Chapter 9. Where the Past and the Present Collide
Since they had all arrived in Kirkwall, Zevran had become a ghost—always close and never seen—as he watched over Val and Maric, unbeknownst to them. He was their guardian; a role he took very seriously. Watching them easily dispatch the raiders, and then seeing Val expertly defuse with situation with the Tal-Vashoth, reassured Zevran that their instincts and ability had not dulled with time. He was relieved to find that both Theirins were smart, sensible, and aware of their surroundings, so much so that Zevran had to work especially hard to stay hidden. He was impressed at how they took nothing for granted and treated any situation as a potential threat until proven otherwise. Their capableness allowed Zevran to camp across the inlet and not be overly worried about their safety.
As relieved as he was by their caution, Zevran was still gravely concerned about Val and Maric's eventual meeting with the woman who had interrogated Varric for two weeks. The Seeker may no longer believe that Val had caused the problems in Kirkwall, but Zevran didn't trust her. He had heard about Cassandra Pentaghast. She was the woman who had decapitated a corrupt Knight-Commander, rode the back of a dragon and killed it, and then rode on the back of a second dragon in order to save the Divine from certain death. She was known to be tough, shrewd, and inflexible.
When he overheard Varric arranging for a courier to take Val's note to the Seeker, Zevran was elated. He knew the courier wouldn't be allowed anywhere near the private rooms. The Seeker, and hopefully Leliana, would have to go to the main hall to meet the courier.
Ah, an opportunity to slip into their room and see if I can find anything to tie up the Right and Left Hands of the Divine.
Zevran had been sitting in a corner of the Hanged Man, keeping an eye on the comings and goings of patrons, when he saw a young man, who was clearly a courier, enter the tavern and go to Varric's suite.
The dwarf works quickly, I see. Most excellent!
Zevran went outside so he could follow the courier. He was able to slip into the Chantry, unnoticed, behind the courier. The lit candles, seemingly everywhere, provided a cloak of shadows for Zevran as he followed the Sister upstairs who was sent to announce the courier.
From the darkness he finally saw the Hero of Orlais, the Right hand of the Divine. Ah, she is beautiful as well as deadly, much like my lovely Leliana.
He could tell from Leliana's body language that she was at odds with the Seeker. Good, that can be useful. Once the women went downstairs, he quietly entered their quarters.
He was looking for any information that could help Val and didn't, for one moment, believe that the Seeker would simply let them leave. This is not a woman who will walk away from anyone, or anything she thinks she can use to protect her precious Chantry. He didn't have any proof, yet. For the moment it was just a strong gut instinct, and Zevran Arainai had learned to trust his instincts.
The room was stark and spotlessly clean. There were only two beds, a small wardrobe, and two desks. After quickly checking the beds and wardrobe, he went to the desks. One was covered with parchments of music and stories. Clearly, Leliana's. He looked through them anyway, just to make sure. He looked around her desk for any drawers or secret compartments. When he didn't find anything, he quickly turned his attention to the other desk. On top was an orderly, six-inch high stack of parchments. Zevran rifled through them and found nothing of interest, just typical correspondence between the Seeker and various other contacts. Looking around the desk, however, he noticed a small locked compartment under the center of the desk in the back.
The lock was difficult, but Zevran prevailed. There was only one item in the small hollow—a letter bearing the seal of the Divine. He pulled it out, read it quickly, then swore under his breath. "Brasca, I knew it!"He carefully tucked the parchment into his pouch. In light of his find, he took a second look through the stack of parchment just to make sure there wasn't anything related to it. Zevran knew he was running out of time so he left the room. Once he was in the hallway he made his way downstairs and out of the Chantry, then made haste as he headed back to the Hanged Man.
~oOOo~
"Blue-eyes, you actually put his head on a pike?"
"It seemed appropriate."
"I'll bet."
The two men had been sharing stories and Val was content to simply listen and let her mind wander. She was glad that they were getting along so well. Maric's experiences will open a whole new avenue of stories for Varric. Yes, the Maric/Varric rhyme is just too cute, and no one could accuse either man of being cute. Well, Maric is cute when he's on the hunt for cheese, he and Alistair both. She thought about how they pouted when there wasn't any in the larder, and smiled, like children on Satinalia, if there was.
A firm knock on the door disturbed Val from her thoughts. Varric swiftly answered it, and stepped out into the hall. Val heard a few murmurs, and then Varric came back into the suite. "We have a reply from our lovely Seeker."
They looked at Varric expectantly.
"It was one word. 'Yes.' "
~oOOo~
Leliana and Cassandra went back to their quarters. They were both completely stunned by the turn of events.
Cassandra closed the door softly and looked at her partner. "You traveled with Alistair for a year, did he give you any indication that his father might still be alive?"
"No. Alistair believed his father was dead. No one in Ferelden even hinted that King Maric could still be alive."
Cassandra began to pace. "The Champion returns to Kirkwall and is married to Maric the Savior, who has been dead for over a decade. Why has she returned?"
Leliana suggested, "She knows what's happening in Thedas, what we face, yes? Why wouldn't she return?"
She ignored Leliana's words. "We were unable to find Alistair, but his father must know where he is."
"Perhaps not. We don't know how many people know that King Maric is alive. Either way, perhaps the influence of Maric the Savior could make up for not having the Hero of Ferelden, yes?"
Cassandra sat down; her perpetual frown was gone from her face. "You may be right."
~oOOo~
Zevran returned to the Hanged Man and went directly to Varric's suite, not bothering to knock on the door before he entered.
Varric started and reached for Bianca, when he heard Val. "Zevran. What's wrong?"
"You and Maric cannot go to this meeting alone! The Divine wants the Champion brought to Val Royeaux. He handed the parchment to her and she read it aloud.
Seeker Pentaghast~
I am grateful beyond measure for your loyalty during this difficult time.
By my charge and under my Seal, you, Cassandra Pentaghast, are authorized to act on my behalf to locate the Hero of Ferelden and the Champion of Kirkwall.
If you are successful in finding either or both of them, you will bring them to Val Royeaux. I prefer that they come willingly. If not, then you have my authority to do whatever you must to bring them here.
May Andraste guide you in your search.
The Divine, Justinia V.
Zevran sat down, his normal affability absent. "Even if the letter only mentions Val and Alistair, I am quite sure they will consider you a bonus, Maric, and bring you as well, or use you to persuade Val to go to Orlais 'willingly.'"
Varric angrily drummed his fingers. "She told me that she didn't mean you any harm. Apparently, the Seeker tells tales of her own."
Val was silent as she put down the parchment. Scared and furious, she turned to Maric, her eyes filled with tears. "You cannot go to this meeting. You cannot be held in Orlais! It's too dangerous for you to be there in the open. If the Divine wants me held in Val Royeaux, then I will go, but not you, love. Not while I still draw breath." She looked at Zevran and Varric. "I will hold you both personally responsible if Maric leaves this room!" Before he could reach for her, she quickly grabbed her pack, and fled.
Maric was about to go after her, when he felt a vice-like grip on his arm. He turned to see Zevran. "Amigo, running after her right now serves no purpose, she knows this city too well, you will not find her."
Varric was worried; he had only seen Hawke this angry once before—as the ashes of the Chantry fell from the sky. He let out a shaky breath. "The Crow's right, Blue-eyes, she knows this city even better than I do."
"Tell me, amigos, when is this meeting?"
Maric's voice was listless. "Two hours past sunset."
"Then we have plenty of time, my friend." Zevran tried to sound optimistic.
Maric was disheartened. He sighed heavily as he ran his hand through his hair. "She feels responsible for what happened at the Gallows. I thought she had gotten past this. I thought we were a team."
"Maric," Varric began, using the former king's name to lend weight to his words. "You've only been here for a few hours and I can tell you're a team. I can see the way you look at each other, how you move together, how she looks at you and talks to you. Hawke knows you're a team. I'm willing to bet actual sovereigns that she'll come to her senses pretty soon, and come back."
Zevran smiled. "Remember, I have seen you together for longer than our storytelling friend. I agree with him."
Maric took notice of the extremely serious and knowing tone in Varric and Zevran's voices. "You're right. She just needs some time to think. That letter really caught us both off-guard. If she isn't back by the time we have to leave for that meeting…"
"Then the Crow and I will go with you."
"Actually, my handsome dwarf, we will be going to the Chantry regardless. The plan was for Maric and Val to convince the Seeker of what was really at stake. That still must happen. We just need to make sure that she is not in the position to act against them. For that, you and I will need to be…close by."
Maric looked at the Antivan. "You have a plan?"
"Of course, when do I not?"
Maric slowly sat down. "What do you have in mind?"
~oOOo~
Val got as far as the door to the Hanged Man before she realized what she was doing. She knew she'd acted rashly, but the thought of Maric being in Orlais, in the hands of the Divine, was more than she could stand. Who knew how many Orlesians would still love to see him run through?
She sat at a nearby table and silently cursed the Chantry. She cursed Andraste for dragging them into this, for the woman's whole damned stupid plan. She wanted to bring Anders back from the dead so she could yell at him, make him see what he'd done to her. What his actions had cost her and she wanted to kill him again, and again, and again.
Slowly, she began to calm down, the tears began to slow, and her mind began to clear. She remembered something she had told Maric the night before he'd proposed. 'I can no longer think of a 'me,' I can only think of an 'us.' I would go to the Void and back with you, Maric Theirin, and I will remain at your side for as long as you'll have me.'
I need to wake up and stop being such a damned idiot. My best weapon, our best weapon, is us.
Standing up, she wiped the tears from her face and went back to Varric's suite.
~oOOo~
Zevran was sitting back with his arms and legs crossed. "The note was in a locked compartment in the Seeker's desk. I do not believe that Leliana is aware of it. If this is true, then I believe you will have an advantage. I know my lovely bard, and she despises being kept in the dark. While Leli has pledged herself to the Divine, I know from personal experience that she prefers breaking the rules. Which I suppose is why she is the Left hand of the Divine. Varric and I will make sure that neither of them will be able to leave the room until you and your lovely wife can convince them to disobey the Divine's orders."
"Are you sure of that, Zevran?"
Zevran flashed a deadly smile. "I am, my friend, I am."
Maric looked at Varric. "And you?"
Varric chuckled. "I'm with the Crow–"
At that moment, the door opened and Val walked in. She closed the door and stood next to it, looking at Maric. Contrition colored her voice and shame dragged at her very being. "Emma lath, I'm so sorry for running away. When I finally came to my senses, I knew that neither of us should be walking this path alone. I said I would never leave your side. Please, forgive me."
Maric went to her. He stood in front of her and lifted her chin up so he could see her face. As he looked at her, his expression and his voice were full of love and understanding. "There is nothing to forgive. I know it must be incredibly hard to be back here and no one was expecting that letter. Please, just don't shut me out. You don't need to be the Champion of Kirkwall, you are my champion, as I am yours."
He pulled Val into his arms and hugged her to him as if he never wanted to let go. They both stood there, like they were the only two in the room.
Varric and Zevran watched. Varric sat back and smiled. "It seems Hawke got it right this time."
Maric and Val sat down and filled Val in on their plans.
When they finished, Zevran looked at Varric. "I believe it's time for the two of us to go to the Chantry and find a good seat for this meeting."
Varric smiled. "Perhaps we can use a few guards as seat cushions. I hate sitting on those hard pews."
Once Zevran and Varric left, Maric looked at his wife. "We should get ready to leave. I think it's a good idea that we get to Hightown well before the meeting."
Val looked a bit unsure. "I…I haven't been anywhere near the Chantry except for the dedication, which was quite short. I do not want to go to that meeting unarmed."
Maric stroked his chin. "Nor do I. I would suggest peace-tying our swords, but that's just as bad as not having them."
"Let's just bring them, if the Seeker has a problem with it, we'll deal with it then."
~oOOo~
Cassandra was relieved that they were meeting in the Chantry. If she couldn't convince the Champion and her husband to willingly accompany her to Val Royeaux, it would be much easier to make a move on them here.
Then there was the issue of Leliana.
The orders from the Divine were for Cassandra's eyes only, so she hadn't shared them with Leliana. If Hawke and her husband don't agree to go to Orlais, then Leliana will know. Cassandra had been partnered with the enigmatic bard for over a year, and while she didn't believe that Leliana would disobey an order from the Divine, there was no way in advance of the event for Cassandra to be certain.
I was the one who dreamed that we should stay, not Leliana. Clearly the Maker led the Champion to me. That means that the Divine must have had her reasons for not including Leliana in the charge. It isn't up to Leliana or me to question the Divine, or the Maker. She will just have to obey.
An hour after sunset, Cassandra found a suitable room. It was on the bottom floor and had an exit to the side garden. She stationed several of her men outside the door. If the Theirins refused to come willingly then the soldiers would enter the room and escort them to the cellar, where they would be held until the trip to Orlais. If Leliana chooses to disobey, she will just have to be confined as well.
Satisfied with her plans, Cassandra stayed in the main hall of the Chantry and waited.
~oOOo~
It was an hour before the meeting and Varric stood in the shadows of the Chantry courtyard. Zevran prowled around trying to find out where the meeting was to be held. Fifteen minutes later he returned with a very large grin. "Our Seeker has men stationed in the gardens outside of a door."
Varric smiled. "That's her plan? I expected more from her, but if she insists on leaving her soldiers so exposed– "
"Then they risk falling prey to whatever walks in the night? Yes?"
"Bianca hasn't seen the Chantry gardens before; I think it's high time I take her for a visit."
~oOOo~
Maric and Val entered the Chantry courtyard fifteen minutes before the meeting.
The new Chantry was a perfect replica of the former one. Val had stayed away from the construction and had only been there, briefly, when the new Chantry was dedicated. Living on the other side of Hightown helped her keep her distance, and when she was in the Keep, it was easy to pretend it didn't exist.
Now, standing in the courtyard, she looked around and memories of that night suddenly exploded into her consciousness, vivid, real, and completely overwhelming her mind and senses. She stopped walking, as the memories captured her mind and pulled it to a place and time she had longed to forget. Val's body was standing in the courtyard, but in her mind she was standing outside the Keep with Meredith and Orsino.
Maric looked at his wife; she had started to tremble. "Val…Val what's wrong?" He looked at her face; her eyes were wide and unfocused. He waved a hand in front of her face but she didn't blink. She was completely oblivious to her surrounding, as if she were in some kind of waking dream…
"There can be no half measures."
The explosion was terrifying; it obliterated the Chantry. Every breath burned as they inhaled the smoke and ashes that began to engulf Hightown.
Val coughed to clear her throat then looked at Anders and rasped, "Anders, what have you done?
She could hear both pride and anger in his voice. "I removed the chance of compromise because there is no compromise."
She was overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation, and then she heard the Knight-Commander call for the Rite of Annulment. She turned her eyes on Val, telling her to do her duty as the Champion. Val knew if she defended the mages it would tear Kirkwall completely apart. The only chance to save innocent citizens was to support the Templars and restore order to Kirkwall as quickly as possible.
She heard her own voice agreeing to support the Templars and she felt sick.
Anders was sitting on a crate. Val stood before him, her face a mixture of shock, horror, and anger. "Anders, this was your plan? The materials I helped you collect were used to create this bomb! That's why you had me speak with Elthina, so you could plant it. You used me!"
Anders voice held no remorse. "You trusted me when I warned you not to. You stayed with me even though I told you I would break your heart. I told you that the plight of mages was more important than us. You chose not to listen! What else would you have me do? You were so dead set on being with me, how could I not use that to further my cause?"
Val felt her heart break. "You used me because I trusted you? You said you loved me! Was that a lie?"
"Not at first, but… I took a spirit into my body and changed us both forever to achieve this. This cause is everything to me; there is no room for love. There hasn't been for a long time."
"So you what, kept me around to warm your bed?"
"It seemed to keep you happy and willing to help me."
Val staggered at the implications of all Anders had said. The pain felt just as intense as it had when she had been impaled on the Arishok's blade. She tried to pull herself together when Sebastian's brogue sounded over the chaos.
"He canna be allowed to live!"
Val knew what she had to do; she had no choice. She felt like a piece was being ripped from her soul. The mental pain was so intense that she emotionally shut down. There was only duty.
Her voice was expressionless. "Anders, you know what I have to do?"
"Then do it, my name will become a rallying cry for all mages."
"Hawke!" Sebastian called.
Why are they all leaving this to me…
She pulled out her dagger and quickly thrust it up into Anders' back and into his heart.
He gasped, looked surprised for a moment, and then fell to the ground. Val dropped the bloody dagger. She had just killed the man she loved more than anything, and because of him, she now had to put innocent mages to death, but none of it touched her.
Why can't I feel anything?
All Val could see were the faces of the mages as they died. All she could smell was the smoke, the ashes and the blood. All she could feel was the vibrations of her sword's pommel as her blade sliced through bodies and demons. All she could hear were the screams. She kept doing what duty demanded. She felt dead inside.
Maric was holding her hands. He had been trying to get through to her; his voice was calm and firm. "Emma Lath, you're here with me."
Val fell to her knees, forcing Maric to release her hands. She put them over her ears. "No more. Let it end! Let it end! Maker, help me make them stop; make it stop! The mages, their eyes! Andraste, their eyes!"
He knelt in front of her and took her face between his hands, looking directly into her eyes. "Val, the battle is over. It's done. You're safe. Do you hear me? You're safe."
Val heard a familiar voice, it was in the distance; she was barely able to hear it over the screams. Then it became louder; it said she was safe. Who is saying that?
"Val, focus on my voice, love. Please. I'm Maric, your husband. We have a granddaughter named Adaia."
She was married? But I killed Anders. No, it's not Anders. Her eyes began to see the moonlit night. The air smelled sweet, like Andraste's Grace. She wasn't holding a sword; warm hands framed her face. It was quiet, except for one voice. Maric's voice. "Maric?" she said in a tentative whisper.
Relief flooded through Maric, he pulled her into his arms. "Thank the Creators. Yes. It's me. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."
As the memories receded, she began to feel like she was back in her own skin. Trying to calm down, she clung to Maric, focusing on slowing her breathing and the oasis of his arms.
He saw two Templars approach. Shit, please be helpful Templars.
"Serah, do you need assistance?"
"No, my wife is feeling a bit ill, but it will pass. We have a meeting with Seeker Cassandra Pentaghast, which we are probably late for. Would you let her know that we'll be there soon?"
"You are Lord and Lady Theirin?"
"Yes."
"We'll tell her."
"Thank you."
Val drew away from Maric. "What happened to me? It was like I was back in the battle. It felt so real."
"I've seen that happen to soldiers who had lived through horrific battles. The important thing is that you're here and safe. Can you stand up?"
Val nodded and Maric helped her to her feet. She felt increasingly more like herself. After a few more minutes, she looked at Maric. "We're late!"
"It's okay; the Templars are sending word to the Seeker. Are you ready to do this? We can call it off."
"No. Let's just get through this. You have the letter?"
"In my belt pouch."
Val took several deep breaths, squared her shoulders and looked at Maric. "We have a conniving Nevarran Seeker waiting for us, how lovely. Shall we?"
He could see her take up the mantle of the Champion. Normally, he tried to talk her out of that shell, but not now. Perhaps this will help her get through the meeting without having another flashback. He held out his arm and Val took it. "Then, by all means, let us meet this Seeker."
~oOOo~
The Templars had just left. Cassandra looked at Leliana. "The Champion is ill?"
"I hope it isn't serious."
"Assuming it's true."
Leliana wasn't going to justify that with a response. The Maker gave us hearts. Sometimes I think Cassandra gave hers back.
After waiting a few minutes, a knock sounded at the door.
Cassandra's irritation seeped into her voice. "What now? Enter if you must!"
A Chantry sister stood there, looking abashed. "My Ladies, your guests have arrived, shall I show them in?"
"Yes, please." Leliana said with a smile, trying to soothe the Sister after being stung by Cassandra's caustic words.
They were standing as Maric entered the room, and a few steps behind him was Val. Cassandra felt the air of command flow off of them. Like her, they were used to being in the lead.
Val looked at the Seeker as she held out her hand. "Seeker Pentaghast, it's good to meet you." You conniving bitch. "Leliana, it is a pleasure to see you again. Please, meet my husband, Maric."
Cassandra shook Val's hand. How dare they come here armed? "It is good to meet you…both." She looked at Val and said curtly, "I heard you were ill, you seem fine now."
Val smiled. Your concern is so touching. "I still feel a bit off, but I'm better. Maric, this is Leliana."
Maric shook both women's hands. When he shook Leliana's he smiled. "I understand you traveled with my son during the Blight. Perhaps you can share some of your stories with me."
Leliana saw so much of Alistair in Maric's face and voice, and he was completely disarming. She gently laughed. "Yes, I did. I admire your son greatly. It would be a pleasure to share some of what I know."
Val sat down. "We are sorry for attending this meeting dressed for battle, but nighttime was always a bit dangerous in Kirkwall, even in Hightown."
Cassandra frowned. "If we have dispensed with the pleasantries? Lord Theirin, where is your son? We have been searching for him."
Varric had told them the Seeker was direct and aggressive. Maric looked at Cassandra. His voice was very matter of fact. "That is not information I will share with you."
Cassandra was angry. "His voice is needed to help stop the madness! You must tell me where he is!"
Maric's voice continued in the same calm manner, which only made Cassandra's voice seem more strident. "No, I will not."
Cassandra was unhappy and frustrated, but she tried a different tack using a more friendly tone. "I am sorry for being so direct, but our need is desperate. I admit I was very disheartened when Varric didn't know where you were, Hawke."
Val arched an eyebrow, at the familiarity the Seeker tried to assume, but her tone was as calm and smooth as Maric's. "Champion or Lady Theirin if you please, Seeker Pentaghast. After all this is a business meeting, not a social call."
Cassandra bit back a retort. "Why have you returned to Kirkwall? Are you here for personal matters?"
Val responded, "No, we came to Kirkwall to speak to the both of you."
Cassandra eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms. "If Varric didn't know where you were, how did you know we were looking for you?"
Val smiled slyly. "I was told by someone who is very concerned about the safety of Thedas."
"And who is this person?" Cassandra demanded.
"Someone whose identity will remain anonymous…for now."
"I see." Cassandra's voice was like ice.
Val was enjoying the conversation tremendously. "Come now, Seeker Pentaghast, the identity of the person is unimportant. You want to stop a war from breaking out, yes?"
"Yes, the bloodshed needs to end. You know this; you know we need your help."
"And we come prepared to help, but it isn't the bloodshed you should worry about."
"Oh. Tell me what you think the Divine should be worried about?"
Subtlety certainly isn't her strong point. "Surely the Divine has been advised that the Veil is on the verge of sundering?"
Cassandra was speechless.
"Forgive me; I'm not a mage so I don't understand all of the details. It is being caused by the amount of magic, Templar powers, and blood magic being wielded. It has steadily weakened the Veil. There are several places in Thedas where it has actually been torn."
Val let that sink in for a moment, and then she leaned forward. "We need the mages to help seal the Veil, and we need the Templars to do their job and protect them while they do so."
Leliana caught on quickly. "You're saying we need to actually unite the Templars and mages."
"That is exactly what I'm saying." She looked at Cassandra and said, solicitously, "Seeker, are you all right? You look a bit pale."
"This sounds like one of Varric's stories. I am not in the mood for more stories, Champion!"
"Seeker, you are Nevarran, correct, of the royal family?"
Cassandra was surprised at the amount the Champion knew about her. "I am. Of what relevance could that possibly be?"
Val could hear the condescension in the Seeker's voice. I am enjoying goading her far too much.
"I'm sorry, I was sure that, as you were Nevarran royalty, you would have been kept abreast of the problems in Hunter Fell. The Veil is torn and they have been battling demons for a month. The Templars have found it difficult to find mages who can help seal the breech. Of course, mages aren't exactly lining up. Which, I believe, paints a perfect picture of why we need to find a way to reconcile the Templars and mages. Wouldn't you agree, Seeker?"
Maric was taking great pleasure in watching the Seeker twitch. She must hate Val knowing more about this mess than she does.
"If what you say is true, then things are already worse than I thought. You must come with us to Val Royeaux. The Divine needs to be told." Cassandra held her breath waiting for the Champion's reply.
~oOOo~
AN: Thank you to the readers, to those who read and those who review. Special thank you to Shakespira for serving as my Beta and for her help and support.
BioWare owns all. I'm just playing in their pool.
