Chapter 7: in which the Plot Thickens.

"Is there anything else?" Josephine glanced up from the metal markers that littered what they had grimly named the war table.

Leliana noted how tired she looked, how tired they all looked. Their new home, Skyhold, was wonderful; but the amount of repairs needed, along with the thin air at this altitude, meant they all were feeling more drained than usual. She let her eyes wander across each of their faces while her mind pieced and puzzled together the story those faces told her.

"Not that I can see. As usual, you three rather overwhelm me with your attention to all the details I need to take care of." Though as tired as the rest, the twinkle in Maxwell's eyes took any sting from his words.

"Oh, I'm certain at least the ladies can find more details if you really want them." Cullen's voice was more strained than it should be, even with the current air of exhaustion they shared. Her eyes stopped their wandering to focus on his face alone.

The former Knight-Commander looked pale, eyes fighting to focus. Was he sweating? The air was too cold and Cullen too disciplined to have come to the meeting under the influence of alcohol. A deeper probing was interrupted by the soft voice of Mother Giselle.

"May I speak with you all for a moment?" Mother Giselle had cracked the door but not entered.

Leliana sighed. She'd have to corner Cullen in his office and find out what was going on.

"Of course, Revered Mother. You are always welcome here." Maxwell seemed to have taken well to the new title of Inquisitor, and the leadership it represented, Leliana noted as he issued the invitation to the Chantry icon.

"Are the repair personnel creating any issues for you, Mother?" Josephine asked. Somehow, her demeanor retained it's politeness even though Cullen (and to be honest Leliana herself) were struggling to wipe the irritation at the interruption from their faces.

"No, no, everyone is perfectly respectful. There is an issue that has come to my attention, however." The Revered Mother sighed and looked at each of them in turn, her eyes finally resting and staying on the Inquisitor. Maxwell squirmed under her gaze as she paused.

Her gaze remained on him when she finally continued. "We agreed that it would be wise to keep the events that occurred during the flight from Haven quiet for now. It appears someone has not done so. I have just received a rather strongly worded letter from Val Royeaux asking about the purported miracles and using words like 'blasphemy' and 'heresy'."

Leliana's fist clenched beneath the table as the words broke from her. "There were no purported miracles. There were miracles."

Maxwell's startled expression brought her back to herself. They hadn't told him, feeling he had enough to deal with as the new Inquisitor and the less people who knew, the less chance of it getting out. How would he take the news of his own death? She couldn't bring herself to deny the Maker's hand... but perhaps she could turn this to their benefit

Leliana paused to walk partway around the table to Maxwell's side before she spoke again. "The Maker sent a miracle to save the Herald of his beloved. There is no blasphemy in that. It follows Chantry teaching and could bring great hope to a world filled with fear and chaos right now. It also sets the Inquisition more fully in place as the hand of Andraste and the Maker."

Mother Giselle's response was calm. "I'm certain that is what they fear most. And when the Grand Clerics are afraid, people die. He has already died once, I would not like to see it happen again."

"WAIT! What do you mean I died? And what do you mean by miracles?" Maxwell's voice took on his tone of command, but Leliana could hear the fear beneath it and laid a hand on his arm.

Cullen answered, his authoritative calm diffusing the tension. "You didn't survive the snowstorm. You had collapsed by the time we'd found you and would not revive. Mother Giselle and the attending healer pronounced you dead." His calm faltered a brief moment and Leliana turned her gaze to him again. Did he believe as she did? "But there was a woman there, healing the sick and injured...one proclaimed by some..." He caught Leliana's gaze and looked back at her steadily, his expression unreadable as he regained his aplomb. "...by some to be the Voice of the Maker who had already raised one person fully from the dead."

"And she brought me back, claiming it was the Maker's will?" Maxwell frowned as he pondered the implications.

"She did not claim it was the Maker's will." Leliana spoke up. "She...uh...kissed you and you began breathing again. It is others of us who name her the voice of the Maker because she speaks his love to us." The passion in her voice made Maxwell quirk an eyebrow at her, studying her quickly schooled expression.

"Kissed me? Well, I hope she's pretty then. And I suppose I should meet this woman. I assume she is still here?" Maxwell nodded to Leliana for verification but Mother Giselle spoke before she could answer.

"She has also been accused of being an apostate using an unfamiliar kind of magic. I don't believe it would be wise to risk the Inquisitor's safety with a meeting. Not until she has been proven to be of no threat."

Maxwell paused a moment, still watching Leliana. Finally he nodded as if coming to a decision and turned to address the others. "I think if her presence is disturbing to the Chantry, then wisdom indicates that I should meet her, immediately. Cullen will accompany in his capacity as a templar as well as commander in case she should try any untoward magic."

Cullen nodded, "As you wish."

At Mother Giselle's frown Maxwell turned to address her specifically. "We have several powerful mages that I trust as part of my inner circle. Josephine, have them begin testing this woman immediately after my visit to assess what kind of magic, if any, she employs."

Josephine sighed but responded. "I will have word sent immediately, Inquisitor."

"Leliana, you will accompany me to this meeting as well; and on the way, I want you to tell me everything you know about this woman and why you didn't tell me before now."

He regarded her steadily and she nodded, hoping he wouldn't detect her small lie. "I will tell you everything that I know, Inquisitor." Except the roses, she thought to herself. Those had been just for her.

"I am king of this land, and I shall name this land...ARNTOPIA! And I shall rule it with blood and f- OOF!" Arn, who had been standing with a noble jut to his chin and a broom for his standard, now stood as a hero beset by the hordes of the damned atop the pile of gathered bricks meant for shoring up the wall of their new quarters. Marny and Merric had lunged at him and hung off each arm while Bredon and Targan pushed steadily against his legs trying to topple him into the grass.

Slowly the hero began to fall as Angelica and Bursa laughed helplessly from the other side of the grassy area outside the rough quarters they had been assigned.

Angelica noticed even the silent Lizzy smiled a little to herself as she wove together pieces of straw and herbs into a small mat for the cold stone of the floors. The sweetly scented herbs had been a gift from Dorian when he'd come yesterday to start chess lessons with the older children. Lizzy had beaten Arn, and had done well enough on her first lesson to startle an exclamation of praise from the Tevinter man. Even the badly scarred, silent ghost of a girl had nearly glowed in pride; and Dorian had watched her with sad eyes when he thought no one was looking. When he'd left, he had promised to return when he could to continue the lessons. Tevinter or not, mage or not, Angelica had decided in that moment that she liked the man and would allow him around these children she'd assumed the care of.

Germaine, however, was another matter. His help had truly been a blessing on the hard march to Skyhold, but since their arrival his constant worship was making her desperately uncomfortable. She was just a low blood ex-Chantry sister drummed out for having a child out of wedlock, not some shining beacon of the Maker. She'd sent him back to the templars with the solemn promise that she would call for him if she needed anything. He'd only gone when she had made the case for their safety being assured in Skyhold and his sworn responsibilities to the Chantry.

A screech drew her attention back to the dog pile that was happening on the now-fallen Arn. "I think you've toppled the despot. Time to get back to your chores, you wild beasts," she called.

"But Angelica, we're the rulers now." Merric grabbed the broom and placed his foot on the stomach of his fallen enemy. "I claim this land in the name of MERR- AH!" And the melee began anew as the other children turned their attention to toppling Merric.

Shaking her head fondly, she turned back at the first cry of the waking infant to see Varric standing beside the rough cradle of blankets. He'd told her that he was just making sure everyone was safe and that she had nothing to fear from him anymore, truly. But she couldn't help but stiffen at his presence. From the tight smile he gave her, it was clear he'd noticed.

Taking a breath and forcing herself to relax, she moved to pick up the fussing baby and greet their guest. "Hello Varric." There was silence for a moment as she didn't expand on the greeting, and he waited to see if she would say more.

Finally he sighed and spoke. "I just wanted to check on you and Princess… and the rest of the kids. Make sure you all had what you needed."

Bursa, the next youngest, grabbed Varric's hand and smiled up at him with chubby cheeks. "I need a dolly. I lost mine when mama died." He looked uncomfortable a moment, then knelt to her level and spoke sincerely. "Well then, I think I can take care of that, Rosebud. Can you give me a day or two?" Bursa nodded solemnly then ran off to tell the other children loudly that she was getting a dolly.

"You know, you'll have to bring one for each of the girls to avoid bloodshed." Angelica smiled wryly at him as she spoke.

Varric laughed then moved to sit next to her, and she caught him surreptitiously glancing at the baby in her arms while he spoke. "The last thing I need is a pack of wild animals masquerading as children tearing me limb from limb. I think, in the interest of self preservation, I'll take your advice."

"Would you like to hold the baby?" she asked him tentatively, unsure if that was wise. But, she couldn't run from here, and wouldn't leave these lost children even if she could, so it was time to make the best of it.

"Yes." He spoke a bit too quickly, but tempered that with a grin and added, "If you don't mind."

He held out his arms and she deposited the now wriggling infant into them. "Hello Princess. Miss your old drinking buddy?"

"Drinking buddy?!" At Angelica's shocked voice he laughed and began the story of how he and the Princess had met that night on the mountain. Soon Angelica was laughing and relaxed and as the other children slowly moved to sit and enjoy the storyteller's skill, the afternoon passed.

Much later as he kissed the baby's tiny head and handed her back, Angelica realized that her fear was gone. Perhaps that wasn't wise, she thought to herself, given that he'd turned her in for what would likely have been a fair bit of torture. But something about his dry humor and kindness broke through her guard.

"You're welcome here, Varric." She smiled up at him from where she sat, now holding the baby. "If you should want to visit again."

"I'd like that. Thank you, Frosty." He smiled down at her then turned to leave.

And that's when the Inquisitor arrived. Along with Leliana, Cullen, two templars and several guards. All of them but Leliana looking nervous.

"Looks like I might stay a bit longer," Varric muttered to Angelica as the guards circled the small patch of grass, effectively blocking any attempt at escape and shooing the children away from the area. Somehow this didn't look like a good thing to him.

"I've come to say thank you to the woman who s..." The Inquisitor froze, staring at Angelica.

Well shit, Varric mused. The man he had nicknamed "The General" and that was on target to become the most powerful person in all Thedas was staring at a peasant woman like he was seeing the ghost of his long dead mother.

No, Varric thought. Not his mother, the way he was staring definitely had nothing platonic to it. And Frosty was staring right back at him much the same way. Things were becoming interesting and nobody had even spoken yet.

Well, at least he could fix that. "Inquisitor, I'd like to introduce you to-" Varric began.

"Angelica." Maxwell spoke over him, voice quiet.

"You two know each other?" Nightingale sounded surprised. Huh. She hadn't known either. Varric wasn't sure if he felt relieved or worried.

"Inquisitor." Angelica responded quietly, pulling the infant defensively closer. Maxwell looked as though she had struck him.

They both ignored Leliana's question. Finally The General turned to Cullen and Leliana and asked in a fierce whisper. "Is this the woman who..?"

At Cullen's stiff nod, he returned to staring at Angelica and they both fell back into an awkward silence.

Finally he gestured to the baby. "Is that…?"

Angelica's voice hardened. "That is none of your concern any longer."

"What is her name? I deserve at least that much." The General's voice had softened.

"Salvisa."

Varric nearly whistled in surprise. Maker be damned, Frosty just told a lie, and Varric knew lies. But was the lie the baby's name, or something else?

Maxwell took a step towards her, hand outstretched as if to touch the baby and Angelica stood abruptly and took a step back. As if her movement triggered an alarm, the guards drew their swords and the templars stiffened, ready to take action if she breathed so much as a hint of magic.

Varric found himself moving quickly to take up a defensive stance between her and the guards. He knew this feeling, this need to care for and defend. It hadn't done him any favors in the past, and likely wouldn't now… but he couldn't help himself when he saw the terror in her eyes. Please don't be another Anders, he prayed silently.

"Stop it. All of you. This woman saved the Inquisitor. She does not deserve to be threatened like this." Leliana's voice rang out like steel on stone. Her expression spoke of silent death in dark places and the guards swords wavered. She strode to stand next to Angelica who looked very much like she wanted to run from the spymaster as well.

"Well Nightingale, I hope I stay on your good side." Varric muttered. "Cause you're kind of terrifying when you're angry."

"Stand down." Cullen ordered, nodding to the guards. But not the templars, Varric noticed, finally thinking to wonder why he'd brought templars when Curly was an ex-templar himself.

Maxwell stepped back and sighed, hunching in what to Varric appeared to be pain.

A moment later he straightened and looked Angelica in the eyes, expression cold and commanding.

"I am grateful for what you've done for me and for the Inquisition. In gratitude, I will set aside apartments for you and..." he gestured imperiously to the silent children cowering at the edge of the circle, "...those under your care in the main keep, as well as a monetary reward to be delivered later today. However, there have been accusations that you are an apostate mage..." his voice broke ever so slightly, "and in order to lay those accusations to rest, I am temporarily remanding you to the custody of Solas, Vivienne de Fer, and Dorian Parvus."

Maxwell's eyes dropped under the weight of the fear in hers. Varric put a consoling hand on her back and could feel her trembling.

The Inquisitor continued in a softer voice. "They will assess your magic, and if- ...when they determine you are not a threat to the Inquisition, you will be released." He looked up at her again, eyes pleading. "You'll be safe there. I won't let them harm you. We just need to know how you- ...to protect you from those who are afraid of what you've done."

"But, I've only ever healed people. I'm not a mage. You know I'm not a mage." Her voice betrayed the trembling in her body.

"Do I?" The words were little more than a whisper as he turned away from her. Crafty bastard, Varric thought. The General wasn't going to let them see his reaction to what he was going to do next.

He couldn't see the General's face, but he could read the body language. He was holding himself as though readying for a blow as he spoke again.

"Leliana, make arrangements for the care of the children until she is released, or-." He stopped and took a breath. "Varric, if you would bring the infant." It wasn't a question.

"NO! Please don't take her! She's not YOURS! She's not yours to take! She's all I have left!" Angelica's agonized cries nearly broke Varric's heart as he turned to take the child from her. "It will be okay, Frosty. I swear it will be okay. I won't allow any harm to come to her. They're good people; they won't hurt you." Varric wasn't sure she could even hear him over her frantic pleading, or if what he was saying was even true. When he finally managed to get the baby from her arms, she collapsed in sobs on the ground and he stepped away feeling worse than he had in a very long time. A blow indeed, but he didn't think it was the General who'd been the one to take the hit.

Maxwell still didn't turn to look at them. "Cullen..." he muttered and then strode off.

"If you'd come with me, my lady." Cullen moved to lift Angelica from the ground, wrapping an oddly gentle arm around her as he lead her sobbing form away.

"Well shit. Shit shit shit shit." Varric muttered as he headed after the Inquisitor, the little Princess clutched to his chest.

The largest of the Mother's children stood looking at the walls as they lit up with the fires of the humans. This place was hard and protected and he could feel her, the light on the other side of those high stone walls.

So close and yet they couldn't reach her. Couldn't touch the light and bring it to the Mother. He growled with the Mother's frustration.

The horde behind him shifted and muttered. They wanted blood. They wanted to feed. They wanted to take. But they would wait. Wait until the light finally left the safety of the walls.

And then...