A Witch's Tale IC III

[Diachronos]

"That depends. Do you consider someone being sentenced for another's crimes to be the Maker's will? Is it the Maker's will for people to be locked up and treated like animals simply because of a trait they were born with?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Auron winces. "Well no...no of course not, but-"

[Diachronos]

"But what?" She sighs. "I don't want it to come to violence, I really don't. But somebody has to stand up for the innocent mages of the world. They shouldn't be treated like criminals just because a handful of other mages committed horrible acts."

[NeoSeraphi]

Auron's Rivalry greatly increases.

"...Alright fine. If that's the path we will take, then that's the path we will take."

Auron's Friendship has become a Rivalry.

Auron's Romance has become a Rivalry Romance.

Auron's team benefit has switched to his Rivalry benefit.

"I need to go see my mother when we get back to Ferelden. After I do that, then I will march wherever you ask me to. If you are going against the templars, you need me. And besides...without your magic I'll just succumb to withdrawal anyway."

[Diachronos]

Rachel shakes her head. "No. I'm not going to make you fight against the Order."

[NeoSeraphi]

"Well, I'm not going to let you die fighting the Order without me," Auron replies.

[Diachronos]

"What difference does it make if I live or die?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"I already lost both my parents! I'm not going to lose you too!" Auron yells angrily.

[Diachronos]

Rachel stares at him. Why is he upset at the thought of losing her? This isn't rage over losing the one thing keeping him alive, either...

[NeoSeraphi]

Auron sighs. "...Forget it. I'm coming with you whether you like it or not." He stands up and walks out angrily.

[Diachronos]

Rachel lies down and tries to sleep. Something tells her that the days ahead are going to be nothing but painful.

[NeoSeraphi]

Rachel rises in the morning and Varric is waiting for her downstairs. "Can we talk?"

[Diachronos]

"Yeah, sure. What do you want to talk about?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"It's about Flemeth. Apparently she said something about...a war going on down in Orzammar? And you didn't tell me?"

Oh, right. Varric likely has a lot of family members still living underground.

[Diachronos]

Rachel sighs. "Yes. Sorry, I've just had a lot to worry about lately and it slipped my mind..."

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric shakes his head. "It's fine, but I've got a bit more information on the matter. It seems that the king of Orzammar passed away with no direct heir. Now the different castes of the dwarves are fighting to install a new king at the throne. And when I say 'fighting', I mean it literally."

[Diachronos]

Rachel nods slowly. "...how likely do you think it is that the war will end soon?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric shakes his head. "You're talking about the greed of dwarves. And there's no ruler to stop them from killing each other. Plenty of these men, I suspect, are taking the opportunity to air old grievances and grudges they've been nursing for years against each other. Unless someone goes in and stops them, this could persist for a decade."

So this was what Flemeth wanted her to do?

[Diachronos]

"That's the last thing the world needs right now..."

Why her? Why does Flemeth think that she's the one who can put an end to this? What makes her so special that she can do what mages with years, decades more experience than she has can't do?

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric folds his hands. "I agree. That's why we need to hurry up and finish this expedition so we can get to Orzammar as quickly as possible. Now, I've been following up on the lead Auron gave me and I've secured a big paying job for us."

A lead Auron gave him? Rachel doesn't know anything about this.

[Diachronos]

Rachel blinks. "What lead? He didn't mention anything about that to me..."

[NeoSeraphi]

"There's a noblewoman who has asked for Auron's aid in a certain matter...it seems she's willing to pay quite heavily for his assistance."

[Diachronos]

"What exactly does she want us to do, though?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"Er...well, the Knight-Commander asked me not to tell you. He's already left."

[Diachronos]

Rachel sighs. "Can you at least tell me who the noblewoman is?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric nods. "Her name is Anika L'estat."

[Diachronos]

Her eyes widen. Anika, the same girl who'd tried to get Lance to kill her and who Auron had detained because of that incident. "Varric, where is Auron now?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"Probably at the L'estat's summer estate in Hightown. Why?"

[Diachronos]

"I think Auron might be in trouble." She gets up to leave.

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric stands up to go with her.

When the two of them arrive in Hightown, they find a large squad of templars walking around.

"Search the area. The girl with the long bangs...she's the renegade apostate!"