Chapter 1
Evangeline Lavellan walked out of the Chantry to see the busy people of Haven going about their early morning duties. The Inquisition was a work in progress, as they recruited new members each and every day. They knew they could use all the help they could get in order to close the breach in the sky. Evangeline walked through the outer doors of Haven to greet the soldiers who were practicing their combat skills outside of Haven. Among them was the bold and assertive Cassandra Pentaghast, a young woman in her early thirties. She was one of the most skilled of the warriors in the Inquisition, and Evangeline had seen her skills for herself. Cassandra was in the middle of sparring with a man a little younger than her. He grunted with each swing, giving it his all, as Cassandra nonchalantly parried each blow. She finally chuckled and sheathed her weapon, backing away. "That's enough for today. I think you have taken all you can handle." Cassandra's laid her eyes on Evangeline. "Good morning, Inquisitor. I trust you have rested well?" Evangeline smiled and shrugged. "Well, who can sleep perfectly when there's a giant hole in the sky, releasing demons and darkspawn as we speak? But all things considered, I guess I slept well." Evangeline's playful comment earned a chuckle from Cassandra. "You'll need that sense of humor, Inquisitor." Cassandra looked up at the breach in the sky, with a crestfallen look on her face. "Dark days are ahead, i'm afraid. The breach grows larger with each passing hour, the demons are still yet to be defeated. Until then, I fear for the events that are to come." Cassandra sighed, looking down at her clenched fist. Evangeline sensed that Cassandra was stressed, so she gently put a hand on Cassandra's shoulder, and she could feel the tension subside. "Now, Seeker; we must think positive. The breach will be closed, and everything will be alright. Just leave it to me." Cassandra scoffed. "It cannot just be you, Inquisitor. Keep in mind this is a team effort. Don't be getting cocky. This will not be as easy as you perceive it to be." Cassandra turned her back on Evangeline, and went back to training the soldiers. Cassandra could sometimes come across as a pessimist, but Evangeline knew she was right.
Cassandra and Evangeline stood hunched over the table in the war room, along with Evangeline's advisors; Josephine, Cullen, and Leliana. "We should accept Grand Enchanter Fiona's offer and negotiate with the mages in Redcliffe." Cassandra suggested. Cullen scowled from across the table. "I strongly disagree, Seeker. The templars would make worthy companions. Not only that, but I fear that too much magic may not be beneficial to the Inquisition, as we already have Solas." Evangeline was about to voice her disagreement with Cullen's opinion, but Leliana chimed in before she could. "We do not nearly have enough mages in the Inquisition. The mages deserve their freedom from persecution. Not only will the Inquisition provide them with that freedom, our acceptance of the mages will also benefit the Inquisition." Cassandra and the advisors all turned their gazes toward Evangeline. "Where do you stand on the issue, Inquisitor?" Cassandra questioned. Evangeline swallowed nervously. "Uh," She wasn't very comfortable with being put on the spot, mainly out of fear of hurting somebody's feelings. "I'll have to think about it for a while. All of you had valid points. For now, let's all just think about it." Evangeline turned on her heels and stormed out of the door of the war room as fast as she could.
Evangeline made her way out of the Chantry's doors, as a young man stood beside the entrance. "Lady Inquisitor, may I have a moment, please. I hold a message from the Storm Coast." The man's surprisingly feminine voice stopped her, and made her curious as to what this message was. She looked at the boy, as he humbly bowed. "Word got to the Storm Coast that you were recruiting members for the Inquisition. There is a Qunari known as the Iron Bull, leader of the Chargers. He will be interested in joining, so you best go speak to him." The boy reported. Evangeline thought for a moment. "Well, we could definitely use all the help we can get, so I will gather my party and travel to the Storm Coast to meet with this "Iron Bull". Thank you for your message." She nodded her head toward the boy in a silent thanks, and he nodded back. She rounded up Sera, Solas, and Cassandra. The group ventured forth to the Storm Coast, looking forward to meeting with the Qunari known as "The Iron Bull". The journey was fairly quiet, and fairly peaceful, but not for long. There was a glimmering green rip in the air about seven feet above the grass. Sera pointed it out. "What the hell is that?" As the group walked closer to it, there was a loud noise as green tendrils struck out and hit the ground, before wraiths, and demons arose from the ground where the tendrils struck. Cassandra drew her weapon. "Be ready, Inquisitor!" Evangeline drew her sword and held her shield at the ready, in a defensive stance. Solas and Sera were also ready for battle with their weapons at the ready, as the demons made their way toward the group. Cassandra was the first to charge, as she bashed the demon down with her shield, and struck it. The demon froze, and spontaneously disappeared with a burst of blood, covering Cassandra from head to toe. Evangeline made a face, which Cassandra noticed. "You can't be bothered by a little bit of blood, Inquisitor. Now, figure out a way to weaken the rift, while we fend off these bastards." Cassandra turned on a wraith with a chillng war cry, and struck it until it disappeared and perished. Evangeline was impressed, but she knew she couldn't focus on Cassandra's actions. Evangeline tried to push her thoughts back to when she first received the mark. Then, she remembered, she was able to weaken and stun the pride demon that had manifested at the Temple of Sacred Ashes by disrupting the rift. She knew there was a possibility that disrupting the rift would be able to stun the demons and wraiths to aid her team in defeating them. Once the demons were dead, it was then and only then that she would be able to close the rift. Evangeline turned her attention to the rift. She raised her hand and the energy from the mark connected with the rift. There was a sort of explosion, stunning the demons. She took advantage of the situation and bashed a demon with her shield, breaking the stun but ultimately weakening the demon. After a couple more blows, the demon was dead and gone. The battlefield was void of demons, and Evangeline saw her chance to close the rift. She raised her hand, and clenched her teeth as the powerful energy surged through her arm, but with a sharp wave of her hand the rift was closed.
The group finally arrived at the Storm Coast. It was just as its name implied, full of rain that could easily beat you to the ground if you are not firmly planted. The sound of metal clashing and voices crying carried itself through the wind. "This may be just a lucky guess, but I think Iron Bull and the Chargers are that-a-way." Sera grinned, as she pointed a finger in the direction of the fighting. Cassandra rolled her eyes. "Really now? Well, we best go check it out, I suppose." The group hastened in the direction of the fighting, and saw the Chargers battling a group of men. Evangeline looked back at her group. "Don't just stand there! They need our help!" Evangeline raced toward the battle and decapitated a man with one blow. Her group followed her without question and joined the battle at her side. As Evangeline fought with valiance, she spied a large male Qunari, whom she assumed to be the Iron Bull. He effortlessly struck down an enemy, before looking around at his followers. "Chargers! Stand down!" The Iron Bull was a sight to behold. Saying he was muscular was an understatement, and although he barely wore any armor, it looked like he would have no problem holding his own in battle. Iron Bull set his sights upon Evangeline, before a huge grin spread upon his face. He threw his head back and let out a hearty guffaw. "So, the rumors are true! Andraste's Herald is indeed a Dalish elf! I am known as the Iron Bull, Inquisitor. I became apart of the Ben Hassarath after my long and bloody battle with the Tal Vashoth. Anway, enough about me! Introduce yourself, Inquisitor." Evangeline folded her hands at her chest timidly. "Well, my name is Evangeline Lavellan, and I am Andraste's Chosen. It's very nice to meet you, Iron Bull." Iron Bull raised a hand. "Ah, but it's 'THE Iron Bull. I like having an article at the front. It makes me sound like i'm not even a person, just a mindless weapon, just an implement of destruction..." The Iron Bull trailed off. "That really works for me." This made Evangeline raise an eyebrow. "Well, then, 'THE Iron Bull', I hear you are interested in joining the Inquisition?" The Iron Bull had a confident smirk on his face. "Well, I just thought you needed a front-line bodyguard. A bodyguard against whatever; demons, dragons, the bigger the better. So, what do you say, Inquisitor? Yay or nay?" Evangeline held out a welcoming hand. "You're in." The Iron Bull smiled warmly and grabbed her hand, giving a firm shake. "Glad to be here."