"Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark."
-Rabindranath Tagore
Her body rose and fell at a leisurely pace, the lungs inside struggling to remain active. A soft, howling of the winds above filled the chamber with threatening ambiance. Her Precursor sight tore through the blackness, giving way to monotone shapes as she bled. A crack in the ceiling snapped the Captain alive, rolling to safety as a monstrous icicle impaled itself in the ice-adorned ground.
She pushed herself to her knees, her hands sliding. She fell three times before her feet allowed her to stand. Her coat and blouse were red with filthy patches of white breaking through. Blood trickled down from her head from where it slammed against the ground, forcing her left eye into a squint. Everything was numb.
Using her untamed Anchor as a light source, she held her hand as she would a torch. Her wet clothing gave her chills, her semi-frozen leathers grinding in protest to movement.
Naomi wrapped her arm against her body, her torso buckling from violent shivers. The green light guided her forward into the abandoned passage.
"I'd give anythin' to have that blasted tarp of a Shroud right 'bout now…"
She walked through the tunnels, seemingly lost. Her senses were overwhelmed by the broken bones, gashes, all sorts of wounds-her broken shoulder screaming as it dangled.
Naomi leaned against a wall, resting her hand on her knees. She let out vicious gasps for breath, peering at the dripping trail behind her.
The Captain's eyelids grew heavy.
"No, no, no! Can't fall asleep." She beat her head with base of her hand, "Wake up…" She whimpered.
A gust of wind blew through the chamber. Her head shot up out of its' stupor.
"Wind?"
She pushed herself off of the wall, stumbling as she moved again. Her heavy feet pushed her forward, still using her illuminated hand as a torch. Her arm grew tired of fighting gravity.
As she approached a turn, a feint light illuminated the way around the bend. Another gust came through.
The pain she endured was enough to drive her to a brief moment of insanity. She let out a scream as her rib clenched under the weight of her limp body, falling to the ground.
Naomi laid there, staring at a rock in front of her, sobbing quietly.
"I don't want to die…I can't die…Not until I find them…"
Using large mineral deposits around her, she pulled herself to her feet despairingly.
"Keep on goin' like I'm fuckin' endless…" She growled as she turned the corner.
A wide expanse of snow opened itself before her. She limped outside, not being able to see anything short of two feet in front of her. A blizzard welcomed her as she drug her feet through the deep snow.
Her chest became congested as she pushed through the frozen wasteland. The wind carried the noises of the forest as she progressed. She thought she heard movement, but assumed it to just be the trees swaying in the ice storm.
The snow being up to her knees in the uphill slope became increasingly hard to traverse. Her entire body turned numb, her wet and blood-soaked clothes clinging to her with a frosty sheen. Her legs gave out from under her, landing her in the pillow of white frost below.
"So…tired…" The Anchor illuminated the ice and snow around her. She found it relaxing, and sleep became more tantalizing than ever before.
"Aye, I fancy takin'a quick kip yet…"
Wolves howling around her woke her up, interrupting her nap. She grew frustrated, wanting to sleep in peace. She heard the patting of paws against the snow.
She sat up, their yellow eyes in the distance, circling her. She looked down to her clothing.
"Shoulda expected this, all this red I've left behind…"
"Well, get on with it, then!" She yelled, as she stumbled to her feet.
She tried to move her broken arm, but it remained resistant to her will.
The Anchor flared as her adrenaline strengthened her weak body. Angrily, it spat and crackled, refusing to lie dormant. She yelled profanities at the hounds, baring her teeth. A wolf finally pounced.
Raising her hand out of reflex, a monstrous rift opened in front of it, sucking the beast into its bowels. It grew larger until one by one, they were pulled in and eaten by the vortex she'd summoned.
The Anchor tingled with victory, calming itself after a short time.
"Would've been useful a-a…time…ago…" The Captain sank into the snow, sparks shooting from her side.
…
Cullen sat in his tent, rolling the Staff in his hands.
"Looks elven." He studied it carefully.
A plethora of shouts and whistles came from outside. It startled him, the metal artifact landing on the ground with a 'thud.'
He heard muffled summons from outside, "Commander, Commander!"
Master Dennet popped his head in.
"Commander, you've got to see this!" His face was gleeful.
A wave of cheers caught his attention. Grabbing the Shroud-encased-Staff, he lifted the cloth and ran outside with vigor, Naomi's necklace clanking against his chest plate.
It was the first sign of happiness he'd seen since they left Haven.
"Please be her…"
He rushed out into the cold, finding his place among the crowd as they gathered towards the opposite end of which they traveled.
Cole ran up the slope, a stampede of horses and other mounts walking in line behind him. He held the reigns of a different beast.
"Dullahan!" Cullen yelled, high lifting his knees as he ran to the edge of their camp.
The dracolisk bucked his head, limping towards the Commander as Cole let go. His nostrils pushed steam as he approached his friend, his large jaws gasping for air as he slowed. He met Cullen with his horned head, pressing his muzzle to his armored chest as he greeted him. The Commander's enthusiasm died as he realized the beast was walking on three legs.
"Are you hurt, boy?" He reached down for a curled limb.
Dullahan snorted in protest.
Cullen rested the Staff next to the dracolisk, grabbing his injured front leg with both of his hands to get a closer view. The dracolisk bucked, pushing him backwards and slamming his injured limb on the Staff, tripping forward as it rolled beneath him.
The beast sat there-legs curled underneath his black and red body. The Shroud had unraveled itself, glowing as it made contact with Dullahan's scaly hide. This made the beast uneasy. After a few moments, the Shroud faded to darkness. Dullahan stood to his feet, kicking and stammering in place, taking off towards Josephine. She accepted his company joyfully as she and Leliana petted him.
"What? How-"
Cullen turned back to the red cloth laying in the snow.
"Did that heal his injured leg?"
Pondering his actions for a moment, he reflected similar occurrences that appeared unexplained. He'd thought he was just rationalizing miracles.
He took the Shroud in his strong hands, gripping it in confusion. Removing his glove, he drew his sword, gazing into the steel as he considered his decision to be somewhat unwise. Gently, his teeth chattered as he ran the blade across his hand.
"Commander, what are you- Maker have mercy, have you lost your damned mind?" Cassandra knelt to him, taking the sword from his hand.
"No, you don't understand," He stammered, "Watch."
He took the Shroud by his bleeding hand, holding it tightly. The fabric lit the darkness around them, and within seconds, Cullen's wound had been healed.
"Another Piece of Eden." He whispered.
"This whole time…" She mumbled, "That's how she-"
Cullen wrapped it around his hand, looping his glove through his belt.
"There were so many wounded, she could have-" The Seeker shook her head, "On the beach, when Thaddeus was injured…" She growled, "Why didn't she use it on our people?"
"There must have been a reason. We can't use it until we find out what that was." He looked to the ground, "As much as I want to, we don't know the consequences. It could outweigh the benefits." He sighed.
"So you'd keep it on your person?"
"To keep it safe, yes."
"Ridiculous." She spat, leaving him in a blind fury and throwing his sword to the ground.
She rejoined Vivienne, Dorian, Mother Giselle, and Solas- all who were working vigilantly to heal the wounded Inquisition members.
Cullen picked his sword from its snowy imprint, putting it back in its respective socket.
"She yet lives."
He turned frantically, seeing no one behind him. Looking around, he noticed he was the only one on the outskirts of the camp, save for the mounts Cole had retrieved.
"Do not make me regret speaking with you. Use the Staff and find her- quickly."
"Perhaps I had more exposure to those red lyrium Templars than I thought…"
"The Shroud speaks. Make haste, before I find her myself."
"The Shroud?"
He lifted his hand to see the patterns shifting on the fabric that encased his wrist.
"How-"
"My patience is a well that runs dry."
The lines on the fabric shifted again, as if a moving picture had been stitched into its' cloth.
Cullen took the Staff in his hand, the Apple glowing a feint purple. He turned around to march back to camp, and the bulb burned hot.
He stared at it confused, waving it behind him again.
The light faded.
Swinging it in all different directions like a mad man, he noticed how the Apple grew brighter as it faced Haven.
"Follow the Light, it will guide you so."
Without further delay, he ran to Dullahan, raising his fingers to let loose a summoning whistle.
The beast turned to him, running after he saw the Commander break out into a deep-snow-suppressed sprint. He lowered his horns as he charged. Cullen took one in his hand and swung, Dullahan scooping him up and gracefully placing him on his back as he did.
They ripped through the camp, knocking over a Healer in the process.
"Cullen!" Cassandra yelled hotly.
"Damn it..." She kicked an empty bucket next to her.
...
His knees hit the snow at a sight he's seen before.
Her body. Her blood.
There were no bullets to dodge, this time. Only the blizzard that made the journey near impossible, and his fear for the worst.
The Inquisitor's arms dangled as he picked her waist up just enough to reinstate Consus to her leaking soul. Feeling her numbness, Cullen wrapped his coat around her, balancing her head in the fur.
With Dullahan's help, he secured her on the beast, climbing up behind her and catching her unconscious body as she almost fell off. After finding a comfortable position in where she rested in front of him, her head cradled against his chest, Dullahan began the trek back to camp, the glowing Apple lighting the way.
"Wake up, Inquisitor…"
"Yes, sweet thing, it's lovely." Naomi looked at the young girl.
"I want you to take it with you so…" she blushed, "you won't be lonely when you leave Dublin." She frowned.
The Mentor took the atrocious, beaded, leather bracelet in her hands, placing it around her wrist.
"I helped make it, too." The boy sneered.
"Alright, alright. Settle yourselves." Naomi laughed, "I'll never let it leave my person. Thank you both."
They hugged her, their little white Assassin uniforms contrasting heavily with the Mentor's black clothing.
"How long will you be gone?" The girl asked for the both of them- their delicate faces looked up to her in sadness.
"Only a few months. Have I ever been gone for longer?"
"Aye, but you only stay for a few days." The boy responded.
Tears welled in their eyes as she knelt down to face them.
"Now, now, they're'll be none of that." She let loose the most genuine smile she could muster.
It seemed to help them a bit.
"Tell you what. This time, I'll even let you pick out what y'want me to bring back." They were then gleeful, "So, what'll it be, then?"
"I want a wee li'l bird!" The girl jumped excitedly, "Not a real one, though. Mentor O'Mailey says we have 'nough birds 'round with the pidgeons 'nd all…"
"A horse would be lovely." The little boy said, hopeful, "I really do love horses."
"I know you do, lad." She giggled, "Strange children you are, indeed."
A clock tower chimed in the distance.
"Run 'long now, clean yourselves for supper." She ordered.
The two scampered off, playing as they went. Mentor O'Mailey slowly walked up the hall, not having wanted to interrupt them.
"I've made contact with Mentor Ah Tabai in the West Indies. He always commends you for your quick rise within the ranks. Starts it off with every letter." Her voice was less than enthusiastic, perhaps a tad envious.
"'Spose I should be honored hearin' that from a Mentor, tenured as he is."
"Quite right you should. Outranks all of us here, m'fraid." She gave pause.
"Ah, you there! Did you really tell him you'd bring back a horse?" Edward's brow raised in suspicion as he rounded a corner.
"A toy, yes."
"Poor lad seems convinced otherwise."
"You cannot remain asleep."
Consus's ghostly voice pried her from her dreams.
"Stay...Naomi, you have to stay awake."
Her muffled ears could barely process the voice that spoke to her.
"Cullen?"
Her eyes opened slightly; a chunk of metal and fur reflected the Shroud's soft, red glow.
"C-"She began to cough, her throat being bone dry.
"Thank the Maker-" His words still wavered in between her senses failing, "Mother…iselle. We…closer, now. You…sleep."
"Sleep?"
Naomi welcomed the thought, letting her eyes drift off.
"Wake up."
A strong arm jostled her as she disobeyed.
…
"What would you have me tell them? This isn't what we asked them to do!" Cullen's roaring voice echoed.
They'd been arguing for hours. Mother Giselle sat next to her, not having left her side since she arrived.
"We cannot simply ignore this! We must find a way!" The Seeker held a dark tone.
"And who put you in charge? We need a consensus, or we have nothing!" He argued back.
Naomi shook her head as she lay, grumbling.
"Please, we must use reason! Without the infrastructure of the Inquisition, we're hobbled!" Josephine pleaded.
"That can't come from nowhere!" Cullen turned his back to the Ambassador.
"She didn't say it could!" The Spymaster came to her defense.
"ENOUGH! This is getting us nowhere!" Cassandra bellowed.
"Well, we're agreed on that much!" The Commander had the last word as the group separated into all corners of the refugee camp.
The Captain began to stir, trying to stand up.
"Shh, you need to rest." Mother Giselle whispered.
Naomi looked to her.
"Try tellin' them that, would yeh? Hours have passed and we haven't had a lick of silence with their yappin'." The Captain huffed a loose hair out of her face.
"They have that luxury, thanks to you. The enemy could not follow, and with time to doubt, we turn to blame. Infighting may threaten us as much as this Corypheus you speak of in your dreams."
"You know of him?"
"You've repeated it multiple times as you faded out of consciousness. Varric…recognized the name." She smiled gently.
"Either way," Naomi pushed the blankets off her and forced herself to her feet-the world spinning as she did, "this behavior's only good for a head pain. Another head pain."
"They know. But our situation- your situation- is complicated. Our leaders struggle because of what we, survivors, witnessed. We saw our defender stand… and fall. And now, we have seen her return." Mother Giselle stood next to her, "The more the enemy is beyond us, the more miraculous your actions appear. And the more our trials seem ordained. That is hard to accept, no? What "we" have been called to endure? What "we," perhaps, must come to believe?"
"Belief," Naomi scoffed, "All this is 'cause of belief. Belief that Assassins could win an ancient war. Belief in fear of Mages. Belief in suppression by Templars," She turned to the Mother, "And beliefs about the next world, when they should be believing in this one."
The Herald pushed herself forward, leaning on a post after a short distance as her strength depleted. With a somber gaze, she looked to those who once gave her peace of mind. Cassandra shook her head hopelessly at a map, unable to form a plan. Leliana and Josephine sat with their knees wrapped to heir chest, staring into the flames. Cullen rubbed his head with his fingertips, staring at the ground. Her companions stood around the camp, all eyes trained on her. The sky was red with premature sunlight.
"Shadows fall, and hope has fled,"Mother Giselle's harmonic voice filled the crisp air. She walked toward them, hands clasp to her front.
"Steel your heart,"The Chantry woman's eyes met Leliana's dead stare.
"The dawn will come."
Naomi's chest grew heavy- her brow furrowed in an attempt to reel her spilt emotions.
"The night is long, and the path is dark. Look to the sky, for one day soon…"
A tear lapped over the Herald's full lids as Mother Giselle stood next to her.
"The dawn will come."
Leliana joined the Mother, looking to her as she stood next to the Herald.
"The Shepard's lost, and his home is far. Keep to the stars,"
The Spymaster's delicate voice moved the soldiers, as they began to circle the campfire, adding voices to the holy song.
"The dawn will come."
The remaining forces of the Inquisition gathered around Naomi and Mother Giselle.
"The night is long," Cullen's voice filled the air with a gentle hum, "And the path is dark, look to the sky, for one day soon…"
The Herald met his eyes across the camp, his amber eyes teeming with life again.
"The dawn will come."
One by one, the soldiers took to one knee, bowing to their Herald of Andraste. They saluted her with fist over heart. She'd never witnessed anything like it-it almost made her uncomfortable. On her ship, she was the true authority, but only at the mercy of her crew's approval. These people, however…they swore fealty.
"Bare your blade, and raise it high! Stand your ground,"
Her gaze wandered to the outskirts of the camp. Cole attended Chancellor Roderick's dead body. Her hand instinctively touched the Shroud around her waist, feeling guilt seep into her already doubtful mind.
"The dawn will come."
She then saw Solas standing behind the gathered crowd, nodding at her in approval. He had a determined grin on his face, and for the first time since meeting him, she felt like he was truly on her side. His aura had changed, his demeanor no longer indifferent.
"The night is long, and the path is dark. Look to the sky, for one day soon,"
Their faces lifted up to look at her as they finished the verse.
"The dawn will come."
The soldiers around her stood to their feet, fists still held to their now-uplifted hearts.
"All praise the Herald of Andraste!" An admiral cried.
Short bursts of shouts came from their lungs.
"It's all one world, Herald. All that changes is our place in it." Mother Giselle nodded to Naomi as the crowd began to disperse, leaving to attend the wounded.
Naomi limped towards the Commander, but was interrupted by Solas.
"A word?" He whispered into her ear as he walked passed her.
She sighed, meeting Cullen's longing eyes before turning around to follow the elf. He led her to a snowy bank, far away from the others and peering off into the mountains. With a majestic wave of his hand, he lit a strange torch that jutted from the ground. Watching him cast the magic was beautiful.
They stood with the awkward flame between them.
"A wise woman, worth heeding. Her kind understand the moments that unify a cause. Or fracture it." He began, "The orb Corypheus carried, the power he used against you. It is elven."
"Is that a fact?" She cocked her head to him, "Because I stood less than a foot from the demon, and I found that Corypheus wields a corrupted Piece of Eden."
Solas frowned.
"I'm afraid they are one in the same."
She shook her head disbelievingly,
"Solas, how-"
"Corypheus used the orb to open the Breach. Unlocking it must have caused the explosion that destroyed the Conclave. I do not yet know how Corypheus survived…nor am I certain how people will react when they learn of the orbs's origin." He lifted his gaze from the ground to meet hers, "Just know that, when they inevitably do, you will be questioned, as will the elves."
She grunted.
"They can question me all they'd like. Me weapons are far from elven. You know elves don't exist where I'm from, yeah? Didn't I make that clear?"
"They have vanished from your world because of the weapons…" He trailed off, "You have to keep their similarities in mind when having them in view of the public eye. If not for you, then for the elves."
"Because it'd make them an easy target?"
Solas nodded his head,
"There are steps we can take to prevent such a distraction."
She crossed her arms, looking at him.
"You've changed, Solas."
The elf grunted.
"By attacking the Inquisition, Corypheus changed all of us- changed it; changed you."
He waved his hand over the green veilfire. The flames thinned into a small view of mountains, high and mighty with snowy peaks.
"Scout to the north, be their guide." More mountains came into view, "There is a place that waits for a force to hold it. There is a place where the Inquisition can build, can grow."
The green embers danced underneath his fingertips as he twisted them into an image of great mystery. A glorious structure came to view, a castle of such size that it would humble even the greatest fortress on Earth. The sight of it filled her stomach with fluttering butterflies.
"Skyhold."
He snapped his fingers, releasing the flames to their free-flowing form; crossing his hands behind his back. The sunrise came over the mountains, illuminating the valley by the break of dawn.
"I know you have questions. In time, I will do my best to answer them."
She observed him in her weak state. Naomi decided it best to not press too hard now. She wished to avoid making ill with perhaps the only person aside from Corypheus that knew why she'd been brought here.
"If you could just answer me this, at present…" Her voice fell, "Why confide in me now?"
Solas smiled wishfully at the fading stars above.
"I chose which wolf to feed."