What waited for them in Redcliffe was… odd, to put it lightly.
A Tevinter magister was awaiting their arrival and wished to speak to Grace directly. She never even thought to ever see one, Maker forbid even meeting one. An obvious trap.
Despite that fact, Grace decided to take the leap and talk to the man alone. Cassandra, Varric, and Solas waited outside at the front door of Gull and Lantern inn, ready to intervene should there be any suspicious sound from the inside.
She felt a shiver of uncertainty as she entered the tavern and felt even more weirded out after she met the rest of the party outside, a few dozens of minutes later. The magister only wished to speak to her. He spoke of the possible cooperation. In the meantime, she found out the Grand Enchanter Fiona surrendered the whole mage rebellion under the leadership of Tevinter magister. She felt furious about that. How could the leader of the rebellion be so irresponsible? There were many mages who joined Fiona's cause because they wished to be free. To make a difference. Grace felt disgusted by the fact she sold them out as cattle.
Before the dangerous atmosphere of her dialogue with Magister Alexius reached its peak, the Magister's son Felix pushed a small crumpled note into her palm secretly as he pretended to faint. There was something off with the guy and the way his Tevinter father treated him. She figured that the young man was ill. Before they parted, Alexius announced to her that he wished to meet with her at the Redcliffe castle which was occupied and used by the mage rebellion.
Back at the camp, they sat by the fire with Varric and Cassandra. Solas went already to wander the Fade.
Grace stared at the note.
You are in danger, meet me at the chantry after dawn. It's a matter of the highest urgency.
-D.P.
"What do you think?" She looked at Varric and Cassandra.
"What if it's part of the setup?"
Varric shook his head. "Why would he risk sneaking the note in front of his crazy father's eyes."
"That is exactly what I was thinking." Grace agreed. "They could have captured or killed me right away. Why lure me to the Chantry of all things. The Tavern was completely empty. We have to meet the magister. We need to free the mages. They fought to be free, only to be let down by their own leader. This is not fair. Not after all they have been through." She paused for a moment. "There are children among the rebels. For maker's sake. Fiona handed them all out on the first occasion."
Cassandra put away the cloth with which she was polishing her sword. "We will head there together after sundown."
When they entered the Chantry after dark, Grace looked around very carefully. It was a quiet and humble building, standing at the very end of the village on a small hill, overlooking Lake Calenhad.
A tall elegant mage in an extravagant Tevinter-style robe stepped out of the shadows, followed by Alexius's son, whom she met before. The mage was very well groomed, his brown hair and small mustache complimented his tan skin and sparkling clever eyes.
Grace intuitively pulled her magic together, ready for any form of attack.
"Herald. There's no need to worry. I did not summon you here to attack you. Dorian of house Pavus. At your service."
The mage who sent the note smiled at Grace charmingly.
He and the magister's son Felix explained to them something about time magic and she listened to him with a resigned look on her face.
The Tevinter magister Alexius and a cult who called themself Venatori were obsessed with Herald of the Andraste. They twisted the time itself to arrive at Redcliffe before her.
"Did I mention that everything that happens to you, Spectre, is just… weird? I might even write a book about it. Inquisition: This shit is weird." Varric grumbled behind her as he shook his head.
The mage looked amusedly at Varric. "Then maybe we really were destined to meet each other!"
Grace couldn't help herself but smirk at the theatrical way Dorian expressed himself. He reminded her of her older brother. The last time she saw him was a few months before The Circle took her. Tristan trained to take a place in the Templar order and he left to be educated at Kirkwall. She often wondered whether they would meet again.
He always had a witty response and often teased her when they were children.
She looked at Dorian. "So, you are saying that for some reason, they are so obsessed with me that Alexius made a tear in the time to get here?" She adjusted the glove on her marked hand carefully. "When did they get here then? And why?"
"We got here a few weeks after the Conclave explosion. My father keeps saying something about getting things right and he means to achieve it through you somehow. The meeting at the castle is a trap."
Cassandra folded her arms. "But what is the purpose of that?"
Dorian shrugged. "Something evil? But I suppose it's not necessary to point that out."
Cassandra frowned. "We should discuss this with Leliana and Cullen. This might be used to our advantage…"
"Alexius tried to hide it, but I had the feeling that he's not planning to let the mages help us from the beginning." Grace pinched the bridge of her nose. "So… Now what? We head back to Haven? Again?"
Solas surprisingly joined the debate. "I agree with The Seeker. If Alexius wishes to set up a trap, we need to use it to our advantage."
"We already have some of our troops in The Crossroads. Can't we meet up there? The Commander and Leliana can both join us. It would take less time than going back and forth."
"That is a good idea, Herald." Cassandra nodded.
Grace sighed. "Okay. Let me write a message to Haven…"
Sister Leliana, Commander,
The reason I am writing this is that we came across some… difficulties concerning Redcliffe Castle and a Tevinter cult magister. I really don't know how to do this official stuff. Cassandra will scold me anyway.
I'm afraid that full support of our troops in the shortest possible time is needed and I suppose your personal attendance is required as well on this matter.
In the meantime, we plan to approach the Grey Warden Sister Leliana mentioned. He should be stationed not far from The Crossroads. Some local people claim to have met him and that he sports a rather… extravagant beard. Let's hope the beard is the only extravagant quality of his. We are getting quite tired of extravagance these days.
We will enlighten you further at your arrival. Travel safely.
Regards,
Grace
—-
The table in the upper camp was surrounded by the council as the sun came down and it's golden shafts touched the leaves of nearby trees. The Crossroads were still buzzing with activity down at the valley, smoke was rising from the fire pits and a smell of sizzling meat and fish spread through the settlement.
"Alexius wants me. They definitely won't let us in with any guards." Grace played with her choker, nervously glancing at The Commander.
Cullen paced back and forth in front of the table they were standing around. They had been at this for a good hour already. "This is pure madness. You cannot possibly think about sending The Herald straight into their open arms!"
Excuse me!? Grace thought. He was completely ignoring her from the beginning. Yet she felt his presence so close to her side as he stopped and they stood next to each other, it made her shiver.
"Cullen, we have discussed this." Cassandra groaned.
"Don't tell me that you approve of this plan. Entering the castle without reinforcements makes no sense." Grace glanced at him again. His face was desperate.
"Cullen, we need to use the moment of surprise. That is our only chance." Cassandra noted and crossed her arms.
"I refuse to let you in without reinforcements. There must be a way."
Grace shifted her weight. "Old Castles usually have supply entrances, old secret tunnels, sewers… there must be some old passage which we can use to get our troops inside."
A moment of silence ensued.
Leliana lightened up suddenly. "Wait… that is true. How could I have forgotten! There is a secret passage leading to the castle. We can sneak my agents in and Cullen's men might guard the front gate."
Cassandra looked at Leliana quizzically. "A secret passage?"
"It leads from the old mill. We used it during the Blight when Dorothy and Alistair saved the Arl."
"I would not recommend that. Alexius had the entrances sealed." Everyone's head turned to see the person who just spoke out. Dorian was leaning against the nearest tree, watching them bicker. He straightened and moved closer. "Luckily, you have me and I will gladly dispose of said enchantments. I am the one who designed them after all."
Cullen frowned and folded his arms. "This is a closed meeting."
"Oh, is it? Then go ahead, I bet you will be happy to see your men die in agony while their flesh melts off when they trigger the magical traps." He grinned at Cullen and ran a hand on the corner of his perfectly styled mustache.
Cullen kept his frown on, but did not reply.
Leliana nodded. "It makes the most sense. It is settled then. My agents and Pavus will sneak inside and Herald with Cassandra, Varric and Sera will enter the castle tomorrow."
"So Trevelyan would act as a distraction…We cannot possibly order you to do this… We still can approach the Templars." Cullen eased his posture a little and looked at Grace.
"I will go. No orders needed. It is decided."
Cullen nodded unwillingly and side eyed Dorian as he spoke out.
"Marvelous!" Dorian smiled brightly. "Where can I get wine over here?" He turned at Grace and winked. "And I of course require someone to keep me company. Care to join me, Herald?"
"I can show you around, sure. If you abandon the damned title. Though I'm not so sure about the wine..." She smiled at Dorian, eager to leave the meeting already. "Is there another matter to discuss, or are we done for today, Cassandra?"
"I don't suppose there's anything more to discuss, now that we have a plan." The Seeker shrugged and watched Grace nod in reply, muttering a short 'See you all later then.' and take her leave with Dorian by her side. Cassandra looked at Cullen who was staring at Grace's back.
"I don't like the mage. It's all too convenient, don't you think?" He snarled.
Leliana adjusted her cape. "I plan on sending my best agents with him and coming with them too. Should he try anything, it won't take too long until we're done with him."
"He makes my skin crawl. The way he talks and moves around…"
"And especially the way he does it around our Lady Herald, huh!?" Leliana smirked and narrowed her eyes at him.
"What if he's dangerous?"
Cassandra put a hand on Cullen's metal clad shoulder. "Trust me Commander. I have seen her in action. He would not want that kind of trouble."
"It almost feels like you have other concerns regarding Grace and him." Leliana's smile widened when she noticed Cullen's neck and ears turn red. She exchanged all knowing looks with Cassandra.
"She is our only key to solving this mess… that is it." He frowned and crossed his arms to hide his rising nervousness. "Excuse me, ladies. I need to instruct my captains regarding tomorrow..."
And with that, to avoid further teasing, he hurried down to the valley, carefully looking around, trying to catch a glimpse of Grace and Dorian. He gritted his teeth when he finally got a clear view of them by the small improvised tavern that was run by refugees. They were standing side by side, talking to the refugee who ran the place, laughing about something. Dorian's arm was touching the small of her back casually. Cullen felt a tug in his chest, as he forced himself to look away and he made his way towards the soldiers' encampment.
Hours after the sun came down Cullen lay in his tent, trying to fall asleep. It was all the same - before every battle he's been to. Not that he wanted for it to turn into one, but his body expected anything. The sleep came to him very hesitantly. He usually had to lay for countless hours, staring at the tarp of the tent. Today, it was different… The sight of Grace leaving with Dorian was still before his eyes. She did not even take a look at him… And why would she? Cullen scoffed internally. The only impression he has made so far was his anti-mage approach and talking about her as if she was incompetent.
What was he even expecting? He groaned and got up to get his belt and sword case and walked out of the tent. He needed to remain professional, but there was still something in him, gravitating towards her. Sure, she was good looking, that was undeniable, but it was the way everybody talked about her which made him want to get closer. Her kindness, and level headedness. Her sense of humor…
The camp was quiet, the only people awake were the patrols he set up in the evening. Cullen nodded to a passing group and decided to walk around. The village in the valley was completely quiet except for a few drunk refugees by the central cottage, the night was calm and sky was clear. It was surprisingly warm for an early spring night. He made his way around the village, clearing his head. As Cullen walked back to the upper camp, he watched the cliffs on which the upper camp stood.
The cliff offered a nice view of the valley and was drenched in moonlight, so he decided to head up and sit there for a moment.
He carefully moved the low hanging branches of the trees surrounding the area and almost jumped when he noticed a female figure wrapped in a huge light-colored scarf, sitting on the log near the cliff edge. Her back was propped against the rock behind her and she was staring into the distance. She looked like a mirage.
His breath caught in his throat when he recognized her. Her hair was let down, so the white was almost unnoticeable and it was flying loosely in the light breeze. A branch crunched under his foot and she turned her head, startled by the sound. He could feel the tug in a Veil and her gathering her magic to defend herself… Now was the time to do something quickly if he didn't wish to end up electrocuted.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." He whispered.
"Commander." She quietly said recognizing him, her voice trembling a little.
"What are you doing here?" Grace asked him, lightning still dancing on her fingertips.
"I couldn't sleep so I decided to get some fresh air… I might ask you the same question…"
She finally eased her posture, the magic disappearing as she stared at Cullen and she got up.
"Guess we have the same problem… But I was planning to get back already anyway…"
"Oh, no… you don't have to leave on my behalf." He held out his arms with open palms and let it fall again."Well… unless you mind me joining you?"
"You'd want to…?" She bowed to pick up the scarf, sat down back again and pushed a lock behind her ear tilting her head as if she heard wrong and grinning ironically.
"I.. uh... Would you?" He rubbed his neck.
"I… guess there's no harm in that." She shrugged, wrapped the brocade scarf back around her shoulders as she moved her body so there was enough space on the log for him to sit next to her. Grace finally gave herself a moment to take a better look at Cullen while he approached her. He was wearing a black linen shirt with loosened lacing by the neck, simple leather pants and his ever present fur mantle and a sword of course. He looked tired as always. The log slightly moved when he sat next to her, far enough so their bodies did not touch. However, not so far at all… Grace could feel the heat radiating from his body and there was a hint of bergamot in the air.
"So… how do you feel about tomorrow?" He asked her quietly.
"I don't know… My mind is running every possible scenario over and over again…" She crumbled the overhanging scarf in her lap and stared into the valley.
"We will have your back." He simply replied and shifted a little.
They sat together silently for a few minutes when Grace pulled her knees up and rested her chin on them, hugging her legs with both hands. Her hair fell from behind her ears like a silk curtain and she broke the silence with a sigh.
"It's such a mess…"
"I know… It seems so. Yes." Cullen nodded absently.
"… Everything is getting so intense." She whispered. "The war, the Conclave… a hole in the sky… demons… and now a Tevinter cult?"
Cullen replied quietly. "Intense. I would not describe it better… I still find it hard to believe that there is time magic involved. One would think that regular magic is enough…"
Grace frowned and shifted nervously."Listen… If you stayed here to give me another lecture…"
He sighed in response. "It always sounds like I am doing that, doesn't it…"
"Yes it does." A moment of silence followed.
"You need to know why. As I have already told you… I was serving in Kirkwall Gallows during the rebellion. The things I saw during that time… I'm trying hard not to let it cloud my judgement. Abominations in the streets… mages turning because of the circumstances pushed them… All of the rotten leadership of Meredith and her exaggerated fear… Apparently I'm failing miserably." He chuckled bitterly.
She suddenly felt as if her blood froze. Kirkwall?! He was a second in command to that monster Meredith? Now that made sense. Cruelty of Meredith Stanard and the stories of the Kirkwall Circle massacre were well known to her. It all started there. The rebellion, the war. If you prod long enough, anyone would break. Would that also mean he followed her orders? Tortured mages? She remembered the horrible stories everyone told after Kirkwall circle fell… but he wouldn't be able would he?! He seemed like a decent man… She finally inhaled sharply. "Yes, you seem very one sided."
"Hmm… But there is another side to that coin. During my time in Kirkwall I have also met people who convinced me that being one-sided is often wrong."
"But still, you don't trust mages…"
"As I said… All I can do is try… You… set a trustworthy example. Even though a part of me tells me to be cautious around any magic… I do trust you."
She turned her gaze at Cullen and stared in disbelief for a moment.
"Really? I'm surprised you think that." She played with the edge of the scarf.
He sighed. "We have to be very careful… We cannot afford to lose you."
She rested her chin back on her knees, staring at the distance and then her gaze turned to examine her glowing palm.
"Oh yeah… All because of this Maker-forbidden thing." The mark flickered a little, as if the remark offended it. Cullen looked at her hesitantly. "Does it hurt?"
"Not anymore… well… most of the time. It got much better after The Breach stabilized…" There were things he did not need to know. That anyone didn't need to know. Like how her arm felt numb after closing each rift… how the mark caused her hand to spasm in pain every time she cast her own spells, or how it woke her in the middle of the night.
He moved a bit closer to see better, and now their arms were slightly brushing against each other. That little touch made his heart race. He remained silent, afraid his voice would shake. The lingering smell of ozone in the air mixed with a hint of a tea rose was brought to him by the breeze.
"It reminds me of fade whisps. Beauty and danger in one package." She whispered.
"So, if it's not hurting, what does it actually feel like?"
"I guess it's not that foreign to me now... I'm getting used to it. It doesn't feel like anything if it's not active. It just… exists there. Like now. You can touch it if you want to…" She moved the palm closer, for him to see and their knees touched, as she turned slightly to almost face him as she held out the marked palm.
Cullen hesitated for a moment, but then he turned to face her too, breaking the touch. He looked at her, silent question in his eyes, waiting for a confirmation.
"You don't have to, if you are afraid…" She whispered and smirked.
He finally took his both hands, cupping her small one in them, maintaining a feathery contact. To her surprise he wasn't wearing his gloves. His coarse thumbs brushed against her marked palm, hesitantly at first. He could feel the magic coursing through her palm. It was tingling on his skin. Her hand was silky and trembling slightly.
He raised his gaze, never letting go of her hand and his heart skipped a beat when their eyes met. He could drown in that gaze.
Grace's breath quickened a little as his thumbs brushed her palm again ever so slightly. His touch was warm, compared to her cold hands. She could feel her heart in her throat and thanked the surrounding darkness for hiding her blush. The intensity of the moment created goosebumps all over her body.
Cullen whispered quietly, breaking the silence. "He asked for you specifically. He's waiting for you… Please be careful tomorrow."
She grinned in pretense confidence and narrowed her eyes, in an attempt to downplay his remark with humor "And there we go again. Where's that trust, you earlier proclaimed so valiantly, Commander…" but her voice cracked when he squeezed her hand.
"Just be careful, that's all I ask, Herald… Standing outside is not going to be pleasant… I'd rather…"
"We will be fine, Commander." She closed her hand on his fingers, never breaking the stare. "And it's Grace…" She added almost inaudibly.
Cullen felt the urge to pull her in his arms to close the small distance between them. He felt his body react vigorously and took a deep breath. But it seemed like he was not the only one battling the need to reach for the comfort that the embrace offered. Or was it just wishful thinking? They remained silent, her hand in his. Grace finally broke the stare and cleared her throat. "Ahem… I guess we both need to at least try getting some sleep. Let's follow my trustworthy example…"
Cullen let go of her hand, clearing his throat too.
"Yes, right. Let me walk you to your tent."
"And they say Chivalry is dead." She joked quietly, giggling.
"After you, my Lady."
"Thank you, Commander."
They walked side by side, their arms brushing from time to time, before exchanging quiet "Goodnight," when they separated to head to each of their tents. Later that night Grace stared at the tarp above her and traced her palm with her fingers, recalling his touch. She turned to her side, curled up in her bedroll and closed her eyes tightly, feeling a little relieved. They will make it. Whatever happens tomorrow, they will be alright.
—-
Grace breathed heavily as forked lightning materialized itself around her hand. Leliana's agents already killed the Venatori guards who were positioned around the throne room and a rain of spells of the remaining Venatori suddenly erupted around them. She glanced left to right. It almost seemed like time slowed down. Alexius stood by the throne and pulled something out of his pocket.
She heard Dorian shout desperately.
"The amulet! No!"
Both of them rushed towards Alexius to stop him, but a huge whirling portal appeared in front of her and Dorian, who just gathered his energy to mind blast Alexius. It all happened in milliseconds and they got swallowed by the blackish blue of the portal. A burst of colors appeared in front of Grace's eyes as she felt the pull of the magical transportation twisting her innards. Then nothing, only blackness swallowing her and carrying her away.
—-—
Drip… drip…
Not this again.
Grace reached for her head as a ravenous headache threatened to rip her skull open.
No chains this time. Good. Or is it really?
She opened her eyes slowly to see concerned Dorian kneeling above her.
"I'm glad you decided to join me again." His voice was warm, but sounded very worried nonetheless.
Grace looked around. They were in a damp dark dungeon. It smelled of mold, the air around them was stale and red lyrium crystals were poking from the corners of the surrounding walls.
"Where are we?" She asked quietly, her voice raspy as she got back on her feet.
Dorian sighed. "Still the Redcliffe Castle I'm afraid, dear. The right question would be 'When'…"
"You mean Alexius sent us through time?!"
"We messed up his spell. I suspect he was planning to send you even further…"
"… so I don't exist and am not able to meddle with that Elder One's plan…"
Dorian nodded and grinned. "I'm glad that your exquisite wits are unharmed."
Grace got up frantically. "We need to find the rest of our people. What became of them?"
"They probably stayed back in the 'present' whenever it was from here… the portal was designed to swallow you specifically. Not two people, and definitely not more of them. Me and you were the closest to it."
"We need to get back! Can that spell be reversed?" She paced around the cell, trying to calm herself down.
"I have a theory. It might work, but we have to get to the amulet."
"Yes. It would be rude to let Alexius wait after all… he so wants to see me!" She pouted and Dorian chuckled.
They searched through the red lyrium encrusted Castle dungeons. It was demolished, some parts flooded, some caved in… in between that mess they managed to come by Grand Enchanter Fiona, who was beyond help… Sharp lyrium crystals were swallowing - no - growing out from her body. She only managed to tell them that more than a year went by from the Herald's disappearance. The Venatori had won. Their leader, The mysterious Elder One, who was firstly mentioned to them by Alexius, succeeded with his plan to throw the nation into chaos. He ruled over the world, which was torn asunder by the re-opened Breach which swallowed the whole sky.
They searched the dungeons to find Varric, Cassandra, Sera… all terribly infected by the red lyrium, Sera beyond help as well. No sign of Vivienne, Solas or Blackwall however. Grace fought back tears of anger and desperation the further they got.
Their freed friends were able to share more details with them. The Elder one assassinated the Empress of Orlais and chaos ensued. The other part of his plan was fulfilled throughout the Grey Wardens who threw themselves under the Cult's order. They raised an army of demons. The entire army to overthrow southern kingdoms. It was a living nightmare.
There were Venatori patrols all over the upper levels of dungeons. Grace's magic was fueled by desperation and it crackled dangerously around them every time they encountered an enemy. The crazed Soldiers made a difficult foe, but they managed to clear the dungeon as well as the upper levels. She got more desperate by every room they found either empty, or full of enemies. There was no sign of him. Cullen was nowhere to be found. However, they found Leliana, who had been horribly tortured during the past year. Her face was old and rugged, almost unrecognizable. Still, not even a trace of Cullen. She felt afraid to ask, but could not take it any longer.
"Is the Commander here? Leliana? Varric? We need to free him too."
Varric looked from Cassandra, to Leliana then to Grace and gulped. "They took him, Specter… the Venatori… when you and Sparkler disappeared into that portal, he charged into the castle with his troops. They bound him with a strange device, mentioning someone will be pleased by the gift… We have not heard of him ever since." Grace's chest felt hollow and she was starting to get dizzy. The touch of his hand burned in her palm as she recalled the previous night and tears pooled in her eyes.
"No. No, no no… This never happened. Dorian. We need to get to the amulet. Now." She clenched her gloved fists.
Leliana's expression was stern. "It may have never happened to you… but trust me when I say that we lived through these horrors. They are very real to us."
Grace's breath caught in her throat. "I won't allow this to be the reality. I will not. I refuse. Not while I'm still here. That sodding bastard will pay."
They proceeded to clear the upper levels of the castle and found out that Alexius was hiding in the throne room, locked behind a complex magical door. Luckily the shards needed to open the door were found on the bodies of the Venatori lieutenants. Only one remained.
Grace ignored the pain in her arm, which had been cut by one of the lyrium abominations. She was no healer afterall and knew only the basics of the art. Enough to patch a wound up, still not enough to heal it fully however. Solas has been a patient teacher, but her inclination towards destruction made the process even harder. The sleeve of her shirt hung bloody and cut open by her side as she stood before another ornate door. The last fragment had to be behind them. None of them expected what they found behind the heavy door.
The room was dark and damp. Full of red lyrium around the walls. There was only one small group of Venatori, stationed around a ragged table, but the sight she saw right behind them made her knees weak.
He was there. Chained to the wall by the wrists. His body was hanging loose in the chains, kneeling on the ground, his shoulders twisted unnaturally. Unkempt blonde patches of hair hung loosely in knots, just as messy as the beard on his face. He was malnourished, full of signs of torture. Only a shell of a man Grace remembered. She did not hesitate and struck two of the heavy-armored guards with chain lightning angrily. The third Venatori screamed in surprise and charged at them. Varric put two bolts right in the middle of the zealot's chest. She bolted towards Cullen's motionless body, tears, which finally broke free already running over her cheeks as the rest of the party finished the remaining enemies.
She looked around frantically, kneeling at Cullen's side. "Varric, can you pick the locks?" Desperation in her voice was clear. She finally got to him and started to cast the little healing spells she knew immediately.
The rusted locks gave in after a little effort and Cullen's unconscious body collapsed on the floor. She supported him and Cassandra helped her move him on his back. He was barely breathing, but alive.
Dorian rushed to her side and helped her channel healing energy but all she could look at was Cullen.
"We need potions. Somebody hand me the potions!" She barked the orders around, fished her last healing potion off her pouch and started to pour it into Cullen's mouth carefully and over the biggest burn marks on his chest. The potion was bubbling and foaming in the wounds as they closed.
Everyone stood around quietly, as she and Dorian tried their best.
"I'm sorry honey, I'm no healer… this is all I can do." Dorian whispered. Grace did not raise her gaze from the unconscious Commander, the tears still running like a waterfall.
"We have to try. Maker's breath, I'm not a healer either, but I'm trying…" She gritted between her teeth.
Cullen moved slightly and groaned a little.
"It's working. Hand me a lyrium potion." She downed the potion in one swig, her expression twisting on the metallic bitterness of the substance, but she did not stop casting.
Please… not now Templar. You cannot do this to me.
I'm not letting you go. Not like I let Ada and Lydia go.
Cullen's eyes slowly opened, and he gurgled something inaudible.
She felt as if her heart was about to hammer itself out of her chest. Her ragged breaths escaped her throat as she cast another wave of blue aura.
He finally looked at her, but something unexpected happened. His expression changed into pure horror. His arm flew up as he hit Grace into the face and shoved her away.
"Get away from me, demon!" He groaned as he fell down again. He was not strong enough and Dorian pushed his shoulders to the ground, not allowing him to move again. Grace crawled up to kneel again, pushing a hand to her bruised cheekbone. He fortunately missed her nose.
"Now now Commander, that is certainly not how you say thank you!" Dorian clicked his tongue sarcastically. And glanced at Grace to see how much he got her.
She quickly got up, not discouraged by his reaction. "You are safe now. I thought we'd never find you…"
Cullen struggled with Dorian and Cassandra who held him down now. "I'm not listening to your lies. You have the nerve to send her image again. Along with the rest of them? It won't work! She's gone. You cannot hurt me anymore with her."
Grace sat on the ground, staring at Cullen in disbelief, trying to think of anything that could help convince him. The torture had affected him hardly…
Leliana stepped forward, her voice resolute. "Cullen, look at me. We're no illusions. And we're making them pay for what they've done."
"The Herald was sent forward through time that day. She was sent here. Dorian can reverse the spell." Cassandra added. Cullen stopped struggling finally and turned to Grace slowly. She was still a few meters away, her eyes red and swollen.
"You're… really you? You're alive?" He whispered raspily.
She nodded in response, wiping away the newly formed tears.
"I've hurt you…"
"No, it's nothing. I can endure one black eye." She whispered quietly, staring in the clouded amber of his eyes. "We need to move… Can you walk?"
"Herald... Forgive me… they tortured me…"
"We know. You are safe now."
Dorian and Cassandra helped him up and handed him another healing potion.
Grace got up and nodded. "Do we have the last fragment? I think it's time to make things right again."
—
Everything was a blur. An unnatural roaring of demons was getting closer to the throne room. Alexius's body was laying on the ground lifeless and Dorian was casting a reverse spell sustaining a dark vortex around the amulet on the ground next to the throne. They did not have enough time. Leliana and Varric stood with the arrows ready and Cassandra waited at the door, which was already giving in under the powerful blows from the outside.
"Dorian?" She glanced back at him. "How much longer?"
"I don't know… I need a few more minutes!" He yelled back, downing a lyrium potion as sweat formed on his forehead.
Leliana growled. "As long as I have arrows you have the time."
The door suddenly gave in and demons and Venatori began pouring into the room. Cassandra charged with a vigorous roar at them, cutting every demon which got close enough.
Grace summoned a static wall over the door, slowing the enemies, but it was mostly ineffective as she was already too drained. She watched Cassandra's body being thrown back into the throne room, a gaping wound in her chest spoke clearly - she was dead. Cullen waited in front of her and Dorian.
"Get back. Fall back to Pavus." He snarled at her.
"I'm not letting you all die."
"If you are successful, none of this would happen. Fall. Back. I said I trusted you back there on that cliff. Now you need to trust me."
She did not have time to answer. A Venatori rogue materialized himself in front of her from the shadows. She growled and cast a lightning bolt at him, but he resisted most of it. Cullen charged at him, knocking the Venatori off his feet, but he jumped up back again swiftly, swinging his lyrium claws at Cullen, but his condition made him too slow. She watched the weapons open two huge gashes in his side and chest. Grace screamed as she bashed the rogue with her staff, sending down another lightning bolt. The rogue shrieked and lunged himself towards Grace, aiming for her chest, his lyrium mutated clawed daggery hands swinging in a huge arc. She backed up, but the rogue was faster. One of the daggers hit her face, not hurting the eye, but opening a vertical wound over it. She cried out in pain as blood blinded her. When she opened her unharmed eye, the rogue layed on the ground, a sword impaling his chest. Cullen was breathing heavily next to her. She turned to him, only to watch him collapse on the ground, staring at her. He was smiling.
"Go." He groaned as she kneeled above him, trying to stop the blood that poured out of his chest with her gloved hands.
"Cullen…"
He put a hand over her cheek, wiping the tears with his thumb. When she covered his hand with hers and leaned in to the touch, he gently cupped her fingers and pulled them to his lips, placing a soft kiss over them, a frothy blood pouring from the corner of his scarred mouth as he did so. "I couldn't ask for a better way to end this nightmare. I know you survived…"
She heard Dorian call out to her.
The portal was finally open. Dorian grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the dying Commander. She screamed, kicked, fought... Then there was nothing. Blackness pulled them inside and she landed on the hard carpeted ground with a thud.
Dorian stepped towards the surprised magister. "You'll have to do better than that!"
Cassandra, Iron Bull and Varric stared at them in disbelief.
Grace picked herself up from the ground, her face still bleeding profoundly. She wiped the blood off her eye and joined Dorian.
"Surrender the castle and we might let you live, Alexius."
Alexius looked left to right, visibly frightened and suddenly a dozen men in Fereldan royal guard armor marched into the throne room, followed by a fair-haired man.
Fiona stepped forward, shock and shame in her eyes. "King Alistair?"
—-
Cullen paced back and forth at the upper camp. Leliana and Cassandra stood silently by the table.
"You were there Seeker. How could you have agreed with such a decision?"
"Even though I don't agree fully, I respect it. Herald's job was to ensure the aid of mages. And she did that."
Grace stood at the table and watched him with indescribable sadness. Her eye was already healed by Solas and to her relief only a barely visible scar was left.
Cullen stopped pacing and lashed out at her.
"There will surely be abominations among the mages! What were you thinking?!"
Grace blinked at him, this, she did not expect…He continued.
"The mages as our allies?! The Veil is torn open, do you even realize the danger?! They were to be conscripted, considering what Grand Enchanter already did!"
Grace frowned. She felt drained. After they got back from the future there had been no time to rest. Her hands were shaking. Not even a few hours ago, she held him in her arms and watched him die for her. Maker, she hasn't even had time to change her clothes, meaning her clothes were still soaked with Cullen's blood. This was a completely different timeline, and her mind was confused by the outcome. The events of last evening were apparently forgotten.
She remembered the relief when she saw Cullen standing outside with their troops. Her heart raced as he rushed to her while she walked out of the main gate with Dorian and the rest of the party. She looked horrible, covered in blood, both her and his, so his terrified expression was understandable.
She assured him she was okay, and could not stop smiling at the sight of him alive and well.
However, the joy lasted only until they debriefed him on the situation. He stopped talking to her. Did not even look in her direction. She was not prepared for this. Not prepared that it would hurt so much. One of the reasons being that there was no way to explain shortly what happened back in the future. She remembered Dorian squeezing her arm through all that, he was the only one who saw what actually happened between her and Cullen, who had been giving her the silent treatment for the decision they told her to make.
And now she wished he remained silent.
Grace gathered all her remaining strength to reply calmly. "The mages are not responsible for Fiona's actions. I have already asked her to step down from the leadership."
"That does not justify anything! The risk of any of them turning is too high. You are endangering the whole Inquisition by this and I told you all that sending her to the castle was a mistake. Now we need to deal not only with a messed up reputation, but everybody is in danger. Do you realise that problems are inevitable this time?! We cannot let Herald make such decisions."
"We are not monsters, Commander." She gritted her teeth, anger rising in her veins. "I don't recall myself or any of our other mages seizing the first chance to get possessed."
Cullen looked furious. "Do I look like I want to discuss anything with you?! This is not a matter for discussion. We don't have enough Templars to supervise them. Don't you understand?! Even the most powerful mages might get possessed given these circumstances."
She had just enough of this. Her outburst was reminiscent of the sky before a storm. She spoke quietly, but her voice was grim and cold.
"You know what? I don't have to let you yell at me like I am one of your damn soldiers. You all entrusted me with this decision. And you said you trusted me yesterday, if I remember that correctly. My job was to get us mages so we can close that fucking gash in the sky. If you feel so entitled, maybe you should've gone into the castle yourself!" She took a deep breath. And clenched her fists.
"I'm so done with this. With everybody making me make these decisions, you especially, and treating me like a child when I don't meet everyone's expectations, Commander." Grace mindlessly clenched her bloody tunic.
"There are much more serious matters to attend to and all you can think of is your fear of my kind." She stepped towards him slowly, making him back up a step while she tore her glove off of her marked hand and shoved it into his face. "Remember this?! Well, sorry to disappoint, but you are stuck in this with a mage. It's about bloody time you dealt with that." She felt a static charge building around her hands and tears pooling in her eyes. "You were not there. You did not experience anything that I and Dorian did, so if you would kindly allow it, dear Commander, we should discuss the things that actually matter. The mages deserve the chance. If they ruin it, so let it be. I would deal with it myself, make it my responsibility. But nobody should be held accountable and suffer for the actions of their reckless leaders. I assume that YOU, of all people, should understand this, Commander." His face got a burgundy shade while he heard her say the last sentence.
They all stared at Grace, surprised by her outburst. The sparks were gone, but she was still breathing heavily, her eyes glassy, a single tear escaping from the corner of her partially healed black eye.
Cullen gulped. "I…l uh…"
"Nothing to add Commander? Try something about my incompetence, abominations and me ruining your Templar oriented Inquisition. You were so good at it earlier." She scoffed and sighed, fighting back tears of tiredness, anger and disappointment.
"Now that is just enough!" Cassandra slammed her fist on the table effectively interrupting another wave of arguments.
A moment of uncomfortable silence ensued.
"The Herald's right." Leliana nodded. "The wheel needs to be broken, the mages deserve the chance to redeem themselves, Cullen. And we need to look into the events you saw in this dark future… assasination of The Empress Celene? A demon army?…" Leliana sighed.
"I… I will set up watch duty for our Templars…" Cullen noted quietly and looked at Grace who was staring at the table. She looked as if she was about to burst into tears any moment.
"I agree. And we should get back to Haven, recuperate and begin to plan the assault on The Breach. Also, Josephine needs to secure a lyrium supply soon." Cassandra added.
"A voice of pragmatism speaks! Oh, and here I was, enjoying the circular arguments…" Dorian noted from his spot by the tree. "I'd love to see this Breach up close!" Grace smirked at him thankfully for easing up the atmosphere.
"So you're staying?"
"Didn't I tell you? The south is so rustic and charming… I adore it," Dorian purred. "And we might as well need to make sure that the future we've seen will not become a reality."
She was still on the verge of breaking into tears. "There's no one I'd rather be stranded in time with. Future or present."
Cullen squirmed at the way she said the last remark. "We will take the organizing of our troops and the mages to the war room at Haven." He looked at Grace. "Join us there. None of this would matter without you, afterall..."
She avoided his gaze and excused herself, being followed by Dorian.
Few hours later she was already settled on Eluvia's back, trotting towards the Frostbacks. She rode with Dorian by her side, talking about their past and about everything and nothing. Their shared adventure made them close, there was no debate.
Cullen rode with the troops in the back, maintaining a sight of Grace. He was sure he crossed the line there. She dealt with the problem with more competency and reason than was ever expected. It was clear to everyone that the events of the grim future had scarred her, but there was a creeping feeling in his mind that there was actually more to it than the Elder One's plan. He remembered the palpable hurt in her voice as she scolded him and it made him shiver. He knew he screwed up this time.