.: BLESSED IS SHE :.
For she shall stand before the betrayer, his might unflinching
And in that moment of wanton despair, she will find the Maker's light
A blazing mark upon her hand, unable to be sundered
Blessed is she, who unknowingly walks in the Maker's sight
For He turned His gaze upon her, and whispered to her heart
"Blessed are the righteous, the lights in the shadow."
‡
She had not expected a dragon to rear its ugly head, though at first she hadn't even been sure it was a dragon. Fire as red as blood had rained down from the sky as she finished turning the catapult, and then a figure slowly emerged in the shimmering flames. Ravene faltered, taking a step back and clinging desperately to her staff as she glanced back at three with her.
"Go!" She ordered, leaving no room to argue. They ran, probably expecting her to be right behind. Ravene however, stayed. She had told the others she would see this through, and she planned to keep her word.
If anything, she could at least prove a mage could keep a promise.
Then the figure walked through the terrible fire and became a man – or what was left of one. He was a creature: a long, gangly thing with stretched flesh and armour fused into his mutant body. Red lyrium, like that she had seen sprouting up all over the Hinterlands and Storm Coast, was protruding from his face, like some sort of crest. His eyes told her far too much about him, he had little regard for life and even less for her.
Thief, heretic, traitor – a mage that stood against his infernal plight, that's what she was to him. Ravene honestly had never seen a darkspawn, and this thing, this Elder One - Corypheus, was her first. They glared at each other with equal disgust, though for different reasons.
His dragon snarled as it landed, its wings torn and split. Its body was like his, diseased and malformed, the beast looked pained as it encroached, spewing spit as it snapped its jaws near her. He spoke to her, arrogant and condescending, hateful yet full of twisted purpose. Ravene found herself almost inspired by his zealous belief, but its corrupt nature through her off.
She had saved the Templars, a move he had not expected and they had valiantly helped fend off his first wave of Venatori and rebel mages. This was the third time she had stood in the Elder One's way, and he wanted to correct that.
"Abomination." She spat, as he tried to pull the mark from her hand – something he called the Anchor.
"Pretender." His retort was as hateful as ever, and as the brand refused his purge he hurried forward faster than she gave him credit for. He told her how she stole it, his creation and tool. Now it was permanent and she smiled, Ravene actually smiled at Corypheus. It was snide and rude and absolutely wondrous. His response was priceless. More insults, and then he tossed her away.
As her back hit the trebuchet, she realized he was far stronger then he appeared. She stifled her groan as she got to feet, snatching a sword and pointing it towards him. A glorious end to an otherwise uneventful life, Ravene stood as she imagined a heroine captured in a mural would. Long crimson hair flowing in the harsh Frostback winds, eyes crackling with magical potential – Vivienne would've been proud of her magnetic prowess.
"You will die."
And in the distance, a fiery arrow shot into the sky.
Ravene's infuriating smile returned, "Not today."
‡
The first avalanche had been a sight to see, watching as the Elder One's forces were obliterated by a raging wave of ice and snow. In a defiant move the Herald of Andraste has not only given her small force a moment of reprieve, but she had delivered them hope in a time of need. Single action had evened the playing field, an admirable move.
The second avalanche, everyone found – had a distinctly different feel. It was larger, carrying rock and tree with it as it careened down the mountainside. What remained of the Inquisition watched as a brave, red-haired mage stood against an Archdemon and madman. Then as the tidal wave of debris reached them, the dragon fled and the snow consumed her, snuffing out that magnificent light that had bound them all together in darkness.
Ravene was gone.