Ch. 7: Freedom

There were dozens of apprentices in the tower, plenty of people her age who she interacted on a daily basis. But she only had one friend. And now Aellie watched as he fled the tower. Her only friend left her after lying to her. For a moment, Aellie felt as though she was going to turn into a rage demon. She felt the air around her hands heat up, the mana pooling at her fingers.

A groan from the fallen elders reminded her what could happen if she lost control now. The white-haired elf took a deep breath, shoving the anger down as she walked over to Irving's side. The First Enchanter woozily pushed the top of himself off the floor. His first words, as he caught sight of Aellie, were, "Are you alright? Where's Greagoir?"

"I knew it," The veteran templar growled as he collected himself off the ground. "Blood magic. But to overcome so many…I never thought of him capable of such power.

"He lied to me," Aellie muttered furiously to herself.

Irving looked up at her with a look of pity. "None of us expected this. Are you alright, Greagoir?"

"As good as can be expected given the circumstances!" Greagoir barked out, drawing up to his full height. If you had let me act sooner, none of this would have happened! Now we have a blood mage on the loose and no way to track him down!"

After helping Irving to his feet, Aellie replied scornfully, "He couldn't have gone far. You could still capture him."

"Believe me, we will use every resource. Where is the girl?" The grey-haired warrior demanded.

"I…I am here, ser," Lily meekly announced as she walked toward the group.

"You helped a blood mage!" Greagoir angrily accused her, waving a hand over the party. "Look at all he's hurt!"

Although her own anger was seething within her still, Aellie could still feel a degree of sympathy for the initiate. "Lily didn't know Jowan was a blood mage," She announced to Greagoir.

"You've been a friend, but you needn't defend me any longer," Lily said quietly, flashing Surana a soft smile that disappeared as she addressed Greagoir. "Knight-Commander…I…I was wrong. I was an accomplice to a…a blood mage. I will accept whatever punishment you see fit. Even…even Aeonar," She told him, keeping most of her despair and misery out of her voice.

Greagoir averted his eyes away from her, his anger yet satisfied. "Get her out of my sight!" One of the templars stepped forward and took her by the arm. The templar leader turned toward Aellie. "And you. You know why the repository exists. Some artifacts—some magics—are locked away for a reason!"

"Did you take anything important from the repository?" Irving asked of her.

Aellie was glad that she had kept her old staff. She immediately grabbed the more powerful one she took and held it out for Irving. "Yes, this staff, it is yours."

Irving accepted it with a soft 'thank you'. Even Greagoir granted her an approving nod. "Hmph. Some honesty, at last. But your antics have made a mockery of this Circle. Ah…what are we to do with you?"

"I had no idea that Jowan was a blood mage," Aellie replied stonily.

"And you think that excuses you?" Greagoir rhetorically answered with a stern expression. "You helped a blood mage escape. All our prevention measures for naught – because of you."

Aellie scowled at him, already seeing her situation deteriorate even further. She mentally cursed Jowan and regretted ever calling him a friend.

"Knight-commander, if I may…" All three heads turned to watch the dark-skinned and dark-haired Grey Warden stride up to them. "I am not only looking for mages for the king's army. I am also recruiting for the Grey Wardens. Irving spoke highly of this mage, and I would like for her to join the Warden ranks."

Aellie could scarcely believe her ears, so shocked to hear of a chance to escape this wretched tower that she lost all composure and let her jaw hang open like a fool, not even hearing what Irving said next.

"Duncan, this mage assisted a maleficar, and shown a lack of regard for the Circle's rules," Irving protested.

"She is a danger," Greagoir added. "To all of us."

"It is a rare person to risk all for a friend in need," Duncan countered. "I stand by my decision. I will recruit this mage."

Greagoir was furious. "No! I refuse to let this go unpunished!"

The young elf had gathered her wits by now. "If the Grey Wardens will have me, I will gladly go."

"Greagoir, mages are needed. This mage is needed," Duncan calmly explained. "Worse things plague this world than blood mages – you know that. I take this young mage under my wing and bear all responsibility for her actions."

"A blood mage escapes, and his accomplice not only goes unpunished, but is rewarded by becoming a Grey Warden," Greagoir seethed, clenching his gloved fists. "Are our rules nothing? Have we lost all of our authority over our mages? This does not bode well, Irving."

"Enough. We have no more say in this matter," Irving replied, ending the rant.

"So I am to be a Grey Warden?" Aellie asked, a confusing war waged within her amongst rage, grief, and joy.

"Yes," Irving answered her, a small, sad smile on his face. "Be proud, child. You are luckier than you know."

The newly-made mage addressed Irving with a solemn face and a tight smile. "Thank you for everything, First Enchanter," She said, completely sincere.

"Come, your new life awaits. We leave as soon as you've gathered your possessions," Duncan warned her.

Aellie was on the cusp of telling him that she was ready to leave now when she remembered it. A mage apprentice has few personal possessions. A staff is only given to full mages. Only a few sets of robes were issued. Everything else is provided for. Actual mages are expected to begin accruing books in particular, but anything else was up to personal taste. Which wasn't easy since they weren't given regular pay. But she did have one thing. "I will return quickly, ser Duncan."

Nodding to Irving, she raced back up to her new…her now-old bedroom on the second floor. The elf who showed her the room said that he would bring her stuff up there as well. Which meant only one item of worth: a scarf. It wasn't just any scarf, it was a meticulously made, aqua wool scarf. It was her only memento from her first home, where she was born: Denerim.

As she delicately pulled the scarf out of the wardrobe, she ran a hand over it. Sometimes, she could imagine her child-self looking up at her parents, her father and his brown locks, her mother looking down at her with Aellie's eyes, her mother's eyes. The short elf sighed before folding it carefully and placing it beneath her robes. She'd given up on seeing her family long ago. Becoming a Grey Warden didn't change that. Still, she would rather hold onto it then let someone else take it for themselves.

Her mission complete, she headed back down the tower, ignoring everyone else. Duncan was waiting by the entrance with Irving. Two templars stood on either side of the door, forever guarding the main exit. "Are you ready?" Duncan asked, making it clear that this was the last time before they left the Circle.

"Yes."

"Then this is good-bye, child," Irving murmured, staring at her with a neutral expression. But after all of the years she spent with him, she could see the concern in his eyes.

She felt an urge to hug him, but she suppressed it. So much had just happened, and all she wanted was to get out of the Tower. "Good-bye, First Enchanter."

"Maker watch over you," He said before he nodded to them both and walked back into the Tower.

Duncan turned around and the two templars opened the large, wooden doors that had stood between Aellie and freedom. Light, so bright that Aellie shielded herself as her eyes adjusted, poured in. It took another moment but she finally was able to look and stare at the outside world.

The Circle was located on a small island in the middle of a gargantuan lake. Lake Calenhad. Today stood in stark contrast to her conflicting emotions. The sun was making its downward journey, lengthening the shadows, but still keeping the day alive and strong. The lake glittered and shined as the light reflected off of it, hiding whatever swam beneath the surface of the blue, fresh waters.

Aellie cursed Jowan yet again. She had imagined this day for years. And now, now she couldn't enjoy the beautiful view that nature had given to her. The rage wouldn't let her. Even now it twisted and snaked within her, pushing her thoughts to only think of revenge against Jowan. She fought against it as Duncan led her down to the small dock. The older man took his time, obviously giving her time to adjust to the change. She wanted to thank him for that, but she was too busy trying to shake off her wrath, if only for a moment.

The templar manning the boat stared at her for a moment before Duncan nodded. The templar let them pass, though he never took his eyes off of her. Duncan escorted her into the rowboat. Once the boatman received his pay, he started rowing them to the far shore. Aellie felt the urge to turn around and watch the tower shrink, but she suppressed that desire as well. It would only remind her again of Jowan. Instead she watched the water flow by, trying to catch glimpses of fish and whatever else lived in the lake. Duncan was silent, content to not pry into her thoughts, for which she was grateful.

There was another templar on the other side, standing at the docks, near a small inn. Duncan gave him a nod as well, and that was all it took before Aellie stepped onto the wooden planks. She was now standing outside of the tower. She was now standing in Ferelden. A small glimmer of excitement slid beneath the anger and she was able to enjoy this one moment to herself.

Duncan took the lead again, giving her a good view of the two swords on his back as he led her toward the inn. They scarecly stepped inside when Aellie was introduced to something new: loud, very loud music. A group of warriors, of all stripes and colors were in the middle of a drinking game with one robed man standing off to the side, watching the scene amused. Apparently the drinking contest was pretty recent, for no one was yet passed out on the ground. In addition to the drinking, half the group was singing boisterously. Whether that was part of the challenge, Aellie wasn't sure.

One of the Wardens spotted Duncan and shouted, "And here's our fearless leader returned to us! What happened Duncan? Thought you'd be spending the night at the Circle." The warden quickly locked onto Aellie. "I take it things went well?"

The rest of the Wardens cheered for Duncan's return but quickly returned to their drinks. Only the robed member of the group continued watching Duncan and Aellie. "Yes, Alistair, it went well. Aellerain Surana will be joining us."

Alistair smiled at Aellie. "Welcome to the Grey Wardens!"

Aellie, after resisting a twitch at the mention of her full name, tried for a quick smile, but all she could manage was something that wasn't a frown and nodded to the light-haired warden.

"Daylen, if you would?" Duncan called out to the robed warden. The man nodded and walked over to them. "Daylen, this is Aellerain. She's only recently passed her Harrowing and is incredibly skilled from what I've been told. She'll be under my wing for the most part, but I want you to help her adjust as well."

"Of course, Duncan." Daylen turned his grey eyes on her. "Well met, Aellerain. I'm Daylen. Daylen Amell.

...to be continued in The Thief