In the Beginning, There was Fear
Da'Evune was not particularly forgetful. Sure she might occasionally neglect a step when tanning a hide and maybe she missed placed her trail marks every so often, but for the most part, she had a decent memory. So imagine her confusion when she came back to consciousness without being able to recall when she last lost it.
The cool stone ground beneath her face was unfamiliar and damp. As fear began to quickly spread throughout her body the small elf willed herself to remain relaxed, fighting against all of her instincts to tense up as she sunk back against the floor. She slowed her breathing in order to feign sleep before taking stock of her surroundings. By focusing on sounds she was able to pick out others. From what she could tell, four guards were watching her from different points throughout her prison.
One of the guards coughed and it took everything in her power not to jump. Straining her hearing to pick up on every little detail was not exactly helping to keep calm. Though, the need for more information before alerting those in the room of her return to the waking world kept Da'Evune patient. The guards shifted causing steal and leather armour to creak. Every once in a while one would sniff or grunt, but other than that no change. She knew that she wasn't going to get anywhere if she continued her facade. She needed to move without letting them know just how lucid she was. Before she could fully formulate her play Da'Evune's hand flared with white-hot pain causing her to let out a muffled groan. She had made enough noise to alert the guards, three came forward, unsheathing their blades while one made his way to the door. Slowly, in order to keep up her ruse, she managed to get herself into a hunched sitting position. Making sure to stare through the guards around her and opening her mouth to breath shallow panting breaths she waited for them to become more at ease with her fake sickly presence. Though to her surprise, none of them did. Either Da'Evune was nowhere near as good of a performer as she thought or these guards were really continuing to act with the utmost care around a barely mobile 4'9" elven woman. She was trying to subtly inspect them without drawing their attention any more than she already had. A combination of the Chantry logo and that of the Templar order was stamped across their chests. Her blood ran cold and her tongue became thick and heavy in her mouth. She'd seen those markings before on old rotted corpses scattered and lost to time, the lingering stains of the Second Exalted March. Da'Evune forced herself to keep from shaking, that was at least until her ears twitched.
Footsteps fast and purposeful were heading towards her cell door. The sound echoed off of stone as what she could only assume was her judge, jury and executioner neared. She had to come up with a plan, something anything. She slowly shifted from her ass to her knees, sweating with the effort of keeping her movements lethargic. Da'Evune was no coward, she would face her namesake one last time before joining her ancestors in the afterlife and creators so help her, if she was leaving her mortal coil behind she'd be taking as many with her as possible. With a few quick prayers to Falon'Din and Elgar'Nan, she steeled her resolve and waited.
A shadow inspected a towering statue standing vigil over the tattered village. A chip had joined the old one on the opposite side of the pillar's face early on in the aftermath of the Conclave. Though a slight nick was nothing to worry about compared to the semi-disembowelment some of the soldiers had received from the claws of shades, the burns of molten begins of wrath or the battle fatigue covering the minds of once valiant men thanks to the cries of unrelenting horrors. The Mages and Healers had enough on their plates already and did not need the Divine's Right Hand demanding someone patch up a superficial cut. Leliana continued to watch as Cassandra scowled at the Breach. No, she was no longer the Divine's anything, neither of them were. The woman was dead and gone and in the aftermath demons were oozing onto the material plane. Falling from the sky like grotesque shooting stars. Though the only wishes to be granted on that day would be of destruction and despair.
"Casandra," the shadow called from behind the statue. The warrior nodded in acknowledgement before returning her full attention to the Breech.
"Leliana," the Sister could tell that the woman who stood before her was not looking forward to the oncoming conversation. Especially since their last had ended in an argument, one in which the Seeker had lost. Though the warrior was not ashamed to admit that, the shadow's counterpoint was ironclad. Why ask Cullen, a man known for a cruel view towards Mages, to lead the future Inquisition's forces when there were a million other options, like perhaps Aveline Vallen. The former bard knew that her coworker and friend was still licking her wounds, but their disagreement was in the past and not why she had come. The darkness beneath Cassandra's eyes was growing as the days went on and she had yet to see the Seeker retire since the sky split open.
"Have you rested?" She asked, fully knowing the answer. A sigh escaped the former Right Hand's lips.
"Leliana," the repeated name came out as a pleaded wine, the Sister found herself smirking at the childish sound.
"Oh? I'm sorry Cassandra I was not aware that you were immune to the effects of exhaustion." Another sigh, "is it dragon blood? I bet it's the dragon blood." She teased.
"You and I both know that I have no dragon's blood flowing through my veins."
"Hmm? Do I know that? If not dragon's blood then what is allowing you to go so long without rest and not become a liability."
"Leliana..."
"Do not Leliana me Seeker," Cassandra flinched and it was the Sister's turn to sigh. "I am not here to fight. I am simply worried."
"There is no need to worry I am fi..." the taller woman's reply was cut short as her world was flipped upside down, Leliana had swept the Seeker's legs so suddenly that she had no chance to even attempt to break her fall.
"We both know that if you were at your best you would not be on the ground gasping like a fish out of water, non?" Cassandra said nothing still unable to respond. Leliana's playful smirk receded as she lowered herself down next to the Seeker, she clutched her knees to her chest and picked up a little bit of snow before sprinkling it onto the taller woman's face. The warrior closed her eyes as the former Bard was reminded of simpler times spent chasing after an energetic Dalish woman and her boy King brother.
"What about the prisoner? What if she wakes and I am not here to aide in her interrogation?"
"Solas has said it will take some time for her to regain consciousness."
"What of the Breach? It continues to expand."
"And it will continue to do so regardless of whether or not you push yourself." Leliana Sighed and rubbed her face, "I just... merde, we lost Justinia Cassandra. The world has gone years without it's Champion and I would give up everything just to know if ma colombe was still alive. Please, Cass, I cannot lose you too."
"Lel..." the Seeker began, listening to her friend who had been playing the game for the past few days and refusing to morn. Laying there on the cold ground with an emotionally repressed Bard dropping snow onto her face also helped her realize something that she had been denying herself for days. Cassandra Pentaghast, Hero of Orlais, Right Hand of not one but two Divines and former Seeker of Truth was exhausted. "I... you will not lose me." She paused when she received no response, "Uhg fine," the fallen warrior huffed before sitting up and resting one arm over her knee. "But you have to promise to wake me if anything happens." Leliana cocked her head to the side and pursed her lips, before offering a hand to the Seeker.
"Deal." The two women shook before getting back to their feet, Cassandra rolled her eyes as Leliana brushed some white fluff from her armoured shoulder and straightened out her cloak before gently bating the Sister's hands away with a huff.
"You are a Spymaster, not a mother hen."
"Aw ma petit chou, I will stop mothering when you start caring for yourself." The Seeker rolled her eyes, before turning on her heel and marching towards her cabin a light blush dusting her cheeks. Leliana chuckled once more before donning her emotionless mask and slipping back into the shadows.
The Seeker was used to how skittish others were around her, after all, she was tall for a human and had a resting expression that often deterred the seediest of would-be attackers. Usually, she kept in mind the effect that her presence tended to have, but with the situation as dire as it was she was not watching her temper. When a loud rapid succession of knocks awoke Cassandra from a dead sleep after her head had hit the pillow only a few candle marks prior. She leapt from the bed and ripped open the door with her teeth bared and muscles clenched. A small elven scout stood before her. He went pale, eyes widening as his ears drooped back.
"What is it?" She asked not hiding her barely contained rage from her tone. The scout quickly explained that the prisoner had returned to consciousnesses before he made a hasty retreat away from the angry dragon. Cassandra needed no more encouragement as she rushed back into her cabin, the rage within her ebbing and flowing as it found a new target. The Seeker scowled as she threw on her armour and stalked across camp back straight and eyes narrowed. She met Sister Nightingale at the entrance of the Chantry and lead the other woman to the ancient cells. Her steps landing with purpose as she descended into the damp murky darkness of the dungeons, the smaller of the two women quickly falling behind as she took a moment to question her departing scouts in coded whispers. The second the Seeker entered the room she directed the soldiers to file out, Leliana silently slipping in past them just as the last cleared the door. Cassandra began a familiar song and dance as the dragon's fire was held just beneath the surface of her skin. Her eyes quickly shifted to the prisoner kneeling before her as she took in every detail. The woman was Dalish, that much she knew, she was sporting miss matching furs, leathers and roughly sown hide boots. A hastily put together set of winter gear. Shaggy black hair covered most of the elf's features though Cassandra was still able to make out dark skin and some of the small woman's markings. The light blue tattoos covering her face, vanishing beneath a thick scarf wrapped around her throat, were thin blue and branch like. The largest ears she has ever seen flicked up from beneath the black mane as the Seeker approached.
Cassandra did not get to ask her first question. Leliana let out a warning shout and before the Seeker could react the elf who appeared dazed and subdued moments prior had launched herself at the taller woman. Heavy wooden cuffs slammed into her nose, she felt the cartilage break beneath the force of the blow and lost her footing as the elf tried to spring past. Cassandra was not able to grab the smaller woman but she did swing out her elbow catching her attacker's face and breaking something as well. The elf stumbled back which gave the former Bard just enough time to slip behind the surprisingly lucid prisoner. Cassandra's hand went to her own face as Leliana's grabbed the elf's newly freed and bloody wrist before pinning her arm behind her back and slamming the much smaller woman into a nearby wall. If the Dragon was angry before, now she was furious. She grabbed a fist full of messy raven coloured hair and ripped the Fade walker's head around.
"Give me one reason why we shouldn't kill you!" The Seeker demanded, spittle splashing onto the pinned woman.
"Fuck you!" Came the just as aggressive if somewhat raspy reply the elf's dark features twisted into a snarl blue markings and red blood oozing from her nose making her look all the more dangerous. An enraged Dragon stared down at a homicidal Lioness, as a lone Nightingale played mediator and tried to keep the two from killing each other. Leliana shouldered Cassandra away just as the taller woman lifted her fist to strike.
"We need her Cassandra and you attacking is not going to get us anywhere." The Seeker huffed but backed off briefly as she tried to regain control of her anger. She could feel the elven woman's distrusting gaze even though the hair hanging in front of her eyes made it hard to tell where exactly she was looking.
"Bind her again, Sister." Leliana raised a brow but did as her companion asked, removing the rest of the destroyed cuffs in the process and tying the smaller woman's arms behind her back. As she finished the green mark sparked and oozed magic, the elf grunted and flinched, but for the most part, remained quiet. The Seeker narrowed her eyes. "What is that?" The elf didn't respond and Cassandra lent in close, only for the elf to spit in her eye. The Dragon curled her lip in disgust. "Go to the forward camp Leliana, I will take her to the Rift." The Seneschal glanced over at the warrior with a slight frown on her face. "She will not talk to us, but she might if she knows what's at stake."
"I ain't gonna go nowhere with yeah!" The elven woman said before renewing her struggle against the former Bard's bindings. Leliana shook her head and let out a sigh.
"I think you may be right." The hooded woman handed off her charge before leaving the room without glancing back, she sent a silent prayer to the Maker that they wouldn't kill each other before the demons could get to them. The Seeker kept a tight hold on her prisoner, towering over the woman as she shoved her forwards out of the cell and up into the Chantry. The elf struggled once or twice and Cassandra had to grit her teeth as she held the woman still, she was a lot stronger than she looked. It didn't take long for them to arrive outside, the sky painted an eerie green as demons pored from its weeping wound. The elf's scowl left her face and large eyes widened as she gazed up at the tear in the Veil.
"We call it the Breach."
Da'Evune did not catch what her captor said after providing a name for the magical anomaly hanging above their heads, as her hand once again seared with pain. She let out a gasping wheeze as her marked hand was yanked towards the hole above by some unseen force. She stumbled forward onto her knees, clenching her eyes shut and baring her teeth when the pain passed her tongue darted out to wet chapped lips and she tasted her own crimson. The taller woman rushed over and knelt before her, the green glow of the unholy gaping maw above allowing for the elf to get a better look at her captor. Tall, sturdy and built for battle with sharp features and narrow eyes she was dealing with someone who could slay hundreds before breaking a sweat. The small elf begrudgingly respected that.
"Each time the Breach expands, your mark spreads and it is killing you. It may be the key to stopping this, but there isn't much time." Da'Evune found her mind drifting to her clan at the warrior's words, she watched as another chunk of fade rock fell through from the other side and came hurtling towards the ground. Probably killing someone, probably taking them away from someone else. What if it had been Dhea'Blar or Asha'Dys or even little Samahl'Assan. She raised her gaze and locked eyes with the Seeker, ice met fire.
"If I can stop that thing from taking more lives I will."
"Then...?"
"I'll do whatever it takes."
While leaving Haven Cassandra tried to explain to the elf that the people had already found her guilty and that there would be a trial, though she had a feeling that the other woman was not listening. Large ears were constantly twitching and rotating as the smaller of the two picked up on potential threats that her companion wasn't a where of. Though she regained the elf's attention when she sliced open her bonds and began leading her towards the forward camp. The elf was struck with agony as the Breech expanded once more and ended up stumbling into the Seeker, who caught the other woman easily and half guided/carried her towards the bridge as they waited for the pain to pass. The elven woman offered her a silent nod before they continued. The bridge exploded after a demonic meteoroid hurtled into it's centre when the duo was halfway across, they tumbled to the frozen river bed bellow along with some supplies and a corpse or two of Fade burnt soldiers. A shade ripped itself free from frozen shadows and began advancing on the pair as the prisoner tried to regain her barrings. With a single glance back and a few words of confidence, the Seeker charged forward to meet the melted cyclops in battle.
Shades were simple enough to down as they were mere echos and not fully formed creatures, grey flesh parted easily beneath the dragon's seasoned blade and yellow blood leaked onto clean snow. Chipped semi-ethereal claws bounced off her shield as she batted it's hands away before sinking her sword deep into the thing's neck. She was about to announce her victory before she felt it. Hot reeking breath barely brushing the side of her face. While the Seeker was busy a secondary shade had manifested and managed to slip relatively close. Shades were easy to kill, they were sluggish and telegraphed excessively before even the most minor of movements. Their danger came when they appeared in large groups as they were mostly silent and although it didn't take much to fell them, an unguarded strike from a shade still had the potential to be fatal. Cassandra turned, she knew that she wouldn't be able to get her shield up in time. She managed to face the monstrosity just as the melted flesh of its hooded visage split open and seeped thick yellow liquid, it's head snapped back at the wrong angle. The creature gurgled once before it de-materialized revealing her saviour standing behind it.
The prisoner was holding a relatively large piece of debris. The end was cracked, splintered and dripping with yellow blood. The woman herself letting out a relatively concerning hissing wheeze as she tossed the bored off to the side. Cassandra flicked her blade clean before looking down at the elf, the sound the other woman was making was truly unsettling.
"I thank you for your aid, were you injured?"
"No... Fenharel's ass..." The Seeker's brow forwarded as she took a step towards the elf. The other woman took a step back and bared her teeth. "I'm... fine this... is normal..." she wheezed out before looking back towards the bridge and frowning. Cassandra followed the other woman's gaze to the corpses littering the ground, a few were armed.
"Why not grab a weapon off of one of the fallen?" The elf let out a series of cracking hisses.
"I didn't think... that yeah'd be very appreciative... of me wielding a blade..."
"That may have been true, though given the circumstances it is probably for the best that you arm yourself." The elf glanced at the Seeker before wandering back to the destroyed bridge. She returned moments later with a comically large greatsword hefted over one shoulder. The prisoner must have noticed her bemused expression because she shot the Seeker a sneer, revealing blood stained teeth. Cassandra rolled her eyes before turning to search for a path that would lead them towards the forward camp.
"Hey lady!" The elf called and Cassandra glanced back, she was holding out a hand. "Dune," Cassandra blinked at her, the shorter woman huffed. "Hello, Dune... it's nice to meet yeah... Thanks... for saving my life... By the way... my name is...?" The seeker rolled her eyes before continuing towards a potential way forward.
"Cassandra."