Tale from Tevinter
Chapter 10
Vivianna's Plan
The tournament was truly the event, as it were, of the city. She found it strange that she had no clue of the upcoming occasion yet everyone else seemed to know of it. She consoled herself to the knowledge that she had been outside the city, and on patrol for near most of her time under Vivianna. Bethany all but rolled her eyes at Marian when she learned of her sister's absolute lack of knowledge of something that had been the talk of every apprentice at the Arcane Halls for months now.
"Really, it's not like I get out much!" Marian pouted, crossing her arms as she walked her sister to her classes.
"Marian, I'll let it slide. Even though there have been near double the number of traders and warriors in the city. Even though the port, where we now live very close to, is packed with ships. Even though every night Carver can go on, and on, and on about how much he can't 'Wait to see some real sword fighting'!"
"He always says that!" Marian knew her sister was only jabbing in jest, and she understood that. She had heard Carver talking about swords and battles and had simply tuned her him out. Ignoring Carver was one of the ways she had thus far managed not to put a magical force slap down on the boy. Even after all this time it still seemed that he felt the way to improve his image was to belittle his sister.
She sighed, her eyes drawn in by the reflection of the light off the water. Somehow, it seemed so strange, but with how the city was built, dipping towards the Bay, you could see the crystal shimmering waters from anywhere inside the city. The smell of the fishing ships on the port may have effected how she felt about being close to the water, but even still she caught herself admiring it's strange beauty.
The ocean was a vast, open emptiness. A terrifying notion, and yet how freeing that must be to be one of the people out there on the waves. They only stopped in the city. They were free to go, and do as they wished. Her sister's arm slipped around her shoulder, drawing her back out of her musings.
"Something's bothering you Marian." Bethany said, not unkindly. The younger mage slowed her pace to the school, milking the walk to gain extra time with her elder sister.
"Take your pick," Marian murmured, the tirade of problems only seemed to be wall about her, and she didn't know how she was going to scale them anymore. "It's nothing."
"I'm worried about you," Bethany's voice was a whisper. Marian placed her hand over the smaller one that held her about the arm. She squeezed her sister's hand, and trying to send her a smile that would placate.
"Well, how are the two Miss Hawkes today?" Marian frowned as Bethany gave a pleasant smile to the woman who came up behind the two. Hadriana gave a long grin to the two girls, her heavy robes swishing over the stone road as she took up Bethany's other side. "Did you sleep well, my dears?"
Bethany returned the pleasant banter with Hadriana. Marian tired to hide her contempt for the other mage as they neared the tower. When they reached the gate, Marian had a hard time letting go of her sister's hand as she went to join the other mages entering the Halls for classes. Bethany waved her goodbye, and Marian parroted the action.
The walk she made to barracks was lonely, as it always was. Rubbing the arm her sister had held, Marian played like it was the wind that had added a chill to her skin.
When she entered the barracks, she was greeted with the fearful looks of four of the guards from yesterday. Deciding she should apologize, she went toward the group who was polishing their gear. The flinch was visible, and one of them dropped the rag of black oil at her approach.
"I'm sorry," Marian dipped her head to the side, but there were no words offered in return. All of the men looked from one to the other, fear easily readable in their eyes. "Please~"
"Marian!" Vivianna's lioness roar shook through the room. The guards quickly began focusing back on their tasks. Marian made her way to the back of the barracks, to the older woman's quarters.
Opening the door she was greeted with Vivianna's back, her hands splayed upon her desk. A stack of scrolls now littered the usually neat area. Closing the door, Marian noticed the black splatter of ink that dripped down the wood. Near the wall lay the shattered glass of the ink well.
"Bad morning?" Marian ventured, watching her feet as she entered to not step on any of the glass.
"I don't have time for games," Vivianna stated flatly, turning, she crossed her arms and stared coolly at the younger woman. "Let's be blunt, shall we? I've received an offer, by way of courier this morning, from Danarius." Vivianna's fingers lift up a parchment, the red wax seal already broken. "He, being so very generously, has sent me an offer to take you off my hands. Truly, I should consider myself lucky. I won't need to babysit you, or clean up your messes." Marian felt cold hands gripping her in her heart as Vivianna spoke. Her own hand griped about her chest, as though she could ward off the chilly feeling.
"What? I don't understand," Marian's confusion was plainly scrawled across her face, as well as some of the old fear from her first encounter with the magister.
Vivianna asked, brows raising in mock shock, "Aren't you proud of yourself? Showing off for a Magister, and getting his attention? You should be. One of the best places to secure power is at the side of a Magister in Minrathous. You could set your sights on teaching in the Halls, but that's a bit low. The city council maybe, or maybe even a position as a leading magister?"
"Don't send me to him!" Marian surprised herself, and apparently Vivianna, with her plea. "I don't... Please, let me stay." Vivianna frowned, setting down the letter on her desk. She circled around, pulling out her chair and laced her fingers together as she stared off in deep thought. "Messere~," Marian was cut off when Vivianna raised her hand, her arctic eyes still frozen as ice.
"Why?" Vivianna broke the silence eventually, her eyes evaluating her young apprentice.
Marian opened her mouth, then closed it. She frowned, unsure of how to voice the feelings she received from the magister. "When I... When I look into his eyes," Marian's pink tongue darted out to wet her dry lips, "I see the Void." Vivianna inclined her head to the side, not asking for a further explanation then the one Marian had given. Fidgeting on both her feet, she nearly tripped over her own toes when Vivianna spoke once more.
"One does not deny Danarius."
"Please, Vivianna!"
"However," She picked up the missive, and held it up to a candle that had burned low on her desk. "It was only a suggestion. He did not command me to give you up." She watched the paper burn, before dropping it to a metal tray on her desk. Marian found herself able to breathe once more, but her relief was shrot lived because Vivianna's frown only intensified.
"Don't rejoice, my little apprentice. I have only bought you a little time. And, truly, I do mean a little. Danarius is not one to be denied. In doing so, I'll have peaked his interest all the more. He may let you stay on with me for a little while, but eventually he will demand I hand you over."
"What do you mean? Can he do that?" Marian stammered, confused by this strange admission. "You are my Master Mage. I am sworn to you! How could he just take me away?"
"Because I do not have the power to stop him!" Vivianna snapped, slamming her pale hand down on her desk. "Maybe by decree of the city council, or by the guidance of the magisters in the Arcane Halls, I could be deemed unfit to fulfill your apprenticeship. Your tousle with those nuggs out there last night does not cast a good light on me either. Maybe it's not enough on its own, but it's the beginning of fodder."
"I'm not leaving you," Marian moved and sat down at the desk across from Vivianna, her eyes shining with the same hard steel as her Master's. One side of Vivianna's painted lips quirked up as she appraised her apprentice.
"What? Not even if a noble offers you their hand?" Marian's face went pale before it flushed crimson. "Don't be so surprised. Gossip is the life blood of our fair city, and I am tasked with drinking it in. I know why your family suddenly moved as it did. I had figured that it was a trivial matter, the proposed engagement. However," Vivianna looked at the ash that remained of the morning's missive, "I think there is more then I can see. I had assumed Messere Dolan wants you to start a family for him. A young wife to bear him some strong mage pups. However, if you marry Dolan, he would hold power over your continued education. I know you would not train under me anymore, and I'm sure he would not hand you over to Danarius either. No, you would continue to learn under Artamus and that is something I would not recommend."
"I don't want to marry Artamus Dolan!" Marian snapped, her temper lost with her future being discussed so nonchalantly before her.
"My Sweet, it will not matter what you want," Vivianna flatly stated, her hands dropping to the desk so she could lean toward her distraught apprentice. "The players in this city have moved mountains. Should they fancy you for an apprentice, or wife, then that is what will happen. Through your family, or through me, or through the law. They will find a way. You are still so young, and you're future cannot be grasped by your hands alone. You can't stand for yourself. Yet." Vivianna stood, coming around the desk and pulling Marian to her feet.
"What you need is time! You have the potential to be a great mage, and people are taking notice. I think it's wisest to disappear."
"Disappear?" Marian ask, dumbfounded as Vivianna all but skipped around the room, pulling a very old scroll off a top shelf. She blew the dust off of it, humming as she spread the parchment out on her desk. Marian moved quickly to clear the desk of the candle and tray so she wouldn't burn the paper.
"A map?" Marian whispered, suddenly feeling like a conspirator. Vivianna chuckled, her eyes shimmering ice blues as she grinned.
"Yes, a map. An expedition! It will be perfect. I'd had to delay my plans when I was given you to train. There's an island out across the waters. An old ruin, and the remains of what may be some powerful magical artifacts."
"We... We are allowed to go treasure hunting?" Marian asked in disbelief.
"We are charged with the safety of the city," Vivianna huffed, a smirk across her lips. "The ruins are old, but there's word that's come to me suggesting that a coven has taken up root there. Not really so surprising, however they are not sanctioned by the city, and it's within our borders. Then there are the other rumors."
"What 'other' rumors?" Marian asked as she looked at the small island that was a far distance away from where Minrathous lay on the map.
"That they've been pulling ships into the island's reef. Drowning the crew, or eating them. Either way, it's created a rather bit of fear amongst our sailors. They take a very large route away from the island to avoid it's 'cursed' nature."
"Covens, treasure, sirens~ I don't believe it," Marian frowned, crossing her arms and leaning back.
"Probably just a bunch of pirates that found a good place to hold up. In either case, they are outside the city's walls and within my jurisdiction," Vivianna grinned broadly as she rolled up her scroll. "It will take awhile. Travel, cleaning up the island, and finding any artifacts that may get into the wrong hands if left there. If there are tunnels, it may be even longer. It will give you time, Marian." Vivianna pointedly looked at her apprentice. "That, is the greatest gift I can give you."
"How long?" Marian asked, while Vivianna tapped her fingers to her leg in calculation.
"Including the time to sail the waters, a year. At the minimum."
"A year?!" Marian's mouth dropped, her eyes going large.
"Probably longer," Vivianna apparently was recalculating some things in her head. "Regardless, it needs to be done. Also, you will be out of the city and out of all these mage's conniving grasps. You are almost sixteen now, yes?" Marian gave a small nod, as Vivianna smiled, "You will be an adult when we return then. You will not be bound to obey anything, or anyone, other than the law on our return."
"What about my family?" Marian asked, her eyes darting to the map Vivianna had re-rolled.
"They will receive your stipend as usual. They are citizens so they're under the cities protection. Also, I can arrange for the guards to keep an eye out for them in your absence."
"Yes, but, it's just," Marian frowned her mouth unable to form the words she couldn't speak. She'd never been parted from her family before, and never for such a long time.
"You're options are before you, Marian Hawke." Vivianna turned to a paper on her desk, waving the girl away. "Take the day to consider it. In three months time I'll have everything secured for departure. The games should make a good cover for our departure. I dare not leave before the tournament through, but after they are done it shall be easy to leave with little notice while everyone is getting drunk with celebrations."
"May I tell my family?" Marian asked, knotting her fingers in her lap.
"You will have to tell them you are leaving, though I have concerns. Your sister attends the Arcane Halls, and I'd rather not tip Danarius too soon to our plans. In addition, your father is friends with your would be courter. Hmm," Vivianna thought, rubbing her finger under her chin. "As of this moment, say nothing, for there is nothing to be said. I will arrange for the expedition, and should I happen to require your assistance at the last minute, I'm sure you can be up to the task."
"Ah," Marian frowned bowing her head to keep the sad look from her eyes.
"Now, don't be so down. This will save you any number of propositions for marriage that will undoubtedly be coming your way in the following months. By all mean, my dear, it will do you much good to vanish from Minrathous for a time."
"What will be so difference when I return?" Marian asked, and Vivianna gave a wicked grin.
"You will be strong enough to handle yourself."
For the next few weeks, nothing was spoken of about the plot; for that is truly what Marian considered it. She didn't know if Vivianna was over reacting, but a part of her was worried her Master wasn't. She trusted her Mage Master, and the way she used cold calculations to predicted the movement's of her fellow citizens was unnerving. Mostly, she realized, because it felt like it came with a practiced ease. She was used to this sort of game.
Vivianna insisted that Marian start taking the dreamless sleep potion every night until things were ready. Marian didn't need to ask why. She had long since learned there were mages, besides Hadriana, in the city who walked through dreams as easily as she walked through the rooms in a house. She had learned to steady her mental walls while she slept, but a dreamless sleep potion guaranteed no admittance.
She continued to take her sister to her classes, and continued to pick her up in the evening. After she'd seen Bethany home, Marian made a trip either to Varric or the market. She did not know what she would need for the trip, but she gathered a few items she felt would come in handy, and began to stock up on things in a small pack she kept in her room.
Carver was the only one who seemed to be curious as to her comings and goings. Her brother eyed her skeptically, as though he was trying to discern something. Once he'd offered to have her join him on his trip to Messere Dolan's Estate. He was going to train with Leto, but Marian declined. As much as she wanted to see Leto and Varania, she couldn't bring herself into a scenario where she may run into Artamus. It would be better to avoid that situation.
That's why, two weeks after her talk with Vivianna, Marian was floored to see Dolan's heavy velvet cloak hanging in her home's entryway. Bethany giggled, bouncing into the house and calling a greeting out toward the home's sitting room. The deep voice that greeted her sister was that of Dolan. Marian stood there, unsure if she could simple just leave. Her choice was taken when she heard her sister calling out for her to join them.
Marian kicked the dust from her shoes, brushed the dirt from her robes, and entered their small parlor. Marian breathed in a sigh of relief to find her father was standing in the parlor as well. She unconsciously found herself drawing near her father as though his shadow offered protection. Her mother, catching her movements, grasped her daughter by the arm, and walked her directly before their guest.
"Well, where did your manners go, Marian?" Leandra grinned a warning at her daughter, earning an uneasy smile from Marian.
"Good evening, Messere Dolan," Marian gave a small bow, hoping that her cheeks were not flushing with embarrassment. "I trust all is well?"
"Yes, yes, very well," Artamus sat up at Marian's approach, his smile kind as ever as she took her hand. He pulled it in close, and Marian shot her father a confused, bewildered expression before he had gently kissed her fingers. It took all her nerve to keep from pulling away from the kiss, and she gave an awkward laugh at the gesture. "She truly grows more beautiful each day. You are raising a fine young lady, Leandra."
"That's very good of you," Leandra beamed, giving a small bow to the man.
"Well, it's getting late," Malcolm interjected, much to Marian's relief. "I thank you for your visit, old friend, but I must be seeing my children to bed."
"To bed, with the sun still out?" Artamus balked at the notion.
"They have chores they must attend before the light leaves us," Malcolm offered by way of explanation.
"This is why you should take a slave, Malcolm. Menial tasks should not be done by such lovely ladies." Leandra blushed, Bethany giggled in agreement, and Marian fought the urge to walk out of the room all together. Thankfully, Artamus did take his leave, giving each of the ladies another kiss upon the hand. Marian noticed how the older man turned his eyes upon her as his lips brushed against the back of her hand.
When he had left, Malcolm escorting his friend back to his estate, Marian moved to ascend the stairs to her room when she was accosted.
"Well, my little Marian," Leandra beamed at her daughter, "I think you have your first admirer."
"What? Ew! Mother!" The outburst came from Bethany, not Marian, who had taken a mute and pale stance on the stairs. "He's as old as Daddy, Mother, and he's balding on top."
"He's also very rich, and he's also very kind," Leandra huffed, returning to the kitchen to stir the soup once more. "It's a very nice complement, if nothing else, Marian."
"Come on," Bethany swooped past her sister, grabbing Marian's hand and dragging her upstairs. "Really?!" Bethany spat when she'd pulled Marian into her room. "Of all the... Didn't she run away from a 'well to do man' to marry father?"
"I'm sure she doesn't actually entertain the notion of me marrying Messere Dolan," Marian tried to sooth her agitated sister, rubbing her hands along the younger girls arms to comfort her.
"Oh, no?" Bethany asked, spinning on her sister. "She seemed just fine with you going off to the guards so we could be citizens. Now you're always gone, and in some danger or another. Why not go and trade you off to a noble for some money and title?!"
"Bethany," Marian blinked, her sister's eyes were blue tempests of rage. "Bethany, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Her sister spat, breaking the Marian's hold. "I just see what they've done to you. How they use you. You're a person, Marian. Not some doll, or a weapon. You should be able to have a life, but you never get to have one! You're always giving up everything for everyone else. It has to stop!"
Marian had never seen her sister so angry, her eyes were flashing, and light waves of energy were pulsing off her small frame. Taking a step forward, Marian slowly placed her hand under her sister's chin, and turned her face up so she could look her in the eye.
"Bethany. I regret nothing I've done," Bethany frowned her mouth opened to protest, but Marian hushed her with a finger to her lips. "Everything I've done has been for you all, but, and please understand Bethany, that I'm alright with the dangers I face. I know that I'm not only helping to protect the city, but everyone who is important to me. You," Marian leaned down, tapping her forehead to her sisters softly, "are one of the most important people to me. I'm glad I can protect you."
"One of the most?" Bethany asked, a ting of humor push out the anger that taken her over before. Marian laughed, and gave a shrug.
"You are the most important person to me. Just don't tell Carver," Marian whispered the last, and kissed her sister on her crown. When she finally released her sister from the embrace, Marian made her way into her room, and took a deep breath. She suddenly hoped that the tournament could be over so she could escape the city. The only thing in their plans that bothered her, was that she would be leaving her sister. It was a thought that kept Marian up the entire night.
TBC~
Disclaimer: Dragon Age and all of its character's and places are property of BioWare and the respective copyright holders. OC(s) Include Artamus Dolan, and (sorta) Anitra.
Author's Note:
Sorry for the delay and a shorter chapter. Things went crazy, but are settling. I hope you enjoy, and I'll try to get the next chapter up much soon! Thank you for the reviews, and I shall try to do better re-reading when going through as well.