Straight to business, I'm exceptionally busy so I thought that now was of course the perfect moment to do this.
The Invisible Predator: I cannot believe that during a time you've been really stressed, or focused on one thing, some tiny little thoughts raced through your head to take centre stage. And if you can't say that... well, I guess all the people telling me I have problems are on to something
Ioiahola: DON'T FALL OFF!
GuestDKB: Thanks for the review, and I agree. Unfortunately there's people like that in every position of power, extremists in every political, religious or social stance. To sum up, humans are kinda arseholes.
Snowhelm: Well now that you mention it...
The following events are implausible, improbable and impossimpable. Do not try this at home.
Chapter 28: We've Got Work To Do
My scream turns to a yell as I spread my limbs like a sky diver. I need time, and this buys me precious seconds.
This height will kill me, no questions asked. Even with my shield activated, it's iffy. I've not even fallen from half of this height before. By the time I hit the water I'll be at terminal velocity. It'll be like hitting concrete.
I do not want Sparrow pizza.
Shit come on, I need something. The lake grows closer, and I know I have seconds. I can't think of anything! I don't have a plan!
Fear, cold and sticky clings to my insides, paralysing my mind, making it slow and clunky. It's too late. I've bought it. I'm out of ideas. I start to make peace. I relax.
Oh god, I relax, let the weight of the world fall from my shoulders. And it feels good.
And then something happens. I step outside of myself and let my body do it's magic.
That's the best way I can explain it. It isn't like an out of body experience where I watch myself or anything. More... it's a first person camera, and I'm just watching the show.
My arms come up, glowing with my blue shield. One arm arches out further, sending a fireball my size into the lake below. Waves are shot up, steam and boiling water throwing themselves around in vengeful arcs. But not for even a second. My other arm darts out, freezing the waters as they still fly through the air. I impact with a few, some the size of my fists, others the size of water droplets. One or two the size of my chest. I feel my mana depleting with every impact, and could be sure that if my shield wasn't there I'd already be dead.
When the half frozen lake is mere millimeters away, I act for the last time. Sending out my push, I feel the conflicting forces at work. The small iceberg that I had created sinks a foot into the water, cracking. My Will bounces off it and the water, pushing at the forces. It doesn't stop me. Not a chance.
But it slows me.
I impact with the ice and water at a speed that would break road safety laws, charging several feet under water as my shield gives way. I float there for a moment, stunned.
I'm alive?
A burning in my lungs confirms this and I quickly swim to the surface with a speed that a shark would be proud of. I burst the surface with a heavy gasp and look around me. The iceburg, it's job done, has began splintering off into smaller chunks, and I can guess that in an hour or so it'll be gone.
How... Wow, I'm impressed with myself, which doesn't happen that often. I mean, damn, I was on autopilot and did... that.
Putting my brilliance to the side, I start paddling towards the shore and head towards the towers front door. I knock a few times, shivering in my wet robes before it opens. The Templar on guard looks at me, startled.
"Hey, someone just tried to kill me. Let us in would ya? And get the bosses for me while you're at it?" I ask with a shaking smile.
"So explain it again," Greagoir demands as I sigh. I'm sat next to the fire in Irving's room, with fresh robes and a blanket pulled over me. Still shaking though. Might be the after effects of the adrenaline. Thankfully, I've avoided getting my hot bowl of broth all down my front.
"I've already told you twice now. I was on my way to the kitchen when I saw someone suspicious-"
"Suspicious how?" Irving inquires.
"They had dubious hair," I growl sarcastically. "It was late at night and they seemed to be in a hurry. Anyway, I followed them to the tower and then one of your boys," I say, giving Greagoir a pointed look, "decides it's bath time. Seriously, what more do you want to know?"
Irving and Greagoir share a glance and I frown. They... they aren't... "You're not surprised by this are you?" I say, confusion in my voice, followed quickly by anger. "You're letting your Templars run around throwing mages off towers and you're letting this happen!" I shout, directing my anger at Irving.
"They aren't my Templars," Greagoir counters, his eyes drawn and tired. His lip curls with confusion. Mine follows suit.
"What?" I eloquent ask.
Irving looks towards his troubled counterpart before looking to me. "You say you're a Grey Warden?"
"That's what it says on my pants," I quip quickly, before grimacing. Not now Sparrow. "Why so interested all of a sudden?"
Greagoir looks at Irving pointedly before turning his back on us, glaring at the fire. Irving looks to me and licks his lips nervously. "We believe that dark forces are at play in the Circle of Magi," Irving says. "And we would like your help to solve this."
I scowl. Yeah, keep me hostage (I mean I was willing but hey, it's the principle) until I'm useful and then when you need me, expect my help...
Actually, throwing me off a building is a good motivator to find this "dark force" and punch it on the nose.
"What are we talking about here?" I ask, leaning back and taking the blanket from me. "Abominations? Blood mages? Demons?"
"Insurrection," Greagoir snarls quietly. I look towards the old Templar and my eyes widen.
Say what now?
"We do not know that for sure!" Irving scolds angrily, before turning to me. "The Veil is becoming thinner, allowing beings from the Fade to... influence the Tower."
"What are you talking about? Possession?" I ask, confused. If a mage was possessed, the demon wouldn't hang about. It'd go nuclear.
"Of a kind," Irving says, as though being this round about was paining him.
"If at any point you'd like to actually tell me what the problem is here, that'd be fine," I say in annoyance.
Irving chews his words for a moment before glancing at Greagoir with a look I recognise. Fear. Not of Greagoir I can tell. Because Greagoir shares his fear.
"This Tower is old, very old," Irving says, his voice low, taking on a story telling aspect as he rolls his vowels. I have to physically force my eyes not to roll, just to be polite. I am British after all, got a reputation to uphold. Lots of nodding and hmms follow. "Much has happened within these walls. People have loved, lived, laughed and cried. People have bled within these halls, and they have died here. Many lives have left impressions here. Men and women have faced the trials of their lives here, some failing. Their emotions... appear to have lived on in Kinloch Hold. You saw one such life tonight."
I pause for a moment, frowning. I take a breath to ask a question, but let it out in a confused breath. I take another and tilt my head. "Are you talking about ghosts? Are you saying I was nearly offed by a fucking ghost?"
"Yes, I believe he is," Greagoir says angrily. He turns to face me again. "It's codswallop. A demon is obviously masquerading around inflicting this suffering. Which means it was summoned," he says, glaring into Irvings back.
I keep silent, but my thoughts flash to the previous night. The man and the demon. Could a Desire Demon be capable of this though, that particular breed seeming the most likely? I mean, there doesn't seem to be any Tears that the demons and their power could come through. I know it manifested people before me when I was in the Fade but... that was the Fade. Different world, different rules. It couldn't do that out here, just on it's lonesome.
Could it?
"So what is it you actually want me to do?" I ask the leaders in front of me. Greagoir starts, but Irving sends him a sharp glance. I almost smirk as the teacher stares down the soldier and wins. Maybe not that afraid.
"Regardless of how it is happening, we know what the effects are. The veil is weakening, threatening to tear. Someone or something," he adds tersely, glaring at Greagoir, "is trying to rip a hole between the worlds. We cannot allow that to happen. The consequences would be too great."
"Annulment," I whisper uneasily, and Gregoirs face stiffens. Irving's looks like he's just been through his own Harrowing. Annulment was the worst case scenario. If a dangerous situation could not be contained, if innocent non-mage lives were at risk... No survivors.
"We cannot allow that to happen," Irving says more desperately. I nod.
"So what can I do? It's not exactly like I know this place that well," I say with a shrug.
"No, but as a newcomer with a dark reputation, you can go to places we cannot," Greagoir says with a snort of anger. "If either myself or Irving marched on this threat, it may cause the perpetrator to accelerate their plans, thus creating a Tear."
"And having you consider Anulment..." I add, almost as an after thought. "And because I'm unaffiliated, I can move with more freedom... But that's not the only reason is it," I say, looking at the men under my brows.
"If you are who you say you are, Sparrow of the Wardens," Irving says quietly. "You are immune to our laws. All of them, even those of the Circle."
So there it is. I find whoevers stirring up ghosts, take them out in anyway I can... and I walk.
Interesting proposal.
Not that I would leave immediately. I need more data on the creepy crawlies outside, and Duncan's coming for me. But it would certainly help.
Besides, if this goes tits up, I'll still be in the Tower when the demons start possessing everyone and the Templars burn the Circle down. With me in it. That wouldn't be productive.
"So this is why you had your apprentices scope me out?" I ask, giving Irving a pointed look. He looks unruffled. "Make sure I was trusted?" He stays silent as I shake my head. "When did this all start? How long have these... disturbances been happening?" I ask, rubbing my rugged chin. I need a shave at some point, when I complete everything else on my to do list.
"The apparitions have plagued us for many months ago, close to a year," Greagoir says after a moments pondering. "Though none were as violent as the one you discovered. Irving only noticed the weakening of the Veil within the past few months."
"Any fatalities?" I ask quickly. My first encounter with a ghost, and it tries to throw me off the tower. If this has been happening for a year, I can't be the first to have a run in with a pissed poltergeist.
"None so far, but there have been some minor casualties. Both mage and Templar have been the recipients," Irving says, a hint of anger in his voice that his people were suffering.
"What could be causing this?" I ask, at a loss. I'm barely more than a novice when it comes to magic - if I can even claim to be that - so it's probably a good idea to get someone who's life is magic.
Irving shrugs his shoulders apologetically, and Greogoir glares, a muscle in his jaw tensing.
So much for that.
"Any suspects so far?" I ask, and Greagoir glares at Irving. Irving matches his glare and swings to face me, steel in his eyes.
"None," he says simply, and I can't stop the small shake in my head. Irving see's these guys as his kids. Daddy can't rat them out to the big bad Sparrow.
"Any mage is a suspect," Greagoir counters, anger filling his voice. I sigh, a small smile working it's way onto my face. And Greagoir see's them as walking time bombs. He can't let himself trust any of them, his duty demands him not to.
I notice that I've stopped shaking.
"Okay, I'm game," I say, shaking my head. "I'll start in the morning."
And what a day it's gonna be. I've got someone tearing at the barrier between this world and the spirit world, ghosts wandering the halls attacking whoever they can find. A First Enchanter who suspects no-one, and a Knight commander who suspects everyone. An unknown deadline before everyone with magic blood is up for the chop. Oh, and someone fucking a demon in the library after dark.
At least I can't say I'm boring anymore. Bad pick-up line life or no.
I open my eyes and frown. I'm lying down, with a thin blanket wrapped over me. I sit up and the bed I'm on creaks. I feel a chill and realise I'm not dressed. And my leg's sticking out. I quickly draw it back into the relative heat of the blanket.
Wow. First time I've slept in a bed in... well, a while. I almost forgot how my spine was supposed to align.
I quickly hop out of the bed and rush to pull my robes on, thankful that they were able to keep the heat in them. I think it's Autumn time, and damn if it isn't getting cold. With a quick shiver, I leave the bedroom.
I walk into Irving's office and frown. Not quite sure how I ended up here...
For I second I smirk at the idea of the old man roofying me. Then my eyes widen and I shake my head. No Gandalf no.
I let out a yawn before leaving the First Enchanter's quarters. It'd be good to find him or Greagoir. They might be able to point me in the direction of whatever's stirring up the dead.
That's a strange one I admit. I mean, I didn't know there were ghosts here in Thedas. I think the only time you saw something like that was in the Temple of Sacred Ashes, in the Gauntlet. And those weren't really ghosts, more manifestations of the Temple's security system, designed to test the faith and resolve of those seeking the Ashes.
Then again, there was that part in Dragon Age 2 where... I dunno, I think there was a demon, and some elves... Something to do with Merril? Might've been a demon or two.
Christ, it's been literal years since I played it, longer for Origins. I'm allowed to forget some of the smaller things. Besides, wouldn't be as fun if I knew every little detail of what was going to happen.
But at the same time, it makes me less prepared. Which is not a good thing.
Before I can realise where I am, I step through a door and into a dining room filled with young mages. Most ignore me, choosing to pay attention to their meals or their friends, but others stare, glare or otherwise gawk at me before returning to their companions, but I see a few throw me furtive glances as I stride across the hall.
I grab some food, then retreat to an empty table near the corner. Tearing off some of my bread, I hollow it out so I've only got the hard crust left, before filling it with meat and cheese, and a dash of soup.
Behold, I have created the sandwich!
I try to organise my thoughts as I work my way through my breakfast.
Someone's stirring up the Veil. Who? Not a clue. Their reason for doing so? Haven't the foggiest. How are they doing it? Nada. Why are the restless dead up and about? Dunno. Are the two connected? Probably, but unconfirmed.
I love it when I'm so prepared.
Okay... Plan of action. Ask around, see if anyone else has noticed these disturbances. I mean, I'm just passing through and I've been accosted by the ghosts. Someone who lives here might have a better understanding of the situation.
And then there are the people that have had run ins with them and been injured. That'd be a good start, maybe I could even figure out a motive... Templars and mages alike, so far it's sounding like everyone's fair game. Hell, I haven't even been here long enough to make enemies, living or dead.
If I ever get home, I should be a detective or something. Seem's all I'm doing nowadays is solving mystery after puzzle after riddle. Hell, maybe even the Army?! I'm certainly getting used to a certain amount of discipline in my life.
As I'm chewing the last morsel of food, I notice Neria and Daylen moving towards me.
Now, that's another puzzle. No, it's more than a puzzle. It's an impossibility. Two. There's two Mages that could save the world in here. There should be one.
In the game, you chose an Origin and the rest, while still existent, had no relevance. Mostly they all died. Except the mages. You had a choice for them. Human or elf. One, or the other. And here I've got both.
I can feel a headache coming on.
"Sparrow," Neria says as she places herself across from me. Her voice is no less friendly than it was, but it's different somehow. More serious. Her face as well, drawn into an almost severe expression.
"Neria," I say, keeping my tone neutral, any excitement left somewhere around my uvula. Daylen nods to me, and I wink back. "What can I do you for?"
"The First Enchanter has told us that you may need help into your investigation regarding the unrest. We are your assistants," she says, her teeth gritting on the last word. Ruh roh, teachers pet doesn't like playing second fiddle.
"Uh huh..." I say, sucking on some cheese stuck in my teeth. "And you two are qualified for the position... how?"
A flash of outrage sparks in Neria's eyes, but it's Daylen who answers. "We are more familiar with Kinloch Hold, having spent the majority of our lives here. We know it's people, we know our way around. Add to that our combined intellect and magical abilities, and we are valuable assets for you."
I raise my brows as I sip at some ice water. "Smart answer," I murmur thoughtfully. He's right. I don't know my way around. I don't know anyone here. To be honest, I don't know a lot of relevant information. I need the help.
And there's also the fact that these are potential Wardens. I dunno why, but I have to see them in action. Get a feel for them. It's strange, knowing they have this whole destiny ahead of them.
Maybe.
"You're right, I do need the help," I admit with a shrug of humility. No point sugar coating it. "You guys could help me get this done a lot quicker, and a lot easier. I'd love to have your help. So what do you know so far?"
They fill me in on what tidbits they know, which isn't much more than myself. Irving's already had them working on the case before I got here, but they hadn't made much progress. They had interviewed a few people who'd been attacked, but not everyone. With that in mind, we set off to foil some dastardly schemes.
Ooh rah!
I now know why Harry Dresden charged so much. Detective work is boring!
In the few hours we've been doing this, I've wanted my sword back just so I can stab myself at least five times. I've considered using magic the other twelve. More in tune with the scene.
For one, there seems to be a similar attitude towards ghosts in my world and this one. Yeah, you're allowed to have a passing notion there may be such a thing. But the second you start screaming about seeing one, you're a leper and a madman. Most of the witnesses had "forgotten" their encounters, or had exaggerated them in their mind at the time.
I growled in dissatisfaction as we rounded on the last, an apprentice by the name of Alexandre. Daylen had said he was from the Orlesian Circle originally, and when I was suprised told me that it wasn't uncommon for mages to reside in numerous Circles throughout their lives.
Alexandre looked too old to be an Apprentice. Tall and stocky, he was all arms and legs, like a stork who hadn't quite grown into it's body yet. Late twenties, early thirties with greying blonde hair and a faint moustache, his tan skin was verging on wrinkles. His eyes were grey, looking both tired and alert at the same time, a look I remember on the face of my friends who went to college.
"Bonjour!" he cried joviantly as we approached, and I saw another man shuffle off. He looked balding and broud shouldered, but I ignored him soon after. I was here for Baby face, not his buddy.
"Bonjour, ca va?" I asked how he was before I could stop myself. Damn, French class really gets into your head man.
Alexandre's eyes widened a little that I could speak Orlesian, and even Neria and Daylen looked surprised. "It is rare to hear my mother tongue spoken outside of my country messere," the Orlesian says in disbelief.
"What can I say, I'm multi-cultured," I quip with a small smile. "But my amazing lingual skills aren't why we are here. I'd like to keep this quick, I want to head to the kitchens."
His eyes flicker and his tongue darts out for a moment. "Oh," Alexandre says, looking at my two companions and I warily. "And what brings you to me?"
Neria steps forward with her nose up. "You've had an encounter with an apparition within these halls. Tell us what happened?" she demands, aggressively. I widen my eyes in surprise. She hadn't shown any hostility to the others, why Alexandre?
Alexandre's eyes widen, the tiredness disappearing before being replace by panic. He looks at the three of us and his tongue darts out to lick his lips. A tell. "Mademoiselle, I do not know what you speak of," he says in a too quick, too scared voice. Just like the rest of the mages. Scared. Weak. No wonder no-one kicks up a fuss about being locked away all their lives.
"Save it," I hiss in anger, pulling Neria back behind me. Daylen sends me a look of caution which I take note of. "Alexandre you were accosted, attacked, in a place you're supposed to be safe. Unprovoked, random chance. I'm curious as to how you managed to get away? Tell us quickly before the Templars wonder why we're all gathered here." He looks over his shoulder, and turns in time for me to see his tongue racing back into his mouth.
The mage sends me a hard look, with a ghost of a smile almost coming to his face. But not his eyes. "I fought back and managed to run," he admits after a few moments. "I didn't realise what it was at first, I thought it was a Templar." His lip curls at the mention of his jailers.
"What happened?" Daylen asked, easily the calmest voice of the group.
"I was passing the kitchens when I felt a chill," he says slowly, re-living it in his head. Good. That means he doesn't see me flinch as I do the same. "There were voices... A woman in a dress... And then that Templar came," he almost spat the last sentence.
"What happened then?" Neria asks, voice much softer now. Not that Alexandre notices.
"She murdered her. And then she came for me," he said, his breath quickening.
"Sorry, 'she'? The Templar's a woman?" I ask in shock as the Orlesian nods.
Meredith showed me that women could be Templars, no big deal. And it definitely isn't chafing my pride a little that a woman almost killed me. It was a ghost, how the hell would I beat that.
"Thank you for your time," I thank Alexandre before sweeping away without another word. After a few moments the apprentices follow.
"Was it the same spirit that attacked you?" Daylen asks quietly as we march through the halls.
"It was the same spirit that attacked everyone," I growl angrily.
"How can you be sure?" Neria asks suspiciously. I glance at her with a toothy grin.
"Do you two know what a tell is?" I ask with a small smile. Story time apprentices! Yay! "It's a small tic that people do when they're nervous or afraid. Could be something like blinking when you lie, or rubbing your face when you're hiding something. Alexandre's tell," I jerk my thumb backwards, "was wetting his lips. Before he cracked, I mentioned Templars and the kitchens. Both times he showed the tell. Same with everyone else. Everyone got nervous when it came to the Templar at the Kitchens, even other Templars."
"How is that useful?" Neria asks, grabbing my shoulder to face her. I scowl at her, and then glare at her hand which was still grabbing me. We stay paused like that for a moment, the tension becoming thicker with each second. Daylen sweeps between us, gently levering Neria's hand from me as he concludes my point.
"It means that the spirit that has attacked others has always taken the form of a Templar. And she gravitates towards the kitchens for some reason. So it gives us an advantage," Amell sends a look to me, to which I smile. I start walking towards the library.
"Precisely. We know where it's going to be. Now we just have to do a little research," I say as we arrive at the door to the library. I hear a moan behind me.
"Swotting time," I hear Neria curse behind my back. I turn and give her a big smile, to which she glares.
"Let's go get out nerd on."
I nod at the Tranquil librarian at the desk, who gives me his signature blank stare. I suppress a chill that goes through me. Those eyes aren't human, their too dead too lifeless. No expression at all just... blank.
Even Spock looked inquisitive at times.
"Daylen, I want you to look up the folklore concerning Kinloch hold," I say as I head to my usual table. I let out a small smile when I still see the haphazard piles as I'd left them. Those books will be useful. "Look for any records on female Templars who lost the plot. If we can find out the characters of this tragic tale, maybe it'll help us understand why this is happening and how we can stop it. Neria, I want you to search for binding spells, entrapments and everything you can find out about ghosts. When we find this spooky bitch, I want her locked up tight."
"Excuse me?" Neria says in a voice that suggests I've just spat at her feet. I clench my eyes closed before turning to her. Daylen moves into the stacks quietly to begin his research, leaving me and the elf alone.
"Is there a problem?" I ask her sweetly as she glares at me.
"This isn't what I signed up to do," she growls in a low voice. "I'm here to stop the Veil being torn, not look up ghost stories or indulge a fool," she hisses and I cock my head. Fool am I?
"And what pray tell would you be doing to stop the Veil being torn?" I ask sarcastically. "I mean, obviously, you know what's causing it. I mean, shucks, why don't I just follow you seeing as you seem to be having all of the answers. Silly Warden. Silly Sparrow," I say with a small laugh, slapping my forehead before turning serious.
"Have you ever seen a ghost before?" I ask her plainly, and she doesn't bother to restrain a snort. "Yeah, I didn't think so. To my knowledge, not a lot of people have. I'm pretty sure that most of the people on that list are in this tower. Ghosts are strong, stronger that you'd imagine. They don't feel pain like we do, so that makes them harder to stop. And they're focused on one thing only. Hell, they're focused so much on it that sometimes they don't realize they're dead. Sometimes it's revenge, or love, or even just because they don't want to go. They want to stay with the people here. And right now they're in danger. Something is attacking mages and Templars alike, people you've grown up with and count as your friends, and it will kill someone eventually. Maybe it's luck that no-one's died yet. But everyone's luck runs out. This thing is strong, stronger than you can imagine and it doesn't discriminate. Unless we stop this thing, it will kill. Maybe the next person is a little mage who doesn't know how to defend themselves?"
Neria's face turns and I press on. "We have a responsibility to them. We have the power and the resources to stop this threat before it endangers any more lives. Nobody's seen a ghost before, and at the same time they start popping up the Veil gets weaker. I don't think that's a coincidence, do you?"
Neria stays stubbornly silent. I smirk. "But no," I say lifting a hand towards the door. "If this isn't good enough for you, feel free to go out and tell Irving we're wasting our time. That trying to safeguard the inhabitants of his Circle, while at the same time possibly find out more about why this is happening is a frivolous waste of time." I roughly pull out a chair next to me and place is between me and Neria. "Or, you can sit down, shut up and help me figure out what the fuck's going on in this place."
Neria stares at me defiantly for a few moments before her eyes flick to Daylen, who's suddenly appeared back at the table, with arms filled with a few tomes. I swear, these mages are sneakier than some rogues I've met. I see him nod out of the corner of my eye. Then her gaze turns to me.
"Do you know the consequences of the Veil being torn Sparrow?" she asks, anger in her voice. And something else. Fear. Just a hint, a light flavouring. But enough to spice her words, give them an extra oomphf!
"I do," I say grimly. Annulment has crossed my mind once or twice. Being responsible for the fates of hundreds of people has a tendency to weigh down on you.
"They you know why we cannot waste our time during our investigation?" She says, her voice almost pleading. I let out a sigh and rub my eyes, leaning on the back of the chair I've pulled out.
"I will be honest with you, something of a rare feat for me nowadays. I don't have any answers right now. I don't know the who, the what, why... I don't know anything more than you. But these spirits, maybe they know who's shaking them out of bed. Nightfall, the time when all of the attacks have taken place, won't be for another few hours. That gives us time to prepare ourselves."
I stop a moment and put a gentle hand on Neria's shoulder. She flinches a little, but doesn't shy away. "We can't afford to be careless. We can't afford to be slow, or get hurt. We can't afford to not know. We have to be ready for anything. Can you do that?"
She looks at me with her brilliant eyes - I ignore how they glitter just a bit too brightly to not be swelled with tears - and gives me a rough nod before sitting herself down and pulling a book from my stack.
Wow, speech check successful... I think.
Yes, Sparrow is a boss! See you sooon!