CHAPTER 8: Hero of Old
Cassandra's tent was bigger than she'd have liked it to be. When Cullen insisted she get her own, despite her protestations her preparations could be done inside the chantry, Josephine immediately backed him up. "Think of the image we want to send Seeker Pentaghast. We will not have one our inner circle doing their work in squalor," the diplomat had all but declared. Though a declaration from Josephine came with infuriatingly calm voice, and a surprisingly good blend of tea imported from Tevinter of all places.
So Cassandra was in her tent, just outside the gates of Haven. Cullen's was slightly smaller, and it was next to hers. The tent flap hid her; indeed, there was no designation that this tent belonged to her at all, but Cullen knew, and had ordered his lieutenants to leave it alone.
She could hear that girl from earlier, Lysette, milling about outside, in the middle of an argument with one of the other Templar recruits that they had fished out of the debris from the Temple of Sacred Ashes. The unknown Templar, who sounded like every petulant boy Cassandra had ever met, was begging Lysette to reconsider her allegiance to the Inquisition. Cassandra admirably restrained herself from stepping outside for a moment to throttle the young man, and was rewarded with a passionate defence of the Inquisition and indeed the Herald of Andraste herself by the vibrant Lysette.
Cassandra looked back down at her notes, and decided to not record what Yasmin said earlier. Yasmin…Cassandra shook her head in frustration. The girl–woman now, still managed to frustrate her just as easily as she had as a teenager training for her Vigil. Cassandra remembered a time Yasmin had broken a leg having fallen out of a tree to return a baby bird to its nest. She had been livid with the girl, all of eleven years old at the time, and scolded her about reaching for things beyond her means; both physically and in other aspects. Young Yasmin had weathered the scolding with a stubborn pout, utterly unconvinced that she was in the wrong.
Cassandra sat back in her chair and ran a hand through her hair, careful not to dishevel her circlet braid in pained contemplation. She had failed Yasmin. The girl had been alone, and scared, and FUCKING TRANQUIL FOR A YEAR, and Cassandra hadn't even inquired after her former charge. She had trusted Lucius and Lambert to handle things.
Cassandra shook her head and stood, pushing the chair behind her, the legs of it digging grooves in the dirt. Upon hearing what Yasmin had suffered, Cassandra felt as if the water underneath Haven's lake had replaced the blood in her veins. She felt responsible; and while she knew that Yasmin was well, now, the elder Seeker's heart broke for her former apprentice.
Yasmin had obviously not told them everything. She'd completely skirted around what it felt like to be Tranquil. Cassandra was wracking herself, trying to remember her own Vigil, tried to remember what it was like to be Tranquil; even if it was only for moments. Why didn't she remember something like that? If all Seekers were technically former Tranquil…perhaps the terrifying rumours coming out of the White Spire were true. The implications that there was a possible cure for Tranquillity would certainly have helped stoke the flames of discontent among the mages. A darker part of Cassandra thought, and why wouldn't they rise up against those who would so casually violate them. Wasn't Kirkwall's Gallows enough evidence that Templars in fact widely and wildly abused the Final Sanction that is the Rite of Tranquillity?
Cassandra let out a disgusted noise at her own failings. She didn't see the truth before. Didn't want to. She wasn't suddenly in full support of the mages, apostates now. She'd never forget the maleficarum who butchered her brother right in front of her. But she was not so blind to the failings of the Chantry as she was when she joined the Seekers at age thirteen so she could become strong enough to kill mages, to get vengeance for Anthony. Just like Yasmin now seeks vengeance for the Annulment of Dairsmuid, Cassandra thought with a shudder. She'd never been to Dairsmuid. She'd never seen an Annulment. She knew of course, that ten years ago, Kinloch hold had issued a request for an Annulment. She knew that Cullen, Leliana, Empress Celene's mysterious new Court Enchanter, and the Hero of Ferelden had all been in the thick of it. Apparently Wynne had died during that conflict. But no Annulment took place, the Wardens convinced the Knight Commander to rescind the request for the Rite, but only just.
Cassandra didn't miss Cullen's flinch and Leliana's almost flinch at the mere mention of Ferelden's Circle Tower. She'd have to ask about it later. Perhaps that night was well, important to why the pair seemed to hate each other.
About a hundred metres from where Cassandra's tent was, Yasmin was still in Harritt's cabin, pulling on her new armour. She grinned at the feel of it. She'd been wearing Templar armour for the last couple weeks to fit in with the Templars headed to the Conclave. After all the strangeness that surrounded the death of Lord Seeker Lambert van Reeves, showing up to the conclave in her own Seeker regalia was ill advised.
Yasmin took a moment to breath deeply for a few minutes, slowing everything down. She looked down at the armour she was to wear and smiled sadly. Yasmin wished she knew where Dagna was; the dwarf enchanter, or Arcanist, as Dagna insisted would love the innovation with armour set. Yasmin quietly chuckled to herself, thinking about the insane modifications Dagna would love to add on to an already splendid piece of art like this.
As Yasmin was pulling off her shirt, the door to the cabin opened and closed again. She turned around quickly; ready to annihilate the fool who would seek to take advantage of her in this state. "Minaeve asked me to come find you, Lady Herald. She said that she would like to talk to you before you depart for the Hinterlands on the morrow." The speaker was a pretty human woman with pale skin and dark hair. She was probably a couple years older than Yasmin, and she showed no awkwardness with catching the Herald with her top off. It only took one look for Yasmin to see why there was no sputtering of embarrassment from this trespasser.
Yasmin's mystery intruder was also Tranquil. The Sunburst Lyrium brand was an eerie red contrast to her pale forehead.
Yasmin's expression instantly softened. "I'm sorry you caught me in such a state of undress. I would very much rather you call me Yasmin. I would call you by your name as well, if you would like me to know it."
"Very well, Yasmin." the Tranquil woman responded blankly. "My name is Helisma Derington."
"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance Helisma," Yasmin said with a soft smile. Yasmin didn't bother to cover herself before approaching Helisma before very lightly putting a gentle hand on the woman's upper arm. "Thank you for seeking me out."
Helisma regarded the Herald with no warmth or coldness, just the eerie calm that typified her kind. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Helisma asked with a small furrow in her brow.
"Because I appreciate you, and work you do. Has anybody mistreated you or interfered with you in anyway since arriving here in Haven?" Yasmin asked tenderly.
"Thank you for your kind sentiment, Yasmin. But I do not require it to be efficient in my duties. No. Nobody has treated me badly since arriving here, and I have been unmolested in my work. Minaeve had words with Josephine and Leliana I believe, to ensure that myself and the rest of the Tranquil Minaeve managed to shepherd to safety here are treated well. I'm thankful to her for that."
"Minaeve brought you here with other Tranquil?" Yasmin asked, unable to hide her surprise.
"Most of us here are her doing, yes. There were more of us who began the journey, but Minaeve did her best to mitigate any losses," Helisma said.
Yasmin's jaw clenched at the Helisma's mention of her deceased colleagues. "I'm glad to know some of you made it here safely at least. I know the journey must've been…trying."
"Yes. It was very different than life in the Circle. There are so many animals in Thedas. I had forgotten," Helisma said with her normal inflection, but Yasmin couldn't help but notice her word choice and made an assumption.
"You used to enjoy animals?" Yasmin asked.
"Very much so. But…I don't remember why. It is because of my earlier affinity for wildlife that I worked on researching creatures with Minaeve. She petitioned the First Enchanter to allow me to join her on some of her more ambitious projects. I am grateful for that; it allowed me to help write several papers that were sent to the College of Magi in Nevarra."
"That's fantastic Helisma! You should be proud of that accomplishment," Yasmin said with a small squeeze of congratulations on Helisma's arm.
"I have not felt pride since I was made Tranquil," Helisma pointed out.
Yasmin nodded, undiminished in her own pride at the woman before her, "I know that. I regret that you cannot. It is an impressive feat, that is all, and I want you to know that since you cannot feel pride about your accomplishments, I will be proud for you," Yasmin declared.
"I do not understand why you would. It is illogical," Helisma stated blandly.
Yasmin paused and asked, "Can I give you a hug?"
Helisma's head quirked in confusion, but she said, "Alright."
Yasmin slowly encircled the Tranquil in her arms, silently vowing to Helisma and herself that she would find a way to fix this; to end Tranquillity in Thedas. It was possible, with more information it would be actionable. "You must promise me something, Helisma."
"Yes, Yasmin?" Helisma asked without hesitation.
"If anybody mistreats you, puts hands on you, or interferes with you in bad faith, you will tell me immediately. If I am not around, you will tell Sister Leliana." Yasmin said firmly, with her eyes searching Helisma's for something.
"I promise, Yasmin," Helisma said.
If there was one thing she wanted, no, needed to accomplish with all this power building behind the moniker 'Herald of Andraste', it would be a betrayal to not give her all to this cause. She would find a way to save the Tranquil.
"Thank you, Helisma. I know I must seem strange to you," Yasmin said as she went to put on the torso portion of her armour.
"You are welcome, Yasmin. I do think you are strange, in that you show me kindness. You are not visibly uncomfortable in my presence. It is different. I think it is nice." Helisma said slowly.
Yasmin made the final checks on her armour and looked up at Helisma with a winning smile. "I am glad you think so. How do I look?"
Helisma paused for a long moment before responding with serene clarity, "You look like a hero of old."
Hero of old…
Yasmin gasped and her eyes widened, filled with tears. She had been meaning the question as a jest. But magnitude of the situation she found herself in hit her in full force with those few simple words from this tragic woman she had just met. They were at the dawn of the Second Inquisition, resurrecting the Inquisition of Old, and Yasmin was its fulcrum. She may not be Inquisitor, but the whole thing now fell apart without her.
The weight of the world was on her shoulders…but all Yasmin could think of was this one woman in front of her, personality and soul extinguished for…what? Political purposes? To sate a monster's lust? Perhaps by her own misguided request, or because no teacher took the time to train her? Yasmin's thoughts went from the absolute clusterfuck of the bigger picture to a much smaller one standing in front of her. She needed to save this woman, somehow. Yasmin was living proof that it was possible. Why was she saved, and not Helisma? What made her worthy? Nothing. She's just as worthy, they all are. I'm just lucky. I am the one. It's up to me to fix this ungodly mutilation of the mages in Thedas. I won't waste this chance, I swear, Yasmin's thoughts whirled through her head as she let out a half-sob she managed to mostly choke back.
Yasmin's tears fell traitorously down her cheeks, breaking on the scar tissue they met on the journey to the ground.
"You're crying," Helisma said.
"I will be."
"No, you're literally crying right now, Yasmin." Helisma pointed out.
Yasmin shook her head as she tried and eventually succeeded in getting her sobs back under control. She met Helisma's eyes with a sad smile again on her face , "I will be hero Helisma, I swear."