How long have I been in Kirkwall now? I have no idea to be honest. Grimly, I gulp down the bottle in my hand, the glass gleaming from the ethereal moonlight. I sit down perched upon the dock of Kirkwall, looking up at the bright ball of white bestowed upon us, eerily looking down upon us, taunting us almost, observing from above. Silently, I enjoy the rush of numbness through the tired form, my throat burning, my eyes droopy feeling as heavy as lead. I continue gulping down the dry substance down, forcing back the tiredness flowing through my veins, I can't fall asleep, I can't. Angrily, I chant to myself, feeling my eyelids begin to droop down, making me scowl at the heavy eyelids forcing them back open, refusing to fall into the dark depths of my dream. I can't, I refuse to, I won't if I do, I'll see him again, I can't, I refuse to, I don't…I don't want to see him, I can't. Pained, I feel tears threaten to fall in my glassy hues blinking back the teary hues as I glare down at the docks below, my ears hearing the faint rush of waves below me, my nose twitching at the faint sea salt air.
"Oh there you are! What are you doing out here?" Perkily, Merill calls out to me making me grimace at the thundering pain in my head.
"What does it look like?" Annoyed, I greet her.
"Oh…you're in one of your moods aren't you?" Frowning, Merill glances at the empty glasses by my side as she shyly approaches by my side.
"I'm fine." Curtly, I respond scowling.
"Oh then can I sit down?" Merill asks.
"Go ahead." Annoyed, I dismiss as she sits down by my side, her legs dangling down the docks, enjoying the soft sea waves.
"I mean he called me this stupid word ma Vhenan…my heart. Bastard. He's nothing but an abomination." Seething I spit out disgust laced in my tone as my fingertips bawl up into a fist fuming as I slam it down on the dock floor, ignoring the faint stinging sensation from the punch.
"Um…if I may protest here, for the Dalish we take relationships very seriously, we bond for life I suppose you could say it's so romantic." Politely, Merill informs me earnestly only making me grimace.
"You're kidding? The same person forever"? Scoffing, I lean back on the docks, shaking my head as I frown up at the moon. The same person day in day out…? I would get sick of that, they would get sick of that, of me, Denarius had his other women, but he always called me his favourite, probably because I made myself useful. That's all relationships are to fulfil a need to survive, to make good use of your partner take advantage of their nobility. Nothing more, nothing else, all this fairy tale crap…is pathetic.
"Well would you and Solas have…?" Meekly, Merill asks me pulling her legs to her chest.
"…Probably." Honestly, I shrug in a low timid voice not sure what to say.
"Seriously?" Surprised, Merill blinks as I sigh, taking another gulp of liquor, enjoying the burning rush drizzling down.
"He was the only one I felt I ever wanted to genuinely speak to and didn't feel exhausted about. I mean he had no idea who I was do you know how rare that is? Not being hunted down is a nice change of pace, gives me peace but he…he made me happy. I hadn't felt that way never." Tiredly, I explain my brow furrowed as I grimace at the painful memory, he was my friend has been and always will be.
"Not with Zevran…?" Merill guesses.
"With Zevran it was more physical we both found one another attractive that was it all it was but I don't know with Solas it was…" I clarify for him.
"Different…? Oh Fennic I'm so sorry…" Apologetic, Merill bows her head.
"I hate him." Bluntly, I answer.
"You don't mean that…" Gently, Merill whisper.
"I do. He's no better than the magister that gave me these marks. He used me…he's just like the rest of those abominations…" Sneering, I scowl disgust laced in my tone, feeling my blood boil.
"Fennic…" Tenderly, Merill begins.
"You know it's funny, in Tevinter slaves are encouraged to breed…" Sighing, I lean back further, staring up at the starry sky.
"Really how come?" Curious, Merill enquires.
"For more slaves of course to either experiment on or to trade or use, they often encourage it whether to sell and prostitute to other Tevinter magisters that wish to experiment. Look we just…sex is seen as a tool where I came from, many nobles had plenty of mistresses and partners but what it came down to is blood. The pureblood of the magisters must be in tact therefore that is the one true marriage in the imperium." Calmly, I explain to her.
"What about…us? What did the city elves think of the Dalish?" Fascinated, Merill wonders.
"Funny enough I think we did hear of this soul mate talk, some foolish elves believed that." Chuckling, I shake my head at the memory of those naïve enough often attempting to flee when hearing of an alienage or clan nearby and their attempt at fleeing, ended with them being displayed proudly before the alienage square and tortured whether whipped, raped or worse, either way displayed before us to remind us of our place, our purpose, our actions, consequences.
"Why was it foolish?" Lost, Merill furrows her brow.
"Because they couldn't breed and Denarius wasn't pleased, some elves refused to breed and cheat on their partner so would often be cut down or forcibly…" I recall a couple, wishing to flee and hope to soul bond or some stupid bull after escaping.
"That's horrible." Merill whispers as I grimace at the memory of the man being forcefully dragged away only to come back alone, shaken, silent but most of all bloodied.
"That's the imperium. Besides this soul bond thing we thought was stupid, ridiculous, naive even…heh I remember him talking about it once…." Sadly, I smile at the memory of him.
"Him?" Merill prompts.
"Adam…" Gently, I whisper grimacing at the thought of the older male, he was the eldest of the younger elves and looked out for us.
"Who?" Merill wonders.
"An old friend of mine, he and I we…" Disappointed I sigh at my naïve self, having no idea what would come next.
"Were you?" Merill gathers as I scowl.
"Yeah…he was a good friend of mine. He was one of the elder kids. He had to teach us what we had to do to survive. He was the cool silent type and well…Crow and Raven adored him…perhaps a bit too much she did…" Pained, I grimace as I scratch the back of my neck, awkwardly uncomfortable at the memory.
"What do you mean…?" Lost, Merill enquires as I close my eyes at the thought of the blonde…
Meekly, the young raven haired girl stares down uncertainty at the shaking bottle in her small pale hands, her eyes staring down at the gleaming glass shared between the taller, older, leaner elf by her side, his blonde locks tied into a low ponytail held by a ruby red tie, his tired browns gazing out towards the starry sky.
"Are you sure we should be doing this?" Uncertain, the young voice of Asteria calls out to him only making him chuckle.
"Relax it'll be fun. Besides, I think you deserve a drink…" Smirking, he insists, pushing the glass in the girl's grasp towards her as she furrows her brow uncertain and wary of the drink inside.
"How did you even get this? This is one of the magister's drinks…he'll kill you if he finds out." Frowning, Asteria questions her grimacing at the memory of the last to have the nerve to speak out against the magister, to have the nerve to steal from one of the magister's leading to them being beaten to a bloodied pulp.
"Well he won't besides that ass has a whole cellar what's the problem with taking one simple glass?" Smirking, Adam counters back waving off her concerned look.
"The problem is you getting killed." Bluntly, the girl deadpans, scowling, her eyes narrowing at the smirking male, taking another heft gulp of his glass, gently taking it from hers to gulp down, releasing a roar from the burn of the drink.
"Not like it would matter…." Straightforwardly, Adam informs the young Asteria, her eyes glancing at his aloof features noting behind the stoic mask, his brown hues beginning to become glassy as he silently blinks back the tears, Asteria looks on unfazed.
"Seriously?" Asteria hums out loud, allowing the older male to continue.
"Hey, do you think what Evindal said was true?" Curious, Adam hums out loud earning Asterias's attention as she glances at them, unemotionally noting his hands bawling up into a pair of furious fists shaking quivering.
"You mean that stupid soul bonding thing?" Disinterested, Asteria scoffs at the thought shaking her head at the nonsense of soulmates.
"You think my folks tried to leave so they could get their soul bonded?" Fascinated, Adam queries looking up at the beautiful starry sky once more taking another gulp of the bottle from the young Asterias's hands, her brow furrowed watching on as the fool monologues to himself. Asteria blandly watching on, adjusted to the drunken rambles of adults, who had tried to make their own form of alcohol to numb the pain of their labour work, only leading to them the next day, for their bodies to be dragged out, the poisoning having consumed them, some even gaining the idea of using the drink created by them to end their life's to escape their life, cowards that is what Asteria deemed them as, either way with their deaths it led to more homes for the elven people, more space for the other elven slaves to relish in.
"I don't know sounds like phony to me." Sighing, Asteria deadpans unaware of Adam flinching animatedly from her words, his hand clutching his chest at the imaginary arrow impaled into his side from her harsh words.
"Good to see I'm not the only one naïve besides they never made it far." Coolly, he tries to recover from her raw rejection.
"You think so?" Frowning, she sighs at the sight of him.
"I know so…still you think soulmates exist?" Hopeful, he whispers.
"No." Asteria answers.
"Hm? Seriously? I thought you'd be all over that Crow, Varania and Katie were." Fondly, Adam smiles cheekily, reaching out to the ruby red cheeks of Asteria, her eyes wide as he reaches out, making her flinch back briefly as he sneakily pinches her cheek making her hiss.
"Not me and Fenris, we know the truth. Life isn't happy, life isn't a fairy-tale like those Dalish delude themselves into believing…so why not bring the others?" Confused, Aster questions Adam who passes back the drink. She looks down at the glass, her brow furrowed when hearing the empty swirl of the liquid within, her nose grimacing at the sickly sour scent of liquid hidden within the bottle.
"Don't lie I saw you doing their work, you made up for their failure…you deserve it." Confidently, he pushes the bottle closer to her once more making her muscles tense, unsure on what to do as she gazes down at the drink.
"Aren't I a bit young?" Hesitant, Asteria looks up at the older male.
"Never too early to try it." Smirking, he assures her.
"Um okay…" Frowning, the girl raises the bottle to her lips, her eyes dilating in horror as the liquid comes dashing down, her features paling as she releases a splutter of ruby red, heaving, wheezing, spitting out remnants of crimson. The ring of glass echoes as the girl spits out the liquid in disgust.
"Guess you're not a fan…" Smoothly, Adam exclaims reaching out and grasping hold of the handle smirking down at the disgusted girl.
"It's terrible!" Horrified, she glowers glaring at the glass bottle in his hands.
"Heh you're pretty cute…" Smirking, Adam praises taking the girl aback.
"C-Cute?" Sputtering, Asteria blinks gawking at him, her features raw red as she opens her mouth, her brow furrowed only then to perk up at the timid tiny footsteps echoing approaching the two.
"Hey Adam we…o-oh sorry…!" Apologetically, the two turn to the young girl with brown locks short cut into a pixie cut, her brown hues dilating horrified almost, her eyes narrowing, almost angry at the sight of the two.
"Raven, what's going on?" Curious, Adam calls out to her as silently, Asteria watches on, her hues gently softening when seeing Raven's sharp glare.
"N-Nothing…" Shyly, she whispers her features as red as flames.
"Alright good night then…unless you wish to join us," Adam offers the bottle making Raven shyly step back from.
"No I don't want to intrude." Strained, she smiles.
"Alright get a good night rest then we got a lot of work tomorrow. I'll show you again how to pick those clementine's they can be hard work at times." Kindly, he offers.
"T-Thank you…" Hopeful, she beams brightly as she turns her back, leaving the two of them alone.
"Fen? You there?" Surprised, I jolt up at Merrill's voice snapping me out of my path down memory lane as I reel my head back at the hand, waving in front of my face.
"Y-Yeah." Dismissively, I mutter.
"You sure? You looked a bit daze? Oh were you having one of your episodes again?" Merill queries.
"No Merill look I'm going to go." Tiredly, I sigh cradling my temple.
"Are you sure?" Unsure, Merill whispers gently.
"Yeah I just need to go…alright." Exasperated, I grumble.
"Oh okay be careful." Merill smiles at me as I wave her off and storm off, heading back to a familiar mansion, plopping myself into another chair, my hand sliding up to a familiar glass bottle, reaching out to it, grasping hold of the bottle and continuing my battle against the sour slumber of sleep…
Eve POV:
Brightly beaming, the sun glows as we all begin packing up. However, as I do, my brow furrows when seeing the silent Solas, looking tired, exhausted surprising me considering his joy of slumbering to venture through the fade. I haven't seen someone who sleeps so much to look so tired, so exhausted, exasperated even.
"Solas is everything alright?" Gently, I question him joining his side.
"Yes. Everything is fine." Calmly, he answers but not even I can buy it.
"Are you sure? If you need someone to talk to concerning…" I trail off noting his brow furrowed at the implicated answer.
"Fennic…you mean." Curtly, he responds tiredly.
"Sorry if you don't want to talk about it." Quickly, I apologize fearful of bringing up any painful issues, I may not know much about love but bringing up past ex's isn't good.
"No, it's fine. I appreciate the concern but…" Solas raises his hand to silence me.
"But what? Solas please what's wrong?" Pleadingly, I beg concerned for my friend.
"It's Fennic." He gives in.
"Fennic?" Curious, I prompt him, sitting down across him from him.
"I had hoped to see her to check if she were alright through the fade but…" Sighing, Solas begins leaning back.
"But what?" Soothingly, I enquire.
"I haven't seen her in the fade." He answers making my eyes narrow, why would she? She isn't a mage.
"Are you sure?" Soothingly, I begin deciding not to question it, his wellbeing is priority, my friend's health is important.
"Yes. I searched through the vast depths but still I haven't found her." Grimly, he confesses to me.
"Maybe she isn't sleeping when you are…" Hopeful, I offer trying to ease his worries.
"And what if she is in danger? What if she isn't sleeping?" Concerned, Solas questions me making me go silent.
"Solas…" Tenderly, I whisper placing my hand on his shoulder as he bows his head, his hand touching the naked nape of his neck.
"I didn't want to think about it but when I broke up with her I should have considered…" Pained, he confesses to me grimacing as sternly, I shake my head.
"No Solas if you didn't love her anymore you shouldn't force yourself to continue that relationship." Sternly, I state the fact surprising him, you shouldn't force yourself to love someone you don't love, it only hurts both you and your partner.
"But that is far from what I feel…" Quietly, he whispers my eyes widening at the genuine pain in his tone as he bows his head pained.
"What? If so then why break up with her?" Confused, I question Solas lost.
"…It was intervening with our work." Stoically, he answers making me frown perplexed at the clear lie and pain in his tone.
"You're joking. Solas Fen made you more approachable, don't be offended by this but often the staff would send me reports of you not eating enough and being very hard to talk or approach but when you were with Fennic, you loosened up, you seem to be happy, more open, it made it easier to talk to you. It also improved both of you eating…" Stunned, I blink taken aback as I explain the fact to him.
"I…" Taken aback, Solas exclaims.
"Look it isn't my business but I think that is the most happiest I've ever seen you and I know we haven't known each long but…" Sighing, I tell him, gently smiling down at him.
"Your words are appreciated inquisitor I wish if things had been different." Frowning, Solas exclaims as I note his eyes glancing at Blackwall's tent.
"Don't we all?" Tightly, I smile standing up patting him on the shoulder as we all pack up and continue on our exploration through the hinterlands.
"You... did not have to apologize to me, Dorian." Awkwardly, Blackwall begins.
"People who say that to me are usually wrong." Dorian denies.
"I am indeed a murderer. And I escaped my past to become a warden, like many others before me." Blackwall sighs.
"Obviously the original Blackwall saw something in you. I respect that." Dorian confesses to him.
"And you... you abandoned your life of privilege for the sake of principle alone." Blackwall exclaims.
"I didn't like that life." Dorian answers.
"It was wrong of me to lump you in with peers you hardly resemble." Pained, Blackwall bows his head as I remember him, often comparing Dorian to his Tevinter brothers and sisters.
"Truce?" Dorian offers his hand out to him.
"Gladly." Blackwall agrees taking Dorian's hand and shaking it, a truth and understanding falling between them both.
"I wish to apologize for what I said to you, Blackwall…" Calmly, Solas starts surprising Blackwall.
"You were right, though. I deserved it." Grimly, Blackwall gives in.
"My people had a saying long ago - "The healer has the bloodiest hands." You cannot treat a wound without knowing how deep it goes. You cannot heal pain by hiding it. You must accept. Accept the blood to make things better. You have taken the first step. That is the hardest part." Solas recites to him as they continue on.
"Hey Chuckles, do you ever play Wicked Grace?" Intrigued, Varric questions Solas.
"I'm not much of a gambler anymore." Solas exclaims.
"You don't have to play for real coin, that's just for keeping score." Varric smirks.
"What do you play for?" Solas enquiries.
"Conversation mostly. That way I win no matter how the cards fall. By the way did you see the look on those nobles' faces back at the Winter Palace, Chuckles?" Varric smirks smugly.
"They seemed unaccustomed to seeing elves without servant's livery... or dwarves at all." Solas recalls.
"Priceless. It's definitely going in my next story." Eager, Varric confirms.
"Are you planning a chapter filled with courtly intrigue?" Curious, Solas questions him.
"Close. I need to describe the face someone makes when they choke down something terrible. And maybe a saucy scene between a certain bald elf and lovable elf…" Sneakily, Varric describes only then to note Solas' flinch at the offer.
"Too soon?" Meekly, Varric glances at me seeing my stern scowl.
"Too soon." I confirm.
"I will remember this. When it is over." Frowning, Solas exclaims confusing us as we all glance at him.
"This? This war? The Inquisition?" Lost, Blackwall furrows his brow confused by Solas, looking out at the horizon looking pained, guilty, saddened.
"The people. How you fought against the tide. It is... courageous." He compliments us as we continue onwards, continuing our venture...
"Fennic come on!" Groaning, I moan as I lean back over the arm of my sofa, feeling a pounding headache bash inside my mind. I cradle my thumping temple leaning over the arm of the sofa as I lie before the icy cold fireplace, hearing no flickering crisp of flames as the door is forced open.
"Wha-What!? I'm up! I'm up!" Annoyed, I scowl at Aveline, cradling my aching temple as Aveline kicks the door down.
"You okay?" She raises a brow only then to groan grumbling when hearing the gentle roll of glass, gently rolling and tapping against her foot.
"Y-Yeah…" Shakily, I answer standing using the chair to steady me.
"You sure? You look pale…" She furrows her brow as I hear the faint crack making me grumble at the shards and puddle below.
"I'm fine." Curtly, I answer straightening myself, pushing back the acid threatening to rush up into my mouth.
"Right…Sebastian's here, that messenger you said has reported back seems he has agreed to talk to you." Aveline reports to me.
"Good. Hopefully, we can come to some sort fo agreement before the war." I sigh, straightening myself as I pick up my blades.
"You don't think you can stop the fight?" Aveline furrows her brow as I connect my blades back into my bow.
"Ave, we both know how much losing someone can change a person…" Bluntly, I deadpan, placing the bow on my back.
"I…" Pained, she bows her head as I sigh feeling bad for bringing him up. I never knew until Hawke spilled the beans to me about the darkspawn and Aveline's first husband, a templar and a good man, apparently.
"Apologies, I shouldn't have brought him up but we both know Sebastian won't change his mind. You heard him when the chantry blew up, he threw us under the bus over the chantry…he has proven himself to be a threat to my family, therefore he is an enemy." Icily, I state the fact, reciting it.
"I understand…just be careful, he was once one of us." Grimly, Aveline warns me.
"Where's Merill?" Curious, I question as I brush past her.
"She's with the alienage," Aveline informs me as I put on a navy-blue cloak bestowed upon me by Aveline.
"I know don't think this is easy for me for Ave because it isn't it really isn't. despite our differences there was a kinship of some sort…" Tiredly, I sigh bowing my head as I gently grasp hold of the doorknob.
"You're not alone." Aveline assures me bringing a small sad smile to my lips.
Thank for Aveline now come on we have much to discuss with the prince of Starkhaven…" Gravely, I inform her as we both nod and head out, heading towards the campsite of the prince of Starkhaven.
"Maybe I've been too hard on you…." Varric begins surprising Blackwall turning to glance at the dwarf.
"Oh, so you don't think I'm dreadful now." Grumbling, Blackwall sighs.
"Actually, I thought you were boring before. Completely different. We're all dreadful. Every one of us, fundamentally flawed in a hundred different ways. That's why we're here, isn't it? Take all the risks, so the good people stay home where it's safe. With the whole "Blackwall" thing, you told a story so compelling even you started to believe it." Amazed, Varric praises him.
"That's much nicer than saying "You're a dirty liar.", I'll take it." Blackwall deadpans.
"A story-tellers got to believe his own story, or no one will. So Cassandra still not speaking to you?" Curious, Varric questions him.
"I don't know. It'll take time earn back her trust, if I ever do." Blackwall sighs disappointed.
"Well, she does hate it when people lie to her. At least she didn't stab you in the book." Cheekily, Varric remarks.
"Don't you mean "the back"?" Perplexed, Blackwall furrows his brow.
"No, I mean the book. Definitely the book. I know this is a radical suggestion, but have you considered just... talking to her?" Varric offers playfully.
"No. Never occurred to me. End of story. You know I've been to Kirkwall. The Hanged Man, actually, probably been twenty years now. It was a dive if I remember correctly." Blackwall recalls swiftly changing topic earning the attention of myself and Solas.
"It's the dive. Filled with the best and worst people in the world." Fondly, Varric smiles.
"Yes, I heard it was a haunt of yours." Blackwall compares.
"Haunt? It was home." Varric sets the record straight.
"So is it true that the Knight Commander of Kirkwall became a ... statue?" Curious, Blackwall queries.
"One hundred percent true. She is still bringing an extra level of horror to the Gallows." Smirking, Varric recalls.
"You mean they haven't moved her?" Surprised, Blackwall raises a brow.
"Well if they did that, then the children couldn't play who is brave enough to poke Meredith." Chuckling, Varric informs her.
"They don't really do that? Do they?" Curious, Blackwall wonders.
"No... No one is brave enough to poke Meredith..." Gravely, Varric exclaims.
"So you think Fennic is alright?" Concerned, Blackwall questions Varric who sighs tiredly.
"And here we go…" Frowning, Varric mutters under his breath.
"We're just concerned." Fairly, I call out.
"I know you are but you got to realize, Fox is a big girl, she's tough, she can handle these sorts of things." Confidently, Varric affirms.
"That isn't what I heard." Slyly, Dorian remarks.
"So you did overhear us…" Scowling, Solas says.
"Yes and now thanks to you Fennic is in need of help, why did you even break up with her in the first place if you didn't want to?" Irritated, Dorian scowls at the sight of Solas, recalling the drunken fever the two had gone through.
"It has nothing to do with you Dorian." Coolly, Solas exclaims.
"And nor what she does should matter. Fen is smart, this may shock you Solas but she has a life outside you, she doesn't need you." Coldly, Dorian states the fact, irritation laced in his light-hearted tone.
"Enough! Listen to me I know you're all concerned about Fen but she's strong, she can handle herself." Fed up, I snap at the group, scowling shaking my head at the group. We don't need Fen we can do things on our own, yes she's helpful, she is strong, she is smart but we can do things alone, we had lives outside one another.
"Bookworm is right, Fennic is fine. She wouldn't let her emotions cloud her judgment. She is fine. Now would you stop freaking out already?" Varric agrees with me making me exhale relieved to find myself not alone in this belief.
"How can we be sure she is safe?" Solas proposes surprising us.
"Well there is a way you can see her…" Varric exclaims.
"There is?" Dorian raises a brow.
"Yeah you mentioned Morrigan's mirror right? Daisy has one think they could be connected…" Varric glances at me as I nod my eyes widening at another Eluvian.
"Maybe, I should ask Morrigan when we get back to Skyhold!?" I offer smiling brightly hopeful as we continue on our side quests until eventually returning to Skyhold, approaching Morrigan for information.
Fen POV:
"Aveline you should stay behind…" Sternly, I tell Aveline as I adjust my navy-blue robe as I perch myself upon the horse, readying myself to head out. Quietly, I count the arrows in my quiver, gently my fingertips brush against the arrows, counting gaining an estimate of arrows just in case as I then turn to focus on Ave.
"What? Why?" Frowning, she crosses her arms.
"The people need you; your men need you besides we don't know if this is a trap or not. If one of us go down we have the other to rely upon besides for all we know if we both go in, they could have some troops try to attack while we're gone." Calmly, I explain to Aveline her brow furrowed at the numerous problematic possibilities that occur if one of us doesn't stay just in case, even if he may have been our friend in the past we can't trust him, we can't risk anything.
"You have a point as much as I hate to say it." Tiredly, Aveline sighs bowing her head, glancing behind her at her troops doing their daily rounds.
"I'll be fine just keep an eye on Kirkwall." Stoically, I tell Ave nodding her head.
"Alright be careful…" She warns me.
"I will…" I promise her as gently, I kick the horse as the horse heads off with me leaving Ave behind to keep an eye on Kirkwall.
Stoically, I furrow my brow as I find numerous camped tents of snow white, some smeared with grains of sand below. I note a few chalky white skulls laid scattered all over, some smashed, cracks embedded into the skull alongside the sharp spear like blades impaled into their empty sockets and such.
"Who are you!? State your business!" Angrily, one of the men roars at me, armed as he aims his spear at me the other aiming their arrow at me only then to see my bored expression, tiredly watching on.
"I'm here to see your boss." Stoically, I state to the fool.
"And you are?" He demands from me.
"A friend lay down your weapons." A familiar accent rings out as the men lower their weapons.
"But sir…" Unsure, one of them glances to the side.
"Stand down, this is a friend." Frowning, I look up at the familiar brunette removing my hooded cloak to reveal my snow white locks as he smiles softly at me, confusingly.
"A friend you are trying to kill…" Snippily, I remind him crossing my arms.
"You chose your side and I chose mine." Sternly, he reminds me making me sigh, unfazed.
"Shall we?" He offers outstretching his arm out to his tent, only then for me to furrow my brow when I look up, my bright blue spotting some faint figures watching on.
"Is something wrong?" Sebastian enquires.
"No. Nothing…Come on we have much to discuss." Coolly, I remark my brow furrowed as I brush past him entering his chest, Sebastian following after me.
"Funny isn't it. How Andraste has chosen these roles for us…" Fondly, Sebastian smiles as he happily sits down on his seat while bored, I remain standing. My bored blues narrow at the numerous maps, andrastian artefacts all over the place along with a familiar bow, leaning against the tent wall.
"Andraste did not chose this we chose these roles for ourselves." Stoically, I remind Sebastian his brow furrowed from my refusal as my grip tightens on the chair, offered before me, Sebastian's outstretches his hand, gesturing for me to sit across from him.
"You truly think that? You truly think Andraste would let the chantry fall? Would let innocent people die? Would let that Maleficar escape from justice?" Frowning, Sebastian calmly challenges me. I remain standing, pushing the chair into the desk as my bored blues continue to explore the interior of the map as plain, dull and boring as ever. Sebastian's style no doubt, boring, annoying and most of all, irritating.
"Enough I am not here to discuss philosophy with you Sebastian you know why I am here." Sternly, I remind him as he sighs, disappointed almost. He and I both know we never got along, him and I often arguing over the existence of Andraste and my rage and disgust at him, towards assuming my brother and my escape was thanks to Andraste and not us, even trying to convert us. He may have tricked my brother but not me. Why pray to a being that simply watched on as I suffered? Why give him that satisfaction of worshipping someone who supposedly got me into this situation? Into a situation I tried to make the best out of.
"To stop me well…" Calmly, Sebastian begins.
"No." Easily, I cut him off taking him aback.
"No?" Surprised, he raises a brow.
"I know you Sebastian, you didn't stop Hawke from killing your parents what's to stop you now? Even with innocent people involved…" Snidely, I remark glowering.
"I know that's why I wanted to talk to you." Sebastian affirms to me.
"Seems we can see eye to eye for once. Surprisingly considering you weren't as kind to the alienage." I remind him.
"I hadn't meant to frighten them." Apologetic, he bows his head as I scowl at the supposed good boy, finding his patience his good guy act fake.
"What did you expect? A whole armada of men and women armed come in charging demanding for them to leave their land, just for you guys to make camp here. Did you honestly think they would stand by or at least out of fear not fight back?" Frustrated, I cross my arms at the idiot.
"I…they are better now with the maker. My prayers go to them." He bows his head making me seethe.
"With the maker? Or the elven gods." Snidely, I remark making him scowl at the memory.
"I know we may not agree with most things in particular the gods," Frowning, Sebastian begins.
"Look we have had our differences, but we can agree on this, the people need to be safe." Scowling, I state the fact.
"Yes, which is why we need a sanctuary, a place neither side will fight." Sebastian agrees with me.
"Agreed but where Darktown?" Sebastian offers making me scoff at the innocent offer.
"You're kidding…look the alienage would work." Mockingly, I shake my head.
"Indeed. I am willing so long as we don't use it to our advantage." Frowning, Sebastian informs me.
"We won't. That place will be a no fighting grounds alongside that if this feud is longer than needed, we will deliver supplies from both sides." I offer.
"The maker has always taught us to be generous so be it." Sebastian bows his head making me roll my eyes, why must he use the maker as some sort of excuse for doing charity work? Always he uses the maker and Andraste as an excuse or a reason for his actions it's just urgh…
"Good. We have come to an agreement then can I have your word?" I demand from him.
"You can. I swear, I give you my word." He offers me his hand.
"Good…then we are done here." Tiredly, I shake his hand quickly turning my back to him.
"Indeed, allow me to lead you out…" Politely, Sebastian stands as I scowl heading out of the tent…
Eve POV:
"Magnificent! Suddenly, it all makes sense. I now understand the nuance behind elven words. The ancient lore reveals patterns I would never have suspected. Tis exhilarating, the rush of images- truth dangling just out of reach." In awe, Morrigan gushes seating herself on a bench as she looks on in awe of the book presented before her brightly beaming at the page presented before her, her golden hues shining in glee of the information sinking in.
"Tell me more." Eager, I smile curious to know more as Morrigan smirks at me, eager to share.
"Take the Eluvian. It was always assumed their use was lost after the Tevinter conquest of Arlathan. But the ancient elves had closed all paths to the crossroads, long before. They warred with themselves, and the Eluvian were sealed to prevent an enemy from using them to attack. So much is misunderstood. It will take years to absorb if I get the chance." Morrigan explains to me making me raise a brow in awe. What could cause them to shut down the crossroads? Whatever this war was must have been crazy but then again, the main question is who was the catalyst to it?
"Glad I could help the idea of a remnant of Elvhen culture remaining is as good any sort of knowledge. So long as you share it of course. Speaking of which I need a favour…" Shyly, I smile glancing to the side, feeling a shiver of nervousness flow through me as I smile uneasily at Morrigan, raising a brow.
"A favour?" Curious, Morrigan arches a brow fascination in her tone.
"The Eluvian you spoke of could it be possible to track one down and open it?" I enquire curious.
"Well it would need a key. Why would you want to do this?" Humming, Morrigan enquires.
"Well… a friend of mine, I fear is in danger and there's an Eluvian nearby, intact of course and according to Varric it's open due to the key having been saved long ago so I was…" Nervously, I explain as Morrigan lowers her book listening to my words.
"We could try if you want…" Morrigan offers making me bema brightly hopeful.
"Thank you so much!" Grateful, I bow my head gratitude etched into my tone.
"Good now then earlier I said there was a way to match the power of Corypheus, Inquisitor and there is. We must summon Mythal." Morrigan informs me.
"Err…I beg your pardon?" Perplexed, I raise a brow from her words, I thought the goddess was dead? How can…?
"Whatever Mythal was-goddess, myth or ancient being- the voices of the well say a part of her power lingers on. How or in what form, I cannot say- but that power is exactly what we need. I must go to an alter in the wilderness to perform the summoning's and you must be with me." Firmly, Morrigan explains to me standing up.
"Wait me? Why me? Will the summoning be dangerous?" Perplexed, I raise a brow curious as to why I am needed. What if this summoning goes wrong or a guardian comes out of nowhere and attacks us? I mean this isn't just about us. Worried, I glance to the side at Kieran innocently playing with the flowers and such before Mother Giselle. If Morrigan were too…pained, I grimace at the familiar feeling of pain, no one deserves to go through that and lose their parents, not only that but…Scared, I feel my body shiver, shudder almost at the thought of facing the killer scary wrath of the hero of Fereldan.
"The altar could have a guardian or other surprise. Thus your company would be best although for this ritual I will need time to prepare and gather the materials needed. Though I'm sure you're fine with it concerning the latest discovery of the last inquisitor's whereabouts alongside the issue concerning storm coast with the lyrium transport issues…" Morrigan explains to me smiling softly as my eyes widen surprised, how did she know about that?
"I see you caught on…" Coolly, I whisper crossing my arms, perplexed.
"You could say that. And as for your Eluvian issue I can help you come with me…" She promises me.
"Thank you Morrigan I mean it." Grateful, I bow my head gratitude etched into my tone.
"Just makes sure you are ready. I can only open the Eluvian once and as soon as you go in there to return you will need to message me as to when you will want the Eluvian to be opened again." Warily, she warns me as I nod my head understanding her words.
"Of course…but how will we know if the other will be open? "Worried, I whisper as I follow her after gathering my party towards a familiar Eluvian as Morrigan prepares to open the mirror.
"It will light up in the crossroads…" She informs me.
"Besides I had daisy open it up." Smirking, Varric voices out surprising us as we turn to him, leaning against the wall watching on.
"Thank you Varric." I thank him.
"It's alright. It seems only fair I should help out." Softly, he smirks as he pushes himself off the wall to face us.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Concerned, I question him. I mean he knows Kirkwall, I'm surprised he doesn't want to help out.
"No, I have my place here, my job to do. Just… make sure you come back with Fox." Smirking, Varric tells me as we nod.
"I will I promise." I nod my head promising, vowing it even as we then turn to the glowing mirror and head inside, following Morrigan's advice. We head into the crossroads and find a glowing mirror, entering through the mirror only for our eyes to widen when being greeted by a woman, an elven woman kneeling down, talking to herself in a low voice her voice over another's, almost unnerving me as she seems to be even talking to herself. Startled, she squeaks snapping back into reality as she turns to face us, my brow furrowed when noting the crimson smeared blade by her hand, seeping out ruby red, as we meet both Fen and Varric's friend, the elven girl called Daisy.