A/N: I'm having a lot of fun writing this act; I hope you're having as much fun reading it.
Chapter 37
Cullen stood on the outskirts of the camp watching the path they had used to reach site they were at. They had reached the secluded area three days prior and everyone was on tenterhooks waiting to see if the Herald had survived.
Cullen had forced himself to eat these last three days to keep his strength up. He knew he was under scrutiny; knew he had to remain strong to show his faith but it was getting harder with each hour that passed and she was nowhere to been seen.
"Maker, please bring her back to me," he whispered to the wind.
Another day passed, and Cullen had found a quiet and secluded space to pray. He could feel the strain weighing on him. The constant need to be on guard; to keep the others from knowing how badly the chance she could be gone hurt him.
His eyes wandered out across the open expanse toward the trail from Haven; blinking when he thought he saw a shadowy form moving haltingly through the snow.
"There! She is here!" The Nevarran's voice echoed across the camp.
"Thank the Maker," Cullen shouted as he ran towards the figure. It was indeed Bronwynn; and he managed to get to her before she fell face first into the snow.
Cullen kept the mage wrapped in several blankets, in front of a fire, between his legs while she gave her report on the happenings in Haven.
"This Darkspawn used a spell to attempt to remove the Mark from my hand, said that I had spoilt it and that's when I dropped the mountain on Haven," she finished, struggling not to yawn.
"A Darkspawn, but the dragon isn't an Archdemon?" Leliana demanded for the third time. Bronwynn didn't try to hide her yawn as she nodded her head in the affirmative again. "How can that be?" she asked aloud with indignation.
"I'm not sure, Sister Lei," Bronwynn answered around another yawn. "I know the Darkspawn calls itself Corypheus and we could probably get one of the Tevinter mages to help figure out what that means," she lay her head back, against Cullen's stomach and closed her eyes; asleep as the last word left her mouth. The soldier moved carefully and picked her up in his arms to move her to a cot within a tent that had another fire inside. He was taking no chances on her health.
"Cullen," she said sleepily; grasping his hand before he could pull away from her. He knelt on the fur covered ground beside the cot, taking her still freezing hands in his.
"Yes, my love?"
"I love you," she said, pulling his hands to her mouth to place a soft kiss on the knuckles. She was once more fast asleep before the sound faded. He lay his head on her chest, listening to her heart beat under his ear for a long moment.
"Thank you Andraste," he said on a silent sob. "Thank You Maker, for bringing her home to me."
"Without the Inquisition's infrastructure we have nothing!" Josephine's Antivan accent raised indecently loud brought Bronwynn fully out of the slumber she had been in that day. She groaned and began to sit up, to have Mother Giselle caution her to rest.
"They've been at it for hours, do you really think I'm going to sleep through it?" she asked the Revered Mother. Giselle sighed and shook her head.
"They have that luxury," she observed; and Bronwynn could not refute the statement.
"Corypheus managed to do more harm than he thinks, I'm sure," Bronwynn sighed as she watched the four of them separate in anger and frustration.
"It is hard to to accept," Giselle stated.
"What is?"
"That our savior came back to us, making it appear as if we have a divine mandate; ordained to overcome all obstacles," Bronwynn chuckled softly.
"No, Mother. It is rather easy to accept that," Bronwynn countered.
"You think so?"
"Aye, what's hard to swallow is that there is someone else out there who thinks they have the same divine mandate," Bronwynn shook her head, blowing her auburn locks from her eyes when they fell into her face.
"Faith is sometimes hard to hold onto," Giselle stated; to which Bronwynn nodded her agreement.
"No one will remember what I said about the Darkspawn; they will remember the dragon. The people will remember what they perceived and interpret it to suit their needs," She looked out over the survivors of Haven. The despair they felt was so palpable it almost shimmered in the air.
"This wasn't started by mages or Templars," Bronwynn said to the Revered Mother, who turned surprised eyes on the Herald.
"What do you mean?" she asked the younger woman.
"Mother, it wasn't that long ago I was in a Circle; and I was much better at figuring out what was going on that others believed." She looked at the dark skinned Orlesian priestess.
"There were factions within the Circle; and there was dissent and dissatisfaction with the Templars. Yet at no point before the last Blight did it ever occur to any of the different Fraternities to actually rebel against the Chantry," she sighed.
"Something larger moved behind the scenes and manipulated the Seekers, the Templars and the Mages. I would give sovereigns to scones that something was this Darkspawn, or someone like it," she closed her green eyes, weary still from the flight through the blizzard. Yes her companions had made sure she was warm and could find food; it still took a lot out of her. Especially after the injuries she had taken in the fall.
"What can we do about it?" Giselle asked the mage with curiosity. How would this girl; who claimed she was not Andraste's Chosen, deal with the current crisis at hand. What would she rely on to get herself through the troubled emotions surrounding her. Bronwynn sighed and shook her head; her own melancholy coming to the fore.
"We find strength in our faith, Mother," Bronwynn answered. She stood and walked away from the Revered Mother.
When Giselle began to sing a moment later, Bronwynn turned to her in surprise. The hymn was her favorite and always brought peace to her troubled soul. Leliana added her sweet soprano voice to the second verse and Bronwynn felt a welling of hope filling her chest. This is what the Chantry should bring to the lost and frightened; yet failed to do.
When she heard Cullen's tenor join the song, her heart began to sing as well. She was too overwhelmed to add her voice, however; as the survivors were all now either kneeling in front of her or saluting her with their blades.
"I'm glad you agree," the Revered Mother said when the song ended and the camp was suddenly more lively and animated than before.
"A word," Solas said quietly behind Bronwynn and led her to a lookout behind the camp.
"A wise woman," he stated. Bronwynn gave a hum of agreement. "The orb that Corypheus used, it is elven," he intoned darkly. "I don't know how he came to have it; but when it gets out it will cause harm to the elves," his concern seemed real.
"That could be a problem," she agreed. "How do you know it's elven?" she asked him with suspicion.
"Your description; I have seen it's like in memories in the fade," he answered. She nodded as she thought for a moment.
"I would like to say that the Elves wouldn't suffer for this; but people - no, humans being humans it won't matter that a Darkspawn killed the Divine by trying to physically enter the fade again," she huffed out a breath full of anger.
"I hope, my friend, that you didn't pull me here to tell me this just to make me cry," she said, and the dark humor of it made him smile.
"No; I have a solution," he said with a laugh.
The Inquisition's forces moved north, away from the ruins of Haven. The way was rough; but not impossible. Still it took three weeks to reach the destination Solas wanted them to. Her first sight of the fortress stole her breath.
Built into and from the mountain it stood atop, a single bridge seeming to hang from the air connecting it to the larger plateau across from it. It seemed to be suspended upon the clouds; hanging in the sky.
She slapped the elf's arm and snorted when he spoke a second later.
"I give you, Skyhold"he said dramatically; then he laughed as she batted him then shoved him ahead of her.
A week had passed since the Inquisition had arrived at Skyhold and Bronwynn had been kept busy with the surgeons and mage healers helping those who had suffered in the attack and the trip through the snow. The new week had just begun and Bronwynn rose from the cot she had fallen into the night before. She thought to herself she couldn't wait until she and Cullen had a real bed again; mostly so she could actually sleep with him.
She suddenly realized the sun was in the wrong position on the wall, meaning that she could see the sunlight on the wall. Outside she could hear the bustling activity of the hold as the workers moved about making repairs and the soldiers and scouts came and went to secure the area. She could even hear Vivienne dressing down someone for failing to use the proper stance.
The Herald jumped from the cot and quickly opened the door to the chamber by the gate; her gaze immediately found Cullen's blond head in the crowd.
He, Leliana, Josephine and Cassandra were huddled together, and seemed oblivious to the bustle around them. They all turned to look at her when she opened the door; then Cullen, Leliana and Josephine all faded away as Cassandra waved her over. Bronwynn gave the dark haired Nevarran princess a slit eyed glare.
"What is that about?" Bronwynn asked. In response, Cassandra waved to the people within the keep's walls.
"More arrive every day," she said, half in pride and half in worry. "Skyhold has become a pilgrimage, and if they can find us; so can Corypheus," Bronwynn listened to her friend, knowing this had to be going somewhere that answered her question.
"We now know what led him to you," the Holy Warrior continued.
"He thinks I am a rival for the Maker's throne," Bronwynn said. "He's also insane," she finished, causing Cassandra give one of her rare smiles.
"More that your actions have made you his rival; the good you have done," Cassandra said.
Cassandra had led her mage friend from the lower courtyard up the stairs to the landing before the actual keep's entrance. Leliana stood there with a decorative long sword lying across her hands.
"You have also proven you are a more than capable leader, my friend," the Seeker said with a smile at the look of surprise on the mages pretty face. "The leader the Inquisition needs," she spoke with the formality of a ritual as she waved to Leliana holding the sword. Bronwynn looked out over the courtyards as they filled with people. Bronwynn felt a warmth building inside her.
"I can't believe you all agreed to this," she said to the Seeker, who smiled warmly at her.
"You have already been leading us, this just makes it official," she replied to the redhead. Bronwynn lifted the sword and raised it high to the cheers of the crowd below.
When Bronwynn, Leliana, Josephine and Cullen entered the keep she could see why so many had been speaking as if the job of repairing it was overwhelming. She turned to face her advisors and felt a sudden urge to giggle hysterically.
"We need to make sure we get as much information on these Venatori as possible," Bronwynn jumped into the conversation. "That will give us a better idea what this Corypheus thinks he can gain," she looked at Leliana and Josephine. "Alexius should be able and willing to help with those answers," she said with a smile. The two women smiled in return.
"What about the Templars he's managed to corrupt?" Cullen asked with consternation.
"Get me a lead to follow and I'll follow it," she answered with a shrug. "I have no idea who he could have leading them after Therinfal," she admitted.
"We do know that he plans on having Celene assassinated. We can work that angle as well," Leliana reminded them. "Perhaps that will also give us insight into this Darkspawn," she suggested.
Varric came up and told the Herald he knew someone who could help. Bronwynn laughed at the cagey way he said it when she was certain it was her cousin. She laughingly followed him to the battlements.
The hug Garrett gave her left her gasping for air; she teased him that he cracked ribs.
"When Varric told me you were the Herald of Andraste I almost joined the Inquisition right then,"he said with his patented charming grin. Bronwynn slapped him on his padded shoulder to show what she thought of that whopper.
"So, you killed Corypheus once?" she asked him, needing to get an idea of the power the creature had. He nodded. She then asked for details of the situation.
"So there were two other Wardens there, besides Beth?" Bronwynn asked. When he nodded she began to curse.
"Why, Emerald?" Varric asked her. She sighed and shook her head.
"It means he was more than likely telling me the truth," she replied dejectedly. Varric turned white under his tan.
"So he can't be killed?" Varric asked quietly and Bronwynn shook her head.
"He can die; we just need to figure out how he does what he does. Because being a Warden, Javick should have died when the Darkspawn transferred itself to him; so he's not using the same thing the Archdemons do," she told them. Varric saw something happening in the lower courtyard and smiled.
"Well, the guys I had researching the lyrium are finally here," he said as he pointed to the group that had just entered. Bronwynn looked and let out a whoop when she saw the Wardens that were with them.
"You should send for Beth, Garrett," Bronwynn said as she moved to the courtyard. "I could use her help with research," she waved and moved quickly to meet the Wardens that had arrived; Nathaniel Howe at the front.
"Took you long enough!" she shouted at the handsome rogue.
"You wanted us to die at Haven?" he shouted back with a laugh.
"I could have used the help of more Wardens," she replied as she got close enough to be engulfed in a hug. "Two of us weren't nearly enough," she said to him. A Senior Warden like herself, he carried his duty close and sacred.
"Two?" Nathaniel said with curiosity. She nodded and pointed to Blackwall in the Upper Courtyard.
"Found Warden Constable Blackwall roaming the Hinterlands, decided we needed the extra sword," she said lightly. Nathaniel had never met the Constable; but he knew of him.
"Is he hearing the Calling?" The archer asked and she nodded. "More than I; but he know's it's false. How many others are hearing it?" she asked with worry clear on her face.
"Everyone," came the reply from a Dwarven Warden. "It's a good thing Howe here was able to explain to us why it was false or most of us would have answered Clarel's call to come to Adamant," he told her. She bit her lower lip as she contemplated how many would have gone to Adamant and what Clarel could be calling them there for.
"Get with Commander Cullen, Warden Howe. The two of you work out how to best use the Wardens we have," she ordered. The older man nodded and headed over to the Inquisition's Commander. She met the dwarven researchers and took possession of the lyrium. What she was sensing from within the shielded box was not heartening.
The Inquisition's people were making quick work of cleaning the fortress; but it was going to take time. Bronwynn helped where she could before her people began to insist she eat dinner and go to bed. She headed into the keep after grabbing a meat pie.
Inside the building she could see the cleanup that was already in progress and was impressed. She could see the people were inspired to make this place their home as much as she was.
"Lost, my love?" She heard Cullen's tenor voice ask from behind her, she turned to him; and wondered at the sudden look of worry on his face.
"Actually, yes," she admitted. He took her hand in his and led her to a door farthest away from the main doors. They went up a set of square spiral stairs into what had to be the largest room in the keep.
Her jaw dropped in awe when she saw the room. Done in blues and greens; drapes that framed glass windows and doors, plush rugs on the floor to keep bare feet from freezing and the bed large enough to sleep ten. Her books were already lining shelves in a corner of the room behind a large oak desk that sat near the fireplace.
Despite two walls being half glass, the room was quite warm since the sun streamed in during the day. Cullen caught his mage as she folded into a heap and started to cry.
The blond Commander lifted her and moved to a chair in front of the fireplace to hold her. He made no effort to stop her crying, simply caressed her back in soothing strokes while she did. He knew she must be feeling overwhelmed with the changes. She wasn't used to this much attention.
When she had stopped crying for more than a few minutes he said her name softly.
"Yes, Vhenan?" she sniffed.
"Thank you," he said, and she heard a smile in his voice.
"For what?" She asked him with suspicion as she looked up into his face.
"For winning me fifty crown," he said with mock seriousness. His crooked grin shone forth when she frowned at him in confusion. "Dorian was sure that you would give an overblown speech about how a mage was going to stand for all of Thedas," he told her with a laugh. She shook her head and rolled her eyes. He felt her body relax against his as she recognized him being humorous.
"Why would I give an overblown speech about anything?" she asked him and his response was to kiss her left temple.
"The reason I won the fifty crown; I know my mage hates pomposity," she chuckled in response and sighed as he squeezed her reassuringly.
"Thank you, Vhenan," she said with a sigh.
"You managed to deal with the situation admirably," he said to her with pride. "I know you can handle small groups, but I'm very proud of you for dealing with the whole situation with aplomb," he told her. She blushed and whispered thank you once more before yawning widely enough to cause her jaw to creak.
"Well, that puts paid to my plans for the evening," said with chagrin. Her eyes widened for a moment and she groaned in dismay.
"Oh, no, you are not getting away from me," she said around another yawn. "I have been dreaming of making love with you for weeks!" she insisted, only to have him laugh heartily.
"My love," he retorted as he lifted her to her feet. "We have the rest of our lives," he kissed her gently before helping her remove her armor. He made short work of his own armor as to join her in their bed.
Bronwynn heard a familiar song being hummed. She cracked one eye open, sure she was dreaming since the person humming that song had to be in the Southron Hills of the Brecilian Forest. She sat up with a shout of joy when she saw the blond elf placing fluffy towels on a bench before the fireplace.
"Elizita!" she shouted as she leapt from the bed; waking her Commander with her enthusiasm. The elf girl returned the mage's hug with one of her own and both began speaking at once. He maneuvered so his back was against the headboard and watched his love. He could see how much she cared for the elf, and made a mental note to get Leliana her favorite chocolates for sending for her people from the Southron Hills estate. Especially as he could see the servant loved Bronwynn in equal measure.
"M'lord Commander asked Milady Nightingale to send for us and Louden made sure everyone got here safe!" Elizita was saying to his mage. She turned emerald eyes bright with joy to him and leapt back onto the bed. He heard the elf shriek in embarrassment before she ran down the stairs and out of the room.
"Why?" she asked him breathlessly after kissing him with abandon.
"Because I knew you were going to need people you trusted to help you in when here in Skyhold," he answered simply. "Let the staff who know's you make the day to day decisions," he said. "That way you can focus on the things that you need to do when not in this room," she sat back on her heels and gave him a confused look.
"Why?"
"Because in here, my love, you are mine." The raw possessiveness of the statement sent pleasure rolling down her spine. "My love, my life, my Bronwynn, my wife," he intoned; pulling her back into his arms.
"I don't give a damn!" The shouted statement could be heard across the courtyard. Bronwynn turned toward the sound as did everyone else. Gordon Blackwall was standing before Cullen Rutherford surrounded by a circle of Templars and Wardens. Cullen was the one who had shouted. Bronwynn shook her head and sighed as she joined the crowd surrounding the two fighters. It didn't take much for her to get to the front of the line.
"Commander, this isn't the best place to have this conversation," Blackwall was attempting to be reasonable; and it was clear from Cullen's expression they were past reasonable. The Warden next to her snickered.
"What's happening?" she asked.
"Commander Cullen asked the Constable to assist with training of the new recruits," she nodded to show she was listening.
"And?" she asked, knowing there was more. It was a Lissette, a Templar, who answered.
"The Constable made a disparaging remark about the Commander's abilities," she told the Inquisitor. It was clear that the Templar found this amusing; it was also clear the Warden did as well.
"Please tell me it wasn't about his ability in bed," she groaned. They both shook their heads.
"No, Milady. However, the Commander retaliated in kind," the Warden went on. Bronwynn groaned, she had a feeling she knew where this was going.
"So the Constable reminded the Commander he'd already beaten him once?" she asked in dismay. Both fighters laughingly nodded. The redhead shook her head and turned her attention back to the two men. She heard the familiar creak of Cassandra's armor coming up behind her. She turned to the slightly older woman and smiled ruefully.
"No, Seeker, I'm not going to interfere," she said before the dark haired woman could demand it.
"Why not?"
"Cullen would never forgive me if I did," she said quietly. Cassandra listened to the exchange between the two for a moment. Clearly they were beyond any semblance of civility at this point.
"Warden Constable, Commander!" Bronwynn called when both men began to spout vulgarities at one another.
"What!" they shouted at her in unison.
"If you're going to bash one another, take fifteen minutes to get properly armored," she ordered. "If not, quit bickering like raw recruits," she said. She incensed them both, but they turned to one another and nodded.
"Fifteen minutes, right back here," Blackwall said. Bronwynn threw up her arms and snorted in disgust. She followed Cullen to the gate where the Templar armory was being housed temporarily.
"You are being silly," she said to him as she waved away the squire and helped him dress herself.
"Concern for your former lover?" he asked acerbically. She snorted.
"You have nothing to prove to me, you know that, right?" she asked him. That stopped his movements.
"I am not trying to prove anything to you," he answered after a long moment.
"You have nothing to prove to him, either," she said reasonably. He sighed and shook his head.
"That's where you're wrong, my love," he replied. "I said some very stupid things the last time we fought," he sighed and leaned against a desk in the room.
"So he told me," she snorted with laughter.
"Well, if I don't show him I can control my temper; he'll think he still has the right to take you from me," Cullen told her.
"I think you're forgetting the most important part of that equation, vhenan," she said sarcastically.
"What?"
"My decision," she answered. "I love you, not him," she reminded him. He shook his head.
"Yet he loves you still," Cullen replied, moving to belt on his sword once more.
"Do you think breaking his face will make him stop?" she asked incredulously.
"No," he admitted as he opened the door. "But it will show him I am able to keep you safe," he finished as he left the room. Bronwynn groaned in frustration and followed him out and back to the courtyard. It was clear from the betting that was going on this was a fight that many were looking forward to seeing.
"Okay boys and girls! Here it is, Templar versus Warden!" Varric Tethras was shouting above the din. "If it were just any Templar or Warden, it wouldn't be worth betting on!" he goads.
"Commander Cullen, former Knight-Commander of the Kirkwall Circle and Warden-Constable Blackwall, hero of Val Chevin!" there were cheers going around the courtyard causing Bronwynn to laugh at the spectacle it was becoming.
Blackwall and Cullen seemed oblivious to the fair like atmosphere, however; intent as they were on each other. She thought, briefly, about speaking to Blackwall, but decided against it. She could see from the set of his jaw that he was just as serious about this match as Cullen.
Blackwall held his great sword across his body at the ready and Cullen drew his longsword in his right hand while raising his shield on his left arm. Bronwynn quietly placed a bet on Cullen when she saw his shield angle outward as he readied to deflect the first swing of Blackwall's weapon.
Blackwall took two steps forward and swung the two handed weapon with a wide arc to his right with the point angled downward; towards his opponents legs. He thought the blond would leap back to avoid the blow; instead the Templar stepped over the weapon as it touched the ground and slammed his shield into the raven haired man's chest. Bronwynn winced at the hollow clang; while Cassandra cheered her approval with the rest of the crowd.
Cullen pressed his advantage by swinging his gauntleted hand forward into the Warden's face, landing a solid blow to the man's nose. Blackwall's helmet prevented the sword in his hand from cutting into him, but he felt as well as heard his nose break. He shook off the stars as they flashed in his eyes and used his left arm to push the smaller man back; attempting to trip him up with the sword that was still lowered behind him.
Instead of being forced off balance, Cullen hooked the lower half of his shield on the larger man's arm and twisted, forcing him to the left and now they were a sword's length apart. Blackwall managed to get his great sword up into a block to keep Cullen's blade from crashing against his chest; but he felt as if he'd been struck by a Qunari blade as the ex-Templar's sword slid along his.
The Warden-Constable felt frozen where he knelt for a long moment; and when he was able to move again it was to feel the weight of the Commander's sword along his neck.
"Yield, Warden," the younger man said, without any inflection at all. The older man laughed lightly and did just that. Bronwynn laughed out loud at all the groans from those who had bet against the Commander of the Inquisition's forces. Varric handed her the three hundred Sovereigns she had won and she bowed mockingly to those who had lost to her. She turned her back on the two fighters and ordered the mages she had been training back to work.
Her Inner Circle could be heard laughing around the campfire with the forward scouts as night fell in Crestwood. Bronwynn smiled as she listened to them as they spoke about different things. It was good to hear them getting along in spite of all the things that could have separated them.
"You sure do know how to throw a party, Scout Harding," Bronwynn said to the auburn haired dwarf as the girl sat beside her.
"Well; you're easy to please, Your Worship," she said with a laugh. Bronwynn chuckled with her.
"You seemed to hesitate when I asked if you had any information about Wardens in the area, Harding; why?"
"I've been getting mixed reports, Inquisitor," she said after a moment. "Some are saying the Wardens have all disappeared and others are saying they're searching for a rogue Warden," she shrugged as she spoke. Bronwynn nodded her understanding.
"Just," she sighed. "If you see a Warden; ask them when they did the joining," she said. "If it's ten years or less; tell them to come to Skyhold; to talk to me or one of the others," she herself shrugged. "It's possible they don't know that what they are sensing is fake," she told the woman. The girl nodded and patted her shoulder before heading to one of the tents to sleep.
The next day was just as dark and overcast as the night had been; the Rift's in the area were playing havoc with the region's weather. Sera could be heard cursing a blue streak whenever the party came across a group of undead, and Dorian managed to make it sound like the weather was the worst part of the trip.
When they ran into a pair of Wardens defending an elf from an undead attack she managed to find out that Clarel had sent them to find Warden Stroud; although they didn't know exactly why they were to find him.
"Are you hearing the Calling?" she asked them. Both men looked uncomfortable to be discussing it in front of non-Wardens but nodded anyway. "How long ago did you do the Joining?" she asked them. "Please," she insisted when they didn't answer right away. "It's important," she told them.
"Six years, for me, Inquisitor; two for him," the older one said. There was a slight question in his voice as he answered.
"Okay, then I need you to focus on what you feel from me," she said. The two looked at one another but did as she asked. They knew she was a Warden. Their eyes widened when they realized she felt to them like they felt to each other.
"Now," she went on. "Focus on the Calling," she said. As they did she watched their faces. There was a relief on them when they realized what they were hearing was false. She nodded and smiled when they looked at her with relief.
"Look, head to Skyhold," she said to them. "There are other Wardens there who can help you understand what's going on." There was a pleading note in her voice and the older one smiled at her with true relief.
"Milady, I was one of the first Wardens you and Stroud trained in Kirkwall; I'd rather not have to fight him," he said. She sagged in relief when he agreed to head to Skyhold.
The ten of them reached the village of Crestwood and made short work of the undead attacking the gate. Vivienne, Dorian and Solas began helping the townsfolk with healing potions and poultices. Sera and Varric helped some of the townsfolk with bows and arrows while Cassandra, Blackwall and The Iron Bull helped repair fortifications. Bronwynn and Cole made their way to the Mayor's house at the top of the hill.
She shook her head in frustration when the man argued with her about draining the lake. Cole and her spirit companion felt as if he were lying or hiding something about the lake; but Bronwynn didn't have time to ponder the issue. They needed to get that Rift closed.
The bandits at Caer Bronach were easily routed and Bronwynn took advantage of the chaos to put her people in the fort. She'd send word to Alistair that it was open for inhabitance when she had gotten things a little more settled in the area. Bronwynn found herself getting angry when she found an intact wheel for the damn controls.
"I thought he said they were damaged by the Darkspawn," Varric questioned after the fighters had opened up the floodgates for the dam.
"He did," Cole answered.
"Varric, Cole, why don't you two go talk to the Mayor; perhaps take Vivienne with you," she suggested in a steely voice.
"Why me?" the First Enchanter asked with curiosity.
"Because you, my dear, encourage the truth," Bronwynn replied and the dark skinned beauty smiled as she realized what Bronwynn wanted.
"Of course, darling, I'll be happy to help find out what happened," she replied. Bronwynn knew she wasn't happy to be working with Cole, but she also knew better than to argue with Bronwynn over it.
Bronwynn leaned against one of the dam's supports in laughter as Sera and Bull crowed about the dragon that flew over the stone structure; especially as they were the only two who were excited about the prospect of facing a dragon.
"Sure, you laugh now Inquisitor," Dorian quipped in his cultured tones. "But what will we do when it bites your head off?" he demanded; which made her laugh harder.
"Well, at least the Tevinter is humorous," Vivienne sniped as she and the two rogues walked up to them on the bridge.
"Oh, he definitely is, darling," Bronwynn said as she brought her laughter under control. "What did you discover?" she asked instead of elaborating.
"There were Darkspawn here ten years ago," Varric started.
"There were also refugees from Lothering and Ostagar," Vivienne added.
"They were sick," Cole said, and no one could miss the burning anger that was in his voice.
"Blight?" Blackwall asked. The three nodded dismally.
"What did he do?" Sera asked with suspicion and a building anger of her own.
"He moved them all into the caves under old Crestwood; or into the village of old Crestwood," Vivienne said with utter blandness; and Bronwynn had a feeling she knew why.
"Then he flooded the village," Varric said. Bronwynn felt her heart skip a beat.
"He says that there were Darkspawn coming from that direction as well. That it was the only way to save Crestwood Village and the people who weren't sick," Cole told them; and Bronwynn reached out her hand to take his.
"We will investigate, Cole," she said softly. She could see so much anger in his eyes. "We have to close the Rift first; to stop others from being hurt," she reminded him. It took him a moment but she watched as he took a deep breath and nodded to show he understood. Bronwynn asked Sera to head to Caer Bronach to tell the agents there to keep an eye on the Mayor.
The remains of the old Village of Crestwood were still dripping with water and the ground was slippery with silt and water plants. Ten years was a long time to be under water, but the area was amazingly well preserved despite that. Solas, Cole and Bronwynn were the only one's who weren't completely disturbed by the presence of the spirits that were wandering around the village.
When they found the cave entrance Bull used brute strength to open the door covering it; Sera had rejoined them by the time they managed to get torches lit with real fire and magelight. They were all careful as they made their way into the tunnel; the stench of rotting fish nearly choked them all.
The ramp that led deeper into the former mine stoked the Inquisitor's ire. This was meant to make it easier for the refugees to find places to sleep and live; hidden away in the dark and dank. She knew that most were unable to make the cure for the Blight, she knew it was a death sentence for most of those who contracted the disease; but this blatant display angered her. No attempt was made to help the refugees. How many innocents died with the sick ones?
The sudden descent into an old Thaig startled all of them. Despite the stalagmites and stalactites that filled the halls; the place was in excellent condition. The demons surrounding the Rift were more aggressive than others but at this point she and her inner circle were quite efficient at destroying them and closing the Rift; although hearing Cole speak about how angry and confused the spirits were was a bit disconcerting for most of the party.
As the group exited the Thaig and then mine rear entrance they were astounded to find the clouds gone and the sun shining.
"Well, if we didn't need to seal the Breach for the demons," Solas said with understandable awe. "We do for the damage it is doing to the weather patterns." Not even Vivienne could find an argument for that.
They were all weary by the time they made it to the cave where Hawke had said Stroud was waiting. Garrett gave his cousin a one armed hug before leading her into the back of the cave.
Bronwynn smiled at the older man when she turned to face him and his drawn sword; he laughed with relief and sheathed his weapon to pull her into a tight hug.
"Sister, I'm so glad you're alright," he murmured into her hair as he held her. She could feel him trembling with emotion.
"What has happened, Jean-Marc?" she asked him with concern.
"Clarel," he sighed and shook his head and walked a few steps away. "You've heard the Calling?" he asked her, she nodded.
"It can't be real; those of us who did the Joining in the last ten years wouldn't be hearing it if it were," she said. "We don't have the same taint."
"I had hoped that was the case; but Clarel," he shook his head again. "She has allowed a Magister from Tevinter to convince her we have only one option," he swallowed as she thought about what he was saying.
"I know I sent her a letter telling her what I was hearing; that it couldn't be real because we younger Wardens were hearing it," she insisted.
"She is convinced it's real and the older Wardens; like me, are as well. They think they're dying," Bronwynn closed her eyes and held a breath as she realized what that meant.
"What is she doing?"
"The mages are performing a ritual to bind demons to themselves," he said and ten voices cried out in denial.
"I wondered where he was going to get his demon army," Bronwynn said softly.
"Who?"
"Corypheus," Garrett answered for her.