Chapter 11 – Memory crystal
The main courtyard of Skyhold was extremely busy. Hundreds pairs of eyes watched as the Inquisitor's sizable retinue prepared for their journey. Josephine's efforts had borne fruit and the Inquisition had finally received an invitation to the ball being held at the Winter Palace.
Hawke stood on the battlements gazing at the crowd gathered below. Pride and awe were painted in the faces watching the event. Their Inquisitor is on his way to meet with the Empress herself. Besides a group of soldiers, he was accompanied by three of his advisors, Cassandra and Viviene. The magician dazzled as usual with her impeccable attire. Even during the journey, she did not use ordinary comfortable clothes. The image was everything to her.
Ayden sat on a white horse waving warmly to those gathered. His new templar armor glinted in the morning sunlight, adding to his stately stature, and his carefully styled copper hair resembled fire. A bright green gaze finally spotted Hawke on the walls and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. She returned the smile. His attention was diverted a moment later by Josephine, clad in her usual golden robes. She leaned in her gray mare starting some conversation. Hawke guessed she was discussing etiquette and other courtly intricacies with him. Maker's breath, she was so glad she didn't have to accompany them. Lady ambassador exchanged a few sentences with the Inquisitor and the whole retinue set off.
- Good luck Ayden. - whispered Marian. She had her own work to do. Leliana's spies had reached a certain trader named Vicinius, who Calpernia took a keen interest in. If they could find out why they might be able to reach the magician herself. His estate was in Val Royeaux, so a trip to the proud capital of Orlais awaited them. Discretion was key in this case that's why traveling with the Inquisitor's official entourage was out of the question.
As they originally planned the group was small. Only she, Varric, and Dorian. The tevinter mage had a vast knowledge of Venetori so Hawke consulted him strongly about the magician and her cult. Besides she trusted him. Dorian was arrogant, self-centered, and at times insolent, but what he said was always reflected in his actions, and the lightness with which he approached each matter was refreshing. While investigating Calpernia's case, she quickly caught common ground with him.
Of course, there were downsides to this as well.
- So you and our esteemed Inquisitor. - spoke up the mage in his nonchalant voice as they approached the city. Hawke rolled her eyes slightly.
- What me and the Inquisitor? - she asked with a sigh.
- You don't have to hide anything Hawke. There are no prying ears around. For a moment I thought that spark between you had gone out but apparently, I was wrong.
- Or maybe that spark ignite somewhere else? - she asked teasingly while staring at him with blue eyes. He snorted loudly.
- If so, I must put it out before the fire consumes what it should not.
- You're hurting me deep down, tevinter. - Hawke said with theatrical sadness.
Varric, who was riding behind them, sighed loudly and nodded slightly. However, hearing Hawke and Dorian laugh at each other's jokes made him smile as well. When he had met the Champion those years ago she had captivated him with her openness, lightness of spirit, and cutting tongue. Even the Blight and the death of her brother had not dimmed that. But fate slowly added bricks of bad experiences that anyone would break under. When she lost her mother as a result of the experiments of a mad mage, she grew very dim. The sight she witnessed was memorable even to him so he could not imagine what Hawke must have been going through. The limited contact with her sister did not improve the situation. He also remembered her later terrible argument with Anders. She had been left alone with everything for some time.
-I am glad you both found happiness. - Dorian said when the laughter stopped. - I have always been an advocate of love. Like it or not, love is the most powerful motivator to us all. Numerous wonders of this world were born from love and passion.
- Numerous horrors too. - added Varric.
- Don't be such a pessimist, my dear dwarf. It doesn't suit you. - before Varric was able to answer, Dorian spoke again. - Oh, and it seems we are almost there.
Varric sighed watching the mage overtook them slightly. He leveled off with Hawke gripping the reins tightly, already dreaming of dismounting from the giant animal.
- I'm happy for you too, Hawke. - he said warmly. - You have regained your composure with him.
Marian smiled sincerely and climbed down from her mare.
When they entered the main courtyard, she stopped for a moment and lifted her head up. The number of gilded statues may have exceeded the population of her little Lothering. The square was full of passersby dressed in sumptuous clothes who glided along the light-colored cobblestones in no hurry and engaged in lazy conversation. It was as if what was happening in the world did not concern anyone here. However, she did not focus more on that.
They found the trader's property quite quickly. Deafening silence greeted them inside. Even at the entrance, it was obvious that something was wrong. Scattered papers and overturned furniture made everyone grab their weapons. Somewhere on the upper floor, impatient footsteps could be heard. Hawke crouched down and quietly, like a ghost, made her way up a few stairs. At the end of the long corridor, several figures could be seen snooping around the room behind an ajar door. Their outfits left no doubt.
- Venetori. - she whispered. She clung to the wall and crept closer. Varric and Dorian stood on the stairs waiting for her cue.
- There is nothing here anymore. - one of the hooded men spoke up.
- Let's go back to the headquarters. We have completed our task. - said the other one.
Suddenly the first one who spoke up looked quickly towards the door.
- I sense magic. - he hissed. - Someone is here.
He didn't manage to say anything else. One of the double daggers was just sticking out of his throat. The other man tried to say an incantation but Hawke did a deft pirouette, driving the second dagger straight into his forehead. Both bodies fell to the floor with a deafening thud. From somewhere across the room a third individual ran out. She had not noticed him before. This one was not a mage. A sharp weapon came dangerously close to her back. Quiet whirring tore through the air and the individual froze in place with his weapon drawn. Short, wooden bolt protruded from his neck. Hawke glanced down the hallway. Varric was just hiding his crossbow. She looked around quickly checking to see if this was the last of the attackers. Dwarf and mage had joined her. In the middle of the room, they found a body lay in a sizable pool of blood.
- I think we've found our merchant. - Dorian said and gave a sour look.
Hawke began to search the room. Among the unimportant papers, she found some that were quite interesting.
- Our merchant is... was a slave trader. - she said informatively. - Calpernia had him killed after she learned that Vicinius was mistreating his "goods", or her goods to be more specific.
- Calpernia was buying slaves? - Varric asked.
- Yes, according to the documents. - continued Hawke.
- But why did she care about their fate? - Hawke wondered and looked questioningly at Dorian.
- As far as I know, Calpernia was a slave herself. - replied the mage. - It is possible that her intentions are not what we thought.
- Hey, I think I found something interesting. - Varric spoke up, holding a small crystal in his hand.
Hawke and Dorian approached him.
- Looks like a memory crystal used by the shapers in Orzamar. - he added after a moment. - It stores memories as the name indicates.
- A fascinating invention. - Dorian agreed enthusiastically. - And very rare. We have two in Minratus. I think this one is incomplete. - He added after further examination.
Everyone started looking around to see if there were any remaining fragments. They managed to find two more.
- Will Dagna be able to make use of this? - Hawke asked.
- I think so. - said the mage.
- Let's get back to Skyhold as soon as possible. - Hawke said and the group discreetly left the mansion.
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Dagna did indeed manage to use the crystal. The device recorded a brief exchange between Corypheus and Calpernia. What they managed to learn from it shed a whole new light on their relationship.
- She doesn't trust him. - Hawke concluded and smiled involuntarily at the memory of what the Inquisitor had told her. His advice about putting the two of them at odds could be put into practice.
- Corypheus wants to make a vessel out of her? A vessel for what? - Varric wondered.
- Your theories are as good as mine. - Dorian explained.
- We need to find out more. - Hawke added.
Dagna, who was standing next to them, grunted slightly.
- I am not a shaper, but I think I can record new sounds in this stone.
All three of them looked at her at the same time.
- Of course, I can't guarantee that it will work ... And the crystal will most likely be destroyed ... - female dwarf started to explain.
- We have to try. - Hawke interrupted her. - Leliana mentioned that her spies had noticed increased Venetori activity around the elven ruins in the north of Orlais. Her hideout must be somewhere there.
- If we could place the crystal there, we might be able to gain invaluable information. - Dorian added.
- I think I could split it into two parts. One would stay here as a receiver.
- Dagna, you are brilliant! - Hawke agreed enthusiastically. The dwarf smiled and turned her attention immediately to the crystal.
- Do we have any information on when the Inquisitor and the rest of the advisors will return from Halamshiral? - Hawke asked.
- I asked Harding about that. - Varric informed her. - She is in Skyhold for the duration of their absence. Apparently, things have been protracted. The Inquisitor is investigating the killer at the same time as trying to keep up social appearances. Leliana wrote that they will be gone for another week including travel time.
- We can't wait that long. - Hawke hissed. - There is no telling how much longer Calpernia will be in these ruins.
- What do you suggest? - Dorian asked. - Should we plant the crystal ourselves?
Marian denied in thought.
- The Venetori who were in the mansion detected your magic. It must be someone inconspicuous.
- By the time the ravens reach Leliana and before she can give any more orders they will return from the ball. - Varric stated grimly.
Hawke looked at him intensely.
- Varric, you also have a spy network. You can send one of your people.
- It has to be someone very trusted. - Dorian added. - We only have one crystal and only one chance.
Varric sighed loudly.
- I know someone like that. And she's even in Skyhold. - he said and looked at Hawke.
- Mira. - the Champion acknowledged. - Would she agree? I got the impression she was done with that life.
- It will take some ... persuasion, but I think she'll agree. She knows what's at stake.
- In the meantime, I'll look for more information on Corypheus. - Dorian announced. - It may be that he comes from some obscure family.
- And this information will make a difference? - Varric asked.
- Fear is something we don't know. If we know Corypheus, he will not be so scary anymore. - said the mage with a smile and left the smithy.
Varric and Hawke made their way to the tents set up within the walls. It was a permanent part of the fortress where the healers took care of the wounded. They spotted a woman with golden hair in the midst of the tents. She was in the process of removing an arrow from the knee of one of the soldiers. The man screamed as if he were being burned with a hot iron and Mira growled at the two girls helping her, only for them to hold him still. After a moment the spearhead was removed and the man lost consciousness.
- Bandage it up as I showed you. - she instructed the helpers and went over to a bowl of water. She washed her blood-stained hands and began to wipe them with gray cloth. When she saw the Champion and the dwarf approaching out of the corner of her eye she smiled sarcastically.
- Who needs my help this time? Our esteemed Inquisitor is at some ball for a change, at least that's what I heard so it's not about him.
- Mira... - Varric began seriously. - We need your other... talents.
The woman froze for a moment with the cloth she was holding in her hand. She threw it carelessly on the lawn after a moment and walked over to her chest with medications.
- I'm not doing this anymore Varric. - she said firmly, rearranging the glass bottles. Hawke was almost certain she was only doing it to keep her hands busy.
- Mira listen... - the dwarf began but the woman interrupted him suddenly.
- No, you listen to me, Varric! I have patients who depend on my presence here. I cannot and will not go back to my former life.
Hawke overtook Varric and stood next to the woman.
-Mira. You can help get rid of this filth. You can help reduce the number of these patients.
Raw green eyes shifted to the Champion and peach lips tightened slightly. She was silent for a long moment, her green gaze resting on the rows of tents. Marian could see however, that her words had reached the woman.
-What should I do? - she asked finally.
Varric explained to her exactly what their plan was and Mira listened intently.
-When? - she asked only briefly.
-Dagna should finish preparing the crystal soon, so I guess today. - answered the Champion.
-Tomorrow. - Mira informed her. - I have to prepare some things before I leave.
-Whatever you need. - answered Varric in understanding.
Marian turned and was about to leave, but a woman's melodious voice stopped her.
-Hawke, why did this happen? - she asked. - How is it that he was with you, the Champion of Kirkwall, and yet he met his death? And not at the hands of templars, but ordinary bandits?
Hawke lowered her head. A few weeks ago just after Mira had helped the Inquisitor recover, Marian had complied with her request and told her what had happened to Anders. The woman listened to everything with a stoic calm but did not react in any way. Marian felt that Mira simply needed time. It took a moment before she turned around.
-Simply because they were ordinary bandits. - she explained. - Anders had always been able to sense the templars. Sebastian was well aware of that, which was why he had used mercenaries. After hiding for so long we both thought the chase was over. I underestimated Sebastian and Anders paid for it with his life. - she added bitterly.
-Is this the cocky man who came to the fortress with the accusations some time ago?
Hawke nodded.
-In Denerim... was that you? - she asked a little quieter.
Hawke nodded again.
Mira smiled as if with pride.
-Did the Inquisitor know? - she asked another question, to which the Champion nodded again. - He defended you in that hall like a lion.
Marian snorted quietly.
-And I repaid him with a severe brawl. - she admitted.
-Every one of us makes mistakes. - Mira said and looked around the tents again. - He would be useful here now. The damn mage was the best healer I ever knew. I hope he is at peace. - she said to herself.
-I hope so too. - Hawke sighed.
-Bring me that contraption as soon as the dwarf prepares it. I'll get it to the site as soon as possible.
Hawke and Varric only nodded and both headed towards the forge to see if Dagna had made any progress.