RESOLVED

'Your kind killed the Most Holy!'

'Lies! Your kind let her die!'

'Shut your mouth, mage!' The angry Templar stepped forward to the defiant mage, his hand reaching to his sword. Was this the only thing Templars could do? Solve everything with mindless violence? The crowd of people, mostly humans, tensed, waiting for the blow to come, and for the mage to strike back if he had to.

'Enough!' Cullen strutted forward, his gloved hands shoving the two bickering humans apart like the little children they were.

'Knight-Captain!' the Templar's voice sounded relieved, respectful. I hid myself behind the stone wall of the Chantry, my eyes glaring from Cullen to the Templar and back. What would he do? Would he support his old comrades?

'That is not my title. We are not Templars any longer. We are all part of the Inquisition!' Cullen pointed his threatening finger towards the Templar and then to the mage, his voice soft and careful, but stern and confident. I suppressed the smile that was curling over my lips and folded my arms closely over my bodice, my eyes gleaming as they took up the towering T… no ex-Templar. Commander. I liked the guy more by the minute. And now that I was looking at him, it seemed he was getting better-looking by the minute too. The dark circles under his eyes were almost completely gone. And his skin looked healthy, glowing from the confidence he was radiating while standing there before the Chantry gate.

'And what does that mean, exactly?' Oh, for the love of… whatever, not that guy again. I grunted and shifted on my feet as I saw Chancellor Roderick step towards the restless crowd. His hands were resting behind his back, like Solas almost, and his face was smug, also like Solas.

Cullen sighed deeply, a gesture I could return, 'Back already, Chancellor? Haven't you done enough?'

'I'm curious, Commander, as to how your Inquisition and its 'Herald' will restore order as you've promised.' I'll show you, stupid man… I wanted to go and stand in front of Cullen, defend Maxwell like no one ever had. We would all succeed, I was sure of it. But when I wanted to show myself, I noticed a familiar face hiding amongst the crowd. His hood was casting shadows over his expression, but I could clearly see him, feel him there. Maxwell. For how long had he been standing there? Would he intervene?

'Of course you are', Cullen sighed again, shaking his head disappointedly. He then stepped forward, ignoring the Chancellor's accusations like they were nothing but the cries of an infant. 'Back to your duties, all of you!' He ordered towards the crowd, and I saw all the humans shrink a bit. The Chancellor bit his old cracked lips as the crowd did what Cullen had told them to and dispersed. Everyone except Maxwell, who didn't move one inch. But the Chancellor's back was turned towards the Herald, and the old man only had eyes for the Commander who seemed to have more power over the people the Chancellor lived for.

'Can someone please enlighten me to what's going on?' Maxwell's warm voice almost caused the Chancellor to shit his white robes. But the cleric held his poise, his back straightened, his eyes still towards the towering Commander. Roderick refused to acknowledge Maxwell being there.

Cullen stood his ground, but nodded politely at Maxwell as he came closer. 'Herald', Cullen curtsied, 'Mages and Templars were already at war. Now they're blaming each other for the Divine's death.'

'Which is why we acquire a proper authority to guide them back to order.' The Chancellor spat, still ignoring the Herald's presence.

'Who? You?', Cullen almost snickered, 'Random clerics who weren't important enough to be at the Conclave?' I almost cheered loudly at that.

That had seemed to hit a nerve, but the Chancellor tried to stay in control and slowly said 'The rebel Inquisition and its so-called "Herald of Andraste"? I think not.'

'You know I'm standing right here?' Maxwell smiled, like nothing was bothering him at all. It showed who was really in control. 'And so far, you're the only one who's insisting we can't work together.'

The Chancellor straightened his back some more, his eyes on the Herald, finally acknowledging his existence. 'We might', Roderick said, 'If your Inquisition would recognize the Chantry's authority.'

'There is no authority until another Divine is chosen', Cullen sighed again.

'In due time, Andraste will be our guide, not some dazed wanderer on a mountainside.' Roderick smiled, but the sneer on his face made sure Maxwell had understood his point.

The Herald in turn, sighed while scratching the back of his head, 'Remind me why you're allowing the Chancellor to stay?'

'Clearly your Templar knows where to draw the line.' Roderick huffed proudly.

'He's toothless. There's no point turning him into a martyr simply because he runs at the mouth.' Cullen answered. Ha! Take that, Chancellor-my-ass. I held in my breath and tried not to go over and fist-bump Cullen. Who knew the man could be so sarcastic?
'The Chancellor is a good indication of what to expect in Val Royeaux, however.' Wait, are we going to Val Royeaux? In Orlais? I was always up to kick some Orlesians, but I rather not have Maxwell there. Orlesians are the kind of humans you don't know what to expect of. Why were we going there? To appease the Chantry? Would they even listen?

'Fine', Maxwell huffed, 'Just… don't let anyone riot while we're gone.' No, you're not going.

'The walls will be standing when you return. I hope.' Cullen said more seriously than I had hoped.

The Chancellor seemed to be happy with the stir he had made, and turned around proudly to go and mope somewhere else. I bet the man dreamed about annoying people. He was just another example of why I really hated the Chantry. I wasn't against Andrastians, they could believe in the Maker, it was their choice. But I just really detested the institution of the Chantry and their dictatorship over the people.

I saw Cullen nod at Maxwell, and I knew they would go into the war room soon. I wasn't allowed in there, so I took my chance and showed myself.
Maxwell tutted when he saw me smoothly stepping from behind the stone corner I had been spying from. I skipped at him with a kind smile on my face.

'And there I was, thinking you would help me.' Maxwell chuckled.

'Lady Saeris', Cullen bent his head politely, his eyes searching mine respectfully.

I nodded at him, but then turned back to Maxwell. 'You are a big boy, I presumed you could handle yourself.'

'And so he did.' The Commander tried his very best not to snicker, and almost failed.

'You're a great friend, Saeris, really. Always there to support me.' Maxwell huffed sarcastically.

'I know, I'm terrific, aren't I?' I winked, 'So… what a day huh? What was that about Val Royeaux? It sounded like we're going there. We're not… right?' Please tell me we're not going.

'You hear everything', Maxwell winked back at me, 'I'll tell you after I've discussed what just happened with my advisors. Cullen.' Maxwell looked at him and the Commander nodded.

'I think everyone is waiting for you at the war room.' Cullen was back to serious again.

'Well, seems like I need to go immediately.' Maxwell lifted his shoulders playfully.

'Hey now, wait, just tell me…'

'Maybe I would've if you had helped me just now… oh well.'

'That's not fair…' I started.

'I'll take a while, so don't wait for me. Be the good girl you are and go spy on someone else.' He winked and turned away from me towards the Chantry. Cullen gave me a small, but apologetic smile and followed the Herald into the Chantry.

Shit.

XXX

I kicked the snow from underneath my feet, making a hole until I could see the ground. We had been back for one day and Maxwell was already occupied in the war room to plan another journey. Doesn't he need to rest? I know, maybe there wasn't any time to rest, but can't Maxwell handle everything safely from Haven and send others to go out into the field?

No… he has to go. He is the face of this organisation. He gives people hope. If anyone could handle others, it would be him. I just couldn't help myself but worry. I needed to protect him, not only for myself, but for the whole of Thedas. I knew he had to go out there, but why out of all places, did he have to go to Val Royeaux in Orlais? This was a diplomatic trip, but still… Val Royeaux was the headquarters of the enemy, of the invaders… But… Is Orlais still the real enemy now? They are no invaders any longer, they are at peace with Ferelden now. Maybe, the only way to close the Breach is to work together, no matter the past.

But I still want to kick their Orlesian guts.

Yet, I will stand with them if Maxwell does. I will protect him and this world at all costs. Even if it means working together with the kind that had killed my friends.

'If you dig deeper, you might end up on the other side of the world', Varric slammed his broad hand on my back.

'Hmm' I answered absent-mindedly while staring at the pit of earth I was digging.

'Twinkle, hey, you awake?' Varric said again, now stepping in front of me.

'Yeah… Just thinking.'

'That doesn't sound healthy', Varric grinned, 'Time for a round of cards, it seems.'

'Don't really feel like it, shouldn't you be pestering Cassandra at this time of day?' I huffed, my breaths forming white clouds that drifted off into the midday sky.

'Normally, yes, but it appears that the Seeker is in the war room with the rest of them.'

'Cassandra is in there too?'

'Yup. Seems like everyone is invited to the party except the three of us.'

Great. That means Solas is around here somewhere too. We hadn't spoken to each other since my misstep in the Fade. Was he so disappointed by my mistake? Or was he shaken by what I had let him see? Would he now stop training me, especially now when I was making such progress? Maybe I should have a word with him? Staying stubborn and waiting for it to get solved won't happen, and I need Solas to train me if I want to use my eye for good.

'Silence is consent, you know' Varric grinned.

'Huh? What?'

'Wicked Grace, Twinkle, focus.'

'Yes… No, maybe later. Have you seen Solas? I need to speak to him.'

'Oh, how the tables have turned. I think Chuckles is outside somewhere. Said he was off to gather herbs when I asked him for a game of cards. At a guess, he's too scared to lose against me and is hiding somewhere. I get it.'

'Thanks, Varric, I'll tell you his hiding spot when I've found him.'

'Yeah, yeah.' Varric waved his head as he turned around, off to find someone else to play cards with.

Varric had been right. I found Solas wandering in the woods not far from my cottage, close to the frozen lake where elfroot could be found. That herb could truly grow everywhere, even in frozen grounds. Solas was standing with his face towards the frozen lake and the horizon that spread far behind it. His hands were held behind his back, his natural pose, but his face was almost nostalgic. If I hadn't seen the little white clouds drifting from his half-open mouth, I would've thought he was a statue. How could a living being stand so silently, unmoving? Even the gingery rams that were roaming about grazed not far from his feet.

I scraped my throat as I took a step closer. It was like I had lifted a spell by my voice. The rams jolted up and stared warily my way before sprinting away behind the trees. Solas, however, didn't move, but I saw his shoulders tense just a tiny bit. He knew I was there.

'Solas… I was looking for you.' I started, my voice soft so that I wouldn't scare the gentle silence away.

'And you found me.' His voice was soft, like a whisper, and I wondered if I had taken away a priceless moment of peace and quiet from him. I immediately felt guilty.

'I… Can we talk?'

'We are already talking, are we not?' Still soft and in control, like he always was. Solas then sighed, his shoulders slumping just a little, and then turned around. My stomach turned with him as his eyes found mine, but I tried ignoring it. 'What can I do for you?'

'I would like to discuss what happened… in the Fade.'

Solas nodded, his face still scholarly.

'I… made a mistake by not focussing. And I put the both of us in danger.'

'Errors are only normal. No one is perfect.' He tried to smile softly, but his eyes failed to meet that gesture.

'True, yes, but… What you… might've seen… it wasn't something I like to show others and I know… that you might be disappointed that I let go like that…'

Solas' eyes didn't betray any feeling, and I felt colder by the minute.

'I just wanted to ask if you… haven't changed your mind about teaching me?'

'No, I have not.'

I sighed, 'Good. I… still have so much to learn and… I kind of enjoyed exploring the Fade like that, I was afraid you… didn't see any potential anymore.'

'I am sorry if I made you feel that way, Saeris. But I am still your teacher, you my student. Nothing has changed that.' He almost sounded sad as he stared into my eyes. My stomach kept turning to the point it almost started to hurt, but I couldn't break our eye contact.

'Great. Good. Perfect.' I smiled nervously, why was I like this? 'When can we… start over?'

'Soon. First, let your mind rest for some nights. The Fade can be fickle if your mind is tired.'

'Alright', I smiled at Solas again. He then let loose of his formal pose and dangled his hands at his sides. I stared up at him for a while longer, taking in the soft smell of herbs that was drifting off his woollen tunic and cotton pants. I noticed something strange about him and spotted the soft purple circles underneath the icy grey eyes that were boring into mine. This was very unlike him… didn't he sleep last night? He looked… tired, almost worried.

'Anything else I can help you with?' His voice suddenly sounded deep.

'Uhm… Can I prepare in some way for our next lesson?'

'No, only to rest well. We will soon be off to Val Royeaux I have heard, and we will visit the Fade again during our travels.' Even Solas knew we were going to Orlais?

'Yes, of course', I nodded politely, 'I'll think of new places to create for our lessons, then.'

'That should not be necessary. You showed me you can shape the Fade very well on your own last time.' I stared at the ground, maybe I had showed him too well.

'Then what will we do?'

Solas nodded encouragingly, almost approving of my questions. His stance became softer, like he was letting go of whatever was spooking around in his mind. 'This world, or its memory, is reflected in the Fade, as you might know.' He waited a second for me to nod and then continued, 'Dream in ancient ruins, and you may see a city lost to history. That is what we will try next. Let the Fade decide what you see, let it find your place in the world. The spirits there will show you past memories that belong to that certain place. And perchance, in time, you may use the power of your eye to turn the roles, so that you can see into the Fade and pinpoint where and what you are looking at. To train your sense of… orientation.'

'That sounds… amazing', I whispered and imagined myself looking back at the old battles I had witnessed and at the old cities I had dwelled in. All the possibilities, all the memories I had forgotten and could relive…

Solas chuckled again, a sound that filled my ears. 'Some of my fondest memories were found in crumbling cities long picked dry by treasure seekers. The best are the battlefields. Spirits press so tightly on the Veil that you can slip across with but a thought.'

'Anyplace in particular?' Has he seen battles with me in it?

'I dreamt at Ostagar.' Good, I wasn't there. 'I witnessed the brutality of the darkspawn and the valour of the Fereldan warriors. I saw Alistair and the Hero of Ferelden light the signal fire… and Loghain's infamous betrayal of Cailan's forces.'

'I've… heard the stories… what was it like?' I knew Cailan's grandmother. If I had not been locked up in that tower, I would've been there. I could've helped.

'That's just it. In the Fade, we see reflections created by spirits who react to the emotions of the warriors. One moment, I see heroic Wardens lighting the fire and a power-mad villain sneering as he lets King Cailan fall. The next, I see an army overwhelmed and a veteran commander refusing to let more soldiers die in a lost cause.'

'And you can't tell which is real?'

'It is the Fade. They are all real.' Solas stared at me then, as if we both seemed to remember my last outburst in the Fade. The screaming and the prison of stones… it had all been real.

'I… look forward to it.' I sighed to stop the silence from spreading again. I hoped I would see good memories, things that I would be happy about being real. But, like history had showed me many times, there are no winners at war, everybody loses something. Everything always had two sides to it.

Solas nodded and stared back at me, trying to figure out what I was thinking again, like I was a mystery screaming to be solved.

'I… 'll see you around, then.' I tried smiling but my stomach was turning to the point I felt like vomiting.

'Goodbye.' Solas said while he folded his hands behind his back again, but his face remained open, like he was expecting me to say something else… waiting for something more. But I just bowed my head silently and turned around to quickly walk back towards Haven again, asking myself if Maxwell would be done in the war room already. Yet, as I strutted away, I felt Solas' lingering gaze on my back. When I had entered past the treeline, I dared to stop and look back behind my shoulders. My breath got stuck in my throat as Solas stared back at me from the distance. I don't really know for how long we kept this distant and silent conversation up with our eyes, but after a while, I turned around again to disappear in the forest once more, leaving Solas to resume his soundless pondering over the eternal frozen lake.

As I ran back to the village, I wondered if it had been a good idea to talk to him. We resolved what had happened, and Solas would still teach me. Nothing had changed, but how come it felt like everything had?

XXX

'Well, time to talk to the Chantry.' Maxwell pushed strands of his brown, curly hair away from his face as he lifted the saddle onto his horse.

'I'm sure they'll be having a huge welcome party for us. Clerics love me.' Varric grinned as he tapped his hand on the back of his horse.

'I am sure they love you as much as everybody else does.' Cassandra mumbled sarcastically as she walked up towards us, her horse already prepared, her armour gleaming.

Varric had a snarly remark to that, but I was already staring at Maxwell. He was nervous. A lot depended on this trip. If the Chantry would listen to us... they could rally the people. I hated them, but I couldn't deny they could help our cause. The more united we were, the sooner we would get enough power to close the Breach. Maxwell knew this all too well, and just like me, he feared that he would be talking to a brick wall.

'Don't you worry.' I rested my hand on Maxwell's shoulder, and he craned his neck to look at me, his eyes soft. 'They will listen.'

Maxwell placed his hand on top of mine, his lips curling every so lightly, 'I hope you're right.'

Cassandra mounted her horse, saying loudly, 'We should go, the Chantry is not prone to wait.' The Seeker looked at us, and Maxwell quickly let go of my hand while staring at

Cassandra's peering eyes. I hid my smile as I let go of Maxwell's shoulder. Was Cassandra jealous? How cute.

We all mounted our horses. Solas, who was standing near the back of our party, was the last one to mount his steed. He kept looking at me as I clumsily climbed on mine, and waited until I was fully seated before he would mount his. Was he checking if I needed help? No, probably not. Stop thinking too much. We steered our horses towards the path opposite to the one we had taken last time. This path crossed the valley and lead westwards into Orlais. We would pass through a small northern part of the Dales, but stick to the roads since they were the fastest route to get there. Val Royeaux was situated on the northern coast of the far inland tip of the Waking Sea. It would take us a week to get there, if we were lucky.

We used the paved pass that led through the Frostback Mountains. Many pilgrims coming from Orlais had taken this passage to reach Haven. I knew many probably lost their lives here. Though the passage lead mostly through the valley and the roads were paved nicely, it was still deadly cold here. If one wasn't wearing the appropriate clothing, death by frost was very likely. But we were prepared, dressed with coats and capes, and especially, magic. Solas had cloaked our party with a heating ward, and after two hours, I would take over, and so on, to make sure we were warm until we were out of this area. I pulled my fur cape deeper over my head, making sure the tips of my pointy ears wouldn't freeze and break off. I had put my hair up in multiple braids that covered the back of my neck and my ears, but the chills could still slip through them. No one could survive this place hurt or way-worn. No one.

'Why does air come in different temperatures?' Varric huffed, his teeth clashing, 'If we freeze to death and get eaten by wolves, I'm blaming the Seeker.'

'Don't be such a baby, Varric', Cassandra bit, annoyed.

I felt Solas covering Varric a little bit more with his heating ward, and the Dwarf threw the Elf a grateful look.

Luckily, it took us only a day to cross the passage, and when we entered Orlais, a nice warmth took over from the freezing cold. It was strange, I was happy to be out of the Frostbacks, but I was also very uncomfortable entering this previous enemy territory so openly. When I had arrived in Thedas, the Orlesians had always been one of the enemies. And after so much war, injustice and death, people seemed to have forgotten what had happened. The new generation had another enemy to focus on, one greater than Orlais had ever been. But for me, they still felt like the enemy. I was a relic of the past, and maybe I should move on too. These people were not the Orlesians that killed Daniel and Sybil. Can you blame others for what their ancestors had done? Can I still blame them for it?

Our horses whinnied thankfully when we stopped near a clearing and dismounted. I bound the horses near a running creak and let them drink the clear water blissfully while the others started making camp. Solas did his rounds making protective wards that covered the clearing. I stared at him and wondered about our previous conversation. If I would dream here, would I see lost battles against Fereldan armies? And would the spirits shape the dream according to the Orlesian warriors' memories? Will I see their side of the story, where the side I fought with is evil? There are always multiple sides to a story, and all of them are as real as the other. Was I prepared to face them all, I wondered?

I grinned as I heard Maxwell struggling to put his tent up again. Will he ever learn? Though this time, I noticed Cassandra helping him without a word or complaint.

'Hey, Twinkle, come light the fire for me, will you?' Varric called at me, waving his short hairy arms.

'Coming!' I nodded and patted the horses gently as I left them.

I got the fire burning with a snap of my fingers and then placed myself next to Varric, who gave me an all-knowing look when he opened his satchel and took a book of cards out of it. 'You promised me a game…' He winked.

'How not-surprising' I laughed.

'Deal me in.' Maxwell smiled and wiped his hands on his trousers. He sat down next to me and waved to Cassandra, who made a disgusted noise before sitting next to us.

I turned around and noticed Solas leaning against a tree near the back of the clearing. I nodded my head at him, and he nodded back politely before leaving the tree and walking towards the horses, where he would stay for another two hours while the rest of the party played cards.
After two rounds, we ate and then decided who would have the first shift. I wanted to go first, and Varric would take the one after me. Solas agreed to be last. And after everyone went to their tents and I was left alone in front of the fire, I started counting stars again.

Humming and smiling each time I found a familiar pattern. The sky was the same everywhere, even in damn Orlais. We weren't even deep into the country, only at the foot of the Frostbacks and near the Fereldan border, but I couldn't help but be uncomfortable. Yet, I knew I could overcome it, ignore it, just like I did with the stomach-turning feeling I got when I was near Solas. Even so, this feeling kept lingering, it felt… different, like we were walking into a trap or something. My guts just told me something was wrong, and that that something was waiting for us to come to Val Royeaux.

It was something vile… almost… demonic.