assure you I will not be so easy." She said.
"He let me through. I'm not an apostate anymore. I'm a Grey Warden, now."
"Ridiculous. Your armor marks you as Tevinter. Who made you a Warden?" Just then, Arvaarad barged into the templar hall.
"Out of the way, human." He said. Meredith instantly froze up in terror, making Jared's inquiries invalid until she could be questioned. He approached the knight commander and when his hand drew close enough to her armor, an arc of lightning jumped the gap; awakening the Knight-Commander and making her hair stand on end.
"Sorry about Arvaarad. As to why I'm here; I'm looking for one of your knights. Have you seen Yvea?" Jared asked.
"When she isn't out hunting apostates, she's praying at the chantry in Hightown. She practically sleeps there every night." said Meredith.
"Thanks. I'll bring her back to her senses. Good day to you, Serah Meredith." Jared said. He and Arvaarad left and made their way back to Lowtown. That's when they parted ways and went to their homes. Jared waited in his little hovel until nightfall, when he would confess to Yvea his love. When it finally came, he walked outside into the moonlight. Another full moon, just like when he first met Yvea. He prowled the streets in his werewolf form as he made his way up to Hightown. Fortunately, nobody was out at night.
In the chantry, Yvea knelt before the statue of the Maker, silently praying for the return of the Deep Roads expedition. Blessed are those who exist in the Maker's sight. Blessed are the faithful that they ascend to your right hand. Blessed are those who stand before the corrupt and the wicked and do not falter. Her prayers were interrupted by Grand Cleric Elthina. "Yvea, darling. It's getting late. You should go back to the Gallows." Yvea rose to her feet and faced Elthina.
"Why? Just because I'm an elf means I can't pray here. I was born in Kirkwall, devoted my LIFE to the Chantry as a Templar and YOU'RE kicking me out because I'm an elf?"
"No, I'm kicking you out because Meredith is worried about you. You need to go back." The Grand Cleric was interrupted when the mabari outside the chantry started freaking out; barking like mad at Maker knows what. Elthina ran to the door to see what was happening. The Templars posted mabari hounds outside the chantry after the incident in the Templar Hall. But there couldn't really be a werewolf in Kirkwall. Just when she reached the door, the mabari stopped barking.
She tentatively opened the door, but as soon as she did, she wished that she hadn't. She saw a partly armored werewolf standing in the door way. She fainted, producing an audible thud. Yvea turned around and instantly recognized the silhouette of Jared's striking silverite armor. The werewolf stepped inside the chantry and walked towards the young elf. The initiates hid, the chanters became silent. The only two in the werewolf's sight were Yvea and her "friend" in white and gold armor.
The armored man drew his bow and loaded it without hesitation. "Be gone, Demon!" he shouted. He launched his arrow at the werewolf's right arm, but it glanced off the armor. "Those who have done harm unto the house of the Maker have done harm unto the Maker himself." The archer loaded another arrow and launched it, only to have the werewolf catch it mid flight. Before the archer could launch another shot, Yvea leapt in front of the werewolf to protect him. "Get out of the way, Yvea!"
"Don't do this, Sebastian! He's my friend!" shouted the elf. "This was the mage I was telling you about." Just then, Jared reverted to his human form and stepped out from behind Yvea.
"I'd put that bow down, your highness. It's criminal to attack a Grey Warden." Jared said. Yvea turned around and threw herself on the mage in a tight but loving embrace
"You came back." She said. "I have something I needed to say before you left."
"I can't hide it either. All my life I've seen only the cruelty the non-Imperial Templars wreak on mages. When I met you, got to know you, I saw something that I thought couldn't exist. You stick your neck out for the mages in Kirkwall, for me. I don't know what to say other than… I love you."
"I knew you were special that night you saved my life. I need someone in my life. Someone like you."
"Want to come by my place, I have something for you from the Imperium." Yvea nodded and the two made their way to Lowtown. The gangs were afraid to go out at night, thanks to the mabari and the rumors that there might be werewolves in Kirkwall. When they reached Jared's hovel, He walked up to his door and turned to face Yvea. "Close your eyes, love. It's a surprise." He walked in and grabbed his gift, covered by a fine Orlesian dress, also intended for Yvea. He walked out back to her and handed her the dress. "Open them."
Her eyes were drawn to the dress first, Red silk with a gold trim and designed to be just revealing enough. Then, he pulled out two longswords, designed after the most famous sword in Tevinter history. "The dress came from a friend in the Orlesian circle. These swords are a mark of honor in Tevinter. Replicas of the sword that killed the prophet Andraste. Obscenely strong and can be charged by a mage with any element. Take these, and know that I'm always with you."
"Thank you so much. I'll think of the Irony as I wield them. As for the dress, the Kirkwall Guard Charity Ball coming up. I was hoping to see you there."
"We'll see. I've got some research to go over from Soldier's peak. I'll keep you in mind." With that, Yvea took her leave, making her way back to the Gallows and to the scolding of Knight-Commander Meredith. Jared decided to turn in for the night, wondering what sort of trouble he could get into tomorrow.