Anri entered a long dining hall where a roaring fire at the far end hearth was keeping the place cozy. Some Templars were enjoying a quiet moment and meal at some of the long benches on one side of the hall. They all paused to greet their Knight-Commander and gave odd looks at his elven guest.

  "Your Worship!"

  A slender woman in the Templar light armor instantly spotted Anri from one side of a far bench. Her long brown ponytail swished at her back as she calmly rose to approach him with a phlegmatic expression on her pretty but battleworn face. Her callout drew curious attention from other seated templars.

  "Lysette? You're here! And back with the Templars?"

  "Yes, Your Worship. When Divine Victoria declared Chantry support for the Templar Order's reformation in being an order to protect people from magic abuse, I rejoined."

  "How has it been?"

  "It feels good to be part of the Order I believed in."

  "That's wonderful, but what brought you out to Hasmal?"

  "I did," Brycen answered for her. "When Commander Cullen had loaned Lysette and Mattron that one time to help us eliminate rogue templar and mage resistances attacking the Circle, I asked if either of them would consider serving their terms out here should the Divine reinstate the Templar Order."

  "You showed me what it means to do the Maker's work in a place where magic is dangerous. I've faced some skirmishes, but nothing I haven't been able to handle," Lysette said proudly.

  Anri gulped. "I don't know if I should take credit for your daredevil awakening."

  She frowned, looking confused by the reference. Brycen chuckled. Anri changed the subject.

  "Where is Mattron, did he join here too?" he asked and received expressions of sadness from them both. "Oh, I'm sorry."

  Brycen glanced about the hall before he said, "Let's not talk about this here. First let's get some food in your belly, and then I can update you on situations back at my office."

  Conversations were civil and trivial as Anri enjoyed a hearty stew. It was only when he and Brycen were alone within the stone confines of the man's simple office did tones sober.

  "I don't know if the Maker or someone sent you, but I could use your help, Your Worship."

  "My help? Well, I was just here to be a tourist." Anri eased into one of the armchairs facing the man's modest wood desk and chair. He sat upright with one leg crossed over the other, reflecting his comte status within his posture.

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  The years of battle and strain momentarily showed on Brycen's face as he eased into his chair behind his desk. He peered at Anri's half-arm, which had been concealed within the man's overcoat the whole time.

  "If you're wondering whether I'm still fit for battle, I've traveled from Kirkwall on my own, and someone with a face like mine attracts a lot of target practice along the way. You'll be surprised at how proficient my one arm has become." Anri reassured him.

  Brycen nodded, taking comfort in this fact.

  Anri's tone sobered. "So what has you so concerned?"

  "I'm not sure if you've noticed the air of distrust within the city."

  Anri nodded. "The feeling is so thick I can cut it."

  "Hasmal wasn't always like this. As a minor independent city, we've always been a free port for all races. Overall, we've had no problems with people being civil. The odd troublesome situation here and there but nothing other cities wouldn't expect to face. Of course, the Mage Rebellion had its moments. Thankfully, the Inquisition was there to help us."

  Brycen delved into the rapid change he and his people had noticed.

  About three months ago a new group of runaway elves from Tevinter had entered the Elven Alienage. Escaped elves were a common occurrence for Hasmal, so no one thought of them as anything untoward. The only key identifies that marked them as unique were their tattooed faces, which showed their patron god being Mythal.

  Not long after, people went missing. A few were spotted with the Dalish elves before they had disappeared: some had been humans. Soon so many people had disappeared in a short time, it drew a panic in some of the city's siloed districts.

  The humans and dwarves turned on the elves, who fought back with reasons that cast a shadow of doubt and fingers pointed at each other for blame.

  A small riot broke out where the Templars were called in to assist the city guards with calming the people down by force before situations had escalated beyond their control. Eventually the populace returned to their districts, where the city was placed on an emergency lockdown to prevent further dissidence.

  Rumors shortly went flying about elves using humans for blood sacrifice. The Templars had to stop a group of angry humans who had snuck out of their confines with the aim of burning down the Elven Alienage.

  "Mattron went to check on the Alienage shortly afterward and hasn't checked back in. He's not the one to go AWOL, and he wasn't the only Templar I had sent who hasn't reported in. This happened a week before your arrival."

  Anri rubbed his chin as he mulled over the issues and wondered if his old enemies were up to something. "Do you think it's the Venatori at work?"

  Brycen nodded. "It does sound like their MO, but so far my men haven't been able to track down the culprits. And the people they talk to are tight-lipped." He eased back in his chair and added, "That's where you may be able to help. You could enter the Elven Alienage and learn more, even if you're Dalish."

  "I'm a stranger and already seen with high suspicion." Anri frowned thinking of an approach.

  Brycen nodded. "You don't need to go in like you're a friendly ear but..."

  Anri nodded. "Perhaps I can draw out enough hostility for an opening."

  "I know I'm asking a lot from you, but I need to know what has happened to my people." Brycen looked genuinely concerned and frustrated by the dire situation. "If you can find anything out, I am in your debt."

  "Don't worry. Leave it to me. I'll rest til morning then start the task. Hopefully, it's not the Venatori, but, well, let's just hope."

  Brycen gave Anri a genuine thanks when the man rose at the natural conclusion of their conversation.

  A Templar showed Anri to his room for the night.