27-Arrival in Denerim

It was late when the dirty and tired group rode up to the closed city gate of Denerim. There was no longer a market outside the city walls. It was too late for any vendors to be out there, but everything had been packed up. It looked as if the roadside market had never been there. Anton had to yell up to the guards on the ramparts who they were and why they needed to get into the city.

"That must be part of the Blight plan," Anton said to the group. The gate's locking mechanism went through its sequence and both of the gates opened up to let them in. A row of soldiers ran out and took up positions on either side of the road, looking out into the darkness for enemies? Not seconds after Anton told the guards that was all of his group and the soldiers came back inside, the gates were shut and relocked.

"Welcome home, Wardens," one of the guards said. "We sent word to the Warden Compound that you've arrived."

"Thank you, Guardsman," Anton said. "New procedure?"

"Aye, makes sense to get used to increased security in a Blight," the guard confirmed.

Anton nodded and they headed up the road toward the Warden Compound. When they rode through the Market District, it was closed up tight. The stalls were still there, but no people. There were very few people on the streets. The Gnawed Noble was open for business and music could be heard inside, but there weren't any rowdy patrons on the streets nearby.

They had to wait for the Palace gate guards to open the gate to the courtyard. The Warden's gate was open with several people wearing broad smiles waiting for them.

Andi walked up to Leandra's wagon. "You must be Leandra! Welcome to the Warden staff!" She turned to some of the kitchen staff. "Let's help the Hawkes get unloaded and into their sleeping quarters." She turned back and added, "We've got a permanent room for you, Leandra. Your boys have bunks in the bunkroom for now … until things get sorted out."

"Until we make up our minds about joining the Wardens," Carver said with a smile.

"That, too," Leandra said with a smile.

Alistair appeared out of nowhere and helped Mari with her saddlebags and packs. One of the stable girls who regularly took care of Rosy was there, too. "Come on, girl. You must be tired after such a long journey."

Mari took out a biscuit made just for Rosy by Callie at the Peak. "Here you go, Rosy. I told you they would last until we got home."

Soon the chaos of the courtyard just became pleasant background noise. Alistair timed it, perfectly. He set her saddlebags and backpacks down, took Mari in his arms and gave her a kiss. She slipped her arms around his neck and whispered, "Del's on the porch, you know."

"Who's Del?" Alistair asked with a grin … just before he kissed her again. "I've missed you."

She gave him a brief kiss and then just wanted him to hold her for a few minutes … with which he happily complied. "All good things have to come to an end," Mari whispered. Then, she giggled. "For now."

Alistair laughed and picked up her stuff.

Once they got to the porch, Mari nodded toward Del. "First Warden, welcome back to Denerim."

He just shook his head. "Thank you, Mari, but that's my line, I think." Then, he slapped Alistair on the shoulder. "Maybe Alistair will get to work now." He winked.

"Ow. Mean bossman." Alistair grinned at Del. "Let's get you settled, Mari, so you can take your bath," Alistair said.

"You know me so well,"Mari said.

Andwn chuckled as he brushed by. "Everyone knows that's the first place you're going to. Too bad you didn't get to try that tub in Orzammar. It was wonderful."

"Not nice, elf," Makis said. "But, yeah, it looked like it would have been nice. Even I considered using it … until all that mess-up."

Alistair got serious in an instant. "What happened?"

Anton came up. "We'll have a meeting in the morning."

Mari mouthed the word, "Later," to Alistair, grabbed her bags and headed up the stairs. When she got to the top of the stairs, she thought maybe she should help the Hawkes, but there were already a bunch of people helping … and the call of the bath was too strong.

Matis walked out of her room as she got near. "I've taken the liberty of arranging your bath, Warden … to make up for the subterfuge about the dress," he said. "Mistress Andi and her girls have created a new oil for the bath from the herb garden on the roof. I hope you like it."

Mari had to admit that maybe she was just the tiniest bit predictable.

"Thanks, Matis. I really appreciate it. I wasn't angry about that dress," Mari said. When she walked into the room, the aroma of the oil was incredible. "And, thank Andi for me. Tell everyone I'll see them in the morning," Mari shouted to Matis' back as he headed down the hall.

He only turned with a smile and bowed slightly before heading downstairs.

She closed her door. Dropped her packs and saddle bags, undressed and slipped into the warm water. She closed her eyes and just inhaled the wonderful scent. Then, she opened her eyes and went about the business of cleaning every crook and crevice on her body, including washing her horribly dirty hair. Fortunately, she'd had Analeese trim it up short before they left for Orzammar, so it didn't take nearly as long.

When that was done, she thought about going back downstairs, but just couldn't make her feet go that direction. Emptying the filthy water in the tub and putting away her things could just wait until tomorrow. She slipped on her nightgown and got into bed for a nice warm night's sleep in a comfy bed. Safe. Like with the Laren's in Highever.

!¡!¡

"Dugan, you up to translate this tonight or shall we wait until tomorrow?" Alistair asked.

"I just came out to get a mug of Andi's juice, but lemme take a look at it," Dugan said. He only had his pants and shirt on. "Gorim and Makis are already asleep."

Alistair took back the sheet. "This can wait, too. Get some sleep."

Dugan smiled and took the sheet back from Alistair. "I will … in a few minutes. This is easy. The order and timing is important." He pointed to the illustrations of the items used to open the door. "You put each of these into places on the door in this order … eh, you got a time limit before you have to start over." He handed it back to Alistair. "Let me get a good night's sleep and we can go over there in the morning. I bet Mari's gonna want to see it."

Alistair looked up the stairs. "Look like she's already gone to sleep, too. Thanks for looking it over. I feel better about tackling that door tomorrow."

"Yeah, we're all pretty worn out. Mari probably took her bath and curled up on her bunk." Dugan lightly tapped Alistair's arm. "Don't worry, Alistair. We'll secure it. Even I've heard of the Glavonaks. They do excellent work."

Alistair rolled up the instructions while Dugan headed to his bunk. Suddenly, he got a feeling someone was behind him. He turned to find Del standing there with a small smile. "Got time for a drink before bed?" he asked Alistair.

"You could make it an order and I couldn't say no." Alistair grinned.

Del pulled away from the wall he was leaning against. "Not tonight." He turned toward the stairs up to Duncan's office. Alistair followed, more than a bit uneasy about this 'friendly' First Warden.

Once inside the office, Alistair noticed the fire was going in the fireplace and four glasses were set out on the table between the two couches. Del walked over to the cabinet where Duncan had his spirits. "Let's see," Del said as he opened the cabinet. "Brandy or other spirits? What would you like?"

"Brandy sounds good." Alistair held up his glass so Del could easily pour it in.

"Hmm, it does," Del agreed. He opened the bottle, took a sniff and poured a small amount into Alistair's glass and his own and put the bottle on the table. He took a small sip. "Mmm, interesting. I didn't know you liked peach brandy down here."

Alistair took a sip and scrunched up his face. "I didn't either. I can't say I really like it, but it's good enough to finish, anyway." He sat on one of the couches and smiled at Del. "You requested this … brandy tasting."

Del took a long drink, sighed and sat across on the other couch. "Two others are joining us, if that's all right."

Alistair was about to ask who it was when Maric and Anton walked into the door and Anton closed it behind them. "Started without us, huh?" Maric asked. They both grabbed a glass, filled it with the brandy. Maric sat on the couch with Alistair and Anton sat next to Del. When Alistair just glanced suspiciously at all of the other men, Maric laughed. "No, we're not ganging up on you, son. Del thought it might benefit you to have an open conversation with us … about things."

Oh, that didn't register any alarm bells, Alistair thought to himself. "Things?" he asked out loud.

Maric motioned to Del to start. "You first."

"Duncan wishes you to be promoted to be Anton's second-in-command here in Denerim." Del filled his glass again. "At first, I argued that you were too new to the Wardens, others would feel passed over, you need more leadership training … and so on," He waved his hand as though there were a list of concerns. "Over the past days, I've watched you handle things here at the Compound during Anton's absence, witnessed the respect you give and receive from the other Wardens as well as dealing with the nobility. And, most recently, the Chantry."

Alistair turned toward Maric, who had a surprised and proud look on his face. "You didn't know he was going to talk about this?"

"No. He asked me here to have an informal conversation about leadership in Denerim," Maric replied.

"He did speak to me about it, Alistair, and I heartily agree … unless you have any reservations," Anton said.

"If it makes any difference, I have spoken to Riordan about taking the young Howe under his wing to see if Howe can eventually take over Soldier's Peak," Del said. "We just received word that he arrived at the Peak with twenty recruits. They went out on patrol and found darkspawn quickly. Too quickly. We need to find where they are coming up to the surface. Eventually. The Vigil recruits' Joinings will be tomorrow or the next day. Maker help them all survive."

Everyone looked at Maric when he started chuckling. "Sorry. I just thought about what the Orlesian Wardens are going to think about the Dog Lord nobility encroaching upon Warden hierarchy."

"If I ever start worrying about what they think, I pray to the Maker that someone runs me through. Besides, when you become a Warden, you are no longer nobility. That rule is not optional," Del said with a raised eyebrow.

Alistair smiled. "And, here I thought I was to get reprimanded for kissing Mari as soon as they arrived."

Del just narrowed his eyes. "Until I was made First Warden, you would have been. Severely. With you both separated to outer corners of Ferelden or farther. As long as you keep your spontaneous passion exhibitions to when among people who already know about you, that's fine … until it isn't. I don't know if that will ever come about … and I'm trying to be less arbitrary about the rules … but we will have a talk at that time if it does. So, be discreet." He got a wistful look. "Advice I failed to listen to and it landed me here. My only other choice was death at the end of an Anderfels noble's blade."

"The Wardens have more than a few with a similar story, Del," Anton said quietly before he turned toward Alistair. "How do you feel about being my second, Alistair?"

"Now, you sound like Duncan or Mari asking me about my feelings," Alistair replied. "I don't know yet, to be honest. Do I have time to think about it?"

Anton looked to Del who shrugged and said, "No more than a day or so, Alistair. You will only receive a promotion to full Warden for a year or so and then, Senior Warden." Then, Del chuckled. "As I was leaving Ostagar, Duncan informed me that Mari will be posted here, as well; however, she will be traveling Ferelden on recruitment runs. Loghain will be going with her."

"That was Anora's request," Maric said. "She told him that if he couldn't be counted upon to tie up Cailan and help keep him away from the front, he could damn well assist in Warden recruitment."

"Loghain knows Ferelden probably better than anyone," Alistair said. He put his glass down and sat back. "Things are coming together. Makes me nervous."

"A good dose of paranoia isn't necessarily a bad thing," Anton said.

"It's always served Loghain and me … and Ferelden well," Maric said quietly.

After a knock on the door, Del said, "Enter."

"Pardon the interruption, gentlemen," Matis said. "Ser Irminric is here. He said they heard someone on the other side of the barrier door in the Chantry basement. It sounded like Wardens Bryant, Cullen and Marris. The bark of Marbry confirmed it."

Alistair didn't ask anyone's permission. He stood. "Matis, please wake Dugan, Makis and Gorim and tell them to meet us in the entry as soon as they can armor up."

"Right away, Warden," Matis said.

Alistair turned to the others. "Cullen, Bryant, Marris … and Marbry … came here, grabbed a small squad from here and went to investigate the old silverite mine in the Wending Wood after Canstan cleared a lot of it earlier." He took a deep breath. "Seems like it was a conduit directly into Denerim."

Anton stood. "Alistair, get the artifact keys and the note you mentioned. Grab a few more Wardens, just in case. I'll get Andwn."

Alistair turned to Maric. "Thank you for being here, Maric."

Maric only squeezed Alistair's shoulder and motioned for him to head out. Before Alistair passed out of hearing range, he overheard Anton telling Del and Maric about Cullen, Lehan and Anders.

After gathering in the entry, they all headed to the Chantry. Irminric indicated that Seeker Pentaghast was back in Denerim. Alistair's shadow, Varric, had been reading in the library so he heard the commotion and invited himself this time. Maric asked if he could go along and Del couldn't think of a reason to say no to the King of Ferelden, but asked that he leave immediately if problems came up … like darkspawn pouring out of the hole.

Once at the Chantry, they were escorted to the door quickly. Sure enough, Seeker Pentaghast was there. "There's a man here without armor, First Warden. Don't you think that's a mistake?"

Maric just smiled and walked over to Cassandra. "Greetings. I'm Maric and I've promised to quickly flee if this goes bad."

Varric leaned toward Cassandra and whispered, "That's King Maric."

"Forgive me, Your Majesty," she said with a very small curtsey. But, not to be too chastened, she motioned to the back of the basement, nearer to the stairs up.

While the pleasantries were going on, Dugan and the others had their heads together working on a sequence.

Alistair walked up to the door and loudly said, "Cullen? Bryant? Marris? Is that you?"

Marbry's bark brought a few smiles to the group. They heard a faint. "Yes. We're all here. There were no issues getting here. We're all fine thanks to Canstan and his squad already clearing out the darkspawn. But … try to hurry anyway. There's something horrible in here that the Chantry needs to see."

That caused a few brief looks of worry. So, the group got into place to put the artifacts into the correct indention at Dugan's instruction. Some had to get on the permanent ladders along the sides to get to the proper indentions. After several tries, the door lock opened and Cullen, Bryant, Marris, Marbry and a squad of Wardens walked out carrying many boxes.

"That took more than one Templar to open," Irminric said quietly.

Once the Wardens were out of the way, Cassandra pushed forward and looked inside. "Maker's Mercy!" She spun on the Wardens who were walking out. "Did you or the darkspawn do this?!"

Bryant walked up to Cassandra. "Neither. I was a Templar …" he began and then looked down at her armor. "Seeker. From what I could tell, those mages were murdered … likely by Templars who had access to the barrier door."

"How?" she started and then walked to one of the many corpses in varying states of decay. "How could you tell that?"

Cullen walked to one nearest the door and pulled a tag off the hand of a person in the robes of a mage. He also pulled a phylactery out of the corpse's pocket. "Here's the name, Seeker. The blood vial is almost empty like it was used to find this mage."

Grand Cleric Arasis and Knight-Commander Tavish walked up. After an initial cry of horror, Her Grace turned to the Templars outside the door. "Clear the cathedral. Get litters and take these Children of the Maker to be prepared for rites and their pyres with full ceremony." She spun on Cassandra. "Seeker, I cannot believe that Grand Cleric Elemena knew anything about this. But, there were a number of Templars who have passed through here over the recent years who I would believe could be capable. Templars who have left here for service at the White Tower with the full confidence of Lord Seeker Lambert. I would investigate them, if I were you."

Cassandra looked over to the blood vial area. "Collect the tags and phylacteries. I need to see if I can find any records on these mages."

Tavish grimly replied, "After we have arranged the pyres and identified the bodies, we will give you what you request."

Alistair was surprised when Cassandra placidly agreed … and even aided the Templars in moving the bodies. Maric went upstairs with the Grand Cleric after sending someone to the Palace to alert Cailan and Anora.

But … that wasn't Warden business. There were seventeen corpse remains, some nothing more than bones and ratty robes.

However, Alistair turned to the Wardens, anyway. "Let's help the Templars."

"This is not our business," Del reminded him. At the Ferelden Wardens' glares, he capitulated. "Very well."

Thanks to the Warden assistance, the deceased mages were brought upstairs quickly. Because of the varied states of the corpses, they were wrapped in pyre cloths before being taken upstairs. Once the names were noted, any tags and vials were given to Cassandra. Arasis thanked the Wardens, but asked them to finish with their business and close up the door again. She said that she would send word when the mage's service would be held … open to everyone in Denerim to attend.

The time of keeping such atrocities away from the faithful was officially over in Ferelden.

Cassandra came back down to watch the Wardens move all their boxes of materials out of the tunnel, briefly look over the large tunnel near the entrance and helped to re-lock the barrier door. Alistair walked up to her. "Are you all right, Seeker?"

Remarkably, she didn't snap back at him. "I have heard of bad Templars … even cruel Templars. I've helped punish some and even run them out of the service. But, murderers? That's a first for me." She whispered. "Have I just been blind?" She waved toward the stairs. "Just go."

As he and Varric turned to leave, Alistair noticed that Andwn was already gone. He was afraid Andwn was going right to Mari. A fear that was verified when Alistair walked through the Warden Compound door to an angry, tearful Mari.

"I'm going to the Chantry," Mari said. Even Alistair knew no person in Thedas could stop her.

"I'll go back with you," he said.

Varric added, "Yeah, let's introduce her to Seeker Pentaghast." He turned to Mari. "I believe the Seeker will not receive recriminations well, Mari. She didn't do any of those things personally. Try cold anger, instead."

Mari gave Varric a small smile. "Let's go."

Anton walked back from the kitchen and caught Mari by the shoulder. "Those were wise words, Warden. Take a minute to collect yourself on the way. I know you can handle it."

Del only stood at the door and watched them leave. That surprised Alistair. He assumed that the horror of it all must have affected him as well. It certainly didn't escape Alistair's notice that Varric didn't say a word until they ran into Mari.

Everyone had been rocked to their cores.

As they entered the Chantry, Alistair took a good look at Mari. She wasn't outwardly angry, surprisingly. Then, Alistair saw why. Anora was taking care of speaking with Arasis and Tavish. He whispered to Mari, "This way." They made their way toward the stairs down to the basement … and ran into Irminric.

"I'm not sure it would be a good idea to confront the Seeker tonight, Mari," he said quietly.

"I believe tonight is the perfect time, Ser Irminric," Mari said evenly. "And, don't tell me this isn't Warden business. Those mages would have been accepted into the Wardens and appreciated for their Maker-given gifts." She took a deep breath and added, "I'm sorry. You didn't deserve any of my anger. I promise not to raise my voice higher than it is right now." She turned to the Wardens with her. "Give me some time alone down there, please."

Everyone looked around at others. Alistair took her shoulders and said, "I trust you more than anyone in Thedas, Mari. We'll stay up here for a while."

She smiled at Alistair. "I'll be fine … and so will the Seeker."

He stood at the top of the stairs with the others who came with Mari … and waited.

!¡!¡

Mari slowly descended into the basement. When she got to the last landing, she saw the enormity of the basement. Most of it looked like Phil's basement. Bedding, non-perishable things for cooking, a wall with dozens of two-sided shelves filled with books and tomes, tents, things that were important to have but not necessarily needed to be close at hand.

And, a surprisingly small section, caged off from the rest. Mari had to close her eyes and take several deep breaths. It confirmed that very few Apprentices actually survived to become full Mages. The door to the cage was open. On her knees, by a table covered with vials and parchment records of some kind, was a woman in Seeker armor. She was crying and praying. Suddenly, Mari felt she was intruding upon the woman's sorrow. However, she woman sniffed and asked, "What do you want?"

Mari introduced herself. "I'm Marisia Park."

That got the Seeker's attention. She quit crying and stood, hand on her hilt. "I know about you. Greagoir told me. He also told me to keep that from Lord Seeker Lambert. I questioned that request." She motioned toward the table. "Until now." Then, she turned back to Mari. "Why are you here, Warden? Are you going to rail at me like you did to Knight-Commander Greagoir and Senior-Enchanter Wynne?"

That brought a small smile to Mari's face. "Nope. Looks like Greagoir covered what I would have said well enough." She shrugged. "You haven't drawn on me … yet."

"I was planning to seek you out," Cassandra said.

"Well, you are a Seeker." Mari grinned. But, when Cassandra only glared in return, Mari sighed, "Old joke, I guess." Then she motioned to the table. "I don't have to rail at you because you've seen the truth of the unjust treatment of mages in Thedas by the powerful … in the name of the Maker, who gifted magic to Thedas through these individuals. Some in the Chantry want to lock it away … until it's needed to defend the Chantry. I've seen what happens with blood magic, but even that boils down to lust for power." Mari folded her arms. "Okay, a little railing at you … one rant …" She nodded toward the vials on the table. "Isn't that blood magic?"

"What? The tracker? No, it's … used by a Templar or Seeker. We are not mages," Cassandra emphatically said.

"Templars take lyrium. It enters their bodies and their blood … they become … temporarily, at least … mages. Have you ever considered that it's the magic power that comes from lyrium that becomes addictive and not the lyrium itself?" Mari asked. "Do Seekers use lyrium?"

"No, we go through rigorous rituals that improve strength and mind," she replied. "So, even though Templars take lyrium to enhance their abilities, it does not make them a mage … and by that, it means they do not become mages … not even temporarily. The tracker is a magical device, not unlike runes that enhance weapons. It is made to be used by anyone. You could use it to track someone down if you had a sample of their blood. It has a range, though. And, only indicates a direction." She huffed. "Maker, I can't believe I just told you all that."

Mari still thought it was 'magic' powered by 'blood', no matter the vehicle used to cast it. The Seeker did not change Mari's mind with obvious propaganda crafted by the Chantry to persuade the faithful. But, it did make her recall one of her favorite quotations: For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible. It was from the writings of Stuart Chase.

Neither one of them was going to change the other's mind. So, Mari dropped it.

Mari held up her hands. "I'm not a blood mage. You can get one of the Templars down here to try to smite me."

The woman actually showed Mari a small smile. "I also heard about that … from the Templar who tried, actually."

"We are all the products of our errors in judgement," Mari said quietly. "Sounds like Ser Hadley has become a valued Templar at Kinloch Hold."

"That is what Greagoir believes, as well," Cassandra said.

Mari looked down at the parchments. They were written in a language Mari had not learned yet. "Have you found out any clues as to who they were?"

Cassandra shuffled the parchments together. "Yes, but that is something I shall not share with you. I need to take this information to Lord Seeker Lambert as proof. And, I know what you're going to ask next … what if he tosses it?" She rolled them up and slid them into a scroll case. "I do not know. I shall pray to the Maker en route to Val Royeaux."

That surprised Mari because that was exactly what she was going to ask! Mari cocked her head a bit. "Okay. In the meantime, I shall try to be the best Grey Warden I can be … with my Warden Mage friends … to end the Blight. May our paths cross again, Seeker."

"Maker keep you safe, Marisia," Cassandra said. She put the scroll case in her backpack and slung it over her shoulder. "One thing I will verify for you … there have been very few abominations in the Grey Wardens. But, be wary. An abomination is difficult to destroy."

"I've heard that a lot … and I believe it. Warden Bryant and other Wardens dispatched a Pride Demon/blood mage at Vigil's Keep a while ago. Maker keep you safe, as well, Cassandra. May the Lord Seeker see the truth and act upon it." While Mari was turning to head to the stairs, before they left the blood vial caged area, she noticed a small wooden box with figures of dwarves and darkspawn etched on it on a shelf. "What is that? Does it go with the barrier door?"

Cassandra picked up the box and looked inside. "The Wardens here earlier must have left it down here. These are the keys for the door." She handed it to Mari. "Take care with those."

Mari took the box. "I intend to."

Cassandra led the way and the pair exited the staircase to a group of anxious looking Wardens and Chantry people. "What did you think? That I would strike her down?" Cassandra said.

Everyone released their collective held breaths and started talking.

Mari laughed. "I think some of them may have thought I'd give you cause." She walked over to Alistair and handed him the box. "These were left in the basement." Alistair gave her a look that said he didn't think they had left them, but she let it drop.

"I need to find a ship to Val Royeaux as soon as possible," Cassandra said. "The Divine needs to be apprised of this situation … as does Lord Seeker Lambert."

"You didn't come in a Chantry ship? Nevermind. None of my business. Well, I know a ship in the harbor that might serve, Seeker," Varric said. "Though, I doubt it's up to your usual standards. It might take the captain an hour or so to drag her crew back."

"That works …" Cassandra paused.

"I'm Varric Tethras, Seeker," Varric replied with a small bow. "I'll go tell her and come back to get you in an hour or so, then."

"How much will this cost me?" Cassandra said.

"Well, it won't be free, but it'll be a direct trip to Val Royeaux," he said. "I'll get the price and send word back."

"Do it," the Seeker said. She turned to Tavish. "I need to speak with Her Grace if possible."

"She wants to speak with you, as well, Seeker," Tavish said, motioning to the door. "Follow me."

So, everyone left who was going to leave. When it looked like Mari was going to ask Alistair about the box, he mouthed the word, "Later."

Alistair and Mari walked into the Warden Compound and headed right for Duncan's office. "Anton, the Templars did have another box of keys for that barrier door," he said as he put the box on Duncan's desk.

Anton opened it and pulled a piece of parchment from the bottom. "And, they had instructions in common. I worry about what that Seeker is walking into."

"She was upset about it all," Mari said. "But, I think that's one Seeker who can handle almost anything. Of course, I'm not sure about that after only one meeting, but I hope she's gotten enough proof and evidence that something is dreadfully wrong." She smiled at Alistair and Anton. "Good night, gentlemen."

Then, she went upstairs to do her deep breathing exercises and try to get back to sleep.

The very next day, the service for the murdered mages was held. Every Grey Warden in Denerim was in attendance, armor polished. They didn't sit, however. All of the Cathedral's pews were filled with the citizens of Denerim. A few looked angry. A few looked like they wished they were anywhere else. But, many were sad and shocked. Mari noticed a few birds in the rafters above. She suspected that birds would often fly in to roost and get warm from time to time. However, that day, she had a feeling that some of them were from the Mage Collective.

Her Grace told the exact truth about what had happened, leaving nothing out. Even naming the Templars who had been charged with protecting the mages. Apparently, Cassandra told her the names. One of the names on the list was Ser Sarnak, the crazy Templar that had tried to kidnap Alistair when he first arrived in Denerim months ago. More of the faithful were sad and shocked after that. Mari was surprised that even the angry ones stayed until the end — all watching the pyres of the mages.

Mari wasn't the only one being handed a handkerchief.

!¡!¡

The trip to Val Royeaux — on what Cassandra feared was a pirate ship — went smoothly and quickly. It didn't even cost that much, and, as promised, was direct. From the amount of blasphemy she heard on deck during the trip, Cassandra thought there weren't many of the Faithful on board.

However, Captain Isabela was true to her word and they docked in Val Royeaux at the time of day that she had said they would. Cassandra got off and went directly to Lord Seeker Lambert's office after sending a messenger to Chancellor Roderick asking for an audience with the Divine … that she would be there shortly with a matter of great urgency.

Fortunately, she was ushered to the Lord Seeker's office right away. She told him what she had uncovered in Ferelden and showed him her proof of Templar wrongdoing. Before she could mention that it was all witnessed by the Grey Wardens, including the First Warden, he responded as if she hadn't said anything. She was not happy with his response.

He yelled at her that she must be under the sway of Marisia Park and it proved that Park was a blood mage using some kind of other-world magic to hide her magic heritage. He threw Cassandra's parchments back at her and knocked over an unusual statuette … of the Grand Cathedral bathed in flames. It fell to the floor with a crash and shattered. Lambert froze mid-rant and stared at the shards on the floor, and then, up at a tapestry on the wall behind Cassandra. She followed his gaze. It was a scene of burning people running. Cassandra had never seen either the statuette or the tapestry before. In fact, she was quite certain the previous tapestry portrayed a battle during the Exalted March on the Dales.

"Lord Seeker?" Cassandra asked.

"Who put that there?" he whispered.

Cassandra heard booted feet heading toward the office as she pulled down the horrible scene. Behind it was a pentagram in what looked like dried blood. She pulled her sword.

"It would seem that I am not the one under the sway of a blood mage, Lord Seeker," she said as Ser Sarnak — one of the Templars she meant to investigate further — burst into the room, Sword of Mercy at the ready.

"Leave that alone! What are you doing?!" he yelled.

Cassandra didn't even think about it. She centered her Seeker ability on Sarnak and set the lyrium in his blood to boil. Usually, a Templar would only go unconscious. Sarnak reacted much, much more strongly. He screamed and fell to the floor. When his sword dropped to the floor, blood bubbled from his gauntlet … indicating there was a fresh wound on his hand or arm that had just opened. Now that he was almost unconscious, she could sense it.

Ser Sarnak was a mage.

"Apparently, there is magic that hides a mage," Cassandra said.

"Maker save us," Lambert whispered. He must have sensed it, too.

Others came running. When Lambert's aide came in, Lambert ordered him to put Sarnak in anti-magic shackles, strip him, search him, and lock him in one of the blood mage cells in the dungeon. Then, he told his aide to get a mage to heal all his wounds so he wouldn't have access to blood. "Come with me," Lambert ordered Cassandra, who had not yet put away her sword.

They went to Sarnak's room and discovered a secret compartment after tearing apart the room. There were various meditation aids on top. But, beneath a false bottom were books of blood magic rituals. One ritual used the pentagram to enforce control when the blood mage wasn't present.

Cassandra looked up from the disgusting book. "Grand Cleric Elemena was also controlled by a blood mage, Lord Seeker. Knight-Commander Greagoir told me about the final encounter with an elven servant who was a blood mage. Sarnak must have been her compatriot. Greagoir tripped on a rug in Her Grace's office and uncovered the pentagram there. I don't mean to jump to conclusions, but we may have a widespread problem on our hands. Who convinced you to send Seekers to foment trouble at Weisshaupt?"

"What?! I did no such thing," he said quickly. "But, that explains the cryptic letter I got from Weisshaupt to come pick up my Seekers." He closed the book he was looking at. "We have a lot of work ahead of us, Cassandra … starting with interrogating Sarnak and identifying who we can trust to help us root out these organized blood mages."

"I'm beginning to think that Marisia Park was Maker-sent to help us see these things," Cassandra mumbled.

"Now, you are jumping to conclusions. Come," Lambert said.

They went back to his office and discussed how to proceed. Lambert arranged meetings with all the Seekers and Templars at the White Spire in Val Royeaux. They uncovered one more blood mage in Templar armor. Chancellor Roderick was horrified to learn about the situation and even more horrified when they came upon a group of Templar/blood mages in one of the lower basements of the Grand Cathedral. One of them was a crazed cultist in the Order of Fiery Promise — a group that felt the world needed to die by fire so the Maker could start over.

It explained the unusual statuette on Lambert's desk and the tapestry on his wall.

In one of Sarnak's hidden tomes, they found a blood magic spell that could mask the magic ability in a mage for half a year. It took a lot of blood. Cassandra wondered how many of the dead mages behind that barrier door in Denerim had served to keep him undetected.

With the Fifth Blight upon them, it also explained why Seekers were sent to disrupt the Grey Wardens by aiding the Orlesians to foment unrest at Weisshaupt. If the world couldn't end in fire, it would with an unchecked Blight.

Sarnak died during interrogation … right after he exposed the name of the group coordinating the entire thing. The Venatori had arisen again in Tevinter. Grand Enchanter Fiona confirmed that Sarnak must have been under a geas. When Sarnak gave up his masters, the geas killed him.

Soon, Divine Beatrix's health began to improve. It confirmed that her health was being manipulated. Even though she was rather elderly and likely only had a few more years before going to the Maker's Side, at least those final years would be a bit more tolerable under her own control. Nonetheless, she realized it was time to retire and set the date of a Grand Consensus to decide the next Divine as soon as the Grand Clerics could get to Val Royeaux.

Cassandra was given a commendation for bringing the blood mage control to light and then she was ordered to take care of the Seekers at Weisshaupt. No good deed goes unpunished, she thought to herself as the Seeker caravan left the gates of the White Spire for the long trip north.

!¡!¡

AN: Thanks for all reviews and follows! Next time, plans in Ferelden, interrupted only by a wonderful announcement! Loghain returns and maps out a recruitment route. Denerim's Alienage does its part with seven Warden recruits.

Judy, your excellent reviews are just what I need! Thank you so much!

Thank you so much eliramarine24 for your review as well! I'm not looking for any illustration help, but I wish you the best of luck in your career.