"An alliance against Tevinter do you not fear all of Thedas turning against you?" Cassandra questions shocked by the news.
"I understand that you are afraid but you deserve better than slavery to Tevinter," Solas frons as I can't help but turn to a silent Fen, head shaking, her right gauntlet hand covering her expression.
"Fennic?" My voice breaks, nervous as I turn to her.
Surprised, my eyes widen when she…laughs.
"Fen?" My voice calls out in a faint whisper as she finally removes her gauntlet hand from her shaking head to look up smirking.
"God you mages are fucking idiots…" She shakes her head at them hearing a few gasps and I turn to a frowning Fiona.
"This is the only way for us to survive; everyone blames us for the Divines death!" Fiona argues.
"So what you think Tevinter will save you? Please, your signing your death warrant to them, you will be nothing but fodder for them to sue their blood magic on you, changing, altering, transforming you into what they want; making your people puppets to them. They don't care for you, they don't if you are fellow mages; they don't care for anyone only for bloodlines. You honestly are ridiculous, if you truly wished to save your people you would have fought back, made a public speech or something to inform them you were not involved in the Divines demise. You are not the only minority people believe to be the cause of the Divine death, Templars too are being said to have done it as well…you are both as stupid and thick-headed as each other my whatever is fucking out there!" Fennic explains, laughing hysterically all the way as everyone's eyes widen at her.
"Fen…" Softly, I call out to her seeing the true sorrow and anger in her as she shakes her head.
"You are all idiots," She hisses glaring sharply and bowing her head, having done said her piece while I turn to Fiona frowning, feeling a wave of anger, betrayal and almost disappointment at her.
"As one intention for the magister I no longer have the power to negotiate," Fiona sighs sadly; I scowl at her.
"I'm disappointed," I huff feeling a wave of adrenaline hit me as I turn to my role model, the woman I strove to be, the woman who was a Grey Warden and a powerful mage, she was my role model but now here she is bowing her head like a lost puppy. Argh!
"How could you do this!?" I shout at her shocking many.
"I beg your pardon?" She frowns.
"You were my role model, I attempted to be like you a powerful mage, striving for the right thing, fighting for the good of everyone whether Qunari, elf, human or dwarf. I decided to fight for everyone. You were my idol but here now, I'm disappointed, I saw you as someone strong and independent not weak and frail, relying on a magisters aid just because of people blaming the mages. Fen's right, you aren't the only one being blamed, Templars are too! And to see you so early give up, it's sad, pitiful and pitiable. You're pathetic…!" I roar at her shocking many as I feel my blood boil slowly dwindle as I release a shaky breathe trying to calm my fuming blood as I feel the rush of energy fade. I take a step back, turning to see a rather surprised but proud look on the others faces.
I notice a few shocked faces in the crowd from my speech, some only seeing me as the quiet girl back in the tower, now seeing me roar like a lion, heh. I can't help but feel a bloom of confidence begin to take form as I release a small but shaky smile at my declaration.
However, my eyes narrow when I spot a few eyes on Fennic and whispers but my eyes remain glued to Fiona, my ears clogged with my raging blood flow and ruby red ears as I remain frowning at a stunned Fiona.
Most of Thedas blames us for the Divine's death, the Templars attacks grow worse and we mages have no allies. Either, my people could make a stand at Redcliffe or we took the only offer of help extended to us. I had to save them I had no other choice," Fiona explains as a pang of guilt and shame hit me at the sorrowful expression crossing Fiona's features. Sadly, I open my mouth to apologise, only then to hear the heavy clang of the door announcing the visitor to interrupt our conversation…
Sighing, I turn to the male, wearing a dark red hooded robe with silver chain attire and gloves. I raise a brow at his tanned features similar to the male by his side, younger wearing bright yellow, trailing behind the male.
"Welcome my friends, I apologise for not greeting you earlier," The male approaches smiling as my eyes narrow at him, I notice Fen follow my gaze with a dreadful expression, looking almost disgusted, even fearful by his mere appearance.
"Inquisition agents allow me to introduce magister Alexius," Fiona introduces us making my eyes widen as I glance at Fen to see her blank expression with a sharp glare but that is all that's sent, I can see her biting her tongue, struggling with it.
"The mages are under my command and you are the survivor yes, the one from the fade interesting," His voice goes deeper at that making a shiver to crawl up my spine. However, I remain stone faced, I won't be a cry baby, I won't show this magister my weaknesses, that's what most people in the game feed on and use.
"I want to know more about the alliance," I demand my voice strong and firm.
"Certainly, what do you specifically wish to know?" Alexius asks me, my mind flooded with numerous questions mage to push down the rest to give me a few more important questions to ask him.
"What do you mean Fiona is indentured?" I question.
"Our southern brethren have no legal status here in the Imperium as they were not born citizens of Tevinter they must work for a period of ten years before gaining full rights, as their protector I shall oversee their work for the imperium," Alexius informs me as I nod. So Fennic was right…but what I want to know is…how? How does Fen know this? In the book, she and Fen's past aren't really mentioned only snippets same with how I know her now, she speaks briefly of Tevinter but I didn't know she knew this much, why does she know so much? Sighing, I thrust down the question for a later matter and instead focus on my other questions for Alexius…
Sighing, I continue to stare at a smug Alexius trying to be friendly but still something is off I know it, it's all an act.
"When did this alliance happen?" I question my brow furrowed.
"When the Conclave was destroyed, these poor souls faced the brutality of the Templars who rushed to attack them. It could only be through divine provenance that I arrived when I did," Alexius smiles turning to Fiona who slowly, her face morphs into a frown, a sense of uncertainty and frustration on her face.
"It was…certainly very timing," Fiona remarks, still bothered from the events…
"What would the Tevinter Imperium gain?" I question seeing if Fen is right again or not with her idea.
"For the moment the southern mages are a…considerable expense. After they are probably trained they will join our friendship," He smiles greedily making my eyes narrow.
"You said not all my people will be in the military! There are children, those not suited-"
"And I'm sure one day they will be productive citizens for the imperium when their dates are paid," Alexius sharply says much to her dismay as my eyes widen in horror at the coldness of Tevinter. I know Tevinter isn't seen in the greatest light but still children shouldn't be fighting, they should have a childhood first…at the very least. Memories to cherish not…fight to the death.
"Where's the Arl?" I question, hoping the Arl could argue against him with his authority at the very least.
"The Arl of Redcliffe left," Alexius simply answers.
"Arl Tegan would not abandon his land during the blight even when they were under siege," Cassandra argues.
"There were tensions growing, I did not want an incident," Alexius smiles as I frown at his cheap answers and lack of information…
I have no power, I have to negotiate, the deal has been done and since the Arl isn't here, have no power or influence to stop this.
"If you're in charge of the mages then let's talk. I'm sure we can come to an arrangement," I reason.
"It is always a pleasure to meet a reasonable woman," Alexius gestures for me to follow as I do, I glance at a sorrowful Fiona with a look of guilt from my harsh words, before I ever really knew I just urgh…I let my anger control me I shouldn't be so hasty again.
I will save your people Fiona that I promise; no one deserves to be a slave, no one…
Calmly, we sit down opposite one another sitting at a table.
"Felix would you sent for a scribe please," Alexius requests to the young lad who has similar features to the male before me, could they be related? I banish the thought aside to focus on the negotiation ahead.
"Pardon my manners, my son Felix," The young lad bows. Ah so I was right, they are related, the boy goes to get us a scribe.
I'm not surprised that you are here containing the breach is not a feat many could even attend. There is no telling how many mages would be needed for such an endeavour, ambitious indeed," Alexius compliments me but I know why, he wants to let my guard down so he can manipulate me or use that opening to trick me like he did Fiona, not going to happen if there's anything I was taught, it was bargaining.
"So you'll lend your mages to our cause?" I ask my eyes narrowed, my face guarded just in case.
"There will have to be…"
Slowly, Felix returns. I nod at the polite boy only for my eyes to widen when he suddenly collapses. Quickly, I dive outwards catching the boy in my arms.
"Felix!" The magister says in worry and fear as he takes his son off of me, his eyes looking scared and frighten for the boy.
"I'm so sorry, please forgive my clumsiness my lady," Felix pleads, tugging at my heartstrings at the poor boy only for my eyes to widen when I feel a paper of sorts get slipped into my hand, quickly, I hide it from the magister.
"Are you alright?" Alexius questions his son, a fathers worry evident in his eyes reminding me of father, I smile bitterly as I recall his frantic state when I fell ill to a simple cold, heh he would have gotten an army of healers and the whole kitchen staff to serve me a variety of herbal soups, each one different from bitter to sweet, each one a new journey for my taste buds, if it weren't for mother calming him down heh…
"Are these enough blankets…?"
"Yes papa…"
"Is your soup okay, not burning you?"
"Yes papa,"
"Is your…"
"Papa I'm fine!" The young girl frowns only to feel a dagger of pain to see the father's reaction, causing a painful storm to hit her of guilt. "Papa you forgot something," The little girl whispers.
"What is it my little flower? Is it the bed, I can get you a new one is it the pillow! I can get ones made of goose, is it…?" Slowly, the young fathers eyes widen at the simple gesture from the girl, her arms out, her eyes watering as the young father smiles, bringing the small sickly child into his loving warm embrace, happily the two loving embrace each other…
"Please excuse me friends we must do this another time!" Alexius' sharp voice snaps me out of my memories as I turn to watch the two leave.
"Fiona, I request your assistance back at the castle," Alexius requests as Fiona follows, trailing behind the magister.
"I don't mean to trouble anyone," Felix says as we all nod and watch the father and son leave.
"I will send word to the inquisition so we can conclude this negotiation at a later date," Alexius announces as we all nod, watching the trio leave.
Quietly, I look down at the parchment bestowed upon me to see Fennic, approach.
"You okay?" She asks as I release a tired sigh but nod.
Simply, I show her the parchment making her raise a brow as I repeat the words to the group.
"Come to the chantry you are in danger…"
*So what did you think of Fennic's words in this chapter? Would love to know how you guys feel about her.*