Chapter 35: The Execution
The next day, Alvar stood at the raised dais in front of the Chantry and watched. Beside him stood his companions, the Revered Mother and the brothers and sisters of Redcliffe Chantry, Bann Teagan, Arlessa Isolde and a dozen or so of their household knights. He watched as the crowd of villagers gathered in front of the wooden stakes readied for the execution. The stakes were set up in the centre of the village square, in the form of a large wooden cross. The prisoner would be tied to the cross with his arms spread apart. Then, one of the soldiers would set fire to the stakes, burning the condemned alive.
It was a punishment decreed by the Chantry meant for grave offences against the Maker. "Magic exists to serve Man, not rule over him," were words commonly found in the holy texts. And thus, the Chantry was clear on what type of magic was permitted and what was not. Practicing blood magic was against the rules set for the Circle of the Magi, and any who violated would face execution.
But even then, not every blood mage was executed in public like how it was going to happen today. His companions, namely Violena, Leliana and Wynne had requested him later to reconsider Jowan's sentence. But Alvar was adamant.
Jowan had committed many crimes. He had escaped from the Circle, he indulged in blood magic. As a pious man, Alvar could not find it in himself to punish him any other way. And there was more, Jowan had poisoned a high-born Arl and manipulated his innocent son to the wrong path. His actions had brought rampage and destruction on an entire village. Many innocent people had lost lives because of Jowan. And the blood mage had done all this at Teyrn Loghain's behest.
The last part made everything personal to Alvar. As soon as Jowan had told him that he was working for Teyrn Loghain, Alvar had decided his fate in his mind. As he thought about this, Alvar wondered whether Loghain had gone mad.
First, Loghain had promised Uldred and his band of blood mages that he would grant more freedom to the Circle from the Chantry. An action if ever successful might have resulted in the Divine in Orlais calling an Exalted March against Ferelden. And now, he has colluded with a blood mage to poison Arl Eamon and his family, which had caused untold destruction on the village of Redcliffe.
Should either of these crimes were to be presented in the court of Denerim, then the Grand Cleric herself would have denounced Loghain as a heathen and a blasphemer. The nobles and commonfolk alike would demand a brutal execution for him.
'Mayhaps, no one in Denerim knows of this yet,' thought Alvar. Even if Loghain controlled the capital, word or even rumours of Loghain's actions with blood mages would at the very least cause an uproar in the capital.
'Or mayhap, it has,' pondered Alvar, he had not heard any news from the capital in a long time. He decided that he must check with Bann Teagan on news from Denerim later.
"Godless monster!"
"Maleficar!"
The shouts from the crowd snapped Alvar from his thoughts, he looked at the crowd to see Jowan being brought in, surrounded by Templars. His hands were bound in ropes and he hung his head low in shame. It appeared he had resigned to his fate. Some of the villagers threw rotten vegetables and filth on the condemned blood mage.
The Templars soon brought the bound Jowan to the wooden stakes and the men awaiting him there tied him to the stake. Jowan now found himself bound to the stake with his arms stretched open.
"Silence! I demand silence!" yelled a herald standing near Bann Teagan.
The shouting of the villagers soon died and they all turned towards the dais, where the nobility stood.
The Herald cleared his throat and then spoke loudly,
"This man is a blood mage and a maleficar! He poisoned our lord Arl Eamon and his innocent son. He indulged in forbidden blood magic and brought demons upon our village. He has done this at the behest of Teyrn Loghain in Denerim! The blood of the people of Redcliffe is in his hands!"
When the herald spoke the last two sentences, gasps were heard from people.
The commonfolk were shocked and dumbfounded as they heard that Teyrn Loghain, their hero and liberator from the Orlesian tyranny had ordered a blood mage to poison their lord and cause destruction on their village. Many of them started clamoring amongst themselves.
The herald again called for silence and the people soon went silent.
The herald continued, "And so, in the name of the Maker, Bann Teagan, the acting Arl of Redcliffe sentences him to be burnt at the stake!"
The villagers shouted loudly at the Herald's words.
"Burn him! Burn him!" they shouted excitedly.
It was Alvar's idea to include mentions of Teyrn Loghain's orders in the herald's speech. Teyrn Loghain was looked down upon by many of the nobility, due to his low birth and lack of noble blood. But to the commonfolk, he was a great hero. He was a man who was born a peasant like them and then rose to become one of the highest-ranking noblemen in the country. To them, he was proof that even one of them can reach greatness if they try hard enough.
Alvar knew about this, and if he wished to overthrow Loghain, he needed to destroy his reputation among nobles and commonfolk alike. Fortunately, from what he had learnt in South Reach from his friend Leander Bryland, Loghain was destroying his reputation among nobility himself. If half the nobility had refused to submit to him, then it won't be long before he loses the rest of the nobles' support as well.
But the commonfolk do not care about the politics of the nobles. To them Loghain was still the hero to be revered. And thus, Alvar hoped that by spreading word of Loghain colluding with heathen maleficars would cause them to lose respect for him. Alvar hoped rumors would spread and cause trouble for Loghain with the Chantry.
The shouts and cheering from the people increased and became louder as one of the soldiers brought a torch and slowly laid it in the firewood which made the foundation of the stake. The dry firewood caught fire and slowly the fire spread through the wooden stakes.
Jowan began screaming as fire coursed through his body. The people cheered seeing the blood mage's painful fate. Their cheering increased as Jowan's screams got louder.
Alvar turned his head and looked at his companions. All of them except for Sten looked horrified. Even Morrigan looked disturbed which surprised Alvar. Violena, Leliana, Wynne and Alistair had turned away, unable to watch Jowan's gruesome fate.
As Alvar looked at the crowd, his eyes caught on something. He noticed Kaitlyn and her little brother Bevin among them, cheering at Jowan's execution.
Alvar smiled to himself, he had thought that the brother and sister were also killed in the later attacks when he had left for the Circle. And he was sad about that. He had offered them to make Kaitlyn a handmaiden to his wife Lady Sancia and to take Bevin as a squire. He was saddened when he thought that the two of them especially Bevin had perished in the attacks. But now, he was relieved, he noted in his mind to talk to them later.
xXxXxXxXxXx
Alvar finished writing the letter and then he rolled it. He then pressed the Highever seal on its opening flap. He handed the letter to Kaitlyn, her little brother Bevin stood nearby.
"Here," said Alvar, offering the letter, "I have written this letter addressed to Arl Leonas Bryland of South Reach. If you cannot find him, ask for his son Lord Leander Bryland. Give them this letter and they will accommodate you."
Alvar had summoned Kaitlyn and Bevin to him, in his chamber in Redcliffe castle. He had planned to send them both to South Reach city where the two of them would learn to become a handmaiden and squire respectively. Alvar could not take Bevin as a squire with him now because he feared that his path was far too dangerous as he was the most wanted man in the country. Instead, his best friend Lord Leander Bryland would temporarily take the boy as his squire and begin his training.
At the same time, Kaitlyn would temporarily join the Bryland household as handmaiden to Lord Leander's wife, Lady Rowena.
Alvar had originally decided to send them to Storm Coast, to his uncle's house where his wife Lady Sancia stayed. He had planned for his cousin Lord Angus MacEanraig to temporarily take Bevin as his squire and that Kaitlyn would become Sancia's handmaiden. However, the distance from Redcliffe to Storm Coast was far and the journey in these tense times was very dangerous. And thus, Alvar decided to send them to South Reach city which was much nearer.
While the journey to South Reach was also dangerous, here he was fortunate to find a group of travelling merchants who were planning to return to South Reach city. The merchants had their own armed retinues of mercenaries and thus, Alvar had decided for Kaitlyn and Bevin to travel to South Reach along with them.
"My thanks, Lord Cousland," said Kaitlyn with gratitude, "I promise you; I and my brother will serve Lord Bryland and his family with our best. We will serve them faithfully until you give us your next orders." She said with a bow.
Alvar nodded, "Good, now get ready to travel, the merchants leave at dawn."
xXxXxXxXxXx
Later, that evening, Alistair and Violena found themselves in the castle dining hall.
"You know, I have been thinking something," said Alistair.
Violena turned to face him, "What is it?" she asked curiously.
"Alvar isn't as bad as I thought him to be,"
Violena narrowed her eyes as she stared at him curiously.
"I mean, look how he went out of his way to save Arl Eamon's family," spoke Alistair. "He could have simply killed Connor and ended all this mess days ago. But still he went to the Circle and got help."
Violena looked to be in thought and nodded.
"He also took you, me, Leliana, Wynne, Morrigan and Sten with him to ensure that we succeed because there is strength in numbers."
"Well, Alvar is conceited and arrogant," said Violena, "But still I always believed he has a good heart in him."
"How so? I mean he talks so little with us?"
Violena nodded. Alistair was right, Alvar had been somewhat of an enigma to them and his other followers. No one could say when what goes in his mind.
"Well, he has been nice to me," answered Violena with a shrug, "Most of the time."
Alistair was surprised on hearing that, Alvar was rarely nice to him and often very cold towards him. Alvar's hatred of Duncan and the Grey Wardens always grated his nerves. There were times, where he had felt like drawing his sword and attacking Alvar. He could understand that Alvar had a different relationship with Duncan than him but couldn't Alvar do the same? Couldn't he try and understand Alistair's situation? But Alvar never showed any interest in talking with him and this had eventually resulted in a cold relationship between the two men.
"He is very selfish too," added Alistair, "I don't remember him doing anything for others if he isn't benefitting in any way.
"Until now that is," continued Alistair, "I mean he helped Arl Eamon's family even though he gains nothing much from doing so."
"He wants an alliance with the Arl of Redcliffe," said Violena, "Mayhap, he helped the Arl for that reason."
"Yes, but Teagan has already agreed to an alliance with us," said Alistair, "Besides, it's not like Eamon can go to anyone else. The Darkspawn and Loghain are a common enemy to us."
Violena looked confused, "what are you trying to say, Alistair?" she asked.
"That Alvar took a big risk for Connor's sake even though he didn't really need to," answered Alistair.
"How?"
"By going to the Circle tower and bringing the mages here was a big risk," responded Alistair. "Had Bann Teagan not called the reinforcements or had the reinforcements arrived late, then Redcliffe would have been overrun. And we would have had a major demonic crisis on our hands."
"Hmm…, I hate to say it, but killing Connor wouldn't have been such a bad option when you think like that," Violena spoke softly.
"Yes, with getting the Circle's help being so risky, it would have been much easier and safer to kill the boy," said Alistair, "But still Alvar took the risk and saved him."
Violena nodded in agreement and smiled, "Like I said earlier, he is not as bad as you think him to be."
Alistair sighed, "I think you are right, but do you know where he is?" he asked, "I was thinking we could talk and have some ale together…. You can come too if you want."
"I will, and I think Alvar was in his room," answered Violena, "we can check there."
Alistair nodded in agreement and then the two of them walked towards the guestroom given to Alvar.
xXxXxXxXxXx
"Tis unbelievable, you of all the people would take such a risk for a little abomination!" Morrigan's angry voice was heard from Alvar's room by Alistair and Violena as they reached near.
Alistair and Violena stopped on hearing her words. Angered at the innocent Connor being called a little abomination, Alistair wanted to barge in and confront the forest witch. But Violena grabbed his hand and stopped him.
Alistair turned to Violena who shook her head and raised a hand, advising him to wait. And with that, the two of them decided to stand and listen in to the conversation between Morrigan and Alvar.
"He isn't any abomination, he is the only son and heir to Arl Eamon of Redcliffe," retorted Alvar calmy.
"So? Is he worth more than the many knights and soldiers who died during the attacks when we were away groveling to the Circle to help us?"
Alvar frowned angrily, "Firstly, I grovel before no man!" he declared firmly, "It is the duty of the Circle to help us. Magic exists to serve man and not to rule over him. I was merely reminding them of their purpose and demanding them to do their duty.
"And to your other question? Yes,"
"How is that little child more valuable than the knights and soldiers who died?" asked Morrigan in a bewildered tone, "If he was still an abomination, I can understand. But now, he is a boy who can't even piss without someone helping him."
Alvar crossed his arms calmly, "As I have said earlier, he is the only son and heir to Arl Eamon," he said, "that makes him immensely valuable."
"How?" demanded a confused Morrigan, "Being a spawn of some old man with a fancy name will not make him some skilled warrior or something."
"Oh, you foolish woman, how do you not see it?" Alvar sighed, bringing a hand to his forehead, "By saving the son of House Guerrin, I have earned Arl Eamon's gratitude.
"My family and House Guerrin have been political rivals for ages. But still, I saved the scion of House Guerrin because I wanted Arl Eamon and his family to be indebted to me. Now you can say House Guerrin is already indebted to me as I have saved their village and Bann Teagan has already made an alliance with me to face Loghain and the darkspawn.
"But by taking such great risks for their son, I have done them a very personal favour. I have indebted them to me personally. When Arl Eamon wakes up, it will be on his honour to fulfil the debt. And now I will ensure that the man who was a rival to my father will now become an unconditional supporter to me, not only against Loghain and the darkspawn but also for later future."
There was silence for a few moments. Morrigan simply stared at Alvar, trying to understand his words.
"So…..tis isn't out of pity that you went out of your way to save the boy?" asked Morrigan.
"I couldn't care less what happens to him. This entire situation was brought upon by his own mother," answered Alvar coldly, "We could have avoided all this if Isolde had sent Connor to the Circle as soon as she discovered his magic but instead, she chose to hide him and trusted the wrong person to tutor him."
Morrigan was silent on hearing this. She was not the only one surprised either. Alistair and Violena who had been listening in on the conversation outside the room were also stunned.
"But I still did my best to save all of the Arl's family even at great risk," continued Alvar, "And for that reason, now the Arl owes me a debt just as great."
There was silence again in the room for a few minutes as Morrigan processed all that Alvar had said.
"I understand now," she said, "Oh, I must ask one more thing."
"hmm"
"Why did you take all of us with you when you went to the Circle?" asked Morrigan, "I mean, taking only one or two of us would have been enough. Had you kept the others here, we could have done more by saving the lives of the Arl's household knights as well.
"And wouldn't that earn you more of the Arl's gratitude, hmm?"
Alvar took a moment before answering her question.
"As I said, the risk was too much and I cannot afford to lose any of you," responded Alvar and then he continued with a smile. "You, Alistair, Violena, Leliana, Wynne and Sten are my followers. You chose to follow me against the Blight and I will not throw away your lives away so recklessly."
Morrigan looked surprised at his answer, "I…. thank you… I guess," she uttered.
Alvar gave out a loud sigh, "Now, if you do not have anything else, please take your leave," he ordered, "I wish to take some rest."
"You don't have to tell me twice," responded Morrigan and then she left the room.
Alvar then walked towards a large window nearby and stood leaning on its side frame. He stood staring at the village and the surrounding countryside.
Meanwhile Alistair and Violena who had managed to listen in to Alvar and Morrigan's entire conversation still stood outside Alvar's room. The two of them were stunned at what they heard. Violena was about to walk inside when Alistair grabbed her hand. She looked at the young Warden who had a cold and angry look on his face. Alistair then shook his head and turned around to leave.
As the two of them walked away, Alistair spoke, "You remember what I said about Alvar a little while ago?"
"Yes,"
"I take everything back," he uttered coldly, "Alvar is a selfish bastard who would do nothing unless he gains something from it!"