Short chapter here, but the beginning of a lot of action in the coming days enjoy!
Chapter 10
Moving Forward
The next three months passed quickly in the city of Kirkwall. Once the excitement of the darkspawn attack calmed down the city found itself settling back into its everyday routine, merchants sold their wares, nobles negotiated deals involving land and power, and more mercenary bands responded to the Threnholds' open summons. Hundreds of new warriors began to fill the city, and all were looking to stake a claim on fair Kirkwall.
Groups like the Crimson Oars who had done very well in the city, now found themselves with more competition. The Viscount encouraged conflict between the groups, if only to feed his vanity. Nobles bribed the city guard handsomely to protect them from these new ruffians, and Perrin Threnhold raised his protection fees on all merchants, all to insure their protection, of course.
For Malcolm Hawke and his companions this presented new challenges. Captain Kendals found herself embroiled in the politics of Kirkwall. The Red Iron mercenary band had begun to threaten any who sought the Crimson Oars services, it had not become open war yet, but it was a possibility. On top of all those problems the city guard seemed to be supporting the Red Iron's claims. It seemed that the Viscount's son had not forgiven the Oars for spoiling his fun in the keep.
The Grey Warden Alec remained with the Crimson Oars, his friendship with Malcolm Hawke, and his attraction to Kendals growing. For the first time in his young life the warden felt conflict between his desires and duty. Commander Larius still demanded constant reports on Alec's search for a mage. The warden found himself reluctant to approach his friend Hawke about this. He hoped to find another mage to aid them, one that he would not mind putting at risk. Malcolm was a good man, and a good mage. Alec had no desire to put his new friend at risk.
Ser Carver remained a constant companion in Malcolm's life. In the months that followed the Tethras job, the Knight-Commander began to take notice of the young Templar's service. He promoted Ser Maurevar to the rank of Knight-Lieutenant. Though Mori complained about his new responsibilities, it was clear that he enjoyed the freedom his new rank gave him. He no longer needed a Lieutenant's permission to take a mage from the Gallows when he needed. This new power allowed the Templar to take Tobrius out into Kirkwall whenever he desired. The circle mage was then free to continue Malcolm's training in magic. Tobrius felt he owed Hawke from saving him from the darkspawn, and passing on magical lessons was the least he could do. Under the circle mage's guidance, Malcolm's powers continued to grow, his grasp of elemental magic increased greatly, and though he showed no talent for the force magic that was Tobrius's specialty, he did become a very powerful healer. A talent that was extremely necessary in the world of the Crimson Oars.
As for Malcolm himself, his life was constantly busy. He divided his time between the Oars and his duties to the Amell family. Lord Amell had begun to bring Leandra with him to every political function in Kirkwall. It was clear that the noble intended his young daughter to be the new face of the Amell family.
And what a face it was Malcolm thought.
It was rare that Leandra was not out on the streets of Hightown with her new bodyguard only a word away. The two spoke often, respectfully, yes, but also with a sense of nervous excitement that neither was willing to admit. She found herself blushing under his regard; just a hint of a smile would set it off. She also found herself watching him without trying too, and he felt the air sizzle whenever they were together. It was both terrible and wonderful at the same time, a beautiful torment.
It was an exciting time to be a Kirkwaller.
It would not last.
Beyond her walls, the powerful were talking. From Tantervale to Ostwick, from Ostwick to Starkhaven, and from Starkhaven to Ansburg word of the military buildup in the city of chains sparked concern and worry.
Threnhold's ambitions were not unknown. Sooner or later he would move to unify the disorganized mercenary groups into a unified force, and then all of the Free Marches would find itself facing a massive host from Kirkwall. The various Lords and Princes debated on how best to deal with this brewing crisis. Some suggested that the Chantry should get directly involved, to use the Templars to force the Viscount to back down from this dangerous path. Word was sent to both the Grand Cleric and Knight-Commander Guylian. There answer was met with not much joy.
The Chantry cannot involve itself in the matters of politics; the Templars exist only to guard the chantry and the circle. Any use of them as a political force would be a breach of Chantry etiquette. It was impossible for Chantry to involve themselves in the matter of the crown.
So the military buildup in Kirkwall continued, the city states of the Free Marches began to gird themselves for a war that was perhaps inevitable. A war that would likely see Kirkwall either destroyed or the unquestioned power in the Free Marches. A war that would also likely weaken the victors to such a degree that anyone, from either the Orlesians to the distant Qunari, would have an easy victory should they choose to exploit it. It seemed unlikely that such a conflict could be avoided, the crisis threatened to expand.
But where some see crisis, others see opportunity, the Chantry's dismissal of the others city states pleas were not lost on some within the Chantry. People that chafed under Threnhold's rule recognized that if the correct strings could be pulled, at the correct time, then it was possible to diffuse the troubles without massive loss of life, while in the process expanding their personal power to undreamed of levels.
A web of intrigue began to spread from the Gallows, the plotting began, nobles met with their supporters, their supporters their underlings. In the Gallows, word was sent to Templars that felt as the nobles did, it was time to act, to change Kirkwall for the better. It would be a slow process, but an empire was not built in a day. One day word would come from the corridors of the Gallows, and on that day the Threnhold dynasty would be cast down, a new day would dawn.
At the heart of the web, sat a most singular spider, a black widow if you will, she was yet unknown to those in power, choosing to act through others. That would change soon enough.
Reading quietly in her quarters, Ser Meredith Stannard waited patiently. She had an appointment this evening, but after that all would begin to change.
The Maker's judgment was coming to Kirkwall.
Her time had now come.