Chapter Nineteen
To The Watchtower
Rather than going straight east through the Crossroads, we went slightly south to take care of the rift at Fort Conor. We got the Map of the Deep Rods there and the Rock Armor recipe when I cleared the way into that little area without hopping around.
And of course – the shards after I sent someone to look through the Ocularum.
We then continued east; past the Outskirts camp where – no surprise – a fucking requisition officer cornered me. I think my whole group was sniggering at my resigned sigh after my sneaking past didn't work… however, I was happy to note that I had the needed items for this one, left the stuff on the table and bolted before the woman could get me again.
"Waves… want to tell us why you were avoiding her?" Varric asked.
"20 Sovereigns says that if pass by there again, she'll have another fucking requisition." I grumped.
"… to complete that bet, we'd need to pass by there again," Solas pointed out.
I shot him a look as Maxwell said, "No, no – I'll take that bet; if the woman had more than one requisition, she would have given it to you all at once."
"In the games, if you went to a camp area after completing a requisition, you would – without fail – hear 'dispatch for you' or 'Inquisitor'… without fail it would force you into a conversation with them. I will gladly pay and relax if I'm wrong – but knowing my husband, he ordered them to only give me one at a time."
Cassandra hummed, "Cullen wouldn't do that – he values how hard working you are."
"He does – however, he would think I need to focus on field work, not requisitions. There is a reason our wagon is full of materials though; I know what we need for any requisitions we'll get in any area and I've been collecting accordingly. This one was the Geological survey, but there are 5 others that I know of. I bet that officer has all 5 on her table."
"Alright, as the one not betting, I'll hold all the money in this pouch; I'll split it among the winners," Ellana said.
Varric, Maxwell and Cass betted there would be no more; Solas and I bet there would be.
"Chuckles, you think so too?" Varric asked.
"I simply think that the Admiral is very sensitive such possibilities – and she never makes a bet she knows she will lose; I am reasonably sure we win this."
I already won – they just didn't know. I knew Solas had also seen the other requisitions on the damn table; he knew we would win – but no one else know that.
We completed the other Astrarium and doubled back. It was a fairly calm walk to the cave since we had completed all that other crap.
In the cave, I noted that there was a lot more than I thought there would be and happily admitted that I was wrong. We collected the 5 boxes and put them in the wagon… but I sneakily took a pretty golden bracelet with nine unique charms on it. I knew it was for the Elvhen Pantheon. Solas noticed me wearing it as we headed back toward Fort Conor.
He hung back with me, "Do you know what you wear, Lethallan?"
"Not entirely – I know this wolf head charm is Fen'Harel; this dragon charm is Mythal, and so on… but past that…"
"It was given to those that showed exceptional merit and would mark them as free from receiving Vallaslin."
I blinked, "I was unaware there was such a thing; why is there a charm for Fen'Harel?"
"I was not consulted on it – they began doing that to how I was a 'god'… I disagreed," he muttered.
We got back to the outskirts camp and the officer came up to me looking awkward, "D-dispatch for you, ser…"
Ellana threw the bag at me; Solas caught it with a smirk. I sighed, "Give them all to me, Officer – disregard my husband in this."
She relaxed and passed them all to me. I shoved them at Maxwell and said, "Get the materials from the wagon – consider this penance for doubting me."
He nodded with a laugh, "Your husband is in trouble," he sang.
I growled – but he was right. I was too upset now to call him, however – I would give myself a bit before calling him to talk to him.
We headed south – to the rift and that elven widow whose husband was killed by Templars. As expected, she was pissed. I could just make out that she had been crying and could help myself from pulling her into a hug. She was stiff – I was a shem after all – but she eventually hugged me back seeing Ellana nod.
I told her that I would hunt them down and retrieve the ring for her. She looked like she didn't believe me until Ellana said, "Lethallan – do you know where they are?"
Maura – the widow – thought she was talking to her. But I said, "I have a notion they're due east – on the other side of that large hill."
"As Her Worship says – if they aren't there, then we can see about tracking them." Maxwell said.
I looked at the woman – still yet to give her name – and said, "Maura, is it? I give you my word – those templars will pay for killing an innocent man… and if you need, you may seek out the inquisition forces spread through the Hinterlands and show them this coin; it marks you as having my approval… I'm the Inquisitor so they'll listen."
"I thought we were hiding your status as Inquisitor?" Maxwell asked as the woman took the Lazurite coin marked with the Inquisition sigil and the Cousland Laurels along the edges. It was my idea to have something I could give in secret to people that would mark them as people in my care. Leliana came up with this.
"Fuck it – what's the use of being Inquisitor or Princess of Ferelden if I can't help my people? I'll let Cullen and Alistair know that I'm telling people now; this is worse than I thought it would be – these people need to know that we haven't abandoned them. Now, Maura – I will return before the week is over."
"How do you know my name?"
Varric shook his head, "Haven't you heard the stories about her Ladyship? She had a vision; she knows all that she needs to."
"I… I will look for your return then, My Lady…" she – understandably – looked hesitant.
I nodded to her and we left – heading east. I was fuming as we went north around the hill – sopping in the cave to destroy the Red Lyrium deposit; this was also where we learned I couldn't touch the stuff with the elemental ability. There were several things like that though – I could float cheese with air, but I couldn't exactly make it break apart unless I floated a knife.
On our way south, we found the 'Love Waits' letter so we could return it to Berand. And – as predicted – we found the two-man Templar unit at the base of the hill.
I was searching their pockets by the time the sun began to set. Callen and Alistair called at that time – their usual time by now.
I answered with, "So, I've begun telling people that I'm the Inquisitor…"
"Thank the Maker," Cullen sighed. That, of course, caught my attention, "Why?"
"Well… with your status as the Lost Cousland and Princess of Fereldens – and now as Arlessa of Denerim – Leliana and lady Montilyet have decided it was best to use your status to leverage the Inquisition into a better position by formally announcing your status as Inquisitor. Rumors are also abounding that you're related to Andraste – and Elissa is playing along with it by saying things about the old Guardian of the Ashes that was apparently here at one point…"
"I would have loved to meet that guy… aha – here's the womans' ring. We'll make camp for the night just south of Mauras' house and we can return this tomorrow before heading over to take care of the tower. Sorry; two templars killed a man in cold blood and took his wedding ring because it 'might be magic'. The man wasn't a mage; not that it would have made it any better. But yeah – I trust their judgement, Cullen – if they thought I needed to be known, then let them speak. Leliana wouldn't do anything that might hurt me – because that would hurt Elissa and she doesn't want that. Oh – we found five crates full of Pre-Andrastian Artifacts. I took an Ancient Elvhen bracelet as my cut and allowed each of the others one item too – otherwise, it's marked for Skyhold so we can have scholars look them over – maybe charge for it; I don't care. Solas tells me that the bracelet I picked out isn't even magic – which is rare for Arlathan Artifacts."
Alistair spoke, "I actually have a scholar that would pay an enormous amount to look through those – Brother Genitivi."
"Ah… him. I suppose if he must…" I frowned.
"I take it that you don't like him?" Solas asked amused.
"I do not. He may not be as judgmental as some with his great faith, but still uses the discriminatory terms and such. He's an idealist that believes too strongly in the good of humanity and doesn't put much stock in people who would twist things. People were being scammed by carta dwarves claiming to have pinches of ash. He knows that the Chantry exaggerates at times when talking about certain things that are lost to time – but doesn't seem to want to fix it. But isn't Genitivi missing again at the moment?"
"Ah – forgot about that. Do you know where he is?"
"… Not yet," I smirked, "But guess where he ends up in the next year?"
"The… Inquisition?" Alistair chuckled.
"Yeah – poor bastard finds proof that Fen'Harel and the Evanuris exist and suffers a crisis of Faith when he realizes that the Maker may not exist. I mean – he regains his faith after a bit, but there is a lot of anxiety for him in the coming days."
"Wait – they really exist?" Cassandra frowned. I nodded, "They do – not that it matters; they weren't Gods. Evanuris means 'Mage Leader' – they were powerful mages raised up to be worshiped like gods… they were not gods themselves."
Solas nodded, "That is what I have found in the Fade as well – I simply had no proof."
We made it to the Campsite and started setting up. I sighed, "Much as I hate to say it – there's not much more we can do here. Pretty much just the tower. Oh – I found Blackwall."
"Did you pardon him?" Alistair asked at once. Blackwall stiffened. I hummed, "I made you a promise – I kept that promise. He will continue to go by Blackwall – more of a title than a name now – but yeah. Keep your end of the bargain, my king."
"A wheel of Orlesian Sharp directly from my personal stash of cheese to keep Blackwall from joining the Wardens in truth; already packed in my wagon. Also the extra wheels are in the wagon too."
Blackwall barked a laugh, "My life hung on the fate of cheese?"
"Not your life – just which route you were given. You would have lived either way, Blackwall; I was going to give you to the Wardens – and you would have helped them rebuild after this demon thing. Alistair requested your pardon hearing that you would have made amends for the wrong you've done instead before going on to aid people in need – finding people in jail and giving them second chances. That was your fate."
"I… I feel unworthy…"
"You're a good man; death was never an option I would have taken with you. No one outside the inner circle will know that you are not the real Blackwall for now. There will come a time when we tell people, but not yet. The Orlesian treaties are appreciated though."
Alistair laughed, "You are quite shameless – are you telling me that your main reason for recruiting Blackwall was those treaties?"
"No – the treaties were the icing on the cake. I told you that I think beards are sexy," I said while leaning back against the tower wall – I loved this camp spot.
Blackwall paled until everyone else laughed at my nonchalant tone. Cullen cursed, "I'm growing a beard."
I shrugged, "No great loss for me – I know you look hot one way or the other; but the feel of a beard against my neck is what I really like about it. Maybe ask Blake about the time he had no choice but to play as my lover. We seriously almost killed one another – I had a dagger with the pointy end just barely piercing his ribs and saying any more and this goes in further."
"Makers' Breath – will you be doing that when I kiss you?" Alistair asked.
"Don't be silly – I plan to do more than kiss you if our nightly calls are anything to go by. Cullen – I miss you," I sighed.
"And I you, my wife… don't touch the Warden."
"I won't – he's cute, but like I said… I think he'd look good with Josie; not that anything will ever actually come of it. I just like those two together. Anyway, so I said something completely stupid – and I followed the superstition of knocking on wood to ward it off, but now I'm worried. I have this nagging suspicion and it won't leave me alone."
"What did you say?"
"That I hoped you and Alistair were the only two husbands I take – because I really don't want a third. Then I knocked on wood – because knocking on wood is supposed to ward off the influences that disrupt the good luck if the luck is mentioned aloud. But – Varric wouldn't drop the topic and kept trying to get me to speculate on what might cause such a thing so I'm worried that negated my knocking on a tree. If something happens and I wake up married to a third man, we know who to blame."
"Hey – don't put this on me! Curly will kill me!" Varric cried.
Cassandra shook her head and went to reading a book. Maxwell began building the fire. Solas and Ellana were talking quietly and I'm sure people thought it might be romantic in nature, but I knew it was about the organization. Blackwall had taken up a guardian post near me – apparently believing my life was his responsibility.
Cullen growled, "So he may have interrupted a superstition? Makers' Breath – those are highly followed here because they usually work. I'll let Leliana and Lady Montilyet know about this 'knock-on-wood' thing. Sweet Maker – so you may end up with a third husband just based on this?"
"Not if I'm allowed to say no – the problem comes if I'm drugged or worse. We have no idea what might happen since I look so much like Elissa. I refused to speculate earlier – as I said – but honestly, the only things I can actually think of are so outlandish that they would be difficult to pull off. I can't say impossible – as Alice once said in Wonderland; I sometimes believe in as many as 6 impossible things before breakfast. Gods walk among us, gentlemen; but they don't like being called gods. I'm impossible."
Alistair hummed, "I can see that. So what sort of scenario did you come up with?"
"It involved demons, rifts, and being kidnapped by friendly Avvar barbarians. But really – it's the kind of crap you can't put in a book because it's so unbelievable."
Varric snorted, "Now I need to know… come on Waves – please?"
"Think of me not telling you as punishment for jinxing me; I've always had pretty shitty luck – jinxing me like you have is akin to saying 'Ha-ha fuck you' and the universe starts lubing up its fist for my arse."
Cassandra groaned, "Can we change the subject?"
Blackwall looked amused, but simply said, "It would only be proper."
I shot him a wink, "Alistair – I don't think I need that warrior; Blackwall has graciously sworn his sword to me. Nothing will touch me before it hits his shield first. No more arrows to the chest for me my dear."
Blackwall coughed, "You took an arrow to the chest?"
"To be fair – it's not the first weapon to pierce where my heart should be and it likely won't be the last."
"Well – taking arrows is a pastime of mine, My Lady," Blackwall shook his head in amusement. I lifted my cup in salute, "Gentlemanly of you, Blackwall."
"Anna is non-negotiable anymore. By the way – the Mabari you requested is a trained War-Hound from the royal kennels named 'Bryce'."
I smiled softly, "You're such a cheesy bastard. You make it hard to say no to you."
Solas gave me an eyebrow twitch. Alistair laughed, "I thought you might like that; you never did get to meet your father, so this was the best I could do for you…"
Cullen sighed, "This is why I had to move fast and marry her early – I might have lost her completely if you had shown up before I had that ring on her finger."
I laughed, "I love you, Cullen – that will never change. I'd lose you to my better half if he had anything to say about it."
"Speaking of Blake, He wants to know more about the fictional 'Marilyn' – what do I tell him?"
"That I caught the woman after she slipped from a ladder or something. Pull Leliana into it if you really need fake details about my fake lover. Or use Alistair as inspiration. Oh – oh – I got it! Tell him that Marilyn was a code name for someone named Ritts. He'll flip his ever-loving shit. You'll break his delicate brain! Tell him that I saved her from two rogue templars but the mage with her was already dead."
"… Ritts, you say?" Cullens' voice was downright sinful. I shuddered at the dark promise in his voice.
"Oh yeah – he might even believe it. I have no idea what color her hair is but her eyes are blue. But anyway – as I've said, I may actually be done in this area in the next two days – after the tower, I just need to go back to the Crossroads before going back to Haven."
"And I leave here tomorrow," Alistair sighed, "With the detour to the Forest I'm making, I won't catch up to you as I'd hoped."
"Well… there might be one more thing I could do here – there's a book from the circle near an active rift on the path to Redcliffe Village… and actually, there's also a camp near there… no one is stupid enough to camp there with it being so close to a territorial Dragon. We already took care of the Bandits, after all. I can stall for no longer than 4-5 days; be quick in those ruins. If you manage to catch up to me, I'll even allow you to share a tent with me back to Haven."
"… Eamon! Get the people together; I suddenly can't stand your face anymore and desire to leave now."
I sputtered as Varric laughed.
Cullen was roaring in laughter too. I vaguely heard someone asking, "Commander?"
"Nothing, Jackson – don't worry about it."
I sniggered. Blackwall looked confused, "Last I saw the King, he was married to your sister, Lady Cousland."
"Dissolved on basis of her infertility and some jackal in the Landsmeet pointed out the lack of monogamy clause in the Chant and was backed by a dying Grand Cleric so… all the nobility of Ferelden has chosen me as the prime choice for Queen since we know I can have kids. I told you I was a princess – I didn't tell you I was Alistairs' new future bride; sorry – it was an open area."
He nodded, "More of a reason to take those arrows, I guess."
I hummed, "Oh – and so you two don't hear it from someone else; I was half naked when I recruited Blackwall because Ellanas' pet wolf would not release my pants after my soak in the lake. Nothing was seen because I stayed submerged in the lake, but I wouldn't put it past Varric to talk about it with hopes of riling one or both of you."
"… Nothing was seen?" Cullen asked.
"I was wearing a shirt and smalls – and again, I was half-submerged. I was more upset that bandits attacked while I was trying to have a nice chat with Blackwall. I fired warning shots into their heads – oops." I shrugged with feigned shame.
"… Warning shots – right…" Blackwall coughed in the following silence, "Center of the forehead on all three of them; certainly a warning."
Alistairs' voice sounded amused, "Why do I always go for the women that can crush me with a look?"
"You have the same type that I do?" I guessed.
"Must be it – sounds right, I suppose. It helps that you can take the jokes too," he laughed.
I chuckled. Varric spoke up – changing the subject, "Hey, Waves – I've been meaning to ask; is there anything that you do that Sticker does too? You said you have a few aligning interests."
"Er… n-no?" I lied.
"Fess up," Alistair said at once.
"It won't make sense! I will… I will tell you when we all get back to Haven. But – I will need a hardwood or tile performance area – I suppose the Tavern will work. Do not tell Blake or I will have to do it alone; tap-dancing is not something I do alone!"
"Tap-dancing? What's that?" Cassandra asked.
"Something that's better shown than told. Ugh – I am going to regret this." I muttered. I quickly changed the subject, "Cullen – I have a bone to pick with you."
He coughed, "What have I done, my love?"
"Withholding the requisitions and only having them give me one at a time? It's rather suspicious when I complete one and come back about an hour later to a new one supposedly arriving."
He cursed, "I expected it to take longer…"
"Did you forget who I am? Ma Vhenan – I knew about all 6 requisitions before they were ever set – so I had already gathered the needed materials for all of them. Don't laugh, Alistair."
He covered with a cough, "I'm sorry, dear – I just thought that it was humorous that Cullen was always the one that insisted on never holding anything back…"
"Hmm – yes, Cassandra, Varric and Maxwell all thought the same way. Solas bet with my side so we got to split 60 Sovereigns between us when we won the bet."
Cullen groaned, "Well – at least I surprised the Dwarf."
Varric shook his head, "It isn't impossible to do, you know – just because Hawke encountered a lot of weird shit doesn't mean that I've seen it all."
"The funny thing is – I will actually be declared a part of Stone-Bear Hold and even earn a legend mark from them. Now…"
"No way, Waves – tell me more."
"Maybe another time; I'm exhausted and…"
Eamons voice came through sounding rushed, "Everything is ready, Your Majesty – Anna, Solona, your guards, and the hound named Bryce are all simply waiting for you at the gate… do… do you plan to travel at night?"
"Why not? It's that or stay up all night and all day tomorrow and rest when we reach the forest path. My dearest princess, I suppose this is where I let you go so that I might travel to you – Maker willing, I will see you in 3 days maybe 4."
"Be nice to the horses – Dennet will have your hide otherwise… and tell Solona that Cullen is the Commander – just so she's prepared. I know he had a crush on her back then, but I don't know if it was mutual."
"It was – but with what happened… Solona traveled with us after we picked up Wynne too – so that's how she and the assassin got together. I'll warn her – though I'm sure she likely knows," he sighed.
"Thank you – I'll see you in a few days."
The connection cut and Cullen said, "I love you, Celeste – but I also need to cut this short tonight – we are in the midst of final preparations for the party. We're holding it in Haven since we did listen to Blake on that part at least. He said it would be best to keep Skyhold secret for the moment."
"He's right – we want our enemy to attack us at a place we can easily abandon, not our main stronghold when it isn't prepared. Make no mistake – the enemy will attack. He still thinks he can get the thing Maxwell took from him back. It isn't possible – but he won't know that until he tries. Josie better have imported tiny Orlesian cakes for me at this party – it's the only way I'm forgiving her and Leli for this."
"You know – Blake said something to that effect; forgiveness comes from your sweet-tooth were his words. So you not only have Orlesian cakes, you have sweet rolls from Antiva and sugary chocolates from Rivain. The girls felt terrible when I told them why you hated your birthday and now, they plan to order you Tevinter and Rivaini Jewelry and an Orlesian Jewelry Box to put the stuff in as an apology. You'd think they killed me with how hard they are going on apology gifts."
"Sounds about right," I sighed.
"I will speak with you tomorrow evening, my love – be safe."
"For you? Always. Good night, Ma Vhenan."
I cut the connection and stretched.
Varric shook his head, "Snowflake must love you, Waves."
I gave him a confused glance, "It's a bit early to be saying that – I haven't even met him yet."
"But he hates traveling at night – hates it. He did it while we were in Antiva and such, but he made it quite known that if he had a choice, he wouldn't do it again."
"But… he does have a choice…" I frowned.
"And he's still doing it – maybe he doesn't realize, but I think maybe he loves you."
I contemplated that as I lay down for the night.
The next day, we did indeed save Ritts before going to the Watchtower. We'd dropped off the ring to Maura early.
We managed to find the Phylactery for the 'my lovers' phylactery' quest too.
Ritts was watching us as I methodically looked around, "This is a mage," I hummed.
"Eldredda, yes – I mean, I think that was her name; at least, I'd heard other apostates call her that. The templars attacked the apostates. I suppose I just got caught in the… middle," she coughed.
"Looks like a picnic," I remarked.
Ritts nodded, "Uh, yes – the mage must have been hunting for… blood magic," she coughed weakly.
I gave her an amused look, "Uh-huh."
She sighed, "So – the truth… I may have been… um; passing time with Eldredda."
I smiled and shrugged, "Honey – I married Cullen in under two weeks' time. I get it. The world went crazy… she was a mage who saw you and didn't attack at first. However; I won't report you. If you can talk a mage out of her robes in the middle of a war – and in the middle of a war zone no less – then you have a wonderful gift. Use it. Make contacts, get information, and help the inquisition. It comes with a pay increase and sealed lips to sweeten the deal."
She looked thoughtful before smiling shyly, "Alright – I can do that. And thank you, your worship – for not…"
"Sweetie – I would have done the same; Eldredda looks beautiful. I'll see her buried – get back to your partner and report your new status before making your way back to Haven to report to Sister Nightingale. Hand her this token – she'll know what it means… and if you run into Vice-Admiral Blake, make it seem like you and I are lovers – for that, I'll give you a double pay increase."
She looked amused, "Playing a prank, Admiral?"
I had noticed little tufts of blonde hair falling from her cap and said, "Oh, yeah – see, I plan to sing a song for my husband and it mentions a blonde with blue eyes so to fuck with him, I told Cullen to tell my dear brother that I met a woman and Cullen just couldn't say no to my pleading voice – somehow we settled on using your name."
"This could be fun – and the pay won't hurt; by your leave, Admiral." She saluted with a smile and headed off.
I set to work burying the mage woman before we headed to the tower. I made Maxwell take point while talking to Speaker Anais.
