[The quiet does not sit well with him, not with the way the Hinterlands have been dotted with mages and templars and militia alike these last several days, not to mention bandits looking to take advantage of the chaos. That uneasiness continues to grow until the walls and the water mill come into view, and even as Amelia makes her observation, he looks to her with a furrowed brow, his expression communicating that he, too, finds this to be supremely odd.]
I've never known the gate to be left—
[He doesn't get to finish his thought before the sounds of approaching hoofbeats and men in armor riding on horseback begin to approach from the east, and he swiftly turns to help herd his charges into hiding. Well-taught, most of them are already in motion before he says a word, and he steers one of the youngest by her shoulders as he crouches down behind the cluster of trees that would serve as their shield, exhaling as he observes the incoming caravan.
Denerim. There's no mistaking the crest, and as one rider in golden armor emerges from the crowd to ride ahead towards the open gate, he feels his breath catch.]
Amelia sputters and swears under her breath, crouching even lower. The current Arl of Redcliffe and the king were related, yes, but something of utmost urgency must have occurred for him and his entourage to come down to the village. Was it a meeting with the Grand Enchanter? But there were no Redcliffe guards and there was confused chaos coming from within.
Before any of the children can speak up and ask, she puts a finger to her lips, trying to listen in on the Denerim soldiers after the king gives his orders.]
"You heard his Majesty. We'll take a few men and make our way to the castle. Do you understand your position?"
"Understood! We are to calm the populace and contain them within the walls for the next several hours. No villagers or apostates can leave until King Alistair speaks with the Grand Enchanter and the Tevinter Magister!"
[Green eyes widen at the mention of Tevinter and one of their magisters at that. She meets Gale's gaze just for a second to see if he's feeling the same way as she does, overwhelmed with the new information and its implications. She sucks in a breath and continues to listen.
The soldiers that remain behind after the king rides on ahead begin to organize and chat amongst themselves as they secure the gate.]
"Right sort of mess this is..."
"Letting in Vints into Ferelden? I know the mages are desperate, but his Majesty is too generous if you ask me and look where it's got us."
[Ever on the alert, Amelia sharpens her focus on the soldiers and the gate, trying to consider their options amidst all the newer factors. Tevinter's involvement in Ferelden mage politics does not sound promising and based on her past experience, there's only one group she knows of and has confronted its members in the past that would stir up trouble in this specific instance.
Venatori.
Shit.
The sneaky and treacherous bastards would try to prey on the desperate mages of Ferelden. And although the Denerim soldiers were securing the village, she wouldn't be surprised if one of them tried to slip away and...]
Gale.
[She points to what has just caught her gaze. One "soldier" approaching the gate. His armor looks somewhat ill-fit as if he rushed to put it on and his helmet completely covers his face, muffling his voice as he awkwardly greets the others, making an excuse that the king sent him back.]
The name itself sent ice through his veins, a reaction that had been ingrained in him since his youth despite the fact that he was actually more open-minded than most people were like to be— as an academic as well as a mage, it was impossible not to be curious about the history and politics of the Imperium, where mages were said to rule, but the role Tevinter had played in Ferelden's own history and certain well-known practices meant that dealings with the people of the Imperium was, to say the least, frowned upon.
He exhales, his breath a low hiss. The southern mages were desperate enough in these trying times that he could see them being taken for an easy mark, and unfortunately, those who would exploit them might well be right.
He listens to every word they can possibly overhear as intently as possible, but he still responds immediately upon Amelia's bid for his attention, following her gesture and giving a firm nod of confirmation the moment his gaze falls on the soldier in question.]
Stands out a bit, doesn't he.
[Without question, a suspicious figure.]
I'll do one better.
[A few arcane gestures are all it takes to summon a spectral orb that hovers before them, roughly the size of his fist, and he nods towards the "soldier" Amelia had pointed out to give the eye its directive— the orb starts in the suspicious figure's direction, fading from view entirely just after it emerges from the trees, allowing it to do its work unseen.]
[Amelia holds her breath as Gale summons his orb and has it follow their suspicious soldier. She exhales softly, frustrated. Redcliffe was supposed to be a reprieve for them, but instead the unknown factors are standing in her way.]
If he is what I think he is, there might be an outside contact.
[Their "soldier" has somehow made it past, having been given the excuse to pick up supplies and make sure no outsiders can move past him. His pace is study as to not arouse suspicion while the real soldier's eyes are on him.]
Do you know about the Venatori?
[Her voice is low, but she's starting to shift her position, hand gripping her staff on her back.]
[Gale's expression darkens, though his focus never wavers, his concentration on his spell remaining even as he notes Amelia reaching for her staff beside him.
Good. They should be ready, should anything go further awry.]
Tevinter mages who have very strong opinions about returning to the old way of things.
[It is, to say the least, a gentle and generous description. The group is still fairly new, but quickly gaining strength and influence. There were plenty of southern mages who didn't give it much thought, didn't think it concerned anyone beyond the Imperium's borders, but Gale is certain he knows better.]
Don't be too hasty. Pursue if necessary, but we should be able to monitor from a safe distance— for a time. You handle yourself well, but I don't believe tangling with a potential Venatori agent will behoove either of us, not to mention our charges.
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sunfloras2025-06-04 06:42 pm
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I've never known the gate to be left—
[He doesn't get to finish his thought before the sounds of approaching hoofbeats and men in armor riding on horseback begin to approach from the east, and he swiftly turns to help herd his charges into hiding. Well-taught, most of them are already in motion before he says a word, and he steers one of the youngest by her shoulders as he crouches down behind the cluster of trees that would serve as their shield, exhaling as he observes the incoming caravan.
Denerim. There's no mistaking the crest, and as one rider in golden armor emerges from the crowd to ride ahead towards the open gate, he feels his breath catch.]
Is that— King Alistair?
[Apparently, all roads lead to Redcliffe.]
no subject
Amelia sputters and swears under her breath, crouching even lower. The current Arl of Redcliffe and the king were related, yes, but something of utmost urgency must have occurred for him and his entourage to come down to the village. Was it a meeting with the Grand Enchanter? But there were no Redcliffe guards and there was confused chaos coming from within.
Before any of the children can speak up and ask, she puts a finger to her lips, trying to listen in on the Denerim soldiers after the king gives his orders.]
"You heard his Majesty. We'll take a few men and make our way to the castle. Do you understand your position?"
"Understood! We are to calm the populace and contain them within the walls for the next several hours. No villagers or apostates can leave until King Alistair speaks with the Grand Enchanter and the Tevinter Magister!"
[Green eyes widen at the mention of Tevinter and one of their magisters at that. She meets Gale's gaze just for a second to see if he's feeling the same way as she does, overwhelmed with the new information and its implications. She sucks in a breath and continues to listen.
The soldiers that remain behind after the king rides on ahead begin to organize and chat amongst themselves as they secure the gate.]
"Right sort of mess this is..."
"Letting in Vints into Ferelden? I know the mages are desperate, but his Majesty is too generous if you ask me and look where it's got us."
[Ever on the alert, Amelia sharpens her focus on the soldiers and the gate, trying to consider their options amidst all the newer factors. Tevinter's involvement in Ferelden mage politics does not sound promising and based on her past experience, there's only one group she knows of and has confronted its members in the past that would stir up trouble in this specific instance.
Venatori.
Shit.
The sneaky and treacherous bastards would try to prey on the desperate mages of Ferelden. And although the Denerim soldiers were securing the village, she wouldn't be surprised if one of them tried to slip away and...]
Gale.
[She points to what has just caught her gaze. One "soldier" approaching the gate. His armor looks somewhat ill-fit as if he rushed to put it on and his helmet completely covers his face, muffling his voice as he awkwardly greets the others, making an excuse that the king sent him back.]
Keep an eye on that one.
no subject
The name itself sent ice through his veins, a reaction that had been ingrained in him since his youth despite the fact that he was actually more open-minded than most people were like to be— as an academic as well as a mage, it was impossible not to be curious about the history and politics of the Imperium, where mages were said to rule, but the role Tevinter had played in Ferelden's own history and certain well-known practices meant that dealings with the people of the Imperium was, to say the least, frowned upon.
He exhales, his breath a low hiss. The southern mages were desperate enough in these trying times that he could see them being taken for an easy mark, and unfortunately, those who would exploit them might well be right.
He listens to every word they can possibly overhear as intently as possible, but he still responds immediately upon Amelia's bid for his attention, following her gesture and giving a firm nod of confirmation the moment his gaze falls on the soldier in question.]
Stands out a bit, doesn't he.
[Without question, a suspicious figure.]
I'll do one better.
[A few arcane gestures are all it takes to summon a spectral orb that hovers before them, roughly the size of his fist, and he nods towards the "soldier" Amelia had pointed out to give the eye its directive— the orb starts in the suspicious figure's direction, fading from view entirely just after it emerges from the trees, allowing it to do its work unseen.]
Let's see where he goes, shall we?
no subject
If he is what I think he is, there might be an outside contact.
[Their "soldier" has somehow made it past, having been given the excuse to pick up supplies and make sure no outsiders can move past him. His pace is study as to not arouse suspicion while the real soldier's eyes are on him.]
Do you know about the Venatori?
[Her voice is low, but she's starting to shift her position, hand gripping her staff on her back.]
If he starts to run, I'm going to jump him.
no subject
Good. They should be ready, should anything go further awry.]
Tevinter mages who have very strong opinions about returning to the old way of things.
[It is, to say the least, a gentle and generous description. The group is still fairly new, but quickly gaining strength and influence. There were plenty of southern mages who didn't give it much thought, didn't think it concerned anyone beyond the Imperium's borders, but Gale is certain he knows better.]
Don't be too hasty. Pursue if necessary, but we should be able to monitor from a safe distance— for a time. You handle yourself well, but I don't believe tangling with a potential Venatori agent will behoove either of us, not to mention our charges.
[Well. His charges, he supposes.]