The howling outside my window had finally abated, unlike the turmoil twisting my insides. I layed in bed with my thoughts and the oppressive silence as my only company. I had remained wide awake as the events of the last 12 hours looped in my head, especially that whole fiasco in the Chantry. Finding out I could read some of Thedas' lost languages was nothing short of miraculously horrible. In my short time in Haven, I had somewhat managed to come to terms with the fact that I was able to understand and read the common tongue without actually having learned it. Hell, I had almost even wrapped my head around the fact that I was stuck in a middle age world full of magic. Now, I considered myself to be a fundamentally logical person but I was coming uncomfortably close to losing my mind.
Worse yet, my unique predicament meant that I was the only one in Thedas who knew the events that were yet to come. I alone knew who was behind the breach and what the Inquisition would face. What I knew could literally change the course of this world's history. That is, if I ever chose to speak up.
If I told Lavellan everything, just what would happen to me? Would anyone even believe me? Would it somehow backfire, somehow labelling me as the enemy or a heretic? The uncertainty was what kept me silent. In a strange world with even stranger events, I had to keep myself safe because no one else was going to. I was barely managing to maneuver it as it was! I mean, how certain was I that events would play out as I remembered them? I was beginning to realize that this was a free Thedas, one that much to my dismay, was not set in stone. There have already been deviations from the plot. For one, there was my emerging alongside Ellana from the Fade and uncovering a minor assassination attempt. Those definitely hadn't been optional sidequests.
Thankfully, there were also some constants. As expected, Lavellan had been proclaimed Herald of Andraste, the Inquisition had been created and this very morning the party was going to be setting out for the Hinterlands to meet with Mother Gisele and retrieve Dennett's horses. With Mother Gisele's presence at Haven, she would help the Inquisition with some of the problems we were facing with the Chantry, namely that they saw us as a blasphemous threat. Not to mention that they didn't recognize Lavellan's role as Herald. You know, little things.
Groaning, I pressed my clenched fists into my eyelids in frustration until it hurt. Enough of this, I mentally smacked myself. I needed to find solutions and not add further complications onto my already high pile of problems. First thing's first though, I had to get on Ellana's good side. My relationship with her was of the upmost importance. If she were to see me as a confidant or companion, then maybe she would listen to me just enough so that my opinions would influence some of her decisions. Maybe I could use our mutual Fade experience to my advantage. What had she called me at our first meeting? Fade buddies?
Getting up with newfound hope, I began pacing in front of the dying embers of a once bright fire as I furiously planned my next moves like a James Bond villain. I squashed down any moral qualms that dared show their face. Paragon be damned, I was gonna take the renegade path. I had to do everything I could to guarantee that Corypheus was defeated, no matter the cost. This, I concluded, would be my priority for now. Well, alongside trying to find a way out of this place of course.
Realizing just how cold it had gotten, I faced the pathetic heat source and took a log from my dwindling pile to add to the fireplace. With some poking and prodding it didn't take long before the embers greedily lapped up the wood and heat slowly started to be felt again. I missed electricity so much but I was beginning to get the hang of this whole fire business. Wiping my hands on my thighs, I moved onto the next issue: the companions. I first turned my analysis to Solas, well more Solas and Lavellan' romance. I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if they never got together. Or worse, if they didn't get along. In my playthrough, Solas and Lavellan had fallen in love. In doing so, their romance laid an interesting, if not crucial, foundation for the events in Trespasser. If Solas fell in love with the Inquisitor then there was a slight hint of redemption even though he believed himself to be on a path he could not come back from. Bullshit if you ask me, but there it was. If I was still stuck in Thedas that far down the road then I had to plan now. Better to be overly prepared than caught unaware. It would be a cruel irony to survive Corypheus only to be killed after Fen'Harel rose.
If they fell in love, maybe he could be reasoned with or persuaded to not destroy the Veil and thus the world alongside it. Add the fact that the Inquisitor was also an elf might make him more sympathetic. They could go down the route of good friends but as lovers, that emotional bond would be stronger, maybe easier to manipulate. At least I knew how to get them together. A part of me felt guilty for doing this to Lavellan because regardless of the outcome, her heart would be broken.
Looking out the side window, I saw now that it was a bright and sunny morning. Time to change and begin my day. I yawned several times while dressing, only just realizing how exhausted I was. I was so tired that I didn't bother undoing the long messy braid to comb my hair. Vanity was not really on my priority list right now.
With my head clearer and in better order now than it had been in a while, I felt fairly optimistic as I strode out of my hut. I considered myself lucky to have been allowed my own place to stay because a lot of people had to bunk together in Haven. But that nagging voice in the back of my mind didn't hesitate to remind me that it was probably because they didn't know if they could trust me or not.
People were already milling about with their morning chores well under way. There was a palpable feeling of anticipation in the air which was a nice change from the doom and gloom. I walked over to the tents that were serving breakfast and to my dismay, saw that it was soup, again. I understood that these were hard times but dear god how I craved a cup of coffee.Grabbing a wooden bowl, I let the elderly woman serving breakfast pour a ladle full of the goopey stuff. I almost wrinkled my nose at the consistency but refrained from doing so at the last second. It wouldn't do me good to show any kind of disgust when the kitchen staff did what they could with what little we had. Instead I offered a small smile as thanks which was duly ignored in return.
"And a good morning to you too," I muttered softly under my breath as I headed off to sit on one of the stone stairs to eat my meager meal in peace. I tucked the cloak I was wearing under my butt as much as I could so that I wasn't sitting directly on the snow. That being done, I wolfed down the soup, my sudden hunger ignoring any qualms as to what animal the little amount of meat had come from. At this point, it could have been pigeon and I would have asked for seconds. Our food situation was improving but it was still scare. Hopefully, with the upcoming expedition to the Hinterlands that would soon change.
The sounds of soldiers training could be heard over all the people gathering around the breakfast tents. The sound of metal clanging was somehow always in the background, like birds chirping among the trees. Seeing men and women dressed in armor with actual long swords wasn't something I've ever witnessed and it continued to unnerve me.
I suddenly noticed that more and more people had started heading in the direction of the gates. This signaled that the Herald and her companions were getting ready to leave soon. Might as well say my goodbyes too then. With that I set off, only stopping by the tents to return my empty bowl. I was glad the wind from last night had died down at least. The cold air felt brisk but tolerable.
It didn't take long before I arrived outside of the gates and saw what looked like half the village assembled. Ellana, Varric, Solas and Cassandra were here, a horse near each one as they busied themselves with last minute details. This first official Inquisition mission would soon be underway. Harding and the other scouts had already left days earlier. I was just glad I didn't have to join them. I could't imagine ridding a horse for days on end. My body ached just thinking about it.
As I watched the scene before me, I saw how the majority of people crowded around the Herald, like moths to a flame. From where I stood, I heard words of appreciation and awe and to her credit, she took the attention rather well. As I got closer however, I saw the tension around her large eyes and plastered smile. The crowd didn't notice or care that all this was overwhelming the Dalish elf. She looked like she needed help and I saw this as an opportunity. Without hesitation, I squeezed myself between the crowd until I came to stand next to her. I used my height advantage to block the smaller woman from her adoring fans. I turned around, putting my hands on my hips and made sure to glare at anyone who was too close to back off. It didn't take long before we were given a wider berth. I saw some people immediately avert their gaze from mine. Maybe my creepy purple eyes would be useful after all.
Once I was satisfied that the herd of adoring masses had somewhat dispersed I turned my attention to Ellana. Her back had sagged slightly against her steed. "Thank you," she whispered with a tired smile. "That was rather unexpected and uncomfortable. It's odd seeing humans so openly looking up to an elf."
I made a grimace and retorted sarcastically, "The Herald shunning the open adoration of her fans? I am both shocked and appalled."
"Oh, is that right, Protector?" she quipped right back.
I narrowed my eyes at her but ended up laughing. Ellana just smiled in return.
"How about we agree not to use these titles among ourselves?" I suggested. I had forgotten that I also had the privilege of an unusual title myself. If people would be calling me Protector all the time I would go mad. I couldn't imagine how it would feel to be the Herald.
"Deal," she agreed quickly.
Ellana busied herself with adjusting the twin daggers strapped to her legs. I saw that she also carried a bow and quiver on her back. She was definitely the rogue Inquisitor. Wait, Herald, Herald, Herald I repeated to myself. I could not affort to accidentally blurt out a title she didn't yet have.
The silence that followed wasn't tense or awkward which was a nice change. I could already see why this petite elf was going to become the leader of the Inquisition. She had an effortless way about her where she made me comfortable and at ease in her presence even though I barely knew her. So I found myself unsure whether or not to bring up the conversation I had in mind. Almost as if sensing something, Ellana returned her attention to me, raising one of her golden eyebrows in inquiry.
"Just be safe," I said earnestly and maybe too quickly. No, it was better to be silent than to say something I would later regret. The Hinterland expedition wasn't very dangerous so they didn't need to be warned against what awaited them.
To stop Ellana from asking any questions, I quickly beamed at Cassandra knowing it would irritate her but since my promotion, I feared her a little less. I'm sure the news had already made its way around Haven.
"Don't do anything foolish while I'm not here, Clutz. Would hate to miss any fresh material for a new book," Varric said only half jokingly over his shoulder as he steered his horse away, his chuckling carrying over.
I resisted the urge to give his retreating back the middle finger and looked on as Solas practically glided onto his horses's back. Seeing that I was looking at him, he stared back a little longer than necessary and finally with a slight nod in my direction simply said, "Take care Evelyn."
He then prodded his steed and followed Varric. I thought it odd that he didn't seem to be acting any differently with me but then again, he had a great poker face. Cassandra had yet to move as she waited for Lavellan to mount her own horse, the ever watchful Seeker. Without needing any prompting, Lavellan climbed her horse just as effortlessly as Solas and gave the animal's neck a couple of friendly pats
"While we are gone, Evelyn," Ellana used what I called her diplomatic tone as she looked down at me from her new height, "Try not to burn anything down, will you? Solas is coming with us so he won't be here to save Haven to undo any of your, um, more colorful accidents."
Cassandra actually snickered and brought her horse closer towards Ellana. Meanwhile, I was red with embarrassment. I mean, you accidentally set the armory on fire once and suddenly you're a pyromaniac threat to a whole village. Thankfully and coincidentally, Solas had been walking outside the village and heard the commotion. Before any other mage could respond, he had already managed to put the fires out with some ice spells.
"I think I can manage that," I responded as I fiddled with the end of my braid trying not to look too sheepish as the two women looked on. "I will be under Leliana's supervision after all."
"That you will be," Cassandra added harshly. "Remember who you report to, lest you find yourself on the end of Leliana's blade."
Ellana just gave me a crooked smile, almost as if in sympathy. They must have updated the Herald on what I had found but I was relieved she hadn't brought it up.
"Well then," I said a bit awkwardly under the dual gazes. "I shall be off. Have a safe journey." With that we each went our opposite ways, they towards the Hinterlands and I towards Leliana. Even though they were the ones traveling towards the unknown, I was actually more worried for myself and what I would undergo under Lady Nightingale's tutelage.
I quickly walked towards the many tents set up in front of the Chantry and more specifically, into the one where Leliana could be found commanding the Inquisition's fledgling spy network. She didn't even turn from her work when I entered.
"You are late," was all she said.
"Oh.. I... uhh.. was saying my farewells to Lavellan and the others. I'm sorry, it won't happen again," I added quickly.
Abruptly, a foot soldier ran in interrupting my fledgling apology. He wordlessly handed over a scroll to Leliana before leaving her presence with a slight bow. Ignoring me, she wordlessly read it before scribbling something onto it with her quill. I observed curiously as she walked outside and gasped as a big raven flew out of nowhere and landed onto her outstretched arm. Its black wings flapped wildly with loud whooshing noises as it settled onto its mistress' hand. Leliana didn't seem to mind as she deftly placed the paper onto the bird's leg. With a practiced movement, she threw the bird back into the air where it flew away to who knows where to deliver its missive. Not exactly wireless communication but it did the job.
Returning towards the table, she resumed our conversation as if we hadn't just been interrupted. "Although our Herald trusts you, I on the other hand, have yet to be convinced." Here Leliana stopped and her glacial blue eyes stared right through me. "Are you sure you don't remember anything else from the Conclave?"
Sighing deeply, I replied wearily, "No, and I really wish that I did." My answer almost seemed to anger her.
"The fact that we cannot as of yet determine what you were doing at the Temple of Sacred Ashes is a troubling issue for us. Thank the Maker we heard the vision of the Herald being called upon by Divine Justinia in her time of need otherwise we would be lost."
She seemed to ponder this and continued "But that is why you are here, is it not? To prove yourself to the Inquisition."
"I suppose I am," I replied as confidently as I could. "What is it that you expect of me?"
"Quite to the point." Leliana sounded vaguely amused. "Very well, we currently need to make our communication method stronger, more difficult to be deciphered. With your language skills, I expect creating a cipher would be quite easy for you."
My surprise must have registered on my face because she actually laughed.
"Isn't that risky, especially to have someone who might be a threat to the Inquisition in charge of this project?" I licked my lips nervously, trying to come up with any excuse to avoid this. "I mean, that's sensitive information."
"Precisely, Evelyn. But that is why you are perfect for this task. The Inquisition will have its cipher and we shall have our eye on you." She responded simply, crossing her arms over her chest. "If my spies notice anything amiss, we shall know the source. Besides, this is a perfect opportunity to make yourself useful and prove your loyalty."
Once again, I felt my world shift as the rug got pulled out from under my feet. How could I still be so naive to think that this was going to be a simple job. I should have known it would come with strings attached. With my shoulders slumped in defeat, I merely nodded my answer, even though Leliana hadn't really been asking for my cooperation. It was an order disguised as a request.
"Good," she replied turning her back to me as she returned to her work, an unofficial dismissal. "I expect results as quickly as possible, Protector."
I flinched at her use of my title and left. As I exited the tent, I noticed that a crowd, this one much smaller than the previous one, had assembled near the entrance of the Chantry. Over the sea of people, I could see in the distance Cullen's blond head towering above everyone. It was abuzz with voices but a particular one was heard above the rest but I couldn't put a name to it. As I squeezed myself between the people to get a better look, I finally saw the reason why everyone was here and immediately regretted it: Chancellor Roderick. So this was where he spewed venom against the Inquisition and I was lucky enough to witness it. I had hoped to skip this part of what was surely going to be a spiteful rant so I tried to leave but it was too late, he had noticed me.
"If it isn't the so-called Protector, the Herald's very own bodyguard," I heard him yell at my back. Everyone who had been standing next to me suddenly moved a couple of steps back. The irony of being called Protector was not lost on me amidst this sea of fearful faces. Squaring my shoulders, I turned around and braced myself for what was to come while trying not to show how nervous I was.
"I find it odd, Commander, that there hasn't been much progress in finding the culprit behind the explosion at the Conclave yet this woman seems to have unquestioned immunity. That the Inquisition harbors her within its ranks when no one knows where she came from speaks volumes of the integrity of your so called organization. Maker knows her very eyes have been touched by unnatural forces."
Murmurs of agreement spread throughout the crowd. I could feel angry tears forming but fought them back ferociously. I would not allow myself to cry in front of everyone as I shook with restrained anger and shock. Was that what it looked like to an outsider? That I was a valued and trusted member of the Inquisition? The very idea made me want to laugh. The voices kept getting louder until Cullen's voice boomed over them effectively rendering everyone silent.
"Enough! You speak as if Evelyn was some demon to fear! Need I remind you that not only did she survive the explosion but she exited the Fade alongside the Herald? And if the Herald of Andraste trusts her, so should you all," he said looking around the crowd, almost daring anyone to contradict him.
"Now, if anyone here has proof of the Protector's direct involvement of the Conclave's destruction then I implore you to share what you know with the Inquisition." He eyed the people, waiting patiently for anyone to step forward, knowing full well there wasn't anyone who could or would dare come forward.
"No one?" he asked innocently with just a hint of an underlying challenge. "If such is the case, it will not do us any good to point fingers on mere conjecture. We need to stay united if we are to restore order because that is why we are all here for, is it not Chancellor?" Cullen's question was only met by continued silence. "Now return to your duties, all of you, there is much to be done."
Roderick merely sniffed in my direction as he passed me by. I fully expected him to shove me with his shoulder but he didn't, much to my surprise. Everyone else followed suit, dispersing with muffled whispers. My eyes remained fixed on the spot Roderick had occupied mere moments before, wondering if things were just getting worse. I must have spaced out because I was jolted back when a heavy gloved hand was placed on my shoulder. Looking up, I was met with Cullen's honey eyes watching me with something akin to pity.
"Are you alright?" he asked. One stupid tear managed to escape my hold and I angrily wiped it away.
Nodding rigidly, "Yes, I'm fine. Sort of getting used to being on the receiving end of accusations."
He sighed lightly as he said, "I'm not going to lie to you Evelyn, you are in a precarious position. Roderick basically just said what the majority only thinks." He said it gently enough but it still managed to sting. "Although we don't have evidence that you actively participated in the Conclave's explosion, Haven has already made up its mind about you. "
His eyes searched my face for my reaction but I only laughed mirthlessly. "I've just had a similar talk with Leliana. No, I don't remember how I got there and no I don't remember anything that happened."
My voice trembled near the end, either through fear or anger, I didn't care. I was becoming so tired of these accusations, of feeling like I was mere moments away from being thrown in jail or worse, killed. I was in a constant state of anxiety just waiting for something to pounce on me.
"Well, since my word doesn't seem to be worth a damn here, I'm just going to stop declaring my innocence once and for all," I shouted. Cullen seemed to be taken aback a little by my outburst but I didn't give a fuck. What was the point of constantly saying you were innocent if no one was going to believe you anyway.
"Now if you'll excuse me Commander," I said through gritted teeth. "I have work to do." With that, I stomped away.
The next few days I avoided everyone as I shut myself away in my hut. I had grabbed a bunch of books from the small library practically daring for anyone to come up to me to say I couldn't. Luckily, no one came to disturb me. Neither Leliana or Cullen came to visit to see how I was doing which was fine by me. I fully threw myself into the task I was given with a focus I had sorely missed. As long as I kept busy neither the world nor my problems could find me. I worked to the point of obsession. Food and water soon became an afterthought as I only went out to fetch these necessities when my body yearned for them.
The more I worked however, the more I realized how futile this was. After all, I had no experience in cryptography. Hours upon hours of fruitless progress, of constant pacing and frustration, yielded no results. I had thought that with the knowledge of 3 extinct languages in my head it would simplify matters. I was quickly finding out that that was not the case. I tried to find a solution but didn't come. Hours turned into days and I had to admit to myself, I wasn't going to be able to do this.
My pathetic cipher now lied on the floor where I had throw it earlier in frustration. I never claimed to be able to do this so why had Leliana assumed I could? Was this a trap? Was she going to use this to prove I'm somehow responsible for Divine Justinia's death?
Looking out the window, I noticed it was almost dusk. I'd been sitting hunched over my desk since I woke up that morning, not having the motivation to do anything really. I think it had been 5 days but for the life of me couldn't be sure. If I was being honest with myself, I had been using this assignment as an excuse to just hide. Getting up, I inhaled sharply when my muscles protested at the sudden movement. I passed by my mirror without actually looking at myself but something caught my eye. As I got closer, I couldn't stop the whistle that escaped my lips.
I looked like I had been hit by a bus, twice. My hair had not been brushed and it showed. It was an unruly brown mess that would take some time to untangle. I was oddly pale but that could be from being holed up inside without sunlight. Oh, and those bags were something frightful. The pitiful lighting cast shadows over my face, lending an eerie quality to my haggard look. The lack of sleep was finally catching up to me. I touched them gently with my fingers and instinctively looked into my eyes as one would when looking at their reflection. I jumped away from the mirror as if I had just been burned. I really must be exhausted because I could have sworn the yellow around my pupils had been swirling.
I suddenly had the urge to go present Leliana what I had come up with. Not caring whether this was going to land me further onto her bad side, I quickly tidied my hair into a messy bun as best as I could and grabbed my papers as I escaped. The sun was just barely hanging on to the sky as fair blue turned to dark indigo. Of course, if one was to turn their heads the other way, that darkness would be marred by the brilliant green of the breach.
"Hey Clutz, where have you been?" So deep in thought had I been that I didn't even notice Varric walking by my side.
"Sorry, didn't see you there," I replied sheepishly.
"Is that a jab at my height?"I just rolled my eyes. "No, I was just lost in thought. When did you get back from the Hinterlands?" Had I really been so focused that I didn't hear the commotion or noise that would have surely followed Lavellan's return? I guess so.
"Just a couple of hours ago." Here we were interrupted as we had to swerve out of the way of an oncoming soldier patrol because heaven forbid they should move. "Aren't you going to ask me how it went?"
"Were the Hinterlands all you thought they would be?" I asked teasingly, already knowing the answer.
"Oh yeah, the Hinterlands are wonderful this time of year. Trees, apostate mages and rebel Templars. What more could you ask for?" Sighing deeply, he continued. "But we managed to find Mother Gisele and get the stable master's horses for the Inquisition. So all in all, a good expedition."
"And Cassandra didn't kill you so there is that," I added, smiling innocently.
He just gave me a crooked smile. "By the way, where you headed? You look like you crawled out of a barn."
"Gee thanks Varric," I replied, knowing he was right but it still pissed me off. "I'm on my way to see Leliana. I finished the homework she gave me."
He just looked at me and then at the papers in my hand and I knew he wanted details. After I finished my lengthy explanation of how I had come by this job, he just whistled and said, "Isn't it a bit odd that our very own spymaster requested you, out of all people, to do this?"
"Thank you!" I said dramatically as I wildly gesticulated with my hands. "That's exactly what I told Leliana. But it't not as if I had a choice in the matter."
Snorting, he replied, "Sounds like a particular Seeker we know.
"As if on cue, Cassandra turned a corner and approached us, her shiny sword and shield on her person. "Speak of the devil," Varric whispered under his breath just so that I could hear. The Seeker merely nodded in our direction, not stopping to chat.
"You are awaited in the war room Evelyn. Leliana is expecting you." She didn't even bother to stop as she continued on her way, her long and purposeful strides never faltering.
"And here I had been worried there was a new lecture coming this way," Varric said as he watched her retreating back. "Knowing her, she probably has a few of them prepared in case the occasion presents itself."
Snorting loudly, I replied, "What I would like to know is how did Leliana know I was coming to see her."
Varric just shrugged as if to say only the heavens knew. "Do you want me to join you?"
I'm not going to lie, him asking to accompany me almost made me hug him but I refrained and just smiled warmly at him.
"Thanks for the offer, but I have to do this on my own."
"In that case Clutz, good luck. You are going to need it."
With that, he turned and began walking towards his own lodgings. Although he didn't act like it, he must have been tired from his travels.
As I made my way alone to the Chantry I began to notice the differences in the village. With the return of the Herald, the village seemed to liven up. People appeared to be almost happy. The good news must have spread like wildfire. All this positivity almost made me forget where I was going and for what. As per usual, I found myself knocking on the imposing wooden door and waited to be admitted in. It felt like I was knocking on the principle's door. Inside, Leliana, Lavellan, Cullen and Josephine stood huddle over the large table, probably in the middle of some important debriefing or another but I didn't care, I just wanted this over with. Wordlessly, I handed the spymaster my papers and gasped when she merely tossed them onto the table without so much as a glance.
"Aren't you even going to look at them?" I asked, hurt evident in my voice, much to my annoyance. "I worked really hard on it." Did I really just whine?
Leliana shrugged her shoulders as she answered, "I didn't actually expect you to give me anything, Evelyn. Rather, the point of this exercice was to keep you busy."
My eye twitched. I was suddenly dangerously close to losing my temper.
"What. Do.You. Mean?" I enunciated each word with force, my usual fear of this woman suddenly disappearing as various scenarios of me lunging at the lethal spymaster ran through my mind.
"Simply put," Leliana explained as she crossed her arms completely unaware of my rising fury as her eyes remained fixated on the map before her. "While my spies investigated the assassination plot, I had you try to make a cipher even though we never needed one."
As I looked at everyone, it seemed that I was the only idiot to have been unaware of this because no one seemed fazed. My anger was absolutely bubbling.
Leliana seemed to change tact as she faced me." Look, what I really needed to determine was whether or not you were part of this group. If you truly were a scholar, you would have fixated on this challenge, devouring one book after another until you found something." Here she smirked as if saying all you nerds are predictably the same.
"So while we apprehended the actual perpetrators, my people were able to observe your comings and goings which was rather easy because you barely left your lodgings." She stopped talking, probably allowing me to let her words sink in. Any other time I would have been happy to be declared innocent, but my rage reached a new stage of intensity. Whatever emotion I was feeling now, it was palpable in my veins, burning its way through my very core. I felt its warmth spreading throughout my body and a part of me became exhilarated as if this was just the beginning of something more. I almost felt... powerful.
Suddenly everyone became silent and just stared at me. For a fleeting second I became worried, but the wonderful feeling overcame such a trivial emotion. I welcomed its strangeness and famliarity, the outside world no longer holding any interest for me. It wasn't until I felt a change in the air that I recognized Ellana standing in front of me. My focus immediately drifted to her right hand, the hand that held the anchor. I could see the Dalish elf in front of me yet oddly enough, did not register her presence except for her hand. I felt more than saw the worried look Ellana exchanged with Cullen. Without warning, he took my chin in his hand and moved my face side to side. Just as fast, he let go and went to the door and opened it.
I couldn't make out what he said because a strange sound was the only thing I could focus on at the moment. As my eyes fixated upon Lavellan's hand, the odd noise sharpened into tendrils of whispers and ancient words. It was both a chilling and comforting realization. Without thinking, I grabbed Ellana's hand and gasped as I felt something indescribable rise from where her mark touched my skin. My eyes were open but I wasn't really aware of anything around me except for the anchor. Its pull was all encompassing and so tempting. Why tempting? I couldn't say, but I could feel its pull getting stronger. I felt Lavellan struggling in my grip but only barely, as if she was far away from me, like a fly caught in a spider's web. My consciousness slowly evaporated as a surprisingly desperate need made me clutch on to her.
But before I could fully give myself into that new found and wonderful sensation, it was just as quickly ripped away as Lavellan's hand was forced from mine. I almost cried out at the overwhelming feeling of loss. Suddenly, two hands placed themselves over my cheeks, cusping my face. At first they were cold and unwelcome yet they were quickly able to soothe my dismay. Soon, I found myself leaning into them as a warm feeling began to flow from them, dissipating the earlier feeling of craving I had experienced. How odd, I thought to myself, why did they tingle so?
-Meanwhile-
Lavellan calmly approached the dazed human to see if she could be of any help. Cullen, right on her heels, joined her for fear of anything taking a sinister turn. They both observed Evelyn as she stared ahead with an unnatural blank look.
"This doesn't feel right," Ellana said to Cullen. He silently nodded, the frown on his face only deepening as he watched Evelyn's eyes.
Ellana approached Evelyn as she would an unknown animal, slowly and quietly. Something about her current trance has her on edge but she couldn't explain why. Just as she was within reach her reach, one of Evelyn's hands suddenly shot out and grabbed her marked one in a vice like grip, almost making her yelp out at the suddenness of it. Everyone in the war room suddenly took two steps closer to their Herald protectively.
The elf gazed around and gave a half crooked smile signaling that everything was alright. Leliana and Cullen exchanged a wary look and slowly removed their respective hands away from their weapons. Lavellan ignored the hand desperately holding onto hers, trying not to outwardly show how painful the grip actually was. Instead, she chose to observe the human before her. Evelyn usually carried a nervous air alongside a constant look of worry that made Lavellan think of a lost puppy. The Evelyn before her was absolutely devoid of any expression and was replaced with an eerie emptiness.
Cullen quickly made his way to the door and barked a command to whoever was listening to fetch the elvish mage right away.
Josephine approched the dazed Evelyn, her curiousity taking in every detail. "Her eyes may be open but it doesn't seem she is aware of anything around her." Turning to the Herald, she continued, "Its looks like her body is physically here but her mind is elsewhere yet she doesn't seem to want to harm the Herald, just hold onto her," she added somewhat helpfully as she studied the situation. "Have any of you seen anything like this before?"
Commander Cullen merely shook his head, his amber eyes riveted on the main door, almost willing it to open. Even in all his years surounded by mages and magic, he had never seen someone's eyes swirl as Evelyn's were doing right now.
"I think we can all agree that her eyes never seemed right," Cullen said to the room in general. He watched as the bright yellow mingled with the violet, both colors twisting and mingling violently with each other in a most unnatural way.
"No, never," Leliana answered and you could tell it disturbed her more than she was letting on.
"What is taking him so long?" Cullen spat as his gaze quickly shifted between Evelyn and the Herald from the corner of his eye. He didn't want to admit it, but this whole situation had him on edge. Even though Evelyn wasn't actually moving, her having the Herald's anchor in her hand was menacing to him.
Just then, Ellana's mark began to glow green as if it was reacting to a rift and she felt the now familiar tingle of magic in her fingertips. Ellana's eyes widened with surprise, but not fear. Unlike the rest of the group assembled around her, this human did not present a threat to her. But what was happening right now had her worried more for Evelyn's safety than her own.
"Evelyn?" Lavellan began cautiously, her voice controlled and calm. "You need to let me go now."
No answer. Not even a sign that Evelyn had registered her words. Ellana was gently trying to shake her hand away in a feeble attempt to get her to snap out of her trance but to no avail. The magical surges from her hand were becoming more intense and her tries to dislodge herself more insistent but without success. Evelyn was just not letting go.
"Is this some kind of possession?" Leliana asked tensely. Just then a knock was heard at the door.
"Commander Cullen, you requested my presence?" Solas entered but quickly fell silent as he registered the state everyone was in.
"Bless the maker," Cullen growled. "Took you long enough."
Already, Solas was no longer listening to the Commander and instead had zoned in on the issue at hand.
"When did your mark start glowing?" Solas asked the Herald as he got closer to her. His grey eyes saw that the Dalish elf was slowly losing control of the anchor but he didn't say so out loud. The atmosphere in the war room was tense enough without him adding fuel to the fire.
"What exactly happened?" he asked everyone, his eyes never leaving Evelyn's.
"Well," began Josephine. "She walked in here just fine but she got angry and-."
"Angry?" Solas interrupted the Antivan as he turned to face her. "Are you saying this magic is fueled by an emotional outburst?"
As Leliana opened her mouth to answer, Jospehine interrupted, "It would appear so. But maybe it isn't anger as so much as an accumulation of stress finally having an outlet."
"That's all well and nice," Cullen chimed in. "But what can be done now to de-escalate Evelyn's"- throat clearing"- emotions?"
If the situation hadn't been so tense, Lavellan would have easily laughed at his choice of words. Cullen, she was beginning to see, could be unexpectedly awkward. Solas didn't reply and only observed as the Herald's mark glowed a steady green in between Evelyn's clasped hand, its light peeking through her long fingers. Already, he was having difficulty understanding the mark's fusion with the elf before him but now he was absolutely perplexed as to why it was reacting to this human's touch.
Finally, he seemed to reach a conclusion and got even closer to Ellana.
"Do not worry," he said to her, making sure his tone was light as he stood mere inches away. "This won't hurt a bit."
She nodded silently, her wide green eyes the only sign that this situation had shaken her up. For some reason, she trusted him to do what was necessary altough at the moment, his closeness was surprisingly making her feel a bit flustered. With a mental shake, she forced herself to focus on the issue at hand. Now was really not the time for this.
Solas, oblivious to what Lavellan was thinking, placed his hands over Evelyn's but did not give away anything as to what he sensed. With a final look at the petite elf next to him, he gave a small, reassuring smile and defty wrenched Lavellan's hand away. Evelyn facial features twisted in rage but just as quickly recovered once Solas' hands placed themselves on her face.The mage watched as her features returned to a bland emptiness, only her swirling eyes the only sign she was awake. He wasn't sure what to make of this recent turn of events. Just when he thought that this human had finished surprising him there she was, doing something odd again. But there would be time later for further reflection. Now he had to focus on bringing Evelyn back from wherever she was. His hands glowed a bright blue as he used his Rift magic to see if he could create a link to her. Solas could feel her presence just on the edge of his grasp, it was stable but far. He reached out to the Veil, hoping to increase his reach and thus guide her back. In his mind's eye, he saw her form glowing faintly in some darkness, her unsure steps silent as she slowly moved further away from him. Towards what, he couldn't say. With a final push, Solas reached out with his magic, reaching forward and forcefully dragging her back.
Suddenly, Evelyn cried out and were it not for Solas' quick reflexes, she would have fallen to the ground. Solas grabbed her waist just in time to stop her from falling down hard. Instead, he eased her down slowly until he found himself kneeling next to her, her hands gripping onto his arms, her nails digging into the cloth and almost managing to reach his skin. Her eyes were clenched shut as if she was in pain, which the apostate mage felt sure she was. After all, she had somehow managed to seperate her soul from her body while still awake.
All at once, everyone spoke, the multitude of their voices only creating an incoherent din. But Solas ignored all of that, his focus solely on Evelyn. Slowly she squinted her eyes open, confusion evident within their pained depths. The assembled party grew quiet upon seeing Evelyn back to normal.
But no one was ready for what she said next.
"Who hit me?"