Vigil's Keep

Andraste entered a sparsely decorated room. It wasn't much in the way appearance but it was as she expected it to be. She'd finally made it. Empty of anything living, she pushed open the door. It was rare she called out to announce herself but found it necessary to offer a loud and questioning, "Hello?"

With a pause for a response met only by the echo of her own voice on the bare stone walls, she entered and approached the map at the rooms center. Her fingers moved over the edges of the table it was pinned too, careful not to disrupt or damage the parchment. It was an aged piece of history, at least she assumed so. With a heavy breath, she shifted under her armor. It didn't fit right, as it was modified from her fathers and they shared nothing of a figure. Without access to a blacksmith, it was suitable for general wear but her motions were stunted. Still, it kept her safe both in mind & body on her journey here.

Roderick was still very much human and he had stepped away just to visit the privy for a moment. Imagine his surprise when he came back to find an armoured woman standing in the middle of his room.

He wasn't fond of visitors coming in without his knowledge but knowing how sparse the wardens were, he saw little need to put guards or even have a secretary of sorts to manage the door. After all, it would take an idiot to attack the Warden Commander in his own Keep.

He did however have someone writing appointments for him. Well no need to get all uptight about people entering without his permission. The maps held positions of some of the wardens, wooden pieces marking their locations.

"Fairly well drawn isn't it?" he said as he came up behind Andraste.

Turning, Andraste saw the man, a Warden, standing behind her. He was much to matured to be yet another recruit. His face was proud but had seen more than she. He was, undoubtedly, the one who belonged in this room, therefore the one she sought. Her eyes rose to meet his as she gestured fondly toward the map.

"Indeed it is, beautifully crafted." The admiration was genuine as her father had lined his small study with masterfully crafted maps and images from the baseboard to the rafters; some he'd drawn, some he'd collected. "How old is she? Is she yours or does she belong to ..." Andraste waved her hand towards the ceiling and walls, "all this?"

It had been a long journey but finally, Selora had arrived. It had been many, many years since she'd last stepped foot on Fereldan soil and the sensation gave her a number of mixed feelings. Denerim had been her past and it was ironic now that Fereldan was her future once more. There was no escaping the pains of past lives, apparently. It was a tumultuous enough time without letting moments of grim nostalgia drag her down as well.

Selora's eyes drank in the sight of Vigil's Keep; it was old, ancient even, and for a moment she humored herself that she could hear whispers from the Fade about its history. That realm was never far away for her, always lurking like the silken kiss of a lover on the back of one's neck. Her horse shifted uneasily beneath her, eager to keep moving, and Selora gave the animal its way as she continued on through the main gate. Her honor guard, a dour older man named Lucius, rode behind her and to the rear. Selora knew it bothered him, to be subservient to an elf, and she enjoyed reminding him of it from time to time. All the same, she wouldn't have brought Lucius at all except Magister Deracles had insisted and she hadn't wanted to disappoint him.

She passed through the main gate and presented herself to whomever had the watch, informing her of the reason for her visit. An elf in the formal robes of a Tevinter mage was slightly unusual and Selora maintained the aloof detachment so well honed from life in an Imperium Circle. Allowed through after a moment, she was directed up to the keep itself and then the Warden-Commander's door. She wasn't entirely without appointment though her ship had arrived three days ahead of schedule. The shuffling of Lucius' armor no doubt announced their presence first but Selora still raised a hand and rapped on the door... or if it had been left open, cleared her throat politely. She was a long ways from the Imperium and decided it was best to exercise the finer points of diplomacy and be as courteous as possible.

Roderick was a fairly... straightforward man at some points and when Andraste spoke of the age of things. "The Keep has been around for a long time. It's older than Denerim and Gwaren," he said as he looked about it, surprised he could recall such information. He had been briefed on its history, but he was a tired fellow by now. "It belongs not to me, but to the Grey Wardens of Ferelden."

He clearly wasn't the poetic sort, which might explain his rise to his position. A practical man more than anything else, he made sure things got done and once the Inquisition had been disbanded, he had taken the remaining Ferelden wardens back to the Keep.

The door, having been left open, allowed Selora's clearing of her throat to be heard. Roderick turned about, rubbing his temples a little. At least this one had announced her presence... and then her dressings.

"I honestly wasn't expecting anyone from Tevinter today. I suppose you're a delegate from the Magisterium? They've had such an interest." He half expected her to go into a tirade about how undone the Keep was. It was hardly up to the standards of some nobles, despite it belonging to a former Arl.

Gesturing to some chairs in his office to the women, he made his way to get some tea for them, clearly indicating for them to both stay.

"I hope you do not mind if I receive you formally on the appointed day."

The Tevinter, they were a primarily human faction. Andraste had turned, eying the elven woman and her companion before taking the seat offered to her. Her knowledge and experience of the world was stunted, to say the least, and if it was not as her father or mother had told it, it was not normal. Her eyes trained on the Grey Warden instead. Of course she'd expected to be initiated immediately, but she cast that thought aside. She would not argue timing with this man, the respect he merited was greater than that. No, instead she nodded with a pacified smile on her features.

"On whichever day you see fit," Andraste commented. She had always been very impatient, even as a child. Now that she felt her journey was starting, slows in it irritated her. The rain she'd encountered on her travels in that put her here today instead of last night, for example. She found her gaze traveling back to the elf and its travel mate, a curious thing as he had not spoken at all.

Selora eyed the human woman in turn; she had a rather complicated history with the shemlen and most others had a rather complicated history with the Imperium. Tevinter was the boogeyman in so many tales, in no small part thanks to the Chantry and it's incessant whining. Selora was used to it to a degree. Idly, she wondered how long it would be before people started whispering about blood magic given its reputation in the Imperium.

"A formal reception can wait." She agreed pleasantly enough. "It has been a long sea voyage and horse ride. I'm not adverse to delaying the pomp."

Selora took the offered seat and waved dismissively at her armored companion.

"Leave us, Lucius. Get the bags to my quarters."

"Are you sure that's wise?" The dark armored man frowned. "You do not know either of these people."

"I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't sure. Now go."

Clearly displeased, the Tevinter soldier nevertheless obeyed. He offered a stiff bow then walked straight backed and leg locked out of the room. Soon the sounds of his armor could be heard vanishing down the corridor. Selora offered a polite smile to the other two.

"Forgive Lucius, he's overzealous where my safety is concerned. I am Selora Aenorean, Imperium liaison." And obviously a mage judging by her robes and the steel wand at her hip where other warriors might carry a sword. "I am eager to expand my knowledge of the Grey Wardens. You I know by reputation, Warden-Commander. And you, Sera...? Are you a Warden as well?"

Roderick offed, taking a sigh. The chains of command were a heavy burden and it showed at that moment in his face. Yet tired as he was, there was a fairly resolute expression that remained. It was that fire that had seen him through Kirkwall and the subsequent fights.

The commander had no doubt about blood magic being used by mages but he himself was no stranger to them. The wardens accepted blood mages among their ranks. He saw no need to judge, distasteful as he found it, but he had come to realise that sometimes blood mages were just people under dire circumstances.

As the elf introduced herself, the commander nodded his head. "I'm honoured to be in your presence Lady Aenorean. I must admit I wasn't expecting an elf when I received news I was to receive a delegate from Tevinter."

(Think it's your post, Andraste )

(As a rule if I'm not addressed or part of a scene, feel free to skip me. ❤ I'll bow out for the moment )

Andraste sat quietly, watching the banter between the two. The male who accompanied the elf departed, an oversized, certainly over armed, porter. With a quiet nod, she stood to follow him rather than stay. It seemed unlikely the attention she desired was to come before the appointed day.

"The Imperium is a changing place. Even an elf can rise to a measure of prominence." Selora wasn't blind to how most of Thedas viewed her people. "Having magical ability does not hurt either. I was born in Denerim though it's been many years since I've stepped foot on Fereldan soil."

The human woman left without answering whether she was a Warden or not to which Selora simply made a mental note. It was little secret that most of the shem had disdain for elves but more curious was her leaving in Lucius's wake. Her bodyguard had no relations in Fereldan that she was aware of. Something to be mindful of, for now. Her protector bore her little affection and a sword through the ribs was as fatal to a mage as it was to anyone else.

"Magister Pavus's return after the Inquisition has led to some of it. The Breach was troubling to all and now that it's been rectified, we're looking to the future. I don't speak for the entire Imperium, however. I'm here as a representative of Magister Deracles. He thinks highly of the Gray Wardens."

Her own opinion was more neutral.

"While I'm here, I'm quite capable of participation and would prefer not to sit idle. I'm a capable herbologist if you have need of a potion brewer and a talented mage aside. I would enjoy accompanying the Wardens in the field as circumstances allow. I'm also curious to see the Joining ritual if that would be agreeable."

The commander nodded his head as he listened to Selora's tale.

"I see. My thanks then to Magister Deracles. I will write a note to him soon. I'm afraid if you're looking for comfort, you'd be hard pressed to find it here. We are just rebuilding ourselves after what happened with Warden-Commander Clarel's orders."

At the mention of the woman's eagerness to be on field, he nodded. "We are in need of a herbologist at this point. Some of the Warden mages are capable of healing but those who are present know little about herbs. It would be good if you could contribute to our pool of knowledge. I will make note of your request to join the Wardens in the field. Would your companion be joining us as well?

As for a viewing of the Joining. I'm afraid that is strictly Grey Warden business. Only those inducted into our order are privy to it." Although that may change once he had gotten to know her better. He couldn't just let anyone waltz in to see the ritual!

Roderick looked incredibly surprised when Andraste got up to leave. He had prepared the tea and was about to get it.

"You're not staying for tea?" he asked quite bluntly... mostly because her abrupt departure left him confused. "Well if you're tired and require rest, do seek out our groundskeeper. He will show you where you can retire for the day." The sudden abrupt change in decorum left the commander flabbergasted. Here was a man who had faced darkspawn, fought with the Inquisition, and now utterly confused by Andraste's behaviour.

Selora was disappointed to be refused the ability to see the Joining but the Fade had memory where mortal minds forgot. It was possible she could dream of it and witness spirits reenacting the event. Not quite the same as viewing it in the waking world but she'd take what she could get. The lack of comfort was hardly a concern and she handwaved such statements away.

"I am used to life in a Circle; even in Tevinter such a place is a gilded cage. Or was, change is funny thing." But the Imperial Chantry was also a separate entity from the Orlesian main sect. "My accommodations here will be more than adequate, I am sure."

The human Warden-Commander would be an interesting man to observe as time went on. He was a mage as well and the chance to collude outside of both Circle and Imperium scrutiny was not one to be missed. Selora was well adept at guarding her dreams from casual intrusion as well, a favorite tactic of rivals in Tevinter and often a technical form of blood magic, and did not worry about having said knowledge stolen from her head.

"I am perfectly happy to lend my skills as an herbalist to your cause while I am here. Likewise, if you have already prepared tea, I would hate for it to waste and will join you if you continued to desire company."

(Apologies was waiting on Andraste but I suppose she's not posting this round)

Roderick nodded his head. "I confess, I'm interested to know how different your Circles are in Tevinter. My own was... different I suppose. Either way I do prefer being a Warden." Despite his shortened lifespan. The man was no dreamer like his northern compatriot sitting across him.

Pouring the tea for Selora, he'd hand her a cup. It was a fine blend of mint and lavender, meant to refresh yet relax. It was stressful being the commander. He leaned back in the chair, sipping it quietly while enjoying the cup. The look of pure bliss on the man's face was surprising. It was seldom he could relax... even so with a visitor.

"I heard that there's some teas in Tevinter that are made from... strange looking threatening plants. Is that true?" he asked.

"Circles in Tevinter are overseen by the Chantry, same as elsewhere, but due to the Imperium's history as a mageocracy there is a much different way of handling things." Selora replied. "The Chantry there is not affiliated with the Orlesian sect either as I am sure you're aware. Ultimately, a Magister's personal power and influence matter a good deal when determining how much freedom they have."

All Tevinter mages practiced a form of blood magic, not what most of Thedas considered when they thought of it but blood magic nonetheless. It didn't have the stigma that it did elsewhere in her homeland but one still couldn't be caught openly acknowledging it or practicing it. Lip service paid to a dead barbarian woman who shook the world with her ability to inspire mass delusions.

She accepted the cup with a word of thanks and smelled the brew subtly, waiting until Roderick took a sip of his to try hers. Poison was a favored method of assassination in the Imperium and old habits died hard. Old habits also kept her alive. At his mention of the tea from her homeland though Selora laughed.

"Some are, yes. They're poisonous but it's a small dose. The aim is to raise one's ability to resist toxins." She said. "A wrong word or a careless moment of indulgence can be as deadly as a dagger in the back. The taste, however, is quite exquisite and well worth a minor spot of stomach trouble. I brought some with me if you were so inclined on another evening."

Selora sat back in her own chair as well, crossing one leg over the other beneath her robes. The mint was a nice touch after the saltiness of sailing and the warmth spread through the elf's thing frame.

"Did you join the Wardens of your own accord or were you conscripted?"

Roderick listened as the woman spoke about Tevinter. While he had his reservations about them as a people, his time in the Grey Wardens had taught him to accept more than what is usually acceptable among the rest of Ferelden. Their headquarters in the Anderfels were closeby. Roderick had made a trip of two in his own time as a Warden.

"I am aware that you do have your own Divine. I myself am not so much of a believer." He once had been, but things had changed along the way. Even with the Inquisitor being called the Herald of Andraste, he was still skeptical. But his faith had never been strong in the first place and many things along the way had shaken his core.

At the mention of the toxic tea, Roderick stroked his beard in deep thought. Ingesting poison to boost one's resistance? He had heard of similar things although he rather favoured spells to do the work.

"Interesting..." he murmured as he sipped his tea at the woman's explanation on the tea. "Sounds similar to Orlesian politics... perhaps I should try the tea one day. It does sound like a challenge."

Her next question took him by surprise and the man sat up a little. Quite a change in topic from tea. He studied her for a moment, curious of her question but figured there was no harm in telling his own tale. It wasn't as if it was kept under wraps.

"I joined up on my own free will when the call came to reestablish the presence of the Ferelden Wardens. Although word of advice my lady, it is not a question that I would freely ask other Wardens. Some may not be that comfortable telling their past. It's no secret that we recruit from some of the darkest dungeons despite our prowess and fame. Many have been given a second chance to prove themselves."

Roderick took a deep sip of his tea and sighed. "I was formerly from the Circle at Kirkwall. I don't suppose word of the events occurring there had gone all the way to Tevinter?"

"I'm not much of a believer myself. Most people consider elves heretics by dint of birth at any rate." Selora said and instantly seemed all the more interested, and even warmed up to, Roderick than before. "I try to be respectful of people's beliefs who are pious, with varying degrees of success."

It was odd in her experience to meet humans who weren't full of worship, real or pretend. So many of them clung to the Maker as if he'd do anything but watch from afar, if he even existed. All of Thedas saw a true god during the Fifth Blight, horrible though the Archdemon's were. Gods were often far more trouble than they were worth.

"I'll remember your words as I meet the other Wardens here then. No need to cause undue offense." The Rite of Conscription was a powerful tool in the Warden's arsenal and even if the group itself had it's ups and downs there was something admirable in their stated goal... especially at what it cost them. "The Circle was my second chance and my way to a life outside of slavery. The Harrowing may not be the same as the Joining but we have both of us had to wade deep waters to get where we are. I do believe I may end up liking it here. You seem a refreshing change from other human mages I've met in the past."

Kirkwall... everyone had heard about Kirkwall.

"Everyone heard of Kirkwall. It was world-shaking. The city had my sympathies for what little they were worth. It's not an easy burden to bear being infested by murderous Qunari savages and also being the breakout point of the Mage-Templar War. In many ways, what happened was inevitable, Kirkwall was merely where it came to a head. Tevinter avoided the worst of the latter but we never made peace with the Qunari as others in Thedas did and they often occupy our attentions as an external threat more than anything else."

Roderick nodded his head. He seemed somewhat more relaxed when Selora admitted she wasn't much of a believer either. No need to prance about and put on a show like he had to with some nobles. "Indeed, if it keeps people going, I do not see why not."

He was not fond of Templars and their justification on matters. Pious they were but they were so broken. Some of them were anyway... but it was not his place to say. He had encountered good ones in the Inquisition, but his memories of his time in Kirkwall remained. And Gods could be killed by Wardens, that much he knew.

"I am a Warden my Lady, not just a human mage. It is a responsibility that I carry which has made me different from other mages," he corrected her when she said he was different from other mages. "And it was a terrible time in Kirkwall. If I could I would rather forget its events but unfortunately life has its way of handling things. The Age of Dragon has proven to be quite eventful so far... I suppose with greater acceptance of Tal-Vashoths it is much more acceptable of late to be seen with a Qunari but I still have my reservations on them..."

He knew there were skirmishes with the Qun along Tevinter's borders and honestly, he was glad their attention was on the magisterium.

"So are you a magister yourself?" A common misconception people of Thedas held for all mages from Tevinter. Evil magisters.

"The past age has certainly not been without its surprises."

Kirkwall. A Blight. A mage-templar war. The Inquisition. The Breach. The Urn of Sacred Ashes. The Qunari. The list went on and on.

"The Qunari are dangerous, Warden-Commander. Their way of life is entirely incompatible with anything resembling civility." Selora spoke her mind freely where the horned demons were concerned. "And compared to the way they treat those poor fools born with magic there, Meredith was a living saint. I could tell you stories... but I recognize that the Wardens often have a unique take on such matters. If you have any Qunari among your ranks here I will endeavor to be... polite. And remember they are your guest as I am."

Qunari Wardens? She supposed anything was possible. Not all of their fel race followed their maniacal Qun but she wasn't well inclined to give much benefit of the doubt, especially in Tevinter. Much of Thedas no doubt considered it the Imperium's just dessert for it's own history but they were kidding themselves. Tevinter kept the Qunari back as best it could. The next Exalted March might well be called when the followers of the Qun invaded Fereldan. It would happen... eventually.

"As for myself, in terms of raw talent and power? I am the equal to or even superior to many of the Magisters. I don't flatter myself that I am the greatest mage in the Imperium but I am capable. Mine is not a watered down inbred line." Selora was happy to switch topics from the Qunari. "But in rank, I have risen as high as I can. There is a glass ceiling still very much in place. The last time a non-human was made a Magister, it nearly split the Imperium. No one has been willing to make that mistake again. I am a freed slave but also an elf and that will forever mark my destiny in my homeland."

She sipped more of her tea, letting the tension of the road bleed out of her body. A hot bath sounded amazing. If there were facilities to indulge in, she'd have to avail herself to them later.

"Another reason Magister Deracles sent me as his representative. He has owned my family since I was five and was the first to see and help me control my magical talent when I began to hear the demons whispering. He knows my star has risen as high as it can there, for now. With more reform, who can say? I may be an official Magister before I die."

The usually placid man looked unsettled when Selora brought up Meredith, and he furrowed his brows though he held his tongue, sipping his tea quietly. There were tell tale signs though as his hand shook as she went on about her status in the Magisterium. .

"So not a magister then," he said nodding his head. Although a powerful mage no doubt.

"Perhaps I will hear your stories another time. It is getting late and I am sure you are tired," he said quietly. Most of her words had been lost on him and he had caught a bit on it. But the mention of the former Knight-Commander's name had clearly shaken the Warden-Commander a little. Enough that he wasn't in the mood to entertain visitors in his room for the time being.

"One of the servants will show you the way to your room."