Adaira Trevelyan was used to being confined, but to be currently denied visitation to her sister was an entirely different thing. "I am her sister, her twin sister, tell me where she is!" There was no denying their relation to anyone who had seen either of them; it was impossible for her to be a pretender.
"I am sorry, my lady, but under Seeker Pentaghast's orders, she is not to be disturbed." The soldier crossed his arms over his chest, spreading his stance in defiance. Adaira considered giving the man a shock- an explosion had left countless dead, and they wanted to keep her away from her sister, a woman now being hailed as the Herald of Andraste? Ludicrous.
"What is going on?" a woman asked. Nevarran, by her accent. Adaira turned, frowning at her as she approached. Short black hair, a scar across her jaw, the mark of the Seekers on her chest.
"Seeker Pentaghast, I assume. I am looking for my sister. I have been told she was the only survivor of the Conclave. Some believe she was saved by Andraste herself."
The other woman's chin tilted upward as she looked Adaira over. "I was not aware she had a sister, but the resemblance..."
"Speaks for itself," Adaira could only barely contain an eyeroll. "Will you tell me where she is? I don't wish to disturb her sleep, but I would at least like to see her."
Pentaghast's lips pressed into a thin line as she considered the question. "Very well, come with me." She motioned before striding forward. She led up through the gates, and off to the side, along the wooden fortifications. "She has not woken since she sealed a rift at the Temple. Our healers do not know why, they can not find anything wrong with her."
Adaira nodded, slow. She had heard of a mark on her sister's palm. If there had been magic flowing through it, the shock could have caused her present situation, but that left no clues on how to help her now. Pentaghast pushed open the door to a small building, before letting out a gasp. "You're awake?"
Adaira pushed the Seeker out of the way, ignoring her grunt of disapproval. "Adanna," she let out a low breath and rushed to her sister, embracing her.
"Adaira? You're supposed to be at Ostwick," Adanna pulled back, frowning as she took her sister's shoulders and inspecting her. "What happened?"
Adaira paused before speaking. "Templars attacked the tower. We were forced to flee. Those... Of us who survived were hiding out in the wilds, but when I heard of the Conclave, I knew someone from our family would be there. I didn't make it in time, but I heard that you were brought here."
"Where are we now?" Adanna looked over to Cassandra, who was watching, arms crossed.
"Haven. Come, Herald. We have business to attend to," she made a stiff motion with her shoulders.
"Rest, Adaira. I'll return when they're done with me," Adanna said, stepping around her sister toward Cassandra. Adaira frowned, but did have to admit that the bed did look enticing.
The events at Val Royeaux did not sit well with Adanna, Adaira could tell that much. Their family had always been religious, and being branded as a heretic by the Chantry in person had taken its toll. To see a Templar assault a Mother before the order departed, denouncing both the Chantry and the Inquisition made it all worse. It didn't sit well with Adaira, either, but then, the Chantry had kept her locked in a tower for over a decade. The return to Haven had been somber, only Solas and Varric offering hushed conversation. With Adanna convening with the other council members, Adaira was free for the afternoon. She strode out of the Chantry doors, her steps slowing as she paused to take in Haven. She had a hard time stomaching the cold stone walls of the Chantry for too long.
"Excuse me," a man called, and Adaira turned to face him. He was unfamiliar, and the armor he wore was not that of the Inquisition, as far as she knew. "I've got a message for the Inquisition, but I'm having a hard time getting anyone to talk to me," he stepped closer, a touch of frustration written on his brow.
Adaira nodded understanding. With what had just happened in Orlais, everyone was a bit preoccupied. "Who are you, soldier?"
"Cremisius Aclassi, of the Bull's Chargers mercenary company. We mostly work out of Orlais and Navarra. We got word of some Tevinter mercenaries gathering out on the Storm Coast. My company commander, Iron Bull, offers the information free of charge. If the Herald would like to see what the Bull's Chargers can do for the Inquisition, she should meet us there, and watch us work."
"Good to meet you, Cremisius. I'll let my sister know of Iron Bull's proposal. Be sure to restock before your return journey. If you have any trouble with the alchemist, come find me." He nodded and Adaira turned away, back into the Chantry.
When Adaira had volunteered to accompany her sister to the Storm Coast, she hadn't taken the area's name literally. That was her mistake.
When she first felt the rain, it was a delight- refreshing and a reminder that she was free, away from the Circle for the foreseeable future, and there was certainly a savage beauty in the violently rolling waves, but it didn't take long for the rain to seep through her hood and under the leather armor she had been given. She shivered against the wind, even standing next to the fire. She had elected to heat herself with some precarious fire magic and seek shelter under a tent.
Before meeting with the Chargers, Adanna insisted on looking over maps, speaking with Harding about the area and what she had found. It wasn't much, but the camp was settled next to an Oraculum, which Harding had not been able to figure out for the life of her, nor Adanna when she peered into the glowing hole in the back of the skull. If Solas was unable to figure it out, Adaira would give it a look later; she was far too busy at that moment, pouting under the tent that covered the alchemy table.
"I thought you were excited to see the world again," Adanna said as she stepped over to her, checking the potion flasks at her belt.
"I didn't realize it involved being subjected to this," she waved a hand about, grumpy.
"You're a Mage, do something about it."
Adaira looked at her, expression flat, before turning back the sea, and then the path to the shore. She certainly didn't want to leave the protection of the tent, but she wasn't going to let her sister meet a mercenary group alone, either. She tilted her head, indicating the steep path, and pulled her hood back up, hoping to keep more of the slaking rain from her face.
"Herald," Cassandra stepped toward her and then stopped, shaking her head. "My apologies, my lady. Herald," she looked to Adanna. "The Chargers are just down on the beach."
"Well, Seeker, let's head down, shall we?"
The path was steep, and the pebbles that lined it were slick with the incessant rain, but the small group traveled down without incident. Varric had come as well, while Solas elected to stay and fiddle with the Ocularium. They were now closer to the bellow of the waves, which threw themselves alongside the coast before breaking over more rocks in a cataclysm of spray and foam. "Is that all there is here? Rocks and wetness?"
"It would be a great setting for a story," Varric mused, and Adaira caught a malicious glint in Cassandra's eye.
"There," Adanna pointed to a group of soldiers on the beach, their camp it would seem, for whatever reason. They were already engaged in battle, but that had been the point of calling Adanna to the coast. She was already pulling her greatsword from its sheath, even as Cassandra opened her mouth to inquire about helping. From a distance Adaira could make out a massive Qunari with an impressive horn span. There were others, smaller, but widely varied in shape and size. One was throwing a massive maul around as though it were a toy. "Come sister, before you grow moldy," Adanna tossed a grin over her shoulder.
Pulled from her observations, Adaira found Cassandra already leaping into the fray, Varric beside her, Bianca already twanging happily.
Adaira's hands flew up, glowing with soft blue light as she cast a barrier around Cassandra, who had just raised her shield to block the first blow of a Tevinter. The same ward was cast over Adanna, even as she disappeared from view. She thought for a moment about casting a spell over the Chargers as well, and she reached back for a lyrium potion, only to stop. Invincibility wouldn't show them what the Chargers could do. It was better to let them fight as they usually did. She would intervene if she had to. Her hands didn't drop, however, as she searched out the men wearing Charger colors. It was all a clash of drab armor, but there was a pattern to the fighting.
Searching out, she could feel the power in the air, the imbalance of charges. It was easier with the raging storm overhead, and she appreciated it for a moment before a stray drop from her hood splashed onto her nose, causing a shiver to interrupt her focus. Commander Illya would be so disappointed. She focused again, picking her targets. This would be difficult- everyone was wet, everyone was wearing metal, and everyone was a good distance away. The woosh of an arrow brought her out of her head, and without a second though, she jerked an arm down. A bolt of lightning cracked down, producing a blinding flash. The man seized and twisted as he fell. She could feel eyes on her, and another wave of her hand produced a barrier around her own body. Another arrow shattered against the magic.
Another archer, his bow raised, another breath and call of lightning, shuffling of the air. A bright flash, and he was dead, smoke rising from his corpse. She felt herself recoil, but he was far enough away that she couldn't smell him, at least.
She caught sight of a Vint with a tower shield raised- the Chargers had him outnumbered, but he would still put up a fight. Unless- another bright flash, followed by a terrible boom of thunder and he crumpled, his shield falling with him. As she turned to find her next target, the last of them fell to the blades of her sister and the Chargers. She dropped her hands, clenching at the sides of her wet robes. She could hear the large qunari call out, but missed his words under the weight of the storm. Adanna, who still held her blade at the ready, turned and tilted her head, indicating that it was at least reasonably safe for her to approach. Adaira let out a low breath and she strode down the beach. She didn't enjoy standing to the side while her sister threw herself into the fight, but Adanna had been insistent, and she had to agree- wasn't a full-fledged Knight-Enchanter yet, as evident by her hesitation.
"Krem!" He shouted, and Adaira watched as the man from Haven tucked his hands behind his back. "How'd we do?"
"Five or six wounded, Chief, no dead," he answered. Adaira took a glance around at the mercenaries. The Venatori did do some damage. One man sat against a barrel, most of his face already red, eyes starting to swell closed. Other than those injured, the company seemed to be well-outfitted.
"That's what I like to hear!" the Iron Bull's walk could easily have been described as a swagger as he moved closer to his lieutenant. "Let the throatcutters finish up, then break out the casks." Krem gave a curt nod and stepped away.
"That was impressive," Adanna said, blade still drawn. The qunari before her was a giant, head and shoulders well over the both of them, with a horn-span as wide as his shoulders. The scars on his chest bespoke of a violent past. But then, he was a qunari. The others in his company were oddly varied- humans, elves, Adaira could swear she saw a dwarf.
"So, you're with the Inquisition, huh? Glad you could make it. Come on, have a seat. Drinks are coming." The Iron Bull motioned slightly with his hand, and he and Adanna stepped away from the group. Adaira watched, wary, but the qunari sat once they were out of earshot. She hadn't met qunari before, but she assumed they were just as dangerous sitting as standing.
"You can relax- the Chief's not gonna try anything. He'd have already done it, if he were," Krem commented as he walked past, back toward the Iron Bull and Adaira. His words didn't settle her nerves, however, and her fingers curled, measuring up the air's propensity for producing a few more bolts of lightning. She edged closer as well, watching the Iron Bull cast a quick glance in her direction.
"I assume you remember Cremissius Aclassi," he motioned.
"No, he spoke with Adaira," Adanna motioned.
"Twins! Nice," the Iron Bull grinned. "I mean, from a tactical standpoint. Makes for a good diversion. Keep your enemies confused."
"Good to meet you, Herald," Krem tilted at the waist slightly. "Throatcutters are done, Chief."
"Already? Have 'em check again. I don't want any of those Tevinter bastards getting away. No offense, Krem."
"None taken," Krem said, genial, "Least a bastard knows who his mother was. Puts us one up on you qunari, right?" He turned away, teasing his commander as he moved back toward the rest of the Chargers. They had broken open a cask while Krem was away.
Adanna motioned, looking pointedly at Adaira. The Iron Bull had separated them for a reason. Adaira didn't like it, but she followed Krem back to where Cassandra and Varric were standing near the rest of the chargers. She kept her eyes on them, however, noting that Cassandra was watching as well.
"Could your spells reach him from here?" She asked, eyes turning to Adaira.
"Sure," she nodded, "but I don't think I'd be able to stop him entirely. It would give her a chance to get away, though. Or at least get her sword out." Things seemed to be going amicably enough, however- Adanna appeared to be grinning. She wondered if lightning would affect qunari the same, or if they required longer exposure.
There were several more minutes before the Iron Bull rose, and Adaira turned, fingers curling again, but he and Adanna both approached the camp. "Krem!" he called, "Tell the men to finish drinking on the road; the Chargers just got hired!"
"What about the casks, Chief? We just opened them up. With axes."
"Find some way to seal 'em. You're Tevinter, right? Try blood magic. We'll meet you back at Haven, Herald," the Iron Bull said as he moved back toward the Chargers' camp.
"All right then, come on," Adanna tilted her head and turned to head back up the cliff. "Let's go find out if Solas figured out that creepy skull."