Chapter 23: Road Trip~!

Apparently, this was the trip to ask questions and make conversation. I talked to everyone. All those things I'd been putting off? First because it wasn't the time and later because I'd have incinerated anyone who tried to ask me shit while I was mourning by sheer force of will? They came tackled one after the other.

Well, I figured I'd made them wait long enough, so I didn't complain much. Actually, I did enjoy talking it out with some of them.

Case in point: Leliana. Poor girl had been waiting ages to find out what I knew.

That same first night, she was crafty enough to find a small, shallow lake. Now, it'd been a while since I had a physics lesson, but I guess it was possible for the water to be lukewarm? I mean, if I recalled correctly, the heat was trapped in during the day, and slowly released at night.

Point is, it was warm enough to bath even at night, and hell if I didn't take the chance. Even if I knew Leliana was tricking me into speaking with her first, I was so taking that hook. Hell, I encouraged it. If the others followed her lead, this was gonna be a pretty comfortable trip.

With a satisfied sigh, I sunk in the water up to my neck, blessing all the deities I could think of. I loved it so much, you have no idea.

I melodic chuckle reached me "I'm glad you seem to be enjoying yourself"

"Dude, I love you for this" I told the crafty rogue, leaning back on my hands, eyes still closed "I'd kiss you, but I don't wanna step on any toes. Much less those of our dear boss lady"

"I appreciate the sentiment all the same" she giggled "…do you think she'd be upset? If you were to kiss me?"

I did open an eye at that. Leliana was the very picture of an innocent love-struck maiden.

"I haven't talked to her about it or anything but… yeah. I think she would be bothered by it, at least. I gotta say though, you should have a better idea on how that is going than I, shouldn't you?"

Leliana nodded "You are right. But I'm afraid I'm too invested in my relationship with Kallian to be impartial"

Fair enough.

"But, that isn't what I'd like to talk about now" she went from love-struck maiden to cut-through spy-master in 0.1 seconds. It was somewhat cool to watch.

Oddly enough, and despite how literally exposed I was at the moment, I wasn't all that afraid.

"Okay, let's see. I know some of what you're gonna go through in the future. But that's neither here nor there. You want to know what I know about your past" I paused to gather my courage "I know you came to Ferelden on a mission with your bardmaster, Marjolaine. I know she betrayed you. I also remember a little about the whole ordeal"

Focused on Leliana's face as I was, I could see how she began close off, little by little. Damn.

I sat up "I understand you went through a lot… No, I'm sorry" I shook my head vehemently "I can only imagine what you've been through. I don't think I could understand it unless I'd gone through it myself. But I do know it was painful. I'm sorry you had to go through that"

I left it at that and waited, wondering if she'd answer or leave it, now that she'd found out what I knew of her past.

After a small eternity, she visibly eased back and sighed "I suppose I should be thankful. You could have lied, yet you did not"

I thought about it and, unable to figure it out, asked "Why would I lie to you?"

Leliana regarded me sharply. I don't know what she was looking for, or whether she found it, but she ended up letting out a breath and shaking her head with a wry smile "Nevermind that. I hope that part of you doesn't change"

"Which part?"

She smiled.

Meanie.

"About my future…"

"Nope. Not going there" I hugged my knees, frowning "I mean… ugh. I'm still trying to figure it out. In theory, I think it's a bad idea to mess with the timeline too much. Some events are necessary for progress. Pain is necessary for growth. And, at the same time… how am I supposed to just sit and watch as people suffer or get killed?"

Anders blowing up the Kirkwall Chantry, the explosion at the Conclave… I didn't want to interfere, but how could I let all those people die?

An arm snaked its way around me, hugging me as its owner reclined her head on my shoulder.

"It is a hard decision to make. I am sure Kallian would agree that you do the best you can, then leave the rest to us"

I gave Leliana's arm a light squeeze "I've already decided I'm helping all of you. Nothing I'd want to change in this part of history will alter the future greatly, I think. The problem is what comes after…"

"Perhaps this is a question best left for after we defeat the blight, yes? And perhaps there might be someone you can confide in"

I smiled "Like you?"

I felt her shrug "Maybe. Maybe not. But there is enough on your plate as is right now"

I nodded, grateful "Thanks, Leliana. But um…"

"Yes?"

"Well, it feels a little awkward that you're, er… hugging me while we're bathing"

There was a slight pause, then "Oh? Does this make you uncomfortable?" she squeezed me again.

"Oh, stop it. Let go. I'll tell you a little something about Kallian if you do"

She giggled, but eased off.

I took in her mischievous expression and shook my head in mock disapproval.

"Whatever. So, if I'm not mistaken, you rescued a female elf when you were at the Arl of Denerim's state, right?"

Leliana blinked, obviously not expecting me to take the conversation that way "I… maybe. Why?"

I grinned "I am 99% sure that was Kallian's mother"

I had to laugh at her expression. Revenge was sweet.

The next one to pester me for answers was none other than the legendary Warden. Said Warden actually sneaked into my tent during the night, almost giving me a freaking heart attack.

"You know, you could've just, like, asked me tomorrow"

"I couldn't wait any longer! Besides, Leliana beat me to it tonight and who knows if someone else will tomorrow" she got a glint in her eye "But no one else would think to look for you in your tent!"

No one would dare to!

The words I'm a genius were all but bursting from her mouth.

"You're lucky I like you"

She smiled brightly.

In the small space inside my tent, I had to back up and sit so she could get the other half of her body in, although I was tempted to leave her ass freezing outside.

"Whatever. What do you–?"

I didn't get to finish before she was bombarding me with all kinds of questions.

Most of them were about my world itself. What were the people like? How come there was no magic? When would she be able to try some ice cream?

Her face when I explained how highly regarded and fictional elves were was gold.

"So in another world, we are accepted. Even admired" She said, wonderstruck.

I opened my mouth to say it was a fictional work in my world, but considering where I was, that seemed a little ironic. I suppose if Thedas existed, some other places might as well.

Man, going to Hogwarts sounded too good.

The hard questions came after.

"So what can you tell me about me?"

Ah "Well, I know you lived in the Denerim Alienage, and that your mother was a talented rogue. And that she was the one who taught you how to fight"

She waited a few seconds for me to continue. When I didn't, she startled "That's it?"

I winced "Sorry. The bulk of what I knew about you was what happened the day Duncan went to recruit you. The day of your… um, your wedding day"

Her eyes as she looked at me gave nothing away "So you already knew. Why did you let me tell you the whole thing when you'd already read it all? Ah, of course. You couldn't say you knew; you'd have to explain how"

I shook my head "It was different. I mean, yes, I couldn't say I knew without spilling the beans. But I was glad to hear it from you" I reached over to give her hand a squeeze "Seeing it on a game and hearing it from someone who lived it, in the flesh… its nowhere near the same"

Kallian still appeared somewhat dejected, but it looked like she could accept that, at least.

"Fine" she peeked up at me from behind her eyelashes "What did you mean a game?"

Full stop.

Shoot.

"Um…"

She rested her chin on her palms and waited.

Okay, here goes "Do you remember me saying the events of the Blight were a story in my world?"

She nodded enthusiastically.

"Weeell… the truth is a little more potentially offensive than that"

"What d'you mean?"

Huff, haven't been this nervous since I told them about my originstory.

"It isn't exactly a story… that's just the closest thing you guys know that I can compare it to. But in reality its more like a book with moving pictures, where you control a 'character' and live his or… her story"

"Her story…" Kallian's eyes grew wide "…me?"

Wow, got it in one.

I smiled and kept going "As you play this character, you need to complete certain trials, such as stopping the attack at Redcliffe, besting the demons in the Tower… and then there are certain choices. Should we conscript the mages? Maybe they are too dangerous, and the Templars are a better option. And speaking of Redcliffe, is saving Connor the best alternative? Perhaps dealing with the demon is too dangerous after all, it's a real tragedy, but perhaps weneed to kill him to save the village. Ah but if we do wanna save him anyway, then we need the mages help huh? Oh but what if we already sided with the Templars? Mm… ah, how about we take that guy's, Jowan's offer and do a blood ritual to go into the Fade? Provided we didn't kill him or sent him away before, of course. I mean, we'll have to sacrifice Isolde but she's willing, if it's to save his son…"

"Wait, stop. What?" Kallian interrupted. She was so confused she couldn't seem to settle on what face to make "You mean to tell me my life… ourlives are an actual game to you?"

Oh boy, I thought we'd already gone over this. Not that I blamed her… it was a hard pill to swallow.

"It was. I'm sorry, I wish I could tell you it wasn't, but the truth is I never thought any of these… any of Thedas was even real before getting dropped in the middle of it" I caught her eye "But now I'm here and so help me, this is my life. People I thought were fictional are real and I care about many of them… I care about you Kallian, I'm sorry the people from my world didn't treat you with the seriousness you deserve. We– I didn't know any better"

Let's see, what more could I tell her to convince her…

"I–"

"That's enough, I believe you" She rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Huh. Not the reaction I was expecting, but it'll do.

Kallian got pensive all of a sudden "So, if you've seen all the… possible ways in which this will end… you can tell us which is the best one!" She exclaimed brightly.

I hesitated "Kal–"

"No no, I know you don't want to change the history of Thedas and all that" she said in a voice that was absolutely nothing like mine "But you could tell us what the options are, and then we'd just need to follow what you tell us and get the best possible outcome! It's perfect!"

It wasn't. Dammit. I obviously hadn't explained myself correctly before. I wondered if any of the others were still thinking of getting me to tell them about the future.

"Kallian, there is no best answer. There is no one way in which everyone is happy. You chose to recruit the mages, so you had to forsake the Templar's help, and many of them probably thought that was unfair" Cullen certainly had. The doody head "Had you chosen the Templars, you'd have to leave the mages behind. Unfair for the mages. See?"

Kallian mulled it over "But what if you just tell us? Then we can choose for ourselves"

Well, its not like her logic didn't make sense. But.

"So I should tell you everything? Make all the hard choices for you?"

"Well, I mean…"

"I may have given some input before, but the one making every choice was you. I would've never trusted me going to the Fade to save Connor, but you did, and now he is safe. Tell me, before being a Warden, would you have been able to decide that? Hell, would you have been able to even decide to take the chance and leave Redcliffe to get the mages to help?"

I waited, but she kept silent. Whew.

My voice got softer "I'm worried, that if you don't grow by making your own choices, you wont be the person you need to be to see this through. It isn't fair to ask you this, but we need you to keep being strong for a little bit more. I'm sorry"

Kallian's expression was sad when she said "Just a little more?"

I laughed mirthlessly "Maybe more than a little. I'll let you know when we're almost done. And…" I took a breath. This was a decision I made "And I'll be with you until the end. Or until you get sick of me and tell me to take a hike. Whichever happens first"

Kallian's eyes glistened with tears as she tackled me, clinging on to be as she cried softly "Won't happen"

I held her for a while, and before I knew it she'd falling asleep. It seemed like I was sharing my tent after all. Poor girl, she was literally carrying the weight of the world.

Sharp pain shot through my ankle. Kallian had kicked me.

I turned to see her sleeping with a peaceful expression on her face.

It was gonna be a long night.

The third party member to ask me for some time was none other than Wynne. We were on one of our long long walks across Ferelden when she gently had me back up from the rest of the companions, effectively providing us with some privacy. There wasn't much I could tell her of her past that would astound her though.

Except for that one pretty juicy piece of info.

"So you know"

"Yep"

Wynne sighed, tiered "I see"

The badass old lady regarded me with the weight of all her years "I assume you have an opinion about the spirit of Faith that dwells within me"

I smiled at her, pleased to see her no nonsense attitude "I think we lucked out. If Faith hadn't saved your life, we would miss out on the best addition to our group. Not even kidding. I've wanted you to join us since day one. Ask the others"

Wynne didn't seem like she believed me though "And why would that be?"

"Because you are a gifted healer. You alone raise our chances of survival exponentially" Wynne nodded, seemingly able to accept that as a reason "Also, I know you are trustworthy. And saving the world requires all the trustworthiness we can get" I scratched my cheek awkwardly "I know unlike me, you have little reason to trust me. But I don't plan on betraying any of you, so I guess I'll let you see for yourself in time"

Wynne fell silent for a while after that, apparently deep in thought. When she finally spoke again, she sounded slightly less tired.

"I don't believe you finished answering my question. What is your opinion of me being an abomination?"

Geez.

"I… don't think you are one" Then again, one couldn't forget what happens with Anders and Justice "The spirit inside you is… how do I put it… very in tune with you. I think you are compatible, and therefore you're in little to no danger of becoming an abomination. That is to say, you aren't one right now. You're still in possession of all your faculties, and I'm sure you've never experienced Faith taking over your body"

Wynne blinked "I… see. Indeed, I have never felt myself slip" she glanced at me "But then you do believe it is possible that I become one in the future?"

I shrugged "Anything's possible, I guess. But I do think if its you two, you'll be fine. The spirit of Faith suits you"

I didn't tell her I knew she wouldn't become one because I'd played all three games. I hadn't had the chance to read Asunder, but I scanned the wiki after that mission with Rhys in Inquisition and got the gist of what happened. I worried, though, that if I told her she wouldn't become one she'd let go of that discipline she constantly sported. Unlikely as that was.

Which reminds me…

"I don't know much about your past, but I do have one important fact up my sleeve. Would you like me to tell you?"

She shook her head "No, that isn't necessary. There is nothing else that I feel the need to hide. Even if there was something, I think it would do more harm than good to discuss it with you now"

Inwardly, I sullenly wonder if it was because she didn't trust me.

Outwardly I said "Fair enough" and left it at that.

We walked in silence, slowly gaining ground towards our allies.

"There's something I'd like to ask you"

"Oh? How surprising. I didn't think our roles would change so. How can I help you?"

I hesitated "Well, I was hoping, if you… would you be willing to teach me magic?"

For the first time… ever, I think, Wynne smiled warmly at me "Child, I thought you'd never ask. Of course I'll train you. We shall begin now"

I blinked "Thank you so much, but, we're starting now?"

Wynne got a twinkle in her eye "No time like the present"

Oh boy, I guess the other would have to wait until Wynne was done with me.

Ah well, they'd waited this long.

So... yeah. This chapter and the next one are gonna be more about tying up some loose ends regarding what Maya knows of everybody. Sorry for those who were expecting more of a story-driven chapter, but I felt it was necessary.

On the other hand, its almost the end of the month, so I'm supposed to have the next chapter ready by next week huh? Welp, that's what I get for procrastinating.

Anyway, hope you liked the chapter and thanks for reading! Special thank you to those that left a comment, you guys make me giggle out loud at the most inopportune times :)