Note: Sorry for the long delay, but to be honest I really don't like this chapter but other attempts were worse. I might change this at a later date if inspiration hits me.
Chapter 9: Dreamer
"The lyrium is completely out of her system and her body doesn't appear to have been too adversely affected by it,"said Anders as he tiredly sat down at a table in the Grey Warden tower.
"Fair enough, "said Dorian as he crossed his arms and leaned back to the wall, "But the fact that she is still unconscious means we need more than just the Mortal's Fade out of her system."
Anders made a few notes and then turned to the other mage, "The problem seems to be that Shepard lost the mental or spiritual link between the Fade and waking world. It's still there otherwise she would be dead or something akin to tranquil, she just can't find it. "
"Sounds like we need something like a Somniari to show her the way back,"Dorian mused outloud, "But the odds of even finding one…"
"A Somniari…a Dreamer, "said Anders. From his point of view, it was as if the room suddenly got brighter but then dimmed, "No way we would be able to get in touch with Feynriel in time."
"You know a Somniari? "Dorian asked at the same time the door opened to allow the hooded Trevinter representative to enter, "There hasn't been a confirmed Dreamer in decades."
"Yes he does, "said the representative as he lowered his hood, to reveal the same man that Anders was just thinking about, "It's been awhile, Anders."
"You're a Somniari?!"said Dorian the same time that Anders said, "You're the Trevinter representative?!"
(Jane's and Cole's quarters)
Cole sat quietly on the floor next to Jane's bed. His back to the bed, eyes closed he tried to focus in on 'hearing' Jane. Her inner voice so faint he could barely hear it, even after forcing his own inner noise to quiet down. So focus he was on trying to hear the woman on the bed, he nearly jumped out of his skin when Anders placed a hand on his shoulder to bring Cole out of his self imposed trance.
Seeing that he had Cole's attention, Anders said, "There's someone here I want you to meet." The mage then encouraged the rogue to stand up and added, "Feynriel, this is the fellow I was talking to you about. Cole, this is someone Hawke helped out some time ago. He's what we call a Dreamer."
"Like Solas, "Cole asked with a tilt of his head.
With a raised brow, Feynriel asked, "What do you mean?"
"Does it really matter, "asked Anders in the hopes of avoiding any further delays, "Between the three of us, we should be able to get Shepard back while Dorian helps the Inquisitor with making sure the Veil is strong enough to for our people to return."
"How can Cole help us? He's not a mage, "said Feynriel to Anders. He then turned to Cole to add, "No offense."
"Cole may not be a mage, "Anders answered as he worked on preparing the room. Straightening the bed, clearing out floor space, etc., "But he is rather connected to both Shepard and the Fade. It's difficult to explain."
"I was Compassion, "said Cole with a shrug and then more heart fully added, "Jane and I can hear each other's pains, joys, anger…we are joined, bonded, one. I listen closely, I can still hear her but it is distant, muffled."
"So you are like Anders? Possessed…"
"No, "answered Cole firmly, "I am…WAS Compassion but then I become something else and now I am human."
Laying down a few pillows, Anders added, "Compassion never possessed anyone or thing when it came to our world. Somehow he did take on a form of a dying mage without possessing that mage. "
Feynriel winced and said, "That must have been painful."
Cole closed his eyes and said, "Yes but I will not forget. To forget the pain is to forget the real…original Cole. He no longer hurts but I promise that he will never be forgotten. Never again."
"Ooookay, "said Anders pulling Cole out of his thoughts, "Enough of the doom and gloom. Let's concentrate on getting your girlfriend back to the living world. Feyn, do you think you can pull Cole in with you to the Fade? With him being so unique, I rather not try using lyrium on him. "
"Actually, with some practice he should be able to enter the Fade at will, "answered the Feynriel considering the implications of Cole's history, "He might be mostly human now but I believe he should still have some connection to the Fade. I should be able to bring him along and perhaps even show him how to do it on his own. This is all theory of course. But with his connection with the woman, she would find it easier to follow him back to the waking world than myself."
"So that's the plan, "said Anders with a small clap, "I'll stay out here to keep an eye on you guys while you two enter the Fade and lead Shepard back home."
(Fade)
Jane and Skyhold sat at the chess table in the gardens. Jane's eyes were closed as she tried to send her feelings as 'loudly' as she could to Cole. She knew by now he would be frantic without some sort of contact from her. That was something she really had to talk to him about. If her biggest fault was forgetting to protect herself while saving others, his was having emotional breakdowns every time something happened to her. Her life was dangerous and there is the very real possibility that she would get someday get killed, permanently. There was no way she was going to let Cole drive himself insane if that ever happens. Although if she was going to be honest with herself, she rather like that someone would mourn Jane rather than Shepard if that ever happened. She can picture the memorial on the Normandy now. Everyone else's full name and then there is hers as 'Commander Shepard.' A twinge of guilt as the thought of Garrus but that went away as she remembered that he also insisted on calling her Shepard. At least Garrus always had her back which was way more than she could say about a certain Kaiden Alenko. Whatever she saw in that bastard she had no idea. Why she felt guilty for 'cheating' on him when HE was the one that turned his back on her…
"I hope you are aware that you are sending waves anger over you former love life to your current partner, "said Shyhold as she appeared to be playing a solo card game of some sort.
Shepard opened her eyes to glare at her host and said, "Please get the hell out of my mind. The only one invited in there, aside from myself, is Cole."
Skyhold chuckled before saying, "That would be impossible at this time. In a sense, all you see is in your mind. If you wanted, we could be on the Normandy rather than in the castle. Although, I am rather touched that you consider me more your home than your old…" Skyhold went silent and stood up. Tilting her head slightly as if trying to hear something faint, she smiled and said, "It's about damn time they figured it out. "
"Wha…"Jane started to say but then she jumped up out of her chair at what she sensed. She could 'hear' Cole clearly now. She was about to walk off when Skyhold took hold of her arm and said, "Let them come to us.
"But.."
"Let them come to us, "Skyhold repeated more firmly, "What you see is different than what they see. Give them time."
(At the same time)
Cole opened his eyes only to find himself in a strange room, one which he has seen many times in Jane's dreams.
"What is this place? "Feynriel wondered as he looked around. The room seemed to have three sections that were almost completely open to each other. One looked to be an office like area with metal desk and strange models hanging on the walls. There was a small step leading to the other two areas. One appeared to be a sitting area with a curved couch and table. The other had a bed with a large water filled glass containers (aquariums?) build into the walls. Then there were all the lights, lights that even the magic that he knew of could not reproduce.
"Its Jane's old room on the Normandy, "Cole answered and then stopped as if just figuring out that it might not be a good idea to give up too many of Jane's secrets without her permission.
"Before she what, Cole, "asked Feynriel, "Just where is this Jane Shepard from?"
All of a sudden lights started to flash red and the room shook. A female voice rang out, "Intruder Alert! Unidentified beings are in the Commander's quarters! "
"That's not good, "said Cole as he nervously looked around.
Feynriel waved a hand and a glowing portal appeared as he said, "Follow me."
As Cole stepped through the blinding light he started to hear explosions and screams. Once the light cleared he was forcibly pulled down to the ground as Feynriel said a few choice words. A loud high pitch rumble could be heard as a red beam panned just above their heads and melted a metal vehicle behind them. The vehicle exploded as the two men covered their heads. Cole peaked over the rubble they were using as cover to see creatures that Jane called husks being mowed down by forces that included Turians, Krogans and Humans. A flying monstrosity flew over them and started to fire over the allied forces. In the distance, a large squid like form that was using a red beam to destroy everything in its path.
"Reapers, "Cole whispered fearfully. This was the war that Shepard fought and sacrificed herself to end. He ducked back down and hissed, "We have to leave! We don't belong here!"
Feynriel shook his head and said, "All we're doing is falling into random Fade versions of Shepard's dreams and memories. I'll show you how and you lead this time. If I continue, Maker knows where we'll end up next."
Cole considered what Jane has gone through before arriving on Thedas. They were very lucky that they did not end up in the vacuum of space or deep under water in an alien ocean. He nodded once in agreement as he answered, "That would be best."
"I want to know who and what this Jane Shepard is once we have her awake, "warned the mage firmly just before explaining the basics on how he navigates the Fade.
(Fade version of Skyhold)
Shepard was pacing nervously in the garden. What she was now 'hearing' from Cole was nerve racking. "Calm down, Jane, "said Skyhold still sitting at the game table, "Your nervousness will only make it more difficult for your man to find his way here. "
"What aren't you telling me, "Shepard demanded as she walked over and placed her hands on the table. Looking Skyhold directly in the eyes she asked, "What the hell is going on!?"
Skyhold smiled and said, "Let's just say Trevinter over confidence has caused a young Dreamer to misstep while attempting to find their way to you. Don't worry, they will find their way to you soon enough. All Cole has to do is follow the sound of…you. While we wait, there is one bit advice I want to give you before you leave. Watch out for the Dread Wolf. His plans with Corypheus may have failed but he still hunts for a way to correct what he feels was a mistake he made long ago."
"What? Dread Wolf…"said Shepard as she sat down and then remembered what Cole said that day that Corypheus was defeated, "Solas. What has he done?"
Skyhold sighed tiredly and said, "That is not my tale to tell, even though I was part of it at one time and might be once again. Know this, even though I once counted him as friend I worry for his sanity. He would destroy the world as it is now in order to restore what he thinks was lost so long ago. I will try my best to prevent it from here but I am limited. Do not tell the Inquisitor yet. It would be best if he learns of it on his own but prepare. I feel that you and Cole might become key in stopping him."
"I just can't keep..,"Jane started to say but then memories of the Citadel Council and even the Alliance parliament refusing to believe what to them was impossible in spite of the evidence. In some cases they even ended up hindering her from stopping Saren, the Collectors….even if it was in the best of intentions to do so. If she tried to convince Maxwell that Solas, someone the Inquisitor trusted and even looked up to, was planning on becoming the next Corypheus…
"It's good to see you understand, "said Skyhold sadly, "Maxwell Trevelyan considers Solas a trust worthy friend, a mentor even, and will not take kindly to unproven accusations. Even from you."
At that moment a portal opened in the center of the gardens, next to the well. Two men stumbled out from the portal, one with a rather oversized hat.
"Cole!" Shepard stood up and started to move but then stopped to turn and ask, "That is the real Cole?"
Skyhold smiled and nodded.
To be continued…
Side Note : I don't know if I gotten this across, but I see a full strength spirit 'Skyhold' having a strong connection to the real world and thus having a strong sense of what is going on in both the real world as well as the Fade. This is especially true if you consider that Solas or Fen'Harel actually created the Veil at same location that the castle stands today. In my mind, Skyhold is actually the spirit or being that Fen'Harel had 'requested' to guard this specific, keystone location. However, while Fen'Harel slept this particular guardian came in contact with more than a few mortals over the centuries and actually evolved because of this. She is a protective spirit and even though she once served Fen'Harel and still respects him, she does not agree with what he is planning.
