Jowan rushed up to her the moment she left the Grey Warden. "I'm glad I caught up to you. Are you done talking with Irving?"
She nodded distractedly, still considering what the warden had said. "I think I am, for now."
"I need to talk to you. Do you remember what we discussed this morning?"
She blinked at him. "Why are you whispering? It looks very suspicious."
"Shhhh! I... I just want to make sure we're not overheard. We should go somewhere else. I don't feel safe talking here."
"You're starting to worry me, Jowan."
"I've been troubled..." He shook his head, then grabbed her hand. "I'll explain. Come with me, please."
She nodded, and followed him into the small chantry. A young initiate looked up as they entered. Jowen nodded to Lenore. "We should be safe here."
Lenore flicked her gaze to the initiate. "You realize there's a priest standing right here?"
The young woman smiled. "Not a priest. I am merely an initiate."
Lenore rubbed her forehead. She could feel the headache, the one she'd somewhat affectionately named after her old friend, starting up behind her eyes. "Jowan... what's going on?"
He looked at the initiate, then reached out a hand to her. The initiate took the hand, and smiled. "A few months ago, I told you that I... met a girl. This is Lily."
Lenore smiled, then turned to face her. "My condolences, Lily."
Lily broke into a wide smile of her own as Jowen made an exasperated sound. "Very funny."
"I'm truly happy for you both," she said.
"There is something else. Remember I said that I didn't think they wanted to give me my Harrowing? I know why. They're... going to make me tranquil. They'll take everything I am from me- my dreams, hopes, fears... my love for Lily. All gone..." His hands gestured wildly as he spoke.
"That sounds terrible," she said, struggling to make sense of what he had said. She frowned, then shook her head. He had to be overreacting again.
"They'll extinguish my humanity. I'll just be a husk, breathing and existing, but not truly living."
She put a hand on his arm in an attempt to calm him. "How did you find out about this?"
Lily's voice was bleak. "I saw the document on Greagoir's table. It authorized the Rite on Jowan, and Irving had signed it."
Lenore's jaw dropped. She felt a flash of anger. "Why would they do this to you?"
"There's... a rumor about me. People think I'm a blood mage. They think that making me a Circle mage will endanger everyone."
Lenore had thought her jaw couldn't drop any further. "And are they right about that?"
"Of course not! But it's not safe for me here anymore. I need to escape. I need to destroy my phylactery. Without it, they can't track me down. We need your help. Lily and I can't do this on our own."
Lily stepped forward, holding out her hands entreatingly. "Give us your word that you will help and we will tell you what we intend."
"You have my word, Lily." Lenore laid her hands over Lily's, and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Thank you. We will never forget this."
"Tell me your plan, and make it quick."
"I can get us into the repository. But there is a problem. There are two locks on the phylactery chamber door. The first enchanter and knight-commander each hold one key. But it is just a door. There is enough power in this place to destroy all of Ferelden. What's a door to mages?"
Lenore considered, then frowned. "It can't be that easy."
"What if it is? We have to try. I once saw a rod of fire melt through a lock. You could get one from the stockroom. But Owain doesn't release such things to apprentices."
"I will go to the stockroom and retrieve this rod."
"We should stay here. One mage at the stockroom will attract less attention than a mage, an apprentice, and an initiate," Lily said.
"Good idea." Lenore flicked her eyes towards Jowan.
Lily nodded, and placed a comforting hand on Jowan's arm, guiding the man to sit and calm down. "Good luck. Our prayers go with you."
#
Getting the rod of fire was easier said than done, Lenore thought to herself as she aimed a blast of fire at a spider. How was it helping Jowan with one of his escapades so often ended in spiders? When she was done dealing with this phylactery issue, she was going to go find Cullen and see what he thought about the two of them joining the wardens. Surely the wardens could find use for a solid templar.
She made her way back out of the storage, and laid the requisition form in front of Leorah. The woman contratulated her profusely before signing the form, and then she was on her way to the storage room. Owain took his time about checking over the form before giving her the rod.
On her way back to where she'd left Jowan and Lily, she slowed. For a moment, her eyes went in the direction of Irving's office. Maybe if she... Lenore sighed to herself. If there was no form, it didn't matter. If he had, then there was no changing his mind. Either way, this was the only help she could give the man she considered a brother.
#
Jowan was pacing again. Honestly, some days just being in the same room with him was exhausting. "I hate waiting," he said to Lily. "It makes me nervous."
Lenore walked up to him. "I have the rod of fire."
His eyes bugged. "That was quick!"
Lily gave her an impulsive hug. "To the repository, then. Freedom awaits."
Lenore found herself being dragged along by their enthusiasm. It was like something out of a storybook. Young lovers, embarking on the first stage of the rest of their lives. She couldn't help but smile as the two of them began to talk about getting married. Jowan waxed rhapsodic about the thought of getting a farm somewhere.
#
Of course it didn't work. She didn't even know why that surprised her. The first door had been easy. Lily used the password, and then Lenore ahd been able to open the door. Then they'd come to the second door. She'd activated the rod of fire, but nothing had happened. Curious, she tried to draw her magic to her, but neither she nor Jowan could cast even the most simple of spells.
Lily indicated the wall. "These wards carved into the stone... this must be the templars' work. They negate any magic cast within this area." She smacked herself in the head. "I should have guessed! Why would Greagoir and Irving use simple keys for such a door? Because magical keys don't work!" Her voice became bitter. "How do you keep mages away from something? Make their powers completely worthless! That's it then! We're finished! We can't get in."
Lenore shook her head, then looked around. "That door there, where does it lead?"
Lily gave her a hopeful look. "I don't know. Do you think it's another way in?"
She looked down at the rod of fire in her hand. It worked well enough on this door, and soon they were wandering through the vault. She wished idly that she had more time to spend looking around. There were cases filled with books of lore, some of them in languages she didn't even recognize. Cautiously, they made their way into a room filled with various items.
Jowan walked around the room. "There's something odd about that statue..."
Lenore examined it. "Why would this be here?"
"How should I know? It's magical... this is a room of magical obje-"
He jumped back when the statue spoke. "Greetings."
"Maker's breath! Did it just say something?" Jowan looked at it disbelievingly.
"I am the essense and spirit of Eleni Zinovia, once consort and advisor to Archon Valerius. Prophecy my crime, cursed to stone for foretelling the fall of my lord's house."
She looked at the statue. She thought she recalled something of the story. "Archon Valerius?"
Jowan shrugged. "I'm not sure. The archons were the lords of the Imperium."
"'Forever shall you stand on the threshold of my proud fortress,' he said, 'and tell your lies to all who pass...' But my lord found death at the hands of his enemies and his once-proud fortress crumbled to dust, as I foretold." The statue's voice was unearthly and distant, as though being spoken from down a long corridor."
Lily covered her mouth with her hands. She looked shaken. "A Tevinter statue! Don't listen to it! The Tevinter lords dabbled in many forbidden arts!" She put a hand on Jowan's arm. "This is a wicked thing!"
Lenore leaned towards it, examining it carefully. "How did they do this? Is she still alive?"
"Weep not for me, child. Stone they made me and stone I am, eternal and unfeeling. And I shall endure 'til the Maker returns to light their fires again."
"What does that mean?" Lenore asked.
Jowan threw up his hands. "Ambiguous rubbish. It could mean anything." He shook his head. "I can do it too: The sun groes dark, but lo! Here comes the dawn!"
"Stop talking to it," Lily pleaded. "Please, both of you."
Reluctantly, Lenore pulled herself away from the statue. "Yes, we have much to do."
Lily pulled Jowan's arm. "Come on, Jowan. Let's go."
Lenore looked at a small statue of a dog. "I've heard of these," she said, smiling. "They amplify any spell cast into them."
Jowan blinked, then practically skipped over to where she was standing. "Are you saying we should use it to amplify a spell and break our way into the chamber?" He lowered his hands and his face became dejected. "But the door is warded. No magic will work."
"We won't use it on the door. Look at that wall over there." Lenore gestured, then walked to the bookcase, and took a closer look.
She gestured to Jowan. He came to stand beside her. "It should be pretty easy to get this out of the way."
Lenore took a step back and gave Jowan a teasing smile. "All right, Jowan, move the bookcase aside."
He gave her an exasperated look. "I can't do it on my own! You have to help me."
She shook her head as she came to stand next to him. It took both of them, with some assistance from Lily, to shift the bookcase. Lenore gestured for the others to stand clear, then held the rod of fire to the cannon. It took only a few seconds to break through the wall and into the phylactery chamber. Jowan rushed in excitedly and began looking around.
Lenore strode into the room a few paces behind. She went up the stairs and caught sight of the apprentice cabinet. After a moment, her eyes fell upon one that matched the description. "That's my phylactery! You found it! I can't believe this tiny vial stands between me and freedom." He picked it up. "So fragile, so easy to just be rid of it... to end its hold over me..." He let the vial slip from his fingers and shatter on the stone floor. "...and I am free."
Lily and Lenore exchanged happy smiles. "Then let us move," Lenore said.
"I do not want to stay here a moment longer," Lily said, pulling Jowan's arm eagerly."
#
Jowan hugged them both excitedly as they made their way back down the corridor. "We did it! I can't believe it! Thank you... we could never have -" His face fell as they left the chamber, and he saw the men waiting for them.
Greagoir folded his arms. "So what you said was true, Irving." Next to him, Irving shook his head in disappointment.
Lenore swallowed. "This looks bad."
Lily held out an entreating hand. "G-Greagoir."
His face was carved from stone. "An initiate, conspiring with a blood mage. I'm disappointed, Lily." He stepped forward, peering into her eyes. "She seems shocked, but fully in control of her own mind. Not a thrall of the blood mage, then. You were right, Irving. The initiate has betrayed us. The Chantry will not let this go unpunished." His cold gaze fell on Lenore. "And this one, newly a mage, and already flouting the rules of the circle."
"I'm disappointed in you," Irving said. She met his eyes. "You could have told me what you knew of this plan, and you didn't."
Beside her, Jowan shook his head and threw up a hand. "You don't care for the mages! You just bow to the Chantry's every whim!"
"Jowan, please don't make it worse." Lenore put a hand on his shoulder, and he jerked away from her.
Greagoir put a hand to his sword. "Enough! As knight-commander of the Templars here assembled, I sentence this blood mage to death. And this initiate has scored the Chantry and her vows. Take her to Aeonar."
Lily drew back. "The... the mages' prison. No... please, no. Not there!"
Lenore's eyes widened in horror as Jowan drew his blade across his palm. "No! I won't let you touch her!" Magic, tinged red with his blood, flowed out, knocking the men off their feet. He turned to Lily, and extended his hand. "Lily, we have to get out of here! I can't hold them for long!"
Lily looked at his hand, and stepped backwards, shaking her head from side to side. "By the Maker... blood magic! H-how could you? You said you never..."
Jowan's face was pale. "I admit, I... I dabbled! I thought it would make me a better mage!"
Lenore rushed to Matthias's side, her fingers glowing with healing magic as she attempted to close the wound on his head from where he'd fallen.
"Blood magic is evil, Jowan." Lily said, tears streaming down her face. "It corrupts people... changes them..."
"I'm going to give it up. All magic. I just want to be with you, Lily. Please, come with me..." Jowan begged.
Lily swung at him as he approached her. "I trusted you. I was ready to sacrifice everything for you... I... I don't know who you are, blood mage. Stay away from me..."
Jowan looked at her, then at where Lenore was healing Matthias. He shook his head, and ran.
#
Duncan glanced at the mage who ran past him before continuing into the room. Lenore was weaving a healing spell over a downed templar. As he entered, she moved next to Irving, and then finally to Greagoir. Curious, he stepped back to observe from the hallway.
#
Irving sat up. "Are you all right? Where's Greagoir?"
Lenore went to Greagoir's side, letting the healing magic flow into him. He blinked up at her, then pushed her hands away. "I knew it... blood magic. But to overcome so many...I never thought him capable of such power..." He looked at Lenore.
"He lied to me," Lenore said, shaking her head tiredly.
Irving set his hand on her shoulder. "None of us expected this. Are you all right, Greagoir?"
Greagoir climbed to his feet. "As good as can be expected under the circumstances! If you had let me act sooner, this would not have happened! Now we have a blood mage on the loose and no way to track him down!"
"Yes, Jowan destroyed his phylactery." Lenore sighed, then stood up. She rubbed her arm, and shook her head dejectedly.
Greagoir started to say something to her, then frowned and looked around. "Where is the girl?"
"I...I am here, Ser," Lily said, emerging from behind the staircase. Her face was pale and worn, as if she'd aged ten years in the past few minutes.
"You helped a blood mage!" No sympathy crossed Greagoir's face. He gestured at the men around them. "Look at all he's hurt!"
Lenore stepped between Greagoir and Lily. "Lily didn't know Jowan was a blood mage."
Behind her, Lily stepped forward and set a hand on her shoulder. "You've been a friend, but you needn't defend me any longer." She walked towards Greagoir. "Knight-Commander... I... I was wrong. I was accomplice to a... a blood mage. I will accept whatever punishment you see fit. Even..." A fresh tear traced down her cheek. "Even Aeonar."
Greagoir shook his head at her. "Get her out of my sight." His eyes went to Lenore. "And you. You know why the repository exists. Some artifacts- some magics- are locked away for a reason!"
"Did you take anything important from the repository?" Irving asked.
"No." Lenore looked from Irving to Greagoir. Her shoulders slumped. For a moment, she wished she'd run after Jowan. Then her eyes went to where Matthias was rubbing his head, and she sighed.
"But your antics have made a mockery of this Circle! Ah..." His own eyes went to Matthias, and his hand touched where his own wound had been. "What are we to do with you?"
"I had no idea he was a blood mage." She felt tears welling behind her own eyes. Jowan. Her stupid, foolish, wonderful friend. A blood mage.
"And you think this excuses you? You helped a blood mage escape. All our prevention measures for naught - because of you!"
Another voice rang through the room. "Knight-commander, if I may..." Duncan stepped into the room. "I am not only looking for mages to join the king's army. I am also recruiting for the Grey Wardens. Irving spoke highly of this mage, and I would like her to join the Warden ranks."
Irving couldn't quite hide his smile, despite his words. "Duncan, this mage has assisted a maleficar, and shown a lack of regard for the Circle's rules."
"She's a danger. To all of us." Greagoir looked back at her, then at the warden.
"It is a rare person who risks all for a friend in need. I stand by my decision. I will recruit this mage."
"No. I refuse to let this go unpunished!" Greagoir stepped between Duncan and Lenore.
"Greagoir is right. I should face the consequences." Lenore shook her head. She still couldn't understand how she could have missed Jowan falling so far.
"Hmph. Perhaps not all our lessons have been lost. She knows her place!" Greagoir turned back to look at her. She was surprised to see sympathy in his eyes.
"Don't be a fool," Duncan said. "You have assisted a maleficar. You must know what awaits you in the Circle."
"But I haven't done anything wrong," Lenore said.
"You may think so, but others feel otherwise." His eyes went to Greagoir as he walked towards her.
"What's he doing? Stop him! You are not taking this mage away!" Greagoir held out a hand.
"You know Duncan can invoke the Right of Conscription if he wishes. We must comply." Irving was clearly trying to keep his voice steady, but Lenore could hear his relief.
Lenore blinked, not sure what was happening. "The right of what?" Then she realized.
"If the Grey Wardens wish to conscript someone, neither lord nor king can deny them."
Lenore saw Greagoir starting towards the warden, and spoke quickly to forstall him. "I would prefer to go with the Wardens voluntarily."
"Greagoir, mages are needed. This mage is needed. Worse things plague this world than blood mages - you know that. I take this young mage under my wing and bear all responsibility for her actions."
"A blood mage escapes, and his accomplice is not only unpunished, but is rewarded by becoming a Grey Warden. Are our rules nothing? Have we lost all authority over our mages? This does not bode well, Irving." Greagoir sighed, and yet, there was a note of relief in his voice as well.
"Enough. We have no more say in this matter," Irving said.
"So I am to be a Grey Warden?" Lenore asked.
Irving smiled at her. "Yes. Be proud, child. You are luckier than you know."
"Thank you for everything, First Enchanter." Lenore glanced towards Greagoir, and he gave her a small nod.
Duncan put his hand on her shoulder. "Come, your new life awaits."
#
Duncan kept his hand on her shoulder as he walked back towards the room to gather his things. He glanced at her. "You could have run."
She blinked up at him. "Excuse me?"
"You could have run with Jowan." He watched her face carefully.
She shook her head, then glanced back over her shoulder. "Greagoir and Mathias were hurt."
"I see," Duncan said. He smiled slightly. Saitada was standing just outside the door. He blinked, then realized she'd already packed their things. "You heard?"
"Blood mage, demons, abominations," Saitada twitched a shoulder. "Seemed a lot of overreacting, but I had a hunch you'd be wanting to leave quickly."
"Lenore, this is Saitada, another warden." Duncan saw Saitada raise an eyebrow, and realized he'd refered to her as a warden rather than a recruit. He shrugged.
"Nice to meet you," Lenore said.
"Stone met, and blessings on your house," Saitada replied. She offered Duncan his satchel. "Shall we?"
Duncan fell into step next to Saitada. He saw Lenore slow her steps slightly. A young templar was staring at her, his face bleak. Lenore's face trembled slightly as she followed them out of the tower.
