"Another time rift has opened in the village!"
The frightened shout caused the Herald of Andraste and his comrades to glance amongst themselves. Arrangements for the mages would have to wait a moment.
Sprinting out of the castle, they clearly saw the rift hovering near the harbor of Redcliffe village.
"It's another of Alexius's time warping ones!" Dorian shouted as they ran.
"Hopefully the last!" The Iron Bull shot back.
Terrors and Despair demons poured from the rift, heading for the frightened villagers.
"Flank them as best you can!" Lavellan bellowed as he notched an arrow to his bow.
"Got it, Boss!" Bull answered, barreling in with his axe raised.
The battle was going well. Several of the mages from the town jumped in to assist the Inquisition forces. All at once, the rift began glowing brighter.
"Something new is coming through!" Solas shouted.
"Stand ready! We don't know what we're dealing with here!" The Herald commanded.
All at once, yellow light burst from the rift, and a woman appeared. She was straddled atop a strange, wheeled device, and she threw her arms over her face as she fell. The metal contraption flipped several times, and the woman rolled as she crashed into the hard ground.
Just behind her, two more terrors emerged.
"Herald! Close the rift before more demons come through!" Solas cried as he ran to the fallen woman.
Solas knelt and quickly felt for signs of life. After confirming the woman lived, he turned and fell into a defensive stance against the demons. With all the available fighters, the demons had no chance, and soon the rift was gone with a hiss. With a relieved sigh, Solas turned back to the strange woman on the ground.
Her hair was bright red and was tied into a knot atop her head. Her clothing was completely alien, and a large pack was on her back. Solas could sense no magic from her. Despite her bizarre appearance, it seemed she was completely human.
Solas carefully rolled her to her side to better assess any damage that had been done to her. Aside from several scrapes and bruises, she appeared to be all right. At that point, several of Redcliffe's soldiers raced up.
"Step away from the demon!" One of them ordered. He brandished a sword toward the unconscious woman, and Solas gripped his staff and placed himself between the woman and her would-be attackers.
"This is no demon," Solas spoke loudly, but he directed the words to the Herald. "From what I can sense, she is completely human."
"She came from the rift. Only demons walk through rifts," The soldier stepped forward. The Herald moved to stand between Solas and the soldier.
"I beg to differ," he stated. The words were calm, but the firmness of them caused the soldier to reconsider his stance. "Solas, what can you tell me about her?"
"I am afraid I cannot tell you much until she wakes," Solas sighed, brushing a strand of her fiery hair from her pale cheek. "I know she is human, and I know she is not a mage. That is all."
"You're saying she is not a danger to us?" Lavellan already knew the answer to that question. Solas sensed that Alistair was speaking for the benefit of the restless crowd that had gathered.
"That is precisely what I'm saying," Solas nodded. "We should bring her with us to Haven and see to any injuries she has sustained. When she wakes, we can learn more about where she came from and how she got here."
"Bull, you heard him. Let's get her to Haven," Alistair motioned to the big Qunari.
"Got it," Bull stepped forward and gently lifted the woman. She had a healthy feel to her—curvy in all the right places. And that red hair…
Bull shook his head. Now was not the time.
As his companions marched toward the travel stone, Alistair shifted his gaze around to assess the crowd. Many of them appeared to be uncomfortable with the idea of allowing the strange woman to live, but the Herald knew what it was like to be the focus of misplaced fear and aggression. He wasn't about to let this woman be harmed without answers.