CALPERNIA
The carriage stormed across the barren landscape toward the points of light in the distance…as they approached, a voice rose above the drumbeat of hooves
“Bonfires…”
It was one of the guards, trusted Venatori handpicked by Calpernia to accompany her mission.
“We approach Magister” Gorimapa’s voice rose in the dark, barely audible above the thumping hooves. “Are you certain about this Witch?”
“Nothing is certain, but my spies have always been reliable” Calpernia sighed.
Gorimapa persisted “Why would she help, even if…”
“Questioning and doubt is futile Commander, we are already here. If she refuses us, be prepared to resolve the matter by other means “
“Aye Magister I will do my part, but bargain with the witch as agreed. It is not my desire to lose men without cause”
The guard’s voice rose once more calling the horses to halt. Through the carriage window, the outlines of an imposing structure towered beyond the light of the bonfire into a starless night.
Calpernia felt the carriage rock accompanied by a prolonged screeching as the convoy came to a halt.
They had reached the fortress on the outskirts of Tirashan.
“An abandoned fortress” Gorimapa peered through the window “Clearly Orlais is too impoverished to watch the Tirashan”
They entered the village in formation, Gorimapa accompanied by twenty soldiers in the lead and Calpernia bringing the rear with three Venatori .
It was larger than they had anticipated, sprawling unevenly to the threshold of the abandoned fortress.
Around the bonfire activity was intense and unexpectedly organized. Laborers were extracting mirrored glass from large hunks of decaying wood and tossing remnants into the fire. Opposite them artisans polished the recovered glass and stacked them carefully on carts.
It did not appear to be the cesspool of vice Calpernia had imagined.
“Are you deserters too...fugitives?” A voice rang out behind them
A gust of wind swept embers from the bonfire into the air, moments later it arrived in a shower of fire and the stink of urine. As the group parted to evade the embers, a swarthy Qunari emerged from the shadows.
“You can lay down your weapons, you are welcome here" He declared with a gap toothed smile. "We need strong hands and the Lady Morrigan is not miserly with her coin.”
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