Saarebas - "The Dangerous Thing"
Chapter 21:
It was clear this was the favored spot for all travelers looking to rest. A fire had already been laid, ready to be lit. He and I talked for quite some time that night. I asked him about all sorts of things that I'd either been curious about or things I;d overheard the bandits discussing, like The Maker and Andraste.
"You know nothing of them?"
"No, I don't. Are they a person you praise?"
"It's harder to explain than that."
But we talked about it, or at least tried to. The concepts were too foreign for me to understand. To worship one woman who sacrificed herself seemed nonsensical. My point of view was just as alien to Duncan.
"How can you all be part of the whole? Aren't you individuals? Don't you have your own wants and desires?"
"Yes. I wanted to continue to learn. My desires are... were... harder to vocalize."
He tried hard, but the smirk crept across the other mans face. "I was young once too. I'm pretty sure I know that that means."
"Do you?"
"Maybe, maybe not. But let's change the subject."
"Okay."
"So, I've seen how you can call nature to respond. Can you do anything else?"
"Sometimes the wind picks up as well."
"No lad, that's not what I mean. Have you ever called forth fire, cold, or lightning?"
"No. Can I?"
"If you'd been given a proper education in magic, yes. The circles teach it, but come at the cost of your freedom. Some know the arts well enough to explain them. I don't claim to be an expert, but I'll see if I can give you a wide overview." He smoothed the dirt beside us and began to draw diagrams and symbols. "As I said, the four elements a mage can primarily draw upon are fire, lightning, cold, and spirit. If I were a betting man, and I am, I'd say you're calling on spirit magic. It would explain your ability to cause things to grow. What I can't understand is your ability to have that much control without a staff. It makes no sense."
"None of this makes sense to me."
His arms crossed and he scowled in a good-natured way. "I'll bet. You're like a babe in a forest. Think of a staff as your connection through the veil and into the Fade. With the aid of it, we can do magic. I'm not saying you can't without it, but it's harder. Watching you cast and how you have to make contact with something, I'd say you're using whatever it is you touch the way other mages use their staffs. Your whistle, well you've got me there."
"So you can't cast like I do?"
"No. I kinda picked up my skills here and there from other apostates."
"You've used that phrase before, what does it mean?"
"Andraste above, I wondered when we'd get to this. So, here it goes. Not only does the Qunari fear mages, but so does most of the world. Because we have the potential to be taken over by a demon, people mistrust us. The Chantry decided that the best solution to this was to form Circles for both the protection of us and those without the art of magic. In these Circles Templar's ensure that no mages become possessed or try to escape. Allegedly, it's for our safety."
"Why say it like that? Doesn't it work that way?"
Duncan closed his eyes while he spoke. "No, it doesn't. The poor fools in the circles are oppressed and abused daily by their so-called protectors. I'm not saying all Templars are bad or hurt mages, but you'd be unwise to show your skills in front of them unless you wanted to be carted off to a circle, or slain for the sake of the Chantry."
"Were you in a circle?"
"Yes, and I got out, blood intact. I'll explain that another day. Now I live as a free man."
He brushed away his drawings and diagrams. Apparently the lesson was over. I sat and thought about what he'd said. I'd escaped one group of people who wanted me to not use my abilities and entered into another world with similar views.
Except I very much doubt the Templar's would treat you with as much care as the Qun would, at least according to Duncan.
Feeling nostalgic for home? I'm surprised, isn't this what you wanted?
I wanted to be free. I wanted US to be free.
"What's wrong? You have a strange look on your face."
Duncan was staring at me. I tried to be casual. "What? I don't know what you mean."
"Yes you do. I can see it in your eyes. What's on your mind?"
Don't tell him about me. He'll think I'm a demon.
And are you?
We've been through this already. Now answer him before he becomes anymore suspicious.
"I guess I'm just worried is all. Seems no one likes mages."
"Too true you are. Some tolerate them, the same way they'd tolerate beggars on the streets, but no one loves them, except the Tevinter. They're in power, but are a nasty lot. I could never abide by blood magic." He saw me drawing breath. "Tevinter's a place and blood magic is a dark forbidden art where you draw power from blood."
"Why not live there? You wouldn't be persecuted."
"No, but you'd pay in other ways. Just trust me, there's no promised land for the mages. It's best to keep your head down, don't go using magic where others can see, and keep moving."
I watched the fire crackle as it consumed a log. What would it be like to control it? I wasn't sure I wanted to after I'd see a village burn to the ground.
I brought myself back to the conversation. "But why, why must we keep moving? Why can't we settle down? Why are we the bad guys?"
"Maker give me strength. Rebas, there's no simple answer for this. Those with and without power need someone to point a finger out when trouble starts. We're the ones they point to. It's always been that way for as long as we have written history: Mages are a threat and should be controlled. Just thank your lucky stars you aren't elven as well. They've suffered far worse than we have."
"In the Qun all races are treated with equal respect."
"You aren't in the Qun anymore. This is Thedas, our world, and in it people suffer, become slaves, and are persecuted. Those who are strong, clever, or lucky enough slip the noose live outside of it all. For the rest of us, we must make our own way."
"And for everyone else that can't?"
He angerly threw another log on the fire. "Just stop it, alright? There's no easy fix. If you want to go try to save the world, fine; but leave me out of it. All I want is to keep what little freedom I have. You have a choice: stick with me and I can try to teach you about magic, or go and try to make your way in a world that doesn't give a damn if you succeed or fail. Now which will it be?"
He's right, Whistler. We need this man and his knowledge if we hope to make it. Not everyone can be saved. Sometimes bad things happen to good people.
Yes, it did, didn't it? Even in the Qun it happened. Scribe...
Another time. Not now.
"I want to learn. Please, Duncan, teach me."
"Alright then. One lesson, then sleep."
I sat up, eager.
"Never admit to being a mage."
He cackled at this. I didn't get it, but he was already settling down for bed with promises of a real lesson tomorrow. I did likewise.