When Fate Summons (a Dragon Age fanfiction)

Be Our Guest

Setting off in the morning was easier than Thora had anticipated. Alistair and Anders carried off the switch fairly well, although Anders kept shifting his shoulders inside the stiff armor and Alistair fidgeted with the tight-fitting top of the mage robes.

Thora took a moment to talk to Oghren before they set off. "I'm sorry to leave you here, my friend," she said, "but you see why it's necessary."

"Aye." He looked wistful for a moment. "When you see the old doxy, ya give her an Oghren special, y'hear?"

"I am not kissing her," Thora said sternly. "Certainly not like that." She'd witnessed the Oghren special a few times, and it generally got him slapped silly. "You will remember who you're talking to, won't you?"

"Sure. I'll just call 'em all 'nug-humper'. Should do the trick." He looked at her seriously. "You can trust ol' Oghren, ya know that. You just get the little cave tick back."

Overcome by his rare sincerity, Thora could only nod. She turned toward the group heading for the Tower. Morrigan and Xandros, with Cybele walking between them, were already on the road. Leliana waited with Alistair in Anders's robes. He cradled Anawyn close to him.

They walked in silence for some time. Alistair kept pausing to try and adjust the robes, sighing in annoyance.

"Will you stop fidgeting?" Thora hissed at him.

"There's nothing, you know, under them," he whined. "They chafe."

After a moment, Leliana giggled, followed by Thora. Alistair gave up and laughed along with them. For a moment, it was like being back in the midst of the Blight, except for the unconscious little girl in Alistair's arms. He held her more closely, wishing she were awake to join in the mirth.

At last they arrived at the shores of Lake Calenhad, where Kester and his boat waited patiently. "Ah, it's you, is it?" he said to Thora. He'd ferried her across the lake several times since Wynne had taken up residence in the Tower again. His gaze took in the rest of her companions, resting finally on Anawyn's bright head. "Everything all right?"

Thora swallowed. "It will be after you get us across the lake," she said.

Kester looked over the big man in the mage robes. "Haven't seen you here before," he said. "But you look familiar."

"After all those escape attempts from your boat? I'd hope so!" Alistair said in a passable imitation of Anders's more flamboyant style.

"Andrew, was it?" Kester said, squinting to get a better look.

"Anders, my dear fellow." Alistair gave Anders's cheeky grin a shot.

Kester shook his head. "Don' know which is going fastest," he said, "my eyes or my memory." He turned back to Thora. "Come along, then, let's get you across."

They all climbed aboard the boat. Anxiety rose higher in all of them as the boat neared the Tower. How would they be able to defeat Urthemiel and restore Anawyn to herself without harming Cybele? An easy answer eluded them, except for Alistair, who was all too sure what would be required. After all, his blood was the only link between the two girls—if this was blood magic, surely his would be required. His eyes rested on Thora's back. He wouldn't have minded the idea of giving up his life for his daughter's so much if he could only have more time with the woman he loved first. Closing his eyes, he remembered Thora laughing in his arms, cozy in their tent during the Blight; Thora with her red hair spilling over her shoulders and down nearly to the ground; Thora as she'd looked when he first saw her, face filled with such strength and serenity. Even if he never had another minute with her, those memories were his to hold on to, Alistair thought, burying his face in his daughter's red hair, so like her mother's.

The boat drew up at the docks. Kester gave them another concerned look as he helped Thora out of the boat, last of the group. "Anything you need, Commander?" he asked quietly.

"Thank you, Kester," she said. "Just ... if you hear any rumors, don't believe them."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he said.

The doors of the Tower opened as they approached, and the Templars at the door stepped aside to allow them to pass. Whatever they may have thought was hidden beneath the faceless helmets.

The young Enchanter at the door was no one Thora recognized, nor was the Templar commander who stepped forward to greet them. He took in the odd party expressionlessly. "Are you expected?" he asked brusquely.

"No," Thora said. "But if you speak to Irving, I'm sure he—"

"Senior Enchanter Irving is no longer the First Enchanter," the young mage said, her voice crisp. "I'll need to ask you all to state your names and business."

"Commander!" A high-pitched delighted voice sounded from behind the young mage, and a small enthusiastic figure bounded into view.

"Dagna!" Thora said, accepting with what dignity she could the exuberant hug the younger dwarf gave her. Thora had made it possible for Dagna to study with the Circle back during the Blight, and Dagna had risen to the position of Librarian, her joy in studying unparalleled in the history of the Circle.

Dagna turned to the young mage at the door. "Eliana, this is the Commander of the Grey! She's Enchanter Wynne's friend." To the stern Templar, she added, "Commander Thora passes whenever she arrives, expected or not." It was strange to hear Dagna speak with such authority. She still reminded Thora of a very enthusiastic puppy. Taking Thora by the hand, Dagna led her into the main part of the Circle. "Come along!" she said over her shoulder to the rest of the group. Quietly, for Thora's ears alone, Dagna said, "That's a powerful spell holding your daughter. Even I can sense it, and my skills are learned rather than instinctual. We must get her to Irving and First Enchanter Petra as quickly as we can before people start asking questions. The two apostates, as well, will draw attention." She glanced quickly at Alistair in Anders's robes. "We'll just hope anyone who sees him figures Anders has lost some of his magic outside the Tower. But the sooner we help you, the better."

Thora's jaw dropped. "How do you know all that?"

Dagna shrugged. "You pick things up," she said. "Also, we're not entirely isolated. I'm aware of the rumors."

Putting her hand on the other dwarf's arm, Thora asked, "How is Wynne?"

"Fading," Dagna said soberly. "There's not much time left." She looked over at Thora. "There is something we want to speak with you about ... but later."

And with that cryptic comment, she fell silent, leaving Thora anxious and confused, but relieved to be among friends.