By the Maker

by severingfate

Max Trevelyan is the oldest male Trevelyan and as such is sent to the conclave. He is worried that he's going to screw things up for his family but tries not to let it show. The unthinkable happens and suddenly Max is the "Herald of Andraste." His life has been turned upside down but most of all by Lady Josephine Montilyet of the Inquisition. Will he be a legend or a failure?

Marbled halls with deep ruby red banners hanging on the walls and hundreds of candles flickering in the darkness stood before me. The Chantry was my home away from home, as it was for many Trevelyans. Tonight however, it provided me no solace. The Mage Rebellions that had started nearly a year ago had come to ahead, neither the mages nor the Chantry could continue on like this much longer. Something had to be done, and quickly. The Divine, Most Holy Justinia V, had called a conclave for all to discuss the conflict and come up with a resolution. It would be the largest gathering of Mages, Templars and Chantry laity in the history of Thedas.

I, Lord Maxwell Trevelyan the third, as the oldest son of Bann Joseph Trevelyan, would be attending the conclave to assist my family in the proceedings. At age twenty-five I was an exceptionally skilled warrior; however, this would be the first time my words and my mind would be put to the test over my sword. I was unsure if I was ready for such responsibility but as the oldest son I had little choice in the matter. I'm the spitting image of my father when he was my age albeit, without the hair. I preferred my head shaved, it made my bright cerulean blue eyes my most noticeable feature along with my strong jawline. I stand just over six feet tall with the girth one would expect of a life-long warrior.

I was staring at the stained glass depiction of the corruption of the Golden City when someone lightly touched my arm, it was my father.

"Are you ready?" He asked me, his stalwart voice reverberating off the marble walls. It was a good thing we were the only ones in the Chantry at the moment.

I nodded my head, "I will do my duty faithfully."

He clapped me on the back thunderously, "I know you will make me proud my boy. The family is depending on you. You will do admirably in the Maker's sight I am sure."

I took that as my cue to leave and headed for the exit. In a few hours' time I would be at the Temple of Sacred Ashes.

The Temple of Sacred Ashes towered above me in gray flagstone. People from all over Thedas were bustling about, all races seemed to be represented, and even Qunari were present as hired bodyguards. I tried to look like I belonged as I searched for my cousin Lily, a chantry sister. I climbed Maker knows how many stairs in my search.

I paused outside a set of double doors when I heard what sounded like arguing.

"Somebody! Please help me!" A woman cried.

I burst through the door without a moment's hesitation. "What's going on here?"

That's the last thing I remember.