Chapter 8 : Reunion
Lyssa stared out at the harbor. It had taken them all night to reach the docks on Seheron. All the boats were moored a good mile out to sea. Lyssa looked around and saw many Q'unari warriors milling about. They were clearly preparing for an attack of some kind. Gildre came striding up to Lyssa and stood nonchalantly next to her looking out at the sea.
"I heard two fishermen talking. They aren't letting anyone out to sea. They are preparing for an invasion. None of the boats are allowed to dock without first passing a checkpoint out there," Gildre said pointing out at the armada of boats ringing the harbor.
"How did you get in here?" Lyssa asked as she stared out at the heavily guarded harbor.
"I managed to get passage on a boat to Antiva. From there I stowed onto a Q'unari vessel. I just stayed in a crate until we arrived in Alam. It was most uncomfortable. I had to sneeze the whole trip," Gildre said, "I don't think we could get out the same way I came in though, seeing as how they aren't letting anybody leave right now. We could try traveling all the way to Alam to see if security is lighter there, but my guess it the whole island nation of Seheron is ready for war."
Lyssa sighed heavily. "I guess we'll have to swim. It's what, twenty miles to the coast of Antiva?"
"I wouldn't suggest that if I were you," a familiar voice said from behind them.
Lyssa turned around, her eyes wide in surprise. Standing behind them was a fair skinned woman with dark hair and golden eyes. She was dressed rather understatedly compared to what Lyssa had last seen her wearing. She was wearing the simple garb of the women of Seheron.
"Morrigan!" Lyssa said and ran to embrace her friend.
Lyssa tried to disguise her apprehension at this reunion. She knew if she asked the one question she longed to know the answer to, that Morrigan might just turn right around and leave. Lyssa knew she would likely need Morrigan's help in their current situation, so she held her tongue hugging Morrigan instead.
Morrigan put her arms around Lyssa and held her tightly. "It has been too long my friend. I see you have finally gotten rid of that old ball and chain. Found a new one have you?"
Lyssa laughed and shook her head as she pulled back. "You haven't changed a bit. And I see you're just as fond of Alistair as ever."
"He's memorable that way, like a piece of bad fish that gets stuck in your teeth," Morrigan said smiling and touching Lyssa's hair.
"This is a good look for you. You won't fool that one long though. As soon as you take off your clothes the jig will be up. I should know, I've seen you naked," Morrigan said laughing, "but if you really want him that badly, I might be able to whip something up for you."
"I'm in hiding. Though I suppose you already know that," Lyssa said.
"Yes. I heard the news that the Q'unari planned to kill you. I should have known you wouldn't need me to rescue you. But I was worried for you, and the ring led me here," Morrigan said. "Who's the elf anyway? He's giving me quite the look."
"Gildre, this is Morrigan. She helped us defeat the Blight. Morrigan, this is Gildre. He is the King's Steward," Lyssa said.
"Really? Well Zevran should have tried harder it seems. Alistair finally gave in to temptation did he," Morrigan said smiling at Gildre.
Lyssa laughed. "Gildre is a dear friend. He helped save my life just last night."
"Ah," Morrigan said smiling. "Then I like him already. Though my guess is Alistair has told him so much about me, the young elf probably does not feel the same way."
"Alistair does not speak of you actually. In fact, I've only heard your name mentioned a few times. Leliana spoke of you only when Alistair was not around. And she did not say much," Gildre said frowning.
"Leliana? Is she still at court?" Morrigan asked curiously.
"No, she went back to Orlais some time ago. She left the Chantry and is seeking her purpose in life," Lyssa said.
"Her purpose in life?" Morrigan asked laughing. "Oh that is precious. And Wynne? Where is she? Running the Circle?"
"No... Wynne passed away a few years ago," Lyssa said quietly.
Morrigan looked down. "I am sorry. I know you cared for her."
Morrigan knew better than to ask about Moby. There was only one reason the dog wouldn't be with Lyssa. She looked out at the sea and sighed.
"Well, this is going to be a challenge. I don't know how you manage to get yourself in these predicaments," Morrigan said.
"I take it that means you plan to help us," Gildre said.
"I will try," Morrigan said simply.
"Well, how did you get here," Gildre asked.
Lyssa exchanged a glance with Morrigan then turned to Gildre. "She can change form. It is an old magic."
"So you are a Circle Mage?" Gildre asked.
Morrigan looked over at Gildre. "No," she raised an eyebrow. "Is that a problem?'
"Not if it isn't a problem for Lyssa," Gildre said looking at Lyssa.
Lyssa placed her hand on Gildre's shoulder, "No, but I wouldn't mention... finding Morrigan to Alistair... just as a precaution."
Gildre smiled crookedly, "We have a secret together?"
"Oh for the love of... yes, you are like girlfriends. Lyssa, where do you find these people?" Morrigan said a little exasperated.
"Same place I found you, I suppose," Lyssa said smiling.
"I guess that's only fair. So, do we have a different plan. One that doesn't involve swimming through shark infested waters to country controlled by an assassin's guild?" Morrigan asked.
Lyssa looked out at the boats. "I do not know. I'm beginning to look fondly on the days of the Blight. More archdemon, less water."
As the three stared at the sea, a contingent of soldiers approached the docks. A large wooden box was on a wagon that followed them. The movement caught Lyssa's eyes.
"No! Not yet!" Lyssa hissed as she started toward the box.
"Lyssa, no!" Morrigan said pulling Lyssa back, "There are too many. Your disguise may work at this distance but as soon as you get too close they will see you for what you are. They don't have to know you are the Queen to take you. I overheard them talking, they plan to kill anyone who looks suspicious. Humans are uncommon on the island of Seheron."
Lyssa cursed as she watched the box loaded up onto a small sailing vessel. A very frightened looking elf was loaded onto the boat. They immediately began to prepare for launching.
"What is in the box that concerns you so?" Morrigan asked.
"It is a body that has been burned. The body wears my wedding ring, among other things. Ferelden will believe me dead," Lyssa said solemnly as she watched the small sailing vessel float out to sea.
"Strange… that the Q'unari should use such a ruse," Morrigan said thoughtfully.
"You are not the first to say so. I am beginning to feel as if only the Q'unari seem ignorant of this fact," Gildre said. "Perhaps you can get a message to Alistair, Morrigan?"
Morrigan turned to Lyssa. "I could do this, if you wished it."
"No. I have already sent a message to Alistair," Lyssa said touching the amulet around her neck. "It will arrive with the body. But from what you have seen, Gildre, Alistair is going to have more problems than worrying about my death. He would be here by now if he was able. Now my fear is the response from Ferelden. I do not think Alistair will be able to resist the will of the people, after the body is delivered. They will demand vengeance. I'm sure our traitor will have been working the council of nobles. They will happily oblige. I wish I knew what was going on in Ferelden."
"On that front I might be able to help a little," Morrigan said. "The Circle Tower has been emptied. A small army of templars was sent there to destroy the mages. Tis said the mages there were all corrupted by the royal mage, Connor."
Lyssa looked sharply at Morrigan. "This is what the people are saying?"
"Yes," Morrigan said. "They say Eamon is a traitor. He and his son gave the Q'unari your location so they could abduct you. They next planned to kill your son. The people seem to think they've succeeded on both counts."
"Eamon? Why do they say he has betrayed us?" Lyssa asked, confused.
"Tis said Eamon did not trust your son on the throne. He wanted Alistair to share his bed with another woman, which Alistair apparently refused," Morrigan said a strange smile on her face. "The people find it very noble and touching how devoted the King is to his Queen. The people do not share Eamon's belief, if that is truly his belief, in case you are interested."
Gildre was fascinated by this exchange. He noticed with great interest the way Morrigan spoke of Alistair's loyalty and his refusal to share his bed with another. Gildre did not miss Lyssa's small flinch.
"Eamon spoke to me of this, on the way to the Circle, before I was abducted. But I did not sense deception in him. And Connor. I have known him for years. He is devoted to us. He is no blood mage." Lyssa looked at the distant armada. "More pieces to the puzzle. But not enough."
Lyssa sat down, leaning back on the bench near the docks. Morrigan and Gildre joined her.
"Morrigan, what does one gain by starting a war with the Q'unari in this manner?" Lyssa asked.
Morrigan looked out at the sea and thought for a while.
"Well, let's first pretend that the traitor wanted you dead, not a fake death such as happened here. That would indeed free Alistair to pursue another woman without guilt should he so choose. It seems an obvious ploy, though flawed in many ways. But some of the best treacheries disguise themselves with apparent truths for everyone to see. It gives everyone something to distract them while the real dirty work is done. I would not discount this as a reason to have you killed. But what is confusing to me... why not have you killed by an assassin. Why go through all the trouble of the abduction, just to kill you and ship you back?" Morrigan asked.
"They blamed Eamon, right?" Gildre asked. "That would put Teagan under much scrutiny, as he is Eamon's brother. Between Alistair's grief and Teagan's relationship to the accused, the council may be able to take charge for a while, saying neither is fit to lead at the moment."
"This is a good point, but why abduct Lyssa? Surely they could have said Eamon hired the assassin and saved themselves the risk of Lyssa escaping." Morrigan said.
"I don't think an assassin would ever be able to get close enough to Lyssa to kill her. This was much more complicated than that," Gildre said, "I think whoever planned this knew full well Lyssa had dealt with assassins before."
Morrigan looked at Lyssa, who was still contemplating the sea, before continuing, "Perhaps I should know more. What else can you tell me about this plot?"
Lyssa closed her eyes and began recounting the events of the past few months.
"About six months ago there was a rather poorly executed attempt on Duncan's life. A young human who was employed at the castle came into Duncan's bedroom one morning to wake him. He had a knife hidden in his belt. Duncan disarmed the man easily, but one of his personal guards killed the would-be assassin before he realized Duncan was in no more danger. Before the man died he promised there would be more attempts. The council of nobles met at an emergency Landsmeet to discuss the assassination attempt. It was decided that Duncan needed to be hidden away somewhere safe until the entire castle could be fortified. We agreed only if Alistair and I could choose the location. We chose the mages' tower. Its location is ideal. Duncan could see danger approaching from any direction and flee if need be. Ever since Alistair removed the oversight of the templars, the mages have been very loyal to us. We trust them implicitly.
"About three weeks ago we received a strange letter from Duncan. Most of it was normal, but the last paragraph he spoke of not believing we were still alive. Alistair was at his wit's end. He asked his generals to plan a visit. I advised against it, but the letter played so perfectly to Alistair's insecurities... I simply could not deny him. And I wondered if it was some sort of code, if Duncan was trying to send a secret message. The trip was planned in large part by several nobles and the generals. Eamon did ask to be a part of the escort, and asked that his son go as well. I did not think it was odd at the time. Eamon is very protective of the Theirin line. He worked so hard to preserve it. The trip is where I was abducted," Lyssa finished and opened her eyes.
Morrigan looked down at the ground thinking. "The whole thing was an elaborate set up then. Destabilizing the throne is only part of the plan. Someone also wants to go to war with the Q'unari. Why else involve them? Gildre, what happened after it was discovered Lyssa had been abducted?"
"We found Eamon very badly injured. He was close to death. Connor healed him. Alistair was... most upset. He planned to leave immediately to try to find Lyssa. He wanted to bring only those he trusted. He was gathering knights just before I left, and Connor was to bring mages. I would not be surprised if he also planned on calling on the Grey Wardens to help him. He asked me to come here, to do whatever it took to save Lyssa. But when I left I saw templars moving in to guard the exits of the castle. I had to sneak out," Gildre said.
Morrigan thought for a moment. "Well, it certainly does help the traitor lay blame at the feet of Eamon if he was the only one to survive your abduction," Morrigan said gesturing to Lyssa. "But they still could have killed you then... You both know Alistair well. How would he have reacted to Lyssa's death, had he found her body?"
Lyssa frowned at the thought. She remembered all too well the night at the edge of the ravine and what Alistair had revealed. Gildre remembered Alistair's fury over finding his wife gone.
"I doubt he would have been so careful. The only reason he was sneaking around was because he knew he could not march onto Q'unari soil with a huge army and have any hope of retrieving Lyssa alive. He also knew the Landsmeet would not let him lead the force himself. After Cailan, the Landsmeet ruled that no King could command from the front lines in battle any more. We would have to be at war... and even then it would be difficult to justify. Until the Theirin line is stabilized, I doubt the Landsmeet will let any King lead their troops. Alistair's plan was to gather a small force, and he needed to return to the castle to do that. Had Lyssa been dead, he would have left the road we found her body on and marched directly into Seheron gathering what troops he could along the way," Gildre said.
"So, to keep Alistair from running off on a suicide mission, the Q'unari kidnap you instead of killing you, giving the traitor a chance to trap the King in his own castle. That fool most likely thinks he is being ever so clever, preparing to rescue you while he walks right into a trap. Once Alistair is safely returned to the castle, your traitor gives word that Lyssa can be killed, hence the swift execution. The Q'unari didn't even pretend to wait for a response to their demands of conversion. So, preservation of the Theirin line is important to this individual, as well as going to war with the Q'unari. There truly is much to think about," Morrigan said.
"Well," Lyssa said standing, "we will not be leaving Seheron this day. We may as well make the best of our time here. Let us see what we can find out about the Arishok. Perhaps someone knows who has been contacting him."