Chapter 9 = = Then Uldred Staged His Coup = =Drakonis 9:30

Talking with Wynne, Emmalynn sat on her bed, dumbfounded. "Loghain offered more freedoms from the Chantry if our Circle allied with him?"

"That's what Uldred said."

"Allied with him to do what? He's the Queen's Regent."

"Clearly, he means to take the throne."

"Even if that were true, which I am not at all sure it is, no king would be able to get freedoms for mages unless they could convince the Grand Cleric to allow it. You and I both know Grand Cleric Elemena would never allow it. What is Uldred playing at?"

"I think the better question is what is Loghain playing at? His treachery at Ostagar was beyond the pale!"

There is no reasoning with Wynne when she has a full head of steam. Loghain had no choice but to sound the retreat. I know – I was on the field.

Suddenly there was a loud roaring noise like a gale force wind blowing within the tower.

"Wynne! The veil…it feels…"

"Thin."

Suddenly horrific screams seemed to sound from the very stones in the walls.

"Wynne, something's gone horribly wrong. We need to see if we can help!"

In the hallway outside of their quarters, they saw Niall about five feet away, killing a rage demon. He turned. "Emmalynn! Wynne! Thank the Maker you're here. Find all of the mages you can and get them to safety."

"What happened Niall? Emmalynn and I felt the veil."

"Uldred was a blood mage and now he's possessed."

Wynne was shocked and horrified. "What? How?"

"When we decided not to accept Loghain's offer, he and his followers rebelled. When Uldred tried to summon a Pride Demon, he was overwhelmed by it. That is what you felt: it weakened the veil. Now demons are appearing everywhere."

Emmalynn was already running to the stairs that led down to the apprentice level. She waited for Wynne to catch up, then opened the door.

As she did, she staggered back, almost bumping into the older mage. The smell of death and the demonic residue is already saturating the air! "Wynne! The demons are already down here. We have to find the apprentices right now." Please, let us get to the children before the demons!

After running into the apprentice dormitory, Emmalynn put up a repulsion glyph in the doorway. That should buy us some time. She closed her eyes, calming herself. There are only 10 apprentices in here. She opened her eyes. "Children, please come out of your hiding places. Wynne and I will get you out of here, but you have to come with us now."

At the sound of their teacher's voice, the apprentices scrambled from various parts of the dorm and ran to Emmalynn. Ten terrified apprentices looked up at their teacher. Keeping her voice calm, she reassured the children, "We will keep you safe, but stay close to me, okay?"

The children all nodded.

Wynne looked at Emmalynn in surprise. "How did you know anyone was here? I didn't see them."

"Does it matter right now?"

"No, I suppose not. I'll take the lead; the children can stay close to you"

They found Petra and Cera, along with three of the older apprentices Eadric, Keili, and the eldest, Kinnon.

"Thank the Maker you're here!" Petra exclaimed. "Cera and I will scout ahead a bit."

Wynne admonished, "Please stay close enough so we can see you."

Turning the corner onto the main corridor, Petra and Cera went to the front doors at the other end.

Emmalynn and Wynne watched as Petra tried to open them but the doors were locked. The only way out of the tower was barred to them.

No! Emmalynn sent a questioning look at Wynne. Are they sending for the Rite?

Wynne nodded. Emmalynn took Wynne's hand and squeezed it. No words had been spoken but both women gained strength from the other. Strength to hold on and to do what was necessary to protect the innocent children from senseless slaughter.

Cera motioned to a nearby room. "There is another room in here off to the side that only has one entrance. Let's gather there."

Once everyone was in the room, Cera and Wynne went out to clear the immediate area of demons. Emmalynn checked out the children, healing the various cuts and abrasions. "Have any of you seen Nora, Liam, or Lena?"

Ellis answered, "Nora went to the library, but she never came back. Liam and Lena were in the kitchens; I don't know if they're still there."

"Emmalynn?" Petra interrupted. "Kinnon and I are going to drag in some of the furniture and as soon as Wynne and Cera return we'll create a barricade."

"Good plan."

After Petra and Kinnon had dragged in the last bit of furniture, they heard Cera shout, "Emmalynn, I need you!"

Emmalynn ran into the larger room where she saw Cera practically dragging a very injured Wynne.

"Lay her down here. What happened?"

"A blood mage used crushing prison…he managed to get the spell off just as I turned him into a block of ice. We were able to get rid of the demons nearby, so we should be safe…for a while." Cera looked over her shoulder seeing the locked main doors, then back at Emmalynn. Keeping her voice down, she muttered, "They'll be sending for the Rite."

Emmalynn could only nod. "I have to heal Wynne from in here. Cera, I need either you or Petra to stand guard here, and the other to stay with the apprentices."

Cera nodded and left, just as Emmalynn's aura flared and she focused on her patient.

Her chest cavity has been compromised and she's lost a large amount of blood. Her heart is still beating but it's stressed. A broken rib punctured her left lung. The lungs first – move the bones up and out of the way a bit, so I can fix the lung.

A wisp coming from Emmalynn's aura surrounded Wynne's broken ribs and sternum, lifting them up gently. It created just enough room for another wisp to patch over the punctured lung, healing it and allowing it to inflate.

Damn! Wynne's heartbeat is weakening from blood loss! I'm losing her…come on, Wynne, hold on…a wisp wrapped itself around her heart to assist it. I need to mend the ribs or they'll cause further injury.

As she continued work on Wynne, time passed without notice.

Healing the bones while helping Wynne's heart is exhausting me. She began to pray.

Blessed are the righteous, the lights in the shadow.
In their blood the Maker's will is written

I am not alone. Even
As I stumble on the path
With my eyes closed, yet I see
The Light is here.

Please, Wynne is one of those lights, her wisdom and experience cannot be replaced. She has so much yet to teach and to do. When my mana runs out, I can use my essence to help her until some of the blood loss can be reversed…I would give my life for hers...Hope of Andraste, please guide me.

It was then that Emmalynn felt a spirit of Faith flow from her hands into Wynne. When Wynne woke up, Emmalynn worried when she saw the spirit behind the elderly mage's eyes, but Hope filled her heart, set her at ease, and spoke softly to her soul, "You did well, child."

Wynne looked at Emmalynn, "I thought I was dead."

"Close, but no. You did not die."

Wynne cocked her head to the side and looked as if she were listening to something. "A spirit of Faith resides in me?"

"Yes. I swear I didn't summon it…I prayed for help…"

"I'm not concerned about that. I owe you my life."

"No, you don't. It was Hope."

Wynne shook her head. "You are too modest. Let me put up a barrier." Her mentor, with more strength then she should have had, was able to put up a magical barrier covering the entrance to the smaller room.

Things were quiet for a while, but suddenly a rage demon sprouted up from the ground grabbing Wynne's attention away from the barrier, which then fell.

Petra, Wynne, and Cera fought the demon, while Emmalynn shielded the children and older apprentices.

Just after the demon was destroyed, a man entered the room and called over his shoulder, "They're in here, Aedan!"

I know that voice! "Rana! You're alive!" She turned as tears streamed down her face.

"M! I knew I'd find you!"

Moved to tears himself, the two friends hugged and held on tight. "Rana, what are you all doing here?"

Surana let go and addressed the other mages as well. "We came here to call on the Circle to uphold their end of a treaty between the Chantry and the Grey Wardens, and give us mages and templars to help end the Blight."

"Greagoir sent for the Rite, didn't he?" Wynne inquired softly.

Surana nodded. "He told us that the tower was lost. I argued that there may be mages that are still alive and to let us come in and find them. Greagoir was reluctant, so I said to him. 'Do you think either Wynne or M would fall to demons?'"

The man Rana called Aedan was now standing next to him looking angry. "He let us in alright, but that damned Knight-Commander will not open the doors unless we bring the First Enchanter back to tell Greagoir personally that the circle can be spared."

"I will go with you to find Irving," Wynne said.

Emmalynn placed a hand gently on Wynne's shoulder. "Wynne, you have to maintain that barrier. You are the only one who can. Petra and Cera will watch over the apprentices.

It was clear from Wynne's expression that she wanted to disagree, but thought about it…and reluctantly nodded. Then she hugged her former student. "Be safe, Emmalynn."

Emmalynn nodded. She grabbed her staff knelt down in front of her students. "You all have been very brave; help has arrived, just keep being the brave. Listen to Petra, Cera, and Wynne. They will keep you safe."

"Will…we see you again?" Viola whispered.

Emmalynn let Hope guide her response. "We have help we didn't think would arrive. Yes, I will see you on the other side of that door." Smiling, she let Hope fill the room and calm racing hearts.

Turning, she followed Aedan and Surana. In the foyer, they were joined by a hornless Qunari that Surana introduced as Sten. He seems ill-at-ease. Not surprising given how the Qunari treat mages…sigh, I read too much!

The plan was to go through the tower from the first floor up and clean out every demon between them and the Harrowing chamber. They started with the Library, but seconds after they walked in, Emmalynn fell to her knees next to what looked like a pile of cloth. Putting her head in her hands, she sobbed.

Surana gasped and knelt next to Emmalynn. "M?"

Tears streamed down her face "Rana, it's Nora! We…we couldn't find her. Ellis said that Nora had gone to the library. Look what they did to her! She was only seven. She must have been terrified!" She gasped, trying to stem her tears.

Surana bit back the tears. "Come on M, we need to go; we have to save Irving."

At first, Aedan was skeptical of taking the younger of the two healers. but after their first few encounters, he whispered to Surana, "Emmalynn, has some impressive shields, and the glyph that neutralizes magic is amazing."

"You think that's good, you should see her heal. Hmm, well maybe we don't want to have to heal anyone, but if you do…she is amazing."

As they progressed through the tower, Emmalynn and Surana tried not to look at those who had fallen and focused all their energy getting through the tower. They had almost reached their goal.

Then they were drawn into the fade by a sloth demon….

~oOOo~

"Mommy, wake up! Daddy and I made you breakfast!"

Emmalynn opened her eyes and saw a girl of about five summers with her own-blue green eyes and Chestnut colored hair. She's so adorable. As she became more aware of her surroundings, she looked at the small child then smirked and shook her head. "Your disguise doesn't work, Demon. Pathetic really that you didn't realize I could see through your nonsense."

Standing, she called out. "I am not drawn into your false reality, demon." The child transformed into a demon of despair.

Quietly, Emmalynn created a neutralize magic glyph behind the demon and a repulsion glyph in front of it. Invisible to all eyes save mine…that bit was hard to learn. "If you want me, then come and get me."

The demon floated forward and was thrown back into the neutralize magic glyph. While it didn't kill the demon, the area around her dissolved into the raw Fade.

That was when Surana arrived and killed the demon.

~oOOo~

After they freed Irving and the other enchanters, Emmalynn caught the Knight Commander's attention and she motioned him aside. "I am really worried about Ser Cullen. He is a kind-hearted man, and one of great faith. But after the horrible things he'd said before we entered the harrowing chamber, I'm really concerned about his mental wellbeing."

"I will look out for him, Senior Enchanter Emmalynn."

She turned and caught Cullen's gaze; the anger and fear she saw in his expression spoke volumes. I must go to him…I have to try. Standing before him she could feel the anger and hatred roll off of him like a wave.

"What poison do you plan to spew, mage?"

Emmalynn took a calming breath and began,

"The Lady knelt at his side, saying:
Arise, Aegis of the Faith. You are not forgotten.
Neither man nor Maker shall forget your bravery
So long as I remember."

"You are an Aegis of the Faith; don't lose sight of that Cullen, please!" She turned and quickly caught up with Surana and his group.

Aedan addressed Irving and Greagoir formally, "First Enchanter, Knight-Commander, we are gathering an army to fight and end this Blight. I ask you to fulfill your obligations per the treaty to provide mages and templars when the go into battle." Aedan handed the Treaty to Irving so the two men could read it.

"Just so you know, in addition to the Circle, I have treaties with the Dalish and with Orzammar. As Warden Surana and I are the only two wardens left in Ferelden, I am in need of a healer, and Emmalynn seemed quite capable."

Greagoir was clearly irritated. "Why ask? Why not just use the Right of Conscription, like your previous Warden-Commander?"

"Knight-Commander" Emmalynn began, "Please, let me help them. Magic exists to serve man. Surely being a healer for those who are sworn to end the Blight is a worthy act of service?"

Greagoir sighed, rubbing his forehead, looking exhausted. "Very well. Emma…Senior Enchanter Amell…you may accompany the Warden Commander. Go gather whatever you need."

"Thank you, Knight Commander. Warden Commander, I will return momentarily."

Wynne said, "I'll go with you."

When they arrived at the Senior Mages quarters, Emmalynn paled and had to sit down. "Wynne, there is blood everywhere, but no bodies. Where are they?"

"Do you really need an answer to that? Emmalynn, are you sure you want to do this? I could go in your place."

"You think I should stay behind?"

"I am just thinking about what happened when we arrived in Ostagar, there are cities in Ferelden that are as crowded as Ostagar, such as Denerim."

"I appreciate the concern. Truly, Wynne, I do. While what happened at Ostagar could happen again, I am not going to let that get in the way of my duty, just as I didn't let it get in the way of my duty at Ostagar. I feel a call, a duty, to help the Wardens."

"Alright. If it becomes too much, come back knowing that I can go in your place."

"Thank you, Wynne." I don't remember Wynne ever sounding that patronizing. I wonder if she is jealous of my leaving? She always said she loved adventures.

Emmalynn found her journal and an extra robe. "I guess this is all I have now."

"The Wardens can probably supply you with more."

Returning to the foyer, Emmalynn hugged Wynne, Irving, and even the Knight-Commander before leaving.

Surana grinned, seeing Greagoir's ears turn red. He's never known how to cope with M.

After leaving Kinloch, they stopped at the Spoiled Princess to rest for the night. The plan was to set out for Redcliffe in the morning. After dinner, Aedan explained what had been happening in the tower and introduced Emmalynn to the companions who were waiting at the inn.

"This is Sister Leliana."

"Lay sister actually; a pleasure to meet you."

"And this is Morrigan."

Emmalynn smiled shyly. "P...pleased to meet you, both."

Morrigan sniffed, "Hmph…I do not see a templar…does that mean you are not part of the Circle?"

"I am part of the Circle, but I am currently...on loan."

"Then they have merely lengthened your leash and not removed it."

"That is one way to put it. Tell me, do you enjoy healing?"

"No!"

Emmalynn smiled. "Well, then I'm very glad my leash is long enough to release you from that burden." She then turned towards Aedan. "Um...have I been assigned a room?"

"Ah…yes, you are sharing a room with Leliana. Leliana, do you want to show her to the room?"

"Of course!"

As they walked upstairs, Leliana whispered, "I didn't think Morrigan could be rendered speechless."

"Well, uh...she isn't wrong. I am tethered to the Circle. But, I am a healer... and a good one." I'm grateful that Rana told me on the way back from the tower about how much Morrigan hates healing."

AN: Bioware owns all, I just play in their pool! Next chapter Alistair and Emmalynn meet...