Chapter 9: Secret of Love and Magic (Neria)

After Neria escorted Duncan to the guest quarters, she was greeted by Daylen, who told her that they need to talk to Jowan in the chapel. Neria was glad to see her friend in the yellow robe. As the two friends were walking to the chapel, they discussed their Harrowings.

- What kind of demon did you have? - Neria asked.

- There were three of them: the rage demon that I fought, the sloth demon that I forced to help me, and the pride demon that pretended to be my ally. The last one was pretty creepy with its "Keep your wits about you, mage", I quickly recognized it. And what did you have?

- The desire demon. It was pretending… well, that's personal.

Neria did not want to say that the desire demon from her Harrowing was in the form of Cullen and she almost succumbed to it.

- What was it, my friend, a huge pile of cheese? I know how much you like it.

Daylen and Neria passed by Keili, who was eagerly praying to Maker, and met Jowan. With him was a red-haired girl in Chantry robes.

- I think I've seen you before, - Neria said, glancing at the girl.

- This is Lily, she works here, - Jowan introduced her. - And we…we are together. Lily, these are my friends Neria and Daylen.

- I'm happy for you, my friend! Keep it up! - Daylen exclaimed.

Neria did not share her friend's enthusiasm. She immediately recalled her relationship with Cullen.

- In my opinion, Jowan, this is a bad idea. She is from the Chantry, she cannot have relationships with men, and with women, too, for that matter. The templars won't approve.

- We won't tell them, and we've already made up our minds, - Lily said.

- I guess you didn't invite us just to get to know each other, right? - Daylen asked.

- I overheard a conversation between Greagoir and Drass. They suspect Jowan of being a blood mage and want to tranquilize him!

- They'll take everything from me! My dreams, my desires, my feelings for Lily! Everything will be taken! - Jowan said plaintively.

- We want to escape, and we've already thought of everything, - Lily added. - But we can't do it without the help of a mage who has passed the Harrowing.

- Are you sure about that? - Neria asked. – Escape from the tower is difficult, avoiding capture outside it is unrealistic. Anders ran so many times and was caught every time. He has not yet been tranquilized just because he is a Harrowed mage!

- Don't even try it, Neria, we will not change our minds.

- I can't leave the friend in need, so I'll help you. But I won't escape with you.

- I'll help you, but on one condition, - Daylen said. - Jowan, look at me, swear on your feelings for Lily and tell me that you are not a blood mage.

Jowan did not hesitate to answer.

- I am not a blood mage. I swear on my love for Lily.

- Then I'm in.

- The templars keep phylacteries with the blood of apprentices in the basement. With the help of phylacteries, they track the fugitives. To open the basement door, you need a Rod of Fire, which only works in the hands of a mage who has passed the Harrowing. The rod can be taken from Owain's stockroom, but Owain will not give the wand without permission from a senior enchanter or Irving. First Enchanter would never issue a permission. Since Wynne and Uldred went to Ostagar, Leorah, Sweeney and Torrin are the only senior enchanters in the tower.

- I'll take care of the permission and the rod, - said Neria. - For now we'll go separate ways, tomorrow morning we will meet near the basement.

Neria left the chapel. Everything she had heard made her think. Ten years ago, when little Neria was brought from the village of Honnleath to the Circle Tower, Jowan became her only friend. And when Daylen got into the tower six years later, the three of them became friends. Their trinity was known to the whole Circle: the brave and charming Daylen, the smart and diligent Neria, and slacker Jowan, whom Daylen and Neria protected from all dangers. Neria will protect his friend this time, even if the danger is Jowan himself.

- Neria? What's happened? - asked Irving, surprised by her appearance in his office.

- Jowan is preparing an escape.

Neria had never been so sure that she was right.