Chapter 21: Speaking With Knowledge
Solas walked through the Fade as he had countless times before. This time it wasn't Valla who he searched for, but a spirit and one of his oldest friends. A spirit of knowledge who had helped guide him through many dark times in his life. His worry for Valla was starting to grow and he needed help. He assumed his intervention at the shrine had upset her. He was terrified he had lost her, that his actions had pushed her away once and for all. The very thought felt like a knife in his chest. He needed guidance. Solas could feel the presence of numerous spirits clamoring around him. He could hear them whispering to each other as they were drawn to him by their own curiosity. Solas closed his eyes and through his thoughts made his intentions known.
"I seek an old friend who dwells in this place, a spirit of knowledge." Solas said to the spirits, "Please make yourself known to me, I seek your guidance.
In a flash of light a pale whisp of a being appeared before him,"Hello again, my friend." the spirit said. "Have you come for another discussion? You know how I value our debates."
"Not this time, I'm afraid. I am searching for someone." Solas said, "The woman who once bore the mark of the rifts."
The spirit's eyes twinkled, its voice almost teasing, "You seek the one who tries to halt your plans, the woman who makes you question everything. Why?"
Solas looked flustered, the spirit knew him too well. "It is...imperative that I find her."
The spirit laughed, "You know you cannot hide your feelings from spirits and yet you still try. The way of mortals will always be a mystery to me."
"Will you do as I ask?" Solas was growing impatient.
The spirit looked skyward, "The one who healed the skies, Herald of Andraste, Inquisitor, she goes by many names." it paused for a long moment, searching, thinking, then its eyes flashed. "I know where she is, but where she is going will be of more importance to you."
Solas held his breath.
"She has the object you seek."
He could feel the blood draining from his face. The spirit's words devastated him. His voice caught in his throat, "Are you certain?"
"Knowledge is always certain."
"And where she is going?" Solas asked, dreading to hear the answer.
"To the temple hidden in the forest. To the place where everything could end."
"The Temple of Sacred Light." his voice grew frantic, "There are few still alive who know that place even exists! How did she know?"
"Knowledge finds a way to those who seek it." the spirit replied.
His fear turned into anger, "She would try to use the Temple's power to destroy the Eye? Does she not know what that place will do to her?"
"She knows there is a price, that is all."
Solas struggled to calm himself, "Thank you, my friend. That is all I needed to know."
The spirit's voice grew curious, "Tell me what troubles you more. Knowing the object you seek will be destroyed by the woman you love, or that the woman you love will die in the attempt?"
Solas looked at the spirit in horror, "How dare you ask me that!"
"I am knowledge. All I seek is to understand."
"You are a spirit." Solas fired back, "Human emotion should be above you."
"And yet I can sense the war you are fighting with yourself." the spirit said serenely, "I can sense your guilt and your fear. You are full of contradictions and conflict."
"Enough." Solas growled.
The spirit continued to pry at him as his anger grew, "You ignore logic as it beckons you. You strive to undo the past as you try to hold onto the one you love. You know you cannot have both and yet you still try. When will you learn? Will it take her death for you to finally understand?"
"I said enough!" Solas shouted.
He must have shouted himself awake as he found himself back in the castle. His sense of horror wouldn't leave him. She found it. Valla found the Eye and she didn't know destroying it would kill her. Solas felt as if his worst nightmare was coming true. Everything he had worked for, everything he had sacrificed was on the brink of failure. But losing her...
Solas made his way into the castle's main hall where Threnn and his agents were hard at work. Everyone could see the haunted expression on their lord's face.
"Is something wrong, sir?" Threnn asked.
Solas took a long, shallow breath. "Assemble every agent we have and prepare to head out. We are going to the Arlathan Forest."