A/N: Thank you for your patience. I found my papers and am back at work.
Chapter 7
Kaleigh walked with Cassandra as the older woman told her what had happened at the Temple and how, for a time, they had believed that Coulton was to blame.
"There are still some who believe that it is your brother's doing, but after what we heard, the voiced from the Fade, I, and others, no longer believe he caused such a catastrophe," Cassandra explained. "I do not know if he was sent to save us or if he was just at the right place at the right time. I want to believe it, but..."
"But to believe such a thing is taking a large leap in faith," Kaleigh interrupted. She stopped walking and looked up at the Breach. "I do not hold your assumptions against you. I probably would have thought the worst as well. Thank you for allowing him to prove his innocence."
Cassandra crossed her arms over her chest and looked up at the Chantry. "I'm afraid this is far from over," she mused. "We must find a way to close the breach. We must seek help from either the mages or Templars, though with all of the continued fighting, I fear it an impossible task."
Kaleigh nodded her head and the two women stood in silence.
"If I didn't know any better," teased an accented voice, "I would think the two of you had just heard something grave."
Kaleigh and Cassandra looked up to see the approach of Leliana and Cullen.
"I know it wasn't what we were hoping for," Cullen reasoned, "but even a small victory is a victory." He turned to Kaleigh and gave her a small smile. "So you found your brother, then? The man I was speaking of?"
Kaleigh nodded her head. "Yes, Commander," she replied. "And I need to thank you for directing me to the Chantry. The Sisters there helped me greatly. Oh, did my men make it safely? I fear in my panic I forgot about them."
Cullen nodded his head in affirmation. "Yes, Lady Trevelyan. All wounded are being seen to and all able-bodied men have been given positions among the troops. Captain Purlow has been given a contingent of men and is running drills and putting them through their paces."
Kaleigh laughed softly. "He is indeed experienced at that."
"Lady Cassandra!"
The group turned to face a fast approaching elven girl. "What is it, Nimoue?" Cassandra asked.
"It's the Herald, my Lady. You said you wanted to know right away when he awoke and he is awake, my Lady."
Before the young elf even finished speaking, Kaleigh was off and down the path away from the Chantry.
Leliana smiled at the girl's enthusiasm. "Let's give them a moment and meet with them in the Chantry," she suggested. "After such an ordeal, some familiarity will do them good."
Cassandra and Cullen both agreed. "Leliana, have Ambassador Montilyet meet us in the War Room," the Seeker commanded. "Cullen and I will go prepare everything."
The group entered the Chantry and separated at the doors.
Coulton had a hard time wrapping his head around the words from the skittish elf. Then the words he could hear from the people of Haven. ~The Herald of Andraste,~ he mused to himself as he walked up the stairs. ~First they want kill me, now I'm their savior. Maker, people are fickle.~ He scowled slightly, which caused those near him to back away slightly.
"Coulton?"
He paused in his steps. No one had called him by his name the entire time he'd been free from the shackles. He looked up and he felt his heart skip several beats. "Kaleigh?" he breathed. He saw the tears in her eyes as she ran to him. "KALEIGH!" he shouted in disbelief and joy.
Kaleigh couldn't stop herself. As soon as she heard her name from his lips, she ran. When near enough, she jumped and leapt into his arms. He caught his little sister with ease and the two stood there for several moments, just holding one another.
"I had thought you were dead," Kaleigh choked out. "when we saw the explosion, I went ahead of the men and came here as fast as I could." She buried her face into his shoulder and pulled him tighter. "Then the Commander told me there was only one survivor."
Coulton rested his chin on top of his sister's head and quietly shushed her. "I know, Kaleigh," he whispered reassuringly. He gave her a few more moments to compose herself, allowing her to step away and wipe her hands over her eyes. "You said you had a group of men with you? And you left them?"
Kaleigh bobbed her head once. "Yes. Father sent them with me on our journey here. Captain Purlow and a small troop to escort me and assist Most Holy as she would have seen fit."
"Where are they now?"
Kaleigh tilted her head in the direction of the main gate. "The Commander put Captain Purlow to work training the troops. The rest of the men were given places among the forces"
Kaleigh wiped at the tears that had leaked down her cheeks. "Let's go," she directed. "Lady Pentaghast and the others won't wait forever."
End Chapter 7
