Hope and Honor Chapter 6: A Circle of Friends, a dragon age fanfic

Chapter 6 = = A Circle of Friends = = Haring 9:29 to Wintermarch 9:30

"Are you excited about finally getting to teach the advanced primal magic class, Rana?" Emmalynn grinned sitting across from her best friend, a pale elven man with white-blond hair and mischief in his eyes.

"Yeah. Maybe they'll let me teach combination spells."

"Good luck convincing Irving that the Storm of the Century is essential to the primal curriculum."

"I was thinking about that; seeing as how you are now a senior enchanter maybe you can put in a good word for me? Having a dignified old woman like you on my side could only help."

"Old woman?! I'm only 20. Besides, you're a year older than me so if I'm old you're older!"

"Yes, but I wasn't harrowed at 13. Face it, M, they are going to groom you to be the next First Enchanter."

Emmalynn looked horrified. "Maker, I hope not. I have a hard enough time making friends. That's why I like working with the Apprentices. I can at least talk to them."

"You know, you do just fine when you are working with people, healing them, and listening to their problems."

"Rana, I'm an Andrastian Circle mage who regularly attends services, and embraces being a mage. On a good day, people think I'm weird. On a bad day…"

"Look. I know Uldred has said some nasty things to you. Next time go to Greagoir, not Irving."

"I'm not worried about Uldred saying nasty things. I was very clear what I thought about him and his megalomaniacal tendencies. Now he just believes I'm beneath him and not worthy of his notice."

"Really? You called Uldred a megalomaniac? Good for you! Most of us just avoid him. Oh, by the way, did I read the schedule right - you are teaching intro and intermediate Creation classes? Isn't that a lot?"

"No, I really do love teaching, and I'm pretty good at it."

"You are good at it." After sipping his tea, his mouth twisted into a smirk. "Then again, you took over from Enchanter Wyles who was known to nod off while lecturing…so it's a low bar."

"Rana!" Emmalynn laughed and tossed a small cube of roasted turnip at him, which bounced off his nose and splash-landed in his tea."

"Yuck! I have to drink that and I hate Turnips." After removing the offending piece of root vegetable from his tea Surana looked up. "Good aim though."

~oOOo~

Sitting on her desk looking out at the scared and uncertain expressions of her young students, Emmalynn gave encouraging smile. "Welcome to Creation!"

Several of the apprentices smiled, a couple chuckled.

"I have some housekeeping items. First, when we're in class please call me Emmalynn. Second, I don't tend to do much lecturing; if there are things I want you to take notes on, I'll tell you.

"As we start the semester, I want you to know that some of you will really excel at creation magic, some not so much, and a few may not resonate with it at all, and that is perfectly okay. It is also okay if you hate creation magic. What does matter is you give it an honest try. Are you all willing to do that?"

A chorus of yeses sounded from the students.

"Good. Now, I want to get to the activity that we will do at the beginning of each class. I call it 'Ask me anything'."

Several students looked surprised; most had furrowed brows. Every year, I see the same skeptical looks–they are far too young to be that guarded. Perhaps if the children experience kindness when they arrive...one of the many ways our Circle fails children.

"So why do I do this? I was nine when I came here. I knew no one and I knew nothing about circles. I had so many questions that I was too afraid to ask. Some questions were answered over time, some answers I figured out the hard way. I vowed that if I was ever allowed to teach or mentor I would always have a period of time where I can be asked anything.

"Ask me Anything has two rules: First, be honest. Second, respect your classmates – that means you will not laugh at any question asked and you will respect their privacy outside of class. In return, I promise you that if I will not judge you, and if I don't know the answer, I will tell you so, and then find out the answer to share during the next class." Good, they look interested!

"Okay, let's get started."

After a minute or so, one hand hesitantly went up.

"Alina, what's your question?"

"Who sent you here?"

Emmalynn's tone still carried echoes of the sadness, anger, and fear, "My father saw me heal a bird's broken wing. He was very angry and immediately called the templars. My mother was in tears as the templars took me away, but my dad just looked relieved."

Another hand slowly went up.

"Viola?"

"Were the templars mean to you?"

Hmm, I will talk to Viola later to see if her Templars may have been the nasty kind. "They were mean but not cruel. I was not as tall and I am now and I was rather curvy, so they called me Pudgy, Pudge, or Pudding - that was mean, especially as they never used my actual name.

"They rode horses and typically I rode with one or the other. Sometimes, they made me walk while they rode. They told me the exercise would make me lose weight. I said if that's so, they would have to stop calling me Pudgy. They didn't really have an answer for that, but they didn't punish me for saying it. As I said, mean but not cruel."

"Nora?"

"What spirit helps you heal?"

"Hope. She found me during my harrowing and it's Hope that lends me the power to heal."

"Do you like being a healer?" Nora asked

"I know this may sound sappy, but I love being able to help others; healing is one way I can do that."

Nora grinned. "I want to heal people, too."

"Then you are in the right class and I look forward to teaching you how."

Several hands are up now. Let's see…whose hand has been raised the longest.

"Liam?"

Fear wove through Liam's words. "How… old were you when you had your harrowing and… what…was it like?"

"I was 13. I can't tell you what it's like because it's different for everyone. While we are on the subject, who is worried or even scared about your harrowing?" Emmalynn raised her hand. "I know I was."

One student raised their hand, then two, then five, then the rest of the students raised their hands.

"You already know that I am the one who guides and advises apprentices? Okay, then know this: None of you will go through harrowing until I know you can succeed. You will not be rushed. You will not be forced. You will go through your Harrowing when you are ready. You have my promise."

"Apprentices?"

Everyone turned to look at the Templar, standing guard by the door.

"Since Senior Enchanter Amell became the advisor for apprentices, no one has failed their harrowing or been made Tranquil."

The students looked back to Emmalynn, who smiled. "We have time for one more question. Remember, we will do this at the start of each class.

"Ellis?"

"Why don't you have a lot of friends?"

Observant. "Because I am painfully shy in social situations with people my age or older. I don't know why, but I was like that before I came to the Circle. I have people I'm pals with, however, Enchanter Surana is my only close friend."

Ellis asked. "Does Enchanter Surana have a first name?"

"Yes, but he doesn't use it." Only me Irving and Greagoir know his first name – he hates it. Good, they look far more relaxed.

"Okay, then let's start."

~oOOo~

After class, Emmalynn nodded to Ser Cullen. "Thank you for your comment."

"It's the truth, Senior Enchanter."

"Having it corroborated helped them relax."

"At first, I was concerned about this 'ask anything' idea but the apprentices are much calmer. Fewer accidents and fewer temptations."

"That was my hope. Thanks again for your help, Ser."

~oOOo~

"Your Majesty?"

Calian looked up at his Chancellor's worried expression. And today was going so well. "What is it, Chester?"

"The Grey Warden Commander of Ferelden is here, requesting an emergency audience."

That's not good. "Please alert the Queen and ask her to join me in the audience chamber."

Cailan was in the robing room behind the throne when Anora met him. "Cailan, do you know what the Warden Commander wants?"

"No, but if it involves the wardens it must be about darkspawn."

Anora sighed. Cailan reached to pull her into a hug. "Whatever it is, we will deal with it."

"We always do. But today was going so well."

Cailan chuckled. "I had the exact same thought when Chester found me."

~oOOo~

14 Wintermarch, 9:30 Dragon
Loghain MacTir, Teyrn
Gwaren

Dear Father,

The Warden-Commander spoke to us today and explained that a possible Blight was beginning in Southern Ferelden, near Ostagar.

Cailan is drafting a formal Call to Arms. His plan is to lead the Royal army to Ostagar. He wants you to lead the Gwaren forces directly to Ostagar.

I know how much you distrust the Wardens and believe they are merely Orlesian puppets. Honestly, between Cailan's complete reverence and your total contempt lies the real Grey Wardens. I choose to believe the Warden Commander and urge you to do so as well.

Also, Cailan is excluding Arl Eamon from the summons. Cailan said, and I agree, that we "neither want nor need Arl Eamon at Ostagar as he would only be there to seek glory."

Love,
Anora

~Call to Arms~

Bryce Cousland, Teyrn of Highever
Loghain MacTir, Teyrn of Gwaren
Leonas Bryland, Arl of South Reach
Rendon Howe, Arl of Amaranthine and Allied Banns
Urien Kendells, Arl of Denerim
Gel Lendon, Arl of Edgehall and Allied Banns
Voychek Neruda, Arl of Stenhold and Allied Bann
Gallagher Wolfe, Arl of Western Hills

Unallied Banns
Bann Elara of Calon
Bann Franderel of West Hills
Bann Ceorlic of Southern Bannorn
Bann Sighard of Dragon's Peak

On this, the 14th day of Wintermarch of the 30th year of the 9th age:

We have been warned by the Ferelden Grey Warden Commander of a Blight beginning in southern Ferelden. This Blight must end before it destroys our country. We call you to lead your armies to the fortress at Ostagar, where you will be joined Our Royal Army. Please make haste.

May Andraste's blessings be with you and with Ferelden.
Cailan Theirin, Rex
Anora MacTir Theirin, Regina
Ferelden

~oOOo~

~Under the Seal of Elemena, Grand-Cleric of Ferelden~

Knight-Commander Greagoir

On this the 15th day of Wintermarch, of the 30th year of the 9th age, as Grand-Cleric of Ferelden, I Elemena, support his Majesty's Call to Arms as detailed below.

~Call to Arms~

Knight-Commander Greagoir
First Enchanter Irving

On this, the 14th day of Wintermarch of the 30th year of the Dragon Age:

May Andraste's blessings be with you and with Ferelden.

Cailan Theirin, Rex
Anora Theirin, Regina
Ferelden

~oOOo~

She was standing in Irving's office, confused and uncertain. "To Ostagar? Why?"

"Emmalynn, the King has called for our senior mages to help the King's army fight what could be the beginning of a Blight.

"Maker! A Blight, Irving?"

"So, it would seem. You are the best healer we have; Wynne is our next best. You are both needed."

"But what about the apprentices? Who will advise them?"

"Surana and I will take care of them until you come back."

"Considering Rana is the best primal mage we have, I'm glad he's staying here…just in case."

"My thoughts exactly."

~oOOo~

Hugging each other tightly, Rana whispered, "You take care of yourself, M. Stay safe."

"I'm a healer…I don't know if that puts me near the front line or behind it. But I will come back, Rana. I promise."

He smirked. "Good, because I do not want to permanently play mommy to all the apprentices."

She put a hand to her heart, aping a valent warrior. "Worry not. My Prince… I shall return and save you from such a horrible fate."

"You'd better!"

AN: Thank you to my Beta ElyssaCousland any errors are mine. Thank you to those who have reviewed and are following.