Anna felt like she was leading a mix of a celebration and a pilgrimage as she rode up the rocky path that lead to Haven.
And why not? The Hinterlands were safe once more, or as safe as they could be made at the moment. The Templars and Apostates had been either killed or driven off. The rifts that had appeared across Thedas were, for the moment at least, largely gone from the Hinterlands. The Inquisition camps and watchtowers now dotted the landscape, closely working together with villages under repair and helping returning farmers and woodsmen get back to their jobs.
Lives had been saved, demons had been vanquished and murderers been given their comeuppance. All at the behest of the Inquisition.
Of course, it hadn't been a perfect victory. Scouts had been lost and all too many civilians had died, one was one too many, after all. They hadn't been able to access Redcliffe to contact the rebel mages there for any preliminary talks about aid with the Breach either. The arl had kept the town gates closed and refused entry from the foreign power until he could discuss things with Queen Anora. Despite her own nobility, Anna had gotten nowhere with Teagan as the man had made it plainly clear he would not open negotiations, or allow negotiation with those in his charge, to proceed without the Queen's permission.
Still, Anna wasn't about to have that small issue blacken a glorious day. She had found the Warden, she had found Mother Giselle, she had lead the liberation of the Hinterlands, she had secured the Inquisition a source of food and supplies, as well as a grand number of new recruits. She, young Anna, had sealed rift upon rift with but a wave of her hand, banishing demons to the nether where they belonged. She had felt then, truly, like the Herald of Andraste.
Now her hand is raised. A sword to pierce the sun. With iron shield she defends the faithful. Let chaos be undone.
All in all, it had been a good campaign, one she had lead, more or less.
Better not tell Cassandra I think so though...
Anna didn't turn in the saddle to look at the woman, she was too busy sitting tall in the saddle and looking ahead, the sun on her face and the wind in her hair as she breathed in the cool mountain air. She was too busy feeling great.
Behind her, the group following was far larger than the one that had left.
Horses given by horse-master Dennet, a high-ranking commoner who'd appreciated the help given to those in the Hinterlands so much he'd offered all his horses and his own assistance, were following along in great numbers. Numerous were pulling carts borrowed from farmers and loaded with furs, leather, salted meat and enough grain to feed a city for a month. Others were ridden by those few who knew how to. Among all those horses and carts, people walked. Men and women numbering more than a hundred, with the promise of more to come as word spread of the Inquisition's deeds. They were poor, many clad in rags and some still nursing injuries and eyes darkened by many sleepless nights.
Yet they all walked forward, heads held high, singing.
"The pilgrims kept on marching, hurrah, hurrah..."
It was a simple song, a commoner's song, but it lifted the spirit and made Anna feel like she was soaring as she looked over the mountains as they climbed the path up to Haven.
"Not sure when they'd arrive, hurrah, hurrah..."
Riding up next to her, Cassandra's voice was cool. "You did well down there, beyond a few hiccups of judgement." A pause, the woman considering her words carefully. "You remind me of myself when I was younger..."
"But they have faith, hurrah, hurrah..."
"Thank you!" Anna turned, grinning widely at the scarred woman. "The stories of you were most inspirational when I was younger and it's a privilege to hear such words from you. Whatever happens, I can now claim to have fought beside the hero of Val Royeaux." Breathing in deep, Anna looked back at the mass of people smiling back at her, and laughed. "We did great, didn't we?"
"And marched with happy steps, hurrah, hurrah..."
"I...yes." Cassandra grunted, a hint of amusement in her voice. "But that wasn't what I was getting to, as Herald of Andraste you must understand that-"
"Look, Haven!" Someone shouted, making Anna whip her head around to look ahead as a cheer rose from the column. The one who'd shouted had good eyes, the settlement was little more than a brown spot in the distance. The news none the less made an excited murmur run through the group as the pace increased without any order having to be given.
Anna, eyes wide despite herself, found herself raising her head even higher to look ahead, noticing a change in the structure ahead. "Look, Cassandra, we haven't been gone long, but look at the place...!" Anna stared, surprised and amazed, at the structure ahead.
Haven had been expanded, clearly more than to hold what it had lost during the Breach, giving room for expansion. The barracks were complete, with more under construction, a few stone structures had even been built, and though small, smoke rose from their chimneys to hint at work being done within them. Marking the edge of the settlement was the real accomplishment.
Banks of frozen earth had been piled up, the holes dug around it forming a dry moat of sorts. In front of the banks, wooden stocks had started to be pushed into the ground. With the thick stocks held in place by so much earth behind them, nothing would smash through that palisade in a hurry, while the banks provided a form of battlement for the defenders. And further out, there were clear designs to build another palisade as sweating lumberjacks rolled down felled trees on sleds from the nearby forests while men and women worked on digging yet another ditch in the frozen ground.
Beyond, within the large fields, men and women of the Inquisition were training in orderly ranks, training slowly ceasing as heads turned to look to the approaching column of people and carts. Among them, Cullen was striding, barking at the first he spotted ceasing in his training. Realising something was amiss, the templar also turned, hand moving up to shade his eyes, then, as he caught sight of the column, his eyes widened.
Anna, warm satisfaction burning throughout her chest, found herself grinning.
As the column rode past the outline of the outer palisade being built, people were gathering around them. Soldiers, servants, farmers, villagers, all were gathering on each side of the column, some staring in silence at the sight of so many people and carts brimming with supplies. Over at the Chantry, Anna could from her vantage point see people coming out from the Chantry. Josephine with eyes wide even as they looked over the column, trying to calculate the amount. Baldwin was smirking, as if he'd known what would have happen before the group even left, being in such a good mood, even that couldn't make Anna frown.
Gently, the column slowed down before coming to a full stop in front of an archery range. Cullen, standing before the column, had his hands on his hips as he shook his head, apparently lost for words. Anna, dismounting, was all grins as she marched up to him and gestured for her column. "Commander, I have some new recruits and supplies for you, as requested."
The man blinked, then shook his head, a hint of a smile in his eyes as he nodded. "Very well, thank you...Herald." The words seemed to break whatever spell had befallen the town and a cheer spread across the onlookers as those within the column were welcomed with hugs and handshakes, while those officers with straighter priorities began doling out orders to have the carts unloaded.
Then, people were all over Anna, touching, bowing, praising...and she found her eyes widen at the numbers as people flocked to her like moths to the flame. What in the world...? Anna had thought their initial worship when she emerged after stabilizing the breach would have been enough, clearly, she was wrong. "Maker be with you all, I...how can I help?" From grinning to confused, Anna felt a little lost.
Cullen, taking a respectful step back, bowed his head. "Herald, it seems you are preoccupied. Please come to our meeting when you're able, there's plans to make...and we require your input."
Anna, nodding, could do little else as a man with a large gash across his shoulder pressed close, pleading for her to put her hand to the injury.
Maker, give me strength...this isn't what I envisioned.
8
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Anna, washed and newly dressed in crimson tunic and trousers, entered the war room of the Inquisition with long strides. She felt good, sure, it had been awkward with all the worshippers massing around her, but not even that could undo the feeling her accomplishment had granted, and the bath had done wonders in refreshing her. She felt confident, capable, a far cry from the awkward noble's daughter she'd so often thought herself as.
Within, the others were waiting, chatting amicably, but stopping as they saw her. Giselle with Josephine, Cassandra and Cullen and of course Baldwin standing in a corner, smiling that insufferable smile.
The two first were the ones to meet Anna first though. Josephine and Giselle were both flashing smiles, the former the first to speak up. "Anna, it's a pleasure to see you well. I admit I worried, though I guess I shouldn't have worried, Cassandra was asked to keep you safe." At the back Cassandra snorted, making Cullen chuckle. "And returning as a hero...I cannot tell you how much this will do for the Inquisition's reputation."
"And my personal hero, beyond Blackwall." Giselle added, nodding sagely. "I'm in a debt to you and the Inquisition, one I intend to pay back with interest. Of course, the most I can offer is council, but given what I've heard from our dear Josephine, that might be needed. The Maker truly works in mysterious ways, bringing me here."
"He sure does." Anna agreed, nodding in agreement. "What can you tell me about Rowyn and her plans?"
"Mostly your idea is correct, she intends to unite the Chantry against you in a bid to become Divine." Giselle grimaced. "However, you should not underestimate her conviction, Rowyn is at heart a cynic and I'm sure she truly does see you as a fake and a danger. She would oppose you no matter the situation, I believe." Giselle smiled. "Of course, she's not half as strong as she thinks."
"Oh?" Anna queried, eyebrow arched.
"Indeed. She is one of the few left of the central bureaucracy and command of the Chantry, but she's not a popular one, and the election of Divine is, essentially, a matter of popularity, both within its ranks and with the people." Anna frowned at the assertion. That's...not right. Giselle chuckled at her expression, but continued. "Not only is a Chancellor the one enacting all those annoying and uncomfortable decisions that affect the Mothers throughout the world, often with extra duties, but Rowyn was a very studious chancellor that took certain liberties with this, giving orders she wasn't supposed to to at times. As such, her popularity isn't great among any of those still living among us."
"So...she's powerless?" Cullen raised his voice, surprise colouring his voice.
"Not quite." Giselle shook her head. "These mothers are all over Thedas, not knowing much of one another or what to do. If Rowyn can present herself as the only option and give them someone to hate more than her..." The woman nodded at Anna. "...while at the same time offering conciliation with those she's offended, she might just manage it." The Mother shrugged. "That depends on us doing nothing though. If Anna here is seen acting on behalf of the people, like she did in the Hinterlands, Rowyn's words will be hollow indeed."
Anna raised her head. "I'm not about to do good deeds to prove Rowyn wrong morally. By Andraste's creed, I'm obligated to do so." She smiled. "That'll just be a pleasant side-effect."
Giselle chuckled at that. "Indeed, and while I'm not all that popular either among the general clergy, my word is trusted...if I write to them of what you've done, they'll believe me."
"Well..." Anna smiled, the memory of the Hinterlands fresh in her memory. "...I'll gladly throw myself into the fray then."
"Maker, preserve me..." Cassandra muttered, giving Anna tired look. "Herald, you're too important to risk like that."
"Isn't that what you're for?" Cullen asked, a hint of teasing in his tone as he eyed Cassandra, making her sigh in frustration as she shot him a glare. "Sorry? Too soon?" Before Anna could ask what they were referring to, the man turned his gaze to her, tone once more serious. "For now, I think we should focus on training these new recruits and stabilising the Hinterlands further. I've already sent orders to relieve Harding's scouts with a detachment so she can go out and patrol other areas of interest. So if you don't mind, maybe there could be a slight lull in heroics until we've figured out where to go next?"
Anna nodded, though reluctantly. She'd gotten a taste for doing great deeds, the adrenaline was still lingering in her veins, the idea of the noble warrior doing the Maker's will in her head urging her on, Andraste's own blessing speaking against such things as rest and quiet. That was not Andraste's way. Still, Cullen's words were sensible, after all, she couldn't well throw herself out into the world in the hope to do good when she didn't know where to go. "As you say, then." Grudgingly, she turned to Baldwin. "And you? I suppose you've...'spoken' to Blackwall now? I hope you did so in a proper manner, he's a guest and ally, not a prisoner."
"Oh I had quite a pleasant conversation with him while you were with your worshippers, my lady." Baldwin smiled and bowed, making Anna grimace, finding his whole manner insincere. Justifiable so, given his profession. "Sadly, nothing new was discovered. He knows not why the Wardens in the north are hiding in their fortress, nor while those in the south have vanished."
Anna's lips curled into something resembling a smile as she regarded the man with distaste. "So that's it? Bringing him here was a waste of time?"
The man blinked in surprise even as his smile remained. "Not at all, Herald, not at all! The man has offered his help, and Blackwall is a famously skilled Grey Warden, a real warrior, something we can use. Not only that, but this man gives the appearance of us having the support of the Wardens in total, an honoured organisation to say the least. Plus, he carries the classical documents of the Wardens, allowing conscriptions of people and material when in need. We might be able to use those, if we do so sparingly...I thought our lovely ambassador could handle that though?" Baldwin shot Josephine a glance.
Who curtsied with a smile. "It'll be a pleasure, I'm sure I can reason with this Warden and make some sort of arrangement." Her smile turned into a smirk. "And then milk those treaties for all they're worth."
"Remind me never to play cards with you, you have a ruthless streak there, Miss Ambassador." Cullen grunted, making Cassandra chuckle.
8
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8
Giselle wasn't as young as she once was, and the trials back in the Hinterlands had taken more energy out of her than she'd cared to admit. As such, it was late by the time she went to a corner of the Chantry not conquered by the growing administration of the Inquisition, hoping to pray in silence for those they'd lost.
Instead she found the corner she'd eyed already conquered. Anna was on both knees in the dark alcove, hands clasped together before a small golden statue of Andraste. At this hour? After fighting so much? A true believer. Giselle was surprised, she'd been a Mother long enough to know the conviction of many believers wasn't as great as they claimed. Some paid but lip-service, others only believed when they felt it needed to, out of fear or when they wanted to justify their own actions. Some out of being too stupid to even question what they were taught since childbirth. True believers...they were rare indeed, but despite having seen so little of Anna so far, Giselle had a feeling the woman was such a person.
The cynical part of her couldn't help but appreciate how well that would play into her hands into handling the bitch of the cloth Rowyn. Giselle had never much liked the woman, and it would be a pleasure to knock her off her little peg.
For a moment, Giselle pondered leaving, but she pushed the thought aside, she was too curious, the stories she'd heard too recent.
Softly stepping forward, she kept her voice low. "Praying for those we've lost, Herald?"
Anna didn't answer at first, her stance unchanged as she kept muttering a prayer under her breath. Then, bowing her head first at the statue, she turned a smile to Giselle. "I've already done so, but thank you, Mother."
Moving closer, Giselle let her knees rest by sitting down on a nearby bench. "So what are you praying for?"
Anna opened her mouth to answer, then hesitated and looked back to the statue before her. Bowing her head, she sighed, hands still clasped in front of her. "Humility."
Giselle blinked, she had not expected that. "Oh? And why is that?"
"Did you not see how it was outside when we returned?" Anna shook her head, biting her bottom lip for a moment. "They're worshipping me, Mother, me! I...none should be worshipped like that, none but Andraste and the Maker."
"Many no doubt see you as a figure of worship, given the tales of you having been chosen by Andraste herself..." Giselle muttered, inching closer, she herself not quite sure about them. As a Mother, she'd met all too many a farmer with some 'wonder' or 'vision' to accept whatever she heard. "You disagree with them?"
"Chosen by Andraste is not Andraste." Anna frowned and shook her head. "How could I compare to the bride of the Maker? Worshipping me is to worship a false idol. They shall cry out to their false gods. And find silence." The woman shook her head. "I...don't want to lead people into a false worship."
Giselle smiled and moved to kneel beside the woman. "You know your chants well. So then lead them to the right path, tell them of Andraste and the Maker. What you accomplish you not only do in their honour, but because of their blessing." Giselle paused, noticing Anna's tiny frown. "Is that not so?"
"Yes, yes it is." Anna instantly answered, then hesitated. "But I'm not a priestess, I'm not a templar, I'm a noble, I'm...I'm supposed to excel and show valour and skill. If all that is a gift of the Maker, I'm but an empty vessel of his. How can I be the will of Andraste...and still me?"
Giselle smiled, it was not often she'd been pushed into a theological debate, given her spending most of her time caring for the common people, but it was still a topic she was versed in. "The Maker's greatest gift to his second child was free will and want. All you accomplish is by your own hand, but it would not be so if he'd not allowed it. And after the Breach, all you accomplish is thanks to Andraste saving you, but it still is your accomplishment. Give prayers and thanks to them for your life, for the opportunities and abilities they have granted you, and accept responsibility for what you do with what you've been given."
"I...yes." Anna took a deep breath, the young girl nodding at Giselle's words. "But..." She hesitated, then let her shoulders slump. "...part of me likes it."
"Excuse me?"
"It's awkward to be the target of it, but Maker, I'm adored, I'm a hero, I'm...chosen, special and I feel it! Every time I flex my hand, I feel Andraste's touch coursing through me. When I sealed the rifts I felt suffused with her power, when I charged into combat I felt exhilarated and invulnerable! Andraste chose me, how could I fail!?" The words bubbled out of Anna's mouth like a flood, afterwards, her cheeks turned a shade red as she looked away, her voice muted. "Only afterwards, now, in prayer, I feel how conceited it sounds." Her gaze turned back to Andraste's statue, eyes thoughtful. "So I pray for humility."
Giselle arched an eyebrow. "And do you find it?"
"While I pray..." Anna shot Giselle a look, the corner of her lip arched. "...later, when my blood's up, who knows?"
The two shared a chuckle at that, Giselle noticing how the action made the young woman's shoulders slump a bit. Too much burden on too young shoulders... "Then I'll pray for you to stay humble as well, and for what it's worth, I think you'll find your balance, just give it time."
"Thank you, Mother." Anna went up to one knee, ready to leave.
Giselle couldn't help but speak up. "And if that doesn't happen...well I'm sure someone will beat some into you. I hear a line is forming, if I understand the political situation right."
"That's good to hear." Anna chuckled, rising to her feet. She was a tall and strong woman, making her earlier confession of vulnerability seem a distant memory as she looked down at Giselle. She truly had a spark of divine might about her at that moment, resembling some of the earlier statues of Andraste all too much, the statues of the warrior and leader as well as religious figurehead. It reminded Giselle of when the woman had entered the chantry, alight with a halo cast by the sun on her back... "Thank you, Mother."
Suddenly finding her mouth dry, as if feeling a greater presence looking down on them, Giselle could do nothing but bow her head in acknowledgement.
Only when Anna had walked away did Giselle raise her head, her eyes looking up at the ceiling of the Chantry, then back to the statue of Andraste so serenely looking at her. "Is this...real?"
For a second, Giselle felt young and innocent once more.
8
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Thanks to Abydos Jackson, for being the Se to my trus.
