Lucio - Fereldan Circle Tower
Three templars brought the Antivan mage into the tower, clamped in irons and without most of his equipment. Well, not exactly without. While two of them had taken up positions on either side of him, the third was carrying his sword and satchel. The Antivan, while in a terrible position, had a smile on his face, and walked calmly beside the templars, keeping his shoulders square and back straight. He'd tried to make conversation a few times before, but none were really interested in it, so now he just kept up the act of a man who knew of his innocence and was quite smug about it. Truly, he was smug, but for reasons other than that of his innocence. He just knew that eventually, he'd get out of this place, catch a boat to Rivain, and live in luxury and ease for the rest of his life.
The templars led him up to the office of the First Enchanter, where two old, grey men stood, presumably the First Enchanter and the Knight-Commander of the templars here. From what the Antivan could tell, the Commander wanted him executed, or at least imprisoned for a while until they could decide what to do. Loud, obnoxious, and generally just an irritating man, the Antivan decided about the Commander. The Enchanter, he wanted to just put the mage through the "harrowing," whatever that was. Calm, collected, and polite. He liked the old man already.
Since they'd yet to notice the intruders into he office, and the templars seemed loathe to interrupt, the Antivan cleared his throat loudly. He got a jab in the ribs for it, but he managed to keep his composure while under their gaze. He bowed his head to them, then smiled at the men. "Ah, it is good to finally get out of the cold," he said, his accent as thick as the First Enchanter's beard. "I believe it was me you were talking of just then, so I think it would only to be fair if I were allowed to speak for myself."
The Commander made his way towards him, shooing out the other templars, who slammed the door behind them. "You don't get a say in anything, you're a rouge mage, possibly even a blood mage!" he shouted, practically right in the Antivan's face. "You should have just been executed and been done with it."
The Antivan sniffed, then turned to the First Enchanter. "I think I would prefer to speak with you, my good sir." Another bow, this time much lower. "Lucio Peruzzi, Antivan mage and refugee." Before he could be questioned, he continued, "I was a sanctioned mage back in Antiva, until I ran into a bit of trouble with some unsavory types, so I fled south. My intent was to take a ship back to Antiva, and completely circle around them and hoped they died on the way." Mostly true, except for his intended location. "Though, now, I can't exactly do that now, since I have been wrongfully detained." Once more, he smiled, this time at the Commander.
However, the First Enchanter spoke before the Commander could shout his outrage or disbelief at him. "Young man, I do not know whether to believe you," he said, causing Lucio's face to drop. "However, I do not believe you to be a blood mage, for why would you have allowed yourself to have been captured in the first place?"
The Commander grumbled, but let it go. "Fine, Irving, maybe he isn't a blood mage, but I don't buy his story. He could have fled to the Chantry, or another Circle, but instead he ran for freedom. And what about a phylactery? There should be someone searching for him already."
"Greagoir, it does not matter now. It would be better for all of us if we merely put him through the Harrowing, made him a phylactery, and introduce him to the Circle. That is my say on the situation."
The Commander, Greagoir, Lucio assumed, looked furious, but dropped it. "Fine, Irving, but if anything comes out of this other than the perfect image of obedience, that mage won't see another morning. Are we clear?" He turned towards Lucio, glowering.
"Crystal," Lucio said, smiling smugly. The Commander stormed off while Lucio suppressed his urge to laugh in victory. Because it was only a temporary victory, and if he did escape this place, they'd have a way to track him down and either drag his sorry ass back or kill him on the spot. Either way, it wouldn't end pretty for anyone, because he wouldn't go down without a fight.
Irving placed a hand on his shoulder, and said, "Don't think you're free just yet, Peruzzi. You've still got a long way to go before you're off the hook."
Damn, that old man was ominous.