Kinloch Ambush
The next morning, just as the sun was peeking above the horizon to what looked like a glorious day, Elle, Midnight, Anders, Varric, Aggilana, Matin and Gorim rode swiftly out of camp. Just before lunch, they arrived at the Spoiled Princess. However, upon entering the inn, Elle's sense of 'something's wrong' tickled at her. Several people were standing along the walls and no one was talking. Quite unusual for the place, compared to the last time she was there. She walked up to the innkeeper and said, "We need some of your fine ale and delicious lunch, Innkeeper!"
The man glanced at one of the men leaning against the wall. It made Elle narrow her eyes and the innkeeper noticed. "Of course, m'lady. We just got a new ale from Highever that you might enjoy. Just follow me and I'll draw a few mugs for you and your party to see if you like it."
Varric, Aggilana and Anders commandeered a large enough table, which wasn't difficult in the atypically near-empty inn. Matin saw to the horses and Elle, Midnight and Gorim went to the back with the Innkeeper. "All right, good sir. What's going on?" Elle whispered.
He motioned toward the common room with his head as he pulled a mug of ale. "They arrived a few days ago and are waiting for Brother Genitivi to show up." He sighed. "I told them that he'd never come through here, but they …"
The interruption of the sound of Anders ice spell caused everyone to rush back to the outer room. "He was walking to the back and pulling his sword, Elle," Varric said. "Blondie took our fight away." Varric frowned and put his crossbow on his back.
Elle turned to the Innkeeper with a smile. "Do you have any rope lying around, per chance?"
The Innkeeper motioned for a wench to fetch the rope and said, "There are more of them. There was a man sitting at that table who was part of them."
Varric unsheathed Bianca again. "We need to clear out these creeps and then you can talk to him." When the sound of fighting outside was heard, Elle and the others rushed outside, leaving the Innkeeper and his wench to tie up the frozen "creep".
Thanks to Matin's sharp senses, he overheard the man who had left the common room. He said that they needed to get the newcomers "out of the way" and so, Matin enlisted the aid of nearby Templars to confront the creeps. The fight was over quickly. Aggilana and Anders stayed outside to speak with the Templars while everyone else went back inside. For supposed ambushers, they didn't seem to be very competent.
The creep inside had thawed out by the time Elle marched back in. Thawed and tightly wrapped in several lengths of rope, it seemed. She stepped up to the man and demanded, "Tell me why you want to kill us!" She drew her sword and held it steady against the man's chest, right over his heart.
He glared at her in response. "We are the Disciples of the Risen Andraste. Our scouts told us that the blasphemer Genitivi travels with you. He must be stopped!"
"Why?" The point of the sword moved closer to the man's heart.
"We are the guardians of the Risen Andraste. No lowlander must be allowed to disturb her!" Then, the man jumped forward and ran himself through on Elle's blade.
"Dear Maker," she mumbled. "Get Anders, please."
Gorim took over removing the sword and Elle paced for a few moments. Aggilana and Anders ran in. Anders pronounced that there was nothing he could do.
Gorim cleaned her sword and handed to Elle. "He killed himself, my lady."
"Yes, but I held the blade to his chest. If I'd only …" Elle took a deep breath.
Anders smiled. "'If onlys' will drive you mad, Elle. Trust me. I'm an expert." He stood while some of the workers of the inn moved the body outside. They'd already started a pyre for the attackers. "Did he say anything?"
"He said that they were Disciples of the Risen Andraste," Varric said quietly. "What the hell did that mean?"
"I wonder how they knew we traveled with Genitivi," Ser Aggilana said with a frown. "I hope Lord Fergus' guards can keep the good Brother safe."
Surprisingly, Greagoir and Irving entered the Inn. Elle assumed that one of the Templars had gone to alert them during the fight. "Is everyone all right?" Irving asked.
Elle turned to the still white-faced innkeeper behind the bar. "I believe the Innkeeper and his staff have had quite the scare, but we travelers remain whole."
The innkeeper was wiping dishes dry. Elle suspected that they weren't wet or dirty so much as the poor man just needed something to do with his hands. In between drying a mug and a bowl, he said, "Knight-Commander, this group descended on us earlier this afternoon. They kept asking where Brother Genitivi was … and then, they hung around and told us not to say a word of warning to anyone who entered with Genitivi. They kidnapped Felsi and Leesle!"
Matin just then walked in with two frightened women. One of the women was a dwarf and the other, an elf. He handed Elle a handful of papers and pouches. "They had two of the serving wenches tied up in the stable." He turned to Elle. "That's all the attackers had on them. Some strange prayers and coins."
Elle looked through the papers. "Strange, indeed. To the Maker and Andraste, but I've never heard these before." She handed the papers to Aggilana. She turned to the innkeeper and handed him the coins, "For all your trouble and turmoil, good sir."
He nodded and handed two of the pouches to the two wenches who had been tied up. "That's very generous, my lady. Thank you!"
Elle smiled and nodded back. Then, she turned to Greagoir. "Knight-Commander, the man in here referred to the Risen Andraste. Do you know anything about that?"
Greagoir had been reading the papers over Aggilana's shoulder. "Never. It must be some heathen cult." He glanced at Irving. "Perhaps we should take this over to the Circle and let the Spoiled Princess sort themselves out."
Irving looked around, nodded and said, "Yes. I agree."
Elle wondered if Greagoir or Irving would object to everyone going over to discuss the matter, but they wisely accepted the entire group ended up sitting around the meeting table that had been brought into Irving's office. Matin took a position next to the door. Gorim didn't take a seat. He stood behind Elle's right shoulder. It was taking some getting used to … having a Second. However, it seemed like he knew what he was doing … had likely done the same with Odonna Aeducan. Midnight took a post to the right of Gorim. Anders sat on Elle's right and Varric was on her left. She felt quite protected!
Ser Aggilana, sitting across the table, looked bemused for a moment and Elle just winked at her. "So, gentlemen, shall I begin or do you have something to report first?"
Irving just nodded and motioned for Elle to proceed. "I ask that you keep the information we are about to share with you a secret." She took a deep breath. "Someone who had been taken into confidence about stopping at Kinloch en route must have failed to do that."
"The only person I can think of who might have said something would have been Brother Genitivi's Denerim assistant Weylon … but it would have been under duress. Maker watch over him." Ser Aggilana frowned. "These heretics are dangerous as well as dedicated to maintaining the secrecy of this risen Andraste."
Greagoir looked to Irving who nodded again. "Do you think these people are misguided remnants of the original Disciples of Andraste?"
Elle turned to Varric. By that time, Elle didn't feel the need to tacitly ask permission from Irving any more. "From what you know of the tale, Varric, could it be possible that these people remain to this day?"
First, Varric looked surprised that he got called on. Then, he frowned. "That's a good guess. Havard and his group were dedicated to the protection of Andraste's Ashes. It would stand to reason that they handed down those responsibilities to their descendants."
"Maker, this attack is a pretty good indication that we're on the right track to find the Temple of Sacred Ashes, then." Elle sat back in her chair.
Greagoir and Irving stood up. "Is that where you're heading with Brother Genitivi?!" Irving asked.
"Yes, our agenda has gotten a bit out of order however. Let us get back to that, please." Elle leaned forward and looked toward Anders. "Anders, make your case to the First Enchanter and Knight-Commander."
"You're going to make me regret letting you off your leash, aren't you," Greagoir grumbled as he and Irving sat back down.
"You shouldn't, Greagoir. I've been doing some good work with the wardens. I have a number of responsibilities … which were interfered with by Ser Rylock." Anders had a pretty good frown going at that statement.
"We've heard about that, my boy," Irving replied. "Rylock won't likely be returning to Amaranthine."
"Duncan said he wouldn't be very understanding if he ever ran into her and 'suggested strongly' that we keep her out of Ferelden." Greagoir even had a bit of a smirk going.
Anders chuckled. "Makes me more glad than ever that I became a Grey Warden." Then, he grinned. "Another reason is I get to ask you for more warden mages."
"I knew it," Greagoir said a lot softer than Elle would have anticipated.
Irving cleared his throat. "We have several mages who would be good candidates. But, our apprentices would suffer if we allow too many to go. The mages we've sent down to fight with the King's army have stretched our teaching staff a great deal. Not to mention that King Cailan seems to want to make Senior Enchanter Wynne the Royal Mage." He raised his hand to stop any objections from Elle or Anders. "I know. The Blight is a priority."
"Are there some apprentices who are ready to move up to the next level soon? Maybe they could accompany an instructor? Especially those who are learning the healing arts. Not to join in the fighting, but to aide in keeping the soldiers up and alive." Elle noticed Irving just put his slowly shaking head in his hand. "Ah! I've hit upon a Circle secret, it seems!" She grinned.
Greagoir glared at her a moment and then seemed to give in. "Apprentices … once they've been completely trained and evaluated … have to undergo a trial called the Harrowing." He shrugged. "The name should be self-explanatory. Once they pass that trial, they become mages … but that only begins their training for the serious magic. We would not allow either an apprentice or mage to leave this tower. Period."
"I see." Elle felt chastised and a bit annoyed at Greagoir's obstinacy.
"He has a point, Elle. The Grey Wardens are only truly interested in those individuals who can survive the life of a Grey Warden. Rance had only recently passed his Harrowing, but he was an exception." Anders smirked at Greagoir's surprised look. "However, there are mages who aren't teaching … such as Leorah or Godwin or Niall. I would like to ask permission to speak with them about the opportunity."
"Godwin wouldn't go, Anders, and you know it. Niall might, but it would be more likely he'd want solitude. Leorah is a good option, don't you think, Greagoir? She's already been in the outside world." Irving looked at Elle. "I think you know her, do you not?"
"I do!" Elle's broad smile made Irving smile as well. "She was with the Mage Collective and well-respected in Highever as a healer. At least she was until that nasty little boy turned her in to the Highever Templars. It was all a complete fabrication, you know." She turned to Greagoir. "I was sixteen then and threatened to march here and rescue her," she said with a wink. "Anyway, I understand she's organizing the storage caves now … perhaps you could find another for that duty? Some mage who passed his or her Harrowing but isn't competent enough for the outside world yet?"
"Torrin has been grumbling that he wants to go to Ostagar. He has a small class right now that we can easily reassign. Let them speak with him also." Greagoir sent a genuine smile to Elle. "Do you wish to speak with Leorah, Niall and Torrin in here?"
Anders leaned toward Elle. "Torrin's a bit of a snob, but he's terrific with fire spells. He could take out a few ranks of darkspawn at a time."
"A snob, eh? I adore snobs. I am one, after all." Elle grinned at Anders. "In here would be fine, Knight-Commander."
"But first, let's go back to that Temple of Sacred Ashes comment, young lady," Irving said.
"Well, Brother Genitivi has most of the details. Ser Aggilana, perhaps you could share what you know?" When Elle looked at Aggilana, she noticed the longing look she was giving Greagoir. She had to force her face not to register it.
"Several years ago, Brother Genitivi took a small expedition into the Frostbacks to follow-up on a lead to find the Temple of Sacred Ashes. They …" Ser Aggilana paused and looked thoughtful. "I seem to recall Genitivi saying that there were cultists there as well. However, all they uncovered were some mining tunnels and an old ruin. It had the right architecture and was mostly whole … but no Ashes. Once the cultists were dealt with, Genitivi explored the area and came upon some old tomes and parchments written in an archaic script. It took years for him and Sister Justine to translate them properly, but they told of a small village called Haven, also in the Frostbacks, only it was far south of the previous ruin. That's where we are heading."
"But, why try to kill Genitivi now and not then?" Gorim asked.
"Because that other place must have been a decoy? A place they used to be in but moved out of for some reason?" Varric offered. "Once Genitivi took the bait, they didn't want him dead. They wanted him to tell the world that the Temple was abandoned."
A quiet, rhythmic knock at the door interrupted the meeting. Matin opened it. A young Tranquil — evident by the brand on his forehead — walked in and caused Anders to put his head in his arms. "Oh, Jowan, no."
Irving sighed. "I should have said something, Anders. I'm sorry. We only let him think he'd destroyed his phylactery. The Templars found him quickly," he said quietly. Then, to Jowan, he asked, "Yes, Jowan, what is it?"
"A message came for you and Knight-Commander Greagoir, First Enchanter. The messenger asked for a Tranquil to give it to and asked me to deliver it to you both immediately. The message is: The Divine has died. The Grand Consensus is set to convene in four to six months time, when all the necessary clergy can make their way to Val Royeaux." Then, Jowan bowed and left the completely quiet room.
"I wonder if Revered Mother Dorothea has made it to Val Royeaux yet," Elle mused quietly.
Anders looked up to Greagoir with tears in his eyes. "Why didn't you just execute him, Greagoir?! You know the threat of Tranquility caused Jowan to do what he did."
Greagoir frowned. "I wanted to." He sent a small glare to Irving. "I'll get the three mages you want to speak to," Greagoir said as he got up to leave the room.
"That was my decision, Anders." He looked like he wanted to share more … Elle could always tell that about someone. However, all he said was, "Jowan was swayed by love, he thought. He was very broken when they brought him back. Perhaps you could have looked him in the eye and pronounced an execution, but I could not." After Greagoir left the room, Irving glanced toward the door and whispered, "Grand Enchanter Fiona has some things in motion, Anders. Good things, I think. At least in theory. And, that's all I can say at this time. Just keep up your good work with the Grey Wardens. You can use my office as long as you need to." Then, he also bowed and left.
After the door closed behind him, Elle turned to a bewildered Anders. "What did he mean by that?"
"I have no idea. He knows that Tranquility is not a mercy. It takes away your emotions while it severs your connection with the Fade. It's not something you can undo … unless …" Anders shook his head. "I need to concentrate on these interviews." He looked around. "I should shoo all of you out, but I'm not going to. Just don't talk about this with anyone not in this room right now."
Ser Aggilana did excuse herself to spend at least a little time studying a few of the tomes in the Circle's library concerning blood magic and speak with Uldred, the Circle's expert on blood magic.
The interviews all went very well. Niall refused until Anders mentioned the proposed mage tower at the secluded Soldier's Peak as a possible duty station, pending Duncan's approval. Torrin and Elle did get along. He said he was looking for a new adventure and agreed to join, even though Anders pulled no punches in his recruitment talk. Leorah didn't even need to hear any details. Once she heard the initial explanation, she announced that she would go pack immediately.
As before, there were protocols and procedures that needed to happen.
Aggilana decided to stay in the guest quarters at the Circle, handy to the library ... and Greagoir. The rest of the group headed back to the Spoiled Princess to squeeze into the few rooms they had available and await the arrival of the Warden-Recruits in the morning.
...
During breakfast, Greagoir entered the common room and asked to speak with Elle privately outside. He walked to the edge of the lake and looked out over the water. "Lady Cousland, how do you get everyone you meet to trust you?"
Elle chuckled a bit. Then, decided to take his question seriously. "I don't lie to them. When I say I'm going to do something, I do it. At least, as far as I can. I answer their questions truthfully. You know … all those things that elicit trust. Do not misunderstand, Knight Commander, I can lie very well to those I don't trust," she explained with a wink. "Oh! And, I don't insist on being called Lady Cousland," she added with a smile. "Please. Call me Elle, if you would."
"I suppose our stations are different in regard to lying … or withholding the truth. I want the mages to trust me, but there are things that I cannot tell them. Things that would cause unrest if they knew." He turned to her. "When she passed through here en route to Val Royeaux, Revered Mother Dorothea told us to trust you. So, I am going to tell you something that you cannot tell anyone … especially Anders."
"Please, allow me to stop you, Greagoir. If I cannot tell something to a trusted friend whom I believe might want to know, then do not tell me. I will tell you this: from the First Enchanter's response about Jowan, I have a suspicion of what you're about to say. Anders suspects it as well." After a pause, she continued, "You can reverse Tranquility." She held up her hand and looked away. "Don't confirm that." She looked back and smiled at the surprised Knight-Commander. "Don't underestimate those around you, Greagoir. You are trapped inside a tower of very intelligent people who have been given a precious Gift of the Maker. Perception is not blood magic. As Ser Aggilana has probably already told you, I have first-hand knowledge of the affects of blood magic."
He smiled sadly at Elle. "She did. I'm sorry you had to go through that." He took a deep breath. "I shall take your wise words into consideration and re-evaluate some of the 'secrets' I've been keeping. Thank you … Elle." The Knight-Commander was still disturbingly attractive to Elle, but he had eyes for another … thank the Maker. He nodded toward the dock where Ser Aggilana was standing. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a few things I need to share with Lana before Torrin, Niall and Leorah join us here."
Even with her curiosity burning, Elle managed to smile and wave to Aggilana before she went back to the common room to finish her breakfast. Anders looked up and raised his eyebrows in question. All Elle did was raise her shoulders and cock her head slightly in a motion that she knew he'd take as "Maybe."
"We should probably finish up breakfast and get ready to leave as soon as the mages and Aggilana get back." Elle grabbed a piece of bread and wrapped a bit of egg and potato in it. She tossed the last piece of bacon to Midnight. "There you go, my wonderful mabari. Yummy bacon for the road! Lots of wide-open roads and breezes to carry away the consequences."
Midnight quickly munched the bacon and gave a small moof of appreciation.
"Where's Matin?" Gorim asked.
"He left with the dawn to ride hard for Fergus' camp. I tried to get him to wait for all of us, but he wisely told me that he could ride alone more swiftly and quietly … and safely to warn them about the cultists." Elle frowned. "Highever breeds a particularly wise … and stubborn lot." When Midnight barked and ran circles around Elle, everyone laughed. "Yes, Midnight … I should know."
The door opened and Leorah, Torrin and Niall walked in. Leorah went to hug Elle and hand Midnight a bit of her breakfast biscuit while Torrin droned on about how wonderful it was to breathe such brisk clean air outside the Circle tower. Niall looked absolutely miserable, so Anders took Niall under his wing immediately.
Before he left, Matin arranged for all the horses to be saddled and ready. Stubborn … and wise.
The trip to Fergus' camp went swiftly, even with the new mage recruits riding double with three of Elle's group. However, as they rode closer, Elle noticed that the camp was already packed up with at least double the number of guards surrounding it. She rode up to the nearest one. "What news, good sir?"
"Your man arrived a few hours ago with a band of hooligans on his heels, my lady. We dispatched them all, save one." The guard motioned with his head toward Fergus and Genitivi talking to a tied-up man next to a wagon nearby. "Lord Cousland is having words with 'im."
That caused Elle to grin. She'd heard Fergus interrogate a prisoner before. The poor man was no doubt spilling any information he might have had. "Leorah and Torrin, please report to Aston over there. He'll have your traveling orders and will make your journey to Ostagar as safe and as comfortable as possible. Niall, follow along with Leorah and later we can see if Fergus can spare some men to escort you to Soldier's Peak. Everyone else … you know what to do," she said with a smile.
As the group disbursed, Elle noticed that her two dwarf shadows were following her. She laughed. "I suppose following me is what you do." Ser Aggilana quickly stored the few tomes and parchments the Circle let her borrow and walked over, also.
When they walked up to Fergus, the prisoner spat on Elle's boots. Midnight jumped on the man while barking and snarling. The terrified look on his face was most deserved. "Midnight, let's see what he's said to Fergus before you take him to task for sharing his spit with my boot."
"Oh, he's been quite talkative," an ashen Genitivi said from the other side of Fergus. "It seems they have murdered poor Weylon, my assistant in Denerim, because he wouldn't talk. Unfortunately, I had left some copies of my research behind and they found out where I was going."
"I was afraid of that," Ser Aggilana said with sympathy while squeezing Genitivi's shoulder.
"You will be dealt with in Haven if you think you can desecrate The Lady's Temple. She will deal with you, herself! Blasphemers!" The man's eyes were wide with indignation and spittle was foaming from his mouth. He turned toward Genitivi who was praying quietly, no doubt about Weylon. "Your whelp was properly mind-controlled by your heathen church and you. This Chantry is a stain on Our Lady and it will be dealt with!"
"I hope you got them all, Fergus," Elle asked.
"He was running away when Matin caught him. Hopefully, he's the only coward to run to away." Fergus pulled on his gloves. The red marks on the man's face were probably administered by Fergus prior to Elle approaching. "For the murder of Brother Genitivi's assistant and attempted murder of Brother Genitivi, your sentence is death." He turned to Genitivi. "I know an eye for an eye is likely not how you would proceed, Brother; however, this man and his ilk attacked Ferelden soldiers on their way to defeat the Blight in our country." Fergus looked back at the man, whose indignation was turning to terror. "Maker judge you fairly when you travel to His Side." Elle knew how much Fergus hated dispensing justice, but he did the right thing, in her opinion.
The execution and pyre were swift and soon the three parties were getting ready to go their separate ways. Of course, Fergus and his soldiers were eager to be on their way to Ostagar.
The second group would be heading to Soldier's Peak with Niall. Anders passed along the suggestion that Niall be given the Joining immediately — pending approval from Duncan — and then taking over the research in the tower there. Anders didn't feel comfortable taking any of Avernus' papers with him, so Niall would have a great deal to read through before they could restart the research. Besides, it was all Grey Warden business that needed to stay at Soldier's Peak. The number of Niall's escort guards were double what they would be usually due to the recent attack. Of course, the escort had orders to get to Ostagar after that.
The last group with Elle and Genitivi would be going overland around Lake Calenhad. (The ferry idea was dismissed due to the necessary wagons for the tents and additional supplies.) Elle's and Genitivi's guards were also increased for their trip around Lake Calenhad to Haven.
Even after that, Fergus still had a very large contingent heading to Ostagar.
...
AN: So, in this AU, the Divine dies a wee bit sooner than in canon. Just one more complication to throw into the mix. ;) (The Codex says Beatrix died in 9:34 Dragon.) And ... Elle has a surprise as they near the village at the base of the Frostbacks where the road to Orzammar ascends. ;)
The Invisible Pretender, I hope you're not too disappointed about the Ashes storyline. It will be quite a bit different. Thanks for your review!
Judy! So good to hear from you again. Thanks for your review! :)
