Chapter 25. Gratitude?

When Val looked at Varania, she saw nothing of the weary and frightened woman that had fled the Hanged Man five years ago. The woman before her looked confident and comfortable in her own skin. Her red hair was short now, and she wore black leather armor that shimmered with runes that had been worked into the leather. A master armorer created this and the rune work is almost as good as Sandal's.

Varania sat on the ground across from Val. "I was grateful to you for that."

Val lifted her manacled hand. "Interesting way to show your gratitude."

"You spared me, yes, and I thank you. But when you annulled the Circle in Kirkwall, you made many enemies."

"Including you?"

"No, but quite a few powerful people with money."

Who? "So, you're a mercenary?"

"In a way, we provide special services to those with the right amount of coin. But we are neither assassins nor mere soldiers for hire. My team only takes special contracts, and yours was irresistible."

"How did you go from running for you life, to this?

"After I stopped running, it occurred to me that I was in possession of skills that could be useful to the right people."

"I'm sure a good blood mage is hard to find."

"I am also a Fade-Walker."

Val couldn't hide her shock. "You are a Somniari? Did Denarius know?"

Varania nodded. "He ordered me not to reveal it. Unfortunately for him, he grossly underestimated you. He truly thought you would just hand over Fenris, and if not, that it would be simple to get rid of you."

"Well, I'm glad he was wrong. What happened after your revelations of self-worth?"

Varania smirked at the sarcasm. "I encountered a elven smuggler-"

"Athenril."

Varania nodded. "She remembered you, Hawke. She said she always regretted that you went with the Red Iron. I helped her expand her business."

"I bet. You can control people from either side of the Veil. Greasing palms with coin would no longer be necessary. I'm sure profits soared. When did you stop working for Athenril?"

"I didn't. I took over the business after slavers killed her."

"Slavers you paid for, no doubt."

Varania smiled serenely. "So suspicious! You are, however, correct. Athenril's vision was too limited. I used her contacts to go into a different line of work."

"Magic for hire still makes you a mercenary."

~oOOo~

It was a modest home located near the Chantry. Two large trees took up the front yard; a wooden swing hung from one of them, the path to the front door was lined with Andraste's Grace. By the time Auryn arrived at home after her brief encounter with Prince Vael, Lainie was already sleeping in her arms. Just inside stood a kind looking older woman wearing a grey dress and white smock; she took Lainie from Auryn's arms.

"Ooch, she's getting big she is. You'll be as tall as your Ma, my wee lass." She looked at Auryn and smiled. "I'll put her to bed tea is laid in the parlor for you, my lady."

Auryn smiled, "Thank you, Deirdre."

When Deirdre returned, she looked in to the parlor. "Is the tea to suit?"

"Very much so. Please, come and join me."

"Ah, my lady," Deirdre sighed, "I keep sayin' that wouldn't be proper."

"Sod proper! You are also a friend."

"I know we're friends, but I just wouldn't feel comfortable sittin' with the Lady of the House."

Auryn knew better than to push farther. Deirdre had been her mother's maid, chosen by her father who was the former chamberlain to the Vaels. Her parents were both deeply conscious of what was appropriate behavior between a servant and their employer.

"You don't have to join me for tea, but if you sit a spell I'll tell you who I met today?" Her eyes twinkled mischievously.

Deirdre arched an eyebrow, but sat down primly, with her hands in her lap. "And just who did you meet, My Lady?"

"Prince Vael."

Deirdre was stunned. "Ya met His Highness? Where?

Auryn smiled shyly. "He almost walked into me as I was leaving the chantry courtyard. He blushed a bit and apologized for not looking where he was going. He was really sweet to Lainie." Then she frowned. "Apparently he doesn't know about me. If he did, I doubt if he'd been as sweet."

Deirdre clucked her tongue. "I keep tellin' ya to stop bein' so hard are yourself. You were young, you made a mistake, and you owned up to it."

"I doubt Papa would have reacted that way."

"Oh, he'd have roared for a while. But he loved you as sure as the sun rises in the morning. He'd have calmed down, and he'd have loved Lainie."

"I always liked to think so."

~oOOo~

Val woke up in the middle of the night; the manacles allowed her to move her arms, so she curled up on her side pretending to still be asleep. I wonder if I should bother leaving some kind of trail, if Loghain follows my orders, no one is going to look for me...Don't be an idiot, Val, leave a trail!

As she lay there, she gently pulled hairs from her head, one at a time. She was trying not to look pained, which was tough because in order keep the manacles from clinking, she has pull the each hair out slowly. Once she had about a dozen or so strands, she blew a few off her hand. After awhile she rolled over and pretended to go back to sleep and blew several more. She did that a couple of more times, then closed her eyes, and despite the scalp irritation, fell back to sleep.

At dawn a male mage woke her up. He was tall with black hair and hazel eyes. He was well built for a mage and wore armor similar to Varania's.

"Please eat this." He handed her a bowl of porridge.

Val was hesitant.

"We cannot collect the fee if you are half-starved. Eat or I will have to make you eat. Neither one of us wants that."

Val had begun to feel woozy, so she took the porridge and spoon and ate. Damn it. No potion. Wonderful. Come on body, give me a break will you."

He came back to collect the bowl and looked at her. "You look pale? What's wrong?"

No way I am going to tell him. "I'm being taken to my death. Do you expect me to look rosy? By the way, what is your name? I know Dara and Varania." Maybe I can distract him from further questions.

He seemed surprised at her question. "You have no need to know my name."

"Fine by me, Maleficar Number One."

He frowned at her. "Varania warned me about your mouth. Fine, call me Lars."

"Thank you, Lars. The porridge was good."

"You are a strange woman." Lars left with the bowl.

Val looked at Varania's team of mages 'Dara, Lars, and a dark-haired male elf, who reminded her of Sketch, and another female elven mage who reminded her of Kali. Neither had Vallaslin. Everyone wore the same dark leather armor as Varania. Except for Dara who, aside from the blue lipstick and ginger hair, was wearing a bright yellow robe.' She stands out like a sore thumb.

Lars came over to her with ropes and another set of manacles. He put everything down and placed his hand on her head. Blackness followed soon after.

~oOOo~

Leliana and Greagoir reorganized the Company. Greagoir led his platoon and Leliana led Val's, Loghain's platoon was split between the two, with the scouts remaining under Leliana's command. After Loghain left with Gracina and Caen, the company broke camp. Everyone was equally determined to get to the Reach as quickly as was safe, and everyone prayed that Loghain would find Commander Hawke alive.

After three days of hard riding they arrived at Churneau, about a day's ride from the Reach. Both Leliana and Greagoir went to the stables to speak to their contact. It turned out to be two people, a mage, and a templar. They explained that there was a trap between there and the Reach. The mage, Naryn, would see them safely through.

Both Naryn and Owen asked them if Maric's wife was outside with the rest of the company. When Greagoir told them what had happened Naryn paled, and shook his head. "If Loghain isn't successful it will destroy Maric."

~oOOo~

Adaia and Elrohir were sitting by the lake. Since her talk with her father, Adaia had been thinking about the Maker and Fen'Harel. "Hahren, is the Maker really Fen'Harel?"

Alistair had told him about his talk with Adaia so Elrohir wasn't surprised by the young mage's question. He looked into her eyes, so like her Father's. He slowly nodded. "Yes, he is."

"How did he imprison the Creators?"

"They were locked away in the beyond by a seal between the beyond and the Fade"

"How did he make the seal?"

"No one really knows, da'len."

"Then who is Andraste, really?"

"She is as you understand her to be, a powerful mage who was tricked by Fen'Harel."

"Did Fen'Harel capture her once she died?"

Elrohir nodded slowly, watching her.

"Is Fen'Harel in the Fade?"

"No, he is behind his seal."

"Then why is Andraste in the Fade?"

Elrohir looked surprised. "Why do you think she is in the Fade?"

"Grandmother and Grandfather met with Andraste when they went into the Fade."

Elrohir's eyes widened. "How do you know about that?"

Adaia blushed, and looked guilty. "Mum was really unhappy the night that Daddy, Grandma, and Grandpa all left for a meeting, so I got out of bed and went downstairs to be with her. But Renna was already there. I was going to go back to bed when I heard them come home so I hid and listened."

Elrohir tried to look serious, but had to bite his lip trying not to smile. Sometimes it is easy to forget that she is still young. "Did you tell your parents?"

Adaia looked down at her hands. "No…I know I should have. Do you think they're going to punish me?"

"I suspect you will at least get a stern talking to."

Adaia nodded. "I will tell them when I get home."

They both stood and Adaia gave Elrohir a hug. "Thank you for answering my questions."

"It is what I do, Adaia. Thanks are not needed."

Adaia put her hands on her hips, frowning. "Well, I think they are."

Elrohir bowed. "Then I accept your thanks. You are quite welcome, Lady Adaia."

Adaia giggled at the formality, "Bye, Hahren."

~oOOo~

AN: I now have a solid backlog of chapters. Chapter 26 will post one from week. Thanks to all who have stuck with this. To Shakespira, my Beta, you are the best! Onward!