Chapter 6
Well let me tell you, the Inquisition sure meets up with some odd people. I think the oddest thus far is Sera—she keeps stealing trousers because she thinks it's funny, or random items go missing and turn up in the most random of places. At least she brought in Red Jenny or something like that . . . maybe. I'm still confused about all that mumbo jumbo. Then there's Blackwall and Vivienne, and Iron Bull. All of them from different perspectives and societies. Which I guess is a good thing. Right?
"Well that was weird." Varric spoke up.
We had just visited with Fiona, if it could be called that. She acted like she had never laid eyes on us before. No, what was more weird was the crumpled piece of paper in my hand that that boy, Felix, had given me.
"What's that?" Varric. Of course his sharp eyes caught on.
"I don't know. I can't read it." Which was hugely frustrating to me as I loved to read. Whatever language they read was not English, even if they spoke it (but it was called Common). I handed it over to the dwarf.
"Come to the Chantry. You are in danger. Ooh, very mysterious."
"That stinks of a trap." Cassandra added. "Whatever we'll be, we'll be careful. Keep our eyes open."
Cassandra led the way through Redcliffe, weaving between buildings and headed to the Chantry. The Chantry itself was tucked away from the rest of the town, a stone church beautifully crafted. They all seemed to be made to last with immovable stone. And they all seemed . . . cold, too. Not a place I'd like to go to church in, to be frank.
As we got closer, we heard sounds of a fight. Cassandra quickly opened the doors and we rushed in. A man was attacking shades next to a rift. He bested the last shade with a brandish of his staff before he caught sight of us and smiled.
"Good! You're here. Help me close this rift, would you?"
Screeching filled the air as more shades and a couple demons poured out of the rift. Without hesitating we all jumped into the fray. I had gotten rather good with the sword at this point, even Commander Cullen had commented on my exponential increase in skill. I slashed and danced away from a demon's swipe before turning on a shade that had decided I was its next victim. I slammed my blade through its head and jerked it back out to turn and face the demon once more. I was becoming familiar with this dance, the push and pull of attacking and evading, of stepping just out of reach but also just a hop skip to their weaknesses. Soon, all Fade creatures were dealt with and I felt the familiar twitch of my hand. I raised the Mark and felt it flare to life as it connected with the rift. The feeling was both awful and wonderful, so painful but the feeling of power that washed through me was incredible. With a snap, the rift closed.
The connect cut off and all I was left with was a throbbing arm that I cradled to my chest.
"Fascinating. How does that work, exactly?" The man asked. I stared at him, shrugging aimlessly. Hell if I knew. "You don't even know, do you? You just wiggle your fingers and boom! Rift closes."
"I'm sorry, and who are you?" I asked.
"Ah, getting head of myself, I see. Dorian of house Pavus, most recently of Minrathous. How do you do?"
"Ugh. Another Tevinter. Be cautious, Herald." Cassandra warned as she sheathed her blade.
"Why, so suspicious." Dorian said playfully. "Magister Alexius was—was—once my mentor, so my assistance should be valuable—as I'm sure you can imagine."
"Wait, wait. Was?"
"Meaning he's not any longer. Not for some time." Snarky little bastard. I was quickly starting to like him. "Lok, you must know there's danger. That should be obvious even without the note."
"You're the one who wrote the note?" I asked.
"No, it was a fuzzy little bunny. Of course, it was me." He shook his head. "Let's start with Alexius claiming the allegiance of the mage rebels out from under you. As of by magic, hm? Which is exactly right. To reach Redcliffe before the Inquisition, Alexius distorted time itself."
That rang some alarming bells. "Please tell me that that's less dangerous than it sounds."
"More." Dorian stated seriously.
"Hm," Solas seemed intrigued. "That is fascinating, it true . . . and almost certainly dangerous."
"Oh, it is possible. The rift you closed here? You saw how it twisted time around itself, sped some thing ups and slowed others down. Soon there will be more like it and they will appear more and more further away from Redcliffe. The magic Alexius is using is wildly unstable, and it's unraveling the world."
"Okay, wait." This was a lot to take in and I wasn't the only one trying to process everything we had been told. "Just . . . you're asking us to take a lot in on faith. I mean, we just met you."
"I know what I'm talking about," Dorian stated firmly. "I helped develop the magic. I just don't understand why he's unraveling time—just for a handful of lackeys?"
"He didn't do it for them." Felix rounded a corner, coming out of nowhere.
"Took you long enough! Is he getting suspicious?" Dorian grabbed Felix's extended forearm and hugged Felix.
"No. I shouldn't have played the sickness card though—I never thought I would get away." He turned to the rest of us. "My father has joined a cult. Tevinter supremacists that call themselves Venatori. And whatever he's done for them he's done it to get to you."
"Me?" I asked.
"And what do you suggest we do?" Cassandra cut in.
Dorian folded his arms. "You know you're his target. Expecting the trap is the first step in turning it to your advantage. That being said, Alexius doesn't know I'm here and I'd like to keep it that way. However, I'd like to be there when you decide to deal with him, I want to be there." Dorian started to head out. "I'll be in touch. Oh and Felix? Try not get yourself killed."
"There are worse things than dying, Dorian" Felix called out then he turned his attention back to us. "We will speak again."