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“Well, doesn’t that just figure,” Blackwall drawled. “All the more reason to shut this operation down,” I said. “The sooner the better,” Dorian said grimly. We set about dismantling the wards. As I said, their intricacy was almost all surface frippery; they used the same simple pattern for all of them at the base. We were done with them in less than five minutes. Then it was time for Sera and Varric. We stood out of the way as they came forward and studied the locks. Sera stuck one of her lockpicking tools in the main lock, jiggled it about a bit and laughed. “Stupid wankers. It’s just like your ward-thingy. Lock looks like it means business, but it’s a cheap-arsed load of bollocks. Still, sod’s law — they could’ve hidden something …show more content…

“Do you know it or not?” “I’ll try the one I know,” he said with a put-upon sigh. He stepped up to the door and said, “Arcanus.” “Well that’s bloody original,” Dorian said sardonically. “Why? What’s it mean?” Sera asked. He waggled his fingers theatrically at her. “Magic.” She snorted. “Figures.” Ira turned the handle and the door opened smoothly. “Let me guess — they’ve never changed the password,” Iron Bull said. “Amateurs, Boss.” Dorian and I cast don’t-notice-me spells on all of us and we went through the door as stealthily as half a dozen people can. We were in a shabby hallway painted a foul shade of green. There were lamps mounted along walls, but fully half of them weren’t lit. “We should have been challenged by now,” Ira said quietly. “Well, if they’re trying to trap us, it’s only polite to oblige them,” Blackwall said. “We will. For the moment, though, I’d like you all to wait here a few minutes. I want to scout ahead before we go any further. If we go ahead like this, there’s no chance of not being noticed,” I said. “Why you? I should be doing the scouting,” Sera objected. “Because there are Venatori mages somewhere up ahead, and I’m better equipped to deal with them.” “You mean we’re better equipped,” Dorian said. “Yes, which is why you need to stay with the others while I have a look,” I said. “I could come with,” Ira offered. “I know the layout here. Mostly.” I nodded. “All right. This shouldn’t take more than a few

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