Chapter 21

Hadriana was getting extremely annoyed, not to say she was beside herself with fury, although she managed quite well to hide her anger behind a veil of self-control. Up till now the trip that she and her entourage, consisting of fifty armed men, four mages and two slaves, had started in Minrathous, had gone smoothly. They had travelled through Nevarra without any troubles to speak of and had been able to make good progress, since they had decided to make use of horses. She wasn't particularly fond of horseback riding or horses in general, but she had to admit they had allowed them to make good time, however. Much better, at any rate, than when they would have journeyed by sea, considering the detour they would have been forced to take. But now they had arrived at Cumberland, their good fortune seemed to have come to a halt. She had left her small army outside the walls of the city, together with three mages, and had put up at a tavern with her two slaves, for the occasion her so called servants, and her personal assistant Titia. The latter was a young talented female mage who would become her official apprentice when Hadriana had risen to the rank of magister. Hadriana had sent her to the harbour to find a ship destined for Denerim, but the girl had returned without any result. So she had gone to arrange things herself, convinced that there was nothing a good arrogant attitude or, if need be, the clink of gold coins couldn't accomplish. It turned out she was wrong. At this very moment she was quarrelling with the harbourmaster in the man's office about passage on a ship bound for the capital of Ferelden.

'For the last time, Serah, the next ship destined for Denerim will leave in five days and not an hour sooner,' the harbourmaster said, getting tired of the woman's persistence. 'But I highly doubt that they are willing to take you and your fifty armed men on board. No captain I know of is comfortable being surrounded by an army that is not under his command.'

Hadriana very much wanted to scorch him, freeze him or imbed him in stone until he cooperated, but that was out of the question. It was not recommended to use magic openly outside the Imperium, so she left it at glowering fiercely. When she came to the realisation that didn't help either, she tried pleading. She pulled out all the stops, from a desperate look in her eyes to an irresistible charming smile; a successful magister (i.e. one who managed to survive all the Minrathous' intrigues and conspiracies) had, besides all other things, to be an excellent actor and Hadriana knew every trick in the book.

'Please, Serah, I have to go to Denerim as fast as possible. A relative of mine, who lives near the Brecillian Forest, has sent a request for aid against a plague of evil beasts that are pestering her and her family. As you know, the army of Ferelden is reduced to not much more than a small guard, so she can't make an appeal to the King and Queen because they are not able to help her. Hence the armed men I bring with me. I have to go there as fast as possible; this is a matter of live and death!' She was rather proud of this impromptu made up story because everybody knew there lurked strange and frightening creatures in the Brecillian Forest. Throughout Thedas the stories were used to make children compliant. It was one thing Fereldan was famous for, besides the dogs.

'If you're in such a hurry you could take a ship to Amaranthine,' the harbourmaster suggested grumpily, 'and from there travel over land to the Brecillian Forest. The Sea Eagle will set sail tomorrow morning. The captain is known to take passengers but you should be prepared to pay a lot of money, especially with that army of yours.'

'Money is not an issue,' Hadriana grumbled. She would gladly have purchased a ship and hired a crew if that were possible, but that would cost more time than she could afford to lose. She had no other option than to negotiate with the captain of the Sea Eagle (which she thought an ill chosen name for an ungainly carrier), to take them to Amaranthine. At first the burly, tanned man wasn't willing at all, but after an hour of discussing and bargaining and the exchange of a considerable amount of money, the captain agreed. But only under the condition that the soldiers would stay in the hold and their weapons in the captain's cabin. Hadriana wasn't all too happy with that arrangement but understood she had no other choice. She felt more than relieved when they left Cumberland the next day to cross the Waking Sea on their way to Amaranthine. She was leaning against the rail, looking at the city that slowly turned into a vague line at the horizon. Titia was standing next to her; Hadriana cast a sidelong glance upon her apprentice.

'Things are going differently than we expected or hoped for, but do not doubt we will catch them to drag them back to Minrathous. And I'm certain Danarius won't object to us having a little fun with them along the way,' she added. A little cruel smile played around her thin lips.

'I'm looking forward to it,' the girl responded, mimicking the smile.

In Val Royeaux, in the meantime, as a matter of fact not that far from Cumberland, the Head of the Seekers, Baron Villefranche, was sitting behind his desk in his plain but efficiently furnished room. He looked the woman standing to attention before him up and down. He had read her file and found it remarkable; she looked like some innocent country girl with her soft heart shaped face, her cherry like mouth with pouty lips, and shining blue eyes. And yet...

'I'll come right to the point,' he said curtly. 'I know you joined our ranks only recently, but I'm inclined to let you be a part of an important and very secret mission. You lived in Lothering for a few years, didn't you?'

'Yes Messere,' the woman answered. If she was surprised by the question, she masked it well.

Villefranche ruffled through the papers lying in front of him. 'I understand you stayed in the village under the cover of a lay sister. Quite interesting, since you have been trained as a bard and I can hardly believe there was any reason to act as a spy in a backwater town in a backwater country. Unless of course you were using it as a hiding spot.'

Without blinking an eye the red-haired woman said, 'I'm not so naive as to assume the Seekers didn't know every detail about my past before they accepted me. I'm certain you read all about it.'

A shadow of a smile briefly fluttered across Villefranche's face. 'Indeed. The betrayal of your former mentor and lover Marjolaine, the false accusation of treason, the imprisonment and the torture you had to endure. And also your miraculous escape and let's not forget the thorough way you eliminated your mentor and her bodyguards in her safe house in Denerim. A very intriguing story, Serah Leliana.'

'I had assistance,' Leliana said, looking perfectly blank.

'Yes, from the Hero of Ferelden no less. But I didn't summon you here to talk about your past, at least not that past. In your years as a lay sister in the Chantry of Lothering you must have met a young lady by the name of Marian Hawke.'

'I could deny it, but it would be of no use, would it, because you already know,' Leliana replied smartly.

He suppressed another smile. 'Did you ever notice anything peculiar about her?'

Leliana shrugged nonchalantly. 'Nothing more than that she was an intelligent girl and a very skilled rogue. Not much of a singing voice, though, and she lacked subtlety. No bard material.'

Villefranche leant back in his chair and waited a few moments for the effect to kick in at full force before he said, 'So you didn't know she is, in fact, a mage.'

Leliana raised her brow. 'If that is true, she did conceal that well. She never showed any signs.' She smiled briefly. 'Perhaps I underestimated her knowledge of subtlety. Or maybe subterfuge would be the appropriate word in this case.'

The Head of the Seekers put his elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers. He wondered what remark would make her snap. 'I don't think so. You see, the reason you didn't notice is because she has no mana – apparently.'

Leliana wrinkled her forehead into little furrows. 'But that's impossible!'

'Well, according to the testimony of a very reliable witness, it's the truth.' He hesitated for a moment before he continued. 'You know the Marquis Albert Berran, the Head of the Special Assignment Section?'

'I've heard of him.'

'A few months ago he went on a secret operation without telling what it was all about. It is not unusual for him or his agents to act that way but the procedure is that they send a report at the moment they discover something of importance. We haven't received any personal report whatsoever. We know by now he had gone to Kirkwall to find this Marian Hawke and meanwhile has rushed off to Denerim with the same mysterious mage, without even a word of explanation – that is, not from him. We obtained that piece of information from our own man in Kirkwall. It's quite suspicious, to say the least about it. He is, by the way, also in the company of someone you know well: Wynne, the Fereldan First Enchanter. We think by now she is the one who set all this in motion.'

'Wynne!' Leliana this time exclaimed, taken by surprise. 'But if she's involved, I can hardly imagine something fishy is going on. She's a trustworthy woman, I hold her in high esteem.'

Villefranche observed her intensely but couldn't find anything but honest expression. Then again, she was a bard. 'I don't question your judgment, although I've learned through experience no one can be trusted. It's possible she has good intentions, just like that she might be using Berran for some dark scheme; it can be she acts in good faith but is deceived herself by a third person. But whatever the case, Berran should have returned to our Headquarters, preferable in the company of this Marian Hawke, or at least reported and waited for an answer before he made such a rash move. I don't trust it. I don't trust it at all. I'm afraid something has come up, something disturbing and dangerous, something he doesn't want us to know about.'

'You suspect treachery,' Leliana offered carefully, realising her unbard-like outburst and inwardly chastising herself for it.

'As a matter of fact, I do, although I can't fathom what it is all about. This behaviour is not like Berran, so yes, I think much more is going on than a mage without mana.' As if that isn't troublesome enough, he added in his mind. He let his eyes rest on the red haired woman still standing before him. She looked pensively. Perhaps he should have offered her a seat and something to drink but then again, she was but a Junior Seeker, not much more than a recruit, be it a very promising one. And trustworthy. He was convinced her past would guarantee that she'd everything being said in this room keep a secret. She had learned a hard lesson. 'The reason I want you to be part of this mission, Serah Leliana, is that you know both Marian Hawke and the First Enchanter closely. On the strict orders of the Divine herself, the Marquis isn't to be harmed and on my orders that counts also for Marian Hawke and Wynne. They must be safely escorted to Val Royeaux. Of course the order is already given to the captain of the company, but I have a special assignment for you – a mission inside a mission if you will. I want you to gain the trust of the two women. Do you understand me?'

'You want me to make them to confide in me and tell me their part of the story, before you have to take other measurements,' Leliana said flatly.

'Exactly. It would not only save us time but, more importantly, the use of – certain methods. I would like to avoid an incident with Ferelden. The Fereldan don't harbour warm sentiments towards Orlais to start with and if they were to learn we took their First Enchanter captive and worse, it could lead to dire consequences. Thus I assume that you appreciate this is a very delicate and important task you're given. If you succeed, I assure you I will recommend you to the Divine Justinia personally.' Leliana just nodded. 'Needless to say no one else knows about this and no one is ever to find out. Do I make myself clear?' Another short nod. 'Then you are dismissed, Seeker.'

He stared at the closed door for a long time, hoping it would all work out in the way he wanted it to.

'I trust you don't need me any longer? I have a shop to run and a breastplate to finish, you know,' Brok Igulson said, defiantly looking around the table.

Hawke waved him off. 'You can go. But keep yourself available in case more questions pop up. By the way, thank you for your help.'

Isabela and Zevran had returned not long before, carrying two large pitchers with ale and a handful of mugs and the runesmith had gulped down the contents of a tankard in one go. Hawke wondered if only thirst had made him do that. He still looked flustered. And thirsty. But seeing Varric down his ale at the same speed, she was willing to believe it was a dwarf thing.

'It's not like I'm going anywhere,' Brok Igulson muttered while he scurried out of the room, 'you know where to find me.'

'Sooo, Amaranthine,' Isabela drawled after the door was shut. 'I wonder what kind of wondrous shops they have been hiding over there.' To everyone's relief she had left her outrageous hat back in the Gnawed Noble. At least the chance of getting decapitated by a lustrous scenery whirled around by an enthusiastic pirate queen was reduced to a minimum.

'Vigil's Keep. Not Amaranthine,' Hawke replied, absentmindedly staring at the map still lying on the table. Even though she knew by now what the marked spot indicated, she still felt uneasy when she looked at it. A mine, a mythical mine; probably it didn't exist, most likely it did. After all, her father had been convinced it was there and thus there had to be some truth mixed with the myth. And that's where the problem started. She was positive there was more to it. Something happened there, for good or for ill she couldn't tell, but she knew for certain her father had been involved. How far had he been willing to go to obtain the priceless amantium? What had he done? What had he offered, or sacrificed? Automatically her fingers started fiddling with the ring on her left hand but the moment she got aware of it, she jerked back her right hand as if the metal had bitten or burned her.

'What's the difference,' Isabela's voice chimed and for a moment she was confused.

'Hmm? What? Oh.' Reality kicked in. 'About twenty miles, I guess.' She looked up and took a draught from her ale. She forced a smile. 'But I suppose you will gladly cover that distance in your hunt for even more eccentric hats.'

'You bet!' Isabela beamed.

Berran, in the meantime, nervously tapped the wooden surface of the table with his fingers. He looked troublesome. 'Serah Hawke, I don't think it's wise to go searching for that mine,' he said. His eyes had also been fixed upon the map.

Hawke frowned. 'Why? Getting cold feet? I thought you would be mighty interested in a mine full of metal to cage mages more sufficiently than the so called tranquil solution.'

'Marian, don't,' Fenris murmured just nearly audible. 'I think the man has good reasons.' The words were spoken automatically. He didn't want her to put up a scene – again. At this very moment he paid scarcely attention to the current conversation. The words a mage who can shape, change or destroy the world kept resonating in his head. Her father must have been terrified when he found out, no wonder he had taken his drastic measurements. And how much did Danarius know about this? They still hadn't talked about his interest in her, she had been adroitly avoiding the subject but it bothered him greatly. Undoubtedly his former master had by now found out the Antivan Crow had turned against him but he knew for sure he wouldn't let it rest. And he was as good as certain about whom he would send this time... He shuddered inwardly, just by the remembrance of her name.

As to emphasize the elf's words, though he had hardly heard them, let alone was able to catch his deeper thoughts, Berran rubbed his face and sighed deeply. 'Look, Serah Hawke,' he started wearily, 'I...' He cut his own words short and hesitated. 'We need to talk.' He looked quite forlorn by now. Fenris dragged his attention back to what was presently happening. He would force Marian to listen to his fears later. He could just hope she would heed his warnings but now was not the time. Later, I'll talk to her later and she'd better pay attention ... for her own sake ... and mine.

'We are talking right now, just keep going on.' Despite her annoyance Marian discovered for one reason or the other she wasn't as provoked by Berran as she used to be. There was something in his eyes and voice that suddenly touched her. She couldn't define it immediately. Fear? Regret? Sorrow? Better to back down and let the man explain.

Berran stared at her with a look that said, "You can't be serious", while he with his eyes hinted at Isabela and Zevran. They both caught his glance at the very moment, as the rogues they were, but where Zevran wisely decided not to react, Isabela, on the other, hand felt hugely affronted and didn't hesitate to spout her irritation.

'Do elaborate,' she said tartly, her chin in the air, 'I for one can't wait to hear your carefully thought through invented insinuations.'

'I don't think I have to,' the Seeker grumbled.

'Oh really? To be honest, hotshot, I don't give a rat's arse for your well-being, but I would never betray Hawke.' Her usually merrily sparkling velvet eyes were overcast with anger and even her cleavage radiated indignation. It was quite an unnerving sight to behold. 'So, because of her you can make your confession without being afraid that you'll wake up as a corpse in the morning.' Her eyes locked with Berran's and a terrible row hovered in the air.

As so often before Varric saved the day. 'Rivaini, unless you are trying a hitherto never heard of audacious technique of seduction, I would backpedal if I were you. You can't blame a man for not trusting a woman who likes to carry a rainforest upon her head. One never knows what kind of venomous evil will suddenly jump out of the greenery with the intension of a deadly attack.'

And as equally so often before, Isabela relaxed and laughed at the dwarf's words. 'You're right, Varric, it's not worth the trouble.'

Berran rolled his eyes but heroically held back a nasty remark. Instead he returned to Marian. 'You see, I'm taking a big risk here,' he told her.

Mostly out of habit, and certainly without thinking, she sneered sarcastically, 'You. A Seeker. Taking a risk, a big one no less. Don't make me laugh.' She regretted the words at the same time she uttered them. She had pledged to herself – and Fenris not to incite at every remark that annoyed her. It wasn't that easy, apparently.

Out of his own habit Berran glared daggers at her. But then his look softened. After all, he had lost everything he once deemed important. He should hate her, but simply couldn't. It was his own fault, after all. He looked at her and saw honesty, confusion and concern. 'I'm doing all of this on my own account,' he blurted, diving into the deep. 'I should have reported back to my superior ages ago but I didn't.' His face twitched. 'As a matter of fact, I didn't even tell him where I was headed when I left Val Royeaux, although I don't doubt for a second that by now he is well-informed. In short, Serah Hawke, I've lost my personal bet and with that lost all.'

Hawke was surprised. 'So I take it you also have your suspicions about Gascard DuPuis, as much as I have,' she said hesitantly, not exactly knowing how to interpret this confession.

'Yes. And I wager my life upon it the little squirt not only darted to Minrathous as fast as he could but after that also hastened to the Seeker's Headquarters as well to share every bit of information.' Berran looked tired and said cautiously, 'I'm afraid we've turned this whole situation into a smoke and mirrors game, Serah Hawke. Perhaps it's better to come clear.' He produced a very bleak smile. 'I'm an ambitious man, Serah Hawke, and Wynne's story sounded promising enough to follow the threads that led to you. I was hoping to return to Orlais with one hell of a discovery.'

'And be welcomed in as a hero,' Isabela smirked, a smirk drenched with vitriol. 'I wonder what you thought would be your reward.' Wynne urged her to silence but the pirate smelled the opportunity for revenge, especially when she saw Berran's flushed face. Her smile broadened. 'A woman's favour, I presume ..?' Of course she had a special antenna for this kind of things. The Seeker glanced at her and his discomfort was almost palpable. For the first time Hawke regarded him as a real human, instead of a walking menace or nuisance.

'Isabela, shut up,' she said irritably. 'Please, Berran, do continue.'

The Seeker took a deep breath. 'It may sound strange, after all what we have been throwing at each, other but I trust you. I believe you really knew even less about the entire situation than Wynne and I did.' He clenched his fist. 'At this very moment I'm trying to keep you and myself out off the Divine's reach; I don't want you to fall into the hands of the interrogators at the Headquarters, not any more. To be honest, that was the main reason to come to Denerim, although I fear they will find out soon enough we're here instead of in Kirkwall. If they don't know already.'

'O fuck,' Hawke muttered, while dragging her hand through her hair. She finally looked up between detangled bangs. 'You're trying to tell me we've ended up in the same boat? That you are as vulnerable and exposed and being hunted as I am?' He just nodded without making a sound. 'Well, that's just perfect. If I understand you well, the Divine has sent by no doubt every Seeker that draws breath chasing after us. Add that to the Tevinter bastards Danarius has on the road, we can cook up one hell of a fox hunt.' She shook her head and with a sudden flare of empathy she said, 'I feel truly sorry for you. You lost your job and your status and presumably can never return to Orlais.'

Berran tried not to cringe. 'I only have myself to blame,' he said gloomily, 'and my ambition.'

'Pardon me for asking,' Zevran piped up, 'but if staying in one place is deemed dangerous, why are you opposed to look for that mine? It seems to me the mountains are a perfect place to disappear. Nothing like some decent peaks, passes and caves to cover one's tracks.'

'Speaking from experience, I assume?' Varric remarked, masking a grin. The broad grin Zevran returned as response taught the dwarf the former assassin wasn't ashamed about his history at all. For some reasons Varric admired him for it.

Berran took a deep breath. 'That has nothing to do with the situation. I just can't shake off the feeling the place is some kind of trap.'

'So I'm not the only one having the nasty hunch something is terribly wrong with that place?' Marian said surprised.

'Definitely not.' The Seeker's eyes seemed to be more black and ominous than ever.

Now the attention of everyone present got drawn to the map.

The first one to comment was – well, whoever – Isabela. 'I don't want to be a spoilsport, sweetness, but I only see an obscure and rather smudged little dot; no skull with crossed bones, no black flag, no warning sign saying "Here be Dragons". What's so creepy about it?'

Hawke rested her elbow on the table and her cheek in her hand. 'I don't know,' she sighed, staring at the little mark that had been placed there by, and she had no doubt about that, her father. 'It's hard to explain; just a feeling of danger, or something strange or whatever. Hey, that I have a bad feeling about it, doesn't say I know what it is!'

After a short silence Isabela hesitantly asked, 'Then what do we do now?'

Hawke cocked an eyebrow and stared around the table, seeing everyone's looks focused on her. It intrigued and angered her at the same time. 'Why is everybody looking at me?'

'In case you didn't notice before, oh wonderful leader, we always leave the decisions to you. Less pressure on our shoulders, I suppose,' Varric smiled sweetly. 'And, of course, we can always blame you when things go wrong.'

'O, that was the reason all the time; I thought you all relied upon my unfathomable wisdom,' Hawke grumbled tetchily.

'That too, of course,' the dwarf said smoothly.

Hawke shook her head, hiding a smile. 'Oh well, we don't have to rush off and meet destiny immediately, what kind of destiny it will be. Darkspawn, dragons, slavers, Seekers or the end of the world as we know it. Instead we could go to Amaranthine and talk to that Grey Warden dwarf; who knows what we will learn. I definitely don't want to stay here, acting like sitting ducks and waiting to be captured or attacked. I suggest we'll give the Seekers and Tevinters as hard a time as possible to catch us.'

Zevran sniggered softly. 'I believe we already did that, but I won't protest against extending the amusing game somewhat longer.'

'That's my guy,' Isabela beamed.

Wynne looked pensively. 'I never wanted to involve the Queen in this, you know that Serah Hawke, but with this turn of events I think it's wise to call upon her.

Hawke cocked her head. 'Because ..?'

'She has been the Warden Commander at Vigil's Keep. And she has been the one who recruited Sigrun. She knows her. It could be useful to hear her out.'

'But I thought you didn't want her to know anything about our exiting adventure.' Hawke wasn't sure if she was willing to drag the Hero into this. For several reasons.

Wynne gave her a wan smile. 'Things have changed, I believe.'

Zevran put lightly, and at the same time almost tenderly, a hand on Wynne's wrist. 'My delightful companion, I don't think you have to have second thoughts about the commitment our former commander will show when you explain the problem.'

Wynne's expression softened. 'No, my dear elf, I'm quite certain I wouldn't. I just didn't want to burden her,'

Zevran leaned back. 'That, my lovely Wynne, is the least of your concerns right now. And an Elissa Cousland who doesn't want to be burdened isn't heard off.'

Wynne laughed out loud and playfully tapped Zevran's hand. 'I suppose you're right. I will go to the palace this very minute to ask for her counsel.'

'And that would be a good thing ..?' Hawke asked hesitantly.

'Don't doubt that, Serah Hawke. It seems you are going to meet the Queen of Ferelden after all,' Wynne smiled. 'I will be off to the palace by now.' She stood up and left the small room, followed by the Seeker, who at that moment looked like a downcast chick, miserably following the mother duck.

'Weeeel, Zevran, The Pearl, The Gnawed Noble or any other place ... it's you choice now,' Isabella tittered while she dragged her elf out off the Wonders of Thedas.

'I think that leaves us,' Varric said. He cast a sidelong glance at the tranquil mage but decided at the very moment he wouldn't' live to see the day he'd have fun with that guy. On the other hand, the two other persons left behind didn't wear the expression of being the most pleasurable company at the moment either; especially the elf looked utterly strained. Varric decided to head for the Pearl himself to discover all the wonders of Denerim that establishment had to offer.

Fenris ushered Marian through the abandoned shop and said in a low voice, 'We have to talk.'

'Oh really, you too?' she reacted lightly but then caught his glowering look that got emphasised by the firm grasp on her arm.

'This is about Danarius, isn't it,' she sighed, knowing she couldn't put this off any longer.

'Yes.'

'All right. Let's retire to our room in the tavern and get this over with.' She was certain he would start a rant because he was concerned about her and wanted to protect her. She was ready to oppose every word he'd be ready to utter to turn her into some kind of feeble victim, ready to be hauled to Tevinter or Orlais by all those bad men and/or women who were after her. And also after him, as she would make very clear the moment she had been able to make him listen to her. She wasn't the only target, after all. Oh yes, she recognized she was a target, but so was he, and, as she had understood well, so was Berran. If he was going to send her back to Kirkwall, he should be ready to put up one hell of a fight. She was not that feeble victim, damn it. Danarius could drop dead.

And this was just one of the sentences the rant consisted of after they had reached their room. And screamed out at each other of the top of their voices.

'Will you shut up, woman, and just hear me out!'

And that was only the start of the problems.