Chapter 30 = = The New Templars = Justinian 15th – 25th

Emmalynn stood with Greagoir as the new Templars presented themselves. The Knight-Commander nodded. "On behalf of me and Apprentice First Enchanter Amell, welcome to Kinloch Hold and the Ferelden Circle of Magi."

The templars knew that Irving was away and they would be meeting the Apprentice First Enchanter. However, it was clear they were not expecting the young woman who stood beside the Knight-Commander.

Tall enough not to be dwarfed by the Knight-Commander, Emmalynn wore the deep blue robes of the Creation School and the deep green mantle of the Apprentice First Enchanter. Her smile was genuine, and the returning smiles were respectful and genuine, if a bit confused. However, there was one templar who smirked.

Greagoir noticed the templar's leer. He sees what he thinks is a young, weak, female mage.

He was about to make a comment, when he heard Emmalynn address the templar in question, "Ser…?"

"Ser Dylan, Apprentice Amell."

"That would be Apprentice First Enchanter Amell or Senior Enchanter Amell, Ser Dylan."

"Senior Enchanter Amell." The smirk was still on his face.

Intentionally using the lesser title and still leering. "Tell me, Ser Dylan, is there something you find particularly humorous?"

"Humorous? No Senior Enchanter. I was merely returning your welcoming smile."

Think you're so smooth. Well, let's see if your attitude interferes with your training. Emmalynn cast her cloaked repulsion glyph in front of Ser Dylan. Your turn, Knight-Commander.

Gregoire felt her cast the glyph and looked at the insolent templar, who seemed oblivious. "Ser Dylan, please, step forward."

Stepping directly on the glyph, the young templar was thrown back and landed on his behind. No one could tell what had happened as there was no visual sign of magic.

Looking at the confused group of templars, Greagoir barked, "You mean none of you noticed that a spell had been cast?"

All eyes went to Emmalynn, who looked serene and unruffled. Ser Dylan got to his feet.

"You've been taught that a mage does not need a staff to cast and that some do not even need to speak! That is why you must sense magic with more than your eyes!"

Because the Knight-Commander had yelled at everyone, no on laughed at Ser Dylan, leaving his ego intact. Emmalynn sensed his bruised his elbow and covertly healed it so the templar did not have to admit to injury. Once his elbow was back to normal, he looked at Emmalynn with more respect.

He raised his hand.

"Yes, Ser Dylan?"

What did you do?"

She looked at the Greagoir. He nodded for her to explain. "I cast a repulsion glyph. I will cast it again. Everyone, close your eyes and sense the magic, but don't move."

Greagoir picked up the narrative. "Keep your eyes closed."

Emmalynn looked at Greagoir, who pointed to where he wanted her to place it. He looked at the templars. "Ser Teller, open your eyes and walk across the room, avoiding the Glyph."

Teller walked across the room without tripping the glyph.

"Now point to where you think the glyph lies."

Teller correctly pointed out the location of the glyph.

He repeated the exercise with each templar. Some tripped the glyph, some walked across the room and pointed to the wrong place, but the rest, including Ser Dylan both avoided the glyph and correctly identified where it was.

Emma healed anyone who'd injured themselves in the fall.

Everyone was impressed by Emmalynn's magic. She was clearly very powerful, and it was clear that the Knight-Commander respected her.

"I leave you with the Knight-Commander. First Enchanter Irving will return in the next week and you will interact with him primarily. Again, welcome to Kinloch Hold and the Ferelden Circle of magi."

After leaving the new templars with Greagoir she went to Irving's office write up her report and to sort through and Irving's correspondence. One item was from Arl Leonas Bryland of South Reach.

15th of Justinian, 9:30 Dragon
Knight-Commander Greagoir
First Enchanter Irving
Kinloch Hold
Ferelden

Dear Greagoir and Irving,

I know you've been keeping up with the Warden's progress. Warden-Commander Aedan and his companions stopped here on their way to the Brecilian forest. I spoke with Ser Alistair, who travels with them; according to Alistair, the wardens are securing help against the Blight using the treaties the Wardens have with the Dalish, the chantry as I'm sure you've heard, and the dwarves in Orzammar. They secured the Dwarven army but it took them over a month to do so.

Save for Ser Alistair, the Wardens' party looks a bit ragtag even with Aedan Cousland as the Warden Commander. Warden-Constable Surana is a mage and they travel with another mage-warden, a hedge witch, Senior Enchanter Wynne, a chantry lay sister, a former Antivan Crow, a Qunari, and a dwarf who apparently drinks hard and fights harder.

Nonetheless, they work together seamlessly. They all seem to be in good health and in good spirits. Maker Bless them as they work to save Ferelden from the Blight and perhaps– if Ser Alistair takes the throne – end the civil war.

….

Emma put down the letter. Over a month? I guess King Endrin's death created problems. Thank the Maker that they are alive and in good spirits! Please, Andraste keep them safe. If Ali is taking the throne let it be something he wants to do and is not forced or manipulated into doing.

Such sudden and unexpected news about Alistair brought tears to her eyes, and a vague queasiness to her stomach. Emma left Irving's office and managed to avoid people as she went to her quarters and laid down to softy cry.

~oOOo~

They were all sitting around the campfire. Just that afternoon they'd succeeded in helping the Dalish rid themselves of the werewolf curse brought on by their own keeper, Zathrian.

Surana had been aggravated by both the Keeper and the clan's storyteller. "All they do is badmouth anyone who isn't Dalish! They are a bunch of sodding martyrs! I swear, they make their lives deliberately difficult. Not to mention they completely abandoned elves living in cities, calling us flat-ears. The only true elves, my sweet arse!"

Several times either Zevran or Aedan or both had to actively prevent him from doing or saying something unforgivable. At one-point, Surana argued with Aedan, telling him they should tear up the treaty.

"Thankfully, that was our last treaty." Aedan said, "We are five days from Denerim, and when we get there, we will meet up with Arl Eamon. Given that the Arl expected the Landsmeet to convene a month from now, we should have time to deal with whatever the Arl has turned up."

Alistair sat across from Aedan. Being in proximity to Eamon will mean more clashing of swords over the throne. I'd managed to put all the hurt and anger in the back of my mind, but now that the treaties are dealt with, going to Denerim will only give me more time to think about Emma. Maker, I miss her so much!

Aedan noticed Alistair's expression darken. He has been keeping his emotions under control during the last two months. But now with our going to Denerim, how much more will he have to deal with? "Alistair, take a walk with me?"

As the left the campfire Alistair asked, "I take it you want to talk?"

"Yes, but not here."

They were at the far end of camp when Aedan began. "Look, I know it's going to be rough dealing with Eamon when we get to Denerim. Are you sure that you don't want to go back to Redcliffe or Rainesfere?"

"Do you want me to leave?"

"No! I just know that Denerim is going to be very difficult given the Landsmeet and the Arl. I have to take Eamon's shite, but you don't."

"I'm not going to let Eamon get in the way of me helping you defeat this Blight, full stop."

"I just…damn, I still want to strangle Eamon's aristocratic neck for what he did to you and to Emmalynn."

"Thanks. It's a… it's been difficult but helping you and Surana helps me focus on things other than myself."

~oOOo~

Irving was meeting Greagoir. "I understand Hannah passed her harrowing and is a spirit healer. How did Emmalynn do?"

"Very well. She was confident, soothing, helpful and she could tell which spirit had found Mage Hannah."

"Excellent, and the new Templars?"

Greagoir chuckled. "There was one templar who underestimated her. He saw only her youth and pretty face. She cast her cloaked repulsion glyph in front of him, and I asked him to step forward. He tripped the glyph and ended up on his arse. Emmalynn healed him without comment."

"So only a bruised body, but not a bruised ego. Excellent."

That night, Emmalynn wrote in her journal

I am so glad Irving is back and he and Greagoir have resumed their private morning meetings. I really need that extra hour of sleep. Though that is hardly surprising as I've been doing both my work and Irving's.

~oOOo~

Two weeks later Emmalynn was no less tired and threw up three mornings in a row. After the third consecutive morning of being ill she laid down and focused her healer's sight inward.

Maker, I'm 6 weeks pregnant! But we only were together once…well one night…multiple times. Still…sigh. As she went through her day, her thoughts would stray:

After teaching her beginner creation class she worried about the baby's future. I don't want the baby swept away to be raised as another chantry orphan.

After her advanced creation class, she thought about Alistair's reaction. Will Ali…Alistair want the child? Will he really want a reminder of us, especially if he takes the throne?

Just before she went to bed that night she decided. I have to tell him. I can't keep this from him.

~oOOo~

25th of Justinian, the 30th year of the Dragon Age
Knight-Commander Greagoir
Kinloch Hold

I have decided that we will provide mages to the Ferelden Warden-Commander, but not templars. Templars are the Chantry's best and most valuable resource and will remain doing their sworn duties guarding mages in both the Kinloch and the Jainen Circles.

Enclosed is a list of mages that would best serve the Chantry by fighting at the side of the Wardens. Apprentice First Enchanter Emmalynn Amell is to lead the mages to Denerim. Unfortunately, as the mages will fight without templars, there is no way to determine if they become maleficarum. Therefore, you will instruct Apprentice First Enchanter Amell that she is to send any other mages that survive the battle to the Denerim chantry, before she returns to the circle.

May the Maker watch over you.

Elemena
Grand Cleric of Ferelden

Irving put the parchment and sighed, "No templars? What is she thinking?"

Greagoir picked up the scroll. He looked over it again as if hoping the message had changed to something that made more sense. "It seems that she wants to purge the circle of anyone here during Uldred's rebellion, because they are the only ones on her list of suggestions. Although, I don't see Wynne's name."

"The Grand Cleric has always got on well with Wynne. It is odd though that she mentions Emmalynn by name. It took her three months after I was made First Enchanter to remember my name."

Greagoir smirked. "I think the closest she got was Irvin. I have no idea how she got your name backwards, though."

"Gniviri? No one would admit it, but I think some of the chantry initiates were making mischief. Perhaps she is testing Emmalynn's loyalty or leadership?"

The Knight-Commander rubbed this forehead as if warding off a headache. "For some reason I seriously doubt it. I can't imagine anyone questioning her loyalty, for certain."

Irving sighed. "I would have to agree."

"I think that someone is intending to manipulate our Apprentice First Enchanter. But who and for what purpose, I don't know."

While neither man spoke, it was clear they were both thinking of the same person – Eamon Guerrin.

Irving became angry. "This has got to stop. I will not see a mage of this circle being someone's pawn. Especially not Emmalynn, and certainly not by Arl Eamon."

Greagoir looked at Irving. "Perhaps we need to discuss the possibility of releasing her from the Circle."

"Greagoir?" Irving's looked stunned by the Knight-Commander's suggestion.

Greagoir saw Irving's expression and sighed. "I've never trained an Apprentice First Enchanter. I admit, I was unprepared for how much I would learn about Emmalynn. She truly cannot become an abomination while Hope protects her, and it is not in Emmalynn's nature to be unworthy of Hope.

"Given that, her gift is wasted in the Circle. Ever since they returned from Ostagar, I've wondered why someone with her gift and nature should be locked away in a tower. She could truly be doing the Maker's work by being out on the world."

"I propose that we don't tell Emmalynn about her release or of Elemena's ultimate plan. Let's include her release papers and Elemena's letter in our letter to Aedan Cousland. Perhaps Emmalynn's authentic reaction will expose the person who is behind Elemena's bizarre plan."

Greagoir nodded, then looked thoughtful, "The mages will have a templar escort to Denerim. I will select the templars, and they will be instructed to return."

Irving smiled ruefully as he got up to leave. "I guess I'll need to find another apprentice."

After Irving left the room, Greagoir's thoughts went to the day everyone returned from Ostagar.

…

Hadley and Bran practically carried Allyn into the tower, accompanied by Senior Enchanter Amell.

I was about to tell Hadley and Bran to take Allyn to the infirmary, when Amell said, 'Let's take him to his room.' Both Templars agreed without question. Before I had a chance to countermand the healer, Wynne got my attention with a definitive shake of her head, and then told me what had happened.

When I arrived at Ser Allyn's room it was crowded with those whom the dying templar considered friends. Greagoir watched as Ser Allyn dictated a letter to his son and said goodbye to his fellow templars, to Wynne, and to Sweeny.

Everyone left then it was only me and Emmalynn. Allyn said goodbye to her and to me. He told the healer she had been like a daughter to him.

She kissed Ser Allyn's forehead and said, "You will soon be at the Maker's side, hale and whole."

She gave him a potion to put him into a deep sleep, so he couldn't feel me stab him through the heart. I saw tears in the healer's eyes and I felt the need to comfort her.

"You did the best anyone could do in that situation, Emmalynn. He was able to say goodbye to all of us and to his son, and he was able to die on his own terms, not in that nightmare at Ostagar. None of that would have been possible without you."

"I think that may have been the first time I called her by her given name."

~oOOo~

Loghain heard voices raised in alarm. Before he could investigate, Cauthrien appeared. She was as white as a ghost. "Your Grace, Her Majesty's been taken."

Loghain's hand went to his sword. "Taken? She's been kidnapped from the Palace? By who? When?"

"Yes, she's been abducted, Sire. We don't know by who. She went to pray in the small chapel and then she was gone. The Mother was in the confessional and didn't see or hear anything."

"I want that Mother held for questioning. I will lead the search," Loghain demanded as he opened the door, where he almost knocked over the young sister standing there.

"What!" Loghain yelled at the woman.

The sister looked terrified. "Th…th…this was left on the pew in the chapel."

Loghain took the scroll, and as he unrolled it, a lock of Anora's hair fell out into his hand.

LMT

She is alive and will remain so as long as you follow instructions.

H

AN: Thank you for reading! Thank you to my awesome Beta, Elyssacousland. Thank you to Judy and Melysnade for your reviews!