Genitivi Reveals His Goal
The last evening before the caravan was due to roll out, Elle dragged Anders and Varric up to the ramparts. "Gentlemen, I would still like to take a detour to Orzammar. I've already told Gorim and he's on board."
"What?!" Varric stepped back. "I'm not even certain they'll let me in the place."
"Actually, I don't necessarily need to enter Orzammar proper, but there's a prosperous village just outside the doors." She put her hands on her hips. "I need a contact from there."
"Oh!" Varric laughed. "You wanna use mine? I'll send a letter of introduction and Valtas will send you updates, too … no need to trudge up mountain paths to get to that Maker-forsaken place."
While Anders laughed so hard he had to sit down, Elle narrowed her eyes at the dwarf. "Just how widespread is your network here in Ferelden?"
"Just Valtas … I swear! It pays to keep tabs on what's going on in Orzammar when you're a surface dwarf." Varric shrugged. "My brother, Bartrand, has always hounded me about how I get my information, but I never told him. Just said that I listen to people around me and hear things."
Elle laughed. "That's a good one! I need to remember that … I just hear things." She winked at Varric. "Not everyone needs to know exactly how well-connected I am." She took a deep breath. "Actually, I already have something I'm curious about. Warden Alistair took some wardens to Orzammar." She turned to Anders. "Have you heard if they ever reported in?"
"The wardens Ramara sent to the Peak mentioned that Duncan was getting a little worried. It's been a while and no word." Anders smiled at Varric. "Might be a good thing to ask Valtas to look into."
Varric clapped his hands and began to turn to leave. "Well … I'll go pen that letter right now. I haven't contacted him in a while anyway."
"Wait, I do still want to go in that direction, Varric, so it might be better to just meet Valtas in person." She frowned. "There are several border posts along the base of the Frostbacks at likely places for Orlais to infiltrate. I want to check with one or two of them and pick up any messages they have for Loghain. And, we have birds for that village outside Orzammar. Ask Lara at the rookery," she said while pointing to the southwest tower of the castle ramparts. Birds were already flying out, no doubt her father had a lot of messages going out to other countries, asking for aid.
"Do you really think Orlais would try now to infiltrate?!" Anders had his own frown going.
Elle smiled warmly at the mage and they all laughed at Midnight's moof and sigh. "Right you are, my clever boy! I always think Orlais would try to infiltrate. It might be paranoia … and, if we're lucky, it is … but it will help my state of mind to check."
"I thought you wanted to go to the Circle," Varric said.
"I do. We'll stop at the Circle and then try to grab a boat across the lake while Fergus and his men head directly to Ostagar. As I understand it, there's a small port village on the other side right at the bottom of the road to Gherlan's Pass on the way to Orzammar. And then, we have this mysterious place Brother Genitivi wishes to go to." Elle stretched her back. "So, Varric, go ahead and send your message and let Valtas know we should be there in a few weeks."
Varric nodded. "Right. See you guys in the morning!"
"Good night, Varric!" Elle waited for Varric to go down the stairs and close the squeaky door at the bottom. "Okay, Anders, is there something you'd like to discuss?"
Anders grinned and went to the turret to double-check that Varric was, indeed, gone. Then, he came back. "Elle, I agree with your family. Don't become a warden." He stopped her immediate reply. "I understand you feel like it's doing your duty to Ferelden, but that's not the only duty you have. For one thing, I've overheard several people in the castle say that you're the most marriageable noblewoman in Ferelden. Becoming a warden would pretty much guarantee that wouldn't happen."
Elle's jaw dropped and then she laughed for several moments. Anders face registered total confusion the entire time. Once she was finally able to catch her breath, she asked, "Did you hide up here a few days ago when I was talking to Oren?!"
"No, I wasn't here yet, remember," Anders replied with a bit of trepidation. "Why?"
She turned, took a deep breath and looked out over the fields, newly harvested and prepared for winter. "Because I said something similar to Oren when he told us he wanted to go along and be a warden."
"He's a bit young, and isn't he Fergus' heir?" he asked, unsure if she was joking or not. Anders stepped next to Elle and looked at the same fields.
"Exactly what I mentioned along with a couple other duties." She turned and looked at Anders. "Anders, you don't have to answer if you'd rather not … but what about your family … you said you never met your father. Did your mother ever give you any hints about him other than he was a good man?"
"My father was from the Anderfels, that was all she ever said. When they dragged me to the Circle, I wouldn't tell anyone my name. The villagers who turned me in told the Templars that I had Anderfels blood, so they just started calling me Anders. I don't even remember my real name anymore." He folded his arms. "I recall that my mother sent my father letters from time to time, but she made it clear that she didn't want me going after him."
He looked wistful a moment. "I wish I had pressed her more, but I set fire to a village barn before I could even think of doing that." He shrugged. "We lived near here. She died a few years ago. I visited her memorial on that last walkabout. Someone gave her urn a nice spot in the mausoleum here in Highever. And, that was that."
Elle walked to the west side of the ramparts and pointed down. "That one? Overlooking the Waking Sea?" Elle asked.
"That's the one. It's beautiful there." He turned and held Elle's arm. "Say, when I die, would you … see that I go there, too? I mean the Peak's memorial would be fine, but it's really beautiful here."
Elle was touched, and somewhat embarrassed that she'd been so nosey. However, his request was a fair one. "I'll try my best, Anders. I promise."
He smiled at her. "Thank you. The one thing I've learned is that if you make a promise, you will keep it to the best of your ability." Then, he nodded farewell and left her alone with her thoughts.
Once she heard the squeak of the door below closing, she sat in one of the crenellations. "Maker," she whispered to herself. "Do I become a warden or not? What to do? What to do?"
...
Elle, Midnight, Varric, Gorim, Genitivi, Aggilana, Anders, Matin and what was left of the large caravan from Denerim marched away from Highever along with Fergus and his couple hundred soldiers. The harvest was over in most of the Teyrnir, so it was a bit easier to convince the landholders to pitch in to stop the Blight. Quite a few still didn't believe it was truly a Blight … or they'd already be dead. Not exactly a hopeful bunch.
The group spent several days on the road and got into a ready routine for campsites. The Couslands knew this part of Ferelden so well that they could ride it blindfolded, so campsites were pre-determined.
Shortly before stopping one day, Fergus lagged back so he could speak with his sister. "So, you'll be leaving me tomorrow to go to the Circle?"
"Yes. Midnight and I will dearly miss your camp staff, Fergus!" Elle winked at him. "Oh, and I guess we'll miss you, too." Midnight woofed.
Fergus laughed. "Just promise me that …" He sighed. "You know what I'm going to say."
"I will not make any decisions until I reach Ostagar, Fergus … unless the worst should happen, Maker forbid." She reached over and squeezed his hand. "And you must promise me that you will be staying in the camp delegating and not prancing around on the front lines." She released his hand and gave it a brief tap. Then, she shook her finger at him. "I swear if you do something to make me the heir until Oren is old enough, there will be consequences when I catch up to you at the Maker's Side!"
"Yes, Mother." He smirked. Then, he noticed Roddy calling a halt. It was late afternoon and they had made good time to their camp site. "Talk to you more later, Pup," was all he said as he galloped away to join up with Gilmore.
Thanks to the aforementioned camp staff, tents were set up and dinner prepared in record time. Of course, there were several scheduled games of Wicked Grace and Varric promised to tell his Soldier's Peak narrative.
Just after dinner, Brother Genitivi asked Ser Aggilana and Elle if he could speak to them in private. They waited until Varric had started his tale and most of the gamblers had gone off. Then, Elle showed them to a place nearby — one of her most favorite places in all Ferelden!
The moon was full. It made the tall, magnificent waterfall almost luminescent. The droplets that flung off the rushing water appeared like diamond sparkles. And, of course, the reflection of said moon in the rippling waters of the pool below was breathtaking.
Bryce Cousland had proposed to Eleanor by this waterfall. She'd turned him down twice before. Whether it was the romantic aura of the area ... or the old adage of the third time being the charm ... it was by that waterfall that Eleanor finally agreed to become his wife.
Elle had brought Nathaniel there once, but he didn't see the same beauty that Elle did. That should have set off some alarm bells, in hindsight. "Here we go. As private as I can make it." She smiled at the Chantry folk. "Now, what can I do for you?"
Brother Genitivi smiled broadly as he stepped to the edge of the fast-flowing river below the waterfall. "I've been all over Thedas, Elle, and this place is one of the most beautiful I've seen!"
"It is quite romantic, Elle. Are you sure you haven't brought suitors here?" Aggilana chuckled. As soon as Aggilana thought of who Elle might have brought here, she said, "I'm so sorry, Elle. I wasn't thinking. I realize who that suitor must have been." She gave her a sad smile. "Romance is not something I can even begin to claim expertise in."
"Don't apologize, good Templar." Elle hugged Aggilana. "Actually, the happy memory I choose to dwell upon is that this is the place where my father proposed to my mother and she finally accepted!"
"How could she have possibly said, 'No'?" Genitivi sighed, looked around and spent a moment gathering his thoughts. "The reason for all this secrecy is that this trip was denied by Grand Cleric Elemena before she left. Since she's no longer Grand Cleric here, I took that as a sign from the Maker to proceed."
Elle furrowed her brow. "I would agree … and now you have me more intrigued than before!"
Genitivi motioned to some rocks a bit farther away from the roar of the waterfall. After Elle and Aggilana sat, he started, "I'll just come out and say it. I believe I have found the location of the Temple of Sacred Ashes."
Elle's eyes could not have gotten larger. "Brother Genitivi … you've found the place here in Ferelden where Havard brought our Lady's remains?! That's incredible!" She put her hand over her heart. "I'm so honored that you included me on this venture!"
"Are you certain you wish to go, my lady?" Genitivi looked surprised that Elle sounded like she was going along.
"Of course I do!" Elle stood and put her hands on her hips. "This may just be what Ferelden needs at this time of Blight."
Aggilana's jaw dropped at the news. She stared at the waterfall and had to take a moment to collect herself, but then she replied, "I would like to go as well, Brother." She faced Genitivi. "I can research blood magic on the way back. Maker save me, this takes precedence over all else."
Elle thought for a moment. "I'm going to ask Fergus for a few good men … which means I need to take him into confidence on this, if that is all right. Maker only knows what awaits us there. I know you have some Templars and Chantry personnel with you, but more wouldn't hurt!"
"Warden Anders would be a valuable associate, as well." Genitivi looked toward the camp. "As would Varric, Gorim and …" He skritched Midnight's scruff. "… Midnight, here."
Elle frowned. "Stopping at the Circle is vital to Ferelden and Anders may need to take any warden recruits with him back to Ostagar, but we shall see how that works out."
After Elle spoke with Fergus, he insisted that more men — along with a few of the camp logistics personnel — go with them on Genitivi's expedition. Fergus arranged those men and women to encircle the area around the waterfall and keep curious ears away while listening to the plans themselves.
So, while Ser Gilmore and his lieutenants kept the rest of the soldiers busy doing formation exercises, Varric, Gorim, Matin and Fergus gathered with Genitivi, Ser Aggilana, Elle and Midnight. "This is your show, Brother Genitivi," Elle said with a broad smile.
"Yes, well, this is probably the largest 'volunteer' expedition the Chantry has ever fielded!" Genitivi smiled as he rolled out a map of Ferelden that was covered with notations. He pointed to a flaming sword drawn on the map, to the south and west of Lake Calenhad. "This is the village of Haven — where we are going." Then, he pointed to a flaming sword that had been crossed out to the north of the previous mark. "This is where I found the first evidence that …" He took a deep breath and motioned to the more recent mark. "I believe we will find the Temple of Sacred Ashes here in the mountains …"
He couldn't finish because of all the exclamations of surprise, doubt, joy, and reverence.
Elle got up and stood next to Genitivi. "Please, allow the good Brother to finish. Many of you know me. You know that paranoia and skepticism are always my first reactions. Don't think I haven't heard some of you call me Lady Loghain," she added with a wink while shaking her finger as the men and women who were listening. "But, you all also know the reputation of Brother Genitivi! He has granted us the absolute honor of accompanying him on this expedition and I, for one, am excited right down to my toes!"
A bunch of sorries followed. Elle turned back to Genitivi "Tell us what you know about this place … Haven, was it?"
Genitivi smiled in gratitude. "Yes, Haven. Varric, if you would retell the story of Havard and our Prophet, I would be grateful."
Varric's jaw hit the ground. "Well, I guess … ahem … thanks!" He stood on one of the rocks to tell the tale. "I wasn't quite prepared to do this, but Brother Genitivi or Ser Aggilana can correct me if I get some things wrong."
Gorim just shook his head. "Cut the humble act, Varric."
Once the laughter died down from that, Varric began. "Havard was actually of the Avvar in the Alamarri tribes … and a childhood friend of Maferath. He was Maferath's Aegis, his most trusted lieutenant … until the day that Maferath betrayed the Maker's Prophet Andraste and turned her over to the hated Tevinter Archon.
"Havard went with Andraste and tried to rescue her. The Tevinter guards beat and almost killed him, but then decided it would be his punishment to watch his Prophet be burned. Barely able to move, Havard helplessly watched as Andraste was put to the flame. Her bravery and strength even affected Archon Hessarian so much that he showed her the … mercy … of running her through to stop her suffering.
"After that, the people who had been watching the execution left the plaza because thunder signaled that a mighty storm was coming. They thought Havard had died there, too. No doubt they planned to send slaves out after the storm to clean up the courtyard. But! Havard was not dead. He dragged his broken and bleeding body over to the ashes of his Prophet." Varric paused and reached out with a shaky hand. "As soon as his broken hand touched the Ashes, he was instantly healed of all injury.
"Havard quickly gathered all of Her Ashes and, no doubt with the Maker's Aid, made it all the way back to Ferelden. There, he began the Disciples of Andraste to always revere and guard Our Lady's Ashes. No one knew where." Varric looked down at the map and took a deep breath. "Maybe in Haven."
Everyone applauded … not loudly, but reverently. Genitivi smiled. "Thank you, Varric." Then, he turned to the rest. "Imagine how good the tale would have been if he'd been prepared!" The smile turned to a grin at the laughter. Then, Genitivi looked around at the crowd going with him and his smile faded. "I've brought enough tents in our Templar wagon to handle everyone if we double up, I believe, but I'm not certain we'll have enough warm clothing or blankets."
"Aston is my quartermaster. He won't be going with you, but he can see if we can help in any way." Fergus turned to one of the men standing nearby. "Aston, check through the Templar wagon and let me know if there is anything we can afford to share with the Temple expedition." Then, he turned to Genitivi. "I think we can add to your equipment. Maybe even a few more tents."
"Maker bless you, Lord Cousland!" Genitivi shared a look of excitement with Aggilana.
Elle stepped up. "Everyone here look through your things and let Aston know if you need anything specific." She smiled at Genitivi. "We're all Fereldans, Brother Genitivi. I doubt anyone forgot his or her winter clothes." As the others went off to check their packs, she walked up to Fergus. "Do you think you could wait here a day or so, Fergus? Anders and I could ride to the Circle in the morning and check in there. I have several bags of mail and deliveries and, of course, Warden Anders needs to ask for new warden mages."
That made Anders laugh. "I can't wait to do that. Your friend Leorah is one of the mages I'd be most interested in speaking with. She's mastered several powerful auras that boost stamina as well as heal."
Fergus thought a moment. "I think we could do that, Pup. Roddy's just gotten a few new recruits that need to have a bit of the green knocked off them. Let me go speak with him." He nodded to Anders and Genitivi as he left.
Aggilana said. "I think I can ask Senior Enchanter Uldred and some of the mages I know to start researching the items we found in Denerim while I go with you to Haven."
"Sounds like we have a plan," Elle replied. "Let's leave for the Circle just before sunrise tomorrow. No wagons. I think our horses can handle a few bags of mail and deliveries. Poor Rebel."
Elle was surprised when Matin walked up. "Gorim and I will go along, my lady." He grinned at Gorim. "I've just been informed that he's your Second."
"That he is!" Elle said as Gorim pitched Midnight a bit of jerky. "And, he's buttering up my precious Midnight!" She leaned in closer to Gorim. "Go easy on the jerky. It gives him the winds … if you know what I mean."
Gorim just laughed. "Got it. Let me go double check my stuff."
Soon everyone was settled, belongings investigated and re-sorted, and either playing more card games or listening to Varric tell about the Circle in Kirkwall. Dreadful name for it — The Gallows.
...
AN: The Spoiled Princess and Kinloch Hold next time!
The Invisible Pretender, thank you for your review and kind words! Very much appreciated. I think Elle will figure out how to move forward. :)
Marika Hailwell, I agree that it must have been blood magic for Loghain to go off the rails soooo much … along with nasty influence by Rendon Howe. Remember, that the Tevinter slavers were benefitting from Loghain's contract with them. Why wouldn't they use blood magic to insure their continued supply of elf slaves? Also, if you play Origins and make Loghain a warden at the Landsmeet and then do the "Return to Ostagar" DLC on the way to Redcliffe after the Landsmeet, you see a quite different Loghain. It changed my perspective on him a lot. Thanks for your review! :)
