Chapter 11
Circle of Magi, Nevarra City
The hallways of the old fortress serving as home for the Nevarran Circle, looked completely different to Bethany during night, the twisted passages and nooks and crannies casting grotesque shadows in the torchlight. Still, there was something infinitely more comforting about this place compared to the Gallows back in Kirkwall, even considering the recent murders and the increased templar presence, standing guard.
Twice Bethany had to duck into a dark alcove, hiding in the shadows as the guards passed her by, failing to take notice of her. It felt almost miraculous to her to even have this opportunity of being able to sneak outside at this hour, back in the Gallows the templars would lock each and every of the mages up and kept the keys close at hand. Here, they had their own keys to their rooms, allowing them to sneak outside or lock the doors from inside, a popular practice even before the recent murder spree.
Eventually she reached her appointed meeting place with Cassandra, the Nevarran Seeker already waiting for Bethany, her olive-skinned complexion looking particularly grim and severe in the twilight, the light of the torches not reaching far into the alcove.
"I thought you said we wouldn't be able to keep contact," Bethany said quietly, squeezing into the alcove, then listening for any footsteps of the patrolling templar guards.
"I feared that might be the case, but fortunately the security here is not as tight as I expected," Cassandra replied. "I have been granted temporary quarters nearby, for the course of my investigation. But it is still recommended we keep our contact to the minimum. Knight-Commander Leonidas might act forthcoming and helpful, but he is still very suspicious of my activities and will no doubt have me watched."
"I guess everyone would be wary of outsiders," Bethany nodded.
"Seekers are viewed with suspicion everywhere they show up, likely because we do not appear unless the circumstances have become dire enough," Cassandra said, then giving Bethany an inquisitive look. "So, what have you managed to find out?"
"Not much yet, still getting to learn about the here and forming my impressions on them," Bethany shrugged. "The daily routine of the people here, the order in which everything is done, anything that could help in understanding the way these murders were committed. Nobody really wants to talk about the details of the murders, so I have managed to learn only a few things..."
"All three men were killed by multiple knife stabs to the chest area," Cassandra spoke, quickly reciting what she had learned. "Death was near instantaneous. Nobody has heard any screams or any noises at all, though with these thick walls, I imagine that is not surprising."
"I understand that all of them were killed while they were sleeping in their own beds?" Bethany asked.
"That is correct," Cassandra nodded. "Murdered in their sleep."
"So, I was thinking... they all had their own room keys, right?" Bethany mused. "Do you have any idea if they had locked the door from the inside?"
"We have no way to be certain, but everyone assures me that all three victims practiced the safe habit of locking their doors during the night. Obviously, the doors were left open after the murders had been committed."
"The templars surely have a spare key from every room in the fortress," Bethany ventured.
"Yes, they are kept in the guard post that we passed when entering the fortress at the gates," Cassandra explained. "There are three guards present at all times, I checked it personally. There is no way that the murderer would have been able to secure the key from the guard post."
"In that case... there's really only one explanation," Bethany admitted after a moment of thought. "I find it unlikely that these murdered men would have opened the doors to let their murderer in and then got back to sleep while the killer was still in their room. Even if it was someone they trusted enough to let inside... it just doesn't make sense for them to return to sleep."
"So we're looking for someone who can pick a lock," Cassandra concluded. "I will ask around if anyone knows of a person like that. It's a slim lead but it's better than none."
"I suppose you could also comb all rooms in the fortress looking for the lockpicking tools," Bethany suggested, shrugging her shoulders. "Though the culprit probably keeps them well hidden. Or worse, they could be keeping them in such a place to implicate someone else. In the Gallows, templars sometimes slipped blood magic treatises under the mattress of my bed and then caught me with this 'evidence', whenever they wanted to have fun beating up and humiliating a pretty girl."
"I'm... sorry," Cassandra said, looking uncomfortable. "I could see that Kirkwall's Circle was rotten to the core, but I had no idea it was that bad."
"Think nothing of it, I have put it behind me," Bethany smiled. "So, we're cautiously probing for someone who knows how to pick locks. Any other leads that we should keep in mind?"
"Not much," Cassandra shrugged. "I have heard that a new Senior Enchanter will be chosen from the midst of the Aequitarian fraternity. Enchanter Carsini."
"I think I've seen him," Bethany replied thoughtfully, rubbing her forehead. "Small, parched, rat-faced man, didn't particularly like the sight of him."
"Well, considering the previous two Aequitarian Senior Enchanters were murdered..." Cassandra said ominously. "I'm not sure he's really looking forward to this promotion. Unless... he was the one who helped his own promotion along."
"Ah, I see..." Bethany realized. "You want me to keep a closer look on him, just in case."
"Exactly," Cassandra nodded, then pulling back deeper into the alcove at the sound of footsteps growing closer. "We should cut this short. If you really must speak with me, show me a sign and I will set up a meeting. For now... good luck with the investigation."
"Same to you, Cassandra," Bethany answered with a smile.
Imperial Highway, Denerim Approach
The first thing to do on Maythre's list after escaping the horrors of the Korcari Wilds was to find a tavern or an inn where she could have a hot bath, spending hours in the tub, vigorously scrubbing her body, trying to wash off the creepy, crawly sensation of the old witches' fingers running across her skin. But no matter how much she washed and scrubbed, the terrible sensation never fully left her.
I don't care whether she really is my mother like she claims, or not. It does not change a thing. She is an enemy that I must find a way to defeat or at least protect myself from, Maythre thought, once she and Cauthrien were back on the road again. And that makes Morrigan my sister, of course. Now I know why all my senses warned me against seeking intimacy with her, despite us both feeling mutual attraction, she realized, feeling even more disturbed.
Maybe I can find Morrigan and throw her before Flemeth, so that she leaves me alone. That might be one solution... I merely need to prove myself to be of greater use than Morrigan is. And Flemeth is very displeased with Morrigan... yes, I believe that might be a way out. I just need to discover where Morrigan has been hiding...
Maythre shook herself out of her thoughts, turning her head to gaze at Cauthrien, riding alongside her. The general had been overjoyed, as much as she could display such emotion, at her safe return from the Korcari Wilds. She will be the key if I want to succeed against the Orlesians, Maythre decided, gracing Cauthrien with a small smile. I must treat her well and keep her safe.
"So, Cauthrien... if you were to plan an invasion into Orlais, how would you go about it?" Maythre asked a little nonchalantly, her question surprising the general.
"Is this what your revelations told you we must do?" Cauthrien asked. Maythre nodded in reply, sending the general deep in musing. "I would say to forget about it," she shrugged. "They outnumber us ten to one. I'm afraid there is literally no chance of success, my Queen."
"What if they were embroiled in a nasty civil war, as well as mage and templar conflicts?" Maythre asked. "That could provide the distraction we need."
"We could try to ally ourselves with some of the insurrectionists," Cauthrien pondered. "Not the Orlesian nobility, that would prompt them to cease their civil war and unite against us. But the mages, you could probably strike a deal with them."
"That might be a possibility," Maythre nodded.
"But any way I look at this, we would have a disadvantage in numbers," Cauthrien shook her head, still not liking their chances. "For any army trying to best a superior force the key would be mobility and taking advantage of their surroundings. Which would be more difficult when fighting on their ground."
"I do not want to give them any advantages, Cauthrien. I want you to study the maps, the geography of the land, I want you to know the battleground like the back of your hand," Maythre said. "If necessary, I want you to travel to Orlais in disguise and see what you can learn for yourself."
"That won't be necessary, my Queen. I assure you that the collections of knowledge in our libraries are extensive and sufficient."
"But you are right, Cauthrien. I don't want a large, slow army that could be caught flat-footed. I want a highly skilled, elite force, a healthy mix of cavalry and infantry, capable of traveling quickly and at moment's notice," Maythre said.
"The problem is that we will not have the numbers to successfully lay siege to their well fortified cities," Cauthrien spoke. "Of course, there are a number of strategies to employ such as starving and demoralizing them, if you wish to consider that."
"Absolutely! I want you to do everything you have to in order to succeed! Burn and salt their fields, pillage and raze their granaries, slaughter the livestock, execute their peasants, do whatever you must to sow terror and break their will to fight," Maythre said, bewildered that Cauthrien would even stop to consider that she might not approve of some methods based on ethical grounds.
"As you wish," Cauthrien shrugged her shoulders, then giving a hoarse laugh. "Loghain would have loved this. Ironic, is it not?"
"I suppose he would have enjoyed it, yes," Maythre nodded, not particularly willing to spend time reminiscing about her old foe. "There are a few other things I think we should do in preparation. I want to expand our spy network in Orlais, I want to double, no, triple the number of agents we have stationed there. Everyone is watching the mages and the templars argue, all attention focused on them, this is the perfect time to move our people into their positions."
"That seems wise," Cauthrien nodded. "And the other thing?"
"All the mages that have flocked to sanctuary in Ferelden having been doing nothing but growing their bellies for several years now. It is time to put them to work. They will play an important role in the ranks of the invading army. Later we can work out the details on how to best use them, but I want to bring enough firepower to be able to tear down any walls in our path."
"They will be of great help, I am sure," Cauthrien agreed.
"Of course they will be, as long as we find the right people for the job," Maythre said, her thoughts immediately traveling elsewhere. Speaking of which, it has been some time since I have checked where my old friend Hawke has wondered off to. Looks like I might have a use for her soon...
Ruins of Kal'Hirol, Deep Roads
'Why have you come here?' there was a quiet voice inside her mind, an insidious whisper, as Riona was sleeping, tossing about in a restless dream. 'The others are welcomed to stay, and they will do so, but not you. You... are different. You do not belong.'
These whispers kept constantly repeating in her mind, eventually forcing Riona to open her eyes, waking up. For a while she simply rested with her head on the uncomfortably hard pillow, feeling an unpleasant thumping in her temples. Ow... my head. What a bloody nightmare. Wish I could remember anything... there was some kind of a voice trying to tell me something... she slowly thought, trying to gather her bearings.
It was only a while later that Riona became aware of a presence nearby, someone sitting at the still smoldering fireplace. She slowly turned her aching head, barely managing to suppress a yelp at seeing Velanna there, sitting on her knees on the ground, a strange, wild look in her eyes as she was staring in Riona's direction, but the gaze seemed to pass right through her, as if she wasn't even there.
"Hey... Velanna!" Riona called out softly, hoping not to wake Nathaniel sleeping next to her, but trying to shake the elf out of her strange, frightening state. It's like... she's not all there, Riona thought worriedly.
Velanna shook her head as if trying to clear it, softly rubbing her temples before looking back at Riona. For a moment it seemed as if the elf was not aware of where she was. "Yes?" she finally managed.
"Everything alright?" Riona asked, rising from the bed roll, still deeply worried.
"Yes, I am fine," Velanna quickly recovered.
"What are you doing up at this hour?" Riona pressed.
"I think I woke because I... heard something," the elf replied. "Probably was a stray deepstalker. There's nothing to worry about," she added hastily.
"And you're sure there are no darkspawn around?" Riona asked, feeling anything but reassured at Velanna's statement.
"You would doubt the word of a Grey Warden?" Velanna snapped back, then trying to concentrate on sensing the darkspawn, bringing up a hand to rub her temples as if she were in pain. "I can't feel any darkspawn, no," she said after a while. "There is... something, but... it is very faint and appears far off. I don't know what... no, it does not seem to be darkspawn..."
"How can you sense something that's not darkspawn?" Riona blinked.
Velanna shrugged, concentrating again. "It is gone, whatever it is," she said with certainty. "I must have been mistaken. My head is not entirely clear, I have been... thinking a lot about Seranni."
"You must be worried sick," Riona said, a little more sympathetically.
"I will find her, no matter what," there was steel in Velanna's voice.
"I hope you do," Riona nodded, reaching out for her canteen and taking a few sips of water. "Perhaps we should return to sleep?" she suggested afterwards, not entirely comfortable with the way Velanna had stared right through her just moments ago. Something here is not right, she thought at herself. I did not much care for that wild, possessed look in her eyes just then.
"That seems prudent," Velanna nodded, rising from the ground and stretching before walking over to her own bedroll. "And do not worry. We are safe here."
"Good to know. Thank you, Velanna," Riona replied, easing herself down on the bedroll, but not daring to close her eyes just yet. Silently she waited, looking across to where the blonde elf rested, waiting for her to fall asleep first. Eventually, the elf's tossing and turning stopped, as she fell into deep slumber and Riona allowed herself to roll over on her side, settling in more comfortably.
Despite her heart still beating alarmingly, soon enough she was back sleeping, that relentless, mysterious whispering continuing to pursue Riona in her dreams. 'Leave this place, and stop pursuing me, as we agreed, promises written in blood,' the whispers told her. 'Leave the others behind and go. Go, while you still can...'