Cult AU

[keenly]

Dramatis Personae

ADIUTA
Elven Servant
Friendly but brainwashed.

MASTER INPROBUS
?????
Just a nice guy.

HARIOLUS
False Divine
Was not elected as Divine in Tevinter, so started a cult claiming himself as the true Divine.

EWAN
Praestes
Trying for promotion?

FAMULA
Human Servant
Serves Benedict.

FAMULA
Human Servant
Was forced to sever two of her fingers.

Comments

[altusimperius]

For once at a loss for words, Benedict watches them leave, then turns back to look at Colin, and then the strange servants by their bathtubs.

...fine. He'll do what they say, but only because it'll help Colin calm down, and perhaps bring them closer to Athessa.

Split

[sulahnan]

With their ablutions finished, Colin and Benedict are shown to separate rooms of the fort tower, which has been converted into dormitories. Temporary housing, until they can be trusted with something more permanent in the stronghold's sprawling town. Servants rush hither ans yon, guards move about their rotations, and with the exception of one other mage in the same garb as they were given in the baths, they see no-one who might be in a similar situation as they.

Colin's room is on a lower level than Benedict's, though they are similarly laid out. No special treatment yet. Colin is left alone to come to grips with his situation for only a brief time before the same Praestes from before admits himself, the mutilated Famula, and Master Improbus.

[keenly]

Alone and desolate, Colin is huddled on the bed, shivering. He wants his friends with him. He needs to curl up against Benedict. He needs Athessa to tell him he's not alone. He needs to tell Athessa she's not alone. But Athessa is alone, and so is he.

But being alone is, perhaps, what he needs in order to think. When backed into a corner, he's used to that corner being in a place he won't get out of. He's used to needing bargaining chips in situations where he has no one on the outside.

The door opens and he jumps, but it's only two familiar faces and one unfamiliar one. He is afraid, so he uses it, shrinking against the wall and refusing to look his captors in the eye.

[sulahnan]

The first sound from Master Improbus is not a word, but a tutting sound.

"Oh dear," he says, his voice soft. He approaches the bedside, pulling a chair along with him and angling it just so. "You have had a hard day, I understand. But before I leave you to settle in, I have been told you have something to show me."

Improbus gestures to Famula, who is unflappable despite the sheen of sweat on her brow, and bids her sit in the chair. "Ewan, if you please—"

The Praestes steps forward and places a folded cloth into the Master's outstretched hand, which is then offered to Colin.

[keenly]

It's the one trick he can always count on: tyrants want to believe their victims are easily conquered. Colin's eyes shift to the folded cloth--the severed fingers? But before he can come to that, he has to choose carefully what he does and says next. Whatever comes out of his mouth at this moment is information his captors will use against him. The things he's actually worried about are the last things he should mention or ask about: being able to see Benedict, the locations of their crystals, and above all, Athessa. He could simply remain mute, but that would suggest some level of control to his enemy.

"May I have a drink of water?" he asks hoarsely. It's perfect, revealing nothing but suggesting Colin has already been stripped to a primal level.

[sulahnan]

The Famula starts to stand, but Improbus lifts his hand to stay her and she sinks back down.

"Of course you may," Improbus says, his voice gentle and understanding. The Praestes, Ewen, stiffly pours from a pitcher from the table in the room. Hands the glass to Improbus, who passes it to Colin. "You are welcome to make yourself comfortable here."

[keenly]

Colin takes the glass with a shaking hand--he doesn't have to fake that, at least. He drinks from the glass, careful to pay attention to any unusual tastes, but there's a reason no one tries to sneak drugs into water: there's nowhere for it to hide. Setting it aside, he reaches for the folded cloth, finally standing and meeting the gaze of the Famula.

"I'm so sorry I've caused you suffering," he tells her quietly. He unfolds the cloth and picks up one of the fingers. "Please hold out your hand."

[sulahnan]

Though she meets his gaze at first, she quickly adverts it, remembering herself. Her own hand shakes as much as Colin's, betraying how affected she is by the loss of two fingers.

Improbus stands at a distance that might be respectful for a doctor or a father, watching with an expression of mild interest.

And Praestes Ewan is there, looking like he knows something Colin doesn't. Smug.

[keenly]

He doesn't look at the two men. Instead, he takes the woman's shaking hand between his own to steady it, careful not to touch the open wounds. If she won't look at him, maybe she will take comfort in touch. His heart aches that he can do this for her, give her what she has lost, but the truth is that they are fingers that he could give back only for her to lose them again in the future. The best thing he can really do for her is escape and come back with forces to tear this place apart. If he proves himself a miraculous healer, he will be placed under heavier guard and escape will be much harder.

So gently, he touches a severed finger to the corresponding stub on her hand. Compassion presses against the Veil, yearning to help in any way it can, but Colin tells the spirit the way it must be. His magic, not the spirit's, flows forth, healing the stubs of her fingers. The severed finger drops from his hand and he looks shocked and dismayed.

"I...oh!"

Both stubs being healed has ended the possibility of giving her back her fingers. He uses the very real guilt that rushes in to continue to play his part.

"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry. I thought I could do it! I heard about it being done and I was sure I could do it!"

[sulahnan]

Well, that wiped the smug look off of Ewan's face, at least.

The Famula's sigh is one of relief, and Improbus gently takes her hand from Colin's to inspect the healed stumps.

"You may yet learn," he says, and covers the Famula's hand with his other. A reassuring gesture, incongruously gentle. When he releases her, it's to bend and pick up her fingers, folding them up in the cloth once more. Instead of returning them to Ewan, he pockets them. "We have extensive resources for honing magical abilities, written works on magic that your southern Chantry has forbidden to try and subjugate our people."

Improbus gestures and the Famula stands, bowing her head to Colin before moving towards the door. "Thank you, master."

"Someone will bring you food shortly, but I recommend you get some rest. I'll have your personal Famula bring an extra blanket for you."

As if the shivering was brought on by cold.

[keenly]

"Can I see Benedict?" The question is out before he can stop it, but at this point, it may work to his advantage. Not asking could make him seem like he's hiding something. He must keep up the appearance of being guileless.

[sulahnan]

"Not tonight," Improbus says, like a weary parent denying a child storytime. "Your separation is not permanent, I assure you. We have simply found that it is safer for us all--even you--if you acclimate individually. Being saved is hard for some to come to terms with."

He bows, bids Colin goodnight, and leaves followed by Ewan and the Famula. Before closing the door, she looks back at him, inscrutable.

[keenly]

He offers her the tiniest of sad smiles.

"I'm sorry I couldn't--sorry. You...you make me think so much of my sorellona." He continues slowly. "She is so clever. But surpassing gentle, and strong. Like you."

He doesn't know if any seed planted will sprout, let alone bear fruit. But perhaps this bit of gossip will be repeated near Athessa, or be relayed to her if Athessa asks about him. Perhaps Athessa will understand what it means, and perhaps not. It won't be the only such seed he plants.