Dragon Age Origins: Dovahkiin

by Arch-Daishou00

(M) 'Mature story' "Sea-bound to foreign shores, the Dunmeri Dragonborn Miara and her kin embark on a new land on orders from the emperor. The family's mission; To investigate and explore these foreign nations. But no objective is ever straightforward for a Doom Driven hero" Co-Author: Etheral-23. UNIGORE did the original artwork. "Thank you so much!"

23. All paths lead in a Circle

Disclaimer: We do not own the Elder Scrolls or Dragon Age series.

Co-Author and Beta: Etheral-23

All paths lead in a Circle

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Sarya bit her lip as her glowing hands hung over the sleeping form of the Arl of Redcliffe. The Telvanni mage was quick in finding the poisoned noble in his private bed chamber. Within a heartbeat she begun weaving a healing spell seeing indeed the poison had resumed to course through his veins once the demon was expelled from Connor.

Sickly pale, gaunt eyes, mucus and phlegm build up around the nose and mouth, darken lips. All the classic signs of poisoning, but what in the name of Mara did they use on this poor man? Or did she not get to Eamon's side quick enough? Because at the rate she is pouring her healing mana into the noble was having little to no affect.

Not long did Teagan arrive in the room with Marcus and Alistair. Isolde had taken her now freed son to his bed as he was still unconscious. Thankfully said room was close by and the Arlessa could look out to see what was going on while tending to her son. Her gaze soon turned to Miara who was checking over Connor for any possible physical and internal damage done by the possession. In the hallway sat the rest of the group with the Redcliffe knights in waiting. A whimper came from Loke as he walked into Connor's room.

"Everything seems alright," Isolde let out a sigh of relief rubbing the top of her son's head upon hearing the elf's words. "But he will likely be unconscious for a day or so. Just needs time to recover."

The Arlessa nodded with sincerity; "Thank you." She peered back to her and husband's bed chamber. She observed Teagan lightly pacing beside Marcus with Alistair sitting on a chair staring at Eamon. "W-will my husband be alright?"

"I won't lie and say yes. We don't know what poison was used on your husband," Miara said; "But have faith in my daughter she will find a way."

No sooner did she say those words, Eamon's form began trembling, and there was loud wet coughing, followed by violent spasms.

Sarya's red eyes grew wide, "Shit...!" The magic in her hand intensified, holding the man's form down.

The sounds of ailment soon gathered shock and fear emanated with from the others in the room, Alistair bolted out of his chair while Marcus, Isolde and Teagan rushed to the arl's side. Neria and Brianna were quick to enter the room once they heard the commotion.

"What's happening?!" Teagan demanded.

"The poison's affecting his lungs, they aren't processing air right!" At this rate, he'd suffocate soon.

Isolde wailed in despair, "Do something!"

"It's already spread far too much into his system; I don't have time to purge it!"

The coughing intensified, more and more did the arl's skin turn blue.

Brianna was quick to act, setting his body still with a careful application of Force Magic as Neria aided Sarya with her own healing magic. At that point, the thedosian elf could feel just how bad the arl's state was. The poison had already infected his liver and stomach, the kidneys showing high levels of toxicity they could not cleanse, and it was swiftly corroding veins and arteries.

"We're losing him!" Neria shouted.

Sarya's eyes darted from side to side, trying to think of something, anything, that could save him. When she found no answer, she acted on instinct.

The honorary Telvanni ceased her healing, and waved her hands in intricate patterns, creating an arcane sigil of glowing golden runes with an image akin to an hourglass right in the middle of the circle. The spell was casted upon the arl quickly, and his body stopped, there was no more shaking, no coughs, nothing, he was as still as a statue.

For a moment, there was silence.

Sarya let out an explosive breath, taking a few steps back, running a hand tiredly over her face.

"W-What happened?" Teagan asked frightened, "Why is he so still? I-Is he...?"

"He's not dead" The Dragonborn's youngest daughter said, pinching the bridge of her nose. "But he was seconds away from death, were it not for my stasis"

"What do you mean by that?" The arlessa demanded, "Speak in clear terms!"

Brianna frowned in confusion, "Stasis you said?" She soon gasped, realization dawning on her. "You-You stopped him in time"

"Chronomancy," Sarya spoke with exhaustion in her tone; "The power to manipulate time itself. But only..." Her voice wavier before nearly collapsing if not caught by both her mothers; "Thank you... You can only do small things and takes a LOT of magicka as you can see." Both Miara and Serana sat their youngest on a chair. The Telvanni huffed as she leaned back against the wall to collect her breathe.

A pin could have dropped the room was so silent. Morrigan's mouth moved but nothing came out as she looked beyond in disbelief; "Time magic is impossible."

"It can't be done!" Neria had read all the books pertaining about time magic, and in every tome in Kinloch Hold all said the same thing. The manipulation of time could not be achieved.

"In Tamriel it can, but only very few ever tried," Miara explained checking over her daughter. "Myself, and Sarya can use chronomancy. But the results on the user speaks for itself."

Sarya gave her elven mother a dry tired glance; "It doesn't bother you any."

"Because your elven mother has different means than you dear," Serana retorted.

The Arlessa was understandably out of her depth as she looked at her husband and Sarya; "Is my husband going to be alright?!"

"Long as I don't remove the stasis," Sarya peered over to the noblewoman; "the poison is too far spread in his body. His organs were shutting down" The elf spoke slowly as she regained her bearings and stands; "We can't purge the poison quick enough to save him..." She turned to Marcus; "We need a damn miracle."

"But... doesn't this give you more time then?" Marcus asked, "You can devise an antidote, or-or one of your healing potions I've heard so much about"

"Cure Poison and Cure Disease potions are too generic, at best they will heal lesser ailments and toxins" Miara explained, "For more dangerous types, you will need potions specifically designed to combat them. Doubly so with custom made poisons"

Teagan bit his cheek in frustration, "And the assassin doesn't even know what poison was used"

"A-Are you sure about that?" Neria asked.

"We tortured him enough, if he knew he would have talked"

"...Oh" The Circle mage desperately fought to rid her mind of the images conjured by those words, while Brianna kept her expression totally guarded.

"But like you said, he's suspended in time" Alistair said, doing a good work of catching up with the magic behind this. "Doesn't that give you range to actually experiment and device an antidote?"

"He was moments away from death" The dunmer mage said with mounting frustration. Either at him or herself for not being able to cure him, they didn't know. "To try different antidotes I'd have to dispel the stasis and see if they work. The risk is far too great"

"Then" Marcus looked lost, "What can we do?"

In the silence that followed, it was Isolde who actually spoke. "A miracle, you said..." Her accent grew heavier, her hands joined in front of her lap as she pondered. "Perhaps that may be the only avenue"

"Isolde?" Teagan looked at her in confusion.

"Not too long ago, a Brother of the Chantry came through Redcliffe, rummaging through our libraries for his research" The arlessa explained, "Brother Genetivi"

Marcus' eyes widened in recognition, "I've read his work" He said. "They're very insightful"

"They are, Genetivi is a brilliant man" The arlessa agreed, "Which is why I brought it up, and he came here looking for information in his quest to find the Sacred Ashes of Andraste"

A gasp escaped from Leliana's lips. "The Andraste," Oryrn questioned with a cocked brow; "the saint and bride of your god the Maker?"

Isolde nodded; "The very same, it was said her ashes were taken by her remaining followers and fled into hiding. The ashes were presumed lost. But Brother Genetivi believed he was close to finding it."

"Kind of far-fetched don't you think?" Sereda questioned as she stood at the door with Faren. That earned her as heated looked from the Arlessa as the dwarf waved her hands; "I don't mean anything by it, but what can an urn filled with ashes do?"

At that Leliana spoke; "In some tomes it was said the ashes were blessed by the Maker. And could heal a person from brink of death."

Serana casted her gaze to her lover who also gave a look of being unconvinced. Gin rubbed the back of his neck before turning his eyes to Marcus; "What do you think?"

"We must see Brother Genetivi," Leliana addressed quickly; "We are talking about Andraste's sacred ashes. Not only could it save the Arl but we'd find the holy remains of Andraste!"

Sofie puts a hand on the redhead's shoulder; "Let's calm down for a moment. There could be nothing there."

"But it is better than doing nothing," Isolde quipped sternly; "The man I love is dying. If there is on chance save him, and if it is the Maker's bride herself I will see that it is found!"

"With all due respect, Lady Isolde" The Cousland said as politely as he could. "It is in poor judgement to place our hopes in a relic that may or may not exist. I'm sure Sarya and her magics can find a way"

The younger Redoran woman shrugged, "I say go for it"

"Oh for- Really?"

"Hey don't dismiss the power of legends, particularly if they're hard to find. Seven out of ten times they turn out to be true as mom here can attest"

"While that may be partly true" Miara admitted, "I know better than to rely on a quest for a mystical artifact to be the solution to all our problems. And considering our current situation we cannot divert our attention, I am sorry but right now I don't believe seeking these ashes should be our priority"

"Then I'll send our knights!" Isolde countered, "They can go the quest while the Wardens continue with theirs!"

Teagan grunted as he came over to and placed comforting hands his sister-in-law's shoulders; "You're not thinking clearly. We need to evaluate all our options."

"I'm not thinking clearly?!" The woman snapped back; "That is your brother Teagan!"

"I know," the Bann's voice was a strained hissed. He had fought the urge to scream, as he too was fighting the whirlwind of emotions he was enduring; "But you know as well as I, Eamon would not want us to go into an endeavor half-cocked and blindly which could get good people killed. At present Eamon is safe, yes?" Teagan glanced over to Sarya who nodded.

"I can speak with my mentor Master Alfe," the dunmer offered; "she might know something."

Neria quickly spoke up with an opinion; "Kinloch Hold, the Circle has many experienced healers including my teacher Wynne." Brianna bit back a cringe at the mere mention of that damnable tower.

"Then let us figure out what we can do," Teagan remarked as he looked back to visibly shaking Isolde; "We have to think clearly on this, for Eamon's sake."

The Arlessa looked ready to scream, her fists clinched so tightly they shook. Her eyes sharply turned to her husband. Her boiling anger ebbing away replaced by saddened tears. "...I can't lose him Teagan..." Isolde shuddered.

"He is not lost to us yet. We will save him," Marcus spoke with a steely resolve. "But there is another matter we must discuss with Lady Isolde, and you know what it is."

Isolde was silent though nodded before casting her gaze to the ground.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

The Arlessa opened a door into a large but simple study room. Shelves with all manner of books with numerous portraits that hung on the wall. At the center of the room was a large ornate desk and chairs. Isolde entered the room with Teagan, Marcus, Alistair, Miara, and Serana. "Please close the door," the noblewoman spoke in nearly a whisper as she stopped at the window behind her husband's desk.

A pregnant silence took the room as Serana closed the door behind them.

"...You have questions," The arlessa's voice was soft but guarded.

"Putting it mildly," Marcus cleared his throat; "Connor."

Isolde let out a long wary sigh; she knew this would come up eventually. She pulled up one of the chairs and made herself comfortable, knowing they'd be here for a while. "Ask away"

"How long have you known he was a mage?" Teagan was the first to ask.

"Connor has always been... different. He was always very aware of his dreams, he felt things people shouldn't" The arlessa said, though the danger had passed it did not mean her son's situation wasn't any less complicated. "When he started making candles blow out and ignite with a wave of his hand, I knew"

"And you kept it from us" The bann shook his head in disappointment, angered that his own family kept such a thing a secret. "Did Eamon know?"

"No" She admitted with regret.

"So you looked for a tutor for Connor" Alistair continued, it seemed that just him speaking was enough for Isolde's gaze to harden. "Loghain caught wind of it and sent this apostate to poison Eamon"

"Yes, I'm aware of what happened, Alistair. You do not need to remind me" She angrily snapped at the young Templar who took in stride

Miara was about to make the woman feel like a fool for taking her unwarranted frustrations at Alistair, but Teagan beat her to it. "But apparently you need to be reminded of the Chantry law, Isolde!" The man said firmly, "And I cannot believe I just said this to you of all people, you've always been so pious"

"Mages must be taken to the Circle yes, but... but Connor is my son" She said, her voice breaking. "I couldn't lose him, not to magic"

"'Not to magic'" Marcus repeated, "Lady Isolde, whatever dangers an untrained mage pose-"

"Magic runs in my family" She confessed, much to their surprise. "My great-grandfather, and others before him, they were cruel men. They tasted power and were warped by it. I... I feared the same would happen to Connor, but I couldn't part with him... I wasn't strong enough to bear it"

Out of the group, understanding shone in the eyes of the two fellow parents in the room. Miara leaned against the wall; "What parent could?" Isolde looked surprised for a moment as she gazed at the Tamriel women. But upon seeing their eyes she saw they understood.

Teagan ran his hands over his face; "That was still dangerously negligent." The Arlessa said not a word as she gazed at him with a look that was both hollow despair and heart wrenching guilt. The man grunted as he took a seat himself; "We nearly lost Redcliffe and the Hinterlands and its people because of this. It cannot be overlooked." His voice now a soft but steeled tone.

Fresh tears glowed from Isolde's eyes, her head hung in shame and grief. "I'll never see my Connor again..."

"Is there no other way?" Serana questioned as she looked at the men.

Resting his hands on the desk Marcus shook his head; "There isn't. Once magic manifests from someone they are to be taken to the Circle. There are no exceptions."

"Even if it is a member of a noble family," Alistair took over in a grim voice; "That person's station and rank is removed... They are not even recognized as citizens."

Just like what happened with Brianna and her family. To Neria and her father... And so many others in Thedas, just because they were born with magic.

"Political influence, prestige and money can avail you a lot to avoid that fate in nations like Orlais" Teagan said, "But not here, not in Ferelden, certainly not after this tragedy"

"Connor has a lot of potential, it is why a powerful demon singled him out" Miara threw in her opinion. "I would have proposed other alternatives, but we're still not entirely familiar with how magic works here" What they knew was that it was utterly wrong, but as to why they were nowhere near close to discover.

"The Circle Tower of Kinloch Hold is not the best, but it's certainly much better than other Circles. Connor will be protected, and he will be taught" The former Templar said.

"After what happened?!" Isolde said, inconsolable. "They'll all know what transpired here, he'll be watched constantly, the Templars will jump at the smallest sign of corruption and-!" She didn't even dare finish that sentence. "Do not pretend you know what you're talking about! You have no idea how hard my poor son will-!"

"Certainly, what does someone forced to sleep on the stables know about harsh conditions" Marcus replied acidly, much to Alistair's surprise. "You keep lashing out at Alistair every chance you get, lady Isolde" He used the word 'lady' without any respect in his words. "As if he personally slighted you just by existing, all because of rumors, but right now we..." Marcus took a deep breath before looking at Teagan, "I was hoping to discuss this with Eamon, but..."

Teagan shifted uncomfortably, and Alistair looked resigned.

"I knew" The Bann confessed, "I always knew" He looked at the Warden apologetically. "We need you Alistair, the nation needs you"

Alistair said nothing.

The three women of the room all shared confused looks, "Why is Alistair suddenly so important to this conversation?" Miara slowly questioned, getting that strange feeling at the base of her neck.

A shudder escaped Alistair as he peered right at Isolde; "Yes, I am the bastard of a noblemen. But not Eamon's." The Arlessa's eyes rose in shock; "My father... was ...King Maric Theirin" The former Templar spoke slowly, almost painfully as he revealed the truth.

The silence in the room was almost deafening from the three ladies as they outright gawked at the young man who shrunk under their gazes. However shock ebbed from Miara which turned to irritation and anger; "I am going to strangle Arameris," She seethed before pacing throughout the room muttering Dunmeri curses.

She was received with odd gazes before the others peered back to Serana who glared back with a deadpan; "Don't ask." And now by her very dour expression that rivaled her lover's she was in no mood to clarify. "So I take it Maric did not want you in the politics of Ferelden?"

Alistair nodded his head clearing his throat; "Why he entrusted me to Eamon. To be raised a normal boy in Redcliffe."

"W-Why wasn't I told of this?" Isolde questioned in a breathless manner.

"Only a handful of people even know I am Maric's son," Alistair clarified; "Think about it Lady Isolde, two Theirin heirs for the throne. What could have possibly happened with that?"

"Some would have considered him a threat, others, a pawn to be used" Teagan said, letting out a soft breath while Isolde remained shell-shocked. "So yes, the rumors were partially right Isolde, Alistair is a bastard. But not from the man you suspected"

"I..." The arlessa couldn't even express herself properly. "H-Had I known..."

Oh gods, she wasn't even going to apologize to him. Miara had enough of the woman, "I believe it's best if you go to your son's side, make sure he's resting properly" Her tone did not convey her words as a 'suggestion'.

The Orlesians woman looked at the gray elf before gazing back at his brother-in-law. Teagan for his part nodded, "Go to Connor now, Isolde, he needs his mother. And we need to discuss what to do next"

After a moment, the arlessa merely nodded back, and left the room without a word.

Serana shook her head before looking at Alistair with sympathy. "You okay there, boy?"

"Well, considering we're about to plan me taking the throne, I believe I feel a little tested"

The dragonborn lifted a finger; "Before we discuss anything, we are telling the rest of our group. We need to work on what to do next anyways."

"Do we really have to," A low defeated whine came from the former Templar.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Apparently, they did.

Varying degrees of shock was etched on the rest of the others once summoned to the main meeting hall by Teagan. Alistair only sat against the wall, looking in no one's direction. In part, Miara couldn't blame the lad for wanting to be detached for all this. Much like a certain and very dear ashen-haired swallow who landed at her doorstep a few years ago.

"I-I-I mean," Neria couldn't properly speak for a moment; "Now looking at your face. Y-you and King Cailan do look alike."

Faren runs a hand through his hair; "I get a feeling you just want to get sodding drunk right now?"

"You have no idea," Alistair grumbled.

Gin leaned against one of the pillars; "Does Alistair really need to take the throne? I mean, we still have the queen. And the Cousland's are teyrns, next in line to the throne in case of no heirs. Marcus, either you or your brother-"

"I fear you overestimate my family's standing, particularly at this moment" Said Cousland in question grimly replied. "And Anora? She's letting her father walk all over any who dares go against him, every day we see more evidence of his despotic behavior. No" He shook his head, "I do not believe we can trust Anora to start doing the right thing and oppose her father"

Nobody could argue against those points.

"I know, but" Gin looked at the senior Warden with sympathy. "It doesn't look like you want this, man..."

Alistair was grateful for taking his feelings into consideration, but more he was resigning himself to this fate.

"No one wanted to be in this place" Marcus stated with a firm steely voice, for once, letting a bit of his own frustration slip through. "None of you choose to be put into these circumstances, and certainly neither did I"

Once more, he was right. None of them had chosen the paths that sent them here. Circumstance and tragedy had all forced them, one way or another, to reach this point.

"But we're here now; this responsibility fell into our laps... Whether we want to or not, we can ignore this fate, or defy it, but we cannot deny it" Those last words were sent to Alistair more than the others. "Ferelden needs us; Ferelden needs a king, Alistair..."

The Warden shook his head tiredly, "They need a smart king. I was never raised to inherit the throne; I have no idea what to do"

"You can learn" It was Leliana who replied, once more showing her usual brand of compassion in those blue eyes of hers. "Greatness is not born from the womb, kings are not born ready to rule, and they all learn one way or another"

At that Alistair bore a lopsided grin; "I get what you're saying Leli, really I do. But, I just can't see myself as some kingly bloke sitting on a throne with a crown. All I ever been is Alistair, the goofy dimwit and bastard who was never meant to be anything."

"I agree with the dimwit aspect," Morrigan chimed in with a smirk ignoring the glares from the rest.

A low grunt came from Miara who strolled over to the sitting man and knelt down in front of him; "What have I said about that self-disparaging attitude of yours?"

"Are you really trying to be my mother?"

"Well no one else even tried so I might as well be," The Dunmer dryly quipped; "You are far more than you give yourself credit for."

Alistair only stared back with a disbelieving gaze. "Don't fret little brother," He soon looked wide eyed at a cheerful Sarya who sat on the ground; "The Redoran Family will be making damn sure all that negativity is long gone by the time all this mess is done!"

"...Why do I feel terrified all of a sudden?"

Theron remarked back dryly; "Because you should be."

Marcus tiredly pinched the bridge of his note. "That's the long term goal, for the moment Teagan is our support in the nobility, but he's only a bann, his word doesn't carry as far as Eamon's. The next step should be to continue gathering allies. Neria expressed that Kinloch Hold should be our next stop, and I agree. Not only will the mages present an invaluable aid against the Blight, we can get some mages to also lend us their expertise regarding Eamon"

"If Sarya and Alfe can't figure something out, then they won't do much" Serana expressed with a shrug of her shoulders. "But I guess it can't hurt"

"Oh wonderful, we are to go to the mage cage next" Morrigan droned with a roll of her eyes. "Well if our business is concluded here, I shall retreat to the keep to rest. I will need all my mental strength to deal with the emasculated sheep herded by their plated jailers"

Without waiting for a reply, the swamp-witch touched a blue gem recently encrusted in her jewelry, and activated the enchantment. Within moments she vanished with a small glare of arcane light, having returned to the Soldier's Peak.

"...Maker I hate her" Neria muttered to herself.

"You're not alone" Gin said, sharing the exact sentiment.

"Well, if any of you wants to go to your own beds on the keep, go ahead" Marcus said, "I'll remain here to discuss a few more things with Teagan"

"I would prefer rather return to the keep to rest as well" Theron said, "I find its atmosphere much more relaxing"

Marcus nodded before turning to Sarya; "You'll be seeing Magister Alfe." Maker was that a long explanation about House Telvanni.

"Yup, master could find something to help us with the Arl." Without another word her ring glowed before vanishing in blue light.

Among the group, Teagan who had been mostly silent only blinked at the disappearing of three of Marcus's group; "Sweet Andraste what is that?" He spoke up.

"Teleportation," Serana happily explained; "Something we can do in Tamriel."

The Bann rubbed the back of his head turning his gaze to Marcus; "I feel really out of my depth right now."

"While our friends of Tamriel can do is strange," Leliana conceded; "But they are good people Bann Teagan."

"They already showed me how selfless they are defending Redcliffe and its people. They have earned my respect."

Miara gave a pleasant grin before turning to Marcus; "I'll be staying here, want to see this place."

"Guess that means I'm staying," Serana smirked with her hands on her hips.

Sten grunted; "I shall remain here as well."

"You just don't want to deal with any of that magic, do you?" Brianna dryly deduced.

"No"

"You never will use the teleportation"

"No"

Sofie rolled her eyes. She didn't doubt Sten was pragmatic enough to use the fast travel system given the level of convenience it presented, but it'd take a while before he'd even open himself to the idea.

As the group slowly splintered, Neria approached the bann with worry at the forefront of her mind. "Excuse me, bann Teagan" He turned to face her with a soft questioning reply humming behind his lips. "The mage who poisoned Eamon" She began warily, "What will become of him?"

"For now he remains imprisoned, but once we gather our bearings he'll be tried and executed" He said matter of factly.

"Oh..."

Either she had somehow managed to keep her expression from showing the growing shock and horror she felt, or Teagan simply ignored it. The latter was far more likely. "Now if you'll excuse me, I will retire for the day. We're all exhausted. Have a pleasant night, Warden Neria"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Neria most certainly did not have a pleasant night, not with the bann's words haunting her dreams... as if the nightmares with the Darkspawn were not enough. The elven mage walked through the town's streets, trying to take her mind off Jowan's fate. Running errands for her companions, procuring supplies, doing rounds to heal the injured and sick.

None of it worked.

Her ears twitched as she heard the sound of Bran barking as several children chased after him. Among them was that Kaitlyn girl with her little brother Bevin, Maker was she glad she had found the boy before that last undead horde attack. Neria tried to smile but it simply did not reach her eyes.

"Deep in thought?" The young elven mage squeaked as she nearly jumped. Sharply turning to her side stood Oryrn adorned in a simple black leather jerkin over a white shirt with leather pants, his sword hung to his belt and boots. He gave an apologetic look; "Sorry didn't mean to frighten you."

"N-no, you're fine Ser Oryrn." She stuttered while trying to calm herself patting her chest.

The Dunmeri Templar shook his head; "You can call me Oryrn, no need to be so formal."

Neria nodded back as she resumed walking with Miara's son in-tow; "Um...Your mothers and sisters spoke quite a lot about you."

"If I know them... well Sarya must brought up a few embarrassing moments when we were kids."

"Did riding that uh, 'netch' thing really happen?" her curiosity getting the better of her before covering her mouth.

A low grunt came from the older elf; "Long story..."

The two merely kept aimlessly walking, it was clear that neither of them had a destination in mind. They settled by the docks, looking over the lake. To think that from these crystal blue waters the undead had emerged just a couple of nights ago, they seemed so peaceful, like one could merely sit and contemplate here without a care in the world.

The town itself, while still mourning those who had fallen to the horde, carried on their lives. It amazed Neria they had the strength to keep going after such tragedy.

"The people are now going about their business, like the undead hadn't attacked" She found herself saying as she looked over the waters, staring at the distance where she knew Kinloch Hold lay.

"Make no mistake, the wounds are fresh" Oryrn said in that firm yet not stern tone of his, crossing his arms over his chest. "It's what people do, they move on, they know that if they fall getting back up will be an even greater challenge"

"Moving on huh?" She muttered distantly.

Neria wanted to believe she could move on, beyond the pains of her life, all the hardships and challenges. Meeting her father at the time seemed to just... fix everything. That all her problems laid behind her, that the past didn't matter.

But that past decided it would not be ignored, and so she saw Jowan once more. Jowan, one of her first friends, one of the few people she could trust more than anyone else in this world.

Jowan, who had lied to them and left them to their fate while he ran.

She should be angry shouldn't she? Every fiber in her being should hate Jowan for what he did like Brianna has vocally stated her feelings on the matter.

Neria shook head, she needed to focus on something else. Her eyes soon turned Oryrn who noticed her gaze; "Can I ask you something?" He gave a nod; "Templars in Tamriel are quite different from here right?"

"Well, we don't have lyrium there for one. And no Circle Towers to imprison mages. Outside of those two we share the common belief in protecting the innocent from all evils." Though he had had a few strong words with Knight Commander Harrith and the Chantry mother over mages. He wouldn't call it outright arguing, more a lightly simmering debate between them.

Rubbing her hands the Thedas elf pondered a moment; "Why did you become a Templar?"

At that Oryrn blinked as he scratched her goatee; "Mainly, I just wanted to help the people of Tamriel. As good as things have become since the Second Great War, there is still a lot bad in those lands. Bandits, slavers, corrupt nobles, monsters, and evil Daedra. And the Empire can't deal with it all; thus why we have all the Guilds and the Paladins of Saint Alessia."

"Your moms said you were with the Paladins."

Oryrn cocked his head; "More like I was trained by them outside of my mothers. They showed me the ways of the Templar and followed the path ever since."

"That magic you use" That key difference, their Templars used spells. "Miara calls it aedric magic, or holy magic"

"It is. It's pure light drawn from Aetherius, the realm of the aedra, the gods of order"

"Right" She didn't put too much stock in gods, but the power was real, and it came from another realm like the Fade then it made sense to her. "So, you draw it from belief?"

Oryrn looked like he was about to reply but hesitated for a moment, growing pensive. "Not... exactly" He rubbed his chin with his palm. "A lot of people who practice the aedric arts certainly do, they draw power from their faith in the gods. But it's not just religious fervor, it's about believing in something in an abstract sense, empowering it with your own drive"

Neria tried to understand his words, but felt she needed more to properly picture it. "What drives you, what do you seek when casting that magic?"

"I like to believe in the things my mothers taught me, my mother Miara specially. Honor, justice, righteousness, that I'm using this magic to help someone" He softly exhaled, "She always wants us to be better than her"

"Your mother has her... views on things I certainly don't agree with. But she seems like a good person"

"She is, but she'll be the first to tell you otherwise. It involves matters I'm not in liberty to speak of, that's on her" He shifted his red eyes at her, "My sister told me she taught you the Aedric Spear"

"She did, in Fade" Neria quickly replied. "That magic is... it's nothing like the energy from the Fade. The Fade is mutable, chaotic, yet that light is... structured, peaceful"

"Orderly" Oryrn supplied for her.

"Yes" The Thedosian elf vigorously nodded, "Yes, very much so. And yet, you say you invoke that magic from drive and belief I... am not certain what drives me"

How she said that had gotten Oryrn's attention; "Where you are now, being as a Warden. It wasn't what you expected your life to be?"

"No," Neria slowly shook her head. Her voice was distant; "I always figured my life would be as a simple mage in Kinloch Hold. Learning and understanding the ways of Thedosian magic, reading books, and spending time with my friends." She felt a sting to heart mentally seeing Jowan; "That was to be my life, or so I thought," a small break came to her voice; "Now, I just… don't know who I am anymore."

The Tamriel Templar saw how lost her gaze was, as if she could find her answers in the depths of the lake.

"Events like these can shape people's lives forever. Some good and some bad, but some can find the person they were meant to be in these scenarios. Won't be easy," Oryrn lamented; "Gods know it took me a while to find who I was meant to be. But it can be done. You just have to keep the beliefs of what you think is right and wrong in your heart and head."

The younger elf stared at her fellow elf before looking back to the lake.

Therein laid the question; what was right and wrong?

Was it the law? Justice? Many would say that Jowan being executed was the proper thing to do, he was a criminal, and he attempted to murder the arl. His death would be justice.

...But law wasn't indicative of righteousness now, wasn't it? Law dictated that mages be stripped from the arms of their families. Law dictated Templars and the Chantry should control every aspect of their lives. Some laws... Neria was not sure she agreed with them fully.

Could her own personal believes help her discern right from wrong then? Jowan had betrayed her, he had abandoned them, lied to them, and yet... he was still Jowan. The young boy who welcomed her when she first arrived at the tower, who tried to make her feel safe and at home. The one who helped her study, and then amusingly the tables were reversed.

Could she advocate for the death of a friend? Even if that friend betrayed her like that? Neria didn't know.

...she just knew she couldn't bear the thought of Jowan dying.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

A gloved hand gripped a rock, "I had figured since both mothers are rogues, you'd be an expert climber like they are." Sofie jested as she climbed up a cliff side.

"I'm more of a 'blend into the crowd type' of rogue," Leliana grunted with effort a bit further down. Well, she was a bit more than that with her skills of charm and seduction; "Not that I can't do this, though I am more out of shape than I thought." Sweat dripped off the redhead's face and body.

Out of shape, with a figure like that? Sofie shook her head as she kept focus; "Well thankfully the Hinterlands has all kinds of places to practice."

A dry look came from the redhead's gaze; "Est-elle sérieuse? (Is she serious)," she quipped to herself muttering more in Orlesian as she kept climbing. "Did your mothers teach Oryrn and Sarya how to climb?"

"Heh, Sarya when she was little loved climbing everything but never could figure out how to get herself down." Oh she still laughed when remembering in Solstheim how it took a dozen or so Rieklings climbing on top of one another to make a ladder for her little sister. "Oryrn can scale up faster than I can."

Leliana grunted with effort as she pulled herself up from a rock, sometimes the hill felt endless. "When you said you wanted to go sight-seeing, I thought we'd go through hmh!" She huffed, stopping for a moment, "the forest, or to a lake perhaps"

"Oh we'll see that" Sofie's confident and thrilled grin was a touch infectious. "From up there we'll see it all. Come on, not much further, don't slow down now"

The redhead climbed over three more stones in her ascent. "Easy for you to say" She replied with a bit of irritation, "Your arms are easily twice the size of mine" Though if there was a positive to this experience, it was seeing the muscles on said arms coil and work as the nord climbed up.

Soon enough, Sofie reached the flat top of the hill. She softly grunted as she pushed herself up, positioning herself to kneel on the edge and reach out to the redhead.

As she battled her dwindling stamina, adrenaline surged through Leliana's body as she pushed her limbs to the limit, seeking Sofie's hand and firmly grasping her forearm. "There, now just let me-" Her words stopped as her body suddenly felt weightless. Sofie pulled her up without any issue; she soon reached the top as the nord safely grasped her and dragged her further in to be at a safe distance from the edge. "Oh" She muttered, her palms finding themselves over Sofie's strong biceps, feeling their outstanding solidity.

Sofie quirked a smirk, "That was fun huh?"

"Um" Leliana's throat felt very dry, and told herself it was from all the climbing. "Y-Yes" With extreme reluctance, the bard separated herself from the nord's firm body, and dusted herself off. Desperately trying to get her mind off that battle forged warrior's beauty.

Sofie rested her hands on her hips, and looked over the horizon. She sighed in satisfaction with a wide smile, "There, do you see it?"

Leliana was about to ask what in particular, but as she followed the nord's gaze she understood. She saw everything.

The vast open green fields of the Hinterland, the Redcliffe village proper and the majestic castle itself, and the ever beautiful lake Calenhad. All could be seen from where they now stood. A small gasp escaped the lips of the former Chantry sister as her blue eyes took in the entire sight before her.

"Now this is a sight," Sofie remarked pleasantly; "Could rival several places between Skyrim or Cyrodiil."

Leli however remained silent; too enthralled by the sheer beauty of the Maker's glory all around them. Oh she could make a dozen songs or poems along just seeing this entire splendor. A soft breeze enveloped them making the redhead close her eyes as her short locks jostled.

"What do you see, Leliana?" Sofie asked, waving a hand towards the landscape.

"Ferelden" It was the first thing that came to her mind opening her eyes. "The Maker's work and all its beauty" From the tall mountains in the horizon, to the forests in the valleys, and the patches of blue where lakes shimmered under the sun's rays. Nature, unperturbed, peaceful.

"And beyond that?" The nord smiled.

"Beyond?" She repeated; a touch confused. "Well... I know to the west lies Orlais. And to the north the sea"

"No, no, not the locations you know" Sofie corrected her with a shake of her head. "Not the places you've seen. Think about what you can't see" The way she looked at the horizon, at that place where the sky met the earth until the colors dimmed and blurred... it was like she was staring at an old friend, a companion, a beloved. "That place, beyond the clouds, beyond what you can see. Those things that remain hidden from us, don't you ever wonder what they could hold?"

Leliana honestly never did. All her life her travels were limited to what her assignment was, and when that was over, she had been content within the walls of a Chantry.

"A cave that leads to the tomb of a long lost hero. The ruins which hold magics unseen in ages. Forests in which sprites and woodlings dance under the moonlight" The wind gently caressed her face, and Sofie basked in it, inhaling deeply the scent of leaves carried by it. "There can be anything there, just waiting for someone to see it. This world is filled with such marvels one can scarcely imagine"

Sofie's words were filled with nigh endless wanderlust, a desire to see and do it all, to face the unknown under the promise of adventure.

"When I was a child, the world I knew were tall, cold walls covered in snow. They were familiar, they kept me safe when I had nothing" The nord spoke in reminiscence. "But then one day this elf arrived and told me stories so wondrous and unbelievable, painting a picture of a world beyond city walls, under an endless horizon where undiscovered glories and wonders waited for anyone brave enough to seek them out" Her smile turned fond. "And the first time I left those walls, I understood what she meant. This... vastness spread before me, it wasn't seeing just the wilderness, and I looked beyond that. Always towards that horizon" She reached forward as she could grab that sky in her hand. "And I wanted to see it. All of it"

Leliana remained in silent awe of the sheer love Sofie had for this world, for life itself, to live to the fullest and experience as much as she could. The bard had honestly never met someone with such a pure drive, such eagerness to answer the call for adventure.

Such was her passion that Leliana herself admitted it was a very tempting picture laid before her. A canvas of unending possibilities she had never thought of before. It made her feel like a little girl once more, listening to her mother's stories.

The redhead smiled the gentlest of smiles. "A philosopher once said; 'The health of the eye seems to demand a horizon. We are never tired, so long as we can see far enough'."

"Good words to live by," The Nordic warrior grinned; "I plan on seeing every horizon Thedas has for me once this mess is all done."

"You're staying," Leliana sounded genuinely surprised.

Sofie glanced over to her; "Pass up on venturing throughout a land unknown to Tamriel? Not on your life!" She gestured around them; "I plan on seeing every inch of Ferelden, Orzammar, Free Marches, and everything else under Akatosh's eye."

The redhead's heart fluttered wildly. So much so she could not stop the wide smile forming on her lips as the wind played with her hair. A faint blush crossed Sofie's cheeks before looking back ahead. She was about to speak before a beautiful hymn was let out beside her.

"Hahren na melana sahlin

Emma ir abelas

Souver'inan isala hamin

Vhenan him dor'felas

In uthenera na revas."

The Nordic woman only could stare at Leliana who sung with her hands cupped to her heart and eyes closed.

"Vir sulahn'nehn

Vir dirthera

Vir samahl la numin

Vir lath sa'vunin."

Her song ended, and her hands softly fell to the side. Smiling contently as she looked towards the blue sky, which seemed even more vibrant than before if that was possible.

"That was beautiful" Sofie said in a gentle tone. "Those words, they sounded elven"

"It is an elven song" Leliana nodded, "The verses imply death, the end of a journey, but also the love and joy held in that life. I'm... sorry, I should have sung something more beautiful to do your words justice. But it's the loveliest song I know" Her lips pursed in shame, "You told me how much you love this world, and all I could sing was a mourning song"

"I enjoyed it" The nord said genuinely. "I will never get tired of your songs"

Her cheeks tinted rose, "Maybe I can learn new songs, find one that will actually resonate with what you told me"

Sofie remained silent for a moment, pondering her next words with an excited heartbeat. "Maybe if you accompany me, if you... see Thedas with me, you'll find the song you want"

Blue eyes shifted to the warrior in surprise, and saw the eagerness and honest desire in her fellow sapphire. The bard barely even thought about her answer as her lips moved, "I... I'd love that"

A smile of pure joy threated to split the nords face, and the two once more looked towards the horizon, at the promise of endless adventure, and a journey the two would go on together.

Little by little, almost afraid, their hands inched closer, fingers tenderly brushing against one another before their hands joined fully in a gentle yet firm grip as the bard leaned in closer, resting her head against the warrior's shoulder.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Arcane energy swirled around Brianna with her arms extended out to her sides. Miara and Serana stood around her as the trio was outside at the castle's courtyard. "Once this is done we'll work on your sword training," The dragonborn remarked pacing around the young mage.

Amell only nodded as she concentrated on her current spell work. Purple energy glowed from her hands before moving them from her sides to in front of her. A smiled form on her lips as a door of Oblivion opened. What soon appeared was a towering humanoid being of golden flesh, strange red arcane words carved in said flesh. It wore ghastly armaments with its eye sown shut, on its forehead glowed a golden orange light.

"Very good," Serana nodding approving; "Wonder how Relmyna would react?"

Miara only shrugged back; "Take a guess love."

Depending on the day; Miara knew Relmyna Verenim would either be begrudgingly impressed or want to tear Bri apart for even learning the spell of summoning one of her prized creations. By the gods that madwoman's mood swings were an utter nightmare. Dumag gro-Bonk and Cutter were a dream to deal with compared to her fellow Dunmer during her time on the Isles.

On her part Brianna huffed with a tinge of sweat on her brow; "So? How was that?" The young women sounded quite proud of herself walking over to her summon. "What were these called again?"

"Flesh Atronach," The dunmer clarified; "safer for you to try to summon right now since they are golems in a sense."

"I can hazard how it was made" Brianna remarked as she took note of the creatures stitched up pieces of mismatching flesh.

"Don't worry too much about it. Oh here's a tip I wish someone had told me one my adventuring days had first started" Miara beamed up. "You can get some good ingredients from some daedra you summon without killing them. Like a frost atronach, you just scrape a limb and get all the highly useful frost salts"

"What, you want me to use a cheese scraper on this bugger's flesh?" The mage said with a grossed out expression.

"Of course not," Serana waved it off, "We already have a good supply of flesh salts"

"Yuck"

"Keep this one around" Miara advised, "We need to see how long you can keep the summoning going"

Good thing most of the guards were either inside the castle, or patrolling the village, they'd be a 'touch' uncomfortable at the sight of something that very much looked like some undead abomination after recent events.

"What's next?" Brianna excitedly asked, eager for more.

"Well a lot of Dark Magics are very similar to your Entropy school, you've shown a knack for them so I don't believe we need to practice that at the moment" The vampire reasoned, crossing her arms. "Let's try Alteration. How are your skin hardening spells?"

"I mustered Oakflesh already" Brianna said, and demonstrated by making her skin acquired a bark-like surface. "And I'm doing good progress with Stoneflesh" She said, her skin now looking like cracked stones.

"Good, keep on practicing those until you can move to metals" Miara advised, "What I'd like to see is your Waterbreathing" She went over by the well and filled the wooden bucket next to it before bringing it to the Amell. "Now, put your head here"

"...You're serious" Brianna droned.

"If your spell works, it'd be like breathing air"

Bri pursed her lips before taking a looking at the water inside the bucket. An ethereal light shimmered around her body before taking a deep breath and dunking her head into the bucket. Her eyes were closed for a second before opening them and exhaling. To her surprise she was not drowning but breathing even and normal.

In a heartbeat her head snapped upwards with her wet hair whipping back. Her eyes were wide, "I-I could breathe..." She blink as she noticed a dry glare from her elven teacher as now her face and hair was now wet; "Sorry."

A chuckle came Serana; "Oh your fine dear, I should tell you about her time helping out a Khajiit mage named J'zargo."

"I met him," Recognition bore on the young woman's face; "When we went to the College in Skyrim; the destruction teacher."

Far cry from the overly arrogant feline Miara had met when first going to the college years ago. Serana laughed; "My dear lover here tested some fire scrolls for him."

The dark elf's eyes twitched; "I lost three good outfits because of his fire fetish."

"And walked back to Whiterun half-naked."

"Okay, what's next?" Brianna asked once more.

The vampire and dunmer shared a glance; "Wouldn't you rather take a break? You've been add it for hours"

"That's what stamina regeneration spells are for" Brianna said as though it was obvious, waving hand and casting a spell on her person. "Useful"

"Not so useful when your fatigue catches up with your body. It takes a very high level spell to actually restore stamina, instead of forcing your body to move on despite how tired it feels" Miara admonished, "Neria can cast such a spell, and I know for a fact you can't"

"I'm fine" The Amell said irritably, "I want to know more. Isn't that what you wanted? I'm moving beyond the Circle's repressive grasp"

"Oh I don't think your attitude today doesn't have anything to do with the Circle" Serana pointed out, "Or maybe it does in a way" She arched a knowing eyebrow. "You want to keep yourself busy to ignore the issue"

Brianna kept a guarded expression, "I don't know what you're talking about" She walked a few paces back, turning her back to them as she crossed her arms. Her blue eyes hardening.

"But you do, girl, you do" Miara said with a tinge of sympathy on her voice. "The young man who started this, you know him"

The grip of her fingers tightened around her arms, "I used to" She said crisply.

"Are you not bothered by his fate?" The dunmer asked, "He will be executed, and they will be well within their rights to do so"

For a moment, the Amell remained silent, taking in the dunmer's words as she pondered her reply. "...Good"

"Good..." Miara repeated with a cocked head; "He is your and Neria's friend."

Brianna sharply turned to glare at both; "Was our friend." She turned away rubbing her arms as she begun pacing. "Neria told you what happened in Kinloch Hold right?"

Serana nodded; "Gave us the short version, we could tell what happened hurt her, you, and this Lily girl."

"Quite deeply;" Miara finished.

The young woman kept pacing before stopping at her summons. Both lovers could feel Amell's immense anger but also a great deal of hurt. Bri looked up to the Atronach who looked back at her with its glowing single eye. Sighing loudly she peered back to the two; "He betrayed me and Neria after we helped. He chose to use blood magic and ran like a coward, leaving us to face our fates." And if Duncan had not been there it would either been prison, execution, or be made tranquil. And Brianna would rather die than be made into an empty husk of a person.

"Jowan made his bed the moment he betrayed us. US. Who have been there for him since we were children, who risked so much to help him" The pain was still noticeable in her voice, even if buried behind mountains of anger.

"I see" Serana replied neutrally, usually she would have voice her judgement without regret. But this was a very delicate situation. "So you believe what will happen to him is fair?"

"Nothing is ever fair for a mage" Brianna spat venomously. "I am not letting anything or anyone hold me back anymore. Especially not people who do not deserve my sympathy. I'm... tired, of constantly living with the shadow of the Circle looming over me. I thought life as a Warden would free me from it, yet now I find it haunting me every step of the way"

"So, Jowan dying truly doesn't affect you at all? You feel nothing for it?" Miara asked.

The mage pondered on her words, "I will admit part of me is sad that it's come to this. But another part of me... is satisfied"

"Better to let out those feelings than holding them in," Miara expressed gently; "We're good listeners."

Bri's clinched her hand to a fist for a moment before letting out a long sigh; "Thank you, but I'd rather focus on being productive right now. I'll vent on our enemies, that has been helping a lot." She glanced over at the lovers; "Neria though could use good listeners. She is more open with her feelings than I am."

Always thinking of her friend more than herself. "You really care for her"

"…She's family" The Amell softly said; "Neria to me is my sister, she became my family in that hellhole. Kept me out of trouble a few times. Heh, got her into trouble a bit too." The lovely brunette chuckled remembering the younger days. "Not sure how I would have been had she never been there." Her gaze darkened; "Though I wonder, had she never awakened her magic how her live had been in the alienage?"

Before leaving Denerim Bri had went to alienage to check on Neria. She had no words to describe the poor conditions of that place.

"It would just been one cage for another" Serana shrugged.

"Perhaps" Brianna acknowledged. "The Circle certainly fed her far more than life at the Alienage would have, and did not have to deal with human oppression. But in exchange there was the Templars just looking for an excuse to throw any mage they dislike in a cell" She sighed, "Neria is smart but... she's just so hopeless and naive at times. To be perfectly candid, I don't know if she could make it in a life outside the Circle"

"And that's why you're here" Miara pointed out, "To take care of her"

"Somebody has to" The human mage replied. Neria was a good person, with a good head on her shoulders... on academic matters. Now that they were out here, beyond the rules and regulations of the Circle, she had to make sure her friend could deal with how things worked out here. To stop holding onto so strongly to the obsolete and dogmatic Chantry teachings and forced morality.

No doubt she was grieving Jowan's fate, but eventually she'd come around.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

The following morning the group with Bann Teagan all sat in the meeting hall discussing their next plan of action. Everyone save Sten and Shale look over at the Ferelden map placed on one of the tables in the room. "Outside yourself and Alfstanna, any of the nobility we can trust?" Marcus asked peering over to the Bann who rubbed his chin.

"Arl Bryland of South Reach, it goes without saying he was quite vocal of Rendon's claims of your family and his actions as Eamon told me. You'll find allies there, as for the rest," the noble sighed; "Arl Gallagher Wulff also comes to mind due to the Darkspawn closing in on his door, he desperately needs aid to protect his land. Unfortunately, there are as many in the nobility who can be swayed easily with coin and power, as there are those willing to listen to reason"

"Sounds like a normal day in High Rock," Serana quipped leaning against a pillar.

A thought came to the Bann; "Before I forget I sent word to Rainesfere that you're welcomed there. My hold maybe small but can offer rest and supplies if you need them."

Miara could not help but smile; "How is that such a good and handsome man like yourself is not taken yet," questioned with a charm in her tone.

The bann let out a flattered yet slightly flustered chuckle; "I'm afraid I have not had the time to find the right woman"

"At least you have options. Some us had to settle" Serana quipped with her usual charm.

Miara sweetly laughed, "Honey, there is a fine line between playful riffing and sleeping on the couch"

"If we could focus please" The Cousland said a touch impatiently, feeling now was not the time for their usual shenanigans. "I can think of a number of people in the bannorn who are likely to either believe our claims if we provide sufficient evidence, or we manage to persuade them join our side by gaining their trust" His sapphire eyes shifted to the bann. "How much dissent has spread through the nobility?"

"A lot" Teagan grimly informed them. "Word is Loghain is already mobilizing troops to quell any attempts of insurrection. The banns against him are not helping matters by gathering their own forces if they feel they're threatened"

"Maker" Alistair breathed out horrified, "A civil war..."

The mood grew bleak amongst the group. "The Blight threatens these lands but the leaders would rather fight amongst themselves," Sten spoke up with disgust; "Their complacency will destroy them."

"Agree with the big guy," Faren offered his opinion on the matter.

Placing her hands on the table, Sofie stared at the map with a cold unreadable gaze; "I lived through one civil war as a child. And it is the children who suffer the most during these." And the people like her father who followed ideals blindly and died for it, leaving their loved ones to starve in the streets.

"Why we will stop these idiots before what happened in Skyrim happens here," Miara spoke with steely conviction crossing her arms under her bust.

"No pressure," Gin muttered; "Fight the coming Blight and keep bunch of shemlords from killing each other. Seriously we deserve hazard pay for all this crap."

Teagan grunted; "At any rate Sarya expressed she was staying here with this Magister Alfe to look over Eamon." This was why said young dunmer was not present in the meeting as she was at Soldier's Peak discussing with her teacher on the Arl's poisoning.

This was probably for the best given their next destination. "We really have to go to Kinloch Hold?" Brianna tried to keep the drone out of her voice.

"Yes," Serana quipped back; "We need healers and Neria stressed there are quite a few skilled in the art at the Circle."

"I believe having more magic users as part of our army would be beneficial" Theron pointed out, "Your personal bias should not cost us allies"

The Amell mage frowned at the dalish, crossing her arms. "Why must you word it like that?"

"So far I've heard nothing but opposition from you on that front" Theron merely replied.

Marcus raised a hand, pretty much ordering them to stuff it because this turned into an argument. "Enough. We are pressed for allies as it is. Eamon remains one of our best hopes in gathering soldiers from Ferelden and rallying the bannorn against Loghain. We must look for everyone we can"

"...Then you must go to Orzammar eventually" Sereda told her human friend, her voice a touch distant. "My people have a sizeable army, high quality gear, even for the common foot soldiers, and many years of experience fighting the Blighters. The dwarven army will be invaluable to us"

"'Us'" The Cousland muttered, "You want to join us?"

"I do" Sereda nodded firmly, "You said it yourself, you need all the help you can get" Her lips pursed as she turned to her other friends. "Now, I know for a fact Oryrn will join your party as well"

"Undoubtedly" The elf in ebony armor nodded to the Wardens, making his mothers smile.

"But you, Faren, you don't have to-"

"Don't have to what?" The marked dwarf smirked, "Not go on the adventure of a lifetime with certain death and small odds of success? Oh no way in the Stone I'm missing any of this"

A few chuckled before getting serious once more; "So is that everything?" Marcus asked around.

"I have one thought I'd like to ask Miara," Teagan spoke up garnering the dunmer's attention; "I know this might be bold in asking, but would Tamriel be open to help us?"

His question took many in the room by surprise. Alistair spoke up before the rest; "I don't think the rest of Ferelden would be too happy on that." Especially given their history with other foreign nations. "Never mind the fact their empire might not be keen on getting involved in this."

"But Tamriel Empire did send them to Thedas," The Bann brings up as Oryrn had explained to him once they begun speaking to one another.

"To explore yes," Serana acknowledged with a nod.

"Currently the Empire is content as it is," Miara clarifies; "After the Second Great War, Tamriel has had three decades of prosperity and we're more united than we have been in a long time." Not to say it has been perfect, she remembered of a certain Argonian high councilman who loves being an ass to her.

And there were many who were not happy at being brought back to the empire.

Neria glanced over to Teagan; "After what their nations have been through with the Thalmor they might want to take it easy." The young mage shivered as she recalled the horror stories from Miara about those Altmer extremists. All the evil they had done to Tamriel and its people were barbaric.

"Can I ask something?" everyone turned to Theron; "Sarya said your empire ordered your expedition to Thedas. But how did even find out about our lands?"

"The court seerer Arameris," Miara slowly explained. "She... saw Thedas... And I believe she saw the coming Blight."

"Wait" Neria stared surprised, "You have someone who can make Divination that accurately?"

"Arameris' gift of foresight is extremely rare. Few can ever match power of prophecy like hers" Sofie explained.

Something occurred to Marcus, "Then, you weren't sent here just to explore" He realized, "You came her to make sure the Blight is not a threat to Tamriel" A few eyes widened as his words resonated with them; it did make far more sense when they thought about it.

"If the horde could somehow cross the great sea, then perhaps. As it is, I highly doubt Tamriel would be in danger of the Taint"

"But you're still here" The noble said, gratefulness lacing his tone, "Even though it's not your fight"

"I said I would help you to the best of my ability" The dunmer said resolute. "And I'll keep my word. But I don't think I can get you a legion to come and fight for you, and die for your land, when we have little to gain from it" This came to something that had to be told since this was coming out. "Since you brought up the empire I should bring up something else. I am the Laniatum Excubiarum of the Cyrodiilic Empire." All eyes went to her; "Or for those in the room who do not know colovian, that means Sentinel. I serve under the direct orders from Emperor Nihlus"

Multiple eyes widened in shock, a pin dropping could have been heard.

"Are you a special agent of your empire?" Leliana asked slowly turning her gaze to Sofie. "So does that mean you're-"

"I work for the empire, not my family. They just came along because they wanted to."

"Are you a spy?" Gin asked crossing his arms.

Miara shook her head; "No, I was only asked to explore Thedas and seek whatever Arameris saw"

"They are not spies;" Marcus spoke with certainty.

Morrigan who had been silent and watching everyone cocked a brow; "You're really that sure?"

"They went through an awful lot of trouble to work as spies otherwise" The Cousland pointed out, "Between helping me and my family escape Highever, joining with us at Ostagar, their aid on the quest to stop the Blight. A smart spy would have just gathered everything they found and reported back"

The witch couldn't deny it didn't make much sense when looked that way. Not that she'd voice it out loud.

Teagan nodded to himself, thinking it over. "If they had nefarious purposes, now would have been the best time to plot against Ferelden"

Well at least some people here had working brains, the vampire thought satisfied.

"You said 'Sentinel'" Alistair brought back. "What does that rank mean?"

"It means I'm whatever the empire needs me to be" The dunmer explained, "Rogue, frontline soldier, magical advisor, and even general. In this instance, explorer"

There was also having a seat on the high council but they did not need to know that. "That's..." Sereda spoke slowly; "A lot of positions for one rank."

Marcus thought for a long moment; "So no way we could get help from your emperor?"

"Unless I can fully convince Nihlus just how dangerous the Darkspawn are here, no. The empire won't just lend out troops out of the goodness of their hearts. Unless there is a there is something to benefit them, they won't risk lives needlessly."

Her tone was neither cold nor cruel, but matter of factly. And it was reasonable as many nodded in agreement to her words. "Then we work with what we have," Alistair grunted; "So we will be off to Kinloch Hold."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Jowan leaned back against the wall of his cell, the sensation of the hard cold stone against his body made him miss the Circle. At least there were beds there; he would bear sleeping under the watchful gaze of a dozen Templars if it meant he could get a decent sleep on a warm soft bed.

Strangely, lately he felt coldly detached to his conditions, where once it had been constant whirlwind ever since he escaped Kinloch hold. He was afraid when Arl Howe's men had captured him, briefly felt hope when Teyrn Loghain recruited him, apprehension when sent on that task 'for the good of the country', dread when he was discovered, and a crushing feeling of agony as he was tortured and interrogated.

And when Connor was possessed, he felt his doom approaching. Even now, with the boy saved, Jowan could still feel. Looming over him like a demon in his dreams.

He was going to die, of that he was certain. So he simply surrendered to that fact, to spare himself the fear.

Whatever made him think he could ever be free?

His dark musings were cut by the sound of the guard standing close to his desk fell, armor clattering against the stone as soft snores soon escaped from his nose. He looked up confused. Had the guard suddenly fell asleep?

His eyes rose in shock as the answer came in the form of Neria who walked into the prison room. In her hands were the keys to the cells, she said nothing as she came over, unlocked his cell door and opened it. Jowan's mouth moved several times before words came out before he finally spook; "A-Are you out of your mind?!"

The elf's face shifted through several emotions; "Not sure honestly."

"You do this and you'll end up like me," Jowan rose to stand; "And after what I did to you, Bri, and Lily I have this coming. Not you," Running off like he did, abandoning the two people who became his sisters and woman he loved. He couldn't bear hurting them again; "Let my death make amends for all this mess."

"My choice," Neria pointed in the direction of the secret passage. "And no one will know about this save the two of us." A grumbled noise made itself known as they looked down and saw Bran; "And my dog." Jowan wanted to protest more till the elf spoke in a stronger tone; "Go! I'm not Brianna or like the others, find your redemption by living. But I never want to see you again, am I clear?" Tears streamed down her cheeks as her voice had begun to quiver.

Silence engulfed the room; Jowan only stared at his longtime friend before slowly walking out of the cell. She did not meet his eyes as she kept pointing. A low sigh escaped his lips; "I'm sorry, for everything..." Those were his final words before he ran down the secret passage.

Neria's arm dropped her side, tears still fell from her eyes before looking down to her mabari; "This was the right thing to do. Right?"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Hope ya enjoyed!

Leliana's Song by Inon Zur