Presrop-Chapter One: Cassandra

"Drop your weapons! Now!" Sword held in a tight grip, Cassandra stepped between the Herald and the newcomers. "Put your hands where I can see them." Shooting a quick glance behind her, she was glad to see Varric and Solas flanking the Herald. In front of her, the newcomers began to lay down their swords and bows.

"Cassandra, do we really-?" The Herald's voice cut off as if unsure of what else to say.

"They may have helped us close this rift, that does not mean we should let down our guard," Cassandra calmly explained. They had been almost overwhelmed by demons before the strangers had entered the fray and turned the tide in their favor. Still, it was never bad to be cautious. "Now, state your name and purpose," She directed this question at the newcomers.

The group turned to look at the woman in the middle of them, obviously waiting for her orders. A short silence followed as their leader considered her words. Just as Cassandra was about to demand an answer to her question, their leader spoke, "My name is Shepard. My squad and I have come here to help your Inquisition," A small smile passed over the woman's face, almost like a grimace, "Which we have found, apparently." A few of her squad members chuckled at this.

The Herald stepped up next to Cassandra, hesitantly taking charge, "Where..where are you from?" Cassandra had been wondering the same thing, as she could not place Shepard's accent. Although she would be the first to say she was no expert in such an area.

Again their question was met with a small silence before Shepard answered, "Not really from one area, we're more of a roaming band if you take my meaning." Bandits then? No, they held themselves more like soldiers. Mercenaries more like. "Although, even we can see that a hole in the sky isn't something you just ignore," More quiet laughter among her companions. The potential end of the world was funny to them, then? Cassandra let a snarl cross her face, no intention of hiding her dislike of these strangers on her mind. "Now the only question is if you'll accept our help."

"Help from a group of thugs? Surely we can do better than-" Cassandra was stopped short by the Herald's hand on her arm.

Taking a small breath, the Herald quietly asked Cassandra, "Can we really wave off their help? We aren't exactly a large organization yet and they did just save us." Cassandra could not think of how to answer politely and in her silence the Herald continued, "We don't have to trust them completely right away, but they did come here just to help us." Cassandra sighed.

"I…suppose you are right." They really did need all the assistance they could get, as most of Thedas disapproved of them. The Chantry was in pieces after Justinia V's death and suspicious of the Elven Herald of Andraste. Even with Mother Giselle on their side, Cassandra was not sure if the Chantry would support them. The Mages were rebelling everywhere and gave little thought to the hole in the sky while the Templars were busy rounding up said mages. Even the leaders of Thedas' countries were wary of the Inquisition, not sure of its purpose yet. Perhaps mercenaries and the like were the best they could hope for.

Before her, the Herald smiled and turned to look at Shepard and her companions. The Herald took a step towards them and said, "We accept your help with thanks. Do you have any particular…area of expertise?"

"Well," Shepard turned to look at her companions, "My squad would work best on short-term missions. Infiltration, extraction, clearing problems areas..they're not equipped for anything long-term. Just let them know if there's anything you need to get done and they'll do it, really." She turned back to the Herald. "As for me, it seems that you could use an extra hand sealing these..rifts. If you don't mind an extra body, I could tag along with you."

Cassandra scoffed, "The Herald has all the assistance she needs, I am sure you would work much better with your squad." She may have to accept the help of these thugs, but it would be over her dead body if-

"I'd-I would welcome your help, Shepard." The Herald nervously rubbed her hands together, "That is, would that be alright, Cassandra? She did get us out of trouble today so-and I'm not saying you, Solas, and Varric aren't good protection! I just think…" Cassandra watched as the Herald trailed off, uncertainty in her eyes.

Once again Cassandra sighed. Sheathing her sword and shield she answered the Herald, "I suppose it would not hurt to have an extra sword." She shot Shepard a disapproving glare, "That does not mean I trust her, and you should not either. At least, not fully."

The Herald smiled, "Then, welcome to the Inquisition, Shepard."