Chapter 3: Deception
It was like hugging a hard tree with stick-out branches. Anders figured that if he hugged long enough the tree would soften into maybe malleable leather. And if he hugged a bit longer, it would transfigure into an elven warrior all out of sorts with this kind of affection. Eventually, he figured, even that elven warrior would soften and hug him back.
Anders was right.
Fenris, once he realized he was not going to just be released and that Anders was not going to be scared off, gave in, but only this one time! "Enough mage. We need to move on."
Anders backed off knowing he reached the elf's limit. He snuzzled his fancy new scarf again then packed their gear, tossing Fenris an apple for breakfast. Fenris was just about to bite into it when his brands flickered of their own accord. The apple fell to the floor. Anders looked up. Fenris threw himself against the way beside the window. Anders by reaction flattened himself on the floor and watched Fenris. The warrior slid one careful step at a time farther from the window.
"Fenris," hissed Anders. "What the Void?"
"A Magister. I remember the feel of him… from when I was first branded. Powerful. He cast an enthralling spell."
"You can tell different mages and sense magic, enough to know what bloody spell was cast?" Anders should at least have expected it. Fenris was bodyguard to a magister. He would have to have been trained to know this. "Nevermind. Is he here for you? Is he trying to control you?"
"I'm not being controlled. I don't think he knows I am here." He gritted his teeth as his brands flickered again. "Festa Vass. He'll know soon though if this keeps up."
Anders crept to the door. Fenris reached a hand out to try to call him back. Anders hurried out and Fenris swore he would kill the mage for his recklessness. He strained his ears to try to hear what was going on, but it was either too far or too quiet even for him.
Anders headed down the stairs and out the side door to the stables. He saw a group of people not far and figured out who the magister was easily. There was a surge from Justice. This man had Fenris almost… frightened. Anders could guess that this was one of the main assistants to Danarius. However, as he eavesdropped, he learned they were not looking for an elf with silvery white tattoos. They were seeking some two piece artifact that was stolen from them. They were getting ready to search the inn. Anders tensed. If they searched the inn, then they would find Fenris for sure. He took a quick peak at the group again. Justice quieted. There were too many, too many even for he and Fenris together. He crept back up to the room.
Inside he avoided the window and came to stand next to Fenris. "They are not even looking for you. They're looking for a thing."
"A thing?"
"Ya, a thing. Some important thing that comes with a smaller thingy."
Fenris made a face. This was a very Merrill conversation. "I do not speak… thingy. Be more specific."
Anders shrugged. "They are looking for some magical artifact thing that comes in two pieces." After another lyrium flickering that had Fenris gritting his teeth, Anders asked, "Your brands don't light up with you are unconscious. Did you know that?"
"No, I did hot. How would I if I were unconscious?"
It wasn't entirely true, but they were not reactive like this when he was unconscious. Anders had left out the part about the magister coming to search the inn. "Will you trust me?" He didn't wait for an answer per se, "Fenris… sleep." He cast the spell with a single touch to Fenris' brow and the elf sank bonelessly to the floor. The flickering abruptly ended as well. A bang of door and a yell of surprise below could be heard. The search had begun. Anders had to act fast!
About an hour later, someone rammed open their door, busting the lock. Anders spun, spreading his arms defensively. "Please! We have nothing of use here. Please!"
Two guards stepped in and started to rummage through the backpacks. The magister stood in the doorway, and asked calmly, "What are you trying to protect? And I suggest you put the sword down very carefully."
Knowing he was well outmatched, Anders slowly removed his huge two-hander from his back and laid it flat on the floor. "Please, my friend was injured. Our horses got spooked. I am waiting for a healer, my field medicine is just… not good enough. Please. Don't hurt us."
"So, you have been on the road? I am looking for an interesting neck piece with a matching ring. Some Templars stole it from my guards." He eyed the bandaged and bloody elf on the bed and cursed something file about elf-loving Fereldans. When a guard said the room was clean, they did not find it. They left to search the next room.
Anders itched to heal the stinging gashes under his glove, but he didn't have enough time. His time was taken up neatly packing their incriminating critical items under Fenris' mattress. He had bandaged and splinted the elf, then cut his hand on a small knife and soaked some of the bandages with his own blood. He soaked Fenris' mouth and chin and throat as if he had been kicked in the face by the horse. Fenris' hair was covered by a head bandage with Anders also soaked on one side with his own blood again. It was a haste ruse and he was sure Fenris might try to kill him later for it. He watched from the window as the magister and his group left, heading to the next inn.
He eased the sleep spell off Fenris and removed his glove. Fenris woke with a start and a snarl, frantic at being bandaged and tight and confused. He glared daggers at Anders. Then he smelled the blood and saw the cuts in Anders hands. He narrowed his eyes. "Blood magic? Anders… you said you would never…"
"I didn't. I used it to disguise you. They are gone. They searched every room for whatever it is they are looking for. They've now headed to the next inn. A thank you might be nice since I just saved your ass." He poured a potion over his hand because he dared not use magic just yet, not till he was sure they were far enough away from other people.
"Get… get me out of this!"
Anders removed and salvaged what supplies as he could. The blood soaked ones were ruined though. Fenris was still too distressed and angry to say anything, but he was grateful. And amazed at Anders swift ingenuity, especially with the hiding of his brands and the hiding of their gear. He grew calm enough once packed to finally speak. "Mage, how did you hide Sword of Mercy?"
"I didn't. I strapped her to my back as if she were mine." He knew that hidden in plain sight meant it would be ignored.
"I know you are surprisingly strong for a mage, but it is too heavy even for you."
Anders grinned sheepishly, "I drank one of the strength potions we had. I'll have to make another. And wow! Was it vile, like licking a genlock's ass!" He stuck out his tongue as he made a face of disgust.
Fenris paused, "You know what a genlock's ass tastes like?"
Anders quirked a look at Fenris. Did Fenris honestly not get that it was just a turn of phrase? But he caught a tiny flicker of an amused grin as Fenris walked passed him with sword and gear. Anders barked out a laugh.