Not Quite Damsels, Definite Distress

[justice_is_blond]

WHO: Anders, Alistair, Zevran, Nathaniel, Teren, Merrill, Ciri, Jamie, Cyril, Velanna
WHAT: Rescuing two princesses who went into the wrong castle
WHEN: Around Haring 10th
WHERE: A village handwavily somewhere around Skyhold, on the Fereldan side of things.
NOTES: Minor violence warnings for now. Signup Post.

Sometimes people vanish. Sometimes there's a trail to follow, and luckily for these two, there's some information about where they were going.

Comments

[chainlightning]

"Merrill!" chirps Merrill, merrily. Just pretend she didn't call you elderly, Teren, keep your knives sheathed. Let Merrill be a nice little unintimidating sparkle that can blow them up. "You didn't see them leave at all?"

Because they've either then been killed by Darkspawn (possible, but unlikely, as the village isn't leveled or still being attacked), have been Conveniently Unconscious for a while, or are not able to get their sending crystals to send a message -- as one wouldn't be able to do if they had been imprisoned.

"They really would have sent a message, you see. I'm sure whatever's going on is all just a big misunderstanding, but they're either stuck somewhere on accident or on purpose, and that's very concerning. One of them helped end the Blight, you know."

Merrill is not above namedropping either herself or Alistair. Sorry not sorry.

[doneisdone]

The look Teren gives the woman in return can't quite be called a smile. It's what might happen if, say, a velociraptor tried to smile. The corners of her mouth rise, but somehow it just makes her look more predatory than before.
Then, her gaze slides to the mage, whose sudden motion has caught her entire attention. "A twitchy one, he is," she observes, "when did you last see them, boy?" Her bearing is deceptively calm for a velociraptor.

[pinprick]

All right, maybe it's good knight/bad knight/manic sunberry forestchild knight. Hopefully it works.

Nathaniel gives a polite nod to the mage woman and begins a separate conversation with her, quietly, as if they are the two adults in the vicinity. Teren has a notable effect on the boy, so. Divide and conquer.

"My lady," he says softly, trying to find the switch to turn on the noble-born charm some people claim he has, "you understand we have to ask certain questions out of protocol before continuing forward. I'm certain my...overzealous comrade will do your boy no harm in the meantime. Can you tell me when and what time of day you first saw these men?"

[justice_is_blond]

Kian looks like he'd really like to be invisible right now, caught between Merrill and Teren. He reaches up to tug on an earlobe, glancing at Ashton. "Four days ago?" It sounds more like he's asking them than simply being unsure. How he's feeling isn't helped by the tightening of the other mage's hand on his shoulder.

"Four days ago," he repeats with more confidence. "They headed in then, once they'd, they'd rested for the night. I didn't see them afterward." There's some sincerity to his voice, some of that might be true, but he looks stiff and nervous.

In the meantime, the grandmotherly looking mage is patting her hair and looking like she has all the time in the world. "Maker bless you, dear boy, but we don't exactly hold with protocol around here. If we did, we would have invited Templars to our little village... but I'll answer nonetheless. I first saw Wardens Albert and Garrett around midday five days ago."

[failedfirst]

Velanna appears at Nathaniel's shoulder, having made her way to the front of the group. Unlike the others, her staff is unholstered, and she plants it in the ground like a walking stick. The mages will certainly know that this is a passive battle stance, one usually taken if one needs to suddenly start throwing fireballs.

"Where did they stay while they were here?"

[wontforgetyou]

Unlike the others, Jamie hasn't made his way to the front of the group. He's further back, ostensibly watching over the horses of those who dismounted further back. However, that's not the real reason he's back there. Not entirely, anyway. While he is keeping an eye on the horses to a certain extent, he's also keeping an eye on the situation itself. Too many people have slipped away for his liking, and while talking seems to be working for now, he's not convinced it'll stay that way. Better that someone stay back and keep an eye out in case something goes wrong.

And if not? If nothing else, maybe he'll be able to get a better idea of what's really going on here. So while the others ask questions, he keeps quiet, not saying anything even though he's just as interested in the answers. Sometimes a little observation can go a long way.

[ichaer]

Ciri has, much like Jamie, held back with the horses. She stands beside her black mare as Kelpie huffs, digging a hoof into the ground and shakes her head slightly. The youngest of the Wardens in this little odd ball party pets down her mane, cooing gently before returning her seemingly idle game of turning a small knife over in her hands quietly. Although she appears to not be listening to the on-goings of the group, it is further from the truth and simply wishes to appear non-threatening unlike some in the party though she cannot totally blame them considering the situation.

But they are noticeably outnumbered as it stands and she does very much notice this.

Yet she keeps a passive expression as she listens to the exchanges with their group but glance around to those still idling around in the road doing the same as them. It is not hard to notice that all of them are armed in some way which causes Ciri to hum thoughtfully before she cheerfully waves at some of those that are lingering outside of the main group talking. Might as well try and make friends with some of the others if the immediate party proved too sour for those they are speaking with.

[justice_is_blond]

Ashton's gaze lingers on the staff pointedly before she raises an eyebrow at Velanna. There's no question about what she thinks of the manners of some of the people in this group, but after that pause Ashton gestures toward one of the houses to the side.

"We have a guest house for the occasional visitor, or those who have come in and haven't had time to make one of the former houses livable again. They spent the night in two of the rooms there."

As she speaks, another mage approaches the group, this one from the side. She's middle-aged, approach slow and leisurely, with short-cropped red hair and a liberal covering of freckles. The new arrival waves back at Ciri, coming over to join her and Jamie.

"More visitors? We haven't had this much excitement since three Templars decided they could take all of us on." Her smile is a faint thing, voice calm despite how the words are their own sort of test, and she holds out her hand. "Vidal. Vidal Marsh."

[pinprick]

"My apologies, my lady," Nathaniel says again to Ashton, though he feels bolstered with Velanna at his side. This is a bad knight he is long familiar with, and he can predict exactly the kind of good knight he needs to be. He does not say what or who he is apologizing for, but he wants the lady to feel like she has an ally in him. "You understand we have to ask certain questions so we can file our paperwork properly. Velanna and I are very concerned for our comrades. When was the last time--day and time of day, when you saw them, and did they stop in the village on their way out?"

[doneisdone]

"Let's take a look, then," Teren says, nudging her head toward the guest house, glancing between the mages and then back over her shoulder at the rest of the party. She is becoming increasingly anxious with the light stepping, which manifests as impatience and irritability in her demeanor.

"Have someone show us the room while you lot work this out, perhaps there'll be a sign of them." She's doing her best to not start stabbing people outright and demanding answers. Howe, damn him, is being a rube as always, but he still outranks her.

Group going inside

[justice_is_blond]

Ashton sighs and shakes her head before giving them a saccharine smile, though there's something in her eyes for a moment when Velanna is named and as she looks at Nathaniel again.

"Of course. Come with me and Kian. You can all call me Ashton, by the way. I've got the name of one of you, but I haven't heard the rest."

Ashton looks off to the side to meet the gaze of a younger, scowly mage, and she raises an eyebrow at him before turning and heading to the house. Kian, shoulder no longer held hostage, walks along with her.

[doneisdone]

Following the pair is ideal, instead of turning her back to them, but Teren isn't stupid enough to go off alone, outnumbered by two mages. She looks back to the group comprised of Ciri, Jamie, Zevran, and Cyril, and nudges her head in the direction Ashton is leading her. Her expression is subtle but communicates: backup would be nice.

[pinprick]

This is a diversion. Nathaniel glances about for any clues, because the direction they are being led in is the one direction he knows they won't find Anders and Alistair.

Fine. He's bringing out the big guns. He squirms, swinging his pack off his back and opening it.

"Go on," he says into the bag, calm as anything.

Out leaps a pent-up miniature mabari, who delivers a couple of happy slurps to his shoe before starting to familiarize herself with her surroundings, sniffing and meeting people. But her sniffing has purpose. She knows Anders' scent as well as Alistair's.

[justice_is_blond]

Kian's face lights up at seeing the dog. Ashton's goes very still. There's a few moments of silence before she nods slightly as if she's come to a decision, then she takes a breath.

"You'll want to be careful with that. We have a few mages who work as chandlers; I hear some scents can damage a dog's sense of smell." Her voice is pitched as if to carry past their immediate group, but she doesn't look around. Kian's expression becomes dismayed as he looks at her before he's schooling it to stillness.

"Keep your dog with our group," he suggests. "He, she, nothing will hurt them in the house."

Ashton doesn't comment on that, simply turning her back to them and leading the way.

[pinprick]

What a peculiar thing to say. Of course Ashton is trying to keep Lady from doing her job, but of all the excuses to make, it is rather far-fetched.

Nathaniel gives a smile to Kian that crinkles the corners of his eyes. "I've heard that one. It's basically a myth. Anything strong enough to do that she won't get too close to. She'll be fine."

Lady noses on for a bit before starting off at a trot in a new direction. Nathaniel permits it. Clearly the dog makes the mages nervous, and a shake-up of whatever they have prepared would be a good thing.

[failedfirst]

Velanna doesn't look particularly bothered that the mages have her real name, while others seem to be giving out fake ones or none at all. Some of them might have heard of her, she was in the Hinterlands helping people before she rejoined the Wardens. She also has other reputations. Really anything they'd heard about her might help them be a little more helpful.

"I do wonder what you don't want her sniffing that you'd grasp at such ridiculous lies. You are in Ferelden, you know what mabari can do." And how smart they are. Even if she's not a native, Fereldens love their dogs.

[doneisdone]

Teren appreciates Velanna. They've never spoken much, but her respect for the woman grows by the second.

For her part, the Senior Warden isn't doing much talking anymore. She's constantly scanning their surroundings with a hawkish intensity, seeking... well, she isn't sure. Anything that belongs to either of the missing Wardens, anything that seems like it shouldn't be where it is, anything that might suggest they're walking into a trap.

She is aware she hasn't told anyone her name, real or fake, and has no problem with it. Ignoring the question can be a useful tactic.

[justice_is_blond]

"That's not a mabari," Kian says gently, looking a little nervous as he does. Velanna looks like she could bite him. "Mabari are a lot bigger than that. They can take on all sorts of things, like--"

"They know, I'm certain." Ashton doesn't give the dog another glance. Nor does she turn around to look at the party until she has the door open of the first house - a roughly repaired, one-floor farmhouse, made of wood, still showing some signs of a fire ages ago. There are some gaps in the walls and some singe marks on the ceiling; this place isn't going to hold the cold off very well. But there's a fireplace in the main room that's burning brightly, as well as a stack of blankets, a few rough wooden seats, a slab of wood on legs that serves as a table, and dishes stacked on it. There are three doors going off the main room. Ashton gestures to the middle and right-hand ones.

"Albert had the right-most room, Garrett the middle. Look around as you'd like. And, dear," now she looks at Velanna, "not everyone in Ferelden is Fereldan, or has time and leisure enough to look into myths. I offered a warning that I thought was valid. There's really no need to be so hasty."

If they go into the rooms they'll see a narrow cot in each, with folded blankets and a pillow, as well as a small table with a candle. There's no ornamentation, though these walls are far more sturdy than the front one.

Lady, in the meantime, is trotting around the front before heading to the side, sniffing her way to an open space in the center of a village. She barks as if pleased by herself before scooping something up and heading back toward Nate. Her prize is a hair tie with a cat clasp, one he's definitely seen before.

Group staying outside

[justice_is_blond]

Vidal gives the remainders another small smile as Ashton leaves, though it fades when the scowly mage joins them. He's stick-thin and tall, eyeing anyone who remains outside.

"And this is Aleigh," Vidal says. "Don't mind him, he's an asshole."

"Better to be one outright than pretend to be something else, darling," he drawls, hands going into his pockets.

[wontforgetyou]

"Robert," is Jamie's reply, coupled with a friendly smile for Vidal.

It's not even a lie, as far as names go. Robert is his middle name. However, given the situation, he's thinking that giving his actual first name now may not be the best of ideas, although he's careful not to let that show on his face as he extends a gloved hand out to clasp Vidal's in greeting. He nods politely to Aleigh at the same time, keeping his expression neutral enough despite the man's statement. That could be taken a lot of ways, and it's something he's going to keep in mind - but for the moment, he's rather curious about what Vidal's said earlier, and that winds up taking precedence...for now.

"I'm sorry, but did you just say there'd been Templars here?"

[ichaer]

"Riannon." Ciri says with a cheerful smile still on her face as she reaches out, taking Vidal's hand in a friendly shake before falling back near her horse and idly turning her knife over once more.

Aleigh is given a small nod in greeting though her gaze lingers with his comment though she does not comment on it. Instead she focuses back on Vidal and her earlier comment involving Templars with a curious raise of her brow but nothing more to show that her thoughts might be going beyond what has been said.

"My, my. They must have been desperate," she says, turning the knife over again. "For three to take on so many. Were they the Red ones?"

This war has made mage and templar actions questionable at best when it came to showing the other up or hurting them in some way. But could they be stupid enough to attack a group like this? Possible but nothing about this entire experience feels right.

[justice_is_blond]

"Robert and Riannon," Vidal echoes. "I think I can remember those. And no. Addicted, addled by that, figuring that we had blue lyrium. We do. But we weren't going to just give it to them, and they weren't fine with that."

There isn't any regret in her voice. "It's time they learn that if they attack, mages have the right to defend themselves. They can silence us, but we have numbers."

"We finally have numbers," Aleigh says grimly. "And we've learned our lessons. Better than they thought, or wanted." Where Vidal's words had been a small test, Aleigh's are a challenge as if he wants them to ask. ...Because he does.

Vidal sighs. "It wouldn't kill you to be civil." It's spoken like it's an old and regular complaint, and the roll of Aleigh's eyes seem just as commonplace. There isn't heat there, just an ongoing argument.

"Would you... I don't know," Vidal continues. "We have water? Wine? A stable for the horses? Though I suppose you won't be here long, they'll check the house and move on to the Deep Roads?"

[wontforgetyou]

There are times where Jamie thinks not being from around here is a bit of a disadvantage. He'd picked up on the mentions of the Darkspawn and the hole earlier, but he hadn't quite entirely put that together with a trip to the Deep Roads until just now, and he could kick himself for not having done so. It almost makes sense - if that's where they've actually gone. Something about that doesn't seem quite right to him, granted, but he can't put his finger on what it is, at least not yet. So for now he shrugs, as if to say it's out of his control.

"Aye, well, maybe so. That's not really for me to say, mind. I'm no Warden. They're the ones in charge."

Which was also true enough, as far as that goes. He's not the one who's put together this expedition, just someone with a vested interest in coming along, and he gives Vidal another, slightly lopsided looking smile, because that comment about being addled by lyrium's hit a bit closer home than he likes.

"I thank you for your kindness, though. I can't say as I'll know how long they'll be, so I don't know if there's time for much of anything other than talking. But I'll admit, I'd not mind hearing a bit more about what Aleigh has to say."

[chainlightning]

Staying with the others outside, since she and Velanna are the only mages in the group and it seems best to keep one with each group, Merrill can be seen frowning faintly at the mention of Templars. Honeysuckle is urged back over to the others and their horses, and he snorts at the others as if to remind them that this is all Nonsense For Two-Legged Beings.

"A small group of Templars against more mages was always common enough. They didn't try it with my clan much, because our hunters wouldn't be stopped like our magic could be, but they did it in Kirkwall." She already said her name -- might as well own up to it. "Was anyone in the village injured? One of the Wardens that came is a healer, he'd have been able to help. I'm not good at it at all, myself, but I do know a bit about herbs."

[justice_is_blond]

Both Vidal and Aleigh blink at Robert, a little surprised that someone wants to hear their complaints. Merrill gets a sad smile from Vidal.

"There were injuries, and we lost two. But that's why, when we sent to the Grey Wardens, we asked for a healer too. Garrett was very helpful there." A black cat with white boots and a silver bell on a blue collar strolls up like she owns the place and threads between Vidal's legs before heading for Jamie's and sniffing at him. She pats his boot as if asking to be picked up.

Aleigh seems to be trying very hard to not look at the cat, though it could just be him trying to work out how someone for once wanted to hear what he had to say. "The lessons we were taught were fairly simple. How to beat someone into submission. How to bully. How to make someone's existence a living misery. But most of all, how to kill. That's what they taught us in the Circles, how to be a living weapon for anyone who had the money to pay the Chantry. I'm planning on joining a mercenary company when I move on. They can pay me to do what the Circles taught me to do."

Vidal's smile gets sadder still as she shrugs, trying to make this seem normal, somehow. "They taught loss, and some of us learned better than others. The world will never be fair, but it's becoming a little more so when we return the favor. That's not to say all of us hate all Templars, or something."

"Speak for yourself," Aleigh mutters.

She shoots him a Look before continuing. "Some of us do. And some of us just want to stay free and not see others suffer the way people we care about have. It's not a crime to fight when there's a war on."