I was carrying a basket of boiled cotton to the makeshift infirmary inside the Chantry when I noticed the crowd standing outside.
I walked up beside Bethany, "What's going on?"
"I think they're finally announcing it," her tone serious.
"Announcing what?"
But at that moment, Cullen was hammering something to the Chantry doors. Cassandra, Leliana, Josephine and Ellana stood off to the side, but moved to stand with him when he had finished.
"The Chantry has denounced us," Cassandra strode foward, the sun glinting off her breastplate as she moved, the Inquisition's emblem stamped on her chest emblazoned by the light, "They have declared your Herald of Andraste, a blasphemer and us, heretics for harboring her. However, the Divine gave us this writ," Cassandra hoisted a great tome above her head, "granting us the authority to act. We will close the Breach, find those responsible and restore order, with or without their approval. As of this moment, I declare the Inquisition reborn!"
Cheers and whistles erupted from the crowd. Bethany and I joined in, whistling loudly.
...
Over the next few days, letters were sent out asking for aid, but no replies came. As word of the Inquisition's efforts to close the Breach and the Herald of Andraste spread, more recruits came pouring into Haven. Cullen found himself slightly overwhelmed, but quickly found his stride. Cassandra assisted him when she could, never far from the practice dummies.
Ellana had been fitted with new armor before she had set out with Cassandra, Solas and Varric to the Hinterlands near the town of Redcliffe. Apparently, there was a Chantry Mother that wanted to speak with her about the Chantry's denouncement; but she was in danger from the fighting that had broken out between the straggling templars and mages.
While many had deserted Haven after the destruction of the Conclave, some remained. Some had chosen to help the Chantry sisters, others to be messengers, a select few to be spies under Leliana, but most had become recruits under Cullen. Asaala Adaar, among them. Asaala had approached me the day after the Inquisition had been declared, offering to train me one-on-one. Apparently, she had been assisting Cullen in training the recruits, but had taken special interest in me - being a mage that desired to know how to fight. Cullen had told me Asaala was not part of the Qun, but instead had been raised outside of it before joining the mercenary company of Valo-Kas. Asaala was a well-known mercenary among their company. A few had been hired as an unbiased means of protection for the Conclave - to intervene if fighting among the templars and mages broke out. All the members that came with Asaala had either been killed in the explosion or fallen to the demon horde. Asaala had lived, vowing to find whoever was responsible for the events that led to the death her company.
It was mid-afternoon during the first of our spars together. As I panted for breath, I glared at her. She was both terrifying and beautiful to behold. She was baring her teeth as we sparred, her canine teeth fanged, frustration with my perceived unwillingness to fight.
"You are weak and full of excuses," she barked as she knocked me to the ground for the hundredth time since we began.
"I'm not full of excuses," I panted, my muscles shaking as I picked myself up.
"Then fight!" she growled, she whacked me with the wooden rod again.
"I can't! I don't know how!" I yelled, getting back up.
"Excuse!" She whacked me again.
"I can't!" I screamed, tears pricking my eyes as I stood.
"Excuse!" Whack.
"I can't!" I sobbed, coming up on a knee.
"Weak!" Whack.
"I'm not!" Not rising this time.
"Then fight." Whack.
"I can't!" I screamed at the ground as I held myself up on my shaking hands.
"Excuse." Whack.
"I CAN'T!" I bellowed, moving in a blur to grab the wooden rod before it hit me again.
With surprising strength, I ripped it from her hand before throwing it to the ground. As I did, I released my rage and sorrow at my weakness while simultaneously feeling my mana radiate from me in a powerful burst. When I opened my eyes, I found Asaala feet away from where she had been. She must have jumped to avoid the giant ice spike that had jutted out of the ground where her throat had been seconds ago. I opened my mouth to apologize, but she held up a hand to silence me.
A genuine smile spread across her face, "Good. Now we begin. First, however, you need new clothes and armor. You no longer belong to the Circle."
She pointed at my Circle robes which had become tattered and dirty, the armor she had dressed me in too cumbersome to move in for daily use so I had given it back. She motioned for me to follow her. My legs shook as I did and she handed me the wooden rod to use for support. I breathed my thanks.
"This is the only time I will let you do this. After today, you must embrace the pain."
I nodded my understanding and felt that she was talking about more than just my physical pain. We walked the path leading back to the main village of Haven. We had been out in a clearing in the woods nearby, the few druffalo the Inquisition owned our only company. The clang of swords grew louder as we approached. However, it was not the usual noise of the recruits. A wide ring had formed around Cullen and his second-in-command, Rylen, who was now titled 'Captain'. They were dueling in the middle.
Asaala motioned for me to stop, "Sit and observe, I will return."
Grateful to be able to rest, I found a spot amongst the others and sat. I was taken aback at the grace and quickness with which Cullen and Rylen moved. Their swords and shields were like extensions of their bodies, moving so fluidly with them. They would crash together, their swords clanging or shields slamming and just as quickly they would break apart. I noticed that both of them wore broad smiles, could hear as they sportingly mocked each other. My heart skipped a beat watching Cullen, he seemed truly in his element.
"I don't know about you, but I'd happily take a roll in the hay with either one of them," one of the female recruits muttered to me as Rylen let out a breathless laugh.
She laughed at the look I gave her, "Don't look at me like that. I know you were thinking the same thing. Though, you'd probably have better luck with the Commander than I would - I hear he has a thing for elves," she wiggled her blond brows suggestively, her blue eyes alight with humor and mischief.
"I was not thinking the same thing," I argued, "I was admiring their skill."
She gave a derisive snort. Cullen and Rylen had stopped sparring, now addressing the recruits, but they looked in our direction at the sound.
"Something you want to add, Recruit Heeley?" Rylen asked agitatedly in his thick Starkhaven accent. He had been in the middle of explaining something.
"No, ser. The elf here was just admiring our Commander is all," she said as she stood and saluted.
I looked at her in horror and then looked at Cullen, who's lips were in a thin line as he avoided my gaze.
"Silence, stupid girl. Meira was embarrassed by your lewd comments about your superiors," Asaala's growl issued from behind me.
Heeley gasped at the giant as she towered over her, but didn't admit her lie as she said, "Qunari scum, why should we believe you? Between you and the knife-ear -"
Heeley didn't get a chance to finish her insult, Asaala had whacked her across the face with the wooden rod I had put down behind me. The recruit let out a cry as blood gushed from her obviously broken nose.
"You're a disgrace," Asaala said with deathly calm, baring her teeth.
"That's enough," Cullen commanded, I winced at the tone of his voice and noticed a few other recruits did too, "Heeley, latrine duty for the next two days. Adaar same for you, best learn some self-control instead of solving every issue by hitting people. Lavellan, latrine duty as well."
He looked at me, I could tell he was sorry, but he had to do it. I could be shown no special treatment. I nodded.
"Three laps for everyone, get moving!" he shouted, "Heeley, Adaar, Lavellan - hold a moment."
I noticed many glares aimed towards me, Heeley and Asaala. Cullen waited for the others to start running before approaching us, "Heeley, get running."
"Sir, what about my nose?" she pleaded.
"See Bethany after. A broken nose and blood are the least of your worries when you're on an actual battlefield."
Heeley took off running, muttering under her breath.
Cullen smirked before he glanced up at Asaala, "I can't have you breaking all of my recruits."
She bared her teeth, "That one had it coming. She's been trouble from the start."
"Next time, can you spar with her instead of just breaking her nose? At least she'll get some experience out of it."
"Duly noted, Commander," she saluted, sardonically.
"Keep an eye on the girl, make sure she doesn't push too hard or pass out."
Asaala nodded and walked off to join the others.
Cullen stared at me, shifting a little, before starting to walk. He motioned for me to follow, "You're needed by Minaeve."
"I didn't say anything to her about you," I murmured as I caught up to him, breaking the silence.
"I suppose I'm a little disappointed," he stated.
"I completely understand," I nodded, trying my best to ignore the sinking feeling in my heart, "I won't let something like that happen again."
"I half-hoped you had been admiring me," he smirked as I felt my body grow hot from head to toe, my cheeks heated in a blush, "That is to say, my fighting skills," Cullen quickly added, blushing himself, "I hope you'll be...that skillful...soon."
"As you say, Commander," I chuckled.
Cullen rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding my gaze.
...
We reached the cabin on the outskirts of the village, which had become the place for Minaeve to dissect and study the demon carcasses. Her prior spot too small and too close for Josephine's liking.
"I am grateful that your work has helped us not lose as many soldiers to the foul things," Cullen stated.
"As am I, we work as quickly as we can to get you the information. Minaeve is very skilled. Are we still planning on a vigil for the fallen?"
We had yet to be able to pay our respects to those that had been lost.
"Yes, as soon as your sister is able to be present. It would be important for the so-called 'Herald' to be among the mourners."
"You don't believe she's the Herald?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure what to think. I am simply glad the Mark closes the rifts. That's what is most important to me; I don't have the luxury to mull over the religious aspects of it at this time."
"But you do believe in the Maker?"
"Yes," he said fervently as he looked up to the sky before looking at me, "As do you, yes?"
"Yes."
"I must admit, it still surprises me."
"Because I'm an elf?"
"Yes, and given your sister's devotion to the Elven gods..."
"I am not my sister," I grumbled.
"I am starting to realize that," Cullen let out a chuckle, his eyebrows raised at my tone.
"Sorry."
"No need to apologize. Well, I'll leave you to it."
Cullen gestured to the cabin before turning back towards the village. I knocked on the door before entering and nearly fell backwards in shock. The upper half of a pride demon was splayed on the ground of the main room.
"What in the Maker's name?" I gasped.
I heard Cullen laugh as he walked away, before I heard scuffling inside the cabin.
"Wh - Neria, I mean Meira! Come here, come here!" Minaeve eagerly waved me towards her.
Once again, she was covered in black blood. Yet, she wore a broad smile.
"I'm so glad the Commander and his recruits were able to drag this down here. You'll never guess what I found."
She spent the next hour explaining some weakness she had found in the demon's thick hide, plus it's weaknesses to certain magics. She had me help her further dissect the creature, finding oddities in its anatomy.
"I'm sorry I haven't been around to help as much. Between helping Bethany and training, I don't have much extra time. It's unfair to you, as you need help as well," I stated.
"It's not just your help, it's nice having your company. I do have the other Tranquil to help, which gives them purpose and eases my burden, but I'm still ultimately responsible for communicating our findings in a way that the others can understand. Neither the Tranquil or I am very good at that as you know. Plus, you're much better at drawing than I am," with a laugh she held up her most recent attempt at capturing the demon's detailed characteristics.
We both laughed. Minaeve looked at me seriously after, sadness and understanding in her brown eyes.
"What is it?" concern lacing my question.
"I just...I was raised Dalish," she began, "I don't know if ever told you that. Bethany told me what happened between you and your clan. The same thing happened to me - I was seven years old. The templars saved me as well."
"I am so sorry, Minaeve," I murmured, placing my hand gently on her arm.
There was a knock on the door before Bethany entered.
"Do you need any help?" she asked.
"We just finished, but you're welcome to join us," Minaeve waved a hand towards the empty stool near us.
Bethany sighed when she sat.
"Any news on Ellana?" I asked as I began redrawing Minaeve's attempts after cleaning myself up.
"Not yet, it takes a day and half to walk to our camp just outside the Crossroads where Mother Giselle was last seen."
"I'm just surprised someone from the Chantry is willing to talk to Ellana, as she's a declared heretic."
"We'll see what she has to say, granted that Ellana gets to her in time."
"I don't suppose we can afford horses?"
"No," Bethany shook her head, "We can barely afford basic medicinal supplies or meat. Any supplies we have gotten, has been from the recruits that have brought what they can or those that have died. I fear at this point we'll be over before we've begun."
"Is no one able to hunt? Able to gather plants?"
"We only have a few bows, though Harritt is smithing more from the trees that fell after the explosion. We are the only ones that know healing plants versus poisonous ones, but we're all needed here," she sighed, irritably.
"I suppose I'll just add that to the list of things to do," I chuckled, sarcastically.
"What do you mean?" Bethany asked.
"If we can't afford to buy these things, we're going to have to go find them for ourselves."
"How are you going to hunt?" Minaeve asked.
"Maybe not me, but perhaps Cullen would consider hunting as practice for the recruits? While they're hunting, I'll see if Cullen can have them gather what we need. Just make me a list, Bethany, I'll make drawings."
For a moment, Bethany and Minaeve just looked at me.
"What?" I implored.
"Nothing, it's just...how are you so calm and optimistic?" Bethany asked.
"I'm not either of those things, but no one is going to help an organization they think is heretical. Even if we did stop the Breach, even if we have been the only ones doing anything since the explosion at the Conclave. There are things that need to be done and no one else is going to do them for us. I see what can be done to help, so I help, if I can," I shrugged.
We spent the rest of our time listing out what we needed for supplies that we could gather. My fingers were covered in ink from drawing out figures of the various plants Bethany said would be useful. Minaeve explained what animals were plentiful locally and would have the most meat. She described what they looked like and I drew figures, correcting them until Minaeve was content with their likenesses. I drew copies so we would have more than one to distribute. It would have been so much easier if we'd had tomes on the subjects, but books in Haven were few and mostly Chantry related.
"Alright, I will take these and speak with Cullen," I gathered all of the parchment into a neat pile and stood, placing them in my satchel.
"First though, latrine digging," I grimaced.
Bethany and Minaeve laughed their apologies as they left the cabin, heading to the tavern for dinner. The sun was setting as I headed towards the unmistakable stench of the latrines, placed far from the lake and a short ways out from the village. Minaeve had given me a thick scarf to tie around my nose and mouth to help block the smell.
I spotted Asaala and Heeley already digging in the light of the fires that had been lit to help us see our work and for those who needed to relieve themselves in the night hours. I grabbed a shovel and plunged it into the dirt. It was tiring work. Soon my back was slick with sweat, my muscles reaching a level of soreness I'd never felt before. Blisters formed on my hands, the unforgiving wood of a shovel easily breaking my soft skin.
Heeley began swearing halfway through her hole, angry tears streaming down her face. Asaala didn't seemed phased by the digging, having dug two trenches to our halves of one.
At this Heeley threw down her shovel, "Look, I'm sorry for what I said alright. It was stupid, ignorant and vile. I'm just so...frightened," she admitted, "Making fun of others, getting people to laugh - it takes the edge off. Not that it's right."
I looked up at her, her face was red with either embarrassment or the exercise of digging, but she stared right into my eyes.
"I understand, thank you for the apology."
She nodded and turned to pick her shovel up, but Asaala handed it to her without a word before turning back to her own work. We worked well into the night, Heeley - who's first name was Amelia - and I's hands were bleeding and raw from the blisters by the time the sky started to lighten with the coming of dawn.
"We are finished," Asaala stated, "Get a few hours sleep while you can."
Amelia and Asaala headed for the tents on the outside of the village when I turned to head inside toward the cabin. I passed out on my cot, too tired and sore to change.
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