It was late afternoon as the setting sun broke the clouded sky, in many vibrant colors, as if to say, thank you . Varel had waited until the King left to inform her Ladyship of several people and things that needed her immediate attention.
"Commander, a word?"
Deedolit smiled with a nod. "If you please for now, just Deedo."
"As you wish. Some nights ago we had a thief on the premises, before the attacks. We have him held in the cells." Seeing the lady process continued. "There is also to be a treasurer arriving as well as your Guard Captain later tonight or tomorrow."
Deedo again nodded. "Why later? Were they not here?" She did not recall seeing anyone other than a handful of unarmed men and women when she arrived.
"They were not. During the first attack, we sent them to the city for safety. If you recall, most of the Order are missing." Varel stated.
"Yes. I believe Alistair, His Majesty, is also worried about this."
Varel nodded. "There was one who was unaccounted for. Still in the field, Kristoff."
"Is he returning?" Taking out a small leather-bound journal wrote things in it.
"Reports came in that they sent him to find why the Darkspawn did not return after the death of the Archdemon. He went to track down any leads."
Deedo jotted another note in her journal. "Right. How long has he been searching? Just him alone?"
Varel nodded solemnly, thinking of the last time he saw Kristoff come back. "It was but a fortnight ago he left towards Amaranthine if memory serves."
Deedo jotted it down. "Yes."
Varel became distracted by her quick note-taking. "My Lady. May I inquire why you are taking notes?"
Deedo looked surprised. "They are not for me." She chuckled. "They are for my daughter." She explained partly what happened when she came to Ferelden with her family. Varel, indeed surprised, this was how Lady Swiftleaf became the Acting Commander. Deedo included the original thought she had. "As for the treasurer and guard, we should not have them wait. Are the rooms clean for every… please forget I asked that. I will have everything cleaned before too long." She had to mind her words, always thinking further than she should.
Varel chuckled. He understood her meaning. "You should not have to worry about that, my lady. I am here to handle the simpler tasks. I will send word now."
The Elven Elder laughed. "You sound like my children. I shall let you know now. You are company with someone who will make sure it is a joint effort."
"Pardon if I seem skeptical. You do not seem over your sixteenth season. After seeing firsthand what you can become, I will say you are not someone I would dare contend with." Varel bowed his head.
Deedo smiled politely. "You are a master of honey words."
Then speaking in her King's tongue. It astounded the human next to her. His thoughts took a pause, almost forgetting the task he had. Watching with interest, he saw her pull a clear broken stone from her cloak. She retreated into the office once more with her crooking a finger for him to follow.
The clear stone glowed brightly. When she spoke again, after placing it on the floor. A sliver of light formed as a portal, then opened wide. On the other side stood a tall white-haired Elven man.
Xellexes looked his dearest cousin over, seeing the blood dried and tears in her clothing, an eyebrow raised. "Cousin?"
She grinned. "Thank you, cousin." Deedo hastily waved so the portal could close.
Eight able-bodied people were through. "Friends. This is Varel the Seneschal, you may take instruction from him or myself. I will now hasten your productivity. There is much work to be done." Once instruction given, she waved her hands once again.
"Yes, my Lady." They announced in unison. When they left, they went straight to work. The speed at which the older man saw them move out of the door caused him to gawk.
"How, the language?" Pointing after them, finding his voice.
"From my home. It is unlike what is here. Shall you send word to Amaranthine for me?"
"Yes, of course."
Deedo clapped her hands, pointing to where she thought the kitchen would be. "I will see the kitchens now."
"As you wish. This way." Varel turned in the other direction, leading her there.
Private salon in the City of Amaranthine.
There were those who were loyal to Rendon Howe, who had been in discussions since early in the afternoon. When they heard he had fallen at the hands of the Hero of Ferelden , the buzz was that they were most worried about the promises made to them.
"With Howe gone, what are we to do about what they owe?" One gentleman spoke.
Others murmured in agreement, mostly chatting amongst themselves.
A gruff man voiced his opinion. "If Rendon had not been so damned greedy, he would still be alive today. We all know it."
"Very true."
"So right." They agreed again. One of the oldest noble families sat with them, second to the Howe family. Sipping her tea and nibbling tarts said little.
Another one of the lesser families chimed in. "If that bastard of Maric's had appointed Esmerelle as the new Arl and not those damnable Orlesians, she could have solved this matter." Coyly looking over at the woman at the head of the table. "Is that right, you Ladyship?"
All stopped the idle chatter, looking to the appointed leader of them. "Yes, Esmerelle can right this." They were in complete agreement.
Esmerelle put her cup down with a sigh. "I will head to The Vigil in two days' time."
"Esmerelle, are you going to see this… this usurper?"
With a soft smile, she nodded. "To go swear fealty, of course."
"Why ever would you do such a thing?"
"I need to first hand see this so call Murderer of Ferelden. I mean Hero." The Bann smirked. The group tittered and chuckled. "If she does not comply with our gentle persuasion. There are other ways of dealing." Esmerelle added, picking her refilled cup again, taking another sip.
Vigil's Keep Dungeon.
Deedolit took with her a tray of food and drink to the Keep Cell. "Thank you." Speaking to the guard who held the door open for her.
Entering, she walked up the single torch-lit darkened hall. "Who?" came from further in the room.
"Bringing food for the prisoner. The Seneschal bid I come." She announced.
"Why anyone would come see him is beyond me." The man guarding the cell said. "We held him up safe and comfortable while my good friends went fighting."
Deedo smiled softly. "You are welcome then. I saved several when I arrived today."
To his shock, his words escaped his thought. "Ma'am… I mean, Commander!"
Deedo laughed lightly. In the cell, she could see the straw bare floor with a man sitting staring at her like an angry, trapped animal. She had placed the tray she carried down.
"There is food in the kitchens. Please leave him to me." She held her hand out for the key.
"Are you certain?" The guard asked.
Deedo nodded. The jangling of keys passed from one hand to the next. When the guard left, she turned her attention to the man.
"Good evening. My name is-"
"I know very well who you are. You are the one who murdered my father."
Taken aback, the most recent murder was that of the Darkspawn. "Unless your father was a blighted creature, you will have to be a touch more specific."
This murderer was making slight of his father's demise. He was further disturbed that they have passed his childhood home over to Orlais, the very people his family fought against for decades. All lost. Lost his family, the only survivor, she mocked his death? Standing, he lunged at her, hitting the metal bars. "Rendon Howe, a good man!" He shouted.
Deedo nodded. "Yes. Though I had nothing to do with his death." The Beguiler shrugged, waving a dismissive hand.
The boy's eyes narrowed in speculation. Deedo sighed. "If you allow me to explain. I will be happy too. But may I hear your story first?" Unlocking his cell door, she opened it fully, took a seat at the small table she placed the tray on. "Would you care for a hot meal and drink?" She offered a seat.
Wryly, he glared at the woman. Before standing, he looked at the chest near the cell; the top window, not big enough for him to get through, the door leading out, as well as the woman who sat between him and freedom.
"Let us first start with proper introductions. My name is D'edolit Meleth Coacalina Swiftleaf. Yours?" Her aquamarine eyes bore into his.
Thinking once more about his escape settled. She continued. "If the food is not to your liking, I have sweet bread." Taking it from her cloak pocket placed it on the tray. "The food is not poisonous if that was your thought. I would not know the first thing about poisons." She poured the drink into the silver goblet on the tray. Taking a drink, she showed the drink was free to ingest. Then a bite of the food.
"If you let me go, I will not hesitate to come here again to kill you."
Deedo took another drink. Placing the goblet down, she stood to face him. "Go on."
His eye twitched. "You cannot be serious." Did she think it a game?
"I am. Very serious. Now. We can begin with civility or you may stay in here for another night." They stood staring at each other for a long while. The smell of the food tempted him.
Deedo spoke again. "Come eat." To see he still would not speak nor move. She waved a finger. The table, seat, and food levitated; she nuzzled it in the cell. The young man backed up, unsure of what he was seeing. From her cloak she pulled a thick cloak and a bedroll. Handing it to the boy, Deedo placed it on the floor, when he refused to take it. She closed the cell, locking it.
"Stubborn child." Leaving him with his dinner.
Vigil's Keep Courtyard.
A carriage with a few guards on horses rolled through the gates. Along with a handful of dwarves, several elves and wagons with various materials came in as well.
Varel came out to greet them just as Deedo came from the cells. "Commander." Varel called.
Deedo looked in his direction, taking one more glance at the door with a shake of her head. "Commander, I would like to introduce Mistress Woolsey and Captain Garevel."
Deedo smiled politely with an incline of her head. "Good evening."
Varel continued. "These were the people I spoke of earlier. Mistress Woolsey is the treasurer sent-"
"I shall speak for myself. The First Warden sent me. As he has no dealings with the matters in other countries. He just wishes our people, not the local men, handle the monies."
"Hey, 'local men.' Right here Mistress." Varel objected sighed with a roll of his eyes. He looked to see Deedolit, with a small smile on her lips. "We might discuss this in the morning? The Commander has had a long day."
Woolsey waved him off. She continued much to Deedolit's amusement. "Being that the Wardens are now led by nobility, seeing that has taken a slight interest. We have to allocate efficiently." Clearing her throat continued. "Caravans along Pilgrim's Path are being systematically attacked in the vicinity. Mind you, it is the only viable route for trade to flow. If nothing is being done, the Arling will continue to fall into decline." The older woman handed the tall elf the reports in her possession.
Varel agreed. He has seen the decline as it also worried him. Deedo nodded. "Understood. Is there someone in the Merchants Guild I could speak with?"
Mistress Woolsey smiled. "Yes. In Amaranthine, there is a trader. From the Guild named Mervis. His caravans have been hit particularly hard. Worse, it could have been Darkspawn. Though they linger in the area. Just seek the man out and he will know exactly."
Deedo pulled the journal from her cloak, taking down what the older woman said. Before turning to Garevel. "Goodnight Mistress Woolsey. And you, you are to be my Guard Captain?" Turning to face Garevel.
Dismissing the guards with him, they were off on their tasks. Facing the woman, her beauty astonished him. "Commander. I bring urgent news." Suddenly, becoming serious.
"Yes?"
"There is a darkspawn entrance recently discovered."
Deedo held up her hand. "Would it not be simpler to say another?"
"Ma'am?" Garevel questioned.
"There are many entrances into the Deep Roads. How is this one different?"
"Right, you would be correct in the matter, but the Orlesians, pardon, Wardens had gathered intel while they were here. A couple of trail hunters have stumbled across one."
Deedo nodded as she jotted in her book. "These hunters' names?"
"Colbert, the other escapes me. They were last seen near the city. Claimed that they stumbled upon it. They said the Darkspawn were all over. This was before they struck the whole arling."
Deedo stopped writing. She looked up at the young guard. Then to the Seneschal, then back to Garevel. "Before? Fortnight is fourteen days past. They sent Kristoff to track. I was in Soldier's… We left Denerim over a month ago." As she pondered, she grew more confused. This attack was not as recent as today. "Good night Captain." Deedo dismissed him, then headed to the gate.
Varel asked if she would sleep for the night. "No. I will change clothes. I need to speak with this, Colbert and Mervis." Turning to go into the Keep.
"Commander, it is late. You should rest." Varel reminded her.
"Right."
As they walked, Deedo worried. The attack was not recent. As many men and women that were noted in the Keep, if it has been more than a month, they may have all perished. Varel noticed her hand gripping tight over the small journal she held. The ones who helped sweep the Darkspawn out were already resting in their rooms.
Varel cleared his throat. "In two days, the nobles will come to swear their fealty."
"Let the boy go." Deedo unexpectedly said when they arrived at her room.
"Who?"
"The one locked up. Just let him go. Say nothing but kind words." Deedo put her hand on the door. A shimmer of magic spread from it and through the Keep.
"He injured four good men, my lady. His father-"
"Rendon Howe. My daughter killed him. His father. If the boy seeks revenge, he can try. Have two guards follow him. This was his home. He is not his father." Deedo looked as if she had been awake without an ounce of rest for many nights.
"As for their fealty, I will need a few extra days, if you can. If not, I understand."
Varel bowed his head. "I will see what can be done." as he wished her a good night's rest.
Vigil's Keep Dungeon.
Two escorting guards were waiting for the cell to be opened.
"Come, the Commander is allowing you to retrieve your things and any you wish to take with you."
The young man slowly got to his feet. Without another word, he collected his gear. Dressed, then followed out into the night air. He went to the family storage, gathering several trinkets he could possibly sell.
Then they escorted him to the gates. They closed once he was on the other side. Looking back, he looked up to the home that was once been in his family's name. Sitting in the window, he saw the Commander looking out into the night. Her long hair blew gently in the early summer breeze.
The thief turned to leave his former home, wondering why she would let him go after his threat. The Maker has the worst humor. The thief slipped off into the dark woods for someplace safe to spend the night.
Deedolit's Bedroom, Vigil's Keep.
Toss and turn, she could not find comfort. Sitting up, she grumbled. There was one thing she could do.
"Cousin?"
"Care to tell me now what happened to you?"
"Darkspawn."
"I will be right there." He was awake already and could be there in a moment.
"No. Do not inform the children. I can handle this. I just need extra runes for protection."
"Wish me to send them over. I brought plenty from home."
"Yes, please. I will contact you when I am in my study." Deedo wrapped herself in her feathered cloak, her feet hovering above the cool stone floor.
Meeting her cousin in her study, they set up runes outside the walls that protected the Keep to keep any darkspawn out that may attack.
Sundermount, Day 18, Month 6 - Justinian of Dragon.
"By the Dread Wolf! Are you well? Here, let me take you to our Keeper."
One of the Dalish that traveled the world. Forever to wander, never in place long found a child unconscious at the base of the mountain they made camp.
The months Flemeth spent in the city of Kirkwall were not unpleasant.
The time that Flemeth was in Kirkwall, she had only first come into the city every so often for food. When Flemeth praised for her exotic beauty, found a home from a wealthy patron who kept her well. It wasn't until she heard the rumors that someone was looking for the body she housed. Even the man who kept her was suspiciously describing her features when he had company over. She needed to leave the city, and fast.
Flemeth was fighting for full control. The shared soul of the Old God the young mage held was amplifying the blood of her forefathers. Flemeth could use the body. She could not hold the body for long before the mage would resist as if she were an illness. The old woman had not anticipated this. It should have been as simple as with her other daughters.
The distance she put between the city and herself took weeks. The strain of using the powers the mage had at her disposal fought against her as well. Flemeth was slowly losing control, and before long, she would blink out of existence. The last village she stopped in was Fintglass. Just at the edge of the Vimmark Mountains, she was close. She could feel it. Sundermount was not so far off. The boy she left her shard with will help her secure her body, with the extra power will gain her what she wants.
Days longer, she wandered the mountain paths. Every day a challenge, each step a leaden weight. Flemeth collapsed. She knew she was closer; Flemeth woke to overhear voices, many. She was among the Dalish. Her body exhausted, she smiled to herself. This Clan was in her Wilds, this Clan she knew.
The Fade of Ikal'antulien's mind, his childhood home of Felwithe.
It had been many months that Olett had slept. Dreaming, along with the brother she had no knowledge of prior, found she had a family who loved and missed her greatly. They shared memories with Ikal'antulien, his younger siblings. Lili'Enyel, Ruroni, and Tenkou, the twins. Of their Mamil , mother, Naneth, and Nad, grandmother and grandfather. He had taught her their King's tongue. Their cousin, Xellexes, his mother, and father.
"I still feel it odd to say, my mother. Mother. I have a Mother, and you, my brother!" Olett smiled up at her tall dark-haired sibling. He patted her head.
They had come to the home he knew in Felwithe. It was enormous. One room was as big as the joint room she shared as an Apprentice. She spent time with the woman who was her Naneth .
"Mother would often leave us to go on an expedition," Kal'an recalled. "We had everything we needed and more. Naneth doted on us."
Olett laid on the hanging circular bed, the sheer white curtains hung long, pooling on the floor. The smell of flowers filled her senses. Tall stained-glass windows cast rainbows in the sun's light. Feeling the warmth of the rays on her skin, she sighed.
Kal'an took her on journeys, he remembered, through the port city of Butcherblock. They reminded her of the dwarves of Orzammar. Kal'an agreed.
They took a passenger ship across the sea, her first time seeing the sea, clung to his arm. They docked at the human city of Freeport; the guards looked at her as if they would attack. They reminded her of the Templars in the tower. Kal'an reminded her she was safe with him. They then came to the vast grasslands that the locals call the Commonlands. Olett saw various wildlife, where Kal'an identified all the animals within their line of sight. Where, for the first time, close to see a griffin. She realized her Order.
"Kal'an?"
"Hm?"
"You remember nothing of your father?"
"I do not."
Olett gave detail of the man, who was born a farmer's son, to become the noble Hero of River Dane . And Teyrn of Gwaren. Spoke of the books she read about him, his adventures, with Rowan, Maric, and Lady Deedolit. It was not just books she spoke of about Loghain, several times she has spoken to the man. When the duo continued towards the Lord's home in Qeynos, they crossed the Plains of the Karana.
The sun was going down; they needed to find lodgings; stopping at a small village en route. They shared a meal, then settled by the fire.
"The night before the battle. He told me of his relationship to you. See, I had given him a letter that we found on you. It was hastily written, but the words were clear to me. Eteir stood out the most. You said to tell your mother and Eteir you loved them and will miss them." The small mage saw Kal'an was in deep thought. "I had translated this unknown language to him. He told me you called him that, as no one would know he was your father. Only Maric knew."
Kal'an tried to remember. He tried desperately. He remembers the day he fell; the Prince turned King, his best friend. He remembers Maric. Though he could not place Loghain. A sudden scream shattered the quiet of the room.
"Olett!" He was at her side in an instant. She whimpered her breathing hard. It had happened before, he noticed.
This time, she shook violently in his arms. Kal'an was at a loss. He knew not what to do. Her skin was hot and her color drained. Scales formed along her shoulders and arms, her eyes tightly closed. Could she be dreaming within a dream? He thought. Petting her head, he felt sharp barbs within her hair, ivory. Then it would fade away just as quickly.
Olett's body shifted from her own to that of a growing dragon. Whatever was happening, what she was fighting, she could not tell him.
Looking around the dissolving Fade, he saw a bright light off in the distance. It looked like the one he came through when he first entered to wait for Olett's arrival. He had to take a chance. It was his only chance to figure out what was wrong with his young sister. Carrying her body in his arms, he headed in the direction. When it faded, he kept walking. It would appear again, he knew it would. Now it felt like days he was walking. When the light flashed again it felt familiar, he called out with all his strength.
"UNCLE!"
Xellexes stopped mid-step.