Chapter 61) Hard in Denerim
Layla POV
"My lady, you look marvelous. Might I suggest this silk? It would go so great with your little one's eyes." The merchant smiled warmly at me. I smiled back automatically, shyly hiding behind Mother's skirts.
"Oh, it is very tempting," Mother murmured, eyes dancing as she stroked my hair. "Yes, let's take a bit."
"Wonderful!" The merchant measured out the silk and folded it neatly. "Here you go, my lady."
"Thank you." Mother passed some coins over, all pretty and glittering. "A bit extra, for being kind enough to think of my daughter."
"You're too gracious, my lady." The merchant's smile was sad. "I know your family is going through some troubled times."
"As does most of the Free Marches, but it is even more important to be kind when things are hard. It is too easy to become bitter. I think true courage lies in holding onto hope and compassion."
"Lady Revka, you are an inspiration." The merchant reached down and stroked my hair gently. "Be a good child for your mother, and take after her, no matter what happens."
I was almost grateful for the nightmares of darkspawn. I thought a lot of Jowan's last moments during the day. If I had nightmares about it, it might have been too much.
I glanced down at my hands, so certain I could see the blood on them. A person passed me, and I could smell their blood, sense the power within their body, reaching and yearning for someone, anyone, to release it. I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth as my magic tried to take the power, use it. Surely, I could use it so much better than them? I could use it to save…
A hand took mine. I looked up to see it was Alistair, smiling softly as he gently uncurled my fist and squeezed my hand reassuringly. I could see my nail impressions, deep red in a lighter red palm.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled, looking down at the ground. I had never realized just how tempting blood magic was. You were constantly, constantly, surrounded by sources of power, and you could always sense it. It was a test of wills, a battle I would likely fight for as long as I lived, just as I fought against the memories of the Arcane Warrior.
"It's fine," he reassured. I knew he was uneasy. I knew he hated that I made the choice. But he made an effort to smile at me, and to be kind, and I appreciated it so, so much. "Glad I decided to check on you, though. We won't want you hurting yourself again." The first day of being a blood mage, I had cut myself on ice magic accidentally, so focused on keeping from seeking out blood that I lost control temporarily. "Are you all right?"
"Let me just say I can understand why so many blood mages are insane." I sighed, and breathed in deep to settle my nerves. One, two, three, exhale. One, two, three, inhale. One, two, three, exhale. "I think I am steady again."
"All right." We went back to walking, and I focused on my surroundings again. Against all logic, our group was in Denerim, to seek out a Brother Genetivi, who was apparently also searching for the Ashes. Nuada and Elspeth hoped to get information from him. "How did Nuada and Elspeth convince us that this was a good idea again?"
"Something, something, no one would expect, something, something, lots of people, something, something." Well, I had to agree. There were a lot of people in the market. It was hard to make sense of the chatter, but I heard quite a few people praising our group. That made me happy. "Oh, hey, they're new." Alistair pointed to a dwarven couple, happily doing business.
"Dwarven crafts!" the male called. His wife handled the transactions. "Fine Dwarven Crafts, direct from Orzammar! You won't find better!" Alistair and I exchanged a look and shrugged before getting closer. "Sereda, have we sold out of the helmets?"
"Just sold the last one for today, Gorim," the woman laughed. Her smile was bright, cheerful, and full of affection. "You're doing well as a merchant." Her eyes settled on us. "Hello there!" She waved to us. "Welcome to the little shop. Looking for something in particular?"
"Not particularly," Alistair answered with a light tone and easy smile. "I used to live around here and noticed something knew, and being the ten-year-old child at heart, I had to come see the shinies."
"You won't find shinier!" She laughed. "But yes, we're new. Bit of a tale as to why, Orzammar politics suck, but I'm Sereda Saelac, and this is my husband, Gorim. And you two are wardens." …Huh?! "I'm from a noble house in Orzammar. I saw Wardens often. We honor them." Her smile was still very warm, though she kept her voice quiet. "Wardens have a certain air about them. Similar to the darkspawn, but lighter." O-oh… "Now, then, would you like some recommendations?"
"Probably a good idea. We've good weapons, but my shield is dented badly with all the fighting, and if you've a better sword for her…" He gestured to me. "We got her what we could, but Highever doesn't exactly stock swords meant for her build." Yes, it seemed most tiny humans did not opt for swords without a great deal of strength training first.
"Ah, so that rumor was true and you lot helped out Highever?" Sereda bustled around the back of the stall, humming all the while. Her husband was talking to customers. "Nice to hear everything you're doing, especially with their fool of a Regent not recognizing the threat. Honestly, what is it with surfacers and their lack of appreciation for how bad darkspawn are? I'd feel safer with Bhelen, and he framed me for the death of my brother!" He… what…? "Here we go!" She produced a beautiful shield for Alistair, but my attention was on the sword she had. It was very, very different than any sword I had seen before. It had a long and thin blade, and the hilt was complex, like it protected the hand that wielded it. "Caught your eye, pretty miss?"
"Oh, yes," I whispered. She handed Alistair the shield and passed me the strange sword. It was surprisingly heavy, for such a narrow thing, but it was wonderfully balanced as I swung it. "What is it?"
"It's called a 'rapier'. It's Antivan." Oh… "This one, though, is dwarven make, like our stuff, meaning it's a lot stronger than the norm. They're designed for thrusting, but we made sure it was sharp enough to slice if need be. Just don't expect it to be as good as a longsword." Ah… "Pair it with a main-gauche and you'll have a clever bit of fighting."
"Why do you think this would suit me?"
"Well, look at it. Pretty, lithe, and absolutely deadly when it wants to be." I felt myself flush lightly and her grin. "Besides, I bet it feels better in your hand." I nodded, smiling slightly. "Not sure on who can teach you how to wield it."
"I have friends who have been to Antiva?"
"Oh, they'll know then." She turned her attention to Alistair, who was admiring the shield. "Best I can think for you. I feel like the shield made for you isn't something that can be sold." She shrugged. "But that'll hold you."
"And very nicely at that," Alistair laughed. He glanced over at me, and I nodded with a smile. "Right, how badly are you going to kill my coin-purse?"
"Oh, it's not that bad!" Seneca joked, showing him over to where they made the sales. I hung back, admiring the 'rapier' and practicing some thrusts. It was easy to see just how this was made for it, but wow, it was pretty.
"Good to go?" I squeaked when Alistair appeared by my side. "I'm convinced she gave us a discount, but I'll take it," he commented. "Let's go."
"How much was it?" I asked, carefully removing my old sword and replacing it with the rapier. It even felt better hanging off my waist.
"Less than I expected."
"That is not an answer."
"Yes, it is. It's just not the one you want."
"Are you taking lessons from Nuada?"
"No, but I should!"
"No, you do not!" I sighed and he laughed. "Sometimes, Alistair…"
"I know; I'm horrible." He grinned, but it faded for a serious look. "Mind if I ask something?" I gave him a curious look. "In Redcliffe, with Jowan…" I stiffened at the reminder. "Whose idea was it?"
"…It was his." My voice shook. "He argued for it. I argued against it. But…" But it was too logical. I could not find counters. "I…"
"Easy." He ruffled my hair. "I was just curious. The suggestion didn't seem like you." I smiled wryly. "Ah, and here we are at the Chantry. This is where we're meeting Nuada and Elspeth, right?"
"Yes." We had split up to cover more ground. "I do not think I have been to a Chantry since Lothering."
"This one isn't all that special." I gave him a curious look and he smiled bitterly. "I wasn't lying when I said I used to be from here. I was trained here, in Denerim, and it was here I was recruited by Duncan." Oh. "We would have our book lessons here, and borrow the castle training yard for the physical lessons." He leaned against the fence, looking to the sky. "I drove Cullen insane because I was better at weapons than him." Wait, did he just say…? "Yes, I know Cullen. I trained with him." Oh… "Not sure whether I'd call him a friend or not, but we looked out for each other. Others picked on him for being an older recruit, and shunned me for being a bastard noble. But we wrote each other frequently. Haven't since the Blight started." Ah. "He was the only one who never made fun of me." Alistair reached up to the sky, like he was trying to grasp something out of reach. "When I was here, I'd catch glimpses of my father. Sometimes, it looked like he was watching me, but it might've just been me wishing. He had to be ashamed of me, after all. Who wasn't? Even Arl Eamon turned me away eventually." Alistair… "Cailan would often come and watch. He probably just loved watching the fighting, but sometimes, on my worst days, I'd pretend he was there because I was, that he was cheering me on. I always did better, those days." His hand fell and he looked at me, eyes misty and smile bitter. "I don't think he even knew about me, though, so it was probably really pointless."
"Alistair…" What could I say? I had no words.
"But I've been thinking. What if all my problems are because I've never held my ground?" Hmm? "I always went with the flow, with a smile. I rage like a child when things don't go my way, but I never go out and actually do something about it. I let them yell at me, never saying a word. I should've fought back. I should've held my ground." His smile warmed and his demeanor straightened and strengthened. "Or something. I don't know. I've been thinking, that's all."
"I think it is a good idea." I smiled at him. "But let us try to keep arguing to a minimum if you do not agree?"
"Oh, Maker, yes, I don't want to yell at anyone save Morrigan. Because she deserves it." Alistair! "Anyway, we're the first ones here. How about I show you around? There's not much, but it'll give us something to do."
"That sounds good."
"I didn't think I would see a rapier anywhere outside of Antiva or Orlais," Nuada murmured as he led our group towards some houses not far from the market. "Zevran probably knows more about it than me, but I remember taking fencing lessons. It was a fun diversion."
"You just liked annoying Grand Duke Gaspard," Elspeth replied softly. She looked amused. "He could never decide if he wanted to praise or throttle you."
"The best position to be in while in Orlais!"
"Of course." Elspeth turned to me. "I can show you a couple of knife tricks, Layla, if you would like."
"You could also teach her fencing. You followed me to my lessons."
"Whyever should I deny you the chance to teach when you avoided it for so long?" Her eyes were distinctly mischievous as she added something, in a language I didn't understand.
Nuada replied in a different language, and I glanced at Alistair. He shrugged and smiled, apparently greatly amused, while I just sighed, annoyed. That annoyance faded for surprise as Elspeth suddenly turned bright red, and Nuada laughed and laughed. What did he say?!
"If you're worried about us overhearing, I promise you, neither of us speak whatever it was you were saying," Alistair reassured when Elspeth glanced at us worriedly. Elspeth breathed a sigh of relief. Seriously, what happened?! "I feel like I need to take lessons, though, if you two are going to keep doing that."
"I… can teach you?" Elspeth mumbled awkwardly, tugging at the hair by her face. Nuada's laughter quieted to shaking snickers, and he was definitely red in the face. I patted his back as he struggled to get his breathing under control. "It is… not a problem…"
"Really?" Alistair's eyes lit up, and I thought he was blushing slightly, even as he grinned. "I'd love that."
"We can start tonight."
"Sounds great. Also, is Nuada all right?"
"He won't be if he doesn't shut up." Elspeth sighed, giving him a dirty look before pointing. "We're here." We stopped in front of a small, modest house, across from a bustling storm. "This is Brother Genetivi's house, assuming the rumors are true." She knocked on the door, and we heard some scrambling, yelps, and thumps before a loud 'crash'.
We exchanged worried looks, but before anyone could knock again or call out, the door cracked open, revealing a frazzled looking person. "Ah, hello?" he greeted hesitantly. "Who are you?"
"We're looking for Brother Genitivi," Nuada told him, not bothering to answer the man's question. "Is this not his house? We made an appointment." We did no such thing! Why would he say-?!
"Ah, yes, I remember now." …What. "Please, come inside." The man opened the door, and we followed him in. Alistair and I were tense; Nuada and Elspeth were far too relaxed in my humble opinion. "I'm sorry for the trouble. My name is Weylon, and I serve as Brother Genitivi's assistant." We crowded into a small living room. It might have been larger without all the books, but I could not bring myself to be mad. These titles were fascinating! "I am afraid, however, that Brother Genetivi isn't in. I haven't seen him in weeks." He wrung his hands. "He's sent no word; it's so unlike him."
"That's troubling." Nuada casually leaned against the table, brushing the hair behind his ear. Elspeth nodded like he had said something else, and moved to my side. "We were hoping to talk to him about the Sacred Ashes."
"Please do not." Elspeth took my hand and tugged me after her. "His research must've led him to danger, again!"
"Again?"
"It was lost for a reason, yes?" And we were out of the room. What was going on?
"That man holds himself too much like an assassin," Elspeth whispered. I gave her an incredulous look. "Yes?"
"How can you claim something like that so quickly?" I demanded, following her as we wandered the house. "What if you are wrong?"
"That is why Nuada lied about the appointment."
"I still do not see how you can…" Wait… "Does this have to do with Antiva?"
"Yes?" She gave me a confused look. "Is something wrong?"
"You saw him in half a heartbeat."
"Oh, that is not impressive. Leliana and Zevran could have done it faster." That was not my point! "Now, let us look through things for clues." I sighed, whimpering a little at how weird Nuada and Elspeth were, and froze as my magic screamed, writhing towards something in the room next to us. Blood. There was a lot of blood in that room. "Layla?" Gentle hands took mine, squeezing reassuringly, and I spared a thought at how it was similar to what Alistair had done earlier today. No wonder they were crushing on each other. "What is it?"
"There is blood in that room." I nodded to it. Elspeth nodded back and carefully tried the doorknob. It turned easily, and she poked her head inside. She closed it again, sighing and shaking her head. "Who is dead?"
"At a guess, I would say 'Weylon'." She turned to me. "He is still frozen." The way she said it made me think she did not mean rigor mortis. "He is also naked." So, the man out there had killed him and stripped him and… and he was a mage. Nuada and Alistair were with a mage. "I wonder what else is there." EXCUSE ME?!
"We are not going to go to their aid?"
"Alistair is a former templar, and has been teaching Nuada." She casually went to the next room, stepping in without a care as she rifled through some papers. I could only stare at her back. "I worry about Nuada, as he still has his other eye to lose, but I trust Alistair to take care of them both." She gave me a small smile. "I want to learn just why someone would kill a scholar's assistant."
"…" I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Sometimes, even if I think you have a point, I cannot understand." She shrugged. "But you are basically saying you do not think we need to go help because they can take care of themselves."
"Yes." She giggled. "I like being able to trust people again." I was not commenting. "Do you not think it is a good idea?"
"I like being able to verify health, considering Alistair deflects things with humor and Nuada flat-out lies."
"Well, I cannot deny that." She held up a journal, frowning. "Layla, do you mind verifying something for me?" I crept to her side, and figured out what she wanted confirmed instantly.
"Yes, that is a bloody handprint." Elspeth nodded and opened it up, flipping through. "Why would it have that? Is that why that man killed the assistant?"
"It could be." Elspeth still frowned. "Amidst ramblings about local legends and ancient trade routes, there's something about a village called 'Haven'." Where? "I have never heard of it."
"So, we have to find a map?" A strangled scream caught my ear. "What was that?"
"I believe Nuada and Alistair finally dealt with the man." Elspeth closed the book and sighed. "Let's go rejoin them, yes?"
Not even bothering to reply, I led the way back to the room. Just as Elspeth said, the man was dead. Strangely, though, neither Nuada nor Alistair had their weapons out. What? Did they poison him or something?
"I can't believe you snapped his neck, Nuada!" Alistair was yelping as we walked in. I could not tell if he was impressed or horrified. "You made it look easy!"
"It was, but only because you crushed his windpipe first," Nuada replied with a shrug. He waved at us. "So, find anything?"
"I am afraid the real Weylon is a little to dead to hold a conversation," I deadpanned. The others snickered. "Elspeth found something, though?"
"Nuada, do you recall anything about a village called Haven?" she asked, setting the journal on the table. "There are some directions in the book, but I would rather find it on a map."
"No, I don't recall one," Nuada answered. He glanced at Alistair, who shrugged. "I don't think it's even on our map." Elspeth sighed. "Why? Where is it?"
"If the notes are correct, then the Frostbacks." Was that not the mountains Aiden, Cleon, and the others went? …Wait.
"…It's on the other side of Fereldan!" My feet hurt just thinking about it. "I wished we learned this sooner! Then we could've traveled with the others for a while!" I hoped they were having an easier time. "Okay, the next stop is our estate to borrow horses, because fuck walking that far!" D-did he just say horses?! "Why am I getting odd looks?"
"Nuada, you have not rambled like that since we were children." Elspeth's smile smile was warm and soft, large enough to scream just how happy she really was. "Also, are you certain Alistair and Layla know how to ride?" I did not!
"You and I can. They can double up, and we'll teach them in the downtime we get." That sounded a bit better. I imagined I would ride with- "For weight distribution, we'll probably go with you and Alistair on one, me and Layla on another." Wait, what?!
"Yes, that sounds good." Elspeth gave me a teasing little smile, and I scowled right back. "Is that all right, Alistair? I promise; I am moderately skilled." Alistair nodded, giving Nuada a dirty look. Nuada just grinned. "Let us go fetch the horses then."
This was going to be a very long trip.
Author's Notes: Ah, Sacred Ashes. This trip can have more pointless running about if you don't pass some checks and are forced to go to the ambush at Lake Calenhad. We have horses now because otherwise, everything is just going to drag. At this point, Alistair is 'officially' hardened.
If you're curious about Gorim's wife… the default name for the female dwarf noble warden is Sereda. If you're curious about the TITLE… I couldn't think of something, though of how this is the chapter where Alistair is officially Hardened, thought of Varric's Hard in Hightown, and it went from there. I am sorry.
Next Chapter – Orzammar with Aiden
