Notes: Other than mage rights (and I assume everyone reading this is on the same page with that!), I'm not going to stuff a moral lesson down your throats, especially one about meeting the new boss who is the same as the old boss (yup, sorry, that particular lyric will not be a chapter title!). I mean this story to be more complex than that, and to seriously contemplate the alternative: that maybe the ends do justify the means, that maybe those who want change do have to do dark things. But I won't stuff that down your throats either; I hope to keep it an open question.
Thank you so much for reading!
Chapter 41: An Alliance with the Home Country
People were gathered in and around the Viscountess's Keep to observe the coronation of their new leader. Caitlyn's family, friends, and allies were at the front. The nobles, knights, wealthy families, and those of high rank in the Guard, Chantry, Templars, and even the Circle of Magi had prominent positions inside the structure. The rest were farther back or converging on the steps and outer courtyard. No one present was allowed to bear arms, and Caitlyn observed, cynically, that First Enchanter Orsino and the few other mages who were allowed to attend each had a Templar standing beside them warily. As if mages would attack a mage Viscountess who openly wants to help them! she thought in derision. Maybe the point is to remind them that, whatever I may have, it will not be that way for them.
She tried to banish this bitter thought. We'll see about that, she decided instead. She focused on her family and friends rather than dwelling on unpleasant thoughts. Anders and Mal stood beside her, beaming and smiling. It was unusual to see Anders smile so broadly; since they had reunited three years ago, most of his happy moments had been tinged with some melancholy. She turned to her family next. Carver had come to Kirkwall this morning, just in time. His smile was somewhat forced; she could tell that he was indeed jealous, but he had done his duty and understood that his life would only be affected positively by his sister's ascension. Gamlen and Charade were well-dressed now, eager to move into the Hightown house, which would happen officially today. When Caitlyn became Viscountess, Charade would become the heir of the Hawke-Amell family.
Her gaze then shifted to her friends. Varric and Aveline were the only two present; she had deeply regretted that Merrill could not safely come, but since Meredith's people were after her, Caitlyn would not dream of asking her friend to risk her liberty and probably even her life to see Caitlyn's moment of glory. Aveline wore her usual mask of resolute firmness, but Caitlyn thought she saw some pride behind it too. Varric was grinning from ear to ear.
Behind her loved ones were her staunchest allies. They watched with approval and expectation but no real warmth. They are not loyal to me because of the bonds of blood or affection, she thought. They back me because of what I have promised. I have to deliver.
Behind them were the other nobles and the officials of high rank. Meredith Stannard stood beside First Enchanter Orsino like the master of a dog, glaring menacingly at Caitlyn. She wishes to be anywhere else, Caitlyn thought—and then instantly realized that this wasn't true. No, she doesn't. She is not intimidated. She thinks it is wrong, that it shouldn't happen, and she sees herself as the vanguard against it. There were few pictures remaining of Viscount Threnhold, whom Meredith had assassinated, but Caitlyn had seen one painting, and it chilled her. If she ever tries, Caitlyn privately vowed to herself and her family, it will be the last thing she does.
Beside another mage stood Ser Mettin, the Templar who had been ranting in the streets, who used to work for Viscount Dumar to keep mage supporters out of his office. Caitlyn had urged Petrice to dismiss him from this position, and the Grand Cleric had obliged. She was not sure if he or Meredith had been the "M" passing messages with Elthina, but she wanted him gone from the Keep. Meredith apparently had chosen him to be here simply to spite Caitlyn, and he glared back at her. Beside him was a Templar with gray fuzz on his face and a sinister look in his eyes whom she did not know. She wondered if this might be the infamous Ser Alrik, who tried to kill children and who, according to Ser Thrask, had liked the Rite of Tranquility. They had better not be performing it anymore, she thought. I hope Petrice is actually making sure her dictum is enforced. She meant to use her newfound power to find out.
Grand Cleric Petrice had been speaking, giving an account of Kirkwall's tumultuous history and focusing on triumphs, casting Caitlyn's ascension as a new triumph for goodness. Caitlyn hoped it would be true. To the best of my ability, I will make it so, she vowed. At last the priest finished her speech.
"Do you, Caitlyn Hawke, blood of House Amell of Kirkwall, swear to govern Kirkwall according to the law of the city?"
"I do," she said, her heart pounding.
"Do you swear to the best of your ability and judgment to act in the interests of the people of Kirkwall in all things?"
"I do."
"Do you swear to uphold justice in the city to the best of your ability?"
"I do." She caught Anders' eyes, faint grins forming on each of their faces.
"Then may the Maker and His Prophet protect and guide you. You may now receive the crown."
Caitlyn knelt and bowed her head. The priest lifted up the dark silver diadem and placed it firmly on Caitlyn's head.
"Rise, Viscountess Caitlyn Hawke."
Caitlyn got to her feet and gazed out at the crowd, all of whom were applauding, some sincere, some not. The future of the city is on me now, she thought, and possibly the future of all mages in southern Thedas. Maker protect and guide me indeed. Although she believed in the Maker, she had never thought He took much interest in mortal affairs, based on the amount of evil and injustice in the world. I am not going to further evil and injustice, she thought. Of course... no one thinks that they do. But I am not going to turn a blind eye to them, either. I have power. I will use it for good.
Caitlyn did not want to make the mistake Dumar had of relying on the views and priorities of one person, the Grand Cleric or anyone else. Her first act, which she commenced once the coronation ceremony was concluded and her family was officially settled in the Keep, was to convene a Small Council to divide the various areas of governing among those who were most qualified for each area and to discuss first steps. This council consisted of Anders, Varric, Aveline, Ser Marlein, Comte de Launcet, Mistress Selby, Petrice, and—after agonizing over it—Merrill. If the Templars were after Merrill, it seemed risky to give her such a prominent position, even though the meetings of the Small Council were private and well-guarded. But Caitlyn did not want to leave the elven population unrepresented, nor did she want to let Merrill feel abandoned and isolated from her own friends when she was trying to turn from her demon associate and blood magic. Caitlyn also thought that, counter-intuitively, it might actually protect her friend better to have this imprimatur.
She had wanted to have a friendly Templar on the council, but she knew that with Meredith's lawless, vindictive behavior lately—and the fact that the highest Templars in the Chantry were backing her and Divine Justinia was unwilling to provoke their wrath yet—it would gravely endanger a known liberal like Thrask to be singled out thus. Varric was an associate of Thrask; he could ferry information to Caitlyn.
The sun grew low in the sky, and the diadem of Kirkwall pressed upon her temples as she called the first meeting of her Small Council to order.
"Friends," she said, smiling at those who were, "closest, most loyal allies. This was a new day for Kirkwall, and this Council is going to be a lasting change to the way this city is governed. You have been chosen for your loyalty, yes, but also for your knowledge in a subject relevant to governance, be that finance and commerce"—she gave Varric a grin—"security and defense"—a nod to Aveline—"Kirkwall customs and traditions, foreign relations, or to speak for the interests of part of the city's population."
Anders spoke up wryly. "And I'm here so that you don't have to repeat anything for me later?" he teased.
The rest of the Council laughed nervously as Caitlyn shook her head in feigned exasperation and smirked at him. "Just for that, dear, you get the biggest portfolio of all." The chuckles grew momentarily louder. "You are going to handle public health, further Circle reform ideas, relations with the Grey Warden order, reports on the Fereldan population—oh, yes, and you will be my chief advisor on law and justice, too."
There were several confused looks at this last inclusion in Anders' list of responsibilities, though Varric, Aveline, and Merrill knew exactly why she had said it. Varric and Aveline in particular seemed surprised that she would be that daring in this place; they quickly lowered their heads to conceal their wide eyes.
"The proceeds from the fundraiser at Chateau Haine and Captain Isabela's sale of the Tome of Koslun have been placed in the treasury," Caitlyn said. "Aveline has a list of city properties that were damaged. Varric, you're in charge of seeing that the rest of the funds go to those who are bereaved or who lost property. The rest of this Council should have or be able to readily obtain that information. Nobles can focus on Hightown, Mistress Selby and Merrill on Lowtown, the Grand Cleric will already have a list of mourners, and so on."
Varric nodded, pleased and approving of the idea. "Understood, Ha—Your Grace," he quickly corrected.
I hope they still call me by my name among friends, she thought with a pang. I don't want to lose my friends to this. I feared that two years ago and decided that I wouldn't let it come to pass. Now I must see it through.
"I have decided to seek foreign alliances immediately," she said, changing the subject. "As you know, Kirkwall faces a threat from the north, the alliance between Tantervale and Starkhaven, which formed during Viscount Dumar's reign but is likely to be even more... energized... now that I wear the diadem. We must assume that the traitor Elthina is with the Prince of Starkhaven and has shared everything she knows about Kirkwall with him. I am told in confidence—though it isn't hard to surmise—that we also face an internal revolt in the Chantry against Divine Justinia, and that this northern alliance, as well as certain people within our own city, may be aligned with this rebellion."
Petrice glowered. "It is true," she confirmed. "There are some in the Chantry who persist in believing that mages are a threat to the faith, even after a great Thedosian city was attacked by the Qunari."
"I'm not going to take us to war without provocation," Caitlyn said firmly. "We need to recover first, and fix our own problems, and I would prefer to resolve these kinds of issues peacefully if possible. I will do what is necessary to defend Kirkwall, but I will not strike first unless I decide, with the input of this Council, that that is the only way to defend the city. For now, I want to have strong alliances with friendly sovereign cities and nations... and I think that the first allies should be Ferelden and Orlais."
The Council digested this. Finally Ser Marlein spoke up. "Orlais will be more of a challenge than Ferelden."
Caitlyn nodded. "I know. To that end, I'd like to send the Comte, as a noble with Orlesian ties, to negotiate it."
Comte de Launcet drew back in surprise. He was sensible of the honor, but clearly intimidated by the prospect. "Your Grace," he sputtered, "I thank you."
"I chose you for a reason," she said to instill confidence in him. "You have maintained your family's friendly relationship with the Montfort family all these years, while my mother's family, of course, had not seen the Duke until the recent hunt. You are welcome to bring any whom you trust with you."
"Thank you," he said again.
She faced the rest of the Council. "As to Ferelden... I have decided to make that trip myself. I know it is unorthodox," she said as Ser Marlein's and Mistress Selby's eyebrows went up, "but my husband remains a Grey Warden. I am the appropriate person in this instance." That was not the actual reason why she wasn't sending Anders, but no one in this Council needed to know that he had been exiled from Ferelden by the Warden-Commander for murdering a Warden. She knew that Lady Cousland would not enforce that edict for the consort of a head of state, but she still did not want to put him on the spot.
"Finally... thinking closer to home... I have decided to firm up Kirkwall's local defenses with an alliance with the Sabrae clan of Dalish elves, who live on the Sundermount."
Merrill, who had had nothing to say thus far, suddenly looked up in interest.
"The Sundermount is wild territory," Caitlyn continued. She was becoming more uneasy now. She had promised herself and Anders this when he had raised the issue a while back of Petrice potentially harassing the Dalish over their religion, but it was likely to be controversial, and she knew that she had to sell this expertly now. "No nobles claim it, and no settlement exists except for the Dalish one. No one with peaceful, lawful intent would be displaced. I have decided to deed the mountain to the Sabrae clan to govern as a protectorate of Kirkwall, so long as they reside there, with the stipulation that they must defend it against outlaws, foreign soldiers, and other threats such as dragons and demons. It will benefit both us and them."
As Caitlyn had feared, this went over rather less readily than her ideas of alliances with Orlais and Ferelden. Even her two noble allies were dubious, and Petrice looked openly mutinous.
The Grand Cleric did not wait long to speak. "Your Grace," she said at once, "I understand your reasons for doing this, from the perspective of defense, but there is another matter that must be addressed in any agreement."
Caitlyn was sure she knew what was coming, but she had to hear it herself. "What might that be, Grand Cleric?"
"The Dalish do not believe in the Maker or recognize Andraste as His Prophet," she said. "They follow their own pagan gods. It is the Chantry's mission to spread the word to all who do not believe. And of course, we recognize that this may be dangerous to our missionaries... it is part of the duty of service to the Maker... but that is no reason why the risk cannot be lessened to the extent possible. The Dalish are known to be hostile to travelers, and if they are given the right to self-govern under the protection of Kirkwall, they will only feel emboldened."
Across the table, Merrill was glowering at the priest, and Varric was attempting to conceal Merrill's reaction as well as he could.
"I must ask that the deal guarantee safe passage to Chantry missionaries who go there to speak the Chant of Light," Petrice said, "and that if the Dalish attack peaceful missionaries, that Kirkwall will see justice done for it."
Caitlyn had known it was coming, but hearing it—a demand, rather than a request, however Petrice phrased it—was still demoralizing. In her view, the Dalish should be left alone to believe as they saw fit without being subjected to missionaries entering their camp to preach. And yet... if the missionaries were peaceful, they should not have to fear for their lives just for walking on bare ground and talking about their beliefs. It wasn't as if they were trespassing...
Or is it? Caitlyn suddenly thought. What do the Dalish consider "home," their aravels or the forest? Maybe they do see this as trespassing and feel justified in attacking trespassers just as a human or dwarf would attack someone who burglarized their house.
She realized that this was exactly how the Dalish saw it. She wanted to show respect for them, but she knew that this would be a hard line not just for the Grand Cleric, but for many in the human nobility too. Even her strongest noble allies had qualms; how much more so would the ones not on her Council? And I am a mage. If I'm already widely known as a mage who wants "radical" changes for mages, I have to be very careful how much I go against the Chantry. And I cannot afford to lose Petrice.
The calculation was made. She felt bad, but she couldn't see a way around it. Trying not to look at Merrill, she answered at last. "I understand. I will write such a clause into the deed and the contract with Keeper Marethari. No travelers who walk about peacefully should have to fear for their lives in lands that have Kirkwall's protection."
Merrill was shocked and stared at her friend with reproach in her eyes. Caitlyn could not look at her.
After that, the Council planned the details of Comte de Launcet's trip to Val Royeaux and Caitlyn's to Denerim. Anders kept shooting her pointed looks, and she knew she was in for another discussion afterward, but she could not see another way, painful as it was.
"Anders, what would you have done?" she said that evening when they were at home—"home" now being the Keep. It was strange to walk around the place and know that the rooms were her own, even though Baldwin and Pounce had already made themselves at home, and even though their family quarters were furnished with their familiar possessions from the Hawke house just up the street. Mother is not alone, she thought. She has Uncle Gamlen, Charade, and—for a few days—Carver with her. Merrill is also there tonight. I hope she and Carver finally... She broke off that trail of thought, not really caring to think of her brother's private activities after all.
"I don't know," he admitted, stroking Pounce in his lap. "I don't like the idea of people being killed just for saying what they believe either. Too many mages are targeted for affiliation with the Libertarian Fraternity. But I think to the Dalish, it's not that simple and not about what the missionaries believe."
"I know," she sighed heavily. "To them, it's about dealing with people who trespass in their homes. But the people of Kirkwall—my own allies, even—won't understand that. My position is still precarious." Mal was in the room with them, obviously listening to his parents' conversation even though he was pretending to read a book, but she found that she didn't care. He would be seven years old a day after she returned from Ferelden, and his mother was the Viscountess of Kirkwall now. This was going to be part of his life forever.
"You did it to protect them from her," Anders finally said, recalling the discussion they'd had about Petrice's religious zealotry before the Qunari attack. "It wasn't to insult or injure them; it was to secure their position as well as you could."
She was immensely grateful that he understood. She got up from her seat and sat next to him on the divan, giving him a hug and leaning into him. "It was," she said quietly. "I wonder if I gave Petrice too much too... but I really did mean well."
"I know you did," he said, returning her hug gently. He kissed the top of her head. "I think it'll work out... Your Grace."
Pleased with the levity, she turned her gaze on his and smirked—but only for a moment. This was actually a serious topic, and her smirk faded at once. "Anders," she said, "I was thinking about this in the meeting today. I don't want to lose my friends to the formality of the position... and Maker knows I don't want to lose you. In our family quarters, I'm not your Viscountess. I'm just Caitlyn. I'm just your wife, and you are my husband. In our family quarters, we are a family and we are equals."
He muffled a cry and pulled her into a very tight embrace, resting his head atop hers gently.
The deal that Caitlyn signed with Keeper Marethari was one that ultimately no one liked. It charged the Dalish with protecting the mountain passes in return for Kirkwall's protection—something that several Hightown families did not want their taxes to pay for and many City Guards did not want to do. Aveline planned to deal with insubordination harshly if it actually occurred, and Caitlyn urged her to consider recruiting from among the elven population in the meantime. Marethari warned Caitlyn that some hunters did not feel that they needed "shemlen" protection either. The provision for Chantry missionaries was also one that nobody liked: The Keeper would permit peaceful missionaries if they encountered the clan, but they would not have the right to enter an aravel or interrupt a Dalish ceremony. However, Marethari and Petrice both did assent. Caitlyn hoped that it would not all end in disaster.
By the time she had formalized the Sundermount agreement, she was almost ready to depart for Ferelden. In the meantime, she had received letters of congratulations from every Thedosian nation and city-state except three: Starkhaven, Tantervale, and Hercinia. She expected no less from the northern states, as rude and offensive as it was; she already knew that they would not consider her a legitimate leader, but a usurper who should not even be walking free. Hercinia's inclusion was more concerning, and she did not know whether their letter was simply delayed or if they too had joined the reactionaries. Time would tell, she supposed. The friendliest letters were from Ferelden, Antiva, Markham, Ansburg—and Tevinter. That, she supposed, also wasn't surprising. The letter from Empress Celene was opaquely polite, but Caitlyn still had hopes for the Comte's diplomatic mission to Orlais.
In addition to the official correspondence of heads of state, Caitlyn and her family had received letters and trinkets from two others: Fenris and Isabela, who were in Rialto Bay. From what she could gather, they were together—sailing on the same ship—but were not a couple at the moment.
.
We have some business to see to up here, Isabela had written. Broody Elf thinks he has a lead on his former master's whereabouts. But we do mean to return to Kirkwall at some point. It'll be interesting to see how different it is thanks to you!
.
"Depending on how long they are gone, it could be quite different," Anders said with a smile as he returned this letter to her.
"Hopefully for the better!" Caitlyn replied.
His smile broadened. "It already is."
She smiled back and gave him a quick hug. Her smile faded. "My work is cut out for me. You heard what Elthina said."
From exile, the former Grand Cleric had declared her extreme disapproval of the selection of a mage Viscountess, claiming that she had to flee for her life due to the "lies" and machinations of Caitlyn and "those in the Chantry her mage family controls," clearly meaning Petrice—and possibly even the Divine. The anti-mage, anti-Hawke zealots in the streets, who had been agitating ever since Caitlyn's coronation, were quoting her words as if they were a new verse in the Chant of Light.
Caitlyn was getting sick of it; it had been going on for a week, and with every day that passed, she was that much more inclined to order a crackdown on sedition. And that is what it is, she thought. The only thing that stayed her hand was that it had become peaceful after she was crowned. The street fights had ceased, which she attributed—and Anders agreed—to direction from Meredith Stannard's agents to change their tactics now that she held the power to imprison them. If she imprisoned them simply for their speech, she fully expected violence to begin anew.
Anders scowled ahead. "No one should care what a defrocked priest and confirmed traitor thinks," he muttered, "but I know—many do."
"It worries me," Caitlyn confessed, glad that no one in her Council—or, Maker forbid, anyone outside it—was there to hear this. "Maybe this makes me as naïve as Viscount Dumar was, but I guess a part of me hoped that she would settle into a quiet, retired life in Starkhaven, advising Sebastian, which seemed to be all that she cared about in Kirkwall anyway."
"Don't compare yourself to Viscount Dumar," Anders said with a dark chuckle. He put an arm gently around her back. "It goes to show, though, that she did care about something else. She cared a lot more about protecting the status quo against mages than she wanted people to realize."
"She isn't going quietly into the night in her exile," Caitlyn agreed, "and is probably plotting a comeback. I'm taking it as a given that she communicates with the Chantry officials who are against Justinia. If one of them, whoever they are, should replace Justinia... Maker forbid... then I'm sure that person would declare Elthina innocent after all."
"She communicates with them, and, I would guess, Meredith. That's more immediately dangerous."
She fell silent. That was true, and she did not know what to do about it.
The date of Caitlyn's departure for Ferelden had arrived, and with it, mixed feelings on her part. It was the first time she would be away from Mal since the mission to deal with Corypheus, and this would be longer. He was in good hands, of course, and he was older, so although he was visibly sad and anxious the day of her departure, he was not crying and clinging to her legs as he might have been as a very young child. That is a good thing, Caitlyn told herself as she prepared that day, but it's yet another reminder that he is growing up and those days are gone. I hope that the Grey Wardens can develop a cure for infertility before it's too late for us... She instantly chastised herself for that thought; she was just twenty-eight years old next month. I feel older, she thought. My life has not been easy for the past eight years, and it won't be easy ever again now. But I am not nearly so old that I have to worry that the natural clock is running out on me.
She had decided to appoint Anders as Regent in her absence, rather than devolving power entirely to the Small Council. Better for them to have a clear, unambiguous authority, rather than to potentially bicker among themselves for power even for a mere fortnight, she had reasoned. No one would question her choice of her own husband for that role, thereby preventing ill feeling among the Council if she had picked someone else—not to mention that it would be a public humiliation to Anders that he did not deserve. While she was outside Kirkwall, he would have the authority to act with the full power of a viscount himself. Varric had seemed uneasy about her decision for some reason, but he had not questioned her about it.
As she prepared to board the ship of state, she turned to her family, tears suddenly springing to her eyes as she looked from Anders to Mal to her mother. They had hugged her repeatedly in private before she left the Keep, and she knew that there were stupid expectations about a head of state not showing too much vulnerability of emotion, but she still wished she could hug them all once more. She certainly felt plenty of emotions. I am representing my city and forging an alliance that might prove to be crucial for Kirkwall's independence, let alone for mage rights and the well-being of my own family, she thought. I am going to my birth country for the first time in years, setting foot on soil that I last walked upon while in the depths of grief and anger. I am going to be away from my family and friends for two weeks. I'm going to go before the King, Queen, and nobles of Ferelden to convince them to ally with Kirkwall. An audience with the King and Queen—what an elevation for a Lothering farm girl and secret apostate! But I am their equal now... and I don't even know what emotion I am feeling about that!
"Come back soon, Mother," Mal urged her, breaking her moment of contemplation. His eyes were wide and earnest. Behind him, Anders smiled encouragingly at her and placed a hand on their son's shoulder.
"I'm so proud," Leandra whispered.
"I have all the faith in the world in you," Anders said. "You'll get that alliance. And Kirkwall will be in good hands while you are gone, I promise." He gave her a final smile.
Caitlyn returned the smile and glanced down. Baldwin, her mabari, wagged his tail at her, seemingly aware that he was going on a visit to his homeland. It was unconventional, but she knew that he would get a very positive reaction in Ferelden that could only help. She bade them farewell and boarded her ship.
Rather than docking in one of the ports along the Waking Sea, the ship took the longer journey to Denerim—although the trip overland probably would have taken even longer, Caitlyn supposed. In any case, there was no choice; she had to make her official appearance in the capital city. She openly carried her most ornate staff on her back, a fire staff topped with a ferocious wyvern. She thought a dragon would be more appropriate, but then, that would heavily recall magisters of the Old Imperium, who worshiped dragon gods. At least Baldwin yipped and pranced happily beside her as she disembarked. She hoped that with the dog's cheerful presence, she would be impressive without being menacing and alien. The staff who greeted her and assisted her from her ship were pleased to see a mabari, and visibly relaxed at his presence, further boosting her confidence.
"Your Grace," said a well-armored knight, "welcome to Ferelden. Their Majesties await an audience with you and have bade me to show you to your quarters in the Royal Palace." He smiled at Baldwin. "We did not realize that you would bring your mabari, Your Grace, but fortunately, this is Ferelden, so he will be accommodated too!"
Caitlyn had the opportunity to freshen up and get used to being on solid ground again before meeting the King and Queen. As she did, she reflected on what she knew of the political situation of Ferelden. Some of her knowledge was quite recent, a rushed study since becoming Viscountess. King Alistair is said to be a jovial man, and a retired Grey Warden, so he might be inclined to back me because of Anders. But Queen Anora, I gather, is the real power, shrewd and pragmatic. At least I have ample experience working with women leaders like that! I am rather like that myself, in fact.
There were two teyrnirs, Highever and Gwaren, ruled by Fergus Cousland and Cauthrien Mac Tir, who had been chosen after her marriage to Warden Loghain. There had once been five arls, whereas now there were but three. The King and Queen held Denerim directly, on the basis that Alistair was a descendant of Calenhad and Denerim had been Calenhad's city. The Warden-Commander held the power of Arlessa of Amaranthine. Caitlyn hoped to meet Elissa Cousland at last. She was Carver's commander, but Caitlyn had never spoken to her. I owe her so much, she thought. She saved Anders from the Templars and then sent him to me... though she did not realize it at the time. I still have my family because Anders was there. I certainly owe him for the peace he gave us by being with Father at the last and bringing Bethany's ashes to us. And if I meet Lady Cousland, I wonder if I will see Carver while I am here. They had seen each other recently, but she would like to see him again. She was not afraid that Lady Cousland would be jealous of her over Leliana; that was long past.
A castle servant gingerly knocked on the door. Caitlyn finished the last of her tea and bade her enter, sure that it was time for the audience. She was right.
Caitlyn and her dog were shown to the Little Audience Chamber, where the King and Queen waited. As she entered the chamber, she noted that Anora's blonde hair was styled into an elaborate pair of coiled braids, an imposing style. Caitlyn had let hers flow down her back except for a pair of braids circling behind her head and meeting in the middle, Anders' favorite. It was pretty but not aloof. Well... there was nothing to be done now.
It was the King who broke the tension as the two powerful women, Queen and Viscountess, sized each other up. "Your Grace!" he welcomed warmly. "Welcome to Ferelden! And what a fine mabari you have." His face waxed nostalgic. "I've tried for years to imprint. I envy you."
Caitlyn smiled. "Thank you, Your Majesty," she said. "It is a pleasure to meet you both. This is Baldwin"—the dog barked happily at the sound of his name—"and you mustn't blame yourself. Imprinting requires the right dog for a person. Perhaps you just haven't met that dog yet."
"That's what the kennelmasters say," Alistair agreed. "I hope someday... but who's a good boy?" he cooed at Baldwin.
Anora smiled tolerantly as her husband played with the dog and Caitlyn took a seat across from the royal couple. Caitlyn wondered for a moment what kind of marriage they had. She knew that it had been a political arrangement set up by Lady Cousland to bring peace—and because Cousland did not want to be queen herself, no real surprise given her apparent romantic attractions—but Alistair, at least, seemed reasonably happy and content. It was harder to say about Anora. She was an aloof, private person, so said every source that Caitlyn had read or asked.
The Queen spoke. "I hope that you have found everything as it should be, Your Grace," she said.
Caitlyn reassured her at once that she had.
"I am glad. It is not often that foreign heads of state visit Ferelden, and you do us honor by asking for an alliance. I must warn you, though... you will need to convince more than the Royal Council."
"What do you mean?"
"Many of the nobility have been alarmed about the Qunari attack that your city suffered. There were calls for a Landsmeet to discuss how to protect Ferelden from Qunari aggression, and... well, I do not suppose this is a secret to you, but also what to do about the mounting division within the Chantry."
Caitlyn took that in. "Allying with a Kirkwall under my leadership is taking a very clear side in that conflict," she said slowly, "but it is also the side that the Divine supports, we think. The northern clerics and Prince Sebastian are harboring a traitor and undermining Divine Justinia with their actions."
Anora nodded. "That is our position as well, but it will be controversial. There are many who are frightened of taking bold action. It will seem radical. With all due respect, some of the more provincial banns see you as radical."
"I suppose I am at that!" Caitlyn said. "But I do hope they will listen to me about the Qunari. I have some useful advice to offer about that threat, though I hope that the remaining Qunari leaders pick a new Arishok who won't do something so rash. We haven't had threats of retaliation from them, at least. They might want to distance themselves from his action. But the Qun is an ideology that mandates conquest, so Ferelden is right to seek strong defenses."
"There was a Qunari who went about with us during the Blight," Alistair chimed in. "He left for his homeland. He said he was gathering information about the Blight for his people, but we think, now, that he was also gathering information about Ferelden." He sighed. "I wonder what happened to him. Anyway. Everyone ought to hear what you have to say about them, given what happened in Kirkwall and what you did!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"We are tentatively inclined to agree to an alliance between Ferelden and Kirkwall—provided that you and your allies continue to hold it," Anora said.
Caitlyn grimaced inwardly at that dark stipulation, but she supposed Anora had a point; Kirkwall's recent political history was extremely turbulent, with no regime lasting very long. Anora knew, too, that the Chantry reactionaries were against Caitlyn, and that Knight-Commander Meredith had assassinated a Viscount before. She took a deep breath and faced the King and Queen. "I am here to secure alliances that will help me to do exactly that," she said pointedly, "but we do have important advantages already. I was chosen by a moot of high nobles with no opponent. I have support from both the nobles and the common people, who see me as a hero. The new Grand Cleric is friendly to me, as is the Divine, so I am told by one close to her."
Anora was surprised by that; apparently Elissa Cousland had not told her that Leliana was a correspondent of Caitlyn's. "That is good to hear," she said. "That relieves me. In that case, we should discuss the finer details of this proposed alliance: matters such as mutual defense, trade deals, and, of course, the situation of Fereldan refugees who live in Kirkwall."
She isn't asking for Mal's hand, Caitlyn thought. She had worried about that on the ship and had not intended to allow it. She knew that Mal's friends would be the children of nobles from now on, but she was determined that he would choose among them for himself years later. If the subject came up, she had intended to claim that there would be pressure for him to marry into a Kirkwall family since he had only one Kirkwaller grandparent.
However, they had not asked at all. Why not? Is it because Anders is a mage too and therefore they assume, correctly, that our child is one, and they don't want that here? Or... is it because they have no hope that they will have a child or that we will have more? Her heart sank at that thought. Or do Fereldans just like their rulers to marry other Fereldans, too? Since the Orlesians were defeated, all three kings have been married to Fereldan noblewomen. Maybe that is all it is. And after all, Anders still has hope, and if the Warden research looked hopeless, Lady Cousland would tell him that.
She brought her thoughts back to the moment. "Some of the refugees have created lives for themselves in Kirkwall," she said. "Others have struggled and might want to return. I'm willing to negotiate arranging that." Kirkwall is not going to foot the entire cost of a return trip, she thought determinedly. Not when the reason they—we—left is because Ferelden couldn't secure the safety of its own people during the Blight!
Anora managed a wry smile. "Then let us discuss the details of the alliance plan. It will still need to be placed before the Landsmeet, of course."
"But it makes it easier to have a real, defined proposal to accept or reject," she said. "They won't be debating a shadow; they'll be debating an agreement that has specific terms. Yes. Let's discuss."
The day of the Landsmeet.
The nobles stood alertly in the Landsmeet chamber as Fergus Cousland, Cauthrien Mac Tir, and Elissa Cousland debated coastal fortifications and naval improvements to defend the port cities. It was a fair concern; the Qunari had entered Kirkwall from the sea. The greatest difficulty was that no one had a defense against the Qunari explosives. Elissa Cousland was calling openly to use magic, which made Caitlyn happy.
She still had not had the opportunity to be formally introduced to the Warden-Commander, though she expected that to come soon. Carver was there, though he would not stand beside his sister, preferring to be with Nathaniel Howe and the other Grey Wardens who were there. Caitlyn herself had already spoken before the Fereldans on her experience defeating the Qunari, though the King and Queen had not yet revealed the full purpose of her visit.
Anora, speaking for Denerim, entered the discussion. "The fact is that we do not bring in enough coin either to pay for a doubling of our navy or to pay privateers to fight for us," she said. "If we want more ships, the Crown must raise taxes. But now is the right time. We are recovering at last, as is the land; now is the time to spend more—so long as we spend wisely."
Caitlyn, of course, had no vote as to whether to raise taxes or how to do increased maritime defense, but she observed as the bickering nobles—most of the complainers, she noted, were from the landlocked Bannorn—grudgingly voted in favor of a slight hike to pay for letters of marque for privateers.
Alistair had stayed out of the debate, and it was clear to Caitlyn that he detested Landsmeets and wanted this one over soon. They had not even come to an agreement about the Chantry, except that Ferelden would not be supporting the northern Marcher defiance and would back Divine Justinia if anyone challenged her openly. There was no vote on calling for the Fereldan Grand Cleric to increase freedoms for mages, and there were many extremely provincial banns who distrusted apostates. Caitlyn carried her wyvern staff and wore her dramatic, powerful red and black gown, and these banns were giving her dark looks. Even her Fereldan blood and birth, even Baldwin's presence beside her, did not persuade these people.
At last the King spoke again, the chamber quieting as he did. "We now come to our final order of business," he said. "Our guest is with us today not just to speak of the Qunari. I'll let her speak for herself. Fereldans, Viscountess Hawke of Kirkwall."
Caitlyn took a deep breath and ascended to the podium, Baldwin walking beside her, his tail wagging and his mouth open endearingly. She gazed out at the assembled nobles. It was one thing to speak of her experiences fighting the Qunari. It was another entirely to ask a roomful of foreign lords for support.
Just as her fear almost overtook her, her eyes caught other faces. Carver stood with the Wardens, a little annoyed that his overachieving older sister had managed to inject herself even into Fereldan business—but that was familiar and comforting in its own way, and she knew that he really did want the country to support her. She glanced at Elissa Cousland, whose sharp gaze returned her own. Thank you, she thought in a flash. She owed this woman her family, and she meant to tell her that once she had a moment after the Landsmeet. And to Caitlyn's left, Alistair clearly supported her, and although she was aloof and formal, so did Anora. That counted for a lot.
"Your Royal Highnesses, lords and ladies of Ferelden," Caitlyn began. "I come before you today to offer a military and economic alliance between Ferelden and Kirkwall. It would be an alliance of mutual advantage," she said, her voice getting louder as a few banns muttered among themselves. "You have voted today to enhance your naval defenses and coastal fortifications. This alliance would bolster those defenses even more, by leveraging the fact that Highever is nearer to Kirkwall than to any Fereldan city. The combined forces of the Coastlands and Kirkwall could control the Waking Sea. It would be within our power, for instance, to levy duties on ships that used this passage for trade, and it could grind piracy in the area to a halt."
That got their interest. Most trade between Antiva and western nations passed between the coasts, the ships usually docking in Kirkwall or a Fereldan port to replenish supplies. Kirkwall had a harbor tax, but Ferelden and Kirkwall were in a fierce race to the bottom otherwise, because they knew that the merchants would simply give their business to the cheapest place. It encouraged corrupt deals with smugglers and hurt local port businesses. Allying would eliminate that. Caitlyn knew that the rich trading countries would not like this, as it would mean an increase in the cost of luxury goods—but she did not much care. Nonetheless, she knew that if Ferelden agreed to her alliance, word of this would quickly reach Antiva, Orlais, and Nevarra. She had to suggest some reason why the other allies she sought should back her, and a sharp decrease in piracy would more than make up for the tax.
"There are farms outside the city walls under Kirkwall's protection, but beyond that is desolate desert. We import Fereldan food as well as other goods, and I am prepared to offer an extremely preferential trade agreement for your chief exports as a part of my proposed alliance."
The rural Bannorn was the biggest beneficiary of this, and Caitlyn was sure she had won them over with it. Even the ones who disliked her for being a mage were pleased at the prospect of more coin for their exports.
Now came the harder sell.
"In the proposal, Ferelden's defense responsibility to Kirkwall would entail the military support of the Fereldan navy in the event of a naval attack on Kirkwall, and a company of soldiers if Kirkwall is attacked by land. In return, Kirkwall would pledge mutual defense to Ferelden. This, I should note, now includes magical defense. The Grand Cleric of Kirkwall has authorized mages of the Circle who are good at battlemagic to join the City Guard. As you saw during the Battle of Denerim, and we saw during the Qunari attack, a few mages can make a great difference. You will have mage support from Kirkwall if you are ever attacked." She wanted to pledge the Templars of Kirkwall as well, but that was too unsettled yet, with the power struggle between Petrice and Meredith. Someday, perhaps, she thought. She faced the Landsmeet again. "This is my proposal. I would remind all of you, too, that I was born in Ferelden. I have no desire to draw up a plan that would harm the country of my birth. It is an offer I make in good faith, but it is now your decision as to whether to take it. I yield."
A storm of noise broke out among the nobles at once as they clamored to respond, but Alistair and Anora took the podium again to call for order. "We will hear your questions in order of precedence," said Alistair firmly.
Teyrna Cauthrien was the highest-ranking noble with a question. Even as a civilian now, she wore plate armor, her famous Summer Sword strapped to her back. She rose and began to speak. "I see the economic advantages of the Viscountess's deal," she said, "but I have concerns about the military side. It is widely known that the Viscountess seeks an alliance with Orlais as well. What if Orlais attacks Ferelden? Will Kirkwall still take our side? And this is no idle fear. Orlais lurches toward civil war. Recolonizing Ferelden would be something that the contenders could propose to gain support in the masked empire. Where will Kirkwall stand if that happens?"
Caitlyn supposed she should have expected this. In the corner, with the other Wardens, her husband Loghain, the old war horse, glowered in mistrust. Cauthrien clearly shared his fears, and from the rumbles in the chamber, they had the support of a number of banns. She noticed, with some dismay, that Bann Delilah Howe of Amaranthine City appeared to agree with Cauthrien.
Caitlyn stepped forward to answer her. "I do not yet have an alliance with Orlais," she said, "and I give you my solemn word that I will have no terms in any alliance that allow an attack on my other allies to go unanswered." Comte de Launcet was already on his way to Val Royeaux, but he had left knowing full well that she was going to Ferelden, and she had given him instructions on what kind of terms she hoped for from the Empress. She stepped back.
Anora spoke up. "It is our view that Celene is not seeking to invade Ferelden. She has played games before, but it has not been her way to use the military to garner support. Her cousin, Gaspard de Chalons, is the real threat to us. If anything, Ferelden should consider supporting Celene if war erupts in Orlais, to help prevent that outcome!"
Caitlyn was shocked that the careful, deliberate Queen Anora would make such an explosive suggestion—and when the Landsmeet broke out in chatter, Anora realized her own mistake. "I am not proposing this as an order of business today. Obviously, that is a monumental change in policy that would merit serious debate. I merely say it to support the notion that the Kirkwall alliance does not open us up to Orlesian attack, because the current leader of Orlais does not seek to attack us anyway."
"All our diplomatic dealings with Celene have been quite ordinary," Alistair added. "She seems to have given up any ambition of reclaiming Ferelden, focusing instead on supporting the arts and the University of Orlais to gain favor with her people."
Teyrna Cauthrien did not look entirely satisfied, but she could not argue against that. Caitlyn supposed that the Orlais skeptics for whom she spoke, veterans of the Rebellion, had reason for their mistrust of the old enemy. It was rather like Anders' inveterate mistrust of Templars. He had reason, too.
Arl Teagan of Redcliffe then rose. He gazed at Caitlyn in preemptive apology, and she wondered what he was going to say that warranted that. She did not have to wait long.
"Let me preface my remarks with the disclaimer that I mean no personal offense to our honored guest, the Viscountess," he said, "but I have to speak my mind on this point. My nephew Connor is a mage, and during the Blight, the late Arlessa Isolde hired an apostate to tutor him in secret. The apostate was a blood mage, and what came of it was that a demon came through and wreaked carnage on Redcliffe. My sister-in-law gave her life to save her son, and my brother, the former Arl Eamon, has been retired ever since. The castle staff were slaughtered, and the village population was decimated. All this, because a mother could not bear to see her mage son trained properly. Your Grace," he said to Caitlyn, pain in his eyes, "I am not speaking against you or your family. But the doors that you are opening with your ascension... I know why you seek this alliance. You anticipate that Kirkwall will need support if Starkhaven and Tantervale act against you for being a mage. That is what it is about. Fereldans, please consider if you truly want to take this side. We did not vote on the 'mage issue' today, but if we ally with Viscountess Hawke, we will have effectively taken that vote."
Caitlyn was exasperated, but she tried to control her temper. The arl's concerns were sincerely felt, and the Redcliffe disaster must have been traumatic. But her view was that his fears were misplaced.
"Arl Teagan," she said as warmly as she could manage, "I offer my sincere condolences to your family, even years late. It must have been terrible. But I would reassure you that the changes my husband, my Kirkwall allies, and I seek would not open the door for more Redcliffes. You say that it happened because a mother could not bear to see her mage son trained properly, but what the arlessa actually could not bear was the prospect of seeing her son taken away from her for the rest of her life," she said pointedly. "And have you seen him since he went to the Circle, my lord? Has your lord brother?"
Teagan glanced at the ground uncomfortably.
"The arlessa would not have feared revealing that he was a mage if she could have been assured that the family could visit him at the Circle and he could return when he was finished training... or that Enchanters could come to Redcliffe to teach him. But both of those options were closed to her, as they are to all parents of mages. That is what my friends and I seek to change. We recognize that mages need training. I myself was taught well by my late father, a former Enchanter of the Circle. What we want to change is the policy of needless cruelty that destroys families for life unless they become apostates—or are very fortunate, as my husband and I have been, to become a Grey Warden and be declared free by a Grand Cleric respectively. That fear, a parent's fear of losing her child, is what caused the disaster at Redcliffe."
Teagan sighed heavily, but he could not dispute her point.
Alistair looked out at the crowd for more questions, but there were none. "Anyone else who has a concern, speak now or forever hold your peace," he declared. "Otherwise, we vote."
The vote carried, though there were numerous grumbling dissensions. At last, the entire Royal Council—the six nobles higher in rank than bann—voted for the alliance, even Cauthrien and Teagan. Caitlyn was thrilled; it meant that she had become quite good at persuasion. Her heart soared at the idea that she might be able to effect the changes she wanted without further bloodshed.
After the Landsmeet, the Crown held a leaving feast. As a foreign dignitary, she was seated with them, but Elissa Cousland quickly made her way to the head table afterward, practically dragging Carver with her.
"Well done," Carver grunted. He gave Baldwin a pat. It was difficult for him to say, but Caitlyn could tell that he really was glad that this had worked out. He gazed at her. "I guess I'll never live up to you now."
"Oh, Carver," she exclaimed in mild exasperation. "You are a Grey Warden. You don't have to live up to anyone."
"Well said," Elissa Cousland chimed in.
"I know that. Most people see it differently, though."
Elissa raised her eyebrows in amusement. Caitlyn realized that she likely had ample experience with sibling rivalry herself, and she probably was not put off by Carver's blatant aggression toward his regal sister, because she undoubtedly had a history—maybe even a present—of speaking the same way to her brother, the Teyrn of Highever.
Carver quickly made himself scarce, eager to return to his Warden friends, leaving the two women alone. Caitlyn glanced around to be sure that no one was eavesdropping before saying, in a near-whisper, "Thank you so much. For everything."
Elissa smiled mildly. "I was only doing what I thought was right." Guilt filled her grey-blue eyes. "To be honest, when I sent Anders to Kirkwall, I believed that..." She broke off.
"That the rest of my family had perished. Or... worse. You had reason to. But you still showed mercy to him, and because of that, so many good things have happened in our lives. You know that Carver is alive, and a Warden, because Anders was there. He also saved my mother, and might have saved our son. And because of you, our son is growing up knowing his father."
"Family is so very important," Elissa agreed, her eyes filled with emotion. "I did not know that I was doing this much for you, of course. I just wanted Anders to find peace in life. Leliana... you know her, of course—"
Caitlyn tried not to flush faintly. Yes, Elissa knew everything... but it seemed that, indeed, she was not troubled by it.
"—would say that it was the grace of the Maker. Maybe she is right. Myself, I'm not comfortable believing that the Maker plays favorites. Too many innocents did lose everything, no offense..."
"None taken. I see it the same way," Caitlyn assured her.
Elissa breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, whatever it was, whether luck or the Maker, I am just glad that my decision had such positive ripple effects. And I got a greatsword-wielding Warden out of it myself." She smirked.
"Is there any hope for... a potion?" Caitlyn said very quietly.
She did not have to elaborate. Elissa glanced around quickly before replying. "Anders has been sharing his letters with you. I'm not offended; I expected him to. Warden Avernus's research continues apace. I will say no more now."
In that moment, Caitlyn wanted to leap to the top of a mountain. Her heart was soaring with hope.
Kirkwall, a week and a half earlier.
Caitlyn was not even in Ferelden yet, but Anders missed her already. This is going to be a long fortnight, he thought unhappily, especially since being Regent is actually... rather boring. She has set everything important in motion herself, and the Small Council members handle their own responsibilities. I have little to do except the duties she gave me the day she was crowned.
He chastised himself for thinking this. A dull job meant that he had time to be with Mal, to teach him magic, and increasingly to talk to him as a father to a son about life. He regretted missing Mal's babyhood and always would, but there were benefits to having an older child, too. A smile formed on his face at this reflection. Yes, perhaps having a boring regency wasn't so bad.
"My lord!"
And... now I am interrupted. It figures, he thought wryly, admitting the Keep servant. He accepted the scroll, dismissed the man, and read it. It was from Ser Thrask. As he read, his good feeling was rapidly displaced entirely, replaced by a surging inferno of anger that burned hotter with every word.
.
...the radical sect, led by Otto Alrik, believes that the only way mages can have the Maker's grace is by the Rite of Tranquility, and seek to use it on every mage in Thedas, an atrocity they call the "Tranquil Solution"...
.
Anders had known for years that a faction of Templars existed that believed this, but even so, reading about it—and Alrik was the one who tried to kill children, one of the ones that Ser Thrask had warned them about. He continued to read, even as he felt the spirit within him awaken.
.
...strong evidence that Alrik has not only performed the Rite of Tranquility after the Grand Cleric banned it, but that he was the Templar who performed the Rite on Karl Thekla...
.
Anders felt sparks pop behind his eyes. He tried to keep Justice from taking him over, and succeeded—if barely—as he rolled up the scroll. I am the Regent of Kirkwall. I have the full powers of the ruler for now. Caitlyn will not be back for almost two weeks. This cannot wait for her return. That bastard has already defied the new edict. He will do it again. I cannot wait. Other mages cannot wait. And Karl, rest his soul, has waited too long.
He stormed from the office, finding Aveline and Varric in consultation. "What in the Void is the matter?" the dwarf exclaimed.
He handed the scroll over without a word. They read it together, eyes widening. "Anders," Varric said carefully, returning it to him, "are you sure you want to deal with this now? Shouldn't you wait for Hawke to return?"
"She named me Regent," he replied. "She gave me full, absolute authority to act. I think, now, that it happened for a reason—and this is that reason. Please, keep Mal busy. He doesn't need to be present for this."
"For what? What do you mean to do?"
He was already storming toward the doors that led to the outer Keep when Varric finished the question. Turning around, he stared at them, feeling anger fill every part of his body—but also righteous satisfaction, which gave him a prideful thrill up his spine as he answered. "Justice."
Notes: I hope this was a nice, nostalgic, feel-good chapter and that you enjoyed the snapshots of so many of the DA:O and fanfic favorites. But as the viewpoint shift indicated, things may be going a bit differently in Kirkwall...