Partners in All Things…

Continued…

Zevran, Alistair, and Marnie sat in the study. Lily happily sat on Alistair's lap.

"As I mentioned in my letter, your father was abducted on his way to the Free Marches by Prince Claudio Valisti at the command of Tevinter Magister Aurelius Titus. The Prince is a third Talon in the Crow organization."

"What's a Talon?" Marnie asked.

"The Crows are comprised of family houses. It is a way to compartmentalize the guild. Overseeing all the houses and directing the Crows as a guild are eight talons, each talon is associated with its own house. Valisti is one of the third talons"

Marnie nodded in understanding. "So, fairly high up in the Crow organization."

"Indeed, and for a Talon to hold an allegiance to anyone outside of the Crows, especially one that is outside of Antiva, is not tolerated. I have made the Crows aware of Valisti's shocking activities, and the potential problem it would be for the Crows to be seen conspiring with Tevinter to capture a ruling monarch.

"I have been in contact with your King and Queen. Naturally, they are angered over King Maric's abduction by a Tevinter magister. Wars have been fought over less. However, Ferelden is in no position to declare war."

Alistair grinned. "I take it that you have found a way to turn this situation to your favor?"

Zevran smiled serenely. "The Crows need me if they want to fulfill this contract. They know it and have agreed that the contract on my life will be rescinded."

Marnie looked at Zevran like he was crazy. "You are going to waltz into Tevinter and assassinate a Magister?"

"Well, I am a graceful dancer."

"So what do you need from us? Alistair asked.

"Alistair, your King and Queen would like you to come to Denerim with me and meet with them." He handed Alistair a small note.

Marnie looked at Alistair. "What does it say?"

"It just confirms that the King and Queen are requesting to meet with me and Zevran at the Palace."

"Yes, but why?" Marnie asked Zevran

Before Zevran could answer, Alistair said, "It's a royal summons. I assume they will tell me when I get there."

"When do you need to leave for Denerim?"

"I was told as soon as possible." Zevran shrugged. "That would mean leaving tomorrow or the day after."

"Nothing like advanced warning." Alistair grumbled.

Marnie sighed. "Yes, nothing like it at all. But if Anora and Fergus want to see you, then see you they shall."

~oOOo~

21 Harvestmere
9:38

Zevran and I are on the road to Denerim. I don't know what Anora and Fergus want from me.

I don't know what to feel right now. Why would a magister want my father? Who is this Yavana and why break him out of a Crow prison? Is my father still alive? Just when I thought my life was settled down, this comes up. I mean really…what am I supposed to do? What can I do?

I really hate having so many questions! I am starting to feel like I did during the Blight. You remember how I would write all of my thoughts in you, all of my questions and problems. I had so many doubts. It's like it's happing again…although there is no Archdemon, and Marnie is no longer just a dream.

I think I'll just stop babbling now and go to sleep.

22 Harvestmere, 9:38 Dragon

Alistair is on his way to Denerim with Zevran. Perhaps Anora and Fergus want someone to advise them – one who knows about the Crows and, more importantly, knows and trusts the man acting as negotiator.

That would make sense…I think.

27 Harvestmere
9:38

When we arrived at the palace this afternoon, we were taken to the King's study where Zevran, Anora, Fergus and I sat comfortably in front of the fireplace. Before I could say anything, Anora and Fergus looked at Zevran and nodded their heads.

Zevran explained that before my father was first abducted, Titus was a magister with no family and no property. Not long after Maric was stolen away from the Tellari swamp, Titus quickly grew powerful, first magically, then because it's Tevinter, politically. His fortress at Ath Velanis is seemingly impregnable.

When I asked his how he knew this, he gave me his typically enigmatic smile and said that he has his own informants now.

Then he told me that he has been serving as a negotiator between our King and Queen and the Crows. Both parties want the traitor-talon Valisti and Titus eliminated.

Zevran does not think that Titus' rise to power and my father's abduction were unrelated. According the Zev, Titus leads a very secretive dragon cult "Manaveris Dracona" - long live the dragons. Kolgrim thought he had a cult, but Zevran said that compared to Titus they were like children playing with toys.

'Okaaaay' I was thinking, 'what does this have to do with my father?'

So, I asked.

According to Zevran, he learned about a legend the Qunari had about Calenhad, before he became king. The legend claims that he drank the blood of a great dragon, which gave him the strength to fight and become King,

Yes…you heard me…(or read me, or whatever else you do as a journal)…he drank the blood of a great dragon.

Anyway.

The legend also claims that the power of that dragon's blood runs through the blood of all male descendants of King Calenhad. That would include my father and, apparently, me.

Titus' dragon cult, his rise to power, and the timing of my father's abduction may seem like unrelated events until you take into account the Qunari legend. If the legend is true, then it all makes sense and Titus has somehow used my father's blood to fuel his power.

If Titus has been using my father's blood over the past eight years, he may still be alive!

Zevran explained that with Titus dead, it would be possible to enter Ath Velanis and, hopefully, rescue him.

It was at that point that Anora and Fergus adjourned our meeting for dinner. They told us that we would continue the discussion in the morning. I took dinner in my room because I am still trying to sort all of this out.

30 Harvestmere
9:38

Things are sorted out. On the 6rd of Haring, Zevran and I will be attending a ball in Qarinus, to kill a magister – then infiltrate his fortress to find my father.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

We met with Anora and Fergus after breakfast, and Zevran shared the identity of one of his informants.

Varric.

How does Varric have information about a Tevinter Magister? Well, his late cousin Thorold was married to a Magister named Maevaris Telani. Varric, who is very fond of his cousin's widow, keeps in contact with her. Mae (he calls her Mae) is the source of our information on Titus, and she can get Varric and I into the Ball.

At first, I was dubious about killing a powerful magister, but according to Zevran (and Mae), away from Ath Velanis he is vulnerable. He can be poisoned like any other, and if you put a dagger through his heart he will die. It is getting through his entourage that Zev says is the most problematic. Which is why the ball is the ideal place. As an elf, Zev can blend in with the servants and slaves and strike from there. Then there is Varric and his crossbow.

So where do I come in? I have Templar abilities. I can temporarily take Titus down, if Zevran needs help. As for Ath Velanis, if we can kill Titus, the Qunari will attack the fortress to give us time to get in. No, Zevran would not tell me how he managed that deal.

Anora and Fergus made it clear that they were asking but not commanding me to go. That if the unthinkable happens, my family will be supported and under the Crown's protection. They also said that I had time to think about it. But I didn't need to. I said I'd go. Everyone looked at me in surprise.

I don't know why. It's my father. I have to try and rescue him.

6 First Fall, 9:38 Dragon

Alistair is going to Qarinus to kill the Magister who abducted his father. Lily is 7 months old, we have finally settled in and now he wants to go a kill a magister. He said his templar powers would help, but this isn't a straight up fight. This fight requires an assassin, which Zevran is, and stealth, which Alistair has not!

At first, when he told me, I was furious at Anora and Fergus because I thought they were forcing him to go. I was trying to come up with ways to fight this.

Then Alistair told me that he wasn't forced, that it was his choice.

My world spun. I felt faint and quickly sat down on the bed. His choice? How could he make this kind of decision without even talking to me? I thought we were partners in all things?

I asked him that. He told me that this was a special case, that it was his father who may still be alive.

I tried to talk him out of it. I tried to reason with him. I told him that he would be leaving Dennet shorthanded. He said he had that worked out. I tried any logical argument that came to mind. What if this Magister isn't as vulnerable as Zevran believes? What if this legend of Calenhad was just that: a legend? All to no avail.

Alistair was clearly frustrated with me and finally snapped, "What would you do if it were your father?

I was stunned by the question. I thought about it, but I shook my head. I told him I wouldn't abandon him and our children to do it, and my father would have agreed.

He said that he wasn't abandoning us. I began to cry, and then I begged and pleaded for him to stay. I asked him what would happen to our family if he died? Lily would grow up not knowing him.

He said he was sorry, but that he had to do this. For his father, but also for himself, and for Ferelden. He even tried to joke by saying "At least Titus isn't the Archdemon."

I just stared at him, I remembered what he said in Kirkwall the morning before we killed the high dragon. 'That's what I'm here for. To be your partner in all things and comfort you with witty one-liners.' I reminded him of that and told him that he seemed to have forgotten the partner part, and the humor was not a comfort.

Wiping my eyes, I stood up and started to leave the room. I felt we had to tell Siobhan and Cricket. He gently took hold of my arm and asked me not to leave.

I pulled my arm away and I told him that when I woke up this morning my life was complete, relaxed, and happy. Now, I find out that my husband agreed to take on a mission that has a good chance of taking him away not just for a couple of months, but forever.

I left the room.

6 First Fall
9:38

Marnie and I had a huge fight. Yes, it was about my going to Tevinter. I have never seen Marnie look so hurt, not even after Leandra died. I know it's my fault, but I don't know what to do about it. I can't not go. If I had talked her first, maybe I could have lessened the surprise, but I still would have chosen to go. I am at a complete loss.

On top of that, telling Cricket and Siobhan was harder than I thought it would be. Both of them were frightened. Marnie, despite her fear, told them how my templar abilities could really make the difference, and how Maric was the life blood of Ferelden, and how Ferelden was never the same without him.

After, when I went to our bedroom I found Marnie standing by the fireplace. She looked at me when I came in, all I saw was hurt and anger.

I told her I was grateful for her help with telling Cricket and Siobhan. She simply nodded. Then I asked her how could she say all of that about my father, and not see why I have to go?

Her voice sounded strained as she tried not to cry, "Because you are my life blood, and all I can see is it pooling on the floor." Then she ran out of the room. I was going to go after her, but what would be the point of that? I decided to just go to bed. Perhaps a solution will present itself in my dreams, as none has made it presence known while I was awake.

7 First Fall
9:38

I woke up this morning and reached for Marnie, but she wasn't there. I opened my eyes and realized that she hadn't come to bed last night, so I went to find her. Marnie was coming out of Lily's room. She startled when she saw me. Clearly she had slept there as well. I asked her why.

She said, "Because it hurts too much to be near you right now."

I asked how long she would be sleeping in the Lily's room.

"Until you leave for Tevinter."

That summed up the rest of the day.

~oOOo~

AN This was a tough chapter to write and I am grateful to my Beta ElyssaCousland for her help and support. Thank you to Melysande and Judy for your reviews.