After sending the letter off to Zevran, Leliana returned to see Alistair dressing to leave the castle with Morrigan.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"We're going to give Morrigan a tour of the new Denerim," Alistair answered.
"Will you explain everything to me on the way, then?" Leliana asked.
Alistair sighed. "Fine."
They left and headed to a large cathedral.
"Don't you already have a Chantry here?" Morrigan asked.
"Oh, the Chantry's have all but closed down now that no one listens to them. This is a school."
"A school?"
Alistair nodded. "Donna had this built for mages to learn and develop their skills, especially children since they could accidentally hurt themselves and others. There are normal classes as well for elves and other who want to learn to read or write or just learn."
They entered and walked down the corridor before knocking on one door. Wynne answered and stared in surprise at Morrigan.
"Morrigan, you're back."
"So I am," she smirked.
"Please, come in."
"Everyone, we have a couple of guests."
Opening the door, Morrigan was shocked to see around fifty mages of all ages in the large classroom. They began talking the instant they saw the three guests.
"It's King Alistair!"
"Is that Morrigan the Apostate?"
"Lady Leliana is so pretty!"
"Good morning everyone," Alistair greeted, smiling at the class. "We are just giving our friend a tour."
"Are you Morrigan?" One bold mage asked.
Morrigan nodded. "I am."
Everyone talked excitedly.
"I didn't realise I was popular," Morrigan chuckled.
"When Donna announced that mages were welcome to Ferelden, she mentioned that one of her best friends was an apostate and that she believed and trusted mages. You're practically a legend amongst the mages," Wynne explained.
"She said that?"
"You bet."
"Now, please be honest," Alistair addressed the class. "How do you feel about what the Queen has done? She'd like to know how you all feel about her decision."
"You're highness," an older mage started. "My name is Anion and I come from Orlais. When word reached us about Ferelden's neutral ground for all mages, we were shocked and wary. At first, we didn't believe her but then it seemed everyone heard of the school she was building for all mages to train and grow without fear of templar's and tranquillity. I was an apostate and I had nothing to lose being hunted by the Orlais templar's. When I arrived in Denerim, I found that the Queen was honest in her selfless act of peace. It spread everywhere that she was serious and soon Denerim was harbouring hundreds of mages. It took a while, but soon the citizens of Denerim came to accept mages as their neighbours and fellow citizens."
"What about blood mages?" Morrigan asked.
"Without the danger and fear of oppression, none I know have taken that cursed step. Still, Queen Donna accepted the blood mages under oath that they give up that curse. Should anyone perform such horrid magic, it's safe to say every other mage will hunt them down for betraying her and all she's done for us and she has done a lot. Just ask the elves."
Alistair wore a proud smile. "I'll admit, I was a little worried. I mean, who wouldn't be, having so many mages in one spot but I saw the admiration and respect the mages held for her. I know she loved knowing mages and elves were free as well as the fact that no baby would be taken from their parents."
Anion nodded. "How is the Queen doing? I heard she's been very busy with Warden business for the past couple of months."
Alistair nodded while the others noted the swift look of sorrow flash in his eyes, hidden by a smile.
"She has. She never has time for me anymore," Alistair pouted while the other mages laughed. "Alright, everyone, I must borrow Lady Wynne for a couple of minutes, alright?"
They all exited the classroom and Wynne closed the door behind her. "What is it?"
"Flemeth is alive and has kidnapped my son," Morrigan began. "With him, she could start another Blight."
Wynne frowned. "You wish to hunt her down and stop her, I assume?"
"Of course."
"What is your plan of action, Alistair?" Wynne asked.
"Gather the gang again and hunt the witch down. Morrigan says she's most likely behind Donna's disappearance."
Wynne nodded. "Alright. I shall have Anion take my place in teaching in a week's time."
Alistair nodded. "Thank you, Wynne."
Wynne shook her head. "Don't thank me, as strange and dysfunctional our friends were, we were family and family leaves no one behind, least of all the glue that held us together."
Alistair smiled left with Morrigan and Leliana in tow.
Next, they headed to the Grey Warden Headquarters. The building was bustling with Grey Wardens which was an improvement from five years ago when there was only two.
"I guess you'll never have the same problem from the last Blight," Morrigan pointed out.
Once Alistair was visible to the Warden's, the Grey Warden's stopped to kneel.
"Your Highness."
He nodded his head. "Carry on."
After giving a tour of the GWHQ, they spoke to Oghren before they headed back to the castle.
"What do we do now?" Leliana asked.
Alistair sat back upon his throne. "We wait."
Zevran watched a couple of Crow Assassin's as they camped up for the night. The moment they were all asleep, he struck, slashing their throats without trouble. Dusting his hands off, he only managed to smear the blood on his hands.
"Piece of cake, no?" He chuckled with his antivan accent.
Hearing the sound of a familiar yet uncommon bird, a dove landed upon his shoulder.
"Ah, Leliana," he spoke smoothly and unattached the note from the dove's leg.
Reading the parcel, he smirked.
"A reunion, is that so?"
Using a piece of parchment belonging to the deceased crows, he wrote a letter to Sten before heading for Shale.
Sten let out a grunt as he placed the wooden planks down by the old lady's house.
"Bless you, Sten," the woman spoke.
Sten nodded before moving off to help someone else in Lothering, the town undergoing a large renovation. He was stopped in the middle of the street by a dove with something attached to it's leg.
Carefully undoing the note, he allowed a half smile to come to his lips. Doing it up, he packed his things and released the bird as it flew back to Denerim.
Shale took pleasure in eating. Now that she can take a human dwarf's form, she could taste, smell and feel.
She was eating in the middle of the forest when a group of bandits found her.
"Well, well, well, lookie what we have here, boys," the leader called. "A lost little dwarf."
"Do not bother me with your petty intimidation tactics. You do not wish to engage me in battle, I can assure you."
Taunting her, they attacked. She wasted no time transforming back to her true form as a crystallized golem and crushed them all with her mere weight.
That was the scene Zevran came upon.
"Hello again, my dear friend Shale."
Shale nodded to Zevran. "Elf, you return. What is it you want?"
"All of our precious friends have been called into Denerim by King Alistair. Will you join me?"
Shale turned to him with interest. "Is that so?"
Zevran nodded. "Quite."
"Very well, Elf. I shall return with you."
It was a week before everyone was back together.
"Where is our beloved Queen?" Zevran asked once everyone was together.
"A couple of months ago, my wife simply vanished. Morrigan came to us a couple weeks ago with news of Flemeth being alive and kidnapping her son and believes she could also be responsible for the disappearance of Donna."
"Where do we start?" Sten asked.
"Another woman has gone missing in a similar fashion. We need to gather her group as well before we hunt for them," Leliana spoke. "Varric here will lead us to them."
"First, we will look for Isabela," he said.
"Now I remember you. You travelled with the Champion of Kirkwall and Isabela, no?"
"That's right. We were sent to capture you for those disguised assassins."
"Ah, what good times."
"I remember things differently."
"So, Varric, where do we start?" Alistair asked.
"Isabela lives out at sea on her boat. We wait for her at the Red Cliff Docks. She will arrive in two days to replenish supplies."
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