justice_is_blond | Inbox for Fade Rift

[Anders shakes his head.]

I blew up the Chantry, Fate. I don't think I'm going to be disappointed in you. Talk, and I will listen.

All right, I really can't beat that.

[That does warn a wry smile, but he shakes his head and drinks a bit more of the wine.]

Around the time the Fifth Blight was happening, I wasn't alone. I had a partner and other friends. Malsaam is-- was an important friend to me. I thought for the longest time there'd be no one else who'd really understand me. We worked together.

Of course, with the blight and all, we didn't stay in Denerim long, of course; so we headed north.

With the blight happening, it also opened opportunities for us. Malsaam wanted a big score, though. He was targeting a Tevinter magister -- Aregor Priggs. I told him it was too risky, but the stubborn idiot said it'd be fine so long as we stuck together. We'll be rich as kings, he'd like to say, as if he was the first moron to ever declare that before getting his ass kicked.

The job went badly. I kept telling him we had to back out, but he was a prideful idiot looking for a fight and told us to stick with it. I made the call and told our crew to pull out. Unfortunately that... left him behind. Priggs captured him. Priggs has this place he's put slaves to work in, calls it the Locker. That's where he sent Malsaam. I rallied the crew and tried to break him out. That only managed to get everyone killed. Everyone but me, obviously.

[Twisted Fate pauses a moment to finish off his wine.]

So I approached Priggs, to cut him a deal. I said I'd do whatever he wanted to make sure that he'd release Malsaam. The price was steep, and I was branded his property, but I was willing to live with it if it meant my friend would be released.

Unfortunately, we all underestimated Malsaam: he found a way to break out on his own, only he was under the impression that I'd betrayed him to Priggs and wanted payback. And, well, I wasn't very willing to keep my end of the bargain if Malsaam freed himself anyway, so I ran.

[He scratches his neck.] So I have an angry ex-partner who wants me dead, and a magister whose pride is at stake. I don't have a good record of keeping friends so far, you see.

[He listens quietly, nodding at the pauses where it seems appropriate. There's some silence when Fate ends as Anders processes all of it.]

I take it Malsaam has no desire to stop and listen to an explanation.

[It's deliberately not a question since the answer already seems pretty clear. That it's almost definitely a qunari name strengthens that impression - qunari seem to come to an opinion and stick with it no matter what.]

He, Priggs, I mean, won't attack here. There's too much risk to sending Tevinter forces to Kirkwall in the current political climate, I believe. But he'll likely have people watching and he'll wait for you to be sent off... Do you think he'd come personally? Do you think he could be baited?

[The statement does earn a wry chuckle from Fate.]

Ah, I couldn't think of anyone more stubborn than Mal. [His voice is fond, but also full of regret.] I'd have to chain him down to a wall to make him hear me out, and even then I don't know if he'd believe me.

No, you're... you're right about Priggs. He wouldn't come here to attack, not directly. But he could be convinced to come personally. He isn't stupid, but he is immensely prideful.

Killing Priggs might send a message to your former friend. Or it might not. We can perhaps hope he doesn't hate you so much he follows you here and focus on Priggs? If Priggs thinks you're happy or comfortable here, would that be enough?

[There may be a solution in here somewhere. He can hope, at least.]

I think the only message Mal would get would that I have no problem backstabbing someone else. Or whatever kind of excuse he'd like to make. It's hard to say, but maybe he'll figure it out.

[He lets out a sigh and sits back, folding his arms as he considers.] Maybe it might be enough. Then again, he certainly had no problem trying to corner me a few months ago. I doubt it occurred to him that I was close to Nerva, or he probably would have used her as bait.

So... if it seemed like I was having a merry time without a care in the world, it might be enough to make him come out if ever get around to leaving Kirkwall.

We could see if we can't get word to spread of you having a place here where you're welcomed and belong, and then we plan a publicized trip with surprise members on it.

[It's a fairly simplistic plan, but it's a start.]

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