Chapter 4: Four Blood Mages Including Me

As we strolled through Hightown, I began to notice a lot of changes. Where Hightown used to be clean and relatively in good shape, it now changed to something else entirely. There was blood everywhere. Dried pools of blood splotched the ground and speckled the walls. I asked Elthina, "What happened?"

She gave a tired sigh, "Since the Circle was burned down, many mages were killed. Some were blood mages and others, I'm sure were actually innocent. Everything in Kirkwall is getting out of control. I have been told by many of the Andrasteans who come to the Chantry that food is scarce and crime is everywhere. Many cities have refused trade. We're very much isolated."

I told her, "Starkhaven was in very poor condition when we arrived but this… this is much worse."

She replied, "From what I hear, Starkhaven is doing very well under Prince Sebastian and his counsel."

I shrugged, "We made many changes and most of them have been for the better. We need that change here."

Elthina paused outside the doors of the Keep. She told me, "I hope this goes well. Otherwise, Kirkwall will be in much trouble." It was a little cryptic but I filed it away for later questioning.

Viscount's Keep was, for a lack of better words, a complete disaster zone. Mages huddled in groups, sitting in rows under the watchful eye of Templars. What I saw made fury rise to my head. The Templars were positively abusive! If a mage even so much as walked two steps from where they were previously, a Templar would hold up their swords and demand to know where the mage thought they would heading off to.

When a Templar caught sight of me with Elthina, he had yelled, "Blood mage!"

Six swords were brandished at my throat and Elthina was shoved away from me by a guard. Things had evidently taken a turn for the worse in terms of the dynamics between Templar and mage. I protested, "I am no blood mage!" but it fell upon deaf ears. The will to fight came strong. I felt a little like myself again and sending a strong mind blast, the Templars fell upon their haunches.

Many of the Templars roared in hatred eager for a fight and I was more than happy to comply. It was probably foolish but I brandished my staff, ice and fire forming at my fingertips. Meredith's voice rang clear from the top of the stairs, "That is enough! Mage! You will –"

She realized who I was. Her eyes became cynical, nasty, calculated but she attempted civility, "Stand down, Templars. That is the Champion of Kirkwall you attack." She took slow steps walking towards me, her eyes icy and cold. "So the Champion of Kirkwall arrives. You have come to turn yourself in after all this time, have you? I fear your attempts at abiding the laws I have handed down come in a little too late, apostate."

My grip tightened around my staff and I felt the mana within me flare. Elthina stepped forward, "The Champion was in Starkhaven and has only recently returned. She was unaware of the laws and I can vouch for her sincerity in coming to the Keep today."

Meredith's eyes flickered towards Elthina, "And how do I know the apostate has not been using blood magic upon you, Your Grace?"

I told her, "I might be in Kirkwall now but I was a mage in the Starkhaven Circle. I have used no blood magic."

Meredith did not relent, "I have no proof that you were in Starkhaven. You could have been here all along. And if I do take your word that you were in the Circle then you have evidently, escaped."

I had laughed, a cruel and harsh sound that made the Templars flinch before telling her, "Knight-Commander, it seems you have been holed up in this Keep for too long. It is obvious you have absolutely no knowledge about the contributions I have made for Starkhaven and how the Circle works in that city. There are very many nobles who can vouch for my existence in Starkhaven court and in fact, I even have proof that I belong in the Starkhaven Circle."

Her lip curled in distaste. I understood an animal such as she. To be told that she was ignorant was unthinkable and to prove it? Oh, she was infuriated, I am sure. She snarled, "Proof?"

I smirked in smug satisfaction, "I do believe it was First Enchanter Orsino that wrote my name upon the registry of mages in Starkhaven. In fact, I do believe my name is the very first on that list."

I watched as hatred crossed her features. For me to rattle off the names that she knew well meant that I could not have been making things up – she could check at any time. She would know if I was lying. Yes, I was feeling like myself again. The heartache never abated but I had purpose. I would not allow Meredith to kill any more mages in the name of 'justice'.

She commanded, "You are still a mage and therefore, under my direct command. You will do everything I order you to do and if you do not bend to the will of Kirkwall's law, you will be charged with treason. Do you understand?"

I nodded, "Patently, Knight-Commander."

There was a look in her eye that had bile rising to my throat. She was planning something. Whatever it was, I was sure to hate it. She gestured, "We have much to discuss. Come to my office."

Elthina and I walked towards her office. It was the one that the Viscount once used. I sensed her plan immediately. She wanted to be Viscountess. Closing the door behind us, Meredith began her tirade, "I have laid down new laws in Kirkwall. All mages are to turn themselves in and stay in the Keep as per my direction." She threw a sheath of parchment at me that contained four names, one of which was my own. She ordered, "As you know, there was an incident at the Gallows. Many phylacteries were destroyed and many mages took the opportunity to escape. We've recovered most of the fugitives. However, I require your assistance in tracking down the last four," and then recovered without remorse, "three."

She spoke of mages as though they were no more than a piece of chattel, recoverable and disposable. I was also certain that she had made that slip of tongue deliberately. She wanted me to feel threatened.

I asked for the details, "I heard about the fire but how were the phylacteries destroyed?"

She frowned, "An insurrection. Several of my own Templars orchestrated the escape with blood mages and mercenaries, presumably out of sympathy for the mages. They turned their backs on their duty and endangered their charges as well as the city. Thankfully, most who escaped fled to their families and offered no resistance, for the most part. The last three are proving more… difficult."

I told her in a neutral tone, "I am surprised that you turn to me. We do not share similar thoughts and views."

Her voice was grating but I endured as she spoke, "I have asked you to track these fugitives so you might see for yourself what we Templars deal with everyday. If you can be led to see reason, you will support our cause. The citizens will follow the example of The Champion."

I shook my head, "Led to see reason? You think imprisoning mages and keeping them huddled in groups is somehow reason? I will not support your cause. Blood mages are dangerous, yes. And for Kirkwall, I will ascertain as to their whereabouts but do not feel for a second that I will ever support you. What you do here is not justifiable."

She ignored my words and ordered, "Talk to these mages' families, learn where they are hiding and find them before they do harm. You will see that imprisonment or death is sometimes the only kindness we can offer. If you believe they are worthy of our mercy after this task, tell me then. Speak to my assistant, Elsa. She can tell you whatever you need to know. I bid you good day, Champion."

Without another word, she left. I told Elthina, "Stay for a moment whilst I speak with Elsa. I wish to speak to you afterwards." She nodded in agreement.

A Tranquil greeted me. She was Elsa. A sunburst decorated her forehead and she spoke in a monotonous voice, without inflection. I felt nauseas as she spoke, "Good day, Champion of Kirkwall. Knight-Commander Meredith has informed me that you will be tracking down the apostates on behalf of the Templars. There are three of them: Humon, Emile and Evelina."

I asked her, "Why does Meredith have a Tranquil as an assistant?"

"The Knight-Commander believes Tranquil mages to be efficient and single-minded. I, in particular, am extremely organized."

"Are the apostates, blood mages?" I asked in query. I felt sick. This girl… she was young and pretty. She could have had a family. She could have had children. She could have had a life.

She answered me and what she said, chilled me to the core but offered me also a glimmer of hope. "The Knight-Commander suspects this, yes. She tends to assume all apostates practice blood magic. She prefers to err on the side of caution."

This was my chance. I had evidence of Meredith's injustice towards mages. Meredith would have to watch her back. Just as Sebastian tipped Goran off his chair, I would knock Meredith from her self-erected pedestal.

I asked Elsa about the three apostates. Huon was an elven mage with a wife, Nyssa, who worked in Lowtown and insisted she had not seen Huon since he was taken to the Circle. Templars found no sign of him hiding amongst the other elves in the alienage. Emile de Launcet was the fifth son of the Comte de Launcet. A noble family from Orlais who had lived in Kirkwall for over three decades and insisted they had not seen their son since he was taken to the Circle. Evelina was the one that had me frowning. She had openly killed Templars and had run into Darktown. With all the information acquired, I bid Elsa good day and left with Elthina for the Chantry.

Once there, I told her passionately, "I can not believe you have no attempted any action for the sake of Kirkwall. Mages, treated like animals! The Templars, abusing their authority! This would not have happened in Starkhaven."

She barely smiled, "You are in Starkhaven, no longer."

I narrowed my eyes, "So we should sit idly by and do nothing? We should pretend that Meredith's actions are justified? We should pretend that every mage is a dangerous apostate who practices blood magic?"

Elthina shook her head, "I am part of the Chantry. I can take no part in this conflict."

I nearly shouted, "Take no part! You supported Meredith in her ascension to the seat of Knight-Commander and now you wish to tell me you can play no part? Templars were a part of the Circle's destruction and the public has no knowledge of this. She is lying to the Kirkwall public."

Weakly, she sat down upon a chair and told me, "I suggested her because she was a good woman. She had Kirkwall's interests at heart."

I asked her in challenge, "And what of its people? If citizens are the Maker's children then what are mages? Are they not the Maker's children, too? You would allow a portion of your flock to suffer? Meredith is acting as Viscountess and she has no right to do so. Laying down laws? Charging people with crimes they didn't commit? She threatened me with treason!"

Elthina had no answers. Weary and exhausted, she simply nodded. She revealed, "There was a reason why I took you to Meredith in the hopes she would allow you to walk the streets of Kirkwall without obstacles. I need your help."

I frowned a little but listened. I had wished to question her before, hadn't I? She told me, "The Divine is concerned about the situation here. She does not want to see the Free Marches become another Imperium. She has sent an agent to… assess the danger. Meet with her, please. Tell her drastic measures won't be required."

I asked, "Wouldn't this end more quickly if the Divine got involved? Surely, drastic measures is exactly what we need."

Her tone became acidic, "Has Kirkwall not suffered enough? Should it be declared anathema and an enemy of the Chantry? Imagine Hightown's streets, filled not just with Meredith's Templars but all the forces the Divine can command."

I scoffed a little, "Kirkwall has indeed suffered enough though not just at the hands of Qunari. Kirkwall has suffered at the hands of Meredith and her Templars."

She told me bluntly, "You wish Her Grace to declare a holy war on Kirkwall."

I glared at the banister to avoid being rude, "No, I wish for Her Grace to understand what is happening in Kirkwall."

Elthina gestured with her hands saying, "A holy war would not be wise, Champion."

But an idea did spark in my head. A holy war wouldn't be wise but what if The Divine could be made to understand what was truly happening in Kirkwall? If Kirkwall was doomed anyway whether by Meredith or The Divine's forces, why not take the risk? Wouldn't it be possible to unseat Meredith and prevent The Divine's forces? If I could make Anders see reason over the proper balance of power between mage and Templar, surely I could do the same for The Divine and her agent?

I asked her in speculation, "Who is this agent?"

Elthina gestured again, "I was not told her real name, only to call her Sister Nightingale. She is said to be the Divine's left hand, sent to do work that might blacken the Divine's name."

"What argument would convince her?"

"The Divine has heard my protests already. I must trust your own powers of persuasion now."

I nodded, "I will meet with Sister Nightingale, Your Grace."

"The agent will be waiting in the Hanged Man at night. She wishes to remain… unseen and unknown."

Before I left, a thought came to my mind. Acting on my instincts, I said to Elthina, "There is something I must ask."

She inclined her head and I asked, "Even if you do not play an active role in this conflict between mage and Templar, you will not lie for either side, yes?"

Elthina was a little shocked that I would ask such as question. She nodded, "Of course. I would never lie."

I tilted my head and asked, "And should the situation arise where you are required to give testimony, you will tell nothing but the whole truth?"

There was a shrewd glint in her eye but she nodded anyway before asking me, "What is it that you plan?"

I answered simply, "It is best that you not know. Just remember what you have said today."

Oh yes, Hawke is going to tip Meredith out of her seat. Read the next chapter to find out how!

R&R! Love, Ann