Gasping, I jolt up panting as I feel a wave of guilt hit me from that horrid day. My eyes widen when my smooth fingertips graze my arm and I pick up the slight wet substance on my arm, sweat…
Nervous, my tongue licks my lips and I pick up the salty sweet substance of tears and sweat.
Not again, sighing, I frown at the harsh memories but force them away, once I notice the cabin I am inside. My body shivers happily enjoying the warmth of the fire but shivers from the ice cool touch of the open window. I'm on a bed in a rustic cabin, my ears perk up at footsteps and I turn to the nervous elf, clutching the box to her chest only to drop it and gasp at the sight of me.
"Are you okay?" I ask concerned seeing her frightened expression as she bows.
Why in Andraste's name is she bowing?
"Oh! I didn't know you were awake, I swear!" the elven woman exclaims as I frown seeing her scared demeanour. Why is she scared? What happened to make her fear me? I mean sure I know about the whole sacred ashes explosion but still…
"Don't worry about it. But why are you frightened? What happened? Is everyone alight? Has the breach been sealed?" I ask desperate for the answers on others, trying not to scare the shaking elf. Sadly, the elf falls to her knees.
"I beg your forgiveness and your blessing. I am but a humble servant. You're back in Haven, my lady. They say you saved us. The breach stopped growing, just like the mark on your hand. It's all anyone has talked about for the last three days!" The lf informs me quivering in fear.
"Then the danger is over," I release a heavy breathe of relief and plop my head down on the plump bed, smiling as I feel a sense of relaxation and relief hit me. "The Breach is still in the sky but that's what they say. I'm sure Lady Cassandra will want to know you've wakened. She said 'at once'!" the elf tells me as I frown, feeling the relief I felt disappear and replaced with worry.
"And where is she?" I ask curious. "In the Chantry with the Lord Chancellor. 'At once,' she said!" The elf bows her head meekly making me feel pity for the frightened elf but before I could calm the elf's nerves, she leaves.
I'm not that scary am I? Frowning, I glance at my now calm green flame mark, merely crackling nothing more.
Tiredly, I get out of bed frowning as I spot the crowd of people staring at me, whispering, gossiping. Terrified, I take a step back feeling my chest tighten at the familiar feeling, just like home… I look away as the people gossiping loudly, so loud I hear my ears ring, groaning in pain from their obnoxious morphed voices.
Stop…
Stop it…
Shut up!
ENOUGH!
Suddenly, the monstrous figures disappear as I notice the people part from one another. My eyes widen when I spot the handsome blonde from before, scowling at the people then turns to me concerned. "Are you alright?" He frowns. "I…I'm fine," I take in a shaky breathe with a few more, Cullen frowns looking concerned but I merely plaster a smile.
"Commander Cullen report sir!" A scout appears and hands the male a list. "I must go, the chantry is over there until then," he smiles warmly at me making my smile widen; I feel a rush of heat in my cheeks and a flutter of butterflies. No, not right now, I mean sure that lip scar and that…
"Having a nice fantasy about the commander Bookworm?"
Startled, I turn to a grinning Varric.
"About time you woke up Bookworm," Varric smirks. "Bookworm?" I pout. "You seem like the scholar type and a fan of my books, nothing wrong with that, if anything you have great taste," he grins as I release a nervous laugh.
"I suppose, oh is Fennic awake?" I ask only to frown when I see Varric heavily sigh, he seems tired.
"She's getting there according to Chuckles, she would be up faster if she didn't bite the healers," Varric chuckles lightly.
"Bite them?" I raise a brow as he smirk and points to the cabin next to mine, only for me to gasps at the bitter, six mages and chantry women scowling, cradling their banged or bloodied hands.
"It seems Chuckles is the only one who can get close to her," Varric hums.
"Chuckles?" I raise a brow.
"Solas, a pocket full of rainbows that guy," Varric says sarcastically making me chuckle. "I better go check on Fennic make sure she hasn't bite anyone else," Varric smiles. "Okay, take care; tell us when she wakes up okay?" I request. "No problem," Varric smiles and leaves as I begin to head to the chantry, only for my footsteps to falter slightly and slow when my ears pick up some conversations. I hate doing this but I guess it's been drilled into my brain to be sort of nosy, I hate being a eavesdropper but it's a skill required for a Trevelyan as mother would recite to me.
"That's her. That's the Herald of Andraste. They said when she came out of the Fade, Andraste herself was watching over her."
"Hush! We shouldn't disturb her.
"Why did Lady Cassandra have her in chains? I thought Seekers knew everything."
"It's complicated. We were all frightened after the explosion at the Conclave."
"It isn't complicated. Andraste herself blessed her."
Andraste blessed me? Nonsense I'm a mage, this is a mere freak accident, it can't be I mean…
"Excuse me," I whisper my voice weak as the pair turn to me, blocking my path.
"O-oh pardon us, herald. Maker be with you." The woman bows as I take a step back surprised by the bowing, here I thought I would never be bowed to again.
"Blessings upon you, Herald of Andraste." The male joins in as I sigh but merely nod back, trying to be polite and pass the pair, heading inside the chantry.
All these voices, they won't stop.
Frowning, I try to block out the voices, me a herald of Andraste? A mage!? This, this is impossible, why would the holy Andraste choose me? A mere mage, an apostate, an abomination…
Silently, I enter the Chantry and begin walking towards the room at the other end of the grand hall. Nostalgically, I admire the statues of Andraste, just like back at the tower, just like back home. I smile as I recall the times I came here to pray to get a good grade on the tests Lydia would give me or I prayed I would remember all the political lessons, the tutor my mother hired for me before, so I would please the court for the Trevelyan name. My nose twitches at the oak scent of candles as my body happily welcomes the candles warmth, lighting up the chantry.
The Chantry main hall is empty of people, but there are several clusters of candles around the pillars. On the left, near a doorway, is the text of A Chant for the Departed. Further left, in the alcove, is a book describing The Fade. I raise a brow smiling at the familiar textbooks back in the tower, I recalled studying the fade for hours while the chant was an hour or so, then again I find remembering things to be easier, if you made it into a little song or something. Eh but that's just me.
"Have you gone completely mad? She should be taken to Val Royeaux immediately, to be tried by whoever becomes Divine!" I flinch back from the familiar loud voice. Frowning, I shake my head at the door; if they are talking to me I would rather be there to defend myself!
Bravely, I enter the room refusing to flinch from the harsh glare sent my way by the male in chantry garbs.
"I do not believe she is guilty," Cassandra defends me making me sigh relieved, to see her not angry about the whole fade voices with the divine and myself.
"The prisoner failed, Seeker. The Breach is still in the sky. For all you know, she intended it this way," Rodrick argues making me scowl at the idiot.
"I do not believe that," Cassandra states.
"That is not for you to decide. Your duty is to the serve the Chantry," Roderick reminds her.
"My duty is to serve the principles on which the Chantry was founded, Chancellor. As is yours," Cassandra retorts much to his annoyance.
Strictly, two soldiers stand guard at the door while Roderick, Cassandra, and Leliana argue around a table.
"Chain her. I want her prepared for travel to the capital for trial," Roderick orders the guards who remain still much to my relief.
"Disregard that, and leave us." The guards salute Cassandra and leave.
"You walk a dangerous line, Seeker." Roderick growls at her.
"The Breach is stable, but it is still a threat. I will not ignore it." Casandra states the fact once more.
"I did everything I could to close the Breach. It almost killed me," I argue, fed up with this stubborn fool.
"Yet you live. A convenient result, insofar as you're concerned." Roderick argues.
"Grand Chancellor I assure you. I have prayed and followed Andraste's way ever since I was born. Many of my family members are a part of the chantry they know me, they know I have no ill will towards the chantry or circle, I need do this," I explain to him.
"Oh really tell me of one of your so called relatives!" He argues.
"Sister Isabela," I reply making his eyes widen. "You lie, that saint would not be related to a mage," he seethes spitting t out as though I was a plague making me go silent, she's the only one who would argue my case really.
"Have a care, Chancellor. The Breach is not the only threat we face," Cassandra adds in, looking on the verge of punching him.
"Someone was behind the explosion at the Conclave. Someone Most Holy did not expect. Perhaps they died with the others – or have allies who yet live," Leliana steps forward out of the shadows.
"I am a suspect?" Roderick gasps applaud by the idea.
"You, and many others," Leliana shrugs.
"But not the prisoner," Roderick hisses annoyed.
"I heard the voices in the temple. The Divine called to her for help," Cassandra reasons.
"So her survival, that thing on her hand – all a coincidence?" Roderick scowls at the idea.
"Providence. The Maker sent her to us in our darkest hour," Cassandra corrects as I furrow my brow. The maker sent me a mage? Andraste guide me in this dire time, I'll need it…
"'Though all before me is shadow, yet shall the Maker be my guide," I sigh reciting the chant aunt Isabela taught me frowning, who knew that chant would arise one day… heh thanks aunty.
"We lost everything… then, out of nowhere, you came," Cassandra smiles slightly.
"The Breach remains and your mark is our only hope of closing it," Leliana reminds us.
"This is not for you to decide." Roderick argues enraged only to falter under Cassandras fierce flare.
Angry, Cassandra slams a big heavy thick book down on the table. Amazed, I lean in at the heavy book, man I wonder how long it would take to read that book, I wonder if I can ask Cassandra if I could borrow it to read it, it looks so interesting, so much lore, so much knowledge held, within a single book. Smiling, I feel a wave of eagerness at the thought of conquering this huge book.
"You know what this is, Chancellor? A writ from the Divine, granting us authority to act. As of this moment, I declare the Inquisition reborn," Cassandra backs Roderick up against the wall, poking him in the chest as she continues.
"We will close the Breach, we will find those responsible, and we will restore order with or without your approval."
Quietly, Roderick leaves not before giving me a pitiful stink eye then slamming the door behind him. Calmly, Leliana turns back to us, hand on the heavy wooden desk with the book on.
"This is the Divine's directive: Rebuild the Inquisition of old. Find those who will stand against the chaos. We aren't ready. We have no leader, no numbers, and now no Chantry support." Leliana explains to me.
"But we have no choice: We must act now. With you at our side," Cassandra turns to me but my eyes remain glued to the book.
"What is 'the Inquisition of old,' exactly?" I ask curious, I'm intrigued about this war.
"It preceded the Chantry: People who banded together to restore order in a world gone mad," Leliana summarises but I cross my arms, eager for more information.
"After, they laid down their banner and formed the Templar Order. But the Templars have lost their way. We need those who can do what must be done united under a single banner once more," Cassandra explains as I nod getting the information. "But aren't you still part of the Chantry?" I enquire frowning.
"Is that what you see?" Cassandra snorts as I raise a brow.
"The Chantry will take time to find a new Divine, and then it will wait for her direction," Leliana answers.
"But we cannot wait. So many grand clerics died at the conclave… No, we are on our own. Perhaps forever," Cassandra sighs. "You're trying to start a holy war," I frown at the thought of another war; we have enough wars as it is with the Qunari and Tevinter; Mages and Templars. More lives will be at risk, the more deaths on our heads.
"We are already at war. You are already involved. Its mark is upon you. As to whether to war is holy… that depends on what we discover," Cassandra reasons as I look away, biting my lip unsure until eventually I sigh, I can't leave now not after everything. Perhaps thanks to this war, I will finally get the answers needed to get rid of this mark and how it came to my hand.
"If you're truly trying to restore order…" I sigh, arms crossed.
"That is the plan," Leliana states.
"Help us fix this before it's too late," Cassandra implores.
"Only on one condition," I sigh. Anything, the pair lean in wanting to know what they need to keep me.
The book, can I read it oh also do we have any books about the Tevinter imperium? I ask grinning.
Excited, I feel a wave of excitement from the many books, I could come across thanks to this cause. Silently, the pair stare at me as though I've grown another head but eventually Leliana smiles, relieved and Cassandra sighs.
"Very well," Cassandra gently pushes the books towards me as I feel my eyes sparkle as I feel a wave of giddiness at the thought of the information in this book.
"But if I find a single stain, tear or scratch-"
"I-I wont I promise, I treat books like my babies," I confess, panicking when Cassandra slowly draws out her blade, only to stop from my words, making the pair blink at my words but shrug.
"Very well," Casandra offers her hand and I shake hands with Cassandra.
The book containing the writ from the Divine closes. Cullen, Cassandra, Leliana, and Josephine confer over the book at the war table.
Leliana sends off her ravens. Frowning, Varric watches them fly away. One raven goes to Therinfal Redoubt, the other to Redcliffe Castle.
Confidently, Cullen nails the announcement of the reformation of the Inquisition to the Chantry door. A worried Roderick watches this and then leaves. Proudly, Cassandra strolls through town. In the background, soldiers practice fighting, someone hammers out a sword, soldiers snap to attention as she passes. Calmly, Cassandra approaches the Chantry where Evelyn and advisors are waiting on the steps.
The Inquisition banner flips down over the door. Bravely, they all turn to look at the Breach.
"Andraste guide me through this chaotic time," I whisper as we all stare at our goal…