Interlude – Spirit Mage
She focuses inward, falling into a meditative calm. She cannot exactly communicate with the spirit, but they do have some sense of each other. She can sense the weakening, and wonders how much time she has left. Whatever it is, it's more than she had when that demon cracked her head against the ground, but she frets it won't be enough to see this to the end. She worries…
She brings herself out of the calm and studies the group she travels with. Focuses, really, on the budding relationships.
No one can miss Morrigan's victorious smirk as she presses into Cleon's side, even as Cleon himself playfully ignores her to sign to Zevran. She's not certain what to feel on that relationship, but she wonders if Cleon might be a good influence on Morrigan. Show her the importance of love and being loved, romantically or platonically. Show her how easy it is to be cynical when you were always protected from harm, never left alone without sanctuary.
She watches the signs between Cleon and Zevran, picking up bits and pieces of their conversation. 'Flirting' and 'oblivious' come up often, so she thinks they are talking of Aiden. Strong and sure and… it was frankly amusing how easily he missed Leliana and Zevran's flirtations. She needs only to look to Aiden and Leliana now to see the increasingly frustrated attempts, and Aiden's worry of Leliana being exasperated with something else entirely. She chuckles, unable to help it. It was fun to watch, especially since she's fairly certain it is truly him being oblivious, unlike with Elspeth.
Her eyes dart over to her almost unwillingly, noticing Alistair is giving her another flower. An amaryllis blossom. Her mind automatically conjures up the meaning. In Orlais, it represents pride, determination, and radiant beauty. In Fereldan, though, it is symbolic of success won after a struggle, recognition of a job well done. She wonders if Alistair knows the meanings, and if he chose it on purpose. She's certain, though, Elspeth will assume he doesn't, just from their talks, but the tiny, tiny smile as she accepts it speaks wonders for how much she likes the gift anyway.
It is laughter that drags her attention from the two and she bursts into quiet laughter too when she sees the trigger of it. Oren had decided Sten would make a very excellent perch and had climbed up onto his shoulder. Even as stoic as Sten was, she can see the slight panic as he tries and fails to figure out what to do with the talkative child babbling on his shoulder. That Layla and Nuada refuse to help and instead laugh, Layla hard enough to have to lean against Nuada for support, just earns a glower. That Layla and Nuada linger as they touch, not quite aware, however, makes her worry more.
Oh, it warms her heart. The budding relationships, even Cleon and Morrigan's, are almost too adorable, and she should be knitting little socks and making cookies. But she frets. She frets so much. These romances might be bits of paradise, but is it truly worth paradise if you could only enjoy it for a day? She remembers, clearly, the day she chose duty over all else. She can tell anyone what she likes, but she knows her choice. It hurt, to be separated from her son. It hurt, to be separated from him. That brief happiness had turned to ashes because of duty. She does not want them to deal with that pain. She truly doesn't.
"Wynne? Favoritest mage ever?" She blinks, startled, and softens as she realizes Alistair is talking to her. He's a dear, sweet child, though she can see the signs of abuse and neglect in his demeanor. She wonders if Rhys grew up to be the same way? A kind, little goofy, child determined to do what was right, even when the world wasn't good to him. "Elspeth says we're here."
"Is that so?" she asked, glancing around. She had only seen Highever in stories, and she has to admit. The province is incredibly beautiful, and the woods they were walking in were just peaceful. Her hand goes to the pendant from Aneirin. She hopes he is as content in his forest. When this is over, she will meet him, and apologize to his face, regardless of what his letter said. "What's the plan?"
"Nuada and Elspeth have one, but they want to confirm it's viable before explaining." She is honestly just glad they remember they do have to explain. They had a bad habit. "Want help over?"
"Oh, goodness, I'm not that old of a lady." He simply grins and offers his arm anyway, and she takes it with a chuckle. She sees Morrigan roll her eyes at them, but she chooses to ignore. She enjoys doting on him, and he likes finally having some affection. It did not hurt either of them.
"Lady Elspeth and Cleon went to scout," Aiden explains as they join the group. Though Cleon is not here, Aiden still makes sure to sign. Practice, and creating a habit. She's glad to see how mature they're being. "Lord Nuada was just explaining why he cannot give full details." She knows she's not the only one who gives Nuada a disbelieving look.
However, Lord Nuada simply snickers. "Oh, let me have a bit of fun," he insists. Sten attempts to pass him Oren, but he ignores him with a grin as he signs. "I've told you all that you're going to believe anyway."
"I find it hard to believe what you said already," Layla reluctantly confirms, frowning. "How can a single place not only hold all of Highever's citizens, but also not be noticed by the Amaranthine soldiers?"
"With a bit of luck, Elspeth and I are going to show you."
"I don't suppose we could get a hint?" Leliana asks, eyes already sparkling like she's solving a riddle. Maybe she is. "It seems so impossible, with the castle within sight." She looks up to confirm it for herself. Castle Cousland stands proud in the distance. They are close enough to see the soldiers manning the walls.
"Perhaps there is a giant treehouse in the forest?" Zevran suggests outrageously. "Nice and sturdy, good for…" He trails off, glancing at Oren. "Ah, might not be a good idea to finish that rhyme." She almost groans.
"It won't be any worse than Fergus using the term 'wench' around him, or Father coming up with a definition," Nuada laughs, hands flying with the signs. Everyone gives him an incredulous look. "My family is weird. This should be obvious." He simply laughs again when Morrigan pointedly nods. "Regardless, no, that's not it. There aren't trees large or strong enough for that." He points to the trees around them for emphasis.
"A boat, then?" Sten asks, strangely willing to participate in the conversation. She laughs softly at how he's given up dislodging Oren from his shoulder and just decides to let the child do as he wills. "We are near the sea. I can smell it." A slight softening in his otherwise stern gaze hints he's glad for it.
"That's a good guess, but no, that would be too dangerous unless they were out at sea, and not all of Highever can sail." Nuada grins, waving his hands. "They're back."
"There's an entrance not far from here that hasn't been used recently," Elspeth answers as she jumps down from branches overheard. She pauses to sign what she said as Cleon jumps down next to her. All she can do is wince when she thinks of the jolt their legs took. "Cleon is mad I won't explain more." Cleon nodded for emphasis, scowling. "Did you give them any hints?"
"You think I'll ruin our fun?" Nuada teases. Cleon, rolling his eyes, reaches over to tug his ponytail. "Well, come on. You'll get your answer soon enough!"
'Why are we heading to a cave?' Cleon signs, even as he and Elspeth lead the way. 'It isn't even that large of a cave.'
"Did Elspeth miss a sign?" Nuada makes sure to pair the signs with a concerned look, to emphasize he is not teasing. "It has an entrance." He uses a couple of different signs for entrance, just in case.
'I got that. I want to know what it's the entrance to!' Cleon makes his signs sharp to emphasize an exclamation, still scowling. 'Layla, you get it out of him.'
"How am I supposed to do that?!" Layla yelps. It makes the rest of them laugh. "You all are horrid, horrid people." She sulks and races ahead to walk with Elspeth. But it is in laughter they walk to the cave and in laughter as they watch Elspeth run her hands along the walls, searching for something.
The laughter dies for startled gasps, and she can only stare in wonder as a piece of the wall swings out to reveal a staircase heading down. Underground. Of course. No one would just below, and it let them stay close. But the healer in her frets about dirt, and illness in close quarters. Water, food… were they truly all right down there?
Still, as they follow Elspeth down, she sends up a little wisp to cast some light. She smiles as she sees Layla and Morrigan do the same. Morrigan's, in fact, floats straight to Cleon.
"Oh, those are a lot less creepy when there are more of them," she hears Nuada comment shortly before the wall swings shut behind them, leaving the wisps as the only light. If she tiptoes, she can see Zevran signing Nuada's words for Cleon, so he isn't left out. "This entrance seemed a lot taller a few years ago. Sten, Alistair, and Aiden, are you two okay?"
"Sten is crouching, but the ceiling is just barely brushing my head," Alistair calls back. She twists and sees Sten has passed Oren off to Aiden. "Should be fine if this isn't a long way down."
"There is a lengthy number of stairs, but if this is the entrance I believe it is, then we will not be in tunnels long," Elspeth informs, voice barely loud enough to be heard. "Nuada?" There is more to the sentence, but it's in a language she doesn't know, full of hard and harsh syllables yet strangely lyrical.
She sees Zevran shrug at Cleon and sign, 'Language I don't know. I'm sorry'. Cleon simply sighs and shakes his head. It's only repeated when Nuada replies, this one in a completely different language.
"I don't suppose you two could keep things in King's Tongue when you can't sign to Cleon?" she hears Leliana ask. "What languages were those?"
"…We spoke different languages?" Nuada's voice is confused as it drifts forward. "To confirm, I am talking King's tongue now, right?"
"Yes? Do you two truly not notice?"
"We think in bunches of them and sometimes they slip out. Ah, Oren, do you know what languages they were?"
"Nevarran and Tevene!" Oren easily answers, with a bright laugh. She's impressed in how he can indentify, and resolves to learn how to do the same. Learning is fun, after all. "Oh, I can see the exit!"
Indeed, they step out of the tunnels and onto a short platform overlooking a wide area below. When she reaches it, though, she gasps, awed by the sight. There, just below, is a city. A large, beautiful city carved from stone and crystals, glittering in the candlelight, filled with people wandering about. It is a wonder that leaves her breathless, and reminds her of why she sometimes leaves the Circle. Sights like this… you could never find in books.
"Welcome to Lowever, everyone." She only barely hears Nuada and Elspeth chorus the words, though she does catch their very proper bows out of the corner of her eye.
No wonder they said it was unbelievable, and she is grateful to the Spirit for letting her live long enough to see something so, so wondrous.
Author's Note: I am a horrible person to name the underground city that. I couldn't resist the pun. (is it a pun? Can't think of the term I want. Play on words? Ah, whatever.) So, here is Wynne, with explanations behind her initial stance on romances for the Wardens, and hints to the Faith Spirit. (I also snuck in a reference to 'Written in the Stars', a song from Aida.)
Next Chapter – Lowever with Layla
