Obligatory Chapter Heading:
Chapter 6:
A few hours later, well in to the evening, found me with a wholly unpacked room. Everything was put away. Everything was where I wanted it. I sighed. Well, it wasn't Antiva, but it was as close to "home" as I was going to get.
A knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts, "Commander Snow?"
Oh, right. I had to tell someone to spread the word that I wanted to called by my name.
"Come in." I called out.
The person on the other side of the door seemed to hesitate, so I marched over and opened it for them. Barely stopped myself from rolling my eyes.
"How may I be of service?" I asked politely.
The man blinked at me, taken aback by my question. He was probably thinking that he was supposed to be at my beck and call, not the other way around. Good. Let him, let everyone, be of that mindset.
"The seneschal wanted someone to see how you were settling in."
"Oh." I glanced behind me, "I just finished unpacking, actually." The soldier stood there, shifting from foot to foot uncomfortably. He wasn't leaving.
I waited a few beats, the situation starting to feel awkward.
"Was there anything else?" I probed.
"You're really the Hero of Ferelden." It wasn't a question. And that simple observation was full of admiration.
"Yes, that is what they call me. Please, I prefer Anastasia, though. And by the time we have this darkspawn problem all wrapped up, I plan on being on first name basis with everyone in this little Arldom." I flashed a smile, "What's your name?"
Ben introduced me to the rest of the soldiers in his particular outfit. A few drinks and the whole table sharing tales of glory later, they were proclaiming me as being "one of the guys," which I thought was adorable.
Hours after most of the men had passed out, I excused myself silently and went to see if any of my Wardens were up.
Oghren had his back to me, to the rest of the room. I stopped by, catching him unawares.
"W-who's there?" he screeched, whirling around.
"Did I startle you?" I blinked, startled by his reaction.
"I was... er, I was just keeping my nose to the dust, watching out for... the schleets."
The what?
"One of the lads here told me about the schleets... said they're common in Ferelden." This was news to me. "They... they lie on the ground, looking like ordinary pairs of pants, until you turn around. That's when they... strike."
"Pants." I stared at him. Was I drunk, too? Was I imagining this whole conversation? Had I passed out at the table, alongside the others?
"Pants that eat your eyeballs! After they're done with you, they just... wander off on their unnatural pant-legs."
"I'll... leave you to it, then."
"Best not to tell the others... don't want a panic on our hands."
I started to walk away, a headache forming. I had hoped for a lighthearted conversation, but okay, then. Schleets.
Before I had gone more than three steps, however, he turned to me again. Hailing me as if he'd not seen me in ages.
Reluctantly, I rejoined him.
And he belched in my face. "Hey... I gotta... I gotta thank you for saving my hide today. There was that guy... and he was all 'Grrr!' and I was "Harrr!' but then I got hit by an arrow. And then I fell over... It was 'Meep!' but you were there and you were all 'Rawrrr!'" he laughed loudly. Drunkenly. "Spectaculous."
"Happy to help." I gave a bemused smile, wondering if he even realized no one we'd fought today had been using arrows. And he hadn't fallen over. My gods, he was drunk.
"I'm gonna drink to you, Commander! Here's to the... here's to the..." he swayed slightly before falling flat on his back.
Several servants rushed over, asking what had happened. I shrugged, unsure what to say.
"He was just exhausted after today's excitement. It's not often one has the privilege to be entertained by the nobles in court." A voice from nearby chimed in, stealing their attentions.
I gave Nathaniel an appreciative nod as the servants picked the dwarf up between them and took him to his room. The archer moved away, resuming his earlier task. Glaring at the portrait of a woman that hung on the wall above him. Deciding I had nothing better to do, especially after that strange conversation with Oghren, I went to stand beside him.
"Funny. Considering all the things that have been taken, it figures this would still be here."
My eyes roamed over the woman's features, finding more than a simple similarity, "Let me guess, your mother?"
"Good guess. That's her." He turned to face me, nodding at the portrait, "My father hated my mother. He only dragged this painting out when my grandmother visited... which was not often." His amicable expression twisted in to a savage sneer, "I'd be paraded before her like a soldier on inspection, and she would pick over every flaw while father awaited his turn."
"Why did he hate your mother?" I asked quietly, unable to stem my curiosity.
"I don't really know. Her family was wealthy, I remember that much." As he spoke, the words flowing freely, he seemed to relax. "They wouldn't touch me with a ten-foot pole now, of course. I'd be as welcome there as a bad rash."
There was a lull, during which it appeared he was trying his damnedest to not look at the painting again.
He failed, glancing over his shoulder and pointing at it, "Anyway, someone should take this down. I think it's staring at me..."
Hmm. I'd give it a few more days, see how he reacted to no one touching it. I didn't think he wanted it down, not really. Not with that look on his face.
The city of Amaranthine wasn't big at all, especially when compared to Denerim. The outlying area, the farms and such beyond the protective city walls, sprawled out and made up the difference. But the city itself was a spec. It made me miss Antiva all the more.
Anders and Oghren were talking about alcohol, the different kinds and that they wanted to try every type there was before they died. Nathaniel was reserved, no surprise there.
A soldier standing by the second building just outside the gates approached us, zeroing on me, "My pardon, sera. I was paid a whole sovereign to give this letter to you. I told him, I did, there are easier ways of getting a message to the Commander of the Grey."
I took the envelope from her, eyeing it curiously, "Who gave this to you?"
"Some visiting knight. Didn't catch his face. Full helm, you know. He said he was Ser Wolf of Rivain."
"Wait, Wolf?" My eyes widened, "As in the Dark Wolf?"
"Ah, the Dark Wolf's nothing but a rumor! Mind you... he was acting suspicious..."
"Do you remember anything else about Ser Wolf?" I pressed.
"No, sera. Again, my pardon." She walked away, leaving me with thousands of unanswered questions. I did know the most important piece of information I needed, though: the Dark Wolf was in my little city.
I continued forward, only to be stopped again. Another solider, this one a man.
"Excuse me, but I need to search your packs for smuggled goods."
Anders snorted, and I could hear the dwarf taking a deep breath, no doubt to drunkenly rant at the man.
"All right. I have nothing to hide." I mentally patted myself on the back for removing all of the poisons and traps from the bag as I slung it from my shoulder. Handed it over.
"What are you doing, man? Are you accusing the Commander of the Grey of smuggling?" A new man rushed forward, looking tired. Exhausted, really.
"But I... I... you said everyone-"
"You are dismissed." The commanding officer took my pack from the soldier and shooed him away. "I apologize." I shrugged the bag back on, "Smugglers and thieves have all but taken over the city."
"Glad to see you're taking precautions." I made a note to check on the man who'd done the security check. I didn't want him getting in to any trouble for having played along.
"Yes, Warden-Commander. The smugglers have us scrambling, to be honest. We could certainly use your help in this. Come speak to me later if you're interested."
"Before you go, while I have you here, there's something I wanted to talk to you about." I glanced at my companions, "You guys can go ahead. Look at the merchant stalls or something."
"We can wait." Nathaniel, of all people, offered.
I shook my head, "No, that's okay. I have something personal to see to after this."
The soldier led me off to the side, and we waited for the others to go.
"What did you need, Warden-Commander?"
"Please, call me Anastasia." I bowed my head in respect to him, "And I was merely wishing to remark on the security that greeted me upon my entrance."
He opened his mouth, but I held up a hand. I gave a soft smile, smoothing things over.
"I wanted you to know that I appreciate the effort put forth by you and your men. No one, save the king himself, should be afforded special measures. No matter their stature in society. You never know who could be dabbling in illegal dealings." I clasped my hands in front of me, "Anyway, I'm off to enjoy the sights of the city. I didn't get the chance when I was here the other day." Was that just yesterday? A lot had happened in 24 hours.
I left him with that, slowly ambling through the streets, until I reached the other end of the city. Where an awfully suspicious-looking guard was leaning against the waist-high wall.
I stopped in front of him, silent.
"I see you got my letter, Commander. It's an honor to meet you."
"The Dark Wolf, I presume?" I gave him a once over, noticing how his sword hilt was shiny. New. Never been used, probably. He was either an archer or a dual wielding rogue.
"In the flesh." A nod, "The less you know of me, the better."
I waited patiently for him to go on.
"In the depths of the city, there is murmuring. Murmuring that nobles want you dead." Anders had been right. "I'd like to help."
"And why would you want to help me?"
"You see, I have hopes that the Wardens will prove more fit to rule this land than the late Arl Rendon Howe. His confederates are conspirators. But to unearth their identities, I'll need resources." The Dark Wolf paused, assessing my interest. Seeing if he had my attention. "Fifty sovereigns."
"Then you're doing this out of civic duty?" I raised an eyebrow, pretending to judge him.
"Corrupt, miserly nobles have beggared many a proud commoner. Some commoners turn to distasteful occupations just to survive. Is it not fitting that they would want to strike back in the only way they're able?"
I mulled over his words, weighing the truth of them. The crawling sensation grew until it couldn't be ignored. Why couldn't I get a moment's peace?
"You're not going to get fifty sovereigns." Anders crossed his arms beside me.
"He's right, you know." I untied a small pouch from my belt, handing it to the Dark Wolf, "There's actually just a little over a hundred in there."
The mage froze. I could feel his eyes on my face.
"It will be done. Give me some time."
"Oh, by the way... I recognize your voice." I stepped closer, lowering my voice slightly, "'I know who fired the first shot.'"
The man's whole demeanor shifted, becoming relaxed, "'It was the archer from under the bed.'"
I grinned and skipped backward, grabbing Anders' sleeve, "Let's go. We have to see if we can find Delilah. Or Nathaniel. Or both."
"Am I just supposed to ignore what just happened?" Anders didn't even wait for us to walk away before starting.
"Yep. That's the plan. Unless you want to be involved in seedy dealings?" I glanced up at him.
He grinned, "I'm not against seedy dealings."
"Great! I'll explain it some other time."
"There he is, staring at the back of a woman's head. Like a stalker." Chuckling, he pointed them out.
I ran over to the archer, giving him a shove. Adding in a hiss, "Go talk to her. She won't bite. I think. Actually, I don't know her, so I can't say one way or another, but go. Talk. To. Her. That's an order."
He fixed a glare on me momentarily, before schooling his features and approaching the woman, his breathing ragged suddenly, "Delilah? Is that really you?"
She turned around quickly, opening her arms wide, "Nathaniel! I had feared the worst!"
Their arms wrapped around each other, and they stood like that for a long time. Anders crept to my side, raising an eyebrow. I shook my head and held a finger to my lips, warning him to keep his damn mouth shut.
"Times must have been hard, Delilah. But you can do better than this. Come back to the estate until we find somewhere else."
"What?" She laughed, tears streaming down her face from his words. Amusement dancing in her eyes. "Oh, Nathaniel! I didn't marry Albert out of desperation. I adore him!"
Our Howe scrunched his face up in confusion, at a loss for words.
"I was so glad to get away from Father's evil-this life is so much better."
"Father's evil? Isn't that overstating things a little? He got caught up in politics..."
"You weren't here. You didn't see what he did, Nathaniel. You want the culprit who destroyed our family? It was him, without question."
"I... had no idea." He sounded like his world was crumbling around him and there was nothing he could do.
"Of course you did." Her tone was soft, offsetting the harsh words. "But you always worshiped father, right from when you were a little boy. Come, brother. Let us sit and catch up a bit, shall we?"
We watched as they wandered off, talking animatedly.
"And that, my friend, is how you use your authority for good."
"So, the Dark Wolf." He was like a mabari with a bone.
"Do you know of the Crimson Vixen?" I countered.
"It sounds familiar." Anders thought about it for a few seconds, "Oh, wait. Yeah. Something about a woman who bugs nobles, but never sheds blood. Even of the guards. And no one knows what she looks like."
"Because she's not a woman." I whispered, winking.
"Andraste's knickerweasels!"
I laughed, enjoying the look on his face more than I should have. I didn't rightly know why I'd shared it with him. I hardly knew anything about him, after all. Wait, scratch that. I did know nothing about him. I shrugged it off.
"I'm going to walk around the city, get a feel for it." I said, trying to get him to leave.
"I think I'll join you." He grinned, hands on his hips.
I groaned internally.
"Well... let's go back the other way, then. I want to wait to see the market until I know I have nothing else to do." I added under my breath, "And no one breathing down my neck."
"Oy! About time you showed up!" An elven woman in leathers shouted, her narrowed eyes honed in on the mage beside me. We hadn't gone far, when she melted from the shadows.
"Namaya? You're still here?" Anders' eyes darted between us, and it was clear he was uncomfortable. Good. This would be good, I could just tell.
"I keep my promises, Here, turns out you were right. The cache is here in Amaranthine."
"It is? You found it?" Excitement bubbled up, lighting up his eyes.
"I did." She poked his chest. Hard. I was a mildly surprised he didn't stumble back a step. "What you do with that information is up to you. I, for one, am done dealing with mages."
"Er, I guess I should thank you..." his voice trailed off as he gave her a sheepish smile.
"Damned right you should. You get caught, Anders, I'm not helping you again. That's all I'm saying." She walked away, leaving us. Surrounded by angry energy. Angry and shifty.
Something in her tone flipped a switch within me. There was something about her, something I couldn't put my finger on, that made me unable to trust her. I had no idea who she was or how she and Anders had met, what brought them together, but I did not trust her. Not a bit.
"I..." he turned and faced me, a guilty expression on his face, "suppose that requires some explanation." I could tell he was regretting his decision to walk with me. Probably wanted to avoid the whole me asking him questions thing.
"A friend of yours, I take it?" I raised an eyebrow, trying to shake the feeling something wasn't right.
"She's normally more welcoming than that. A lot more." He sighed, "Namaya is... a friend. Last time I escaped from the tower, I asked her to look in to some things. That's why I was in Amaranthine. The Templars thought I'd come to take a ship, but it was to meet her."
"What did she learn? I assume it was where this cache was?"
"During the Blight, the Templars moved their store of phylacteries to Amaranthine for safety." Oh. No. His was among them, wasn't it? He was going to destroy it, wasn't he? "My phylactery is among them, Namaya learned. So long as the Templars have that sample of my blood, they can find me. I need to destroy it."
I couldn't take the sad look he gave me. I also knew it could possibly be detrimental if the Chantry had a way to track any specific Grey Warden. Especially if the Warden was on a stealth mission of some sort.
It was my turn to sigh.
I opened my mouth to give my consent and support, but he spoke before I could, "What's to stop the Chantry from deciding mages in the Grey Wardens are apostates, too? I want to make sure they can't ever find me again." Suddenly, he was very, very scary, "Ever."
"Don't worry." I held up my hands, "Sheesh. Calm down there, Scary. I was going to agree. Now, where is it and how do we get in?"
His eyes widened, shock at my compliance making his jaw slack. It only lasted a moment, but it made me giggle just the same.
"It's in a warehouse, on the other side of the market. That's the last place she looked, anyway."
"All right. We'll make a stop there on our way out of the city."
He shot me a grateful smile.