Chapter Six
Two days later, Merrill paid Evelyn a visit. The elf waited nervously outside the Viscountess's office. When Bran exited, the first thing he noticed was her lack of footwear. He announced her to Evelyn, told her she could go in, then shook his head and promptly walked out. Evelyn asked Merrill to please close the door.
"Please tell me you have good news. I could use some after that conversation. Were you able to do it?"
Merrill smiled happily then pulled out the vial and handed it to Evelyn, along with the change from the supplies. Evelyn looked at the vial. The level had dropped, but only slightly. She was trying to figure out how it worked. Did she spin it, and follow where it pointed or...
Merrill laughed at her, "No, silly, that hasn't changed, it's the same as when you brought it to me. Well, minus a few drops, I suppose." Next Merrill pulled out a long chain. At the end of it was what appeared to be a lovely locket. She handed it to Evelyn with a big smile on her face, "Please, hurry up and look at it, I can't wait to see what you think. I paid a little more for this locket, I hope you don't mind."
The Viscountess opened the locket. Inside instead of a picture was a thin piece of glass. Under the glass was a drop of blood. There was a faint glow to it. As Evelyn turned the locket this way and that, the drop stayed in the same spot, like a needle on a compass, always at the edge of the locket in the direction of the Gallows. She gave Merrill a big hug, "The locket is perfect, Merrill. Thank you so much! You did it!"
"And, of course, I haven't been able to test it properly, but it should glow brighter the closer the drop gets to its source."
"I'm so happy right now I could kiss you," Evelyn put the chain around her neck, picked up the vial on her desk, and headed out the door.
"Wait! Where are you going?"
"Where do you think? To see the Knight-Captain and show him how resourceful my associates are," the Viscountess winked at the elf, "Besides, it'll give me a chance to really test it out."
On the boat ride over to the Gallows, Evelyn made a mental note to discuss removing the remaining statues from the building. They were oppressive enough, and as a mage, she could only imagine coming here for the first time and seeing these weeping statues in the only home you'd ever know. Also, part of her didn't want to take a chance at being attacked by them again.
Clean-up efforts were still underway in most of the city, but the Gallows saw more than its share of mess. Cullen was obviously keeping the Templars busy trying to get everything cleaned up as quickly as possible.
When Evelyn got off the boat, she opened the locket. The drop was brighter than before. Excellent! She walked up the stairs to the Knight-Captain's office and knocked on the door.
Cullen looked up from his paperwork, and grimaced at the disturbance. His expression changed to welcoming when he saw who it was. He stood up immediately, "Your Grace, please come in. Might I offer you a chair and ask what brings you by, today?"
Evelyn laughed to herself, she'd clearly caught him off guard. That's for outsmarting me, ha ha!...She made her way over to his desk and took a seat, "Knight-Captain, first of all, please allow me to compliment you on making remarkable progress with getting everything as back to normal as possible, under the circumstances. I was amazed when I saw how everything is shaping up."
Cullen took his seat again and smiled at her, "Thank you, Your Grace, we're just doing our job, I assure you." Was he blushing slightly?
Evelyn took the vial out of her pouch and placed it on the desk in front of him, Cullen looked at her questioningly. Then, she took the chain with the locket off of her neck and handed it to him, "Tell me what you think of that, Knight-Captain."
Cullen's brow furrowed as he turned it over in his hand. When he opened the locket, the glow emanating from it was bright and he recognized it immediately. He saw that the drop of blood under the glass was pointing in the direction of Anders's cell, "Please give my compliments to your associate, my lady. I have to admit, our mages are still trying to tackle the problem. How did she do it?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but she said something about making that drop of blood seek out its source, so the taint wouldn't be an issue. The closer it comes to it, the brighter it should glow. So, it's not technically a phylactery, just a really good imitation," she beamed.
"It's a better imitation, actually. Do you know what we have to do to figure out a heading? It's amazing anyone gets found at all," he grinned and handed the locket back to her, "I'll pass along the tip. At least we have something."
"Honestly, I'm surprised you aren't asking to confiscate this one, or some other excuse, so that you can study it, or keep it for your inventory" Evelyn said absentmindedly as she went to put the necklace back on. Cullen's face went from jovial to crestfallen and she realized what she had implied, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean...," she cursed herself for not thinking before she spoke.
Cullen sighed heavily, "If I had my way, I'd be able to fix the reputation of the Templars as easily as I can the damage to the Gallows. And twice as quickly. Unfortunately, those of us who are trying to do what's right have to pay as heavy a price as those who deserve the ridicule."
"Cullen," Evelyn stood as she searched for the words, "I know you're better than any of the Templars that fell in with Meredith and a good many who didn't. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that the mark she left on this city will take years, decades perhaps, to wash away. But, I have confidence that if anyone can remove that stain, it is you. You've never been anything but a perfect gentleman and extremely understanding to me and my family. Please know that I am very sorry for my words, which I did not intend as any kind of reflection of you."
Cullen had stood up when she did. He gave a weak smile, "Well, that's something, I suppose."
Evelyn took the necklace, and took Cullen's hand, then gently put the necklace into it, mimicking his actions previously in her office, "Please take this. It belongs with you more so than with me."
He smiled genuinely at her gesture, "I appreciate it, but I'm sure after I pass along the information, our mages can figure it out. Besides, if they can't, I know where to find this one." He handed the necklace back to her.
As Evelyn put the necklace back on, she cleared her throat, "Speaking of which, have you sent a request for another First Enchanter? It would seem that you are running at a deficit without one."
"Yes, another First Enchanter as well as another Knight-Commander, I'm afraid," he grinned, "and, before you ask, I said please and promised not to break them this time."
"Another Knight-Commander, as well? Do you recall when you sent the letter off?"
"Just yesterday, why?"
"Because I've already sent in a request for a new Knight-Commander, myself. I didn't want to start another war if we end up with an extra."
"I see...," Cullen looked clearly annoyed at something. Did he feel she was meddling? "Why just a Knight-Commander, why not a First Enchanter as well? And then let me know so I wouldn't have duplicated your efforts? For that matter, why didn't you ask me first?"
Evelyn shrugged, "Honestly, it just didn't occur to me to ask. I'm not familiar with the way a circle is run and, until now, the Templars seemed to be doing fine without a First Enchanter. I sent my letter two days ago, however, so I'm sure they will realize the urgency of the situation when they receive two letters and will not delay. I would have told you sooner, but it was only today that I could come up to inform you. And why didn't you check with me?" She hoped she had successfully dodged by claiming ignorance and he wouldn't press her.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. He looked at her and could see she was upset, he smiled and said, "Please, next time, just get with me on any matters that involve the Gallows?" he paused briefly, "And I'll promise to do the same."
Whew! "Of course," she smiled back.
"And for your information, the First Enchanter has charge of the circle, generally speaking. The Knight-Commander proceeds with his authorization. I know from living in Kirkwall you wouldn't know it, but that's how it's supposed to work. Not requesting a First Enchanter as well was egregious, but considering who we have locked up here, and our need to maintain order first and foremost, your fault can be forgiven."
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize...it won't happen again, I assure you. Thank you for setting me straight on it."
"Of course."
Evelyn cleared her throat, "Well, I really must be going. The Seneschal must be going crazy, wondering where I am," she said as she turned to leave.
"Evelyn," she wondered if she'd ever heard Cullen call her by her given name before, it immediately got her attention and she turned back around, "before you leave, you said that I've never been anything but a gentleman to you. Would you allow me to say goodbye as a gentleman, then?"
Before she could answer, Cullen came around his desk and took her hand then gave it the softest of kisses. He smiled at her and gave her a small bow, "Good day, my lady."
She smiled and nodded at him, slightly stunned, "Good day, Knight-Captain," she managed. She turned and walked out. What the hell was that?