Jen - thank you for your kindness over the last few days, and for being such a wonderful friend. xxx
Teagan and Rowan – along with Ser Perth – entered the dungeons of Redcliffe Castle and walked up to the cell holding the two prisoners. Teagan looked at them coolly as he attempted to take their measure.
The prisoners sat together on a bench. The first, a tall, beefy, red-haired man with a goatee looked back at Teagan with anxiety in his eyes; the second was also tall but much slimmer than his friend, with his dark blond hair swept back into a ponytail and a slender, angular face that bore an expression of practised indifference.
"Gentlemen," said Teagan. "I am Bann Teagan, acting ruler of Redcliffe. I hear you have been asking a lot of questions about the Grey Wardens. I require you to identify yourselves, tell me what you want with the Wardens, and who you work for."
The two men exchanged confused glances and remained silent.
"I would be quite happy to leave you here to rot," Teagan continued, "but it's not that simple. I need to know who sent you, and if any more will be following. If you refuse to speak to us, we shall have to use less friendly methods to obtain the information we seek. Let us be civil about this, shall we?"
Teagan watched them carefully. In reality he had no intention of torturing them, nor anyone for that matter, but sometimes an implied threat worked as well as the act itself.
The two men huddled together and whispered for a few moments. Finally the red-haired man spoke. "May we speak to you in private, Bann Teagan? Without your guards?"
"For what purpose?" Teagan asked.
"Because we want as few people as possible to know what we are about to tell you," he replied warily.
Teagan nodded to Rowan and Perth. "We'll be just outside the door," Ser Perth said as they departed.
Teagan waited for them to leave then spoke. "Go ahead," he said.
"Forgive our lack of co-operation, " the red-haired man said, "but we are fugitives. We were unsure of what was safe to tell. I believe you to be an honourable and just man, however, Bann Teagan, and I feel we can trust you."
"Do I know you?" asked Teagan. "You do seem familiar to me."
"Perhaps, my Lord," he replied, "although it would be more accurate to say I know you. I am a Templar, and took my final vows at the Chantry here in Redcliffe five months ago, before being transferred to the Circle Tower."
"I see," said Teagan. "And who is your friend?"
"I am a mage, Ser," the blond man replied.
"So…you were apprehending an apostate, then?" Teagan asked the Templar.
"No," he sighed and glanced at his friend. "I helped him to escape from the Tower."
"What?" Teagan exclaimed. "You aided an apostate to escape?"
"We have our reasons, Bann Teagan," thered-haired man replied cautiously. "Things are not well at the Circle Tower. I cannot be any more explicit than that, I fear. We know the Wardens, Blythe Amell and Allis Surana, and heard wrongly that they had been lost at Ostagar. When we discovered they were, in fact, alive, we tried to follow them. We heard that they had come to Redcliffe."
"In what capacity do you know them?" Teagan asked.
"They're our friends," replied the blond-haired man.
Teagan thought for a moment. "If you are indeed both from the Circle Tower as you claim," he said, "then you will know of a mage named Anders…"
The two men looked at one another.
"…who is a friend of one of the Wardens. You should be able to tell me what he specialises in."
"I am Anders, Ser," the blond-haired man sighed. "I'm a Spirit Healer, and a Master Herbalist."
Teagan nodded his head.
"In truth, Ser," said Anders, "I could easily have paralysed you and your men and persuaded you to unlock the cell, but we have no wish to harm anyone. We just want to find our friends, that's all."
"And what is your name, Ser?" Teagan asked the red-haired man.
"Cullen, my Lord," he replied, standing up and bowing with his arms crossed. "At your service."
"Ser Perth!" called Teagan.
"Yes, my Lord?" he replied as he approached.
"Unlock the cell, Ser Perth," Teagan instructed. "I believe these men to be genuine."
"As you wish, my Lord," Perth said as he took his keys out and released the men.
"That will be all, Ser Perth," said Teagan. "Thank you." Ser Perth placed his fist over his heart and bowed, before exiting.
"Thank you, my Lord," said Cullen. "Could you tell us if Blythe and Allis are indeed in Redcliffe?"
"They were," Teagan replied, "in fact you have only just missed them. They left for the Circle Tower only a short time ago."
"Oh…!" Anders groaned. "The Circle Tower? That's it, then! We can't go after them now, can we?" Cullen looked despondent.
"Fear not, gentlemen," Teagan reassured them. "They have some business at the Tower, upon the conclusion of which they shall be returning to Redcliffe."
Cullen and Anders grinned and embraced each other. "Yes!" cried Anders. Teagan smiled; he could see their friendship was genuine.
"Wait…" said Cullen. "They may not even get into the Tower. There was trouble when we left, and nobody was being allowed in."
"Trouble?" asked Teagan. "What kind of trouble?"
"We don't know," replied Anders. "We were told that there were explosions and fires at the Tower, and that nobody was being permitted to leave or enter."
Teagan sighed heavily, realising that if the Wardens were unsuccessful in securing the mages' aid, then Connor may indeed have to be slain.
"Very well," said Teagan. "We shall see what transpires. In the meantime, until the Wardens' return, you shall both remain in the Castle and your identities kept secret. I shall want something in return, however."
"Just name it!" Anders said gratefully.
"Warden Amell informed me that you are an expert on Herbalism and poisons," said Teagan.
"That's correct, my Lord," replied Anders. "What would you like me to do?"
Teagan explained how Blythe had suspected that Eamon had been poisoned, and that the mage tending to the Arl was under suspicion. He walked Anders and Cullen to the upper floor of Castle Redcliffe.
As they approached Eamon's bedchamber, Anders turned to Teagan and whispered. "Would you like me to be discreet, as Blythe was?" he asked.
"On the contrary, Anders," replied Teagan. "You may be as frank as you wish. I would be interested to see Dailen's reaction."
As they walked in, Dailen and Isolde were talking. "Leave us, Isolde," instructed Teagan. "We wish to speak to Dailen in private."
"For what reason?" she asked suspiciously. "And who are these men, Teagan?"
"Leave us, Isolde," Teagan repeated with a hint of menace in his voice.
"I-I…oh, very well," she sighed, realising she would not win this argument, and exited, closing the door behind her.
"Will you please examine my brother, Anders?" Teagan asked.
"Of course," Anders replied and began immediately. Dailen began to protest but stopped when he saw the fierce look in Teagan's eyes.
"Blythe was correct, my Lord," said Anders, removing his hand from Eamon's head, taking a tuft of hair with it. "He has been poisoned, and is in the advanced stages of its effects." Dailen remained silent, his eyes darting back and forth between the three men.
"Know you the agent used?" Teagan asked.
"No, my Lord," replied Anders. "I would need to take a sample of blood from your brother to determine that, and even then, the best I could give you would be a guess."
"Well, Dailen?" Teagan said sharply, "have you anything to add? Two independent mages have now diagnosed poisoning, something you, a purported Spirit Healer, failed to notice!"
"He's roughly the same age as me," Anders observed. "I don't remember him being at the Tower."
"So where are you from, Dailen?" Teagan demanded, moving toward the mage, "if that is even your real name?"
Teagan and Anders were taken by surprise as Dailen grabbed his staff and thrust it into the air, stunning them both with a Mind Blast. Cullen, who was out of range of the spell, tackled the mage to the ground as he ran out of the room. They grappled on the floor, Dailen's every attempt to cast a spell thwarted by Cullen's dispel abilities.
"You're a Templar?" Dailen cried in frustration, before disabling Cullen with a knee to the groin. "Dispel that, you bastard!"
Cullen collapsed on top of him, cursing and yelling in agony, as Dailen wriggled free and crawled along the floor before standing up and running. Cullen, in severe pain but determined not to let him get away, struggled up onto his knees and flung his arms outwards in Dailen's direction, palms up. A blinding flash of white light hit the floor, sending Dailen flying several feet into the air, hitting the wall, and sliding down into a useless heap on the ground.
Cullen collapsed onto all fours and grimaced, panting heavily, as Teagan and Anders emerged, the stun effect having worn off. Teagan went to fetch some of his guards as Anders knelt down next to Cullen.
"What did he do to you, Cullen?" he asked with concern.
"Knee to the groin," he replied in between shaky breaths.
"Oh," replied Anders. "Sorry. Look…I could heal you, but I would have to…touch the area. Not bare skin, mind you," he added hastily. "I could do it through your breeches."
"Just do it, Anders," Cullen groaned, collapsing onto his back.
Anders placed his hands over Cullen's groin and healed him as quickly as he could. He removed his hands just before Teagan and his guards returned.
"Take him to the dungeon," Teagan commanded his guards. "When he wakes, he's to be questioned."
"Yes, my Lord," replied the guards as they dragged Dailen's limp body away.
"Are you alright, Ser Cullen?" Teagan asked as he knelt down next to the two men.
"Yes, my Lord, I am now, thank you," he replied as he sat up, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Good," replied Teagan. "I am most grateful for your Templar skills. He would certainly have escaped, were it not for you. When you have recovered, I should like to have both of you in attendance while Dailen is questioned."
"If I may, my Lord?" offered Anders, "I can be quite…persuasive myself. I think I could get him to talk in minutes, without torture or intimidation being used."
"Indeed?" Teagan grinned. "I look forward to seeing this."
O~~~~~~~~~O
Dailen sat in the cell previously occupied by Anders and Cullen. He still felt weak and dizzy from Cullen's Holy Smite, and had trouble focusing his eyes. Four men walked in and stood in front of the cell. As his eyesight resolved, he flinched, as the first man he saw was Cullen.
"Yes," said Teagan. "Try anything like that again, and my Templar friend here will deal with you in the same way. I suggest you start talking."
"I have nothing to say to you," Dailen replied, folding his arms. "I will only speak to Arlessa Isolde."
"No, you will speak to me," said Anders, moving closer to the cell.
"If you think I'll talk to you, you're very much…" Dailen began, before catching Anders' eye. "Yes, I will talk to you," he said in a monotone, his eyes wide.
Teagan gasped and looked at Cullen in astonishment. Cullen offered a lop-sided grin.
"Who are you?" Anders demanded. "Where are you from?"
"My name is Dailen," he replied. "I am an apostate hailing from Tevinter. Arlessa Isolde hired me."
"Hired you for what?" asked Anders.
"To poison the Arl," came the reply.
"What?" cried Teagan. "Are you suggesting that Isolde was involved in this?"
"I'm sorry, Bann Teagan," said Anders. "He's telling the truth. I have him under a charm spell. He has no choice but to speak the truth. He has no control over himself."
Teagan closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, before opening them and speaking to the Knight who had accompanied them. "I want her found immediately," he ordered. "Take her into custody and confine her to her chambers under heavy guard. Say nothing of this matter to anyone, is that understood?"
"Completely, my Lord," the Knight replied, bowing, before exiting at speed.
Cullen and Anders looked at Teagan with concern. He nodded at both of them and instructed Anders to proceed.
"Why did she want the Arl poisoned?" Anders asked.
"Arl Eamon discovered that Connor is a mage," Dailen replied. "He demanded that the boy be sent to the Circle Tower for tutoring. He also threatened to divorce the Arlessa, as this is not the first deceptive thing she's done since marrying him. Faced with losing her son, as well as her privileged lifestyle, she took desperate measures."
"And you, a supposed healer, were quite happy to go along with this?" Anders cried in disbelief. "You're supposed to cure people, not make them ill! How could you do such a thing?"
"Look," said Dailen. I'm an apostate, hiding from the Chantry. The Arlessa paid me well and put a roof over my head. I would have been on the streets otherwise."
"Oh, that makes it alright then, doesn't it!" Anders snapped. "You're a disgrace!"
"What is to be done with him?" Cullen asked Teagan.
"He will remain here, until Eamon recovers," Teagan replied. "If he recovers, that is…"
"I could ward his cell to prevent him from casting spells," said Cullen, "if only I had another Templar to help me."
"There are Templars in the Chantry," replied Teagan, to which Cullen shook his head. "Wait!" he smiled. "Of course! There is a third Warden here, who is also a Templar. He is recovering from an injury at the moment, but may now be well enough to return here with you. I will take you to him."
"May I assist with his injury?" Anders enquired.
"Thank you, but no," Teagan replied. "He lost a large amount of blood whilst defending the village, and Warden Amell saved his life. She said there was nothing more she could do for him. He is recovering well, though."
"Ah," said Anders. "In that case, I'll remain here and keep him under the spell until you return."
"Thank you, indeed," replied Teagan. "Come, Ser Cullen. Put on your helm and we shall go to the Chantry."
O~~~~~~~~~O
Alistair sat on the edge of his bed, tucking into a huge dinner of roast beef, mashed potatoes, vegetables and gravy, much of which had ended up down his shirt. A knock came at the door.
"Come in!" he said with his mouth full, wiping his chin.
Teagan entered with a red haired man, who, upon seeing Alistair, immediately broke into a grin and shook his head. "I don't believe it!" he exclaimed.
"Whaaa?" Alistair cried, gulping down his food. "Sebastian? What are you doing here, you ginger bastard!" he laughed.
Teagan grinned as the two men shook hands and Cullen leaned down to embrace Alistair. "I had no idea the two of you were acquainted!" he said.
"Acquainted?" replied Alistair. "This man kept me sane through Templar training at the Chantry! Well, partially sane. Well…sometimes. Maybe." The two Templars laughed. "And to think," Alistair continued, "shy little Sebastian, who couldn't even look a girl in the eye before, ends up with Blythe Amell. Who'd have thought it?"
"She mentioned me?" asked Cullen in surprise.
"Mentioned you?" grinned Alistair. "Only about every five minutes! The woman's madly in love with you," he chuckled as he shovelled more food into his mouth.
Teagan, realising that Cullen was the object of Blythe's affections, excused himself. "I will leave the two of you to catch up, while I deal with that…other matter. Ser Cullen, I shall return for you shortly, to ensure none of the Templars bother you."
"Thank you, my Lord," replied Cullen as Teagan exited and closed the door behind him.
Teagan leaned against the door and exhaled heavily. He collected himself and entered the main Chantry hall, to be met by two Knights running towards him.
"My Lord!" cried one of the Knights. "We have searched the entire Castle, and Arlessa Isolde is nowhere to be found, and neither is Connor. The female mage – the one who travels with the Wardens and was with Connor – was found unconscious on the floor in his room. She is only just reviving now."
"You mean Morrigan? Take me to her!" Teagan commanded and the three men broke into a run as they exited the Chantry.
O~~~~~~~~~O
Sten, Zevran and the two Wardens made camp just over halfway to the Tower. Blythe sat down next to Allis beside the fire, as they both looked into the distance at their former home, silhouetted against the greys and oranges of the sky as the sun set.
"Allis?" Blythe wondered as a line formed between her eyes, "shouldn't there be some lights on in the Tower? It's in complete darkness."
"Maybe they haven't been lit yet," Allis replied absent-mindedly as he poked the fire.
"But the sun has almost gone down," she protested, "and you know what the Templars are like for routine. The lamps should have been lit by now."
Allis looked up once more. "You know, you're right," he replied. "Well," he shrugged, "perhaps Greagoir is still so furious that you were made a Grey Warden, he hasn't gotten round to putting the lamps on yet!" They laughed, but their mirth hid a seed of unease within them both.
"So, um…how are things between you and Bann Teagan?" Allis whispered, changing the subject. "I think he has a soft spot for you."
Blythe sighed and looked into the fire. "Bann Teagan is a wonderful man," she replied, "and under any other circumstances…but I can't think of romance at the moment. We have the Blight to deal with…"
"Come on, Blythe!" Allis scoffed. "That's not the real reason, and you know it."
"And as you know so much about me, why don't you tell me the real reason?" she snapped, irritated that he could see through her so easily.
"Alright," Allis retorted, "you can't keep moping over Cullen forever, you know. The two of you wouldn't have had a chance at the Tower, anyway, and you can't be together now. You need to move on, Blythe."
"Oh, do I?" she said angrily.
"Yes," he sighed. "I just want you to be happy, that's all. And you're obviously not at the moment."
Blythe stood up. "And you think that dragging me to the Tower against my wishes will make me happy?" she stormed. "You think that will help me to move on?"
"I'm sorry," Allis said quietly. "That was selfish and thoughtless of me."
"I…" began Blythe, feeling angry but not wanting to say anything hurtful to Allis. "Go to bed, Allis," she said. "I'll take first watch."
"But Zevran was taking first watch with me," Allis protested.
"So?" she replied, feeling her anger build again. She knew that Allis was trying to keep she and Zevran separate, and it annoyed her immensely.
"Alright," he said, holding his hands up in a gesture of surrender, and got to his feet. "Call me in three hours. Goodnight, Blythe."
She felt a familiar sting at the back of her throat as she watched him walk away. No! she thought. No more crying! The tears came anyway, and she dashed them away angrily and walked over to the Lake, sitting down next to the black water and letting it lap at her feet.
Zevran and Sten had watched the angry exchange from a distance, but had not heard what had been said. "I will retire now," said Sten, walking over to Zevran and fixing him with a cold stare. "I am a very light sleeper," he warned, and headed over to his tent.
"Goodnight and sweet dreams to you, dear friend!" Zevran called mockingly. Sten cast one last evil glare in Zevran's direction before entering his tent.
The elf watched Blythe for a while, uncharacteristically unsure of himself. He eventually decided he would risk her wrath for the small chance of making her smile. He walked over and sat next to the shore, keeping a discreet distance from her. She looked over and smiled faintly at him, before returning her gaze to the Lake.
Zevran leaned back on his elbows and sighed. "She sings such a beautiful and haunting melody, does she not?" he remarked.
"Who?" asked Blythe, confused.
"Shh," he said, placing a finger to his lips. "Listen."
They sat in silence for a few moments. Blythe strained to listen, then she heard it: The mournful sound of the wind howling around the Lake and the distant Tower.
"Yes, I can hear it!" she whispered, a look of wonder in her eyes. "It is like a song!"
"Her song lulls me to sleep each night," he smiled. "I have trained myself to ignore other sounds; people, dogs," he chuckled. "Why should I listen to such things when nature herself provides such a beautiful symphony?"
Blythe turned toward him, touched by his words. "I-I had no idea you thought of things in such a way, Zevran," she murmured.
"Well, my dear," he replied, "my lifestyle and line of work are inherently ugly. If I did not take the time to appreciate the gentler side of life, I should have gone insane long before now."
"Why do you do it, Zev?" she asked quietly.
"Ah," he sighed. "Well, I was raised in an Antivan whorehouse, then sold to the Crows as a young boy. I fetched a good price, from what I am told – three sovereigns. I was trained by the Crows, who became my brothers. I did not know any different. The Crows were my life."
"I don't know what to say," she whispered. "I…you must have had a very hard life."
"Oh, don't get me wrong," he smiled. "There have been moments of levity and joy, also." He shook his head. "Let us not speak of such things now. I see that you are shivering, my dear. Let us return to the fire."
He stood up and held his hand out to Blythe, who took it, and pulled her up. Still holding her hand, he walked her over to the fire, where they sat down. Blythe rubbed her arms and noticed that Zevran was shivering, too.
"I'll cast a heat enchantment on us both," she said, reaching over to touch Zevran's arm.
"No, my dear," he said, shaking his head. "We shall do this the old-fashioned way." He stood up and walked over to his tent, leaving Blythe to look on, baffled. He emerged a few moments later with two blankets, and sat close to Blythe, draping the blankets over their shoulders.
You need to move on.
Blythe wrapped her arm around Zevran's waist and lay her head on his shoulder as they cuddled. Zev exhaled deeply and planted a soft kiss against her hair, and, together, they gazed into the firelight and appreciated its simple beauty.