She couldn't believe it. This was worse than any worst case scenario she had played in her mind. Tevinter? That was the solution the rebel mages had chosen? How could Fiona be so desperate to pledge all of them to that Magister! How could she think for a second that slavery in the imperium was their better chance?
Alexis was boiling with rage, her hand that still held the note from Felix was trembling. She had needed all her self-control to remain calm during her talk with Gereon Alexius and Fiona, now that they were gone her anger was slowly trying to surface. Pinching her nose she tried to calm down. There was something more important at hand than her conflicted emotions, something that was making this entire situation feel wrong. She had played along while talking with the Magister, trying to gather information. She hadn't gained much but it was sufficient to be fairly certain that he was the one here having a secret agenda. Too many things weren't adding up.
First, apparently the Fiona they had met at Val Royeaux wasn't Fiona, so either the Grand Enchanter's memory had been altered, or there was some form of magic at hand. Then there was that very timely arrival of Gereon Alexius who so perfectly happen to arrive right after the conclave to offer a bargain saving the mages from the wrath of the Templars. And now there was the note from the Magister's son saying that she was in danger and setting a meeting in Redcliffe's Chantry. There was a trap in there somewhere waiting for her, that much was certain.
"So Frostbite, what's our move?"
Varric had come up with that nickname for her, she liked it, and she had gotten use to the dwarf calling her that way.
"This meeting is most certainly a trap." Said Cassandra.
"And our best chance at learning more about this Magister." Solas added.
"I agree, with both of you. There's something wrong here and I intend to find out what."
"Great! There's nothing better to make new friends than going to some secret meeting right after you've been told that you're in danger. Bianca and I can't wait!"
"You know what Varric? You really are good at highlighting the bright side of a situation." Said Alexis on a slightly sarcastic tone.
At least Varric's sly humor was helping with her mood. But unfortunately that small relief was short-lived. The Gull and Latern, Redcliffe's tavern, had been almost emptied for her meeting with Fiona, but there had been a few others mages, mostly at tables on the other side of the room. As Alexis and her party was going to leave, one of them stood up and placed herself between them and the way to the exit.
"Alexis Trevelyan, so it really is you."
It was a young woman with sort black hair and wearing a mage's robe. A mean expression was placated on her long and slime face.
"Linnea. Long time no see." Sais Alexis, crossing her arms and trying her best at sounding calm.
"You really come up in the world, right? Marked by Andraste, ordering Templars about. Must be nice." The woman said with a distinct sardonic note in her voice.
"What do you want Linnea?" Alexis said, keeping her face neutral.
"What do I want? You can't possibly fathom that Alexis. You, always the best, the perfect apprentice then a promising knight-enchanter! They even reached out to you to go to the conclave despite the fact that you left us at Ostwick! And look at you now, a pretty face in a perfect armor, coming as the great savior."
"Quit it Linnea, if you're only there to spit your venom it doesn't interest me." Alexis snapped at her.
"I've come to tell you to mind your own business, we don't want this Inquisiton's help. We'll be Tevinter soon, we'll be respected."
"You'd rather bow to Tevinter than join the Inquisition? You believe your life will be better in the Imperium because it's ruled by mages? Have you gone completely mad?"
Alexis was losing patience, she was already way past angry and Linnea was getting on her nerves.
"The imperium isn't like what the Chantry says, no one here wants us to look at them and say: Their mages are free and the world hasn't ended."
"Yes, Tevinter mages are free. But you won't, none of you will be free there! You'll be nothing more than a slave, mage or not!"
"You can believe in your Inquisition if you like, but leave us. We don't need you. Go back to your Templars since you are on their side, even after everything they did to you."
Her face twisted by hate Linnea spat that last remark and left. Alexis's hands had balled into fists and she was focusing on the pain caused by her nails digging into her palms to refrain herself from grabbing the girl and break her nose.
"Are you alright Trevelyan?" Cassandra spoke to her softly.
Alexis sighed trying to calm down. She loosened her fists while giving Cassandra a small nod.
"It's fine. She always acted like a jerk around me in the Circle. No reason that would change now." Alexis responded trying to forget what Linnea had said. "Let's go, we need to find out what's happening here."
They walked out of the tavern and made their way towards the Chantry. But whatever it was they were supposed to find out there, Alexis felt that it was only going to be another bad news on a day already full of them. All hope of convincing the rebel mages to do the right thing and help the Inquisition was gone. Fiona had made a deal for all of them and Alexis had no power to undo that bargain. Perhaps she could still convince some of them to leave despite the deal that had been made with the Magister? But how could she manage that without tipping off Gereon.
But they already had reached the Chantry, and there was no time to dwell on that thought any longer, she had to focus on what was waiting for her behind those doors.
And it was clearly not what she had expected!
"Good! You're finally here! Now help me close this, would you? ยป Said the man that had just bludgeon to death two demons with only his staff, a fade rift, waiting to poor out more demons, glowing behind him. If it was made on purpose, the man had clearly a taste to grandstanding entrance.
Unclasping her spirit blade and pouring her mana into the weapon, Alexis glanced at Varric.
"Looks like at least Bianca is going to make some new friends!"
"You know how much she likes those, Frostbite."
The rift was already pulsing again, demons ready to cross the veil. Solas casted a barrier around them and when the first demon materialized, Alexis rushed towards the creature. Her blade passed its defenses and she quickly sent it back to the fade. Her comrades were making good on their own, and so did the mage that had been waiting for them.
The battle was over quickly. Alexis could feel the pulse of energy coming for the mark on her hand and sending light jolts of pain along her arm. The first time she had felt it, it was unbearable. Now it had lessened and she could manage the discomfort. She aimed the mark at the rift and the energy poured out to close it.
"Fascinating. How does that work, exactly?"
Alexis quirked a brow at the man while quickly scanning him from head to toe. He was handsome, with dark hair and a moustache. His skin a tanned complexion and he was wearing an air of insolent confidence about him.
"You don't even know, do you? You just wiggle your finger, and boom! Rift closes." He added.
"Who are you?" She said, crossing her arms on her chest.
"Ah getting ahead of myself again, I see. Dorian of house Pavus, most recently of Minrathous. How do you do?"
"Another Tevinter. Be cautious with this one." Said Cassandra next to her.
"Suspicious friends you have here. Magister Alexius was once my mentor, so my assistance should be valuable, as I'm sure you can imagine."
"Stop talking like you're waiting for applause. I want to know what's going on." Said Alexis.
"What, there's no applause? Fine. Look, you must know there's danger. That should be obvious even without the note."
Dorian trailed on, explaining everything he knew about the time magic that had brought Gereon Alexius to Redcliffe at just the right moment. With even more unanswered questions in mind Alexis watched Felix arrive, bringing some more bad news to situation already full of them. And Tevinter supremacists gathering into a cult? That alone was qualifying as bad news enough to bring the utter most perfect day into a shitty one.
"They call themselves "Venatori". And I can tell you one thing: whatever he's done for them, he's done it to get to you."
"Why would he rearrange time and indenture the mage rebellion just to get to me?"
"They're obsessed with you, but I don't know why. Perhaps because you survive the Temple of Sacred Ashes?" Felix responded.
"You can close the rifts. Maybe there's a connection? Or they see you as a threat?" Dorian suggested.
"If the Venatori are behind those rifts, or the Breach in the sky, they're even worse than I thought."
Felix was dreading what is father was doing, that much was certain.
"I knew this day could only get better. No really, it's comforting to know that I'm the obsession of a Tevinter cult, really I'm honored, it's a refreshing change! I should have brought a gift for Alexius." Said Trevelyan sarcastically.
"Send him a fruit basket. Everyone loves those." Dorian added on the same tone. "You know you're his target. Expecting the trap is the first step in turning it to your advantage. I can't stay in Redcliffe. Alexius doesn't know I'm here, and I want to keep it that way for now. But whenever you're ready to deal with him, I want to be there. I'll be in touch." And with that promise Dorian started to walk to the exit, looking back at Felix before disappearing behind a door. "Oh and Felix? Try not to get yourself killed."
"There are worse things than dying, Dorian."