[Closed] Peeking at the Peak

[justice_is_blond]

WHO: Alistair, Anders, Carver, Loghain, Nate, Teren
WHAT: A happy little field trip out to a happy little place, all in hopes of continuing with a Blight cure.
WHEN: Drakonis 5
WHERE: Soldier's Peak
NOTES: Summarized here.

The Fortress looms before them, cold stone walls protecting cold stone towers, rimmed by cold snowy hills.

It's cold, basically, and somehow manages to look even colder than it feels. The stairs upward are no longer even, crooked and bent as if some giant decided he wanted to romp his way through, and the gates are askew and slightly open.

On the approach there's little noise beyond wind whistling through, until the gate is touched and a flock of ravens bursts upward in a cackling cacophony. Beyond that it's still. Too still, perhaps.

Comments

[pinprick]

"Those massive dragons," Nathaniel says softly. "Like we saw in the Deep Roads. Jonas and the queen had the same idea. Everything is leading to them being the key. Unfortunately. Taking one down might shorten my life more, not less." He wraps an arm around Anders' waist. "Or would, were I not so heroic and clever."

[justice_is_blond]

"We'll take a lot of burly swordspeople and fling them at it first. If we tell enough Templars it's a mage trying to maintain freedom they should swarm."

The smile has slipped a little - he doesn't want to think about Nate dying from a dragon just as much as he doesn't want to think about him dying from the Blight - but there's still plenty of it there. He leans into the hold, turning a page over.

"There's other stuff here too. He was looking to strengthen Wardens, and it's all blood related. It's... I wish I knew a blood mage here. There's so much that has to do with blood with the Blight, and I'd like a better sense of it but I'm not willing to risk my healing or my connection with Mercy for it." Yet. If they get down to the last few months of Nate's time, some bets might be off.

[pinprick]

There's a significant pause.

"You're considering consulting blood mages?" Because Nate is fairly sure he has heard Anders rant about blood mages before.

[justice_is_blond]

He sighs. "Looking at blood is what helped solve the blood sharks hitting the Templars and Rifters. It's something Cosima's world does... but there's only one microscope and reproducing one is beyond our means right now. Blood mages, ones who aren't using blood to harm others, like--"

Anders cuts off and glances around. Nobody is too close, but he drops his voice anyway. "Merrill and Marian, and those like them, could be invaluable for us understanding so much more. The Blight especially, but what if there are other things? What if there's some way to permanently help those with the bleeding disease where they don't stop bleeding, for instance?"

[pinprick]

"Blood magic saving lives," Nathaniel says like he's trying the idea on and seeing if it fits. "And darkspawn allying with Wardens," he continues with the intent to admit stranger things have happened. "Is there a way to do with without the demons?"

[justice_is_blond]

The comparison gets a wry smile. They'd needed the Architect, as untrustworthy as he'd been. The other, though, has him shrugging.

"I've no idea. There's not exactly books about blood magic strewn about, and asking after information about blood magic is risky for even your usual mage." The mages without people wanting them dead specifically, that is. "I don't know where to start when it comes to finding the information out. ...Rather, I don't know a source I'd trust. Obviously demons would be glad to volunteer information, but there's no guarantees of any truth there."

[pinprick]

"Please do not consult demons," Nathaniel says faintly, not entirely sure if Anders is joking. "But we are living in Kirkwall. If you can't find a single...blood mage to speak with, I would be surprised. Although I can imagine those who exist must be quite discreet until they turn into abominations and are of no further use to you."

[justice_is_blond]

He pats Nate's arm gently.

"I'm not about to consult a demon, love. I promise. I meant that it'd be worthless to do so." The other merits consideration, and he sets down the page he'd been working his way through, placing a rock on top of it so a breeze doesn't steal it away.

"There has to be at least one in Kirkwall, I agree. But it's a matter of finding one without me walking into a trap. I can't exactly put up fliers. Or even associate my name with the search. And yet somehow I have to convince one it's safe enough to reveal themselves to talk. I'm at a bit of a loss."