Anders and Leliana had packed on the few things that they needed, and while the mage tried to be patient and quiet upon their leave, Fenris had seemed more than relieved about leaving. It was always "mage" this and "mage" that in whatever negative term he could think of, and he would be in the gritty right to have said so. This was mainly why Anders hadn't said anything so far; however, when they did cross the Tevinter boarder, the elf had best quiet down.
They were traveling south down the Imperial Highway; which didn't leave any stops for them to hassel with since Anders took the liberty of driving. His public appearance kept the road stops running smoothly because all he had to do was give a wave of his hand and the gates would open. Besides, steering and being away from Fenris just made things much easier.
Upon reaching the famous fork towards the Silent Plains, Anders's eyes squinted from his driving seat. He spotted a familiar pirate riding with no ship nearby. Isabela was riding horseback as fast as her beast could carry her. The wind she tore through left her hair strung out in a mess left to be desired when and if she had ever stopped.
Without giving it much of a second's thought, Anders hiked up on his reigns to follow after her. The carriage started to speed up, naturally bumping everyone else around in the back. He was trying to reach the woman, to find out what was going on. Of course his passengers surely didn't care for the extra ride.
"Hey! Do you mind slowing down, or has that demon in you decided to break a world's record?" Fenris was quick to shout from his passenger's window and in response—got booted back into his seat.
Anders ignored him. His eyes was only towards the woman, and his curiousity since she seemed to have been riding in a panic. When he reached within ear-shot of her, he called out.
"Isabela! What are you doing?" He shouted to her.
"What?" She called back after glancing towards him; her proud and carefree manner seemed to shine despite the known worry in her eyes. She raised up her arm and motioned Anders to take the other path. "Go around, hun! Get out of here!"
Anders was fixing to ask her what was wrong when a fireball from the woods was thrown right against the side of the carriage. He had to slow down then, looking back at the burning damage in a moment of surprise. Reaching up, he placed a frost spell over the burning sections of the woodwork to save it's structure.
"Andraste's granny panties…!" Isabela sighed and pulled the reigns to her horse tight. The steed stood upon it's hind legs upon turning around and neighed from the abrupt pull. She stood up from her saddle and started to pull out her swords. The smile gleaming back seemed a bit intrigued. "Now, I'll have to kill them."
With time passing so slowly Leliana of course began to get bored. Looking from the corner of her eye she saw a candle stick, and since there was nothing else better to do. She figured they'd might as well play a game to pass the time, and hopefully pass the time quicker. So in reaching out she grabbed the candle stick, waving the tip over to Anna as she gave a small wide grin. "Light it?" She asked curiously, and if she had. She would hold it upright before looking between the three of them…
"Who shall be my victim?" She teased, as her eyes stopped to the Warden and her grin was replaced by a smirk. "You." She finished with a point of her other free hand.
"Me?" Asked the Warden, his brow arching in question as he looked to the candle then to the rouge. "What are you going to do?"
"A game… Nothing to harmless." She joked as she unclasped her arm brace letting it fall to the wooden carriage floor. In which the Warden followed, slowly but eventually reveling his forearm as well. Leliana scooted forward, pressing her forearm to his and in-between she laid the candle to where the flame would burn against both their skin. The two flinched of course, but Leliana looked up to Aragorn seeing the surprise and agony which filled his eyes. A small chuckle emitted from her lips as she began to part her lips. "Does it hurt?"
"No…" He replied looking to both Fenris and Anna then to Leliana. Who's face hadn't changed since the moment she relaxed it. It was like she has no pain to this at all.
"I think your lying." She stated her eyes shifting to the flame then back to him.
Aragorn's eye narrowed, as the flame surged through his arm. Just as he was about to pull away from the pain, he felt the carriages speed hasten, and Fenris shouting, and then the carriage stopped. "Ah-!" He muttered pulling his arm back and away, as he rubbed the sore spot on his arm now. "I swear your immune to pain."
"Just use to it." She finished as she reached down taking her arm brace, clasping it back on as she stood up slightly to open the carriage door and jump out. In which the Warden followed promptly.
She looked around for Anders, and once she turned the corner around the carriage she saw him, and the slight damage that was done. "What happened?" She asked looking around, and when she did she saw Isabela. A stunned look came over her as she hadn't caught what she said, but the rustling noise in the depths of darkness she heard, she figured it wasn't anything good, if that. "Izzy whats going on?"
"Can't talk. Got blood to spill." Isabela answered and flipped from her horse to land to the ground.
From the trees came a group of soldiers and Tevinter mages alike, charging with their weapons aimed high and their magic shooting in Isabela's direction. Anders only had a glancing moment towards Leliana before dismounting the driver's seat. All the while, he was mumbling about how really of a bad idea all of this was turning out to be.
"Everyone out." He instructed, only to quickly duck from another fireball hitting the carriage. That was the second time those bloody fools struck at them… "Okay… maybe through the other door."
"What was your first clue?" Fenris scoffed, rolling out and drawing his large weapon blade.
Of course, Fenris was happy to slice through the mages, while Anders had kept spiritual barriers up for everyone. Isabela was leaping from the trees only to crash down on one of the seemingly 'Captains' of the group. In a quick motion, she had sliced the man's neck, and then rolled from the horse and onto the ground to move to the next one.
"Where the heck did these guys come from?" Leliana questioned as she reached back and pulled out an arrow and her bow from its clasp. And from the shadows came more foes. Drawing her arrow back with its lining, she released it as the swooshing sound of the arrow flying through the air passed by until it stuck through and through a soldier who happened to get caught in her sights.
Aragorn looked to Isabela, watching for a moment as she jumped around like a cat within the trees. He quickly unsheathed his sword as the cold steel of his blade collided against another soldiers, the clanging rang within his ears as he reached back, pulling out yet another sword and swung it towards the males head decapitating him on spot. As the head rolled to his feet, he turned a shoulder to his comrades watching for a moment as they fought. But a snapping noise which came from behind him, caused the Warden to shift around, sword swinging in the air as the slide of the long silver sword made a connection with the side of yet another foe.
"You know it would be helpful if you told us what you were doing in these parts?" Aragorn commented to Isabela throughout all the clashing and groans of fallen soldiers filling around them.
Isabela turned against one of the horses, carrying another magister, and curved her blade around the back tendons of his left boot. She sliced it across as deep as she could, jolting the man on his back against the horse and leading to possibly bleed to death. "Well…! I thought I could find Tempest. I ended up bumping into a person that really, really doesn't like me since I slit his throat."
"You slit his throat, and he's still alive?" Fenris asked, charging his blade against the few soldiers that raced his way. "Is he a Magister?"
"No; a Slaver. I just didn't cut him deep enough." Isabela responded and looked around once the last soldier was killed by one of Leliana's arrows.
Anders looked around towards the others once the frenzy had died down. He marched over the bodies in order to reach the center between Isabela and the rest of the party. "Does anyone need healing…?"
Without a given word, his eyes had reacted towards the gash in Isabela's leg, and so his first task was seen to her. She sighed some after his work was done and then stepped away. "Thank you… That was slowing me down for a little while… I have to go. I have to get to the Chantry in Marothius."
"There's no Chantry in Marothius—" Fenris started to argue.
"Yes there is." The pirate quickly urged back while sheathing her swords behind her back. "…Or at least… there will be until the Setimius Army come. They're going to tear it down."
"And this involves you…how exactly?" Anders questioned upon standing back up.
"Tempest is there, and he has the book." Isabela blinked back at him innocently and then after an exchanged of shocked glances among them, she turned slightly towards Aragorn for help. "I should have known he'd pull a fast one on us. That's why; during the last time we traveled together, he left the ship early, why the traps were already sprung except for one, and why he insisted to be last one out. He knew where the book was, in that temple, and now he has it."
"Right… And the fact that this 'Setimius Army' may destroy an entire newly risen Chantry on Tevinter lands is the more important issue to you." Fenris spoke with an arched eyebrow and folded his arms.
"Of course the Chantry is important, but so is the book." Isabela shrugged her shoulders back towards him.
The two merely shook their heads in the background...
As Leliana clasped her weapon back to its holding, she looked to Fenris and Isabela of their speaking of this Chantry. In which brought her to step forward as her cranium shifted to one side giving off a questionable look "Here I thought that little cute mage was being nice… What does he want with the book; to get the reward for himself?" She questioned shaking her head as her arms folded over her chest. "But Marothius? Why go there?"
Aragorn stepped forward finally looking to all the dismantled bodies before him before looking to the pirate. "Ah it's good to see your still alive… I would help—"
"We can!" Leliana began to exclaim happily as she jolted up with a surge of joy.
The Warden dropped his head in some defeat; before looking to the rest of the party. "We have plans though." He stated.
"So… They've been postponed this long. Why not push it out a tiny bit further. It's not like it's completely out of our way anyways…" Or was it? She didn't pay much attention to Tevinter lands even though she had been here for months by now. "Plus we should probably teach that thief of a man a lesson." She said with a wide grin smearing across her features. "After all we went to help her to find this book and never found it. So it's the right thing to do."
With his icy optics glaring into Leliana for a moment longer, he began to sigh. To then shift his attention to Isabela. "Well." He started with a short pause. "I've learned not to argue with women, you always lose… So if you need our help Isabela then we are at your disposal."
"Oh, thank you both!" Isabela cheered and smiled brightly. Her hands placed back against her hands to her hips rather boldly as she started to march past them. "I could so just give you all a kiss for this. A great big wet one!"
"I'll pass…" Fenris was quick to retort.
"Oh, what's the matter, Fenris? Live a little." Anders jabbed back though his eyes was back towards the carriage.
So, the journey traveled more East from the fork along the Imperial Highway. It was, in fact, a long way out of the way from where they were headed, but Aragorn –or rather Leliana—had already given the order to go there. The day was turning more into dusk as they started to approach the sanctum's walls.
The closer that Anders had pulled up the carriage the more his eyes widened at the sight. It truly was a building – a Holy Temple in service to Andraste. It was… A White Spire Chapel… This was certainly not something that the Black Divine probably have known about. If they did, this building would have been demolished.
Having a Temple to Holy Andraste on Tevinter lands would have been like pushing for the Black Divine to move in on Ferelden Territory. Such things could inflict riots; even wars. So then, Isabela did have some truth to her tale after all. For, she did say that there would be an army to soon arrive with the intention of tearing down this place for the Maker.
Outside of the Gates, a young boy was playing with a small black and white cat. He was dressed in peasant clothes, with soft leather shoes, light brown hair and brown eyes. The boy paused some, to look towards the arriving carriage and quickly turned towards the gates. After a holler of some incoherent word, a very tall, blonde and muscular man stepped out: seemingly as his bodyguard.
The odd thing –and yet still, not really strange—was that the blonde male was wearing robes of the Chantry to Val Royeaux. Everything seemed as it should be; except for the location. A place like this; people like this, should have been somewhere (anywhere) 'outside' of Tevinter lands. This was information Anders was going to have to keep…
"Stop your carriages. That's far enough." The blonde male demanded. His icy hues pierced straight into Anders so harshly that it startled him a bit, remembering that he was in fact driving horses.
"It's alright, Arlen, they're with me!" Isabela waved from the carriage and hopped out.
Fenris, of course, was still staring back at the large and broad-shouldered male; while taking in consideration of how intimidating the giant was before stepping out after her. "…I just love how you always keep us out of the loop of things…"
Isabela stepped slightly to one side and pointed towards the man standing near the boy and the cat at the cat. "Everyone, this is Arlen, the little one here is Julien, and the cat's name is Binx. Arlen, Julien, Binx – This is everyone."
"Oh, isn't he precious!" Anders cheered from the driver seat while in a hurry to try and dismount so that he could be the first to pet the cat.
"We don't time for much dilly-dally; I need to speak with Tempest." Isabela instructed in a hurry.
Arlen glanced among the others and disregarded Isabela's intentions for a rush. "Greetings. May Andraste light your paths, pilgrims…"
The man then lifted his head and turned back towards Isabela calmly. "Tempest is having a meeting with the Head Abbot right now. I would advise you to wait."
As soon as the carriage came to a halt, Leliana peeked her head out. Her emerald eyes catching onto a male and younger boy. Just as the appearance of this male caught Anders off guard it also did the same to Leliana. At first she hadn't taken notice to his clothing, as she was quite use to the clothes worn. Leliana couldn't help but chuckle in hearing Fenris speak of Isabela 'keeping them out of the loop.' "That's our Izzy." She replied as she hurried out of the carriage as quickly as possible.
Leliana came to Anders side, and immediately began looking for this chantry. Of course it hadn't taken her long as the building was so large and obvious. Just as she was about to step forward she heard a mewing come from below, causing her to glance down to her feet at the kitty before them. A look of adoration filled her eyes as she just wanted to reach down and snuggle the fluffy little thing which reminded her of the time she had made the bet with Anders promising him a kitten. Maybe if they were still alive after this escapade she would search for one? As she knelt down to coax the kitten over she heard the male before her speak of Tempest. Causing her to look up and then to the rest of the crew behind.
Aragorn frowned some at first, crossing his arms over his chest. "Great." He muttered under his breath. He was about to ask how long this would take. But then the thought of Tempest trying to run again or them just having to wait for this conversation of him and this Head whoever was over then they would have even less time to get to Kirkwall. And that would make an angrier Alistair. He shook his head some as he stepped forward. "We need to speak to him now." He asked, even though his words seemed more demanding than anything else. "We have little time to wait on him, and I rather get this over and done with so we can go on our way to Kirkwall…" Aragorn inhaled some, releasing that air from his lips as he turned to face Isabela. "I'm sorry Isabela. But I'm on a tight schedule from the Kings orders."
Isabela looked up towards Aragorn and nodded some after hearing him. Of course she understood, and would have been willing to try and at least prepare these people for the on-coming attack.
"The King's Orders…?" Arlen questioned upon overhearing; though there was a slight worry in his tone. "From whom, exactly…? The High King of Tevinter?"
"Arlen." Isabela began slowly in a soft tone; not trying to seem rude – but more rather trying to keep from alarming the small boy nearby. "This Chantry is about to be under attack by armed Nessum Slavers and well-trained Magisters. Your people will be slaughtered for being caught worshiping Andraste here."
Arlen's eyes shifted between Isabela and then back to Aragorn. Though with that explaination, he really didn't need to know of what King that gave this Grey Warden his orders. The objective was clear: the people here were defenseless since they were mostly monks. The worshipers had to leave. Turning slightly, he knelt down to the boy and spoke gently once more.
"Julien, tell the other Chanters we have a Code Yellow and we need to move. You know what to do." He said and turned the boy slightly towards the gate.
"Alright…" The boy nodded and turned away, heading inside.
Anders knelt down beside Leliana and petted the kitten. After a while, he reached out to hold him and stand back up. He didn't want the cat to be left behind if they were having to leave. "Look at him! I think he likes you, Love."
"Can we focus a little here?" Fenris asked annoyed at the mage, glancing towards them and walking more towards the other group.
Arlen hadn't said anything though as he turned away. He motioned with his hand for them to follow him as he took the lead forward. Arlen lead them inside the building which was already filled with shouting-more rather Tempest shouting and a much calmer rumbled voice in his response. Entering the building was filled with books, statues and cloths all barring the donations of Beloved Andraste.
"I don't care what that stupid cult has to say!" Tempest snapped towards an old man who seemed have been sitting calmly still in his high chair. The irish accent thickening in his voice as Tempest pointed towards the entrance of the door blindly. "I am not their Messiah, hence the moment Arlen woke with a blade in his gullet, Sole! I'm not going back and you can't make me."
"We'll discuss your disobedience at another time." Sole huffed and looked towards the new people entering his chapel. "Ah. Visitors… I see you bare no trademark of any Magisters… May the blessings of Andraste praise you all, good children… Now. What can we humbly do for you?"
Tempest only had the split moment to turn and look towards the group in a slight fixated horror. His expression quickly changed to one that was more pleasant as he started to straighten his back and limp his knee visibly.
Aragorn was about to answer to Arlen in his questioning to what King he was speaking of. He knew he should have been more discret with his wording, but it just spilled out afterall. He couldn't help but nod at Isabela's explanation while parting his lips. "This is why were here, to warn you and hopefully help until we head back on our journey. It was by chance really that we ran into Isabela and she told us of these events which would arise."
Leliana was in her own world completely ignoring all around her as she stared to the kitten before them. She began to finally stand, reaching out and petting the kitten behind its ear. "You think so?" She asked curiously. "Then we should take it along, after all you have been looking for one haven't you? And it seems as if this one has chosen you." She replied cheerfully, which was cut short in hearing Fenris' words to them. She chuckled nervously some noticing as she wasn't paying attention at all to their current task. "Sorry." She whispered under her breath as she began to follow the lead of the party.
As they entered the building, the words of Tempest filled Leliana's ears. Immediately she began a search for him, shifting her gaze from one end to the other. And once they stepped further in she saw him. Speaking to the male in front. Her eyes narrowed some, while her brow furrowed upon hearing him say the word 'cult' she abruptly stopped in her tracks as her arms folded over her chest, as she averted her eyes from the two and finally began to look at the interior of the building. It began to lighten her spirits some, as it had been sometime since she had been in such a place. Something she would always miss deep down. As it was a second home to her.
Aragorn stepped forward upon hearing the male speak of what he could do for them. Though it was more of what they wished to do for this place. He cleared his throat some as he halted in his tracks until he was in plain sight. "We're here to warn you of the Magisters coming your way, they found out about your Chantry wishing to destroy not only it but the people who reside here… Since your worshiping Andraste here." He explained in a short pause to then look to Tempest and his gimping. "And… We're here to speak to him I believe. Or at least this woman is." He finished with a point over his shoulder to Isabela.
The old man frowned some and reached up to scratch his beard. "I see… Tempest? Have you been sneaking out of the Chantry again?"
"Who…? Me? Don't be ridiculous." Tempest spoke in a surprise and limped towards the benches to rest again. He gave a light laugh and leaned back against the back-rests of one of the chairs. "I've never seen this woman in my life."
Isabela huffed and folded her arms upon marching halfway up towards him. "You sleazy little weasel-of-a-man! So, now you don't remember me?"
"I'd love to play twenty-questions with you, lass, but as I recall—right now—shouldn't we be preparing for an onslaught of men armed to the teeth?" Tempest asked, leaning slightly away and then glanced over towards the old man for support. "I mean, by Andraste's Grace, it will be like dropping an anvil in a barrel full of puppies if we let them catch us here still dawdling, now wouldn't it?"
"I knew this day would come eventually." Sole announced with the quick change of subject. "If you represent the Black Divine in some form, tell them there is no need for violence… We will move, if we have to."
"They're not here to establish any peace treaties, Old Man, didn't you just hear them?" Tempest asked and turned his head towards Sole. "There is no peace! The Black Divine would rather see us burn than to allow Andraste's blessings here."
"Then… this approaching army must have planned to kill us all along." Sole frowned with the thought.
"Yes. Exactly…" Tempest confirmed and then turned back towards Isabela. "Well… We do appreciate your concern, but unless you are well equipped and prepared to deal with our problems I'd suggest for you all to move on. Wouldn't want your delicate beauty to get caught in the fray—"
"Oh, no you don't." Isabela glared at him and reached up to pinch his ear.
"Ow! Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow." Tempest winced, leaning more towards Isabela's ear-pulling.
"Now, you're going to tell me what I want to know." Isabela persisted.
Tempest winced some; having to turn his head to one side from the woman's relentlessness. "C-Can we? Can we talk somewhere in private for a moment?"
"Not if there's a bed involved." Anders quickly jabbed from where he was standing, keeping the cat cradled in his arms.
Isabela sighed and folded her arms. She took a step back, glaring at him still. "Fenris? Care to help?"
"Delighted." Fenris said and cracked his knuckles upon approaching within a few steps.
Tempest's eyes widened some and he started to stumble away. "Woah, woah, now. We're in a Chantry remember? It may be on Tevinter lands but this is still a Holy…"
Fenris just leaned forward and wiggled his metal covered fingers in front of him as a threat.
Tempest gulped nervously and glanced back towards Sole quickly. "I need to speak with these people for a minute, Sole… Please go and prepare for an evacuation of the Chantry."
Sole nodded some as he started to stand up. "….Very well."
When the man had turned away and soon left the room, Tempest reached up and pushed Fenris away from him. "Alright, alright, already… You shouldn't show violence like that in front of an old man, he'll have a heart attack, you know."
Aragorn watched as the male priest had left the area; making sure to hear the closing of the door come to a sealing close before stepping forward. At first his arms crossed over his chest accompanied by a look of curiosity. The Warden reached over momentarily as his hand laid on Fenris' shoulder, giving a short single pat. "I don't think you need to scare him too much. We don't have time for such things anyways." He began to state, as his hand retreated back to his side.
Leliana kept to the back, as she stood next to Anders petting the new found kitty in his arms. Her mind couldn't help but wander as her fingers wandered under the kittys chin, raising it up in small strokes. She wondered why this priest would even bother making a Chantry in these lands. She remembered in Orzammar the dwarf wishing to have a Chantry there, and him asking of their help in getting permission, which they had. But here… In Tevinter…? Of all places, why not just pack up and leave to Ferelden if one was that desperate; though her questions would go unanswered as he had departed already. She just had to hope and pray that the Magisters wouldn't find him and do the unholy killing. Just for worshiping another.
Finally Aragorn stepped forward, until he stood a few mere feet away from Tempest. He took a moment scanning the area. Before dropping his icy hues on the male before him. A small tugging at his lips formed a smile as he parted his lips. "We know you have the book…" He began to state, as his hand reached out and with his index and thumb finger he pinched at his clothing, lifting it up slightly at the collar of his neck to examine at his attire. "So where is it… So we can leave and not get in a mess with these Magisters coming here?"
"A book? You traveled all the way here for a—" Tempest started to laugh, but his eyes glanced towards Isabela once he felt his robe being lifted. The laughter had faded, and he grabbed both ends of his robe to straighten them roughly back down so that Aragorn couldn't look at the label anymore. "You must mean 'my' book."
Isabela scoffed some at hearing this. "'Your' book—"
"Yes, 'MY' book….as much as I hate to say it." Tempest insisted and turned away from them in order to keep from becoming a possible piñata. "It was written in 'my' language, usable only by someone with 'my' talents, and dedicated to 'my' city. Therefore, it is 'my' book, and I can prove it."
Tempest turned abruptly back around towards them and quickly reached down from the bottom of his robe in order to pull it up.
Anders gasped, reaching over to cover Leliana's eyes so that she couldn't see what was possibly a full frontal flash. His own eyes started to squint shut as well. "Maker! Don't look!"
"I'm branded, you vain goofball!" Tempest scowled at him upon grabbing the bottom of his shirt and robe to reveal the mark he had on his right side.
Anders side with relief and lowered his arm to return it back to petting the cat. "Oh thank goodness…"
"I bet none of you have any idea of what this even is…" Tempest started to question him and then towards Isabela before lastly looking to Fenris. "You, elf. You know what this means, don't you?"
Fenris turned his head slightly, as if to study the marking from one angle. It was the symbol of a flying dragon that was encased in a large circle. However, the marking was clearly something that was burned into him. Fenris frowned some and started to fold his arms.
"That's a symbol of a dragon cult… Whatever that book is, Isabela, it belongs to his family. It's his." He concluded.
"Anyway, you're wasting your time, because I don't have it." Tempest said and lowered his robeswith a victorious smile on his face.
"But you did." Isabela stated and started to walk in his direction.
Tempest was, of course backing away into different directions every time Isabela was coming close to him. "Yes I did. I did, and I'm sorry I put you all through the mess of getting it, but it had to be done… And like I said, it doesn't matter anymore. It's being used to keep someone alive right now so—"
"What?" She quickly cut him off with a more shocked tone the last.
"Let me explain!" Tempest winced and reached up to ub his neck with a slight guilty expression. "…Look, my … family has this religion that combines itself between ancient magic and the Fade. Theoretically, when I was born, I was supposed to be this 'Messiah' person, and I was supposed to use that book to lead other Magisters to the Old Gods. However, at this moment it is being used for a better purpose so, there's really no point in finding it. If you try to, you'll end up killing people."
He then shrugged his shoulders, and started to laugh. "And nobody wants death on their hands, right?"
Leliana's eyes widened some and her arms began to frail for a moment upon feeling Anders arms come around her and blocking her vision. "An-Anders!" She pleaded as she tried to pry his hands away from her so she could see what was going on that he was trying to hide from her. All she heard was some chatter, but she was too busy trying to get free to listen to any of it. Once she was free through, she couldn't help but glare towards Anders and give him a small playful smack on his hands. "No blindfolding me unless its just us mister." She teased as she began to avert her eyes to which the attention was on; Tempests marking. She stepped forward a few steps taking a closer look at the marking, as it was true. It wasn't one she had ever seen. And she had seen a lot of marking things before. But she couldn't help but be intrigued by the story.
Aragorn in the background couldn't help but scoff some as he began placing his arms on his hips while he gazed down the ground shaking his head. "So we did go all this way for nothing?" He muttered.
Leliana began to step towards the Warden as she leaned in curiously to catch a look into his eyes as she spoke to him. "All for nothing? We warned the people at least." She replied cheerfully hoping her spirits would lighten his attitude knowing that look on his face, he was on the verge of blowing.
His oceanic orbs shifted along with his cranium, oh how he wanted to reach over and shake that little rouge in front of him well actually two rouges; Leliana and Isabela. But Leliana was right, if they didn't come here then who would have warned them? Isabela? So he nodded his head for a quick short response, as he parted his lips. "I could still kill you for convincing me to come all the way out here." He joked as he walked past Leliana, giving her a light pat on the shoulder.
"I would love to see you try." She admitted proudly as she paced back to Anders side.
Looking up Aragorn looked to the window seeing the daylight fading, thus giving them littler time to reach not only his destination but getting these people out and to safer lands. "We should hurry we've talked enough. Tempest is right, I don't believe we should go after this book if its keeping good people alive … As for us, we need to get back on the road to Kirkwall, unless you need us to help here… To make sure everyone gets out safely. Or better yet, to fight…"
"Fight? Oh, no… no, no,no… There is no saving this place. These people are born-again Andrastians. They can't defend themselves no more than a butterfly caught in a spider's web." Tempest laughed and shook his head. He escaped, taking somewhat of a lead towards the exit of the building. "It would just be best to move, for now…and really none of you need to be here when Nessum soldiers get here."
He opened the door only to be greeted with a crowd of people dressed in Tevinter robes and Tevinter armor with just the Nessum emblem sewn on them. From the back was a tall, though pale man with red hair and brown eyes. He wore heavy black onyx armor and carried a blade that had a skull attached for the handle.
"Blood and spite…! Go take the back way. If he sees the elf, he won't let him live." Tempest winced and glanced back over his shoulder.
"Tempest!" The redheaded male called from over the crowd of soldiers. He smiled a bit, resting a well-practiced hand against the hilt of his blade. "Fancy meeting you here… Shouldn't you be dead?"
"I could ask you the same." Tempest laughed and moved to close the door behind him.
Fenris grumbled some, looking towards Isabela. "Why does that guy's voice sound so irritating?"
"He's that slaver's throat I cut not too long ago." Isabela responded and moved back to placing her hands against her hips.
"Well. All in favor of taking the coward's way out? I vote in!" Anders spoke with a bright smile and started to head towards the direction Tempest had gestured.
"Wait!" Isabela spun back around towards him and pointed at the door. "You can't just …walk out like this! He's going to die!"
"Yes, and I bet you get so turned on just thinking about it" Anders retorted and curved his fingers under the cat's chin.
"Anders!" Isabela shouted.
"Oh, come on, Isabela." Anders whined as he turned around and looked back to the others. "He obviously has something up his sleeve. He's a bloodmage! …And probably a Magister for all we know. I'm sure he can take care of himself. He's been doing well so far."
Fenris paused for a moment and nodded, following after Anders. "The mage has a point… and it was his wishes…"
"Odd coming from you, but thank you." Anders nodded and tilted his shoulders slightly back in a proud manner.
"I thought this place was beyond our help." Aragorn replied as he followed Tempests lead towards the doors in which he completely halted and begun to fully shift around upon seeing the doors open and past them were a group of soldiers marching their way through. Aragorn at first was shocked to see what he believed were to be the enemy already here. So when Tempest gave him the orders of taking the back exit, he just nodded in confirmation. For whatever reason, he had no problem with it. Usually he wasn't one to run from others, but to him it seemed as if Tempest could carry himself just fine.
Leliana shifted her gaze from Izzy to Fenris as they spoke of the red headed male. "You slit his throat and he's still alive… You must be getting rusty." She teased slightly, as she began to reactively follow the two as they began to make their way out the back. "C'mon Izzy it's for the best. I mean Tempest can handle himself after all."
Aragorn looked from the group which was leaving and Isabela for a moment, and taking matters into his own hands he stepped towards the pirate and swooped her up in his arms cradling her like a newlywed bride or a baby which ever you liked to look at it. He held her in place, expecting her to struggle.
"Well that's one way to do it." Leliana commented.
Aragorn didn't bother to look to the oncoming strangers, hoping they wouldn't stop him in his pursuit as he attempted to quickly make his way out the back. "Come on guys." He whispered, as he passed by the trio.
Isabela was of course struggling, though she didn't want to actually hurt Aragorn upon her attempts of getting free. "Let go, Warden! Put me down! This isn't right! He can't take on that many people by himself!"
Though her struggling and pleading was ignored after being carried outside of the building. The group could see the other monks fleeing the sanctuary. Arlen had been among them, gathering the lost ones and instructing them of which paths to take. He didn't seem to have panicked, not even when the others around him were a bit worried. Then again, he had been the only one at the time with a bow and arrow strapped to his back over his robes.
Isabela turned some, seeing the blonde male and called out to him. "Arlen! Tempest is still trapped in the temple! You've got to help him!"
Arlen had turned towards her just as explosions started to fill their ears. He looked up at the building farther away from them to see it in engulfed in flames. The startling sound had called for more than himself to turn and see, but beholding in their sadness and growing fright was all that could have been done.
"It's starting…" Anders mumbled to himself; knowing of that the destruction had all meant, but was in no willing position to share. He was just glad for the moment that everyone – capable – had gotten out when it was possible.
His piercing blue hues narrowed, and without a word, Arlen tucked the bow against his back and made a dash for the crumbling building. A white aura began to sparkle from his abdomen and slowly move around his body to encase it with a proud light.
It was something neither Fenris, nor Anders had ever witnessed before, but the time for questions or pondering over it was certainly not then. They had to keep moving. So in the opposite direction, the group continued to move. Eventually down the way, the monks and the Warden Commander's team ended up having to split in separate ways.
Isabela had struggled out of Aragorn's grasp after a while and began walking on her own. Her head was constantly looking back over her shoulder, expecting Tempest and Arlen to be running back in their direction any moment by then. Though, despite how many times she glanced back, her silent question to it was never answered.
"A Chantry… in the Tevinter Wilds." Fenris spoke in a slight amazement. "Will wonders ever cease."
Anders glanced at the elf momentarily, and lifted his arms holding the kitten to give to Leliana for a while to carry. "Well, it's gone now… I don't really expect any other Andrastian Chantries popping up any time soon after that ordeal either."
"Still, it's just the thought…" Fenris stated and reached up to fold his arms. "To think there are people in Tevinter willing to look to something over than dragons for worship is inspiring."
"Don't get use to it… All they ever did was push the Andrastians out." Anders sighed in a slight pessimistic manner still.
Aragorns held firmly upon Isabela's sturggling, figuring she would. And he was right. When they had made it safely out he looked to the building when a roaring sound of commotion could be heard through the thick walls. A part of him, and Leliana both wanted to rush back in. Help Tempest. What caught his attention next was Arlen, and the white aura which surrounded him. He looked over the male, before turning his heel and trailing away from the male to leave into the depths of the forest.
Eventually once Isabela was free from his arms, he began rotating his shoulder just slightly as his other hand caressed the area. "Man woman, packed a few pounds haven't ya?" He joked, flinching in a automatic reaction as he expected to get smacked for that tease.
Leliana began to shift her gaze over to Fenris as he spoke of the Chantry, and it being in Tevinter lands. It was unlikely for sure. She just wished people here had a right to worship who they liked, and not who others said. And if they were caught they would be put to death. Though Arlen was more than just worshiping but also had a Chantry. Laws were laws, she knew this. It was a large headache for sure. "Its sad really." She began to mutter, under her breath; as she looked to the kitten who Anders happened to place in her arms. Her one arm which wasn't cradling the cat began to softly pet the feline in her arms. "I wish we could of helped Tempest and Arlen escape."
A sigh from the fore-front came forth as Aragorn shook his head. "But we couldn't its not our lands, so not our problem… Well more so not my lands since it seems you've made this place practically your new home now; Leliana." He stated while crossing his arms over his chest.
"What's that suppose to mean!?" Leliana protested as she stepped towards the Warden.
"Well you came here, of your own will; to be with the mage. In which I still can't wrap my mind around as to why… Last I remembered you were Andrastian… A Chantry sister—"
"I did come here for other reasons as well... And people change. I left the Chantry years ago remember to travel with you to put an end to the blight, or did you forget?" Leliana finished with a small huff as she twirled upon her heel, her back now facing the Warden Commander.
Aragorn shook his head for a moment before turning his attention to the rest of the party. "We should get going though, as there's no point in sitting around like ducks in open water waiting to be slaughtered" His eyes then shifted over, to look to the pirate who he knew was most likely furious with him in his last actions of carrying her out of the Chantry as he did. "Isabela." He started with a whisper as he stepped forward. "If you want you can either come with us to Kirkwall. Or we go our separate ways. I'll understand if you wish to go. As I doubt you're going to give up so lightly on this book?"
Of course, Isabela did react towards Aragorn's statement to her weight rather quickly, and answered his predicted flinch with an appropriate smack to the shoulder even. "Quiet, you. If I did, then it went all to my breasts!"
Though for the moment, Anders and Fenris had seemed to momentarily cool their staring-banter as the Warden Commander seemed to have been airing out Leliana's 'dirty laundry' for the time being. Fenris, obviously felt that it wasn't his place to say anything –and so wouldn't. Anders, wasn't about to start anything personal that would indirectly place him on bad terms against Aragorn yet again. When he had spoken to Isabela again though; bringing up his ultimatum, the pirate had a small –but guilty- smile to her face.
"You don't give me enough credit, Grey Warden." She answered and promptly folded her arms. "It's not really about the book half as much anymore."
"Are you serious? You're going after him again?" Fenris frowned after overhearing, and spun around to point back in the direction of where the smoke was coming from. "Back into that?"
"I've been through worse." Isabela shrugged, turning her head back to the elf and kept her grin. She turned away and trotted back on the path to the torn down Chantry. "Besides, he kind of grows on me."
Fenris grimaced at her and shook his head as he started to turn back around. "Pathetic."
"What? You can't imagine a world a mage could love and be loved in return?" Anders harped quickly once he understood of what was going on between them.
"Not under these circumstances; the Imperium couldn't, Tevinter couldn't… and I don't see anything similar of an idea opening up past the boarders either. Mages are pathetic…" Fenris snapped back at him. "And you, of all people, are in no condition to even use the term of love loosely."
That angered the mage, and he marched after Fenris with a growing fury. "I have loved more than you can possibly imagine in your entire life-time!"
"You know nothing of love!" Fenris scowled as he marched onward. "You get what's convenient; and what's handed, to you. Then you use it up and destroy it. You'll do it with that woman just like you did with Naomi."
"Don't you ever compare what I have now to what that past was!" Anders scowled quickly back. "I DIED the day I lost her!"
"And I see your grave's buried deep." Fenris sneered at him with the sarcastic remark.
"So you're going to risk your life for that, bloodmage?" Aragorn questioned; as he began pointing back to the Chantry as well. He didn't bother in Anders and Fenris' little feud just yet. As his attention was more on Isabela's safety at the moment. "The things we do for the name of love… If you want too I will not stop you. But I can't risk any of us in this spat as I need to make sure we all get to Kirkwall safely. But if you do come out of it alive—"
The sudden bickering brought not only Aragorn's attention to the elf and mage but also brought Leliana's undivided attention as well. Her arms began crossing over her frame, as she arched a brow listening intently to their harsh words back and forth to one another. But when she heard of him not knowing of love, and him dying the day he lost Naomi caused the rouge to step between the two. And with outstretched arms she placed one on Anders chest and then one out to Fenris.
"Now this is uncalled for." She began to state as her eyes began shifting between the two of them, but her gaze dropped to Fenris as she gave him not an angered look but more so of disappointed one. "Fenris, everyone has love inside them even mages you need not to be so blind to the fact of that. And you don't know what Anders is feeling inside. And I know I shouldn't bother in telling you, but I do believe what Anders has shown me in more ways than one that he does love me. And I don't believe he'll hurt me either. If he does then it's my problem, not yours."
The Warden shook his head as he stepped towards the trio. And there such close knit conversation, and with a hand he rested it on Fenris' shoulder. "Now don't make me lock you two in a room, weapons aside." Reaching over with his other hand he grasped Leliana by the collar and tugged her over to him, a small yelp and widened eyes was her expression as she was pulled to his side. "Now…" He started with a short pause. "Shake hands, hold hands or even freaking pump fists and make up… If you two keep bickering like this I won't have to lite a bon fire for the Magisters to find us." He finished as he stepped towards the two males and pushed them further and closer with one another closing the gap between them if they hadn't fought it.
Anders and Fenris had still been standing angrily at odds against each other; even when Leliana had stood in between them. Though seeing Leliana clearly taking Anders's side, for obvious and predicted reasons, the elf couldn't help but to frown at the thought of it. He sighed and shook his head, for at the moment the only thing Fenris could picture in his mind was the blown-up Chantry in Kirkwall, Naomi's disappointment of Anders, and the events that followed.
"Of that I have no doubt... And still, you sound so much like her just now." He said as his green eyes looked into hers.
"That's enough." Anders snapped, reaching across Leliana's form, practically in a possessive manner, and hugged her to him. "I don't want to hear anything else about the Champion for the rest of this trip."
"You're returning back to Kirkwall in order to speak to her." Fenris retorted, and returned his glare back to Anders. "Did you think this was some pleasure-cruise out of Tevinter?"
"I came under a forced pretext, and I don't want to have to deal with that woman anymore than I have to." Anders corrected.
"Right, because a 'forced pretext' is the pure drive for any mage to make any decisions." Fenris sniped back.
"I don't see any shackles on your wrists at the moment." Anders huffed though his arms around Leliana hadn't budged.
"Because I don't need 'anything' to be forced when I make a decision, mage!" Fenris shouted back with a growl.
Fenris almost would have scowled even a bit further with the argument until he felt a hand reach out and grasp his shoulder. His blood was still boiling, and he growled like an animal being held back on his leash at the moment, but otherwise had remained calm.
The two ended having to listen and though reluctantly were being pushed closer towards one another. With each step they took, the two wanted to take a giant leap backwards, but the Warden Commander was pushing.
Anders had glanced down, since he really didn't have much of a choice in the matter anyway. Somewhere deep down, he felt that he had to still obey the Warden Commander – (at least in something like this) -for the moment. He was right, after all. The fighting could easily give away their location…
Fenris on the other hand felt hardly any loyalty to the Warden Commander, other than of what was requested through two parties. He was asked to care for the King, and the King in turn decided it was better in his interests to have the Warden Commander guarded. However, Aragorn certainly didn't need half as much as the King had let on. Perhaps Alistair was a worry-wart.
So, with these concepts in mind, when Anders looked away in the opposite direction, he tried his best to keep his fist raised in a preparation for a light tap. All the while, he was grimacing of the idea of even touching the elf. However, Fenris had the most devious look and his right arm started to glow. He raised his up, pulling much farther away in preparation to use his lyrium powers to shatter Anders's knuckles.
Leliana was about to give Fenris more a piece of her mind once more but she was put off guard as her eyes widened some from feeling the sudden grasp around her waist. Her arms frailed out momentarily as she wrapped her own arms around Anders as he brought her into his chest. After she collided with him, she looked up to the mage curiously. Now she really felt like she was in the middle. Every time there was sudden second of silence she tried to speak up, but failed in each attempt as the men between her were quite quicker than her at this moment.
As the bickering continued Aragorn thought it would never end, it was like dealing with two over grown children. So when the two actually listened to him he felt a sense of relief come over him as he watched the two put aside their differences at least for the moment.
He took a moment to glance around, to check and see if their fighting had brought Magisters near by, as he didn't bother to realize the actions Fenris was putting out there. Looking to Fenris, Aragorn saw the light emit from his hand. At first he looked away as if it were nothing, but then it clicked no more than a second later and his cranium whipped around to face the elf. "Fenris…" He spouted lightly, as he began reaching out to the glowing elf hesitantly. But had made sure he hadn't made a solid contact with his skin. "There's no need for violence… You know we need Anders precious little hands so don't hurt him too bad."
Leliana still in-between the two began poke at Anders to grab his attention and nod her head along with the Warden. "Yeah and I'm still right here. And I rather not be in the middle when you two get into it."
"I wouldn't dream of—" Anders started to mention in response to Leliana's words and then looked towards Fenris, whose arm was glowing. Rather quickly, he moved back his hand, and leaned Leliana behind him for the moment. "You! What do you think you're trying to do?"
Fenris quickly lowered his arm, after being caught. His light blue glow had faded, though in response – Anders's blue cracks of light were quickly spreading over his own body. It was the anger that caused this most of the time; obviously. Emotions were so strong to control sometimes….
"Nothing." The elf pushed and folded his arms.
"You were going to hurt me, weren't you!" Anders announced rather plainly. "And with Leliana still at my side—"
"We're wasting daylight—let's go." Fenris scoffed and tore away from Aragorn's hold so that he could walk onward.
As Leliana was put behind the two, immediately she put herself back in front of Anders not even a minute later as she began to see Anders own form of light surge through his body. Her hands reached out to his, as her fingertips interlaced with his. While she brought herself not only closer to him but to bring him out of this state of mind and not let it escalate into something possibly worse. "Anders… There's no need for getting mad, he didn't do anything, yet. And I'm okay."
The Warden sighed as he stepped towards Anders, and as he did he reached out, flicking the mage upon the scalp and quickly he began to retreat his hand before he could react. "I thought I told you no Justice."
"Oh stop it Aragorn." Leliana huffed as she glared his way.
"Fine, fine…" He started with a short pause in words as his eyes followed the elf which happened to trail off without them. "He's right… We should be on our way before we waist anymore daylight." He stated as he picked up his pacing following behind the elf.
"Come on love." She coaxed sweetly as she stepped backwards a few paces, while her hands still stayed wrapped around his own as she began pulling him gently along to follow behind the rest of the party.
Anders had only started to calm down since the others had began to move onward. Though he hadn't said anything for the moment; his eyes were still carefully watching Fenris from then onward.
They traveled for a long distance south again. Anders didn't remember taking this path, because they traveled north from underground. There were people here and more wildlife. Though the farther south they traveled the more slightly nervous Anders became. The elf was enjoying the quiet and mild whining for a change, rather than Anders's usual proud and ambitious nature.
Crossing towards the Tantervale boarders, the images of Starkhaven Templars were starting to appear in abundance. Anders was having to lift the hood from behind his neck. The city they started to enter hadn't changed much since he and Leliana had changed it. The people were having more Templar trouble parading the streets than before. The only thing Anders could think of was getting to the Inn he and Leliana had once stayed in, the last time they came here.
"More Templars…" Anders grimaced from under his hood. "Why did we agree to do this again?"
Fenris reached up next to him and gave Anders's hood a mild tug which in turn alarmed the mage; quickly grabbing the edges of the fabric and forcing it back over his head as far as it would go to cover him.
Leliana tried not to bring much attention to her either. Staying either close to Anders side or even having Aragorn close by. She figured the Templars were searching for her. As they possibly found out she had freed Anders. Since when they did escape many had survived in there fight to be free... It was only a matter of time until everyone in these lands had found out, which was one of the reasons she decided to leave the lands. Being slightly afraid of what Sebastian would possibly do and the Chantry.
In hearing Anders Leliana couldn't help but chuckle slightly under her cloak as well, as she gave a small nudge to his ribs. "Oh come on they just love you dear, I'm sure they wouldn't hurt you too bad." She teased slightly.
As the team had eventually made it to the inn Aragorn looked around the tavern for a moment, seeing it was somewhat clear of and Templars, for now. A sigh of relief fell over the Warden as he stepped towards the counter and in his hand held a pouch of gold and silver that he tossed on the wooden table. "We need three beds." He announced as he started with a short pause in his words. "Just for the night and we'll be out of your hair…" Before turning and walking away he turned momentarily as he pointed to Anders as spoke. "Oh and drinks for everyone but that guy over there. He can't hold his liquor and I don't want to hold his hair back while he's puking in a pot."