Hello everyone, this a story a dear friend of mine started some time ago after plotting with me. She has since given me permission to continue and edit parts of what she had published, leaving me the documents she had. She has also deleted the original story from her account, as not to mess with the ToS of the site. If you have read the original few chapters that were published, welcome back! The first few published are not going to be very different, I just rephrased and edited a few errors out. I hope you enjoy and please, leave reviews! Whether an update on you wanting more or maybe an idea of what you'd like to see in the future!
The Inquisition never absolved, much to the distaste of Ferelden. They had come to an agreement that any large unit movement, especially throughout Ferelden, would be sent to the Crown to prevent an uproar from Ferelden.
Even when the Inquisitor, Mayella Trevelyan, lost her arm that had long dubbed her the Herald of Andraste, her people still followed her. Many decided to part their own ways, to return to posts that needed them in distant lands. However, there were those who were loyal to the order and remained, because even though the threat of Corypheus had been defeated, a great turmoil shifted beneath the waves.
Leliana had become the Divine and disassembled the Circles, to which the mages still formed their own College creating structure that was similar to a Circle, but free of the oppression of the Chantry. The only downfall to this change was the uproar, from commoners to nobility, who believed this was a road to disaster, especially after what had just occurred in Thedas. How could they go unchecked?
The Templars, on the other hand, never reformed. While hunting rebel mages was still a task to be done, there were enough who were capable of dealing with mages in manners other than Templar Anti-Magic; some of them were mages of their own kind who honed their skills in another manner. They simply called themselves The Hunters, a quiet Order who wanted nothing to do with politics or religion. Not much was known about them, but if you needed abominations taken care of, a raven to The Hunters would be answered. They claimed to have other skills, which did not become apparent until creatures, unknown to those in Thedas, began appearing.
As if the uneasy truce between the mages and the Chantry wasn't fragile enough, issues with the remains of red lyrium were pushing the Inquisition to look into the dreaded substance. Mayella began to avidly research it, withdrawing from others as she was afraid to expose them to it. Of course, she exposed herself plenty, never having issues with in past, partially believing that she was immune to its taint.
The Grey Wardens disappeared. No mention from Alistair came back from Weisshaupt. Every so often they would send ravens in hope of hearing back from the Hero. Nothing. Whatever stirred in Weisshaupt, no one was willing to take the trip and find out for themselves.
The threat they faced now was the surge of monsters that they slowly came to identify, one by one, after they were killed. A plague was also spreading across of Ferelden and had dug some of its roots in Skyhold. The sick patients were quarantined with their healers, but all the mages could do was ease their passing rather than make them better. Many called for the immediate burning of their bodies to prevent the illness spreading, while others claimed killing the inflicted 'inhumane'.
Cullen sighed behind his desk, staring emptily at the stack of papers he needed to go through. Most would be requests and death ledgers, to which they would have to pay families out for as their loved ones who died of plague. It also meant that Josephine was in more of a flurry trying to replace what was in the coffers, to keep the Inquisition afloat, but with so much death it was difficult to keep up.
A sturdy knock at the door was followed by one of his scribes coming up with an unopened letter. "We received this today, it has a strange seal. I was told to bring it to you to open since the Inquisitor is busy, Commander."
Cullen nodded and lifted his hand to take the letter. He turned it over to glance at the beautiful shimmery silver wax seal; the impression was of a snake in a circle, eating its tail, creating an endless cycle. The scribe was correct that this was a strange seal, for he had never seen it before or known anyone to use such a crest.
The scribe waited patiently for his next order as Cullen used a letter opener to carefully pull the seal up, in tact. Unrolling the fine parchment, the script that he read was just are meticulously written and defined as the seal.
'To The Inquisition,
It has come to our attention that you are having some issues with the Ferelden borne plague and we think it is time that we extend our help and gratitude. Our Order never would have formed without your assistance and also the rise of the new Divine. We will send one of our esteemed doctors and hunters to join your ranks. Doctor Entwhistle will assist in rooting out the plague from your keep and in exchange will act as our ambassador.
There is not much now that we can currently reveal about ourselves and the doctor shall also be sparing with what details they reveal. However, contact between us shall remain open and the Inquisition shall be getting to know up much better as the time passes.
Please send the raven back with your approval so we may deploy Doctor Entwhistle to your location.
The Order of Hunters'
Cullen sat back and read the letter over a few times, his brows pulling together. The mysterious order was offering their assistance, claiming that the Inquisition helped the birth of their order. It was a strange token of gratitude, in which Cullen assumed could also be double edged blade. This doctor was probably going to be a spy for the hunters.
The commander glanced at the courier. "Follow me, we must bring this up to the Inquisitor before we respond," he stood, pushed back his chair with a screech and sauntered out the door his stiff legs groaning in protest.
It felt as if he was rarely outside to enjoy the mild weather of the mountains. Most often the weather would flip like a switch, seemingly beautiful, and then all of a sudden a blizzard whipped up out of nowhere or rain would fall ceaselessly. That day was one of the brilliant ones he never got to enjoy since he was riddled with paperwork to complete.
Holding the curled parchment in his hand he pondered. Entwhistle sounded very familiar, but he could not remember why or where. It was a faint remembrance that Cullen contemplated whether it was because he had read it somewhere before or if he actually knew an Entwhistle.
They entered what had once been Solas' chamber, ornate paintings of elven origin smattered around the Inquisitor as she was bent over a tiny piece of red lyrium. Cullen could feel its tainted buzz from the entrance of the room and the courier was also greatly discomforted by the aura the room held. A small chest was against the far side of the wall and it was locked, fortified with runes and tracings. They both knew that within, was more of the dreaded lyrium.
Mayella lifted the magnifying glasses from her head and set it down. She pulled a small trinket box from her pocket, that was also transfixed with runes, and popped the lyrium into it, snapping it shut. The room felt a little lighter after, but there was a lingering, perverse feeling that had seeped into the very floor and walls.
The Inquisitor was a prim woman, always having taken great pride in her appearance and grooming. Her chestnut hair was pulled away from her face in two braids that crowned her. Her face was smooth and well structured, a sign of good breeding on her family's part. Her nose was straight, lips upturned, and her eyes almond shaped and perceptive. Despite the lack of one arm the woman's posture demanded utter respect.
"What can I help you with, Commander?" she asked, her voice sultry and warm to the ears. She could have whispered sweet nothings and the mere sound of her voice would have been enough to lull any man into a splendid stupor.
Cullen found that he admired the woman, just as anyone should. She had accomplished the impossible and worked in a collected and logical manner. She was a true leader and barely ever lost her composure. At a time, he thought he might have had feelings for her, but she made it clear that she wasn't looking for a relationship, due to the stress of Corypheus being on her shoulders.
"We received a letter I believe you should read and respond to. I would have myself if I did not think the matter went above my own head," he responded, stepping forward and handing the letter off to her.
Mayella glanced at him for a long moment before she nodded and inspect the seal, hesitating to open the letter as she stared at it. Finally, she unrolled it and read the contents. She scanned it maybe once or twice, rolling it back up and placing it in Cullen's hand.
"Send a response that we would be honored to have Doctor Entwhistle assist with our ill. The doctor will probably be a spy, but we know little to nothing about their order. It is about time we learn more about what they can to offer… and if this doctor can truly help with our afflicted, then it will be a blessing from the Maker that they come here and start helping."
Cullen handed off the letter to the scribe who had observed the exchange and would get the task done. The young man disappeared up a set of stairs on the side of the room, leaving the two of them.
"Handling the lyrium without a glove now?" he asked dubiously.
Mayella had turned back to her work by now, but simply rolled her shoulders. "It's easier to handle that way. What good are the gloves anyways, I am exposing myself to it either way."
This was not the type of carelessness that Cullen knew Mayella for, but perhaps she knew more of the effects of the material than he did.
"Are there any new reports on monsters or appearances of them?" she asked.
"Not since the Red Cap incident," Cullen responded. The tale of the demented dervish was enough to give anyone nightmares. From the reports, the midget creature was swift and agile, wetting its hat in the blood of its victims. It didn't use a weapon, for it had sharp little claws that pierced steel, and it was described as being just as ugly as a darkspawn, for which it had been mistooken.
"Hm, perhaps the doctor will be able to shed more light about these demented things that crop up more and more."