Chapter 36. Dying to be Rescued
They made good time on the Imperial Highway. Cullen was pleased as he began to get reports from his agents that some of the inquisitors were getting nervous and some were having bad dreams. As I hoped, there is no pattern in who is affected and when it happens, and it will just get so much worse after Montfort. Cullen was happy he was wearing his helmet…no one could see his smile.
~oOOo~
When the inquisitors first made camp, Val saw that her well-guarded tent was near both Cullen's and Masurian's. She also noticed that Gracina's tent was nearby and equally well guarded. Later in the evening she had a chance to speak with Cullen alone. "The likelihood he will be able get to me, without you being implicated, is slim and none. We need a Plan B."
"No, we don't. Just trust me."
"Is there anything I need to do?"
"No."
"Cullen, please be careful."
"I always am." Cullen grinned.
Before dark, Masurian and Cullen held a strategy session and, at Masurian request, they included Val. Looking at both men she kept her expression neutral as she listened. I don't know what Maric is actually doing, but I can keep Masurian believing that it will be a cakewalk.
Cullen pointed to the map. "Between the Nahashin Marshes and the lakes to the northeast we lose the ability to flank them."
Val tapped her finger on the table. "Do we need to be that circumspect, Cullen? There is value in the fear generated by the onslaught of a frontal attack."
Masurian wore a sly smile. "Champion, you are quite right, circumspection isn't needed. Full frontal attack could work very well."
Val shrugged, "Andoral's Reach is a ruin, I doubt there are many places for them to hide."
Cullen nodded. "Then I suggest a column formation."
"I agree." Masurian was clearly pleased.
Val was also pleased. Given that Maric also knows that Masurian is expecting an unsophisticated defence, he should be expecting a frontal attack and will be ready for it.
~oOOo~
Val had hoped that after the strategy session and dinner that she could retreat to her tent and allow Masurian and Cullen to have their evening chat. Cullen explained to Val they did this regularly and while he hated it, it reinforced the father-son dynamic that has helped him manipulate Masurian's thoughts and decisions.
However, Masurian urged Val to join them. She was able to beg off the first night owing it to fatigue, but after that she really couldn't say no. However, during the first of these chats, she learned why he hated mages so much.
Being 13 and helpless while watching each of your family members bled and killed by an insane blood mage is clearly the reason for his blind hatred of mages. He treats mages cruelly because that is how the mage had treated his family. The rest of his twisted belief system seems to be a result of his mentor, the lovely Lord Seeker Lambert. It doesn't excuse anything, but it is good to know where he may have blind spots.
"The late Lord Seeker Lambert had a file about you, Champion. About your family and… relationships."
Val took comfort in the fact that Cullen didn't look remotely surprised.
"You were so young when you had to take on the burden of protecting your family. You felt you owed it to your father to keep your family together, just as he had. As for Anders, by all accounts the abomination was a charismatic manipulator. He took advantage of your youth and inexperience. Ultimately, your actions in Kirkwall proved your faith in the Maker and his bride. In the end that is all that matters."
Val hung her head for a moment, and then she looked at Masurian. "I…thank you for your understanding."
Masurian nodded. "No thank you is needed."
She talked to Cullen about it briefly before she went to bed.
Val's voice was a rough-sounding whisper. "He razes Ostwick to the ground, yet I harbored my apostate sister, shared my bed with the man who blew up the chantry, and that doesn't mean anything?"
Cullen sighed. "He has two major blind spots. One is for children and and the other is for people who he believes were too young to know better."
"May he remain blind." Val said softly
~oOOo~
Loghain and Caen were easily able to shadow the inquisitors. "Once we have Hawke, we are going straight to Churneau and signal our arrival to the Reach. We will only stop to rest the horses."
"Loghain" He was told to drop the warden title. "There is something special about the Commander, isn't there?"
"Special?"
"There is more about her than being the Champion of Kirkwall?"
By design, Val never revealed to the company that Maric was alive and that they were married. This is why Loghain only called her Commander Theirin when it was urgent and no one could hear him. I understand why. It would have completely distracted the company and could have endangered the mission. But Caen, should know, in case…well he should know.
"Caen, what I am about to tell you is not to be spoken of again, until we are at Andoral's Reach, and that is an order."
"I understand."
"Maric Theirin is alive."
Caen was so stunned he couldn't speak. It barely looked like he was breathing. Finally he managed to gasp, "King Maric lives? How?"
"How is a long story, but because of how he was healed, he may be my age but physically he is only in his early forties."
"Wow. What does this have to do with the Commander?"
"They're married. Maric is the one coordinating the efforts at the Reach."
Caen looked pensive for a while. Loghain remained silent, allowing the man to process the unbelievable.
~oOOo~
They left Montfort that morning and were making camp. Val felt unsettled and nervous, and Masurian noticed. "Lady Valentina?"
Val was extremely uncomfortable being called the Champion, as all it did was bring up bad memories. So she insisted that if he was Ser Adrian to her, that it would honor her if she could be Lady Valentina to him. He had been pleased beyond words. While I hate being called Valentina, I think I would be ill if he called me Val.
"I feel…unsettled."
Masurian looked concerned. "Do you feel like you're in danger?"
"I wish I could say one way or another. I just feel uneasy."
Masurian nodded. He motioned to Cullen, who promptly joined them.
"Cullen, Lady Valentina is feeling uneasy and I'm worried. Perhaps we should change up the watch schedule tonight? Also, I want to switch tents with her."
"I'll change the watch now. Do you want to have your bedding switched?"
"No. I don't want it to be obvious. In fact, only the three of us can know."
Cullen nodded. "It will be as you ordered."
Val listened. Just play along Val. "Ser Adrian, I would hate for you to be injured on my account."
Masurian moved closer to her. "Lady Valentina, I would risk far more for you."
The intimacy and sincerity of his voice dumbfounded Val, and she lowered her eyes. "Ser Adrian…I don't know what to say." Other than I think I'm going to be sick.
"Nothing needs to be said. Sleep well, my lady."
She nodded and whispered, "Good night, my lord." and quietly slipped into Masurian's tent. He has been solicitous, supportive, and sincere in his dealings with me. Yet he is so twisted and evil. Val shuddered. Getting into his head is a bad…bad place to be.
She couldn't sleep in full armor, so she left the breast plate and cuirass on as she slipped into his bedroll. She tried to forget where she was and prayed that Cullen would be safe.
Cullen sitting in his own tent was reviewing the plans. The new watch rotation put half of Cullen's agents with the caravan and the rest back here near the tents. I thought I would have to feign worry but Val's honest admission of feeling uneasy was perfect!
Ever since they'd left Cumberland, Cullen had seen how Masurian looked at Val. Masurian actually cares for her so I knew he would suggest switching tents. This allowed him to mark Masurian's tent so Loghain would know where she was. Loghain will still have to deal with some of Masurian's men to get to Val, but the attack on the caravan should provide enough confusion for success.
Cullen smiled to himself. So far everything has gone as planned.
~oOOo~
Loghain and Caen watched the camp settle down for the night. He knew where in the camp Val would be and that she would be in Masurian's tent. Loghain's primary worry was that Masurian would try to search for Val. There was only one way to prevent that. He conferred with Caen, and scribbled a hasty-looking note. Then they waited for the attack on the caravan to begin.
~oOOo~
At the palace, while the adults had tea, Lainie was busy with her toys, currently pretending that her doll could fly. She held it up above her head and walked quickly around the room, periodically saying, "Swoosh."
Justinia enjoyed listening to Sebastian's tales of the good times in Kirkwall, and Auryn's tales about the first months of the chantry school, particularly her imitations of the reactions of the nobility. They were good enough that Sebastian could tell who she was aping.
Sebastian laughed. "You do that brilliantly. If they could only see how ridiculously they act."
Auryn smiled. "You spin a good yarn, yourself, Sebastian. I would love to meet Varric and hear his versions."
"Oh, Varric will put me to shame; he is a natural storyteller."
Rhiannon nodded. "But I think Auryn could give Varric a run for his money."
Sebastian grinned. "I would like to see that."
Auryn blushed but said, "Well, I have to say, his nicknames are terrific. How did you take to being called Choir-boy?"
"Honestly, I think I like it better than his new nickname for me."
Justinia laughed. "Why Cousin? I think Prince Charming is…charming."
Auryn laughed and Sebastian rolled his eyes. Suddenly a doll landed on the table perilously close to Sebastian's tea cup. Sebastian started, and then, to Auryn's relief, chuckled.
"I sorry Seb! I let go of Gabe." The little girl said sincerely.
Auryn watched as Sebastian gave Gabe back to Lainie. "It's okay, Lainie, but you must make sure you don't let Gabe go while he flies. He came close to having hot tea on him. I doubt he'd have liked that."
Lainie looked serious for a moment. "Hot tea hurts. I be careful, Seb." Then she took Gabe back into the air holding tight. "Swoosh!"
Auryn watched the exchange between Sebastian and Lainie. He is such a natural with children.
Justinia smiled. "Sebastian, the Andraste's Grace in the east garden are blooming, how about I watch Lainie, while you show Auryn?"
Auryn blushed, but smiled, then went to Lainie. "Sweetling, please stay with Lady Rhiannon while I take a walk with Sebastian."
Lainie nodded happily. "Rhia can help Gabe and Sadie slay dragon!"
Justinia laughed. "I will be most happy to."
Just before Sebastian and Auryn left the room. Lainie asked Rhiannon. "Will Seb hold Mommy's hand?"
"Do you think they should?"
Lainie nodded. "Yes."
Sebastian closed the door. "I really had no idea my cousin was going to suggest this."
Auryn smiled. "I'm glad she did."
Emboldened, Sebastian took Auryn's hand. "So am I."
~oOOo~
The assault happened in the dead of night. The caravan came under attack bringing Cullen and Masurian out of the tents. Val peeked her head out, and when Masurian noticed he went to her. "Please, my lady, stay in the tent. We will handle this."
Val nodded. "Be careful, Ser Adrian."
He smiled and nodded. Val sat back not knowing what to do. She had her sword and a dagger, but that was all. Suddenly, Gracina appeared in the tent, the tip of her staff began to glow.
"Gracina, what are you doing?"
"Trust me."
~oOOo~
The bandits put up a fight and many were able to escape, but the damage to the caravan was extensive. Over a quarter of their Lyrium supply was completely destroyed. Most of the rest was damaged but salvageable.
One of Cullen's men came running from the direction of the tents. "Lord Inquisitor!"
Cullen nodded. "What is it?"
"The Champion…she's dead!"
Cullen's eyes went wide. Fear twisted his guts. "What! Take me to her at once!"
There had clearly been a fire. The tents in the area were a ruin. Val was lying on her side. She was in full armor, her broadsword was bloody, and her armor was severely singed. Bodies of bandits, who clearly had been felled by Val's broadsword, were scattered about her.
Cullen dropped to his knees, he could barely breathe. Gently, he pulled to lift the helmet visor then quickly closed it. All he saw was black hair, the rest was unidentifiable. He looked up to his man and rasped. "Please, tell me this isn't her."
He knelt down next to Cullen and whispered, "It isn't. She and the healer are well away. Mac Tir left you a note; I will give it to you when there is time."
Cullen's heart resumed beating and then he heard a shout from behind him. Shortly, Masurian was on his knees next to Cullen. "Is it…?"
He nodded then spoke haltingly. "There…was a…fire…"
Cullen's man explained. "Another group of bandits came back here, we were outnumbered, but refused to let them get to the Champion. It was then that the she charged out of the tent and started cutting them down; she saved us, she yelled at us to go and protect you, Lord High Inquisitor. Suddenly, the area was engulfed in fire. It ended quickly but the damage had been done. When we saw the Champion down, we tried to help her, but…" Tears began to come down his face. "She…she whispered 'Andraste is with you all, tell Ser Adrian that I am sorry'."
Masurian didn't speak, he simply gathered the body into his arms and began to cry.
Cullen looked around. He now held the note from Loghain.
It seems many of her guards deserted, but her death will prevent a hunt.
LMT
The 'bandits' were actually inquisitors, but the fire obscures that very well, excellently done! What a shame about the 'deserters.' Damn. Loghain you are a wily bastard. Well done!
~oOOo~
Val woke up in a man's arms, while on a horse. Not again.
"Everything is all right, Val. You're safe."
She looked up. "Loghain, you are a sight for sore eyes."
He laughed. "I cannot remember anyone ever saying that to me."
"Gracina, what did you do?" Val asked.
She heard Gracina's laugh. "Made sure you didn't do anything stupid."
~oOOo~
AN: Thank you for sticking with me. Thank you to EasterViolet, ElyssaCousland, and Melysande for your reviews. Special thanks to the woman who makes this readable, my Beta Shakespira.