Aaaaaaand I'm back!
This chapter was written in a bit of a hurry, and I haven't managed to find the time to proof-read it, so I apologise for any glaring mistakes in advance.
But first of all! A little thank you to the two lovelies who took the time to post a review of the last chapter each: Marika Haliwell and macramaegoldstar. I give you cookies, muffins and cakes! All the good stuff! Thank you so much for your insights. It means sooooo much to hear (well read) that you enjoy reading this creation of mine. I can't really express how much. But the feeling is awesome. XD
Right. On with the story...
The Dormitory Mica slept in before his Harrowing, was slightly larger and more populated than Isra's old one was. Even so, it was almost deserted by the time she arrived there during lunch time, which was exactly how she needed it to be, if she were to get away with what she was planning.
She had no idea who or what this Tiny was, but the best and the most simple place to start was finding Mica's bed and see what's behind it. The only miniscule problem she currently faced, if one severely understated the issue, was the fact of which bed it was. Mica just passed his Harrowing before the whole debacle with Jowan, so he was probably moved into a new dormitory. Which meant…a new bed, of which location she was completely unaware. And she couldn't just go around asking about its location, without arising any sort interest. And that was the last thing she wanted, at least until she knew what she was dealing with, or had no other choice.
She didn't know who her supposed allies were, or what was their exact intention and until she did, she preferred to find the solution the old way. By herself. It was safer that way.
Not to mention the tiny little fact of the lack of Mica's stuff near his bed. "Maker's hairy ass." Isra cursed under her breath as she stared down at the empty mattress. They took all his stuff away.
"I was wondering when you'd show up."
Isra stifled a scream at the quiet little voice coming down from behind her. She slowly turned around to find a skinny, little elf lying on the top bunk behind her. "Leo! You lit… bastard!" She took a deep breath trying to calm her racing heart. "Don't you ever do that again!"
"Sorry." Leo replied with a smile that stated the exact opposite. "Mica mentioned you might show up."
"Mica? How…" Isra paused for a second, narrowing her eyes. "Of course. You're tiny."
"What?"
"Nothing." Isra murmured quickly, shrugging it off. Leo was always very touchy on the subject of his stature and to point it out was usually a guarantee to end up with a nasty surprise in one form or the other the next day. He was a notorious prankster and the meanest little person she'd ever met in her life.
The same age as her, they arrived at the Tower at the same time, but here was were all similarities between them ended. He was snarky, slightly choleric and annoying as a nose itch you can't scratch with his endless arguments on the superiority of elves, lost elven culture and the overall depravity of humans. Comparing them to Darkspawn on his nice, more …generous days.
The fact that he was a city elf was a minor detail in his quest to embody the elven ideal, or whatever he thought that ideal was. Consequently, he never really liked or interacted with human Apprentices all that much, Isra being no exception even though she was friends with Mica. A Dalish-born mage.
For his part, Mica found his enthusiasm 'amusing' or as he once put it "fascinatingly off-putting, yet somehow very funny." Though Isra knew the 'funny' part of his comment related mostly to Leo's comical appearance and his …feisty character. To put it plainly, Leo was not the most graceful or beautiful among the elves in the Circle…If anything, he was the exact opposite of Mica.
"It was not important anyway. Tell me everything you know. How did you know I'll get here, why … you off all people and what in the Maker's name is going on?" Isra added sending him a direct stare, promising him bodily harm if he didn't cooperate and answer her questions.
Leo narrowed his eyes returning her gaze with one of its own, mirroring its intensity. "Nothing. Right."
Isra calmly endured this small starring contest, increasing the intensity of her own stare. "Listen. You tiny, little twit. Yes. I said tiny. I don't have the time, will, nor patience to endure any of your usual tirades about height, your glorious elfy-ness or the stupidity of humans. Mica told me to come to you. I did. Now. Talk."
Leo's mouth twitched a little, but there was no outburst. "All this for Silani?"
"...in part."
"In part?"
"Is Mica all right?" Isra managed to slip through clenched teeth. Another one of this time-wasting questions and she would punch him in the face. Why on Thedas did Mica think to turn to this clown, instead of her?
Leo sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "Honestly? I don't know. I haven't seen him since he tried to escape."
"Then…how. Or why… "
"Let me make things easier for you." He said curtly, interrupting her as he jumped down from the bed. "Mica liked you. Silani liked you. And you almost got yourself killed for trying to sort this mess out. So even if I don't particularly like you, I'm willing to tolerate and help you. And also because Mica asked me to."
"Of course." Isra added dryly. "Don't worry. I'm not about to send you a gift basket for Satinalia either."
"Well… You might change your mind." Leo replied with a lopsided smile.
"Will I? Colour me intrigued."
"Come."
Isra watched the little elf walk away with fascination. If anyone had told her even this morning, that she would be communicating with this annoying little bastard in any shape or form none the less follow him about…she'd probably pissed herself from laughing so hard. Why Mica? Why? She thought to herself, letting out a breath of frustration as she started to follow in Leo's footsteps.
"Where are we going?"
"Someplace where we can talk. Obviously." He replied over his shoulder, sending her an exasperated look.
"Is that so?" Isra replied acerbically. "A washing closet wouldn't be my first choice."
"That's why the Templars want to kill you." Leo retorted, entering one of the private partitions.
Isra hesitated for a brief moment cursing her fate in all the ways she could imagine. Taking a deep breath she followed her little guide inside.
It was the last partition where Apprentices collected their dirty clothes in a giant stinky, sodden heap on the floor, which gave off a fairly distinct aroma. An aroma that if nothing else, guaranteed them the privacy they needed. If they survived the experience that is, Isra thought as she suppressed a gag reflex at the stench.
"We won't be interrupted here."
"I think I'm going to faint." Isra managed to mumble as she stuck her nose under the collar of her own robes as much as she could. The stupid corset was making matters worse in every way imaginable. "Tell me what you know and be quick about it."
Leo answered her with a nasty smile, but complied without objections. "First of all. You'll find the letters in the Compendium on herbal remedies for fungi inflictions. It's in the small library on third floor. Near Knight-Commander's quarters. Second bookshelf on the left. Third row. I think it was written by Comod Dunworth, or something like that. A giant book. You can't miss it."
"Are you kidding me? Fungi inflictions?"
Leo's smile widened. It was apparent the little bastard was enjoying this. "You better hurry too. The Templars have quite a lot of those problems I hear. All that exercise and stuffy armour…That book is certainly in demand."
"You…!" Isra fumed as she searched for the right word. "Dumb little lunatic! They could be found! You've got to be the stupidest creature alive! Which hare-brained idea led Mica to believe he could trust you!? Why?" she quickly closed her mouth, as the stench threatened to overwhelm her.
"And as for the rest of the information." He continued, ignoring her outburst. "I know who's behind this."
"What?" Isra forgot to breathe for a few moments as the words sink in. "How? You better tell me everything right now or I swear… And start at the beginning."
Leo's smile disappeared as his manner turned sombre in an instant. Isra had never seen him so serious. The effect frightened her a little.
"We don't have time, so I'll only give you the short version. I…when Silani was turned tranquil. Well, it pissed me off. She was one of the best in our generation. Better than you, certainly."
"She was."
"I. What?" Leo blinked in confusion.
"I am not disputing that statement. She was better than me. What? You expected I'd be insulted? By what? I know I'm not the best there is or was. Far from it. So, carry on with your story. You can insult me later. After we get out."
Leo paused a moment later and then continued at a faster pace. "So, after I heard of your incident and the rumours about foul play in regards to reasons behind Silani's tranquillity started circulating... I reached out to Mica. I was …aware of certain goings-on's in the Tower. I knew that a group of Templars were abusing elven apprentices." He took a quick breath, sending her a warning look, when she wanted to ask more about it. "Mica listened and slowly involved me into your little investigation. Which is how I know about this stuff. I was the one helping him behind the scenes. Asking questions, gathering any information I could. Information he passed down to you."
"But….you don't even like each other." Isra felt the feeling of betrayal creep up again inside her. It was highly possible Mica wanted to protect her as much as he could by leaving her out of it. But no rational argument could convince her bruised feelings. He was her best friend. She trusted him with everything. What else was he hiding from her?
"Well…we still don't. But we had a common goal. And the fact that our dislike for each other was so widely known, came as a welcome distraction tactic. Especially after the Templars confiscated all his stuff. Why he helped that stupid human was beyond me…"
"I agree."
"I guess this is the first time we agree on anything then. And on two accounts even. I certainly didn't picture this outcome when I woke up this morning."
"Neither did I. I assure you." Isra commented dryly, pressing the hem of her robe closer to her nose. Nothing made the stench of unwashed clothes of pubescent apprentices bearable, not even the surprising revelations.
"So here I am with all the information you need. We've managed to piece together the evidence from our brief conversations with the victims who were villing to talk. Mind you, there were only two. The rest of them are either tranquil, or won't talk."
"How many are there?" Isra asked quietly, hugging herself closer. She wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer.
"We don't know the exact numbers. The tranquils remain silent and the rest won't talk. But it has been going on for some time now. That much we're sure of."
"How can you be sure?"
"For one thing, the bastard leading the group is quite old and well versed in avoiding notice."
"Do you know who it is?" She felt her heart starting to beat faster.
"I said I did at the beginning, didn't I?" Leo answered, annoyance seeping in his voice. "From the short descriptions, of when and where these occurrences happened and brief descriptions – which were lacking in detail due to the fact that bastards wore helmets at all times and never talked amongst themselves, while they were at it…"
"I expected as much. How do you know who it is then?"
"The ring leader is Ser Gregory."
Isra stood with her mouth gaping, stench completely forgotten. "Ser Gregory? MacTavish?"
Leo nodded quietly.
"Oh you've got to be kidding me. You little shit dragged me in here, in this… stench filled cess-pit only to mess around with me? You frigging little…" Isra kicked him in the shin, and turned on her heel to leave, but he was faster and he pulled her back in.
"I'm serious." Leo whispered in a pained tone. "Listen. I know it's hard to believe…."
"You've got that right." Isra added still fuming at the fact that as small as he was, he was still stronger than her and she was unable to extract herself from his grip.
Ser Gregory was one of the oldest, kindest Templars that still served in the Tower. Not only that. He should've been retired ages ago as lyrium was already starting to take its toll on his mind, but Gregoir still kept him around probably out of sentiment.
Nowadays Ser Gregory spent most of his time in the circle's Chantry praying and walking in the gardens, if the joints didn't give him too much trouble.
Not only that. He was the leader of the group of Templars who brought her in. Brought them in. Her and Leo. She remembered how his kinedness helped her overcome the fear of what would happen to her in the Circle. The fear of herself and her new-found powers.
"But… we've got proof."
"Oh?"
Leo let her go and went over to a small corner of the partition. Isra heard a couple of scraping sounds before he returned and offered her a small metal object. "See for yourself."
Isra took what appeared to be a ring and froze in place. It was the ring only higher officers in the Templar order received. The personal signet ring. "Where…h-how did you get this?" The inscription on the ring was clear as day. Ser Gregory MacTavish. Knight-Lieutenant.
"Silani gave it to us. Well. To Mica to be precise."
"What?" Isra's attention was back in focus.
"I understand she left him a package of her possessions after her…well…decision. He said he found the ring among them and almost thought of returning it back, but never got around to it. And then after our talks with the two victims…Well, he sort of fits the description."
"Sort of?" Isra felt all the blood rush out from her head. A part of her was still unwilling to comprehend what was going on.
"Well, he wasn't… infirm for one thing." Leo replied, his voice dripping with acid.
"Did Mica found anything else? Anything on how Silani got the ring in the first place? Did she write anything? Anything at all? He could've just lost it and she found it and intended to give it back to him…"
Leo shook his head. "No. We looked. Believe me, we looked."
"Well it's quite a leap of logic, to find this ring and assume it is in any way shape or form connected to the …abuse."
"Silani left you a pendant from another Templar, no? You thing she collected this stuff like a magpie?"
"No. But. You said you concluded this was it after you learned of when and where the events happened?"
"Yes. It was Ser Nickles' turf. Ser Gregory's protégé's."
"Aha. Right. It's still quite the leap."
"That's why Mica wanted you to know this. You can review our theory. He also left you Silani's package at… the Cove?"
Isra nodded quickly, starting to feel a sense of urgency. She needed to get there. Perhaps the answers were there. "Anything else?"
"No. That's pretty much it." Leo replied, crossing his hands over his chest. "Just one more thing though. You're not cutting me out of your investigation."
"Why? Do you want to die? I'm already risking my neck out there and I don't need you tripping me up along the way."
"I am already involved. And I gave you all the new information. I helped with the investigation. I'm staying."
"Fine. I'm not arguing about this now. We've wasted enough time as it is." She added under her breath as she pushed the door to the partition open.
"So, what's the plan?" Leo asked, following her like a gnat.
"I am going to pick up those letters. And then…well. I have other work to do."
"And me?"
"You…." Isra stopped and turned around, causing him to nearly crash into her. He jumped away as if she carried the Blight. "I forgot to ask. Did you leave me the message from Mica?"
"No."
"Then who did? And how did you know I would come?"
"I don't know who did. Mica said he would find a way if need be, and apparently he has. He told me everything a couple of hours before he went off with that stupid human. He said I was to give you the information, the ring and hide the letters, if he was somewhat…indisposed. And to expect you to come by as soon as you could manage. So I waited for them to release you and then you passed your Harrowing and well…here you are. The very next day. Just like he said you would."
"Well. Thank you…I guess."
"I'm not doing this for you, you know."
"I'd be shocked if you were. And I've had my fill of shocks for one day." Isra murmured to herself and started walking. "You know what you can do though? Get me the information of who's on patrol tonight on this level."
"Why?"
"Just do it all right? It's better you don't know why." And it's much better if the location of the Cove remains secret, Isra added to herself. Apparently she'd have a busy night.
"Fine." Leo replied, clearly dissatisfied with the answer.
"Good. See you before dinner time then. I'll be in the upper library."
"See you then."
Isra sighed dejectedly as she left the dormitory. This will be a long day. A very long day.