Chapter 73: The Mentor (Wynne)

- So, Neria saved you all? - Wynne asked after listening to the story of Finn and the other young mages who had returned from the upper floors.

- Yes. The Qunari and the knight were with her, - the mage answered.

- Have you seen Daylen? - Liam asked.

- Daylen? I'm afraid not.

- He'll kick everyone's asses, I'm sure.

- How did you meet Daylen and Neria? - Wynne asked him. - I see how much you admire them.

- They saved me from the regent's people. Then I agreed to become a Grey Warden recruit.

- This is commendable, young man.

After this, a large crowd of mages and templars entered the hall. Kinnon and Godwin raised their staves, but Wynne stopped them.

- Calm down, these are not abominations, - she said.

- I'm glad you're alive, Wynne, - said Irving, who emerged from the crowd.

- Likewise, First Enchanter.

- We need to thank our former students for saving me.

- It's true. The Circle owes you a lot, - said Wynne, looking at Daylen and Neria.

- We need to return to Greagoir, - Daylen said.

The Wardens' group, mages and templars went to the hall at the exit from the tower. Seeing Irving and the two senior enchanters, the templars immediately opened the gate.

- Irving? Wynne? Torrin? - Greagoir asked, looking surprised. - Maker's breath! I didn't expect to see any of you alive.

- It's over, - Irving said. - Uldred is dead. Killed by Daylen.

Suddenly Cullen took a step forward.

- Uldred tortured everyone who was in the Harrowing. We don't know for sure that none of them are possessed.

- What? This is ridiculous! - Torrin was angry. - There are templars among us. Do you think they are posessed too?

- Well, of course he will say so. Who knows, maybe he was in cahoots with Uldred?

- Don't you dare blame me, young man. I was one of the first to fight back against Uldred.

- I'm the knight-commander here, not you, - Greagoir stopped the arguing. - I'll decide what to do.

- And what does the knight-commander think? - asked Neria.

- That the tower is safe. I trust Irving and the senior enchanters.

- We will restore everything, - Irving added. - The Circle will live, and we will learn from this tragedy.

- Thanks to both of you. You have become friends of both the Circle and the templars.

- Not that I want to be a friend of the templars... - said Daylen.

Suddenly, in the crowd, Drass screamed sharply in pain and put his hands to his head. However, he immediately stood up and said:

- Sorry, I've been through too much. I better take a break.

The knight-captain went to his chambers.

- We have come here for a reason, - Neria said. - We need the help of the Circle in the fight against the darkspawn. Besides, there is some evil going on in Redcliffe. I think Daylen has more details.

- Connor Guerrin, son of Arl Eamon, was possessed by a demon. Many people have already suffered at his hands, including the Arl himself. The boy can still be saved with the help of lyrium.

- We will help Redcliffe, - said Irving. - But before we collect the lyrium and set off, I have something to say. The Circle of Magi will fulfill the ancient pact with the Grey Wardens and help them save Ferelden from the Blight. We will gather all the mages who were lucky enough not to be in the tower this night. We have lost many mages, and we will need to replenish the ranks of enchanters and senior enchanters. Florian Phineas Horatio Aldebrant, esquire, come forward.

Finn, hearing his name, left the crowd. Wynne was surprised to learn that Irving was able to remember the mage's long name.

- For your courage in the fight against the sloth demon, I give you the rank of enchanter.

- Niall should have been in my place, - Finn said. - But thank you.

- Neria Surana, if you decide to return to the tower after the Blight, then you will become the senior enchantress.

- Thank you, First Sorcerer. But I'm not sure I want to go back, - Neria said, looking at Alistair.

- But I didn't finish there. If I am destined to survive this Blight, I will retire. The next First Enchanter will be one of the two surviving senior enchanters: Wynne or Torrin.

At that moment, Wynne decided she needed to speak up.

- Irving, I ask that you allow me to accompany Neria and the other Grey Wardens until the end of the Blight. Neria is my best student, and I feel it is my responsibility to help her in the battles to come.

- We will be glad to have your help, Wynne, - Neria said.

- I'm allowing you to go with them, - Irving said.

- Speaking of help, Wardens, - Greagoir began to speak. - The Templars of the Chantry will also join the battle with the darkspawn. But only on one condition. One of my men will join your group.

- Why do you need it? Why can't you just help us? - Daylen asked.

- I need my representative in your ranks. Even two mages need supervision.

Daylen looked at Neria and she nodded her head at him.

- It's a deal. But your man will have to obey Warden-Commander Sereda or whoever replaces her in the event of her death.

- I knew you would agree. Cullen, pack your belongings, you're going with the Wardens.

- It will be done, knight-commander, - Cullen said uncertainly.

Wynne thought about Greagoir's ultimatum. The knight-commander never does anything for no reason, he clearly has some motives. He didn't even admit having a son because his son, a mage, would interfere with his career advancement. Wynne will have to keep a close eye on the young templar.

Half an hour later, Daylen, Neria, their companions, Cullen, Wynne, Irving and several mages he had chosen left the tower. Outside they saw a bright red dawn. They took several boats and sailed towards Redcliffe. In one of the boats sat Neria, Wynne, and Alistair, who was steering the oars.

- I was surprised by such praise from you, Wynne. Thank you, - Neria broke the silence.

- I have told only the truth. You are truly my best student. And I'm very proud of you.

Neria took a closer look at the sleeve on Wynne's robe. The senior enchantress noticed blood flowing from the sleeve.

- What happened to you? Why didn't you heal yourself? - asked Neria.

- I'm afraid it can't be healed.

Wynne pulled up her sleeve to reveal the burnt, skinless bone where her wrist should have been.

- But... why are you alive?

- I don't know. I should have died, but it was as if I was given a little more time. I decided that I would spend this time with you.

- I really appreciate it.

- Well, I hope we won't be late for Redcliffe and the boy.

Wynne glanced at the horizon, awaiting her arrival at Redcliffe and thinking about unfinished business: her first apprentice and her son, taken away by the templars.