A short epilogue of "Siris of Tevinter" first part. I'm planning to write a new "season" of that story.
Until then, enjoy!
Kirkwall was restless when Siris went to the city gates with Emma, Rainier and Knight-Lieutenant Harvey. The young elf wanted to leave. As soon as possible, as far as possible. In her plans, Ostwick will only be a step in her long voyage. Before that, however, she made her goodbyes with Fenris and the Champion, and Ilia and Alia. But it was with no regret she departed.
Rainier, worried like a mother-hen, were carrying the little she had. She donated all the treasure she took from her dead master to the Chantry -more specifically to Mother Maryse who promised to use them to buy food and supplies for the homeless and refugees. Siris wanted nothing that could bring back a "Danarius". She had enough of the slavers and Tevinter cruelty. She wanted no ties with that country, not anymore.
"Are you sure you don't want to go to the Gallows?" Emma asked. "I'm sure Knight-Captain Cullen would appreciate to see you before we go to Ostwick."
"No. It's no place for you to be." Siris bluntly said.
It was the truth. The events at the slavers' house were still fresh in Kirkwall's memories. Things got worse when the Knight-commander Meredith came back from her journey to Orlais. Mages were treated as good as criminals; and Siris cared too much about Emma to put her at risk. No, the sooner they leave, the better. However, it didn't stop the young elf to feel bad not to talk to the Knight-Captain. He had been a true ally, almost a friend. And when she was around him, Siris could feel how much he was suffering: from the lyrium, from himself and from all that was happening in the city. She knew he did not know what to think anymore. When Meredith came back, she wanted Emma Caravel locked into the Gallows. Without the Knight-Lieutenant Harvey's intervention, the mage would surely be in a cell right now; and the Circle of Ostwick struggling to have her back. And the Knight-Captain Cullen didn't know what to do: defend the woman who help someone he felt responsible for? Or support his Commander? The result was clear: he did nothing.
The Knight-Lieutenant Harvey was a thirty-five years old human who served in Starkhaven's Circle before joining the Circle of Ostwick. He was a joyful man, even if it was hard for him to hide is worries. The Order was struggling as much as the mages did. The Chantry was relying way too much on the Templars; who, in return, felt not as respected as they should. But Siris knew while listening to the man, that he will not turn his back to his sacred duties: he will protect the mages against the world and themselves. And Emma seemed to appreciate that.
The road to Ostwick was a long one. The travellers had plenty of time to catch up. Siris knew about Rainier activities, but enjoy listen to him planning projects. He wanted to visit Ferelden, see if he could help with rebuilding: the blight was other, but it did many wrongs he could right. As for Emma, she studied Siris case closely. And now she knew Siris wasn't sick with the Blight, the mage could narrow down her researches. But even so, nothing she found could explained what happened to Siris; not by a longshot. But Emma did not admit defeat: she was determined to know; if not for Siris' sake, at least for curiosity.
When they reached Ostwick two days later, the news spread all other Thedas: Kirkwall's Circle rebelled. Thousands of people -civilians, templars, mages- died fighting. The Knight-Commander Meredith, in what appeared to be a strike of madness, imposed the Right of Annulment, when it was not needed. Most of the Knights refused to follow, and the mages put up a fight. Abomination and demons appeared out of fear and madness; mostly from apostates in the city. The Champion sided with the Knight-Captain Cullen to protect the innocents; and ended up killing her friend Anders who tried -and failed- to kill every Templars with a terrible spell "made in tevinter".
Siris listened every day the news coming from merchants and clerics. But she could not find the will to be compassionate.
Something in her was broken. But when she closed her eyes and emptied her mind, she could feel it… That distant presence. That being as light as a feather; invisible like heat waves above a desert's dry soil. It was like breathing the fresh air of a morning during spring, after spending days in a locked, dark room. And each time Siris reached for that presence who made her feel better, she could feel its gentle touch.
Something was trying to mend back her broken heart.
She did not know what it was.
But she wanted to meet it.