The next day Angelle was told that they didn't find the abomination, but where patrolling the tunnels in case it returned. They confirmed the templars had been killed by spells and at first suspected Ella, but the First Enchanter had confirmed she wasn't gifted with fire and ice spells so it was unlikely to be her. Angelle felt uneasy again, what if he attacked some else?
Earlier that morning Hawke had been introduced to first enchanter Orsino. A middle age elf, who seemed very kind and far more pleasant than the Knight-commander. He didn't seem as weary by her presence as she had feared and all in all it had been a pleasant enough morning. Even so she couldn't wait to get out of the Gallows. For the first time in her life, she felt sorry for those who were locked up here. But there was no other option. Mages are dangerous.
Ella seemed glad that she was allowed to see her mother, but also nervous. Hawke tried to comfort her as best she could. They went through lowtown where Ellas parents lived.
"Will you come with me? I know you don't know me, but I am to terrified to go alone."
Angelle couldn't help but smile. "Of course." She told the templar escort to wait outside. And they knocked on the door. A small boy opened the door.
"Ella!" He cried out and jumped into her arms.
"This is my brother, Tom." Ella explained.
When they went inside Ellas mother came running embracing her daughter. Angelle was shocked. This woman should be dying. Did Ella lie to her? Hawke turned towards her with an angry glare only to find her just as confused.
"Mother... I thought you were sick?"
"I was, but I got cured." The mother looked at Hawke and stopped her explaination.
"Cured?" Ella asked.
"By the nice healer. He is funny and when..." Tom was eager to continue, but was stopped by his mother.
"I bought some herbs in Darktown it made me feel better." His mother continued obviously trying to conceal the identity or rather the existence of the man. So he was obviously hunted, most likely an apostate. Angelle decided she needed to know more, but it was clear to her that she wouldn't get the information here.
"I should leave. I have a meeting with the Grand Cleric. The templars are waiting outside. You have an hour before you have to return to the circle."
"Yes, thank you for everything." Ella said with a smile. Angelle nodded and went out the door. It was nice to be appreciated, normally people where either jealous, weary or annoyed by her presence. Perhaps this post wouldn't be as bad as she had assumed.
Two templars remained at Ella's house and the last showed Angelle to the Chantry.
"I was wondering, I'd like to know more about this city. Where is the best place for that?" Angelle asked the templar.
"That would be The Hanged Man. There is a dwarf called Varric that will chat your ear off if you let him, but I hardly think it's a place for a pretty lady as yourself."
Angelle smiled. So the Hanged man would be her next stop in finding out more about this healer, but that was not important now.
They arrived at the Chantry and Hawke Instantly felt more at ease. She had never questioned her faith since she had been raised by the chantry. She had never really questioned anything in her life, but now it seemed as if she was forced to. At least she had her faith, the Maker. She told Conna to stay outside with her escort. When she went inside she was met by a sister that took her to the Grand Cleric. As Angelle went up the stairs she saw an old woman with a kind face and next to her a young man in white amour. As she approached he turned around and smiled. She felt her stomach turn. Maker, he was handsome and had such kindness in his eyes. She reluctantly looked away to greet the Grand Cleric.
"I am Grand Cleric Elthina, a pleasure to meet you my child. I trust your journey was pleasant?"
"Thank you, your grace. It was pleasant enough."
"A pleasure to meet you Seeker Hawke. I am Sebastian Vael, Prince of Stark Haven. It is an honour to have a hand of the Divine among us."
Hawke smiled "Handsome, religious and a prince. This keeps getting better and better" .
"You are to kind, but please Hawke will surfice."He smiled at her again and she felt warm feeling in her heart.
As Angelle talked with her grace, she found out little she didn't already know. The Mages and templars where at each other throats. There were a growing number of bloodmages despite the fact that the Grand Cleric and Viscount Dumar did their best to mediate the dispute. To make matters worse there was also a problem with some Qunari in the city, but since this was not her mission Hawke dismissed it. She was invited to have supper with her grace, Sebastian and other members of the Chantry. Their generosity was heart warming and for the first time in a long time no one looked at her and saw the offspring of a bloodmage. Sebastian told how he came to be in the Chantry and how his family had been murdered three years ago.
After the meal Sebastian offered to show her where she would be staying. When they went outside she was greeted by Conna.
"Your hound is a mark of nobility in Fereldan, is it not? I heard gaining a mabaris loyalty is the greatest honor."
"Thank you, thats very kind of you." She smiled.
They walked through hightown until the come to a building near the market. She was given a key and went inside. It was a small apartment with two rooms and pantry. It was quite lovely, with one exception. When you looked out the windows you could see the Gallows. But beyond that she was quite happy, she had never had this much room to herself before. Perhaps there was benefits to be handpicked be the Divine. Her things had already been brought to her apartment. Sebastian made sure she was comfortable and then took his leave. As much as Angelle liked his company she was happy to be alone. She started to explore the apartment. In the bedroom, she found that one of the walls looked a little odd. It was a door-like hatch in the wall. Her curiosity took over once again. She took a candle and went through the hatch. It led down a set of stairs that seemed to go on forever into a small cellar. At the end of the cellar was another door. As she got closer she felt a stench. Not enough to make her sick just enough to be uncomfortable. She hesitated again, but gave in. When she opened the door she was looking out on a street that looked like it had once been an old mine. There where people everywhere in small camps. Most of them sick and dirty. The children cried from starvation. It was horrible! She had heard that there were a lot of refugees stuck in something called Darktown. This must be it. She felt terrible. She wanted to help them, but had no idea how. Overcome with guilt she quickly closed the door, locked it and ran upstairs.
As Angelle went to bed she decided she would do her best not to think about it. She tried to think of Sebastian. Such a pleasant, kind-hearted man. To have lived through much sorrow. She thought of the conversations they have had trough the evening. Then suddenly the brown eyes popped into her mind. Those brown, tender and sad eyes. Why would she remember them now? She tried to remember Sebastian eyes... but nothing. "I must be tired... either that or I am going crazy!" As she fell asleep all she could remember where those eyes.