Edited: Dec 2020/June 2024
09
Val Royaeux looked exactly how its name sounded: grandiose, and a bit ostentatious. It was Orlais' capital—Talia could recognize the show of wealth and power for what it was. Fitting perhaps, for a city that was also the capital of the Chantry. The way to the plaza was lined with religious statues, most of them depicting Maferath, Andraste's mortal husband.
It was interesting how the Chantry spent its time "assessing" the Chant of Light, striking out verses that seemed to contradict their teachings. When she learned that there were such things as Dissonant Verses, Talia's already low opinion of the Chantry fell even further. Editing religious texts to suit their needs?
Another that was removed had been the elves' involvement in freeing the land from the slavers' rule. Leliana had explained that the Chantry felt it prudent to remove any traces of elves allying with Andraste after the Exalted March on the elven land, the Dales. And it was the same reason the elves were considered as part of the lower class. The prejudice towards elves in Thedas was a lot worse than that in their world, and it made Talia's life a hundred times harder, being a strange-looking elf in the middle of a mage-templar war.
A scout reported to them as they reached the gates, updating them on the current situation in Val Royeaux. Although they'd only requested to meet with the officials of the Chantry, the clerics were determined for it to become a public spectacle.
"No doubt the work of those who wish to put themselves forward as Divine," Cassandra said in disgust. Leliana chose not to comment, but she left instructions with the scout before they headed to their inn.
As Right and Left Hands of the Divine, they were the two key people Talia needed to be present at the meeting. They, more than any of the others, knew how the Chantry worked. Leliana had argued that she couldn't simply leave her post. As Spymaster, she needed to constantly be apprised of all happenings, and being away from Haven made that difficult. Talia had sighed and grudgingly admitted that she valued their advice, and she smiled at the surprise in their eyes.
Being in Thedas was a huge trial, but they did much to help her with the transition, and though she never said it out loud, she was grateful that they were there to explain whenever there was something she didn't quite understand. Although she knew a huge part of it was that she was deemed as their "last hope", she still appreciated it when Cassandra and Leliana would speak to her about pressing matters and silently offered their support.
Cullen and Josephine were left in charge while they were away. And though Cullen still didn't trust her fully, and vice versa, the two remained professional in the way they interacted. Cullen had stopped gripping the hilt of his sword whenever she was around, which Talia considered a huge improvement.
She left Varric and Solas at Haven as well. Considering how delicate the situation was with the Chantry officials, Talia thought it best not to let any mages or non-humans anywhere near them.
Silence fell as they stepped foot in the inn, but Talia paid them no mind as one of their agents led them to their rooms. Just before he left, he whispered something into Leliana's ear that made her frown. As soon as the door closed, Talia turned to Leliana. "What news?"
"There's been sightings of templars within the city," she said.
"Did they say who it was?" Cassandra asked curiously. The warrior sounded hopeful, but Talia was less sure that they would be responsive.
"Knight Captain Reinard from the Ostwick Circle, and Lord Seeker Lucius were the only ones of standing that could be recognized."
"Lord Seeker!" Cassandra said incredulously. "Will they be present at the council?"
"From the various reports, it seems the Chantry wants it to be a public debacle instead of the small meeting we wanted." Leliana sighed. "We intercepted a few letters from Mother Hevara to the Templars; she's adamant to have you arrested and publicly tried for your crimes."
Talia simply raised her eyebrow. "She can most certainly try."
Cassandra scowled. "I do not think the Templars returned to Val Royeaux simply to go back to the Chantry, not after the way they left."
"And where are they now?" Talia asked.
"Not surprisingly, they refused the Chantry's offer of meals and lodging, and opted to stay at the Auberge de la Bonne Fortune. The Lord Seeker travels to and from the Grand Cathedral with a few of his Templars, although we have no intel on what they've spoken about."
Then why were they here? Talia looked out the window, the sun was setting in the horizon. Perhaps a little stroll around the marketplace wouldn't hurt. A little charm and persuasion could get all those merchants to gossip.
"I'll head down to the marketplace," she said decisively. "I'd like to have a chat with the locals."
"You should not go alone," Cassandra all but growled.
"You're intimidating when you aren't trying, and terrifying when you are. None of them will talk to me with you around."
"It is too dangerous for you to bandy around, especially with the price on your head," Leliana cautioned.
"Then tail me." She shrugged. "But reconnaissance is best done in that den of gossipers than anywhere else."
It took much persuasion, but the two finally relented. Talia would be tailed by two of their best scouts, and Cassandra would be roaming the area as well. Leliana had opted to stay behind at the inn and see what she could find out there.
Establishing rapport with the locals was both easy and difficult. Despite the Chantry's best efforts to quell the rumors about the Herald of Andraste, quite a number were still curious about her. They feared her, as she suspected they would, but they were in awe of her as well. A few kind words spoken in gentle tones later, and most opened up to her easily.
Unfortunately, none of them knew anything of import about the templars and their reason for being in Orlais. Speculations varied from them wanting to come back to the Chantry to more outrageous ones like the Lord Seeker planning to seat himself on the Sunburst throne.
Talia gave that woman an incredulous look, and she blushed. "Well, after the giant hole in the sky, anything's possible."
Yes, like me appearing in another world, she thought wryly.
As she smiled and spoke about the Inquisition to various townspeople, successfully recruiting a few suppliers to their cause, she heard a raised voice shout in Orlesian, and the stuttering of another.
Talia turned her head towards the spectacle. A man stood over a servant girl, whose head was bowed in what Talia assumed to be shame.
He shouted at the girl in Orlesian, and every word seemed to pierce her. When he saw Talia observing, he sneered at her before turning in his heel and walking away. The girl followed at a more sedate pace, her head lowered in deference, but Talia could see her eyes burning with hatred. Nobody seemed to be alarmed at what happened, and the dunmer figured it was the norm in the city, or he was of too high standing that he could get away with doing whatever he pleased.
Something caught Talia's eye at the other side of the market. Partially hidden in the shadows, a blonde elf lay glowering at the pair. She looked surprised when she met Talia's eyes, and she stuck her tongue out at her, before stepping back and blending in with the crowd.
The dunmer thought nothing of it, until she found an arrow embedded on her windowsill that night, with a note and red handkerchief attached to it. Talia subtly inspected it for any poisons before taking the note. She raised an eyebrow as she skimmed the text.
"Word's out that the Inquisition wants to close up the big hole in the sky. I want to help. A little birdie told us the highborn scum from the market wants the Herald dead. Follow the red thingies and it'll lead you to the baddies. - A Friend"
There were squiggles bordering the note, and a rather badly drawn map below the text.
When Leliana entered her room a few minutes after, she simply looked at Talia's leather armor before speaking. "Planning a night out?"
"I'd like to know whose house this is." Talia handed Leliana the note as she secured the straps on her armor. She had a new one commissioned, since she'd been getting strange looks for walking around in robes. And she was sure everyone would have her burned at the stake if they saw her in her Black Hand robes. They were more ceremonial to her at any rate, since it would have been highly impractical for her to infiltrate strongholds wearing such loose clothing. Talia never did understand how Lucien could traipse around undetected in those things.
Leliana called for an agent and handed her the map, before shutting the door. "Who was that note from?"
"Found it on my window. I don't know whom it's from."
"It mentioned highborn scum from the market," Leliana remarked.
"There was a noble," she recalled. "Shouting at his young servant, and he strode around as if he owned the place. I didn't catch his name, however. There was an elf too, at the far end of the market. Blonde. She stuck her tongue out at me when I saw her glaring at the two."
"Could be a trap," Leliana said as she leaned by the door.
"Could be," Talia agreed as she sheathed her daggers and attached them to her belt. "Which is why I'll be surveying the place before I actually meet up with this Friend."
There was a knock on her door, and Leliana answered it. She exchanged a few words with the agent and nodded before closing the door and turning back to Talia.
"Lord Apollinaire Chastain," Leliana announced. "A minor noble. He owns the Auberge de la Bonne Fortune and has trading posts in Jader and Starkhaven. His closest relative and heir, Roland Chastain is a supporter of the Inquisition. We don't have much information on him, but our agents have confirmed that he was the same man shouting at his servant in the market when you were there."
"Isn't that Auberge place the same inn the templars are staying in?" Talia said.
"Yes," Leliana confirmed. "Although there haven't been any sightings of them speaking or communicating, this new information gives us further insight on their decision not to stay with the Chantry."
"The note says he wants me dead. Do the templars intend to dispose of me as well? Does Chastain have a reason to hate the Inquisition?"
"Not that we currently know of," she said. "We cannot jump to conclusions about the templars' reasons for being here, but we cannot discount this information. With all this wordplay, I can only assume they are a member of the Friends of Red Jenny." Leliana studied the note. "They're a leaderless organization, and they operate more on a favor to favor basis than anything else. They don't take in anybody they deem as rich or noble, so all who operate it are from the lower or servant class." She handed the note back to Talia.
"And what's their purpose?" The dunmer folded and shoved it into one of her pockets.
"Ease the lives of the poor, and the marginalized. Something you can relate to, yes?"
Talia ignored Leliana's knowing smile as she opened the window. "Don't have me tailed. I might end up having to kill Chastain, and I'd rather none of our agents see me do it." She slipped on her Ring of Khajiiti and climbed out of the window onto the streets of the city.
Val Royeaux looked even more splendid in the evening. Lanterns were lit and cast the area in a warm soft glow. Talia stuck to the shadows as she made her way to Chastain's house. She made sure to cast an invisibility spell before scaling the walls.
She landed on the soft grass of Chastain's garden. There were a few guards patrolling, but Talia stuck to the shadows and observed them. As one of the guards entered, Talia slipped through the door before it closed shut.
As she stalked down the corridors, mentally noting which turns she took, she admired the intricacy of the carpet designs, and raised an eyebrow at the gaudy statues and paintings that filled the halls. She passed a few servants who were muttering about where the lord and his guest could shove their requests, and followed them on their way to Chastain's salon.
She entered the room and positioned herself in a corner near the window, both to prevent them from running into her, and give her better access to an escape route if need be. The room was spacious, and Chastain's guest was seated on the armchair near the fireplace.
"And what took you so long to deliver the wine?" Chastain reprimanded the young girl, who bowed her head in submission. "Never mind, just get out of my sight!" He slammed the door in the girl's face, and he turned back to his companion, whose expression, Talia noted, was impassive. "Forgive my staff's incompetence." He sat back down on the opposite chair. "I try to have these rats trained, but I can only do so much for their weak minds."
He poured a glass of wine and handed it to his companion. The man gave Chastain an assessing look before sipping it. Talia could not tell what he was based on his clothing. He did not look like a noble, nor was he dressed like a mercenary. However, the sword strapped on his waist, and the way his eyes darted around the room suggested that he was at the very least, a trained warrior.
Chastain looked nervous as he tapped a finger at his thigh, waiting for the man to speak.
"She arrived today in the city," the man finally said.
"With the Left and Right Hands of the Divine," Chastain nodded, and Talia frowned at their words. So it seemed her Friend's note wasn't wrong.
"The Elder One wants her alive." Talia's ears pricked. The Elder One? Was he the enemy they'd been looking for?
"May I ask why, Ser Conall?" Ser Conall? Was he a knight? A templar?
"No, you may not," Conall said, setting down the glass and still fixing Chastain with a cold stare. There was something unnerving about him that Talia could not put a finger to. But he seemed to be making Chastain uncomfortable, as he was barely restraining himself from fidgeting.
"You said you would provide us every resource available to you," he went on. "And you know where this woman is staying, so tell me: when can we expect her to be delivered to us?"
"I cannot simply have her grabbed! She is with very skilled warriors! It would be suicide," Chastain exclaimed, and Conall leveled him with an unimpressed look.
"The Elder One would be most displeased with this news. Perhaps next time one of your servants tries to tell the authorities about your…magical problem, we won't be there to intervene on your behalf."
Chastain was a mage? Talia knew there were apostates, but to be hiding in plain sight…
The noble stiffened, but he did not rage at the man, as Talia had expected. "What you ask is impossible."
Conall stood up and was in front of Chastain in one fluid motion, sword in hand. "Perhaps I might decide to tell them that I'd discovered that you were a blood mage." He made a show of examining his sword, and Chastain looked as if he might faint any time soon. "And that I was forced to cut you down."
"N-now, let's not be too hasty, ser! Indoril is staying in Orlais for a week! Plenty of time!" Chastain stuttered.
"Hmph." Conall sheathed his blade. "Make sure she's delivered within the week, Chastain. Or you'll find that my wrath pales in comparison to the Elder One's."
And with those parting words, he strode out of the room. It took Chastain a moment to recover, before he rushed after the man, Talia following him closely.
"I know my way out, Lord Chastain," Conall said.
"Will I ever meet the Elder One?" Chastain asked as they reached the foyer.
Conall turned to him slowly. Wordlessly, he held out his hand, and an invisible force slammed into the noble, and he dropped onto fours, vomiting on the floor.
A holy smite. Talia had seen it in action, but none of those mages reacted as badly as Chastain did. it confirmed that Conall actually was a templar.
He eyed the nobleman frostily, before walking away. Chastain breathed in deeply before shakily getting on his feet. He leaned heavily on a pillar, and stared in the direction Conall left, cursing under his breath. Talia followed him back to his chambers.
As the door shut behind them, Talia decided it was the best time to show herself. She needed to interrogate him, and she'd already decided that Chastain was not going to live past tonight. His death would alert the templars, and this Elder One, but it was for the best. If his assets and properties were passed down to his heir, then they would be used to help the Inquisition.
"So," Talia had the immense pleasure of seeing Chastain turn around quickly, eyes wide and afraid as he saw her. "I see you were contracted to kidnap me. Quite a laughable idea, really."
"Herald of Andraste! H-how—"
Talia walked towards him slowly, and to her delight, he backed away quickly. When he opened his mouth to shout, Talia cast a silence spell at him, and his eyes grew in horror as he realized he couldn't speak.
She flicked a dagger into her hand and buried it in his shoulder. His mouth was open in a silent scream, and he trembled as he looked at her. She leaned in and spoke softly.
"Now, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way, Lord Chastain," Talia said. "The easy way, is that I ask you questions, and you answer them truthfully. The hard way." She twisted the knife and Chastain's knees buckled, his face contorted with pain. "I doubt you'd want that. The question is, are you going to be good and cooperate?"
She'd never seen a man who agreed so quickly. Talia tied his wrists together, and shoved him onto a chair before removing the dagger from his shoulder. She cast a muffling charm on the door before lifting the silence spell.
Predictably, Chastain shouted for help, and Talia shook her head at him.
"Nobody can hear you," she said. "I made sure of that." Bringing her hands together, she gathered her magic and cast a blood boiling spell, making him thrash wildly. After a few moments, she released it, and he slumped forward in his chair.
"I'm s-sorry. P-please, stop."
"Sorry?" she feigned. "I'm afraid I didn't hear what you said." She hit him with a particularly strong shock spell in his direction, and he screamed so loudly, they could have heard him all the way to their inn.
"Please s-stop. I'll tell you everything." He sobbed.
"Good," she said. "Let's start with the basics then. Is Conall a templar?" Just to be sure.
"Y-yes."
"And you provide services to him in exchange for his silence?"
"I used to give them g-gold. But after the start o-of the mage-templar war, they asked for s-services."
"You're doing well so far," she praised him. "What kind of services do they ask of you?"
"Transportation, accommodations…other things." At Talia's raised brow, he hastily added, " I-I'm running a group of mercenaries, I hire them t-to k-kill or k-kidnap whoever they ask me to. So that it can't be connected to them."
"And who are their usual targets?"
"I-it—," when he hesitated, she touched his skin and seared it with a mild flame spell. "It used to be m-mages! Apostates! B-but when they started serving the Elder One, h-he had us take templars and s-some Seekers."
Talia's eyes narrowed. "And what do they want with the templars and seekers?"
"I-I don't know." When Talia raised a hand, he shouted, "I swear!" And she lowered it.
"So, tell me, who is this Elder One?"
"I-I don't know! All I know is that he's leading them now! I swear! Please!"
He's leading them? Was the Elder One the Lord Seeker Lucius? There was a commotion just outside the door, and the sound of choking and bodies hitting the floor could be heard. Talia realized that it must be her mysterious Friend.
"Last question." Her eyes hardened. "Who is your informant?"
"W-what do you mean?"
"Name your informant inside the Inquisition and on my honor as the Herald of Andraste, I won't kill you."
Conell licked his lips as he contemplated his answer. "Korrim, his name is Korrim,"
Talia watched him carefully, and she smiled, knowing he was telling the truth. "Thank you for your cooperation." She unlocked the door with a flick of her wrist, and soon enough someone slammed the door open.
As she'd predicted, it was indeed, the blonde elf from the market. She held her bow taut as she spoke. "Just say 'what'."
And like the fool he was, Chastain spoke, "What is the—" And he took an arrow to the head. She snorted as she lowered her bow.
"An idiot is what he was, innit?" she said as she approached Chastain. "Blah blah blah, I'm the greatest thing that's ever lived. Bitch had it coming for a long time,"
Talia remained silent, unsure what to make of the elf. Her mismatched clothes and choppy hair suggested a financially-challenged background. But she was particularly good with the bow and with sneaking, if she managed to kill so many guards while wearing such a brightly colored outfit.
"Torturing him, were you?" She eyed the wound on his shoulder. "He deserves it. Saw you at the market looking at the arse," the elf said suddenly. "Nobody bothers him with what he does anymore, nobody cares about us little people."
"Is that why you killed him?" Talia asked.
She snorted. "Yeah, I mean not just that. He wants you dead, and so I killed him. I wanna help you see."
Talia eyed her speculatively. People tended to look down upon 'the little people' as the elf termed it. But she would never have gotten the information she did without this woman's help. Servants, beggars, and slaves were often overlooked, and they usually were a font of information, if they were so inclined to share it.
"What's your name?" Talia asked.
"Oh yeah! Name's Sera! And you're the Herald thingy!" Her grin turned into a frown as she inspected her. "Thought you'd be more Qunari, I'd love to meet one o' those! Hehe," she giggled. "Woof."
Sheogorath likely claimed this one, Talia thought as she kept her face neutral. "Talia Indoril. Thanks for your note; we didn't know Chastain was a threat."
"Friends really helped with this one," Sera said. "The girl he was screaming at in the market's being beat by him for a looong time," she said. "She sent in the info to us, and I gave it to you. She'll be covering for us tonight, real helpful yeah? The rest of them, the staff and what-not, are going to say he was killed by a man. Usual-looking, black hair, brown eyes and that shit,"
Talia nodded. "I appreciate it. So…why help us?"
Sera bit her lip. "Well I mean, giant hole in the sky and all that. Everything's gone to shit, and I need everything back to normal soon 'cause I have stuff to do, and I can't do that with this magic piss going on!"
Selfish reasons, then, she nodded. She could work with that. "Then consider yourself a member of the Inquisition," Talia said, and Sera gave a loud whoop.
"You won't regret it! I promise!" she grinned.
I'm regretting it already, Talia thought wryly. But information from the little people was crucial, and she wouldn't turn away help when they needed it. She hoped she could just explain it to the others.
"Do you know anything else about the templars?" Talia asked.
"Nah, nobody knows much about what they do and what they want." Sera shrugged. "I mean, there's one bit about the Lord Seeker." She snorted, "Whoever needs lord in front of their names is begging for an arse whooping—but yeah, the Lord Seeker thingy was looking for something. They say he's been looking around the Grand Cathedral for it."
"What was it?"
"Papers, documents thingy. I dunno, they said it had 'important information' on it," Sera rolled her eyes. "But maybe it's just a bunch of old religious Chantry smut."
Documents? Talia thought for a moment before she paled. If the Templars were truly working for this Elder One, their probable enemy, then…
She turned to Sera, "If you want to help, get to Haven, tell them there that I sent you. I'll see you around, but I have somewhere else I have to go." And with that, she left the mansion.
After checking the quickest way to the Grand Cathedral, she put on her Ring of Khajiti and cast an Invisibility spell before hastening towards it.
She didn't run into any trouble, the Cathedral itself was manned only by some soldiers, none of whom seemed to be Templars. Talia quickly made her way up one of the spires. Halfway up, she hugged the wall and groped for the small lever that Leliana had told her about. The panel opened with a click, and Talia quickly entered before closing it behind her.
She conjured a floating magelight as she surveyed the room. It was filled with piles of parchment, and an assortment of trunks, safeboxes and chests in different sizes. She froze as she saw something amiss.
The dunmer had expected the layer of dust that covered most of the room, but the dirt had been disturbed, and it looked like a few footprints that had been hastily wiped in a poor attempt to cover tracks. Talia guided the light towards the suspiciously dust-free area, and her heart dropped.
There in the far corner of the room was the dark red safebox Leliana had described, which was supposed to contain Savith's file.
It was empty.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Sorry for the late update! I got a new job and a horrible boss who thinks I have to do her job for her. So I've been really busy. Next chapter is still Val Royeaux! Obviously, not all the templars are working for Corypheus. And yes, Conall is a Red Templar.
Mr. Vemom10: Thank you so much! I appreciate it.
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Questioner: Someone else might arrive at Nirn, but no, it won't be another hero. There will be an in depth exploration of lore/religion/magic, and it'll focus on who sent them there, why, and how the two worlds are connected
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