Among the Dalish, the Elven considered themselves better off than those who lived in an Alienage or were stuck inside a Circle. When the Divine called for all Magi and Templars alike to meet to speak about peace, even the Elven were interested in how this would all turn out.
A Keeper and her First walked among the Magi into the cathedral-like building. Though neither believed in any kind of Maker, the two felt a grand calming pass through them as they stood beneath the ever watching Eye. The Keeper, an older elf who had seen far too many suns and moons pass, had her silver hair loose down her back as she wore the traditional tribal colors of her Dalish clan, a crimson, fiery red with a majestic emerald to represent the natural elements those who were blessed with magic used. The First, however, wore a solemn white tunic that she had picked up in a Chantry before with her sun-kissed auburn hair tied in a tight bun. Their pale skin did not hide the protective markings on their faces; the First wore faded emerald markings of Falon'Din while the Keeper represented with Sylaise in a bold mahogany coloring.
"I don't see other Dalish," the Keeper commented dryly as she held her staff close to her, "I suppose we should consider ourselves lucky to be the ambassadors for our people."
"Rosseth," the First nudged her slightly, keeping her own staff safely placed on her back, "Perhaps we are not as welcomed as you may think we are."
All around them, from both Templars and Magi, the two elves were receiving strange glances that ranged from curiosity and contempt. Where magic was seen as normal among the elven, magic for a Shem was considered unnatural. Rosseth chuckled as she waved to the on-lookers, "We were just as much invited as they are, Norin. Besides, your cousin was in a Circle and died of illness because of the Templars not giving him treatment fast enough."
Norin went silent after the grim reminder of her cousin. In that moment, she was grateful to have the Keeper with her during their visit to see the Divine. The two Dalish followed the others to a great room where Magi stuck to one side of the room and the Templars were on the other. The Divine was speaking with a small group of other women. Norin assumed that they were just waiting for the right moment to speak, but it seemed that there was a growing unrest in the room. Rosseth turned to Norin, who appeared nervous as her large, crimson eyes seemed even bigger now as the First scanned the room. The Keeper placed a hand on Norin's shoulder, "Before my time comes, I want you to lead our clan in a world where magic is accepted. Even some Dalish feel that magic is just a curse instead a gift from the Creators."
"I understand that, Keeper, but..." Norin caught the eye of a glaring Templar and immediately took a step back.
Rosseth gently held Norin's wrist to guide her back, "I hope the Dread Wolf faces you one day so that you may witness your true strength. This crowd of people mean you no harm."
Norin glanced up at the warming gaze of Rosseth's motherly, wrinkled jade-green eyes. She gave a meek smile before standing proudly next to Rosseth among the other mages. The room began to fill with more and more people and the room seemed to be getting stuffier by the minute. As the body heat grew, so did the tension between the magi and Templars. There were mages who spotted an abuser to them at one time and Templars caught sight of suspected blood mages. Norin's anxiety grew until Rosseth gave her shoulder a soft squeeze. Once again, Norin began to calm and gave a deep breath to ease her nerves.
"Fetch us a drink, Norin," Rosseth gently urged the First, "I saw a pitcher outside the room."
Norin slighlty nodded and nearly ran out of the room. She burst through the doors and placed her hands on her knees. Now that mostly everyone was in the great room Norin was relieved to be on her own. She stood up, her back was aching from the journey and she wanted to get out of her shoes as soon as she could. Once she popped her spine back into space, she noticed two magi approaching her. They were obviously shems, but none she had seen before. Their faces seemed calm and they didn't seem like they were going to ambush her.
"I haven't seen an elf before," a male shem awed Norin's appearance, "I didn't think they looked so... Mystical."
"I'm Brig and this is my simple friend Theorn," the female shem smiled down at Norin.
The First, unable to think of what to say to the two humans, shifted on her feet. She had only come across a few humans before and they weren't exactly friendly either. Then again, that was many moons ago and these humans were branded the same as her. Norin smiled in return as she push and imaginary lock of hair behind her sharp ears, "I'm Norin. I'm the First for my clan and my Keeper is here as well."
"I didn't know the Divine invited Dalish to join us today," Brig placed a hand on her hip, "I'm glad. That means that we're all going to be treated as people."
"Would that mean you would join our society?" Theorin asked as he looked to Norin.
"I don't think so," Norin could feel the explanation coming and didn't feel like going into full detail as to Dalish history and the purpose of their culture and whatnot, "But it would be nice in order to travel without fear of Templars capturing those who use magic."
There was an awkward silence before Norin recalled that she was to get Rosseth a drink. The magi seemed to perk up as well before Brig smiled wide, "I think it's about to start!"
Norin watched as the two quickly entered the grand room before turning to find a pitcher of water. She poured herself and Rosseth a cup before heading back to the room as well. The First was just about to reach the door when a bright green light emitted from the room and a blast that caused her to smash against the wall behind her. Norin could scent charred flesh and the sound of people screaming. What was going on? Her head raged with aching pain from the impact against the wall that as she managed to get back on her feet, a wave of nausea hit her. She reached for her staff. Whatever was going on, she needed to find out and fast. Norin ran to the great room to find a demonic creature raising the Divine into the air. The creature held an metallic orb that emitted the green light. A wave of nostalgia passed through Norin as she glowered at the scene, this was dark magic that had no business in a holy location.
"What is going on here!?" Norin shouted angrily as she raised her staff, "Release the Divine!"
Her eyes scanned the decimated crowds briefly hoping to find Rosseth somewhere. But she couldn't locate her Keeper before the creature turned it's putrid eyes on her. The Divine's eyes were filled with worry as she called out to Norin, "Run! Run while you still can!"
"How dare you interfere," the demonic creature growled as it raised the green-lit orb towards Norin.
Norin ran towards the creature with her hand out stretched, she would not let that orb or that creature cause any harm.
The events that occurred after that moment, Norin would never forget. She sat in the dank jail cell with her hands bound with a magical barrier. Her head still ached to a point where the pain almost felt normal. Then again, the nightmare of her time in what looked like the Fade made the pain worse. Norin sat in the corner of the jail cell as she waited for the Seeker to return for more questions. She hadn't the energy to speak and she knew her life was on the line if she didn't answer anything.
A door opened in the distance. Norin prepared for the screams of the Seeker and the threat of the guards, but this time she heard calm footsteps approach her cell. She coughed at the stench around her before Norin glanced up to see a bald elven man in front of her. He did not look like he was from her clan and she could not recognize if he hailed from Elvehan or Dalish background. His dark eyes scanned her before he opened her jail cell with a wave of his hand. Norin shifted in her spot, he was also gifted with magic as well.
"Cassandra wants your head on a platter," he stated as if this were going to happen, "She had not been informed that Dalish were to accompany the meeting with the Divine."
Norin's eyes cascaded to the floor. This seemed to displease the elf and he continued further, "Your injuries were enough to kill you ten times over. Yet you sit here in front of me in a silent manner. Tell me, how exactly do you expect me to keep you alive when you're trying to get yourself killed?"
A shooting pain raced up Norin's left arm as she felt the shock of her hand. She winced angrily as she emitted a groan, "I don't know!"
"She speaks?" the man's tone was obvious sarcasm, but the pain prevented Norin from allowing to respond, "Tell me your name, and I'll try to help you."
Her fiery eyes lit as she gazed up at him. She felt the power of embers within her soul, but she couldn't strike him. One, she didn't have a staff. Two, her hands were bound. Three, he seemed like he could actually help her. Norin bit her lip to stave off the rest of the shooting pain before exhaling deeply, "My name is Norin. I'm the First for my clan and my Keeper is-"
"Dead, i'm afraid," the man sat on a stool in front of her.
Norin kept her gaze as she took in the news. She had felt that perhaps the Keeper was dead, but hearing the news with her own ears held the confirmation that she had been dreading. Her back pressed against the stone wall behind her. The cool stones sent shivers down her spine from how cold they felt against her skin. She blinked a few times before nodding in almost agreement, "I had a feeling that she didn't make it either. Her soul walks a path I cannot follow."
The man didn't respond for a moment before standing up, "My name is Solas. I'm sure by now you know who Cassandra is and how you've managed to get yourself here. Since Cassandra is no longer safe to just bark orders at you without wanting to kill you, I will be doing the questioning until further notice."
"I'm sorry, but could you at least take off these," Norin lifted the metallic cuffs around her hands, "Without a staff i'm powerless."
Solas glanced down at the cuffs. He didn't have the keys to unlock them and by the looks of which Norin hadn't the ability to get them off. Norin lowered her cuffed hands and shifted once again to find a comfortable spot to sit.
"Did you forget that I am a mage as well?" Solas eyed her warily, "Your hands are the objects that control magic, a staff just makes it easier."
With a wave of his hand, the cuffs unhitched and Norin was able to rub her wrists from how sore they were. She glanced up at him with wide eyes before standing up as well, "Very well. What questions were you going to ask?"
"Solas!"
Both the elves turned to see the storming Seeker as she wielded her blade. Norin took a step back as Solas stood in between the two, "Seeker, I must insist that you leave the questioning to me."
"By all that is holy you shall step aside now!" Cassandra barked angrily.
"All that is holy is dead," Solas reminded Cassandra, who seemed to flare even more at the memory, "You requested that I question the prisoner. I hadn't even asked a single question yet."
"Can't I have a say?" Norin piped up though keeping her stance behind Solas.
Cassandra's eyes looked to Norin's now unbound wrist before glaring even harder at Solas, "What was going on here? Where are her cuffs? She should be bound because of her-"
"She has been free and has yet to burn down all of Haven," Solas countered as he took a step to the side to reveal Norin, "Perhaps you ought to lower your blade and calm yourself. Scaring the prisoner won't exactly have her talk."
Norin feared Cassandra already. She had not yet even spoken directly to the woman and already dreaded any conversation with her. Cassandra gave a long, rough sigh before sheathing her blade and approaching the two elves. Norin eagerly took another step back, her backside now against the stone wall. A red-haired woman walked swiftly from behind the Seeker and looked around the room. Tension was heavy in the air as Norin felt the prickling tingles in her finger tips. The fire within her burned as the two Shems stood in silence in front of them.
"Ah, I see you have unbound her," the red-haired women noticed, "Very well. I have news for you, Cassandra. Perhaps you should follow me."
Cassandra locked eyes with Norin. The Dalish woman could see the turmoil within Cassandra to know that she wanted to stay. For now, Cassandra swiftly left with the red-haired woman. Solas turned back to Norin and breathed deeply, "I apologize. Cassandra isn't trustworthy of either of us just yet. Sometimes I feel like I am a prisoner here as well."
Norin looked to Solas before asking, "Are there other elves here?"
"Several, but none of them are Dalish as your self or like me," Solas responded before sitting back on the stool and offering the other stool to her.
"Then what clan do you hail from?" Norin asked, Solas didn't hold any of the traditional markings nor did he have any insignia that could have told her what god his clan held dear.
"I am not Dalish or from a clan," Solas seemed to have sharp edge to his voice mentioning the Dales, "Their long-winded stories hold very little truth and searching the world for clues on the history of the Elven have done little to no good. I choose to follow the Fade for answers and to watch the actual history of our kind."
Norin narrowed her eyes on Solas as she pursed her lips before responding, "For your information, the Dalish have gathered a grand amount of information throughout the centuries of our kind and are continuously searching for more as well survive against other dangerous clans, Shemlans, and other natural enemies."
"And what can you tell me that's not already common knowledge?" Solas leaned forward, his piercing gaze seemed to match her own.
The fire burned within Norin's soul as she, too, leaned forward. However, she couldn't think of a single scrap of info that hadn't already been noted and stated in the annual meetings of the clans. She bit her bottom lip aggressively before abruptly standing up which knocked over the stool. Her fists were tight as she squeezed her nails into her palms, "I thought you had actual questions for me instead of your accusations and assumptions."
"I'm merely stating that-..." Solas stood, but Norin put her hand up to silence him, "You are correct, I am here to simply ask you questions regarding the Divine and her death."
"She has no place here!" Cassandra slammed her fist onto the war table, "If her questions are insufficient, she shall be placed on trial and her fate will be addressed!"
"The fact of the matter is," Josephine commented as she rubbed her temples to ease her headache, "She is the last person alive that has seen the Divine with her own eyes. All those who had seen the Divine are dead. Killing her will only mean we lose any information."
"Josephine is right," Leiliana agreed as she leaned against the cool wall, "With that mark on her left hand as well... That should be investigated."
"It was," Cassandra gritted her teeth, "Solas said it's inconclusive. He has no idea where it could have came from."
"The prisoner will answer the questions shortly," Cullen decided to speak seeing how the conversation was starting to make a full circle, "When Solas comes back, we'll get the information we need and make a decision. For now I need to go back to my troops."
The frigid night air met Cullen as soon as he left the chantry's safe walls as he walked out into the night. Haven had provided enough shelter to begin the Inquisition's operations, but he had a feeling that their cause would be growing and Haven won't be enough. He saw Solas leaving the prisoner's new location and quickly walk passed him without a word. The two had no reason to speak nor were they hostile to the other. Cullen wasn't too crazy for Solas as the elf wasn't exactly excited to see the ex-templar. Then again, Cullen rubbed the back of his head, he had too much to do as it was to worry about that trivial matter.
Cullen went down to see his soldiers were resting after a long day of training. At first he wanted to remind them that the enemies were still among them, but he didn't have the heart to scream that night. Instead, he went passed the fire with a goblet of wine and went to the nearby cliff. Haven's namesake came from that of it's location. Surrounded by hostile terrain and beasts that could devour a person in one bite, Haven brought peace to those who traveled nearby. He took a few gulps of his drink before taking in a long inhale of the crisp air. Kirkwall had a foul stench to it, even in the Gallows the stench could find him. And the circle in the Fereldon wasn't too clean either before...
"Is that wine?"
He nearly jumped off the cliff from the unexpected voice. Cullen spun around to see an elven woman, and after a brief looking of her face and markings he concluded that this was the prisoner Cassandra had described. However, she wasn't as fearsome looking as Cassandra made her out to be. In a simple silver garb with golden buttons, the Dalish woman seemed more frightened of him than he was of her.
"I'm sorry," she took a step back, "I'm very thirsty and-"
"No, here," Cullen held out the cup to her, "I'm surprised Cassandra let you leave the cabin."
By the way her eyes averted to the ground, Cassandra hadn't released her at all. Cullen knew it was right to take her back to the cabin. The Templar in him wanted to bound her hands while he had the chance, but the soldier in him told Cullen to let the prisoner drink and eat before returning her to the cabin. He watched her as she sipped the wine as a blush formed on her pale cheeks. The last time he had seen an elf was back in Kirkwall in the Gallows. He was half-elven but he looked more like an elf than a man. Cullen turned his gaze back to the rising moon in the distance as he noticed Norin moved to stand not too far from him to take in the sights as well.
"Has Solas asked the questions Cassandra wanted?" Cullen attempted to seek information as casually as he could.
She didn't respond right away. The way her breath hitched just before she opened her mouth then quickly sealing her lips. Was that a tell? Cullen decided not to put too much thought into it as he glanced back to the distance. She took another long sip of the wine before answering, "Tell me, do all shem...humans find elven foolish?"
Cullen turned slightly to the elven woman and saw that her gaze was serene. Though her tongue was sharp to form the words she spoke, she was able to keep herself calm. If she were a human woman, she would have made a fine diplomat or an ambassador as Josephine. Cullen tilted his head slightly before smirking, "Only as much as the elven deem humans foolish. Perhaps we're all fools."
This statement seemed to amuse the woman as she gave a half smile. Cullen watched as she drank more of the wine and the blush deepened on her cheeks. She didn't seem to be drunk off the wine, but the redness of the coloring affected her cheeks greatly. Placing the goblet on the ground, she stretched her arms to the sky before placing her hands behind her back. For some time she did not speak as Cullen waved over one of his soldiers to bring a plate of food for her. In fact, though she heard the order she did not say a word against it either. Once the plate was given to her, she slowly at the food as if forcing herself to eat in such a slow manner.
"Cassandra should have all the answers i'm able to give," Norin spoke once she finished her plate, "I hope to go home soon if she has no other reason to keep me."
"I'm sorry to hear about your mother," Cullen turned to her, "Solas had said earlier that you and her were at the meeting-"
"Rosseth wasn't my mother," Norin interrupted though her voice was soft, "She was my Keeper and a dear friend to me. My mother is with my clan."
"I'm sorry," Cullen quickly admitted as his eyes softened, "I don't know your culture very well. But a loss is still a sorrowful feeling whether it be a friend, family, or Keeper."
Once again, he seemed to save himself as Norin glanced up at him in a sympathetic manner. He must have struck a nerve and didn't want to anger the woman further. Though she was their prisoner, she was not hostile towards anyone yet and had seemed to be innocent in the entire matter. Cullen watched as she walked away to the cabin she had escaped from. He would remind his soldiers not to bring up the matter with anyone. Cullen took the goblet and plate back to the soldiers before heading off to bed himself.
Meanwhile, Solas toyed with the small cup of tea that was brought to him. He detested it. The aroma was far too string and the flavor was too rich. His mind mulled over the day's events of capturing and interrogating Norin. It seemed wrong to keep one of the Dalish captive though his view on them was less than positive. He blew out the candle in his office and began to pull the curtains together when he noticed a figure lingering in the captive's cabin. Though he had intentionally left the door unlocked for her to roam Haven freely, he hadn't intended for her to have...visitors. This seemed odd. Solas quickly grabbed his staff and walked at a near job pace where her cabin was to find the door slightly cracked open.
Solas moved through the door to see a few of the Shemlan living within Haven's walls on their knees in front of her. Norin's eyes were in a state of panic as she backed away from the bowing people. She quickly moved around the people as they asked her not to go before she left the cabin with Solas trailing behind her. Norin was out of breath, as if she had been holding her breath when they entered, and put her hands to her knees to calm down, "I can't stay here..."
"They believe you were saved by Andraste," Solas reminded Norin, "To them, you are a sign of their religion."
"I am Dalish," Norin stated matter of factly before gesturing to herself, "Nothing about me exactly screams that I am a human deity."
"You are the Herald," an older woman left Norin's cabin, "It is said that Andraste guided you from the fade to be among us. You hold the power to close rifts."
"That has not been proven!" Norin felt the mark on her hand ache as she instinctively placed it behind her back, "I am just an elf. I have nothing special about me."
"What is going on here?" Cassandra swaggered up to the now growing group of humans with Solas and Norin, "And why are you out of your... Nevermind, I am obviously just a noise-maker to you since you go out of your way to defy me."
"I want to go back to my clan!" Norin's voice was now more heated as she marched over to Cassandra, "I have answered your questions, and I have no desire to remain here further. Since my Keeper Rosseth's death, I am now Keeper of my clan and have the duty to return to them!"
Cassandra's eyes went to Solas as he briefly nodded. He gently took Norin's wrist and began to guide her towards the gates of Haven. The group of humans and Cassandra followed as Norin, confused, went along with whatever was going on. Solas stopped right at the gate and turned to Norin while giving her wrist a gentle squeeze, "Do you have faith in the Dalish gods?"
Norin raised a brow as she returned his gaze. She nodded softly before Solas slightly smirked, "You should have more faith in your own abilities. Come, we will see if i'm right about your mark."
The gates were opened as Solas, guiding Noring by the wrist with a flood of people following with Cassandra leading the mass, walked down to where a small rift was open and bleeding into the realm. Norin felt the mark quiver, almost with excitement, as they neared the bright green scab floating in mid air. Shadows and demons began to emerge from the rift, Cassandra and other soldiers were swift to engage them in a battle while Solas casually walked Norin to the rift. As soon as they were close enough, Norin broke away from Solas as she gazed up at the emerald rift. So this is what she walked out of with, apparently, Andraste? Her mind felt as if she were being blinded by brief moments in her memory. She remembered a woman... The Divine? Andraste? A brighter light emerged from the rift and momentarily blinded Norin. She raised her hand to the rift and felt the mark beginning to tremble within her flesh and an unusual feeling tingled up her arm. Norin opened her eyes to see that her mark was absorbing the rift. More and more of the rift entered in her mark before it disappeared in a cloud of smoke. The remaining demons were quickly slain and the crowd of humans began to cheer with delight.
Solas approached Norin once again with a smirk. Norin couldn't hide her smile, feeling as if she really was able to make that rift disappear on her own made her feel as if she were on the hunt once again. It was as if she were back in her clan. Solas took her hand and examined before looking to her, "I see I was right. It looks like you won't be going anywhere."
Then, Norin had a sinking feeling. If the mark was able to take out the rifts, she wouldn't be able to just leave for her clan. Cassandra walked up to the two elves as she sheathed her sword. Norin waited for Cassandra to make a remark about her not leaving, but the woman's hardened eyes actually softened. The female Shem lowered her voice, "I'm afraid I cannot let you return to your clan. I'm sorry, but you must remain here and be apart of the Inquisition."
It was a new path to take for a Dalish elf. To work among humans was considered highly dangerous for her kind. Now, she didn't have that option to leave. Norin nodded in agreement as she began to follow the others back. If Rosseth had been the one to survive with the mark, she would have agreed willingly to be apart of the cause. Norin, with a sunken heart, was not as excited as her former Keeper would have been. She sighed deeply as her eyes went to the ground. Rosseth should have been the one who lived and she should have... It was done. Fate, Andraste, the old Dalish gods or whoever had decided that Rosseth's fate was to be among the spirits as Norin's was to be among the humans.
"May our paths meet again, Keeper," Norin spoke in a hush whisper as she entered Haven's gates.