Chapter 3

After agreeing to stay, Hood suggested that Shadow rest for the remainder of the day and that they would meet again the next day. Shadow agreed, noticing for the first time just how sore her body was. That's what happens when you lie around for three days straight and then run about without stretching first.

Cassandra walked her back to her cabin, which Shadow was very grateful for as she had forgotten about all the people. They all seemed to be waiting for her to do something, many bowing their heads as she walked past. She resisted the urge to slip into stealth and kept her eyes on the ground. Thankfully, no one approached them, but she suspected that was due to Cassandra's presence. After making it back to the cabin and Cassandra left, promising to have some food sent over, Shadow took her gear back off and slipped into the bed, instantly falling asleep.

Cullen walked into the war room, finding Leliana and Josephine already there. He nodded in greeting as he rounded the table, taking his place behind it. "Where is Lady Cassandra?" he asked, used to being the last to arrive.

Josephine replied, "Making sure that our newest member actually shows today."

Cullen sighed. The day before, they were supposed to gather before everyone in Haven to announce the reinstatement of the Inquisition. But the woman hadn't shown, leading some to wonder if she had decided to leave after all. Cassandra later discovered that she hadn't left but was hiding in the small library in the Chantry. She claimed she just forgot about the meeting, but no one bought the excuse.

"Let us hope she hasn't decided to take off after all," he grumbled.

"Just because I missed one meeting, I need an escort?" Shadow grumbled, still a little irritated at being rudely awakened just minutes earlier.

"When it's the very first meeting, yes," Cassandra answered, clearly just as irritated.

Well the first meeting shouldn't have been taking place in front of so many people. They entered the Chantry and made their way to the war room. Shadow felt a now familiar sting and stared at her left hand. Cassandra glanced at it before asking, "Does it trouble you?"

Shadow shrugged. "A little bit of pain is preferable to dying." She sighed, "I just wished I knew what it was or how it got on my hand."

"As do we. And I am confident we will discover those answers. But it is fortunate that your mark is now stable. As is the Breach."

"But not gone." Shadow glared at the mark. "I gave it my all and it wasn't enough."

"Solas believes that with enough power, a second attempt might be successful. Though that will be difficult to come by."

Shadow laughed, "What could possibly go wrong with adding more power to something we know nothing about?" She blinked in surprise when Cassandra smirked.

"Hold on to that sense of humor." She pushed open the door to the war room and marched in ahead of Shadow. Taking a deep breath, she followed.

Hood was already there as was another woman she hadn't met, the two of them standing at opposite ends of the large table. Directly across the table from her was the man with the strange coat. Upon meeting his gaze, Shadow felt a jolt go through her and froze. The first time she met him she hadn't noticed how big he was. Of course he's big you idiot. He's wearing armor. But armor didn't make a man's eyes appear golden… She noticed the man staring at her in surprise and she quickly looked away.

Cullen did a double take at seeing the woman again. He hadn't really looked at her the first time he saw her a few days ago. He hadn't noticed how small she was, her head the same height as his shoulders. He hadn't noticed how short her black hair was, hanging just below her chin. Nor had he noticed how green her eyes were. When she looked away, he realized that he had been staring and felt himself blush.

Cassandra began the introductions, redirecting Shadow's attention. "This is Lady Josephine Montilyet, our ambassador."

The woman to her right smiled. "A pleasure to meet you, Lady Shadow."

Shadow narrowed her eyes. Wait a minute…

"You've already met the leader of the Inquisition's forcers, Commander Cullen," Cassandra continued. Distracted from her line of thought, Shadow felt her attention drawn once more to the man.

"Though it was only for a moment," Cullen said, giving her a small smile. "I'm glad to see you are well."

"And present, no?" Josephine joked. Cullen shot her a glare.

Cassandra gestured toward Hood. "You've also already met Sister Leliana."

"My position involves a degree of -" the woman began.

"She's our spymaster," Cassandra finished.

Leliana rolled her eyes. "Tactfully put, Cassandra."

"That's quite a lot of impressive titles for one room." Shadow hardened her gaze on Cassandra who did herself credit by not react to the sudden change in her expression. "I don't, however, remember sharing my name."

"You didn't. But the Divine did."

Shadow turned back to Leliana, shock on her face. "What?"

Cassandra continued for her, "In one of her final letters to us, she informed Leliana and I of a new guest at the temple who had been injured rescuing one of the Chantry's orphan charges from a pack of wolves. Your wounds were serious it seems but you were doing well when she finally sent us word of you."

Leliana added, "She purposely waited to inform us of you because she knew we'd be suspicious."

Shadow raised an eyebrow, "Considering how you all were just a few days ago, I can see why she would make that assumption."

Josephine quickly began talking so as to stay on topic, "Yes, well, while she was willing to give every detail on your wounds' healing progress and how you appeared to be bonding with the child you saved" Cullen noticed how Shadow flinched at the mention of the child "she only told us your first name. We were going to try and inform your family you were safe but without a last name -"

"I don't have one."

Josephine blinked. "Family?"

"No. Well, I don't have one of those either, but I meant I don't have a last name. Shadow is it."

"But -"

"Perhaps we should focus on more pressing matters." Leliana gave Josephine a look.

And now it's awkward, Shadow thought, but she still felt grateful at not having to explain all that. Not yet anyway.

Leliana continued, "Cassandra informed us of Solas' theory about the mark needing more power to close the Breach. We should immediately approach the rebel mages for help."

Cullen shook his head. "I disagree. The templars would serve just as well."

"It is power we need Commander. By pouring magic into the mark -"

"Could kill us all!" Cullen argued, cutting Cassandra off. "The templars could weaken the Breach."

"Pour speculation," Leliana said.

"Isn't everything at this point?" Shadow asked. She held up her hands when everyone looked at her. "I'm just saying."

"We can't approach either group anyway, as neither is willing to speak with us," Josephine said. "And the Chantry has officially denounced the Inquisition. Especially you." She gestured at Shadow.

Shadow shrugged, "That didn't take long."

Cullen sighed, feeling very frustrated, "Don't they have better things to do, such as finding a new Divine?"

Josephine scribbled something down on her clipboard, "They are frightened." She looked at Shadow. "Some are calling you 'the Herald of Andraste'. The Chantry has declared this blasphemy and us heretics for harboring you."

"Back up. Why are people calling me 'the Herald of Andraste'?"

"They saw how you stopped the Breach from growing and have heard how there was a woman behind you when you fell out of the Fade. They believe that was Andraste," Cassandra explained.

"That's quite the title," Cullen said, playing back on her earlier joke. "How do you feel about that?"

He wasn't prepared for the panic that appeared in her eyes. It was only there for a moment before she took a deep breath and the panic was replaced with only a look of nervousness. "I'm not sure I like it. Feels like it's only painted a bigger target on my back." She felt guilt wash over her when a thought entered her mind. "Wait, so if I wasn't with the Inquisition -"

Cullen held up a hand, cutting her off. "They would have censured us no matter what."

Leliana said, "Though we may be unable to approach anyone for help with the Breach at the moment, there is something you can do." She told Shadow about a Mother Giselle who had agreed to talk to her and Cullen and Josephine both said something about recruiting people. But she couldn't seem to focus on what they were saying.

"The Herald of Andraste"! Who in their right mind could possibly think that is true? I'm the last person Andraste would choose to be her Herald.

That is how you know none of this is real.

Cullen noticed Shadow's fingers twitch, almost as if she was going for the dagger at her belt. He looked to her face and found her eyes filled with fear.

Before he could say anything, Cassandra began to speak, "We will leave in two days for the Hinterlands. That should give us plenty of time to prepare for the journey and give the Herald time to rest some more. While we're gone, think of other options for dealing with the Breach. Closing it is our primary concern at the moment." Cassandra looked at Shadow, noticing for the first time that she was slightly trembling. "Are you all right, Herald?"

Shadow gave a weak smile and started backing off. "I'm fine. Just need to rest. Must still be recovering from the, uh, other day." Before anyone could say anything else, she was running out the door. Cassandra quickly followed but stopped short at the door.

"She's gone!"

Leliana smiled. "She is incredibly talented with stealth. Must be how she earned her name. Even my best agents have difficulty keeping an eye on her."

"Something is troubling her." Leliana turned toward Cullen when he spoke.

"I imagine her new title terrifies her. She doesn't seem to like being noticed by others, as evident when she goes out of her way to avoid large crowds of people or hides her face when avoidance isn't possible."

Josephine's eyes widened with understanding. "That is why she didn't show yesterday."

Cullen wasn't convinced that was all there was to it. Because he recognized that particular fear he saw in her eyes. It's a fear one feels when struggling with some inner darkness. A fear he's seen in the eyes of many men.

A fear he himself knew all too well.