Chapter 52 – Malcolm's choice.
Huge thanks for your patience, sorry it took so long. My life is mad right now and I'm still trying to get myself into a routine.
Huge thanks to all of you, for everything your reviews have been inspirational!
Big thanks to my beta, LostSpace for all her hard work! As always you are awesome.
Flashback chapter alert! Enjoy.
"Wilhelm spoke highly of you both, especially you, Malcolm Hawke," the man said as he took a sip from the ornate porcelain cup. They were sitting in an immaculate office that was decorated with templar shields and various other odd artifacts as well as a copious amount of books. Malcolm shivered slightly at the sight of so much templar propaganda but trusted his instincts that Wilhelm was not the kind of mage to turn on his kin.
"Wilhelm seems the type of man to speak highly of many, sir," Malcolm replied, arching his eyebrow as he read the title of one of the books that stood neatly on the bookshelf. Of all the things he thought an ex-templar would own he did not once think an in depth hypothesis of telepathic magic text to be one of them.
"Please, it's Derek. I am no longer of the order as I have been told that my ideas will get the better of me. They've eased me into a nice early retirement," Derek replied, his tone still polite but with an edge of bitterness that made Malcolm wonder.
"Yes, well I can guess that your kind of retirement and ours doesn't end the same way," Malcolm replied, forgetting his manners which made Quentin snicker.
"Indeed. But that is why I am here and so are you. I want to help the mages," Derek replied, a small smile on his face as he stared at Malcolm.
"You… do?" Malcolm asked, unsure of what to make of such an odd statement, especially coming from a former templar.
"I do. Mages have so much potential and yet they are wasting away in a tower, all that power tucked away in a tall spire. Magic was meant to serve man, not hide away in a tower quietly researching how to extend the growth rates of elfroot," Derek snorted into his mug.
"You're the first templar I've ever heard say that," Quentin finally spoke, although his expression emitted one of utmost distrust of the man. Malcolm inhaled deeply with concern; he had prayed that Quentin would be long gone at the mere mention of the word templar because of recent events.
"There are more like me. I've been putting together a group of people, some very much like you," Derek said, a polite smile contrasting with his steel grey eyes. Malcolm could tell this man had seen a lot of battles and most likely the majority of them with mages. It irked him that an ex-templar would have such a revolutionary view to magic.
"And what is the intention?" Malcolm asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"Pardon?" Derek replied, as though he was confused by such a simple question.
"Your intention. I doubt you've gathered apostates and ex-templars and whoever else just for us to march to the Ferelden circle and petition world freedom for the mages and maybe a couple of sacks of gold each to boot? I could use some new attire since I've been wearing some villager's hand me downs for Maker knows how many weeks!" Malcolm exclaimed, shocking himself.
Quentin snickered at Malcolm's rebellious outburst but Derek's face stayed frozen in the polite smile the man had been wearing for at least half an hour now.
"Oh, I can tell why you were one of the few that got out of your circle Malcolm, you're a clever man. No, we cannot ask for all the mages to be freed and we do not have the man power to do it. Mages must be monitored, temptations can turn to demons and I assume you know the rest. But mages could do so much more! Before I was retired, there was an escape from my circle. An apostate man ran away with one of my fellow templars, and not just a recruit, a high ranking officer. We started to search for them, but with no phylactery it took a great deal of time. When we eventually caught up with the fugitives we apprehended the templar who forced our hand and was executed. The apostate was obviously distressed at the situation and with one flick of his wrist destroyed an entire regiment of templars, leaving myself and a few others to only just escape. Most would be disgusted, the rest of the survivors were. I, however, was not. I was fascinated by the power of one mage, how that one apostate took down at least thirty templars with one motion of a body part," Derek said, staring at Malcolm the entire time.
"So you think blood magic and murder is beauty? I fear we do not share the same cause," Malcolm replied, his voice quiet as he tried to not betray his disturbed mind.
"I believe blood magic can be useful, all magic can. But that is beside the point. What if we lived in a world where the Circles permitted more freedom because mages worked alongside templars? Mages that aided the templars in the search for their kin? Working for the cause rather than against it, they could be allowed outside of the Circle? A select few of course, not all. But I know for a fact if there was a mage aiding us that day the fight would have been even. The reason mages are so feared is because of their overwhelming potential and power. Imagine a world where mages are respected for their gifts? They could have families, jobs!" Derek said his voice almost euphoric.
"And the catch is? Surely no one will let mages that could be tempted aid templars in their duties?" Quentin asked, his voice quiet as he took in the information. Malcolm felt the same too, it was everything he had ever dreamed of yet it seemed far too good to be true. And with strong ideas and dreams like these coming from an ex-templar he knew there was cause to worry. They would never loosen their leash so easily.
"The catch is Malcolm Hawke. And his research. We cannot allow novice mages outside of the tower's reach, it could potentially make the templars' jobs twice as hard. It takes a great deal of time to become such an accomplished mage, not all mages are like you both. The magic radiating off of you both is like a beacon! And we could not possibly ask the elderly mages to join us; old age is for recalling battles not living them. But if we could transfer memories, willpower and other things that could safeguard a mage from temptations and potentially give them knowledge that could surpass even their superiors!" Derek said, staring straight at Malcolm with a wide smile.
"The lyrium!" Malcolm shouted in realisation.
"Precisely! No one has come anywhere close to your theory and research, Malcolm! Of course there will have to be a selection process like there is with the Templar Order! But imagine it! You hold the answer to the mages' problems! You hold the key Malcolm. I need you, we need you," Derek said, extending a hand.
Malcolm stared down at the hand for a second. His life had all of a sudden taken a drastic turn for the better but he prided himself in being a pessimist and there was something about Derek's smile that told him he hid his true motives.
"What of the precautions? Your idea has flaws, Derek," Malcolm said slowly, still looking down at the hand that offered him everything he wanted right now.
"There will be precautions; there will have to be precautions. I think of myself as a realist. This could give mages a better life rather than wasting away in a tower. You have two choices, join our cause and aid us in making mages better whilst having the necessary tools to do this or walk away. You will not be hunted by us," Derek replied, the same cold yet warm smile painted on his face.
Malcolm knew he could make this world a better place.
He shook Derek's hand and smiled at him for a moment. Derek returned the smile but the moment was soon interrupted by Quentin.
"And what about me? I obviously don't have the right field of research for your cause," Quentin said in a slightly bitter tone.
"Granted your research is not a part of our cause but it is still useful nonetheless. And you are an extremely skilled mage; you would be extremely useful to us regardless of your own research. But you must put it aside to aid us when necessary," Derek said, looking down at Quentin who was still sitting in his chair. Quentin's jaw gritted as he mulled over his options.
"If I join your cause will I still be hunted?" Quentin asked quietly, looking down at his hands.
"No, you will not have to fear templars whilst under our protection," Derek said, casting the other mage a worried glance. Derek had his suspicions about Quentin that was for sure.
"Then I will join you and aid you in whatever possible," Quentin said as he stood up and shook Derek's hand briefly.
"I look forward to working with the both of you."
