Chapter Six: The Inquisition of Old
Author's notes:
Hello everyone, I apologize for the late update. Recently it came to my attention that parts of my other fanfiction stories had been copied and it had really affected me. Please, please to do not copy another writer's work and pass it off as your own! It is a really hurtful thing to do!
Thank you for listening. I hope to continue updating my stories and that you will enjoy this chapter.
Also, I would like to thank Diff, Iluy, TheDinosaurBookwormMutant, UltraMegaStar, Vanessa Masters, fall1ng4u, lizewert83, Rroza18, KirbyCap, Faceball-92, Dharan queen, BlueRubyBeat, Randomnerdier, WillowflowerWaterlily, whiskasgirl, shayo, and Baobhan-Sith for the faves and follows! Thank you for your support!
And thank you BlueRubyBeat, Jord, salinagriego, Vanessa Masters, and Princess of Mirkwood2 for your encouraging reviews. You guys helped bring me back to this story and make this chapter happen!
Honey brown eyes fluttered open and peered thoughtfully up at the wooden ceiling of a warm, though unfamiliar hut. Evelyn wasn't surprised. It seemed that she was developing a habit of waking up in unknown places. The young woman let out a groan for her whole body ached slightly as she tried to push herself upright upon the bed.
Then Evelyn realized that her marked hand was bandaged up to her elbows and smelled of a minty aloe scented salve. At least that was the only part of her bandaged. Other than that, Evelyn wore a simple fitted brown tunic and dark green leggings. And someone must have washed her hair while the young woman was cold for she was finally able to tread her fingers through it.
Evelyn sighed, relieved to still be in one piece after sealing the great Rift, and surviving the onslaught of demons. Though, what happened to Cul…
A deep snore made Evelyn instinctively pull the bed sheet up to her chin as she looked wildly about. There, on the other side of the room, was the Commander laying asleep upon another bed. His forehead was wrapped in bandages, but on the whole he seemed fine.
Though, Cullen slept in the oddest position imaginable. One hand was folded over his face, while the other was somehow tucked under his body. And his left leg hung over the side of the bed.
Evelyn stifled a chuckle for that did not look the least bit comfortable. But, her smile faded as Cullen began to mumble in his sleep. At first he just struggled with his bedsheets, grunting...as if he was dreaming about being in mid battle.
"No! I can't!" Cullen cried out as he tossed and turned. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," He practically whimpered.
Evelyn was alarmed. What should she do! Should she try to rouse him up? It sounded like a terrible nightmare! The young woman crept towards Cullen. Feeling slightly awkward as she attempted to wake him up.
"Cullen? Commander?" Evelyn whispered once she cleared her throat.
The blonde man shook his head from side to side with eyes tightly closed, before he stiffened. "Forgive me, Evangeline…" Cullen whispered miserably…and Evelyn's outstretched hand froze.
Cullen's blue eyes suddenly fluttered open. He felt sweaty, and was slightly panting. The nightmares were back. Maker have mercy on him.
The Commander sighed as he looked around, but the healing house was completely empty. Cullen's head still ached, and soon his eyes softly closed as he drifted back to sleep.
Evelyn leaned against the outside door of the healing house. Her heart was thumping madly against her chest as her mind race wildly with what she had just heard.
'Forgive me, Evangeline.'
Had it...was Cullen talking about her sister? Surely there were hundreds of Evangelines outside of Ostwick, and Circle at Kinloch Hold. Right? But, question was, did Evelyn want to know? The young woman bit her lip in frustration...and fear.
Suddenly, the young woman became aware of how cold her feet felt and quickly looked down in confusion. Evelyn was barefoot and there was snow everywhere. Damn it! She wanted to get away from Cullen so quickly, that she had forgotten to slip on shoes!
Frustrated, Evelyn looked back up and nearly had a heart attack. A large group of people were now standing before her, quietly watching her with curious gazes. "Uhm, hello." The young woman tried to smile though was sure it looked more of a grimace. Evelyn was one to shy away from such attention.
Then an elderly woman with a walking stick hobbled up to her. She had kind, yet keen pale blue eyes and seemed to be respected by the villagers who stepped aside. The wizen woman set down a pair of new boots that looked to be Evelyn's size. "A thank you from the villagers you saved," She remarked as she inclined her head.
"Oh, but I didn't...I mean it wasn't just me...I," Evelyn mumbled as she looked about like a startled deer. The crowd was gazing back at her like the adoring admirers knights and the divine have. It just deepened Evelyn's self consciousness.
The young woman cleared her throat, "I mean, thank you...everyone." She then slipped on the boots and smiled, "They are nice and warm."
And the crowd went wild. The villagers bursted in chatter and cheer. Suddenly Evelyn found herself hoisted up onto shoulders and carried about the wave of villagers."Wait, what?" Evelyn yelped "No touchy!"
It was a whirlwind of people as the young woman was passed from one person to another before she found herself in front of the great doors of the Chantry feeling slightly dizzy. Quickly, she disappeared into the Chantry before the villagers could snatch her again.
The large hall had many burning candles, barrels, and was a bit drafty as Evelyn peered about rubbing her hands together. She nearly jumped at Rodricks angry voice from down the hall. Evelyn was going to have to grow accustomed to that man's grumpy demeanor.
"She has failed, Seeker!" The Councillors voice stated, before more echoing voices followed; attracting Evelyn to a closed wooden door at the far end of the hall.
Suddenly Cassandra's strong accented voice reverberated through the door, "She called the Divine, Dorothea. Not many people call Justinia that."
"So, what does that have anything to do with this great mess!" Roderick snapped back, his pitch growing higher with every breath.
Evelyn opened the door and peeked inside to find Roderick and Cassandra almost nose to nose in their heated argument. Quickly, the young woman spoke up, worried more for the man as the Seeker's eyes were dangerously narrowed. Though, Evelyn admired the woman's self control. She would have head butted the daylight out of Roderick by now.
"I did what I could. And if the breach isn't becoming larger than isn't that a step in the right direction?"
Surprised at the young woman's appearance, all eyes were now fixed on Evelyn, and she quickly took the moment of silence to press on. "I am just simple person trying to influence it. Maybe if we can get more help to figure it out, then maybe we can seal it once and for all."
A small smile played upon the Seeker's lips at Evelyn's words. But, it was Councillor who quickly spoke up.
"You are quite a lucky little thing aren't you. Seem to know what to say, when to appear, and have escaped death twice now. Rather, convenient…" Roderick sneered, causing Evelyn to blanch at his remark.
"Have care Councillor," Cassandra remarked in a low dangerous voice that made both look at the Seeker. "You are describing yourself equally so," Cassandra added, and Roderick's face paled in response.
"Y...You think I am a suspect? And not this lass with a mark that can interact with that monstrosity?" Roderick stuttered in complete surprise to have the table turned on him.
Leliana stepped out of the shadows, making Evelyn jump at her sudden appearance. Damn she was good at being stealthy!
"Who ever is behind the explosion may have fallen in the blast or… has allies still persisting," Leliana said softly as her eyes gleamed in the torch light.
"I was called out of that conclave for official business known to everyone! What is her excuse!" Roderick pointed a finger at Evelyn's face. The young woman was quite irritated by the Councillor by now that she had to resist the urge to bite his wagging finger.
"The Divine called out the Evelyn for help. And you," Cassandra paused as she shifted her gaze to the lass. "You called her Dorothea. How do you know that name?"
All eyes were back upon her. Evelyn couldn't understand what the deal was. "I met her...years ago. She...she told me to call her Dorothea," Evelyn did not delve further, and was grateful that no one asked 'why' she had met the Divine. Her parents had pulled many strings to had Evelyn a chance to talk to Justinia. Though, they had hoped the Divine would rebuff Evelyn's actions at the Circle at Kinloch Hold. Instead, the Divine seemed quite interested in Evelyn's actions and that was when she said, 'call me Dorothea'.
"That confirms it. This is providence. The Maker sent Evelyn to us in our darkest hour. In our time of need," Cassandra began and her words shook Evelyn away from her memories so that she gaped at the Seeker, along with Roderick.
Evelyn recalled the grateful and quite exuberant villagers outside and raised her hands up, "Whoa, I...I'm not some chosen one. You saw that vision, it was just happenstance I walked in on that scene. I might have just been looking for the loo! You can't connect such dots."
Cassandra frowned at the young woman. She shook her head, "You will need to trust yourself, and have confidence."
The young woman opened her mouth to protest again when Leliana added gently, "Evelyn, you are the one with the mark, and our only hope. Please stand with us."
Evelyn gazed at the faces watching her carefully, and her shoulders drooped in defeat. "I'm no hero or chosen one, but I will help in any way I can to ensure that the breach is closed. I stand by my word I had given you Cassandra," Evelyn placed her hand upon her heart and bowed her head.
"Then, it is time to reforge the Inquisition of old," Cassandra stated as she held up a thick worn book with black bindings.
The Councilor's mouth fell open. "This is madness," Roderick whispered, his eyes bulging in alarm as he stared down at the old book. "You walk a dangerous line, all three of you and the Chantry will play no part in this!" The Councillor stated as he stormed out of the room.
"There goes our Chantry support…" Leliana sighed as she lightly rubbed her temples.
"True, we are on our own." Cassandra remarked as she tore her eyes away from the Councilor's retreating back. "But, where there is a will, there will be a way. And we will work it out."
Evelyn's eyes were still glued on the old black book the Seeker had set upon the table. "The Inquisition of old. The summons to unite those of a willing heart, courage, and steadfast honor under one banner against the tide of chaos. And when peace is brought to the land, the banner is taken down, the arms of war lowered, and the united disband until duty of the Inquisition calls again," Evelyn whispered as she stared in awe at the book.
Oh how she had read those tale of old in bed! This...this is a historical moment, to revive such an ancient order. And by the Maker, she of all people...was in the thick of it!
"This is a declaration of war," The young woman breathed as she tore her gaze from the black book and up to the Seeker.
"We are already at war. It is what we find, that will define it," Cassandra remarked.
The three looked seriously at each other, completely unaware that Cullen was nearly beside himself once he woke up. "Sweet Maker how long have I been out?!" The Commander yelped as he jumped off the bed and searched about for his armor.
"And where do you think your going?!" Came the deep and quite agitated voice of Adan. The potion master had his hands on his hips and chest puffed in outright indignation at seeing Cullen rush about the healing house, quite possibly undoing any treatment Adan had given him.
"First the young woman runs off and now you dare to try it?" Adan seethed. "Besides that, no one wants to see their Commander running across the village covered in bandages!"
Cullen had frozen in snapping on his armor at the sight of the angry...father hen? "Aw, Adan, I knew you cared." The Commander added teasingly with a lopsided smile.
"Hmph! That fall must have really rattled your brain," Adan grumbled, before adding under his breath, "Crazy patients...I'll have white hair soon, Maker knows it."
Grinning widely now, Cullen sprinted to the Chantry and rushed into the great room just in time to see Evelyn being introduced to Josefina.
"Ah, Cullen," Cassandra remarked upon spotting the Commander. "I was just introducing Evelyn to Ambassador Josefina."
At the Seeker's words, Evelyn's back stiffened and she slowly turned around. But, she was careful not to look right at the Commander.
"There is one person already interested in our cause," Josefina spoke up in her exotic Antivan voice. Mother Giselle wishes to speak to us. Actually, she wishes to speak to Evelyn," Josefina added with a raised brow as she looked at the young woman curiously.
Evelyn's face brightened at the name. Mother Giselle! She was an old family friend, and a confidente. Finally someone Evelyn could truly confide in. Get herself sorted out. Giselle had always been rational. She wouldn't interrupt you with proses from the book, but listened fully to your worries and gave wisdom. Evelyn could use a bucket full of wisdom right now.
"However, she is currently in the Hinterlands attending to refugees caught up in the battles between Mages and Templars. It would be unwise to travel there alone," Leliana added. Her mind was already forming several reconnaissance trips to secure Mother Giselle's safety.
"I can accompany you on the first travel," Cullen spoke up. He had been watching the young woman. Silently trying to catch her attention, but he had a sneaking suspicion that she was doing her best to not look at him.
Finally, Evelyn stared right into his blue eyes and simply said, "No."
Cullen's jaw went slightly slack. Surely he had misheard her thanks to his rattled brain. "No?" The Commander repeated with eyes wide in surprise.
"No, thank you," Evelyn replied in an even tone. Her face hard to read.
Now a frown wrinkled Cullen's forehead. "Alright, let me rephrase it then, I will be coming with you whether you like it or not." The Commander said with a finality as he crossed his armored arms over his chest and scowled at the young woman. He didn't understand why his face suddenly felt so warm, nor why Evelyn was acting so. Surely they had been slowly getting along, now they were suddenly back to the beginning!
Evelyn opened her mouth to further protest, but Cullen was having none of it. He was Commander for a reason after all! "I've seen you fight. Cassandra will need to take care of a few more things here before she can join up, so in the meantime I will be joining the party and training you."
Solas and Varric, who had been listening at the door exchanged glances between each other.
"So, how good are your healing powers again, Solas?" The Dwarf whispered.
"Why do you ask?" The Elf asked feeling perplexed.
"Because we are going to need alot of it with those two," Varric sighed as he shook his head.
More rambling notes from the Author:
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I am eager to hear what you think. Especially since Cullen will be part of the main party into the Hinterlands!
(DISCLAIMER) I do not own nor claim to own any of the Dragon Age Franchise and Bioware's work. It is from the team's own brilliance…though my original characters are from my own madness.