9:41 Dragon, the day the Breach appeared
The cries of demons echoed in the distance. A young elf wandered through the Fade as she had her entire life. She looked around as she sensed a sudden change in the energies of the Fade, seeing a young man running towards her.
"Run!" He called to her, grabbing her hand as he passed by her.
Their feet pounding against the ground, they ran and ran until they reached a portal. The man called to her as she stopped, staring at her hand. The hand he had grabbed her with had left a strange glowing green mark, as if it had been transferred to her. He called to her again, reaching out to her. Grasping his hand, she let him pull her through the portal and as they stepped out she found herself staring at the ceiling of her hut.
"It was just a dream... and no mark..." she thought aloud. "I wonder what the Creators are trying to tell me..."
Leaving her hut and staring up at the sky, she sighed. "The sky is broken, the Veil is torn, the Fade is spilling into this world. Why?"
Waking up and being interrogated with a massive case of memory loss was not Leon Lindner's idea of a good time. As they made their way up towards the ruined temple, his mind returned to the one thing he could recall clearly- a young elf woman with olive skin and brilliant green eyes, long coal black hair pulled into a high ponytail with two long strands draped over her chest. This elf, whoever she was, was eerily beautiful in her green gown and silverite and veridium jewelry. She looked as though she had belonged to the Fade itself. He had mentioned her in great detail to Leliana and Cassandra when they interrogated him, but she was the only thing he could remember clearly. He had been running, saw her and grabbed her hand before leading her to the portal ahead of them. He had pulled her through, but she had disappeared just before he lost consciousness. Whoever this elf was, he was determined to find out.
Two months later...
"Leon, we have received reports that this Elder One is searching for someone by the name of the 'Fade Sage'." Leliana explained once the meeting had convened.
Cullen scoffed. "Apparently people believe that she can travel through the Fade, physically and non. Amazing what mages will let people believe."
"You don't believe it to be true?" Leon asked.
"Hardly. The last people who travelled to the Fade physically were cursed with the Blight and cast out of the heavens."
"You speak of the day the Golden Seat of the Maker was tainted by the blundering of Men."
Everyone present looked up as Solas joined them.
"Please, forgive the intrusion, but Cassandra had brought the matter to my attention." Solas said, coming to stand next to Leon.
"I had asked Solas if he knew anything of this Fade Sage, if it were possible what people claimed they could do." Cassandra explained.
"And?" Josephine asked, looking at the apostate curiously.
"I myself can travel through the Fade when I dream, it is entirely possible for this Fade Sage to have the same ability. However, I do not know if it were possible to physically travel through the Fade as is claimed. That being said, I would like to accompany the Herald in the search of this Fade Sage. If the Elder One has great interest in finding this person, then it would be prudent to find them first and consider taking them into our ranks as an ally." Solas said.
Leon nodded. "Agreed. If this Fade Sage is as powerful a mage as people claim, then I'll definitely need Solas' help on this one." He looked at Leliana. "Do we have an idea of where this mage is?"
Leliana nodded and pointed to a set of elven ruins in the Brecilian Forest. "It would appear that this mage and those following them have taken up residence within the old elven ruins in the Brecilian Forest. During the Blight, the Hero of Ferelden and myself and our party travelled to these ruins to put a stop to the werewolf attacks upon the Dalish clan that had camped within the forest. The werewolves had taken up residence within the ruin walls, protected by the spirit of the forest who embodied the curse." She looked at Leon. "You will need to be careful. There are many things within those woods, sylvans and Dalish elves being the least of your worries. I have reached out to an old friend, one of my old companions who went to the ruins with us. He will meet you at the ruins in eighteen days time and he can help guide you through the ruins."
Leon nodded. "It'll take us sixteen days to reach the pass into the forest?"
Leliana nodded. "Then a day to the ruins. Which gives you one day to prepare for the trip."
"Then we should get started." Leon said. "Solas, Cassandra, I'd like you to come along. We'll take Blackwall as well."
Solas and Cassandra nodded.
"Is there any other business?" Leon asked. When everyone shook their heads, he nodded. "Alright, meeting adjourned. Let's get packed and ready to leave by noon tomorrow."
Seventeen days later...
"Do we know who Leliana's contact is?" Blackwall asked. They had arrived at the Brecilian Pass right on schedule.
"She only said that he was an old friend, a companion to her and the Hero of Ferelden." Cassandra said.
"Oh, sweet Leliana thinks of me as a friend now, does she? I'm flattered!"
Everyone turned towards the sound of the new voice to see a suave looking elf, a tattoo down his left cheek and shoulder length dirty blonde hair, leaning against a tree.
"Identify yourself!" Cassandra demanded.
The elf chuckled. "So bold, so brash. So beautiful." He stepped forward and bowed theatrically. "Allow me to introduce myself: Zevran Arainai, formerly of the Antivan Crows and former companion to Leliana, King Alistair, and Ingrid the Hero of Ferelden."
Leon chuckled. "So you're Leliana's friend? I can see why."
Zevran smirked and looked at him. "It does surprise me that she would refer to me as a friend, but it is a very pleasant surprise. And even more so when she asked me to lead you to the elven ruins."
"You're earlier than we anticipated." Cassandra said, her hand never leaving her sword.
"I like being early, what can I say? Besides, I already spoke with Keeper Lanaya and she has agreed to give us shelter within the Dalish camp for the night." Zevran said.
"Oh?"
"You all looked weary from travel." Zevran gestured for them to follow. "Come, let me introduce you to my friends the Dalish."
"Ah, Zevran! Are these the friends you spoke of?"
"Yes, Lanaya. These fine people are friends of Leliana's as well." Zevran said, embracing the elven woman who greeted him. "Everyone, this is our most gracious host, Keeper Lanaya."
Lanaya bowed and greeted the newcomers. "Welcome to our camp. Any friends of Leliana's are welcome here."
Leon smiled. "Thank you, Keeper Lanaya. We are grateful for the shelter you provide."
"Come. I'm sure you have questions, but let's get you settled in for the night."