The Rogue's Conquest
Chapter Nine
Marian pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, cold air slapping her face as soon as she stepped out of the kitchen door. In these short December days, dawn was still a good two hours away. The snow-covered streets remained every bit as dark as it had been at midnight. She knelt to set the long metal tray down, gently banging it three times on the cobblestone path the way she did every morning. Before the second clang the cats had already began to appear, quick grey and black shadows racing toward the dish of Orana's finest.
"Come now you greedy babes, there's enough for everyone." She scolded two cats fondly as they tussled over a piece of chicken skin. "Don't I always see that there's plenty? Marian smiled wistfully, imagining how Nova would have insisted on true justice swatting the quarreling pair apart with a broom and awarding the chicken to a third, meeker cat instead. Fairness was very important to Nova's eleven year old idea of how the world should be, nearly as important as rising so early every morning to be here at Marian's side. Every morning, that is until this week, she thought bitterly. Nay nothing fair about that, or this inquiry either.
"You'll be singing a different tune before this winter's out Mari…"
"By the Gods!" Marian leapt to her feet, nearly jumping out of her skin. "Make noise, or get a bell to wear Anders, I'm begging you!" She chided.
"But he's right Mistress." Orana grumbled. "You won't be tossing good food out for those mongrels, once the Templar's pick Kirkwall clean."
"I say the Templar's will be gone long before that happens." Marian declared, turning to comeback inside the warmth of the kitchen. "Why should they stay? There's no army here for them to fight, we've accommodated them, and have been peaceful all around. I assume they'll only stay long enough to boast that they've conquered us, and then they'll be off to Tevinter to fight an impossible war.
Anders and Orana both scowled shaking their heads in unison. "You've seen the mass amounts of Templar soldiers the Divine sent Mari. They aren't planning to simply boast they've conquered us; they will conquer us. Then maybe, if they feel like it they'll leave a city of ash in their wake." Anders responded, staring her down with stubborn ember eyes. Naturally he was right. Hadn't she herself, said something remarkably close, to Sebastian, just days ago?
"I agree," Orana chirped. "Those soldiers are a mean, ugly lot of men. I can see them staying here forever, just to be contrary."
"Well then," Marian began, throwing her chin high. "I'll pray that you both are wrong and that I'm right." Though some of her certainty slipped. She'd already done exactly that these past two sleepless nights, praying for only a single bone armored Templar to leave. An army of two thousand strong and counting would take no less than a miracle.
"Pray all you want Hawke. Neither the Maker, nor your Gods are listening, we've been abandoned." Anders exhaled dejectedly, plopping himself into one of the wooden chairs. Again she noticed how tired he looked, his face more gaunt, eyes more hallow. With a sigh she moved to him cupping her hand gently to his face. His eyes slid shut, head leaning heavily into her palm.
"When did you eat, or sleep last?" she whispered, though he didn't answer, already nearly asleep sitting up. "Anders I want you to take the back cellar to my room. The curtains are pulled tight and the doors infused with lyrium, you'll be safe to sleep there. Looking to Orana with worry she began "I need a favor I can only trust to you."
"Anything Mari, I owe you my life." Orana replied softly, moving to Anders to help Marian lift him from the chair. "And Mari I'm sorry for what I said yesterday it was-"
"The truth." Marian grinned fondly, interrupting her friends babbling. "Truth that I think Fenris and I needed a dose of, so thank you. Now Anders needs a bath and food, but I can't trust the staff to do it quietly. Will you see to his needs?"
"I can't rest Hawke." Anders slurred, "There's too much to do. Gabriel-"
"Can go hump a nug. You'll be no good to anyone already half dead and near delusional. If Gabriel Vael has a problem with you seeing to your own needs, then he can come speak with me. I will not be letting him run you ragged! The city and Templars aren't going anywhere today." Marian pressed, knowing a hot bath and clean bed were both too much of a luxury, for even Anders strong resolve to pass up. Resigning himself to her wishes, Anders shook his head in agreement. With a nod of thanks to the heavens and a sigh of relief, she handed her bedroom key to Orana. "If Gabriel comes calling for Anders, you beat him off with your rolling pin. And I'm not jesting." Marian grumbled; pinning Orana with a look she usually reserved for out of line drunkards.
"Beat Gabriel Vael with a rolling pin you say?" Orana asked clasping a hand over her heart, blinking her pale eyelashes rapidly. "Why mistress I thought you'd never ask." The little elf's snide jest launching them all into fits of laughter. Though everyone that surrounded Marian loved Gabriel as immensely as she herself did, they also all wanted to knock the man around too. He could be a gigantic prick and sometimes an overzealous zealot to everyone around him, and though he'd always seemed to be that way, after Maria's death he'd become worse, edging on tyranny.
"Did Fenris send maps, and a missive from my brother?" Marian inquired, not wanting to think too long on Gabriel, for fear he'd dampen her mood.
"Mhmm he did Mari the maps are on the table." Orana swept a small hand to the neatly folded parchment of paper that lay in the center of the heavy oak table. "And the missive," She hummed, helping Anders back into his seat, then diving her small hands into the pockets of her apron. Her wild search, spilling sweet treats she kept for Nova onto the ground. "It's… hmm… AHHA found you." Orana cooed triumphantly, holding a golden paper dragon out to Marian, before bending to clean up the candy she'd dumped on the floor.
Marian opened her brother's missive gently not wanting to rip the delicate Origami animal he'd created for her. They had learned the talent of paper folding when they were kids from the Arl of Redcliffe's wife. Though most saw the Orleasian chit as arrogant and rude, she was always kind to Marian and her siblings. On journeys into the city, she'd sit for hours teaching Mari and Carver the intricate craft of Origami. While at the same time she'd grace Bethany with teachings about Orleasian fashions. Entrancing all three Hawke siblings with her stories of grand ladies and racy gents.
Except now with the words that she'd revealed on the dragon's delicate paper, it no longer seemed so delicate, far from it. In fact it had become a hideous, fearsome beast mimicking the words it had decorated.
Sister,
I'm not sure how to…
I don't know how to go about… Last night…
Ugh fuck me!
Marian, two Templars are being charged with the rape of Maggie and Nera Ward. I'm doing my best to keep this quiet, but the Knight-Vigilant refuses to hand over his men to Aveline. He demands that they stand trial under the Divine's banner and if found guilty they will be hung by the neck till dead. But as you well know the Ward sisters are mages. I don't hold high hopes in the Divine's justice.
Sister, this is still our city, we could force the Knight-Vigilant to hand the blighted bastards to our guard. However it is your choice and I certainly don't envy you that. Whatever you choose I'll stand by it, just keep in mind, these women are our friends, our family and they deserve justice.
I'll keep this news from Gabriel as long as I can. Be safe sister and don't wander about alone as you do, it's clear doing so is an abdominal mistake.
With Love
Carver.
With a sorrowful sigh, Marian tossed Carver's missive away from her, watching it float gracefully to the ground. Seventy-two hours, that's all it had taken for the Templar's to show their true colors, to show the corruption that lingered beneath their pristine uniforms. Three days away from the Divine's leash and now Marian was being forced to make the hardest decision of her life. Interfere with the Templars and likely start a full-blown war? Or let them deal with their own, and sit back while the Ward sisters never get to bask in the justice that's rightfully theirs?
"Mari are you all right? What did Carver have to say?" Orana questioned bending to pick up the note Marian had let fall. Quickly she collected herself snatching the missive from the little elf's hands.
"Aye Orana everything is well, at least as well as it can be with such strong Templar influence." She attempted to be chipper, not wanting Anders to pick up on her distress. The man needed to rest, if he got wind of this now he'd be gone as quickly as he'd came. Flipping Carvers missive over, she grabbed a quill and ink to scribble her decision. Choking back a sob she wrote the words any cold, hard, unfeeling diplomat would.
Dearest Brother
To interfere with the Templars would incite war and hundreds, if not thousands of our Kirkwall family would fall victim to it. What happened to the Ward sisters is unfortunate. But to start war and watch our people get slaughtered in the streets would be unforgivable. So with a heavy heart I choose to let the Templars extract the pound of flesh they see fit from two of their own for once.
I appreciate your discretion in this; though I fear Gabriel has likely already heard.
XOXO
Mari.
Folding the golden sheet of parchment into a pretty swan, Marian twirled to face Orana. "I have one more favor to ask if that's alright?"
"Of course mistress, but your frightfully pale. What has happened is Merrill well, the baby it's-" Orana broke off, eyes scanning the kitchen. "I have herbs, and you have healing we could-"
"Calm yourself Orana, Merrill and the babe are fine." Aye, but things are much worse. "I need you to get this back to Carver as soon as possible, though Anders is still your number one priority." Leaning close to the elf she whispered. "Read the letter, it's important, but don't let Anders see it." Pulling up the hood of her cloak, Marian looped the basket she'd prepared with Orana's jam cakes over her arm and then slinked towards the kitchen door.
"Where will you be Mari?" Orana and Anders asked simultaneously
"You haven't the faintest notion if anybody asks." She replied cryptically, looking to them over her shoulder.
"But I do." Orana grumbled her pretty face twisting in unhappy worry. "Anyone who knows you can guess you're off to see Nova. My jam cakes only make it certain."
"No it doesn't," whispered Marian, "and I've no intention of telling either of you any more one way or the other. That way you can answer truthfully if you're asked." Quickly she pulled on her gloves, hoping the gesture would mask the horror she felt. Had Fenris told Orana where Marian planned to go? Or am I really so bloody transparent? She'd been determined not to visit Nova, at least not until the situation in the city was better settled. But that had been before Sebastian showed up on her doorstep, needing her help. Needing me…NO. He hadn't sought her out. By the Gods! He'd practically begged her to leave him in the untried hands of his Knight-Corporal. She was the one who hadn't been able to resist forcing her care and concern, on him.
She gave her head a little shake, trying to toss away the shameful memory. "I've every intention of returning to se too what paying guests we do have by dinner. You may tell them that if they ask." Refusing to let her change the subject Orana continued to push.
"I do wish you'd take someone with you Hawke. Fenris would be more than happy and instead of his maps, he could be there to insure you got to Rana's without hassle. A lady like yourself, alone in the streets with those Templars… Well it just worries me. At least take your late husband's crossbow!"
"Oh, yes! And shoot myself in the foot for good measure. All the Divine's men would tremble in terror at the sight of me with a crossbow bolt through my foot, that m'dear is for certain." Sighing at the angered glare Orana gave her, Marian tossed her hands in the air the basket dangling heavily from her shoulder. "It was a joke Orana, I'll be fine. You act as if I'm a gentle mage flower. I'm Kirkwall's Champion for Gods sake."
"Orana's right though Hawke." Anders interjected, swaying dizzily in his chair. "We're mages, their the Divine's most efficient Templar's. They are capable of swatting our magic away like one would a pesky fly."
"I have Isabela's daggers." Marian scoffed; a little perturbed her friends seemed to think her weak. "You know the sharp, golden ones I took the Arishok down with?"
"But Mari there are packs of them-"
"This is my city Anders, my home and my life. None of which is the Divine's affair. I refuse to be cowed into hiding, by a pack of bullying Templars. I'm sorry!" With her brave words lingering in the room, she marched out of the kitchen door, leaving the Rose before her friends could push their doubts, into her head. However, with every step Marian took away from the safety of her cozy tavern, doubts laid their nasty seeds into her certainty. In her haste to leave Orana and Anders behind, she'd also forgotten the maps Fenris had drawn up for her. And being proud as she was going back to get them, was simply out of the question. Walking blind Mage? Beauty. Her heart began to quicken and hands grew damp in her gloves. The brave words she'd spoken quickly turning into a great bluff.
She was a fool and as impulsive as Carver. Letting instinct guide her, she kept to the narrower side streets, hanging close to the houses and shops, where her footsteps would make less sound on the snowy cobblestone. She hummed her Hawke possible theme song, in an attempt to soothe squealing nerves. Twice she heard men's voices, the heavy clanking of their armor marking them as her enemy. Both times she'd managed to dart through alleyways to avoid them, her heart pounding so loud, she had feared they'd hear it.
By the time Marian finally reached the edge of the city limits, dawn was a pale glow through the bare winter trees on the horizon. Quickening her steps, she breathed a great sigh of relief, glad to be rid of the city. From what she'd picked up through gossip, the Templar's were concentrated in the city and around the docks. That they didn't seem to be bothering with the more isolated farms scattered across the land. To be safe though, she left the road trekking instead through the fields. With her skirt bunched in one hand and the basket in the other, she climbed over the low stonewall that marked the boundary of the Arainai farm.
When at last she saw the smoke curling from the old brick chimney of her cousin's house, the sun had risen fully stretching an ember colored band across the sky. Marian's fingers and toes were numb from the cold, her cheeks stung with it, but she was nearly running the final steps through the orchard, eager to see her daughter. To her joy, Nova was outside, helping Rana draw a bucket of water from the well. Like a crazed woman Marian dropped her basket, running through the orchard calling out to the girl her arms waving madly. Nova's head raised at once, her face bright with identical excitement, turquoise eyes searching for Marian.
Only a week separated from her daughter, but it felt like a lifetime since they'd last saw each other, how did I do it before? It was a question she had asked herself often, in the year she played the role of mom. Every time Nova would come rushing into the Rose eyes bright Aveline in toe, with a report of how the young girl had disarmed one of her guards in a duel, Marian's heart would leap with happiness and pride. And she'd always wonder, in the girl's infectious excitement, how she had ever managed to spend so much time away.
"Nova here!" She shouted, arms still flailing erratically over her head. "I'm over here!"
Without another glance at Rana, Nova took off in a lope towards Marian, her robes flying high around her legs, the hood of her cloak falling back from her hair. She threw herself into Marian's outstretched arms, wriggling like an excited puppy, tightly linking her small arms around her mothers waist, her head still only reaching Hawke's chest. Her slight stature one of the few things she hadn't received from her father.
"Oh mama, you said you'd come and you did!" She cried, her words tumbling over themselves in her excitement.
"Aunt Rana said you wouldn't be able to. At least not for a few weeks, but I knew you wouldn't leave me that long and you didn't, you didn't!" She shoved herself back, impatiently shaking her hair from her face. "You have been feeding the cats, haven't you?" She asked her heart-shaped face turning serious. "You made sure the little ones got their share too? Aunt Rana and Uncle Z have cats in their barn, but they're so fat from mousing that they ignore the scraps I bring them."
"Of course I feed them. Extra in fact! Orana and Uncle Anders scold me for it."
"Well, good." Nova stated her hands firm on her hips. "They can scold me too, starting first thing tomorrow morning. Now I'll go get my things, so we can leave."
"Nova my child wait a moment."
"Why?" The girl's smile widened. "The sooner we leave, the sooner we'll be home. It won't take long at all; I kept everything folded neat in my bag the way you packed it. I wouldn't take anything out, even though Uncle Z said I should, because I knew you'd be coming for me and wanted to be ready."
"Oh, Nova." Marian sighed her heart sinking. "We need to talk my love." But what would she say? How would she tell Nova the danger hadn't past, that this was only a visit? Gently she reached out and took the girl's hand in her own, smoothing back a lock of Nova's hair, hair so different from her own. Not fire red and unruly, but thick and honey-brown, only tints of red lacing the silken strands, her father's hair. Yes her father's hair, his eyes, his impossibly long lashes and the same perfect bow of his smile. All of it unquestionably like, Sebastian Vael. Gods! Was it only her guilt, her shame that made her find his mark everywhere on their daughters face? Or like Isabela had, would everyone else be able to see it too?
Just thinking of the strong willed, strong jawed, Knight-Commander, Marian resigned herself to the knowledge she was about to break her precious daughter's heart. Hardening her own she set her hands firmly on Nova's shoulders. "I can't take you home with me my love." She said as gently as she could, while still keeping her tone firm. "Not just yet, but I promise-"
"Why not?" Cried Nova, stunned enough that her voice squeaked, "you told me it wouldn't be long. You said I'd only have to stay here until Kirkwall was safe again!"
"And it's still not, Nova, not yet." Said Marian quickly, hating herself for the hurt she saw in her daughter's eyes. "You're much safer here with Aunt Rana. Away from Kirkwall's trouble!"
"But I don't care mama!" Nova screeched urgently. She was trying hard not to cry, willing herself to be brave, her hands clutching Marian's fore arms. "I don't care about Aunt Rana or Uncle Zevran and I don't care about the trouble, I want to go with you. I want to go home!" Marian sighed unhappily, as she watched her daughter's eyes swirl from turquoise to grey, the animal inside waking with its hosts quick changing emotions. Nova's shifter magic, one of the few things she'd received from her mother.
Depending on the situation Marian could either shift into a pure white hawk, or black as night wolf. But Nova was too young, the animal a babe, not quite mature enough yet to safely show itself fully. Still, the swirling of the girl's eyes marked her as different, as rare and with all the Templars running about, they'd both be hung for blood magic because of it. Marian didn't fear the holy noose, not in the least, could even stomach it happily as long as Nova stayed safe. Then make sure she stays here Hawke! "I'm sorry love, but I can't take you just yet. You're much safer here. The town's too full of Templars, thousands of them. There's even a good amount living under our roof, marching around the Rose like she's their own private parade ground." But Nova scarcely heard her mother, her face twisting with fear, disappointment and resentment.
"You don't care what happens to me, not really! You say you shipped me off, to keep me from the Templars, but there's been Templars here too, bunches of them, and you don't even care." Marian looked away from Nova, desperately trying to mask the fear she felt.
"Templars, here, Nova when?
"Yesterday afternoon, Mari." Rana said as she joined them, her staff slung over her back and a sword on her hip, the weapons a grim contrast to her welcoming smile. "A whole gang of them. In their shiny white armor and over the top horned helms."
"Oh Nova, love forgive me, I didn't know." Marian soothed pulling her daughter into her embrace once again.
"Relax, Nova was safe enough with the Warden-Commander and her crow assassin of a husband." Rana said, letting her staff slide from her shoulder, to the ground, leaning on it heavily. "You've raised a brave girl Mar. We were both sick in bed and deathly ill, weren't we Nova?" Marian's mask fell, the fear she tried to hide rising to the surface.
"Ill!" she croaked placing a hand on Nova's forehead to check if she was warm with fever.
"We were playing mama." Nova smiled in spite of herself. "When the Templars tried to come into the house Uncle Z told them that Aunt Rana and me were sick." Rana chuckled deeply, her wispy blonde-mane dancing about her fair, round face, violet eye shimmering with amusement.
"Nothing an army fear's more, than the blighted taint sweeping through their camps. Zevran met them at the door, out of sorts and sad-faced, while Nova and I lay beneath the blankets upstairs, bellowing as if the Reaper himself was reading us our last rites. I even used a glamour charm in case they dared come up, they would have gotten an eyeful of scabbed skin and a good solid sniff of decay. Not that they did, Maker, Marian you should have seen them, they couldn't get off our porch fast enough pushing and stumbling over each other."
"But they could comeback?" Marian challenged, protectively clutching Nova closer. Her family's trick was clever indeed, far cleverer than anything Marian herself could have come up with. Naturally. Rana and Zevran, along with their own band of misfits, had bargained and tricked their way through a blight and taken down an Arch demon. A demon that no one who struck the final blow should have come back from, yet here she stood, tall, pale and gloriously alive, in front of Marian. Their wily ways, mixed with their farmstead being so far from the city limits, were the reasons Marian had trusted Nova to her cousin. Still Marian couldn't help, but consider taking Nova back to Kirkwall, with her.
"Calm yourself Mari, you're always coiled so tightly." Rana chided, like she'd read Marian's thoughts. "They won't come back, not once word travel's around all the camp's and outposts," she declared, smiling wickedly. "You'll see. Fear of blight sickness, is better than any raised weapon, or magic." Her smile faded suddenly, her pretty violet eyes darkening, while she tapped her cheek thoughtfully with the ball top of her staff. "But you coming out here all by yourself, that wasn't smart dear cousin. Especially not if things are as bad in the city as Zev's heard. I don't even want to consider what those Templar's may do to a lady such as you without Divine Justinia's leash on em.
Marian felt how Nova stiffened, then squished herself closer. On instinct Marian hugged the girl in reassurance, though she couldn't decide who would be receiving the most comfort from the embrace. "I didn't see a single soul all the way out here, Reigns. And I doubt I will on the walk home either. As for us in the city, the rumors are true. I've at least an entire regiment housed under the Rose's roof, but I also have their Commander staying with me as well. I suspect him capable of keeping his men in line and well-behaved."
"Then why can't I come home?" Nova said stubbornly, turning her turquoise gaze up at her mother. "If it's safe enough for you, it should be just as safe for me too!" Looking into her daughters pleading face, she wondered if perhaps Nova would be safer at home, where Marian, herself could keep watch over her. They could have coconut snowballs and a cup of coco together in Nova's room before bed, as was their ritual.
"Please mama," Nova begged. "Please!" The girl blinked rapidly, beating back unshed tears, the tiny crystals pooling on her lower eyelashes. The morning sun reflected off the clear pearls, magnifying Nova's eyes turning them into brilliant, dancing lovers, identical to Sebastian's. Slowly Marian shook her head, steeling her heart once again, against her daughter's precious tears. She had too. She didn't have a choice. She could never forget that the greatest danger to them both had nothing to do with the inquisition at all.
With Marian's refusal Nova turned from her, the girls face ghosting into an icy mask, she marched off towards the house, arm's crossed, head hung low. The perfect picture of a broken heart, it cracked Marian's own heart right down the center.
"Don't worry Mar," Rana whispered. "Nova is a strong of heart girl. She looks like a broken doll now, but I guarantee we make it to the house and she'll be smiling like an angel." Marian shook her head in agreement, knowing her cousin was right, but she didn't take comfort in it, after all, Marian herself was the queen of false faces. Nova's mask would be pretty indeed, but her happiness wouldn't caress her young eyes, as it should. Damn Sebastian Vael and is intrusive order!
1-1-1
She had stayed too long, far longer than she'd intended and now she was racing for Kirkwall against the darkening sky. When she'd arrived this morning, Marian had taken pleasure in the empty fields. But reading Carvers missive and listening to Zevran's unending tails had changed her pleasure to stark fear. Every shadow, stonewall or bare oak was now a Templar solider lurking. She longed for the moment that the grand city broke into view.
Wearily she shifted her basket from one hand to the other. Rana had replaced the cakes with a brick of butter and fresh eggs, packing the presents in straw. The gifts had been thoughtful. And with the markets closed until the Templars allowed trading ships to dock, her cousin's gifts were a luxury; both Marian and Orana could use and appreciate. But at the moment the basket was heavy and dug into her palms, fitting since she felt the same digging, heaviness in her soul for leaving Nova behind.
Marian shifted the basket again, flexing her cold stiffened fingers in her gloves. The wind had changed since this morning, now coming from the west and the clouds hung low, pregnant with fresh snow. Excellent! She thought miserably, just another reason to loathe the day. "Could you make it any worse? I mean seriously!" She barked to the sky, climbing over another stonewall.
"You there halt!" The soldier's words echoed across the empty field. The bowstrings being pulled back were as loud as the snapping of a heavy oaks stump. Timber…er…er…er… Taunting the sky was never a blessed decision!