Casually, we arrive back in Skyhold, Eve dashing off to the war table and I...briefly, my eyes glance at the hall then turn to a familiar tavern. I decide to head to the tavern for a refreshing beverage before facing my demise…
Loudly, I am once again welcomed by the cheers, gossiping and erupting laughter of the tavern my nose twisting at the heavy stench of tobacco, alcohol and vomit as I note a brawl between a wicked grace table, making me chuckle as the red head barmaid intervenes, knocking one of the men out and shouting at the other, putting him in his place. Maker I love this place. Happily, Krem speaks to the chargers, chatting, gossiping, laughing with one another as Krem gives me a brief wave which I calmly return, spotting a familiar Qunari at the bar, awaiting his drink no doubt since he isn't with the chargers as they cheer, talk and have a grand old time.
"How was the camp trip?" Bull smirks as I join him sat by the counter; he passes me a ale which I raise in thanks for the drink as I take a sip.
"One sided," I mutter.
"Boss really that bad outdoors?" Bull asks curious.
"She couldn't kill a nug," I deadpan.
"Why would you kill a nug? There pink and pretty!" Bull whines as I raise a brow at him.
"Bull…it's food. Food is food…she gave the food we could have had to the nug. She tried I'll give her that much…" I confess tiredly.
"You know she worries," Bull brings up.
"Yep, way too much," I complain.
"How did friend zoning Zevran go?" Bull asks as I take a huge gulp of ale.
"Pretty well, feel like a bag of shit for not realizing his feelings," I confess darkly.
"Hey not all of us can be spies…" Bull smirks.
"I'm a rogue, it's sort of something you pick up on," I deadpan.
"Sometimes our mind refuses to believe it and denial sets in," Bull reasons as I go silent, contemplating his words.
"Yeah well I set him straight," I state.
"I don't think anyone can set that guy straight," Jokingly, Bull snickers.
"You know what I mean," I grumble as he laughs.
"So…what now?" Bull queries'.
"Probably run away from the main issue at hand," I deadpan.
"Talking to Solas," Bull catches on.
"Bingo. So I heard you know of the fog warriors," I try to change topic.
"Perfect diversion Fox but alright I'll entertain you," Chuckling, Bull smiles.
"Went to Sheron you see. Damn ugly place, only getting uglier when I left. Between the fog warriors, the Tal-Vashoth, my people, and the vints, you were lucky to go a day without blood. The fog warriors, they were the worse of the rebels. They trained for stealth attacks. They made this fog- I never saw any mages so I figure it was just alchemy, not magic. They were almost invisible in it. I'd be in patrol on Market Square, the fog would roll in, and before I knew it, half my squad dead without a sound," Bull reminisces.
"You sound impressed," I note.
"They didn't use poisons, they didn't hurt civilians and they were damn good fighters. You have to respect that," Bull smirks.
"I'm glad to know they still stick to their code," I sigh relieved.
"Code?" Bull raises a brow.
"Yeah, they have their own set of morals," I answer.
"You seem to know a lot," Bull furrows his brow when noting my sly smirk.
"What secret network are you not a part of?" He grumbles catching on as I snicker.
"Well the Carta for one though I always have Varric besides I learned young its best to dabble around spy networks, more sources of information I can get then," I respond calmly in a low voice.
"Smart…" Bull nods his head, praising me.
"Hah, I remember using the fog to steal money from nobles or sometimes steal some noblemen for info or ransom ," I smirk fondly at the memory.
"Seriously, smart move but didn't your markings show up?" Bull questions curious.
"No actually, back then they would put this powder on my marks to dimmer down the glowing effect though I did hear from some natives of Tevinter call me, "The Silver Shroud" or "The Silver Wraith" I smirk recalling their scared screeches as I was the first to rush into battle through the shroud of fog.
"Silver shroud," Bull repeats nodding his head, liking the nickname I presume.
"Yeah apparently, my marks did glow and it terrified many of the magisters," I explain.
"You sure have a lot of names on ya from the Silver Wraith to the Silver shroud," Bull teases.
"Hey I didn't ask for them it just happened…" I shrug helpless.
"Well either way it sounds pretty cool. Plus, they hit the vints as hard as they hit us, hearing some Tevinter magister scream "my slaves! Where are my slaves!? In the fog always puts a smile on my face!" Bull laughs at the memory smirking as I nod, my eyes casted down to my ale in thought.
"Yeah, that was the funniest part of it…" I agree recalling the numerous slaves I had saved while others were so confused about the idea of a life outside being a slave, it hurt me how they called me a mistake, something wrong and were so helpless without their masters.
"Hey Fox about the slave part…" Bull trials off as my grip tightens on my pint.
"Hm?" I hum playing along.
"I...I don't know if you want to talk about it or not but…" Bull sighs.
"I don't." I snap sharply startling him.
"Oh…um okay," Dumbly, he responds not sure what to say over the thick heavy silence.
"Sorry. I just, I don't want that part of me to be just me, there's more to me than my past you know," I mutter bowing my head guiltily.
"Nah I get you completely, come on I reckon you deserve a drink after all that fade and demon crap," Bull growls at the bad memory.
"Thanks Bull," I thank him grateful that he isn't demanding answers.
"Anytime Fox anytime…"
Tiredly, Solas returns to his chambers, his eyes widening and then narrowing to find patiently waiting a smirking Zevran. Swiftly, Solas turns his back to him, ignoring him to focus on his painting as he begins painting, trying to focus and ignore the man watching, feeling his eyes on his back.
"You were enslaved by the Crows?" Solas begins tiredly deciding to be the better person out of the two, glancing at him, removing his gaze form the mural of Halamshiral, the winter apace to turn to the curious elf, exploring his office much to his dislike.
"A slave? I would not exactly call myself as such…but yes, I suppose that is accurate," Zevran shrugs casually.
"They owned you, held complete control over your life. And then you escaped. You sought your freedom," Solas points out.
"You make it sound so noble. I am flattered. Though perhaps the story is less impressive if you consider my survival depended on sweet talking the person I had just attempted to kill while trying not to spill my guts into the dirt. It was less of an escape and more… knowing how to see an opportunity when it presented itself. I've had to end a number of lives since in order to maintain my independence from my former employers. But it makes it so much more satisfying, doesn't it? Killing for your own purpose, instead of someone else's," Calmly, Zevran explains.
"I am not certain… but I understand your meaning," Conflicted, Solas turns away focusing back on the mural before him, unaware of the curious eyes of Zevran…
"You know Fennic well, don't you?" Zevran begins cutting the thick silence as though his words were a blade.
"I would like to think so," Solas remarks tightly, glancing at him, looking down at him from his wooden platform to continue his mural.
"Tell me… What does Fennic look for in a lover?" Zevran enquires briefly stopping in his steps to stare at the hidden mural hiding behind the veil of fabric to glance smugly at Solas briefly faltering in his steps after trying to add further detail to one of his many murals on display.
"Excuse me?" Sharply, Solas scowls, his voice tight with malice.
"Well I mean I have had experience with Fen in the past. But, doesn't hurt for some more information so. How would I woo her, if I were so inclined? Does she favour dashing good looks? Passionate embraces? Someone to sweep her off of her feet?" Zevran lists off animatedly, smiling slyly at the lowered brush of Solas, slowly shaking almost on the verge of snapping in two.
"No. I would not say she cares for such things," Coldly, Solas exclaims, annoyance etched into his tone, refusing to look Zevran in the eye, that would grant the assassin his win in seeing the naturally calm, composed, poker faced mage so miffed, so angry, so irritated by the smirking charismatic elf below him.
"Oh, Solas. I don't think you give yourself enough credit," Zevran sighs making Solas blink puzzled by his words as he turns his once angered expressions softens into one of puzzlement.
"What?" Solas questions confused by his smug smile.
"Do you not think yourself handsome? A desirable lover? I could teach you some things that may bolster your confidence in that regard. Fen deserves a lover of confidence, someone that can keep up with her that is if you can," Zevran praises.
"I assure you I can keep up with her unlike some. This is not a conversation I wish to have. Least of all with you," Severely, Solas snaps confidence etched into his tone.
"Do not worry, my friend. I only tease the people I like. Most of the time, anyway," Zevran waves it off as another heavier, tense, denser silence fills the gloomy air of the two as Zevran simply hums, exploring the confines of the chamber, briefly noting the ball of fur sleeping beneath, briefly petting the still slumbering fox as Solas continues to ignore him, finding his presence irritating until Zevran stops, curiosity taking over as he peers into the hidden moral under the veil of fabric, his eyes widening in utter awe as his fingertips brush against the fabric, unveiling it briefly as he stares…
"She is quite beautiful, isn't she?" Genuine, Zevran whispers sadly.
"Who?" Solas questions turning his eyes narrowing into a glare when seeing Zevran look up at the veiled mural.
"Come now, Solas. We both know who I am speaking of. Just as we both know precisely where your eyes were lingering a moment ago…" Zevran points out cheekily bringing a brief blush to Solas' features as he scowls, lowering himself from the ladder, gently placing his painting equipment down to climb down and join Zevran's side.
"I'm certain you are mistaken," Solas spits out in disdain, his voice controlled as he glares daggers at the assassin.
"I cannot blame you. Admittedly, I've been enjoying the view myself. Quite an ample handful, no? Somethings you take for granted can create a great loss in you," Sadly, Zevran sighs dramatically making Solas roll his eyes.
"Please, for once, resist the urge to keep speaking," Solas orders snappily, fed up with the smirking male, humming as he decides to leave much to the relief of the elven mage, watching the smiling elf leave and in exchange, his eyes widen in horror as he finds Cole staggering in, distraught and upset, as Solas approaches the dismayed Cole…
"Cole? What is it?" Concerned, Solas enquires to his friend's sadness…
"I…I need to be binded!"
Stretching, I leave the tavern, the boisterous laughter and echoes fade as I stretch my groaning bones, deciding to head to…
"No," Firmly, Solas' stern voice rings out as immediately, without even commanding it to be, my body turns the other direction.
"But you like demons!" Innocently, Cole argues as I turn to the source of Cole's voice.
"I enjoy the company of spirits yes, which is part of why I do not abuse them with bindings," Solas sighs agitated.
"It isn't abuse if I ask!" Cole states.
"Not always true and also I do not practice blood magic, which renders this entire conversation academic," Solas refuses as suddenly, I feel a hand on my arm, making me turn to both Eve and Solas, great, I look down at the arm belonging to Cole, clinging to me, like a child wanting to buy something from the market. No, no, oh come on, I scowl at the urge to kick the child away only to remind self-it's Cole. I recall many children clinging to their mother begging for some fancy cakes or something from Val Royeaux, making me sigh and approach the conversation at hand.
"He won't bind me. He's a mage and he likes demons but he won't help!" Cole frowns, turning to Eve and I.
"If Solas won't do the binding someone could. Will! Like the warden mages! And then…I'm not me anymore. Walls around what I want. Blocking, bleeding, making me a monster," Cole cries fearful as I sigh, feeling bad for the boy.
"Cole a mage can do that to any of us, humans or demon," Eve reasons to him.
"You should get Solas to bind you too then someone can bind him, then Fen…" Cole trials off as I shake my head at the naïve boy.
"We'll protect you Cole," I promise seeing him shaking, terrified.
"Indeed. I recall stories of amulets used by the Rivani seers to protect spirits they summoned from rival mages. A spirit wearing the amulet o the unbound was immune to blood magic and bindings. It should protect Cole as well. The resources of the inquisition could be used to find such a talisman," Solas explains.
"Good they will not take me," Cole growls as Eve and I share a look of uncertainty, only then for the silence to turn awkward as nervously, I cough noting Eve gesturing to Solas and before she could step back to leave us.
"Well I best go ask Leliana about that amulet," Quickly before they could question, I flee from the two heading to the bird's nest that is Leliana's domain.
"So…Zev's gone," I begin cough slightly nervously as Leliana turns to me.
"Indeed a shame but it was good to see him. I had heard you broke up with him," Leliana smiles sadly.
"We didn't break up there was never a thing to break up," I correct her only then to spot the paper on her desk.
"Yes, well Zevran will bounce back he always does," Leliana smiles tightly as I gently grasp hold of the letter, my eyes narrowed at the info.
"That he does…so how's the look for Coles amulet…?" I question desperate for a topic change.
"It's coming along," Leliana mutters.
"What's with the letter?" I ask.
"A message from Divine Justina," Leliana responds.
"Seriously? You okay reading it? Not going to cry?" I question not wanting to deal with that mess.
"Thank you for the concern but I am, I won't cry. This message was written months, perhaps even years ago…to be delivered to me if she died. I've heard of such contingency plans. A sudden death often leaves loose ends. I'm to go to Valence, a small village on the waking sea. There is something hidden there," Leliana explains calmly.
"You know what you're looking for?" I enquire curious.
"The Divine was a powerful woman who used her position to obtain all sorts of things. Whatever she hid in Valence would very likely benefit the Inquisition and must be kept from falling into the wrong hands…if I'm lucky she will have instructions for me," Leliana explains further.
"Right want me to tell Eve…?" I ask stepping back awkwardly, not sure if this is to do with me, considering I'm no Andrastian unlike her.
"No…I need a favour, I need you to come with me, I need...I need a friend," She turns away as I blink surprised by her words.
"You're kidding right?" I do a double take.
"No I am not." She affirms as I blink still reeling in shock.
"Leliana…I'm no chantry girl," I argue.
"I know…but I need a friend please," She sighs, head down.
"You have terrible choices in friends," I mutter shaking my head as she chuckles.
"You think I hadn't noticed…" Lightly, she laughs agreeing.
"Alright then…let's go…to the chantry…never thought I'd say that again…hopefully this time this surprise of Justina's isn't explosive…" I grumble fearful, reading what's to come…
"Wonderful. I was hoping you would agree to come with me to Valence. One more thing. If what is hidden in Valence is as valuable as I think, we're not going to be the only ones looking for it..." Leliana stands from her desk and we head off.
Great. That's not foreboding…
Anxiously, I sway through the hall of the chantry, feeling my muscles tense and my brow furrowed nervously looking around the chantry, itching a part of my marked arm. Wot sure what to say or do as I feel a sense of heaviness entering this supposed to be warm place, entering the blazing fires greet us warmly only for me to receive a cold reception as I look uncomfortable at the tall statues looming over us…
"You need to relax." Leliana assures me.
"Easier said than done…" I grumble.
"I apologise," She sighs.
"No not your fault I just…I don't have the best memories of the chantry," I mutter at the bitter memories.
"It's just as I remember it," Leliana smiles kneeling down on the ruby red velvet carpet, praying maybe then she stands, smiling blissfully at the place.
"You've been here before?" I ask curious.
"After the blight ended. I came here to see Justina; she was just Dorothea then, a revered mother." Leilani explains.
"Dorothea what a name," Emptily, I whisper, not sure what to say.
"It was a place of comfort. It is good to see it's still untouched by Corypheus," Leliana smiles relieved.
"Leliana? Is that you?" I perk up at the voice and turn to frown at the chantry woman, feeling my muscles on edge.
"Sister Natalie! What are you doing here? I thought you were in Val Royeaux," Leliana enquires curious.
"No I've been here since Justina died. This place makes me feel like…she's still with us," Happily, the chantry woman hugs her and Leliana hugs her back as I blink, not sure what to do until noting Leliana scowl at me, gesturing to the chantry woman as I nod, understanding her facial features, do not trust the chantry woman…again.
"Fen, this is Natalia, a trusted friend," Leliana introduces me.
"Oh…an elf…are you…you brought an elf in here?" Tightly, the woman smiles at me as my eyes narrow noting her distaste.
"Right here," I huff.
"I...I mean welcome, I see another has seen the light of the maker," Forcefully, She smiles.
"Not really no." I deadpan.
"Oh…" She turns away as an awkward silence fills the room.
"Natalie listen. There is something hidden here. Something Justina left for me," Leliana reveals to her.
"Oh really? What is it?" Natalie enquires.
"I don't know. But we'll find out. I'm curious to see what brought us all here. Justina's letter came with instructions for me. They were a little cryptic. 'Always remember that faith sprung from a barren branch. That light has no fear of darkness. Above all, that strength lives in an open heart.'" Leliana recites.
"She must be hinting at something in here. Let's look around…um elf…" Awkwardly, she points at me as I raise a brow, unamused.
"I have a name," Sharply, I remind her.
"Yes well…just…don't try to damage any of our objects here too much…don't touch…" She trials off when seeing my pointed glare.
"What you think I'll steal this shit?" I scoff insulted.
"How dare you!?" She scowls at me as I continue, purposefully touching the painting and shiny shit, making her seethe as Leliana remains neutral as I give her a metaphorical middle finger.
"How dare you assume so little of me?" I retort silencing the woman.
"Do they still sing verses from the benedictions every Friday? That canticle was Justina's favourite…"Leliana changes topic when noticing the rising tension as I kneel down, my eyes narrowed at the abundant gold artefacts until noting a small switch, curious I investigate.
"Yes of course. We'd never give up the traditions of our most beloved Divine," Natalie responds.
"That is lovely to hear. I stare up at the breach sometimes. It's terrifying but beautiful in its way," Leliana smiles soothingly as I frown at the two just talking while I'm doing the work.
"It is beautiful," Natalie agrees.
"It just reminds me our upcoming demise if we don't do something fast," I point out smirking as I feel the pointed glare from Natalie on my back.
"Right…have you seen it by sunrise?" Leliana enquires.
"When the sun rises through it. It splits into what looks like a thousand suns like a broken mirror," Natalie describes.
"Yes spectacular isn't it? You must be careful Natalie. Justina's enemies are making their move, vying for position and the sunburst throne," Leliana warns as I flick the switch, raising a brow at the switch sound then continue my exploration.
"I was in the cloister in Lothering when the blight began. There was a lot of fear back then. No one knew what was going to happen, whether we would live or die and then one morning, I found a single bloom on a dead rose bush and I thought. ' Even in the midst of all this, life finds a way the maker hasn't abandoned us…" Leliana reminisces sombrely as I find another switch in the hidden room, underneath a painting with a woman's heart being impaled, switching it.
"An open that heart. Well that one's quite the literal and morbid. But Justina always said that compassion was my greatest strength. Doubt is easy, it takes courage to trust," Leliana whispers as I approach the statue, finding the final switch, I hope and flick it open to reveal a secret compartment to the wall after opening the window portraits of Andraste, which opens to show a small box, strange, a golden one…
"What was that?" Nat questions the sound.
"Looks like we opened something," Leliana states the obvious.
"More like I opened something," I grumble under my breath from the chatting women.
Sharply, the sound of metal ringing makes me turn to find Leliana with a blade to Natalie's throat, pinning her to the statue.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Leliana hisses at Natalie.
"Um…mind filling me in Leliana?" I gesture to the two lost.
"I'm protecting us," Leliana says.
"From a woman wearing that…Leliana I don't think that chantry girl could do much, maybe impale us with her hat or beat us to death with it, or maybe bore us to death with her chantry bull…no offence of course," Quickly, I remind her as she ignores my ramblings, glaring at Natalie as I blink frowning…
"Really? Another evil cleric of bloody course!"
"They never sing the benedictions on Friday's Natalie. Something so simple and you got it wrong. I wanted to believe but you were lying from the start. Keep that pretty mouth shut if you want, dear. You've already told me everything I need to know. The prickle weed burns on your hem, talking about the sun rising through the breach. It all points to a single place. Morelle in the Dales. Grand Cleric Victoire's Bastion. She sent you didn't she? Victoire was always an opportunist…"Leliana spits out in disdain after revealing the facts to me as I raise a brow impressed, surprised, having no idea of such a manipulative, cunning but smart tactic, I need to use that next time if I plan to interrogate someone…
"So Victoire, a dodgy cleric again?" I sigh tired of yet another evil chantry woman.
An experienced Cleric. She never agreed with Justina but kept her ideas to herself," Leliana informs me.
"Doesn't look that way," Dryly, I remark.
"I suppose now with Justina dead, she thought she could make her move," Leliana spits out in disgust and anger.
"So…just curious what did you plan? I mean you're unarmed, you didn't think you could take on Leliana and me did you? That's suicide…" I scoff at the sheer idiotic nature of the idea.
"She sent Natalie here to see what Justina was hiding no?" Leliana catches on.
"The inquisition has turned Thedas away from the true Chantry, it must be stopped. Letting dirty knife ears into the sacred halls of Andraste, it's disgusting…" Disgusted, she spits out, splatters of salvia aimed at me as I take a step back in revulsion. Sickened, I wipe the salvia off with the back of my hand as Leliana's grip on her blade tightens and it grows closer and closer to the chanty woman's neck, making Nat whimper fearful of Leliana's sharp glare.
"And your attitude isn't? The true chantry who that doesn't sound culty at all, what is with Thedas and cults honestly," I sigh, acting unfazed almost amused by the angry chantry woman, considering they are known to be peaceful and yet here one is, acting like such a asshole it's hilarious.
"Stop us? You must be joking," Leliana smugly scoffs.
"Mother Victoire is loved by many. The inquisition has more enemies than you know," Nat proclaims proudly.
"And Victoire thinks she can ally with them?" Leliana questions her.
"I was called to serve the grand cleric I will not betray her. Kill me then, I am not afraid to die for my beliefs. At least I still know what I believe!" Nat taunts, egging and provoking Leliana to deal the finishing blow.
"Leliana let her go…" Exhausted, I order, waving her off, rather not wishing to stay any longer to clear up the dead body and imagine having to get the blood out of the floor, that would take ages, I'd much prefer coming back clean and much quicker than having to take care of the body.
"But the grand cleric…" Leliana argues trailing off.
"It's what she wants, besides it's an empty threat, most of those against us are against the chantry. So you won't find many to ally with yourself and even if you did they'd turn on you in the end. It's all empty words, grand clerics cannot fight, they cannot harm, they cannot kill, making them harmless, killing would solve nothing only gives us more hassle. I mean I don't know about you, but I don't see where we could hide the body and imagine the payment for her funeral to her family, no thanks I don't want that," Calmly, I explain to her.
"I…" Leliana turns away conflicted from my argument.
"Eve wouldn't want this and besides you are better than this….she is one woman, a woman who can do no harm with her subjects, we have the wardens, the mages and our troops," I simplify.
"You…are right. Run. Tell your mistress she has a choice. The inquisition is coming," Darkly, Leliana warns her as she turns her back to Nat who flees, terrified as confidently and victoriously, Leliana strolls into it, collecting the box only to frown.
"No! This can't be it. There's nothing here!" She gasps in surprise.
"Well we still got the box that could fetch us something. You sure there's no hidden compartment? I swear if this is some power of friendship bull…" I grumble annoyed at the deal but it's the chantry so who knows…
"There's a message carved in the lid. 'The left hand should lay down her burden' she…she's releasing me…" Heartbroken, Leliana's voice breaks making me raise a brow.
"So what? Dumping you from the grave?" I shrug trying to lighten the dreary mood only to meet Leliana's stern glare, making me sigh and raise my hands up in mock surrender.
"Alright, sorry geez…" I grumble at the pained girl tending to the box.
"The divine has a long reach but it is always her left hand that stretches out. A thousand lies, a thousand deaths. Her comrades, but my conscience that bore the consequences," Leliana reveals sadly.
"Let go Leliana. Let go, the divine wants you to be happy so lay down your hand and be happy…" I reason to her, getting a sense of Déjà vu from the world at the idea of being free.
"All this time. Justina carried the fear that she was using me just like I'd been used to in the past but Marjolaine's games were trifles. Justina gambled with the fate of the nations. She needed me. No one else could've done what I did. She knows that," Leliana whispers sorrowfully, pain evident in her trembling tone.
"Stop this! Stop being so broody and move on. You fulfilled your role and now it's time to live your life, free, live how you want to Leliana live through the hard times but remember the good and be happy, move on, you have to let her go so she can truly pass on or whatever you guys believe in. Don't let the past and her linger anymore, live your life, you are free now Leliana, free…" I snap trying to get her to move on and see things from a lighter point of voice than this edgy one.
"If it were not for you. I would have killed Natalie and thought it a good thing. Thank you for showing me what was right when I couldn't see it for myself…there are things that must be said but not here…I'll meet you back at Skyhold…" Leliana sighs sorrowfully, leaving me there.
"Yeah," Dumbly, I nod, glancing around the chantry, still lost.
Now…how the heck do I get out of here?