Chapter 22; In dreams we fight them
Characters of the chapter
Brandon Stark, also known as the Three Eyed Raven, mage advisor to the court of King Jon
Iledia, Agent of the Inquisition, advisor in matters of the arcane in the court of Queen Daenerys
Kieran, Agent of the Inquisition, mage advisor to the court of King Jon
"Dammit! Another deflection." Iledia cursed. It was yet another session in the Fade, she and Bran and Kieran working together to try and use the Fade to find out more about the Tevinter weapon: If it really was an elven orb like Iledia suspected, where it was located and what kind of defenses the Imperials had arranged around it. They had made several attempts already and had managed to confirm a general location in Essos. But every attempt to find out more had been stopped by some kind of ward that had thrown them to a different part of the fade, away from where they wanted to be.
"Dammit, dammit, dammit!" Iledia continued to curse. "You'd think between the three of us we'd be able to break through any protection that might be in place. Especially with your efforts aiding us, Lord Brandon." She commented. She had felt the kind of power that he wielded. It was substantial, eclipsing the power of the other two mages. Yet even that had not been enough to get them whatever this protection was.
"It stands to reason the Tevinters have the orb powering the very defenses we've been running into." Kieran said.
He sighed and shook his head. "I don't think this is going to result in anything useful. The warding is too tough to crack. We should give this a rest before one of us ends up frying our brains trying."
"Agreed." Bran concurred. "Regretfully it seems not even my powers can give you knowledge of the Imperium's weapon or what other protection it might have around it."
"Perhaps not entirely. Direct access may be blocked off, but there might be ways for us to work around this. This way we at least have a general knowledge of where the weapon is. That is information I will need kept up to date. Essos is very large. If the orb manages to vanish from our sight entirely we would be hard pressed to locate it through conventional means. And while we cannot examine the artefact's defenses directly, perhaps you could listen in on discussions of important people. They couldn't know you can hear their conversations, so they could let something of value slip. Every little nugget of information we can get about this weapon could help." Iledia said.
"It's worth the try. I will see what I can do. Though obviously I cannot promise we will learn anything new about the orb this way." Bran said.
"Just do what you can and we will make do with whatever you give us." Iledia replied.
"And I suspect you will have your part to play when we actually embark on this mission. There will be patrols, as well as caravans and other travelers that could warn the Imperials of our approach. While we are on the mission you can be our eyes from afar, so we can better avoid any dangerous encounters until we reach our target." She added.
"While you and my agents gather what information we can we can look into the other preparations that we need to make." She continued. "Kieran, the spell you had in mind for preventing anyone from betraying the mission did sound very promising. But I am a bit concerned about the kind of magic you say this is based upon. And by the fact this spell is designed to destabilize if certain conditions are met. Are you certain the spell will remain stable for a prolonged period at other times?"
"All my research points in that direction." Kieran said. "…Though I will admit I have not actually tested that on any person. I suppose it could be conceivable that I've overlooked something in my research." He added hesitantly.
"Perhaps we ought to test that to be sure. I don't doubt the thoroughness of your work, but an unexpectedly unstable magic in the middle of nowhere would be the last thing we need." She said.
"Can you teach me to summon the same energies, without teaching me the specifics of casting your spell?" She asked.
"I suppose. But if you want to test the spell's functionality shouldn't I just go all the way and teach you to cast it yourself?" Kieran asked.
"I'd rather not have that capacity at this time. I've come to realize I can barely trust myself on this mission. If I cannot trust myself I certainly can't expect anyone else to put faith in me. If I don't know how to cast the spell there is no chance for me to tamper with it. And since you might not even be coming on the mission you will be a much more trustworthy option to do this. So until the mission is finished I'd prefer if you were the only person alive who knows how to apply the spell or remove it. I'll develop my own variant spells for the testing. As long as they're based on the same energies that ought to be sufficient in determining the magic's stability." Iledia explained.
"Were you planning on testing this on yourself?" Bran asked.
"If necessary. Though better alternatives may come along. I'll sort that out in good time." She replied. Both of the men present knew better than to ask just how Iledia might be able to acquire another test subject.
"I suppose this means I'll need to show up before your team departs to cast the spell. Where do you suppose you will be when the time comes?" Kieran said.
"I will stay close by if I can, but that can change should new circumstances arise. If so I will make sure to tell you when you are needed well beforehand." She said.
"The circumstances will in fact change." Bran commented.
"How so?" Iledia asked.
"Should nothing unexpected happen Yara Greyjoy and her pirate friend will soon return to us. They have managed to acquire a Qunari dreadnought… and with it the Qunari explosive powder." He explained.
"W-what? I thought you said they've managed to get their hands on Gaatlock? You're quite serious?" She asked utterly astonished.
"I rarely jest on any subject, as you well know." Bran said matter-of-factly. "I foresaw this possibility some time ago, which was why I wished to ensure Yara Greyjoy's survival. When the Qunari learn what we have managed to take from them they will undoubtedly send agents to protect their secrets. Both the dreadnought and the powder will require your protection and the protection of the people that work for you. The north lacks the means to start producing the powder, so what is brought here must be sent to King's Landing. You must go with the shipment to ensure nothing happens to it."
"Then so I will." Iledia promised.
"In King's Landing you will have access to both the Maesters of the Citadel and the Alchemist's Guild. The cooperation of both will be required to ensure that the formula is reverse-engineered swiftly and production of the powder in sufficient quantities can start without delay." He explained.
"That last part could prove a little bit tricky. I understand those two groups don't precisely get along. Professional jealousy." Iledia said.
"Make sure they see reason. The potential of this matter is more important than any squabbles." Bran told her.
"Without a doubt. I will do what I can with them. No doubt Lord Tyrion will assist me when I make him aware of the importance of this matter. And in the meantime I will send messages of this to the Inquisitor. His people ought to speed up the process considerably. In fact I believe he may have come across a partial formula for Gaatlock many years ago. Such should prove useful in figuring out the rest of it. Plus information like this he will absolutely want to have." She said.
"Him and every other power in the world." Kieran commented.
"Aye. And now that this secret is out of Qunari hands I can guarantee all of them are going to learn this one way or another. Our efforts can delay hostile powers from learning the secret for a time, but not stop it entirely." She said.
"Then so it must be. The powder will be a matter to be dealt with when it gets here. There is other work to seen to against the Qunari." Bran said. "You've sent one of your agents to the Iron Islands to look for the spy that betrayed Yara Greyjoy's battle plan to the Qunari. You should instruct him to look inside a dilapidated cottage at the shore not far from castle Pyke."
"What will he find within?" Iledia asked.
"The spy we seek sends messages from there. Your man will know what to do when the spy returns there next. The messages will identify the correct location and will be proof of the spy's culpability, so he will have no trouble with the Ironborn." He said.
"I'll pass that information along. Thank you." She said. "Is there anything else that requires discussing today?"
"Yes. One more matter, a potentially grave concern." Bran said. "There have been many other matters that have needed our attention so I did not note it for a time, but there is something… very wrong beyond the wall."
"What is the matter?" She asked.
"At first I was not certain. I felt it as a shadow, a darkness at the edge of my thoughts. I sent ravens to investigate the disturbance and through their eyes I learned the truth. There are darkspawn now in the lands beyond the Wall."
Both of the two Thedosians reacted to this news with alarm.
"Darkspawn? This far south of Thedas? How many?" Kieran asked.
"I cannot give you an exact number, but many. Much like the magical defenses protecting the orb the presence of several darkspawn prevents me from seeing much where they are present. The corruption they carry makes their minds and memories too dangerous to access directly. I can only sense them indirectly, through those that come into contact with them. I can note their presence and a general location. A few bits and pieces that others have learned. But I'm afraid that is not much more than could be achieved through rituals a Thedosian mage might attempt." Bran said.
"Sensing their presence less than completely is the least of our problems." Iledia cut in. "This isn't dire news. This could be downright apocalyptic. If there are a lot of darkspawn in one place… we might be facing a blight for all we know!"
Kieran shook his head. "We are not. That I would sense."
"Sense? How on earth would you do that?" Iledia asked.
"A complicated explanation that I would rather not go into. Suffice it to say I could feel it if another of the Old Gods had fallen to the Taint." He said.
"He's telling it true. We can accept his reassurance that an archdemon is not behind this." Bran said. "There are darkspawn about, but at this time we do not know if they are organized by any entity."
"Even if they are not we should treat this with extreme seriousness. The very fact that the darkspawn have migrated southwards from Thedas in worrying. These lands have never known a blight, or any other activity from the darkspawn. The locals would have no way of knowing what they are dealing with. And until we know with absolute certainty that these are merely random darkspawn milling about we can't discount the possibility of there being some entity organizing the creatures. There are forces other than archdemons that can exert influence over the spawn. Not many, but they do exist. It would be irresponsible not to make damn sure none are involved." Iledia argued.
"We should inform the King and Queen of this. The Inquisition too. At the very least they should be made aware that the threat exists. And we must contact the local Grey Wardens. They must begin combating this threat at the earliest opportunity." She declared.
"The Grey Wardens know. They were aware of this threat before any of us, as is only fitting. They are on their way to fight their enemy as we speak. And they have sent messages to the Inquisition. They will soon reach our allies and put them on alert as well." Bran reassured her.
"But you are right in that Jon and Daenerys must be told of this threat. Jon in particular may wish to take action should circumstances allow it. But that will be done only after the coming battle is concluded. That issue is more immediate and requires a central focus. After that fight is done it will be time to divert attention to the problem north of us.
"So be it. But I do hope you know to take this with the seriousness it deserves. Your difficulties in seeing them may make it hard to estimate that. Right now the darkspawn may be a secondary concern. But depending on the circumstances they could become a much greater threat than any political war. With the Qunari and others there is at least a chance of survival if they win. If the darkspawn are triumphant there is no hope for Westeros at all. They are a plague that eradicates all life that is not their own." Kieran said.
"Do not worry my friend. I have witnessed memories of all five Blights. I understand the nature of these creatures and will not underestimate them. And I have both of you here to help keep me from doing that mistake." Bran said.
"Go now. You both have things to do. Good fortune to you both in the coming battle.
Kieran and Iledia disappeared as they woke up, leaving Bran in the fade. He turned his attention southward, to the Grey Wardens that had been trekking their way across Westeros. They were easy enough to find due to the fragment of the taint within each of them. Unlike with the darkspawn he could see them without risk, their true selves still containing the darkness within them. Currently the Wardens had been forced to wait on the side of the road as a military convoy passed by. Among the Wardens he spotted a rather impatient looking Arya.
"Soon you shall be home, sister. And you will have quite a story to share with the rest of us. Do not worry. You will get to tell it yourself. They will know of your return when you come home, no sooner. But on that day you will be very welcome." He said to himself.
In the meantime Iledia sat up on her bed, sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of her nose. Being here in Westeros had proven to be quite a strain. Her days had been spent on consulting with the Royals and their advisors, or else managing her network of agents. As a battle with the Qunari had drawn closer a new annoyance had been added to this. On several days now their side and the Qunari army had deployed for battle, staring at each other across the battlefield, engaging in subtle maneuverings to gain a tactical advantage over the other. But never had the two armies engaged one another. At best there had been small skirmishes between small units screening the main forces. At nightfall both armies had retreated to their camps, having accomplished next to nothing. Whatever free time she had left from those activities was spent writing correspondence to Lord Tyrion and the Inquisitor, keeping them updated on how matters were progressing here.
Had merely her days been filled with work she would likely have been able to cope without any difficulties. She had gotten used to that But thanks to Lord Brandon her work had intruded into her nights as well. With vivid recollections of the conversations that had passed during the night she was left with the impression of days blending together, like she had not slept at all. The last opportunity she had had to sleep only for sleep's sake already felt like so far away. Even she had that opportunity the many worries and responsibilities had kept her so stressed sleep would not come even when it was needed, her tiredness making the next day foggy and miserable.
News like this certainly didn't help matters. Darkspawn. Of all the things they might have to face. She sincerely hoped those creatures would remain on the far side of the Wall. Westeros did not need another foe added to the deluge of enemies already opposing them. She did not feel entirely comfortable withholding this information until after the battle. But Lord Brandon had had a point. One thing at a time.
She dressed herself and went for a walk of the camp. Several of the soldiers were up as well, doing their morning routines. The mood in the camp was one of grim anticipation and preparation. The impasse they had been going through likely would not last for very much longer. The only thing the forces of the Kingdoms had been awaiting was the arrival of their reinforcements, the last of which were now here. No reason to hold back anymore. Especially since it was very likely the Qunari were doing the same. Bringing what additional troops they could in preparation for this battle.
She paused in her walking as she spotted one of her agents coming to her.
"My Lady, a report on a matter you asked us to look into. Concerning King's Landing." He said.
"Ah, of course. Had not given that matter much thought lately. Our people have made progress I hope." She said.
"Indeed they have." He said, handing her a piece of paper. She read the words written there, then lowered the note.
"The lad… I was right to be suspicious of him as well then." She said.
"Have you proof of his activities?" She asked.
"We do. Eyewitness reports from our operatives. A piece of cloth he used to identify himself to the loyalists. We left him a duplicate so he won't realize it is missing. Also some notes he had." The agent said.
"Deliver that proof to Lord Tyrion. He will want to act on this. Be discreet. And continue to have the lad watched in the meantime. If he makes any attempt to escape have him apprehended and brought to Lord Tyrion. Once he is in custody deal with his contacts and go over their things. They may give us lead on other cells." She commanded.
Her agent nodded and departed and she resumed her walk.
"I cannot say I envy you Lord Tyrion. You trusted Aaron. It must hurt when you learn of this betrayal." She thought.