Chapter 2
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Early the next morning Solas looked at Eirlana sleeping in the grass again. He had many questions about her. She was able to communicate with spirits, had even gained a name from them and from what he could witness yesterday a remarkable control of her magic. But he had no time, he had to move on and reach Cenar today. Tomorrow he would embark on a ship to Fereldan. With one last glance at her, he left her for a third time.
It was late afternoon when he entered the small town. It was crowded, some sort of market was being held. There was music, several merchants were praising their wares, a storyteller told his tales. Solas walked through the crowds with ease, most people didn't even look his way. He was just another elf. His eyes wandered over the stalls as he walked over the market.
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"A gif' for ye girl?"
Solas blinked at the old elven woman as he stood by her stall. In his hands was a fine carved wooden comb decorated with several flowers painted light blue. "Excuse me?"
"Its fine work it is, me son makes them. I've others as well."
Her accent was crude, her ears the only thing that made her elven. How low the People had fallen.
"Need somethin els? May'b a nice necklace?"
Solas stared a while at the comb in his hand. This was madness he thought when he bought the comb, a simple dress, footwrappings and a light blue scarf.
"Pleas're doing business, she will like it." the old woman greeted him.
What was he doing?
At another stall, he bought a cloak, honey, healing salves and bandages.
Settling down in one of the inns, he questioned his own actions. What had gotten into him? He couldn't afford any distractions. His path was set.
That evening he waited but she was nowhere to be seen, and he retired to his room as the night grew darker. He was worried and relieved at the same time, hoping she finally had given up at following him.
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In the early morning Solas walked amongst the dunes along the coast towards the meeting place with the smugglers. It was past noon when behind some cliffs the anchored ship came in sight, at the beach a few men were waiting for him. They greeted him with a nod, not asking questions. They knew their task and moved to the rowboat. Solas hesitated, he watched back at the dunes he had just crossed.
The sailors looked at each other puzzled. "Sir?"
Then she came over the dune, walking slowly but steadily towards them leaning on her stick. Solas had to admire her strength. He hadn't slowed down his pace since he met her. Yet she had made up for it by sheer will, even wounded and weakened as she was. He turned around and stepped into the boat.
The men were confused but waited for her to join. She hesitated for a moment eyeing these new people suspiciously. Solas had to smile, she really resembled a weary halla. He reached his hand out to her, she took it after a while and stepped into the boat. The men pushed the boat into the water and rowed them out to the ship that was waiting for them.
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The captain greeted Solas and led him to a small cabin below deck. Not knowing what she should do, Eirlana followed them, staying close. A few of the crew glanced at her with her borrowed clothes, bandages, matted hair and bruised face. She didn't like the stares, and she got as close to Solas as she dared. In the cabin, Solas put his belongings down and turned towards her. She stood there nervous and jumpy from the noises the ship and crew made as they set sail. He asked himself for the fiftieth time what he was thinking. He must be out of his mind.
"Come." he gestured for her to sit down on the berth as he unpacked the things he had bought the previous day. She hesitated for a moment then sat down. Shaking his head at his own actions, he placed the bundle of clothes and the salve in her hands.
"I hope they fit. You can use this on the bruises and smaller wounds."
Closing the door, he left her and went to the captain to discuss their route, paid the fee for her passage and promised to keep her away from the crew.
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Eirlana sat still for a moment, she couldn't believe what had happened the last couple of days. She had never met another person in the Fade in her life. Hoping he wouldn't get caught she had warned him to flee. Never had she imagined he would come to free her. Closing her eyes, she still could see his fury as he fired his magic at her captures. He had freed her, cared for her, fed her.
When she woke up the next morning, and he had gone she panicked. He was the first friendly person she had met, and he somehow felt different. His pull to the Fade was stronger than any she had felt before. Having nowhere else to go, she quickly gathered the things he had left her. Without that cursed collar she could expand her senses and feel his pull, it left a trail she could easily follow. She couldn't really explain why she had gone after him, but she was drawn to him.
Now she had followed him on a ship not knowing where he was heading. After applying some of the salve, she changed into the clothes he had given her and lay down, exhaustion taking her. The last couple of days had been hard, she had never walked so much in her life. When his trail led to the town, she had almost given up, not daring to enter a place with that many people. She was relieved when he had left it this morning. It felt like a leap of fate as she set foot in the rowboat, not wanting to part ways with him yet.
Solas returned to the cabin and knocked softly. He entered silently after she didn't answer. She lay curled up on the bed asleep. The new clothes looked like they fitted her better, but she was still skin and bone. His own clothes lay neatly folded on the small table.
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It was evening, Solas sat in the cabin reading with a light hovering next to him. There was a firm knock at the door. Eirlana awoke with a small frightening yell, retreating to the farthest corner of the narrow bed. Solas answered the door, one of the crew brought them two bowls of stew and a bottle of water. Solas sat them on the small table. Cautiously she came out of the corner her stomach growling.
"Did you sleep well?" he brought her one of the bowls.
She took the bowl and wolfed down the food, looking shifty as if she expected to lose it at any time. Something he was sure she had experienced in the past.
He also ate a little, then taking the new bandages, he cared for her wounds. She seemed less shifty than the previous time he did this. But she withdrew herself as soon as he was finished. The wounds were healing nicely with the honey mixture, healthy pink tissue was beginning to form. After cleaning up, he sat down.
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She flinched as he started to speak. "Eirlana, you have journeyed to the Fade before?" A small nod.
"I have journeyed deep into the Fade myself in ancient ruins and battlefields to see the dreams of lost civilisations. I've watched as hosts of spirits clash to re-enact memories of the bloody past in ancient wars both famous and forgotten. I was surprised when you walked in on me." He waited patiently for her to respond.
"I like the Fade it is calm, the spirits are nice." her voice was still timid, but Solas was glad she answered.
"You mentioned the spirits before, you called them your friends."
"Most spirits don't hurt you, they just want to share what they are, have heard or seen." Eirlana's eyes shone with a little life for the first time. "They tell you their stories, teach you things if you only know how to listen. I have learned a lot from them, they are my friends, and the places you can see in the Fade are beautiful."
Solas looked at her with new admiration, since he awoke he had only encountered ignorance, lies and half-truths about the Fade. The doctrine of the Chantry and their attempts to control magic, with the little understanding they had, were felt everywhere. The Fade was feared, not seen as a place to co-existing with.
"Your name Eirlana, you were given it by a spirit."
The light in her eyes dimmed as she curled up and grabbed her knees. After a long while, she began to speak. "I was bought by a Tevinter mage when I was very young. First I was just a slave, but I don't remember much of that time. Until the day they discovered I had magical talents." Her voice started shaking. "They did things, experiments. Said my connection to the Fade was strong. They sent me into the Fade countless times, each time longer and longer. I got lost, I lost myself, forgot who I was until I met some spirits that helped me. They gave me my name."
Eirlana kept glancing at Solas, as she mentioned her slave life his demeanour grew darker. His eyes shone with anger, sympathy and sadness. He looked lonely sitting at the small table. He reminded her of the old lonely spirits that roam the Fade, looking with the same sadness and loneliness at a world not longer their own.
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Solas took the comb he had bought and sat cross-legged on the bed facing her. "Come this will take a while" he smiled at her showing her the comb. Carefully she moved closer to him her back partially turned to him. He felt her shiver as he touched her, taking a strand of hair. With care and patience, he began to untangle her long white hair. For a while they sat in silence, hearing only the sounds of the wind, the waves of the sea and the creaking of the ship.
"What were you doing at the ruin?" she looked over her shoulder at him.
His eyes glinted at her curiosity. "I was looking for old lost memories of the people who once lived there. Any building robust enough to withstand the rigours of time has a history. They attract spirits, they press against the Veil, weakening the barrier between our worlds. I often visit such places to dream and to find memories no other living being has ever seen."
The room was suddenly so brightly lid, Solas had to cover his eyes.
"I'm sorry!" Eirlana dispelled the orb of intense light she just had created.
Solas had to blink a couple of times. "What were you trying to do?"
"I saw your orb while listening. And I... I somehow created my own."
"I have to ask you not to use magic, while we on the ship. The crewman wouldn't be appreciative of your talents."
Eirlana bit her lip "I am sorry, I will try. It works differently here than in the Fade."
"It's alright." he started to comb her hair again. "Why did they bring you to the ruin?"
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She looked over her shoulder into his eyes for a while. Up close her eyes were beautiful a bright, intense blue surrounded her pupils fanning out in a very pale blue. White specks dotted her iris like small ice crystals. Closing her eyes, she turned her head back hoping her instincts of trusting him were right. "The mage that had bought me and 'discovered' my talents, he somehow lost his status with the magisterium. He hoped to return in their favours again with new forgotten magic." Eirlana started to pluck at her sleeve. "I was a tool, an object to be used until I would be discarded. He forced me into the Fade to search for lost treasures." Solas stopped combing her hair. "At first he brought me to ruins already picked clean by those vultures. We travelled all over Tevinter until we went beyond its borders, further and further into the wilder lands. I gave him just enough to give him hope. Some gold, a useless book, trinkets, just enough to keep me alive. Then that templar and his lackeys found us and the gold. They tortured him to death but not before he had told them about my abilities." Her body started to shiver again, her voice beginning to shake. "They were worse, cruel, monsters. They began, to enrich themselves," her voice broke "to use me."
Eirlana felt herself shiver, the helplessness she had felt most of her life washed over her. She hugged her knees, she hated that feeling. She shook her head trying to get a hold of her emotions, fighting back the tears and her memories. She felt tired and longed for the Fade, the one place she felt safe. Solas had put a hand on her shoulder, rubbing it. The small gesture comforted her.
Solas got up. "Take some rest." then he left.
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Solas walked on the deck, a firm breeze tugged at his clothes. Countless stars shone brightly in the night sky. He leant on the railing and took a deep breath, he felt defeated when he imagined what she must have gone through. He stared into the darkness, not knowing what he should do. He was intrigued by her. Abused and mistreated by everyone she had met, no one had ever taken the time to teach her. She wasn't fully aware of her own abilities, and yet she was able to use the spirits of the Fade to gain knowledge. To be able to travel that deep into the Fade, even with the lyrium forced upon her, he never imagined it would be possible for any now living being. He had heard of the practices of the Circle's, to plunge unaware mages into the Fade, to test them and kill them if they would fail. It was monstrous, barbaric and dangerous. By her account, she had survived that ordeal countless times, without losing herself. She had a strong mind, scared but strong. He was curious to see that strength develop, to see what she would be capable of. But he had a task to fulfil, a mission that couldn't be delayed. There was a little time until then, maybe he could teach her some skills. Hopefully enough so she would survive the chaos that was yet to come.
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The next two weeks they spent travelling towards the conclave. During that short time, Solas already saw her grow. Eirlana became less shifty and more talkative with him. Her hollow eyes shined with new life, her body slowly recovering from her ordeals. Her hair, she wore now in a simple long braid, had a healthier shine to it. They talked a lot about the Fade, magic and spirits they had encountered. Solas was surprised how much he enjoyed her company. He taught her some control over her magic in the waking world, and she was a quick study, sometimes picking up things only from watching him. Often she wasn't even aware how she performed magic, her powers manifested themselves instinctively.
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That morning Solas looked at her, expecting not to see her ever again. They had slept in a barn in a valley not far from the conclave. If only he had more time. With one last look, he set out in the freshly fallen snow.
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Eirlana woke up alone. The place Solas had slept was already cold to the touch. "How many times is he going to do this?" she thought. Brushing off her clothes and gathering her things she went outside to look for him. The fresh snow crunched lightly under her footsteps. The trail Solas made earlier was clearly visible, she followed it out of the valley up the mountain. The sun was shining brightly, turning the snowy landscape in a glittering splendour. "Where did he go?" she mumbled.
Suddenly there was a deep rumbling sound, and in the distance a massive amount of a green coloured magical energy shot into the sky. Holding her breath, she saw the sky being torn open, a loud earth-shattering sound of an explosion reached her. The ground started shaking, snow fell down from the trees as they trembled. Then the shock wave reached her sending her flying back to the ground. Trees bent over and snow was blowing around her.
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Shaken Eirlana slowly rose to her feet, staring at the sky. She could feel the Fade screaming and bleed into this world. It wasn't the sky that had been torn open, it was the Veil. Lightning flashes of magical energy crackled through the sky, she could hear other explosions, see chunks of the Fade being propelled towards the earth.
What had just happened? She hastened in the direction Solas' tracks had went. Reaching out she could feel him further up the mountain. But she could also feel the turmoil the Fade was in, the violence and the chaos. It felt wrong, very wrong.
She found him passing up and down the small path she was on. He was visibly shaken, his eyes narrowed, frowning.
"Solas?"
He halted in his tracks, staring at her. A shimmering green ripple formed behind him, the Veil was weakening. She ran towards him and pulled him away from it. Solas was stunned by the forcefulness of her pull. They both looked from a safe distance as a small tear in the Veil was forming.
"Solas are you alright?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Did you see how that energy ripped the Veil open? I can feel the Fade in turmoil, spirits fleeing, the violence, the panic."
"I witnessed it. I am uncertain what happened. With the Veil torn, spirits will have a door into this world. But with these energies, they most certainly will be corrupted as they are sucked into this world." he closed his eyes and sighed deeply. When he opened them again, his eyes shone with determination. "I have to figure out what has happened and try to repair the damage that has been done somehow. Before this gets worse. There is a town nearby called Haven. When people are gathering to combat this, they should be gathering there. It will probably be crowded with troops and supporters of the conclave. We would be in the middle of chaos, suspicions and preconceptions." His eyes turned to her.
She faced him, she understood the question towards her. Would she be able to endure? Her eyes went up towards the sky, the massive tear looming over them. She swallowed. "I will come with you and help. My friends are in danger if this spreads. I will try to stay strong."
Solas smiled at her and set foot in the direction of Haven.
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Haven was in turmoil, troops were running around, wounded brought in, clusters of people were praying and crying. Shock, disbelief and desperation were evident on their faces. At first, Solas and Eirlana walked unnoticed amongst the chaos. Eirlana stayed very close to Solas, the presence of several templars was terrifying to her. Solas looked around hoping there would be someone in charge.
A dark-haired woman came out of the gates, wearing the armor of a Seeker. She was barking orders to some troops who set out to scout the area for survivors. She spotted the pair approaching her.
"Who are you?" Cassandra put her hand on her weapon eyeing them suspiciously.
The bald male elf looked well build, confident and calm. He bowed his head a little to greet her. The younger female elf shrunk behind him. She was thin, even for an elf, she looked like a ghost with her white hair and skin. She was scared and shifty, her eyes darted around constantly.
"My name is Solas, and she is Eirlana. We have come to offer our services to help solve this tragic event."
Cassandra narrowed her eyes. Judging from their auras, they were both mages. "Your services?"
"We both have travelled here to hear news of the conclave when this disaster occurred. We want to help with any skills we possess. May we speak with the ones in charge here?"
Cassandra thought for a while. Mages could easily have been responsible for what happened, but they also needed people with knowledge of magic to get a grip on this crisis. "Hand over your weapons and follow me." With Solas staff secured they were led to the Chantry.
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At a big table stood a tall blond male and a red-haired female, bowed over maps of the region. Several markers were placed on the map indicating rifts and demon sightings. They both looked up when Cassandra walked in with the two elves. "These are Solas and Eirlana, they have come to offer their service. These are commander Cullen and Leliana."
Solas began. "We were staying in a village nearby to hear what the conclave would decide for we both possess magical abilities. I for myself have explored and studied the Fade extensively in my travels. We both witnessed the explosion from afar. I believe the Veil has been torn open and that tear created a ripple effect. We have encountered a few minor tears already on our way here. Through them spirits are thrown into this world and are being corrupted by the forces. I hope we can help to repair the damage that has been done."
"So you're an apostate?" Cassandra's and Cullen's eyes narrowed.
"I haven't studied magic at a Circle if that is what you are implying. Though with the Circles disbanded we are technically all apostates."
"What about you?" Cullen addressed Eirlana, he was getting nervous from her shifty behaviour.
Solas knew he had to stick close to the truth, the best lies are hidden amongst the half-told truths. "Forgive her, I freed her a couple of weeks ago. She is a former slave of Tevinter and fell victim to a rogue templar in the Free Marches. She has been through a lot." Solas didn't know if she did it on purpose, but she brushed some loose hairs behind her ear, showing her bandages around her wrist.
"Maker." Cullen whispered.
Cassandra looked with new eyes at her, better understanding her behaviour. "You freed her?"
"As anyone with a heart would when they see a woman in chains cruelly beaten. We have been travelling together to the conclave ever since. She still has a long road of recovery before her. To answer your question, she has remarkable healing abilities."
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They were shown to a small cottage to get settled. A short while after Solas was called to a meeting to discuss the rifts. Eirlana was left alone. She sighed, this was harder than she had anticipated. So many people, so much fear in the air it made her dizzy. She needed to get a grip on her emotions. Solas had asked her if she wanted this. If she would be strong enough. She hadn't hesitated with her answer, but now being here was overwhelming.
There was a firm knock at the door. Eirlana flinched, after taking a few deep breaths to calm down, she found her voice. "Yes?"
Cullen opened the door. He saw her take a step back, looking at him suspiciously. Rubbing the back of his neck he didn't really know how to put her at ease. "I am sorry, but they have brought in more wounded, we need your help." To his surprise, she grabbed a small bag from her pack after a few moments.
"Take me to them." She felt herself shiver, but this was what she came here for, she needed to do her part to help mend the Veil.
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Cullen led her to a large open tent where many soldiers and civilians lay on makeshift beds. Most of them had wounds from the shockwave of the explosion, others had burns or claw wounds from demons that were appearing everywhere.
"Adan, this is Eirlana she is a healer, she has come to help."
Adan let out a disgruntled noise. "Help? We need more of a miracle than help."
Chantry sisters walked around with bandages, herbs and clean hot water for the wounded. One of them handed her an apron. Cries and moans of pain filled the air, a man on a stretcher was brought in, a gaping wound in his shoulder. Another was carried out covered with a cloth, he was dead.
"Are you alright?" Cullen broke her stare.
"I..." she could see his concern in his eyes. "I will be alright... and thank you." Taking a deep breath, she remembered the teachings from the spirits, calming herself down.
"We have to amputate."
"No! Sister, please don't!" A soldier with a horrendous wounded leg was grabbing the sisters wrists pleading to spare his leg. Cullen saw Eirlana's face change, she looked less fragile. A strength appeared in her eyes he didn't expect from this wisp of a woman.
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Eirlana put on her apron and approached the man who just spoke. Her eyes scanning him and his leg. The soldier looked at her with pleading eyes. "Please! Please don't take it."
She rolled up her sleeves and washed her hands in hot water next to his bed. "I need to clean your wound, it will be alright."
Cullen and several sisters watch her as she set to work. Cassandra had asked Cullen to observe her for a while. He could see her demeanour change, a calming aura spread around her. That calmness hit him like a wave, washing over him. He felt his headache, he had from the lyrium withdrawal, dwindle. He felt serene, it gave him goosebumps. The soldier and several other patients in her proximity also calmed down, the screaming and moaning died down. She then began to carefully remove the shreds of clothing, armor and debris from the leg and cleaned the wound. When she was finished, she lay her hands on the leg and closed her eyes. A blue hue spread from her over the leg and Cullen could see the leg slowly regenerate, picking up speed as the healing progressed. He had seen his fair share of magic over the years the good and the bad, but he had never seen anything like this. Remarkable healing skills indeed.
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It was late at night when she could return to the cottage. There had been so many wounded, she had worked non-stop for most of the day. Feeling tired and drained she stumbled through the trampled filthy snow almost falling down.
"Woo there Snowflake, try to stay on your feet." A strong arm held her upright. Taking a few steps back she blinked at the dwarf who caught her.
He smiled at her. "I noticed you walking in circles around all these tents. Come I show you to your place." he took a few steps and looked back at her until she followed him. "I am Varric and the most handsome dwarf around here. I can't believe you and that other elf volunteered for this mess. I thought they were kidding me when they told me two apostates just walked into a Chantry camp." When she didn't reply he continued. "You know you remind me of Daisy, she is a Dalish mage. She would also get lost if she were here, though she is more talkative. So I heard you patched up a lot of people since you arrived, are you holding up alright? The healers I know get tired very quickly when they are at work."
"I... I am tired yes."
"So you do have a voice." Varric grinned broadly at her. "A sweet one too. Ah, here we are. It seems your friend Solas also has returned. Well have a good night and take care of yourself." he turned around, leaving her at the door of the cottage.
"Thank you Varric." Varric waved her and headed for the tavern.
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The next couple of days were no different. Solas studying the rifts, sharing his experiences in the Fade, trying to close the smaller rifts with magic. Eirlana focussed on caring for the wounded as good as she could. The days were long and hectic, but they placed themselves right into the supporting roles that were needed. Nothing changed until the survivor out of the rift appeared.
