Chapter 54: A Mother's Love
"We will be having a serious discussion once we get home…"
Aliza Trevelyan glared coolly at the young sitting across from her; he kept his head down, not wishing to antagonize her any more than he already had.
She shook her head.
"You will not enjoy that conversation."
He winced, or maybe that was simply the rocking of the carriage on the old mountain road, either way it was clear that he was not comfortable under her regard.
Good she thought…
…That was her whole intention.
"I meant no harm Mother," he murmured, I merely wished to win honors for my family, as both you and Elizabeth have done."
The elder noble snorted.
She would have expected such a thing from Elizabeth or Anastasia, but not Andreas…not him…
Her second born shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
It was not often that he found himself on the receiving end of her ire. She could not help but wonder.
What profit would he see worth all this trouble?
She certainly saw nothing to be gained by her son's defiance; in fact, it complicated an already difficult situation.
She was not quite sure how she was going to deal with it.
Andreas Trevelyan was probably one of the brightest of their family; he had a talent for the scholarly that went far beyond even her. He possessed patience and thirst for knowledge that had caught the eye of some of the most learned people in Thedas.
That…and he resembled his father more than anyone else in their family. Despite what others might think, she had loved her husband; it had been a slow love that had grown with time. Their marriage may have been arranged, but that did not change what she had felt…how she had felt.
Now…he had thrown himself foolishly into this business with the Inquisition.
It was just another distraction, a dangerous one.
She did her best to deal with it.
The trip from Ostwick to the Frostback Mountains had been a long one, they had sailed out of their beloved home and reached the city of Amaranthine in Ferelden, from there, they had travelled by carriage, surrounded by a virtual army of pilgrims, all seeking entrance into the Inquisition base known as Skyhold.
Lady Aliza had planned to be travelling this road alone, with only Maxwell and a few bodyguards to protect them, discovering her son Andreas disguised as a chantry brother had not been a pleasant surprise. Maxwell had unmasked him as they had waited to make the last leg of their journal, the ascent to this Skyhold. She had been furious when she learned the truth. Andreas had asked to join her of course, but she had refused. In fact, she had outright forbade him to make this journey, Elizabeth would need guidance in the coming months, who better than her younger brother to see to that, and if this did turn out to be some trap by the Inquisition.
The noble woman frowned.
For the sake of her youngest, she would risk it, but she had not wanted anymore of her family placed in harm's way. It was bad enough that Anastasia might be lost to all of this.
Now Andreas had stepped into the dragon's den with her…
She was not happy about that.
"Mother," he said, his voice slipping easily into the tone he used to address the various chantry academics and professors that had attended gatherings at their estate, "Please try and understand how important my being here is, how valuable it is for our house."
She gave him an arched look.
"And just how is this valuable to our house?"
Her son smiled.
"It is a matter of access mother, and as we both know access leads to prestige."
Maxwell, who had said nothing until now chuckled at this.
"So this is all for the family?" the mage asked.
"Of course," Andreas replied, and then lowered his head slightly when he saw the stern look his mother was giving him again.
"Mostly," he added.
Lady Aliza crossed her arms.
"I still have not heard your reason for disobeying me boy," she said coolly.
"I'm waiting."
Again the younger Trevelyan winced, his features more akin to a boy than the young man he was now, but that had always been the problem, she realized.
The boy was always too innocent for his own good.
Though twenty one years of age, Andreas often seemed far younger than even Anastasia, he had always looked at the world with guileless eyes. He possessed a child-like wonder that served him well in his studies, but…were most dangerous out here in the real world.
Aliza shook her head.
She had always tried to protect him, perhaps, that had been a mistake. He had little understanding of the world outside of Ostwick and their libraries. She blamed herself, but what could she possibly do now. Had she realized that he was with her back in Amaranthine, she could have ordered him back on a ship, told him to return home, alas, now that they were so close to their destination, she no longer had that luxury.
It seemed that the cards would have to be played as they had been dealt.
Andreas sighed.
"The Inquisition has captured the imagination of everyone in Thedas," he began, "their influence has grown beyond just a simple arm of the chantry."
For a moment a flash of intense ambition flickered in the boy's eyes. It was something Aliza knew well. That same fire had allowed her to hold their family together after the death of her dear husband.
It surprised her to see it in Andreas, surprised but pleased her as well.
Perhaps he was not as coddled as she had feared.
"The University of Orlais considers itself an ally of the Inquisition," he continued, "but they are still a major center of knowledge, they have tried to get a scholar close to the Inquisition leadership, someone who can observe the corridors of power, so to speak, so far all those attempts have been blocked."
Andreas smiled.
"So, one of my old teachers, Professor de Carrac, you remember him, he came to me on their behalf."
Maxwell chuckled.
"They think the Inquisitor might be more open to a family member than they would some complete stranger?"
"Exactly, cousin," Andreas replied.
He turned back to his mother.
"Mother," he began, "My studies have advanced as far as they can in Ostwick, I needed to get out into the field, If I can deliver a report from this Skyhold place, or better yet, gather enough information to be able to write a book on the new Inquisition's founding, it will be a major step in establishing myself in the scholarly community, and, Maker willing, if I am able to get an interview with Anastasia herself…"
Her son looked almost giddy.
"None would doubt me then; even the most learned scholar would have to see me as one of them. Who knows, perhaps I will be as well-known as legendary Brother Genitivi."
Lady Aliza frowned.
"All good points my son," she said, "But if this Inquisitor is not really our Anastasia, if this a trap like your sister fears…"
Some of the excitement went out of her son, but not all.
"That is a risk I'm willing to take, at the same time, I could not let you face this alone, and I know how much this business with Anastasia has hurt you."
Maxwell smirked at him.
"And what about mem cousin, do you think I would let anything happen to your mother?"
Of course not," Andreas replied, "Still it is better to have family at your side, in case this goes bad."
He gave his mother a gentle smile.
"It is better to have two defenders instead of just one."
Aliza did smile now. Andreas was a good boy, but she doubted that he would be able to do much to protect her if it came to that. He had never had any talent for fighting; still his heart was in the right place.
She shook her head.
As they drew closer to Skyhold, her nerves continued to get worse. She continued to bounce back and forth emotionally between fear and anger.
What would she say to Anastasia? Part of her almost hoped that the Inquisitor was some imposter. Then at least she would be free to be angry at the Inquisition, and do what was needed to stop them, but…if the Inquisitor was truly her Anastasia…
What would she do then?
She would be furious, but she would also be terrified, relieved, and…surprisingly enough…a little proud of all that her daughter had accomplished in the last year.
Barely twenty years old, and already Anastasia held the fate of Thedas in her hands. They had heard some of what had happened at the Empress' winter palace while they awaited their escort to Skyhold, if even half of the rumors they had heard were true… then…her daughter now had the ear of the Empress of Orlais, that she had saved Celene's life.
Such power could no longer be denied.
Lady Aliza's eyes narrowed.
She hoped that this was not some cruel hoax, that the Inquisition had not just found some girl who looked enough like her daughter to use her name, or worse, if the mages that had joined them had taken her daughter's body and turned it into some kind of monster or freak…
She…she was not sure how she would react to that.
This…what was going to happen in the next few hours, nothing in her life had prepared her for this?
She would have to be strong, for her family and her children.
It was something she knew well.
Be strong.
And try to endure.
IOI
Soon they found themselves passing through the gates of Skyhold, through the great iron portcullis, and into the main courtyard.
Lady Aliza shook her head at the grand sight that surrounded her, she had heard rumors about this place, but…they paled in comparison to the real thing.
She…she had expected some wooden fort hidden in the mountains, some secret hideaway that the Inquisition could turn into a sanctuary over the next several years.
She had not expected this level of grandness; this was not simply a fort. It was almost a palace.
A hint of a smile came to her lips.
And her daughter ruled all of it.
Both Max and Andreas accompanied her, they seemed as awed as most of the people who had made the journey here. Everywhere they looked soldiers, priests, Fereldans, Orlesians, elves, and even a few dwarves went about their business. She spotted a Fereldan dog wrangler bickering with an Orlesian merchant, what about she could not say, Orlesians and Fereldans had never needed much of an excuse to fight. What looked to be some mountain barbarian sat hunched over a small adding some strange herbs and breathing in the smoke, and there…there...
Oh my!
The huge Qunari moved into what looked and sounded like a tavern, even from here she could here laughter and smell alcohol on the breeze.
Aliza shook her head.
If the Teyrn knew that Qunari worked with the Inquisition, he would have never allowed them into the city. Memory of the Qunari wars and what the giants had brought to the Free Marches had not faded even after several centuries.
She would leave that little fact out when the Teyrn and his family asked about her journey here.
Both Maxwell and Andreas seemed equally awed. She spotted several men and women in Templar armor, and more than a few mages, their brightly colored robes contrasting sharply with the drab uniforms of the Inquisition soldiers. From the looks the two groups gave each other it was clear that matters were still tense, despite the peace both sides had agreed to, a peace brokered by the Inquisition, in exchange for the mages service.
Next to her, Andreas whistled.
"I could spend a week exploring this place, and likely only scratch the surface of life here."
He smiled gamely.
"I'm going to be famous."
"Aunt Aliza?"
She turned. Max was pointing towards at a woman emerging from the keep, her skin and clothing marked her as Antivan nobility.
She gave the group a welcoming smile.
"Lady Trevelyan, welcome," she said, "I am Ambassador Josephine Montilyet."
The woman bowed slightly.
"Welcome to Skyhold."
IOI
Ambassador Montilyet escorted Aliza and her party into the keep. The woman spoke with the skill and manner of a trained diplomat. Lady Aliza had dealt with many in her time, and of course, she had heard of the woman before, they had even met briefly at her Aunt Lucille's salon a few years ago, if she remembered correctly. Even then, it was said that the girl from Antiva had a grand future ahead of her.
It seemed that all those who said such things were right.
Both Maxwell and Andreas glanced around the throne room, even though it was still under reconstruction, the grandness of this place continued to shine through.
She found her eyes drawn to the throne, the throne that he youngest child sat in.
It sent a shiver down her spine.
This…this was the seat of a conqueror, not her little girl.
The thought increased the sense of the dread she was feeling.
Oh Anastasia, oh my baby.
What have these people done to you?
The woman gave her a polite smile.
"The Inquisitor has been expecting you, "The Ambassador began, "Her Worship thought you might wish to speak with her alone, Lady Aliza" she said, "If you will follow me Your Ladyship, I will take you up to the Lady Ana's private quarters."
Aliza felt a brief twinge of nervousness,
Were they trying to separate her from her family?
Was this all a trap after all?
It was possible, but the chance of seeing her child, she felt certain that she would know if anything foul had befallen her daughter.
A mother would know.
She excused herself, Max seemed concerned, but he knew what she needed him to do.
He would stay behind with Andreas for now. If this was a trap, her son was more important than her own life.
Max was a powerful mage. If anyone could protect her son, it was him.
She would just have to have faith, and trust in his abilities.
The Ambassador led her to a stairway to the left of the throne; it was through here apparently that Anastasia kept her apartment.
The elder noble's heart thundered in her chest.
She was about to get the answer to her questions, she was about to see with her own eyes what had happened to her daughter.
She was both excited and terrified of the coming moments.
The Montilyet girl led the way, while she followed after; she paused only once on the steps, she looked up and…
She blinked.
A young boy sat on the landing near her daughter's room, casually swinging his legs back and forth above the landing. He looked about Ana's age, dressed in fine leather armor, yet his hair was dirty, it had an unkept look about it, his features mostly hidden by a wide brimmed hat.
He looked up, regarding her with his sad haunting eyes.
She could not suppress the shiver that ran through her.
Those eyes, those strange eyes…
The boy smiled slightly.
"Do not be afraid," he murmured, "It is okay, you love your daughter don't you?"
She swallowed hard, swallowed and nodded.
The boy's strange eyes seemed to look right inside of her, like he could see her soul laid bare.
He shivered.
"Pain, hard…pushing pain," the boy murmured, "Remember, I still remember, the pain, then…the relief, the tears, heart breaking with her first wailing cry, breaking with love for her, the first time the midwife put her in my arms. My girl…my sweet little girl…my Anastasia…."
The boy blinked.
"All I have left, my children, they…they will understand. They must understand, all for them, everything for them, Maker save me, let them understand one day please."
The boy blinked again, his smile returned, more real now.
"She is afraid, as afraid as you are, but she loves…loves you. Tell her…show her, it will take away the pain, it will help."
Aliza blinked.
"Who…who are you?"
"I'm Cole," he said, "Don't worry, you won't remember me."
"I…I don't understand…what…?"
"Lady Trevelyan?"
Aliza blinked.
Ambassador Montilyet was standing there, a concerned look on her face.
"Are you all right, Your Ladyship?"
Aliza blinked, she…she had been.
She glanced at the landing, it was empty, but she…she had thought…
What…what had just happened.
She felt a surge of love for her daughter, a surge she did not really understand.
She…he…he had caused this…he…he…
Her brow furrowed.
He, who?
Tell her…show her, it will take away the pain, it will help.
Lady Aliza blinked.
She…she…
Oh Maker.
"I…I am fine," she informed the Ambassador, "Please, lead the way."
The Montilyet girl smiled and gesture for her to follow.
She continued up the stairs.
She…she felt so strange.
Anastasia…her little Anastasia.
The Ambassador knocked on an old oak door.
"Enter," a familiar voice said from inside.
It was a voice she knew, her daughter….
…Her little girl.
Her…her Anastasia…
She was here.
She was alive.
Thank the Maker.
Her daughter was safe.
Safe…
…and alive.
Praise the Maker.
Praise him.
