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Chapter 21. Good News or Bad News?

The shunned keeper did not answer, but his expression of shame and sorrow made it clear to Faenor that it had been an effective, albeit cruel, way to make a point.

Faenor motioned to the rest of the keepers. "Come sit together, as one." While the keepers moved to their original seats, he continued, "We have discovered lands far from Thedas. Before the humans ever came to Arlathan, the Creators gifted us with lands; the land surrounding us now, is one of the four such places. Each one is reachable by one of four special Eluvians."

The keepers looked around and whispered excitedly.

"This is the first of the four lands we have colonized, it was from here we came to meet you." Faenor directed their attention to the Eluvian and a subtle change in its depths took place. "Behold Revas! We have two villages and there is plenty of room to grow."

One keeper spoke, "You mean we will be able to leave Thedas and go there?"

"Yes, that is exactly what I mean. This is an exodus to a new life, a new Arlathan."

Every keeper was focused on the Eluvian, and Faenor could see expressions of joy and wonderment.

"But if you come to Revas or to any of the other three lands it will be with your city-dwelling cousins. The Creators gifted these places for the Elvhenan, all of us…equally."

~oOOo~

Val found a smiling Fergus waiting in the courtyard to greet them. This is a vast improvement on the last time I was here.

"Val, greetings, and welcome to Highever. I see your trip the the Circle was a success."

Val beamed. "Greetings to you as well, Your Grace. Our trip was more successful than I could have imagined, no doubt thanks to your letter. Please meet my cousin, Senior Enchanter Solona Amell. Lona, this is Fergus Cousland, Teyrn of Highever."

"Well met, Your Grace." Lona smiled.

"Well met as well, Senior Enchanter. Looking at your eyes, it is easy to tell that you and Val are related, and please both of you, call me Fergus."

"Then please call me Lona."

"I hate to get to business so quickly," Val apologized, "but we have a complement of twenty mages and templars to billet."

"Consider it done, we have plenty of room within the castle. Lona are you staying with us?"

"Until Val leaves, then I'm returning to the Circle." She looked at her cousin. "I can work with Knigh—Ser Greagoir to settle everyone in."

At the mention of Greagoir's name Fergus' eyes widened. "The Knight-Commander?"

Val nodded and gestured to Greagoir. "Former Knight-Commander. He has volunteered to join us and I accepted. Ser Bryant is now the Knight-Commander. Greagoir, please work with Lona, and Teyrn's Fergus' staff to settle everyone in."

It was then that Fergus' seneschal and assistant seneschal joined them. Val knew them as Seneschal Costello and Assistant Seneschal Abbot, both wily men with ready smiles.

"Abbot please work with Ser Greagoir and Senior Enchanter Amell to arrange rooms, baths, and suppers, for the templars and mages. Costello, please ready rooms for Lady Hawke, Senior Enchanter Amell, and Sister Leliana. Also, they will be dining with the Teyrna and me."

Val turned towards the assembled mages and templars. "Please, take the time to freshen up, eat, and most importantly, rest. Once we are on the road tomorrow, we will be moving quickly."

"Ladies, if you will follow me." Abbot gestured towards the castle.

"Leli, please go with the Seneschal. I need to speak with His Grace."

"Of course!" Leliana smiled at Seneschal Costello as they walked away. "When I was here last, you were telling me a tale about someone named 'Who'."

Val turned to Fergus. "How is Rayne?"

"She's doing well. Our healer, Mara, believes that the baby will come any day now."

"All the more reason for us to get out of your hair." Val softened her voice. "Have you communicated with Aedan?"

"Yes, and I will forever be in your debt for that."

"Nonsense, it was your wife who carried the day."

"As for getting out of our hair there have been a couple of recent developments."

"I already know that Masurian's Inquisition moved up the timetable on us."

"Yes, but there's more." Fergus tried to contain a smile.

Just then, Nathaniel joined them and pulled her into a hug. "It is good to see you again, my friend."

Val returned the hug. "You as well." Then she stood back and looked to Fergus, then to Nathaniel. There is a gleam in their eyes. What mischief are they up to? "Is there something either of you want to tell me?"

Nathanial nodded his head towards the barracks. "Come, we'll show you."

~oOOo~

Adaia, having learned what duplicitous meant, now sat near the Vhenadahl and meditated. Elrohir had accompanied Adaia. When she opened her eyes she looked at him. "I am supposed to discover why a father would forsake his children. Leaving your children is a bad thing for a father to do. Do you think my Dad would know about fathers who leave their children?"

"I cannot tell you who to talk to. For the knowledge you seek, you must decide who and what to ask. Follow your heart and head, Da'len."

Adaia nodded, frowning and crossing her arms. "This is so…so frustrating! Sometimes I wish Dirthamen had chosen someone else."

Elrohir pulled Adaia into a hug. "I know it seems like so much responsibility has been placed on your young shoulders. But I know of no one else here who is better suited to this task, than you."

Adaia sighed. "What makes me so special?"

Elrohir placed his hands on Adaia's shoulders and looked into her eyes. "I don't believe you truly realize how powerful a mage you are. As far as I know, only you and Faenor can communicate with that Vhenadahl. You are young, which means you are likely to ask questions that Faenor, like any adult, would not think to. You have a good heart. You deeply care about the plight of the oppressed, whether it is the Creators or the mages in Thedas. You truly want to help."

Adaia now wore a look of determination. "I do care. I cannot help the mages in Thedas, but I can help the Creators…somehow."

Elrohir smiled. "You will find a way, Adaia Theirin."

~oOOo~

When they reached the barracks, Val was stunned. "Where did all these soldiers come from?"

"Well" Fergus began, "there is a detachment of the King's Shield. I suggested that Aedan send them here so you wouldn't have to go all the way back to Denerim."

Val felt like one less burden sat on her shoulders. "Thank you, Fergus. Not having to go back to Denerim is a huge relief, especially with the tighter timetable. But there are more than a detachment of the Shield. Who are the others?"

Nathaniel smiled. "Those would be a detachment of the Amaranthine army."

Val was shocked. "I…I don't know what to say, other than thank you. The extra troops will truly make a big difference."

Nathaniel frowned a bit. "However, there is one issue you need to resolve."

Val chuckled. "Only one? That would be a change. What issue would that be?"

"That would be me." A deeper voice sounded behind them.

Val turned. "Loghain. What are you doing here?"

"Trying to convince you to let me be a part of this mission."

Val's expression became guarded and she looked to Fergus. "I need a place for Loghain and I to talk; is there somewhere we won't be disturbed?"

Fergus nodded. "Use my study."

"Thank you." Val turned to Loghain. "Please, come with me."

Loghain nodded and followed. When they were out of earshot, Fergus looked at Nathaniel. "Do you care to make a wager?"

Nathaniel pursed his lips and shook his head. "No way will I wager on this. One of the things I have learned about Val—once you think you know her next move, all of a sudden, she is two steps ahead of you and coming from a different direction. It's what makes her such an effective leader."

~oOOo~

Loghain and Val entered Fergus' study. Val sat on the couch near the fireplace and gestured for Loghain to sit on the one across from her. "Tell me why I shouldn't take you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You said you want to convince me to join you. That means you believe I need convincing. Put yourself in my shoes. Why wouldn't I take you?"

She put herself between Maric's sword and my hide, and brought me the news about Anora. Both of those actions had little to do with me, personally. She was protecting Maric, and running an errand for Aedan. How does she really feel about me? Perhaps that's where I should start.

"You only know me by reputation, and through Maric. I would say those put me in a poor light, but that implies there is a good light and there isn't. I…allowed my best friend's son, my King, to be slain by the darkspawn. That makes me a regicide and a traitor. The only reason my head wasn't separated from my shoulders was because Aedan didn't want Anora to loose her father, and he thought it would be ironic for me to become a member of the order I had been trying to eradicate. Shall I continue?"

"Yes, please do."

Loghain sighed. "I sold elves into slavery to get the money I needed to fight a civil war that I created in the first place. I believed Rendon Howe's claims that the Couslands were loyal to Orlais, even though I knew that was impossible."

Loghain's tone started to become bitter, full of self-loathing. "I sent an assassin to kill the last Grey Wardens in Ferelden, one of which was Maric's other son! Why would you let me join this battle? How would you know I am not a mage hater and will join your army only to turn traitor on you when the time is right? Is that convincing enough!"

Through this all, Val had simply listened. The tone of his voice is angry and bitter, but his expression isn't…I've seen this expression in Maric's face more than once, and on my mother's as well. It is the look of a grieving parent. "Loghain, you have many sins for which I know you want to atone. If I accept you, will you be joining me to fight, or as a man on a suicide mission?"

Loghain arched an eyebrow. "I'm a Grey Warden. I don't need a suicide mission because I am already a dead man. I'm just waiting for the taint to claim me. I would rather die doing something right than throwing myself at darkspawn in the deep roads."

"Loghain, I would be an idiot not to have you on our side. I have no fears of your turning traitor, and I know you hate the Inquisition every bit as much as I do. I trust you."

"You trust me? Why in the Maker's name would you?"

"Because none of your actions were to further your own self-interests. Albeit horribly misguided, they were to protect Ferelden, and your daughter. That is why I trust you. Do you still want to join me or do you think I'm a fool?"

Loghain smirked. "You are certainly not a fool. You're unconventional, but not a fool. You are, as I thought when we first met—formidable."

Val extended her hand and Loghain grasped it. "Welcome on board, Warden Loghain." Creators, Leliana is going to pitch a fit.

As Loghain left, Leliana walked in. She had heard Val's 'Welcome on board' and was stunned by it. "You are bringing Loghain MacTir? Aft-

Val interrupted her "Keep your voice down! I will not discuss this here. Come with me to my room."

It was a silent but quick walk to the room. Once there, Val went to the fireplace but remained standing. She looked a Leliana. "You were saying?"

"How can you bring him? You did not see the Alienage as the elves were being sold to Tevinter slavers! You did not risk your life day in and day out fighting darkspawn while Loghain waged a civil war! I was there. I saw what he did to Ferelden, to your own husband's sons!"

Time to see just how loyal she really is. Val's voice was cool and firm. "While I understand your reservations, I do not share them, nor do I need to justify my actions to you. I will say this: Loghain Mac Tir is a grieving father who knows the full impact of his actions and wants to spend the remainder of his already shortened life trying to do something good and just. He will join us, and he will help us protect the mages and defeat the Inquisition. That is my final word on the subject. If you cannot except that, I will turn you over to Arl Howe, and you can cool your heels in the Vigil's dungeon, as previously promised."

Val watched as Leliana visibly deflated."Are you sure you can trust him?"

Val's eyes narrowed. "You are a fine one to speak about trust. But to answer your question, yes, I trust him."

Leliana sighed. "You are a far better person than I. I truly mean that. If you trust him, than so shall I."

~oOOo~

After dinner, Nathaniel, Solana, Fergus, Rayne, and Val were in Fergus' study. Rayne and Val were drinking tea while Nate and Fergus had brandy.

Solana chuckled when offered a brandy, and accepted a small bit because she had never had it before. "We aren't allowed to have spirits in the Circle, fade-based or alcoholic." She took a sip and instead of coughing as everyone was expecting, she closed her eyes for moment then opened them. "I like the warmth going down the back of my throat." She handed the glass back to Fergus. "I think it would be unwise to finish it. I doubt anyone wants to see a legless mage."

Nathaniel laughed. "Oh, I've seen plenty at the Vigil! Quite fun drunks, actually."

Rayne looked at Val. "How are you feeling?"

Val looked up from her tea, "Fine. Why?"

"You didn't look fine when you left. I take it you were able to get some rest during your trip to the Circle?"

"I had one of our spirit healers examine me. She has given me a potion for nausea. It's just stress. I'm not getting any younger you know." Val tried to smile.

Nathaniel laughed. "You're only 28."

Val pretended to look offended. "Isn't there some rule of manners that you aren't supposed to tell a lady's age?"

Nathaniel cheeks reddened. "Yes, but that only applies to ladies." He winked at Val who could not help but laugh.

The evening was spent relaxing and enjoying one another's company. When Val stood up to go to her room, she looked at Fergus. "I just want to make sure I am remembering this correctly: You want me to tell Maric that your father won the bet?"

Fergus smirked and nodded.

"But you won't tell me what the bet was?"

"Nope. You have to hear it from Maric."

Val smiled. "If he looks at me strangely, I'm blaming you."

Fergus laughed. "Good night, Val."

~oOOo~

Rayne and Fergus had gone to bed when Fergus snickered. "Maker, what a memory." Then he smiled to his wife. "I was in the room reading quietly by a window and heard the whole conversation leading up to that bet."

"Tell me," Rayne said snuggling next to her husband.

Fergus kissed the top of his wife's head…

Maric and Father were drinking. Cailan was about 17. Maric remained unmarried and was complaining to father about the bevy of young noblewomen continuously paraded in front of him.

"Maric, this would all stop if you'd just pick one. Maker's sake, close your eyes and think of Ferelden!"

Maric laughed. "They are all so…young. They are all about silk dresses and having the King take her virtue so she can bear him children. I do not need an heir, so I don't need to remarry. Especially to some idealistic innocent."

Then Maric stopped talking and looked pensive.

"Maric?"

The King said, softly, "About six years ago, I met a young lady at the dwarven armorer. She was looking over his wares. When I told her the other girls were eyeing the silks, she looked at me and said, 'Silks don't fare well against swords.'"

Maric chuckled, "She apologized, thinking she'd been impertinent, but I told her it wasn't impertinent if it was true. She was about Cailan's age. I often wonder what became of her?"

Bryce chortled. "You were just complaining about the maturity of the other girls and now you show interest in an 18 year old?"

"That's it though, she seemed quite self-assured for her age, like she'd born burdens that matured her soul. Her hair was black like the night and she had dark blue eyes. I don't think I have ever seen eyes like that before or since." Maric shook his head and chuckled. "Bryce, I am not marrying again. I will be another Loghain. Although with more charm."

"Maric, if you found this mystery woman, I'd bet you'd marry her in a heartbeat."

"Sure enough to back it with coin?"

"Is 20 sovereigns 'sure' enough?"

"If you are willing to part with your gold, I'm more than willing to relieve you of it. It's a bet."

The men shook on it…

Rayne looked at Fergus. "I take it Val was the young woman?"

"Yes."

~oOOo~

AN: Thank you to all my readers! Thank you to Melysande, EasternViolet ElyssaCousland, and AnnabelleHawke022812 for your reviews. A huge Iron Bull-sized thank you to Shakespira who is my wonderful, supportive Beta and reviewer.