A/N: As per my previous chapters, this chapter may be found disturbing per psychological abuse, religious zeal, burning people alive and other imagery. Reader discretion is advised.

"You look troubled, Blessed."

I tore my eyes from the horizon, my silence on top of the tower broken. I had not wanted any company but I liked the idea distinctly less sharing space with Anais. Beneath the lurking stare of her brown eyes I could feel the cloaked daggers waiting. But her eyes weren't even the biggest give away that she had a plan. It was her smile. During my time with the cult, Speaker Anais rarely smiled and I had never seen her behave warmly towards me. But the one she was giving me almost seemed warm. Almost.

Have you ever seen raw hunger bubbling over in someone's eyes? There's an art to it. You have to focus on the teeth that peer between their lips and then the hunger spills over to meet their grin. The moment you meet their gaze, it evaporates, a secret they try to keep hidden away. Anais could smell the first drop of blood in the water and that hunger was brimming within her eyes and slipping to her mouth.

"No, I am just taking a moment of contemplation with the Maker. It is quiet up here, a good place to commune and bask in his grace."

And not look at the two prisoners that had been bound and gagged to the statue of the Maker in the courtyard. The Speaker had decided their punishment even if she only announced one part. For now they were kept in the courtyard and at least once a day they were stripped entirely, displayed before the cult to mock and jeer at. The only small consolation was that there was a segment of the followers who seemed to take no joy in this punishment and only participated because they were expected to. Hyndel was among them. There would be someone down there with them to monitor their condition so they didn't freeze to death.

"Indeed. I am happy to see that you have accepted him so readily."

"There is no real denying him, Speaker."

It was a little too easy for me to speak like that despite being immersed in this environment for months. I was not extremely religious so it was odd to have such pious words falling from my lips without much thought anymore. It felt like the cult's ways were weedling into my psyche and that was something that made my stomach roll. My answer seemed to satisfy her for she nodded almost sagely at my words. And then that smile widened just a bit.

"Truer words were never spoken. Today I need you to watch the signs of our would be assassins. The weather is getting even colder and the Maker is not yet finished with their punishment. See to it that they do not suffer ill health during their punishment today."

Nausea dug its cruel fingers into my stomach. She wanted me right there. Watching. Jeering. So far I had dodged this fate because of the string of needed people coming for the "miracles" I offer. But I had to admit that there was a part of me that felt angry. That WANTED to see them suffer. They had tried to KILL me! Logically I knew that they were scared, that I was something too similar to the demons pouring from the Rifts. The Breach had stopped growing weeks ago but the threat still remained. This entire land had been dragged into an upheaval, entire ways of life uprooted. These men were frightened and had lost everything.

The conflict that warred within my chest was intense and tore at my psyche. A part of me wanted them to suffer for trying to murder me but the rest of me realized that they were afraid and did what they thought they could to eliminate a threat. I swallowed thickly, trying to think of how I could get out of this. But Anais clucked her tongue at me, my hesitation spread across my face.

"Now, now, we all must do our duties. The Maker wants them to be punished and we all must carry out his will. Make sure to strip them yourself."

"Of course…" I answered faintly, trying to ignore the growing sickness in my belly, "I'll…be down in a moment."

"See that you are… The Maker has finally spoken to me about their fate and I will be announcing it today."

I tried not to look at her but I couldn't ignore the smile that was still across her lips. It was the smile of someone who just claimed a victory. I didn't want to think of what that meant for me.

Xxxxx

When I arrived in the courtyard, the would be assassins were gagged still and tied to the statue. There was little dignity for these men. Anais ordered for them to be taken outside the fort for them to relieve themselves but they were not cleaned up after. So after their time as prisoners for a few weeks, they smelled foul and the fecal matter had built up. If they had not been lashed to the statue of the Maker I was certain that Anais wouldn't have even freed them for those purposes. No one was allowed to clean them up for "like their sins, they must be marked as unclean and impure".

My jaw clenched uncomfortably tight when they shook their heads at me furiously when I reached to strip them. I gave them a tormented glance, trying to convey wordlessly that I did not do this of my free will. It was impossible to tell if they understood or not because they still fought and I didn't blame them. The cold had turned biting, sharp enough to hint at possible snow incoming. Even in my thick and warm robes the air was still potently chilly. I took a deep and shaky breath and pushed those feelings of guilt down. The courtyard was filling already and any hesitation would be something for Anais to use against me.

The response from the first man was instant, he gave a muffled groan through the gag when the sharp air touched his bare skin. The second was more volatile and thrashed against his bonds but nothing he could do would be able to stop me and he screeched at me from behind the gag. Several of them colorful words and then something about the Void but I couldn't understand all of it. I stepped back, considering how long it would take for them to last. Considering how long would appease Anais but also minimize their suffering.

Jeering started quickly. It was a few at first but it grew as more spoke up, hurling insults and soon vegetables. I had to interfere when one of them made a move to toss their mulled wine on them, citing that it would cause them to get too cold and they still had to get their punishment. I didn't join in but I had to watch them closely in order to dodge that requirement. I wasn't sure which was worse to be honest. Routinely I would press my hand to their skin to test the temperature. I said nothing to give them a hint that I was trying to help as best I could. The crowd made it impossible to pass that message verbally and could only be shown with my actions.

"My children!" called out a strong voice. It was enough to still the crowd and everyone turned to see Speaker Anais just in front of the gate, "The Maker has at last spoken to me on what his judgment will be for those who sought to murder his Blessed."

The cult had already been silent at Anais words but there was a second wave of anticipation that rushed over the group. I stilled, straightening, struggling to see her face. The look curdled my blood. There was no wickedness, no rage and no hunger. No, the Speaker had a look that was so utterly and convincingly remorseful. It showed me that her personality was the very picture of a sociopath because I knew that whatever she was about to mete out was going to be bad.

"It brings me pain but the Maker cannot abide by the two men who tried to slaughter his Blessed one. She is one in his protection and one of our fold and such an attempt was too foul for him to tolerate. The assassins must be put to death. They will be cleansed by fire to burn away their sins. Tonight at dusk we will place them upon the pyre." She cast her sorrowful gaze to the two men, now shouting muffled protests, eyes wide, "I am sorry but you brought this upon yourselves. May the Maker have mercy upon you in your death."

"Wait!"

The cult turned to stare at me, parting slightly so that I might also see Anais more clearly. Horror settled into my bones when I realized that I had shouted that desperate protest. There was still no sign of the predator that I had seen lurking in the Speaker. In fact she looked concerned, her brows furrowed and she took a few steps forward.

"You have something to say, Blessed?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat, "Is…is there not any other way? Is there not any way that these men can redeem themselves in the eyes of the Maker?"

My answer was a somber shake of her head, "I spoke in depth with him. It is why it took so long for me to deliver his final judgment. I tried to ask, to beg for another way but he has made his decision." The smile she gave me was kind, "It speaks well of you that you are willing to forgive these men, Blessed."

I should have just been quiet. But there was no logical thought running through my mind. All I could see was these two men, two terrified men, screeching in scorching flame until they died. They didn't deserve this! I wrung my hands, nervously, my robes feeling uncomfortably tight despite the fact that they hung loosely from me after the weight I had lost.

"Is…are you certain? There is no other way?"

Anais cocked her head, "I am certain, as much as it grieves me. Blessed Eve-"

My stomach nearly heaved. That was what people called me for a while here and the compromise was 'Blessed Evelyn' or just 'Blessed'. The moniker made me think too much of Eve from the biblical stories and it just added a new layer of religious zeal that I couldn't stomach. And Anais was clearly using it for leverage.

"-I know this is a hard decision but are you questioning the orders of our Maker?"

And like that, the jaws of her trap closed around me. A thousand thoughts raced through me. Was it worth standing up to them? Speaking out further? Would they try to kill me? If they didn't try to kill me was I ready to survive on my own? I could find Ellandra but I didn't know exactly where she was. Was she even still hanging around? The odds were too stacked against me to survive.

"Of course not. I am sorry to make it seem that way. I had just hoped…that maybe mercy was possible."

I dipped my head and stared at the ground. This was as much a genuine gesture as it was a tactical one. These men were going to be burned alive because of Anais trying to remove me as a threat. They were men who got caught in the crossfire, regardless of their attempt on my life. I was angry but not enough to put them to death let alone that brutal of one!

"I know it's hard…" Anais told me in a way that sounded convincingly empathetic, "But the Maker's will must be done."

I kept clenched behind my teeth that it was not the Maker's will but hers.

When the time arrived, even the sun seemed to be mocking me for it set on the horizon with more red I had ever seen on a sunset. And it cast the two condemned men in a halo like blood and fire as they begged through their gags. Anais had still refused to have them removed and in some ways I took it as a small mercy. I didn't think I could stand hearing them shouting for mercy as they were dragged to the two pyres built on the hillside. Once again they had been stripped of their clothes and lashed to the posts bare as the day they were born. They struggled growing more violent in their thrashing when Anais approached with a torch in her hand.

"May the Maker show you mercy." She bid the first before turning to us, "Be sure to watch for we must all see what falls to those who commit a crime against the Maker."

The fire spread quickly in the brush and sticks gathered at his feet once it caught. The two were quickly engulfed in flames. Despite the gags the absolute howl of agony that tore from them was enough to make me feel like the air was shuddering around me. The shrieks were loud and inhuman and I realized that I was feeling the actual Veil shudder around us from the intensity of the emotions radiating from the fires. I squinted my eyes tightly against the awful sound, tears pouring down my face.

The screams seemed to go on for hours but with how little the sun had changed I determined that it must have only been a few minutes. I doubted they were dead yet due to how open everything was, the carbon monoxide probably wouldn't be enough to kill them. I bit my lip to choke back a sob and counted my blessings that the two men probably passed out from the pain. Anais made us all watch for at least an hour even after the screaming had stopped. But the pyres were still burning by the time we retreated back into the fort. I went to bed that night with a large amount of mulled wine as I desperately tried to purge the horrid smell of charred flesh from me.

Xxxxxx

Anais kept the charred corpses of those two men on display for a full week. According to her, it was another mandate of the maker. Even though it had been at least a month and a half since they were taken down, the image was forever branded into my head. I could see the greed and malice that crept out in her secret glares and sneers towards me. But to the rest of the group, her razor teeth that yearned to sink into power were well hidden and I had begun to wonder if I was the only one who could see it. I was at a loss of what to do. Even if I could think of how to battle against her efforts to undermine me, the only outcome would be further adoration for me. I would be placed on a pedestal and that alarmed me. But if I did nothing, I was certain that I could be tossed out on my ass or even burnt as the stake alongside those two men who tried to assassinate me.

"Blessed?"

I was startled out of my thoughts by Emmett, the husband of the young woman I had performed CPR on months ago. Nannette was her name. In my head, I always thought of her in past tense because I had already learned in my field of work that a death of the self can occur well before the death of the body.

"Apologies." I replied remorsefully.

Nannette, while she had already been a lithe woman, had lost weight considerably. Infact the best term to describe her physical condition would be "wasting away". For the first few weeks we could not get her to eat although she would swallow small sips of water out of a preserved reflex. After a little over a week, I had encouraged the cultists to grind any food they planned to give her and mix it with water until it became something of a thin, watery paste. It was gross but it was the only way to get any kind of nutrients in her.

I pulled my stethoscope from around my neck, something that Ellandra had the judgement to save, and took a careful listen to her chest. The sensation of me pressing the bell to her skin, cold metal biting was enough to cause her limbs to tense and retract awkwardly towards her. I winced at the sight for her decorticate posturing had not improved. I hadn't really expected it to but I had held out a very faint flicker of hope.

She felt feverish to the touch and her forehead was damp with sweat despite the cold. I listened carefully to her lungs and felt dread sink into my stomach. Her lungs were filled with secretions, which was likely part of why she was getting so sick. And as much as I hated to admit it, the chances were pretty high that she had been silently aspirating as well. We hadn't been able to sit her up properly in the bed because she tenses and postures with every touch so she would not bend at the waist. We had to make do and use multiple people to try and hold her up as much as we could to feed her.

She had to be turned every few hours to avoid bedsores. And every day I could see Emmett's hope wavering. Withering. It was wasting away as surely as his wife, Nannette. Death can come in many forms and the sudden death of a loved one doesn't always have to be the worst one. When there is the death of self and their body starts to wither, you watch the family fade with them and there is nothing that makes it better.

"Blessed?" Emmett cleared his throat awkwardly, "Why hasn't Nannette reclaimed her mind? The Speaker says that if the Maker granted her a second chance that she should have fully recovered by now…."

Shit. I could not explain the truth behind what was happening. Not only would I not be believed but it would give Anais an opening to strike again. I had to talk my way out of this and tread very carefully. I straightened my back and gestured for Emmett to come sit with me at one of the roughly made wooden tables. We sat across from each other for a solemn silent moment as I folded my hands on the table.

"I will speak honestly with you." I gave only a blink at the half truth I was about to weave, "Nannette came back to life on a physical level because the Maker willed it. However after that there is a trial of the mind. She must overcome what she experienced in order to return to us and her body. This is not an easy test because she has been given a glimpse of peace away from this world, especially given the…cruel way in which she was killed. Even the strongest of minds may not wish to return to us."

Tears stung his eyes, "But she wouldn't have left me! And I would have never left her!"

"I cannot claim to know her. But if it is possible to return to the Maker's side and ascend the violence in this world, do you think she would go to him?"

"I….I don't know."

He fell silent, staring down although I was certain he was not really seeing his own hands or the table. Guilt coursed through me at having to spin such a foul lie. Having to weave together something resembling religious dogma to further myself felt unspeakably underhanded. But I still had the contorted charred corpses of Anais' victims seared across my mind. All I could think about was how she might do that to me.

My tired eyes drifted to my patient and I felt another nagging of my conscious. One I could not ignore. I looked back to Emmett and picked at my nails lightly as I deliberated. I couldn't tell him the full truth of her condition. But I could tell him the outcome and how it was going to proceed.

"There is something else that I need you to know… It is looking highly likely that her mind will not be returning. But, to that end, as you can see the body cannot exist without the mind. For as long as it is gone, she will continue to wither like this. Until there is not enough left to even sustain her body."

Tears watered in his eyes again, "What are you trying to say…?"

I knew that tone. I had heard it before. It was a question asked hoping that he had not understood what I was implying. Swallowing down my nausea, I pressed on. He had to know. And it was only ethical if she was…allowed to pass.

"She cannot continue to exist like this. Her body, for as long as it is totally absent of her mind, will continue to deteriorate until there is no heartbeat and life left. But as long as her body is still living as it is her mind will be torn between the Maker's side and here. She cannot go to him and for whatever reason she cannot return here. As long as this continues she will be torn between two places."

"So what are you saying? That we just kill her? That I give you my permission to kill her?" He was shaking as he spoke, tears pouring down his face.

"Look at her, Emmett." I murmured softly.

"I HAVE been looking at her! For MONTHS. Every day. For. Months! Why did you bring her back if you were just going to try and kill her later!?"

Tears fell from my own eyes. I had never done this before. In my line of work I had never been the one who had to speak to the family about withdrawing care. At most I was the one to come in and terminally pull their breathing tube after the decision had been made to let them go. This was much harder than I had ever imagined. And I couldn't help but feel responsible. How differently would things have gone if I hadn't tried? I wouldn't have been elevated in status. She wouldn't have suffered an anoxic brain injury and would have passed as peacefully as possible. And Emmett wouldn't have had to watch his wife slowly shrivel away.

"No." I told him gently, the tears still flowing, "No, really look at her. Look at what she has become. Look at how she is going to continue to be. Is that how she would want to be?" He shuddered out a sob, "You do not have to make a decision now. Take whatever time you need. I will continue in my care for her as long as she breathes and will not do anything unless you are ready."

Emmett was silent for a few moments before he looked up at me with venom in his gaze, "To the Void with you! No one is killing my wife!"

He stormed out leaving me alone with the woman who was only existing and no longer living. I couldn't help but feel like I had just put the first nail in my coffin.

Xxxxxx

"It's so strange…" I said to Hyndel as I looked over the various potions that he had created, his notes cleanly written, "We had so many refugees and now no one comes out here."

My fingers found the cup of warmed spiced wine next to our work table and I took a heavy pull. Call it self medication for it was the only thing I had to help calm my nerves in this steadily worsening environment. It was even worse since Ellandra had not come back to visit and she was the only relief I had from these people.

Hyndel looked up from his own page, a new potion he was working on, "According to our own scouts, it would seem that the fighting has increased again to the point that it is far too dangerous for refugees to be traveling in. Even a single armed person would likely not survive the brutal fighting that is happening right now."

That brought me even more conflict. On the one hand it would explain why Ellandra hadn't come and it meant that she hadn't abandoned me. But on the other hand it could mean that she was dead. I hoped desperately that was not the case because she was one of my only friends. Hyndel, I had come to count as another. Underneath the fervor that Anais had instilled in him, he was remarkably smart and even seemed to be grounded. What he simply needed was to get out of this environment. What he needed was to see the Speaker for what she really was.

"I see…"

"What troubles you?" he asked, pulling his eyes off of his notes to look at me.

"I just worry for Ellandra. The mage woman who saved me. I hope that she's ok…"

Hyndel nodded sagely, "I understand. I often worry for my parents…but they refuse to listen to reason and stay in their home simply because it is theirs. I tried to convince them to come with me" he clenched his fists, "But they refused. I can do no more to help them now."

"Why don't you stay with them? Go home and be with them."

"I am needed here. I should be here."

"You are needed there." I retorted, "You SHOULD be there."

"Blessed…you make it sound like you don't want me here."

I drank deeply of my cup again, "Hyndel. You have been tremendously helpful to me and every day you have been here for me I have been immensely grateful. But your parents are still alive. I would give up a lot to be with my family again. There are many out there that would give anything to see their loved ones again. I hate to see you waste this. You don't have to be here to show your dedication to the Maker…"

The elven mage looked taken aback. Cautiously he looked around and then leaned forward and gestured me to come closer. Curiousity piqued, I scooted my chair towards him until he was very close to me.

"I hadn't said anything but…" his voice was conspiratorially low, "I have not felt good about this place after…after what the Speaker did to those men."

I looked at him, thunder-struck. I had never expected to find someone who would speak about how they doubted Anais. Everyone, if they were even considering it, was too afraid to speak. Or at least that was how it seemed.

"Thank you for trusting me." I murmured back, "But you really need to get out of here. She is dangerous. She's not right. And I think she's going to come after me. I'm not blessed or anything but she sees me as a threat."

Hyndel swallowed, "I've seen. Bl...Evelyn…she's trying to turn people against you. She's been talking to some of us and asking why Nannette hasn't recovered her mind."

I gave him a grateful smile for using my name before I lowered my head and took a shuddering breath, "I know…I had to speak with her husband about that a week ago. And I also had to explain that she would only decay like this…that she needs to be let go. He…he didn't take it well."

He seemed to dive into a flurry of thoughts then, his eyes becoming glazed, his brows furrows as he wracked over his ideas. We remained silent for quite some time but it was not an uncomfortable one. The fact that I was in the company of someone that I felt I could trust lifted a huge burden off of my shoulders. It was so notable that I didn't realize just how much I was carrying in silence until it felt like I was breathing again for the first time in months.

"You could come with me. It will be tight but my parents won't mind. I could help you more with your magic." His eyes glinted in the beams of sunlight that filtered through into the tower, "And I saw how you knew exactly how to help that little boy who came in with the breathing trouble. My mother has it as well though it has been a long time since it gave her problems. I'm sure she would be glad to have you in the house."

Tears watered in my eyes at the prospect of freedom, "That…that is so nice of you. But I fear that Speaker Anais will not let me leave openly. I am too much of a value to the cult. She needs to defame me. I wouldn't even be able to pack my stuff without someone commenting."

His brows knitted tightly, "I…I cannot argue that."

I sat back, speaking in my normal voice once more, "You are sweet to offer. But think of yourself, please."

I hated to think how if he waited too long he could be just as trapped here as I was.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

"Walk with me, Blessed."

I looked up from Nannette, who I had been trying to feed, to see Speaker Anais standing on the other side of the bed, her arms folded primly but her smile was a kind one. She had to show me a different attitude, a kinder one, when others were around. After all, it could backfire in her face otherwise once she finally made the move to remove me. I passed the cup of food that had been ground to a loose paste to one of the healers and wiped my hands with a damp cloth. There was no denying Speaker Anais here. No one refused her and I suspected few wanted to deny her out of respect. But after my conversation with Hyndel, it had planted the idea in my head that if he had begun doubting then there were going to be others.

But nonetheless, I played along and accompanied her out into the courtyard and then out the gates. Many people watched us leave together so I took comfort in the fact that she would probably not attempt to harm me while outside of the fort. The leaves of the country side had been gripped with the fiery touch of autumn though there were still some that persisted with hues of green. But the cold was bitter now, enough to cut through the thick layers of robes I was wearing.

"Where are we going?" I asked carefully as she lead me along the grassy hill.

"No where in particular. I just wanted to speak with you and get some proper fresh air while we were at it."

"Right…"

Anais still, startlingly enough, maintained her amicable attitude even after we had stepped out of earshot of the fort. Which did not bode well for me. It made me feel distinctly like I was at last cornered by a predator with no escape route in sight. Still I kept my silence and walked alongside her.

"We are fortunate to have you among us, Blessed Evelyn." She praised.

I nearly did a double take, "Thank you, Speaker. I am fortunate to be here."

Her smile widened, "Indeed. Your work of healing has grown at…a startling rate. Do you know how many years it takes for most users to learn magic and to control it? It is remarkable and practically unheard of. Some would say…almost unnatural."

I didn't like where this was going.

"The Maker works in mysterious ways." I replied sagely, "Perhaps I have been blessed with his graces to excel because my talents are needed most in such a troubled time."

Anais bobbed her head, "Very true. You are fortunate to receive his blessing as such."

"I am. He has been too kind to me."

"And you are fortunate to have found your way to us. Can you imagine how terrified the villagers would be of you? Many would think you are a demon, like those two misguided souls who tried to murder you. Or think you an imposter. I shudder to think of how my people would react if they thought you were either."

It felt like my throat was closing up but I kept my face a gentle and kind smile. I still put out the very air and soul of one of the faithful.

"Indeed. That would have been a very unfortunate thing for me. I have much to thank the Maker for."

We stopped on a steep slope overlooking another Rift that glittered in the sunlight. There were no demons pouring from it at the moment and it almost looked like a magical jewel that hung suspended in the air. But I knew what lurked beyond it. I had seen some Shades pop free of the one in the fort and had been more than a little shaken by the sight of it. How did I ever manage to survive coming through one of those?

"As do we for without him you would not have helped heal so many, including some of our own who had fallen ill. Please take care of yourself." She looked out over the valley, "I suspect that there is more bloodshed to come."

I swallowed, feeling a cold blanket wrap over me.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It's interesting how things can be underwhelming after there has been so much build up. Like after everyone gush about how that one film or tv show is just so good and then when you finally sit down to watch it, it just falls utterly flat. It wasn't bad. In fact they can still be good but the expectations can just be built up so high within your head that nothing can ultimately match it. That was how it was for me when I first saw the Herald of Andraste.

He was handsome, a cut jaw, dark skin that reminded me of some of the dark fallen leaves of autumn. There was this entire earthy air to his appearance. His hair was long and kept in a ponytail and it was such a dark brown it was almost black. But his eyes. His eyes were the truly striking things about him. Once you got close enough to see they were like rings of vivid mahogany, almost staggering in their intensity. The left eye had an old scar there, entrenched like an old memory in his skin. And above it all his face was one that had such a stern look to it that he seemed to look like he was burying a constant anger.

But he still looked like a human. A normal, everyday human despite the fact that he was heavily armored and sported an impressively large sword on his back. The truly impressive impression came from when he sealed the Rift, just as the legends stated. It had been truly breath taking and we all gathered around at the top of the slope to watch the rush of toxic green energy rise to meet the tear in the veil lurking in the cave. It swelled, an ominous rumble echoing within it until it burst out like an explosion and then it was gone.

Murmurs erupted amongst the cult. When he walked back up the hill trailed by an elven mage, another warrior human woman with short dark hair and a man who I could only assume was a dwarf, he approached Speaker Anais.

"Maker's breath! I was a fool to have doubted you!" she exclaimed breathlessly, "You truly are the Herald of Andraste. How may we serve you?"

His posture was stiff when he answered, "Help the refugees. And I would like to speak with your…Blessed of the Maker."

The eyes of the cult fell to me slowly until everyone was staring at me. Including the strangers. I shifted uncomfortably and folded my arms over my chest, refusing to make any kind of direct eye contact.

"That's me…" I said quietly.

The Herald gestured for me to follow him before telling the cult and Anais to give him a moment with me. I followed, dozens of questions bouncing around my head. Had my name really spread that far? What did he want? As his company trailed after us, I wondered what they thought. Did they truly believe that I was Blessed? We huddled into one of the tower rooms where we could all talk in private. I was immensely nervous for already I had been so mired in a toxic religious environment that I feared what the man dubbed the Herald of Andraste could want from me.

Silence.

"How can I help you?" I asked the group carefully, my face giving away nothing.

The Herald looked me up and down, "You certainly don't look like much. Not at all like the stories that surround you."

I felt the back of my neck prickle at the insult. Perhaps he had not intended it to be that way but it certainly could have come off much better. The dwarf next to him, dusky blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail with warm brown eyes grimaced.

"Pro tip for you? Don't ever start a conversation with the person you want to get to help you with that line."

I cast a grateful look to the dwarf but still kept my mouth shut on the comment this Herald made. I still had no idea where he stood on the Andrastian faith. His piercing eyes met mine and we stared for a few moments. I had noted that he was tall when he first came into the Winterwatch fort but being in the same room with him, he was not only tall but very bulky in his musculature. He would have to be with such a large sword that he carried as his weapon. He squared his shoulders.

"Right well, sorry. But let's get down to business. The Inquisition desperately needs healers and while we will not ask to take all of your people, you will come and help us and our cause."

This blatant show of power and demand caused me to lose my filter, "Excuse me?"

"Consider it a payment for us sealing your Rift and protecting the hold."

"A-adrian!" Spluttered the warrior woman, stepping forward, "You can't just force her!"

She was a beautiful woman with such a strong air about her, light olive skin catching the firelight in such a flattering way and to me he scar that was on her cheek only added to her appearance. It gave character. And what's more, she earned some respect from me for standing up to the Herald.

"We need a healer, Cassandra. Our troops and refugees have more sick and wounded than any of our own healers, which are very few, can keep up with. I think it's a small price to ask for after the help we have given them. What else do you suggest?"

"Ask permission first?" added in the bald elven man from the side, touching his fingers to his chin.

His voice was like quiet velvet but there was a slight barb hidden under it. It was impressive how he was able to sound almost pleasant with such an underlying prick of biting sarcasm. I also gave him an appreciative look.

Adrian did not seem amused, "I know you people here are closely tied but our need is great and you have fixed problems that other experienced healers were unable to fix. You brought someone back from the dead. Or are all of the stories wrong?"

I no longer held a pleasant tone, "No not entirely. But what they don't say was what I used to bring that woman back was something that required no magic and I could easily teach any of you."

"That detail matters little. This cult has spread of how quickly your gifts have grown-"

"Because I have worked exceptionally hard to learn and catch up. I have even avoided people to try to learn as fast as I can."

"You also came through a Rift." He persisted.

"As did you." I shot back.

"And you're from another world."

I paused. I had forgotten that the cult had spread that much information. And the Herald honed right in on that.

"So it is true."

"…Yes."

"Regardless, we are not in a position right now to be asking permission. Blessed-"

"Evelyn." I corrected sharply.

"Evelyn…you will join the Inquisition."

I could feel the temper rising within me and my filter was slowly starting to lift. While I had kept my words carefully controlled here, it was because Anais was like a hidden snake and if I wasn't careful she could have painted me out to be the danger. But Adrian…Adrian was clearly revealing the type of person he was and so the danger seemed to fade. How DARE he try to force me!

"And if I say 'no'?" I asked coldly.

He sighed, as if he were frustrated and not wishing to continue, "Then I will be forced to tell everyone that you are a demon."

My eyes widened in horror.

The dwarf stared at the Herald in shock, "You can't be serious!"

Adrian set his jaw, "It is not what I want to do but if you will not come that is my only option. Join us or people will hear how you are a demon."

Have you ever been so angry that you lose that raging heat that seems to burst in your chest? Have you ever been so angry that this strange sensation of calm and quiet rushes over you? That was what I felt in that moment. And that was how I joined the Inquisition. With coercion and a cold, quiet anger that had settled over my chest.