Chapter 16

Margaret gazed into Garrett's eyes. They had felt a connection from the moment they met and had gotten closer while sharing the tasks around the Keep when the others had been in the Blackmarsh. She snuggled up against his chest and sighed happily. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

"I can't believe how lucky I am to have found you," he murmured.

She sighed again, "I've never been happier."

"So, what's on the agenda for today?" he asked.

"Well..." she hesitated, not wanting to disrupt the peace. "I'm leaving for Amaranthine with the Commander to investigate crime in the city."

"That's not a Warden's job!" he exclaimed, "Why is the Commander taking on such menial tasks? There are still reports of darkspawn in the farmlands."

"Apparently, there is someone in Amaranthine that has information about that, so we're going to get that information too." Margaret stood up and began donning her armor. "I should only be gone for a day." She leaned over the bed and kissed him. "See you tomorrow."

...

Beth looked at the pile of papers on her desk. She had been back from Denerim a few days and had worked steadily on trying to reduce the amount. There were requests from villagers and nobles for the Wardens to help with some bandits and highwaymen and there were requests for her as Arlessa to attend various functions. There was still the darkspawn to deal with and reports of sightings were still coming in from all over the Arling. Beth rubbed her temples. She could feel a headache coming on. The knock at her door was a welcomed interruption.

Anders entered hesitantly. He was extremely nervous. He was staring at the floor, shifting his weight from one foot to another and he kept wringing his hands. Beth looked up at him and watched amused. "Alright Anders," she smiled at him encouragingly, "Out with it. What do you need?"

"Um..." he stuttered, "I need a favor."

"Okay," she said, curious as to what would make him so edgy. "What kind of favor?"

"Can I go to Amaranthine with you?" he asked, the words coming in a rush.

"Certainly. Is this in regards to the letter you received?" she asked.

"Yes. I need to meet someone there." He looked up at her hopefully. "You don't mind?"

"Of course not, Anders." She said and looked down at the hopeless pile of paperwork on her desk. "We're leaving now. I'm done trying to reduce this mess today."

...

They arrived in Amaranthine without trouble and walked through the bustling streets to the city guard. Beth spoke with the guard while Margaret and Anders stood quietly, waiting.

"So it seems you are still having bandit issues?" Beth asked.

"Yes," the Constable replied. "But, they do not warrant a visit from the Warden-Commander."

"Well, I have to maintain appearances to the Banns and they requested I investigate the crime rate within the city." Beth looked at the Constable and said, "No offense. I'm sure you are doing a superb job maintaining order. The citizens seem to be happy and I saw no outright problems."

"The nobles of the city can be a bit demanding," the Constable acknowledged. "We only have scattered reports of crime, no more than any large seaport would have."

"Alright, Constable. I trust your judgment and will include your comments in my next meeting with the Banns." Beth shook his hand and turned to leave. "Now we can concentrate on the darkspawn attacks in the farmlands."

"Ah...Commander?" Anders looked nervous again.

"Don't worry Anders, I haven't forgotten." She patted him on the arm. "Let's find these merchants who saw the darkspawn in their journey and we'll be done with official business."

They left the city guard and walked through the streets of Amaranthine to the marketplace. A small building stood at one end of the marketplace. Postings littered a board advertising everything from items for sale to people looking for work. The building also served as a way station for traveling merchants. A line of booths led from the building into the marketplace for the merchants visiting the city to set up their wares.

Beth walked slowly up to each occupied booth, questioning the owner and moving on until she found the person she was looking for. After a brief exchange, she nodded and rejoined her companions.

"It appears that this merchant and his son were traveling from Highever when his son fell into a crevice that opened into a cave along the northern road." Beth shook her head, "Unfortunately, the darkspawn chased them and he doesn't know exactly where along the north road it was."

Margaret said excitedly, "Sounds like we have an actual darkspawn mission!"

"Don't be so happy about it," Anders glared. "I don't remember any of our missions fondly, especially if they contained darkspawn."

Beth laughed, "Well, it will be good to be doing Grey Warden work for a change." She looked at the two of them, "We are done here, if you want to go about your own business. I'm going to visit a friend here in the marketplace, but you are welcome to do as you please. I'll see you tomorrow morning to plan our north road expedition."

Margaret smiled, "Okay!"

Anders looked at her and nodded, "See you later."

...

The light was fading as Beth left Delilah's house and wandered through the marketplace. Merchants were trying to make their last deals of the day and people were hurrying to their homes for their dinner meals. Beth had decided to stay in the city overnight and was making her way to the Inn to book a room when Anders hurried up to her.

"Commander!" he shouted, panting and out of breath.

"Anders, is something wrong?" Beth asked, concerned by the anguish in the man's face.

"I need your help." He panted, leaning over, trying to catch his breath.

"What's wrong?" Beth asked again, growing more concerned.

"They're still tracking me! They have my phylactery here! In Amaranthine!" He said, anger and fear intermingling with excitement. "I know where it is! But I need your help!"

"Slow down." Beth said, confused. "What's a phylactery and who are they?"

Anders took a deep breath, "When a mage is discovered, a vial of their blood is kept by the Templars to track them if needed."

"That's not right!" Beth exclaimed. "You are a Warden now. The Templars shouldn't be tracking you."

"I know, but I got a letter from someone who found out that I am still being tracked, and that my vial is here in Amaranthine at an abandoned warehouse. Please, come with me and help me find it and destroy it!' Anders watched Beth's reaction.

"Do you know which warehouse?" Beth asked without hesitating.

Anders looked at her, relieved, "Yes. I met the person who sent me the letter and she told me which one. It's going to be guarded, so I can't go in alone, I need help."

"Let's go." Beth said.

The darkening sky helped hide them in the shadows as they made their way to the warehouses near the wharf. The buildings cast dark shadows over the alleys and allowed them to make their way without being seen. Anders pointed to a building at the end of one alley. "That's it," he whispered.

Beth drew her blades. She didn't like the idea of fighting Templars, but she disliked the idea of them tracking Anders even more. They cautiously approached the back of the warehouse and looked for a way in. A window overhead was open a crack, and using a nearby crate to stand on, Beth peered into the gloom.

The darkness inside made it hard to make out any dangers. All Beth could tell was that crates were stacked inside and there was no sound or movement. She slowly opened the window far enough to enable her to enter. She dropped soundlessly to the floor and moved out of the way as Anders followed her.

"I knew you couldn't resist the trap!" A man's voice shouted as torches were lit and Beth and Anders were momentarily blinded by the light.

"A trap!" Beth hissed.

"Yes...and we get a Warden-Commander too." The man moved into the view and motioned to his companions. Beth heard chants and could feel the power of the disabling spells covering them. The group surrounded them, blocking their exit route.

Beth whirled into action, attacking the first person she came to. Anders remembering Beth's training, used his staff as a weapon and began to battle with the attackers as well.

Beth charged at one after another of the attackers, working her way back to Anders. She knew he was not a strong fighter without his magic and she attempted to chant a spell to dispel the blocking spell cast on him.

"Halt! Or he dies!" Anders was held by two men and the Templar had a dagger to Anders' throat.

Beth dropped her daggers, glaring at the man, as two other men grabbed her arms.

"Leave her alone!" Anders shouted, "She doesn't have anything to do with this!"

The man smiled menacingly and approached Beth. "Well...it seems you are worth something more than just the bounty on your head. I wonder why that is..." He circled Beth, eyeing her.

Anders looked at Beth helplessly. He felt so guilty for getting her involved in this and he couldn't think of any way out of their predicament. He saw she was mouthing something and he tried to make out what she was saying. It looked like a chant of some sort. Suddenly, he felt the power of his magic flowing back and he nodded at her. Casting a spark spell, the men holding him were thrown off. He began casting fire bolts and lightning spells at the attackers. Soon smoke filled the room as crates caught on fire and the building began to burn.

Beth felt the men holding her loosen as Anders became free and began casting spells. She quickly grabbed her blades from the floor and raced after the leader who was fleeing the scene.

...

Margaret arrived at the Keep with plenty of daylight left. She hurried to the barracks and, not finding Garrett, went to the sparring ring. Garrett was training some new arrivals and determining his recommendations for the Senaschel. She sat on a bench and watched her love with interest. He had finished with the woman in front of him and she didn't look happy with what he was saying. Suddenly she stormed out of the ring and ran towards the barracks. Margaret could see the girl was crying as she went by. Margaret stood up and walked toward Garrett who was shaking his head.

"It's a shame that the tournaments give some people a false sense of their skills." He shrugged, "In a real fight, the enemy doesn't stop when you yell 'hold'."

Margaret looked around as the other recruits were cleaning up the training area. "I take it you are done for today?"

Garrett took off his helm and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Yes." He dropped his voice to a whisper, "I'm all yours."

Margaret smiled and said, "Well, I'm hungry. Let's go eat."

"Okay, I'm going to go clean up a bit. I'll see you in the kitchen." Garrett walked off to the barracks as Margaret went into the Keep.

She entered the kitchen, waiving at Ohgren and Nate, who were already settled down and eating. Grabbing a seat, she began piling food onto her plate from the steaming platters.

"Back already?" Ohgren asked through a mouthful of food.

Margaret nodded, but kept eating.

Nate looked at the door expectantly, when no one else entered, he asked, "So, where's the Commander and Anders?"

Margaret swallowed and said, "Still in Amaranthine. Anders was meeting someone and the Commander went to visit your sister."

Nate looked out the window at the darkening sky. "I guess they're not coming back until morning."

Margaret shrugged at him, "Don't worry Nate, she'll be back soon. We have a mission tomorrow."

...

As Anders entered a small office in the now burning warehouse, he saw Beth and the Templar fighting fiercely. He prepared a spell, but the Templar took one look at him, motioned and he was silenced. Anders frowned and moved closer.

Beth dodged a swing from the Templars' sword and looked for any weaknesses in his attack. 'This man is good,' she thought as she barely dodged another onslaught of blows.

"Leave her!" Anders yelled, "It's me you want."

The Templar didn't even glance at Anders. Watching Beth intently, he snarled, "I am going to kill this woman, then I'll kill you. Then I will track down the person who gave her Templar secrets."

Beth stood panting, looking for a way to dislodge this man's confidence. "It's too late. He died fighting the Archdemon." She jumped and stabbed, but her blows were deflected by the Templar's quick maneuver with his shield.

Anders stood helplessly. He was afraid that he would be more of a hindrance in the fight than a help. He was only beginning to learn and if this Templar was giving Beth trouble, then he would just be killed.

Beth stood defensively as the Templar circled her. She braced for a charge and as he charged she slid under his shield and stabbed upward into the man's chest. Surprise registered on his face as he fell. Beth stood slowly, twisting her blades before she pulled them out. The Templar gave a final last gasp and then lay still.

Anders cheered, "You did it!"

Beth looked at Anders, grinning, "It's almost a shame he had to die. He was one of the best I've ever fought." She took a step toward Anders and went down on one knee.

"You're hurt!" Anders cried and rushed to her.

"It's okay, just a scratch..." she said and put her hand to her side. Blood covered her hand quickly and Anders grabbed a poultice out of his pack.

"That is not a scratch. Damn it, Commander, I'm still silenced from that bastard Templar." Anders face grew a brilliant red as his anger boiled to the surface.

Beth smiled at him, "Anders! Such language!" He looked at her sheepishly. She tried to reassure him, "Relax, will you? Let's just go to the Inn and get rooms. I heal pretty quickly on my own."

He looked at her and grew more frustrated, "Will you stop being so damn practical. You're bleeding to death."

"Anders, stop panicking. Look. The wound has already stopped bleeding. Let's go." Beth started to stand and Anders stopped her.

"Don't move. I don't want it opening up. I'll carry you." He moved around to her good side and picked her up.

Beth was starting to feel weak from the blood loss and didn't complain. Anders kept looking down at her and worried when she stopped responding to him. When he arrived at the Inn, Anders told the Innkeeper that she had fallen, the owner sent a messenger for a local healer and helped them into a room.