"Are you sure you really want us coming with you Hawke?" Varric asked as they walked up the steep stairs to the Chantry.
Hawke maintained her calm, nodding to those they passed by. She still wasn't used to everyone in Kirkwall knowing who she was, or how they all insisted on addressing her as Champion. The large statue near the docks didn't help her anonymity as an apostate either, but she tried to enjoy the freedoms it provided. For now, at least, as Anders enjoyed reminding her. He too was by her side, along with Fenris, as they reached the top landing and entered through the large wooden doors.
"If he wanted to speak with me alone, he knew where to find me," Hawke told Varric, quieting her voice in the Maker's house. "Besides, it was Elthina that requested my presence, not him. If he happens to be here, so be it."
"I almost feel sorry for Sebastian," Fenris stated. "He has little idea what he has come home to."
Hawke turned on her heel to confront the elf. "And just what is that supposed to mean?" she asked.
"There is no doubt you have changed since he last saw you Hawke," Fenris said simply. "I was implying nothing else."
"I have not changed," Hawke said defensively. "I am the same person I have always been."
Anders stifled a laugh. "I hate to agree with Fenris, but he's right," Anders told her. "Sebastian isn't going to know what hit him."
Hawke gasped in horror at Anders' statement. "You too?"
"There there Hawke," Varric said patting her on the back. "You know we wouldn't let this Champion business get to your head. But you are far from the wilting flower you were a few years ago."
"I hate you all," Hawke said with a scowl as she turned her back on them and resumed walking through the lower level of the Chantry. "I'll show you how much I've changed with a fireball to the face," she added in a low mutter. It wasn't until she heard Sebastian's voice in the distance that her knees began to feel weak, and the fluttering in her belly began to stir.
"Do you never intend to give a public answer, Your Grace?" Sebastian asked Elthina.
"And just what have I been asked?" The Grand Cleric replied as Hawke and the others reached the main platform of the Chantry.
"About the mages," Sebastian stated. "The first enchanter overstepped his bounds! You could calm this fire if you stepped forward."
"Pesky things, those mages," Hawke said, interrupting their discussion. "Always causing a ruckus in front of my home. You know the one, Sebastian, just down the way of the Viscount's Keep?"
"Marian," Sebastian said with a surprised glance. "I hadn't expected to see you here…"
"So soon after your return?" Hawke asked, not bothering to hide the bitterness in her tone. "Lucky break for you then, I'm not here for you. Your Grace, you wanted to see me?"
Elthina nodded, happy to change the subject from the awkward reunion playing out in front of them. "I did. The recent incident you refer to is causing quite the stir, here in Kirkwall as well as elsewhere."
"Mages rebelling?" Anders asked. "Yes, I'm sure that is quite the stir for some people."
Sebastian narrowed his eyes at the apostate by Hawke's side. "The last time mages rebelled against the Chantry, they ended up ruling Tevinter. We can't just ignore them."
"I knew I liked you," Fenris said from behind Varric.
"Traitor," Hawke muttered over her shoulder. She turned back to Elthina. "You said elsewhere, has something happened to cause concern?"
Elthina nodded. "I did not expect things to deteriorate so fast. I thought after the Qunari, no one would wish for more violence, but it has drawn more attention than I would like. I require your assistance Hawke, and that of Sebastian, should he be willing."
"Anything, Your Grace," Sebastian said obediently.
Hawke sighed inwardly at the display of loyalty Sebastian still held for Elthina. She wondered if he too had changed since last she heard from him and decided to rejoin Elthina in the Chantry. A conversation for another, more private time. "Of course," Hawke agreed, trying to ignore the fact that Elthina was pushing her and Sebastian to work together.
"Thank you," Elthina said. "The Divine is concerned about the situation here. She does not want to see the Free Marches become another Imperium. She has sent an agent to assess the danger, and I ask that you meet with this agent, tell her such drastic measures are not required in Kirkwall."
"First the Qunari, and now threat of an Exalted March," Hawke said. "That is not what Kirkwall needs right now, especially while we still have no Viscount to lead us."
"Surely the Divine would not treat the whole city as enemies," Sebastian stated. "Would she turn the might of the Chantry against the innocent due to a few mages?"
Hawke shook her head, and could feel the anger radiating from Anders beside her. "The Chantry, and the Divine, are very clear where they stand concerning mages," she reminded Sebastian. "No disrespect intended Your Grace," she added to Elthina. "You have been supportive when you can, but under that kind of scrutiny, you'd have no choice but to favor the side of the Templars, am I right?"
"I favor peace, which does not appear to be the goal of either side at the moment," Elthina said, avoiding answering Hawke's question. "Which is why I bring this to the two of you. A mage that has been declared Champion by the Knight Commander herself, and a Brother of the Chantry. If the Divine's agent needs to see Kirkwall's citizens are working together for peace, who better to send?"
"Being so close to the Maker must cloud the obvious tension," Varric whispered to Fenris. "We can only hope this agent is as blind."
"We will do what we can," Hawke said, hoping Elthina didn't hear Varric. She also tried to forget the fact that Elthina still referred to Sebastian as a Brother of the Chantry. Last she heard from his letters, he was going to tell her he was leaving. Apparently that discussion hadn't taken place.
Sebastian nodded. "Yes, we can not let this ridiculous mage rebellion turn into a holy war."
"Ridiculous?" Anders gasped.
Hawke could feel the pull of the Fade in the air, and knew Justice was close to the surface within Anders. She reached for his hand to calm him. "Another time Anders, please," she begged. The way he squeezed her hand told Hawke that he was indeed struggling to remain in control. She continued to hold on to him as she asked Elthina for the details in meeting with this agent of the Divine, silently praying to the Maker that they make it out of the Chantry without bloodshed.
"The agent, Sister Nightingale, will be waiting in the Viscount's throne room tonight," Elthina responded. "She wishes to remain unseen."
"Then we'll meet at my place at sunset," Hawke informed Sebastian.
He watched as she departed without another word, and couldn't help but notice she continued to hold Anders' hand on the way out.
Dearest Father,
Nothing about tonight went as planned. I had hoped Sebastian would've come early so we could talk. It was quite clear from what happened in the Chantry that there are some unresolved issues we need to discuss; his remaining with the Chantry, and me being a mage. I thought both were behind us, but with the new tension within the city, I fear that may have changed. I am trying to withhold my anger and wait to hear from him, but he has made no effort since returning to talk with me alone. I refuse to let my imagination get the best of me however, or at the very least, I'm trying.
Varric had no desire to meet with the mysterious agent of the Divine, which I thought odd considering he loves a good mystery. He muttered something about getting his goods out of Kirkwall before an invasion. I think he's just being paranoid, but that's a dwarf for you. Anders was the first to arrive, which I was thankful for. I wanted to make sure he was okay considering what happened earlier, and the closer he is the better I can keep an eye on him. Fenris wasn't far behind, and then Sebastian showed up. We set out immediately to the Viscount's Keep to meet with Sister Nightingale.
Sebastian had to work his own personal magic of lock picking to get us into the throne room. It's been secure ever since the Viscount's death, but as it turns out, someone else had locked the doors from within. A sure sign of bad things to come is when you're attacked by blood mages when you walk into a room. They had received word about the Divine sending a spy to Kirkwall, and assumed it was us. They struck without warning or discussion, and we had no choice but to fight them. I thought for a moment we were close to losing that battle, but a rogue came out of nowhere and assisted us.
That rogue was none other than Leliana, the famous bard that travelled with the Hero of Ferelden during the blight. She was our Sister Nightingale, and had caused this ambush on purpose. By dropping some not so subtle hints within the right circles, she caused the Resolutionists, some subgroup within one of the Circle's fraternities, to come out of hiding. Anders had explained to me once about those groups, but I wasn't aware any of them resorted to blood magic to get their points across.
Fenris commented that the Resolutionists obviously have the support of the magisters. Leliana said there was no proof of that, at least not that the Divine was aware of. Fenris added that many mages probably thought the freedom to be a mage in Tevinter was worth rebelling for, and turning to blood magic, though they had no idea how little freedom they would actually gain among the magisters' rule. I remember Anders mentioned that once, how living in Tevinter would at least mean freedom. I wonder if he still feels the same after hearing the truth from Fenris? I also wonder if Anders secretly agrees with what the Resolutions are doing.
Leliana did confirm that the Divine sent her to Kirkwall to investigate a possible mage rebellion. She suspects these Resolutionists are the ones whispering in the mages ears, apparently even reaching Orsino given his recent outbursts. This of course angered Anders, since she was implying that no mage could wish for freedom on their own, or consider rebelling without the aid of some fraternity within the Circle. He wasn't wrong in being angry though; I don't have to be from a Circle to know that freedom is worth fighting for. I just don't agree with the way these groups, or Orsino, have gone about doing it.
Sebastian and I both pleaded with her to inform the Divine that things are not as dire as they may appear, and that there is a real chance at peace still to be had within Kirkwall. But Leliana either wasn't listening, or didn't care. She said the Divine considers what's happening here a real threat, and does not want to see it spread across Thedas. They want Elthina at the Grand Cathedral in Orlais, which means they are probably seriously considering war, regardless of what we had to say.
Once Leliana left, Sebastian pointed out how, yet again, mages are out of control and will bring Kirkwall down with them. His constant generalizations are not endearing me to forgive him, and they are alienating Anders. I can't expect Sebastian to understand though, he isn't a mage. I can't help but wonder if he'd change his mind if it was me that was locked up in the Gallows. Again it comes down to his feelings for me, or his faith. Which do you think is stronger, Father?
I thought I'd received the answer to that question the day of the battle with the Arishok. Now I'm not so sure.
We told Elthina what had happened, and Sebastian insisted that she leave the Chantry immediately. The Grand Cleric refused though, said she wasn't going to save her own skin while the people of Kirkwall still needed her. Maybe she thinks that if she remains, the Divine will withhold her armies. Or maybe she thinks she can make a difference, and continue to be the peacemaker between Orsino and Meredith. She was very passionate and insistent that if she is to die, she'd rather it be with her flock, keeping the vow she made to watch over Kirkwall's citizens. If her life saved another, then it is the Maker's will that it be so.
Sebastian was furious with her. I think it's because he sees her as more than just the Grand Cleric. She has been a mother to him when his own abandoned him, and he doesn't want to lose her too. I tried to help by agreeing with him; no matter where he and I stand, I don't want to see him hurt like that, or see Elthina fall because of the actions of some misguided mages. She tried to assure us that no mage would dare come after her, and that she was not going to die as he feared.
I hope she's right.
Sebastian vowed to stay by her side and protect her regardless, which yet again made me question what the future holds for us now that he isn't leaving the Chantry any time soon. I will help him watch over Elthina as much as possible, but I fear I am already losing him before I had a chance to be with him. Tonight was not the time to discuss it; his emotions were all over the place, as are my own. Maybe more time apart is what we need. If I can resolve this issue with the mages and Templars, and keep Elthina safe, that will give him no reason to stay, and we can finally be together as he promised. He asked me to wait for him, and I will continue to do so until he is ready.
Author's Note: A quick word of thanks for all those that have read, followed, and reviewed this story. This chapter brings Dearest Father across the 100k word milestone; an achievement I have only accomplished one other time with The Lioness and the Wolf. It has taken almost two years to get to this point, so I appreciate the patience and support this story has received thus far. I hope you continue to enjoy it to its conclusion ;)