Faith Shared

Shade: Huge thanks to OldDDGuy for helping me out, as well as to everyone who has commented.

Haven

'Crumbling walls flew by as Isaac raced down the corridors. His lungs burned as he took the stairs four at a time; the dull red glow from blighted lyrium his only illumination. Glancing behind him he saw the corrupted faces of the Venatori closing in. Bursting through a door he came to a screeching halt. Before him were the companions he knew so well: Solas, Varric, Leliana, Cassandra, all of them there. Their veins burned red with blighted lyrium; hate-filled eyes bore into Isaac. "Why didn't you warn us? Why?'

Isaac bolted upright in his bed as thunder boomed outside, shaking the cabin walls. Shaehari murmured in her sleep and twisted underneath her covers on the opposite side. Through windows the sky was still dark, the storm blocking out the beautiful constellations that Isaac had grown to adore. Still shaking from the dream Isaac dropped his face into his hands. 'Again? I can't go a single night without another dream.'Shifting he planted his feet on the ground and sighed. His hands dropped as he stared at the floor. The grains in the wood twisted into shapes; the cackle of Envy echoed in his head. "You cannot save them. You cannot save anyone. You will doom this world."

"Still can't sleep?"

Isaac looked up. Shaehari's eyes gleamed in the dim light. She had twisted beneath the covers, resting her chin on her hand. Annoyance and concern mixed in her expression. Isaac replied, "I'll get over it; go back to sleep."

Shaehari yawned. "No point. You'll just wake me up again." Extending her hand, she flicked a finger toward the fireplace and it roared to life, flooding the cabin with warmth once more. The shadows retreated before the light and the fragments of his nightmare receded with them. Shaehari's gaze never left his as he shifted uncomfortably. "You weren't so shaken when you first arrived. Surely you should be more at ease by now? Or is there something you've forgotten to mention?"

Isaac cringed. 'You have no idea.' "I'm just worried about what's next. Solas and Iron Bull's prodding about my past isn't helping me."

Shaehari raised an eyebrow. "You could just tell us the truth." When Isaac opened his mouth to reply she held a finger up, "If you say I'll never believe you I will fry you again." His mouth closed with an audible pop. The corner of her lip twitched but anger clouded her eyes. "We had a deal remember? I've been patient but I expect you to keep your word, shem." Isaac looked away for a moment.

'She has a point but…' Isaac walked back over to his bunk and bowed his head. 'At least it will be one less thing to worry about.' Leaning back against the wall he sighed. "You're right."

"I usually am." Shaehari replied with a smirk, prompting Isaac to roll his eyes.

"Sure, you are moon dancer." Shaehari snorted.

"Remind me shem, who was dumb enough to lay his sleeping roll in poisonous shrubs?"

"That was one time!" Isaac whined causing Shaehari to laugh. Seeing her crack prompted Isaac to laugh in turn, much of his unease bleeding away. Shaehari's laugh faded though a faint smile remained as she waited.

"So?"

Isaac readied himself. "I'm not from this world." The words tumbled from his mouth, almost tripping over each other to escape. Shaehari tilted her head, her eyes tracing up and down him like a strange puzzle. Uncertainty, disbelief, and a hint of sadness colored her question, "Are you a spirit?"

"No," Isaac shook his head firmly. "My world…I don't know how it is connected with yours, but it is not the Fade. It is not Thedas. My world…" The words came easier the longer he spoke. "It is not a world of magic. Of elves and dwarves and mages and templars. The world I came from is one inhabited solely by humans. We progressed through mastery of technology and science. The Fade does not exist in our world. We have no spirits; no demons save those we carry within ourselves."

Shaehari's expression of disbelief deepens and she breaks eye contact. Isaac becomes quiet, growing self-conscious. Shaehari's eyes race back and forth until she looks back at Isaac. "How do you know, then? How do you know so much about Thedas if what you claim is true?"

Isaac shifted uncomfortably. "The world of Thedas is a fictional world to us. The adventures of the Hero of Fereldan, the Champion of Kirkwall, and the Herald of Andraste were games to us. Simulations that we would follow and play with."

Shaehari shook her head. "Why? Do you get enjoyment from this world's suffering?" Her voice had taken on a hard edge and Isaac held up his hands.

"The world we live in can get monotonous in daily life and when crisis strikes it seems beyond the ability of any one person to deal with. Thedas is an escape for us; a world that seems fantastic and amazing compared to our own. And when crisis strikes? In Thedas we can take on the role of a hero, of someone who can make a difference."

Shaehari mulled over this. Isaac leaned back again and tried to calm his racing heart. 'It's up to her now. Nothing more I can say.'

"Can you show me?" Isaac looked back sharply in response to Shaehari's question who didn't even try to hide her uncertainty. "Your world, I mean."

A well of grief opened within Isaac and his eyes watered. "I can't…I" he quickly wiped his eyes. "I don't know how I was pulled here. I don't know how to get back. I…"

Regret filled Shaehari's expression. "I'm sorry it's just…you're dropping a lot."

"I know." Isaac took a moment to recollect himself. "You see why I don't bother telling anyone. Who would believe me? Who could? And the others aren't going to let up anytime soon."

The cabin was silent for a while after that. The wind outside slowly died down and light began to shine through. Isaac had nearly drifted off when Shaehari spoke again. "Leliana."

Isaac opened an eye to glance at the door before returning to Shaehari. She had righted herself on her bunk. "You said that you watched the Hero of Fereldan right?"

Isaac nodded. "During the Fifth Blight. Why?"

Shaehari smirked at him. "Let's ask her to confirm your story. You're going to have to tell her the truth eventually. Either you're telling the truth and will know things that only she and him could have known or she'll call you on your bullshit and I'll finally get a real answer."

Isaac tilted his head in thought. 'She has a point.' Aloud he replied, "Alright, but I need to clarify a few things. Like with our current situation I've seen different versions. Who exactly is the Hero of Fereldan, and what is his/her relationship with Leliana?"

Shaehari recoiled in surprise then caught herself. Cautiously she answered, "HE, is Theron Mahariel and as far as his relationship with Leliana I've only heard rumors. My Keeper told me that they were said to be together but…"

Isaac finished, "That's not something the Dalish would approve of."

Shaehari gave him a strange look. "You think the Dalish all agree? Most of the clans overlook that rumor in favor of supporting a hero that even the shems must acknowledge. A few allow such relationships while the more traditional clans would likely attack him on sight if the rumors were confirmed."

"What did your clan think of such relationships?" The question was out before Isaac could think better of it. Shaehari froze and Isaac ducked his head, not seeing her burning cheeks. 'Idiot! Why would you ask that?!' Looking back up he saw Shaehari sputter for a moment before spitting out, "None of your business shem!" She turned away from him with a hum, grumbling beneath her breath.

Isaac grinned, "Back to shem now? So is the deal off?" Her answering glare could have frozen hell.

Haven, a few hours later

The earthy scent of numerous drying herbs greeted Isaac as he stepped into Adan's cabin. In the corner the alchemist looked up and turned back to his work. "If you have an order, leave the note on my desk and I will see to it when I can, Herald." Isaac grinned sheepishly, though Adan could not see it. Isaac replied, "It is not an order per se, but I am looking for a particular plant and was wondering if you have it."

Adan waved a hand. "Look around. If you see it, let me know what you're taking. Need to maintain inventory."

Isaac shifted from one foot to the other. "I have not seen a full picture of it for many years."

"Blast it all do you know nothing?!" Exasperated Adan fully turned to Isaac. "Oh, don't give me that look. I have just had to deal with idiots all day. What exactly are you looking for?"

"Andraste's Grace. I think it's Fereldan."

Adan's eyebrow shot up. "Flowers for your companion? Here I thought the rumors were only that. Fortunately for you, my useless assistant grabbed some by accident when I sent him out for supplies. I was ready to simply toss them, but if you'd like them that is fine by me."

Isaac's face flared scarlet. "No, no." He struggled to explain. "We were having a…disagreement and I hoped this could settle things."

"Uh huh." Adan quickly walked around, grabbing some white flowers from the top of a shelf and bringing them down. "As you say, though if you want my personal opinion, giving flowers named after Andraste to a Dalish girl is not going to end well."

Isaac groaned, giving up even as he dug around for his coins. He had come with no money and if he did it would have been worthless. With no income Cassandra had allowed him to scavenge what he could from the rogue mages and templars in the Hinterlands, though the majority had gone back to the refugees. Seeing him pull out coins Adan stopped him saying, "Keep it. I'll consider your work sealing the Breach payment enough. Besides," he gestured with the flowers, "considering how badly this is going to blow up in your face I'd say you'll be paying enough."

Still red, Isaac thanked him and took the flowers. He tucked them into his vest and slipped out of the cabin, Adan returned to work behind him. Stepping out into the cold air of Haven always sent a chill through him. He did not see Solas at his usual spot, but then again, he had to remind himself that this was the real Thedas. People in games behaved in a way that increased the fun, not what they would really do. As he walked towards the gates and gathered his thoughts. 'Hopefully having these will be enough for Leliana. That is, if she hasn't soured on them.'

Isaac frowned. While Leliana was amiable to a private discussion about Isaac's past, he was still unsure about how to convince her that he was being truthful. Wrapped up in his thoughts he walked quickly to the front gates of Haven, passing through with barely an acknowledgment of the guards. Turning right he made his way past the rows of training soldiers, following a familiar path to his morning circuit. Making a sharp turn away from both it and Haven, he passed through the trees until he reached the cabin where he had found the old alchemists' notes. A thin trickle of smoke spiraled from the chimney, telling him that she was already here. Isaac approached the door muttering under his breath, "Well, once more into the breach."

Opening it he found the cabin had been cleaned and organized in his absence. The crackle of flames was now a familiar sound to him and he cast his gaze across the cabin. A small table had been brought into the cabin, surrounded by three chairs. A small tea set resided on the center of the table Occupying one was Leliana herself. Her head turned to him as he arrived, gaze cool and calculating. "At last both Heralds have arrived. Now perhaps you will satisfy my curiosity, yes?"

Isaac tilted his head. "Heralds?"

Shaehari appeared from the adjoining room. "I arrived earlier." Shaehari captured his gaze with her own. A myriad of emotions flashed within hers as she told him. "I've mentioned your foreknowledge within the Hinterlands and during our first assault on the Breach. I told her you knew things that could not possibly be known unless what you say is true." She finished quietly and looked away. Isaac was confused at first then realized. "It's alright. You've probably helped me a lot."

Leliana took a sip from her tea. Her gaze remained cool and posture relaxed. She reminded Isaac of a panther resting quietly before pouncing. She probed, "You did demonstrate foreknowledge, but nothing of what was mentioned was beyond your ability to find out. Before we continue, I wish for you to enlighten me, if you will. What's something that you know and can prove that you couldn't have known any other way?"

Isaac swallowed down his nerves. 'Here we go.' "I know a few things about you Leliana. Tell me, do these seem familiar?" He pulled out a few of the Andraste's Grace from his vest. What happened next was a blur within his memory. A distinct feeling of being airborne before slamming into the ground, then he was staring into her sky-blue eyes boring into him. The press of iron against his neck caused him to glance down briefly. The spymaster's arm was firm and unyielding as she pressed the knife further. Behind her Shae was frozen momentarily then her eyes narrowed and she began charging a spell.

Isaac tried to wave her off as Leliana ground out. "What kind of game are you playing Isaac?"

Isaac matched her gaze. The words spilled from him as he finally snapped under the stress of keeping it all in. "Your mother was from Denerim, so you consider yourself Fereldan even though you grew up in Orlais. She told you stories about Fereldan while growing up. She died when you were young," Leliana's face remained unchanged, though the knife trembled slightly. "While at your camp during the Fifth Blight you told the Warden that it was unfair that you had more memories of Cecille than your mother." Leliana's eyes widened and her head drew back slightly. Isaac pressed on, more confident. "You told him that the only thing you really remembered about her was her scent. She kept dried flowers amongst her clothes, Andraste's Grace. The Warden took time during the Blight to give you two such flowers." Isaac finished, his eyes not leaving Leliana.

To her credit, Leliana appeared composed save for the stiffness of her form. In the corner Shaehari's hands had dropped to her side. Her jaw had dropped slightly and she looked torn between wonder and fear. Leliana started, looking at the hand that held her hand as if it belonged to someone else. She drew back and rose up, allowing Isaac to breath once more. Shaehari hesitated, then came over to help him up while Leliana moved over to the window and made a sign. Within seconds Charter appeared and Isaac froze. Leliana quickly ordered, "Bring us dinner when it is time, we will be here a while. Double the guards and ensure you are the only one that can approach us."

"Yes, mistress Nightingale." Charter ran with a speed Isaac could only envy.

Leliana closed the door and covered the windows before turning back to Isaac. Her gazed pierced into him as she returned to her seat. She motioned for him to sit as well. Once he had and Shaehari joined them Leliana addressed him. "I am sorry for attacking you. I acted rashly and I can not afford to do that. I believe you when you say that you know a great deal about our world; it is apparent you know far more than I had given you credit for." She folded her fingers in front of her. "I understand you have been reluctant to share what you know but I ask you to understand that we cannot help you if you continue to shut us out. I need you to tell me everything, from start to finish. You have my word that nothing you say will leave this cabin without your permission." As she finished, she glanced toward Shaehari, who still appeared shaken from Isaac's demonstration. Catching her gaze Shaehari added, "So long as it does not endanger my people, I will keep your secrets." Discretely Shaehari moved the table away from Leliana, whose small smile allowed a glimpse of the bard Isaac knew from Origins.

Feeling the hardest part was over, Isaac delved into his story. "First, I'm not from this world…" He began with a description of his own world, Earth, in a more comprehensive and clear way than he had briefly explained to Shaehari. He then moved to the existence of the Dragon Age games, and how they followed the adventures of the Hero of Fereldan, the Champion of Kirkwall, and the Heralds. Both women were clearly unnerved by the idea of existing within someone else's fiction but Isaac could offer little comfort. Upon reaching his entrance into the world of Thedas, Shaehari joined in with her own observations, causing Leliana to smirk and Isaac to blush at how obvious he had been. Upon finishing he shared, "Now you understand why I've been reluctant to share. You have heard, but how could anyone truly believe me? The others have been making it worse: Varric and Solas have been catching me in contradictions and now with Iron Bull and Vivienne…"

Leliana interrupted his rant, reaching across to grab his hand. In the corner of his eye he caught Shaehari twitch and begin to glare before catching herself. Leliana's voice was calming, a new look in her eyes. "Calm down Isaac. You're safe, you're with friends." Her voice was firm. "You've risked much to aid us." She pulled back and Shaehari seemed to relax slightly. Leliana observed her movements with amusement, before turning back to Isaac. "This does explain a lot of my issues. I have found absolutely nothing about you, which is an oddity in itself. I have even found a few interesting stories about Shaehari." She was interrupted by a growl from the elf.

"That you will tell no one." Leliana laughed.

"In addition, you have demonstrated a complete ignorance to even the most basic skills. Cassandra and Varric have been most helpful in informing me of this." Again, Isaac blushed while the girls suppressed their own amusement (or at least, Shaehari made the attempt). "Given all of what I've heard and witnessed, it is far easier to believe that you are from another world than you to be so ignorant."

"Is it…?" Isaac couldn't help the drawl in his voice.

Leliana's expression softened. "Isaac." She waited until he looked at her directly. "I believe you."

"How?" Isaac's voice was soft.

Leliana allowed a smile to show. "You should know. You do know why I left Lothering, yes?"

Isaac nodded. "You received a vision from the Maker, and when you walked into the garden you saw a flower bloom on a dead rose bush. You tried to tell the others but no one…"

Isaac trailed off while Leliana finished, "No one believed me save the Warden. I am sorry that I made you feel the same as I did: knowing you had the truth and equally certain that no one would believe you."

Shaehari had been quiet for a while before joining. "I'm sorry as well." Isaac turned to her and she continued, "It has been hard to be away from my people for so long, surrounded by shems, unable to share anything save what was forced upon me," she raised her right hand, her mark glowing softly. "I know I can be abrasive at times, but I've given you more than your fair share. I saw you as part of the problem. But as homesick as I can be, it must be nothing to what you're feeling."

"Don't compare Shae." Isaac's voice was firm even as his eyes softened toward Shae. His eyes burned with a strong emotion he couldn't place, nor was he sure it would be a good idea to pin it down. "We are both in a different world, me just in a literal way. And…much as I can't believe I'm saying it…but you've helped." Shaehari's eyebrow shot up and her expression matched her earlier disbelief. Isaac tried to explain, "Half the people think I'm a heretic, the other half think I'm a savior. The people I do recognize from the game are so familiar yet not it's disconcerting." He sheepishly looked away. "Frankly you're the only thing here that is normal to me. Keeps me sane." Heat rose in his face while a blush arose in Shaehari's. Leliana watched with traces of amusement as the two refused to look at each other, her mind briefly casting back ten years ago to quiet nights beside the fire with her Warden.

Once their blushes had calmed down Shaehari smirked at him. "You want more of the same? You may regret that wish."

Isaac nodded. "I probably will but I wouldn't have it any other way."

A knock on the door briefly interrupted them. Dinner had arrived and Isaac felt his stomach growl in answer. Upon bringing it inside Leliana turned her attention back to him. "I will work on telling only those whom you wish, but we cannot keep it a secret forever. Is there anything else?"

Isaac looks back at Shaehari briefly, before turning, a determined look in his eye. "Yes, the ones who need to know are the inner circle and Shaehari, I'll go over the names later but for now there are a couple of things coming up that I need your help. They are priority to me."

Leliana nodded. "Where do we begin?"

Isaac glanced at Shaehari again before returning to Leliana. "The mages and templars are our next thing, and we have to make sure Clan Lavellan is safe."