Chapter 26: Visitors

"Stand at attention, all of you lot!"

At Maiwen's orders her fellow wardens formed a semi-decent line. Sigrun, Rolan, and surprisingly Oghren all faced forward. Justice seemed a little confused by this. Velanna crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, but for Nathaniel's sake did her best to respond. Most the wardens were at least trying to be respectful, most…but not all.

"Is there a problem Anders?" Maiwen asked.

The apostate was leaning casually against his staff. He gave her his warmest smile.

"You know, it is very attractive when you try to be all official Maiwen," he grinned.

The warrior did her best not to look shocked; behind her she could hear Commander Solona trying to suppress a giggle. Nathaniel sighed but said nothing.

Maiwen strode up to Anders, her eyes as cold as the drill instructor that trained her.

Anders did not straighten; he seemed watched her, an amused smile on his face.

Ser Pounce-a-lot peeked out of his pack; the small cat mewed at her.

Maiwen did her best to ignore him, yes the cat was cute, but they were trying to make a good impression here.

She did not have time for cute.

She was not stupid however, she knew that Anders was a good warden, but she also understood his views on authority. She could not talk to him like you could talk to an ordinary soldier.

She decided to try politeness first.

"The other wardens will be here shortly," she reminded him, "I know you don't like being official, but could you at least try for the Commander's sake."

Word had been sent from Orzammar that one of their deep roads crews had emerged and was heading for Vigil's Keep. They knew little more than that, Solona however, wanted to make a good impression, to show one of the formal warden groups that the order here was as good as any other in Thedas. The scouts on the road had seen them approaching, they had only a few more minutes to make this work.

Provided, that Anders would play along of course.

Maiwen wasn't holding her breath, but she did not yell either, Anders had saved her life several times in the past.

That bought him a lot of leeway as far as she was concerned.

"Anders," she whispered, "Please."

The apostate brightened.

"All you had to do was ask nicely dear lady," he said, standing at attention, "And thank you for not resulting to the old Templar standby of striking me when I disobey. It would have been a nice reminder of home, but I think I can learn to live without it."

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Now yell at me," he suggested in a whisper, "the commander will expect it."

An amused smirk split the warrior's face.

"See that you remember how to face forward in the future mage," she growled.

"Ser, yes ser," he said with a reasonably good salute.

Solona chuckled.

She likely suspected that something was up.

Nathaniel rolled his eyes; he was impressed that Maiwen had gotten the former apostate to obey.

Maiwen took up her own position in line next to Anders.

He leaned in slightly towards her.

"You know," he whispered, "I have no problem with female authority."

"I'm glad to hear it," she said with a smirk.

"Perhaps we can discuss my views further," he suggested, "Over dinner perhaps?"

Maiwen's eyes widened, was Anders…was he asking her out?

"I…I wouldn't object to that," she admitted, her cheeks turning a little pink.

"Perfect," Anders replied, "we'll discuss this later, after these other wardens have left."

She nodded shyly, it…it had been a long time since a man had asked her anywhere. After her fiancé had died, she had feared that part of her life was over.

She was pleased to see that that wasn't so.

She was about to question him further, when the gates opened, allowing the entrance of several men and women dressed in the silver and blue heraldry of the order. Despite their weariness, it was clear that these people were hardened warriors.

Solona walked up to their leader, a tough looking warden with a handle bar mustache.

"I'm warden commander Solona," she said with a slight bow, "Allow me to welcome you all to Vigil's Keep, and the Arling of Amaranthine."

"It is a pleasure to meet you at long last Commander," the man said with a thick Antivan accent, "It is a pleasure to finally meet the Blight Queller face to face. I am Stroud, senior warden of this company."

"I'm pleased to meet you Stroud," Solona replied, "It is always a welcome sight to greet another son of the order. The hospitality of the Vigil is at your disposal."

"My people are tired commander," he said doing his best to hide his own weariness, "we require little but a hot meal and a warm dry place to sleep."

"Then you shall have both," she promised, "I…"

"Lona?"

The warden that had spoken up was shy; a mage dressed in the tradition blue and silver gambeson and leggings. She had a plain face with very frizzy reddish orange hair.

Solona's face brightened.

"Siobhan, "she asked.

Her fellow mage giggled.

The two women embraced each other, they were both laughing, Solona even squealed with delight.

Anders leaned in to whisper in Maiwen's ear.

"I did not know the commander squealed like that?" he replied.

Maiwen shrugged, she did not know it either.

"It is so good to see you Siobhan," Solona said excitedly releasing her old colleague, "When we did not find you in the circle. I assumed that Uldred had destroyed you."

"I wasn't at the circle Lona," her former classmate told her, "I was out helping people fleeing the blight in the north. A group of darkspawn attacked us; the Templars assigned to defend me were killed. I…I didn't want to stay in Ferelden anymore. I fled north and never looked back."

"She is a skilled healer," Stroud said, "She has proven herself many times since joining the order."

Siobhan smiled, basking in her senior warden's praise.

Solona grinned. She and Siobhan had never been great friends, but they had had many classes together. Siobhan had been transferred from the circle of Rivain.

The warden mage was grateful to see that she had survived.

She had been so happy to see her old classmate; she missed the young woman who had been travelling with the wardens.

A woman that made a beeline for Justice, a hopeful look in her eyes, she had come at last to Vigil's Keep.

She would find something that she did not expect.

IOI

"Kristoff?"

The blonde Orlesian woman stepped out from among the warden ranks, her dress was of fine silk, and unlike the others she did not seem as tired or beaten down.

She approached Justice.

Solona glanced at Stroud.

"A traveler we met on the road here Commander," Stroud informed her.

Solona nodded, but found herself feeling a sense of unease.

She suspected who this woman was.

"Kristoff," the woman repeated, her eyes shining with joy, "Thank the Maker you are all right!"

Justice shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.

"I'm afraid you are mistaken mortal," he said.

"Kristoff," the woman sounded confused, "What is wrong, it is me, Aura, do you not remember."

Solona approached the woman from behind, "You were Kristoff's wife?"

"I AM his wife," the woman said hotly, "WHAT IS GOING ON?!"

Solona shifted uncomfortably, how in the Maker was she going to explain this?

The spirit beat her to it.

"Your husband has fallen Milady," Justice informed her, "I am a spirit of Justice, I have…inhabited this body, so that I might bring justice to those who slew him."

The woman's eyes widened with horror.

"You…you have profaned my husband's body!" she growled, "Violated IT!"

"I meant no harm," the spirit said he reached out to her, seeking to offer comfort.

She pushed the hand away.

"DO NOT TOUCH ME!" she spat, "MONSTAIR!"

She ran from the courtyard, tears flowing from her eyes.

"Aura…wait," Justice's voice was small.

Solona came up to her friend. He…he looked like the whole world had come crashing down.

"Aura," his voice sounded pitiful, his lip trembled, if a spirit could cry; he might have at that moment.

A sea of emotions battered the spirit. He remembered Kristoff's first meeting with Aura, he remembered the first time that he had worked up the courage to ask her dine, to begin their courtship. Kristoff had never felt worthy of her, he had been a common bounty hunter before joining the order. It was only after he had succeeded with the joining that he had asked for her hand.

She deserved far better than him, but he could not escape the truth…

He loved her.

Justice remembered their first kiss.

Justice remembered when they said their vows.

He…he remembered the first time they had made love.

The memories, the emotions…they were so strong!

"I…I have done this woman a great disservice," he said, "I must go after her, speak with her, explain…"

Solona put her hand on his shoulder.

"Let her grieve," she said, "This…this must be a terrible shock."

"I cannot do nothing," Justice insisted, "She is in pain…because of me."

"Because of the situation my friend," Solona reminded him, "not you."

Justice looked down on the ground, he seemed haunted, he wanted to act, but he recognized the wisdom in Solona's words."

He had become indecisive…he hated that!

Solona advised him to give her time, let her have tonight to grieve; in the morning would be a better time for him to speak with her.

He agreed…reluctantly.

The warden adjourned to the throne room. Solona had promised them food, drink, and a chance to rest. Plus, she wanted to have a chance to speak with Siobhan, to find out more about what had happened to her when she fled the blight.

Justice did not follow right away; he stood there, staring at the entrance to the chapel where Aura had fled.

He wanted to go to her, but…he obeyed Solona's wishes.

The woman needed time.

IOI

Solona and her fellows had not had much time for revelry in the last few months, but the arrival of their brothers and sister from the garrison at Ansburg in the Free Marches gave them that chance.

Solona chatted amiably with Siobhan; the two mages were more than pleased to discover each other again.

Anders sat with Maiwen, and the two spoke of private things.

Nathaniel and Velanna conversed with several elves that were serving in Stroud's company. Velanna was eager to hear their stories, so that she might add them to the book she was writing. Nathaniel was curious about these wardens fighting and archery skills.

They spoke for hours.

About halfway during the evening, a messenger arrived for the Commander. Solona took it, and dismissed the young servant.

She read the letter, her blue eyes turning cold.

Another trade caravan had been attacked, its people slaughtered, the goods burned to ash.

She knew it wasn't Velanna this time, in fact it wasn't even anywhere near the wending woods.

The attack had taken place outside of the Blackmarsh.

The warden mage's eyes narrowed, she hated the thought of returning to that black place. She consulted with Justice, to see if the Baroness could have survived their battle somehow.

The spirit did not believe so, he suspect that this was some new evil that had been birthed from that dark place.

Solona had tried to excuse herself; she informed Stroud that some business required her attention in the morning. His people were welcome to remain, until she and her fellows returned.

The senior warden would not hear of it.

If Solona was going into battle, his people would accompany her. Solona tried to convince him otherwise, but Stroud was adamant.

They were all brothers and sisters after all; he and his would stand with them.

Both senior wardens informed their people to be ready to move on the morrow. They all left to prepare for what needed to be done.

All but Justice, he…he had something he needed to do first; it would apparently not wait until tomorrow.

He made his way to the chapel, he…he needed to speak with Aura.

He…he needed to explain.

IOI

He found the woman kneeling before the statue of Andraste; her prayers were racked with sobs.

He felt his courage starting to falter…

No…he could not escape this, he owed her an explanation.

When he spoke to her, it was a single tortured word.

"Aura?"

She turned, wiping her eyes on the sleeve of her gown.

"You…you…you are the spirit, the one who possessed my husband's body?"

"I meant him no harm good woman, and I mean you no pain," he said quickly, he needed to talk fast before the emotions surrounding Kristoff's memories robbed him of what must be done.

"I have sworn to see those that ended him punished. They will answer for his death."

The woman's lip quivered, this…this bothered her, she had feared the worst for months now, so much so that she had decided to make the journey to Ferelden herself.

When she had seen him, her heart had leapt, but now…now…

She whimpered.

"I…I knew this could happen," she said, "I knew that my Kristoff could…" she shivered, but managed to regain her composure, "His father died a grey warden to, that is why Kristoff went to the order."

Justice took her hands in his.

"If there is anything I can do for you, anything that you need…I…" his words failed him. The look in the woman's eyes haunted him.

"Is there anything left of him?" she asked a hopeful look in her eyes.

"His memories," Justice told her, "His hopes, his dreams, and…his love for you," Justice spoke these words with as much conviction as he could muster.

"He…he loved you…he loved you very much."

Tears ran down her face, Justice reached up to wipe them away, as Kristoff would have done.

She stopped his hand, this was not Kristoff, but one who could give her husband's soul the peace he deserved.

Her eyes turned cold.

"Avenge him spirit, see that all those who were responsible for taking him from me are punished. Will you do that for me, for him?"

Justice nodded, how could he do any less.

Aura smiled wanly, she had mourned Kristoff over the last few months. She had come here for peace of mind, nothing more.

Tonight, she had found it.

She brushed his face with her fingers. The skin was gray, the eyes glowed light blue, so much like her Kristoff, but not.

She gave him one final sad nod, before departing the chapel; she needed to make preparations for her return home to Orlais.

There would be more tears tonight, but they would help, help to start closing the wounds.

She would grieve, and be better because of it.

IOI

Justice stood there, watching as she left. HE…he could say nothing; Kristoff's memories haunted him, what the two of them had had.

A small black cat emerged from the shadows; it mewed, and rubbed against his leg.

Justice looked down with a sad smile.

"How long were you listening?" he asked.

The cat transformed, Commander Solona stood beside him.

"Long enough," the warden mage said.

The spirit shook his head.

"Did I do the right thing? Was there anything else I could have done?"

"I don't think so," Solona frowned, "And there is no right thing here, not for something like this."

Justice nodded.

The two stood there for a while, finally Solona walked over to the alter and lit a candle for Kristoff, she bowed her head in silent prayer.

Justice watched her curiously; he did not truly understand why she drew comfort from this.

He found…that he wished that he did.

IOI

Later that night, a letter arrived from the tower of the circle of magi.

The elven servant who delivered it was under instruction to bring it to Ser Rolan and no one else.

Even being after midnight, the former Templar received him.

The letter was from his mother, asking how he was doing, and if he needed anything.

Rolan smiled.

His mother had been dead for almost five years.

He pricked his finger and touched his blood to the paper.

It responded to the lyrium there.

The real message was revealed.

The former Templar's expression turned grim.

It was from the knight-commanders, they knew about the problem in Blackmarsh, but that was not important.

The redeemed were here in Ferelden, they had come to claim the life of Solona Amell.

Rolan's orders were simple.

Once the redeemed had dealt with the Commander, he was to guide her replacement the best he could. There would be a warden investigation of course; he was to make sure that it never linked to the Templars.

He could do this; he understood what was being asked of him. He was being asked to help end the life of a damned soul.

If the Commander was truly virtuous, she would have accepted this.

She would never return alive from the Blackmarsh. She had to die, for the good of all of Thedas.

It was the will of the Templars, the chantry…

He let out a cleansing breath, to kill a damned soul was not murder, it was charity.

It was…the will of the Maker.