Stoically, I stand before the templar remnants, my brow furrowed at the ruby red statue that is Meredith, noting a few children playing along with it, lingering around the ruby red statue others looking fearful while some brave souls attempt to approach and touch the woman only to falter when the adults calmly take the children, prying them from the dangerous scene about to occur.
Scowling, my ears perk up at the harsh marching as I turn to face the numerous men in familiar snow-white armour of the chantry, frowning as I find Sebastian leading the march, a bow and arrow in hand. I make my way down meeting him, the statue of Meredith in between us as we both glare at one another, my grp tightening on my blades. I note the crowd of onlookers swarming around us.
"Leave Sebastian, we made a deal." Sternly, I call out to him reminding him of our deal.
"And so we did but I promised my men would not fight that did not include me." Smirking, Sebastian reveals making me sigh bowing my head, of course he would use that loophole why am I not surprised?
"Seems chantry boy isn't as innocent as we had thought." Slyly, I remark scowling as I test the weight of my blade anxiously.
"You learn a thing or two. Besides we both know I wasn't always like this." Softly, Sebastian smiles as I sigh.
"A shame really…" Tiredly, I exhale recalling his tales of his playboy lifestyle before becoming a dull chantry man.
"A positive really." Sebastian rebukes making me roll my eyes at him.
"Sebastian we both know how it will end if you choose this. Leave these people alone or else I will not be so kind as to bless you with mercy…" Sternly, I state the fact to him trying to get him to see reason, to see the futile fight that will occur with his defeat, we both know this.
"We were friends once please Fennic step aside for me to do the makers work." Politely, he pleads almost making me cross my arms unamused.
"And here we go with the maker bull again Sebastian the maker if he does exist has done nothing for us…" Tiredly, I state the fact scowling at him, blaming the maker for everything, twisting the truth to make the supposed maker look better.
"You're wrong he helped you escape, Fen I know you, he helped you discover those mages that strayed from the maker's path, if only you would understand that not all of them can be saved. The maker had to make you suffer for your destiny to come to fruition, he helped you escape…" Calmly, he hints as I feel my eye twitch.
"No Sebastian my actions were what helped me escape, my actions made me who I am not god, not a hero, I am me and I control my own life." Sternly, I state the fact anger laced in my tone.
"But you cannot control the lives of others Fen. What he did…he must pay!" Angrily, Sebastian's declares his calm demeanour breaking revealing his true feral side, making me scoff at the fool as he raises his bow to me, charging forward only for me to easily deflect the bow.
"Sebastian you know I will not hesitate to cut you down." Stoically, I warn him as he jumps back, firing a few arrows at me which I easily miss, some members of the crowd weren't so lucky, my ears ring from the small plop of a dropped body. I strike forward, kneeing him in the chest widening him as I toss him to the side as he groans, rolling to the side.
"Then so be it." Scowling, Sebastian steps forward as I swiftly connect my blades firing one of my arrows making him grimace as the arrow impales into his shoulder side.
"But don't you want to survive? For your family, to not give your parents killer the satisfaction of the Starkhaven royal family from being killed off don't you?" I remind him making his eyes widen.
"Fennic…please if you are my friend tell me where Anders is I know you know." Gently, he begs as I bow my head shaking my head as he shakily stands, grimacing slowly taking out the arrow lodged into his shoulder, crimson spurting out.
"I'm giving you the chance to walk away Sebastian don't ruin this." Coldly, I refuse making him grimace bowing his head.
"Tell me, the abomination deserves to pay! He has blood on his hand innocent blood!" Angrily, he demands from me as I go quiet, refusing to spill the secrets.
"Don't we all!? We were all there that day Sebastian everyone lost someone. We all have blood on our hands including you!" Fed up, I point out as he staggers back, grimacing at the harsh reality, we are all to blame for what happened. If we had been more observant, more perceptive if we had been…if we had been better none of this would have happened.
"She died thanks to him!" Pained, he screams his voice breaking tears in his eyes.
"Yes she did but just because one person died should not mean another troubled soul should suffer you saw Anders after that, you saw how the mages detested him, dissociated themselves form him, if we had killed him it would have been mercy. This punishment he holds is much more severe than you could even imagine if you consider his isolation and other factors…" Calmly, I explain making his eyes widen having not considered the factors.
"I…I never saw it like that…" Lowly, he whispers stunned by the observation as I groan at the idiot.
"Surprise, surprise chantry boy doesn't look at other people's perspectives." Dryly, I remark exhausted.
"That isn't true. You allowed that heathen to live despite killing…" Scowling, he denies making me roll my eyes.
"Sebastian, I know you lost your mother figure, but this isn't about you. Everyone has lost someone, and you know that. Aveline lost her husband, Merill lost her entire clan and I've probably lost people who I don't even know but you don't see us wanting to burn down a place where innocent people are leaving with families of their own. What makes you any different? What makes your suffering any different? What gives you the right to think differently from those that have suffered worse? You would be no better than Anders if you go through with this…" Frustrated, I explain to the fool.
"Silence! You are wrong this is the makers belief this is Andraste's…I will strike you down even if we were comrades at one point!" Proudly, he proclaims, angrily drawing his own dagger blade.
"Then so be it, delude yourself using Andraste's supposed name for your supposed victory but know this, all these deaths everything falls on you for not backing down…your men, our men, Kirkwall civilians, their blood will be on your hands…" Proudly, I dictate as he raises his blade to me, only for me to deflect it as he leaps back firing an array of arrows which I cartwheel out of the way, sweeping his leg under him as he crumbles to the ground as teasingly, touching, my blade pokes his nose, his eyes wide at the one sided fight, concluding with my win. Shakily, he stands, bowing to his men who retreat, leaving Kirkwall safe.
"So…we're going to find the last inquisitor." Calmly, I turn to the stunned Eve as the crowd disperse making me turn to her, ignoring the frowning silent Solas as I make my way to a familiar alienage, finding a familiar mirror presented before us.
"What dd you do to him?" Curious, Dorian questions me smirking smugly, eyeing the silent Solas.
"Put him in his place," Proudly, I whisper back making Dorian beam brightly, proud of me almost making me snicker.
"It would seem so if you are willing to help us…" Meekly, Eve smiles at me.
"I don't see why not." Casually, I shrug accepting the offer.
"Be safe okay?" Softly, Merill smiles at me after she opens the mirror, making it beam brightly.
"I'll say the same to you. So where will you head off to Merill?" Curious, I question her.
"Who knows, we'll guide our own way…" Perkily, she smiles.
"Safe travels…" Aveline tells us.
"And you too. We all need to meet up again sometimes all of us together." I reason leaning back crossing my arms.
"I'm sure Varric's already planning on it…" Cheekily, Merill exclaims.
"So long as Isabella doesn't cheat." Annoyed, Aveline huffs making me chuckle.
"It's wicked grace, it's her game." I point out smirking.
"True to that. Stay safe Fen I mean it, we both do." Aveline affirms as I glance at Merill nodding her head in agreement.
"I know…you too, the both of you. Merill try not to get possess and Ave…continue being you though I suggest you get laid. You need to loosen those muscles," Cheekily, I remark as Aveline scowls at my remark while Merill smiles nodding her head.
"You can count on me!" Happily, she beams as nervously, I glance to the side as the others enter the mirror, me following after them as I furrow my brow at the question floating in my mind.
"Can I?"
"All right, Solas. I've thought about it. Ready to finish this? Ben-Hassrath to A6…" Determined, Bull declares after we had to follow Eve to get some boat only to deal with some avvar guys only after having to listen to Harding and some historian guy gush over some artefacts. I swear I saw Eve drool as they began talking about it, urgh honestly. I still don't know how to feel about all, the only real reason I see us doing this is to get his gear, looting the corpse of the last inquisitor, a guy who did a lot for Thedas, I don't know how to feel about this, then again I don't know what I am feeling anymore? I mean I'm trying to be the better person by talking to Solas and all that, to show his break up didn't affect me so he doesn't win. Externally, I can do plus it makes him awkward and makes me feel better but internally, oh maker it's a cluster of unbridled rage and other emotions I can't identify sadly.
"Knight takes Pawn at G7. Check," Confidently, Solas makes his move as Sera stands by me, mocking Solas making me and Dorian snicker, unaware of a certain pair of eyes catching our giggles.
"Uh-huh. King to D8." Iron Bull continues.
"Queen to F6, Check." Solas states.
"And now my Ben-Hassrath takes your Queen. You've got no Towers. You're down to a single Mage. Too bad you wasted time moving that Pawn to... to...You sneaky son of a bitch." Bull curses making me arch a brow at the game going on that I have completely lost interest in.
"Mage to E7. Checkmate." Smugly, Solas dictates having won the match making me roll my eyes.
"Nice game, mage." Grumbling, Bull grunts.
"And you as well, Tal-Vashoth." Pleased, Solas smirks.
"Don't worry Bull, if it makes you feel better, I won against Solas during chess." Cheekily, I assure him.
"You did?" Surprised, Bull smirks.
"Only because you cheated." Snidely, Solas remarks making me roll my eyes.
"All fair in love and war…" Dorian exclaims making me chuckle.
"Aw is someone pouting?" Mischievously, I point out as he scowls.
"I am NOT pouting." Annoyed, he corrects me only making our smirk wider.
"I'm sure just as I am sure that Dorian can be straight for a whole day and as sure as Sera can be a Orlesian noble." Smirking, I gesture to the two.
"She's got you there baldy!" Cackling, Sera smirks at the scowling Solas cursing under his breath at our win.
"For once I agree." Dorian agrees.
"What is that commotion?" Confused, Eve blurts out as we turn to enter the village for the permission to use the boat, only to find a group roaring at two guys racing well climbing up the mountain.
"Sounds like a party…or a fight." Bull furrows his brow at the one ahead of the other.
"I don't know what this is but I love it!" Amazed, I gush alongside Sera our eyes sparkling at the fun game.
"Of course, you do. An interesting way to resolve a conflict." Solas gives in as the victor who makes it to the top first celebrates arms outstretched as the crowd roar to him.
"Oi Fen bet you five sovereigns I can beat you to the top." Excited, Sera elbows me making me smirk.
"Sera we both know who would win…" Smugly, I argue.
"Oh yeah?" Sera prompts eagerly.
"Seems I have been challenged." Dramatically, I sigh making Dorian smirks.
"It would seem so." Dorian plays along taking my daggers as I pass them to him while Bull takes Sera's bow.
"You're not serious." Judgementally, Solas scowls at me.
"Oh, come on lighten up egghead. This looks fun!" Brightly, I offer as we rush over, the crowd swarming around us as we are given the run down, Sera and I both nodding as the horn goes off and the climbing begins.
"How the hell is she doing so fast with such a tiny body!?" Gawking, Eve gasps watching the quick movements of Fennic, easily climbing up the wall while Sera surprisingly struggles.
"You are questioning the girl that would climb Kirkwall's chained statues?" Smirking, Varric points out.
"She would do that?" Eve raises a brow stunned.
"Yeah said the view was too die for especially at night…" Varric recalls.
"Shit Sera!" Abruptly, Fen curses as she makes her way to the top, claiming victory only for her eyes to widen as Sera slips only for Fen to dive down to catch her only to gasp as she too slips up as immediately, Eve and the others rush in. Bull outstretches his arms out to save them both only for his eyes to widen when feeling the lightweight fall into his arms only to be greeted by a certain short haired elf but the other…
"Shit! Shit!" Together, Sera and Fen curse as they fall the others rushing to their side.
"Fox!" Concerned, Varric calls out.
"Urgh…" Groaning, Fen grimaces as she cradles her temple, leaning back frowning at the surprisingly lean warm arms around her form. Slowly, she opens her eyelids, her blue meeting a concerned pair of amethyst.
"Vhenan are you alright?" Concerned, Solas questions her panic laced in his tone as her eyes dilate horrified to find her in his arms, bridal style.
"Wha…I-I'm fine just let me down would you?" Scowling, Fen scowls at Solas.
"Apologies…" Sadly, he sighs gently letting her down trying to look her over only to be lightly pushed back by the irritated Fen.
"Is Sera okay?" Annoyed, she questions turning to Varric smiling softly at her.
"Yeah Sera is Sera." Dorian assures her.
"Good. Sera, five sovereigns are in order." Smirking, she turns to Bull, Sera in his arms as she groans.
"Fine, how did you even do that?" Irritated, she demands from Fox, jumping out of Bull's arms.
"Back in Tevinter and Kirkwall I used to free run all over." Casually, Fox shrugs smiling softly at the memory.
"You…how would you do that with Tevinter's architecture? How did you even have the time?" Baffled, Dorian questions.
"Denarius wasn't always in Tevinter, he either preferred me staying by his side or staying locked up, so I had time. Sometimes it was the challenge but the thrill, the adrenaline pumping through our veins at the danger of falling and being caught would always excite us." In awe, Fen gushes her eyes lighting up at the memory relishing the adrenaline surprising the group.
"You and your brother?" Dorian guesses.
"No me and…" Pained, Fox's smiles falters, her features softening turning sad, guilt ashamed almost as she bows her head, going quiet.
"Who?" Innocently, Sera questions not noticing her pained features.
"Nobody..." Curtly, Fen sighs bowing her head shaking her head dismissing it as the others continue on in the village, heading to the tribal leader for the permission to use the boat.
"As we train the gods see us become worthy…" Frowning, we approach the male sharpening his sharp sword as we approach him outside the hut of the tribal leader.
"Worthy of what?" Curious, Eve questions.
"A second strength when you most need it." He informs us.
"A glimpse of a spot your blade that aims for your heart. Warriors must show their gratitude for these gifts and the will for practice…" The warrior informs us as Eve glances at us and we nod, letting her go to talk to the tribal leader leaving us with him.
"Impossible! All these people would be abominations if this were true!" Scowling, Cassandra rejects the notion.
"Not entirely, I have seen it done time and again during one of Denarius trips, he often forced spirits to draw into some poor fool, he enjoyed watching people struggle when possessed and when he got bored, would make me fight them." I recall my brow furrowed at the bloody memory.
"Spirits do sometime wander if the veil permits, occasionally for the better." Dorian adds.
"Interesting you draw in spirits influenced by these ritual battles to aid you in real conflict." Intrigued, Solas exclaims.
"Didn't I say as such?" Scowling, the warrior argues against Solas.
"Yes but…of course. My apologies." Solas bows his head struggling.
"Something particularly funny?" Dorian furrows his brow when we note Sera snickering glancing between Bull and Dorian.
"You. And Bull." Sera snickers.
"I'm glad it amuses you, but what I get from my affairs is... my affair." Frowning, Dorian furrows his brow.
"I know what you get. It's like falling through a tree into custard. Too high! Wham! Too fast! Wham! Leaves! Wham! Splat!" Snickering, Sera giggles as my eyes widen at the memory of those muffled voices as Solas and I share a look, remembering those muffled cries.
"Wait that was you too?" Surprised, disgusted almost, Cassandra glances at Bull and Dorian nodding their heads.
"I told you it wasn't us!" Snippily, I remind Cass sighing sadly.
"Should I ask?" Tiredly, Solas mutters.
"Probably not." I shrug recalling Cassandra often coming up me concerning Solas and myself, our voices being loud during that time, a few times we were caught until I got baldy to put up some sort of barrier but still she persisted in her complaining. Not our fault people just walk in, they should knock before walking in anyway, it's their fault for not knocking.
"I'm not sure which is worse, the mockery or the accuracy." Dorian confesses to me glancing at me.
"Eh, depends how much rest the trees had." Bull tells us.
"Leaves?" Disturbed, Varric and I glance at one another unnerved.
"Anyway, this seems right up your ally eh egghead." Slyly, I remark snickering as he gives me a sharp glare irritated making me chuckle as we wait outside for Eve.
"If the egghead you are referring to is me then yes I suppose so if they know how to handle it properly that is." Snippily, Solas mutters.
"Ooh someone's getting touchy." Teasingly, Dorian points out.
"But I am afraid to disappoint you but magical artefacts wouldn't have survived for this long, the runes no doubt would have…" Solas begins.
"Blah! Blah! Blah!" Abruptly, Sera loudly cuts Solas off making him scowl as I can't help but snicker at the scene.
"Eloquent as always Sera…" Dryly, Solas remarks huffing.
"Sera, I had a thought. The next time we run into a line of enemies, I'll pick you up and throw you." Bull offers.
"Get off." Sera rejects the idea.
"No! This could work! I loft you over the front rank, and you land behind them to flank ... mayhem ensues." Bull suggests.
"I can't fly, you daft tit!" Scowling, Sera refuses.
"Think of the mayhem, Sera! Mayhem." Iron Bull reminds her in awe.
"I'd get a wedge-up something fierce!" Frowning, Sera argues.
"Look, you and Varric are the only ones small enough and he's... pretty dense." Iron Bull considers.
"Ouch!" Playfully, Varric places his hand on his chest feigning hurt.
"Well, do some bloody presses!" Sera tells him making me chuckle.
"Actually, Varric isn't that heavy." I point out.
"This coming from the girl who trained to flip Qunari's over." Chuckling, Bull reminds us.
"Hey don't be jealous…" Proudly, I counter.
"That would explain the six pack." Dorian hums out.
"How do you know that!?" Lowly, I hiss.
"Six pack? Fen has a six pack?" Surprised, Sera gasps my eyes widening as Sera leers over, trying to reach for my chest only to meet my stern glare.
"Indeed, she does." Slyly, Solas remarks.
"Hey, I'm not the one who liked tracing it." Angrily, I point out as Dorian snickers.
"Everyone thinks I'm mad when I speak of Orlais they believe I make half of it up as if I could dream up those fountains and palaces with the frilly little cakes. Hold a moment you're Varric Tethras…" Frowning, we perk up at the voice inside, finding a male inside the hut as we enter while Eve finishes talking to the leader.
"Aww Varric you got a fan!" Cheekily, I tease.
"You got to be kidding me." Annoyed, Varric groans.
"I've read all your books and…wait aren't you Fennic?" Amazed, the male questions me making me frown.
"And if I were to say no?" Meekly, I offer.
"Wait are you her brother Fenris? The book did mention him having a twin." He points out making me sigh tiredly.
"Um no I am…" I begin.
"It's such an honour to meet you, is it true that you punched the chantry sister!?" Eagerly, he questions me making me groan.
"Um…which one?" I offer.
"I have all the printings of hard in high town even the banned version!" He gushes making our eyes widen.
"Oh no…" I whisper glancing at Varric face palming.
"I've read it thrice." He gushes.
"Nice to know the rock falls and everyone dies ending entertained its audience." Varric shrugs not sure what to say to the fan.
"I told you not to go through that ending…" Tiredly, I groan remembering him telling me the tale when we were drinking a while back at the hanged man, one of his drunken rambles.
"You and the others did I didn't think it would be published but here we are." Pained, Varric smiles outstretching his arms out as Eve turns to us having been given the permission as we head out, turning to the door and leaving to head to the boat to continue our task of finding the last inquisitor…