Chapter 1
"I can't," he breathed solemnly, his hands raised to push her away.
"Solas," Neria cried out to him, but he would not turn back. Falling to her knees she wrapped her arms around herself, her eyes prickling with tears. When Neria no longer felt the remnants of his aura, the dam on her emotions broke and everything rose to the surface. Rocking back and forth she sobbed knowing that no one would hear her cries. He never loved you, you fool, she thought to herself. As she stayed there huddled, alone in that glen, a mixture of emotions poured through her, coiling up within her. First it was grief and confusion. Then it all turned to anger. It continued to build up, the mark on her hand flaring with each passing moment. With a silent scream she unleashed her fury with an overwhelming power. The entire den flashed with a fierce green light. Tumbling forward, tears continuing to fall, Neria's hands covered her eyes.
Forcing the tears to stop, she slowly made her way over to the pool to wash her face. She crouched down, her fingertips just grazing the surface when she stopped. Looking into the mirror-like pool was not the woman she expected to find. Her eyes were swollen, her red curls untamed as a result of Crestwood's unnatural air moisture, but those were not the details that threw her.
"Ar lasa mala revas," he had said moments before he left her in the rain. Knelt there by the water side, Neria finally understood what it meant to feel the whole world change. She raised her hands to trace where her vallaslin had once been. No longer did she bear the markings that showed her dedication to June. They were gone along with all the joy she had once held within her. Now, she was well and truly alone.
Rising to stand, she took off in a sprint through the tunnel. The voices of the Well chased her. She threw her hands over her ears. Just as she began to see the light at the end, there was a great whit flash. Shielding her eyes, Neria fell down to the ground. When the light had faded she let her arm fall. It was bright, nearly midday. "How did I get here? This isn't real,"she thought aloud while letting her eyes adjust. Squinting she looked at the ground before her, to find a pair of feet wrapped in cloth.
Looking up she found Solas' face directly in front of her, "That's a matter of debate… probably best discussed after you wake up."
"Wake up. Inquisitor, wake up, please?" asked a soft, and familiar voice.
Neria felt a hand on her shoulder and a dull pain throughout her body. Particularly in her back. Opening her eyes, she saw blond hair and a bright flash of metal through her sleepy haze. Cullen, she thought with a grimace as she moved her legs slightly.
"Fenedhis, did I sleep here all night?" she groaned, while looking around the campsite. Varric was working on Bianca, Bull and Dorian were both gone, as was Cassandra. Vivienne was busy getting dressed, while Sera was still asleep in her bedroll, while Blackwall was grooming her beard. Cole was… well she didn't know exactly what Cole was up to. Neria glanced back at the tree she had slept against.
Cullen chuckled and held out his hand to help her stand, "Glad to see you're still a morning person."
Neria cut her eyes at him, "Yes, well, we can't all be so dapper when the sun isn't even up yet." Cullen shook his head and headed over towards the horses still laughing. Ignoring him, Neria shuffled over to her saddle bag and dug out a clean pair of clothes, and a bar of soap.
"Inquisitor," greeted Cassandra stepping through the trees. Neria mumbled a quick reply and headed for the creek.
After walking quite a ways up stream in order to avoid Bull and Dorian she finally slipped off her clothes and moved into the water. While it was cold enough to make sure anyone who entered would be wide awake, it was still warm enough for Neria to submerge herself and purge her recent dream from her mind. It's been so long since I heard the Well. And Solas… Bitterness ran through her. After holding her breath for as long as possible she finally resurfaced, whipping her hair back. Going to the creek side for her soap, she began to wash her face when she heard a twig snap behind her on the other bank. Whirling around the mark on her hand ignited with green light. Opening a small tear, she found her weapon. Reaching into the fade, she pulled her staff to her through the window then slammed it shut with another flash of light. Readying herself for an attack she spoke to the unknown intruder, "Who's there? Show yourself."
After several seconds Neria began to move towards the opposite bank, where the sound had originated, her staff pointed forwards. Sending a wave of energy forward, she stopped when she heard a shrill scream, "Mamae, Mamae!"
Surprised Neria lowered her staff, and crouched down in the water, "Sshhh, it's okay I'm not going to harm you da'len. Come out so I may see you." The bushes rustled and a small figure, a girl, stepped forward. From a first look, she must have been about four or five. Her black hair was braided back, with sticks and leaves stuck into it as though she had been running through the forest. It was her clothes though that were most alarming. In the faint light of the sunrise, Neria could make out one crucial detail. The child's clothes were covered in blood.