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2. Getting to Know Your People
"Narrative, why am I the only mortal in the Fade?" I ask, staring up at the green starless sky. If there was one thing I missed about the mortal realm, it was the stars.
"Well, there are many reasons why, though most of those reasons stem from the story of the Seven Usurpers." My friend replied.
"Who are the Seven Usurpers?" I ask sitting up. I notice that today, Narrative decided to take to form of a young, female bard.
"Well . . . It happened over a millennia ago; seven mortal mages entered the Fade to find the Golden City. They succeeded, only for their selfish desires to be reflected back onto themselves, changing them into who they truly were."
"I've read this story." I interject. "Seven Mages, from Tevinter, performed blood magic, to enter the Fade, and find the seat of the Maker. When they did, the Maker cursed them for their hubris, turning them into the first darkspawn. After which, the Maker left the city, abandoning his creations for all time."
"Well, it's not that far off the mark, but also not quite the truth. I wasn't there, so I can't, with complete certainty, claim that it is completely true. But there was a being of immense power who resided in the city who, like you, had the ability to bring light to the Fade. When the Mages appeared, they tried to usurp the being, only to fall at their own corruption. After which, the being sent them back to the mortal world and left, taking the light with him."
"And the Seven Usurpers? It is their story after all." I ask. I don't know why, but I feel as though I needed to know what happened to them.
"When they returned to the mortal realm, they began to attack their fellow man, and almost succeeded in wiping them out, had mortal man not found a way to defeat them. Eventually, all of the Usurpers were vanquished, save one."
"Why only the one? What was different about that particular Mage?"
"No one knows how he survived, only that he grew stronger through the ages. He became so powerful, that the mortals were unable to kill him. So, they locked him away, in the hopes that he never walk among them again." Narrative finished.
"What was his name?" I watch Narrative's mouth open.
I wake with a gasp. The room slowly coming into focus, I try to remember the events before now. Seeker, apostate, dwarf, demons, the Breach.
"The Breach!" I screamed, shooting upright. My action caused the elf in the room to immediately drop whatever was in her hands. We locked faces, and I watched her eyes widen with fear. She turned around, and bolted out the door, screaming her head off. Confused, I then noticed an absent sensation on the back of my head. Quickly feeling up my head, I realize it's in its usual unbound state, and let out a sigh. I noticed my clothes neatly folded on a chair to the side, and looked down to confirm that I was in my shift. I get out of bed and grab my clothes, just in time for the door to burst open.
"We heard screaming." Varric announced after entering, Solas right behind him. They both had dumbfounded looks at my hair.
"Well, are you going to stand there all day, or are you going to help me with my hair?" I ask sarcastically. That snapped them out of their trance, as they both showed their backs in unison. I scoff, and begin getting dressed.
"Um, Cassandra will want to see you, now that you're up. She's in the chantry." Solas informed.
"Good to know. Anything else?" I ask, tying up my pants.
"Only that the whole town is waiting on the other side of the door." Varric replies, as I finish putting on my shirt.
"Why?" I cock an eyebrow at them, as they share a look.
"It would probably be best if our illustrious Seeker explained it to you." Varric lamely responded. I put on my coat, manage to tie up my hair, and go straight past the two, to the door. I open it, and see two rows of soldiers making a path for me.
"Well this is a bit disconcerting." I mumble.
"We'll catch up with you when you're done." Varric patted my arm before abandoning me, Solas catching up to him. Jerks.
I make my way to the chantry, catching whispers from the citizens. Most of them were about me and the Breach, but every so often I would hear something about Andraste. How she chose me, and how I'm supposed to be her 'herald'. Other times, there would be snickers about something I had done. I reached the chantry doors, and heard two sisters discuss how Roderick claimed the Chantry want nothing to do with us. I went in, rolling my eyes at the fact that the Chancellor was still trying to be in charge.
"Have you gone completely mad? She should be taken to Val Royoeaux, to be tried by whoever next becomes Divine!" Came Roderick's voice, from the other end of the building.
"I do not believe the elf is guilty." Rang out Cassandra's voice.
"The elf failed, Seeker. The Breach is still in the sky. For all you know, she intended it that way!"
"I do not believe that." She reiterated.
"That is not for you to decide. Your duty is to serve the Chant-."
"My duty is to serve the principles the Chantry was founded under, as is yours." She interrupted. I reach the door, and slowly make my way in.
"Chain her, and prepare travel to the capital!" The Chancellor commanded.
"Ignore that, and leave us." Cassandra ordered in a calm voice. The guards just left the room.
"You walk a dangerous line Seeker." Roderick warned.
"The Breach is stable, but it is still a threat, and I will not ignore it." She declared.
"Look, I did all I could, but I am just one person. There's only so much I can do." I voice out.
"The Breach is not the only threat we face." Leliana chimed in. "Someone was responsible for the explosion at the conclave. Someone Most Holy did not expect. While it is possible they died with the others, it is also possible that they still have allies who live." She narrowed her eyes at the Chancellor.
"Are you accusing me of being a suspect?" He asked, sounding indignant.
"Among others." Leliana retorted.
"But not the prisoner." He pointed out.
"I heard the voices at the temple. Most Holy called out to her for help." Cassandra argued.
"Do you actually mean to tell me that, her survival and the mark on her hand, is all just coincidence?" He asked, skeptically.
"No, providence. The Maker sent her to help us in our darkest hour." Cassandra declared. A sinking feeling filled my stomach.
"Not to sound ungrateful here, but are you sure? I mean, I don't think I'm the best candidate for . . . Whatever this is."
"The Maker watches over all, even those who doubt his presence. When all hope seemed lost, you rose up to the challenge, and renewed it." I was so stunned by her statement, I just blinked.
"The Breach still remains, and you're the only one who can seal it." Leliana affirmed.
"This is not for you to decide." The Chancellor grated. Suddenly, Cassandra threw down a massive book on the table.
"You know what this is Chancellor." She stated, knowingly. "It is a writ from the Divine, granting us the authority to act, with or without your approval. Therefore, I declare the Inquisition reborn, and it will not put down arms, until order is restored. Meaning the Breach is sealed and we have found those responsible!" The Chancellor just shook his head, and left.
"Are you absolutely sure that was the best move? Sooner or later, we are going to need their help." I comment.
"This is the Divine's directive: rebuild the Inquisition of old, and find those who will stand against the chaos. We have no leader, no numbers, and now no Chantry support. We aren't ready." Leliana broke it down for me.
"We have no choice. We must act now, with your help." Cassandra's eyes bore into me.
"What exactly is the 'Inquisition of old'?" I ask.
"It predates the Chantry, when order was united under one banner to fight against chaos. When they accomplished their goal, they became the Templar order. Currently, as things are, we cannot expect them to be up to the task. We need those who can do what must be done, under a united banner once more." Leliana explained.
"Aren't we still, technically, part of the Chantry though?"
"The Chantry will be too busy looking for a new Divine, then waiting on her directive. We are on our own, perhaps forever." Cassandra clarified for me.
"Look, I'll agree to help in any way I can, but I still don't quite understand what you want me to be." I divulge.
"Rumours about you have spread beyond Haven, the people are calling you 'The Herald of Andraste', due to how you arrived. As to the role you will be accepting, to put it plainly, you will be the face of the Inquisition." Cassandra acknowledges. "In any case, we need to make preparations. You should acquaint yourself with the town while we do so."
I turn to walk away, when Leliana grabs me. "I noticed that your armour isn't at its best standard, so I ordered a better one. Please inform me if they do not fit."
I went into a side room to change. The new clothes were comfortable, and form-fitting. Definitely better than what I'd been wearing for the past few years. I left the room, and the building, and went to situate myself with the people. Hopefully, somewhere between all that, I could also catch up with Varric and Solas. I started with the quarter master, since she was right there. A human woman, by the name of Threnn, who told me to come to her, should anyone call me 'knife-ear'. It comforted me to know that there would be some modicum of protection for elves. Threnn quickly broke down everything to know about requisitions, before I departed. I decided to visit the apothecary next. Best get to know the one person who is going essential in patching you up. I knocked, then let myself in at its acceptance.
"Ah, look who's back from the dead again." The apothecary greeted. It was a middle aged man, with a beard.
"Do I know you from somewhere?" I ask dubiously.
"I'd be surprised if you did, being incoherent and all that. Someone had to patch you up though, so you're welcome."
"Thank you, anything I can do to pay you back?"
"Fix the sky, and I'll call it even. The name's Adan, I'm an alchemist by trade, and unfortunately, I'm the best one qualified for this position."
"Better you than someone who only knows half of what they are doing." I point out.
"Fair enough, though it's hard enough as it, since we don't have that much in supplies."
"Are you sure I can't help you out in anyway?"
"You're a busy woman, who's bound to have better things to do. I wish I had Master Taigen's notes though. He was onto a breakthrough, before he died at the Conclave."
"I'll stop taking up so much of your time then." I end, turning to leave.
"Before you leave, I have one question." I face him, expectantly. "Did you really call the Chancellor a dumbass, then break his nose?"
"I called him a 'petulant dumbass'." I answer, a bit thrown by his question.
"You just made my day a little bit better. Have a good one." Confused, I continued with my previous action, and left the building.
"If it isn't the 'Chosen of Andraste', a blessed hero sent to save us all." I hear Solas call out a bit jovially. I cross my arms, and cock an eyebrow at him.
"Well don't I sound dashing. And what, pray tell, is the mount of my choice?" I playfully ask.
"I would suggest a griffon were they not extinct. All joking aside, posturing is necessary. I've traveled to ruins and battlefields of old, and gone deep into the Fade. I've dreamed the end of lost civilizations and ancient wars, both famous and forgotten. All great battles have their heroes. I'm curious to see what kind you will be."
"Wait, are you seriously telling me that you sleep in, giant spider infested, booby-trapped, possibly cursed, ruins?" I ask, skeptical of his claim.
"I am not so naive to not set wards, and if you leave enough food out, the giant spiders tend to leave you alone." He retorted.
"Lucky you." I tell him dryly. "Still, it's an impressive feat that so few understand, much less approve."
"Thank you. It is obviously not a common field of study, but I would not trade it for anything. With that in mind, I believe it would be best for me to stay, until the Breach is closed."
"Wasn't that always the plan?" I inquire.
"I'm an apostate, surrounded by Chantry forces, in the middle of a Mage rebellion. While Cassandra has been accommodating, you understand my caution." He declares.
"Probably more than most, but I won't them take advantage of your kindness."
"And how would you stop them?" He asked, crossing his arms.
"I have my ways." I reply with a smirk.
"I do not doubt that." He responded, light-hearted. I watch his eyes searching my face.
"What is it?"
"You gave us your history, and yet there are more questions than answers. You remain mysterious as ever."
"Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you. How about we change that?" I coyly ask. His face immediately turned red.
"I just remembered, I have some pressing issues that require my immediate attention. Excuse me." He rushed out, before striding away.
I blinked, a little stunned by his response. Well, well, the resident savant has quite the perverted mind. I continued with my task, and came across a merchant. A blond, human, male named Seggrit, apparently. He seemed like a decent person, trying not to sound prejudice in my face. I have to admit that, he did treat everyone equally at first glance. It wasn't his fault he was one asshole, among a whole world full of them. I was looking over his wares, when I heard a familiar voice ring out. I looked behind me to found Varric laughing with a couple of scouts. Buying drawing supplies from Seggrit, I walked over to talk to Varric.
"If it isn't the woman of the hour!" He cried out, as the scouts left. "How are you holding up by the way? You know, from becoming the most wanted criminal in Thedas, to saviour of the faithful."
"It's not the worst thing to happen to me. At least I'm around more tolerable people." I reply, with a shrug.
"You're only saying that, because you haven't seen Cassandra's bad side."
"Threats of execution, and having a sword pointed at me doesn't count?"
"As the preceding number one prisoner of the Chantry, what you experienced was comparative to a slap on the wrist." He conveyed humourlessly.
"Then why stay? Surely, there are at least a million other places you would rather be right now." He made a wistful face.
"You got me there. Still, I'm not so recklessly irresponsible to think that all this could be easily fixed, like putting out a fire. I want to help do whatever it takes to help patch up that hole." He stated with conviction. Unfortunately, I couldn't help but read more into it.
"So there's no other reason for a person like you to stay?"
"A person like me?" He repeated defensively.
"You're the one who claimed to be a storyteller." I answer, condescendingly.
"I'll admit that I'm curious to see how this will play out, doesn't mean I'm not serious about everything else. Anyway, you seem preoccupied with something already, so I'll leave you to it." He parted, walking towards some scouts. I made my way to the forge, to meet the last person I needed to know. When I arrived, a bald, bearded man approached me.
"I was expecting you to drop by. The name's Harritt, how's the new armour fitting?" He asked, offering his hand.
"It's perfect. Better than anything I ever had." I answer, accepting his hand.
"That's what we like to hear. We can also make improvements to it if you want, your weapons as well." I thought about the bow I was currently borrowing. While it wasn't in bad condition, it would probably be best for me to replace it
"Could you make something better than this?" I request, handing him the bow.
"Give me some time, and I'll see what can do." He took the bow, and started to work. To pass the time, I filled out a requisition, as well as find and deliver the notes Adan wanted.
"Am I early?" I ask, arriving.
"Just on time." Harritt responded, handing me the new bow. I tested it a bit, it definitely stronger than the other one.
"Thank you." I say, strapping the new bow across my back. A sudden cough caught both our attention, as a scout stopped a few feet away.
"Lady Cassandra and the others are ready to see you now." The scout announced. Nodding in acknowledgement, I followed the scout to the Chantry. I caught myself looking up at the Breach, wondering if my dream was related to the being at the temple. While both stories paralleled, Narrative called the mages usurpers. A usurper is someone who takes power by force. If the mages took something that was part of the Fade, that would easily explain how they turned into darkspawn. And yet, one remains while the others are gone. Perhaps he took something else, something more in-tune with the Fade. I entered the chantry, and was greeted by Cassandra.
"Your mark, does it still bother you?" She asked, as we walked to the other end of the building.
"It's no longer jolting me, and in my books, that's a victory." I reply.
"Best take them where you can." She stated with a smile. We entered the room, were greeted by Leliana, a tall blonde man, and an antivan woman.
"This is Commander Cullen, Leader of the Inquisition forces." Cassandra introduced.
"What's left of them, we lost a small number in the last battle." He clarified.
"This is Lady Josephine Montyliet, our ambassador and Chief diplomat."
"Andaran antish'an." Josephine greeted.
"Not bad, not many people can speak the language well, much less want to learn it." I remark.
"Unfortunately, that is the extent of what I know." She confessed.
"And you already know our spymaster, Leliana." Cassandra continued.
"Tactfully put, Cassandra." Leliana ground out.
"Well I'm impressed. What's on the docket today?" I ask.
"Solas believes that the Breach could be sealed, if we amass the same amount of power that opened it. We've been discussing our options." Cassandra reported.
"It has come down to either asking the Mages or Templars for aid. Unfortunately neither group will speak with us, since the Chantry has denounced the Inquisition, and more specifically you." Josephine explained.
"That was fast." I comment. "I thought they were going to be too busy looking for a new Divine?"
"People are beginning to call you, a Dalish elf, the 'Herald of Andraste', and it unnerves the Chantry. They proclaim we are heretics, spreading blasphemous lies to further empower ourselves." Josephine continued.
"It confounds me that a large group of people think it's okay to bury their heads in the sand, and ignore the real problem." I mention out loud.
"More like up their own bottoms, since they also claim we're making things worse." I smile a little at Cullen's improvement.
"On a better note, we have received word that a Grand Cleric, by the name of Mother Giselle, wishes to speak with you." Leliana announced. "She would know those involved better than we do. It would at least benefit us, to see what she is offering."
"Where is she currently situated?" I inquire.
"In the Hinterlands, near Redcliffe." She answered.
"Alright, I'll go see what she has to say. I will also be taking Varric and Solas with me, you too Cassandra. "I gave her a stern look. She nodded in acknowledgement.
"I will start preparations for the journey, right away." Josephine declared.
"Then if there's nothing else, I consider this meeting adjourned." I left the room to tell Varric the good news.