Chapter Four

He kept to the shadows as he made his way to the small huts on the western side of the Haven encampment. It was late, but the sunset still cast some light over the ramshackle buildings and he really didn't want to meet anyone in his current state.

His left arm was in in a makeshift sling. Something was not right. While He wouldn't describe it as painful this new sensation was unnerving. It was numb and He could barely move it, but occasionally prickles of energy would roll through his muscles causing him to tense. The only way he could describe it, was be to say it was akin to electrical shocks. He was no Circle scholar, but if he had to guess, the more magic he was being exposed too, the more rifts he sealed, the more the Mark seemed to feed and grow.

He believed whole heartedly, that in recruiting the Mages, he had done the right thing for the Inquisition, but not himself. If he had only his own survival in mind, flooding the mark with more magic, seemed more than dangerous. If he had wanted to save himself, Templars suppressing the magic, was probably the better idea. There was no point in wavering now the decision was made. He had stood up for the mage allies before the Leaders and he would not falter in his convictions.

He had barely set foot inside the Chantry when Cullen started on him and while he wished this could wait until tomorrow, he knew it couldn't. Drawing a breath, and made his way towards him. He was flanked on either side by Cassandra and Leliana, Josephine stood by Cullen's side as they met in the middle of the Chantry. Out of the corner of his eye. He noted Dorian lurking in the background listening in, but chose to leave him be. In his eyes the Mage had more than proved himself.

To say the Commander was not pleased would be an understatement.

"You offered them a full alliance?!"

Really they should be doing this in the War Room, anyone could hear them in the hallway, surely they should keep their arguments from the troops it could only lower morale, especially that of their newest recruits.

He was tired, he was aching. The visons of the future if they failed, if he failed would not leave him. "We need help to seal the breach. The Templars ruled themselves out. We went for the Mages and now we have them."

"You have no idea of the chaos this could unleash, mages with free licence, what were you thinking?"

Josephine looks startled at the turn the conversation is taking. "We cannot rescind the offer an alliance. At best it would make the Inquisition appear incompetent, at worse tyrannical."

"Did you not realise you had the advantage Trevelyan? King Alistair practically offered them to you on a plate. We could have named any terms and they would've had little choice but to accept.

"And make more enemies, when what we need are comrades? We cannot fight a war on all fronts."

"Mark my words they will use this to further their own cause. You have handed them the opportunity to run riot with their demands, as the world will perceive they have the Inquisitions backing."

Oh he had had enough of this! He may still be young, but he was no longer untried, or untested. They hadn't seen what he had seen. Didn't see how far they could fall, how far the world could fall if the Breach remained.

He drew himself to full height to look him straight in the eye. "It is their only opportunity Cullen to prove that they can be trusted. They have too much to lose by playing us false. Turn on us and they will be condemned in every corner of Thedas."

Cassandra stepped in. "We cannot afford to second guess our people, none of us were there Cullen."

"I have seen the future if we fail, Cullen. We need more information on this Elder One. He assassinated Empress Celene, but I do not know how he managed to do it. In the chaos a demon army will march across Thedas unopposed. Mages will be the least of our concerns if this comes to pass." He tried to keep out the fear that crept in unchecked into his voice. Fear and pleading. Maker, if he thought the weight of the breach on his shoulders was crippling, it was nothing compared to the future that could be.

Cullen seemed to realise he had pushed him too far. He spoke more calmly and offered his hand out, "I apologise, Trevelyan. Cassandra is correct. We asked for allies, you delivered them. We have plans to make, shall we adjourn to the War Room? Will you join us?"

"I would be honoured."

Two hours later, they had a plan. Josephine would make the necessary arrangements for the supply of lyrium. Leliana would dispatch her agents, with her new target designated as the mysterious Elder One. Cullen and Cassandra would prepare the soldiers for the march to summit. They had a week to prepare before the veteran mages would arrive.

There was nothing left for him to do now but rest and wait.

Ha, rest, as if that would be achievable tonight. Destination reached he knocked as loudly as he dared on the Elf's door, "Solas?"

There were shuffling sounds and then the door opened a crack. The Elf stared at him a moment before opening the door and allowing him to enter. The hut was small, the furniture sparse. There was a bed, a table and a chair. Books were piled up on every available surface and around the bed.

"It is late Herald, what is the matter?"

"Henry, Solas, or at least Trevelyan."

"As you wish Trevelyan. Your Mark?"

He nodded, "I can barely move my arm. It started going numb after we stepped out from the time rift. Sometimes I get like, a lightning shock running up and down my arm. It's never been like that before. It's normally a throbbing pain, like someone is repeatedly squeezing my arm."

"May I see? Can you remove your coat?"

He did as Solas bid, lifting his arm out the sling and removing his coat. As soon as his arm was free it flopped uselessly to his side. Gently Solas lifted it up again, tilting it to get a better view, prodding his slender fingers into his flesh. He had been at it for about five minutes when he spoke up.

"When you close a rift, what does it feel like?"

"I can't really describe it. People say it looks like I'm pushing away the rift, but to me if feels like, I don't know, like I'm pulling it towards me, into me. When I'm connected to a rift by the energy, I feel like I'm searching for something but I don't know what."

"Interesting. I can't give you a diagnosis. And honestly? I don't think there will be anything new I can say or do about it until we see what effect sealing the breach will have on it."

"Thank you anyway Solas."

"I do have what remains of the restorative potion I gave you when you were unconscious. You can see if it will help? I also have a simple Elfroot concoction for the pain. You may take them both if you wish."

"I will Solas, thanks again."

He struggled to put his coat back on until Solas helped him. When he was done he passed him two small bottles and Henry slipped them into his pocket.

"I heard what you did for the mages. You should be congratulated for your vision. They will be powerful allies."

He smiled, praise was rarely earned from Solas. A strange one that Elf, but Henry liked him. He gave a quick bow and made his way back to his room.