(A note about Rivain: the Dragon Age wiki notes that Rivain is like Spain religiously: The Qunari invaded and left their mark deeply upon half of the country. Three Exalted marches later, the Chantry regained a foothold there, but it is a dark and bitter story, much like the stories of the Knights of Christendom during the Crusades. To this, I have brazenly added my own sprinkling of Portugual to Rivain. It stands to reason that it would be the sailing mecca of the world, much like Portugal was in those early days of exploration here in the real world)

Thedas, alas, and all these delicious tensions belong to Bioware.

Chapter 3: Demon of Destiny

Real fear, I have discovered, is not born of physical danger alone. It is instead born of something deeper. The power to shape a soul, to turn and twist another's fate, to make, or destroy the very meaning of another's life, there lies an unfathomable, silent, invisible monster. As I mounted the marble stairs to the Grand Cleric's private garden, I felt the presence of the dark monster about me and I trembled, not understanding why.

She was alone, seated on a stone bench near the fountain. Her silver hair caught the warm hues of the afternoon sun, and the fountain water glinted like liquid diamonds. The garden around us was filled with blooming roses, crimson, like the color of the sash around my waist. I drew closer, knelt on one knee, and reminded myself sternly that I could not, must not, fail Angelo in this.

"Ah, you must be Angelo's young protégée," began the Grand Cleric.

"Talita da Motta, your Grace," I answered as steadily as I could.

Paulina stood and motioned to me. "Walk with me, Child."

"Yes, Grand Cleric."

I stood and caught up with her in three long strides. I was surprised and disturbed to find that I was taller than she was. For some reason, it made me uncomfortable.

"Did the Knight-Commander tell you why I've sent for you?" she asked.

"He mentioned a voyage, your Grace. To Ferelden."

"Yes. Exactly so! Ferelden is the land of my youth. Some friends of mine still reside there. I am charging you, young one, to carry letters to them. These letters are of vital importance. They MUST arrive unopened and unread by anyone except the persons for whom they are intended. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Grand Cleric," I answered. Inside, my thoughts swirled with alarm.

She paused to admire a particularly large blossom. I remained silent.

"From his descriptions of you, I had thought you would have questions for me, young knight."

I blushed. "I do, Grand Cleric."

Paulina laughed. "Ask, then!"

"Why have you chosen me, Grand Cleric? There are two full knights heading to Ferelden already."

Paulina nodded. "Yes, this is true, and they are fine people. Yet Knight-Commander Angelo speaks highly of you, Talita da Motta. He trusts you. And I trust him."

Trust. So she didn't trust her knights not to read the letters? It was too distasteful to ask. She saved me the trouble.

"Because you ARE a trainee, child, no spy would think to search your belongings, or try to rob you for such information. The other two will be targets. You will be seen as their underling, nothing more. That is why you are perfect for this task. There is also the fact that Ivonetta and Everado have their own, very important, missions to accomplish."

"So this has nothing to do with my father, then?"

Paulina favored me with a long, assessing look. "Your father thinks he can win my approval, and therefore a path back to you, by giving generously to the Chantry here in Dairsmuid. He is wrong. There is no amount of money that would surpass the debt of Angelo's promise to your mother."

"So you're sending me away so he can't find me?"

"With his latest donation, he asked only that he be allowed to come and tour the Chantry grounds. I accepted his money. I did not promise that you would be here when he arrived."

I marveled at the woman.

Paulina laughed. "Child, holiness does not mean complacency.

We fight a spiritual war here in Rivain, one in which we outnumbered three to one. Your father converted to the Qun. Perhaps it will do his soul some good to give his Qunari-earned money back to the true faith of his youth."

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