Chapter 12
Ruins of Kal'Hirol, Deep Roads
Riona woke up with a startled scream, then immediately pressing her palm against her mouth as soon as she remembered where she was. Cold sweat was pouring down her back from the increasing and overwhelming feeling of being in mortal danger. It had something to do with yet another horrible, disturbing dream, yet she could not immediately place the details. Some kind of warning to leave, something serious, that much I know.
"Hey... what's wrong," Nathaniel grumbled, opening his eyes, and slowly getting up from his bedroll. "What's with the shouting, Riona?"
"I, ah... must have been having a really bad dream, I think," Riona quietly confessed. "Nathaniel, did you sleep well?"
"No... I can't say that I did," he replied, shaking his head, then wincing. "Ugh, my head... I swear, there must be something wrong with this place we picked."
"Did you have any dreams?" Riona asked, holding her breath. "Do you remember anything? Anything at all?"
Nathaniel thought for a moment before shaking his head again. "No, nothing that I can recall," he said. "Don't waste time thinking about it, I bet it's just this place getting to us."
"I hope you're right," Riona quietly agreed, starting to fold her bedroll back together.
"Riona?" came Nathaniel's voice, interrupting her. She looked over to him, facing him questioningly. "Where's Velanna?"
Riona let the bedroll fall out of her hands as a shudder ran through her. "What do you mean?" she asked in a trembling voice.
"Well, she's not here at the camp," Nathaniel stated, having looked around some more. "Perhaps she went to scout ahead?"
"I have no idea, I thought she was still sleeping in her corner," Riona said.
"There's no sign of her. But let's get ready for the road, have something to eat first," Nathaniel suggested. "Maybe Velanna will show up while we eat."
Somehow I sincerely doubt that, Riona thought at herself, deciding not to voice her concerns. "I'm not really hungry," she replied quietly, too worried and afraid, the mere thought of food making her gag.
"Well, with your permission, I will have something," Nathaniel managed a smile, pulling out a wrapped loaf of bread from his backpack and tearing off a chunk, starting to eat.
"Nathaniel," Riona started, rocking back and forth with tension as she sat on her knees. "I don't like this. There is something terribly wrong about this place."
"Of course there is," Nathaniel replied, a little impatiently. "It is an old dwarven thaig in the Deep Roads. There are only a few things that are not wrong about all this."
"There's something else, something beyond that, I cannot put it into words, not just yet," Riona said. "We should leave. Now."
"You're not implying we should leave Velanna behind, I hope," Nathaniel gave her a fierce stare. "She might be extremely unpleasant at times, but I still consider her a friend... of sorts. And she has saved my life on several occasions in the past. I cannot just abandon her like that!"
Somehow I doubt we can help her anymore, Riona thought grimly. "Of... of course," she merely sighed, admitting defeat, realizing that she would only anger Nathaniel if she continued to insist upon abandoning their elven companion. "Let's get ready and look for her. Do you think you can track her in these caverns?"
Nathaniel thought for a while before nodding. "She would have left some traces, I'm sure."
"You do realize that without her we have no idea about the darkspawn movements?" Riona asked him, busy stuffing the folded bedroll into her backpack.
"I know," Nathaniel turned towards her, his gaze grim. "It is imperative that we find Velanna quickly, because without her... this is a great deal more dangerous."
"And if we can't find her?" she pressed.
"Riona, I can't just abandon her down here," Nathaniel looked at her, appearing a little frustrated. "I swear I will do all I can to avoid putting you in danger."
"I know you will," Riona managed to summon a weak smile, turning away to finish packing. I just don't think you realize the amount of danger we're in, my dear Nathaniel.
Circle of Magi, Nevarra City
The next morning, Bethany arrived at the common rooms for breakfast just in time to witness a strange commotion. There were more templars than she had seen previously during meal times, and she thought she saw a group of them escorting one of the mages away as she entered. Maybe they caught the murderer? she thought at herself, noticing some signs of struggle around the room, the knocked over bowls and chairs at one of the tables.
Some of the mages were glaring daggers at those templars remaining behind to ensure order, but most were keeping their heads down, appearing frightened. Bethany realized that remaining standing and looking around would appear suspicious, fortunately quickly spotting her two Aequitarian friends, rushing to take a seat at their table. "What happened here?" Bethany whispered, reaching out to cut a slice of bread, trying to act normal under the scrutinizing gaze of the templars.
The two girls at first looked too frightened to reply, but then Elenia, the blonde elf, dared to whisper back to her. "We don't really know. Freyd and Kiellin suddenly started to fight for some reason, and the templars rushed in and took them both away."
The two Libertarian Senior Enchanters, fighting? The inseparable couple? Bethany blinked. "They were fighting? What about?" she asked.
"We're not really sure," the other of the girls, Sylvin, replied. The straw-haired human with her wide cheeks and buxom figure had more of an appearance of a peasant girl, not that of a young mage apprentice. "I think they accused each other of using..." her voice dropped down to a barely audible whisper. "...blood magic."
"Why would they claim that?" Bethany shook her head in disbelief. "Now the templars are going to skin them alive until they get answers!"
"I'm not sure, I wasn't listening very carefully, but..." Sylvin said thoughtfully. "I think that Freyd was telling about... a dream he had last night. Suddenly, Kiellin jumped up from his seat, red-faced, starting to yell at Freyd, telling him to get out of his head, flinging around the blood magic accusations!"
"He claimed that it was his dream and that Freyd had stolen it from his mind with blood magic," Elenia added, looking a little pale. "It was all so strange and frightening."
I've never heard of blood magic being able to do that, Bethany thought at herself, starting to feel a little disturbed from the odd tale. Even if it could, the question remains why do something so... strange? Stealing dreams?
"Yes, and Freyd then accused him of the same and they started to fight, about to let loose with their magic when the templars rushed in and put a stop to it," Sylvin finished the tale. I wonder what they'll do with them..."
"Nothing pleasant," Bethany muttered, digging into her breakfast, despite not feeling all that hungry anymore. Come to think of it, I've been having some strange dreams as well, she realized, recalling the uneasy sleep of last night. Can't really remember what they were about, only... the odd image here and there. And the way my head feels so heavy every morning is a little odd, too.
"Did you hear what the dream was about?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant. The girls both shook their heads in denial. "You haven't had any strange dreams yourselves?" Bethany then asked casually.
The girls exchanged quick glances, before Sylvin shook her head and grinned back at her. "Oh no, you're not doing that to us, Betty," she said. "Even if I had, I wouldn't think of telling you after all that."
"Nor would I," Elenia agreed. "Nice try, though!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to get you into trouble," Bethany quickly apologized, hoping she hadn't just alienated her two sources of information or made them too suspicious to share anything with her in the future.
"I'm sure you weren't," Elenia grinned, then rising and dragging Sylvin away with her. "See you later, Betty!"
"See you," Bethany nodded at them, falling deep in thought as the others left. Suspicions of blood magic, strange dreams and a host of murders. How does that all fit together? she thought to herself. Maybe I'm wrong for seeking connection where there is none. It could all be unrelated, after all.
Bethany quickly finished her meal, ignoring the protests of her belly claiming to be disgusted at the mere thought of food. She remained sitting at the table as the hall quickly cleared, mages one after another going on about their business as she pondered what to do next. The girls would probably keep to themselves at least until dinnertime, and she didn't have many other sources of information amongst the Circle yet. She supposed she could always head to the library and select a quiet corner within the earshot of some group of conversing mages, trying to overhear what they spoke of, but the chances of obtaining some useful information this way were very slim.
There was also another option, and after a brief moment of deliberation she decided to pursue it, rising and heading out, finding her way out of the old fortress, walking along the gravel path of the picturesque park on the way to the small Chantry. It was a beautiful morning, sun already high in the sky and burning bright, Bethany deciding to stop along the way, taking a seat on one of the wooden benches and simply enjoying the wonderfully warm weather that made her wish her mage robes didn't have such thick protective padding. Distracting chirping of birds in the nearby trees made her realize that she was in no hurry to reach the Chantry, especially with the knowledge that Mother Avris was still conducting the morning prayer.
A pair of loyalists passed her sitting on the bench, talking loudly about the scandalous behavior of the Libertarians, and shortly after that, Bethany saw that flocks of mages and templars were starting to leave the Chantry, indicating that the collective prayer was over and she rose from the chair and resumed walking towards her destination.
Putting on her best disappointed expression, Bethany stepped inside the Chantry, immediately finding herself subjected to Avris' angry glare. "You are late, girl," she snapped. "Again."
"Mother Avris, please," Hannah, the other Mother of the Chantry spoke pleadingly. "I'm sure Bethany did not mean to offend."
"I am beyond such petty offences," Avris shrugged indifferently, her face impassive, not giving away any emotions. "It is insulting the Maker that she should be mindful of."
"I will seek forgiveness in a prayer, later," Bethany said quietly, her head properly and respectfully bowed. "I was delayed by some terrible incident with the Senior Enchanters... did you hear of it?"
Avris shook her shoulders dismissively. "What can you expect from a fraternity like the Libertarians." She gave Bethany another of those burning green-eyed stares. "You would do well to give them a wide berth, girl."
"I am with the Aequitarians, Mother Avris," Bethany spoke humbly.
"The Maker only blesses one of the fraternities, the Loyalists," Avris snapped. "If you wish to earn his forgiveness and receive his blessings, you would seek to join their ranks."
"Really, Mother Avris," Hannah huffed. "We are all Maker's children, and it is not our place to demand such things. Bethany's choice is hers to make, and she will be always welcomed amongst us in the Chantry, no matter what."
"You were always too idealistic, Hannah," Avris shook her head, clearly disagreeing, turning back towards Bethany. "If you wish to pray then do so. Maker knows you probably have a lot to make up for. How old are you, girl, twenty-two? Where do they find apostates running around as old as you? Or should I say maleficar?"
"Please, Mother Avris, this is too much!" Hannah protested. "Bethany does not deserve such treatment!"
"I... I should leave... I do not wish to... cause offence," Bethany whispered, mustering a teary-eyed expression. She felt wetness on her cheeks, the tears were always quick to summon, all she needed to do was to focus on Merrill, her missing love, and the fears that she might be dead.
"No! No, I... may have misspoken," Avris interrupted her, looking very uncomfortable at seeing her tears. "Mother Hannah is right. You will always be welcomed in the Chantry."
So she's not completely immune to tears. Well done, Bethany, she mentally congratulated herself. "Before I submit myself to prayer, there was... something I wished to ask..." she spoke, humbly and quietly. "They only just told me about something horrible that took place here recently... something about murders?" She covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking. "I was so scared when they told me..."
"There, there," she could feel Mother Hannah putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It has been some time since the last of those murders. There is nothing to suggest that they will repeat."
"Keep praying to the Maker, girl, and he will keep you safe," Avris advised confidently. "Those two Aequitarians who died never set their foot in the Chantry to pray. Perhaps it was a way of Maker to mete out his justice."
Interesting that she should say that. I wonder if she would be capable to be the hand carrying out the Maker's 'justice', Bethany mused to herself. "But... they also killed a templar!"
"One who's misguided ideals had allowed for many apostates to slip their righteous grasp," Avris fumed with anger. "If there was anyone deserving to feel the Maker's anger, it was Knight-Lieutenant Willsey."
"Rumors have always persisted about him not only actively helping apostates, but also sabotaging the plans of his fellow templars, warning their targets in advance and helping them hide," Hannah agreed. "Knight-Commander Leonidas was investigating his activities, but... it seems someone got there first."
"I still say it's horrible," Bethany sobbed. "And with us all being confined here... doesn't it mean that the murderer is still present, in the midst of mages? Or... I beg forgiveness for even saying so, the templars?"
With a corner of her eye, Bethany saw Hannah and Avris exchanging uncomfortable stares. "Come child, there is no need to worry, let us sit and pray together," she felt Hannah taking her by the hand as they both dropped on their knees. As Avris left the room, Bethany felt Hannah leaning closer to her, warm breath tickling her ear as the Mother whispered to her. "I should not tell you this, Bethany, but the Divine has sent someone to investigate these murders. One of her most trusted agents." The warm hand of the Chantry Mother squeezed her shoulder comfortingly. "If anyone can get to the bottom of this mystery, it is her. You no longer have a reason to worry, Bethany."
Oh dear, if they only knew, Bethany chuckled inwardly, feeling strange sense of accomplishment at her successful manipulations. I'm starting to get really good at this making people eat from my palm and generally doing what I want them to do... and what an amazing thrill it is to observe, she realized, slightly disturbed at her own feelings.
