Dragon Age Inquisition: Herald of Andraste and Champion of Kirkwall

by Phoranti

At Varric's urging, Hawke travels to the Skyhold with the intention of aiding the Inquisition in their fight against Corypheus. But is it just that? While the world burns, its savior will need all the help he can get, and she won't hesitate to give it. After all, it's the only thing she has left.

4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4 – Past sins

Crestwood had not spoiled them from the very beginning. The heavy rains that lasted for several days made the track wet and the hooves of the mounts slipped in the mud. Lightning striking, again and again, frightened the animals, which additionally had to be calmed down. Dripping water squeezed into every crevice of their clothing, and soon everyone was soaked. Dorian complained the most. Accustomed to the luxuries, Tevinter mage was saying something about his outfit and hairstyle being ruined, but Ayden used to such whining, did not even react. Riding in formation, Varric replaced him with the discussion. Right next to the Inquisitor on a chestnut mare followed Hawke in silence. From time to time she wiped the drops accumulating around her eyes.

Ayden could hear the steady deafening thuds against the metal of his templar's armor. Water ran down the Inquisitor's helmet constantly getting behind his collar. Despite being a templar, he didn't use the full armor of the Order for some time. Because of the ongoing conflict, both mages and templars were not welcome everywhere. Those who belonged to the Inquisition were a different matter. The organization started by Cassandra quickly gained the sympathy of many people, and he became a symbol of hope for an end to this madness. The templar's helmet inspired fear and uncertainty. The Inquisitor's helmet made him welcome with open arms, despite the emblem of a flaming sword on his chest.

When they finally reached the camp, scout Harding had no good news for them. Crestwood was overrun by dozens of undead coming out of a massive lake. Suspicions immediately fell on the pale green glow in the middle of it where Fade Rift loomed against the dark, unsettling waters. They would have to deal with this problem before they could get down to search for the Grey Warden. The people of Crestwood were slowly being bled dry by the walking corpses that were only increasing in number. Harding showed them the way to the village and told them to be careful. After replenishing their supplies and a short rest, they continued their journey, this time on foot. In these conditions, mounts would be more of a hindrance. Along the way, they encountered two Grey Wardens who defended a terrified elf kneeling in the mud from the attacking undead. They aided the men in the fight and the threat was quickly neutralized.

-What are you doing here? - asked the Inquisitor, putting his sword in its scabbard and putting a shield with the symbol of the flaming sword on his back.

-We've received orders from Commander Clarel to find the deserter Logain. As far as we know he is hiding somewhere in the local caves. - spoke up the man wielding a sword. The other one, with a bow and quiver on his back, only nodded.

-Deserter? - Hawke interjected.

-This is internal Grey Warden's business, we can't reveal anything more. If you run into him, do not engage in combat. Leave that to the Grey Wardens. - informed the warrior.

-Can you help the locals deal with the undead? - asked Ayden.

-Sadly our orders were clear. Find Logain and bring him to the commander as soon as possible.

After the man's words, the two Wardens followed the road towards the lake.

-Logain is not a deserter. - said Hawke when men had disappeared from their sight.

-Do you know him well Hawke? - Varric asked.

-Well enough to be sure. Something else is going on here. - she said in wonderment. - We need to find him as soon as possible.

The conversation was interrupted by a petite female elf who timidly approached them.

-Thank you for your rescue. - she spoke softly. Somewhere in the distance, bright lightning pierced the sky and a few moments later a deafening thunder filled the air. The elf jumped like a frightened nug. However, she quickly got herself under control. - Forgive me, I am not fond of lightning. - she said as if ashamed. When her gaze fell on Herold, a quick recognition came into her eyes. - I know who you are. You are from the Inquisition! - she could not contain her excitement.

Ayden only nodded.

-If you are here, there is still hope for Crestwood. I will take you to the mayor. - she offered.

Just outside the village gates, the guards fought more undead. The Inquisitor's team dealt with them in the blink of an eye. Grateful for saving their skin, the guards directed them to the center of the settlement. The mayor's house was not far away so they found him quickly.

The older, graying man told them about the situation. The great lake in the middle of which the rift was located was the result of flooding in the lower part of Crestwood. Ten years earlier, during the Fifth Blight, a group of darkspawns had damaged the control mechanism of a local dam, causing that part of the settlement to flood. The only option to get into the crevice was to repair the mechanism and drain the water. However, the mayor warned the Inquisitor that to get to the dam they had to go through the Kaer Bronach stronghold, which was currently occupied by bandits. The Inquisitor questioned the mayor carefully about their numbers and asked for a description of the plans for the stronghold then took the key to the control room from him.

The only entrance to the fortress was the front gate, so before they rushed inside Ayden put together a plan of action. From what the mayor estimated there were about a dozen bandits in Kaer Bronach. It was not an organized band, but more like a random gathering of people looking for an easy coin. This meant that not all of them were proficient with weapons, which gave the Inquisitor and his team a considerable advantage. The most dangerous opponent seemed to be their leader. Ayden hoped that by the time he joined the fight they would have disposed of most of the stragglers. He had fought such groups more than once. In each case, the most important person in the band was hidden away in the depths of the complex and only appeared on the battlefield when the noise persisted.

As they rushed inside breaking down the flimsy door Varric and Dorian tackled the archers aiming at them from the low canopies. Hawke drew her daggers trying to flank the armored mabari charging at them. Ayden slammed his sword against his shield to draw as much attention to himself as possible. It worked. Both the animals and the three approaching warriors rushed at him. He covered himself with his shield, avoiding the teeth and swords. The Champion instantly took advantage of the situation by sinking her blades into the exposed parts. The mabari whinnied softly then fell to the ground dead. Ayden swung his shield, stunning the three opponents around him. With a swift swing of his sword, he took each of their lives.

They quickly climbed the stairs to the first level of the complex. There, his sword and Hawke's daggers struck down several more opponents. Varric and Dorian looked out for more archers on the rooftops and eliminated them with great speed. The four of them went through the fortress, like a knife through butter. And it was just as Ayden had predicted. The commander of this random band only showed up when most of his men were lying dead in the courtyard. While the rest of the team was busy eliminating the survivors, the Inquisitor was confronted by a huge man. Clad in heavy, massive armor, the man wielded a sizable two-handed axe. The Herald raised his templar's shield in front of him and, striking it with his sword, he growled throatily. His bright green eyes looked at his opponent from between the narrow slits in his helmet. With a shriek, the two rushed at each other. As the warrior swung his great axe, the Inquisitor dodged quickly and, somersaulting on the cobblestones, struck the man in the back with his shield. The bandits' leader staggered but did not lose his footing. The next swing was faster than Ayden had calculated and the massive axe struck the hastily raised shield with force. The muscles of his left shoulder tensed with pain trying to absorb the force of the blow. The Inquisitor gnashed his teeth, but the shield lay firmly in his hand. The sweep, though strong, left the warrior more exposed than he should have been. Ayden took advantage of the situation by striking the unprotected armpit with his sword. The blade sunk into the soft flesh and the warrior cried out. The Inquisitor delivered a solid kick to his opponent's chest, drawing his sword in the process. Maroon blood stained the cobblestones. The warrior staggered, but after a moment he attempted another attack. He did not even have time to approach the Inquisitor. A series of sparking bullets struck him in the chest, sending small bolts of lightning across his armor. The electrical discharge from Dorian's fingers fried him alive and he fell like a log to the pavement. A small puff of smoke rose briefly over his carcass but was quickly washed away by the prevailing downpour.

Ayden turned to the mage, who smiled with satisfaction. He smiled as well and nodded in thanks.

All four now stood in the square watching the rain wash away the bloody footprints.

-How do you do it that our fights always go so smoothly? - asked the mage nonchalantly. - I almost managed not to stain my clothes.

The Inquisitor decided that the question was rhetorical. He put his shield on his back and approached the dead chief. He knelt by him on one knee and, supporting himself with the hilt of his sword, bowed his head. A stream of indistinct silent words flowed from his mouth.

-What is he doing? - asked Hawke wiping his daggers on the clothes of one of the dead bandits.

-He's saying a prayer for those poor bastards. - explained Varric. - He believes that even the likes of them deserve at least that.

Hawke remained silent staring at the motionless figure of the Inquisitor.

Ayden stood up after a moment and put his sword in its scabbard. He looked around the fortress carefully.

-The Inquisition could make use of this place. - he mused.

Varric also looked around.

- Pretty good location and the people of Crestwood could use some protection. - he admitted.

-Let's keep moving for now. The dam shouldn't be far. - announced the Inquisitor.

The control room was located in the back of an old tavern, aptly named the "Rusty Horn". A massive reel offered no resistance when turned, which was relatively strange since the mayor claimed that the mechanism had been damaged by darkspawns. When the valves were opened they heard an intense noise caused by masses of water pouring over the other side of the dam. After a while, the vast lake was only a memory. The rift looming in the distance became clearer, but its glow suggested it was not on the surface. There must be a cave system underneath the old Crestwood.

- We should look for Logaine first. - Hawke suggested. - The place he's holed up is not far away, and that rift isn't going anywhere.

- I must agree with Hawke. The locals have dealt with the undead for a long time so they'll hold out for a while longer. - said Varric. - And our contact is being pursued by the Grey Wardens. We need to get to him before they do.

The Inquisitor merely nodded.

It did not take them long to reach the damp dark corridors. The only pale source of light to prevent them from moving in the dark were the glowing mushrooms growing in places. At the end of one of the deeper corridors, they noticed a warm yellow light suggesting a burning torch. The corridor ended in a wooden door with a drawing of a skull whose empty eye sockets were covered by a red scarf. The Inquisitor carefully opened the door. The interior of the rocky chamber was already well lit by torches hanging on the walls and candles scattered about. Ayden looked around carefully. Fresh documents lying on old wooden tables suggested that someone had been here recently. The sound of weapons being drawn rang through the room. Herold turned around only to be met with the tip of an iron sword. His bright green gaze shifted to the man wielding the weapon. He raised his armored hands slightly in the air suggesting that he had not come here with bad intentions.

- Who sent you? - asked the man suspiciously.

- Logain. - the Champion spoke up from behind and coming closer she stood next to the Inquisitor.

- Hawke. - a slight relief could be heard in the Warden's voice. He slowly tucked the drawn sword into its scabbard. - I did not think you would have company.

- Logain, I brought the Inquisitor. - she announced.

Ayden, standing beside her, pulled off his helmet tucking it under his left armpit. An onyx gloved right hand extended in a welcoming gesture.

- Ayden Trevelyan. - he introduced himself.

- Trevelyan? - the Warden asked curiously and also held out his hand. - I knew your father. I did not know that the youngest child of the bann Trevelyan is the one who holds the title of Inquisitor. You have a natural talent for hanging around interesting people Hawke. It seems to run in your family.

Marian smiled slightly. Not long after she met Logain, it was revealed that she was related to the Grey Warden who saved Ferelden from the Archdemon. The same Grey Warden led to Logaine's dethronement and forced him into the ranks of the Grey Wardens. The alternative was death. Quite an irony considering that Logain and his troops left Ostagar shortly after the battle began, leaving King Cailan and the Grey Wardens fighting alongside him at the mercy of the darkspawns.

- Apparently, you have information on why the Grey Wardens disappeared. - Hawke said hopefully.

- When you killed Corypheus the Gray Wardens stopped being interested. If the Archdemon fell by the sword, why should it be any different with this darkspawn? - Logain approached the documents lying on the table. - But something was bothering me. The circumstances of this darkspawn's death were not entirely clear. So I started to investigate the matter. I found a few clues but no solid proof. What was curious for me, Corypheus' body was never found. Soon after, all the Gray Wardens in Orlais and Ferelden began to hear the Calling.

Marian furrowed her brow.

- You didn't tell me that. - she said with a little anger.

- I didn't think you care.

The Inquisitor lost himself in thoughts. He had only a passing familiarity with the history of the Grey Wardens, but that was enough to know what the consequences of the Calling would be for them. The green gaze returned to Logain.

- Can Corypheus mimic Archdemon's call? - he asked.

- If not, that would be the most unfortunate coincidence I've ever heard of. - the man admitted.

- Wardens must be terrified. Corypheus has them in a huff now. - Hawke said.

- That is indeed an unfortunate turn of events. - Dorian said nonchalantly.

- Commander Clarel has come up with a plan to take the army into the deep roads. - Logain continued.

- What army? - Hawke asked.

- Using blood magic, our mages want to gather an army of demons to aid in the fight against the darkspawn. The commander wants to kill the dormant archdemons to prevent the Blight once and for all.

- What? That's crazy! - Hawke almost screamed.

- My objection resulted in my being sentenced to death for insubordination. The sentence was almost carried out, but I managed to escape.

Logain reached into the table and pulled out a small map from a pile of notes.

- From what I've been able to determine, the Wardens want to perform a binding ritual in the old watchtower in the Western Approach. However, I have not been able to find out when exactly this will take place.

- It's not safe here Logain. - Hawke warned. - On the way to Crestwood we encountered two Grey Wardens looking for you.

- I was about to leave this place anyway. - he replied and approached the Inquisitor. - You will find here all my notes concerning Corypheus and the Grey Wardens. I leave them to you, Inquisitor. Meet me later at the Western Approach. Perhaps we can both get some answers. - he stood still before the door and turned to look at the Champion for a moment.

- Did my information, bring you any solace? - he asked mysteriously.

- It gave me a new purpose Logain. - replied Hawke.

The Grey Warden only smiled and left the cave without saying anything.

Although the previously flooded Rift was now accessible, reaching it was not at all that easy. When they arrived at the already drained part of the lower Crestwood, a depressing picture appeared to their eyes. Covered by silt and seaweed, the ruins of houses were haunted by the more or less aggressive ghosts of inhabitants who had drowned ten years ago. Here and there they could see swollen and blue bodies of the fallen in a more or less advanced state of decomposition. The stench caused the Inquisitor and his companions to cover their faces with their hands time and again. From time to time, Ayden stopped and bowed his head, saying a short prayer to the Maker for the repose of tortured souls. Hawke's eyes roamed the bleak landscape. The vastness of fear the villagers must have felt when the walls of water pressed against the settlement must have been paralyzing. Anders had once told her that death by drowning was one of the worst things someone could experience. The body fights for a gasp of air that doesn't come, and panic clouds the mind.

- Poor bastards. - said a dwarf walking near her. - They didn't stand the slightest chance.

All four of them advanced steadily towards the caves that most likely led to where the veil was torn. After a while, they once again delved into the winding corridors trying to find their way to the rift. These caves turned out to be an old mine. There were lots of crumbling platforms and footbridges. Navigating them was not the safest thing to do, but there was no other choice. Along the way, they encountered more bodies. In one of the hollows, there were especially many of them. It was as if a group of people had fled here trying to find shelter. It was no use because the relentless waters had cut off their way back.

- They must have starved to death out here. - Dorian muttered under his breath. No one else spoke. They all moved on in silence. After a few dozen steps, a sparking sound filled the air. The Inquisitor walking at the front grabbed his left wrist and gasped quietly. Pale green light penetrated partially through the armored gauntlet.

- We are close. - he hissed softly. As the glow dimmed Ayden drew his sword and the templar's shield landed in his left hand. The others grabbed their weapons. Located at the end of the corridor, a sizable room was flooded with a greenish glow. Hawke squeezed her twin daggers together in preparation for battle. She had never been this close to a rift. It was like a rippling fabric. It swirled and sparked as if fighting with itself. Through the green glow, one could almost see what was on the other side.

As they came closer, several rays shot out from its center.

- Get ready. - warned the Inquisitor, raising his shield. - In a moment the demons will appear.

After he said that, as if on cue, various creatures of the Fade materialized at the ends of each ray. Some resembled the ghosts they had met in the ruins of the village. Others looked like living nightmares. Their long clawed hands seemed to have the ability to tear apart anything in their path. After a moment, a loud bass laugh filled the caverns, and right next to the center of the rift, a mountain-sized creature materialized.

- A pride demon... Of course. - Dorian said sarcastically.

- Focus on the smaller ones! Leave him to me! - shouted the Inquisitor, and raising his shield slightly, he struck it several times in an attempt to attract the attention of the huge demon. He succeeded. The glowing eyes looked in his direction and the creature began to move towards him. When he was fairly close he swung in an attempt to squash his opponent. Ayden dodged and took the opportunity to slash at its exposed knee with his sword. The demon cried out loudly and then turned to face his attacker with pure fury. His clenched fists began to spark. After a moment, he released the stored energy and two electric whips struck the Inquisitor. Ayden raised a shield that took the full blow. Green eyes peeked out after a moment from behind it. The demon came close again trying to trample him. Ayden took another dodge, delivering another blow. He shielded himself again hearing sparks in the air. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched how his companions were doing. Dorian and Varric hurled a hail of bullets at the creatures while trying to stay out of their clutches. Hawke moved like a cat, nimbly maneuvering her dual blades. Her strikes were deadly precise, wreaking havoc on the howling foes.

- I would need some help here. - they suddenly heard the voice of a dwarf.

- I'm a little busy. - Dorian wheezed politely and whacked the approaching creature with his staff.

Hawke looked in his friend's direction. Four demons pinned him against a rock wall. Bianca was fast, but not that fast. Marian squeezed her daggers together and made a slide towards her attackers. The legs of one of the demons were clipped like two matchsticks, and its body collapsed to the ground. Hawke sank one of her blades into its head. The creature let out a shrill scream then dematerialized. Its glowing fragments were drawn through the rift. Marian was so engrossed in the sight that she didn't notice the coming blow. One of the other creature's clawed paws pierced her shoulder. She growled savagely and, with an acquired reflex, drove her free blade into the demon's belly. The next dematerialization no longer distracted her. She dodged another blow and moved closer to the dwarf.

- Hawke, your shoulder. - Varric began, staring at the slowly flowing blood.

- It's nothing, - she said casually. The adrenaline was coursing through her veins with such intensity that she didn't even feel the pain. Varric loaded his crossbow. A series of deadly bolts freed them both from two more demons. Somewhere to their right, they noticed Dorian incinerate the last one that was attacking him. They looked towards the Inquisitor. The pride demon kneeling before him had a damaged knee and was unable to get up. Ayden swung his sword and chopped off its head. He looked around hurriedly checking if there were any more nearby. His companions had dealt with most of them and the only demons left were a few ghost-like figures. The Inquisitor froze in place and, grasping his sword with both hands, pointed the blade toward the ground, focusing his mind. After a moment, a wave of pale blue light flooded the area. It was as if someone had thrown a stone into the water, causing restless circles to spread out from its center. One by one, the greenish ghosts made a squeaking sound and dissolved into the air. Their small fragments were consumed by the rift.

Hawke stood against the wall staring at the spectacle. The Inquisitor must have used one of his templar's auras. She clenched her teeth as memories of Kirkwall pressed forcibly into her head.

As the creature fell causing the rift to seem to collapse into itself Ayden held out a sparking hand. A stream of green light flowed from it towards the rift. The Inquisitor clenched his teeth as if wrestling with an invisible opponent.

"This is causing him pain." - mused Hawke. She stood leaning against the rock wall, her right hand clenching her increasingly bleeding shoulder. After a moment, the image blurred before her eyes and she slumped to the ground.

- Hawke! - she heard the dwarf's worried voice. Her ears began to hum. When she opened her eyes again she saw the shining templar armor.

- I'm fine. - she muttered softly.

- She's losing too much blood. - she heard the voice of a Tevinter's mage somewhere to the side. She felt someone lift her off the ground. The blue emblem of the flaming sword now filled her entire view. The symbol she had despised for so long had become her world. She lifted her hand and touched the cold metal tentatively as if reassuring herself that this wasn't some mocking dream. She felt them move and lifted her head slightly. The Inquisitor holding her stared ahead in concentration. After a moment, he seemed to sense that Hawke was looking at him. Bright green eyes looked at her from between the narrow slits of his helmet. Worry permeating them. She felt a sense of drowsiness and rested her forehead against the pleasant cool metal of his armor. Her eyes closed.

She dreamed of Lothering. She and her brother had just finished scratching out bawdy symbols on the walls of a local church. Suddenly, out of the blue, a templar in heavy armor appeared. He grabbed them by the collars and dragged them to the reverend's mother.

- What shall I do with you urchins? - she asked in resignation. - You will spend this afternoon in the chantry praying. I will tell your mother that you are here.

- But we didn't do anything wrong! - protested Marian in a thin childish voice but the reverend mother was not convinced. Marian looked at her brother for support. Carver, however, could not take his eyes off the templar standing next to him. There was a look of awe on his face.

When they finally returned home their mother was not pleased.

- How many times have I told you not to do such things. - she scolded them. - We can't draw attention to ourselves. Do you want your father and sister to be taken to the Circle?

Hawke lowered her gaze and clenched her teeth. She had enough fear. Enough of the uncertainty at every knock on the door. Their days were filled with hiding half their family. Everyone had to get involved so they wouldn't be separated. She dreamed of the day when she could throw off this yoke of fear.

Slowly she opened her eyes. She turned her head slightly trying to get an idea of where she was. The low wooden ceiling suggested a house. She wrinkled her forehead trying to get up. She hissed quietly feeling a dull pain in her left shoulder. She gripped at it. A solid bandage stiffened her arm slightly. She clenched her teeth and with a renewed attempt managed to sit up. The door to the room creaked slightly.

- I see you are wasting no time. - said the dwarf with amusement.

- What happened? - asked Hawke trying to clear the fog from her mind.

- You almost bled out on us here. That creature must have hit a sensitive spot. - explained the dwarf.

- Where are we? - she asked another question, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand.

- We have returned to Crestwood. The Inquisitor brought you here on his own hands.

Marian seemed to freeze for a split second.

- How long have we been here?

- It seems that one day has just passed.

Hawke mused and Varric could swear she was calculating something. After a moment, she groaned quietly and, getting out of bed, walked over to a small table on which she had noticed some liquor earlier. She poured some into a wooden cup and took a sip. She shivered a little at the taste of the water. She would give a lot for a cold beer.

- Where is the Inquisitor now? - another question came from her lips.

- He's talking to the reverend mother stationed here and the residents. The mayor left a letter explaining that he was behind the flooding of old Crestwood.

- I felt that the story with the darkspawns did not hold together.

- The Inquisitor is now trying to find out where the mayor may have been hiding. He murdered dozens of innocent people. He must suffer the punishment.

- Did he write in a letter why he did it?

- Apparently, the refugees who came here were infected with the blight. He didn't want to risk it spread throughout Crestwood so he gathered them in the lower settlement, which he later sunk.

- I can somewhat understand his motivation. - Hawke said thoughtfully. - I've seen what the blight does to people. Death is a blessing.

Varric just sighed. He didn't know what he would do in the mayor's place.

The door to the room opened once more. The Inquisitor and reverend mother stepped inside.

- How is our patient? - asked the woman. She was relatively young for her office. Her caramel skin was free of wrinkles, and her dark wavy hair stuck out in places from under her monastic headgear.

- Better. - Hawke admitted. - To you, I owe these bandages and care?

The woman nodded.

- My name is Lythia. The Chantry sent me and a couple of sisters to Crestwood to take care of the Maker's children living here.

-Lythia is also a local healer. - Varric interjected.

-Your friend is not without reason. - the woman admitted with a smile. - I heal wounds and cure diseases. I've been busy lately because of the undead coming out of the water. The Herold, however, closed the rift so the inhabitants could have some peace. - her gaze fled to the Inquisitor for a moment. Admiration and respect were painted on her caramel face. - Maker must have been watching over you girl. - She turned to the Champion again. - The Inquisitor brought you here at the last minute.

Hawke shifted his gaze to Herold standing behind the nun. His green eyes betrayed great weariness, but he refused to let it show.

- When are we going back to the Skyhold? - she asked firmly.

The Inquisitor looked questioningly at the reverend mother as if expecting an answer from her. The woman approached Hawke and, tilting the bandage slightly, took a close look.

- The wound is healing very well. I can speed up the process with healing potions and in a few hours, you will be able to leave.

- I will appreciate it. I have already wasted too much other's time. - Marian said.

- If only it won't do more damage. - said the Inquisitor and left the room giving Lythia the space she needed. Varric said goodbye with a smile and also left the building.

Lythia walked over to a small chest of drawers and pulled out several vials of red glass.

- Andraste looked kindly on the inhabitants of this small village since she sent you all here. - she spoke suddenly, handing the Champion one of the bottles.

- I'm not entirely sure this has anything to do with her. - Hawke murmured and gulped down the contents of the bottle all in once. She was surprised to find a pleasant sweetness instead of the standard bitterness. The nun smiled warmly.

- The Fade rift plagued us for so long that we almost lost hope. And when we had almost given up you came here together with the chosen one. I can't read it any other way.

Hawke lowered her gaze and sighed heavily. Another person elevating the Inquisitor to a pedestal of divinity. However, she had to admit that when his hand closed the rift she almost believed it herself.

- Besides, the Maker listens to him as he listened to Andraste. - the woman spoke again. Marian lifted a questioning gaze. - He did not leave your bed all night praying for your health.

Hawke was silent. Her thoughts were a mess.

- You are here among the living now, and your convalescence is going remarkably fast. - the dark lips smiled warmly. - Isn't that proof enough?

Hawke's blue eyes were unable to find a single point. The mess in her head only piled up.

- The other two potions are for your journey. Take them at two-hour intervals. You should fully recover from them. - she instructed and recommending rest, left.

Marian was left alone with her chaotic thoughts. She stared at the red bottles in which the pale light of the crackling flames in the fireplace was reflected. After a while she returned to bed and, feeling a little tired, closed her eyes, sinking into a dreamless lethargy.