Chapter 80: Punishers and Irregulars (Daylen)

Ox led the group north in a few days without much difficulty. Daylen, trying to avoid both Cullen and Jowan, spent as much time as possible in the tent with Morrigan while Soris and Ox were hunting. The mage knew that the old Qunari would keep an eye on everyone else, and Daylen himself could spend more time with his girlfriend.

On the last day, while Morrigan was hunting and the others set camp in the cave, Jowan approached Daylen.

"What do you want?" asked Daylen.

"I cannot understand you two. First you sent me to the Fade, then Neria didn't let me die, and then that you saved me from execution and agreed to come with me to Aeonar. Why?"

"Do not consider this a salvation. You know little about the Grey Wardens. There is a small chance that you will die a painful death during the Joining ritual. And if you survive, then in thirty years you will go mad in the Deep Roads."

"Whatever happens to me, I deserve this fate. But thank you for giving me a second chance."

"Now tell me. How did you become a blood mage? Why didn't you tell me and Neria?"

Jowan sighed and turned away from Daylen, beginning his story:

"To be honest, I always envied you two. I never succeeded with magic. And you two were the best of the apprentices. Neria passed the Harrowing barely turning eighteen. You passed yours in record time. And who am I? Just a loser, barely able to cause a flash of flame. One day, senior enchanter Uldred approached me in the library. He gave me some book, said that it would help me."

"And of course it was a book on blood magic, right?"

"Exactly. Several times, Uldred secretly taught me spells from this book."

Daylen chuckled.

"Uldred? Taught? Are we talking about the same Uldred? That bald monster never took on an apprentice, and he certainly won't now."

"Why are you saying that?"

"While you were in Redcliffe, Uldred tried to seize power in the Circle. Many mages died that night: Leorah, Sweeney, many others. We fought the rebels and killed Uldred. Who would have thought that the mage who exposed so many maleficarum over the past ten years would himself turn out to be... wait."

"What?"

"That was his plan. To turn in some less important followers to remove suspicions from himself. Uldred had given away your plan to Greagoir and Irving before Neria did. And your... our escape was doomed from the start."

"What? I... I hadn't thought about it. I will have to apologize to Neria."

"How did you end up in Redcliffe?"

"When I crossed Lake Calenhad, I managed to hide for a week in the Western Hills. There I learned of Ostagar and realized that I needed to escape the Blight, get to Amaranthine, and from there by sea, anywhere but Ferelden. Before I could set out, a templar named Irminric tracked me down. I ran from him for a long time, until we both stood in the way of Teyrn Loghain's troops. Teyrn caught Irminric. In return, he gave me a task - to poison Arl Eamon. And I agreed."

"I do not blame you for this. It is difficult to refuse to the hero of the River Dane. Even more difficult when the alternative is death or Tranquility.

Suddenly, Ox approached the mages.

"Young ones, a group of mercenaries has approached us," the old Qunari said. "Cullen and Soris are trying to talk them out of it."

"And Morrigan?"

"I have not seen her."

"Good. I think she is smart enough to keep a low profile."

Daylen took off his overcoat to look less like a mage, and threw his staff on the ground.

"I'll talk to them. Ox, come with me. Jowan, you'll play our captive."

"I disagree! It can go wrong!"

"We have no choice. Put your hands behind your back!"

Ox tied the mage's hands. The three of them left the cave and saw Cullen and Soris talking to a large group of nine mercenaries in steel armor. Among the mercenaries, an elf in ornate blue armor with metal elements stood out. Despite his young age, he already had dazzling white hair. The elf's hands were tied.

"And here comes our leader," Soris said, pointing his finger at Daylen.

"Well, well," exclaimed the mercenary commander, stepping forward. "You don't really look like a fierce mercenary."

"Looks can be deceiving," Daylen replied. "Who do I have the honor of speaking with?"

"My name is Taoran Hawkwind, and I lead the Blackstone Irregulars. And who are you?"

"Daylen Amell. Ser Bull, Ser Soris and I represent the Kirkwall... Punishers.

"Never heard of them. That's odd. Will you answer a few questions about Kirkwall, since you're from there?"

"Of course. Go ahead."

"Who is the current Viscount of Kirkwall?"

"Marlowe Dumar. He's been the Viscount for nine years, ever since the previous Viscount, Perrin Threnhold, was overthrown and killed by the templars."

"What districts is Kirkwall divided into?"

"Hightown, Lowtown, Darktown, the Docks, and the Gallows. I don't think I've forgotten any of them."

Though Daylen had never been to Kirkwall as an adult, he knew enough about the city he was born in, thanks to the books in the Circle library.

Taoran smiled - he was clearly pleased with such answers.

"Well, you are clearly not lying. Where are you heading to?"

"To Aeonar. We are helping Ser Cullen deliver the apostate to prison, where he belongs."

"What a coincidence! We're going there too. We caught a dangerous killer and decided that Aeonar was the place for him."

"What did he do?"

"He killed templars in several places. I don't know if he's a mage himself or not, but I think the templars will be happy to meet their brothers' killer. And what did your prisoner do wrong?"

Daylen closed his eyes and said something he himself did not believe:

"The bastard didn't want to live in the Circle. That's more than enough. Stupid mages don't understand how dangerous their power is. And the likes of you and me, Ser Taoran, have to catch them. Maybe we should go to Aeonar and hand these two over together?"

Jowan and Ox looked at Daylen with disapproval, but the mage ignored them both.

"Sure, safety in numbers. Besides, the templars will be more accommodating if they see one of their own. But the reward for the elf is ours. We've been hunting him for a long time."

"Deal."

Daylen and Taoran shook hands.

"We'll lead on, and you'll cover from the back."

Daylen, Cullen, Ox, Soris and Jowan followed the mercenaries and the elf.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Cullen whispered to the mage.

"Yes. There will be a fight. At best, these guys will help defeat the templars. At worst, they'll take the blows intended for us."

"And the elf? You don't even know why they caught him!"

"Give him a chance. He'll prove himself well, I'm sure."

Among the trees, Daylen noticed a crow with bright yellow eyes sitting on a branch. He nodded his head at it, and the crow nodded back. At least now Daylen knows that Morrigan is nearby and will cover them if necessary.