Denerim Confidential

Chapter 9

By the end of the five scenarios, Mei Surana had been handcuffed once, prematurely shot once, and escaped twice. The only recruit who managed to arrest her and disarm Lillian was a severe-looking woman named Taura. Cullen had seemed pleased about that, but Mei did not share his satisfaction. She'd overheard the way Taura talked about mages when she was with other trainees; she was ruthlessly ambitious, and extremely fond of Tranquility.

Mei was looking forward to a pleasant, quiet afternoon when the final scenario concluded. It was not to be. When she returned to her room Emili was standing in front of it, her hands folded and her face serene.

"Good evening, Enchanter Surana."

Mei's stomach roiled. Emili. I'm so sorry.

"Hello, Emili. How are you?"

She always asked that question when she saw Emili, and Emili always answered it the same way. "I am well."

She seemed to mean it, or at least, there was no pain or dissatisfaction in her expression. The dour, sarcastic young woman who had begun her Enchanter training at Mei's side was gone, severed from her magic—and her emotions—by the Tranquil's brand on her forehead. The bright red hair dye she'd favored before her failed Harrowing had now grown out; only the tips of her long, mousy hair still bore hints of pink.

"The Grand Enchanter is here. She has asked me to find you."

Mei didn't bother to hide her surprise. "What is Fiona doing in Denerim?"

"I am sorry. I do not know," Emili said placidly. "She is in the top floor guest office. Would you like me to escort you?"

Mei felt her chest constrict. No. Please, Maker, no. "That's all right, Emili. I know the way."

As she began her walk to the Circle's office wing, Mei cursed herself for a coward. She did know the way, of course. But she hadn't released Emili to spare her the trouble of making the walk.

She just couldn't stand the sight of her.

*

"Mei. Come in!"

Mei relaxed into a genuine smile as Fiona stood from her desk. They shook hands warmly—Fiona was not a hugger, one of the many things Mei liked about her—as Mei settled into the spare office chair.

"You have been missed in Montsimmard."

"Have I?" Mei returned wryly. Somehow I doubt that very much. Although she had valued Fiona's mentorship, she had never felt quite at home during her years in Orlais. Her Ferelden accent marked her out as painfully foreign, and while Orlesian prejudice against elves was cloaked in layers of politeness and euphemism, it was there and it was bitter. Combine that with her natural reticence, and Mei hadn't made many friends at Montsimmard. She had jumped at Fiona's offer to transfer back to Denerim after earning her Enchanter's rank.

"By some." Fiona smiled. "Chief among them, myself." She leaned back in her chair. "And so. How have you found Denerim?"

Mei nodded. Straight to the point, I see. This was, after all, why Fiona had transferred her. A new Grand Enchanter needed trusted eyes and ears in every Circle. "Things here are unsettled," she said candidly. "First Enchanter Irving is respected, but there is a growing faction that wants to see him replaced."

"With whom?" Fiona asked shrewdly.

"Senior Enchanter Uldred." Mei kept her expression neutral, though she had opinions on this subject. Irving was steady and experienced, but Uldred—Uldred was smart, and charismatic, and ambitious. I may not like him, but I understand why they're drawn to him. "He's been talking about sending more Enchanters out into the field, letting us use our skills regularly instead of being called upon only when the Templars can't handle a case on their own."