They found Arland practicing his archery at the far end targets. He was a surly-looking man of short blond hair and small blue eyes, dressed in light Templar armor. He grumbled complaints at each bullseye he missed. Anri wondered if he was there to let off steam more than practice his aim.
"Arland." Lysette cordially greeted her peer.
The man stopped and faced them, his eyes narrowed when he saw Anri. With hurried strides he unsheathed his sword and pressed the tip of it before Anri's face.
"You dare show your face. Tell me where the others are!"
"My face?"
Lysette knocked the man's blade away with her sword and stood ready to fight him.
"It's okay Lysette, let me talk."
"He accosts you for no reason, Yor... my lord!"
"Did you meet another who carried my face markings? If so, please tell me!" Anri approached Arland's blade, feigning a look of desperation. Some of his overcoat blew open with a breeze, which revealed his amputated arm. Arland saw and instantly changed his expression with an apology.
"I'm sorry. I should've seen you were someone else. My apologies milord." Arland sheathed his blade.
"Anri only arrived here yesterday looking for a family member." Lysette introduced Anri with the lie, thinking it was best only she and Anri knew the truth of his connections to the case.
Anri flashed her a nod of thanks.
Arland's expression softened, feeling sorry for his case of misunderstanding. He bowed and offered his assistance.
"Please, I don't mean harm. I was hoping if the Templar order knew of any Dalish that came into Hasmal recently," Anri politely asked.
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Arland sighed and explained that three months ago a small group of Dalish entered the city, seeking protection. They said they had been taken by slavers to be sold in Tevinter but had escaped and found their way to the city. They looked worse for wear so it made their story believable.
"The one who did all the talking was a young man who had the same markings on your face, the others had tree-like types."
Anri nodded. "They'd be from clans who worship Mythal. It seems these slavers were taking people from various clans."
"It seems to be the case milord."
"Please call me Anri."
Arland nodded and continued.
He told him the name of the man with his markings. "I don't know if it's his real name, but he went by the name Servis which doesn't sound elven to me."
Arland had been doing a routine patrol when he was told of the elves entering the alienage. He went to make sure there were no dangerous apostates among them. When he approached this elf, the man became hostile upon questioning and threw a dagger at him before escaping through the city streets.
Lysette shared an odd look with Anri but said, "Is he the one you've been trying to find?"
Anri shook his head and prompted for more names.
"There was a woman who people noticed Servis seemed to get on well with. Another Dalish I heard people call Tessa. She had those tree-type markings. I returned to the alienage the next day on my patrols to talk to her, that's when I heard they went missing along with some of the new arrivals. My report is with my Knight-Captain if you wish for more details."
They left Arland who returned to his target practicing. When they were out of earshot, they discussed their leads.
"Servis? Odd." Anri mused with a deep frown.
"Didn't you judge a Servis back at Skyhold?" Lysette carefully whispered.
Anri nodded. "Yes, Crassius Servis and he was clearly no elf."
"How is it possible to change your race?"
"It's unlikely you could fake being an elf, so the only means would be blood magic."
The thought of blood mages being involved sent a chill down Lysette's spine.
"Lysette, this case might end up being more dangerous than we anticipate. It's not too late to back away." Anri suggested with his concerns.
"Mattron is still missing. I have to find him." She was adamant in not giving up.
He nodded. "We have a name now, let's go to the Alienage to see where it leads."
