The Secrets of a Town
The house shook and Tomas Stronghood barely noticed it. His mother calmly watched him pace back and forth. The entire family had been on edge ever since Lord Varric made his announcement.
None of the villagers spoke against them - how could they – the Stringhoods owned too much in the village for anyone to defy them.
Anabel exhaled slowly and her eyes fell to her youngest, Sonia had caused way more trouble than anyone had anticipated and it all was coming crashing down on them like a ton of bricks, but still, Anabel Stronghood could not blame her precious daughter.
No. All the blame fell on Ardyn's shoulders - even though she was no longer there.
Still Anabel had to ask.
"Sonia. How could you possibly have thought that was a good idea? You know very well how we obtained what we have."
"She didn't think mother – and THAT is the point. She never thinks!"
"Don't yell at me! You are only upset because you loved to look at her. She is your cousin Tomas!"
Sonia pouted, fury at Ardyn swirling within her.
"Don't talk to your brother like that, and why shouldn't he look at her? She was nothing anyway she…"
"Have you lost your minds! Do not speak of things like this now!"
Michael Stronghood entered the large home just as the ground shook again. Dirt fell from the ceiling and the entire house shook. He looked back at the door as if someone could be listening.
"Lord Varric is powerful and, for some reason, he has chosen Ardyn. If she has said one word he will definitely…"
"She wouldn't dare, my love. She knows what would happen…"
"That's exactly it Anabel! Think! What can you do to her now? If the Serpent Lord has bestowed leniency how will you punish?" He rolled his eyes when his entire family was stunned into silence.
Michael shook his head at his family's stupidity and moved to a far corner of the main room. He worked a combination of moving specific items and a part of the wall swung open with a loud scraping, and gear ticking sounds.
"What are you doing love."
"We need to protect ourselves. Let's say she doesn't talk. The Serpent Lord didn't come here just for that announcement. We need to move some of our wealth so that it is not all taken away if he comes for us."
Tomas nodded and went to help his father. Sonia pouted more and her mother frowned and sucked her teeth.
"Is Angelica right? Did you do all of this for that Damon Hughes boy."
"I love him mother!"
As the family continued on - a faint set of eyes blinked. There was no other movement on this wall and when Angelica Stronghood passed them she felt and saw nothing.
The observer remained motionless but a small piece detached from him – or her – and quickly moved to a crack in the far wall. Once outside the house this piece transformed like invisible hands creating a piece of origami and became a crane and quickly flew up a half a meter and vanished.
Only to reappear before Marcus, Varric's second.
Ardyn sat panting in her tranquility cave – as she came to call it. She was exhausted and elated at the same time. Her mind was spinning and there was a bright smile on her face.
Elsa scoffed. "Calm down. You did very well but you are about to give yourself a heartattack."
"But… I actually helped him. Didn't I?"
Elsa smiled down at her. "You SAVED him. I will go there now, finish things, and make sure all is well in your village." Elsa paused and looked at her evenly. She wanted to hurt those who hurt her student – but she didn't want Ardyn to know this.
Ardyn's smile fell with Elsa's next question.
"Is there anyone in Silver Vale you would like me to check on in particular? Someone you'd like to send a message to? Maybe even bring here to see you."
Ardyn quickly stood, dusting herself off and moving to the far end of the cave to meditate and try and sense Varric again.
"No teacher. Just make sure everyone is okay."
Elsa's eyes narrowed. 'Not one. Not even one of this family he found. They all hurt her, but she doesn't want to see any of them harmed.'
Elsa didn't let up, her eyes tracking Ardyn's movements.
"I will look for your parents then. I want to meet them."
"You can't teacher." Ardyn looked her syraight in the eye - her jaw set and her aura static. "they are both dead, as well as my brother." She sat down and closed her eyes.
"I was three months old when I went to live with my Uncle Michael and his family." She pursed her lips and spoke the next words through gritted teeth.
"Or so I've been told my entire life."
She crossed her legs and Elsa felt a wall rise between them. Ardyn breathed deeply several times before her aura calmed again.
Elsa nodded in understanding.
'Varric only works at half the puzzle – I will grasp the other half.' She vanished from the Tranquility Cave and appeared beside Varric.
[Soul Tether Step]
She hissed and frowned. His wound had healed considerably but the scar was horrendous even to her. Rage exploded from her and a large group of Crocodile beast-kin burst into flame and were reduced to ash instantly.
Elsa turned and stormed from the triage pits. It seemed she had something to take care of before she spoke with any Stronghoods.