Jane knew she was staring but she couldn't stop. The bobbing and swaying of the boat did little to distract from the monolithic tower, looming closer. From what Alistair had told her last night, this place was a prison, sequestered in the middle of a lake, far removed from everything except the tiny tavern upon its banks. All because these "mages" were a little different. Her stomach turned at the thought, flashes of her fear when her biotics manifested flowing to the forefront of her mind. This was… she turned her body away from the sight, lifting her gaze to find Aiden staring at her quietly, his fingers twining through his bow.
"Afraid, apostate?" He asked coldly.
She straightened her spine, fixing him with a frigid stare. "Anxious to contact my crew. I'm looking forward to seeing them again."
He huffed quietly under his breath, twisting to watch the templar guiding them into the towers harbor. "We'll see soon enough wont we."
"Still don't believe me?"
With a shrug the warden regarded her. "You look awfully afraid for someone excited to be reunited." His mouth curled, "One would think you were nervous about all those templars waiting for you."
Jane turned away, dragging air into her lungs as the boat passed beneath the arches of the lower dock, ignoring Aidens quiet words. Inside her chest her heart raced uncontrollably, guts writhing in nameless anxiety as they came to a gentle stop within the confines of the dock.
"Something's wrong." Alistair murmured, his words echoing her thoughts. He shifted next to her, moving to stand. "Can you feel it? It's like…" he paused, eyes tracking the shadows pouring across the stone walls. "Something pressing and pulling, dragging at the veil. Maker, what could be…?"
Aiden pushed himself to his feet, vaulting onto the wooden planks. "Is that even possible?" Around him the others clambered to their feet, the ringing sound of armor filling the eerie silence.
Jane blinked, the quicker they got through here, the faster she'd get home. Right. "Only one way to find out." Reaching down she grasped her shotgun and pulled herself out of the ship, striding quickly passed Aiden and Alistair towards the large wooden doors leading up to the towers main hall. Behind her the clank of armor chorused, the other following her determined stride. Sweat beaded Jane's brows as she reached the doors, her body screaming in un-namable revolt. Alistair was right. Something was definitely wrong. Sucking in a deep breath she shoved the doors open, forcing herself across the arch and into the entrance. Immediately the smell of blood assaulted her nose, the moans of wounded synching with the grind of armored feet as men and woman dressed in laborious plate armor rushed back and forth.
"You there! What are you doing here?" An older man strode towards them, sword unsheathed.
Aiden pressed forward, hand raised to halt the man's progress. "My name is Aiden, of the Grey Wardens. I come with treaties, demanding the aid of the mages against the Blight." His eyes shifted from the man to the wounded Templars strewn across the hall, flicking to rest on the giant stone doors, sealed firmly in the dim light of the torches. "What has happened here?"
The Templar sighed, inclining his head calmly. "I shall speak plainly, the tower is no longer under our control." He shifted, walking towards the stone doors. "Abominations and demons stalk the towers halls. I have sent to Denerim for the Right of Annulment, all that is left now, is to wait. I'm sorry Grey Warden, but the circle is in no position to assist you."
Jane shifted nervously. Ugh, more mystical crap. Behind her Leliana gasped, hand reaching to cover her mouth in horror. Clearly she was missing something. "The Right of Annulment?" She turned to face the man in confusion. Quirking her eyebrow she watched the people gathered around her. "What does that mean exactly?"
"It means, that every living thing in the tower needs to be purged." Aiden told her coldly. He crossed his arms, ignoring her incredulous look, turning to face the templar. "If the mages are eradicated, will the Templars pledge themselves instead?"
"What?!" She snapped, stepping forward. "You can just murder a tower full of people!"
"Jane." Alistair whispered urgently, tugging on her arm lightly. Angrily she shook him off, striding up the grey haired man.
"What's your name solider?"
The templars eyes narrowed, taking in her odd armor and accent, spine straightening unconsciously. "I am Knight-Commander Greagoir, the man in charge of these templars, and this tower."
"What is your duty?"
He stiffened, gaze locking with hers. "To protect the people of Fereldan from the mages."
Jane sneered, "And?"
He faltered, eyes flicking from her own to stare past her. "To… protect the mages." Greagoir deflated slightly, shaking his head. "If there are any of them still alive the Maker Himself has shielded them. I will not risk more of my men on a fools hope."
Shit. Her breathed caught in her throat, a screen with a death toll screaming through her mind. All she could hear was Alistair's quiet words the night before. Of nameless children dragged into the circle at birth, isolated, alone... "Then don't." She sucked in a harsh breath. "I'll go."
The Knight-Commanders head jerked in surprise. "Are you mad?"
Jane shrugged, heart pounding. "I've fought worse than whatever is up in those tower halls. Believe me."
Next to her Aiden seized her arm in a crushing grip, blue eyes burrowing into her own. "You are not the one making decisions here." He pressed closer, angling so she was forced to lift her head to maintain eye contact. "The templars will serve as admirable army once the Right arrives. There is no need for the burden of the mages. Looks like you will just have to wait on contacting your "star" friends."
With deliberate slowness Jane grasped Aidens wrist, applying pressure in increments, watching his face contort into surprise. "The people in there need help." She squeezed harder, feeling the bones in his wrist begin to grind beneath her hand. "And I'm going to help them." Applying more pressure she watched calmly as Aiden dropped to his knees, gasping as he tried to wrench away. "Never, touch me again. Do you understand?" At his vigorous nod she released him, turning instead to face the Knight-Commander. Greagoir eyes were glued to Aiden, clutching his wrist, twitching to Jane in surprise. "Open the door." She ordered him.
He hesitated for a moment before signaling over his shoulder to two Templars standing guard. "Know this, the doors will remain sealed until I have First Enchanter Irving's reassurance the tower is safe again. Do you understand? I will accept no other." They walked towards the door quickly, Jane checking the seals on her armor, reaching down to unclip her helmet from her belt.
"Get First Enchanter Irving. Got it." She rolled her shoulders beneath the weight of her armor, grateful to once again be wearing her sports bra beneath. She smirked at the thought, nodding to the two templars holding the door handles.
"Wait!" She turned, surprised as Alistair strode forward. "I'm going with you." Reaching down he adjusted his dagger belt nervously. "You're going to need all the help you can get, and who better to take with you than an ex-templar? Fighting abominations is old hat for us!"
Leliana hurried forward, coming to stand next to the large warden. "I shall go as well I think." The redhead nodded, blue eyes flicking to the doors. "You will need another bow, no?"
"You're fools." Aiden told them, climbing to his feet slowly. Behind him, Sten, Morrigan, Shale, and Zevran shifted, none of them stepping forward. His eyes fixed on Alistair, a snarl curling his lip. "The Blight is what's important. You know that! You idiot."
Alistair slid his helmet onto his head with a flourish. "You're not the first person to tell me that Aiden." He nodded to the templars, gesturing for them to open the door. "But this is the right thing to do."
Jane inclined her head, turning to stride through the open door, leading the bard and warden at her back past the safety of the great hall and into the network beyond. And if her heart quickened and her breathe shuddered as the door clanged close behind them, she forced the anxiety away. "Well." She breathed, watching Alistair and Leliana from the corner of her eye. "Let's go."