Chapter 49: Voices

The fall of 9:32 Dragon was a busy time in the city of Kirkwall.

The city was jubilant in the celebration of the Lord Hand's seventeenth name day, an occasion arranged by both his advisors and admirers in the Alienage brought much cheer to the citizens of Kirkwall.

Daylen chose to celebrate this day by giving back to those who had been loyal to him. On his day, he chose to give gifts to those in need. The elves in the Alienage celebrated his generosity, gifts of things that they, despite their improved station, did not have enough wealth to purchase on their own. Athenril's people had come through in a big way for the Lord Hand, showing all of Kirkwall his kindness and generosity.

He also turned his attention to the Ferelden refugees still camped outside the city. Ser Avery's people distributed the Lord Hand's gifts of food and medicine without delay.

Of course, Daylen's men watched the knight carefully; he had no desire to see what he had to offer filling the man's coffers any more than they already did.

Daylen had long ago learned Avery's secret, that he was secretly the son of the butcher of Highever. The youngest Amell said nothing, Avery, or Thomas, was still useful to him. Everyone knew that the man was Daylen's creature, and the Fereldans did not forget.

Yet another segment of Kirkwall's population that would rally to the city's rightful Viscount when the time came.

Things were going quite well, the Lord Hand thought, by his personal estimation, the ratio of Fereldans and elves now living in and around Kirkwall now outnumbered Aveline's city guard almost five to one, and the Templars here almost two to one.

The Lord Hand smiled.

His acts of kindness were not simple mercy no, but a calculated part of his plans.

Slowly but surely, he was building a quiet majority in the city of Kirkwall.

He was building an army.

Death's Hand's army.

Many of the Fereldans that had come here had been simple farmers, but under the tutelage of both Ginnis and Thomas's men, those who were strong enough were receiving marshal training. The elves were receiving similar teachings as well from Athenril's people. Daylen justified this to his sister by saying that he had a desire to create a group of special constables to police both the Alienage and the refugee camps.

People would respond better to their own defending them than to an outside force like the Templars or city guardsmen.

At least, that was the story he told his sister.

It was an army he hoped that he would not have to use. He still hoped to seize his throne clean, and without bloodshed, but he was getting ready if that was no longer possible.

A wise ruler hoped for the best, but prepared for the worst.

Aveline approved of the plan, but was uncomfortable with the fact that none of her guardsmen were trusted to oversee this create this new constabulary. Ser Avery and Athenril were not law officers after all.

Daylen dismissed her fears, and promised to keep her in the loop.

It would keep the woman off his back for a little while longer, and by the time she realized what was truly going on, it would be too late.

As for his beloved sister, she had her own distractions, both business and personal.

The Qunari had still not left the city, and as the third year of their stay rolled on, people were starting to get worried. The Arishok continued to claim they were merely waiting for a ship, but others were starting to doubt that claim.

Reports had come in of new Qunari converts in the city. Mother Petrice rallied her followers to root out these…infiltrators, but obeyed Daylen's edict about not engaging them directly, not yet anyway.

In the Gallows, Meredith continued to wear away at the mage's freedoms. First Enchanter Orsino came to both Solona and Daylen almost weekly now, complaining about the mistreatment of his people.

Both Meredith and Elthina were summoned to the keep to answer these rumors.

As always Meredith denied doing anything but what was for the best of Kirkwall. The Grand Cleric counseled that the Viscountess cultivate patience in this matter. Meredith was doing the Maker's work.

Solona simply had to have faith, and let the Maker deal with this…problem.

The Viscountess accepted this, but begrudgingly. She had read reports of attacks by the mage underground on Templars both inside and outside the city. She had sent for Anders, hoping that he could speak with his fellows, curb this violence before things got even more out of control.

Something had changed the mage underground; suddenly they were getting a lot more support. More coin, more lyrium, and more men seemed to flow freely into their ranks, this added help seemed to bolster their resolve against the Templars, and led them to even bolder efforts.

Ander informed Solona that he did not know who was supporting the mages, but promised to listen and report back what he heard.

Solona's eyes narrowed.

She suspected that Hawke's friend was lying to her, but hated to admit that she could not be sure.

Her judgment had not been the best lately.

IOI

The Viscountess rubbed her tired eyes. She…she had not been sleeping well the past few months. Strange dreams haunted her, nightmares, waking her out of a sound sleep. She had awakened Sebastian several times with these nightmares, and had hated that she had done so. After a month of it she had taken to starting her work days earlier and earlier, catching brief naps in between court sessions.

She barely went to bed anymore and certainly had not been intimate with her husband.

He understood, and was supportive, but she still felt like a fool.

She hated this. She did not want him to think she was avoiding him, she just…she just did not want him to see her so…so…whatever she was, and all because of stress.

That is what Brother Alec thought anyway, that it was stress. Solona was perhaps working too hard; the mages, the fanatics, and the Qunari were leaving her quite frazzled.

She needed to try and get some rest, and then she would feel better.

She tried sleeping draughts but those had not really helped. She might go a day or two without the dreams, but they would return when she least suspected, and they seemed worse somehow after she tried to treat them, more intense.

Then without warning, the dreams just stopped...

It was almost as suddenly as they had begun. She breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that that would be the end of it.

No new problems had come from either Orsino or Meredith, and even the Qunari had fallen silent, Aveline's quick actions to curb the fanatics seemed to be working.

Things seemed to be working themselves out.

A few days after that…the voices had begun.

IOI

It had been nothing, at first, whisperings in the back of her head, easily ignored, but slowly they had grown in intensity. She had been in her baths the first time she had truly heard them.

Mage.

Witch.

We know!

We'll tell!

Call the Templars!

Call the Templars!

She had nearly jumped out of the water. She had looked around nervously, reaching out with her magic she scanned for anyone who might be spying on her.

Finding none, she returned to the waters, but her blue eyes still darted around nervously.

Mage.

Witch.

We'll tell!

She shook her head.

Fear ate at her resolve.

She cast a quick healing spell, and the voices stopped.

She sighed with relief.

It had worked…

For a time.

IOI

She would go for several days without hearing them and then…out of the blue…they would start again.

At first she had thought it was just her imagination playing tricks on her, that her worries about Meredith were making her a little paranoid.

She had laughed dismissively about that, it was surely all it was…

What else could it be?

It was just her imagination.

She had nothing to fear.

Then one day she had been sitting in her office working on some reports for royal court.

"Bitch!"

Solona glanced up. The venom, the fury of the words shocked her. Who would dare…?

That is when she saw it, when she saw her!

Her eyes widened. She leapt to her feet with a terrified gasp.

Out of the corner of her eye…she…she had thought.

No, but it was impossible!

She looked around her office, she spun fearfully.

It…it couldn't be, but it had… it had seen so real!

She…she had seen Livia, she knew she had! Her friend stared at her with angry, hateful, pale dead eyes, the wound in her throat gaping wide, blood staining her green gown.

NO!

The horror of what she had seen!

It…it turned her blood to ice!

She called for Brother Alec to attend her, certainly this had to be some sort of trick, perhaps some rogue mage was loose in the keep.

They searched for an intruder, but found none. Alec even searched the room for signs of magic or hidden wards.

The only thing he sensed was her own power, her magic.

No demons, no ghosts…and no Liv.

Solona shivered, her breath coming in nervous gasps.

First the dreams, then voices, and now…now this!

The cold hateful look in Liv's eyes haunted her. Why? Why was she seeing things like this?!

Sweet Maker, what was wrong with her!

She did not tell Alec what she had seen. She…she did not wish to worry him.

It was never a good thing when someone started seeing things and hearing voices, but it was even worse for a mage.

But…no! A demon could not have gotten inside her head! She had made no deals, and she had certainly not studied any of the forbidden arts!

It…it had to the stress, yes. That is what it must have been.

She just needed a break was all.

She tried to go back to her work, but could not focus.

The hate and anger in Liv's eyes haunted her.

The voices returned again.

Witch.

Mage.

We know!

We know!

Call the Templars!

The Viscountess whimpered.

Maker, not again!

Solona covered her ears, and closed her eyes.

She…she did not want risk seeing Liv…not like that.

Not like that!

She shivered.

"It is not real," she whimpered, "You…you're just imagining things. Stop it, just… stop!

The voices seemed to fade. She forced herself to focus on her breathing, and the sound of her own heart.

The whispers faded from her mind.

She took a cleansing breath, and tried to forget what she had seen and heard.

It helped…

…but only a little.

IOI

As was tradition, the Amells gathered for a family meal once a week.

Lady Revka insisted on it, the Amells needed to remain a strong family, and that meant maintaining strong ties, sharing a meal together seemed the easiest way to do that, and to give everyone a chance to get caught up on any family news or gossip.

Solona sat at the head of the table with Sebastian to her right, just to her left sat her Mother, Daylen, and Angelique.

Mother had insisted on inviting the girl.

She would be an Amell soon enough after all, so it made no sense not to invite her.

Next to Sebastian sat Bethany, Perrin, Leandra, and Garrett.

This seating arrangement was necessary. Leandra was needed should any problems emerge between Garrett and his new brother. Hawke was still not entirely happy with his sister's marriage, he said nothing to anyone, but things were…a bit cold between the Viscountess's cousin and the former guardsman.

Though right now, problems between himself and his new brother in law was the last thing on Garrett's mind.

His concern for his cousin over powered any animosity between him and Bethany's husband.

"Are you well Cousin Lona?" Hawke asked.

The Viscountess did not even bother looking up.

"I'm fine," she murmured.

"Are you sure? You look…"

"I'm fine thank you," she said quickly…

Garrett winced

Her response had come quickly, a bit too quickly; she had not even bothered to look up from her plate.

She tried to pretend that everything was fine, but she could not focus.

The voices were screaming in her ears.

Mage!

Witch!

WE now!

We will TELL!

Solona tried to ignore them, for her family's sake.

She was fine.

She was perfectly fine!

IOI

Bethany Bradley gave her cousin a worried look, she had not seen her in a while, but still…she…she…

Maker what had happened! It had only been a few weeks.

Solona did not look right. In fact, she looked downright unwell, and the bags under her eyes showed despite her makeup, and even her white hair was a sea of loose strands.

She ate quietly focusing only on her meal, and not talking to anyone.

Bethany had never seen her like this before, even when her magic was flaring, she had always remained in control.

Now, now her poor cousin looked like she was ready to snap.

It was…disturbing, and she was not the only one who noticed.

Her behavior concerned the others as well, causing many worried looks, only Angelique and Daylen seemed unaffected by it, continuing to chat on happily about their day.

Bethany was worried about her cousin, but hoped that it was just the troubles of the day. She hoped that what she had to say this evening might cheer her cousin up.

It was good news for once, and who did not want hear that.

A servant brought more wine, and filled each of their goblets. Bethany abstained here, asking for water instead.

She sat quietly, blushing in her chair, still trying to work up the courage to tell her family the good news.

Perrin gave her hand a reassuring squeeze under the table.

She could do this, he was right here.

She tapped lightly on her glass with a fork.

All the Amells focused on her.

She smiled shyly.

"I…I have something I need to tell everyone," she said happily, "Perrin and I…"

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!?"

The Viscountess's voice shattered the peace around them.

She grabbed the servant's arm, her eyes filling with fury.

Bethany gasped.

"Cousin what are you…?"

Solona ignored her.

The Viscountess stood up so fast she flipped over her own chair! The elf who had been serving her wine retreated before her, or at least he tried to, he stumbled and the tray fell over with a loud crash, splattering him with wine.

Sebastian was on his feet in moments.

Love, what are you doing?" he exclaimed.

Solona did not hear him. She glared down at the cowering servant.

Bethany rose and tried to run to her side.

Oh Maker!

IOI

Solona could hear her family speaking to her, but only distantly.

Cousin what is it?

Love, what are you doing?

Sister calm down!

These concerned voices were only a distraction, a whisper in a roaring gale.

WITCH!

MAGE!

WE'LL TELL!

IT IS THE GALLOWS FOR YOU!

DEATH TO THE AMELLS!

The servant cowered before her, his hands bleeding from the broken glass.

She glared down at him, her eyes blazing with uncontrolled hate!

"How dare you threaten my family!" she hissed.

"I…I said nothing…nothing Your Excellency," the man coward.

The man was on his knees now, pleading for mercy!

Solona did not believe him, she had heard him speak, and the voices had only become louder when he had gotten close.

They became more…insistent.

They're plotting against you, all of them!

They will take what your family has!

Destroy him!

You know how!

Destroy!

She felt her magic starting to come.

Was…was this some kind of conspiracy against her?

It must have been.

Maker she was so tired.

Why could they not leave her alone!

She raised her hands, starting to will a fireball into existence.

The man would pay!

Strong arms held her.

No, they will take you to the Gallows!

"Let me go!" the Viscountess shrieked, "You can't do this!"

Strong hands grasped her robes, as she struggled, the seal of Kirkwall was broken it, and her cloak fell from around her neck.

Her beloved locket got hooked on the chain and was ripped away as well.

The voices…stopped.

"Lona!" Sebastian cried, "Love stop!"

She…she glanced around like she had woken from a nightmare. She saw the worried looks on her family's faces.

Bethany tended to the poor elven servant she had savaged.

Oh…oh Maker!

What had she done?!

Sebastian forced her to look at him.

"Love," he murmured, "Please, what is wrong?"

Tears ran down the Viscountess's cheeks.

"I…I don't know Sebastian," she whimpered, "I…I just don't know anymore!"

She fell into a fit of hysterical giggles. She collapsed into his arms, exhaustion finally claiming her.

The Viscountess's world went black.

IOI

The Amell's and their extended family could only watch in horror of what they had seen.

Sebastian scooped up his wife and carried her back to their apartment. Bethany tended to the poor injured servant.

Revka rushed after her daughter, wanting to be at her side.

Her poor little girl, what was wrong with her?

Garrett and Perrin looked around impotently; this…this was not something that a warrior or a rogue could deal with.

Leandra ordered them to fetch Alec, and send for a healer.

They obeyed her wishes.

Only two of their family did not seem overly worried.

Angelique went to comfort Leandra, but this was not genuine, merely the girl playing a role, like only a smart bard could.

Daylen Amell reached down and retrieved the seal of Kirkwall from where it had fallen.

He inspected the fallen cloak.

The seal of Kirkwall was the symbol of the Viscount's power when not wearing the crown. He returned that to the dinner table.

He also found his Father's pin, the silver lion head with the saphire eyes, the one his Mother had gifted Solona with on her coronation day.

He felt a small surge of jealousy.

This token…it should have been his!

He removed it from the cloak and slipped it into his pocket.

It was a fine trophy; it would share a place of honor with the pirate whore's daggers.

At least until he could wear it openly, as his father's true heir.

It was then that he found the golden locket.

Daylen smiled, he picked it up carefully concealing it in his sleeve.

He heard the voices as soon as he touched it, but was not concerned.

He had known that they would come.

Neria did good work.

As an Amell, the spell would affect him, but he would not be keeping the trinket long. He would see that it found its way back around his sister's neck.

It…it was better this way…cleaner.

He loved his sister, he had no desire to see her harmed physically, when the throne was his, and she was back in exile, he would see that she recovered.

It was the least he could do.

He meant her no ill will; this was simply for the good of Kirkwall.

He…was what was best for Kirkwall.

If he could take the throne without blood, so much the better!

Daylen suppressed a smile.

The news of this…incident would spread like wildfire, before the week was out, everyone would have heard of how the Viscountess had gone mad and attacked an innocent servant.

Concern for her would quickly turn to worry. The Viscountess Amell, no heirs, and now…seemingly going insane.

The nobles would flock to his banner!

It...would be glorious!

He slipped out of the dining room, eager to go to his sister's aid, to ensure that she got the care that she deserved.

The first stones had been laid; a strong foundation for his rise to power had been set.

Now…all he had to do was be patient, and ensure the locket found its way back around his sister's neck.

Everything was working out well.

All he had to do now…was wait.