Chapter 29: The Success

After threatening to hit for the last few weeks with heavy gray clouds, winter finally slammed into Ferelden like a hammer. A blizzard descended from the Frostbacks, burying must of the country in five to six feet of snow. The wars that had sprung up during the fall ground to a halt as the fields of battle and routes to possible targets filled with snow.

Both the mage rebellion and the Orlesian Civil War drew to a halt, at least for now. Armies made camps settling to await the coming of spring. War leaders and the overly ambitious made the best use of this time, coming up with new strategies, and preparing to move as soon as the winter weather broke.

It was a brief respite from the chaos, a respite that would likely end with the snow.

In Denerim, Sister Daelle did her best to serve the chantry's interests; of late she had been forced into a more commanding role than she had in the past. Her position with both the Nightingale and the Divine made her a person of importance in these troubled times, more so, given the intensification of the wars before winter hit.

With the grand cleric busy dealing with the faithful and assuring the nobility that things would return to normal soon. Dee found herself meeting often with this agent or that. She would take a seat in the back corner of the Gnawed Noble Tavern, and conduct her business. The noise of the place, not to mention the crowd trying to escape the heavy snow outside provided the perfect cover for her work, and it insured that what she was doing stayed private. Today, she was sitting down with one of their own, another servant of the Nightingale, who had only just managed to beat the storm and arrived safely.

To be truthful, she was not sure she liked his take on the situation.

IOI

"You have pleased the Most Holy, Sister Daelle; your service to the faith is most appreciated."

Dee nodded, accepting Barber's words, but not entirely feeling worthy of them. All she had done since crawling out of the sea all those weeks ago had been directed towards one singular purpose, to find her partner, and bring him home.

So far, she had not accomplished that goal, regardless of what her superiors thought.

When she had sent her most recent report to Sister Leliana, she had hoped that her mentor would make the journey herself here to Denerim. She needed her guidance, plus it would have been good to speak of other matters that did not involve their work, personal feelings that were likely getting in the way of doing what needed to be done. Alas, the Nightingale had not been able to make that journey, her duties to Divine Justinia made such a trip impossible at this time. So, she had sent Barber, another of her agents.

Dee did her best to keep her smile on her face.

She had not needed praise right now.

She had needed advice.

Sadly, she would get only the former from the young agent.

"I wish I could share in the Divine's pleasure," she informed the agent, "alas, I cannot, not until Ser Reaper has been found and is back among us."

She shrugged.

"That is my main goal, Serah, saving the life of my partner."

"Of course, sister," the man agreed, "Of course, the Divine is praying for Reaper's safe return, and we have agents looking for him throughout Ferelden, but that does not mean that you should discount everything you have done for the chantry. The network you have established here will be a great help in the year to come."

Dee pursed her lips, there were times when she wished that she could see; this was one of them. She would have liked to have looked into the man's eyes, seen what was there. Normally, a person's voice gave her clues about a person's feelings and motivations. She had learned long ago to listen for sarcasm or the hint of frustration. Her teacher's agent seemed truthful, but that did not mean that he was.

Where Reaper's life was concerned she took no chances; especially after his near death back in Val Royeaux.

"Perhaps," Dee agreed, pushing back her fears, "I serve the chantry in all things, if what I have created serves the faith…then I am content. If this is indeed the will of the Maker, let it be so."

The network that Barber described had grown up with little effort from her. It had come into being almost…naturally. As word of her presence here in Denerim had spread, word of the blind sister that had the ear of the Divine spread quickly from her allies, and soon, she found that she had many people seeking both her attention and her favor, and some…no doubt seeking to see her end. She did what she could to remain watchful for those that sought to harm her, but it was not an easy challenge.

There were many out there now who did not wish to see the chantry succeed.

As for the network, itself, it had grown out of the charity, and the willingness to do business. It was the people that she had met here in Denerim that had brought it all together, not her.

The dwarves had been the first. The profits gained by Baelgun Dace and his family had inspired others in the dwarven merchant's guild to seek her out. The dwarves of Orzammar were starting to discover just how much this war was going to affect their profits. Trusted allies within the chantry were no longer there, and those that sprung up in their places had their own agendas, some supporting the Divine, others supporting the Templars, and half a dozen other various goals and schemes.

Dee's presence offered a solution, a way to cut through the bureaucracy and have a direct line to Justinia. Leliana had been more than willing to aid her student in this, her own history with the dwarves allowing Dee to quickly grasp the ebb and flow of dwarven politics.

Baelgun advised caution. Since finding her on the beach that day, the dwarf had grown fond of her, as she had of him and his family; their relationship had turned him into one of her staunchest allies. He did his best to guide her through the tangled web of dwarven politics here in the Ferelden capital, even going so far as offering his son as her bodyguard, just in case.

"Me and the Missus will feel safer knowing Kel is watching your back," the old warrior had said, "It is a dark and treacherous shaft you are now travelling down, lass. You will need protection.

She had accepted of course, after everything the man had done, how could she refuse? Keldon was not too far away, she knew. No doubt he was even now watching Barber closely, making sure he did not try anything funny.

"Speaking of Reaper," Leliana's agent said matter-of-factly, "has there been any news from your sources, here. I'm afraid our own has turned up little of late."

Dee blinked, unable to completely hide the look of disbelief.

"I'm surprised to hear that," she answered, "I know little of the scope of my mentor's work, but I do know that it is extensive. I cannot believe that she has heard nothing."

"Unfortunately," Barber replied, "The Most Holy currently has the Nightingale's attention directed elsewhere. Events are moving faster than either of them could have anticipated. Chaos is spreading."

"So it is all falling apart then," Dee grimaced, "The chantry is crumbling all around us?"

"This war is taxing us," Barber agreed, "the Templars and mages continue to seize chantry assets for their own use, and with each loss, our prestige dims. Though I don't know all the details, I do know that both Seeker Cassandra and the Nightingale have been dispatched."

"To what purpose," Dee inquired.

"Recruitment, at least that it what it seems like, we are searching for…certain people. People that can both fight for us and at the same time inspire the faithful."

She felt Barber's hand on hers.

"If you can find Reaper for us; that would be a big help, our resources are not unlimited in such matters I fear."

The sister nodded. What the agent said made sense, but once again it brought up many questions. What exactly was the Divine recruiting for, and who exactly were both her left and right hands trying to find?

Such questions are above you, her sense of duty reminded her, focus on Reaper; you have enough resources here to do that at least.

She sighed.

It would have been nice to have had her mentor's help, but it would not be the first time that she would have to act alone. She and Reaper had done it many times during their travels together.

It seemed that the Divine was giving her free reign for the moment.

She had best make use of it.

"Reaper was with the Marcher Templars, my sources have confirmed that, but he is no longer among them."

"I see," the agent replied, "Do we know what happened?"

"I wish I could say that we did," she said shaking her head, "These Marchers have suffered several major setbacks in the last few weeks. We know that they have lost control of both Highever and Amaranthine, and only just yesterday I received word that their camp was raided by the mage rebellion. A raid that ended with their army scattering, and that was before the storm hit. Who could say what will happen now."

"Are we sure that Reaper is even still alive?" he asked.

Dee sighed.

She was getting tired of answering that question. It was all she could do to keep from thumping the man over the head with her cane.

Was it possible he was dead, yes, but that did not mean that her heart did not deny it with every beat?

He has to still be alive, she thought.

He has to be.

"All we know is that Reaper was sent on a mission for the Templars and that he did not return. I've also heard a rumor that the Templars' leader, this Knight-Commander Martel has put a bounty on the head of a knight that resembles Reaper."

She shook her head.

"If he was dead, I do not believe the Templars would bother."

"Do you trust this source?" Barber asked, "It would not be the first time that either the mages, or the Templars, fed us false information.

Dee's eyes narrowed, first he wanted her to try and find Reaper, now he found fault with her findings?!

Despite her blindness, she felt a red heat suffuse her.

"You asked what I've heard, and I have told you," she replied hotly, "I trust the source, so let's leave it at that."

"I did not mean to offend, sister," Barber said in his most soothing voice, "I will trust your instincts on this, as the Most Holy does."

Dee bit back an angry retort, she felt that the man was talking down to her, but she let it go.

She had no desire to have Barber go back to Leliana and tell her that he thought her student could not handle the pressure of being on her own.

As with the source, she trusted it as well as any other, provided the coin on offer was still good, for that was what Rafe desired, that…and perhaps the chance to win something more.

IOI

She had to admit, she was a bit surprised when the Rivaini informed her of his intention to stay in her service. Yes, he had been true to his word and got the information she desired on Reaper, but alas, it had arrived after her partner had been sent off by the Templars, there had been no time to get a message to him. She thought the matter would end with that, their business concluded, she had assumed that Rafe would go off in search of new projects and profits that had not happened.

"I think the chantry could still use my help," he informed her, "though it is true I like to seek out warmer climes in the winter, I can certainly see the value of staying here."

After that conversation Baelgun had pulled her aside, warning her that he got the feeling that the man's intentions went beyond mere profit. He warned her to watch herself around him."

You think that I cannot take care of myself?" she asked the dwarf.

"In a fight, aye, I know you can take care of yourself, but this…this won't be a fight. Rafe knows how to get what he wants. So…just be careful, okay?"

"Of course," she had said with a grin. It was sweet the old warrior worried about her, but it was really unnecessary.

Dee was no babe in the woods when it came to the attentions of men, and besides, it did not really matter.

As far as the blind sister was concerned, her heart was already spoken for.

IOI

"My sources will continue to look in on the Templars," she promised her mentor's agent, "We will know if anything interesting happens."

"Excellent!" Barber exclaimed, "Then all that leaves us then is the mages, do we have any good information on that front."

"I'm working on that," Dee promised, "My contact has reached out to a few old friends, but even she admits, it will take time, the mages are not the unified force they once were."

"Hopefully your friend can find out something, we know next to nothing about the mages since their flight from Val Royeaux."

And we likely won't. Dee thought, the mages are understandably paranoid these days, and who can blame them. Fortunately, she had perfect agent for this kind of work. One who was both cunning and enjoyed the thought of manipulating members of the old circle.

Andrea Wren fit was more than happy to do what needed to be done, provided there were rewards waiting for her at the end.

Rewards that Dee had promised to see her get. That promise had been all it took to win the mage's loyalty.

She had admitted of course, that she had burned many bridges in the last year, old friends and acquaintances would have nothing to do with Andreas Wren. Fortunately, for them, Andreas Wren was dead.

Andrea Wren had little trouble rebuilding old fences.

They had discussed it two nights ago over an evening meal.

"I shall tell them that I am the…sister of my former self, which is not far from the truth, this new body of mine not only looks enough like my former self that my old friends will buy the story, but should be more than willing to help their old acquaintance's poor suffering sister."

Rafe, who had been with them during that conversation, chuckled.

"And if that fails," he offered, "I'm certain you can use your…other attributes to gain their help."

"And what does that supposed to mean?" the mage asked, her voice turning frosty.

"Only that some of your old colleagues might find the new you attractive," the Rivaini said, "I'm sure you could work out some kind of trade with them."

Andrea let out an angry hiss, if her voice was cold before, now it turned sub-zero.

"Shut up," she spat.

"You know you should really count your blessings," Rafe continued, "this new form of yours is…well…it's quite fetching. You should be grateful to your sister; her spell could have brought you back as an old crone, or some fat, little buck toothed harridan…."

"Do you want me to turn you into a newt, Rafe," she asked, "that is the least that I can do to you... I…"

"Andrea," Dee said.

"What?" the mage growled.

"This is not helping," she said coolly.

The mage hissed under her breath and fell silent.

"And at the same time, Rafe," the sister added, "You should not tease Andrea so much, she still has much to work out in this new life, there is no point in us making it worse for her."

If the Rivaini agreed, his voice gave her no clues.

"I shall try to hold my tongue in the future, sister," he promised, "For you if nothing else."

She sighed.

Not really the answer she was hoping for, but it would have to do.

She needed both of her companions right now.

It would do little go to invite further strife between them.

IOI

No sooner had Barber left; that Kel Dace came up beside her; she felt his warm breath on her neck, and the smell of dwarven ale.

"Rafe's back, Milady," he said, "And that girl in black is with him."

Sister Daelle nodded.

The girl in black was, of course, Andrea Wren. From what she had gathered from the others the mage wore nothing but black, black skirts, black trouser, black blouses, and cloaks.

The Dace family did not like Andrea much, not that Dee blamed them; the mage was hardly sociable, especially given the dwarven resistance to magic.

As always she could hear Rafe and Andrea bickering, it seemed that the two did not know how to have a civil conversation.

"Wat are you wearing?" the mage asked.

"A bear skin cloak," the Rivaini replied, "Not the height of Orlesian fashion, but it does keep one warm."

"You look ridiculous," the mage chuckled.

"Least I don't have to wear a corset, old buddy," Rafe replied, "By the way, you missed a few loops."

The mage hissed under her breath.

"I swear: if I ever meet the bastard who designed corsets I'll kill him. I can barely breathe in this thing."

Dee tried to hide her smile, it sounded like the mage was in a prickly mood today.

She did not wish to antagonize her, and plus, she agreed with her.

Corsets could be a pain.

"Rafe," Dee called out, "Andrea."

"Sister," the mage said in greeting.

"Milady," Rafe said taking her hand and kissing it chastely.

Dee smirked slightly.

You can turn off the charm, she thought.

I'm immune.

"Have either of your heard anything good?" she asked the two.

It was Rafe who responded first.

"I just got done speaking with one of my contacts in the carta," he informed her, "It seems what we heard about the marcher Templars being attacked was true, their army took heavy losses and has scattered, some, no doubt, on the way to Kinloch Hold, probably to beg their Ferelden brothers to take them in, others probably looking to regroup and find a way to regain their lost advantage."

"With luck the bulk of those men will freeze to death in the storm," Andrea purred, "I spent enough cold winters on the run in this country to know how miserable it is to be outside and on the run. Let the Templars learn that lesson now, let them freeze their asses off in some barren field."

Dee said nothing to that, it was uncharitable to wish such things on others, but it might just do the trick to teach the renegade Templars a bit of humility. Who knew in the spring, a few might actually come back to the fold, to free themselves of future suffering if nothing else.

"What of my partner," she asked them both, "Have you heard any news of him?"

"The bounty is still live for this: "Ser Reaper," Rafe assured her, "I doubt that it would be if one of the Templars or their hunter allies had gotten lucky."

Dee nodded grimly, it was something at least, hope that she might still find her partner alive.

"The mages know nothing about your friend," Andrea informed her, "But I did hear something interesting, could be a lead, and could be nothing."

"Really," Dee said, trying not to get her hopes up.

"What did you hear?"

"A story out of West Hill," the mage continued, "Not from a mage minds you, but from a dealer of…things that mages find useful. He mentioned something of a knight in black armor, one that slew several Templars while protecting a mage under the Arl's protection.

Dee's heart beat faster.

Could it be? She wondered.

Was it possible?

"Is the knight still in West Hill?" she asked trying to keep her voice level.

"Not according to my source," Andrea said, "But he did over here the Arl mention something about a village in the Frostback Mountains, a possible destination for your friend perhaps?

"Maybe," Dee said smiling, resisting the urge to run out into the snow and see about finding a horse.

No one would be leaving Denerim until the snow let up, she knew that, but that did not mean that she did not wish to.

"Did your friend, happen to hear the name of this place?" she asked.

"Funny name," Andrea admitted, "Chantry sounding, Hope, Salvation, something like that…"

Dee grinned.

"Haven?"

The mage paused.

"Perhaps, sister," the mage agreed.

"Perhaps."

Sister Daelle's heart pounded.

Was it possible?

Could Reaper be on his way back to Haven?"

She would need to go to the chantry. She could not travel in this mess, but perhaps a bird could be sent, the chantry here would no doubt have a means of sending a bird to Haven.

Who knew, she thought, Perhaps Reaper was safely there now.

She could hope.

"I want you both to keep an ear out for anything else," she said, "If hear anything else about the Templar bounty or about some knight slaying Templars, I will want to hear immediately."

"As you wish, sister," Rafe said.

"Sure," Andrea added, "Though I'm not sure why you would be so interested in a single knight with everything else going on."

Dees shrugged.

"It is about hope for the future, Andrea, my hope."

She smiled brightly.

"I thank you both for helping keep it alive, bless you both."

"Bless you."