Shaking, I feel my bones quiver, I hear the chatter of my teeth and my blood pumping as a wave of fear, anxiety and dread hit me as we grow closer and closer to the meting point, to meet the mages, to meet Fiona as we agreed at Val Royeaux. I can't do this, I can't, I won't be able to do this. I huff feeling my body beginning to fumble, unable to breathe, I feel as though I'm being constricted as I feel my feet freeze in place, my skin feeling as cold and pale as death as my feet refuse to move, as though I've been stuck to the ground.
What if I fail? I mean we have the Templars but still…what if I'm making the wrong choice I mean the Templars have the weapons, the power, the knowledge on how to kill mages, we could use that to get the knowledge of the breach but…I-I…
"You're not going to stand there are you?" My still cold as ice ears perk up at the voice as my downcast eyes and head look up to meet a pair of strong stoic turquoise eyes. Shaking, my green eyes meet a pair of strong blue.
"You made your choice, you can't back out now, remember," Fen tells me her voice cold but serious as I nod, taking in a shaky breathe. Fen's right, I can't back out now, I can't panic, I can't be weak, I can't be a cry baby like father told me like Fennic told me. Bravely, I take in a shaky breathe nodding and stepping forward, heading inside ignoring my racing heartbeat thumping madly wishing to free itself out of my body along with my soul as a slow teardrop cascade down my temple, a bead of sweat follows as I move forward and enter the meeting place, where the mages will work with the inquisition one way or another, I won't back down not now and not ever…
Together, we enter, I'm in front. Proudly, I recall my father's and mother's teaching, shoulders square, chin up and back straight.
Confidently, I glide across the area, making my way forward recalling my mother's graceful steps through the ballroom; it was as though my mother was gliding on ice, I too try to copy the sense of peace and confidence she too emitted back then. I feel all eyes on me holding in the urge to wince from the pressuring gazes on me to instead focus on the people before me. All the mages wear familiar ugly robes I recall from the tower, rough, how I hated them they were ugly and constricting, I could barely move with the heavy set on. Strongly, my green eyes cast on all the other mages, some I recognise some I don't, few who recognise me raise a brow in shock to see me but keep their lips tight and distance, angrily frowning at me, no doubt calling me a traitor for not helping their cause.
A giddy feeling blooms in my chest when I see one of my role models, Fiona standing tall and proud but to the side-lines, staring longingly almost, she is the leader she should be in front, proud like I am. I frown at the uneasiness in this room but push it aside glancing at the others, Solas with his poker face with Cassandra while Iron Bull and Fen look uncomfortable. Fen has her arms crossed I notice the subtle movement of her fingertips tapping against her crossed arms anxiously, eyeing the mages, she's on the defence while Iron Bull is silent but I can see how tense he is, he too is uneasy here, not as much as Fen but still, not relaxed.
"What has brought you to Redcliffe?" Fiona's strong but clear voice snaps me out of my thoughts as I turn to her.
What?
"…"
"I beg your pardon?"
Frowning, I blink at the strange question; I mean she did invite me here why is she asking why I'm here? Something isn't right or she's just pulling my leg and she doesn't seem like the type to prank, unlike Sera.
"We're here because of your invitation back at Val Royeaux," I remind her calmly, puzzled by her confused expression.
"You must be mistaken, I haven't been in Val Royeaux since before the conclave," Fiona informs me making my eyes widen at her news.
What? Then who we saw before could it have been a imposter, a lookalike, an illusion if so? Why? Why use Fiona? Why drag us here? What is going on? I frown at the cloud of question in my head, each one wishing to be answers but I do not have the answer much to my dismay.
"That's weird, we saw a person who looked exactly like you. She told us to come here," I inform her, my brow furrowed as I feel my heart racing in anxiety at the numerous dark plots that could happen, could this all be a trick for the crows to come kill me could this be a trick done by the Templars wanting me dead? Could this-
"Exactly like me? I suppose it could be magic at work but why would anyone…?" Fiona shakes her head making me frown seeing her too puzzled by my words.
"Whoever or whatever brought you here. The situation has changed, the Free Marches have…already pledged themselves to…the Tevinter imperium…" Fiona reveals making my eyes widen in horror at the news.
"This right here is why you can't trust mages," Iron Bull growls, scowling at them.
"An alliance against Tevinter do you not fear all of Thedas turning against you?" Cassandra questions shocked by the news.
"I understand that you are afraid but you deserve better than slavery to Tevinter," Solas frons as I can't help but turn to a silent Fen, head shaking, her right gauntlet hand covering her expression.
"Fennic?" My voice breaks, nervous as I turn to her.
Surprised, my eyes widen when she…laughs.