It was dangerous, not only for herself but the spirit within her if discovered or captured by his forces. Sylaise was only a piece of herself, but it would be all he’d need to find the others and attempt to make the Evanarus to submit. They couldn’t sit by and watch the Marches suffer either though. Navigating the Eluvians took careful consideration and Megara made certain to never exit the same one, she crossed through various portals across the area, delivering what food parcels she could.
Wandering Kirkwall was heartbreaking, watching the people suffering, fighting over the goods she’d brought. While her stature was dwarfed in comparison to most, Megara carried a presence, placing herself between two men fighting over a loaf of bread. [color=#008e02]“Enough! Everyone is hungry, everyone is struggling, no-one is without suffering here, but if you fight amongst yourselves, the enemy has won!”[/color] She snatched back the bread, dividing it as equally as possible.[color=#008e02] “Here,”[/color] crouching and offering two children a piece instead, [color=#008e02]“only together are we going to get through this.”[/color] Smiling at the kids as they ate, she’d glance back up to the silence and now shamed men.
Her point made, Meg retreated, continuing her search for any wounded in need of aid.
She did not object to aiding what was now known as the Free Marches. On the contrary, with Elgar'nan back, they needed to aid all they could. Desperate people with empty stomachs and parched throats would turn to the first solution that filled their bellies and quenched their thirst, no matter the price that might be extracted in return. He knew this, and was already weaponizing it to pull more and more people under his sway.
But they had to be smart about offering aid, and that meant not only about how and what and when but who. She understood the desire to help, to feel that need so deeply it seemed to itch beneath the skin, and so she could not fault Megara's intentions. Caution, however, still needed to be taken if they were to be successful, and that included ensuring that she did not fall into the hands of those who would use her to do great harm
Her path was not an easy one to follow, which was good, but she had still managed to trace the woman's steps through the Eluvians, and if she could she did not doubt others could as well. Once Solana arrived in Kirkwall it did not take long for her to find Megara. She watched as the woman settled a dispute, doing her best to appeal to the better side of those she was helping to ensure everyone got a share. Such appeals were worthy, even if they so often failed in the face of competing primal needs.
It was only when Megara detached herself and seemed to go on the hunt for more to aid that Solana stepped into her path, blocking the other woman from traveling any further without confronting her first. When she spoke, her tone was reminiscent of a parent gently admonishing a child. [color=#9a00b2]"While I admire the reasons why you have come, you cannot be here, Megara. It is not safe for you and we should return."[/color]
Moving away from the crowds, Megara dipped into an alley, pace drawing to a stop. A hand reached to the nearby wall to steady herself, the following sigh expelled was tired. Fingertips had barely scraped the stone's surface as the voice came behind her. Turning, the healer would greet her elder with a dip of her head. [color=#008e02]“This was my home once….”[/color] eyes tracked upwards, eyeing the mixture of old and new construction. [color=#008e02]“It’s changed a lot, but.. Yes. It’s not safe. It never was, frankly.” [/color]
While her smile widened, it briefly brimmed with some sadness. It had been home. And then it had become a graveyard in her heart. A place to visit the memories of loved ones. [color=#008e02]“I’ve still got a few friends here, mind. I’m as safe as I can be.” [/color]
Mischief lit up the green of her eyes. [color=#008e02]“And you’re here! No-one would be so silly to mess us around.”[/color] Clapping her hands together, she nodded, the spirit within her also pleased with Solona’s guardianship.
[color=#aaaaaa]We have been a tad reckless, Meg. [/color]
[color=#008e02]“... Are you being serious right now?” [/color]Betrayal! No. Not really, but still.
A pout suddenly formed, and Meg eyed Solona with some unease. [color=#008e02]“A few more hours, please? We can help a little, brighten up some faces?”[/color] Then chiming, [color=#008e02]“I promise it’ll make you feel good!”[/color]
No, this place was not safe. Even if were not obvious simply by walking parts of the city she would think it dangerous. There was a darkness to it that went far deeper than most would suspect, something that seemed the taint even that which might seem harmless. She did not like what this place had become and it made her wonder about precisely what had happened in the years while she had been sleeping. A mystery she could solve upon her return to Arlathan; no doubt they had something in the Repository that would shed some light on it.
She listened while Megara pled her case, but while she understood she was unswayed. [color=#9a00b2]"I know you only seek to do right by these people, but I alone can't keep you safe here. If the Eth discover you are here, do you know how quickly they could descend on this city? And if he found you? I do not know that my gifts would be enough."[/color]
And yet, Megara still begged for a little more time. Solana wasn't unsympathetic, but hours felt far too dangerous. [color=#9a00b2]"It's not about what would feel good, it's about safety. We can send others to help more, but we can't risk you. Please, reconsider and come back with me, Megara."[/color]
Oddly, her back straightened. An edge of defiance settled in her posture at being nannied. Huh. This is what it felt like then? Nairn, Ruth, the majority of her friends had, had it easy now she was experiencing it herself. Meg’s face became thoughtful, gaze falling away from Solana’s to the space in between.
[color=#008e02]“Sylaise has always been neutral. He knows that, but still he harms. To provoke us.”[/color] She had taken some precautions; avoided her old haunts, her contacts in the Coterie and beyond, and appeared as just another Elven refugee fleeing the chaos.
[color=#aaaaaa]I have put us in danger. My apologies, Megara. [/color] [color=#4cea5e]You and I are of similar minds. We both leap to help. No apology is necessary.[/color]
At her sides, Meg’s hands clenched into tight fists. [color=#008e02]“I know. We know this. But it doesn’t mean we can’t stand idle while others suffer, either. How about this then? We help in a clinic. I’m not wandering the open city and I’m still able to help them, for a time.” [/color]Still, she would try to sway her elder into a compromise. [color=#008e02]“We’d still have to pass it on the way to the Eluvian, so… it’s on the way?” [/color]
If she had any qualms with Sylaise it was only that she had been neutral while Elgar'nan and the others had gone on a reign of terror. However, she was not here to interrogate her own feeling on the matter or to pass judgement, but to ensure safety. And while she respected the principled stance Megara and Sylaise were taking on the matter, it complicated things.
Was it better to move about or be in one spot? Which would provide the best chance of remaining undetected? It was hard to say. But if helping in a clinic not far from the Eluvian would satisfy them, she could help disguise them for a time longer. Help people forget precisely who they'd seen, shield her features with a glamour. It would be as safe as any other solution, and so after a moment's consideration she nodded her head in acquiescence.
[color=#9a00b2]"We will help, for a time. And I will use my gifts to conceal you as best I can."[/color] There was no gesture to mark the magic she expended in that moment to put the safeguards into place, but Megara would likely sense that something was ever so slightly different than before.
With that, she stepped aside and gestured for Megara to lead the way to this clinic, hoping that her indulgence in this matter would not prove to be a mistake.
With hindsight, Sylaise would perhaps agree with her kin. She had thought by remaining primarily neutral she could avoid more casualties, but that was never the case in war, was it? The downfall of the Evanarius had been one of their own making, their own overt arrogance, by sharing herself with Megara, the matriarch finally understood the pain by remaining on the sidelines.
In a rare moment, she pushed her will forwards, taking even her host slightly off-guard. The rims of her green eyes shone brightly, fading to a much darker shade as the shard resonated.
[color=#cccccc]Inaction is no longer possible. I see that now. However, for the moment, as allies, we are lacking to face him head on. Sitting idle while these innocents suffer feeds his support, his agenda. To cripple with fear. We will bring hope, for a few and yes, agreed. A short while. [/color]
The emphasis on short aimed to her host, more than the council member granting their wish. The greater picture was at stake now, it was time the healer stepped up, out of the haze of elfroot and self-doubt. Returning control back to Megara, the young dale would shake her head, hoping to shift the disorientation caused by the switch of consciousness. [color=#008e02]“Ugh… I can never get used to that.” [/color]
Once sure she wasn’t about to hurl up her breakfast, Meg pottered back on her path. [color=#008e02]“There should be a clinic back this way.”[/color] Back up the hill, with the eluvian not two blocks from it. [color=#008e02]“There’s a lot of ways to get out of it too. Set it up way back after the Qunari tried to sack the city.”[/color]
Solana's eyes went wide as Sylaise herself pushed forward to speak through Megara. To be addressed directly by one of the Evanuris was not something she expected, much less one that she held some genuine respect for. It threw her off in the moment, her usual calm and collected presence evaporating as she felt suddenly much younger and smaller than her thousands of years.
[color=#9a00b2]"I... Thank you. I will send what other help we can spare once we return."[/color] She did not expect Sylaise to understand, much less mirror her own thinking on the matter. For her to acknowledge that action must be taken was something she did not ever expect to see, and it touched her deeper than she expected. Flamed a hope that she had dared not let burn too bright lest she end up reliving the horrors of her past.
It took her a moment to recenter herself, regain the unflappableness she usually exuded. When Megara too had regained her footing and spoke about where they might head, she refocused on the present. [color=#9a00b2]"We should be disguised for the time being, but I would still suggest taking the least populated route. The more people I am hiding you from at once the greater the draw on my magic. We will be fine for some time, but not endlessly."[/color]
Sylaise had made a point of not revealing herself. Not just for her own safety, but out of concern for her host. Megara was not a combative mage, it wasn't her nature to do harm. Fate really had matched the two well, with the healer's oddity endearing the Hearth-keeper.
Megara from her observations, noted the surprise in Solana at being addressed. While it wasn’t a scolding, Meg understood the intention and meaning behind the Evanarus words were aimed at her specifically.
[color=#008e02]I said I agreed! … And Ruth calls me, the Nanny. [/color]
It was all in good humour though. Slowly, she was coming to realise that their burden went beyond healing and sheltering, a time would come where Megara would have to fight and no longer hide.
Before returning control back to Megara, Sylaise dipped her head in thanks, gently returning to her position as observer. After a deep breath Meg gave herself a moment to readjust, almost groggy as if she’d napped briefly. The shared dissociation gave way as Solana found her usual calm and spoke.
She mulled it over, [color=#008e02]“Then... the best route is taking the next alley, down past the well and to the left. The clinic is across the street from there... and I promise not to overdo it.” [/color]
Solana nodded in acknowledgement of the path they would take, and stayed close as they wound their way through Kirkwall's streets. While she let Megara focus on getting them to their destination, Solana did her best to observe the people around them. She was still learning about these newer cities, and while she understood people had fondness for their homes it seemed to her that these people deserved better. This city was oddly stratified, and the lower you went the more destitute the people seemed. Was there truly not enough to go around?
Not that her own people hadn't ended up settling into that same sort of stratification eventually. She hoped they would not repeat those mistakes in this new Arlathan.
They were almost to the clinic when something caught Solana's eye. A flash of vallaslin, and not in the way the modern Dalish usually applied it. The Eth were here.
Daring not even to whisper in the crowd, she instead reached out to Megara telepathically. [color=#9a00b2]Apologies for the intrusion, but our time is up. I do not believe we have been spotted yet, but his agents are here.[/color]
Kirkwall had changed little on the outside, the different phases of building cut cleanly in how the city was structured from the Imperium days. Megara knew some of these streets blindfolded with how often they had travelled, jutting between different parts of the city. Their destination was coming into view and Meg felt some mounting relief that they would soon reach and help those most affected. Only a voice thrummed at the edge of her senses.
Tension crawled up to her shoulders and frowning, she’d nod. Eyes scanned the turns up ahead and her gait drifted over to take the first, away from the Eth. Once Solana was close and the corner turned, Meg pace quickened marginally. [color=#008e02]“Sorry.. But your feet might get a bit wet. We’re gonna have to use an old tunnel to get back to where the Eluvian is.”[/color] Already she was looking for a scout. Usually it was one of the kids indentured, but sometimes it was an old coot.
The banjo player. Meg had to grin when she noticed him, sitting on the corner with his string twanging a jaunty melody. [color=#008e02]“... We’re in luck,”[/color] she’d nod to Solana. [color=#008e02]“Wait here.” [/color]
Leaving the woman, she’d meander over to lean against the same post the banjo player sat against. After sparing a few moments to enjoy the music, the two exchanged a few words before the players eyes darted up with a grin. It paid off to still have friends in the city. With a pat to the shoulder, it was done and Meg quickly returned to take Solana by the hand, her voice whispering. [color=#008e02]“Fifth house, red door. That’s our tunnel.”[/color]
Wet feet were hardly a concern of hers, and if Megara had a swifter way out of the city she was happy to take it. Her brow furrowed slightly in confusion as the musician was pointed out as important to their passage. It cleared a moment later, however, when she realized this had to be one of Megara's contacts. She had lived in this city for a long time before coming to Arlathan, it was only natural that she had her own network.
She knew there was a particular rhythm to working in such arenas, and so she did her best not to appear concerned at having to pause their journey, instead directing her efforts to making them as uninteresting as possible to anyone passing by. When Megara returned to take her hand, she quickly fell in step with her, following her lead to quickest way out.
Soon enough they were at a house with a red door, and with a quick knock to announce themselves she opened it. There were signs of life, but no one there presently. A designated safe house, perhaps? It would be smart for underground organizations to have such.
[color=#9a00b2]"Go on, give me just a moment. I'll be right behind you,"[/color] she told the other woman. She wanted to safeguard their exit. Dipping into the reserves of magic she held she started to weave a protection spell on the door. They didn't have time for her to do her best work, so the ward was a bit crude, but it would keep the Eth away from this place for a while. Anyone bearing their signs and symbols would not see a door at all when the passed the house in the street, thinking it nothing more a blank wall.
Bertie had saved her. A pack of thieves and smugglers became her new clan, even as she remained somewhat of an outsider, keeping her dalish ways as she did. The natural kindness that surrounded Megara ultimately endeared people to her, she made easy company to be in, especially when taking a toke on her pipe.
The house likely had two lookouts pottering about within, from what Megara could remember of the rules. Likely in one of the reception rooms further in, closely guarding the disguised tunnel entrance. Meg looked into the hallway, but paused at Solana’s words, turning to offer a stiff nod. Splitting up wasn’t favourable, but guarding their back was favourable to being followed or caught. [color=#008e02]“Alright, I’ll take the door on the left.” [/color]
Stepping inside she approached the left inner door, carefully checking there wasn’t a trip or odd tile to scupper them from opening the door or well, exploding. It didn’t seem so, so Meg reached to knock again, this time in an odd tip tap beat. A voice beyond muffled something in confusion, but soon enough pulled the door open a crack and then yanked it wide.[color=#419dc1] “Meggy!?”[/color] a voice would cry from inside.
Meg grinned, brows lifted high and with a chuckle she greeted an old buddy.[color=#008e02] “Yup. The one and only, Ginny. Sorry, in a bit of a rush though. You mind if me and my friend skip through? Got a weirdo on our tail and we just wanna get home, yeah?”[/color]
The dwarf scoffed and waved the elf off. [color=#419dc1]“‘Course. You fixed my Da's foot, least I can… do.”[/color] Ginny’s voice gently drifted as Solana rejoined behind Meg, before chuckling.[color=#419dc1] “You always got somethin’ goin’ on, don’t ya. Tunnel’s through the wardrobe, it’ll take you out at the butchers shop and the Eulvian’s just on your right.” [/color]
Solana completed her work and joined Megara as she was finishing her conversation. She gave a little bow to the dwarf as the woman gave them directions to the eluvian. [color=#9a00b2]"Ma serannas. May peace be ever at your doorstep."[/color]
In moments they were through the wardrobe, the entrance cleverly hidden behind layers of clothes and a false door. She summoned just a touch of light to guide their way through the tunnel. [color=#9a00b2]"You have quite the network here, Megara. It's good to have a community that looks after each other, and it speaks well of you that you have one. Perhaps, once the threat of the Eth is ended, we can do more for them."[/color] It would only be right to aid those who had aided them, should they need or want such a thing.
Ginny would awkwardly grin, nodding to Megara, [color=#0074d9]“You weirdass dalish and your sayin’s. Catch you another time then Meggy.” [/color]
She’d bid Ginny goodbye and within a few moments they were traversing the narrow tunnel under the street. Meg chuckled, though it seemed more hollow than the healer's usual melodic sound.
[color=#008e02]“Sorta. A lot of them are dead now, but the ones that aren’t are like family. I was very lucky to meet Bertie, my old boss, after I was abandoned. Things might be very different if I hadn’t.”[/color] She explained, voice growing thoughtful. Tossing a glance over her shoulder, Meg grinned. [color=#008e02]“I was very naive then, I didn’t know they were a bunch of thieves and smugglers in the beginning.”[/color] She chuckled sheepishly. [color=#008e02]“The Coterie took me in, kept me safe and I healed and looked after them as best I could. It was home… then it became a ghost town after the Chantry.”[/color]
[color=#008e02]“Ruth convinced me to head to Haven and the Inquisition when the Conclave happened. Said I had the best tested experience in dealing with mass casualties and he’s right, even if I hate admitting he is.”[/color] Inflating that man’s ego needed no further encouragement, but she knew he struggled with all the suffering under all his bravado. Just like her he couldn’t sit idle when he had the ability to do something about it.
