Chapter Twelve

Mage Rescue

"Hey Kester – can you take us across?"

The ferryman gave me a puzzled look, "These aren't your usual companions…"

"Duncan of the Grey and his recruits were on their way here anyway so they brought me this time. And this is my nephew Oren."

Kester smiled, "Ah, right this way then. Cullen will be glad to see you, he will – kept coming out of the tower on my daily trips across to see if you'd arrived yet. Said you were running late and to expect you mid-month."

I smiled happily, "He's so sweet to worry."

Theron looked confused, "You delayed your trip this month?"

"Something came up and I had preparations for my upcoming wedding to make." I shrugged. Theron would know from the first half of my sentence what the truth was.

When we made it across, Cullen was on door duty. He saw me and lit up. He pulled me into a kiss without thinking.

I giggled, "Cullen, this is Duncan, the Commander of the Grey here in Ferelden. This recruit is Elissa Cousland, my sister. This is Oren, my nephew. Theron is from a Dalish Clan and Kallian is from Denerim. Duncan needs to see Greagoir and Irving at once."

We all walked into the tower and he called out, "Lane!"

The hulking Templar came running up, "Oh… hey, Val – you're late."

I snorted, "Take Duncan to Irvings' office and have someone send Greagoir there too."

He saluted me, "At once, Val."

Everyone gave me greetings as we continued through the tower – amusing Elissa to no end. Cullen had gotten Lake to take his post; everyone knew that my first day back meant Cullen was off-duty.

I spotted Solona and Alim, "Hey you two – what's new?"

Alim grinned, "We passed our Harrowings last night; both of us."

Solona nodded, "The demon in the Fade… couldn't even see us properly. It was no test, Sensei – we walked in and finished quicker than anyone has ever seen!"

Cullen smiled, "It was amazing – Solona finished faster than Alim."

Lona beamed, "Though… Irving has summoned us both."

I chuckled, "We're on our way to the guest floor – you can walk with us until we pass Irvings' office."

They nodded. Oren finally spoke up, "Auntie… it's so different here."

I smiled, "Oren, this is the Circle of Magi for Ferelden."

He nodded, "I know that – I meant how everyone treats you. Back home… they didn't like you much."

I shrugged, "Why do you think I spent so much time here? Alim and Solona here are like family to me, and Cullen is my Fiancée."

Oren nodded, "That makes sense."

Elissa was flushed, "I didn't realize everyone was harsh to you back home…"

I snorted, "The original plan was for me to only alternate months here for a year, Lis. But I was more welcome here than I was in Highever. Everyone knew Fergus didn't like me. The servants were nice enough, but…"

Cullen put an arm around me, "Becca made Black Belt."

I smiled, "That's nice. Oh… this is the Enchanters' Office, so this is where we leave Lee and Lona; next stop, the Mess Hall."

"Do we make a mess there?" Oren asked.

I snorted, "Only if you want to make people mad – it's where everyone goes to eat, Oren."

"We all eat up there, on the shelf floor – and I only eat up there when Val is in the tower. Alim and Solona are the same – they eat with Val. We occasionally have a fourth person at our table, but Anders went on vacation for a while. He's back, by the way." Cullen explained.

I flinched, "Is he…?"

"He was roughed up when they brought him in, but he's okay now. Other than being in… well, you know. I personally take him his food each day."

I sighed, "Poor Anders… take Mr. Wiggums down there once in a while, will you?"

He nodded, "Anders loves that cat."

We got to the next floor. I turned, "Okay, that door is my old room – Oren can sleep there. Elissa, you take that room next to it. Theron, your room is that one; Kallian in there. Duncan can sleep in this one."

"What about you?" Elissa asked.

"I sleep in Cullens' room these days – one floor up. To be fair, I should have been sleeping there in the beginning – the floor not his room – because I'm a Seeker."

Just then, Duncan approached while being escorted by Solona and Alim.

I noticed Jowan following along. I smiled at Duncan, "That's your room. Now, I need to discuss something with… there you are Greg!"

The man flinched, "I hate when you call me that."

I grinned, "I know – but you know us women… we hold a grudge. You still never apologized for your misstep."

He groaned, "If I apologize will you stop calling me Greg?"

I didn't answer, just smirked. He sighed, "I'm sorry for going above my authority and testing your people without permission."

I nodded, "Good enough. I need a moment of your time."

Elissa looked amused at how… in power I was here.

He nodded, "Let's go to my office. I assume Cullen is coming too?"

I nodded and the three of us went up the stairs. He spoke the minute the door was closed, "If you're right about your trap, it should happen tonight or tomorrow. An initiate named Lily saw the papers on my desk."

I nodded, "Good to know, but not what I was looking to say. My nephew, Oren… he is the Heir to Highever at the moment. There was a coup – Arl Howe butchered everyone. Only 7 of us escaped; Duncan, Elissa, Oren, Bann Lorens' son and servant, one of Duncans' recruits and me. Past that, the only people to survive were the ones who left for Ostagar the night before. Fergus – Orens' father – was leading that group so he's alive. I need to leave Oren here. And since no one can know who he is in truth, we need to put him with the Apprentices. Can we do that, Greagoir?"

He thought for a moment, "But he's not a mage?"

"Tell them he's got connections to a powerful family who requested he be trained specially. Tell them that I approved it – he arrived with me so they'll think…"

He nodded, "We can do that. I'll assign him to Torrin – he doesn't have any classes at the moment."

I relaxed, "Thank you, Greagoir – now, it's about supper time…"

We met up with everyone at the table that someone had thoughtfully carved my name into 6 months ago. Anders had thought it would get a rise out of Greagoir, but… the Commander had simply shrugged it off saying that he'd been thinking of having a name-plate put on the table anyway.

I sat next to Cullen and said, "Lona, Lee – mission report?"

Greagoir looked confused – he didn't know who would be part of my plan. Lona spoke first, "Jowan took the bait you dangled – he knows about his upcoming Rite and asked both of us to help him escape. Since we are the only friends he has, he didn't think twice about coming to us."

Alim spoke next, "We went straight to Irving after promising Jowan that we would help him. Speaking of, Owain won't release a Rod of Fire to me without this slip being signed Irving."

"A rod of…" Greagoir started. I spoke up, "They know that the rod won't work on the Chamber Door, Greagoir – they know they need to pretend. I gave them a map to the repository so they know what they're looking for and where to go and how to do it. They also know not to be too hasty and let Jowan make some of the suggestions."

"I still don't see why you can't just tell me who the traitor is – I'd believe you," he grumbled as he ate.

"Because… well… you're going to hate that part…"

Cullen groaned, "Jowan has to escape, doesn't he?"

Greagoir shot me a look of horror, "Say that's a lie!"

I shook my head, "Without Jowan being chased by Irminric after this mission, things can go a little sideways. It has to be Ricky, Greagoir."

"What does Jowan have to do…?" Duncan asked.

"… Poison the father of the boy he will be tutoring which will… well, that's actually all I know. I know that it has to happen. I had a vision of the different paths if Jowan doesn't escape. It's not pretty, Greagoir. People will die if he doesn't. Look, trust me – Jowan will be caught and returned to you. I'll even wrap him in a bow and call it Satanalia."

Irving choked on his water. Solona laughed, "You really would."

Lee nodded, "Remember we mentioned in passing how it would be nice to fly?"

I flushed, "I didn't know you were joking…"

Kallian looked confused, "You're not a mage."

"No but as a Seeker I have elemental control. I also have the ability to kill someone at a glance if I need to – unfortunately that ability is distance limited. Anyway, back on topic – Jowan has to escape."

Greagoir groaned, "He is a blood mage, Valeria."

"Let me explain what a sting operation is, Greagoir."

After I did just that, silence descended on the table. Cullen sighed, "It could work – he'd be unwilling to leave the country if we have leverage."

I smiled, "We don't even need leverage, love; Irminric catches Jowan and the Treasonous Snake in the nest catches them. Once the snake sets Jowan to poison the target, everything comes into place."

"What exactly happens if Jowan is kept here?"

"Redcliff falls, Highever goes to Howe for good, Denerim ablaze, the Darkspawn win, Orzammar in turmoil and oh – a little thing, really – I die."

"What?" Cullen shouted. I flinched at how tightly he held me – he was still in armor. "Cullen, love – I would die attempting to do what I could to stop the Archdemons' advance. I made an oath, and even knowing I would lose, I would have to try."

"That doesn't make this better, Valeria. Greagoir…"

The commander set his utensils down, "You would really die? The Archdemon… would win?"

I nodded, "If Jowan does not escape for a time, we all die – even the people who are meant to save the world."

He groaned, "Fine – but you swear to me that Jowan will be retrieved."

"Within the year," I nodded.

He sighed, "Then I will allow it…"

"It has to be believable, too. Meaning… Greagoir must act like he didn't know Irving knew about this. You have to pretend that this was all done behind your back and act like you really intend to apprehend him."

Greagoir nodded, "I can do that."

"Good. Now that you have the form, go meet Jowan and… do this quick. I'm not here for long this time. I have a world to save. Duncan can't recruit me, but that doesn't mean I won't be going with him to Ostagar."

Greagoir sighed, "We've already sent 7 mages – Wynne and Uldred among them."

Alim and Solona left as I turned to Greagoir, "I know – but wouldn't you feel better having a seeker at Ostagar? I know you sent Templars too."

He flushed, "Well, I won't deny that a Seeker of your capabilities would set my mind at ease…"

"It's just a shame I can't commandeer Cullen… but I'll take Becca with me."

Cullen pouted, "Why can't I come with?"

I sighed, "I don't want to put you in more danger. I love you, Cullen – and I have a bad feeling about taking you with me. Please don't fight me on this. I love you too much to risk losing you."

He sighed, "What about you? I don't want to lose you either."

"You won't – as long as I nudge things just right, I will come back. I promise not to be in the Vanguard. I won't even be in the main battle. I will come back to you, Cullen."

He nodded, "I believe you."

Duncan looked amused, "He reminds me a bit of Alistair…"

I grinned widely as Cullen groaned, "One time – it was one time!"

Duncans' amusement grew, "Ah, I remember you now – you were taking your vows when I went to go Recruit at Greenfell almost 6 months ago. I admit, I almost recruited you but the revered mother was firm that I was only allowed one recruit."

I glared at Duncan, "And I made you pick Alistair. Cullen is mine, Duncan – you will not recruit him."

Duncans' eyes widened, "When Cailan gave me that note… I did not expect it was from you, Valeria. I must ask how you knew about that promise."

"I don't just see the future." I smirked. He froze.

"That…"

I smiled widely, "You're talking to the wrong Grey Warden. All I know is that they spent all their time searching for the Old Gods." I had deepened my voice to sound like a younger Duncan. He completely stilled as he stared at me. He voiced Marics' line back to me, "That's it; nothing else? They must be boring at parties."

I chuckled, "That's pretty much it. They don't think, exactly."

He sighed, "Very well, you win – no way could you have known the exact words otherwise."

"Alistair gets' his wit from his father, doesn't he?"

Duncan smiled, "That he does. I do miss… well, I miss Fiona too."

"She will eventually become the Grand Enchanter if it helps – the only grey warden to have been kicked out of the order."

Irving and Greagoir hissed a breath. Irving said, "Wait… so that's what they will do with a mage who leaves the order? They will return the mage to the Circles?"

I snorted, "In Fionas' very unique case, yes. More like, they put her on the streets and she willingly goes back. I admire her quite a bit."

"Why is that?" Greagoir asked. I was watching Duncan as I said, "She was a slave at one point. Her magic manifested to kill her master. The masters' wife sent her to the circle rather than kill her."

Duncan nodded, "And from there, she begged the Commander to recruit her."

I smiled softly, "Fiona is a strong woman – and I wait the day I can properly meet her; One figure of power to another. Her son has her eyes, yes?"

He nodded, "He does – seeing as his father had grey eyes, that is a given; though he does have his fathers' hair and height. I see more of Fiona in him as time passes, but truly… I have to search for that."

I nodded softly, "He will follow in his fathers' footsteps one day, Duncan."

Duncan looked horrified, "No – she made us promise."

"We have no choice. Treason will see to that."

"So prevent it."

"I Can't. Do you think I don't want to, Duncan? You think I don't know that it's the absolute last thing that boy wants? Gaias' eternal roots, Duncan – it's not an option."

He sighed, "I… apologize. I realize this must be just as hard on you as it will be on him."

I scoffed, "Harder, perhaps. I don't only see – I experience. Imagine having to watch and experience the creation of a broodmother, Duncan. Imagine choking on the vomit, blood and flesh that the Darkspawn feed to a live woman to turn her into a living incubator for their vial young. Imagine, for me, living the 40 days it takes to turn into a mindless thing that only knows how to birth young… and it all happened within minutes. Visions look like they come and go in the blink of an eye to anyone who sees it – but I have lived lifetimes in mere minutes or hours. The longer a vision is… the more I experience. Her name was Laryn – and I will have to end her suffering myself, Duncan! You think you know? You have no idea." I was shaking and crying.

Elissa, Kallian and Theron looked sick – Cullen was focused on calming me, but this would hit him later. Irving and Greagoir looked only slightly green, but they had already known what it took from journals of the previous First Enchanter. Duncan said, "I… you lived through that?"

I nodded, "Oh, Duncan… I wish I could say no. she's been a Broodmother for over a year now. And she is right in the path of a place I have to go. When I came out of that vision, I didn't eat for 3 days. Every time I tried to eat, I got sick. I could still taste what they forced down her throat. She was made to eat the face off her own husband… Eventually, she began to enjoy it. I felt that too."

Cullen looked ill, "They… do this to living women?"

"Humans make Hurlocks, Dwarves make Genlocks, Elves make Shrieks and Qunari make Ogres." I listed off.

Greagoir shuddered, "You plan to fight the Darkspawn… knowing that?"

"Those who can defend others should. It isn't a choice for any of us, Greagoir – we didn't start this war, but we will finish it."

Cullen was still holding me, "I want to protect you…"

"Seekers are resistant to the taint. It's why we cannot be conscripted."

Duncan nodded, "If anyone could survive the taint, it'd be a seeker."

I stood, "Well – I just felt the wards flare downstairs – looks' as though it's time to catch a rat."

We made it to the door to the basement just in time to see Alim and Solona exiting with Jowan and a woman I could only assume was Lily. She was 5'6 with short red hair and green eyes.

Jowan shouted, "We did it; I can't believe it – thank you… we could never have…"

Greagoir snarled as he walked closer, "So what you said was true Irving; an initiate conspiring with a blood mage. I'm disappointed, Lily."

Elissa stiffened, "Wait… Lily? Are you Mother Mallols niece?" Lily looked at Lis hesitantly, "You… you know my aunt?"

I gave a scoff, "Yeah – we know her. She's on her way here to see you. I can just imagine her dismay to discover this."

Greagoir groaned, "Just what we need. She seems shocked but in full control of her own mind – not a blood thrall then. You were right, Irving; the initiate has betrayed us. The chantry will not let this go unpunished… and you two – newly mages and already flouting the rules of the Circle?"

The blood mage spoke up, "It's not their fault! This was my idea."

"The both of them are here under my orders, Greagoir. I take full responsibility for their actions." Irving commented. Jowan looked betrayed.

"And this improves the situation? Ugh! As Knight-Commander, I sentence this blood mage to death! And this initiate has scorned the chantry and her vows – take her to Aeonar."

The female slowly backed away as she said, "The… the mages' prison… no, please… not there…"

The Blood Mage moved in front of her and shouted, "No! I won't let you touch her!"

He took a dagger and sliced his palm – holding it out and chanting something under his breath. Everyone around us fell unconscious except me – even Cullen. Did he spare me on purpose? No… he looked just as stunned and moved to stab me. I held up my hands and moved to my knees while saying, "I'll not stop you if you spare me."

"You're a Seeker – it's your job to stop me."

"I am not of the Chantry – you know that Jowan."

He bit his lip, "Swear you won't stop me?"

"I swear on my life – I will not stop you from leaving here."

He looked surprised before nodding, "Fine… fine."

He held a hand out to Lily who shook her head and backed away from him, "You… by the Maker – you are a blood mage. H-how could you? You said you would never…"

"I admit… I… dabbled. I thought it would make me a better mage!"

"Blood magic is evil, Jowan. It corrupts people… changes them…"

"I'm giving it up – all magic. I just want to be with you, Lily – please… come with me."

"I trusted you. I was ready to sacrifice everything for you. I… I don't know who you are, Blood Mage. Stay away from me."

He looked at me and, seeing I made no move to stop him or join him, ran for the door.

I looked at Lily and said, "That was… dramatic. Come, let's wake the others. I will work on those five; you get the Wardens, yeah?" I took Cullen, Greagoir, Irving, Alim, Solona, and the hounds while she took Duncan, Elissa, Kallian, and Theron.

She nodded and helped me to dribble water and shake the others awake.

Irving – the last of my people to wake – asked, "Are you alright, child? Where's Greagoir?"

The man in question snarled as he paced, "Blood magic… but to overcome so many… I never thought him capable of such power."

Irving took my hand and stood while saying, "None of us expected this. Are you alright, Greagoir?"

"If it helps, I was unaware just how powerful he was…" I sighed and rubbed my face.

Keeping up the act, Greagoir snapped, "I am as good as can be expected given the circumstances! If you had let me act sooner… now we have a blood mage on the loose and no way to track him down. Solona says the Phylactery was destroyed! Now, where is the girl?"

Lily looked at me with wide eyes from her little corner and sighed, "I… I am here, Ser."

"You helped a blood mage; look at all he's hurt."

I snapped, "She didn't know, Greagoir. You should have seen the look… the words she said. She's stayed here knowing you will still send her to Aeonar. Cut her a bit of slack – love is blind, deaf and dumb to boot."

Lis snorted, "No truer words, sister."

Lily smiled sadly at me, "Save your breath, friend. Knight-Commander, I was wrong… I was accomplice… to a blood mage. I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit; even… even Aeonar."

I stepped before her and glared the commander down, "Let me suggest something."

Greagoir groaned, "What now?"

"Put Lily in the kitchens of a different circle. Don't keep her here or they'll try to stir up trouble for her or try to get her to help them escape. Send her to White Spire or Montsimmard as a Kitchen Drudge."

He looked thoughtful and sighed, "I will have a Templar escort her to Montsimmard, then. Thank the Maker, Lily – you've a benefactor."

She patted my shoulder and whispered, "Thank you."

I nodded and Greagoir looked at Solona and Alim, "You were in a repository full of magics that are locked away for a reason…"

Irving asked, "Did you take anything from the Repository, Amell? Or you, Surana?"

Alim spoke first, He shook his head, "You gave us clear instructions on what to do; we did it – no side trips or extra steps were taken. In fact, I let them make most of the suggestions. Turns out, Jowan knew what that amplifier was the moment he saw it. Solona 'noticed' the old wall behind the bookcase there that butted against the chamber. For the most part, I played the 'we should get out of here and cut our losses' card. Though we did meet an interesting statue that talked about Val…"

Cullen coughed, "Ah… Eleni Zinovia sort of adopted Val more than a year ago."

"Zinovia…? Where do I know that name?" Duncan asked.

I explained who she was and Kallian laughed, "Wait; that makes you Archon Hessarians' little sister!"

I flushed, "Yeah – try to tell the Chantry that, Kal. Anyway…"

Irving chuckled but Greagoir groaned, "Your antics have made a mockery of this…"

"Okay, let's drop the acting here. Alim, Solona – welcome to the Grey Wardens. Use the rest of the night to pack your shit – Robes, staffs, jackets and everything."

Duncan nodded, "I do need a new recruit and Irving was speaking with me about both."

Greagoir turned on Irving, "You promised him a Warden?"

"I promised him two – Amell and Surana are both going with Duncan."

Duncan spoke again, "We look for dedication in our recruits; fighting Darkspawn requires it often at the expense of all else."

"I object! I do not trust…"

"Greagoir… they only did what was asked of them. Jowan was friends with both of them, but yet, both still turned him in – they knew what was going on was wrong, and told Irving as planned – they could have gone along with Jowan. You would have thought Lily was a thrall, right? This proved she wasn't. Besides – it was my plan; including recruiting them into the Wardens."

He sighed, "You're surprisingly good at manipulating the conversation for one so young."

"Like I said, I've lived lifetimes – and I don't just mean in my visions, you know that."

He gave me a soft smirk, "Very well – I will allow you to take the Mages… Valeria can keep them in line well enough."

I smiled and looked at Cullen, "Well – this might be the last time we see each other for a few months… can we make the most of it?"

He flushed and stammered a bit – because we had an audience – but ultimately agreed.