Dear Diary,
We entered the castle lower levels easily enough and ran into the Mage, Isolde told us about.
His name is Jowan and he is blood mage. He readily admitted this to us.
"Why did you poison the Arl?" I ask.
"I was told that Arl Eamon was a threat to Ferelden. That if I took dealt with him Loghain would settle matters with the circle. I thought this was the chance to redeem myself," Jowan answers honestly.
I look at Alistair, Zev and Morrigan, "Another poor sap taken in by Loghain's lies," I sigh.
"You a blood mage? Truly? I would have never guessed," says Morrigan in amazement.
"I just wanted to leave the circle and marry the woman I loved," replies Jowan, "they would have never agreed to let us be together. But I made a mess of things and now the Arl is sick and everything is out of control and Loghain just left me here to rot."
"I never meant for it to end like this," continued Jowan, "I swear. Let me help you fix this."
"I say this boy can still be of use to us. But if not let him go, why keep him prisoner here?" Morrigan offers.
"Hey, hey let's not forget he's a blood mage. You can't just set a blood mage free!" exclaims Alistair.
"Better to slay him? Better to punish him for his choices? Is this Alistair who speaks or the Templar?" retorts Morrigan.
"I'd say its common sense," replies Alistair, "we don't even know the whole story yet."
"He wishes to redeem himself…doesn't everyone deserve that chance?" asks Leliana.
"Like yourself you mean?" snorts Morrigan.
"Everyone deserves to redeem themselves in the Maker's eyes. This man no less than any," Leliana replies patiently.
"I don't know," answers Alistair" but these are strange circumstances."
"Give me chance. Please," pleads Jowan.
"Are you responsible for the creatures and killings in the castle and the attacks on the village?" I ask.
"No, I poisoned Arl Eamon but that is all I did. I know it looks suspicious but I'm not responsible for the creatures and killings in the castle I was already imprisoned when that began. I knew nothing about what was going on until the Arlessa showed up demanding I undo what I had done. I thought she meant the poisoning of the Arl. That's the first I heard of the walking corpses. She thought I summoned a demon to torture her family and destroy Redcliff. She had me tortured…There was nothing I could say or do to appease her so they left me to rot," Jowan answers.
"Why would Lady Isolde hire an apostate?" I ask (I know the answer I'm just checking to be sure Jowan is being truthful with us.).
"Connor had started showing signs…Lady Isolde was terrified that the circle would take him away for training," Jowan answers.
"Connor, a mage? I can't believe it," Alistair interrupts.
Well played, Alistair, I think (I need to thank him later).
"She sought an apostate…a mage outside the circle, to teach her son in secret, so he could learn to hide his talent. Her husband had no idea," continues Jowan.
"Perhaps her son is responsible then," I offer.
"I thought that too," Jowan replied, "Connor has little knowledge of magic but he might have done something to tear open the veil. With the veil to the fade torn, spirits and demons could infiltrate the castle; powerful ones could kill and create those walking corpses."
"Why would Isolde be frightened of her son's being a mage?" Morrigan asks.
"Because he would be taken away forever," Jowan replies, "a mage cannot hold a title even the son of a powerful Arl. She's also a pious woman…her son having magic was …humiliating."
"Typical chantry rubbish," sneers Morrigan.
"And the Arl had no idea of his son's abilities?" asked Alistair.
"No," answers Jowan, "She was adamant, he never find out. She said he'd do the right thing even if it meant losing their son and that infuriated her."
"How much magic did you teach him?" I question.
"Some," admitted Jowan, "but he is still very young he can barely cast a minor spell, never mind something more powerful...at least not intentionally. Like I said he may have torn the veil accidently. If he is involved in this at all…I really don't know."
"So how would you make things right?" I ask.
"I would try to save anyone who still out there. There must be something I can do," pleads Jowan.
"Isn't it a little late for that," Alistair remarks.
"I can't undo what I did," says Jowan, "but it doesn't mean I shouldn't try."
"And after that what happens?" I ask.
"Afterwards I assume I will be arrested or executed or whatever people like me get." Jowan replies matter of factly, "I'm tired of running from the circle. I need to account for what I've done."
"That's commendable if it's true," I say softly.
"I'm glad you think so," says Jowan, "so what now?"
"I'll unlock the cage. However, I think you should stay put for the moment. It's safe here. We may need to call on you later be ready," I offer.
We leave Jowan and make our way to the upper levels. I find the smith's daughter and tell her about the passage. She's frightened but I told her the path was clear and to run to the village.
We continue on there are a slew of demons in the courtyard and it takes a good while to dispatch all of them. I open the gate the let the Redcliff Knights in and together we enter the castle.
When we enter the main hall we find Teagan dancing around to the amusement of Connor. It's obvious he is not in control of himself the sight of it sickens me.
Connor speaks but his voice is not the one of a child, "So these are our visitors? The ones you told me about, Mother?"
"Yes Connor," Isolde says sadly.
"And this is the one who defeated my soldiers? The ones I sent to reclaim my village?" asks Connor. His voice is just damn creepy I decide.
"Yes," answers Isolde.
"And now it's staring at me. What is it mother? I can't see it well enough," says Connor.
"This is a woman Connor. Just as I am," Isolde replies.
"You lie!" spits Connor, "this woman is nothing like you. Why just look at her, half your age and pretty too. I'm surprised you don't order her executed in a fit of jealousy!"
"Connor I beg please don't hurt anyone," pleads Isolde
Then his voice changes "M-mother. What's happening? Where am I?"
"Oh thank the Maker," Isolde sighs in relief, "Connor, Connor can you hear me?"
"Get away from me fool woman!" Connor yells (the crazy voice is back), "You are beginning to bore me."
"Makers breathe! What has happened here?" exclaims Ser Perth, in confusion.
"Grey warden," Isolde begs, "don't hurt my son he's not responsible for what he does."
"So he is the evil force you spoke of," I reply.
"Don't say that!" Isolde cries, "Connor didn't mean to do this it was that mage, the one who poisoned Eamon. He started all this. He summoned the demon. Connor was just trying to help his father."
"It was a fair deal," Connor announces, "Father is alive. Just as I wanted, now it is my turn to sit on the throne and send out armies to conquer the world. Nobody tells me what to do anymore."
"Nobody tells him what to do…nobody," yells crazy Teagan.
"Quiet uncle!" demands Connor, "I warned you what would happen if you kept shouting didn't I. Yes I did."
"But let's keep things civil;" he says in a lower tone, "this woman will have the audience she seeks. Tell me woman …what have you come here for?"
"I came here to help if I could," I answer the abomination.
"To help me? To help father? To help yourself? Which?" Connor asks.
"To help the Arl of course," I reply.
"So you're a concerned well-wisher. Why didn't you say that in the first place? All this sneaking around and killing is unnecessary. But father is so very ill we really shouldn't disturb him isn't that right mother?" Connor rants.
"I…don't think…" Isolde begins.
"Of course you don't!" Connor interrupts, "ever since you sent the knights away you do nothing but deprive me of my fun. Frankly it's getting dull. I crave excitement! And action! This woman spoiled my sport by saving that stupid village, and now she'll repay me."
As Connor runs off the solders left in the castle start attacking our party and the knights. I go for Teagan hoping to knock him unconscious before he gets himself skewered. After I knock him out we dispatch the rest of the soldiers trying not to kill anyone. However as with all battles some died.
"Teagan," Isolde runs to him he has regain consciousness and Isolde helps him to his feet, "Teagan are you alright?"
"I am better now I think…"Teagan says, "My mind is my own again."
"Blessed Andraste," Isolde breathes again, "I would have never forgiven myself if you had died. Not after I brought you here, what a fool I am. I am thankful that lady Cousland thought to knock you unconscious."
Teagan looks at me thoughtfully.
"Please! Connor is not responsible for this there must be a way to save him," pleads Isolde.
"You knew about this all along," I accuse.
"Connor is no longer a child…he is an abomination," Jowan says sadly.
"You, you did this to Conner!" screams Isolde.
"I didn't summon any demon. I told you please if you'll let me help…" pleads Jowan.
"Help!" Isolde screams again "you betrayed me I brought you in to help my son and in return you poison my husband!"
"This is the mage you spoke of? Didn't you say he was in the dungeon?" asks Teagan.
"He was … I assumed the creatures had killed him by now. Someone must have set him free," Isolde spits.
"That's right and I stand by decision. Teagan you don't know whole story. We should speak in private," I reply.
Isolde glares at me.
"I know what you must think of me my lady. I took advantage of your fear. I am sorry…I never knew it would come to this…"Jowan says humbly.
Teagan gestures to a side room and Jowan and I follow him.
"Teagan" I begin quickly explaining what I had put together, "I think you should know that Loghain took advantage of Jowan's fear of the circle. He also promised to make things right for him with the circle if he took care of the Arl for him. He also made it clear to Jowan that the Arl was a danger to Ferelden. Jowan thought he was doing something for the good of Ferelden thanks to Loghain's lies. Loghain also somehow knew that Isolde was looking for an apostate mage. He took advantage of her fear as well. I do believe that Jowan did what he thought was best and he is truly sorry for poisoning the Arl. He set things in motion by poisoning the Arl causing a young child to make a deal with a demon to save his father. He wants to make it right and I think we should let him try. Loghain also stationed an elf in the village to oversee that the job was done. I took care of the elf already."
Teagan and Jowan both look shocked.
Teagan takes a moment to digest this and says to Jowan, "If you truly want to help I will not turn your help away. If Connor is truly an abomination I would want to mage here to help. This does not mean there will not be consequences for poisoning the Arl but that can wait until the immediate danger is past."
Teagan turns to me, "I need to thank you my lady for knocking me unconscious and not killing me," he smirks.
More seriously he adds, "Loghain will need to be dealt with when my brother recovers however both Jowan and Isolde are responsible to a degree as well. If she hadn't decided to keep this secret from my brother Jowan would have never been here. I suspect she went to Loghain for help finding an apostate to teach Connor secretly. I don't know what Jowan did to get the ire of the circle but is his mistake to bear."
"From what I gathered he became a blood mage for love of a woman…."I offer.
"Oh! So he's a romantic too then," laughs Teagan.
We head back to the main hall were Isolde and Jowan wait.
"Isolde," Teagan asks, "how did Loghain know you needed an apostate mage to teach Connor secretly?"
"I asked him for help," she replied, "I never thought...oh no…"
"This is Loghain's fault!" she screams.
"My son isn't always the demon you saw sometimes Connor breaks through. I just want to protect him," she sobs.
"Isolde," scolds Teagan, "pull yourself together and take responsibility for your role in this. You wanted to protect him this is how we got into this mess. You hired a mage to teach Connor in secret to protect him."
I'm starting to feel a bit for Isolde now. Once again remembering what my mother did for me.
"If they discovered Connor had magic, then they'd take him away…I thought if he learned enough to hide it, then…" Isolde's words die.
"There is no way any of us could have known what would happen. Loghain did orchestrate this but everyone involved was a victim. Loghain takes the largest part of the blame for this but you both did play a part," I reason.
Both Isolde and Jowan look at me gratefully.
I look at the group and ask, "What are our options?"
"I wouldn't normally suggest slaying a child…" says Alistair sadly, "... But if he is an abomination…I'm not sure if there is any choice."
"We cannot kill a young boy demon or no demon," states Leliana.
Morrigan adds, "there is another option…there is a connection between the child and the demon one that can be followed to the demons true form in the fade. Where the demon can be battled directly and killed without harming the child. It requires lyrium and a group of mages neither of which we have and had we these things it would still fall on one mage to defeat the demon not an easy task."
"Jowan do you have any ideas?" I ask.
"There is another option," Jowan says, "but I loathe offering it. Morrigan is correct you can go into the fade and slay the demon. I can do such a ritual but it would take blood magic. Blood can provide the power instead of lyrium. Takes a lot of blood, in fact it takes all of it."
"So someone must die? Someone must be sacrificed?" asks Teagan.
"Yes then I can enable another mage to enter the fade. I can't do it because I will be performing the ritual. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything it's not really much of an option," says Jowan regretfully.
"Is there no other method?" I ask.
"The power has to come from somewhere and that means lyrium or blood," Jowan explains.
"Then let it be my blood. I will be the sacrifice," Isolde states.
"What? Isolde, are you mad!" Teagan says astonished, "Eamon would never allow this."
"Either someone kills my son to destroy that thing inside him or I give my life for my son to live. To me the answer is clear," says Isolde.
"Blood magic, how can more evil be any good here. Two wrongs don't make a right," Alistair points out.
"It does seem a sensible choice with a willing participant," says Morrigan.
"Connor is blameless in this he should not have to pay the price," Isolde states.
"On that we are agreed," I say to Isolde.
"Opinions?" I ask the group.
"The circle isn't far from here," Alistair offers," we can find lyrium and more mages there."
"We have the treaty for the mages anyway I say two birds one stone?" I question.
"Very pragmatic," says Morrigan.
"I would prefer to not kill a child or his mother," states Leliana.
"Ok so we head to the circle tower," I state.
"Please hurry back. Connor will not remain passive for long," Isolde pleads.
Author's note: Edited for grammar errors
