Dragon Age: War of Gods

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Chapter 2

Conspiracies in the Dark and the Dragon's Flight

The sun was bright in the city of Val Royeaux, and as usual the city was bursting with commerce as the inhabitants of the city prepared for the coming winter. Fall was still early upon them, but it would soon be over. However, Orlais was an empire that was always ripe with trade, and today was no exception to the sound of people chattering away and performing their daily tasks. There were merchants from all over Thedas that would come to sell their wares in Val Royeaux. Furs from Fereldan, scrolls and enchanted items from Tevinter, and even Orlesian wine. However, most importantly was the grand amount of food that Orlais had within its borders. It was said that all the world could go through an unholy famine, but Orlais would have enough food left over to outlast everyone. Though, in truth, as strong as Orlais was culturally and economically, it still felt the military sting of the Fereldan Rebellion. However, Orlais still had the strength to defend itself if ever there was an attack, and with the long years that had passed since the end of the Fereldan Rebellion Orlais began to feel its great strength again.

Romian was one such of those that would walk the streets of Orlais while the city was busy of those that needed supply. However, Romian did not need supplies. With his mother as the arcane advisor to Empress Celene, Romian was well provided for, but he had a great urge to leave the city and travel where he willed. However with the Orlesian Civil War going on, there was little he could do about leaving. Still, he was sure he could escape the dreariness of having to see damn shoes all day. Romian sighed a little. Life in Val Royeaux was boring when all you could do is be a prisoner in a free city. He had desire to leave and discover the wide world. He cursed his mother for being so secluded in this state of servitude, even if they both lived like royalty. Today, like every other day, he would go to sit on a small stone wall where he would study the rats of the city. They were always interesting creatures to him. Always most useful for… experiments.

The rats learned to fear him, just as others should learn to fear him. Some days he got sick and tired of listening to the ravings of people about the gossip of the city. So, Romian would study the rats, forcing them to his will. He would sit for hours, telepathically commanding the rat to do as he pleased. But he felt like he could do so much more. Whenever he got tired of the beast he would end its suffering by muttering an incantation and bursting it into flames. Sad to kill such a fine specimen, but Romian certainly didn't want pestilence running around the city. On the other hand, if it could end this war faster….

Romian shook his head. It was an amusing thought, but there were already whispers about his mother. And if there are whispers about his mother, there were most certainly whispers about him. Everything seemed so uncertain, but that was how things have always been for as long as Romian could remember. He remembered a time, though it was extremely short, when he and his mother were on the run. He didn't know why, but he always had questions. And those questions were always refused an answer by his mother. That she was always hiding things was obvious. A blind and deaf man would know that. What she hid, well, Romian knew he wouldn't be able to find out. Morrigan was not known to hand out secrets. And Romian knew he couldn't get her to drink so she would talk. On rare occasions his mother his mother would drink wine, but it was only one small glass. However, on occasion, when he and his mother practiced magic together, he could catch a glimpse of her mind. And every time he would see the same thing: two griffons with swords in their hands and golden crowns on their heads and light all around them.

The griffons always through him off his trail, for such creatures were extinct, though he knew that the Grey Wardens held a large association to the griffon from his history lessons. He would often think about the Heroes of Fereldan who stopped the Fifth Blight, but his mother did not appear in the story of what he heard. All he truly heard of were the two heroes, Queen Lelianna, and sometimes the leaders of the armies of Fereldan. And yet, he could feel as if he knew the story already deep within him. He heard things at times, voices speaking to him, and he listened to them, believing that his connection to the Fade allowed him to hear all the spirits there. However, even though Romian head these things, he did not understand. However, as time wore on, he learned to control the voices. But there were times when he heard the voices and he could not ignore them, for their screams were terrible to behold.

Romian sighed and turned around to head back to the royal palace. No doubt he could feel his mother and her desire to see him again. Time for more practice of his magical abilities, as always, during the evening. As he got off the stone wall he saw an old man staring at him with his head cocked curiously and his eyes narrowed. He had blue eyes, which reflected clearly in them Romian with his dark hair and yellow eyes. Romian had his mother's eyes. The old man had long silvery hair, and wore long robes. He had a staff in his hand that had an eight-pointed star that crowned its head. The old man smiled at Romian as the boy stared back at old man. But, in the moment that Romian blinked, the old man was simply gone. Had he been imagining the old man? Romian shook his head again. Perhaps he had been spending too much time with his mother. And what a true thought that was! He knew in the back of his mind that his mother saw him from afar. She was strong, and he knew only a fool would test her strength, but Romian always felt that he was stronger, though he may be young and not fully attuned to his abilities.

As he headed back to back to the keep, though he didn't know why, he felt as if he was being watched. Whether it be by his mother, the old man, or something else, he wasn't sure, but the uneasiness gnawed at him like a dog gnaws at a bone. He looked over his shoulder for a moment, but no one was there. He shook his head, but something still felt… off. He couldn't explain it. Perhaps seeking the council of his mother may help, it was always a good choice, and Romian never doubted the wisdom of Morrigan. Sometimes seeking the help of others was the best path. His mother taught him that long ago. However, even when seeking another's help, it was wisest to only trust one's self. The air was cool and pleasant as Romian thought to himself of all these things. Fall was a beautiful time of year, and Romian loved it the most. It was the time when he would be in his greatest mediation.

"Halt, who goes there?" A guard inquired as Romian approached the keep's gate.

"Romian, son of Morrigan," Romian replied, "Chief advisor of Empress Celene in the arcane arts."

"And what is the password, son of Morrigan?" the guard asked.

"Sword of Andraste, Maker's justice," Romian answered.

The guard nodded as he signaled the gates to open. Romian passed through great gates of Val Royeaux's great keep. Truly the city was a work of art, but the keep was a work of legend. Its walls were high and its battlements were strong. If anything, Orlais had some of the strongest defenses in all of Thedas, its wealth was poured into its walls as much as its art. Romian quickly moved through the courtyard of the keep and entered the great hall and went straight to his chambers, keeping an eye out for his mother, who undoubtedly was already aware of his presence. Whether or not the Empress still remained at court, Romian did not know. All he knew was that the Empress was rather busy today. There were many who came to file a grievance, or pay tribute, or even make a simple request. Yes, the Empress was quite busy today. And if the Empress was busy, then surely Morrigan was busy as well.

"And just what have you been up to?" Romian heard as he entered his chambers.

"Mother," Romian said slowly as he turned around to meet her, "how good of you to check on me. I have been what I am always up to, looking around the city. Though, I suppose you already knew that."

"I know only what I can see," Morrigan replied, "and for a moment you were hidden from me. Have you been practicing your art on your own?"

"I practice whenever I can," Romain said, "but I am afraid I have not found the ability to hide from you. Perhaps you are growing old."

"Perhaps," Morrigan said with a laugh, "but I am not yet so old that I cannot remember magic. But it troubles me that you were hidden from my sight for even a moment. Yet, I will remember our exchange while I have you scrub the castle floors."

"And I will remember the punishment you gave me ever so fondly," Romian said sarcastically.

"Good," Morrigan said, "Maybe now you will remember to stay inside the keep's walls from now on. Though I know you have made friends with the rats."

"And what wonderful friends they are, mother," Romian said, "I have grown rather fond of them."

"Perhaps I should turn you into one," Morrigan said, "You do seem to like them a lot."

"What would you ever do without me, mother?" Romian laughed, "I would not be able to entertain you as highly if I were a rat!"

"Perhaps you should pay better attention to what I have tried to teach you to avoid such catastrophes," Morrigan said, "But I have little time for games. I must speak again with the Empress soon. There are matters we must attend to, and I would rather know where you are while I take care of tonight's business."

"I shall do my best to keep you well satisfied, mother," Romian said with a slight bow.

"Very good," Morrigan said, "Now, let's get on with our tasks before the ground swallows us. I believe you have magic to study for a while. And scrub our chamber floors. I have no desire to come back to a dirty home."

"Yes, of course, mother," Romian said. But as she left, Romian could feel that strange chill run down his back. He once again felt as if he was being watched.

Morrigan walked down the halls of the keep of Val Royeaux with a steady pace. The Empress could not be kept waiting, and Morrigan's incident with her own some had caused some minor problems when it came to the prospect of time. Time was all she had. Or, at least, time is what she thought she had. Romian could wait as far as the truth went, but she had no real obligation to speack the truth to her son. As least no obligation yet, at any rate. And yet, Morrigan knew that she would eventually have to tell her son about her part in the Fifth Blight. And Romian's part in the Fifth Blight, for that matter. Nothing seemed like it could be escaped from right now. It was true when Silwen found her, it was true when Flemeth came back from the dead, and it was certainly true now. Morrigan could not escape the truth. She could never escape the truth. And yet, it was imperative that Morrigan leave that life behind. Her son would eventually become someone to be both respected and feared, but it wasn't time for her to unleash her greatest achievement. Old god or none inside of Romian, he was still her child, and she would fight fiercely to protect him from harm.

As Morrigan passed the lightly armored guards and entered the Empress' chamber, she felt something tug at her, though she did not know what it was. It felt cold in that room. Terribly cold. However, Morrigan shook her head. Celene turned around when she heard Morrigan walk in and smiled at lovely arcane advisor.

"Morrigan, welcome!" Celene greeted happily, "I have excellent news. The civil war is nearly at an end. We have the Grand Duke on the run, and his armies shall be utterly destroyed when we catch up to him. Gaspard was a fool for believing he could challenge and defeat me!"

"That is excellent news," Morrigan responded, "After six horrible years of war, we are finally about to win. Tell me, Your Highness, what do you plan on doing when you have Gaspard?"

"I will torture him as long as I can," Celene said darkly, "And before I give him permission to die, I want him to look me in the eyes and tell me why. And then, I will let him die."

"A well thought out move, Your Highness," Morrigan said, "If it is you desire, I can help keep him alive long enough to prolong the pain."

"I am joyed by your offer, Morrigan," Celene said, "but I want to do it myself. He deserves the hand of the family that gave his family the power they have right now."

"As you wish, Your Highness," Morrigan said with a bow, "Is there anything else you would have of me?"

"You have been a faithful servant, Morrigan," Celene said with a smile, "All I ask is that you stay here, with me, guiding me in all that I do. But if I do need your magic for Gaspad, I shall indeed call you. Perhaps I shall keep him alive just long enough that he will know that he has failed."

"As you command, Your Highness," Morrigan said with a bow.

After Morrigan bowed to the Empress two things happened simultaneously. The first was the sound of whistle that was much a kin to the call of a blue bird. The second was that Celene's face went pale and cold as a crossbow bolt pierced her heart. Suddenly, Morrigan saw several men leap from the shadows of Celene's chamber, all with hooded and with daggers. Morrigan screamed for the guards and was about to cast a spell to ward off the attackers but she felt cold steel slip through her back. As she fell to the ground in utter pain and looked up, she saw the face of one the guards that was posted outside of the Celene's chamber. What she last saw was the lifeless eyes of Celene as Morrigan began to feel her physical strength disappearing and the dagger driven deeper into her back.

"Romian," she whispered with the last of her strength, and everything went black.

Romian lay fast asleep as his mother breathed her last, his dreams filled with blood and horror. He saw the deaths of many in is horrible slumber, each death more painful than the last. He wanted to scream, but then the dream changed as he felt a tight grip on his shoulders. Romian looked up and he saw the same old man he saw in the streets of Val Royeaux.

"Wake up!" the old man cried, "You must wake up now! Death is coming for you, and it has already taken your mother and the Empress of Orlais. Get up, you fool. Fly!"

Romian woke up with a start and heard the bells of Val Royeaux sounding heavily across the city. The next thing he heard was a cry of battle outside his doors. As he got out of his bed, two heavily armored men broke into the chamber.

"There he is!" one of the men shouted, "Kill 'im!"

As the two lunged at Romian he shouted an incantation and the two men turned into stone. He grabbed his staff, backpack, robes, and a rope to escape out the window. In the distance, Romian saw an army outside of the city walls, hurtling flaming boulders at the city walls. Val Royeaux was going to fall. And if what the old man said was true, that meant his mother was already very dead. Romian escaped out the window and quickly made for the courtyard sewers. If there were any faster way out of Val Royeaux, it would have been through the city's sewers. As he ran toward the sewer entrance, he saw another man who tried to run him through with his sword. But Romian summoned forth his strength and struck the man with a fireball. Romian grabbed the man's short sword before he made his way to the sewers. They were long and damp, but Romian explored them a few times, so he knew exactly where to go. When he made it safely out of the sewers, Romian took one last look back at Val Royeaux. The city was buring. Gaspard won. Orlais had fallen. And Romian fled east, to Fereldan.

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