Dragon Age: A Bard's Love
Chapter O8
Tranquility's Antonyms
2 days travelling to Montsimmard and Leliana had never been so bored in her life. Even more then the first days of her being a lay sister in the Chantry inside Lothering. No one spoke a word the past 48 hours. Not even Cogdale who kept his attention towards the front of the caravan. A day earlier Garrden tried his best to "woo" Aeronwy, the female elf who follows the Qun. But the only words to spring from her lips were brief, subtle and to the point that it gouged Garrden's libido. Besides, Leliana could tell Aeronwy was very much attracted to Leone. How tragic that Leone already loved someone else, adding insult to injury, she was helping him save his love.
Ehmric was as stoic as Cogdale. The only time Ehmric would make a sound was to cough or sneeze even though his beard muffled them to begin with. Leliana spent her past days laying on her back and watching the large winter clouds chase after them, always on their heels. She didn't want to be the one to break the silence. She had gained that from Cogdale. He had always remained quiet until it was necessary for him to speak.
Thankfully Montsimmard was barely 2 hours away now. Templars were seen more frequently on the road. Hiding in the back of Leliana's conscious was the guilt of murdering the young Templars outside of Highever months ago. But she continued to force to the back of her mind. Just like she did all the other innocents and bastards she sent to the void. She lost count past 30 or so and just did her job from then on, until Marjolaine betrayed her to Harwen Raleigh. Her thoughts wandered, almost to a mumbling while she continued to look at the clouds and fiddle with her longer hair. She could feel splits, many, many splits. She had let her hair grow out past her shoulder blades now. The last time it was this long was before heading to Denerim to face the darkspawn.
She stopped playing with her split ends and went on to tap her lips to a slow tempo. She tried to match the rhythm of the taps to the clopping of the oxen's hooves on the road. She smiled realizing how silly she probably looked tapping her lips. She turned her head to see what was ahead; her hair pulling from being pinned between her back and the supplies in the wagon. She gritted her teeth and sighed when she finally could see what was in their path. A group of Templars in formation were marching towards Montsimmard following another who was in charge of said group. As they marched they were reciting lines from the chant along with the Templar oath.
Some of the Templars turned their notice away from their Knight-Lieutenant and to her crotch that was wide open. She squeaked and covered herself with her hands and blushed. She forgot that there were eyes now nearly everywhere since they were nearing The Circle. She crossed her legs and leaned against Cogdale for support. An arm came swinging around her collar and held her tight. A familiar smile was the only thing she could see turning her sight in the direction of Cogdale's face. The smile that always warmed her heart, even the beginning of her adventure with the Warden.
Leliana put her grip on Cogdale's arm and kissed the only exposed skin that she could find under the leather and silverlite. It was perfect. The only skin on his arm that was visible, she saw the large and only mole on his left arm. She giggled at the sight. Cogdale only shook his head, a smile still painted across it. Leliana noticed Helena out of the corner of her eye. The mage was in the fetal position. She was obviously paranoid around all these Templars and going inside another Circle.
"Helena…" Leliana called out. Helena looked at her with wide eyes her vision twitching off to the side just to make sure no Templar snuck up on her. Leliana held out her hand to the apostate. Helena snatched it and squeezed hard. Leliana began to sing a calming song she knew in orlesian. Her soothing voice seemed to work for the mean while as Helena began to breath deeply again.
"Helena… Don't worry" Cogdale said. "If they ask, I'll say that you are a Grey Warden. They won't touch you, even with an ogre's dead arm." He said trying to give her confidence with his blazing eyes. It seemed to work as she uncoiled herself and gave off a big sigh and gave an unconfident smile. "Just be careful, be stoic and strong with a stern look and we can get through this." Leone said trying to lean backwards to look at her. A bump in the road jolted him out his stare and to keep his eye on the path.
A giggle was heard from Aeronwy after his blunder. Leliana was surprised that a qunari laughed. Sten never did, although she did see him with the kittens and flowers. So perhaps he was smiling on the inside, which means much more. Montsimmard wasn't just Orlais' Circle of Magi. It was also a fairly large city although the occupants of the city were mostly homely for a very odd reason. Leliana never could pinpoint on why so many in the city were fatter then most. Perhaps it was the wheat grown around the city, just for that thought through out her years as a bard Leliana never ate anything given to her in Montsimmard. She hated her legs already. She couldn't and wouldn't live with herself if she ever let herself go.
Leliana shook her head trying to rid her thoughts of such of no great concern. They were inside the city now. The architecture was very much like that of Lydes. Orlesian structures; even a hovel could outmatch any royal building in Ferelden. Orlesians took visuals more important then other subjects. Even if a city burnt down because the homes were built with straw, at least it went out with style.
Last time she was in Montsimmard the head aristocrat all the others were aiming to take down was "unofficially" The Baron of the Deauvin Flats. Although there were several nobles who called themselves that. The man though was very uppity most of the time whenever he hired Marjolaine for anything. His moustache was long and twisted at both ends. He wore a golden chest piece that although gorgeous had no defensive capability for him. His clothing was nearly all the colors of the rainbow, including nearly 20 different shades and hues of greens. Leliana wondered if The Baron was still in power. If he were, he'd be one of the longer lasting nobles in power over a city. Hopefully he isn't, as he owes Marjolaine several favors. He also did business with Du Rats des Dents and could order the city's chevalier guards to assist The Rats.
Leliana did her best to explain Orlais and its labyrinth of nobility, rankings and titles to Cogdale so he may understand how a fraction of it would work against them if word spread a Fereldan noble who's family lineage fought against Orlais and their nobility was traveling in their lands and fiefs.
"So where would The Circle be exactly?" Cogdale asked. Before Leliana could say a word Leone interrupted. "The Circle resides in a complex just on the southwest side of the city, it also has a tower similar to that of the one on Lake Calenhad but several times shorter as the complex is more spread out and also goes underground." He said. The Antivan knew more about the Circle more then Leliana did, surprising her. "Oh and isn't called The Circle here, it's called…" Leliana butted in. "Le Vignoble or in King's Tongue; The Vineyard." She said wiping her lips with her thumb in cockiness.
"Why is it called a Vineyard if it's a structure for your saarebas?" Aeronwy asked. "Just because it was once a major winemaking for Orlais waaay before Kordillus Drakon took total control as the first Emperor. They built the Circle there but the grape vines continued to flourish over the assembly of buildings. Many mages here can get drunk easily without sneaking in any beverages for themselves." Leone said with a smile.
Cogdale nodded his head while listening and turned and looked at Leliana. Leliana shrugged, as all of this was new to her as well. When she was a bard she didn't give a damn about the mages and their problems. She only cared for her compensation and Marjolaine.
"So are you going to fill us in on all the details on how we're going to break her out?" Leliana asked climbing over some of the merchandise the caravan carried and sat next to the Antivan man. "Okay… I will give you my plan." He said pulling the wagon onto the side of the road. "We need to get off anyways from here on in we'll be on foot." He locked the reigns of the wagon on the hook next to him and jumped off. Everyone else took what he or she needed and lined up against the stonewall he was leaning against while waiting.
"Alright I have six of you here to help me and add me and that's seven. Good a lucky number." He sighed rubbing his hands together and tapped his feet showing he was nervous. Leliana quickly found herself anxious as well. An Antivan Crow nervous? Was that even possible? Especially when this man knew Zevran, an elf who never was nervous or afraid even when fighting the Archdemon.
"The whole story is that the woman I love is a mage inside this Circle. She recently told me via letter that was smuggled out of the complex that they suspect her of blood magic and are going to make her tranquil. More specifically… today. I'm not going to do this quiet when things break apart. There will be dead, there will be words being spread all across Thedas."
He said sheathing his blade onto his back and grabbing several extra throwing knives on his waste. Leliana was a bit dazed by the task they were about to do. If… when things got messy they were going to get "MESSY." She could find herself killing young apprentice mages that are innocent in this odd exotic affair. She knew she would have to kill more Templars again. Cogdale touched her shoulder to harden her resolve over this. They needed this caravan, otherwise they could call their permanent home Montsimmard. Ehmric was still gathering his items on the wagon, taking his precious time.
"Cogdale, I need you to do something for me." Leliana said turning around to him. "Anything for you." Cogdale said with a smile while slapping his helmet on his head and popping his neck with the aid of the heavy helmet. "I need you to tie my hair up in a pony tail." She said handing him some extra cloth from her bag. Cogdale nodded with an annoyed sigh. She knew he was thinking it would be easier if she just cut her hair short once more. She loved it when Cogdale was frustrated with her. It made him give off a very alluring musk.
"We're still approaching this covert at the beginning right?" Cogdale asked. Leone tilted his head. "You've got a plan?" He asked the Warden. "Well yes, it isn't fool proof but it is better then nothing and just going in swords swinging." Cogdale proposed. Leone nodded and let him take front stage. "Alright." Cogdale cleared his throat. "We'll be heading into The Vineyard as Grey Wardens from Ferelden looking for recruits for Amaranthine and rebuilding Ferelden." He said showing his vial of blood he still had on him.
"I'll do all the talking with Leliana helping if it comes to translating. But I just need you all to act… like Grey Wardens. Just look strong, resolute and please… be mute." Cogdale said. "We can't just enter and grab your girl right then and there though." He said focusing on Leone. Leone listened intensely. "We'll need to make it seem we're looking for the best recruit. But still grab her for the rigged "test" though." Cogdale finished.
"I like it." Leone smiled pounding his fist into an open palm. "I have no qualms with your plan." Aeronwy said almost immediately after Leone. Leliana nodded and held her bow in affirmation. Garrden gave his standard thumbs up and stood behind Leliana. Ehmric grunted. "That is his way of saying yes." Leone said laughing. Everyone looked at the young mage Helena who gave no sign or answer.
"Helena?" Leliana said approaching her friend slowly. Helena looked at Leliana. "Don't worry about your phylactery Helena. If they think you're a Warden… well like I said if they think you're a warden they can't do anything about you." Leliana said caressing Helena's face and bringing the golden green eyes to look into her own. It took several seconds to pass by before Helena finally nodded, although still hesitant.
"Alright, its unanimous we'll go with my plan, just remember… Let me do the talking." Cogdale said pointing to himself. His eyes glowing; outlining his head inside his helmet.
Everyone followed Leone as he guided everyone through a secret pathway he learned of years ago. The group probably looked rather strange trying to sneak through tall grass and old brick pathway laid millennia ago. "You haven't told us her name Leone." Leliana said being curious. "Leone laughed. "Oh yes! Silly of me, her name is Nelisa Maus." He whispered loudly. "We met in the strangest of ways. I led an Antivan assignment here in Montsimmard." He said pushing some horsetails out of his face.
"She just so happened to be a mage consort's apprentice to the Empress'." He said. "While facing down some bards who were guarding our target… no offense Leliana." He chuckled. "I was kicked into her sleeping quarters, my opponent thought I had been mortally wounded so he left me be." They were reaching the complex as the tower could be seen piercing the sky as they made their way up the hill. Leliana could see the storm cloud had finally caught them as small droplets of rain were beginning to patter on the ground.
"She… took care of me for several days, hiding me in her room." Leliana sighed in adoration of this story. Cogdale grunted at Leliana for not thinking about their love story. She only smiled and bit her lip, which sent a chill up his spine.
"Over the days I found the impossible happening… I was falling for this young, naïve mage who was teaching me things that I never even believed exist, Of course she was absolutely gorgeous. She put all the Antivan whores and women to shame. And she isn't Orlesian." He said. "She isn't? what kingdom or empire is she from?" Garrden asked. Leone raised his hands. "I don't know, she doesn't know. She definitely isn't of any nationality I've ever seen. She isn't Rivaini and she isn't Kossith. She is something completely… different."
"Intriguing." Leliana muttered. They finally reached the secret entrance that had overgrowth surrounding it. Cogdale helped cut it away while Leone pushed some of it back so the 3 women could get through. The entrance didn't sneak them behind the Templars' noses it helped them get passed the large gate that is nearly never opened for anyone not even a Knight Commander.
They then could approach the front doors to the Vineyard and be impostor Grey Wardens. No Templar would question them once they entered. Seeing as Ferelden was rebuilding after the blight they would understand that Grey wardens would be more prevalent in their lands. Especially when the remnants of the darkspawn were raiding the Orlesian countryside. Cogdale knew where to go from where they were so he took the lead while Leliana stuck to his right side as his translator if need be.
They all did their best to seem regal and stern like Grey Wardens such as Duncan was. When they approached the large doors Cogdale slammed his fists into the door to notify whoever opens the door to let them in. A voice shouted from behind it.
"Qui est là?" The voice asked. "He asked who is there." Leliana whispered to Cogdale. Cogdale only nodded to Leliana to let her know she knew what to say.
"Nous sommes Gardes des ombres, nous sommes ici de Férelden à regarder pour ceux qui veulent se joindre à notre commande." Leliana shouted telling the man they were Grey Wardens from Ferelden looking for those willing to join the order.
"Férelden?" "Les chiens mouillés?" The voice laughed. Cogdale looked at Leliana for a translation. Leliana shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Would you prefer I speak in King's Tongue, Warden?" He asked his accent extremely pungent on every word he spoke.
"Yes, I would like that ser." Cogdale said. A moment of silence followed until the door opened. A Knight-Corporal stood at the door and looked all 7 of them over with a piercing stare. "So you all are wardens?" The Corporal asked, not believing Cogdale's word.
"Well no, not all of us are Grey Wardens." Cogdale answered making Leliana flinch, shocked Cogdale would give up so fast. "I knnnnneww iiiit!" The Orlesian Templar sneered. Cogdale laughed. "No no it's not what you think." Cogdale wagged his finger at the Templar. "It isn't? Then what it is it Ferelden dog!" The man demanded. "Some of these people who follow me are recruits we have picked up on our travels through Orlais." Cogdale said giving Leliana a sense of relief.
"Oh! My apologies Wardens. I will let the Knight Commander know you are here. Please wait in the entrance hall" The Knight-Corporal scooted his way to wherever the Knight-Commander for the Circle was. All 7 of them slowly wandered their way to the center of the entrance hall. The inside of this Circle was much more decorative and beautiful then Ferelden's, before and of course after the blood magic incident. The entrance was littered with Templars from wall to wall. The only non-Templar in the room was the quartermaster near the door that led to the rest of the compound.
As Leliana and the rest waited for the Knight-Commander to appear Leliana and Cogdale communicated to each other via their eyes. Cogdale was unsure but at attention at the moment and Leliana was still confused on how they even got here. Cogdale shrugged and laughed with his eyes, which made Leliana laugh as well. She quickly fixed the rag that held her hair in a ponytail as it was beginning to loosen. Helena was having an anxiety attack. Leliana could tell she had experienced many before in her life.
Leliana could only comfort the white haired maiden by massaging her neck and shoulders and sing that song again. It helped but it didn't give her much reassurance like last time. Helena froze her face into a determined and courageous face though so her anxiety didn't cause suspicion.
Finally the Knight-Commander appeared with the Corporal not far behind. The Knight-Commander's armor was extremely extravagant and the whitest silverlite Cogdale had ever seen.
"Hello, Wardens." The Commander said. Leliana could tell he wasn't fluent in King's Tongue as he sounded as though he was deaf. "Thank you for letting us in Knight-Commander." Cogdale said extending his hand out. The Knight-Commander accepted the handshake and did his best to speak. "My name is Knight-Commander Bandeige." Bandeige struggled to get the next few words out. "So you are here to recruit new… members?" Leliana jumped in to talk "Oui" She nodded with a smile. He was delighted to see one of them knew Orlesian.
"Strange, one of you wardens appeared just last month." He said with a raised eyebrow. Cogdale took a step forward and gripped his sword. Leliana grimaced for what was to happen next.
