Inquisition Agents

Chapter 6: Mythallen's lair

Malan stood up and put the map where Eshara had marked the agents destination in his bag. He was about to leave the room where the hunter was resting.

- Wait, Malan... - she said in Elven language.

He turned at her with his hand at the doorknob.

- Yes?

She looked away and blushed. She took some seconds to talk again.

- Why did you save me? I mean... I'm Dalish, and you're a city elf. I thought that those of your kind were...

- Those of my kind were what? You were injured and on your own, I couldn't just leave you there. In times like this, we have to help each other, no matter where you come from.

Eshara then looked at him, surprised by his answer. Malan gave her a tender smile, and she smiled him back.

- You remind me to our Keeper. I hope you can... - her face started to taint with sadness thinking about her clan. - I hope you can meet him someday.

- I will, Eshara. I promise you that you'll see them all again.

With a confident smile, he left the room, leaving her praying silently for him to come back safely.

When Malan went downstairs, he found the main inn room filled with the morning light, and a delicious smell of breakfast floating in the air. His comrades were all sat down around the big table that was just in front of the fireplace, discussing something with Gaia. Malan realized that she had a shadow of concern on her face.

- How's our young friend doing, Malan? - Oerik asked when the elf sat down with a sigh.

- It was hard to convince her about staying here and rest. She's a fighter, but she can't come with us in her current situation.

- I'll stay with her. - Gaia seriously stated.

The agents looked at her surprised.

- But... - the dwarf tried to reply.

- Eshara needs constant treatment. You've all seen her side wound, and she mentioned darkspawn chasing her. If she's infected by the Blight... - she had her eyes on her plate, clearly remembering something with true concern. - I know what needs to be done, but I still don't know for certain how bad it is.

- What kind of relation have you had with the Blight? - Malan asked.

Oerik and Keaton looked at him now. That was the last thing they both would think about after Gaia's words. During a few seconds, both mages stare to each other suspiciously.

- You don't need to know that. - Gaia answered with bitterness in her voice.

- As we didn't need to know that you are the Heroine of Ferelden? - Malan said with sarcasm.

On that moment, the stress was so dense that could be cut with a knife. Gaia's face was ice, completely inexpressive. Malan had his elbows at the table, with his fingers crossed in front of his mouth, hiding his subtle smile.

- C-C'mon Malan, that's not funny... - Oerik tried to calm the situation.

- You might not know the true story, but we apostates keep her legend alive. Many consider her an inspiration. A mage conscripted by the Grey Wardens at the Calenhad Circle of Magi, powerful enough to beat down an archdemon. Born in Lothering, who never went back to the Circle after the Blight because she was trying to rebuild the Order. And where's the most important Warden's fortress? Guess what: at the Anderfels. The Chantry tried to spread another story, about her being a man and a warrior, not a mage. Because if everyone knew such a powerful mage was travelling freely around Thedas with no Templar supervision, it would have generated more unrest between the Circles. In the end, the lie was not necessary, as the civil war exploded anyway. And now there's again a deadly thread on her homeland, and she comes back and heads to Denerim, probably going to offer her help to her friend and Grey Warden comrade: King Alistair. So... Am I wrong, Warden-Commander Amell, Heroine of Ferelden?