Standing around the war table, we stare at the castle piece placed in Fereldan.
I point at it, "Helping the mages is our best bet. Otherwise things could get out of control with Tevinter controlling them."
I haven't told anyone about my decision until now. And it was eating away at me. Glancing at the others, I try to catch their reactions. But all of them remain still.
It's our best bet—and my brother's a mage, if I didn't stop Alexius, then Brandon could end up allied with them. And I can't let that happen.
"I don't think we have the man power to take the castle," says Cullen. "Either we find another way in, or we give up this nonsense and find the Templars."
My heart seems to crack… Cullen doesn't approve of my choice?
"Redcliffe is in the hands of a Magister. This cannot be allowed to stand," argues Cassandra.
Josephine looks up from her board, "The letter from Alexius asked for the Herald of Andraste by name. It's an obvious trap."
"Look, we need to stop arguing. What exactly does he say about me?"
Leliana nods, "He's so complimentary we are certain he wants to kill you."
I swallow, "Oh."
"Not this again," mutters Josephine.
"Redcliffe castle is one of the most defensible fortresses in Fereldan. It has repelled thousands of assaults." The Commander turns to me and I try not to blush, "If you go in there, you'll die. And we'll lose to only means we have of closing the Rifts."
"Good to hear I'm only seen as a closer of Rifts. Nothing else."
Cullen looks hurt, but it hurts me to know that I'm only here because of this stupid mark on my hand. Or else I'd have been shipped back to my family.
"I won't allow you to die," says Cullen.
Leliana glances at me then to the Commander, "And if we don't even try to meet Alexius we lose the mages and leave the hostile foreign power on our doorstep."
"Even if we could assault the Keep, it would be for naught. An Orlesian Inquisition army marching into Fereldan will provoke a war. Our hands are tied."
"The Magister…" begins Cassandra.
"Has outplayed us," cuts Cullen.
"We can't just give up, there has to be something we can do."
"We cannot accept defeat now," says Cassandra. "There must be another solution."
"Where is the Arl of Redcliffe?" I ask. "I'm sure he'd help us get his castle back."
"After he was displaced, Arl Teagon rode straight for Denerim to petition the crown for help. I doubt he'll want our assistance once the Fereldan army lays siege to his castle."
"Wait," says Leliana. "There is a secret passage to the castle, an escape route for family. It's too narrow for our troops, but we could send agents through."
"Too risky," dismisses Cullen. "Those agents will be discovered well before they reach Alexius."
"That's why we need the distraction," says Leliana. "Perhaps the envoys Alexius wants so badly."
"Focus their attention of Trevelyan, while we takes out the Tevinters. It's risky, but it could work."
The doors swings open and I jump, right into Cassandra's arms. I straighten and extract myself from her as Dorian walks through, head held high.
"Fortunately, you'll have help," he says.
A poor scout follows behind him, "This man says he has information about the Magister and his methods, Commander."
Dorian stands beside me and gives me a wink. He looks at Cullen, "You're spies will never get past Alexius' magic without my help. So if you're going after him, I'm coming along."
Cullen looks at me, "Herald, this plan put you in the most danger. We can't, in good conscience, order you to do this. We can still go after the Templars if rather not play the bait. It's up to you." He looks sincere.
Looking at Dorian, I smile, "Well, I guess I've got nothing to lose. I'll be the bait."
"We leave straight away then," nods Cassandra.
"I'll get Varric," I say.
"You're taking Varric?" asks Cassandra as we leave the advisors in the war room.
Dorian walks beside us, "The dwarf from back at the Chantry?"
I nod, "He's my marksman. Sera said she didn't want to come on this mission, something about both parties being tits."
Cassandra nods and Dorian looks at me with a smile, an eyebrow rising in question. I just grin at him.
+++
Walking through the doors of the throne room, I try can feel the sweat dripping down my spine. Varric and Cassandra stand behind me, Dorian hidden until the plan is put in action. Even in my armour, I feel naked. As though this plan could go horribly wrong.
Two Venatori guards block our path, their white robes similar to the Magister's. Masks cover their faces, sending another chill down my spine.
"Announce us," I order.
A man walks down the stairs to meet us, "The Magister's invitation was for Miss Trevelyan alone. The rest will wait here."
"Then I'll wait here."
The man's nostrils flare, but nods and turns, beckoning us to follow. The guards let us pass.
Magister Alexius sits on the throne, Felix standing beside him. Behind them is a fire place, the logs shifting in the heat, sending sparks through the air. Grand Enchanter Fiona stands silently to the side, head down.
"My Lord Magister, the agents of the Inquisition has arrived," says the man.
Alexius stands, "My friend. It's so good to see you. And your… associates."
"Friends," I say.
"Of course. I'm sure we can work out some arrangement that is equitable to all parties."
"Are we mages to have no voice in deciding our fate?" asks Fiona, stepping forward.
"Fiona, you would not have turned your followers over to my care if you didn't trust me with them."
"If the Grand Enchanter wants to be part of the party's talks, then I welcome her as a guest of the Inquisition," I say.
Fiona nods at me, a small smile appearing on her lips, "Thank you."
Alexius turns away, shrouded in the shadows of the fire. He finally sits, face impassive, "The Inquisition needs more mages to close the Breach and I have them. So, what shall you offer in exchange?"
"The Inquisition has many backers among the Orlesian nobility, I'm sure you could find suitable compensation."
"I'm not sure what the Orlesian nobility have to offer that I don't ready possess."
"She knows everything, father," says Felix, speaking for the first time.
"Felix, what have you done?" suspicion drips from the Magister's voice.
"Your son is concerned that you're involved in something terrible."
"So speaks the thief! Do you think you can turn my own son against me? You walk into my stronghold with your stolen mark, a gift you don't even understand, and think you're in control. You're nothing but a mistake."
And that truly cuts deep. I blink back tears and clench my fists, "What do you know about the Divine's death?"
"It was the Elder One's moment, and you were unworthy even to stand in his presence."
"Father listen to yourself! Do you know what you sound like?"
"He sounds exactly like the sort of villainous cliché everything expects us to be," says Dorian as he walks from the shadows.
"Dorian," hisses Alexius. "I gave you a chance to be a part of this. You turned me down. The Elder One has power you would not believe. He will raise the Imperium for its own ashes."
"Who is this Elder One?"
"He will make the world bow to mages once more. We will rule form the Boeric Ocean to the Frozen Seas.
"You can't involve my people in this!" yells Fiona.
"Alexius," pleads Dorian. "This is exactly what you and I talked about never wanting to happen. Why would you support this?"
Alexius turns away from us.
"Stop it father. Give up the Venatori. Let the Southern mages fight the Breach, and let's go home."
Alexius turns to look at his son, "No! It's the only way, Felix. He can save you."
"Save me?"
"There is a way. The Elder One promised, if I undo the mistake at the temple…"
"I'm going to die. You need to accept that," snaps Felix.
Alexius ignores him, "Seize them, Venatori. The Elder One demand's this woman's life!"
A groan and shout echoes through the hall and I turn to see the Venatori guards fall to the ground, dead. Inquisition agents stand beside them.
"Your men are dead, Alexius," I say.
For a second, Alexius is stunned, but he's features grow dark, "You… are a mistake. You never should have existed." He holds up his hand and a pale green glow sprouts from it, an amulet spinning in the air.
"No!" yells Dorian, twirling his staff. A bolt of ice hits the Magister and he stumbles, the green light still in his hand.
A portal opens right in front of us and I'm pushed to the ground. But before I can get to my feet, the whole world seems to collapse in on itself and I black out.