Chapter 04
Circle of Magi, Lake Calenhad
Marian
It is midday and after three days of travelling, I am standing on the shore of Lake Calenhad gazing up at the Circle Tower in the middle of the lake. It looks ominous and I look uncertainly at my Father.
"I see why no one can escape," I comment and he laughs.
"It doesn't mean they haven't tried, Mari. Even when I was in the Circle, there were those who attempted to escape, but to my knowledge no one has been successful," he explains and I look across the lake again. I suddenly feel anxious and I reach for his hand.
"Do I really have to spend two years in there?" I ask.
"Well, it is the best place for you to learn how to appreciate your gift, Marian. I have tried, but you are defiant and you like to show off and it is not attractive. Most people already fear us. You should realise that you are only making things worse for yourself. What happens if you harm someone?" he asks and I look at my feet.
"I...I am sorry, Father," I whisper.
"Look, I know you are finding things difficult at the moment, but look on the bright side – you will be with people who are like you and you will probably make a lot of new friends, so it is not all bad," he explains.
"Mmm...It is only two years, I guess," I comment and he ruffles my hair.
"That's my girl," he teases and I feel a bit better. "That is better, Marian and look our boat has arrived to take us across the lake," he informs me and I turn around. A lone templar is just landing at the docks.
"Who is he?" I ask and my Father shakes his head.
"I don't know, but come along. Grab your bag and let us go. The sooner you are settled, the better I will feel and you look tired," he says.
"I am tired. It has been a long journey," I murmur as I give my bag to the templar. He does not appear that friendly and this only increases my anxiety.
"Are you ready Marian?" my Father asks as he waits for me to get onto the boat. I tentatively put my foot into the boat and it starts rocking, but the templar grabs my hand and he gently pulls me onto the boat.
"I hope you don't get motion sickness," he teases and I smile at him.
"I hope so as well," I say. I wait for my Father to join me and when he climbs in, the boat rocks wildly and I nearly lose my balance.
"I've got you, Mari," he says softly as he embraces me and for the first time since we started on this journey, I start crying. "Marian, it will be alright, trust me. I have been down this road before," he whispers.
"But you are free and I am going to be living there for the next two years," I point out and he pulls away from me.
"You will be fine, I promise," he says quietly as he gently wipes away my tears.
Malcolm
Marian becomes quieter and quieter the closer we come to the Circle Tower. She is also pale. As I watch she leans over the side of the small boat and vomits. After she finishes, she snuggles into me, but it is not long when she vomits again.
"Marian," I murmur as I massage her back. "You aren't used to being on a boat," I state and she looks at me with a slight smile.
"That is an understatement, Father," she says softly. She leans over the boat again, but nothing comes. "I...I think that is it for now," she informs me. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and she snuggles into me.
"Try to relax, we don't have far to go," I murmur.
"I will try," she whispers. When I look again, her eyes are closed.
"Sleep if you must," I murmur and she opens her eyes.
"How can I? I am excited, anxious and a bit apprehensive," she says and I laugh.
"That is quite understandable, but I think you will be fine," I reassure her.
"I know I will be," she says.
"That's my girl," I tease and we lapse into companionable silence. The Templar keeps on shooting questioning glances at me and I sigh.
"Yes, I am mage if you must know," I say in irritation.
"How is you are not part of the Circle?" he enquires.
"I was once, but that was many years ago. I have been living free for years," I explain.
"But-" he says.
"Irving and Greagoir are aware of it and I don't think I am causing anyone harm," I state and he looks away from me.
"What is your name?" I ask him.
"Carroll, Ser," he replies.
"And you do not like mages?" I ask.
"The Chant teaches us that mages are dangerous and that they should live in the Circle Towers across Thedas," he replies.
"I don't care what the Chant teaches us, all I am doing is trying to provide for my family and I am not doing anyone any harm," I say a bit too defensively and she becomes alarmed.
"It is alright, sweetie," I reassure her.
"It is not that, Ser. I do not know what to believe. I've been watching you and you look like a man who is very concerned about his daughter," he explains.
"I am concerned about her, but that is hardly your business," I say abruptly and he looks away from me again.
"What did she do, Ser?" he asks.
"That is our business, not yours and I don't have to explain myself to you," I point out and he looks surprised.
"I am sorry. It is not my intention to pry. It is so seldom a parent willingly brings their child to the Circle," he explains.
I look out across the Lake and I sigh. Marian's arms are wrapped tightly around me and I give her a reassuring squeeze.
"We are nearly there," I murmur and she follows my gaze.
"I cannot wait to get onto dry land," she says and I laugh softly.
"Not too long now," I inform her as the boat comes to a jerky stop. Marian scrambles off and she waits for me to get off. Carroll takes her bag and gives it to her. She hoists it onto her shoulder and she starts walking up the path leading to the doors of the Circle.
"She is so eager, Ser," Carroll states.
"I know and thank you. We can find our way from here," I say as we shake hands.
"It is a pleasure meeting you, Ser and whatever troubles you have with your daughter, I hope they come right. She seems like a good lass," he says softly and I am taken by surprise.
"She is going through a difficult time and I hope she will find herself," I explain.
"Goodbye Ser, I have to go back to the inn across the Lake just in case others want to cross," he informs me.
"Goodbye Carroll and thank you," I say.
Marian
I wait for my father to join me while I stare at the wooden doors. I am feeling apprehensive again because it feels so threatening and it is making me feel uncertain. I backtrack the way I came and I reach for his hand. I need his reassurance and he gives it to me.
As we return to the doors, they swing open and a man - not much older than my father - steps out holding his hand towards my father. He is very grey in comparison but he has a kind face. There is a certain quietness about him and I relax completely.
"Irving," my father greets him.
"It has been years, Malcolm and you look so well," he greets him. They shake hands and then they embrace each other.
"You haven't changed a bit, Irving," he says and Irving smiles.
"You haven't changed that much either," he teases.
I take in my surroundings and unlike my first impression, this place feels comfortable. It feels as if I have finally come home. There are templars guarding the doors leading outside and there are Templars standing by another door that can only lead to the dorms by the noise I am hearing.
I notice a man come in and he is also my father's age. He catches my eye and he comes towards me. His face is friendly, but stern and I warily hold out my hand.
"Our new apprentice. You must be Marian Hawke," he says as he gives my hand a firm shake.
"Who...Who are you?" I ask and his grey eyes twinkle in amusement.
"Surely your Father must have mentioned me?" he asks and I suddenly realise who it is.
"You must be Greagoir," I say.
"Knight-Commander Greagoir to you, lass," he says and I drop my gaze.
"I am sorry. I did not mean to be disrespectful," I murmur and he laughs.
"Don't worry about it, lass," he says.
"Greagoir, you look as stern as ever," my father greets him.
"It is good to see you to, Malcolm. How many years has it been and why are you bringing your daughter here?" he enquires.
"It is in her best interests that I have brought her here, but she is not going to stay permanently. She will be here for two years and I hope that within those two years, she will find herself," he explains.
"Irving you allowed this?" he enquires.
"If I recall, I owe him a favour and now I am returning it. She will be here for two years, no longer than that," he explains.
"Of course. I am merely asking," he says.
"Well, I think we should go the Great Hall so you can meet the other mentors, Marian and I have arranged for one of our senior mages to look after you," he explains.
"Yes Ser," I murmur.