Lava bubbled up from a chamber deep below the main entrance. Linn watched it warily as she fidgeted with the 'control rod' she had gotten from a trader on the way to the Frostback Mountains. The Dwarven City of Orzammar was certainly a sight to behold even though the lava made Linn incredibly nervous. She glanced at the giant statues of "Paragons" as she wandered around the shops and looked for her friends. While her intention for coming here was to use the treaties to get more help against the darkspawn, it seemed that the dwarven community couldn't make any decisions until they had elected a new king. To be honest, Linn disliked both candidates. Perhaps if they left for a while, the situation would resolve itself. Most likely not but one could hope.
Linn saw Leliana and Wynne in the distance and walked towards them. Thankfully, they seemed to be enjoying the sights. After they had arrived at the mountains, they had been attacked by Loghain's mercenaries, and Linn had been worried that the rest of the trip would be just as rough. Luckily, the other mercenaries at the gate had been easily scared away, not unlike the scavenger who had taken Sten's sword. The good news was that the sword was likely in Redcliffe, but Linn was still irritated that they had been so close to finding it only to come up empty-handed.
"Um, excuse me," a small voice said, and Linn turned to see a young dwarven woman staring at her nervously. "I'm sorry to bother you, but you look like you're not from around here."
Linn gave her a smile and replied after a chuckle, "You could say that."
The woman's eyes lit up, and she continued excitedly, "I've been trying to find someone who really knows the surface world. I-I don't suppose you've heard of something called 'The Circle'?"
"I was just there not too long ago. My friend Wynne would know more," Linn replied as she shot Wynne a look for help.
"Oh, my lady, it's an honor," the young girl said with wonder. "I've never met an actual mage. Is it true you manipulate nature's forces with your mind? Like you were born with lyrium in your veins?"
"Don't let the glamour fool you, child," Wynne spoke up as she and Leliana joined Linn. "Wielding magic is a dangerous occupation and a great responsibility."
"So what would you like to know about the Circle?" Linn asked to move the conversation forward.
The young girl explained that she wanted to study magic, but as dwarves were immune to magic, she hadn't received a reply. When Linn gave her a curious look, the girl went on to explain that even if she couldn't use magic she still wanted to study it. The fire in the young woman's eyes made Linn waver for a moment. She had hoped never to return to the tower, but… perhaps a single visit wouldn't be the worst.
"Are you certain about this?" Linn asked and noticed Wynne was watching Linn closely. "You wouldn't be able to see your family… I can ask, but please think about it more before I return."
The woman's eyes looked into the distance before she turned back to Linn with a look of resolute determination.
"I know what I'm giving up to learn magic… It's worth it," the woman replied earnestly. "My name is Dagna, daughter of Janar of the Smith Caste. Tell the Circle mages that I've already begun reading the Tevinter Imperium's 'Fortikum Kadab', and it's just fascinating!"
As Dagna excitedly talked about the Imperium, Leliana leaned in close to Linn and whispered, "She's so enthusiastic and adorable! I'm glad we're helping her."
Linn nodded before she promised to speak with the Circle. Dagna told them where they could find her when they returned. Leliana happily told Linn about the trinkets that she had seen at the shops as they tried to find the others. Morrigan and Zevran were admiring the scenery when Linn caught up with them. Leliana and Wynne had seemed to find Sten and Alistair as they walked further into the dwarven city. Morrigan and Zevran gave her an odd, calculating look that Linn didn't like.
After clearing her throat, Linn said, "I'm leaving. It seems like we should give them space to work out their king debate thing… We still need to talk with the Dalish anyway."
Morrigan and Zevran quickly followed her with Morrigan quickly catching up to Linn. With a small sigh, Linn turned to her and stopped. Morrigan raised a brow in response to Linn's searching look.
"I can tell that you want something… Did you find something strange in that Grimoire I gave you?" Linn asked as her eyes searched Morrigan's face.
Morrigan made sure that their other friends were still out of hearing range before she spoke, "Indeed I did. 'Tis not what I had expected. I had hoped for a collection of her spells, a map of the power that she commands, but this is not it."
There was a frailness to her voice that Linn had not heard before. She sounded disturbed… frightened.
"What did you find?"
"There was one thing in particular within her writings that disturbs me," Morrigan said as she took out the grimoire and turned to a page for Linn to read. "Here, in great detail, Flemeth explains the means by which she has survived for centuries."
Linn looked at the writings, but they meant little to her. Flemeth was using a language that Linn had never seen before.
"Does she sacrifice babies or something?" Linn joked as she handed the book back to Morrigan.
Morrigan gave her a tired look in response but replied in an amused tone, "That is closer to the truth than you might think. Flemeth has raised many daughters over her long lifetime. There are stories of these many Witches of the Wilds throughout the Chasind legend, yet I have never seen a one and always wondered why not."
"Oh, hell…" Linn muttered.
"You seem to have stumbled upon the answer," Morrigan said with a meaningful look.
"And yet somehow I am lost," Zevran spoke up, startling Linn who had forgotten that he was there. "You said that you want me to kill someone, yes?"
With a sigh, Morrigan explained, "Yes. My mother. The Witches of the Wilds are all Flemeth. When her body becomes old and wizened, she raises a daughter. And when the time is right, she takes her daughter's body for her own."
"So you want me to kill your mother?" Zevran asked with surprise. "Not the strangest contract I have heard of but… That would depend on our dear Grey Warden. What do you think of this?"
Linn hesitated before she replied, "Morrigan… I'm so sorry-"
"Do not be sorry. I am not. I am angry," Morrigan replied shortly before she calmed herself. "There is only one possible response to this: Flemeth needs to die. I will not sit about like an empty sack waiting to be filled. Flemeth must be slain and I need your help to do it."
Morrigan looked at her with pleading eyes as Zevran watched her closely. Linn gripped her shoulder. Morrigan clearly wasn't lying; with Morrigan's whole "only the strong survive mentality", Linn doubted that Morrigan would show fear to anyone unless she was deeply afraid. However, Linn had heard the stories of Flemeth. Killing the Witch of the Wilds would be no small task.
"I think… Honestly, I don't know what to think. It makes sense. I was also wondering why there were only two 'Witches of the Wilds' despite all of the stories. Right now, I don't think I'm strong enough to defeat Flemeth, so I don't want to make any promises. Hell… we might get killed by mercenaries on the way back to Redcliffe."
"A sad possibility," Zevran muttered, and Morrigan gave him a dirty look.
"But you will consider it?" Morrigan asked hesitantly.
"If I become strong enough to kill your body-napping mother, then yes, Morrigan, I will do so. Besides, even if we do kill her… couldn't she just possess someone else?"
"Perhaps," Morrigan admitted. "The thing I truly need is her true grimoire. With it I can defend against her power in the future. You may take anything else she has to offer."
"Sounds great," Linn muttered and started walking toward Alistair in the distance. "But first we need to head back to Redcliffe, then we need to speak with the Dalish. After that, Denerim to find that Genitivi guy… The Blight takes priority."
"Spoken like a true Grey Warden," Zevran said cheerfully, and Linn gave him an angry look. "Now, now, my dear Warden, if you keep looking at me like that, I may get mixed signals."
Rolling her eyes, Linn decided to ignore him and catch up to Alistair. He gave her a curious look, and she mouthed 'Later'. He seemed to understand and let it drop for the moment.
After Linn made sure that everyone was accounted for, Linn led the way out of Orzammar and down the mountain. The freezing air made her miss the warmth of Orzammar, but she needed to make sure that they got to Redcliffe before the Qunari blade was sold again. Wynne and Leliana chatted happily with Alistair as Morrigan and Sten snarked at each other from the back of the group.
"So…" Zevran said from closer than she would have liked. "Are you truly going to kill Morrigan's evil witch mother or were you just trying to placate her for now?"
Linn responded with a glare, and Zevran put his hands up.
"My apologies. I would hate for you to grab me by my collar again. I was just curious."
Linn looked away, biting her lip. With a sigh, she said quietly, "I'm sorry."
"I couldn't quite hear you," Zevran replied, and Linn turned around quickly in anger. The look on his face told her that he either truly hadn't heard her or he thought that he'd heard her wrong.
With a sigh, she repeated herself a little louder this time, "I'm sorry, Zevran. I shouldn't have done that. You're annoying as hell, but… I'm responsible for my own actions. You didn't deserve that. And I apologize."
Zevran stared at her for a moment before he turned his gaze to the ground as though puzzled and not quite sure what to say. If it gave her some peace and quiet, then she might try apologizing more often. The sun began to set as they made it back to the foot of the mountain. Luckily, their tents were undisturbed.
After putting her staff inside her bag, Linn's sleeve caught on something inside. She pulled out a necklace that she had found inside the Arl's office. She peeked outside of her tent to see Alistair about to settle into his own tent.
"Hey, Alistair," Linn whispered and gestured for him to walk over.
Alistair gave her a look of confusion but did as she had asked. Linn put the necklace into his hands, and he stared at it for a few moments.
"This… This is my mother's amulet," Alistair muttered breathlessly before he looked at Linn with confusion. "It has to be. But why isn't it broken? Where did you find it?"
"I found it in the Arl's office while you were talking with Teagan," Linn quickly explained. "I would have given it to you sooner, but… with everything else going on, I kind of… forgot."
"Then he must have… found the amulet after I threw it at the wall. And he repaired it and kept it? I don't understand. Why would he do that?"
"Some people find it harder than others to admit when they care about someone," Linn said with a small smile. "Maybe you mean more to him than you think."
Alistair gave her a smile in return, and his attention focused back on the amulet. "I… guess you could be right. We never really talked that much, and then the way I left… Thank you. I mean it. I… thought I'd lost this to my own stupidity. I'll need to talk to him about this. If he recovers from his… when he recovers, that is. I wish I'd had this a long time ago. Did you remember me mentioning it?" Alistair gave her a sheepish smile before he continued, "Wow. I'm more used to people not really listening when I go on about things."
"Of course I remembered, idgit," Linn replied with a giggle. "We've only known each other for a short time but… You're special to me."
"Is this the part where the music starts and we begin dancing?" Alistair asked jokingly, trying to hide a blush spreading across his face. "Because I'm game. Where's the minstrels?"
"You might not be so ready when you find out about my dancing skills. Or lack thereof," Linn joked back. "The mighty ex-templar taken out by a mage with two left feet."
They tried to keep their laughter quiet. Neither of them wanted to awaken the Qunari warrior or the apostate mage from their slumber.
"Thank you," Alistair murmured as his hand gently gripped the amulet.
"You are very welcome. Now… I'm going to take a little walk before I turn in. Good night, Alistair."
Alistair bid her goodnight as he walked back to his tent. After making sure the others were asleep, Linn stepped out of her tent and quietly walked out into the woods. After a careful look at her surroundings, she closed her eyes and searched for any traces of magic and darkspawn. A familiar smell greeted her, and she opened her eyes to search the dark.
"I know you're here. I can smell your sulfury ass!" Linn whispered angrily. "Quit hiding!"
"Oh, you liar," a familiar voice said from the darkness. Belphegor stepped into view from the shadows with a smirk. "I haven't been in hell for quite some time, and I use body wash. It's peach scented. You on the other hand… When was the last time you showered?"
Belphegor gave her a cheerful smile as she glared at him in response.
"Why are you here, Bel?"
"I could ask the same of you," Bel replied in a singsong tone. "Your uncle Crowley's not exactly happy that you're running around here. What are you looking for anyway?"
"That's… None of your concern."
"Is it now?" Bel asked nonchalantly, but Linn could feel something brewing beneath the surface. "Well, the King of Hell made it my concern. Pack up your things. If you don't want to tell me, then fine. You can explain it to him yourself when we get back."
"No, I need this," Linn argued and closed the distance between them. "If you try to ruin this for me-"
"You'll kill me?" Bel asked with fake concern. "Consume me? Don't forget about our deal, hun. You can't hurt me."
"I can if what you're doing will hurt me," Linn retorted with anger. "I'm trying to find a way to save myself. Has Crowley found a way to remove the mark?"
Bel looked away guiltily before admitting, "Well… not exactly. We're still… working on it."
"And so am I. Look… there are creatures here that are made of corruption. If I can find out more about them, then maybe…"
Linn paused as she tried to work out her own plans. "I don't know… I'm grasping at straws here, but it's better than sitting at home doing nothing while everyone looks at me with pity and fear."
Bel shrugged his shoulders before he replied, "Fine… But just remember that you'll need to leave sooner or later. I'll tell the boss that you're doing your own research… Stay safe, okay?"
"Going soft on me?"
"Not exactly," Bel admitted. "If you get hurt, then the boss is definitely going to take it out on me. I've been free too long to go back. I quite like being able to get a margarita and sit on the beach. They don't have either of those in Hell."
"Then I'll take care to not jump headfirst into danger."
"You're just so damn funny," Bel retorted irritably, but she noticed the slight smile of amusement. "I'll be back to check on you in a bit. Happy hunting."
As Bel disappeared into the night air, Linn gripped her shoulder tightly. With a long sigh, she walked back to the camp. She needed to get some sleep before the journey back to Redcliffe.