Without the arl or his soldiers, the mages took over the castle. They were incredibly efficient, washing linens and clothing, drawing baths, and just generally taking care of the Inquisition guests, as well as each other. Fiona ran the show with Alexius gone. She was a natural in the role. Clearly, stepping back and letting her charges make their own decisions had been difficult for the natural mother-figure. With supervision placed gratefully back into her hands by the rebel mages, she took to the role like a duck to water, directing what must be done and assigning the tasks if no one volunteered.
Zanneth now sat upon the bed in the room she had been issued. As the Herald of Andraste, she had been gifted with the largest guest room available. She cared not, but chose not to refuse the clear honor they were trying to bestow upon her. And the clear apology Fiona was attempting to make for this whole fiasco with Alexius.
Zanneth sighed. She was exhausted. She had eaten and bathed, and was now wearing simple homespun tunic and trousers while her armor and hunting coat were washed of the filth that covered them from her foray into the future. But now, finally, she was still, and her mind could play over the events of the last several hours.
She was completely overwhelmed trying to sort through it, however. She had essentially experienced the end of the world between breaking her fast and her midday meal. How was she supposed to recover? How was she supposed to go on as if nothing had changed?
How was she supposed to face Cassandra, knowing what she knew about the Seeker's feelings? How was she supposed to face the woman having so recently seen her horrific death?
"Make me see."
The plea echoed in her head; all she could seem to focus on within the frenetic whirlwind of her thoughts. How was she supposed to make Cassandra see? All Zanneth could see was Cassandra's lifeless body tossed aside by a wretched horror. Cassandra's arms had been oddly bent, her head lolling on her neck. Blood had dripped from her bare stomach, ripped open by the wicked claws of that horrible creature. How was Zanneth supposed to try to make Cassandra see when all the elf could see was Cassandra dead upon the flagstones?
And if she did just tell Cassandra all, then what would the Seeker do? Desperation had fueled that future version of Cassandra. Her love for Zanneth had been a year old by that point. She had been mourning, thrown into chaos, interrogated, likely tortured. She had seen Zanneth and hope had been restored, breaking through the woman's iron-clad reserve and propriety to push her to kiss a Dalish elf with a strange mark upon her hand.
What now would Cassandra do? Her love was new, burgeoning. Desperation and renewed hope did not fuel her. Would she be as passionate? Would she deny her own emotions?
Would it be the same?
"How do I make you see, Cassandra?" Zanneth whispered to her empty room. "How do I push past this guilt that you sacrificed yourself for me, and make you see the passion that resides within you?"
Perhaps she needed to sleep. Would her mind ever go quiet enough for it?
A knock on her door roused her from her desperate thoughts. "Come in," she called, getting up from her bed.
At her door was Cassandra, the tall, tattooed arcane warrior in tow.
"Hello, Zanneth," Cassandra said. Her voice hurt to even hear. So formal. So alive. Why was the Herald not overjoyed to be here, to have stopped that future from happening, and to have this woman here, in front of her, alive and healthy?
This was dreadfully confusing.
"Hello, Cassandra."
"This is Solona Amell. She was hoping you had a moment to be formally introduced."
The white-haired woman, freshly bathed and in clean clothing, stepped forward into the room. Her hair was several inches longer than Zanneth's, and clean it shined as white as the elf's. She was tremendously tall, even taller than Cullen and Cassandra; Zanneth didn't even come up to her chin. But her slate grey eyes were kind, and her demeanor was all friendly curiosity.
The huntress held out her hand. "The Hero of Ferelden, yes? I am Zanneth, of the Lavellan clan," she said, surprised to feel the large human's grip was strong, but gentle, if such a thing were possible.
"Pleased to meet you, Zanneth. I am not familiar with your clan but I hold several members of another clan in high regard." She narrowed her eyes, her lips quirking up in a half grin. "I hear you bear a different title, however."
Zanneth groaned.
Solona's grin widened. "Then I shall endeavor to only call you 'Herald' or 'Your Worship' when we are in the presence of others." She paused, cocking her head to the side. "So long as you leave that blasted 'Hero of Ferelden' tripe at the door. I have always hated that title, and wish I could leave it behind me."
Zanneth found herself smiling. "I think I can do that. Solona."
The human woman released her hand. "We have an accord, then!" She paused, studying Zanneth a moment. "You look as though you have seen a fight. Has your injury been seen to?"
Zanneth merely blinked, confused.
"Your nose," the mage said, pointing to her own. "It has been broken. You have the two black eyes to prove it. But it looks like it's been healed. Do you need any other assistance?"
"Oh. No, it is fine now. Nothing else is wrong, as far as I know."
Solona nodded in response before changing the subject. "So tell me. Cassandra says you came out of the Fade physically. You have no memory of this?"
Zanneth knit her brows. She was tired. She did not wish to go through this again. But… so was this woman. She had been chained, likely tortured. That device had cut her off from the Fade. Of all the people that might ask for this information, Zanneth could muster the energy to provide it for her.
So she sat back upon her bed, allowing Cassandra and Solona to pull out chairs from the table in the corner, and she did her best to recall all she could from the day of the explosion, leaving out the details of Sinna and Hyune. She was not looking for this woman's pity. By the time she was through, Solona was on her feet, pacing.
"Have you some idea of what might have happened to me?" Zanneth asked, watching the woman stop and stare out the window.
She turned. "I cannot guess what might have happened or where the mark comes from. But I think you hair is white because you bear the mark."
"Oh?" Cassandra said. It was getting easier to hear the Seeker's voice, but it still brought unpleasant memories that were already beginning to feel like a dream, like they didn't really happen. That scared the Herald. It did happen, even if the people around her would never experience it. She had been there.
"You said you thought it was her journey through the Fade that marked her," Cassandra continued.
"Yes, I did. But now I have heard the tale firsthand from the one who experienced it." Solona strode away from the window, coming to stand before Zanneth. "May I see?" she asked, holding her hand out. Zanneth obliged, allowing the arcane warrior to examine her left hand and the faintly glowing mark that resided therein. Many minutes went by before the mage released her.
It was only then that the Herald noticed the woman's eyes glowed, and her hands had warmed considerably. She was doing the same thing she had done in the dungeons, though she made no move this time to harm anyone. Zanneth was too tired to be afraid.
The glow faded, and the mage left Zanneth's side. "Yes, this mark… it is incredible. It is like the needle at the end of a thread. It uses the energy in your very body to fuel the closing of the rifts, does it not?"
Zanneth nodded. "Yes, it does."
"And that is why you needed the help of the mages. So they might channel their power to you to close the Breach above Haven." Solona moved to the window again. Clearly visible through it was the Breach, hovering over the horizon. "Incredible," she muttered, staring out at the Breach.
"Does this knowledge help us in any way?" Cassandra asked.
"I have no idea, Seeker," Solona responded. "Might I speak with the elven mage you spoke of? The one who kept Zanneth alive while the Breach was unstable?"
Cassandra nodded. "I can show you to him."
Solona turned, catching Zanneth's eyes. Zanneth had been staring at Cassandra, but tore her eyes away when the Seeker pushed herself from her chair. She felt now as though Solona had caught her in some way, like a child unsuccessfully trying to sneak sweets.
"In a moment. Might I have a word alone with Zanneth, Cassandra?" the mage said.
Cassandra furrowed her brows, but nodded. "Of course. I will be outside in the hall." She exited the room with a glance back at Zanneth, leaving Solona alone with the elf. Zanneth felt a pang of guilt at the slight look of confused hurt in the warrior's eyes.
Solona stepped forward, stopping several paces from the Herald. "What happened in this dark future? You have shared no details with anyone."
"I told all on my way to free you," the elf responded, brows furrowed.
"Yes, and Cassandra has shared that with me. But it was woefully lacking in detail, in feeling. You look haunted. What did you witness that would put such a look in your eyes?"
"I'm not… I'm not ready. Dorian can tell you if you must know now," Zanneth said, looking away.
Solona nearly spit. "Dorian… That man is why I was imprisoned. I understand his allegiance seems to have changed, but… I cannot speak to him right now. He might not survive the encounter."
Zanneth blinked rapidly, trying to process what she knew. Perhaps this was why Dorian had seemed so guilty after this woman's death? Was it she he was shouting about to Alexius?
"I… I just can't. I'm so tired. But I can't seem to quiet my mind enough to sleep. And seeing you and Cassandra here, after what happened…"
Solona held up a hand. "Something happened to me in this future, you say? Something happened to the Seeker?"
Zanneth nodded, trying desperately not to see Cassandra's lifeless body flying through the air.
Solona sighed. "Of course. How very confusing for you," she said, sympathetic eyes turned on the elf. "If you like, I can help you sleep. I have done so for many a patient in too much discomfort to relax, or who is troubled by nightmares of past traumas."
Zanneth should have been frightened, but the thought of rest without fear of revisiting the last several hours was too good to pass up. "Yes, please," she said, closing her eyes and seeing Solona's body half-consumed by red lyrium, her head at an impossible angle. "I have no wish to keep seeing what I've seen in my dreams."
Solona's voice changed as she spoke. "Take my hand." The multi-tonal voice seemed to echo around her, and looking into the mage's eyes revealed them to be glowing once more. Zanneth did as directed. She felt warmth immediately suffuse her body, starting at her palm. Within moments she felt drowsy. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow, the dreamless sleep of the utterly exhausted swallowing her up and carrying her off into oblivion.
"So Cullen is the commander of the Inquisition's martial forces?"
Cassandra looked up to see Solona entering the dining hall, Sera and Krem in tow. The elf had been glued to the arcane warrior since the conversation with Zanneth had ceased. Solas had been nowhere to be found. Cassandra would have thought he would wish to speak with the only known arcane warrior. Wasn't it a heritage of the elves?
"Yes, he is." Cassandra narrowed her eyes. "I told you this already."
"Yes, yes you did. What you did not tell me was that he married my sister," Solona said, standing with her arms crossed over her chest. "What else did you neglect to mention?"
Cassandra sighed. She was bone-tired from managing the whirlwind that was Solona Amell, and it was not yet time for supper. "It is their personal business, Solona. I did not wish to gossip like some Orlesian noble at court."
Solona was silent before letting out a small snort. "I suppose I can see what you mean. But it does involve me, Seeker. And it involves my family. Sera here told me, though she did not know Revka was my sister. She merely mentioned the commander and the ambassador's assistant were wed recently." She shook her head. "Maker, that man won't come within three leagues of me at the moment. I think I scare him."
"Well, you did try to kill Dorian right in front of him."
Solona paused. "True," she said at last, closing the distance between them and plopping herself on the bench seat across from Cassandra. Sera and Krem left them alone. Cassandra was not sure if she was grateful. She wanted time alone to think, but at least she was spared the presence of the trickster elf.
"Did you need something from me, Solona?"
"I wish to speak to Dorian. But I dare not face him alone. Or you won't have the bastard for the Inquisition."
"You think you would lose control?" Cassandra sat up straight. "Or do you really wish to kill him that badly?"
"The first, because of the second," Solona said. "I'm not sure I want to kill him, per se. But think very hard, Seeker. I do not boast when I say that, had I been present at the Conclave, things would have turned out differently. Whoever opened the Breach in the sky knew this – it was he who ordered Alexius to imprison me. And it was Alexius who got his apprentice to track me down and drug me. I want to know why Dorian would do so, and I want to know why he has changed his tune. But I need someone there to… mediate. I trust you."
"You do?"
Solona let out a chuckle. "Of course I do. You left the Seekers when they led the Templar Order in open rebellion against the Chantry and the rebel mages. It was not the right course, and you would swim against the current in order to do what you feel is right. I trust you to do what I cannot – to look upon this with unbiased eyes. You know what he did to me. You know what he's done for the Inquisition, and to ensure my freedom, even if that was unintentional. Or perhaps it wasn't. I do not know." She paused, shrugged. "The Divine and Leliana both have trusted you with their lives. I now trust you with his."
Cassandra took a deep breath, contemplating what Solona had said. Normally, she found the arcane warrior's presence grating, despite her keen mind. The former Grey Warden was fond of her jokes and pranks, of her off-color remarks, and her entirely inappropriate stories. The Seeker never countenanced any of it well, always put in a foul mood by Solona's antics and shutting it down as quickly as she could. Which only seemed to fuel the former warden on to do more. Getting a reaction from Cassandra had always seemed to be Solona's goal.
So to hear that the mage held her in such high esteem – a mage, holding a Seeker in high esteem! – surprised Cassandra deeply.
"Very well," she said at last, pushing herself away from the table at which they sat. "Let us seek him out. I would hear his story, and judge whether he should continue to serve the Inquisition."
They walked together in silence. A few enquiries of passing rebel mages informed her that Dorian could be found in the courtyard. As they passed through the main entrance hall, Solona scoffed under her breath.
"What is it?" Cassandra asked.
"Lady Vivienne is here?"
"Yes. She joined the Inquisition early on."
Solona snorted. "She is a right cunt."
Cassandra nearly stopped walking. She was not accustomed to having Solona around. This was exactly the kind of off-color remark the Seeker found off-putting.
"I forgot that you would have met at court," Cassandra offered in answer, trying not to react. Solona had earned her lack of filter this day, at least.
"Court, yes. When she deigned to speak to me. We met at the White Spire, however. They loved me there."
Cassandra smirked. "Yes. I suppose most might envy a free mage who could walk openly with Ferelden's apostate's mark upon your face."
"It was not so easy, Seeker." Solona took a deep breath before explaining. "Templars and mages alike looked upon my visage with wariness. Only those near the top at Montsimmard knew what I was, who I was. The templars had strict orders not to take me into custody, but do not think that none of them have tried. It was easier being the Commander of the Grey: I had soldiers at my disposal, and a king who ensured I remained unmolested."
Cassandra nodded, turning to look up at Solona. "I do remember Leliana telling of the time a young recruit came into your clinic."
"Yes, like that. That was the worst. You only came in after; you didn't see him while he accosted me. He held one of my patients hostage to try to force my cooperation."
Cassandra actually stopped at that. "He did?! What did you do? How did you resolve it? Was the hostage hurt?"
"No. I cooperated until he let the little boy go. Then I unleashed unholy terror upon him. He was too stupid to realize if he truly wanted to keep forcing my cooperation, he needed to keep hold of the hostage." Solona shook her head. "I have much practice with that sort of thing. Leliana has been used against me on more than one occasion. That is part of why Justinia and I both decided that no one could know of my mission until it was done."
"And it is done?" Cassandra cast back in her memory from earlier that day. "You said it was complete."
"Yes. I was heading back to Orlais when I met Dorian on the road."
"I see. Well, let us go see what he has to say in his defense, shall we?"
"Yes," Solona said, eyes narrowing. "Let us see."
They did, indeed, find Dorian in the courtyard, speaking quietly with Fiona. He was on his feet almost the moment he looked up to see who approached, however.
"Stay here, Solona," Cassandra murmured, satisfied when the mage halted and nodded. The Seeker continued forward until she could speak with Fiona and Dorian without shouting.
"Why do you bring her here?" Dorian demanded, looking from Solona to Cassandra, wary.
"She wanted to speak with you. She wanted me to mediate so she does not kill you." Cassandra was slightly amused at how pale the Tevinter mage became at that bit of information.
"And how do you intend to stop an arcane warrior? Do you know how powerful she is?!"
"Sit down, Dorian," Fiona said, voice soft but firm. "From what I understand, she has every right to wish you harm. And from your wariness, you know it."
Dorian's mouth worked silently for a moment before he nodded, seating himself back on the bench next to Fiona. Solona approached slowly, but stopped several paces behind Cassandra. Good, the Seeker thought. She is dedicated to at least not kill him before she hears what he has to say. That is something, at least.
"So… what now?" Dorian asked, still staring at Solona warily.
"Solona says you drugged her and delivered her to Alexius. Is that true?"
"Yes, but-"
"Why?"
Dorian looked put out at having been interrupted, but he clearly thought better of rebuking Cassandra for it. Clearing his throat, he answered her. "I was trying to help Felix."
The Seeker hadn't expected that answer. Something about power, or time magic, or perhaps something about Solona's unique abilities; but to help Felix? "How would having Solona captive help Felix?"
Dorian sighed, looking away. "Felix bears the taint. Alexius is a skilled mage; he stopped the infection from spreading without contacting any Grey Wardens and forcing Felix to join their order. But it will kill him. Or turn him into the mindless ghoul we saw in that awful future we were telling you about." He looked back, this time eyes landing squarely on Solona. "He told me you could cure Felix. In actual fact, his master, this Elder One, wanted you because you are an arcane warrior, able to reach the Fade at will. I didn't know that at the time, of course, or I never would have agreed. But I…" He made a frustrated sound. "Must I really bare my soul to you?"
"I think I have earned an explanation, churl," Solona spat, no sympathy in her gaze.
"Fine," Dorian ground out, looking away, back to Cassandra. "I am in love with Felix, all right? I knew he was sick, and I was desperate to do anything I could to help him, whether or not he reciprocated my feelings. I agreed to capture her and deliver her to my master. When I saw her go straight into a cell with that artifact, I rebelled. It is why I left my apprenticeship. But it was too late by that point – he had her and I could do nothing to release her. So I left, and I worked to try to get her out. I didn't find the opportunity until I followed him to Redcliffe and met Fiona, who was speaking covertly with Felix about how to counter Alexius's plans for the southern mages. I wanted in, to try to free the woman I had tricked, but also to atone for having done it in the first place. Felix convinced Fiona I was trustworthy."
"And I'm glad I did," Fiona remarked, her hand on Dorian's arm. "Despite everything you have done, you have proven that you know you were wrong, and you have done all you could to undo it."
"Fat lot of good it did me," Dorian muttered, glancing up at Solona.
Cassandra turned to look upon the former warden. Solona's face was a mask of shifting emotion. She looked disgusted, hurt, angry, but her eyes held… pity when they looked upon Dorian Pavus. "Solona?"
"I can almost remember," the taller woman whispered.
"Come again?"
"This Elder One," she said, louder. "He questioned me. He tried to make me do something, but I couldn't, or I wouldn't. I… Blast it, I don't remember!" Her voice took on its multi-tonal quality at the last, but the glow in her eyes faded rapidly as she got her emotions under control. "Whatever it was, he was dissatisfied and left me to Alexius. I don't remember much, but one question Alexius asked me time and again was, 'How did you survive the taint?'" Her eyes fell on Dorian again. "Which, at the very least, fits the story you give. It sounds like, once the Elder One was through with me, Alexius had his own motives to keep me around and alive. Reasons similar to those he gave you for capturing me in the first place."
"You don't remember what this Elder One looked like?" Cassandra asked, confused. "You don't remember what answers you gave?"
Solona shook her head. "That infernal device filled my head with noise. Whatever answers I gave, I was not aware of the words I spoke. The only reason I even know how long I was held is because of the season. It was just after the spring thaw when I met you, Dorian."
"He still held you in that awful future," Dorian murmured. "I watched… I watched as your love held you and then put you out of your misery."
Cassandra gasped, but Solona only nodded. "I imagine that by that time I had gone mad?"
"That and so much worse," Dorian whispered. Their gazes were locked now. Solona was no longer murderous. Cassandra wasn't sure, but she thought she saw some sort of agreement being reached silently between them.
"Do I want to know the details?"
"I'd not wish to know them if it were me," Dorian said, eyes not leaving the taller woman's.
Solona was quiet for a moment, still holding Dorian's gaze. Then, slowly and softly, she strode forward, holding out her hand. "You are not forgiven, Dorian. But… I think we can work together."
Dorian stood, taking her hand, clearly unsure. But Cassandra had to give him credit: despite his uncertainty, he took her hand firmly, and he did not back away. "I suppose that's more than I deserve. You won't change your mind and kill me in my sleep?"
Solona, despite the situation, chuckled. "Oh, Dorian. Trust me. If I'm going to kill you, you'll know. You'll be awake and facing me, and it won't be a trick. I despise tricks." At the last, her eyes grew hard.
Dorian gulped, but nodded. "Duly noted."
Cassandra finally moved forward. "Why don't we introduce you to the other members of the Inquisition, Solona? Then you can perhaps have some rest. I imagine you are both exhausted?"
"My fair Lady, you are too right!" Dorian exclaimed, releasing Solona's hand before turning on his heel. "Let us introduce her to the others, let us eat, let us bathe, and let us sleep!" He announced it all as though they would be attending a fete.
He bounded off, much how Sera might, utterly confusing Cassandra. Solona merely laughed, however, following the man back into the keep.
"Those two are far too alike to stay enemies for long," Fiona mused, passing Cassandra and leaving her staring, flabbergasted, at the keep's entrance. Finally, shaking her head at the utter nonsense she had just witnessed, the Seeker roused herself into action, following them inside.
A/N: You may or may not recognize my little homage to Firefly there when Solona tells Dorian he'll know when she's about to kill him. I hope you enjoyed this! I certainly enjoyed writing it.
