Blood Mages In Bloody Denerim
Upon reaching the Market District, Elle overheard a guard speaking to a merchant about how pleased the Alienage was since that "Cousland girl" got rid of Vaughan Kendells. It caused her to take a detour to the Alienage first.
Shiani and Alesa Tabris ran up to meet her with quite a few of the other elves following behind them. Alesa hugged Elle before anyone else could get there and everyone was smiling and thanking her. They also hugged Midnight, much to his delight.
"Maker's Mercy! Thank you all so much, but I do feel a tiny bit guilty about the whole murder thing." Elle could feel the flush on her face.
"I heard it was self-defense." Shiani was one of Elle's favorite people. "But, I do have a complaint. I also heard it wasn't nearly painful enough!" Yes, one of her very favorite people.
Elle looked around cautiously. "Perhaps we should adjourn to Valendrian's house, hmm?"
"Right, wouldn't want the shems to think we're rioting or anything," one of the younger boys grumbled.
Once they were all assembled in Valendrian's basement, Shiani explained, "There's a good reason why we think you're a hero to have killed Vaughn Kendells." She nodded toward Alesa.
Alesa sighed and looked sad. "My father arranged a good marriage for me. I didn't even have time to get to know him."
Elle was afraid of where this tale was going, but sat quietly. Midnight walked over to Alesa and leaned against her leg ... like he always did to Elle when she was sad. "Thank you, Midnight," Alesa said while hugging him. After a few moments, she continued, "I'm just going to tell it with no embellishments. Nelaros was his name. Kendells and his two cronies showed up right before the wedding and tried to grab several of the girls."
"Until I conked him on the head hard enough to knock him out," Shiani inserted.
Alesa smiled at her cousin. "All that did was make him furious, Shiani. He returned with his friends during the wedding and we all got into it again. I don't know what happened because he knocked me out and I woke up in a room in the Arl's manor."
"He did what?!" Elle couldn't keep her silence.
"Nathaniel Howe showed up before Vaughan could do anything and he let us go. Said he had important business to handle ... but warned us that he'd be back to get us later. He had this satisfied look on his face for some reason." Elle could see the tears well up in Alesa's eyes.
They were welling up in Elle's eyes, too ... but this was Alesa's story. When Shiani reached over and squeezed Elle's hand, she knew they were all aware of what happened with Nathaniel. It was simply impossible to keep secrets from the elves in Denerim; hence, the reason they were the first of Elle's network all those years ago.
"Indirectly, Nathaniel saved us," Shiani said quietly.
Alesa quickly continued, "Nelaros was lying dead in the hallway to the entry. The servant who was escorting us out told us to just leave as quickly as possible. He took Nelaros' body to the Chantry later that afternoon."
"Kendells just murdered him," Shiani had her own misty eyes. "He was trying to rescue us and Kendells killed him. May the bastard rot in the Void."
"But, there was a very credible witness, wasn't there? Who was officiating the ceremony?" Elle asked.
"Mother Boann was. She was willing to tell the guard about it but the Arl had already paid regular coin to the Grand Cleric to keep his son's crimes quiet." Shiani's tears quickly turned to narrowed angry eyes.
Elle walked over and pulled both Shiani and Alesa into a tight hug. "I'm suddenly not feeling guilty at all for killing the bastard," she whispered to them.
Alesa pulled back. "Thank you both," she said as she also skritched Midnight. "Now, let's just change the subject."
After almost an hour there, Elle was pretty much caught up on what was going on in Denerim … and she had updated them on her trip to Ostagar and the impending crisis.
They were very curious about the Grey Wardens. Several of them even left to speak with their families about becoming a Warden. Ostagar may have been losing interest for the nobles, but there were a number of elves who wanted to know if they could be Wardens, led by her friend, Alesa Tabris!
Elle also had confirmation that the elves thought something odd was going on in Denerim. But, their theory was that Kendells had poured something into the water supply of the town. It was an interesting theory. Perhaps Cailan could send some men to take a look through the Kendells … rather, the Arl of Denerim's estate basement for any conduit to the city's water wells.
Elle did a bit of sparring with the elves who wanted to join the Wardens. (Because of Kendells' increasing threats, they had snuck in weapons a few months ago and practiced in Valendrian's basement.) She truly felt it was only fair that they know about the absolute necessity of Grey Wardens during a Blight, so she shared a few of the secrets. The death of the Archdemon was only history, after all. Surprisingly, the number of elf recruits went from five to six after they heard the truth. It made sense. The story of Garahel, the Hero of the Fourth Blight, was very popular in the Alienage.
Elle always knew elves were braver than a lot of the nobles.
They were so excited about the prospect that they wanted to go immediately. Elle lead all six of the most capable … in her opinion … to the Grey Warden compound next to the Palace. As they were entering, a dwarf was leaving. He looked very well-armored … and … well … very despondent.
"Is he all right?" Elle asked Senior Warden Ramara quietly, once the dwarf had nodded and passed beyond earshot.
Ramara was a Nevarran with dark hair tied back into a ponytail, dark eyes and tan complexion. "I don't know. He is an exile from Orzammar and was just here to ask me if Odonna Aeducan had become a Grey Warden. I told him that she wasn't as far as I knew. However, we do have a group of wardens heading to Orzammar right now. Once we hear from them, I should know more."
Leahan, one of the elves with Elle, commented, "Aeducan? That's the king's name, I think. At least, that was the name Bann Franderel used during dinner with some of his landholders the other night." She shrugged. "He was going on and on that a Blight should be the dwarves' problem."
That made Ramara laugh and then just shake her head. "Nobles," she grumbled. Then, her face turned a bright crimson as she remembered Elle was a noble. "I'm so sorry, Lady Cousland!"
Elle and the elves laughed. "Oh, please do not be embarrassed by stating an opinion that I quite share, Senior Warden." She motioned to the elves. "Many of these potential warden recruits are servants in noble houses and the information they share only points up the fact of the nobility's break with reality."
"Recruits?" Ramara took more of an interest in the group in front of her.
"Yes," Elle smiled. "I've worked with them and they know how to use weapons, although we could not walk through the streets with them. If the wardens are unable to provide weapons for them, I shall see that they receive some." Midnight barked his confirmation.
That made Ramara smile and Elle realized that she liked this woman. "Well, I'll need to work with all of you myself." She nodded toward Elle. "If they seem able to survive the dangerous life of a Grey Warden, I assure you that we will arm and armor them well. Ostagar and other parts of Ferelden are needing more wardens to fight and to keep up the vigilance part of our motto. If they are already disposed to keep an ear open to information, so much the better." Ramara winked.
"Excellent! Then, I shall leave you to it!" Elle bowed to Alesa and her other elven friends and turned to ask one more question, "By the way, what was the name of the dwarf asking after Odonna Aeducan? I may wish to go to Orzammar some time in future and I wouldn't mind a guide … or, at least, someone to answer some questions for me."
"His name is Gorim. He's currently a bodyguard at that dwarven blacksmith's stall in the market. If you do plan to go to Orzammar, let me know. We may have one or two wardens who need to go there as well." Then, Ramara nodded farewell to Elle and showed the recruits to the sparring ring.
Elle then considered going into the Palace, but saw some falderal about Ostagar going on in the courtyard and inside the entry... so, she decided to slip out unseen. Perhaps, they were arguing about the horrid wardens stealing all their good men. She made a note to check back.
Next stop: the Chantry.
En route, Elle passed by the dwarven blacksmith's stall Ramara mentioned. Gorim was there so she stepped up to him. "Ser Gorim, might I have a word?"
"He's already been gone enough! I don't pay him to yammer with humans!" The stall's owner certainly didn't seem the type to be very successful selling his wares to humans … in a mostly human city.
Gorim turned to the man. "Salas, I'll just be a minute." Then, he smiled at Elle. He was an attractive dwarf with red hair and ruddy complexion … and a very nice smile. "Please, m'lady, let's step around to the Gnawed Noble porch." His manners were polished. This dwarf was accustomed to protocol.
Once they were far enough away from the stall, Gorim sighed. "I apologize. Salas really is the best dwarven blacksmith in northeast Ferelden, but his personality can be a bit abrasive. What can I do for you, my lady?"
"My name is Elle Cousland and this is Midnight, my most dear friend in the world. I have plans to make a rather long trip around Ferelden, ultimately ending up in Ostagar. When someone mentioned the situation of the dwarves and the darkspawn, I began toying with the idea of adding in a visit to Orzammar … maybe with one or two Grey Wardens. However, I would like to have someone to travel with us who is familiar with the dwarven capital and could prepare me for such a visit … such as yourself, perhaps?" She quickly added, "I would pay you, of course … if you think Master Salas could do without you for a month or so."
Gorim laughed heartily as Midnight jumped up and turned circles. Her precious mabari loved laughter. "He'll blow a rivet!" Once he calmed down to a chuckle. "I think I would prefer to travel in the company of Lady Cousland, Midnight and the Grey Wardens than be ol' Salas' bodyguard anymore. I'm getting tired of him holding up betrothal to his daughter as a 'reward' for good service. Besides, if I travel with you, they might let me back into Orzammar."
Elle raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a very interesting story there, Gorim, but I shall not pry. We'll likely be leaving in a day or so." She pulled out a small square of parchment and a wrapped and sharpened stick of coal. After writing the address and directions on it along with a writ of introduction, she handed it to Gorim. She noticed that he could read the king's language without any prompting from her. "These are the directions to Highever House with an introduction for you. Once you have your matters settled with Master Salas, please come to stay with us. I really prefer that all parties are under one roof until we get underway." She also passed him twenty sovereigns. "Please purchase a few things from Master Salas for yourself or the caravan. Let me know if that soothes the transition or if I need to purchase more." She winked.
Gorim just shook his head. "This should soothe him more than he deserves." Then, he turned a genuine smile toward Elle. "Thank you for this, my lady."
"Oh, and do get into the habit of calling me 'Elle'. I prefer it … with my friends." Midnight gave Gorim a broad doggie smile and Elle knew she had made the right decision. Then, she returned her own genuine smile to Gorim and turned toward the Chantry, which was very close.
Ser Otto was standing outside speaking with Sister Justine, the curator for the Chantry and a wonderful scholar. "Ser Otto, I am Elle Cousland and this is Midnight, my mabari. I wondered if you could give us a few minutes in private?"
"Of course, my lady … and Midnight!" he said. Justine led them both to a bench on the side of the Chantry courtyard. Once they were seated, he continued, "I suppose you wish to know about Ostagar and Lothering?"
"Well, yes … but I have an unusual question first, if I may?" He indicated that she should go on. "Well, I suppose I'll just come out with it." She leaned closely to him and whispered, "Could blood magic affect an entire city such as Denerim?" She chuckled. "I know that probably sounds absolutely mad."
He did not smile. "No, it does not, my lady. Ser Friden is also of a mind that something is going on in the tenements of the city's back alleys. If you also feel this uneasiness, perhaps we should go inside and speak to him."
Elle agreed and they all proceeded to enter the magnificent structure. As for its people, the Chantry in Denerim was just like every Chantry housing a Grand Cleric in Thedas. There were some very good people and some very horrid people. The elderly Orlesian Grand Cleric was one of the horrid people in Elle's view. Her recent protection of Vaughan Kendells was a good example of why. Fortunately, Grand Cleric Elemena had just left for her residence when Ser Otto asked an initiate to take them to Ser Friden. They found him in a back room speaking to Revered Mother Dorothea … one of those very good people. Yes, Elle had to remind herself, even some very good Orlesian people.
"Pardon us, Ser Friden, but Lady Cousland has just returned from Ostagar and she shares your disquiet about the city." Ser Otto bowed to the other Templar.
"Greetings, my lady." Friden nodded toward Dorothea and said, "Revered Mother Dorothea also has had some of those same feelings."
Dorothea smiled. "Maker's Blessings on you, child." She leaned forward. "Do not let any rumors bother you that you may hear ... about Her Grace saying that you are the reason for the disquiet in the city."
Friden frowned as he looked around. "She's only angry that her continued income to pay for our silence about Vaughan Kendells has stopped."
Dorothea chucked. "Not very charitable, Ser Friden, but likely accurate."
Elle frowned and shrugged. "Nothing I can do about rumors, Your Reverence. I'd like to get to the bottom of this lead Ser Friden has found, maybe even Her Grace will feel better, then."
"Yes, he has just filled me in. Stay here a moment and allow me to speak with Knight-Commander Tavish. We have just installed a new group of Templars. Perhaps this investigation would be just what they need to get some experience in the horrors of maleficarum." Dorothea stepped away.
Ser Friden smiled. "I understand you recently arrived from Ostagar. Do you know Warden Alistair? I heard he was in Ostagar. He was a friend of mine while he was training to become a Templar."
"Uh … no, I don't think I could claim to know him, but I did meet him." She smiled at Friden and thought to herself, Maker! Alistair was a Templar, too?! "He seemed to be quite happy as a Grey Warden."
"That's good news. If you see him again, please tell him that I asked after him." Then, he cleared his throat. "You weren't planning to go with us, were you, my lady?" Friden asked.
"Yes, both Midnight and I were, actually." After Midnight barked his assent, she continued, "If there are blood mages in the city who caused my dear friend Nathaniel to lose his mind and act so erratically as to commit suicide, I would like to explain to them just how very much that angered me." Elle took a deep breath, afraid they were about to prevent her from going along.
An Antivan voice joined the conversation. "I would very much like to show them my feelings as well, bellissima," Zevran said as he walked up. "Curator Justine showed me in."
"It is all set." Dorothea and Tavish walked up.
Tavish looked at Elle, Midnight and Zev with understanding. "If you wish to go, please do not forge ahead." He narrowed his eyes. "Can you both take orders?"
Zev and Elle looked at each other and at Midnight who sat at attention. Then Elle said, "We can try very hard, Knight-Commander. If this is truly a den of abomination, we know you are the best to handle it."
Friden mumbled, "Let's hope we don't run into any of those."
Tavish looked at Otto and then nodded to Elle. "Ser Otto will stay back with you. The three of you …" Midnight barked. "… four of you shall be our last line of defense. If it gets that bad, you will need to run back here to let them know."
When Elle set out this morning, she had no idea that her misgivings would be confirmed, much less only confirming those feelings of others who were already poised to act.
When they reached the location Friden had already scouted, the old tenement looked abandoned. Elle and Zev shared an amused look as one of the younger Templars got out a set of lockpicks and deftly opened the lock.
"Wait," Elle whispered. "Zev and I will stay back during a battle, but we are the best ones to sneak in and check out the empty room." To illustrate her statement, the lockpick expert's cuirass rattled as he put away his picks.
Tavish frowned. "Very well, but be careful."
"As long as you stay still and quiet, my honorable Templar, we shall be careful," Zev whispered as Elle oiled the hinges and opened the door with absolutely no noise before they went inside. Midnight sniffed quietly around the walls.
It looked to be a small family room. There were books in the bookshelf, assorted toys around the room. However, there was a rather thick layer of dust on everything. A sound from behind one of the bookcases caught Midnight's and Elle's attention. Someone was coming up some stairs. Someone else said, "The alarm was tripped." The Templar hadn't looked for that pesky wire before he picked the lock. Elle motioned to the readying Templars to hold.
They all heard a click and the bookcase started to slide to the side. Both Zev and Elle vaulted noiselessly behind a couch and table. When the bookcase opened completely, the Templars and Midnight charged in. Tavish ran past and down the stairs, no doubt to subdue any mages there. The fight was over quickly. Hopefully, too quickly to cause any other alarm to be sent along.
Otto knelt down next to one of the mages and felt the wrists and palms. "Blood mage. You can tell where they slice their arms or hands to release their own blood to power their malefic spells."
"That has always seemed excessive to me," Zev said quietly. "To give your own life force so willingly." The mabari quietly muffed his agreement.
Friden wiped his sword. "Let's just hope they don't turn that life-force-powered magic against us. You would then see why they do it so willingly."
"I shall hope for that very thing, my friend." Zev also wiped his blade.
Tavish walked up to Elle and Zev. "That worked well. For now, the two of you scout ahead and open the way for us to rush them." He motioned for everyone to be silent and still. He nodded to Elle.
She nodded back and went to listen at the only door to the next room while Zev looked for … found … and disabled the simple wire trap. The young Templar lockpick mumbled, "Stupid mistake on my part back there."
Zev smiled at the young man and whispered, "But, not a fatal one. A good lesson."
They continued on through the … lair. That seemed the best description. After a particularly difficult series of battles, they all stood in the doorway of the most horrific room so far. A graying dead elf body, devoid of blood, lay in the center of the room. Elle and Zev stood just inside the door as the Templars looked around.
Ser Aggilana, one of the older female Templars, walked up to a rack of vials filled with what looked like blood. She took one of the vials down and showed it to Tavish who motioned for Elle to come over. He turned the vial over to show Elle the name etched on the side: Nathaniel Howe. The vial looked new, like it had just been created.
Elle put her hand to her mouth and tears came to her eyes. She had no words and nothing came to her mind to say. She started to feel herself slipping, but stopped, took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She felt Midnight press closely to her leg.
Surprisingly, the female Templar put her arm around Elle's shoulders. "I thought you would want to see it. I beg your forgiveness, if not. Perhaps this is all too soon."
After a few moments to gather herself, Elle took out a kerchief her Nan had given her and wiped her eyes. Nan said that a lady couldn't always avoid tears. Elle had used that kerchief more times than she cared to admit.
Then she smiled at the Templar. "No, you were right. I did want to know. That's why I came here with you, after all. Thank you. Perhaps I can beg your counsel about it all at some other time."
"Of course, my lady, anytime you need," Aggilana said.
Elle had just met the experienced Templar and already felt her wisdom might just be what she needed. However, that day, Elle only looked around at all the other racks. "There are so many vials here."
"There must be a vial for everyone in Ferelden!" Zev spat out.
That's when Elle spotted a twin amulet to the one she destroyed in her room at Highever House, only this one was opened and empty. "What is that?"
Aggilana picked up the amulet. "I believe that this is a phylactery akin to the ones used in Tevinter. It's said to hold a magic-enhanced portion of blood from a mage so that the mage can reconstitute himself or herself if killed."
Elle turned to Aggilana. "I found one like that in my room at Highever House in a secret compartment." She smiled sadly. "I had occasion to spend an inordinate amount of time there recently. While I've found many other such hidey-holes in the room, I hadn't found that one until yesterday." After taking a deep breath, she continued, "It looked very old and was very dusty and held what looked like blood in it. I smashed it into the fireplace and heard an unusual hiss and snarl as a red cloud went up the flue." Fear crossed her face. "I didn't release any evil, did I?!"
Aggilana shook her head. "I don't think so, my lady. I wish you would have given it to us first, but destroying it in fire without a required malefic ritual likely destroyed the phylactery's contents." She smiled. "You have possibly thwarted the plans of some maleficar."
"Thank the Maker," Elle sighed. "What in the Void did my ancestors dabble in?!"
"There is the legend of Flemeth being of Highever," Friden mumbled.
"Let's not even speculate about that right now, shall we?" Aggilana glared at Friden.
"We will need to investigate your room, my lady, but for now, we need to keep going," Tavish said. He pointed to two of the younger Templars and Aggilana. "Stay here and guard the room from tampering. Ser Aggilana, please catalog the names and gather any incriminating evidence. Destroy all the vials and their contents with fire once that has been done."
They saluted Tavish and got to work.
The rest of the lair took a little longer to clear: rooms of sleeping guards and mages, rooms of magical supplies and lyrium, a library room of valuable reference books, and rooms and rooms of food, clothing, fine oils and lotions, etc. This was like a Tevinter Circle in the middle of Denerim!
However, they also had a kennel room filled with what appeared to be physically healthy mabari. Maker could only guess their mental status. Both Elle and Midnight were angered. Those were horrible conditions for any mabari!
When they opened a small room that looked like the bedroom of a leader, Elle hoped they were nearing the end. She was tired and horrified and very much wanting to get out to breathe some fresh air. The Templars were very thorough in their search of the room. They found and organized quite a few very nice items … some books, jewelry, very fine clothes … for quick reference and, perhaps, destruction.
The final room did indeed hold the leader … and the worst of the battles. The leader was somewhat resistant to the Templars' smites. For that matter, the human and Qunari mercs were resistant to the Denerim Templars' non-trivial martial abilities. Zev, Midnight and Elle got involved in this fight. They danced among the enemy, surreptitiously applying deathroot poison to their blades to slow down the mercenaries and muddle the thinking of the mages. A sliced tendon here. A gouged eye there. A trip. A tumble. A mabari hanging on an arm by his very sharp teeth or dragging a leg until the foe fell prone. Finally, all the Tevinters lay dead. Sadly, three Templars — including Ser Otto — also passed to the Maker's Side.
Another rack of blood vials yielded the reason the high nobles of Ferelden were so off kilter. Elle put her hands on her knees while Zev cut the throats of the enemy to make certain they would not rise again. A gruesome task, but a necessary one here. "Ser Tavish, if I may make a suggestion," Elle said while panting.
He gave her one of his rare smiles. "You may make it."
She grinned. "Fair enough. I do believe you need to train some of your Templars in the fighting style of Zev and me … and I also believe you need to recruit and train some trusted mages to fight alongside you." After Midnight barked, she added, "And, some well-trained mabari. Perhaps the mabari we found here. I think the Royal Kennel Master or one of his assistants would be willing to evaluate them for you." She swept her hand around. "This battle would have been much less lethal if you had magic at your command, Ser."
Tavish took a moment to consider his response. "Some of the Seekers of Truth who know Mother Dorothea have been suggesting that very thing lately, my lady. In order to pacify some unrest, there seems to be a movement afoot to reward proven mages with a degree of freedom outside the Circle.
"And, if the mabari are of proper temperament, that is a possible new job for them." Tavish kicked over the leader. "If Tevinter is going to hide in our midst and practice their malefic arts, I can see how it would be wise to have experts in magic to work with us. However ... Her Grace forbids it."
Elle pursed her lips. Zev slowly shook his head to indicate she should reconsider giving voice to an unkind comment about the Grand Cleric. So, Elle only sighed. "I see. Well, Knight-Commander, Midnight and I offer our services whenever we are available."
Zev nodded. "As do I."
They stripped the room of the contents. Tavish sent a couple of the other Templars back to the Chantry to get Sister Justine and other scholars to take possession of the books. Many were earmarked to go to Kinloch Hold. Elle requested that the extra food and clothing be given to the Alienage in honor of Ser Otto, who had spent a lot of time helping protect the elves.
She also asked for and received copies of documents that may pertain to the safety of Ferelden, along with the list of names. "Maybe things will return to tolerable insanity now," she said quietly as she pocketed the lists.
...
AN: Nope, still in Denerim next time! Poor Elle. ;)
The Invisible Pretender, did you notice Ser Aggilana offering to be a sounding board for Elle? Thanks for the idea! :) And, thanks for the review!
