Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts Dragon Age: Inquisition

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The next day passed by uneventfully enough. No lessons from Elise, so I decided to walk around the garden while playing my flute. Just a few lonesome tunes. Nothing magical.

Then evening came. I paced in my room, unable to sit down despite the ache in my bad leg. My whole body was wrought with nerves. I was going to talk to a saint—a saint. Heavens above, how was I going to manage this? I was just a girl. I hadn't even received magic training for a year. What right did I have to demand for an Affinity? Would I even be able to offer something substantial in return?

"What are you doing in that? Go take a bath and change into your ritual clothes!" snapped a voice from behind.

I wheeled around, jumping slightly. Elise. Strange. I didn't hear her come in, and the door was closed. But she was a Magus; I shouldn't question her sudden appearance. Automatically, I ducked into the antechamber and did as she said.

When I emerged in the dress I'd worn during the binding ceremony—minus the irritating headdress—I saw that Elise had my flute in her hands. I froze. She held the instrument up for inspection, a curious gleam in her eyes. "What are you doing?"

She raised her brows at my voice. "I'm just looking at your flute, my dear Klaudia," she said. "The workmanship seems...poor, if you beg my pardon."

"You're not using it," I snapped. I knew that my flute wasn't of ideal quality, but it was mine.

"No need to be so defensive, girl. I know that you treasure it greatly."

"Josef said that you gave my flute to him," I blurted before I could stop myself. "Why?"

For the first time, she seemed to be truly caught off guard. She set the flute on the table and smoothed her perfectly starched skirts. "Because I thought I would be doing you a favour. I could sense your energy attached to your flute, intertwined so tightly with it that it should be considered a part of your soul. It would be rather heartless of me to just throw it away."

"Why tell me that you destroyed everything?"

"You have your flute. Why all the questions?"

An excellent retort. Problem was, I didn't know if I could entirely trust Elise. Or Josef, for that matter.

"Aren't you supposed to escort me to the Fountain?" I gave in. Elise's expression was immobile, but I could tell that she was relieved that I had stopped asking such blunt questions. She spun on her heel, beckoning me to follow her out.

It was hard to believe that I'd been at the Fountain just over a week ago. It seemed so different now—where the Tinkers had stood in place, were Seekers, regal and radiating holiness in their robes. Soft, silver moonlight washed over the area. It lent an unearthly effect to them. Their heads were crowned with woven circlets of dead flowers layered with gold leaf. They looked like the saints themselves, rather than the medium between worlds. Rumour was that the Seekers were extremely sensitive to the energy threads binding the world together. So sensitive, they could tell the personality of one by looking into the eyes, and it was because of that that they were so elusive: they never came out of their special chambers unless necessary.

As we neared the Fountain, one Seeker came out to greet us. It was clear that she was the leader, from the heavy medallion resting on her chest and the air of superiority. The Seeker's grey eyes crinkled at the corners. "Welcome, my sister."

Elise curtsied. So did I—apparently going around walking without crutches had helped improved my bad leg. Not by much, but enough so that I wouldn't have to stifle a cry every time I jarred it. "Lady Klaudia, this is Seeker Magdalena, head of the Seekers of Heidelberg and Voice of Saint Bromilde," Elise introduced.

"Yes, I can feel the energy in you," the Seeker muttered, oblivious to Elise. "It is still strong, though changed greatly. It calls out to me, the way it did months ago."

"You had sensed me?" I studied the woman's splotchy, wrinkled face, scarcely believing that she was the one who had set me upon this path.

"Of course. I had merely been performing my annual duties of visiting nearby devastated towns when I felt this powerful tugging. It took me some time to trace it back to you, but I wasn't wrong, was I?"

That meant she had somehow sensed me using...magic? Interesting. "Annual? Wouldn't you have sensed me a long time ago?"

She shook her head. Her silvery hair was tightly coiled around her head, allowing no stray strands to escape. "I can only sense sorcerers when they have been recently using magic."

It must had been one of those days when I was softly humming to myself, one of the days when I couldn't bear the townsfolks' abuse. I always did it out of sight, and discreetly, as music had been banned in Hamelin altogether. It had been my only refuge from the world then. Odd how this Seeker should so happen to be dropping by at the time.

"Oh yes, fate works in mysterious ways, milady." Seeker Magdalena offered me a smile to soothe my spooked feelings. "You could say that it was mere coincidence that I should find you when we needed it, but I'd like to think that Saint Bromilde had been guiding me."

And I was going to meet the said saint soon. The nervousness that had dissipated in the wake of Elise's call and the revealing of the Seeker's identity returned. "Be nervous, but only rightly so. Saint Bromilde doesn't like cockiness," said Seeker Magdalena. She probably sensed the threads of nervousness entangling me. "She doesn't appreciate cowardice either."

What person in their right mind would condone with both? Still, I willed myself to calm down. And Elise's presence by my side was oddly comforting. "All right. I'm ready." I held my chin high.

The leader nodded. "Elise, I presume that you're going to act as her anchor, yes?"

"That is so, Seeker." I shot her an inquiring look. She ignored me.

"Come, both of you." The Seeker guided us down the steps leading towards the Fountain. It was just as splendid as I remembered it, although now glowing silver instead of gold. Reflection of the time, I supposed. Elise and I kneeled before it, heads tipped forwards.

"Close your eyes," came Seeker Magdalena's voice. I obeyed her.

Then I felt energy exploding around me.

I was drowning in magic—so much power overwhelmed me. I couldn't breathe, couldn't open my eyes anymore. My senses were dumb, yet I could still hear and feel. Or maybe it was just my Core reacting to the sudden burst of energy.

I flailed about. At least, I tried to. My limbs were leaden, as though too much of the power around me had flowed into them and they couldn't take it anymore. This wasn't an illusion, that much I knew. And if I didn't do something soon, I was going to die.

For real.

A thread of familiar energy locked itself onto me. I gasped, and my eyelids flew open. I recognised the thread—Elise's energy. So that was what they meant when she would be the anchor?

I abandoned the ponderings. Looking around me, I was...floating. The entire space was dark, with streaks of silver swirling around me, like the Water of the Fountain. In fact, the best way to describe my situation was that I was swimming in it. Gravity was non-existent. I waved my hands in front of me; it felt as though I were catching moonlight.

"Yet another mortal who has come to ask for my blessing?" a woman's voice boomed. I whipped my head about, terror seizing my lungs. It was deep and strong, and it spoke of ancient power. I instinctively reached for my flute. Invisible hands slapped it away.

"Do not bother! You are in my realm now, and no matter how you try to defend yourself, you can't." A woman's face began to materialise before me. It was formed out of the energy that engulfed me, silver lined against black. It grew bright, bright, brighter. My eyes teared up from the dazzle. The woman, as if she had sensed my discomfort, blew into my face. A layer of protection formed over my vision.

Now that I was no longer blinded, I could see the woman. Her features hovered just before me: wide set eyes, aquiline nose, full lips and high cheekbones. Her hair—if it could be called as such—showered all over her like a waterfall. It was as though the silver streaks had come together to form her. She was beautiful.

Saint Bromilde.

"Enough with the pleasantries. So you've come to claim your Affinity from me?" Her voice rang like steel in my ears—poised and deadly.

"Er—I—"

"Can't you string a proper sentence, girl? I presume that your anchor has told you that I will take something from you in order to proceed?"

"Yes."

"Good. Saves us plenty of time with the explanations." She paused for a while, presumably to collect her thoughts. I certainly needed to, although I wasn't the one who was speaking. "So, what can you offer, my dear girl?"

"What do you suggest?"

Her lips spread into a slow, menacing grin. I instantly knew that I'd said the wrong thing. I silently prayed that Elise wouldn't kill me if I managed to retain my sanity after this. "You are asking me to suggest what I want from you?" Saint Bromilde chuckled. For a moment, she seemed more creature than heavenly being.

"Yes." I had to go by my path, even if I'd chosen the wrong one. It could be foolish of me, but I felt that I had to stick to my words, no matter what. From my conversation with Saint Bromilde so far, I didn't think that she was one to appreciate fickleness.

"Interesting. Very interesting indeed." I squared my shoulders, striving to look as stately as possible while floating around. "You are quite young for a sorcerer to come to me. How old are you, my dear?"

"Sixteen."

"Very young. Most wouldn't even dare to take the risk until they're at least twenty, even the latently talented ones. Tell me, why would a girl such as yourself already be so desperate for her Affinity?"

"I'm not. I only act under the orders of my lord, Your Grace."

"Lord Himmel? Hmm, yes. That would make sense. He is always an impatient man when it came to obtaining power, yet in some ways, he's quite...strategic."

"Anyhow, what's done is done," I said, feigning confidence. Truth be told, I had hardly any idea of what I was talking about. "I'm here, and all I can do now is to offer you something, no?"

The grin morphed into something akin to a snake's. "True. However, if you wish to pull out now, it's not too late."

I narrowed my eyes at her. Was this a trick question? I evaluated the offer in my mind—no, Markus would be furious should I choose to not go through with this now. Besides, it was all for the best. "No," I replied quietly. "Thank you, but no. I will proceed."

"As you wish." Her unseeing eyes bore into me. Within their emptiness, I saw her calculating, gauging me. No weakness, I thought. Don't show weakness. I regained some of my composure.

"How about...your sorrows? You wouldn't have to feel sad for the rest of your life. Just imagine! No pain, no guilt. Nothing." Saint Bromilde tilted her head to the side, smiling triumphantly. She assumed that I would immediately accept it.

"Your Worship, may I suggest something better?"

She cocked a brow. "And what could be better than me taking away all your capability to weep? You should be grateful."

It screamed trap to me, yet my mind seemed to be swayed by her reasoning. After all, what harm could it do? To not suffer from any heavy sorrow weighing me down for the rest of my life—what else could I ask for? I needn't feel wretched every time something bad happened; I wouldn't be mulling over the mistakes I make anymore. I needn't shed tears alone in my room.

The offer sounded reasonable enough in my ears. I opened my mouth to accept it.

Intelligence is something you work on, not something you're born with, Josef's words suddenly echoed in my mind.

All common sense came rushing back to me. It would never do for me to simply comply with Saint Bromilde, even if she was a saint. I had to offer something of my own—something that sounded like it would match the part of me she wanted, but really played to my advantage.

This was why I usually stuck with music. Simple, no manipulations involved. Hopefully I wouldn't have to go through anything like this again.

"What's wrong? Didn't you say that you would allow me the choice of taking what I want from you?"

I ignored her taunting. She was only trying to pressure me to agree with her. I had all the time in the world—it wasn't necessary.

So I raked through my mind, searching for anything that could possibly stand in for my sorrows. I definitely wouldn't give her anything physical, unless she wanted my bad leg. But then again, she might take it and leave me with no leg at all. No, better not take that risk.

What else could I give up? My laughter? My fears? No. They were all an integral part of me, just as music was.

Then something struck me.

It felt like someone had just knocked all my senses into me. The idea was a long shot, but it would have to do.

I hoped that I didn't regret it.

"Pardon me, Your Grace, but I think I can offer something better," I said, fighting to keep the quaver out of my voice.

"What is it?" Saint Bromilde's expression tightened. I was definitely not under her control now.

"My memories. Or more specifically, the memories I had before I was six years old."

A profound silence ensued. Shivers ran throughout my body. I barely managed to suppress them. My mouth had gone dry; all that was left in its place was the taste of fear.

"Very well. Considered the deal done." Just as the words left her mouth, my head went light. Magic was pulling at it, dragging something out and leaving me with emptiness. The specific memories I'd told her to take, I realised. However, I'd never recalled them completely anyway, so it didn't matter.

"Now, let the trial begin." Saint Bromilde closed her eyes; magic began to overwhelm me once more. I gritted my teeth, squinting against the power that engulfed me in a hurricane. A surge of energy flowed throughout my limbs, pounding in every fibre of my muscles, like fire coursing through my veins. It burned me from the inside out. Yet I endured it, knowing that I had to pass whatever test Saint Bromilde was about to fling at me.

Then the sensation ebbed away. When I regained focus, I saw that I was still hovering in the same spot as before, with an annoyed-looking Saint Bromilde in front of me. I blinked confusedly. Was that it? All I had to do was not get swallowed up by her energy?

"You already have an Affinity!" she barked. Her rage pulsed in the atmosphere.

"What?"

"I said, you already have an Affinity." She sounded calmer this time, though the steel didn't go out of her voice.

Surely this was a mistake—I already had an Affinity? Impossible! I didn't even know what I was capable of until a few months back. "Your Worship, I assure you that I don't—"

"Enough! Fool girl. You think that just by offering something of yours you can obtain another power? I will not be tricked so easily."

"But I don't even know what my Affinity is!" I yelled.

She went silent. Blood roared in my ears. "You speak the truth." Her tone was gentler, surprised. "Whoever sent you here must had already known of your ability though. He or she just wants you to confirm its nature with me."

"Lord Himmel?"

"If it was he who suggested this, then yes, Lord Himmel. Your Affinity is of an extremely rare and dangerous type, my girl. Use it wisely, and you may save nations. One misstep, and you will doom everyone you love."

"What is it?"

"Mind control."

It was my turn to go silent. The two words were a bright shock crashing atop my head. An eternity must had passed before I regained my power of speech: "Wait—what?"

"Mind control. The ability to take over the consciousness of another person, to make them do your bidding. Need I explain anymore?"

At any moment, I might have laughed at the idea of a saint being sarcastic. However, this was not any other moment. I already had an Affinity, and I didn't know it. Not until now. And it was mind control, no less. Just like...

"The Pied Piper," I whispered. I had a power similar to the Pied Piper's. That was how he had been able to compel all the children away.

"Ah yes, the source of the plague, or so I've felt from my no longer active brethren," remarked Saint Bromilde. She almost seemed remorseful at the mention of the name. "The man of myths—or is it a man at all?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just a thought to keep in mind, my dear. Anyway, as much as I'd like to take something from you, I can't, as I didn't really give you anything in return. Of course, I did tell you of your Affinity. But you should have known it a long time ago. Long story short, have your memories back."

My head went light. There was a sharp ache in my temples, like nails being driven into them. Soon, the sensation faded, and I could sense that my foggy, useless memories had been returned.

"I don't see any more reason to detain you any longer," Saint Bromilde said once she was sure that she had given back all that she had taken from me. "Goodbye, and I hope we shall never meet again. Both for our sakes."

"Wait! But I have so many questions—"

"Which will be answered in due time," she interrupted. "Go back now."

The outlines of her features rippled before melding with the background. The light swirled around me, swallowing me into its power. I squeezed my eyes shut, unable able to bear the flashes of silver. My body was being pulled back to wherever it came from. I didn't fight against the current.

Then something touched my shoulder. My eyelids flew open. I turned around and saw Elise's grim expression.

"The ritual is over," she said.

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