26-Long Return to Denerim

When the Wardens got to Highever, they were met with a surprise. The Hawkes had just arrived there and were speaking to Bryce and Eleanor! "Bethany convinced us that we needed to help the Grey Wardens or the Ferelden Army … and that Mother would be safest working for the Wardens in their Compound in Denerim." Trevor said all that very quickly before Leandra could talk him out of it. Perine barked her approval.

"I'm still uncomfortable just assuming that the Wardens will hire me," Leandra got into the conversation.

Anton smiled and said, "That would be a waste of unease, Mistress Hawke. My wife, Andi, and our two girls work for the Wardens. There are actually several other Warden friends and family working in various capacities. Andi has always assured everyone that we would always be honored to have a family member working for the Wardens."

Leandra sighed and looked at her two grown sons. "I suppose if that is what you want to do, then that is what we shall do."

"A group of us are heading back to Denerim now via Soldier's Peak," Mari asked. "Do you want to join us?"

Carver laughed. "We haven't really unpacked from our rushed boot out of Lothering." He looked at Trevor and Leandra. "Do you think we could be back here by late tomorrow?"

Mari looked at Anton. "May I have the time to go help them, Anton?"

"Actually, I think I'd like to go help 'em, too … to get my mind off my own troubles," Dugan said with Gorim and Makis chiming in with "Me, too."

Anton thought a moment. "I think that's a good idea, actually. I'd like to leave day after tomorrow, though." He turned to Bryce and Eleanor. "Would I be able to use a long table somewhere to start work on the map corrections we got in Orzammar?"

"Of course! There's a table in the dining room that goes unused except during a formal banquet and we aren't having one of those anytime soon," Eleanor replied. With a frown, she added, "By the way, Elle is now Arlessa of Amaranthine."

That made Mari frown. "I thought you'd be happy about that."

She laughed. "Oh, I'm happy for Elle and Nathaniel. I just wanted to see my girl get married at the Chantry with full ceremony."

Bryce smiled and put his arm around Eleanor. "We will. It will just have to wait until after the Blight." He looked at Mari. "From the praises Thomas sung about Mari's recruitment talk, we have a small hope it will be over before too long."

Leandra said, "Your Lordship, Your Ladyship, I hate to leave with such short notice after your generosity."

"Nonsense, Leandra," Eleanor said. "I'm positive this is the best move for you and your family … but know that once the Blight is over you would always have a place here with Nan, as well."

"A neighboring farm-hold can take over the one you were in, so there's no lapse in work," Bryce said. "The Marsiniks will probably increase their holdings by putting in a new field."

"Well, I'm just going to say it," Mari said. She had to chuckle as she noticed Anton giving her a worried side glance. "That is the proper way for lieges to act … unlike that one in Lothering." She shrugged. "Although, we Wardens aren't really giving you much more time to leave. Hence, my offer for assistance."

Bryce laughed. "We didn't pay her to say that, either!"

"The chest will be on the wagon," Eleanor said with a wink. "Speaking of wagons, we'll give you another wagon to take to the farm-hold, just in case."

They found out that Carver wasn't joking. They had just pulled their wagon into the barn and lived in the house with the bare minimum … as if Leandra just knew they'd be leaving. Their rescuers from Lothering had already placed all the plants and took their wagons back. So, Leandra only harvested a few vegetables and berries for the road and they left the rest.

Sure enough, they all returned the following morning … with very loaded wagons.

Anton was busy updating the maps when Mari and Carver entered the dining room. "You're back so soon?" He looked around and sighed. "Well, I think we'll still be leaving tomorrow morning. I'd really like to keep going on these now that I've gotten them all laid out."

Mari grinned. "I've just found out that Carver is interested in helping with the cartography, as well."

"I'm not a professional or anything, but I spent time in the Chantry library looking through map books, learning geography. I like to know where things are. I wouldn't mind learning from a professional, Warden," Carver said.

Anton smiled. "Wanting to know where things are is the perfect attitude for a cartographer, Carver. I'm more than happy to have extra help."

"If it's okay, I'd like to stay with the Larens tonight, Anton," Mari said. "But, I'll be back here to help in a few hours. I promise," Mari said.

"Okay," Anton replied. "Thanks for finding another assistant." Then, he turned to Carver. "Now, let me see a sample of your drawing and writing, Carver."

Mari slipped out the door and ran right into Trevor. "He's really going to let Carver work with him?"

"Yeah, rule one in the Wardens … never say 'no' to offers of help," Mari said. "Go inside and join them if you wish."

"Nah, I just wanted to make sure he was going to help," Trevor said. "Perine and I need to help Mother go through our stuff to see if there's anything the Wardens could use up at Soldier's Peak."

"That's quite generous of you," Mari said. "The Peak is enormous and needs a lot. Just make sure not to share something precious to you. We tend to be a rowdy lot. It may not remain in one piece if you want it back later."

Trevor laughed. "I'll go tell Mother to be thoughtful about what goes in the Warden pile."

To herself, Mari mumbled, "Better be careful or you're going to lose your job, Mari." She grabbed her backpack and walked out the castle and over to the Larens.

"Come in, Mari!" Gilsen said as he opened the front door. "Nalah is at the market because we heard you had returned and hoped you'd want to stay with us. I understand the Wardens are taking the Hawkes in."

"Thanks, Gilsen! But, you didn't need to do anything special for me, you know. It's just special to me to see you guys … and make Alistair jealous," Mari said with a chuckle. "And, yeah, the Hawke boys are thinking about joining either the Wardens or Ferelden's army. They thought the safest place for their mother would be at the Warden Compound in Denerim. Anton's wife heads up the kitchen there, so we feel that Leandra will be more than welcome."

Gilsen laughed at the Alistair comment as he took Mari's backpack. "I'll put this in your room. Have a seat."

Mari went to sit in front of the fireplace, warming her feet by setting them on the hearth. The Laren home was just that kind of home. Comfortable. Safe. Away from the dreads of the outside. Nalah had little touches like quilted or crocheted furniture coverings, small pots of herbs here and there by windows.

Mari was going to be hard-pressed to walk back to the castle … or even get out of the chair. She leaned her head back … until she was awakened by Gilsen and the aroma of cinnamon. "Maker's Breath! Did I go to sleep?"

"You obviously needed that nap, Mari," Gilsen said. "We decided to just let you sleep until Nalah had your tea made."

"Here you go, Mari," Nalah said as she handed the wonderful cup of tea to her.

"Thank you so much," Mari said. "It's just so comfortable and safe in here." She took a sip of the tea. "Mmmm, I may never leave."

"You give us the highest compliment, Mari," Gilsen said as he took Nalah's hand. "We try very hard to make this home a refuge."

"Alistair speaks about growing up here all the time," she took another sip. "After he completed his Joining ceremony at Soldier's Peak, he had planned to go with us to Orzammar, but he got ordered to Denerim, instead. I'm sure he explained it all in the letter I dropped off with you."

"He did," Nalah said sitting on the couch along with Gilsen. "He also said many nice things about you. I shall pray that the two of you can get on with any relationship once this Blight business is done."

"I do, too," Mari said quietly. "I think my parents would have gotten along so well with you both. It's nice to have met Alistair … someone who's had a similar upbringing. Maybe that's why we seem to get along so well." She smiled as Nalah handed her an embroidered handkerchief. "I can't get something so beautiful dirty with my tears." Then, Nalah opened it up and it had Marisia Park along one of the edges and Alistair Laren on another edge.

"Alistair mentioned how much he loved your deep feelings about the world and the people around you," Nalah said. "I made it for you. Please do me the honor of your tears whenever you need to use it."

Mari got off her chair and went to sit between Gilsen and Nalah, giving them both strong hugs.

Unfortunately, a knock at the door interrupted any further conversation. It was Gilsen's assistant smith, Ancelan. "I'm so sorry to bother you, Master Laren, but a ship just docked with a bunch of work that they need done by tomorrow."

Gilsen sighed. "Don't wait up dinner for me, love," he said as he bent down to kiss Nalah before he grabbed his coat and hat. "This is Alistair's friend, Mari. Mari this is the best smith in Highever after me," Gilsen said with a wink. "She's a Warden, too."

Ancelan bowed. "It is a pleasure to meet any friend of Warden Alistair, Mari."

After Gilsen and Ancelan hustled out the door, Mari turned toward Nalah. "I need to check in with Anton and the other Wardens, but I'll try to be back as soon as I can. I really appreciate you putting me up here … at home."

That made Nalah tear up as she hugged Mari. "You are always welcome here. Since we won't know when Gilsen will be back, I'll probably just fix a light dinner for the two of us."

Mari grabbed her cloak and headed back toward the castle gate … until …

"So, you are Marisia Park," an older woman said as she stepped out from between two houses along the street. She was well-dressed — linen dress with lace collar, cloth cloak with a golden clasp — and she had shoulder-length graying brown hair, direct eyes and a small smile. "I was wondering if you might have a few minutes to speak with me."

"How do you know my name?" Mari asked warily.

"We have a mutual friend … Solas," the woman said. Quietly, she added, "My name is Flemeth."

!¡!¡

Alistair wasn't quite sure how to handle the biggest problem with Denerim during a Blight. Several hours ago, he got a notice from Ariannas of the Mage Collective. The note said the Templars found a huge round metal door in the basement of the Chantry. It had darkspawn and dwarves on it. She felt it must have something to do with the Grey Wardens. As soon as he'd gotten Varric and some Wardens together to investigate, a Templar arrived to tell him about it all. Alistair felt he did a fairly good job of acting like he didn't already know about it.

Tavish insisted that Varric wasn't allowed in their basement. So, Alistair's dwarf shadow went to visit with Isabela at The Pearl. Then, the Knight-Commander escorted him to the reinforced basement where they kept sample blood vials of all mages who had passed their Harrowing. That, alone, was disturbing enough. It seemed that Templars used their own type of blood magic to find mages who escaped Chantry control.

Then, Tavish showed him something that the Templars had just uncovered. Since it had battles of dwarves and darkspawn etched all over it, they surmised the Wardens might be interested in knowing it was there. Just as Ariannas had described it.

In the process of reorganizing the storage racks and shelves, the Templars tried to move some haphazard shelving and it all just crashed down. Behind those shelves, they came upon the largest barrier door Alistair had ever seen. Not that he'd seen all that many. Only one, really … the one below Vigil's Keep. The one below the Chantry was easily twice as large.

It made him wonder who had the keys for it, but wasn't quite comfortable sharing Warden information with the Templars. No matter how much Alistair trusted the current Denerim Templars, he wanted to talk to Duncan first.

He told them that he needed to get with the Royal family about it. He briefly glanced around for any unusual chests or wall cabinets in the Chantry basement … at least as much as they would let him look.

Then, he went to the Palace. He paced in the Royal family quarters until Maric, Cailan and Anora joined him.

Maric walked up to Alistair and took his shoulders. "What's wrong, son?"

Alistair told him what he had just found out. "I've sent a messenger to Ostagar to ask Duncan if he knew anything about it. Warden Haska is redoubling his efforts to find any documents that might explain why a gigantic dwarven barrier door is below the Chantry … and who has the keys to open and lock it. Fortunately, it's locked at the moment." He took a deep breath. "The Templars won't allow Wardens to be stationed in their blood vial vault."

Once Alistair explained what that was, Cailan shook his head, laced his fingers over his head and paced in front of the fireplace. "We need to keep a stock of nasty wines here to throw in the fireplace, Father. I find myself wanting to toss one or two."

"Actually, I already knew about the mage blood vault," Anora said to incredulous looks. "I thought it was just a rumor until now. Maker. I completely agree with Mari on the issue of mage treatment. There is so much good that can come from magic and the Chantry just keeps it for themselves."

"Let me speak with Tavish," Maric said. "Having a Warden warning system if darkspawn show up on the other side should be helpful."

"I got the speech about Warden uncontrolled mages running rampant with the property of the Chantry," Alistair grumbled. "Actually, I was surprised Tavish made that speech until I noticed a woman with Seeker armor looking through the mage records. Lord Seeker Lambert is sending Seekers to Ferelden to oversee the use of 'proscribed' magic." He turned to Anora. "Her name is Cassandra Pentaghast of Nevarra, Anora. Do you know about her by chance?"

"I have heard of her," Anora said. "She recently saved The Divine from a dragon attack orchestrated by the Divine's Right Hand, Callista. Pentaghast took over as the Divine's Right Hand. I'm sure they don't want the faithful to know all the details since it only succeeded with the help of mages. It seems we have a hero in our midst."

Cailan spun toward Maric. "Father, I just remembered a lockbox in the vault in your bedroom. It has dwarves and darkspawn etched on it like I've seen on drawings of barrier doors. Could the barrier door keys be in it?"

"Already laying claim to the vault, eh, Cailan?" Maric said with a bit of amusement. "But, I do seem to recall that, also." He waved for everyone to follow him into his suite where he and Cailan worked together to open the door with a complicated series of motions and taps. "One person can do this, but it's difficult. If you are too slow, the door re-locks and you have to start over."

The door swung open and Cailan walked right to the box in question in the rather large vault with Theirin and Fereldan treasures filling the shelves. The box wasn't locked. Inside were seven items … a round disc about an inch thick, a five-pointed star, an octagon, a long tube tied in a knot, a short metal bar, a long pointed metal tooth, and a small cube. There was also a sheet with instructions … written in dwarvish. "Do any of the Wardens here presently know dwarvish? Does Varric?"

"Varric doesn't. I already needed him to look something else over. I have no idea if any of the present Wardens do," Alistair said. "We just got a message that the Warden group from Orzammar left there several weeks ago and were going to stop at Highever briefly before heading to Soldier's Peak. If no one who could be trusted with this information is here, we may need to wait until they get back to Denerim."

Then, Alistair grinned. "In the meantime, I have an evil idea about how to get the Seeker to allow Wardens in the Chantry vault." He bowed and left.

Surprisingly, it worked.

"But, Seeker Pentaghast, you must be guided by the Maker himself to have done that heroic deed! Surely, the faithful need to know when they are in the presence of the Savior of The Divine." Alistair said. He was in Grand Cleric Arasis' office with Her Grace and Tavish and Cassandra.

"No!"Cassandra said … and she stomped her foot like a three-year-old to emphasize it. "That … that was my duty and I was fortunate to have the help of some mages to figure it all out. Callista's own blood mage ally turned into a Pride Abomination and killed her. Mages and other Seekers helped me get The Divine to safety."

"Hmm, seems like mages can sure be helpful to have around," Alistair said.

Cassandra glared at him. "I cannot deny that some mages are helpful, Warden."

Alistair got serious in a flash. "The Grey Wardens are the last bastion to save Thedas from the Fifth Blight. We have mages who can shapeshift. It is not blood magic. Trust me. I personally know the evils that power can create … be it via magic or money or influence. I ask again. Allow the Grey Wardens to monitor the barrier door in the Chantry basement. We won't post a mage if you insist, but a Grey Warden presence can prevent a horde of darkspawn flooding into Denerim, catching us all unaware." The Wardens had so few mages at the moment that he wasn't certain they could include a mage with the Warden guards.

"That is up to the Knight-Commander," Cassandra said.

"I know who it's up to, Seeker," Alistair replied.

They stared at each other several long moments until Cassandra looked away. "Very well, but the Templars will be sectioning off the vials and you will not have access to them."

Alistair smiled. "Not our business, Seeker." He bowed to Her Grace who had a very small smirk on her face that she was trying to hide. "Maker keep you all safe."

"And, you as well, Warden Alistair," Her Grace said.

His first thought upon leaving the Chantry was that Mari and Cassandra might like each other. He had no idea where that thought came from. Time would tell.

Alistair first walked to the Palace to update the Royal Family before he headed back to the Warden Compound to discuss a rotating schedule of Wardens to guard the barrier door beneath the Chantry. Imagine his surprise when he returned to find the First Warden had just returned. He was en route to Soldier's Peak and Weisshaupt for a brief visit.

After Alistair filled him in on what had just occurred, Del pulled out his sending stone and called to Arctavi to contact him when Anton returned to Soldier's Peak. Alistair took both Del and Haska to view the door. Haska had found an old list of barrier doors. There was a star by Orzammar and Denerim in Ferelden, along with the other capital cities in the other countries of Thedas. They guessed it meant that those cities had the larger barrier door … and likely more intricate locking mechanism. There was a star on Val Royeaux, looked like it was under the Grand Cathedral.

Del wanted to meet Cassandra, but she had already headed out for the Circle. Alistair was a little angry to find out that the Seekers had infiltrated Weisshaupt and had actually aided the Orlesian coup there.

However, they still had no clue how to open the barrier door to see if the passage could be reinforced by collapsing the tunnel somehow. They hoped Dugan would be able to translate the instructions.

!¡!¡

Mari was speechless for a few moments and then she laughed. "I've heard the legends. I wondered if I'd meet you sometime." She narrowed her eyes and added, "Solas never mentioned he was friends with you."

"We're very old friends," Flemeth said quietly. "Is there a place we can speak?"

Mari looked around and then up. "Follow me."

Mari and Flemeth walked through the castle gates, up the narrow stairs to the ramparts. She nodded to a couple of the guards who were leaving. "An old friend of a friend and I need a few minutes to visit. Is it all right if we talk up here?"

One of the guards smiled. "I guess Alistair did show you the most private place in Highever."

The other guard said, "The rotation should give you some privacy for a short time, Warden. We'll let them know you're up here." He pointed to a bell near the door at the top of the stair. "If you happen to see something of alarm, ring that bell continuously and we'll come back sooner."

"Thank you, Guardsman," Mari said with a smile. "Maker protect Highever while we're up here."

The first guard nodded. "Maker protect us all."

Once they left, Mari guided Flemeth to the corner of the ramparts where she and Alistair had spoken on that fateful day long ago now. Soooo much had happened since.

"You manage to sound quite convincing about all that Maker stuff, Mari," Flemeth said with a chuckle.

"Do I?" Mari asked. "I've been working at it." She leaned against a crenellation and looked toward Flemeth. "You aren't an elf. How can you be an 'old' friend of Solas'?"

"I'll give you the brief version. Flemeth was an abused and mistreated woman many, many years ago. Centuries ago. Turned out she was also a mage. No Chantry back then. She was locked in a tower and starved, left to die for the sin of being a mage … until one day, her need for vengeance broke through the Veil without the need for any additional lyrium. Her manifestation in the Fade found a wandering spirit of an elf who had been ambushed and murdered long, long before even then. Her name was Mythal." At Mari's raised eyebrows, Flemeth chuckled. "Yes, that Mythal. The Chantry calls what they became an Abomination. I'm not an Abomination by their definition. The spirit of Mythal united with a willing Flemeth. Vengeance was complete that day. No one survived." She motioned around Highever. "Was it here? I don't think so. Mythal tells me it wasn't."

"A bit different from the tales I've been told. So, when Flemeth's corporeal body dies does Mythal's spirit pass to a daughter … is that part of the tale correct?" Mari asked quietly while glancing around to make sure they were still alone.

"The transference can occur without the death of the corporeal body, but I would need a good reason to give up the power of Mythal." Flemeth took a deep breath. "The reason I wanted to meet you is that I wish to understand your relationship to Thedas." Then, Flemeth glanced around and stepped closer. "One of Mythal's abilities is foreshadowing … not only this time and place, but others that run concurrently to this one."

Mari grinned. "We called it the Multiverse on Earth. I never thought it was real. Nice to find out that it is. I guess? Maybe? So, um, I'm not sure I want to know anything about the future … any future."

"Right answer," Flemeth said. "Nor, would I want to tell you about anything other than your own situation in this time and place. I'm hoping by meeting you … even briefly … it will aid my foreshadowing's accuracy. Anyway, I believe that I should leave now."

"Don't fly away," Mari said. "We should descend together and leave the castle before you go on your way."

"Agreed. One last thing … Solas has brought a surprise back to Soldier's Peak, so you may wish to hurry there." Then, Flemeth motioned that Mari should lead the way.

On the way back to the stairs, Mari whispered, "Of course, now I'm very curious and want to talk to you more, but here isn't the place. Maybe some other time our paths will cross."

"Perhaps, girl," Flemeth said. Then, she laughed as if in response to some joke as the guardsmen exited the stairs.

"Your business done, Warden?" one asked.

"Aye, thanks for the respite from the chaos below," Mari said with a bow.

That made both men laugh and move on.

Soon after exiting the castle gates, Flemeth bid her farewell and headed toward the docks and the main market before she disappeared into the crowds of the city.

Then, Mari slipped back into the castle and headed to the dining hall. Anton and Carver were laughing when she walked in. "All right," she said. "What hilarious thing did I do?"

Anton smiled. "Nope, not you … this time. Carver and I were doing more pinning of the Deep Roads with the surface map and discovered one of the Deep Roads goes right under Lothering. Right under Ceorlic's estate."

"I just told Anton that Ceorlic did us a favor by getting us out of the there," Carver added with a chuckle.

"I should say he did," Mari replied while thinking to herself, Karma comes for everyone.

"Of course, we'll need to notify Ceorlic," Anton said.

"And, of course, he'll demand a large Warden presence in Lothering," Mari said. "And, complain about the Wardens keeping this a secret, trying to destroy his town's prosperity … or … he'll just keep quiet so as not to adversely affect said prosperity."

"That last bit would be my guess," Carver said. He grinned at Anton. "So, when will the Wardens set up their outpost in the center of town?"

"That's up to Duncan and the First Warden," Anton said with a frown. "Until the Blight is over … or the line is broken at Ostagar, the small outpost we have in Lothering already will have to do."

Carver looked surprised. "There's a Warden outpost there? I never knew."

"It's more of a message relay station, currently, but we do have a rotating presence there," Anton explained. Then, he smiled at Mari. "We have been forbidden from telling anyone that we're there for just that last reason you mentioned, Mari." He looked over the table. "Now, I think we should pack this all away and get ready to leave with the dawn for Soldier's Peak. From there, I'd like to get back to Denerim as quickly as we can with all the wagons."

"The Hawkes are looking through their things to see if there's anything they can share with the Peak." Mari grinned at Carver. "Better go check to see if they're giving away your stuff."

"Heh, you might be right," Carver said. He turned to Anton. "Thanks so much for showing me how these maps work. If possible, I'd like to help you along with Mari."

"That, as well, is up to Duncan, but I'll put in the request," Anton said. "Mari's going to be busy in Denerim with other things as well as likely doing more recruitment."

Carver bid them farewell as he headed out.

Mari looked over the map and just shook her head. "We've learned so much just in the last few months. I cannot imagine a Blight where people didn't know about it until months from now." She started helping Anton pack away the new maps.

"Nor can I, Mari," Anton said. "So many things have occurred over just the past couple of decades that have shaped where we are today … starting with Duncan going through that storm and landing in Highever and not Denerim. It strengthened his resolve to be the best Warden in Thedas. I have no proof, of course, but I believe everything would have been very different if he had gone to Denerim."

Mari only nodded and got back to work. But, thoughts kept whirling … I was born a little over a couple decades ago. Solas was awakened a little over a couple of decades ago. Did my birth awaken Solas because my ancestors gave him an identical necklace to mine? Am I a descendent of an Originator?

Was it her fate to become involved here? To save Thedas since Earth was becoming unstable?

Fate? It seemed like the needle was moving more away from coincidence.

It would have been nice if the Originators had given her a to-do list.

The morning came early the next day. Anton was knocking on her door that they needed to leave immediately. And, then he left. She remembered then that she was at the Larens and that woke her up. She knew Gilsen and Nalah always woke up early, but hoped Warden business didn't cause them any undue loss of sleep.

She'd already packed her backpack and saddlebags. She just stuffed her warm nightgown in a side pocket of her backpack. After she quietly armored up and snuck downstairs, she was greeted by Nalah and Gilsen packing a sack of breakfast and snacks for her to take.

"I'm so sorry we woke you up so early," Mari said as she hugged them both.

"Don't worry, Mari," Gilsen said. "Anton explained that they just got a brief bird message saying you all needed to get back to Denerim as soon as possible. That's all he knew."

Mari frowned. "Huh … I wonder what's going on." Then, she sighed. "I guess I'd better get a move on, then."

Nalah handed her a folded up letter. "It's for Alistair, but you are also welcome to read it. Maker keep all you Wardens safe … or, at least, as safe as you can be."

Mari noticed the tears in Nalah's eyes and started crying herself. However, her hug was cut short by Andwn knocking on the door. Once he came in, he apologized but was there to help Mari hurry.

One more round of hugs. Then, she and Andwn trotted to the city gate where the wagons and horses were already waiting for them.

When they got everything settled and astride their horses or in the wagons, Anton stood on the wagon and said, "Okay, you know as much as I do. The note was signed by Alistair and the First Warden, so he must be in Denerim, too. That's why we're in a rush." He turned to the Hawkes. "I'm so sorry for the rush, Mistress Hawke."

"Actually, I'm more than happy to get things settled as quickly as possible, Warden," Leandra said. "So, what are we waiting for?"

That brought a smile or laugh to everyone's face. "You heard her! Let's head out!" Anton said as he sat and guided one of the wagon's out of Highever's gate.

The trip to Soldier's Peak was fairly easy. They sort of adopted one of Ardoc's methods and the people first on watch that night would try to grab naps in small spaces on one of the wagons. They still made stops for the horses, but it did get them to Soldier's Peak a day earlier!

Anton ran in as soon as they arrived at the Peak and the Drydens and other staff all pitched in to unload the wagon of things staying at the Peak. When Anton came back out, there was a very tall … at least, seven-foot tall … man following him as well as Riordan. "This is our new griffon master, Aksi Mandersen." Anton said with a grin. "Our griffon meeting room has been redone … as a real griffon roost." He motioned to Aksi.

"Marlis, one of our griffons, graciously flew me and Solas here from the Frostback Basin," Aksi said. "It is only fair that she be able to have a good home until the hatchlings are brought here. Marlis has raised two clutches of her own and one other from a mother unable to do it."

"I sent Solas, Ardoc, Lehan and a couple others to get the eggs a few days ago," Riordan said. "I hope they find them untouched and are able to return them here soon."

Mari couldn't help it. "A griffon?! A real griffon is here? Right now?" She had no doubt that her grin went from ear to ear. She recalled what Flemeth had told her about a surprise.

That put a grin on Aksi's face. "She's off feeding right now. Maybe you can see her tomorrow before you leave for Denerim."

Right after dinner, everyone heard a loud cry, surprisingly perfect blend of a caw and a roar. Aksi said that was Marlis announcing her return. He took everyone up to the roost a couple at a time to visit.

When it was Mari's and Andwn's turn, she requested that Andwn go in first. She just wanted to stand in the doorway for a little while and watch. Andwn only smiled and stepped forward when Aksi motioned for him to approach slowly. Marlis moved from side to side, sort of like pacing to size someone up. As Aksi suggested, Andwn held out his hands, palms down and Marlis rubbed her beak against the back of his hand. After several minutes, Andwn tried to reach out. Marlis rubbed her face against Andwn's arm.

Marlis was the size of a horse, but not quite as tall. Mari now understood why the room was so large. Marlis' head looked like a golden eagle with small ears. Her lower 4-legged lioness body was covered with a tawny-colored fur. Her claws were several inches long, curved and deadly. They clicked on the stones of the floor. Aksi motioned to Mari to step up.

Marlis turned her head and gave a soft caw as Mari slowly stepped up. Andwn stepped to the side. Mari took a quick glance at the elf and he seemed to be very curious how this meeting would play out. Mari copied Andwn's motions, but Marlis only pushed her hands to the side and stepped up closer to Mari's face. Mari could hear the soft sniff and the griffon seemed to be smelling her. Mari bravely held her ground until Marlis backed up a step, turned toward Aksi and nodded twice.

Aksi smiled. "Marlis has approved of both of you to visit again when the hatchlings have grown." He winked. "Not everyone has gotten approval."

Mari bowed slightly. "Thank you, Marlis."

Andwn followed suit. "Thank you, Marlis."

When they left the roost and headed down the stairs, Andwn stopped and leaned against the wall. "I need a minute. It was as if I had a connection with her for a short time. How about you, Mari?"

Mari smiled. "I don't know if I'd call it a connection. More like Marlis putting me at ease. A sense of calm … like it'll be alright."

"Yeah," Andwn replied quietly. "I guess we'd better let the rest have a turn."

As they started back down the stairs, Mari said, "I'm so tired, but I don't know if I'll be able to go to sleep now."

Everyone met in the Warden room to share stories and feelings until it was just impossible to keep their eyes open. Mari went to her bunk and, contrary to what she told Andwn, she was asleep almost immediately.

During the night, the group returned with the eggs. After being instructed in the Frostbacks from the tribe's Augur, Solas released the magic on the eggs of the hatchlings, soon to leave their eggs. Aksi wouldn't allow anyone to disturb the roost after that. He came down and announced that Marlis accepted the clutch as hers.

The next morning, Mari sidled up to Solas and whispered, "I met Flemeth. She told me you would have a surprise."

He smiled in return. "One thing I will tell you, Mari. If Marlis hadn't found enough people that she believed would be good partners for the clutch, she wouldn't have accepted the hatchlings. The Wardens must have made a good impression."

"You mean …" Mari began.

"Yes," Solas replied. "I mean that you may be accepted as a rider for one of the hatchlings when they get old enough. No guarantees, though."

Mari could feel the grin on her face as she headed downstairs to begin the journey to Denerim … which they did right after dawn. However, riding Rosy made Mari reconsider wanting to bond with a griffon. She already had what she considered to be a bonded mount with Rosy. She'd have to wait to see how things played out.

The first night after camp was set up, Anton told everyone that he had spoken to the First Warden in Denerim via Arctavi's sending stone. "They found a giant barrier door in the basement of the Chantry. The King had the keys and instructions stashed in the Royal vault. They just need someone who knows dwarvish that they trust to translate. Hence why we are still rushing. I know dwarvish, but, no doubt, our new dwarf Wardens know it better. No idea why no one's translated those instructions before now."

Makis laughed. "Well, I bet I know less than ye do, Anton! But, Dugan and Gorim'll do it right."

Dugan and Gorim exchanged looks. Then — with an intense look — Dugan said, "I suspect that there used to be a translation. I wonder where it went. We need to check it out and make sure those keys get locked back up again."

"I'd wager the Chantry has the translation … maybe a set of the keys," Andwn said quietly. "I agree with Dugan about locking those keys up. All of them."

Makis asked, "Why are ye worried about your Chantry folk having it?"

Andwn just sighed. "It's just a lifetime of not being able to trust a lot of the Chantry Templars and Grand Clerics. They might think they can hide things behind that door? Maker, now I'm not sure I want to see what's behind it." He looked at Anton. "Do they want to collapse it like up at the Vigil?"

"Yes, but Duncan's sending the Glavonaks up to Denerim to do it," Anton replied and then shrugged. "So far, the Chantry hasn't objected to the plan according to Alistair."

Dugan guffawed. "Andwn has valid reasons to be suspicious … maybe not of the current Grand Cleric, but the previous ones were a nutty lot, I've heard."

"Well, where I do lean toward agreeing about that," Anton said as he got up to go to his bedroll, "I think we need to keep those suspicions to ourselves unless some solid evidence comes up. Now, I suggest we go to sleep. First watch, wake me up next."

With that, they all went to their bedrolls by the warm fire. Gorim and Makis were on first watch and Mari was on last watch this rotation. She found herself not thinking too much about Denerim's Chantry and the big barrier door … and much more about seeing Alistair again.

!¡!¡

AN: My sincere gratitude goes to everyone reading! Thanks, again, Judy! Next time, things begin to get hectic in Denerim! Alistair has a talk about "things" with Del, Anton and Maric. Tragedy in the basement of the Chantry behind that barrier door. Mari meets Cassandra … not becoming friends, exactly. But, they both walked away breathing. ;) Cassandra goes to Val Royeaux and uncovers a very unsavory truth. See you next time!