A/N: There were several questions posed in light of last chapter in terms of how she recognised Thedas, and hopefully most of them will be answered in the next couple of chapters, although I will shed a little light here: Zoe designed most of the Dragon Age game in this story. It'd be very obvious to the game's designer where they were if they did ever happen to end up there, no?
That said, Zoe will shed a bit more light in her conversations with our beloved King and Warden-Commander :)
Zoe knew, despite their agreeing that they believed her rather vague story on how she knew what she did, that she had quite the task of explaining everything to both Duncan and Cailan. Rubbing her temples as she followed the two men to a section of camp that they suggested she could use as a more permanent place to stay, she thought on how best to explain how she recognised Thedas. To her, the answer was obvious: she had spent countless hours a day, 6 days a week over the course of three years designing the main aesthetics of the game with a design team numbering just 20 people strong. It would be seemingly ridiculous to her if she didn't recognise the game she'd made. If that didn't suffice enough for an explanation, where else would you find a massive mabari hound? Aside from that, she had simply let her instincts guide her, which was a reason she knew wouldn't hold up well against doubt, but it was the truth.
Grumbling as she walked, she kicked a couple of stones in irritation, and Cailan eventually hung back enough to speak with her as they walked. He, of course, asked her how she'd realised that she was in Thedas, and she rattled off the same thoughts she'd just mulled over, adding a few more things as they came to her. Another big indicator of where she was was the armour she'd been clad in when she'd finally come around to realising she wasn't at home any more. The style was very distinguishable to Zoe, since she'd worked tireless with the animation team as well to make sure that the characters within the game could move easily in such an armour style.
Cailan nodded a few times, obviously mulling over what she was saying as well, doubt etched into his blue eyes even though he tried to hide it. Blowing out a frustrated sigh, Zoe spoke quietly. "Look, I know it sounds completely mental. Believe me, that thought has crossed my mind more than once since I got here." She began to play with her fingers again, a nervous habit that had formed when she was young. "How did Duncan know your name?" Cailan eventually questioned, shedding light on another question that had been burning in the back of Zoe's mind.
She had to admit, even she was at a loss on that. Remembering her journal, she retrieved it from her pack and showed it to Cailan, who busied himself with reading it. "All I can think of is that somehow what I wrote on that page was translated here without me ever inputting it through my computer programs back on Earth. I wrote myself into existence somehow while I was jotting down a story for myself to stick to, which is why people feel puzzled as to why or how they know this crazy looking woman. I'm technically not supposed to exist." Cailan seemed to regard this with some manner of disbelief, but he continued to read the notes Zoe had jotted down. When he reached the section describing the family's notoriety within Ferelden, he raised an eyebrow. "So that's why I felt like I knew you. You wrote me to have seen you before, at my wedding with Anora, if this notebook is anything to be believed." He handed the book back to her, thanking her quietly before he excused himself to his tent, still rubbing his neck slightly, clearly distressed.
Sighing softly, Zoe turned to Duncan, who had made his way to her while she had been watching the king. "I'm curious, my lady. I knew your name when we met, but have no recollection of how I know it." He murmured softly, also obviously uneasy with everything Zoe had relayed. Offering the journal to him as she had done with Cailan, she allowed Duncan to read what she had written. She had been incredibly thorough, including her father's military history, her mother's clientele, and her own exploits and training over her lifetime. A few times, Duncan raised an eyebrow thoughtfully as he skimmed through the notes, eventually handing the book back to her as well. "That explains a few things, then. Your father was someone I met after I became a Warden, but before I became Ferelden's Warden-Commander, according to what you have written here. He was one of the members of the first contingent of soldiers we Wardens encountered when we were allowed to return to Ferelden, after what Warden-Commander Sophia did to our Order."
He sighed softly at the memory, shaking his head before continuing. "From the sounds of your notes, he spoke of his family often and kept several portraits of them with him when he left for war. You also wrote that the Grey Wardens were invited to a tourney held in your honour when you turned eighteen, which explains why I knew you on sight." Duncan smiled warmly at Zoe before gestured for her to sit down. "I don't know if I believe your story entirely, however. Why would Teryn Loghain betray his king? His country? It sounds like conspiracy to me, and it would not bode well to have that news spreading through the camp." Zoe grimaced as she sat beside the commander, bringing her knees up to her chest.
"I know it sounds insane. Some random woman who everyone is unsure how they know claiming that Loghain is a traitorous bastard is never going to find any ground here. I know that. But I had to warn you, even if you didn't believe me. I had to at least make you doubt." She tapped her greaves thoughtfully as she sat there, staring at the dirt. "It's a little obvious I'm not from around here. My hair is insane, my accent doesn't really sound like it's from anywhere in Ferelden at all. I wrote myself into existence here in Thedas on a bloody notebook page, of all things!" She threw up her hands in annoyance, rising to her feet and walking over to look out at the Wilds below. "All of this is fucking insane. I'm not even sure I'm really here in Thedas. It feels like a very, very vivid dream."
She pushed her hands through her hair, shaking her head as she rest her hands against the stone wall a moment later.
Duncan, sensing that she wanted to be left alone, quietly excused himself back to the tent that the Wardens had set up, giving Max a soft rub on the head as he left. Zoe spent the half-hour staring into the valley below, trying to wrap her head around everything even still, 6 hours after she'd woken to find herself thrust into the world she had agonised over for three years. Maybe she was insane. Maybe she'd become so wrapped up in her projects that they had manifested into her dreams. Maybe...she shook her head. There were too many unanswered questions, and she was starting to feel very out of sorts.
Turning and walking back to where Max was guarding her pack, she quietly erected a tent using the poles and material that had been delivered while she was lost in her slew of thoughts. Night had also fallen while she'd been lost in her own mind, and fatigue was starting to catch up on her. Crawling into the tent, she set out a bedroll, collapsing onto it as soon as she was finished. She found herself thinking, just before she went to sleep, I want to wake up.
She didn't know how long she slept for, but the sounds of people chattering and swords ringing as soldiers practiced for the battles to come woke her when the sun was in the sky. Grumbling as she realised she was still at the ruins of Ostagar, she pushed herself up into a sitting position, rubbing at her eyes. She had slept very restlessly, tossing and turning all night, and there was a crick in her neck she was desperate to get out.
Tilting her neck to one side, she gently pushed up on her chin, sighing in relief as a very satisfying 'pop' signalled that she'd managed to realign her bones to a more comfortable position by pushing the air out of the discs in her neck. Turning her head back to it's natural position, she left Max to guard the tent as she wandered the army camp curiously, wondering if Duncan and Cailan had given her notes any more thought over the night.
As she walked, she noticed that Duncan was already up and getting ready to saddle his horse and head for wherever he'd decided to recruit his last Warden from. Clearing her throat when she approached him and two other Wardens, she crossed her arms over her chest and bowed politely. "Warden-Commander, if I may have a moment?" She asked quietly, making sure her eyes were cast downward when she spoke. Duncan dismissed the two men at his side, and Zoe rose quietly. "I wanted to apologise for turning into a ball of rage during our discussion last night." She thought back to her outburst and rubbed her neck sheepishly. "I know all of this is hard for you, probably more so than it is for myself. I should not have let my emotions get out of control."
When she looked up at the Rivaini man, she found an amused grin on his face. "It's alright, my lady. We're all a little rattled by the news, I think." He swung up onto his horse with a thoughtful glance at her. When he spoke again, he had lowered his voice so that only she would hear. "I was wondering, since it is obvious that you know more about what's going on than you are willingly admitting to," at this accusation, Zoe coloured slightly and cast her gaze down again, "Would you be so kind as to accompany me to Highever? I have a keen interest in the a couple of recruits that way. Your hound can either choose to accompany us, or he can remain here with Ser Keiran, my second."
Zoe thought about it for a moment before she whistled for Max, having her pack already slung over her shoulder. "I think I'll bring him with me, if that's alright." She murmured, still uneasy about the situation she was in. Nodding at her, Duncan motioned to a beautiful black stallion that was being lead toward her. "I took the liberty of securing a mount for you for the journey. I assume you know how to ride?" Zoe shot him a dirty look that screamed 'duh' before she swung up onto the saddle, attaching her pack to one of the saddlebags. With a laugh, Duncan urged his mount forward, Zoe following suit.
When the pair were clear of prying ears, Duncan spoke again. "I still do not believe everything you say, my lady Payton, but I do believe you wrote yourself into existence here somehow. It does seem rather strange, but for now, I think we will focus more on the threat of the rising darkspawn threats and less on whether or not people will believe you." He shot her a glance, his gaze softening when he saw that she was still very shaken. "From the looks of things, it would appear that this is no dream. I encourage you to try and make the best of this situation, however. You seem a little more unsettled than you were last night; did you not sleep well?"
Zoe shook her head, swallowing thickly. "I just...I have no idea how to react to all of this. On one hand, I'm ecstatic. I loved creating the games, I loved creating the characters in the games. Thedas was where I escaped to when things got too heavy to deal with." She drew in a shaky breath before continuing, "On the other hand, however, I'm absolutely terrified. How did this happen? Is it real? Am I imagining this? Am I insane?" She looked over at him, uncertainty written all over her face.
"I mean, I blacked out in my apartment back in Canada, on Earth. When I wake up, I'm suddenly in Thedas. I have a dog sitting on me that is obviously my dog, I recognise my surroundings almost instantly. Its as if I just fell asleep in the middle of a field somewhere next to the Imperial Highway! How the hell do I react to that? How am I supposed to make any sense of this?" She rubbed her face angrily, Max whining softly at her. "Then somehow, as I'm trying to make a back-story for myself to use if people ask where I'm from, I've suddenly managed to write myself into existence and no one knows how they know me. It's...overwhelming." Her voice cracked and she shook her head, turning her attention to the road for a moment as she mulled it all over.
"It sounds overwhelming, my lady, but if you over-think it you're only going to end up making it worse than it is." Duncan admonished gently, making Zoe sigh softly. "I know." She murmured softly before she glanced over at the commander. "And please, call me Zoe. Being called 'my lady' is making me panic. I've never been a proper lady; just as my adopted parents." She rolled her eyes, tousling her hair as she tried to get herself to relax. "You're right though. I just need to make the best of this. It should prove relatively interesting, at least. Though how I'm going to survive with no technology...that's going to be a fun challenge." She grumbled, already missing her music and her phone. Duncan laughed heartily at her, and began to fill the time telling her stories of the Wardens as well as some Fereldan history so that she didn't feel completely out of sorts.
Zoe was surprised at how much of Thedas was never touched while people had played the games, and the more time she spent admiring her surroundings, the more she became glad she was there, despite it all. Turning to Duncan as they continued on their journey, nearing the area where they had agreed to make camp for the first night, she asked quietly, "You want to recruit the youngest Cousland more so than Roderick Gilmore, don't you?" Duncan laughed softly, but nodded. "Yes. Aedan is quite a skilled warrior, especially for his age. I know that the Teryn would have preferred he learned more of ruling the lands that the family has held for centuries, but he was insistent on learning to fight. He bested both his brother and Fergus at the melee held in Highever last year. He decided not to fight this year, however; apparently he was too busy running after noble daughters." Zoe burst out laughing as Duncan sighed, never having pictured the commander as one for gossip.
"We'll be turning left at the next fork here; there is another warrior in Highever I wish to recruit." Duncan began, and Zoe looked at him. "Jory, right?" she asked quietly, dismounting when Duncan did and tying their mounts up together on a nearby branch. "Yes." Duncan answered as the two set up camp for the evening. "He's a strong warrior and has his heart in the right place. I just wonder if he's really up to the task." Zoe wisely kept her mouth shut on this matter, choosing instead to begin cooking for the two of them. She made a simple stew, and tore some of the bread rations they had brought with them to have with it.
Bellies full, Duncan insisted on taking the watch of the night, and Zoe reluctantly agreed. She settled down onto her bedroll, Max having decided to make himself useful as a pillow, and gazed up at the stars for a moment as she tried to fall asleep. Thedas was beautiful, even more so than she'd imagined, and the sky she found herself staring at was no different. Smiling faintly to herself, she muttered a quiet goodnight to Duncan before sleep claimed her once again, the sound of the fire crackling and Max's even breathing helping keep her asleep throughout the night.
A/N:I know it doesn't answer ALL of the questions, but I do hope that it answers SOME of them. Essentially, Zoe is going to spend a lot of time convincing a lot of people about this, but eventually she'll learn to not even mention it, and people won't think to question as long as she keeps herself blended in.
Though with that hair of hers...not going to be easy!
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See you all in the next chapter!