Chapter 2 – The meeting
The day was unusually sunny and warm, which was certainly not common in the high parts of the mountains. It was as if the weather itself wanted to relieve the tired and frightened people. The events of the past weeks could break many spirits. In fact, they almost did. The destruction of Haven had claimed dozens of lives. It almost claimed his own. To this day, he dreamed of icy cold corridors trying to confine him in a frozen tomb, or heaps of snow ripping the last breath from his lungs. The nightmarish images are many and he has grown accustomed to them, but one thing has always made him afraid to close his eyes each night. The feeling of petrifying, immobilizing cold. These needles of ice, penetrating the smallest part of his body accompanied him with every dream. If fate was kind, it sent him into a dreamless lethargy. On the worse nights, he woke with a silent scream. A shudder ran through his body, and the hope of an early morning smoldered in his mind.
He walked towards the main hall, passing workers on his way. The Skyhold was slowly beginning to look like a fully-fledged Inquisition headquarters. They still had a long way to go, but the first steps had been taken. Bright green eyes watched the wooden scaffolding supporting parts of new and old structures. Everyone he passed stopped for a moment and bowed to him. He himself responded with a slight bow. He would never get used to it. He was an Inquisitor, a leader, a strategist, but in the eyes of many people gathered in the fortress he was above all a Chosen One. A Herald marked by Andraste herself who would lead them to victory. If this was true then the Maker's bride must have been truly desperate. He stopped for a moment outside the main door feeling pain in his left hand. A distinctive cracking sound came to his ears. He grabbed his wrist with the fingers of his right hand and groaned quietly. The brown bearskin glove thankfully muffled the greenish glow. The Anchor was making its presence known again. His curse, capable of saving the world. Fortunately, the incident was brief and no one noticed it. He sighed quietly and straightening his posture headed inside the fortress.
The main hall welcomed him with more scaffolding to which the hired engineers attached informative notes. The rays of the midday sun coming through the colorful stained glass windows illuminated the interior with pleasant hues. At the end of the endlessly stretching dusty floor, there was a sizeable armchair. When he first saw it, he cringed aloud. He was Andraste's chosen, one sitting on his own throne. Even in his mind, it sounded absurd. However, he came from a noble family and knew full well what the power of the image was. For the Inquisition to achieve what it was created to do, it had to have a leader. A leader who was an inspiration and worth following. He had to be that leader.
His three advisors were already waiting for him.
- Preparations are going according to plan, Inquisitor. - Cullen spoke. - Cyclical patrols are already established. We have also secured supplies of lyrium for our templars. The supply chain should not be interrupted.
- It'll be a while before this place is more... hospitable. - saying this Josephine looked around. As if she felt responsible for the current state of affairs. - Fortunately, the major renovations are almost complete and Gatsi has promised me that all the scaffolding will be gone by tomorrow.
- I'm sure you're already thinking about the colors of the curtains and the new carpets, right Josey? - Leliana asked with a smile.
- I just want the Inquisitor to be able to receive the ambassadors in a proper fashion. - explained Josephine.
The Inquisitor smiled sincerely.
- I'm sure you can warm up the place ambassador Montilyet. - he said. Josephine sighed as if in relief.
- Before we go into a decorating frenzy, we must learn as much as we can about our enemy. - Cullen said.
- While we are on the subject... - everyone's eyes went to Varric who walked in. -...I know someone who could help us with that. All those inspirational speeches jogged my memory so I contacted an old friend. Her paths had already crossed with Corypheus so I suppose she could help.
-I will gladly accept a new ally. - admitted the Inquisitor. - Introduce me.
Varric looked back uncertainly and then said:
-Parading through the middle of the fortress may cause unnecessary agitation. It'll be better if you talk in private. I have arranged a meeting on the battlements. - he turned and muttered as he left. - Trust me, it's... complicated.
-I wonder who already had contact with this spawn. - Josephine wondered.
-If that's who I'm thinking of, Kasandra will kill Varric. - said Leliana thoughtfully.
The Inquisitor furrowed his brow. He was also intrigued.
-Is there anything else that needs my attention? - he asked. All the advisors nodded in the negative. - In that case, return to your work.
-Yes, Inquisitor. - they all answered at once and bowed slightly. Andraste save him. He really won't get used to this.
He immediately headed for the battlements not wanting to postpone the meeting. Varric was already waiting for him. Next to the dwarf stood his mysterious friend. She was leaning against the walls gazing at the square below. As he walked down the small stairs she turned slowly. Her wavy black hair was up in a low round bun, but the constant wind caused a few stray strands to brush against her pale face. Two blue eyes gazed at him intently as if assessing what kind of person he was. The outfit she was wearing he had seen only in illustrated books. However, he recognized it at once. The Champions of the Free March cities wore such clothes. Metal pieces glittered in the harsh sunlight and a collection of straps and buckles kept the whole in perfect order. Two twin daggers protruded from behind her back, completing the image.
-Inquisitor, meet Hawke, The Champion of Kirkwall. - Varric introduced the woman.
-I no longer use that title. Marian Hawke will do. - she spoke in a warm melodious voice. Her gaze never left the silhouette of the Inquisitor.
-Ayden Trevelyan. - the man introduced himself more precisely. He was slightly taller than her, but he did not tower over her. His carefully styled copper hair betrayed that he was not from an ordinary farming family. His light, leather outfit hid a well-sculpted figure, which suggested a seasoned fighter. This was also confirmed by the scar crossing the left side of his face. The thin band started above the eyebrow and went in a straight line to the middle of the cheek. It was a miracle that the bright green eye was not damaged. Her thoughts were interrupted by the dwarf's voice.
-Hawke this is the Inquisitor. I believe you will have some advice related to Corypheus. We fought him after all. - Varric said and then moved away slightly giving both of them the freedom to talk. Hawke turned slowly and, leaning against the walls again, looked back at the square.
-You've already dropped half a mountain on the bastard. I'm sure anything I can tell you pales in comparison.
Despite the sarcasm of her statement, Ayden could hear the unusual weariness in her voice. She turned around after a moment.
-So what would you like to hear? - the question made him realize that he had been silent for too long. He straightened up and put his arms on his chest.
-Varric said you fought Corypheus before.
-Fought and killed. He was being held by the Grey Wardens, but somehow used the connection to the darkspawn to influence them.
Standing off to the side, Varric was just taking a sip of some liquor. He came closer.
-The Coryphaeus has messed with their heads. He turned Wardens against each other. - he interjected.
-If the Wardens are gone, it may be that Corypheus is controlling them again. - Hawke said thoughtfully.
-This is not good news. - admitted the Inquisitor.
-We need to be sure. I have a friend among the Wardens, Logaine. He's been investigating an unrelated matter for me. The last time I spoke with him he was concerned about corruption within their ranks. Since then, nothing.
-Do you think Logain disappeared with the Wardens? – Varric asked.
-No. He told me he was going to hide in an old smuggler's cave near Crestwood.
-So we have to check it out. - the Inquisitor said. - Thank you for your help.
-I'm doing this as much for myself as for you. - Hawke admitted. Her blue eyes were filled with determination. - Corypheus is my responsibility. I thought I killed him. This time I'll make sure he stays dead.
Ayden furrowed his forehead in surprise. Her private responsibility? Why did she think she was responsible for this darkspawn?
-Hawke, You couldn't have foreseen that... - he began, but the Champion quickly interrupted him.
-The Grey Wardens imprisoned him. They used my father's blood to seal him, but he still managed to influence their minds and send them in pursuit of me. My blood returned his freedom. - she fell silent for a moment. - It's not that I thought I killed him. He lay dead on the ground. Maybe his connection to the Blight somehow brought him back to life, or he used some old Tevinter's magic, but he was dead I swear! - the last words were filled with desperation.
-You can't keep torturing yourself with that, Hawke. - Varric said. - I was there too, Bethany was there and... - he bit his tongue at the last moment. Mentioning Anders right now was not the smartest idea.
Marian clenched her teeth.
Shit.
-We were all sure he was dead. - dwarf finished the thought.
-This time he stays dead. - the Inquisitor spoke up. Confidence and determination could be heard in his voice.
Marian leaned her elbows against the walls again. Somewhere downstairs in the training yard, she could hear the clanking of steel and loud shouts of combat drills.
-Those you lead, those who follow you count on you to save them. - she said calmly. The light wind made her dark wavy hair smudged across her face all the time, but she didn't mind it. - I was responsible for one city, you are responsible for Thedas. - she turned her head slightly, moving her blue eyes to his face. - I do not envy you, Inquisitor.
Ayden stepped closer to the walls, but his gaze flickered to the mountain peaks illuminated by the setting sun. He clenched his left fist, feeling a slight tingling in his fingers.
-Corypheus did not succeed in burying me in these mountains. The next time he confronts me, he'll wish he had. - after a moment, he shifted his bright green gaze to the Champion. - We will leave for Crestwood in two days. Until then make yourself at home here. Varric will find you a suitable place to stay. - he said in a slightly warmer tone, then left the walls and headed towards the heart of the fortress.
-I told you he's a tough one. - said the dwarf when the Inquisitor disappeared from their sight.
-He has no other choice Varric, and he knows it very well. - Hawke said seriously. - When were you going to tell me he is a templar? - she asked suddenly.
The dwarf almost choked on his drink. He coughed a few times before he spoke.
- Would you have come here if you knew?
Her silence was answer enough.
- He's a good man Hawke and even a better leader. Someone we need in these shitty times. Stay, and you'll see for yourself.
Marian looked around the walls of the fortress. Her gaze caught sight of a dozen or so workers who were working hard to patch up a huge hole in one of the walls.
- Lead me to the place I was promised. - she said after a moment.
Varric smiled and they both left the walls.