Standard Disclaimer: Bioware owns all Dragon Age characters and in game content. I own the bits that are left.
Chapter 4 – Wind of Change
The next day, three hours before even dawn's first hour, Greagoir roused everyone as per Irving's instructions. Cedric, the Captain of the ship with the uninspired name of The Ferelden II, had sternly informed Greagoir that if they missed the first hour of dawn when the tide would be sufficient to set sail, they would not be able to leave for another week. Thus it was that Irving gave Greagoir the unenviable task of getting everyone up and ready to go.
The templars had no trouble rousing as they were used to early morning prayers. Irving and Ines took only a knock on their respective doors to awaken and acknowledge his call. Wynne, however, did not respond at all to his insistent knocking. There was not even a murmur of response when he eventually smacked his gauntlet on the thin wooden door in frustration.
Ines, fresh from her quick bath, closed the door of her room quietly while adjusting the bundle in her arms. She was laden down with her backpack, Neria and the basket of herbs that were now tied in little bundles of which use were only comprehensible to her. Her distinct scent of lemon and mint wafted gently down the corridor as she approached the irritated templar and chuckled.
"Good morning, Greagoir. I see you are having trouble waking up Miss 'Creation spells takes more control than Primal ones'. You would think with so much self-control, she would be able to wake up on time."
Greagoir sighed. "It's a little early for you to be griping. Either help or be on your way. Irving is downstairs seeing to last minute preparations with the ship's crew."
"Last minute preparations, my arse. Miss 'I just bought a few items' bullied him into obtaining crates for all her purchases and now he has to wake up the crew in the middle of the night to transport all of those boxes to The Ferelden II. It's a wonder Cedric didn't put his foot down. Then again, maybe Wynne just simpered at him like she always does when she wants to get her way with men." Ines muttered crossly as her good mood for the morning evaporated at Greagoir's irate tone. Damn that Creation bitch!
"Why don't you just break in?" she suggested not too kindly.
"What if she is undressed or in the middle of her morning preparations?" Greagoir flushed.
Exasperated, Ines retorted. "You do the breaking in and I'll do the actual going in. How's that? You don't want Irving breathing down your neck again so early in the morning."
Nodding his agreement, Greagoir braced himself and bashed his shoulder into the paper thin door. It gave way immediately. "You will take care of her, won't you?" He asked, turning away before hearing Ines' answer. "I need to check that all my men are ready to go. We don't want to leave anything here that we may need on the trip back."
"Oh… Don't you worry. I'll take good care of her." Ines grinned to herself as she treaded softly into Wynne's room. Wynne was lying on her stomach, her face turned towards the door on a pillow with her blond hair spread in disarray all around. Ines had never understood Wynne's penchant for long hair. Then again, maybe she never had to go through beating out flames from her hair. Ines had. Several times during her apprenticeship and sometimes, even now, after she imbibed enough wine. That is neither here nor there. I have to wake her now.
"Wynne, wake up." Ines shook her fellow enchanter. Well. Not exactly fellow, she is five years older than me. Although she would kill me before she allows that to be known. "Wake up!"
Muttering, Wynne just slapped her hands away, turned and continued sleeping. Looking down at Neria, she sighed and questioned. "I don't suppose you have any bright ideas on how to wake the lazy bones up?"
Suddenly, the temperature of the room lowered dramatically. A light frost began to hover over Wynne, solidifying into an ice block. Immediately, blue flames engulfed the ice block and the melted water drenched the sleeping mage. Before Wynne could even sputter in outrage, a small lightning bolt flashed and touched the wet bed sheets. Wynne literally jolted awake, the tips of her hair looking slightly singed. "Ines! What did you do?" she screamed.
Holding her sides, as she doubled over in laughter, Ines helplessly sought to explain herself but each time she looked up and took in Wynne's singed hair, she collapsed again. Tears started rolling down her face as she finally straightened, steadying herself against the side table.
"So glad to see that you ladies are enjoying yourself in this early morning." A caustic tone floated through the door. "But we really should be going if we wish to leave this morning." Irving leaned on the door frame raising an eye brow at Wynne's dishevelled appearance and sighed. "Wynne, that means you."
"Irving! She dumped water on me and then shocked me!" Wynne spluttered indignantly. "Of all the uncultured, ill mannered, in bred… ARGH!" Her ranting broke off when a little fist rose out of the bundle and a lightning bolt shot up her arse.
"Now you stop that this instance, young lady." Ines stifled her laughter and mock chastised Neria. "You don't want her to have an excuse to be later then she already is."
Blinking furiously, Wynne rose as dignifiedly as she could from the bed only to trip on a puddle of water that had pooled at the foot of the bed.
Groaning piteously, she shot Ines a furious glare but wisely held her peace. Ines chuckled all the way out of the door, down the corridor and down the stairs.
Irving hid his laughter as best he could behind a long hacking cough. It was not enough.
"Want me to look at that cough for you?" Wynne uttered testily.
"No, no, it's fine. I'll just take one of Ines' potions later." Irving hurriedly followed Ines downstairs but had to give in to his laughter halfway down the corridor.
By some miracle, they were all ready to go and there was still time left for a quick breakfast. Irving blessed the Maker for the small mercy and was immediately proven wrong when Bran hurried in from the stables where he had been tasked to secure the halla for transportation on to the ship.
"Alfonso is here!" Irving groaned. He could not fathom any reason for the First Enchanter of the Antivan Circle of Magi to come this early in the morning for a visit but he would not give the Antivan any ammunition. "Greagoir, take Wynne and Neria on to the ship through the back door now!"
"Why me? Why can't Ines go?" Wynne protested even as Ines carefully laid Neria in her arms. "Oof! She's so heavy! Ow!"
A lightning bolt appeared out of nowhere and shot up Wynne's arse again.
That would never get old. Ines chuckled to herself and pushed Wynne out the door. "I'm not the one prone to sea sickness and Irving will probably use that as an excuse to justify your absence. Neria, please, no more magic until we're well under way. These people can differentiate magic like wine connoisseurs can differentiate wines. Now go, for Maker's sake! You really should lie down before the ship sails, Wynne. I don't fancy being downwind of you otherwise."
Alfonso strutted into the tavern just as Ines slammed the back door in Wynne's face. Turning around, she schooled her features into a courteous smile though chuckles quickly smothered by coughing could be heard from the templars who had not accompanied them to the College. He was dressed in the most flamboyant of robes, the red velvet chased with gold and silver embroidery alone would have screamed opulent. Some clueless tailor had to add on emeralds as buttons and small peacock feathers that fanned out from the sides of his gloves and knee high boots. A large egg sized emerald embedded into a golden belt buckle completed the picture of decadence.
The first time that the Ferelden delegation had met him, only Wynne failed to see the absurdness of his dressing and enthused in praises over it. Irving, Greagoir, Hadley and Bran had been stunned speechless by the ensemble while Ines rolled her eyes and almost offered to set the tailor on fire for him.
Only with great restrain did she manage to compose her features into unaffected politeness after she was told that it had been made specifically to Alfonso's design for the College of Magi this year and he had been greatly pleased with the results.
The gold, silver and emeralds on the robes could probably feed that little scamp, Zevran, wasn't it, for years. Damn the waste! The thought caused Ines' right eye to twitch uncomfortably as she fought not to frown.
By contrast, the templar accompanying him, Edoardo, if Ines recalled correctly, just wore his weathered plate armour, so synonymous with the templar order. Although worn with age, anyone could see the great care taken to keep it dent and rust free. It was shined so well that it could have been used as a mirror. Now that is efficient use of resources. Ines commended on the templar's thriftiness internally.
"Buon giorno! Pensavo che tutti voi state andando a soggiornare per una settimana più per visitare la nostra bella città. Che cosa è questo che sento di te lasciando all'alba di oggi?" Alfonso looked at Ines patiently, waiting for her to translate his greeting.
"He wants to know why we are leaving today when we had mentioned we would only be leaving in a week." Ines loosely translated, stifling a yawn as her stomach struggled to digest the breakfast she had taken. Given the early hour, perhaps it had not been her best idea to eat her usual ham and eggs with toasted bread, washed down with milk and the heavenly orange juice only found in Antiva. However, she would be damned if she did not eat and drink well at her last meal in Antiva. Maker knows when and what they would have to eat on the ship?
"Tell him that matters concerning the Ferelden Circle of Magi have come up and we are needed back post-haste." Irving offered a polite smile to Alfonso. "Let's hope, he buys that."
"Ci scusiamo ma materie riguardanti il nostro cerchio sono sorte e abbiamo bisogno di lasciare immediatamente" Ines stated with a polite smile.
"Ah! Allora sapete di cosa è successo a Primo Enchanter Remille. Non pensavo che la notizia sarebbe arrivare così in fretta. Avete ottenuto una nota da un uccello?" He raised an eyebrow at Ines, motioning for her to translate his question.
"Se non si aspettano da noi saperlo così presto, come hai fatto venire in avere queste informazioni?" Ines narrowed her eyes at the Antivan suspiciously.
"Buona donna, si dimentica. La bella città di Antiva ha uccelli nero abbondante, di cui io stesso ho una cella. Essi sono molto bravi a in grado di raccogliere nessuna informazione." Alfonso smiled chillingly. "Essi sono essenziali come l'aria per noi. Saremmo perduti senza di loro."
"Cornacchie?" Ines asked curiously, having always heard about the infamous Antivan Crows but had not noticed any in her time here.
"Sì, mia buona signora." Alfonso answered smoothly. Irving looked fit to burst in curiosity on their exchange, stopping short of interrupting at the slight shake of Ines' head and her icy glare.
"Allora si dovrebbe essere ben consapevoli che non possiamo ritardare la nostra partenza più a ed era inutile venire qui a domanda ci su di esso." Ines retorted acerbically. "Addio, può il Maker di mantenere voi bene salute."
Ines turned resolutely towards the door and gestured for the others to follow her. "Per favore aiutatemi congratularmi con Irving e Greagoir sulla loro promozioni." Alfonso hollered just before she turned the corner.
Setting a brisk pace for the docks, she had barely counted to three before Irving caught up with her and seized her by the wrist. "What happened in there? Why did he mention First Enchanter Remille? Why are you hurrying?"
"Don't we have to sail out by first light?" Pointing to the horizon, she pulled him along. "We will barely make it as it is even if we hurry. Come, pick up your paces men. Halla, please follow quickly for Neria's sake." Softly, she added. "I'll let you know when we are on board. It wouldn't do to look too surprised. Alfonso had spies all around."
"Spies? Aren't you being a little paranoid?" Irving gazed at her in askance, though he picked up his pace to match hers.
The group raced to the docks at near breakneck speed, reaching about half an hour before dawn's first light. The crew was astounded by the calmness radiating from the halla, which did not make any fuss at all, gracefully following Ines up the gangplank. Cedric eyed the halla sceptically before sighing unenthusiastically after Ines' icy stare. He wondered sometimes how eyes with such a warm colour could look so cold.
Cedric heaved a great sigh of relief after all passengers were safely on board and ordered his crew to cast off immediately. The crew busied themselves readying the vessel to meet the first tide while deck hands stowed away any remaining cargo in the way. Wynne who had been standing on the port side, looking out at the sea, was already starting to look a little green. "Here, take her, while I go have a lie in." Thrusting Neria into her arms, she swept away without any care of whether Ines had a firm grip of the baby.
Ines carefully cradled Neria while she watched the crew set the riggings and the sails fill up just enough to get them moving. Walking towards the ship's captain who was still busy barking orders at his crew, Ines asked quietly "I hope you did not take on any new Antivan crew?"
Choking back a laugh, Cedric turned to face her but his amusement died faced with her seriousness. "Maker, no. They can't fight to save their lives except for those Crows they are so proud of. I'm not letting any assassin on my ship."
"Good." Ines smiled her first genuine smile since stepping out of the tavern this morning and waved Greagoir and Irving over. "We need to talk. Let's go down to my cabin. Wynne needs to hear this too."
Rolling on the balls of her feet to keep her balance, Ines hurriedly vaulted down the stairway and nearly ran to her cabin. Wynne had laid down with her back to the door. Turning, she muttered queasily, "I need to rest, if you need to have a discussion, please take it somewhere else."
Ines placed Neria on her bed and moved to where her pack rested on the floor. Rummaging through it, she drew out a small potion bottle filled with a thick, dark brown liquid. "Here, drink this. You will feel better in no time." Ines tossed the bottle to Wynne.
"Oof…" It crashed into Wynne's nose. A small trace of blood trailed down her philtrum. "You did that on purpose!"
"Oh shut up and drink the potion. I have important news." Ines declared resolutely, her tone brooking no arguments.
Wynne flinched at her tone and obediently quaffed the potion. Her face immediately turned red and she wheezed, running to the table to pour herself a cup of water and downed it in one big swallow.
"Too much ginger? I guess I'll have to work out the proportions more accurately next time." Ines mused while smirking at Wynne's antics. Wynne could not speak but pointed a trembling finger at Ines in warning. "Well, at least you don't look so green around the gills anymore." Turning to Irving and Greagoir, she smiled a sardonic smile and intoned formally. "Congratulations on making First Enchanter and Knight-Commander."
Stunned silence followed her announcement. The crash of a potion bottle from Wynne's slack fingers roused the men.
"Was that what Alfonso…" Irving began.
"What in the Maker's name are you…" Greagoir roared.
"What about Remille…" Wynne asked piteously. The world was literally turned on its side for her. The Chantry frowned on marriage between mages. Unless both parties were content to stay within the Circle for the rest of their lives, the Chantry did not sanction marriages with mages. Irving and Wynne had been in love and had wanted to marry even if it meant spending the rest of their lives within the Circle. It would not have been difficult if they could be together. However, the First Enchanters were not allowed marriage as it was deemed to skew their ability to be objective. So now that option is closed to them.
"If what I deduce from Alfonso's 'greeting' to us this morning is correct, First Enchanter Remille should be dead and so is Knight-Commander Conand. When I mentioned that we had urgent business to attend to in Ferelden, he immediately assumed that we knew there was trouble at the Circle. I did not disabuse him of this misconception. We will need to hurry back. If First Enchanter Remille is dead, Irving will be the logical choice for First Enchanter and if Knight-Commander Conand is dead, then Greagoir would be the first choice to replace him." Ines stated in a flat tone. She could not, no would not, meet Greagoir's eyes. Knight-Commanders were required to take a vow of celibacy if they had not taken them before. This removed them from temptations according to Chantry hyperbole. Ines refused to consider what this meant for Greagoir and her. "We will have to prepare for the worst that could happen when we arrive back at the Kinloch Hold."
"There has to be some other way." Wynne wailed despairingly.
"We can hope that they are not dead." Ines stated as calmly as she could even as she wanted to give in to despair like Wynne had. Smiling drily, she propounded "Maybe the Crows were wrong this time and we would all have been worried for nothing."
Translations
Buon giorno! Pensavo che tutti voi state andando a soggiornare per una settimana più per visitare la nostra bella città. Che cosa è questo che sento di te lasciando all'alba di oggi? – Good morning! I thought all of you were going to stay for a week more to tour our fair city. What is this I hear of you leaving at dawn today?
Ci scusiamo ma materie riguardanti il nostro cerchio sono sorte e abbiamo bisogno di lasciare immediatamente. – We apologize but matters relating to our circle have arisen and we need to leave immediately.
Ah! Allora sapete di cosa è successo a Primo Enchanter Remille. Non pensavo che la notizia sarebbe arrivare così in fretta. Avete ottenuto una nota da un uccello? – Ah! Then you know what happened to First Enchanter Remille. I did not think the news would come so quickly. You got a note from a bird?
Se non si aspettano da noi saperlo così presto, come hai fatto venire in avere queste informazioni? – If you do not expect us to know so early, how did you come to have this information?
Buona donna, si dimentica. La bella città di Antiva ha uccelli nero abbondante, di cui io stesso ho una cella. Essi sono molto bravi a in grado di raccogliere nessuna informazione. – Good lady, you forget. The beautiful city of Antiva has plenty of black birds, of which I myself have a cell. They are very good at gathering any information.
Essi sono essenziali come l'aria per noi. Saremmo perduti senza di loro. – They are essential as the air for us. We'd be lost without them.
Cornacchie – Crows
Sì, mia buona signora. – Yes, my good lady.
Allora si dovrebbe essere ben consapevoli che non possiamo ritardare la nostra partenza più a ed era inutile venire qui a domanda ci su di esso. – Then you should be aware that we cannot further delay our departure and it was useless to come here to question us about it.
Addio, può il Maker di mantenere voi bene salute. – Farewell, may the Maker keep you in good health.
Per favore aiutatemi congratularmi con Irving e Greagoir sulla loro promozioni. – Please help me congratulate Irving and Greagoir on their promotions.
Author's Notes
I don't speak Antivan (Italian) so please pardon me if the words or translations are wrong.
I would like to thank all the silent readers of this story. A special shout out to pwny5153 and Sandrial Tsubasa for adding my story to your favourites and Nocterayne for putting me on your alert.
I would also appreciate any reviews (either good or bad would not matter but please be constructive). Thanks in advance.
