Paper Cuts

Elly squinted at the pile of letters on her desk and massaged her aching temples. She pulled a crinkled one off the top of the stack and started to smooth out the creases. The letter had taken less damage during the fight at old Stark's farm than its bearer – Lady Liza Packton - had. Elly read it for the third time.

My Dear Lady P.,

I have to thank you for sending Ser T. to the Vigil. Now I can rest easy, knowing he is watching out for me. He is as brave and dashing as you promised, and I'm sure they will not dare to try anything with him here.

The Commander was due to leave for Wending Woods this morning, but instead she's rushed off Maker knows where, with that poor templar she's enthralled. He seems like a good man, and I'm sure he would not follow her were not some foul magic involved.

I will be relieved when this is all over, and I may meet your friend in Amaranthine.

Your Friend,

R.

Elly sighed, remembering the way everyone had looked at her askance when she told them she knew who'd written it. But it finally made sense. The journey back to the keep had been too long and too short at the same time.

Her hands clenched involuntarily, adding new creases to the wrinkled sheet of paper. She should've handled it better. When they'd burst into Rosie's room to find the nurse and Ser Timothy together, the guards had hesitated, looking to her for orders. And she'd told them to take the two alive.

She'd seen the change come over Ser Timothy. Between breaths he'd gone from trapped panic to furious determination. In a blink, he'd pulled open the nightstand and knocked a lit candle into it. He looked like he could have been dancing, as he spun Rosie around in front of him and slid his dagger across her throat. Then he'd kicked her limp body at the guards and charged. In the suddenness of his attack he'd managed to kill one of the guards before they mobbed him. He made sure they didn't take him alive.

It had taken Elly longer than it should have to extinguish the newborn flames. Eventually she'd shaken herself free from shock, stopped the fire cold and carefully retrieved the bundle of letters.

Elly set the crinkled letter aside and reached for the rest of the bundle. The top letter had been too charred to make out. The rest were decipherable, though the sudden shift from heat to cold hadn't helped the paper. She fingered the featureless lumps of wax that had sealed the letters and gently spread them out on the desk.

Dear R,

I am shocked and saddened to learn what is going on at the keep. Such things cannot be borne. But I am very glad you decided to contact me, and I believe we can help each other. Let me assure you that the problem will be dealt with.

For now, you should encourage the templar from Amaranthine to do his sacred duty and protect the innocent residents of the keep from unfettered magic. My courier has a note for you to pass on to him, from a very powerful friend in Amaranthine. I hope one day you can make her acquaintance as well.

Maker protect you,

L.

Elly sighed wearily. They were going to have to investigate Doyle as well, and she was sure Cullen wasn't going to like it. But this time it would be done discretely; she couldn't endure more blood and fire in the night. And Rosie…

My Dear Friend,

I completely understand and sympathize with your feelings about the C. Although she is not from that vile clan that so cruelly and prematurely took your parents from you, she is just as much an elf, and cannot be trusted holding power over human lives. The thought of what damage she might do leaves me sleepless at night.

But you, my dear, are to be commended for your bravery. Know that things are already in motion, and you won't have to suffer her presence for long. Keep your chin up and your eyes open.

Maker watch over you,

L.

Elly couldn't help but feel uneasy at the invasion of privacy. The knowledge that Rosie was beyond objecting offered no comfort. She briefly toyed with the idea of passing the job off to someone else, but squared her shoulders and forged on.

My Dear Friend,

I was glad to hear from you again so soon. While I myself did not ever have the honor of meeting your parents, my friend in Amaranthine tells me she did business with them quite frequently. You may have been too young to be aware of their prestige, but she informs me they were the finest glassblowers in Fereldan. The most elegant ornaments in her estate are of their making.

She also assures me that she would be happy to help out a daughter of theirs, and would have done so sooner, had she known of your predicament. She looks forward to meeting you when this business at the keep is settled. I hope this is agreeable to you.

Please include news of the keep in your next letter.

Maker protect you,

L.

Elly closed her eyes. It didn't stop the throbbing behind them. She was sure the powerful friend in Amaranthine had to be Bann Esmerelle, but Lady Packton had been cautious. This wasn't proof of her involvement. And this group didn't seem like the type to leave loose ends. Most likely, the only powerful figure they'd planned on Rosie meeting was the Maker.

My Dear Friend,

I am deeply grieved by your latest news. It pains me to say it, but I fear you are right. You may have been the victim of blood magic. Along with this letter I am sending someone familiar to you. He will remain at the keep and protect you. Things are moving quickly now and there is something I need you to do. T. will explain everything.

Maker watch over you,

L.

Elly already knew the conspirators had hired mercenaries and assassins. But what had they wanted Rosie to do? She squinted again at the burnt letter, but it was too blackened and crumbled. What few words she could make out had no meaning out of context. She gently pushed the papers aside, then crossed her arms on the desk and settled her head on them. Tomorrow was going to be another long day.