Wynne came to as she felt strong hands lift her up, attempting to make her walk. She didn't have the strength to stand and her fleeting moment of clarity faded and she slipped back into unconsciousness. The next time she woke she found herself on her knees, wrists shackled in front of her, as four heavily armored guards stood around her. She couldn't recall anything that happened to her, nor why she was here. The last thing she remembered was sneaking into the Conclave through a window… and then nothing. A bright green light flared around her hand causing her to recoil from it, gasping at the pain that lanced through her body as the door to the room opened for two figures to enter the room. As they walked around her, she took a moment to get a good look at both of them.
The first one was a tall, strong looking woman with short black hair, and a scar across her face. It reminded her of her own, but Wynne's was closer to her neck. She had a look in her eye that barely concealed fear and anger. The second one didn't look like she wanted to kill her outright, but her dark eyes were secretive and that scared her even more than the first one. She was slightly smaller than the dark haired woman, but her features were masked by a hood that was drawn up over her face. The sound of the taller woman brought her attention back into focus as she walked around behind her.
"Tell me why we shouldn't kill you now." She said, leaning down so her head was level with Wynne's ear, then backed off to circle back around her as she spoke. "The Conclave is destroyed. Everyone who attended is dead. Except for you."
Her words were laced with anger as she indicated to Wynne with her hand. It was a lot to process for her.
The entire Conclave is dead? What happened? Why couldn't she remember… Why would they be asking her… The answer came as quickly as she asked herself.
"You think I'm responsible…" She answered, incredulous.
"Explain this. " The woman stated, reaching down and pulling up her shackled hands as the green light flared again.
"I can't." Wynne said through gritted teeth as the wave of pain washed over her.
"What do you mean you can't?" The woman questioned, shoving her arm down with disgust.
"I don't know what that is, or how it got there." Wynne pleaded, willing the woman to believe her.
"You're lying!" She snarled, lunging forwards.
Luckily for Wynne, the second woman stepped forwards, blocking her.
"We need her, Cassandra." She said, backing the woman away from her, and blocking her view at the same time.
"So what happens now?" Wynne asked, hesitantly.
"Do you remember what happened? How this began?" The hooded figure asked, walking up to her.
"I remember running… Spiders were chasing me. And then… a woman?" Wynne said, scouring her brain for anything to remember about that day.
"A woman?" The woman asked, seeming intrigued by the information, all the while as Cassandra paced around them.
"She reached out to me… but then…" Wynne sighed, as the memory escaped from her grasp.
Cassandra motioned for the two women to move away before speaking.
"Go to the forward camp, Leliana. I will take her to the rift." She said, looking at the smaller woman.
A moment of silence elapsed over them as they turned to look back at Wynne, still kneeling on the floor of the prison. Leliana nodded once and turned to leave as Cassandra moved back to her and unlocked her shackles, only to replace it with rope.
"What did happen?" Wynne asked tentatively, hoping that it wouldn't ignite her anger again.
Silence passed between them as the woman helped her to her feet. Sadness filled her eyes as she looked back at Wynne.
"It will be easier to show you." She replied, turning and leading her out of the room.
Wynne followed close behind her as they exited the room. When they did, she glanced around, earning herself some nasty looks from the people in the room. Many of them didn't hide their disgust, and she knew that it wasn't because she was an elf. They believed she had murdered the Conclave. And for all she knew herself, she may have. The thought didn't sit well with her and she moved closer to Cassandra. As they stepped outside of the building, into the snow, the light stung her eyes and she moved her arms to shield her face from the invasion. When the pain subsided, she chanced a look at the source.
A large, bright green hole in the sky loomed over the site of the broken Conclave hill. It's immensity scared her as it flickered with light. Large boulders seemed to be floating around it, and it's uncertainty scared her.
"We call it 'the Breach.' It's a massive rift into the world of demons that grows larger with each passing hour." Cassandra said, looking at it as well, before turning to face her. "It's not the only such rift. Just the largest. All were caused by the explosion at the conclave."
"An explosion can do that?" Wynne questioned, fear gripping her at the leaps that humans had conquered to create such a devastating threat to Thedas.
"This one did." Cassandra stated, walking up to her. "Unless we act, the Breach may grow until it swallows the World."
As if to empower her words, the Breach sparked with green light, causing the green burst to flare up in her hand, but more powerful than the last time. She cried out at the sudden pain and fell to her knees. She gripped her arm to her chest, willing the pain to fade when Cassandra's face appeared in hers again.
"Each time the Breach expands, your mark spreads… and it's killing you." Cassandra said softly. "It may be the key to stopping this, but there isn't much time."
Wynne paused, unsure how to answer. She still thinks that she caused this, but would would willingly kill themselves for… whatever this is? It didn't seem like she had much choice in the matter… but she knew that she had to help, no matter the cost. Taking a deep breath to steel herself, she looked up at the woman.
"I understand…" Wynne said.
"Then…" Cassandra started, hope filling her voice.
"I'll do what I can… whatever it takes."
Approval flitted across Cassandra's features as a small smile formed on her lips as she stood to help Wynne up. As they stood, they shared a looked, knowing that this wasn't about finding the culprit, but to close the Breach, and save those still alive. She kept her arm at Wynne's back, ushering her through the crowd that were stationed on the bridge outside of the castle where they had come from. Many people looked like they were itching to have a go at her, but were stopped by the domineering presence of Cassandra. Briefly, Wynne wondered who she was to these people to possess such respect.
"They have decided your guilt. They need it." Cassandra explained. "The people of Haven mourn our Most Holy, Divine Justinia, Head of the Chantry. The Conclave was hers. I was a chance for peace between mages and Templars. She brought their leaders together. Now, they are dead. We lash out, like the sky. But we must think beyond ourselves. As she did. Until the Breach is sealed."
Cassandra stopped talking, signaling for them to stop. Her hand went to her back and she pulled out a knife, stepping towards Wynne. Fear gripped her as she looked at the woman. Surely she wasn't about to murder her here, unarmed and willing to help.
"There will be a trial. I can promise no more." She said, grabbing the binds of Wynne's wrists and slicing through them in one swift motion. "Come. It is not far."
And with that, she retreated in front of Wynne, leading the way once more.
"Where are you taking me?" She asked, rubbing her wrists where the tight cords once were, but she received silence in answer.
"Open the gate! We are heading into the valley." Cassandra called out as they made their way across the snow covered bridge.
Wynne quickly followed her out, not wanting to be left behind with many humans who wanted her dead. They made their way in silence past the many blockades between the bridge and the valley. A group of soldiers were returning and pushed past them, without registering their presence. Biting her lower lip, she steeled herself for what she was going to have to do. This could possibly kill her, and there wasn't anything she could do about it. The mark was going to kill her anyway, if she didn't close the Breach.
Suddenly, balls of green fire were flung from the sky, landing out of sight before the two. Wynne's hand lit up as they impacted, sending a shock of pain through her body and sending her to the ground. Cassandra was soon beside her, helping her up.
"The pulses are coming faster now." She said, squeezing her shoulders, sadness in her eyes.
Wynne only nodded and pulled herself up to her feet, continuing their journey. After the light faded from her hand, she looked up at the glowing green sky. Would this be her last day?
"The larger the Breach grows, the more rifts appear, the more demons we face." Cassandra said as she caught up.
"How did I survive the blast?" Wynne asked, hoping the female could shed light onto her cloudy mind.
"They said you… stepped out of a rift, and fell unconscious." Cassandra replied, "They say a woman was standing behind you. No one knows who she was. Everything farther in the valley was laid waste, including the Temple of Sacred Ashes… I suppose you'll see soon enough."
By the time Cassandra had finished talking, they had caught up with a small patrol group who were just ahead of them on the path. Relief washed through Wynne at the sight of them, but it quickly turned to horror as the bridge exploded around them in a haze of green light, sending her to the frozen river below.
Pulling herself up to her knees, she glanced around for the troops, only to find them all dead. Dread gripped at her chest and she felt someone tugging her shoulder. Cassandra's face filled her view, but the arrival of another green ball of fire tore their attention to it as it crashed into the lake ahead of them. Black shards of ice thrusted it's way through the thick ice that coated the lake, letting out a creature that chilled Wynne to the bone.
"Stay behind me!" Cassandra ordered, pulling the small elf to her feet before rushing the demon.
Bubbling below her feet signaled her to another creature waiting to burst forth. Her eyes darted around for anything to use as a weapon. A bow and few arrows lay scattered on the ground, and she hastily dove for it as another demon exploded from below the icy water. She had just enough time to knock an arrow and send it flying through the creature, destroying it as Cassandra dispatched her own.
"It's over…" Wynne said with a sigh, making her way towards the woman.
However, Cassandra's face was hardened as she leveled her sword at the elf.
"Drop your weapon. Now. " She ordered, readying herself for a fight.
"If you're going to lead me through a demon-infested valley, you'll have to trust me." Wynne retorted.
"Give me one reason to trust you." She said, disapproval flickering across her face.
"Because my life's on the line." Wynne snarled.
With a sigh, Cassandra lowered her sword, "You're right." She said, sheathing her weapon. "I cannot protect you, and I cannot expect you to be defenseless."
She turned and walked off without another word, but soon stopped and turned to look back at the woman.
"I should remember you agreed to come willingly." She relented, before continuing their march to the valley.
The sound of fighting could be heard ahead as they reached their destination, once there they found a small group being swarmed by demons. Wynne acted instantly, dropping one that sought to slash an elf in one fell swoop. The dwarf easily picked off one of the remaining ones and when they were all cleared, Wynne breathed easily.
"Quickly, before more come through!" One of the guards yelled, trying to get them to move forwards.
They would have obliged the orders, had the elf that Wynne saved grabbed her arm and thrust it up towards the rift. The air crackled with energy as a burst of green light surrounded them, and with a clap of thunder, the rift was no more. She quickly jerked her hand away from the male, clutching it to her breast.
"What did you do?" She questioned suspiciously.
"I did nothing. The credit is yours." He replied with a cheeky smirk.
Wynne looked down at the flickering green light on her hand, resentment flowing through her, but a strange sense of relief.
"At least this is good for something." She complied.
"Whatever magic opened the Breach in the sky also placed that mark upon your hand. I theorized the mark might be able to close rifts that have opened in the Breach's wake; and it seems I was correct." He stated, a smug grin on his angular face.
"Meaning it could also close the Breach itself." Cassandra said, closing the distance between them.
"Possibly." The elf conceded before turning his gaze back to Wynne. "It seems you hold the key to our salvation."
Wynne frowned, unable to place the strange look in his eyes, but the awkward silence that passed between them was interrupted by the dwarf.
"Good to know! Here I thought we'd be ass-deep in demons forever." He said, adjusting the sleeve of his bright blue tunic before strolling over to the three. "Varric Tethras: rogue, storyteller, and occasionally unwelcome tagalong."
He threw a wink at Cassandra, who snorted in disgust before moving away from him.
"That's a nice crossbow you have there." Wynne said, trying to defuse the tense situation between them.
An admiring look came over the dwarf's eyes as he looked over to his crossbow with a smile.
"Ah, isn't she? Bianca and I have been through a lot." He said tenderly.
"You named your crossbow Bianca?" Wynne asked, a hint of laughter in her tone.
"Of course." He stated. "And she'll be great company in the valley."
"Absolutely not!" Cassandra stated, unable to listen no more. "You're help is appreciated, Varric, but-"
"Have you been in the valley lately, Seeker?" He asked, cutting her off. "Your soldier's aren't in control anymore. You need me."
She growled in disgust again and stormed away from the dwarf. The elf took this opportunity to attain Wynne's attention again.
"My name is Solas, if there are to be introductions." He said with a grin. "I am pleased to see you still live."
Confusion washed over her, unsure if she had met the male before.
"He means 'I kept that mark from killing you while you slept.'" Varric decrypted for her.
"You seem to know a great deal about it all." She commented to the elf.
"Solas is an apostate." Cassandra piped in. "Well versed in such matters."
"Technically, all mages are apostates now, Cassandra. My travels have allowed me to learn much about the Fade. Far beyond the experience of any Circle mage." He said, a slight annoyance to his tone. "I came to offer whatever help I can give to close the Breach. If it is not closed, we are all doomed regardless of origin."
"I'll do whatever I can to close the Breach." Wynne stated firmly.
Solas turned to look at Cassandra before speaking. "Cassandra, you should know: the magic involved here is unlike any I have seen. Your prisoner is no mage, and I find it difficult to imagine any mage having such power."
"Understood." She noted, before looking at Wynne. "We must get to the forward camp quickly."
As they moved out, Varric grinned. "Well, Bianca's excited!."
Wynn returned his smile with a grimace. She couldn't see why he would be excited about diving back into the fray, but given that they now had hope to defeat the demons pouring out from the fade, maybe it was relief that showed on the dwarf's face.
They moved out quickly, pushing down the snow covered trail and across a frozen river, determined to reach the forward camp quickly. Luckily, they only encountered a handful of demons and ghosts that were easy enough to fell with their combined might. From the short time of traveling with the three, she could tell that the dwarf and human did not like each other for some reason… and the elf, she could feel his eyes on her at all times. Every time she'd look up she would meet his unwavering gaze. It unnerved her for some reason, but each time she'd look away quickly, the tips of her ears turning red.
"Another rift! Seal it! Quickly!" Solas shouted from behind her as they topped the ridge.
Her heart constricted in her chest, but she pushed through the fear and ran into the fray. She put herself on the line and hoped that the other three would keep her from dying. As she neared the rift, green light erupted from her hand, pulling her towards it. With gritted teeth, and a painful scream, she thrust her hand forwards, allowing the green light to connect with the rift. Only when she felt it catch, she jerked back with all her might and the rift closed with a loud crack of thunder. Dropping to a knee, her vision went spotty and her head felt like it would float off her neck. A large hand clapped her on the back and she turned to see the smiling face of the dwarf. She sighed and turned her gaze back to the ground before pushing herself upright once more. Nodding at the dwarf in thanks, she strode towards the large gates before them.
"The rift is gone! Open the gates!" Cassandra bellowed, and from the other side of the doors they could hear a heavy scraping before the doors were pulled open to let them in.
As she stepped through the doors, her breath caught in her throat as armed guards stood with their swords drawn. They only relaxed once Cassandra strode through, and past them, leading the group further across the bridge.
They came upon Leliana, who had a murderous look in her eye, and a man dressed in red robes, who was pouring over a map on a makeshift table. He looked up at them with disgust.
"Ah, here they come." He said, righting himself.
"You made it." Leliana said with relief, moving towards Cassandra with a smile, then looked back at the man. "Chancellor Roderick, this is-"
"I know who she is." He said, cutting her off before looking at Cassandra. "As Grand Chancellor of the Chantry, I hereby order you to take this criminal to Val Royeaux to face execution."
"Order me?!" Cassandra scowled, "You are a glorified clerk; a bureaucrat."
"And you are a thug, but a thug who supposedly serves the Chantry." He retorted.
"We serve the Most Holy, Chancellor. As you well know." Leliana cut in, glaring at him.
"Justinia is dead!" He yelled, his face turning the same shade of red as his robes. "We must elect her replacement and obey her orders on the matter."
"Isn't closing the Breach the more pressing issue?" Wynne piped up, confused as to why they were squabbling about who was in charge when the whole world was ending.
"You brought this on us in the first place!" Chancellor Roderick whirled on her, pointing his large hand in her face, however he pulled back as Cassandra moved towards him. "Call a retreat, Seeker, our position here is hopeless."
"We can stop this before it's too late." She said.
"How?" He asked, suddenly weary, "You won't survive long enough to reach the Temple, even with all your soldiers."
"We must get to the Temple, it's the quickest route." Cassandra pressed.
"But not the safest." Leliana cut in. "But our forces can charter a distraction while we go through the mountains."
Wynne followed their gaze, wondering what they would decide.
"We lost contact with an entire squad on that path, it's too risky!" Cassandra argued.
"Listen to me; abandon this now, before more lives are lost." The Chancellor begged.
As he finished speaking, the sky lit up green, sending a glob of green fire passing overhead. Wynne gasped as her arm started to seize from the proximity of the flames, and she gripped her arm as if it would stop it. The reaction didn't go unnoticed by Chancellor Roderick. Suddenly, Cassandra was facing her.
"How do you think we should proceed." She asked.
Wynne didn't even need to think about it. She wanted to stop this as quickly as she could, "I say we charge. I won't survive long enough for your trial. Whatever happens… happens now."
"Leliana, bring everyone left in the Valley. Everyone." Cassandra said, moving towards the woman.
As they passed by the Chancellor, he muttered a warning to her.
"On your head, be the consequences… Seeker."