Haven-
I would like to speak to you of Haven- -the village in the Frostbacks, close to the Temple of Sacred Ashes. We are all aware of its past. It was home to the "Disciples of Andraste," as they called themselves. Descended from the people who built the temple itself, they had strayed, over years of isolation, from their once-noble roots to become dragon worshippers. After the Hero of Ferelden discovered the Temple of Sacred Ashes, which the Disciples guarded jealously, what remained of the cult moved on, and Haven was abandoned to the ice and the snow.
I passed through Haven on my pilgrimage to see the Temple of the Sacred Ashes. There was a storm, and I took shelter in the hall of Haven's chantry. Though they were dusty from neglect, the walls of that lonely place were strong and shielded me from the biting winds. Peace came upon me, and my eyes were opened to Haven's incredible beauty. It could not be overcome by the pain and the horror of the past. It could not be masked by decay and disuse. It would not be forgotten.
Haven is precious to Orlais, to the Chantry, and to the Sunburst Throne for its historical and religious significance. It is my will that Haven is restored, rededicated to the service of Andraste, and preserved for the ages. Let it be a sanctuary for the pilgrims who seek out the Temple of Sacred Ashes. May they rest here beneath the cold, bright skies. May the glory of the Maker be revealed to them, as they gaze upon the grey peaks that are the work of His hand. Now and forever more, let this be a Haven for the faithful. —From a speech by Divine Justinia V in 9:35 Dragon
Temple of Sacred Ashes-
According to legend, the Sacred Ashes of Andraste were carried out of the Imperium by Havard, a disciple of Our Lady. Wounded by Tevinter soldiers when he tried to stop Andraste's capture, Havard was too late in coming to Minrathous to halt the execution. All he found was her ashes, left out in the elements. As soon as Havard touched them, Andraste appeared in a vision. "Rise," she said, "Aegis of the Faith. The Maker shall never forget you so long as I remember." The Aegis of the Faith, so named by our Prophet herself, stood at her word and found his wounds healed and his spirit renewed. He gathered the ashes of Andraste and returned to the lands of the Alamarii tribes, which are now Ferelden. It's said that Andraste's song led him to a holy site, where Havard and his followers built a temple to house her remains. There the legend ends. For centuries, men searched for the Temple of Sacred Ashes, finding only rumors and tall tales. Chantry scholars concluded that there was no temple. There were no Sacred Ashes. It was all a myth, allegory intended to inspire and feed the fire of faith. Then the Hero of Ferelden came. Seeking to cure a dying Arl with the miraculous powers of the ashes, the Hero, with the help of renowned scholar Brother Ferdinand Genitivi, traced the steps of the ancients and came to a remote ruin, high in the Frostback Mountains. There, the Urn of Sacred Ashes waited, as the legend said it would. After the triumph of the righteous over the Fifth Blight, the temple's discovery was shared with the world. Much to our dismay, however, by the time our soldiers arrived at the temple, the urn had disappeared. To this day, we do not know who took them or why. All that is certain is that it was the Maker's will. The Hero of Ferelden did not share the discovery with the world, and Brother Genitivi, whose research made it possible, had disappeared without a trace. Truth, however, will always out and rumors circulated about the cause of Arl Eamon Guirren's miraculous recovery. Agents of the Chantry investigated claims about the Urn of Sacred Ashes and were eventually led, as the Hero had been driven, to the temple. By the time our soldiers reached it, however, the urn was nowhere to be found. Though the ashes were gone, the temple itself stood, and it has since become a source of hope for the faithful. If the Grand Cathedral is the beating heart of our Chantry, then the Temple of Sacred Ashes is her soul. Here, we honor the Chantry's past even as we forge bravely into our future. —From a lecture delivered by Chantry scholar Mother Clothilde at the University of Orlais in 9:38 Dragon.
The Conclave-
It has been a year of little more than chaos. Yes, the mages voted to dissolve the Circle of Magi—but I will point out: this vote came only after increased restrictions were placed on them following the unfortunate events in Kirkwall. What other choice did they have? Yes, the Templar Order abandoned their duties and elected to pursue the mages to bring them back in line—but after a thousand years in which their sole role was the mages' keepers, what else could one expect? They envisioned the war over quickly; a single battle that would see the mages' resolve crumble, after which they would meekly return to confinement. That did not happen. This conflict could drag on forever, with the advantage on neither side. Both templars and mages see this, and thus they have agreed to come to the Conclave. This is our chance. Words need to be said which have not been mentioned; a compromise must be reached because there is no other choice. I believe this with all my heart. I am not without fault in all this; perhaps I pushed too hard for reform, or not hard enough. The Maker has seen fit to give me another chance; I will not squander it. The Temple of Sacred Ashes is where together we will make history, and with luck, we will be remembered kindly for it. —From the journals of Divine Jusitina V, Dragon 9:41
Elizabeth leisurely regained consciousness but couldn't seem to get past the haze in her eyes. Her frame rested on her knees, fighting to rejoin corporeity. A buzzing jolted her arm, eyes widening, a gasp escaping her lips. She casually blinked, bringing the extremity up, as it once more flared with a blazing green hue. The door ahead of Elizabeth abruptly opened, two women cantering inside. One was adorned in medium armor in addition to a red hood over her head. Her eyes were kind, and her countenance soft. The other who entered had shady secrecy like she had seen multiple horrors in life. The woman's hair was black and short, and she stood more intimidating than her partner. A sword swayed from her hips, accompanied by a shield. The dark-haired female circled Elizabeth, looming over, once behind her position.
"Tell me why we shouldn't kill you now," she hissed. "The Conclave is destroyed. Everyone who attended is dead. Except for you."
Elizabeth shook her head, trying to recall what happened, but the only thing she could feel was a headache. She peered up at the two strong females.
"What do you mean, everyone's dead?"
The dark-haired woman grabbed Elizabeth's shackles, holding her hand up. "Explain this."
"I can't," Elizabeth stuttered, a green light-emitting from her hand.
"What do you mean you can't?" the woman asked.
"I don't know what that is or how it got there," Elizabeth replied.
"You're lying!" the woman refuted.
The hooded red-head seized her companion and nudged her back. "We need her, Cassandra."
"I can't believe it." Elizabeth shifted on her knees. "All those people… dead?"
"Do you remember what happened?" the hooded woman wondered. "How all this began?"
Elizabeth tried once again to pull the thoughts forward. But whatever or wherever the memories were, was now devoid of anything useful. Her eyes sealed, fighting to focus, but the dull aching in her head turned into a migraine. She fidgeted then glimpsed at the calm eyes hovering over her.
"I remember running," she recounted. "Things were chasing me, and then… a woman?"
"A woman?" The hooded lady lifted her brow in curiosity.
"She reached out to me," Elizabeth tried to call to mind, though it was almost like running through a course of knives. "But then…"
"Go to the forward camp, Leliana." The woman named Cassandra stepped between them. "I will take her to the rift."
Leliana bounced her eyes between Elizabeth and Cassandra, then slightly bobbed her head, leaving the room. Cassandra tilted forward, unfastening the shackles from Elizabeth's wrists. The mage remained still as Cassandra replaced the restraints with rope.
"What did happen?" Elizabeth inquired.
The woman exhaled. "It will be easier to show you."
Cassandra led Elizabeth out of the dungeon, up some stairs, and through the Chantry. Two guards standing on either side of the exit opened the large wooden doors so the two could leave the building. Despite being overcast and cloudy, the natural light was enough to make Elizabeth cover her face until her vision adjusted. She fixed her sights on the north, seeing a green funnel of light streaming from the sky; above it was a massive hole. As a mage, Elizabeth knew what she was observing, and it made her eyes widen in horror.
Cassandra turned to her. "We call it 'The Breach', a massive rift to the world of demons that grows larger with each passing hour. It's not the only such rift. Just the largest. All evident by the explosion at the Conclave."
"An explosion can do that?" Elizabeth questioned.
"This one did," the woman responded. "Unless we act, the Breach may grow until it swallows the world."
The echo of thunder reverberated through the air as the rift expanded, sending out a pulse. It caused the mark on Elizabeth's hand to circulate voltaic vibrations through her palm and fingers. She tumbled to the ground with a yelp, trying to bring her convulsing extremity closer to her frame as discomfort coursed through it. Cassandra rushed over, kneeling down in front of the young mage.
"Each time the Breach expands, your mark spreads" Cassandra gazed at Elizabeth, "and it is killing you. It may be the key to stopping this, but there isn't much time."
"You say it may be the key," Elizabeth alluded, "the key to doing what?"
"Closing the Breach," Cassandra answered. "Whether that's possible is something we shall discover shortly. It is our only chance, however, and yours."
"You still think I did this? To myself?" Elizabeth retorted.
"Not intentionally," the warrior replied. "Something clearly went wrong."
Elizabeth glared. "If I'm not responsible?"
"Someone is" she shifted from one foot to the other, "and you are our only suspect. You wish to prove your innocence? This is the only way."
Elizabeth painfully sighed as her arm continued to twitch. "I understand."
"Then…?"
Elizabeth nodded. "I'll do what I can. Whatever it takes."
Cassandra dipped her head, then stood and placed her left hand behind Elizabeth and her right one under the opposite arm, hoisting the young woman to her feet. Cassandra thought it might take more effort than it did, but the mage was light. The Seeker guided Elizabeth down the path, holding her close so that no one tried anything stupid. As Cassandra held Elizabeth, she caught the robust woman's scent on the breeze. The Seeker smelled like polish and metal, but there were hints of jasmine, heliotrope, and patchouli with a wood base and a mixture of spices throughout. Something independent, dark, and less girly, but still made her feel desirable.
"They have decided your guilt," Cassandra said, pulling Elizabeth from thought. "They need it. The people of Haven mourn our Most Holy, Divine Justinia, Head of the Chantry. The Conclave was hers, a chance for peace between mages and templars. She brought their leaders together. Now, they are dead. We lash out, like the sky. But we must think beyond ourselves, as she did. Until the Breach is sealed." Cassandra stopped the young woman and pulled out a knife. "There will be a trial. I can promise no more." She cut the rope bindings. "Come. It is not far."
"Where are you taking me?" Elizabeth wondered, examining the pooled rope on the ground.
"Your mark must be tested on something smaller than the Breach," she stated.
Elizabeth continued along the bridge, weaving around numerous people. As to not raise further suspicion, she remained close to Cassandra. As they passed one group, Elizabeth heard a man praying.
"Maker, though the darkness comes upon me, I shall embrace the light. I shall weather the storm. What you have created, no one can tear asunder."
As they progressed, they made it to another set of doors.
"Open the gate!" Cassandra commanded. "We are heading into the valley."
The two guards opened the doors, standing aside so Cassandra and Elizabeth could advance through. There was a path ahead littered with soldiers; some held a position, others sprinted back toward the bridge. Elizabeth and Cassandra navigated down the road.
"Maker, it's the end of the world!" one soldier said as he and another ran away from the Breach.
Elizabeth continued, seeing another pulse shoot from the hole in the sky and charge down the spiraling emerald light. The minute it thundered, Elizabeth moaned out at the clutch of charges surging through her arm's nerves. She plummeted to the ground once again, cradling it, trying to remain composed. Cassandra approached Elizabeth, helping her to her feet.
"The pulses are coming faster now." The dark-haired woman touched Elizabeth's upper arm. "The larger the Breach grows, the more rifts appear, the more demons we face."
Elizabeth proceeded down the path beside Cassandra, navigating to the temple. She inhaled slowly, releasing it as her eyes bounced from Cassandra to the ground below her feet.
"How did I survive the blast?"
Cassandra exhaled. "They said you, stepped out of a rift, then fell unconscious. They say a woman was in the rift behind you. No one knows who she was. Everything farther in the valley was laid waste, including the Temple of Sacred Ashes. I suppose you'll see soon enough."
Elizabeth and Cassandra made it to another bridge where soldiers were taking up positions. The Breach hurled a bolt at them, causing the overpass to crumble, the small army crushed under debris. Cassandra and Elizabeth tumbled to the frozen lake, violently hitting the ice below. It took them both a few moments to get up. Suddenly, another bolt hit about eight feet in front of them, this one producing two shades.
"Stay behind me!" Cassandra armed her sword and shield, stepping between Elizabeth and the demons.
Cassandra began fighting them both, but one shade moved from her to Elizabeth. She didn't have her daggers or bow and arrows, but the one she found so conveniently to her left was good enough. Elizabeth cast Flashfire, then Immolate, making the shade fly back. Chain Lightning and Energy Barrage finished off the demon. Elizabeth turned her attention to the remaining enemy. She shot an arrow through it after casting Winter's Grasp, freezing it in place.
"It's over." Elizabeth sighed in relief.
Cassandra glimpsed at the young woman and pointed her sword. "Drop your weapon. Now!"
Elizabeth put her hands up and set the bow on the ice. "All right. Have it your way."
"Wait," Cassandra said, holstering her sword as she padded over and picked up the bow and nearby quiver, handing them to Elizabeth. "It's clear you don't need a staff, but you should have more than your magic at your disposal. I cannot protect you." She backed away from Elizabeth but gazed at the mage woman over her shoulder. "I should remember you agreed to come willingly."
"Thank you, Cassandra." Elizabeth put on the quiver and tightened it.
Cassandra handed her a few flasks. "Take these potions. Maker knows what we will face."
Elizabeth put them in her leather pack. "Where are all your soldiers? Surely that wasn't all of them that we passed."
"At the Forward Camp or fighting," the woman responded. "We are on our own for now."
Elizabeth and Cassandra followed the path. Elizabeth found some provisions on nearby deceased soldiers, as well as some coin. The ladies came to an area of the road that led back to the frozen river, noticing two shades prowling around the field.
"There!" Cassandra pointed. "Watch out! If we flank them, we may gain the advantage."
"I'll hold their attention." Elizabeth turned from Cassandra to the shades. "Go!"
Cassandra inconspicuously jumped off the ledge to the right while Elizabeth cast her magic and shot more arrows. The first few were a bit sloppy, but she wasn't used to this bow as it was for someone who was right-handed. Both shades were eliminated with ease. Cassandra rejoined Elizabeth at the hill's base with some elfroot and another coin pouch in her possession. The women followed the riverside but weren't more than a few yards from their last encounter when two other shades and a wisp appeared.
"Up on the hill!" Cassandra motioned ahead. "It attacks from a distance!"
"I've got it," Elizabeth yelled.
The mage woman ascended the steps, the wisp reappearing in front of her. She used Chain Lightning and Lightning Bolt, quickly eradicating it. Elizabeth drew the bow and shot First Blood and Long Shot, disposing of the last shade with Cassandra's assistance. The mage collected a few more elfroot leaves and coin, proceeding forward, Cassandra on her heels.
"They're falling from the Breach!" Elizabeth shouted.
Another wisp and shade appeared on a hill before them. Cassandra rushed forward, cutting down the opposition and blocking hits with her shield. Elizabeth used Chain Lightning on the wisp, then hit it with Fireball. The ladies continued along the path, picking up resources and any coin they could find. Once getting on the correct passage, they stumbled upon more enemies. Cassandra took on the demon, and Elizabeth hit the mist-like creatures. She condensed lightning in her hands and shot it out, chaining both with charges. The green ghosts disappeared, allowing her to focus on the shade that Cassandra was battling. Once it was gone, Elizabeth looked around the area, then climbed more steps.
"We're getting close to the rift," Cassandra told her, "you can hear the fighting."
"Who's fighting?" Elizabeth wondered.
"You'll see soon," Cassandra replied. "We must help them."
Elizabeth and Cassandra jumped down off the platform. Two soldiers were fighting, along with a crossbow-wielding dwarf and magic-tossing elf. Elizabeth started firing her arrows and casting spells, and Cassandra ran into the action, shield-bashing and sword-slashing. It only took mere seconds to take down the demons with extra help. At that moment, the elf approached Elizabeth.
"Quickly before more come through!" He grabbed her wrist and pointed her hand up to the rift.
An emerald-colored electrical discharge came from Elizabeth's extremity. The charge shrunk the hole as if the light was stitching that mended shut an open wound. The force of the closure thrust her hand back with a jolt. The action reduced the level of irritation as if a scratch satisfied an itch.
"What did you do?" Elizabeth wondered.
"I did nothing," he murmured. "The credit is yours."
Elizabeth observed the mark on her hand. "At least this is good for something."
"Whatever magic opened the Breach in the sky also placed that mark upon your hand," the elf stated. "I theorized the mark might be able to close the rifts that have opened in the Breach's wake, and it seems I was correct."
Cassandra stepped closer to the two of them. "Meaning it could also close the Breach itself."
"Possibly," Solas replied softly, turning to Elizabeth. "It seems you hold the key to our salvation."
"Good to know," the dwarf finally interjected, causing them to all face his direction. "Here I thought we'd be ass-deep in demons forever. Varric Tethras: rogue, storyteller, and occasionally unwelcome tagalong." He winked at Cassandra.
Elizabeth turned from Cassandra's disgusted expression to Varric. "Are you with the Chantry, or...?"
The elf mage chuckled. "Was that a serious question?"
"Technically" Varric stepped close to the mage woman, "I'm a prisoner, just like you."
"I brought you here to tell your story to the Divine." Cassandra leaned forward. "Clearly, that is no longer necessary."
"Yet, here I am," he cooed. "Lucky for you, considering current events."
"It's good to meet you, Varric." Elizabeth bowed her head.
"You may reconsider that stance," the elf responded, tilting closer to Elizabeth, "in time."
"Aww." Varric twittered, running his hand over his face. "I'm sure we'll become great friends in the valley, Chuckles."
"Absolutely not!" Cassandra walked forward. "Your help is appreciated, Varric, but—"
"Have you been in the valley lately, Seeker? Your soldiers aren't in control anymore," Varric rebutted. "You need me."
Elizabeth could see Cassandra internally fighting until she elicited a disgusted noise, then turn on her heels.
The elf peered at Elizabeth. "My name is Solas if there are to be introductions."
"My name is Elizabeth, Elizabeth Trevelyan."
Solas bowed his head. "I am pleased to see you still live."
"He means, 'I kept that mark from killing you while you slept.'" Varric smirked.
Elizabeth faced the elf. "You seem to know a great deal about it all."
"Unlike you," Cassandra cited, "Solas is an apostate."
"Technically, all mages are apostates, Cassandra." Solas lowered his head respectfully. "My travels have allowed me to learn much of the Fade. Far beyond the experience of any Circle mage. I came to offer whatever help I can give with the Breach. If it is not closed, we are all doomed, regardless of origin."
"That's a commendable attitude." Elizabeth smiled.
"Merely a sensible one." He mirrored her facial expression. "Although it appears to be in short supply right now." Solas turned to the dark-haired woman. "Cassandra, you should know: the magic here is unlike any I have seen. Your prisoner is a mage, but I find it difficult to imagine any mage having such power."
"Understood." Cassandra jerked her head. "We must get to the forward camp."
Solas and Cassandra proceeded forward. Varric came up and stood beside Elizabeth.
"Well" Varric pointed to his crossbow, "Bianca's excited."
Elizabeth hiccuped a laugh as Varric continued ahead. She searched the area, then jumped over a beam where the other three were waiting for her.
"This way." Cassandra pointed to the path ahead. "Down the bank. The road ahead is blocked."
"We must move quickly," Solas added.
Cassandra, Elizabeth, Solas, and Varric went down the hill and over the small rock-face where they stumbled upon the lake that fed the nearby river.
"Demons ahead!" Solas shouted.
Varric pulled his crossbow out. "Glad you brought me now, Seeker?"
Cassandra, Elizabeth, Solas, and Varric fought against the demons. Since Cassandra was their only forward hitter, Elizabeth chanted up some icicles and used them like daggers. She jabbed one, then stabbed another as Varric and Solas shot from afar. This fight was a little longer than the previous few. Elizabeth got cut by a shade's claws before they eliminated all the demons. After the demons vanished into the ground, Solas went to check on her. The mage woman motioned that she was okay while healing her wound. Elizabeth went to the left and looked for supplies. As they reached a dead end, three more shades appeared. Between the four of them, the Fade's shadows stood no contest. Once the small battle was over, Elizabeth gathered the gold coin and materials around the mini campsite, then went back down toward the lake.
"So, I take it you're from the Free Marches," Varric started a conversation.
"Oh?" The right side of Elizabeth's lips stretched into a smirk.
"Accent." Varric motioned to her. "I'm from Kirkwall, but you're from further east, maybe?"
"That's quite the ear you have, Varric," Elizabeth complimented.
"I'm all kinds of impressive," Varric mused.
Elizabeth chuckled when Cassandra gave a derisive snort.
Cassandra, Elizabeth, Solas, and Varric inspected both nearby cabins on the water's east and north bank. They gathered all the currency and supplies they found. Elizabeth led them up the hill to collect iron and elfroot she had spotted. The group went in the direction of the lake, readjusting their course back toward the temple. Another pulse came from the Breach. Elizabeth's hand began to glow and tense once more. She hissed and instinctually flapped it.
"My magic cannot stop your mark from growing further," Solas muttered. "For your sake, I suggest we hurry."
Cassandra, Elizabeth, Solas, and Varric scrambled a few more feet before the dwarf started up another interrogation.
"So… are you innocent?"
"I don't remember what happened," Elizabeth replied.
"That'll get you every time," Varric murmured. "Should have spun a story."
"That's what you would have done," Cassandra snorted.
"It's more believable," Varric joked, "and less prone to result in premature execution."
Cassandra, Elizabeth, Solas, and Varric climbed the steps and encountered more shades and wisps patrolling the area. Once again, the group spread out, and Elizabeth used icicles to help Cassandra on the front line. After the demons melted away, Elizabeth leaned down and collected some essence from one of the wisps.
"I hope Leliana made it through all this." Cassandra exhaled.
"She's resourceful, Seeker," Varric reassured.
"We will see for ourselves at the forward camp," Solas replied, "we are almost there."
Cassandra, Elizabeth, Solas, and Varric proceeded to another set of stairs. They heard men yelling and saw another rift. They dashed over to help the soldiers outside the gate. Since there were more heavy hitters than distance fighters, Elizabeth hung back and used spells and arrows to take down the demons that poured through the opening.
"Quickly!" Solas yelled over the fighting. "We must seal it! Hurry! Use the mark!"
After disposing of all the shades and wisps, Elizabeth put her left hand up to the rift, and once again, the static green light came, shrinking the opening until it closed.
"The rift is gone!" Cassandra settled the guards. "Open the gate!"
"Right away, Lady Cassandra!" the soldier said, running for the door and helping a fellow guard to widen them.
"We're clear for the moment." Solas sighed in relief. "Well done."
"Whatever that thing on your hand is, it's useful," Varric added.
The small army wandered through the widened doors. Cassandra motioned to her right before getting too far. Elizabeth's grey-pink orbs followed the line of sight to a nearby crate holding various flasks. The woman made a quick, short movement with her head going up and down as she squatted, filtering through the inventory. When she felt like she had enough stamina, mana, and health potions, she stood up and met Cassandra. Her position put her to the left of a chantry brother. He was aggressively expressing opinions to Leliana, which caught the young mage's attention as she inched closer to their location.
"We must prepare the soldiers!" Leliana fumed.
"We'll do no such thing!" the man objected.
"The prisoner must get to the Temple of Sacred Ashes," the hooded woman retorted. "It is our only chance!"
"You have already caused enough trouble without resorting to this exercise in futility," the man sneered, turning to face Elizabeth and her group. "Ah, here they come."
"You made it!" Leliana exhaled. "Chancellor Roderick, this is—"
"I know who she is," Roderick barked. "As Grand Chancellor of the Chantry, I hereby order you to take this criminal to Val Royeaux to face execution."
"'Order me'?" Cassandra scoffed. "You are a glorified clerk. A bureaucrat!"
"You are a thug," he snarled, leaning forward with a glare, "but a thug who supposedly serves the Chantry!"
"We serve the Most Holy, Chancellor" Leliana squinted, shaking her head, "as you well know."
Roderick put his hands up. "Justinia is dead! We must elect a replacement and obey her orders on the matter!"
"Isn't closing the Breach the more pressing issue?" Elizabeth interrupted.
"I agree," Solas spoke.
Roderick wrinkled his brow, looking from the elf to Elizabeth. "You brought this on us in the first place! Call a retreat, Seeker. Our position here is hopeless."
"We can stop this before it's too late," Cassandra bolstered.
"How?" he asked. "You won't survive long enough to reach the temple, even with all your soldiers."
"We must get to the temple," Cassandra said. "It's the quickest route."
"But not the safest." Leliana shook her head. "Our forces can charge as a distraction while we go through the mountains."
"We lost contact with an entire squad on that path!" Cassandra peered at Leliana. "It is too risky."
"Listen to me" Roderick captured their attention with a movement, "and abandon this now before more lives are lost!"
Another pulse emitted from the Breach, causing the mark on Elizabeth's extremity to inflame. Her entire arm started to convulse as the muscles contracted. She hissed at the feel of her arm jerking.
"Maker!" Varric held her wrist, trying to help keep it still.
Solas put his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder as the glow slowly dissipated.
Cassandra examined the young woman. "How do you think we should proceed?"
Elizabeth turned from Solas to the Seeker. "Now you're asking me what I think?"
"You have the mark," Solas reminded her.
"You are the one we must keep alive," Cassandra added. "Since we cannot agree on our own…"
"I say we charge." Elizabeth peered up toward the temple, then back to Roderick. "I won't survive long enough for your trial. Whatever happens, happens now."
Cassandra jerked her head then addressed her friend. "Leliana, bring everyone in the valley. Everyone."
"On your head be the consequences, Seeker," Roderick snorted.
Cassandra, Elizabeth, Solas, and Varric departed from the checkpoint, making their way to the temple. Elizabeth was beginning to feel feeble and frigid as they climbed the path. She knew it had been days since she had food or water, and her clothes were the wrong kind for the current conditions. As the group neared, they observed the soldiers bolting toward the crumbled structure. Elizabeth rushed through the camp, then entered the archway, an immense rift at the open area's center. The mage woman stayed with Solas and Varric as the dwarf shot arrows and the elf cast his spells. The mini-battle was grueling, and the demons continuously filtered through, one wave after the next.
"Keep them occupied!" Elizabeth shouted to Solas and Varric.
Elizabeth picked up some of the dirt and ash from the ground, clapping her hands, the act immediately causing it to ignite. Though worrisome, she couldn't focus on that at the moment. After gathering a few glass bottles from the quiver, Elizabeth filled them with the mire below her feet.
"Whatever you are going to do, you better do it!" Solas stressed.
Elizabeth glanced up to see all the soldiers, Cassandra, and a blonde, curly-haired man getting pushed back to their position.
"What are you doing?" Cassandra glimpsed down at her.
"You're not helping," Elizabeth said, a bit of a high pitch in the tone.
"You're not helping!"
"One more second." Elizabeth plugged the bottles up.
"You don't have it!" Solas said over his shoulder. "Do whatever you are going to do now before we get overrun!"
Elizabeth defensively stood in front of the small army and threw one of her newly made bombs. It exploded, her fingers drawing a line of green fire in front of them. She pulled her hands through the air causing the blaze to follow her motions. The mage woman brought her right hand across, accompanied by her left, swirling the flames around the demons. The fire engulfed them in combustion. Another convoy came from the rift, heading directly toward her. The shade at the head of the group swiped at her. An image projected from Elizabeth, halting the demon in its tracks. She erected a barrier, a monster coming through, immediately disintegrating to dust. Her shoulder pressed against the invisible wall as she pushed, but her body was giving out and weakening.
Solas hurried to Elizabeth, casting a blue light around her as he stayed close, everyone nearby. As soon as the woman was past the rift, she forcefully brought her hands together, sending out a shockwave, which disintegrated everything in its path. Cassandra yelled as a demon came up behind Elizabeth. She maneuvered and blocked its hit. The blonde man threw his sword, impaling its face. Elizabeth removed the weapon from the demon, then made her way over to the warrior as he warded off another with his fists. The burly man was a ruthless combatant. That much was clear. As Elizabeth converged, they glided into a rhythm, synchronizing their movements as if they were dancing. She used his sword to cut off the arms of an approaching fade beast. The way the blade exchanged hands between the two of them afterward was effortless. As he was swiveling, a knife came soaring through the air toward him. Elizabeth halted it, inches from his cheek, and offered it to him with a grin.
"A memento." She clapped his shoulder.
Elizabeth ran ahead, cutting down two more demons. She cast Walking Bomb, causing it to stumble back, scratching its head near the planted fuse. Just as it exploded, taking others with it, Cassandra shielded Elizabeth and herself from the blast. The mage woman sprinted out from behind cover and reached her hand up as energy surged from it, closing the rift.
Elizabeth leaned down on her legs as Solas and Varric shuffled over.
"Sealed, as before." Solas pat her back. "You are becoming quite proficient at this."
"Let's hope it works on the big one." Varric looked from Elizabeth to the Breach.
"Lady Cassandra!" The blonde man approached them. "You managed to close the rift? Well done."
Cassandra turned from the man to Elizabeth. "Do not congratulate me, commander. This is the prisoner's doing."
Elizabeth inspected the commander. His eyes had peace about them, despite the current situation. He was good-looking, now that she was able to get a better view of him. Tall, burly, curly-blonde hair, crystal-brown eyes, scruffy, well-chiseled, even his voice was desirable.
"Is it?" His words startled Elizabeth. "I hope they're right about you. We've lost a lot of good people getting you here."
Elizabeth's features softened. "I can't promise anything, but I'll try my best."
"That's all we can ask." The commander faced Cassandra's direction as he inched forward. "The way to the temple should be clear. Leliana will try to meet you there."
"Then, we best move quickly." Cassandra motioned to Elizabeth. "Give us time, Commander."
"Maker watch over you" the commander approached Elizabeth, "for all our sakes."
The commander rushed to a hobbling soldier, putting his arm around him, assisting him in leaving the area. Elizabeth and her group peered back toward the temple, jumping off the ledge.
"The Temple of Sacred Ashes." Solas breathed.
"What's left of it," Varric included.
Cassandra pointed in front of them. "That is where you walked out of the Fade, and our soldiers found you. They say a woman was in the rift behind you. No one knows who she was."
Elizabeth studied the open space, finding a few valuable trinkets. The group proceeded through the hallway before them. As they entered the larger area, Elizabeth's eyes widened at how massive the rift was; perhaps it was being fed by the Breach.
"The Breach is a long way up." Varric gasped.
"You're here!" They heard Leliana behind them. "Thank the Maker!"
"Leliana" Cassandra turned to her, motioning around the space, "have your men take up positions around the temple." Leliana nodded and glided away as Cassandra stepped in front of Elizabeth. "This is your chance to end this. Are you ready?"
"I'll try" Elizabeth took a deep breath, shivering a little, "but I don't know if I can reach that, much less close it."
"No." Solas inched closer. "This rift was the first, and it is the key. Seal it, and perhaps we seal the Breach."
"Then let's find a way down," Cassandra responded, motioning them forward, "and be careful."
Elizabeth proceeded, following the path around the temple. She was assisting her team in finding places to descend to the bottom level. A deep voice echoed as they were about to make their first turn. It was bone-chilling and left Elizabeth feeling as if all happiness had been zapped from her, leaving behind uncertainty.
"Now is the hour of our victory. Bring forth the sacrifice."
"What are we hearing?" Cassandra asked, skimming the area.
"At a guess" Solas walked up beside her, "the person who created the Breach."
Elizabeth and the group proceeded past rocks and fallen pieces of stone until getting to red glowing gems.
"You know this stuff is red lyrium, Seeker." Varric faced her.
"I see it, Varric," she responded.
"But what's it doing here?" the dwarf wondered.
"Magic could have drawn on lyrium beneath the temple, corrupted it…" Solas concluded.
"It's evil." Varric distorted his face. "Whatever you do, don't touch it."
"Keep the sacrifice still," the deep voice echoed again.
"Someone, help me!" a female voice called out.
Cassandra gasped. "That is Divine Justinia's voice!"
Cassandra, Elizabeth, Leliana, Solas, and Varric found a place they could go down. They cautiously made their way to the bottom level. The closer to the rift that Elizabeth got, the brighter her hand radiated. She traced her eyes over it as minor pain surged through it.
"Someone, help me!" the Divine's voice called again.
"What's going on here?" Elizabeth's tone sounded.
"That was your voice." Cassandra came up behind her. "Most Holy called out to you. But…"
The wind howled around the rift as a cloud of smoke rose from it. A silhouette of the Divine appeared. It was apparent the entity was holding her against her will. Whoever, or whatever, was responsible was merely a black outline with red glowing eyes. Elizabeth's image appeared next.
"What's going on here?"
The Divine strained but managed to call her, "Run while you can! Warn them!"
"We have an intruder," the black image said, pointing in Elizabeth's direction."Kill her, now!"
A bright light pulsed out from the rift, making them all instinctively cover their faces till it dimmed.
"You were there!" Cassandra crowded Elizabeth's space. "Who attacked? The Divine, is she…? Was this vision true? What are we seeing?"
"I don't remember!" Elizabeth glared at her.
Solas continued, "Echoes of what happened here. The Fade bleeds into this place. This rift is not sealed, but it is closed, albeit temporarily. I believe that with the mark, the rift can be opened and then sealed properly and safely. However, opening the rift will likely attract attention from the other side."
"That means demons." Cassandra turned, addressing the men and women. "Stand Ready!"
A Pride Demon surged through the Breach and struck all of them on the ground floor with lightning. The battle was exhausting. The archers stationed in various openings of the building shot arrow after arrow, and what mages there were all cast multiple spells. Leliana positioned herself a ways back, discharging precise projectiles at the enemy. Beside her were Varric and Solas. Cassandra was located in the thick of it with templars, guardsmen and women, hacking away at the demon's lower limbs and torso. Elizabeth bounced back and forth from spells and arrows to daggers she stole off a carcass. They were weighty but proved to be better than her icicles.
The Fade creature fought them with bolts of electricity, which made things worse for those holding metal objects. Elizabeth did her best to dodge as many hits as possible, but a few still managed to catch her. The female mage threw one of the two remaining bombs she had left at the giant demon. It exploded under its feet, causing the armored barrier to erect. Elizabeth put her mark up toward the rift as shades converged on her position. Cassandra eliminated a few, and everyone else annihilated the other four with arrows and spells. The Breach emitted a shockwave causing the giant demon's barrier to disappear. The force went back to fighting the monster, but it once again erected its safeguard. The army went through this process four times before the massive beast finally went down.
"Do it!" Solas yelled.
Elizabeth thrust her extremity toward the cavity in the sky once more as the emerald electrical discharge shrunk it in size. As before, the force of closing the rift caused Elizabeth's arm to jerk. As it mended, a bright light discharged, knocking them to the ground. For a moment, everyone was disoriented, unsure of what happened.
"You did it!" Solas smiled as he helped her up.
The limited force left the temple a short time later. Cassandra, Elizabeth, Leliana, Solas, and Varric met with the commander at the entrance.
"All our men made it down safely," he reported.
"Good." Cassandra nodded.
"You don't look good." Varric examined Elizabeth, causing everyone's focus to shift toward her.
She was doubled over but put a hand up. When she felt like it was safe to stand back up, she did.
"Nope." She stumbled to a rock and vomited behind it.
"That's because she doesn't feel good." Solas looked down at the dwarf.
Elizabeth stepped out, then leaned against a boulder, sliding down the length of it. They approached, Solas kneeling beside her, feeling around her face and neck.
"She's burning up," he said, stripping off her coat and shirt, leaving her in nothing but a tank top. He put some snow over her. "She needs lyrium."
Cassandra fished around inside Elizabeth's pouch, handing her one. Elizabeth drank it as she laid there, intensely inhaling, slowly exhaling.
"Thank you." She peered up at the Seeker. "Get me off this mountain."
"Commander." Cassandra turned to him.
Cullen nodded, removing the more rigid pieces of his armor so that it didn't hurt Elizabeth. Leliana bagged them, making them effortless to carry. Solas seized Elizabeth's coat, placing it in her sack, then shouldered it as everyone started down the path. This left the commander alone with the young mage woman, where he assisted her to her feet.
"I can walk." Elizabeth exhaled.
She took a few steps, then nearly fell as the man caught her. He lightly laughed. "You're one of those."
"Beg your pardon?"
"One of those strong-willed, independent women." He stabilized her. "'I can do this by myself, I don't need your help,' kind of women."
Elizabeth went to say something but almost slipped again. He caught her by placing both his hands square on her waist.
"Just lack of lyrium and food." She glanced down. "I do believe touches like that require a first name basis."
"Cullen—" he moved his hands "—is my name."
"Elizabeth is my name." She smirked at him as they shook hands.
Elizabeth's left wrist had gone behind Cullen's neck to stabilize her, though not all her density was suspended. She re-centered, then straightened her posture. She smiled at the commander, outstretching her right hand. He placed his palm gently inside hers, but his grasp went firm when they shook. Despite having let him go, their proximity was still close enough that every time their extremities went up from down, the back of Cullen's hand would lightly hit the bottom curvature of Elizabeth's breast.
"You were out for almost three days," he revealed, letting go of her hand and scratched the back of his neck with a light blush. "I am sure you are feeling frail, so-"
Elizabeth nearly slipped again, causing her to exhale with exaggeration. "I am, but I will make it. Thank you for helping me."
Elizabeth scarcely remembered anything after the hike down the mountain. She recalled random images of the burning temple, the peak, and some bits of Haven, the scent of elderberry and oak-moss with various woods and spices, and the slightest hint of musk pulling at her nose. The young woman remembered the sound of chirping birds, the wind's sensation, voices incoherently whispering through the darkness. It wasn't known how many days and nights passed as she laid in the comatose state. All she could focus on was the exhaustion.
A slamming noise caused Elizabeth to jolt awake. Her startled state glancing up at the ceiling. Unique eyes drifted toward the doorway, noticing an elf woman present in her cabin. The young lady tensed when she realized Elizabeth was awake, questioningly staring at her. The action caused the elf to seize in shock, releasing the crate from her grasp.
"Oh!" She gasped. "I didn't know you were awake, I swear!"
"Don't worry about it," Elizabeth said. "I only—"
The woman fell to her knees and bowed. "I beg your forgiveness and your blessing. I am but a humble servant. You are 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."
"Then, the danger is over." Elizabeth sighed in relief.
"The Breach is still in the sky," she replied, "but that's what they say. I'm certain Lady Cassandra would want to know you've awakened. She said, 'at once.'"
"Where is she?" Elizabeth asked.
The elf woman stood up and backed toward the door. "In the Chantry, with the Lord Chancellor. 'At once,' she said."
The elf bolted from the shanty, the door crashing shut. Elizabeth slumped off the mattress, dressing in some snug attire set aside for her. She removed a red pullover out of her sack, shrugging it over her shoulders. Her nimble fingers reached inside one of the pouches on her belt, retrieving a small metal container. The young woman opened it, grazing her wrists over the contents, then each side of her neck. Elizabeth extracted another jar, applying some peppermint vanilla chapstick. Hopefully, the scents would stave off any odor from not bathing for over a week. She removed her hair from the bun it was in, side-braiding her long ember strands, stray curls still managing to elegantly fall from the entwined pieces.
Elizabeth padded to the desk, setting two of her leather-bound books on the surface where she noticed a note. She picked it up and read it.
Patient Observations
Vain hope: Someone better at this than me takes over before the survivor expires. Taking notes.
-Day one-
Clammy. Shallow breathing. Pulse over-fast. Not responsive. Pupils dilated.
Mage says her scarring 'mark' is thrumming with unknown magic.
Wish we could station a Templar in here, just in case.
Elizabeth found it rather bizarre that the mark left her in a catatonic state twice now. In both instances, she lay in comatose, totaling just over three days. Though, it would explain all the peculiar dreams and curious visions. She placed the parchment in her journal, then exited the cottage. Outside there was a crowd of people standing nearby. They cheered as Elizabeth walked the path they left open for her. She merely smiled and bobbed her head in acknowledgment. The woman made her way toward the Chantry, eavesdropping on a few conversations as she shuffled by.
"That's her!" a man said. "That's the Herald of Andraste!" Elizabeth couldn't help but distort her face as the man continued, "They said when she came out of the fade, Andraste herself was watching over her."
"Hush!" the nearby woman scolded. "We shouldn't disturb her."
"Why did Lady Cassandra have her in chains?" he asked. "I thought seekers knew everything."
Elizabeth proceeded up the stairs, then took the path to another set of steps ahead of her.
"That's her!" she heard another man's voice. "She stopped the Breach from getting any bigger."
"I heard she was supposed to close it entirely," the woman responded. "Still, it's more than anyone else has done. Demons would have had us otherwise."
Elizabeth continued along the path as she made it to the Chantry. A bunch of the sisters could be heard conversing outside the doors. Just before going in, she caught another verbal exchange.
"Chancellor Roderick says that the Chantry wants nothing to do with us," one sister stated.
"That isn't Chancellor Roderick's decision, sister," another woman replied.
Elizabeth padded into the church. She didn't see anyone, so she continued to the end of the building, where she finally heard familiar voices. She halted, listening for a moment.
"Have you gone completely mad?" she heard Roderick speak first. "She should be taken to Val Royeaux immediately, to be tried by whoever becomes Divine!"
"I do not believe she is guilty," Cassandra responded.
"The prisoner failed, Seeker," the Chancellor accentuated. "The Breach is still in the sky. For all you know, she intended it this way."
"I do not believe that!" Cassandra bit back.
"That is not for you to decide!" Elizabeth heard Roderick snap. "Your duty is to serve the Chantry."
"My 'duty' is to serve the Principles on which the Chantry was founded, Chancellor," she heard Cassandra remind him, "as is yours."
Elizabeth chose that moment to walk through the door. Inside were two Templar soldiers, Cassandra, Roderick, and the quiet hooded woman known as Leliana.
Roderick pointed to Elizabeth. "Chain her. I want her prepared to travel to the Capital for trial."
"Disregard that, and leave us." Cassandra motioned to the soldiers as she stood up.
The Templars saluted then left the room, closing the door behind them. The Chancellor turned to Cassandra with a harsh glare on his face.
"You walk a dangerous line, Seeker."
Cassandra inched closer to him. "The Breach is stable, but it is still a threat. I will not ignore it."
"I did everything I could to close the Breach," Elizabeth addressed them. "It seems as though it almost killed me. Twice."
"Yet you live," Roderick sneered. "A convenient result, insofar as you're concerned."
"Have a care, Chancellor," Cassandra growled. "The Breach is not the only problem we face."
"Someone was behind the explosion at the conclave," Leliana joined. "Someone Most Holy did not expect. Perhaps they died with the others-or have allies who yet live."
"I am a suspect?" Roderick glanced at Leliana, then Cassandra.
"You, and many others," Leliana responded.
Roderick gaped. "But not the prisoner?"
"I heard the voices in the temple," Cassandra recalled. "The Divine called to her for help."
"So her survival, that thing on her hand-all a coincidence?" he asked.
"Providence," Cassandra corrected. "The Maker sent her to us in our darkest hour."
Elizabeth bowed her head. "Though all before me is shadow, yet shall the Maker be my guide."
Cassandra bobbled hers. "We lost everything… then, out of nowhere, you came."
She went to the side, and Leliana spoke. "The Breach remains, and your mark is still our only hope of closing it."
"This is not for you to decide," the Chancellor retorted.
Cassandra slammed a book down on the table. "Do you know what this is, Chancellor? A writ from the Divine, granting us the authority to act. As of this moment, I declare the Inquisition reborn." She walked toward the Chancellor causing him to back up a few steps. "We will close the Breach, we will find those responsible, and we will restore order. With or without your approval."
Roderick left with a huff of his breath and a tantrum in his step, making Cassandra grab her head and neck in frustration. The motion of Leliana flouncing closer to the book caught Elizabeth's attention.
"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."
"But we have a choice," Cassandra came forward, "and we must act now. With you at our side."
"What is 'The Inquisition of Old,' exactly?" Elizabeth inquired.
"It preceded the Chantry," Leliana replied. "People who banded together to restore order in a world gone mad."
"After, they laid down their banner and formed the Templar Order," Cassandra added, "but the Templars have lost their way. We need those who can do what must be done, united under a single banner once more."
"But" Elizabeth fidgeted with her hands, "aren't you still part of the Chantry?"
Cassandra rebutted, "Is that what you see?"
"The Chantry will take time to find a new Divine, and then it will wait for her direction," Leliana concluded.
"But we cannot wait." Cassandra exhaled. "So many clerics died at the Conclave… No, we are on our own. Perhaps forever."
"Forgive me" Elizabeth bowed, "but it sounds like you are trying to start a holy war."
"We are already at war," Cassandra affirmed. "You are already involved. Its mark is upon you. As to whether the war is holy, that depends on what we discover."
"What if I refuse?" Elizabeth tested.
"You can go, if you wish," Leliana declared.
Cassandra leaned closer to Elizabeth. "You should know that while some believe you are chosen, many still think you are guilty. The Inquisition can only protect you if you are with us."
"We can also help you," Leliana further stipulated.
"It will not be easy if you stay," Cassandra confessed, "but you cannot pretend this has not changed you."
Elizabeth turned to the two women and bowed. "If you're truly trying to restore order…"
"That is the plan," Leliana promised.
"Help us fix this before it's too late." Cassandra held her hand out.
Elizabeth placed her palm in the Seekers and shook it.
