Collaboration with
phoray;
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As Ellas and Sabina neared the Sun Dome they heard the sound of hooves approaching behind them and turned to see Bann Sighard mounted on Honey and accompanied by Jasce and Scruffy. He inclined his head with a smile at Sabina as he rode past, halted at the entrance and dismounted, throwing the reins to Jasce, who remained on his horse.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to accompany you, my lord?” said Jasce.
“I think I shall be safe enough within the Sun Dome,” Bann Sighard responded with a wry smile. “Madame de Fer may have a fearsome reputation when it comes to court intrigue but I believe her tongue is the worst I have to fear on this occasion.”
He turned toward Sabina and bowed. “Thank you for complying with our request for your attendance.”
Sabina elegantly returned his bow with a polite bow of her own.
Bann Sighard continued, “ I apologise for not providing you with transport into the city but by the time I reached the circus I was informed you had already left.” He held out his arm. “At least let me provide you with a proper escort within.”
A demure smile crossed her lips as she took his arm. “How very kind of you, ser.” He smelled of fresh linen after time in the sun.
“It is important that your testimony is given due respect by the Grand Enchanter.” He smiled at Ellas “Lead on, if you please.”
The door already stood open with the door warden attending it. Clearly their arrival had been noticed from within and instruction duly given. The tranquil, Muriel, awaited them in the reception hall and said they were expected by the Grand Enchanter, inviting them to follow. As they walked forward, Bann Sighard seemed to lean in slightly towards Sabina and whispered.
“Please excuse me if I seem to walk somewhat close to you. I have to confess that my motives are not entirely gallant. I did not want to show my weakness before the Grand Enchanter and I find it easier to walk without limping if I have someone to lean on.”
She looked up at him through her lashes. “You do me a favor, ser. Nerves may have carried me away, but you are here to ground me.”
Grand Enchanter Vivienne received them in her throne room as she had done before with Ellas.
“Back so soon,” she said with a querulous look at Ellas. “I assume you have something worthwhile to say?”
Bann Sighard gently released Sabina’s arm and stepped forward. “Indeed he has. As I am sure you are aware, Ellas was acting in this matter at my request, Lord Aehrenthal having initially asked me to conduct the enquiry owing to my impartiality in the matter. There have been developments overnight which made Ellas feel we ought to inform you of our findings without delay.”
“I see,” Vivienne gave a condescending smile. “Very well, what revelations do you have for me?”
Bann Sighard nodded to Ellas. “Go ahead.”
“When I inspected the crime scene it was apparent that the cause of death was either blood magic or necromancy. You assumed the former on the basis of the testimony of the Templar at the scene.”
“And my own extensive knowledge, my dear.”
“Really!” Ellas raised an eyebrow and smirked. “I was not aware you were an expert in blood magic.”
“Nor I you,” she responded icily.
“Theoretical, of course,” Ellas countered smoothly. “Which is also true of necromancy. However, I had something more than book learning to back my theory. I took samples of blood from the victims and had them analysed by our own expert. This showed conclusively that their blood had traces of magical poison, which would only be true of the spell ‘walking bomb’. Given the potency of the spell it had to be the version used by an advanced practitioner of necromancy, namely ‘virulent walking bomb’. I trust you are familiar with the spell.”
Sabina listened on with curious interest, hands clasped politely while she waited.
“I am indeed,” said Vivienne and Ellas detected a change in her tone that indicated he had roused her interest.
Ellas gestured to Sabina. “The lady here, Sabina Barbus, whom you may recall from the Opening Ceremony and official reception, had a prior acquaintance with Lord Scribonianus in Tevinter and assures me that he is not an adept in either blood magic or necromancy.” Actually Ellas knew he was assuming the last claim but from Sabina’s description he was fairly confident that his specialism was that of a Force Mage. “I have also collected evidence that suggests the attacker may not have come from the direction of the corridor at all but rather flew in through the window.”
“A Shapeshifter!”
“So you are familiar with the concept?”
The Grand Enchanter sniffed with an air of disgust. “We had such a one serve the Inquisition. I’m surprised she is involved in this.”
“I doubt this is the same woman. In fact, I do not know whether our current attacker is male or female, just that they move around during the evening and at night in the form of a black owl.”
“So the mage has an accomplice.”
“Strange of an accomplice to implicate them in the murder and then try to eliminate the person who was attempting to prove their innocence. Last night, I was attacked, along with Sabina and another potential witness.” He gestured for Sabina to step forward. “Please relate what you know of her involvement and what transpired when I went to meet her.”
Sabina bowed deeply. “Grand Enchanter Vivienne. My misfortune that my second audience with you should be marred by such skull duggery.”
The Grand Enchanter smiled benignly at being shown such deference and cast a sideways glance at Ellas with a lift of an eyebrow to indicate that she considered he should do likewise.
“I will endeavor to be succinct, so as not to waste your precious time. The morning following the Qunari’s delegates' tragic loss of life, a waif bearing much distress took an opportunity to hide among my troupe’s trunks. With much convincing, I kept the stray from making her escape permanent until her countenance could be taken down in detail by the chosen investigator. Leery of her safety, we organized a public meet for which the consultation should occur at a tavern of no importance. Alas, it appears that the true culprits had kept a closer eye on their wayward witness or mayhap it was an ill born coincidence, but that a man, likely the waif’s lover, called out to her. She left her bodyguard behind in a rush to reconnect, only for their very embrace to result in a toxic explosion.”
“I had heard reports of some disturbance at the docks but the accounts were somewhat vague as to its nature.” Vivienne stated airily “Pray continue
“With quick thinking and treatment by Ellas, and his man, Issala, a chance for conference still beats tenuously within her breast. But I get ahead of myself. Ellas took off to make chase after the suspected perpetrator, and I followed, intent to give support.” Sabina glanced down, as the memory came up, still fresh. “One of the men impaled himself upon his own blade, only for his body to transform into an abomination the likes I have only ever heard of. The bodies of others reanimated, and I was pressed to quickly find reinforcements for the situation among those of the Tourney Guard.“
Vivienne nodded her understanding. “More necromancy it would seem. Very well, I stand corrected about the form of magic used against the Qunari for it seems likely the same person was responsible for both.” She addressed herself to Bann Sighard. “Do you now accept my accusation that this affair was the work of a Mortalitasi? Specifically, Viuus Anaxas and thus, as his guest, the Tevinter mage could still have had some part in it. I doubt the murder of the Qunari could have been achieved by one mage.”
“We agree that it would have required more than one mage to have accomplished that feat without their activity being detected or the Qunari sounding the alarm,” Ellas spoke up, refusing to be side-lined. “However, that was always the problem I had with the attacker entering the Qunari’s chambers after they had done so, which would have been the case with Viuus Anaxas. There could have been no element of surprise coming from the corridor in that way. However, if someone was already within the room, it would have been accomplished with the stealth needed to catch them unawares. Something that Sabina forgot to mention is that when speaking with our witness earlier in the evening she admitted that she had unlocked the door to the tower at the request of her boyfriend and also delivered the note to them that took them to the room whilst the reception was still in full swing and thus there was a degree of ambient noise to drown out anything happening in the room. The fact is this was not a spur of the moment act by a man who had only just arrived in the city, as Lord Scribonarius had done, but planned in advance. Nor do I believe that their death was the prime motivation for the act. Rather it was intended as a distraction and cause of dissent between the ruling parties of the city, so they would focus their attention on that and not notice anything else that these people were doing.” He nodded to Bann Sighard to continue.
“It is a tactic that has been witnessed in our own country and this is why we suspect this group is responsible, particularly as the Tevinter mage was sent south specifically to investigate the cult. Have you heard of the Dark Sun?”
“It is not a group with which I am familiar. Have they been in existence long?” The Grand Enchanter asked.
“Over a thousand years or more,” Ellas declared with satisfaction at his superior knowledge. “They are devoted to the Old God, Lusacan.” He held up the amulet taken from Lucius. “This was given to the mage as a way of identifying them.”
Bann Sighard held out a similar amulet. “This was taken from the dead body of an apprentice serving the Magister who caused the trouble in Ferelden.”
“I gather a similar emblem was taken from a group of slavers operating on the east side of the Imperium with connections in Antiva,” said Ellas. “It was making the connection with the group operating in Ferelden, also with the assistance of Antivan Crows, that caused Magister Pavus to start looking into the meaning of the amulet.”
“Magister Dorian Pavus?”
“That is correct. It was he who sent the mage south on his behalf.”
“I wonder he did not send him directly to me.”
Ellas and Bann Sighard exchanged glances. They had already discussed the matter between them. Ellas had promised discretion to Viuus Anaxas but only so long as his hand wasn’t forced. Bann Sighard had agreed that being attacked in the night by a necromancer counted as such a provocation.
“There is a suspicion that there are Mortalitasi who are also members of this cult. Viuus Anaxas was hoping to deal with the matter without a scandal and that is why you were not involved. We feel the time for such secrecy is past. We need your expertise, Madame Vivienne and in particular access to your archives so we can find out as much as we can about this group.”
“We must also ask for you to keep the matter within these walls,” said Bann Sighard. “It is why I haven’t reported to Lord Aehrenthal. We cannot be certain who we can trust within the Ducal Palace but we know we can trust you.” He saw her smile with self satisfaction at his declaration. “We need to keep this cult guessing about what we know and what we plan to do, hopefully before more lives are lost to them.”
“Very well, I agree.”
“One more thing,” said Ellas. “We would appreciate it if you would allow the Tevinter mage to fulfil the task for which he was sent south and let him join in our research.”
“You wish me to free him?” She sounded doubtful.
“A conditional freedom. He must remain in the Sun Dome and not communicate with anyone outside of it. I assume your Templar can ensure he complies with that. Also, he must cooperate with our team and share anything he discovers with us. This will be an indication of good faith on his part and that he is not involved in any way with our enemies.”
“You do not think him wholly innocent?”
Ellas glanced at Sabina before replying. “If there is one thing the Dalish have always believed, it is that you don’t trust any mage from Tevinter. He may not be guilty of the murder of the Qunari but that is as far as I am willing to concede on that one.”
“With one or two exceptions, I am inclined to agree with you.” Vivienne looked smug. “Perhaps you have some sense afterall, my dear. Leave the names and a description of the individuals to whom you wish access granted with Muriel as she will be my representative in the investigation. She has been cataloguing our archives ever since I took up my position of Grand Enchanter four years ago so you will find it quicker to consult her about where to start your search than try to manage on your own.”
“That will be helpful,” agreed Ellas. “What about Lord Scribonianus; should I go tell him the good news?”
“No, I shall summon him here, together with his servant and his jailor, and explain to him personally the terms of his release. I want him to be clear in the understanding that if he fails to cooperate with them he will be answerable to me as custodian of this building.”
“Then we need detain you no longer with our presence,” said Bann Sighard. “I thank you for your assistance in this matter. Good day.”
He gave a dignified bow, turned and recovered Sabina’s arm before heading sedately towards the door.
---
“Well that went better than I expected,” said Bann Sighard as they left the Sun Dome.
“We’ve stroked her ego no end,” said Ellas. “She didn’t mind conceding the point on the blood magic when we gave her such a coup on the Mortalitasi. The Duke will never get the Sun Dome back from her now. Mind you, after my recent experience, I’m inclined to think she was right to have her suspicions about their motives in trying to recover it. I may not like her but I think she is a safe custodian of its treasures.”
Bann Sighard nodded his agreement and then turned to Sabina.
“Thank you for your contribution. Let me offer you a ride back to your friends.” He waved Jasce down from his horse with a grin. “The walk will do Jasce good.”
Before Sabina could answer, they were hailed by a familiar voice and looked over to see Burren running towards them. That alone was enough to indicate something serious was afoot, Burren never usually went faster than a sedate jog, but his breathless account confirmed it.
“Big trouble over in the dwarf quarter,” he puffed and held his side from the exertion. “The Kal-Sharok contingent are accusing the Orzammar lot of foul play. You need to come at once, Ellas.”
“Why me? I don’t know the first thing about dealing with irate dwarves.”
“That Durk fellow seemed to think you could help. Something to do with a set up.”
The Ferelden group exchanged glances with worried frowns and Ellas nodded.
“I asked him to do some digging for me. Maybe he was a bit too successful and our nasty little cultists found a way to get back at him when they couldn’t do so directly. I’d better go.”
“You and Burren can take Jasce’s horse then. You’ll need him to negotiate dwarven etiquette.”
“Me!” Burren looked aghast. “I did my bit delivering the message. There’s no way I want to be the go-between for some angry deshyrs.”
“Ellas, if I may have a word.” He turned his attention to Sabina.
“It appears the investigation has only just begun. I have some experience with traditional dwarven etiquette, so in this fashion I would offer my skills.”
“Thank you, that would be helpful. You also have a connection with Lord Aehrenthal and both groups are only here by his invitation.”
“You should go too, Jasce and take Honey, “said Bann Sighard. “The Orzammar dwarves will know you from the ship and will remember that we represent their ally the King of Ferelden.”
“I’m not happy about leaving you here alone, my lord.”
“Scruffy can stay to look after me whilst Burren finds us alternative transport to take us back to camp. I want to let Issala know the good news so he can spend a few hours in the Sun Dome today. I don’t think we should waste any time in making use of the concession granted us. Lives may depend on it.”
Ellas vaulted aboard the spotted mare that Jasce had ridden and Jasce helped Sabina up behind him before vaulting onto Honey. They rode away from the Sun Dome at a canter that took them quickly past the elegant homes of the nobility in that quarter of the city to arrive at the Dragon’s Den in short order.
It was apparent that the City Guard had also been called to the scene but it was all they could do to prevent the two sides from joining battle in the streets. There was much yelling and posturing between the leaders of the two dwarf factions as they rode up, whilst the massed ranks of their respective teams had formed up ready to enter combat. However, the sound of the horses approaching, something not generally heard in the Dragon’s Den, was enough to give a pause in the shouting as the horses stopped between them. He saw Durk give a brief nod in their direction to acknowledge their arrival.
“What is the trouble here?” demanded Ellas and he slipped down from his horse and held out his arms to help down Sabina.
Sabina slid off the saddle with his assistance.
“It’s no business of yours,” declared Lord Azaharg of Kal-Sharok before he turned back towards the Orzammar deshyrs and resumed yelling. “We demand satisfaction for the death of Legnar.”
“It is nothing to do with Edrick,” shouted Lord Meino. “You are using any excuse to keep our best fighter from the competition.”
“That’s right,” agreed Lord Oerik. “If it isn’t insulting enough to King Bhelen to allow you into the competition at all, now you resort to dirty tricks in an attempt to win it.”
“You stone cursed nug humpers are the ones using dirty tricks. Why else would members of your retinue go wandering off into the city. If it is not the one you call Edrick, then it is your second.” Lord Azaharg pointed to Oerik and then Durk. “He was also outside the dwarven quarter for much of last night.”
“How would you know that if you haven’t been spying on us. It is not for you to say where we may go.”
Hands grasped weapons and the city guards started to back off, deciding that they would be better off quitting the scene and leaving the dwarves to fight it out among themselves. Ellas took out his badge of office, held it up and declared in an authoritative tone.
“By the power vested in me by Duke Sandral Anaxas, I demand you stand down.” Much to his surprise, this had the desired effect of both stopping the conflict from escalating further and the city guards from quitting the scene. There was a brief silence that followed his command before Sabina stepped forward.
“My lords!” Sabina’s strong voice carried across the space. “Surely, the number of dwarves is too low in number to squander! Here, on the surface, you should liken a Grand Tourney to that of a Proving. Seek blood where there is glory to earn for your ancestors! Nothing is truly gained in this field of obscurity.”
“Not to mention that Lord Aehrenthal has declared Kal Repartha outside of the arena,” said Jasce. “If you break it then you may all be banished from the tourney. Then neither side will recover the hammer. Please return to your respective camps and allow my companion here to investigate the matter.”
The Orzammar dwarves were first to concede and returned inside the Diamond Lass with much grumbling and glaring at the Kal-Sharok group as they did so. The latter dwarves took rather longer to comply but in the end Lord Azaharg gave a curt nod in their direction.
“Very well, surfacers, we shall comply for now. You will find us based at the other end of the street in the mansion of the merchant, Kerdrick Dunnharg.”
With that he turned on his heel and walked with his retinue in the direction of the estate.
Ellas exhaled with relief. “Phew, that was a close one. Thank you both for that. Now for the tricky part, particularly the Kal-Sharok contingent, persuading them that I really do have the matter in hand.” He glanced at the half a dozen city guards who were still loitering, unsure what to do next. “You may leave now. If I’m unsuccessful then I doubt you will be able to do much about keeping the dwarves apart.”
The soldiers departed with obvious relief on their faces. Ellas took a deep breath and rotated his shoulders to ease the tension in them.
At his close right, Sabina spoke. “I’m a bit surprised what we said worked. I’m sincerely glad it did, however. What’s next?”
“Right, let’s start with the Orzammar lot.”
As they headed towards the Diamond Lass, Durk appeared at the door and handed Ellas an envelope.
“Here is my report. I had nothing to do with the death of their scout, even if he was following me.”
“I didn’t think you did, nor Edrick either. I know where he goes at night.”
“Very well, then their scout may just have been unlucky in being associated with me in the minds of others. Or maybe he was poking his nose elsewhere where it wasn’t wanted. You’ll see what I mean in my report. I trust you’ll deal with the matter now. I’ve my hands full keeping the deshyrs from doing anything foolish.”
“Thank you, Durk. Send your account to Bann Sighard and he’ll settle it.”
Durk shook his head. “Have that one on me. Keep watching your back, Ellas.”
As Durk departed, Sabina spoke. “You have more connections than I would suspect even with the Bann as your benefactor. But carry on, my curiosity can very well wait.”
They turned away from the inn and Ellas opened the envelope to check the report:
I did the rounds of the watering holes of the seedier parts of this city. Everywhere the result was the same. People were happy to talk until I mentioned the deaths and then they suddenly had business elsewhere. Finally I managed to get a dwarf enough in his cups to get the false courage to speak with me. Most of the deaths were down in the docks area or the slums beyond the walls. No obvious connection between the victims other than that and the mutilation of the bodies. All had the eyes gouged out, the ears sliced off, the tongue cut out. Pretty clear message there. Don’t go looking where you’re not wanted and don’t speak about anything you may have accidentally seen or heard. It first started just after the tourney was announced and people began to arrive in the city to begin the construction for it. When I asked what the city authorities have done about it, he gave a laugh and implied they were mixed up in it. “Listen, friend, if those black robed bastards are up to something, leave them to it. Running to the authorities will only get you killed like the others.” Make of that what you will. I hope this helps. Durk.Ellas showed the report to his companions.
Sabina’s eyes widened and she shook her head in disgust as she read it. She handed the sheaf back to Ellas.
“Another pointer to Mortalitasi involvement in this,” he said ruefully. “Also, that there is likely a cultist actually in the Ducal palace. I don’t think it is Viuus Anaxas though. I think the idea in killing the Qunari was to discredit him and get him out of the way.” He placed the report in his satchel. “Right, now for the difficult part, dealing with Lord Azaharg.”
As they approached the mansion of the dwarven merchant Ellas mused. “I wonder what connection the Kal-Sharok dwarves have with this merchant?”
“He was looking for assistance from the deshyrs at the reception in preventing raids on his trading caravans,” said Sabina. “If he had no success there, perhaps he thought Kal-Sharok could help.”
“Offering them the hospitality of his estate would seem to indicate as much. Do you suppose dwarven etiquette is the same in Kal-Sharok? I’ve little enough knowledge of Orzammar let alone a thaig that had been thought lost for the best part of 1000 years. I assume Tevinter was equally in ignorance as their southern kin.”
“So far as I am aware, Ellas. From what I have heard they hold to tradition even more than Orzammar does. I have had no dealings with them personally. They have no connection with the Ambassadoria as far as I know. Still, diplomacy shall never be a burden upon those it’s bestowed upon”
Lord Azaharg was awaiting them in the reception hall of the mansion. He looked imperious despite his small statue and had a keen penetrating gaze. He was also alone. Ellas nodded at Sabina to begin.
Her eyes cast about the room and found that they were alone with the lord. A few tense but quiet seconds ticked by, before Sabina simple looked vaguely at the wall to the left of Azaharg. “This group seeks audience with the Lord of this place. We will wait for the appropriate assistance to arrive on this matter.”
The dwarf lord held up his hand to stop her. “We have dispensed with such nonsense in Kal-Sharok. You have leave to speak with me.”
Ellas decided that directness would be the best approach.
“Thank you, Sabina, I’ll take it from here. Lord Azaharg, may I see the body of the victim?”
Azaharg gave a curt nod and gestured for them to follow him. He led them into an adjoining room where a body was laid out and covered with a sheet.
“We will do what we can to preserve him so we can return him to the Stone.”
“I could help with that,” said Ellas. “A simple glyph of preservation would maintain him in his current state for a month, more than enough for your purposes.”
“So you are a mage? Very well, do so.”
Ellas stepped forward and pulled down the sheet. He motioned with his hand and placed the requisite glyph on the body. It was clear how the dwarf had died. There was a gaping wound across his throat. His eyes were also gouged out and from what Ellas could see his ears had also been removed. He assumed the tongue had been similarly mutilated as he guessed Azaharg might object to him investigating closer. Having concealed the body he turned back to Azaharg.
“I can vouch for the two people you accused. He wasn’t killed by any dwarf from Orzammar,” he declared emphatically. “So what was your dwarf really doing last night.?”
“How dare you!”
Sabina shifted on her feet, her hands inching closer to her rapiers at the sudden turn in the tone of the conversation.
“I dare a great deal when murder is involved," Ellas declared. "Your brother dwarf was a victim of cultists currently operating in the city. His body has the same signs on it as other deaths in the months preceding your arrival. Now if they were simply trying to cause trouble between you and Orzammar, his body would have been left untouched. The fact it has been mutilated suggests to me that he must have been poking his nose where it wasn’t wanted. So, what was he doing in the city last night?”
Lord Azaharg looked affronted for a second but then he shrugged. “Legnar was not actually participating in the tourney. He is in the party as our chief scout. When travelling to the city we emerged from the Deep Roads in the mountains to the west and had to travel the last part overland. Cumberland is very old though and like other cities of the Imperium it must once have had a large undercity devoted to the dwarves with connections to the Deep Roads. The merchant here is having trouble with the routes north overland now caught up in the conflict. So we thought we might do business with him and thus it might be worth checking out the Deep Roads leading out of Cumberland. Legnar didn’t want to arouse the curiosity of the Orzammar dwarves by delving around in the dwarven quarter so he thought to try investigating outside of the enclave first. During the day he stayed with us at the arena but after dinner he scouted around the city for signs of people using basements that might link underground.”
“Alone?”
“As you have pointed out, the city is under Kal Repartha, so we had no reason to think him in any danger and the rest of us needed to conserve our energies for the competition. Then this morning the city guard found him, recognised he was one of our group by his armour and brought him to our door.”
Ellas exchanged glances with Sabina and Jasce. “That seems to follow a similar pattern to previous deaths, which started occurring long before the Orzammar dwarves arrived in the city. These people are very dangerous so do not make any further attempt to seek them out for yourselves. Leave it to me and you will have justice for your kin.”
“If it were not for the fact we are in an unfamiliar city, I would still pursue this matter for myself. The dwarves of Kal-Sharok look after our own. However, as your companion noted earlier, our numbers are few so we can ill afford any further deaths if we are to recover our hammer.” Azaharg considered, frowning. “How long does Kal Repartha last?”
“Until the end of the tourney I believe“
The dwarf leader nodded. “Very well, you have until the end of the tourney to bring the perpetrators to justice without our interference.” He gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “You may go.”
Outside of the estate once more, Ellas glanced at the others and rolled his eyes.
“Yet more reason to find the murderers before the end of the tourney. Still I don’t want to take on these cultists again without knowing a bit more about them. Let’s hope Issala and Burren can turn up something useful at the Sun Dome. I need a break from this to help me think.” He smiled at Sabina. “I guess that goes for you too. Let’s get you back to the circus.”
Sabina nodded, looking suddenly tired at the prospect.
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phoray;
riverdaleswhiteflash;
