Alistair opened his mouth, but I shook my head.
"There's something she didn't tell us. And I bet I know what it is."
He blinked at me. I glanced around, but no one seemed on the same page as me.
"The demon is Connor. And she knows it."
"What? That is a serious accusation." Wynne chastised me.
"Think about it, though. First, she said she managed to slip out of the castle but later, she said 'it allowed me to come for you, Teagan, because I begged, because I said Connor needed help.' So that means she's seen it. She had to have, in order for it to give her permission."
Wynne and Morrigan both nodded, following along.
"Connor is the obvious host, because otherwise, why would the demon even be worried if some kid died? No offense." My eyes were drawn to Alistair's flinch.
"The child is possessed? But…killing the demon would mean killing the-" Wynne paused, mulling it over, "Unless someone enters the Fade. If we had a group of mages…. We could go to the Tower and request aid, but we would have to leave this very moment. Lives are at stake."
My shoulders dropped slightly in relief that there was another way to go about this, "Yes. The majority would, but a few have to stay here, to make sure the situation doesn't get worse."
"I want to stay." Alistair declared, "I-"
"No."
He retreated a step, taken aback by my abruptness, "What? Why not?"
"You're personally involved with the people this is centered around. You wouldn't do what you had to, if it came down to letting someone die for the good of everyone else."
He puffed up, but I held up a hand.
"No. You know I'm right. Everyone else does, too. Besides, one of us has to go, and they're more inclined to listen to the adult. I know we all helped them, but I wouldn't be taken as seriously."
"I agree with the girl. You would do more good at the Tower." Wynne said, a motherly tone in her voice.
"And you, as well."
"What?" it was her turn to be indignant.
"You lived there, grew up with them. You're respected among mages and Templars alike."
"I…I suppose you're right." She grudgingly acceded.
"And if we're sneaking in through a secret passage, then the only sensible ones to send are Leliana, Zevran, and me, really."
"You will need a healer to-"
A light chuckle came from Zevran, "We will only need a healer, if we make a mistake, no?"
"He is right. As long as we keep out of sight and catch any enemies we come across by surprise, we will be fine." Leliana added, sounding confident.
I loved rogues. They were always so sure of their abilities.
"Everyone else should go with you. The less of us who stay behind, the better. I did tell Isolde that we would be leaving soon."
My fellow Warden rubbed the back of his neck, no doubt debating with himself the validity of my plan. Or how to gracefully say it was the best course of action. Not to toot my own horn.
"Alright. I understand. Wynne, could you really convince them to let the mages come to Redcliffe?"
"As long as we tell Irving and Gregoire about the possession, yes. The Templars will have to come, but think of it as an extra layer of protection."
"Alright. We'll group up on the other side of the bridge when everyone is ready."
I watched my companions split up, some heading in to town presumably to visit the blacksmith, while Alistair and Seraphine went to the meeting spot.
Glancing at Leliana and Zevran, I gave a nod, which they returned.
"Either of you want to do anything before we go in to demon territory?"
"And prolong the fun?" the assassin smirked, "I wouldn't dream of it."
"I am looking forward to this." The red haired woman grinned, "Shall we be on our way, then?"
I held out my hand.
"Oh, did you want this?" she dropped Teagan's ring on to my palm.
I shook my head, giggling, "I love pickpockets. Let's do this."
We snuck in to the windmill, searching for the trapdoor. It was easily found, only hidden by a layer of straw.
On to the castle with a surprise party for the demon.
The passage led to the dungeons. It was quiet and simple, until we heard the yelling.
A man, locked in a cell, was shouting at... Corpses clawed at the cell door, trying to find a way inside to get at him.
Leliana knocked an arrow, aimed, and let loose on them. They fell before a single one of them knew we were there.
"Hello? Who's there? Is there anyone alive out there?"
I rolled my eyes. No, they just happened to die again on their own.
The three of us quickly cut off the heads of the fallen before addressing the prisoner.
He was a mage, probably the same one Isolde had spoken of.
"Wait…you don't look like the arlessa's guards. Are you from outside the castle?"
"Possibly." Leliana took the lead, "Who might you be?"
"My name is Jowan. I'm a mage Lady Isolde hired to tutor her son, Connor. Until they, ahhh, threw me in to the dungeon here."
"Why? What have you done?"
"You don't know? I thought everyone knew; I poisoned Arl Eamon." He looked away.
"What of the walking corpses?"
"I…I know it looks suspicious, but I'm not responsible for the creatures and the killings in the castle. I was already imprisoned when all that began." Pushing away from the cell door, he paced agitatedly, "At first, Lady Isolde came here with her men, demanding that I reverse what I'd done. I thought she meant my poisoning of the arl. That's the first I heard about the walking corpses. She thought I'd summoned a demon to torment her family and destroy Redcliffe." Faced us again, "She…had me tortured. There was nothing I could do or say that would appease her. So they…left me to rot."
"Why did you poison Arl Eamon?"
"I was instructed to by Teryn Loghain. I was told that Arl Eamon was a threat to Ferelden, that if I dealt with him Loghain would settle matters with the Circle. You see," his eyes met each of ours, "I'm a maleficar; a blood mage."
"A blood mage? Well, that isn't good." Leli tsked.
"I dabbled in the forbidden arts, and they condemned me to death for it. I thought Loghain was giving me a chance to…redeem myself…. But he's abandoned me here, hasn't he?" Jowan pulled at his hair, "Everything's fallen apart, and I'm responsible! I have to make it right somehow, I have to!"
"Why did the Arlessa hire you to tutor her son?" I asked softly.
"Connor had started to show…signs. Lady Isolde was terrified the Circle of Magi would take him away for training."
"You were right." Leliana and Zevran.
"She sought an apostate, a mage outside the Circle, to teach her son in secret so he could learn to hide his talent, right?"
He nodded, surprised, "Her husband had no idea. I never meant for it to end like this. I swear. Let me help you fix this." He took a pleading tone.
"He wishes to redeem himself…doesn't everyone deserve that chance?" the archer looked to the ceiling, "Everyone deserves a chance to redeem themselves in the Maker's eyes, this man no less than any."
"I am not so sure. He is a blood mage…but this is an unusual situation, no?" Zevran mused aloud.
"Give me a chance, please!"
"How could you help?" I frowned, making him sweat.
"I'd…well, I'd try to save anyone still up there. There must be something I can do."
"And what if we just let you go? If we told you to leave and never look back?"
"I'd stay and try to help, if I could. Perhaps I can help deal with whatever's been unleashed here."
"And after that, what happens?"
"Afterwards? I assume I'll be arrested. Or executed. Or…whatever people like me get. I'm tired of running from the Circle. I need to account for what I've done."
I shook my head, "I don't believe you."
"I'm not surprised. So what now?" he hung his head, awaiting our verdict.
My companions exchanged looks while I stared in silence at the defeated man in front of us.
"I'm letting you out of your cell. Don't try anything."
I stepped forward, but Zevran stopped me with a hand on my arm.
"Allow me."
I motioned for him to continue. He deftly picked the lock, impressing me. He wasn't a top-notch assassin for nothing, it seemed. Why else would he have been sent to kill the unkillable Grey Wardens?
The door swung open, creaking slightly.
"Get out. I don't want to see you again."
"I…what?" he held up his hands, "No! I want to help make things right!"
"You can do that by leaving and living to fight another day. There are plenty of people out there that you can help with your magic. Don't throw it all away because of that bastard Loghain." I growled, drawing looks from everyone, "You might save someone later in life. Would you be able to do that, if you just gave up today? Or tomorrow? No. Now, quit your moping and suck it up, buttercup. And get out. Before. I. Make. You. Leave."
He blinked.
"By physical force, if necessary."
"I…but I'm a blood mage." Slack jawed, he slowly moved from the cell.
"But you're a good man, so go on. Get. Get on out of here, before we change our minds."
"Indeed." The assassin slid one of his blades free, stroking the steel teasingly.
Jowan bolted away from us, the thinly concealed threats too much for him.
"That was fun, but are you sure that right?" sounding disappointed, Zevran put his weapon away.
"Yeah. It was. He won't do anything to actively harm anyone, I'm sure of it."
"Is it the same as before, when you led us to the Tower?" Leliana questioned, sharp eyes on me.
"Oh?" interest oozed from the elf.
"No. It's not the same. I…it's more of a feeling, than anything. But I would stake my life on it. Anyway, we're wasting time we might not have."
"You are right. We can discuss this later, with Alistair present."
I groaned, why hadn't I thought of that? "Can you let me tell him, at least?"
She laughed, "Of course. I want to enjoy his reaction, not suffer with you."
"You're a terrible person, Leli." I sighed, shaking my head again.
The both of them chuckled.
"After you." The elf gestured for me to lead us.