Chapter 1: Meeting Tranquil- Part 1
A story brought to you by LadyHawke361 and aoidescop!
Chapter Summary: The worst has happened! The Conclave has been destroyed! The only survivor stepped out of a rift and collapsed, bearing a green glowing mark in her left hand and a Chantry symbol branded into her forehead…
The Elven Apostate paced around a small hamlet restlessly. He was rather perturbed by the news his spies brought to him. They recounted a massive explosion that destroyed the Temple of Sacred Ashes, razing it down to the bedrock. Only a few walls remained partially standing. The spies also informed him that an elf with a glowing green mark on the left hand was the sole survivor of the explosion.
I must go to Haven and inspect the survivor. The Apostate thought as his mind harried off towards Haven. The mark he bears may well be the key I need to fulfill my objective... I suppose there is no time like the present.
The Apostate headed out on foot towards what remained of the Temple of Sacred Ashes. I wonder what I will find. Will I be able to convince those holding the survivor to let me examine him? He stopped to collect his thoughts and his breath. His eyes focused on the road to Haven. No matter, I will cross whatever bridges that comes to me. I must do whatever it takes to fix my greatest mistake...!
The Apostate used his staff as a walking stick, practicing his gait. He needed to appear non-threatening and nothing more than a mere hedge mage. A hedge mage who happened to know a great deal about the Fade and Spirits. I must appear humble and non-threatening. A wanderer with nothing to hide! He thought as he slowed his gait. There was no need to rush things. Nothing good ever came from hurrying things along. The Apostate took a deep breath and continued his journey.
When he found himself less than a mile from Haven, several soldiers stopped him from continuing.
"Hark, stranger! Where are you headed to?" One of the soldiers shouted at him.
The Apostate bowed humbly to the soldiers before speaking softly. "I was in a nearby hamlet when I felt something happen to the veil. I travelled towards the disturbance in hopes that I might be able to offer aid." As he spoke he removed his staff, offering it to the soldiers as a sign of good faith.
The soldier who stopped him grunted his acknowledgement before he ordered two other soldiers to accompany the Elf to Sister Leliana. "Make sure he gets to Sister Leliana in one piece." He added, giving them a sharp look before handing the staff to the escorts.
The Apostate followed quietly, giving the soldiers no reason to distrust him. Upon arriving in Haven, he was lead up to a large tent near the Chantry. Within was a human woman with red hair and face that masked her feeling from the scrutiny of others.
The soldier with his staff spoke to her, "Lady Nightingale, this knife-ear claims to be able to help. He offered his staff to us without a fight."
Sister Leliana studied the mage in front of her carefully, before speaking coldly towards the soldier.
"Soldier, do not judge someone for their ears alone. I'd better not hear you use knife-ear in my presence again!" The hard look she gave the soldier had him shaking in his boots.
"Y-yes, Lady Nightingale. S-sorry." He stuttered as he backed away, understanding he had crossed the line. Sister Leliana sighed before turning her attention to the Apostate.
"My apologies, mage. Some of us here aren't as open-minded as I'd hoped them to be. I understand that you felt the explosion as well?" Sister Leliana spoke softly.
Surprised by Leliana's sincere words, the Apostate nodded, with a soft smile. "My name is Solas, my lady. Yes - I indeed felt the explosion. I also saw the tear in the sky over the area where Temple of Sacred Ashes once stood. My lady, my travels thus far have allowed me to learn much of the Fade. I therefore humbly offer you my knowledge and expertise. The Breach must be closed, or we are all doomed."
"Breach? Is that what that thing should be called?" Her question was pensive as she eyed the swirling Rift hanging over the Temple.
"I believe so. It is a rip in the Veil. There are, of course, other smaller rips that have formed as well. These small rips are called Rifts, they can happen naturally in places that have seen much bloodshed. Spirits are drawn to such places and push against the Veil. The Breach is a much larger Rift - one that could conceivably grow to swallow the world." Solas spoke cautiously, bowing humbly to Leliana. He needed to be careful with his choice of words. He was fully aware that knowledge of the Fade was something most people weren't comfortable with. Most mages with such knowledge were avoided, or worse, treated like madmen. Solas looked at Sister Leliana, hoping that she wouldn't ask him to delve into the subject further.
"How do you know all this? The few mages we have here are terrified and uncertain about what is happening." Leliana glanced at Solas with a bit of uncertainty.
"I have studied the Fade since my youth, my lady. I have traveled across Thedas, sleeping in ruins and battlefield to learn all I could. I only wish to help." Solas bowed. "Please let me help. The survivor may well be the key to solving the problem of the Breach. If I could just examine him for a..." Sister Leliana put her hand up to stop Solas in mid sentence.
"You mean her. The survivor is a female Elf. She has some kind of a mark that glows in the same shade as the Breach." Leliana thought for a moment before handing his staff back to him. "Follow me, by the Maker I hope you can help her. The healer we have with her now is certain the mark is killing her."
With a quick nod, Solas followed Sister Leliana down into the cells beneath the Chantry. Here, Solas was introduced to the seeker, Cassandra Pentaghast. Cassandra glared at him as he entered the cell. As Cassandra spoke, Solas could feel the harshness in her voice.
"We're going to trust an Apostate's words over the teachings of the Chantry?" Her incredulity with the situation could've cut the tension in half. Solas weakly smiled at her, which was rebuffed by a huff and a scornful glare. Leliana sighed and started to speak.
"Yes. What choice do we have, Cassandra? You and I both know that the teachings of the Chantry do not have all the answers. So far, everything he has said to me is proving to be true. The Breach is growing and several of my agents have reported lesser Rifts opening in the Breach's wake. Perhaps… perhaps a mage with non-traditional knowledge could help us fix this mess." Leliana's quiet yet honest words rang of truth. Cassandra didn't reply. Leliana continued.
"Plus, he maybe the only one capable of helping the prisoner. Would you rather prefer that she die before we get answers to all the questions the Breach presents us with?" Cassandra sighed in exasperation. She knew that Sister Leliana was right.
"Very well. You! Mage! You may do whatever Sister Leliana asks you to do. Know that I don't trust you!" Cassandra said, gritting her teeth.
Solas remained silent throughout their heated discussion. When Cassandra fell silent, Solas gave a respectful bow.
"I understand, Seeker. I shall endeavor to prove my worth." Solas cleared his throat. He was becoming a little nervous.
"May I examine the prisoner now?" He asked with a calm he did not feel. He needed to maintain his humble posture. He knew that Cassandra didn't trust him - yet Solas didn't want to let this opportunity slip through his fingers either. He stood politely, waiting for Cassandra's next move.
Without saying a word, Cassandra pointed towards a small bed. "I'll be watching your every move, mage. Don't try anything… funny." Cassandra snarled at him.
Solas bowed again before slowly approaching a hunched figure on the bed. Solas' heart started to beat faster with each step. He was exhilarated, yet apprehensive. As he approached the figure slowly, the hunched elf shifted and sat up to look at Solas. Solas stopped and gasped. The elf was a tranquil. He could see the Chantry brand on her forehead. Oh no, he thought. This can't be…
"Hello, mage." The figure greeted Solas with monotone voice. "How may I be of service to you?" Solas gulped and bowed humbly. He knew that both Sister Leliana and Cassandra was watching his every move.
"I - my name is Solas, dear lady. I - I believe that the breach has affected you deeply." Solas stammered. Keep it together, Solas! He thought. Think of the task on hand.
The elf's mouth curled up into what one would call a smile. What a funny smile! Solas thought as he examined her closely. The elf had long, red hair, with hints of gold scattered throughout her braid. Her large, languid eyes reminded Solas of the stormy sea. The elf's expression was rather unsettling, and her Chantry brand made Solas feel sick to his stomach.
"I suppose so. It's a little uncomfortable." The elf replied. Solas sighed. He wasn't getting anywhere. He decided to try a different tact.
"And what name do you go by, my dear lady?" Solas asked carefully. He could see Cassandra smirking from the corner of his eyes. He decided to ignore the seeker for the time being.
"I believe that you are asking for my name, mage. My name is Rithra." The elf hesitated before stretching out her hand. Rithra knew that her presence made people uncomfortable. She often tried to mitigate the tension, however very few people found her to be pleasant. One of the things that had worked for her in the past was shaking people's hands.
"R-rithra. What a lovely name." Solas stammered again. "I'm here to help you, Rithra. I believe that the mark is growing… and because of this it is damaging your body. May I heal you?"
Rithra studied the Mage in front of her before nodding slowly. She passed her left hand to him, as she did, the pain flared in her hand. "It is quite uncomfortable." She muttered in her monotone voice, her eyes glued to the flaring mark in her hand.
Taking her hand in his, Solas studied the Mark while sending tendrils of his magic into it. He worked to heal the flesh surrounding the Mark as it tried to unravel her body. He was so focused on his task that when she fell forward into him, it came as a surprise. Rithra had lost consciousness again.
"What did you do, mage!" Cassandra bellowed as she stood up. Leliana, who had been quietly observing Solas, put her hand out to stop Cassandra from ripping Solas' throat.
"Rithra - she must be under a tremendous amount of pain. If she wasn't a tr... No matter, we must be swift at closing the Breach." Solas replied as he gently lay her back onto the cot, trying to make her comfortable before returning to the Mark.
As he focused on the mark he murmured to Sister Leliana and Seeker Pentaghast. "I am actually quite surprised she woke at all. I hear that she fell out of the Fade?"
"Yes, mage. Our soldiers saw her step out of a Rift at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. She subsequently fell unconscious. The Mark in her hand was flaring in time with the expanding Breach, like now." Leliana informed him.
"Walking physically into the Fade should have killed her. No mortal is meant to do such a thing. We can only hope that she will regain consciousness again." Solas' concerned eyes met Leliana's.
Leliana's eyes darkened. She knew what Solas meant. The elf - Rithra - was a valuable informant. Her eyes shifted to the mage. "Solas, do you think it is possible to close the Rifts that have opened in the wake of the Breach?"
Cassandra's eyes narrowed as she shot a look at the Mage hunched over Rithra. She didn't trust Solas, and didn't understand how Leliana could give her trust so easily to an… outsider, who happened to turn up just at the right time.
Solas brought his attention back to Leliana. "Possibly. The only true way to find out is to go to one and attempt to close it." He glanced back at Rithra, and sighed. From the mark on her forehead, he could tell that she was a Tranquil. It disturbed him deeply. He took a deep breath and continued.
"There really is not much more that can be done for her." Solas said as he looked at Leliana and Cassandra. "However, I would like to stay with her for the rest of the night to observe. Perhaps then, tomorrow, with your permission, I could go to one of the nearby Rifts and attempt to close it. There will be demons, there is no doubt on that. I will need assistance with the demons. If you could send someone to accompany me, that would be a great help." Solas finished speaking. He knew that it was a big request, especially for someone who wasn't part of the Chantry. Solas waited silently for Leliana's response.
Unbeknownst to those in the cells, a bright-eyed dwarf was listening in intently. Fortunately for the dwarf, he was hidden from everyone's view. Well, well, well. Will you listen to that! The survivor is a Tranquil, and the Mage plans on trying to close one of those tears… No... he called them Rifts. How interesting. I think I'll just have to tag along tomorrow. The dwarf thought as he smirked to himself. As the Dwarf was considering what he had heard, he heard the voice of the one called Cassandra.
"That actually sounds like a well reasoned plan. I will ask for some volunteers to go with you to a nearby Rift. Will two soldiers be enough for you? I plan to remain here and guard the prisoner. She at the very least might know of the events leading up to the explosion." Cassandra said, with softness in her voice. Solas smiled. Perhaps he was getting better at acting humble. He nodded as he stood next to the prisoner.
"Any willing help will be appreciated, seeker Cassandra. For all our sakes I do hope Rithra wakes up again." Solas said with respect in his voice. Cassandra snorted, but didn't reply. She was started to warm up a little to this strange mage.
Leliana nodded in agreement. "We should all seek some rest. Tomorrow will be a difficult day and it will arrive all too soon."
As Leliana spoke the last word, the Dwarf made a beeline to the exit. He nonchalantly walked out of the Chantry and to his favorite fire to warm himself and consider his next move. This is going to make one hell of a story! He thought with a grin. What a luck!
Shortly after, Leliana and Cassandra emerged from the Chantry as well. They parted ways, each heading to their respective quarters to get some much needed rest.
Having been left with Rithra and a handful of guards, Solas sat in a quiet contemplation. Can a Tranquil make effective use of the Mark? Even when they are completely cut off from the Fade and it's influence? He pondered in deep thought as he let his worries wash over him. It was going to be a long night for him.
Rithra slowly blinked, waking to dull, yet intermittent sensation in the palm of her left hand. She sat up slowly from her small bed. Looking around, she realised that the Mage - what was his name? - from earlier was gone. The soldiers, however were still outside of the cell she was in. Their low voice made a humming noise that soothed her. What an interesting day. Rithra thought to herself. It will be interesting to see what happens now.
Rithra started to swing her legs from left to right. She was bored. The pain didn't bother her at all. The boredom however, did. Her movement brought the attention of the soldiers. As one soldier entered her cell with some shackles, another left her guard.
The soldier with the shackles smirked as he started to speak slowly. "Be a good little knife-ear and let me put these shackles on you. Then we'll go for a short walk. Sounds good?" Rithra nodded, and lifted her hands up to the soldier. She was used to the way people behaved towards her. For some reason, her lack of emotions made them think that she was a child. The soldier muttered good knife-ear as he put the shackles on her. Rithra felt the cold metal touching her wrist, but didn't flinch. Why fight the inevitable? She thought. Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody's going to die. If only these people understood such truth… Rithra thought as the soldier stepped backwards and admired his handiwork.
"There. Don't you feel better? You are a good prisoner. I dislike those who put up a good fight. They make me feel like I'm not doing a good job. Do you want to go for a walk now?" The soldier said as he sat on one of the stools. "We have to wait for my associate though. What happened anyway? Ah - don't tell me. Lady Nightingale will get upset at me again. How are you feeling anyway? It must've been pretty big explosion, the one you were in. I'm surprised that you're still here." The soldier said with a slight compassion in his voice.
Rithra didn't respond. She didn't really care what the soldier had to say. Rithra wondered what happened to her master. No matter, Rithra thought. The explosion probably consumed his body, leaving nothing but a charred husk. Shame. The soldier's voice snapped Rithra out of her thoughts.
"Hey, did you hear anything I said? Have you lost your hearing too?" The soldier said with annoyance in his voice. Rithra realised that he wasn't happy. She turned around to face the soldier, and started to speak.
"Yes, soldier. I'm fine. The dull sensation is still there but it doesn't bother me. I'm not sure what happened at the temple. There was an explosion, and well, I'm here." Rithra said softly. The soldier looked confused. He couldn't tell whether she was upset or happy. These bloody tranquils! The soldier thought. At that moment, Leliana and Cassandra entered the cell with the other soldier.
"Rithra! You are awake." Leliana said, with a hint of relief in her voice. Cassandra harrumphed before scowling at Rithra, "Tell me, elf, what happened at the Temple? Give me one reason why I should not kill you this instant!" Leliana fidgeted, but did not speak. Instead, she leaned against the wall, waiting for Rithra's reply.
Rithra tilted her head to the side as she considered the Seeker's words. "My master brought me with him to Divine Justinia's Conclave. He wanted me to keep a record for him of what transpired there. However, I cannot recall what happened after we arrived at the Temple of Sacred Ashes." Her lack of inflection disconcerted both Leliana and Cassandra.
Straightening herself from where she had been leaning, Leliana stepped between Rithra and Cassandra, while laying a hand on Cassandra's upper arm. Cassandra tightened her fist but didn't lunge at Rithra. Turning her eyes to Rithra, Leliana started to speak softly.
"What do you remember, Rithra?" Rithra hummed in a monotonous tone as she recollected the broken images in her own mind. "I remember things - big things - some giant spiders? Chasing me… Then there was a… woman reaching out to me. After that I woke here."
Rithra stopped talking. Her memories were too sparse. There really was no better way to explain.
Cassandra sighed in exasperation, "Fine! If that's how you want to play the game, that's fine with me. Leliana, why don't you head to the forward camp. I will take the Prisoner to the Rift." Cassandra knelt in front of Rithra to remove the shackles. Rithra's respite didn't last too long, as Cassandra tied Rithra's hands together with a bit of rope.
Rithra blankly watched Cassandra perform her task. As Cassandra finished the last loop, out of the blue, Rithra blurted out.
"What actually happened?" Cassandra didn't reply, but instead, pulled Rithra to a standing position.
"It will be easier to show you. Let's go." With that, Cassandra led Rithra out of the Chantry where Rithra got her first sight of the Breach. Cassandra continued. "We call it the Breach. It is not the only such Rift, though it is the largest one."
As Cassandra finished speaking, the Breach expanded. Rithra fell to her knees as the Mark flared intensely. Cassandra frowned in concern as she stared at the elf trying to control her body from reacting to intense pain. Cassandra continued to speak as she knelt beside Rithra.
"Each time the Breach expands, so does your Mark. I believe that it is killing you. Your Mark, however, may be the key." Cassandra finished speaking as Rithra regained control.
"The key to what, seeker?" Rithra replied as she cocked her head to the side. To an observer, it would appear that Rithra was curious about the situation. However, Rithra just wanted to know the truth. Cassandra wasn't making any sense. She wondered why people spoke in riddles. Rithra believed that plain, simple, yet direct language was the key to clear communication.
Cassandra sighed. Holding a conversation with a Tranquil needed plethora of patience.
"The Mark you hold may be the key to closing the Breach. Before we can be certain, however, it must be tested on something smaller first." Rithra nodded as she gazed at the Breach.
"I suppose I caused the Breach." Rithra replied flatly. Cassandra shook her head immediately .
"No. Even I know that it would be impossible for you to cause this, cut off from magic as you are." Cassandra took a pause. She could feel her anger bubbling to the surface again. "However, I feel that you hold the answers to events at the Conclave that led to this… Breach. Surely you can remember something. No funny games, elf!" Cassandra said, gritting her teeth. Rithra didn't flinch. Human emotions didn't bother her. If that's how Cassandra felt, there was nothing she could do about it.
"I suppose we should go to the Rift and find out if I can help." Rithra said as she picked herself up to leave. Rithra was curious to find out what exactly happened at the Conclave. It was rather strange that she could only remember the fragments of the events. It was stranger that she survived - yet no-one else did.
"I would like to know if I can be of any service. Without my Master, I am at loose ends with nothing to contribute to the greater good." Rithra replied as she stared at Cassandra. A shocked look passed across Cassandra's face as she heard Rithra's words.
"You want to help?" She asked incredulously. Rithra sighed. It was rather difficult talking to one with so many emotional states. She smiled to provide Cassandra with much needed reassurance. Her experiences had taught her that a smile was all that was needed in most situations.
"While one continues to live, one needs to be useful. Why waste the air and sunlight otherwise?" Rithra replied abruptly. Taking a step forward, Rithra waited for Cassandra to process her words before leading the way to the Rift.
As they journeyed towards the Rift, Cassandra thought back to earlier events.
Solas left the Chantry not long after the sun rose in the sky. He quickly found Leliana in her tent. To Solas' dismay, Cassandra the seeker was at her side. Not wanting to waste his breath, Solas decided to get to his point.
"I spent most of the night studying Rithra's Mark. I believe that with it, we might be able to close the Rifts and perhaps the Breach itself." Solas took a pause to allow Leliana and Cassandra process his words. He continued. "Regardless of Rithra's co-operation, I will still try to close a Rift. However, I feel we may have more success with the Mark to aid us." Solas finished speaking with worried look in his eyes. His voice, however, instilled confidence in Leliana.
For the first time since the Breach, Leliana felt the stirrings of hope. As she looked at the mage with hopeful eyes, Cassandra huffed and brought Leliana's hopes crashing down.
Cassandra uttered a snort of derision as she slowly spoke her words.
"You believe? You only believe? We need facts and certainty. Not groundless hopes. We are soldiers, Mage, and hope never gets us anywhere. Mark my words, mage. I will only believe your words if the prisoner wakes and willingly accompanies me to our chosen Rift. Let's see if you all manages to close it." Cassandra finished her last words with bitterness in her voice. Leliana sighed. She knew Cassandra, and her personality.
Leliana gestured to the other two to join her at her map. As she pointed to the map, she glanced at Solas.
"There is a Rift here that my scouts found. Solas, the one who found it has volunteered to lead you to it. I think…" Cassandra interrupted Leliana as she stared at the mage.
"As you requested, the soldiers who volunteered are also waiting at the gate with the scout." Solas flinched in shock, but didn't say a word. Instead, he bowed humbly towards Cassandra as he mumbled a thank-you. Cassandra paused as she studied Solas carefully. The mage wasn't offensive. However, Cassandra felt that there was some hidden agenda behind the mage's courteous gesture.
"I wish you luck, Mage. I expect to hear some good news next time we meet." Cassandra said as Solas turned around to leave the tent. Solas didn't reply. He also needed some good news.
He hastened his footsteps to make his way to the gates of Haven. There, he met a dwarf, two humans and an elf, where they exchanged some pleasantries.
"Well, shall we go?" Solas said as he waited them to lead the way. The soldiers nodded. In short order, they headed toward the nearby Rift.