Dragon Age: The Rite of Passage

A Rising Tide...: Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

Skyhold

Entering the library, "I have a letter from New Haven," Josephine Bellator said hurriedly. The beautiful olive-skinned woman holding a sealed parchment.

Seated in the grand room, encompassed by numerous tomes, "A letter from Aunt Cassandra," Sophia Bellator said rising from her chair. The tiny girl closing a large tome before placing it on an end table.

Looking up at his wife, Marsilio Bellator paused, his emerald-green eyes holding her gaze.

"No, it's sealed by Sage Seeker Armmon," Josephine said.

"Sophie, give me and your mother the room, please," the Inquisitor requested.

Standing, looking at her parents before sighing, the raven-haired girl departed.

After closing and locking the door, Josephine brought the letter to her husband, "Do you think something has happened to Cassandra," she said.

"I'd be surprised if it didn't concern her," the Inquisitor replied.

Kissing his wife's hand, taking the letter and breaking the seal, Marsilio read. The ruggedly handsome man with a deep tanned complexion now creasing his forehead and furrowing his brow. His light emerald eyes scanning the small scroll several times as he contemplated the letter. An effect of the rift magic that infected his blood, his eyes had changed to resemble the Fade itself. Over time turning the once jet-black hairs on his head and in his beard white; all of which added to his appearance of wisdom and otherworldliness.

"The Sage Teacher says, Cassandra has left New Haven and has taken his apprentice with her," Marsilio said. "It would seem Commander Loannis tracked her into the Frostback and lost her trail near the archway leading into Orzammar. It's a doorway used to access the underground, the High and Low Roads of the dwarves that cross beneath Thedas."

"This boy, the apprentice, isn't he the elfish lad Dorian adopted? The one who trained with Tristan?"

Handing Josephine the letter, "Yes, and a skilled mage from what some have told me," Marsilio said. "Still, I find it hard to believe Cassandra would plot revenge with the boy. I cannot imagine she would risk his life after losing Tristan."

Rolling up the letter, "Perhaps, but we do know someone with whom she would plot with," the Antivan Ambassador said.

Sighing, "Have Lady Leliana report to me at once," Marsilio said. "I would hear any plans made between the Lord Seeker and the Chantry's liaison."

"You know she will not talk, she's the Divine's personal spymaster. It is very unlikely Vivienne did not know about this or planned it herself."

"I understand your...mistrust for our Divine, but Cassandra needed no outside motivation to seek this outcome. That said, Vivienne would do nothing to harm her great games or the name of its symbol. And more importantly to you, harm our sons while they're in her care."

Eyeing her husband, "As you say my lord, my love," Josephine said. "I will have Sister Leliana meet you in your office. You should address her from a seat of authority but maintain a personal rapport when you two speak. Make her understand you are sympathetic to the High Lord Seeker's position, but your office and everyone associated with it must remain neutral."

"Thank you, Ambassador Montilyet-Bellator...I believe I'll need all the help I can get."

Hinterlands

Waking to the smell of bacon, soft biscuits, eggs and honey; hunger interrupted High Seeker Cassandra Pentaghast's sleep. The head knight and mistress of the Order of the Seekers, stretching the aches from her joints. Placed in a soft goose stuffed bed, stripped naked and covered with heavy coverlets, she couldn't remember how she'd gotten there. The small cozy bedroom with a window facing the rising sun simplistically peaceful. Across the room on and next to a dresser, a change of clothes and boots were neatly placed. Her awareness of time returning as she estimated the day at eight bells. The picturesque day seeming like a dream stirred up from beyond the fade as she sought to rise. The elder knight hearing the chirping of birds and clucking of chicks while remembering the claws, teeth, smells and dead black eyes of the darkspawn.