People stared as they walked down the streets but at this point Faeron was beyond caring and set foot up towards the Athenaeum of Restoration in the upper district of the city. He had friends, or rather colleagues there which possibly could help.
"Surana, we should probably take detour if you wish to move to the upper districts," Frank muttered as they pushed through the crowds of the city
"Don't be silly, I need to get there as fast as possible," Surana replied in a snarl
"Fine," the Ander concluded and hung back with Ohgren guarding their rear.
Not five minutes later Surana got stopped by a group of city guards blocking the gate into the Univiersity district.
"No elves," they said to Henselt who was right behind Surana
"Don't be ridiculous," Surana muttered "I'm going to meet with Magister Nola at the Athenaeum of Restoration,"
"Tell your knife-ear to only speak when spoken to," the guard captain muttered to Henselt who was growing pale as he saw his commanders face harden.
"I do not have time for this nonsense," Surana growled "Let me through,"
"I am sorry to inconvenience you, sir," the guard continued to Henselt "We had another uprising not two nights ago. Elves not belonging to a magister are not allowed in the upper district,"
"I have no time for this" Faeron said looking back at his troops and took a quick step through the fade placing him on the other side of the patrol.
The captain grew pale and took half a step back before he roared to his men to catch the elf, while Surana heard Frank bark out a few curses at him and Henselt call out;
"Commander! Warden-Commander Surana, please do not...oh bother all! Captain! We are Wardens. Hold back your man for the sake of the Maker! You will get them killed!"
Faeron noticed a troop of so called Templars approach investigating the screams from the guard captain, he just scowled and marched on towards his destination.
"Stop!" the templars called out and he spat towards them.
"Out of my way, soporati. I am here to see Magister Nola and you will not stand in my way,"
"Get out of the district, elf," the Knight-Templar leading the troops spat back "Magister Nola has made no announcement of having elven guests, so you are not going anywhere,"
Surana scowled and decided that enough was enough. Tevinters only understood one thing, power.
He grabbed the templar with a spectral hand and pulled him close making them all gasp and draw their swords.
"I am Faeron Surana, Warden-Commander of Fereldan. Survivor of the Fifth Blight, Defender of Amaranthine and the Magisters personal friend. Escort me and my troops to her, or I'll rip your and your patrols spines out and use the blood to make your Chantry regret that they ever made you lot stop drinking lyrium. Do I make myself clear, Knight-Templar?!"
"Y-yes sir," the templar whimpered and Surana tossed him aside.
As the templar tumbled to the ground he shrieked to his men and the guards who was surrounding the other Wardens;
"Lower your weapons! For the love of the Maker lower your weapons! The Commander is expected! We will escort them to the Magister!"
"Good boy," Surana scoffed and turned around glaring at the others.
All weapons got lowered and his Wardens quickly walked up to him.
"Bugger blighted shit," Ohgren muttered "Always the drama,"
"When in Tevinter, do as Tevinters do," Surana shrugged back and stepped over the quivering Templar walking towards the Athenaum "At least Nola will have time to prepare now,"
"...Brilliant plan," Frank grumbled "And if they hadn't backed down? If they had attacked?"
"It would had been the death of them," Surana simply replied "I have a reputation, even here. And I had my mind around at least three of the templars all ready, so they would not have attacked us,"
"Charming..." Frank spit on the ground in disgust as they walked through street upon street of architectural wonders.
The Athenaum was a grand four story building in pristine white marble, all its window and door frames clad in well polished glistening bronze and sheer lace curtains fluttering in the breeze that always graced the place. The breeze was due to the location of the building, but many of the less inquisitive persons visiting the Athenaum assumed it was magic as well. The whole block that surrounded it was mainly herb gardens or apothecaries which granted even the streets an earthy smell of herbs.
"The Athenaum of Restoration, Warden-Commander," the Knight-Templar mumbled as he bowed and backed away from Surana.
Surana didn't thank him nor pay him any more attention, the templar had served his use and was now out of Suranas mind.
"Who is this Nola? What can we expect?" Jana asked looking around them as if awaiting an ambush.
"She is a healer," Surana answered "In it's truest form. Her younger brother may be around as well, he is a dreamer. Just be quiet and all will be fine,"
Before anyone could protest he entered the Athenaum was and glanced at one of Nolas apprentices that stood at the reception.
"Is the Magister in?"
"Yes, master Surana," the young mage replied "She asked me to bring you to her straight away. Shall your party come with as well?"
"They may, if they wish," he said with a shrug hoping they would not, but they did.
The apprentice, a young woman with a tanned complexion and delicate features walked them up towards the fourth floor. He noted Ohgren, Dan and Henselt eyeing her as they ascended the stairs and scowled at them. If she was training for Nola she was a brilliant mage, and deserved more than oogling from the Wardens.
She led them to the sun room, Suranas favourite room of the Athenaum. It was clad in altering glass and sheer crystals both as walls and ceiling, filled with a jungle of herbs and medicinal plants. In the middle of the room Magister Veilia Nola sat reading a book. Surana couldn't help but smile, she did that too him. She was a brilliant healer, not bogged down by her want to help others like many of her kind. She had a brilliant mind for politics and she had been a great help for him and Avernus during the last few years.
"Faeron," she mused as she looked up faking surprise when they entered "The Divine lands of my ancestry has yet to recover from this foudroyant sojourn that you grant us. I bid thee and the Wardens that walk this surreptitious path of serendipitous conciliabuls elysium beneath the roof of mercy in this city of iscariotic diablorists. Please, accompany me among the flora and fauna of life, quell my need for interaction with those who like me seek to abolish the perils of the righteous,"
He couldn't help but grin as he saw his Wardens awkwardly wince as they tried to wrap their heads around what she had said. She was a blast. It took some getting used to, but he enjoyed watching others squirm when trying to converse with her.
"Of course, Magister Nola," he said giving her a small bow as he approached and sat down on the bench beside her "I must beg her merciful forgiveness for this intrusion to her sanctum, I come with hasty and grief stricken news as well for a plea for aid. Templars of the South Chantry has taken the life of our dear comrade Avernus and thus halted our efforts of making the Taint all but a grim memory for the Wardens,"
He could play this game too, and he knew she liked when he did.
She gasped and clasped her hands in his.
"These words you speak bring me grief without measure, dear friend. Is this verily words of truth, that our tender Avernus has met the Everlasting sleep by the trifle and unjust means of Templars? Tales of such travesties wreck the very essence of my soul! The burdens of your duty must lay upon thee as mountains weighing down the earth! If the lending of my ear to you will give any solace in these trying times know that my doors of my heart will always be open to provide a place for confessions of grief for you,"
"It is much appreciated," he smiled and glanced at his Wardens.
They were standing at the door astounded by the scene that was playing out before them.
"Alena," the magister turned to her assistant "You may take these guardians of the world and sanctity of the mortal realms, the last bastions against the corruption which is staining their blood and our world down to the parlour. If there is a wish on their behalf to partake in nourishments or entertainment, you shall waiter to their wishes. I find a great need to confer with their commander without the intrusion of others present,"
"Of course, Magister Nola," the apprentice nodded and showed the other Wardens out.
Veilia Nola took a deep breath and watched the commander with great concern;
"You look terrible, Faeron. Does Morrigan and Keiran know of how much this is draining you? I still think you should think about prioritising family time at the moment. Or to write down your research in such a way that others can continue it,"
"I won't" he muttered and scowled as she put a hand on his forehead and then started to measure his pulse "I'm so close, Veilia... We were so close..."
"Rumours say that the Wardens in the South have gone mad, and Weisshaupt has closed their gates. The First Warden won't respond to any letters," Nola noted and glanced at him "I first thought he had just taken after you,"
"No... there.. there is a new Song," Faeron sighed "We all hear it. We all hear this new Calling. No matter how long you've been a Warden. It is unnatural. It makes my work even more important,"
"You won't do much work at all if you are dead," she muttered and nipped the leaf of a plant and rolled it between her fingers pressing out the moisture in it "Chew this,"
"I came to seek aid for my research not a health exam," he complained but chewed the leaf.
It did ease the headache that had grumbled in the back of his head all day.
"What can I help with?" she asked "I've examined your blood, and frankly I can not find a way to remove the taint without killing you. It would also, if you theoretically survived, be in no way sufficient to cure all Wardens, and make you unsuitable to slay Archdemons. Which is kind of the point of being a Warden,"
He nodded and lost his eyes up in the sky and on how the light split in to tiny rainbows as the sun shined through the crystal plates in the roof.
"I need access to the 12 floor in the grand library, Veilia. I need to get my hands on Franctorius book; The Teachings on the Blood and the Blight. The grand library is the only place on Thedas where I can go and a copy might be kept,"
She hesitated and rose from her chair slowly pacing the room glancing at him.
"...I might be able to help, but it is difficult now," she mumbled "There is things happening here in Tevinter, political turmoil. Magister Pavus son recently left to join the Inquisition, and there is rumour about a new supremacist cult called Venetori which seem to work for this old Magister the Inquisition claim blew up their Divine. You are quite controversial, Faeron... And old companions of yours lead the Inquisition... You understand how it might look, do you not?"
"...What old co... oh... You mean Leliana? That is a joke, is it not? I killed her. I cut her head off. To assume I am in league with her is ludicrous,"
"Her head seems very much intact," Nola noted with a slight smile "And her spies are all over Minrathos,"
Surana slumped in the chair where he sat and glared at his friend. She felt sorry for his struggle, he knew that. She was also a skilled politician and he knew she didn't want to risk her own standing to save his fleeting life.
"... Is your brother in town?" he asked and she nodded
"Always. We are stationary, being quite the opposites of you and your family,"
"Hopefully you two don't have children either? I have heard it might not have the best long-term effects,"
"You are terrible," she scoffed but her smiled assured him he had not offended "I would never let my brother impregnate me. The scandal. Tsss. You have no manners, Faeron,"
"I know. People have tried to kill me due to it," he muttered "He is a dreamer, tell me would it be possible for him to visit you on the other side of the world even as a child? In the Fade of course,"
She frowned
"I do not know. How come? Is Keiran showing tendencies for dream walking?"
Surana smirked. The smirk of a smug proud father.
"Keiran shows tendencies for most kinds of magic," he mused "With the right education, which he is getting, he will become a brilliant man,"
"Be careful," she mumbled "Great power comes with great responsibility, Faeron. Do not weigh him down with it too early. He will rebel, and it will be disastrous,"
"Let me and Morrigan worry about our child," he replied defensively and locked his gaze on her "Will you help me gain access to the library?"
She grumbled for a bit but sighed and nodded;
"I assume you will manhandle a few more Templars otherwise and force your way in there? I'll help. The Maker and all of us know how stubborn you are,"
"It has kept me alive,"
"Veilia! I saw Wardens downstairs! Is Faeron... Oh Faeron... you look awful!"
The words followed the entrance of Veilias brother, Paulus, and the fair eyed man quickly walked over to Faeron kneeling in front of the elf gazing into the Wardens dark eyes.
"Oh Maker," he mumbled and Faeron noted the dreamers eyes grow misty.
"Paulus! Not now! We are discussing important matters!" Veila barked but the young man stayed put and Faeron felt his spirit cloak itself around his mind.
Soft words, half humming left the young mans voice as he absorbed what he could from Faerons guarded mind. Veila made a sour annoyed face but let him be, knowing he would not stop until he had gotten his way.
"I can talk while he do this," Faeron sighed and leaned back into his chair "How much time will you need to get me the appropriate clearance?"
"...Depends. If you don't want to enrol in my service maybe a week," she replied pouring crystal clear water into a glass for him eyes resting on her brother "He is such a bother sometimes,"
"There is another side, there's something I will never see. I never want to see it's face, because it makes the losses so much clearer" Paulus hummed and Faeron felt a bit uncomfortable as he tried to carry on his conversation with Veilia;
"A week? I'll survive I guess... I need to try and send some letters. The First Warden is pestering me again,"
"You know he might stop if you followed orders" Magister Nola mused and poured a glass of water for herself "But knowing you I doubt you will follow orders from the First Warden first when you get the title,"
"I do not want it," Surana sighed "When this is over I just want to retreat to some comfortable woodland house and focus on research and raising Keiran,"
"Morrigan will never agree to that," Veila laughed "She loves living in the mist of things, and when she and I talked about raising children she was quite adamant that she would not raise him in isolation,"
"Well... We disagree," he muttered in response "I've lived my whole life surrounded by people. It doesn't help against the isolation. If you are a remarkable person you will be ostracized,"
"But if I escape from a disappointed dream and there again maybe I can feel the meaning behind the silence then?" Paulus continued and Veilia rose an eyebrow against Surana
"He needs to learn to use his uniqueness to his advantage, Surana. Not everyone survives barging through life as you do. That you survive is just proof of the Makers mysterious plans,"
"Or my skill," he muttered making her burst out laughing
"Oh please! Dear! Darling! Nothing but Divine intervention explains why the Wardens haven't sought an alliance with the Chantry to kill you yet! You are a political nightmare! You go around practising open blood magic, invoking vague promises of favour to undo Circles and basically do everything but spit in the face of every noble you meet. And at the same time you rescue the world from disaster over and over again, clean up criminal and just regular messes around the country like no guard, noble or chantry member have ever succeeded and no matter how terrifying or overwhelming your enemies may seem you always come out on top. You are a nightmare for all sides, darling. I love you, but you are,"
He waved her comments and affectionate smile away and glanced down on her brother who was getting a bit to clingy for his taste now.
"Paulus. Back off,"
"Always diving into the shadows looking for the light. Secrets and lost dreams, truth no one remembers. When one is lost in the darkness for so long you sometime begin to be able to see in the dark,"
Their eyes met and Surana scoffed. He disliked having people reading him like that, but he knew Paulus never would tell anyone. The young man was hardly able to hold a normal conversation within the walls of his home with his sister, and any strangers who approached him got nothing but Fade-inspired gibberish.
"He is getting closer to you," the Dreamer mumbled stroking Suranas cheek lost in the whispers again "The Wolf is done sleeping, the Owl needs to fly again. He wants you,"
"Tell him to fuck off, will you?" Surana groaned "No one is having me, they can just stop trying,"
Veila snickered and slid up from her chair more like an ethereal creature than human and put a soft hand on her brothers shoulder;
"If only they listened to such words. The life of a mage would be simple if we could just tell the tempters to leave. Come Paulus. The Commander needs a bath and some food, and you should go talk to Mother,"
"Yes… she is lonley when I am not there," Paulus whispered and left.
Veila stood there in the indoor jungle of hers, a sad melancholy gaze in her eyes and for a moment lost in thought. Surana watched her as he walked up to the windows looking out over the city.
"So what is troubling you?" he asked as she moved up beside him.
"Paulus," she replied "He is slipping further and further in. It is becoming harder to keep him here, as the veil tore and these rifts came about… He disappeared for days. I searched every where, but he was just gone. Then he came back, just sat in his bed one morning and spoke as if he had been walking the Fade. I.. He brought nothing back, as far as I've been able to tell but… he sleeps deeper for every night. I might be selfish, but I do not want to lose him,"
"You can't control that," he replied "So...yeah… I'd really appreciete that bath,"
"Asshole… I'll let you and your Wardens live here, in the quarters you and Morrigan had the last time you where here. Go find Aries, she will make sure you have everything you need,"
"Thanks. Come talk to me when you know anything?"
"Of course," she replied and glanced at him as he left "And Faeron?"
"Yes?"
"Sometimes just pretending to being able to empathize with people is a good thing,"
"I know. But you are my friend, I'd hate to lie to you. You can't control it, and I have no comforting words to give. For that I am sorry, but me being sorry changes nothing. Which we both know,"
"Asshole,"
"Anger on the other hand, can drive a person just as well as faith, if not better," he noted and left in search of that bath.