The Search For Brother Genitivi
Faren frowned. "Well this is the address Slim gave me."
Zevran tilted his head. "For a holy man I really thought there would be more Chantry symbolism around his home, yet here we are, across from a tavern."
Faren snorted. "It is kind of an amusing thought when you think about it, but I suppose we better head inside."
Zevran nodded and knocked on the door. There was no answer, but it was unlocked, so Zevran stepped in first, Faren on his heels.
"Hello?" Faren called out.
A man instantly rushed into the dining room where the doorway led to, a frown on his face.
"Yes, who are you?" the man asked.
"We're looking for Brother Genitivi," Faren said.
"Brother Genitivi? Why?" the man's brow furrowed.
"We were hoping to talk to him about his research," Zevran said. "Might you know anything about it?"
"Ah, you mean his search for the Urn of Sacred Ashes. He was on the trail of it, but wherever he found it or not, only the Maker knows." The man looked at the floor, grimacing. "I... I haven't seen Brother Genitivi in weeks. He's sent no word; it's so unlike him. I'm afraid something has happened, that he's stumble upon something dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Faren shared a look with Zevran, who shrugged.
"Perhaps the Urn has been lost for a reason," the man said. "I pray for Brother Genitivi's safety, but hope dwindles with each passing day. I... I tried to send help, but some knights from Redcliffe came and I sent them his way, but they disappeared too."
Faren raised a brow. "How do you know they've disappeared?"
Zevran smirked and leaned back against the table. "Yeah, it's not like they would send word to you."
"I-I don't know. After what happened to Brother Genitivi, could you blame me for thinking the same thing could have happened to the knights? Perhaps I'm just a pessimist. I could be wrong."
"Okay, where did he go-"
"No! Don't ask me where he went. You'll go looking for him and go missing too." The man shook his head. "This search is a curse on us all. We weren't meant to find the Urn. Please, don't look into this. I don't want anyone else going missing too."
"I need to find them, or Arl Eamon is dead," Faren insisted.
He did not trust this guy, and nor did Zevran, with how closely Zevran was watching him. He did have a relaxed, lazy stance, but his eyes hadn't softened in the slightest.
The man sighed heavily. "Alright... all he said before he left was that he was going to investigate something near Lake Calenhad, by the Circle of Magi. He was going to stay in the inn across from it."
"What exactly was he investigating?" Faren asked.
"I don't know. All I discovered by going through his research was that he was staying there."
Zevran chuckled. "Didn't you already say he told you he was staying there? Tsk, tsk, you've lost track of your script."
The man stammered. "Y-Yes, of course he told me, but I also went through his things-" The man scowled. "Bah! Why do I persist with this charade? I-"
Zevran stabbed him in the back seconds later. "Too slow," Zevran said cheerfully.
Faren grinned as the man dropped to the ground, throat now cut. "Nice job."
"Why thank you, my dear Grey Warden." Zevran bowed, grinning wickedly. "Now let's go search these 'research notes' he yapped on about."
Most of the rooms were empty, but once they got to the bedroom, Faren groaned and covered his nose, coughing at the horrible smell.
"Fuck, how long has that body been rotting in here for?" Faren asked.
"It looks like it's been a while," Zevran sighed. "This must be the real assistant of Genitivi's then."
"I'll leave a note for Kylon," Faren said.
"Kylon?" Zevran grinned as they began to look over all the paperwork. "A lover of yours?"
Faren snorted. "Does every new name you hear always have to be a lover?" Faren shook his head fondly. "No, he's an old friend, kinda."
"Kinda?"
"He's... he's one of the best guards, a good one actually. He's the type you can't bribe," Faren said softly. "And very kind. Whenever I would walk the streets, hurt after a night with Vaughan, Kylon allowed me to to go into the guard's station to get cleaned up every time. It helped me recover and make sure my family didn't stress out. He knew I was a thief too, he had been after me for years, but he's not caught me yet."
Zevran chuckled. "I am surprised he never tried to take advantage of the situation when he had you in the guard station. I figured it would be easier to arrest you then."
"He always wanted me to find a better job away from Vaughan so I wouldn't keep getting hurt," Faren said. "He's the type who wants to help young criminals out of that lifestyle, and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't."
"A good guard, how rare indeed," Zevran mused. "And while we're talking, I actually have a question to ask, if I may?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Well, here's the thing. I swore an oath to serve you, yes? And I understand this quest you're on, and this is all fine, truly. My question pertains to what you intend to do with me once this business is all over with. As a point of curiosity."
Faren had to admit, he hadn't thought about it.
"One simply assumes that, once your Grey Warden business is finished, you would have no need for an assassin to follow you about." Zevran tilted his head. "Am I wrong?"
"I assumed everyone would head their own ways after this, except for probably the Grey Wardens," Faren admitted, turning to face Zevran, who was watching him carefully. "Don't worry, Zevran, I don't intend to keep you bound to your oath forever. Once this is all said and done, you can go if you wish."
"Could I? And what if I didn't want to leave?" Zevran asked.
"Well then I'd continue to enjoy your company."
Zevran grinned. "I knew I'd grow on you. I have that affect." The grin did soften into a smile. "It is good to know what options I have after this business is all said and done. But I suppose that is for another time, after all we could still be killed by darkspawn, or Crows."
"Or angry trees, werewolves, demons-" Faren began.
"I still don't entirely believe the angry trees were a thing."
"They were and there was also a poet tree."
"My dear Faren, are you sure you weren't just seeing things?"
"You can ask everyone who journeyed there with me. It really did happen," Faren laughed, then coughed and spluttered. "Okay, let's hurry up and find what we need and get out of here. I can't take the smell of a rotting body evidently."
Zevran chuckled. "Apparently not, my dear."
.:.
"Tis a terrible idea," Morrigan said, eyeing Cobian as they stood at the shadows of buildings before the main gate that led to the royal palace.
Cobian knew it was a terrible idea, but he wanted to know if Oren and Nan were safe. If this had been a year ago, he could have easily strolled in and found Anora or Cailan himself, but now his face was on wanted posters and he had a bounty on his head. Sure, he would be brought in alive, but he would be no good to the Grey Wardens locked up, and he refused to fail his friends.
Still, it would be good to know that his nephew was at least safe, but there was no way he would get a glimpse here.
Calenhad sat by his feet, his tail wagging slowly, while Cobian knelt down to give him pets.
Morrigan sighed softly. "You're being too soft, Cobian. You know better than this."
"I suppose you're right..." Cobian admitted reluctantly, then perked up. "I forgot to ask, how is decoding your mother's journal going? The one you found in Irving's office?"
Morrigan grimaced. "Slowly. It certainly didn't help that you were kidnapped, which reminds me. I have something for you."
Cobian blinked. "You do?"
"Tis a ring, and before you get any foolish notions, let me explain," Morrigan insisted. "Flemeth once gave me the ring because it would allow her to find me no matter where I went, in case I was ever captured by hunters. I disabled its powers as soon as we left the Wilds, however after this little event happened, I decided to change it. Now I will be able to find whoever wears it instead."
"That is fascinating. Were you able to change it because Flemeth's magic has left it entirely, or did you have to overpower her magic and force yours inside-" Cobian brightened up.
Morrigan raised a brow. "As cute as I find your interested in this, let us get back to the point, Cobian."
"Fair enough."
"After you were kidnapped by those bounty hunters, I thought this would be the best way to find you in case it ever happened again..." Morrigan looked a little flustered. "You are too important to risk after all. You are the brains behind all the Grey Wardens here. I mean imagine Alistair trying to lead us. We'd get nowhere."
"So are there any other benefits this can give me?" Cobian asked, as Morrigan handed him the ring.
"Flemeth used to say that twas a link between us, one I presumed worked both way. I never tested it, but I doubt she would lie about such a thing. So it would mean I am linked to you, as much as you are linked to me."
Cobian grinned. "Thank you for the gift, Morrigan."
Morrigan paused, then nodded, surprisingly a little bashful. "You are... welcome... perhaps it will be useful to you one day, perhaps not, but it will help us avoid another situation like this again for sure."
"I-"
"Lord Cobian?"
Both Cobian and Morrigan jumped at that. They whirled around, and Cobian saw Anora's handmaiden, Erlina, standing in front of the side street they were hiding in. Cobian quickly yanked her into the side street, frantic.
"Erlina, it is good to see you again, but why-" Cobian began.
"I haven't reported you to anyone just yet, please calm yourself, Lord Cobian," Erlina reassured. "I was just about to run some errands for Queen Anora, but I thought I heard your voice when I passed the alley. What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to know if Oren and Nan got here safely," Cobian admitted.
Erlina nodded. "They are safe, my Lord. Lord Oren is under protection of the Kingsguard, by order of Queen Anora and Teyrn Loghain. Howe will not get to him, and Nan is with Lord Oren as well. She is rather protective of him, no?"
Cobian felt all the tension melt out of him, and he sighed in relief.
Cobian softened. "Thank you, Erlina... you can't imagine how good it is to hear Oren and Nan are safe."
"If you come with me, my Lord, I could bring you straight to them," Erlina said.
It was tempting, but he knew better than that.
Cobian grimaced. "Or bring me straight to the guards."
"Please, Lord Cobian, this is reckless, you should just surrender," Erlina pleaded. "Your bounty is alive only, yes, but you could still get hurt during capture. My Queen is worried about you, and so is her father."
"I am fine. I am fighting to stop the Blight-"
"Teyrn Loghain doesn't believe it exists-"
"It does unfortunately," Cobian sighed. "The South is steadily being overrun, and as a Grey Warden I have to stop it. It was the last thing my father asked of me."
"Lord Cobian-" Erlina pleaded.
"I'm sorry, but give my regards to Anora and Uncle Loghain, and please, keep Oren and Nan safe. I can't come back now. I have to keep fighting," Cobian insisted, and turned and ran away with Morrigan and Calenhad, who barked happily and sprinted ahead.
Thankfully Erlina didn't start yelling for the guards, but there was no doubt she would report that Cobian was here.
They needed to get out of Denerim fast.
"Let's go straight to The Pearl," Cobian said.
"Hopefully before she rats us out to the guards!" Morrigan scowled.
Cobian smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."
"No you're not. You're smiling like a buffoon!"
"I'm just happy that Oren and Nan are safe," Cobian admitted. "I was so worried."
"Well now I would be more worried about us," Morrigan scolded. "I just gave you that ring, I do not wish to try it out so soon!"