Chapter Twenty
Killing Time
Anais looked directly at me however, "I know you – both of you; you're the ones they call the Heralds of Andraste for you did at Haven. But are you? The maker has not told me."
"We are – Maxwell can bend rifts to his will and I can see the future to an extent, Speaker Anais. Allow us in to close the rift that lingers here in the Tower – it will be our proof to you."
Surprise flashed through her eyes, "At least you have proven what you claim – very well."
"Max – you go take care of the rift; Hyndel and Berand are here and I need to speak with them about two respective matters. Take all but Blackwall with you. I will meet with you when you finish your task."
Maxwell saluted me and moved forward as the gate lifted. Anais actually followed me – I guess it was more testing to see if I knew who I was looking for or where they were. I found Berand on the second floor of the tavern-like area and said, "I found this on a corpse on the road – I buried her."
He looked confused and took the note before falling to his knees. "Lady Vellina… she's dead? B-but we were meant to be together… the maker would not keep us apart… what am I supposed to do now?"
I knelt, "The Inquisition needs men that believe as strongly as you do – come; help us restore order. I gave Lady Vellina her last rights and buried her – there is nothing for you here anymore."
"Yes… if waiting here in the hills leaves innocents to die, then I will bring the makers word by the sword." He stood slowly.
"Report to my husband – Commander Cullen needs good recruits."
He shook my hand and… left. Just like that.
I then headed out and across – up a ladder, across again and up another ladder. There was Hyndel. I spoke, "Hyndel – I aided for the moment, but your mother needs you at home. Her Asthma is acting up and she can't breathe. My solution is not as good as yours – I'm used to healing from a different area. I would pay you for the recipe and see that you go home to aid your mother. I cannot go directly to the crossroads after this as there is a rift in the pass – however, I gave her a device that will keep her for at least a month; but you should still go back."
He was pale, "I-I… I have the recipe here…"
"Here are 30 sovereigns for it; don't look so surprised; this recipe is a wonderful invention and I'm paying on behalf of the Inquisition. We plan to distribute it and you'll get a sum of all that we sell – this token is special; it's made of White Steel and the gem in the center is a pure ruby; this marks you as one of the Inventors of the Inquisition. If you show it to any agent, they will aid you or get a message directly to the Inquisition."
"C-can I have your name, My Lady?"
"Princess Celeste Rutherford – Admiral and Inquisitor of the Inquisition, Arlessa of Denerim, Princess of Ferelden and Daughter of Highever; at your service." I smiled as he almost dropped the pouch of coins that I had just given him.
He went to bow but I stopped him, "I'm just a woman, Hyndel – no need for that…"
He said, "My Lady – thank you for helping my mother and informing me; I'll make my way home at once."
"As I told them – I took an oath; I can't just leave someone in need of medical aid if I can help. Luckily, I knew the problem and put a patch on a leaking boat – but she needs you. I could only do so much. Keep that token well – that's currently the only one in circulation; I make note of when and who I give them to, so it can't really be used by anyone else, but if you lose it… it could take time to replace."
I headed up one more ladder – again with Anais following me – to activate the Elven Artifact. Anais asked, "What is that?"
"It strengthens the Veil so it will be harder for more rifts to appear here. You had this up here the whole time, but it can only be activated by one marked by the Fade. There's only 4 of us at the moment and all of us are in the Inquisition. Max should be done closing the rift by now – let's head back down."
I gave a smirk and jumped down the ladder well. I wasn't dumb enough to jump from the balcony – it was too high; I'd break something.
Returning to the group, Anais looked accepting of the fact that the rift was gone, "Makers' Tears! I was a fool to have doubted you. How may we serve you Inquisitor?"
"In two ways – help the refugees; and while you do, listen and gather information. We may need it – but put the priority on helping those in need."
"As you say, Herald of Andraste – some few will remain here; the rest will go forth to do your will. When the maker calls you to your great purpose…"
"I will remember that you aided me."
We headed out again after that to take care of the rift down in the pass.
We chose to camp there since we had gone sifting through a mine after that and didn't emerge until dark.
Solas pulled me aside, "Lethallan – you know the veil must come down… I still do not quite understand why you stand by me?"
I snorted, "Solas – I've seen the dark hearts of man; but the thing is… there is good in evil – and evil in good. If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?" I quoted Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.
"That is… there is no good or evil – even you said so." He pointed out.
"Solas… I do believe that; good and evil is what we make of it. I know there's another way – the world does not have to burn and be remade from the ashes – but it does need to be remade. Humans are unnatural on this world and still think to conquer it. I am here to show you that there is always another path. It's true that there is no greater regret than to watch fools squander what you sacrificed to achieve – but you knew this might come to pass. Would you condemn the innocents once more to right your wrong, Lethallin? Would you see children and people like Ellana or me die to return the Fade? The problem is this – more elves will die than humans will if you tear the veil completely down as you plan to. You need to do it little by little – or this problem magnifies. Visit my dreams tonight – I will show you what we will encounter in Redcliffe in Harvestmere. It is not pretty – and even you will fail in that dark future." I sighed.
"But why… why do all this for the people when they squander their… what happens when they turn on you as well? As they have turned on me – or on your sister?"
Nicole Lyons words filled my head, so I spoke them, "A woman once said in her books… I have licked the fire and danced in the ashes of every bridge I ever burned. I fear no hell from you. And she also said something else – I am a lover of words and tragically beautiful things, poor timing and longing, and all things with soul, and I wonder if that means I am entirely broken, or if those are the things that have been keeping me whole. The world is what you make of it, Solas – if you refuse to see the good or hidden things and only focus on what is right in front of you, then you will make the same mistakes again. If you reverse what you did before, then you may wake up in another 5-7,000 years and look around to find there are no elves left. Their birthrates are declining more that the humans or dwarves… until the Darkspawn can be taken care of, all the races of Thedas are dying. I am a woman of simple pleasures because I learned just how fleeting life can be – I asked for cheese and brandy from a man because if I want more, I can damn well earn it. Nothing easily gained is easily kept, Solas – you look around and see what the Breach is doing here – you will make it worse if you do not amend your plans."
He looked thoughtful, "You have given me much to think on, Lethallan. I will visit you tonight to view this 'dark future' you speak of."
I nodded and answered Cullens – well timed – call.
The next morning, Solas was thoughtful all day – he hadn't liked what he had seen; and he had pressed me for details on the 'Elder One'. I confirmed who it was – Coryphaeus.
Cassandra cornered me – I say cornered, but she just asked a question while we were walking… "Do you really think you'll take a third husband?"
"No – but I like to keep people on their toes. Cullen will be highly protective and this gives Alistair a reason to debate with me – to make sure he gets Anna into our group. I'm not incompetent – I can spot most ambushes a mile out… and any Avvarian that kidnaps me will have a thing or two coming – like my foot to their delicate bits. I've been drugged too many times for demonic influences of the desire persuasion to have much effect on me. Mostly, I mentioned it to them as a way to get their attention."
Varric shot me a grin, "So… you used me?"
I shrugged, "Maybe I did – maybe I didn't. I won't be marrying anyone else. The thing is – even if that whole crazy scenario did happen, I wouldn't be married to the Avvar that kidnaps me unless I sing a hymn during that ceremony they do; easily avoided. And besides – Avvar marriages are temporary. That whole damn scenario was just to rile up the men."
"You don't think it could happen?" Maxwell asked.
"Oh, it could certainly happen – but even if it did… all it would be is an inconvenience and not marriage. I have to be willing for the marriage ceremony to take place."
"In other words… you're just keeping them interested." Blackwall laughed.
"Well… why not? Why else do you think I commented on your beard being sexy when I have no real interest in you? You're a good-looking man, but I'm already taken so I normally wouldn't say anything."
"That is… a good point. Think the Commander will actually grow a beard?" Ellana teased.
I nodded, "I've now mentioned how sexy I find beards not once, but twice… Cullen will certainly grow one just to see if I react nicely to it. There is no situation where I can be forced into a marriage – but Cullen doesn't know enough about his own heritage to realize that."
"His… heritage?" Maxwell perked up.
"I… well, this wasn't in the games, so it further enforces my theory about the Fade, but Cullen is a Quarter-Avvarian. His grandfather was an Avvar that left the hold because they don't generally kidnap lowlanders and he had taken a liking to a lowlander. His mothers' grandfather."
"… You have got to be joking…" Cassandra said.
"Not at all – actually; that's why he's so… muscular and tall. He's 6'3 when the average human male height is no more than 6'1. He's short for an Avvarian, but his grand-father was actually from Stone-Bear Hold; it's the little things," I grinned.
"Stone-Bear – the hold we will eventually go to?" Solas asked.
I nodded, "That's the one. He's cousins with the Thane – and that isn't a hereditary position, by the way; it's a proven position."
"Ah… that is good to know…" Cassandra coughed.
"Yeah – he's not a member of the hold, but he has family there. He just has no idea."
I found Enchanter Ellendra in the crossroads and handed her the note and the Phylactery and said, "I believe this is yours. I found it on the body of a dead templar named Mattrin near the Winter Watchtower."
She looked pain but accepting, "Ah – I suspected he was dead when he did not send word or join me. Maker curse the fools that started this war… and the fools that now fight it. Thank you – Mattrin was important to me."
"The Inquisition could use a powerful mage – ah; hear me out before you decline. I am aware that you do not wish to harm others. I am not asking you to. There are countless ways to be Inquisition without ever fighting. We need wards reinforced, glyphs studied, and you said you're a healer. We need healers. Look here – I took an arrow to the chest a few days ago; the only things that saved me were that my heart is on the wrong side… and a healer. You could save many lives by joining us."
She sighed – staring into her fire, "True enough. If the Inquisitor believes I can help, then I will do what I can. My skills are yours – just give me a moment to gather my things and I will begin to head toward Haven."
I smiled, "My thanks, Enchanter Ellendra."
She nodded and we headed out again.
We stalled as much as we could – 3 days – the only thing I could think of to stall any longer would be to go kill the dragon and collect the last of the Ocularum shards in the Valley. So… we would be killing a dragon today – the 4th day.
"Inquisitor – we can just head back to Haven; we don't have to do this…" Cassandra said.
"Could – but I really don't want to attend that party."
"Delaying will not help that…" Solas pointed out with a small smile.
"Nope – but it will make me feel better and I'll go in looking like a boss-ass bitch. I was going to save this fight until we had the Iron Bull with us, but… he can Taarsidath-an Halsaam about the dragon on the Storm Coast or any other dragon… I think this beasty looked at me funny so I want to try out my sniper on it. Let's see if I kill it long-range or just piss it off."
"If you piss it off, we're dead," Blackwall remarked in amusement.
"Nah – if I piss it off, we're still safe; because this beauty has such a lovely long-distance range on it. 1750 meters out. Come; put this stuff all over you for extra cover."
… yeah, I missed the eye and the bullet seemed to get stuck in the thick flesh. I pissed it off.
I cursed softly and took another shot. Good news – I hit the eye; bad news… all I did was blind it and make it angrier while giving away our position. I shouted, "Take cover – I pissed it off and I look like candy."
Blackwall threw his shield over himself while tackling me to prevent the fireball from killing me.
I felt excitement run though me as I pulled the daggers that I'd had made for me and rushed forward. Yeah – I looked like sweet, sweet candy to this dragon – it seemed to sense that I was the one that took out its eye… oh – could it smell the GSR? If it could, then I smelled like what injured it.
I let out a light laugh as I rushed forward to climb the beast using my daggers as hold points. Just then, I head the chime of a Sending Stone and answered as I held on for dear life, "Hi, Alistair!"
The dragon roared beneath me so I shouted, "Shut up, Karen."
"Uh… I'm at the camp… dear – what are you doing?"
I had both hands focused on climbing as I shouted, "Climbing a dragon – thought it'd make a good mount; but I look crunchy and apparently tasty. I have chosen to kill this dragon… kill-shot!"
I stabbed right through the uninjured eye before moving so I could kick the dagger further in with my heel. It roared in pain before slumping. I had to hold on tighter to keep from falling, but failed spectacularly when the dragon rolled. And because of where I was… it was drink or drown. Well – I'd planned to try it anyway, but yuck.
I coughed, as Alistairs' voice came through, "My guards are not allowing me into the Valley, Celeste! Are you okay?"
"Why aren't they letting you in? It's clear – no dragon, no drakes, and no dragonlings left. I need help descaling this beast so come on over."
"It's… dead? Maker – I'm coming…"
I was covered in dragon blood – though I'd had Cassandra and Solas work together to collect as much as they could for Runes, Potions and other things. Alistair came rushing over to me when he got to us.
He knelt, looking me over. I smiled, "I'm fine – did you see the other guy? I got the final blow!"
Cassandra coughed, "Er… Admiral… you got the only blows. You killed it too fast for us to join in."
"Oh… in that case… Taarsidath-an Halsaam!" I shouted happily.
Alistair sputtered, "Makers' Breath…" I finally looked him over – he was 6'1 with red-gold hair and grey eyes. He was wearing the same thing he had in the Inquisition Game as king with an added traveling cloak and of course that beard.
Unable to help myself, I leaned in and kissed him. He was stiff for a moment before relaxing and kissing me back. When he pulled away, he cleared his throat, "What was that for?"
"I'm still high on Dragon Blood, so you look really sexy right now…" I muttered with a rough voice.
He nodded with a sympathetic look, "I can understand that. How much did you drink?"
"A flagons' worth – it's a good thing that I got used to relaxing my throat so I could chug water and soda and tea. It was drink or drown, so I drank…" I trailed off because I couldn't focus on anything but his lips at the moment.
"That much? Maker – this'll be a good two hours before she's no longer 'high' as she puts it."
A dog barked behind him and I glanced over his shoulder. The Mabari was tall enough to be a mount for Varric with cerulean blue eyes and shining golden fur. Alistair said, "Celeste, this is Bryce – Bryce, this is your new mistress…"
I was locked into a staring contest with the dog now – it went on for a bit while Alistairs' people de-scaled and broke down the Dragon Corpse.
The dog blinked and bowed his head down before coming up to me and licking blood from my hand.
I smiled up at Alistair, "Can I have another kiss – the pull is… quite strong at the moment."
"It's the Dragon Blood – the blood running in my veins is stronger."
I had the oddest urge to do something. I reached up my hand and gently tugged on the chain around his neck until it produced a vial of red liquid. He looked surprised and said, "Not many know about this – a gift from Yavana before I killed her. Blood of a Great Dragon for… I think it's for you, actually."
"What were the witches' words?" I asked softly – knowing this wasn't in the books.
"There were no words – she just handed it to me with a knowing look like Morrigan always used to get. I didn't know what to do with it since I'd already been given some to drink to renew the blood of my line; because she was hoping for… well, you know."
He took the chain from around his neck and passed me the vial – so I downed it. The odd thing was that I instantly felt sobered and like my blood was on fire. But it didn't hurt.
I shook my head like a dog would and reached a hand toward Lake Calenhad, summoning water to clean us all off with.
Alistair coughed, "Tales of your excellence are not exaggerated then?"
"Oh, I'm sure they are – the rumors of my death were exaggerated too," I quipped.
A woman laughed and I glanced up to her. She was 5'5 with shoulder-length red hair, bright blue eyes and tanned skin. She wore robes and I knew… "Solona Amell, I take it?"
She nodded, "Nice to meet you, Princess."
My face scrunched up, "How many times am I going to tell people not to call me that? Admiral, Bitch, whore – these are all acceptable titles; Princess, Arlessa, Queen, My Lady… these are not."
Alistair laughed, "You know – I tell people close enough to the same thing. Oh, this is Anna; the Spirit Warrior from Rivain."
The woman had layered brown hair in a pixie-cut with brown-gold eyes and deeply tanned skin. She inclined her head, "I have you to thank for the upgrade in armor?"
Blue and white – silverite – armor, shield and sword; Alistair didn't do anything half-assed.
I nodded, "I was trying to be unreasonable so that I didn't get a guard – who the fuck knew that Alistair could pull it off?"
She smirked, "You should have said White Steel – you might have won."
I snapped my fingers, "Aha – now I know better."
Alistair chuckled, "Do you still feel 'high'?"
"No – the Great Blood burned the lesser blood away; still want you though, so that must be natural charm."
He flushed a bit but gave me a charming smirk, "Well – the feeling is mutual."
"Where is your family mark?" I asked.
I pulled off a glove to reveal a dragon coiled around his wrist. I hummed, "Cute. We'll camp tonight and head out tomorrow… I'm not going anywhere today. I didn't notice the talon mark on my leg before – but look; there's a talon mark on my leg. Solas…"
Solas came over at once and knelt to heal the now cleaned wound. I had drenched myself in the cold water from the lake.
Once Solas was done, Alistair knelt and scooped me into his arms. I squeaked – much to the amusement of my companions – and threw my arms around my betrothed with a cry of, "What are you doing?"
"You just had a leg injury – how could I let you walk?"
"Easily! Alistair, you'll throw your back out carrying me!"
"Not with the blessing we now Share." His words made me go quiet as I began looking over myself. "I… what makes you think I have the Theirin Blessing?"
"It's entwined with your Cousland one, Celeste. Do you know why the Cousland Blessing was the only one to go down from mother or father?"
I shook my head, "Josie didn't cover that in my lessons…"
"Elethea was a woman – the mark would have only been passed down to women since she was the one to receive the mark – except that she was a woman; I know – makes no since. Women give birth, so the mark…"
"Did you know that everyone is female for 6-7 weeks? The fetus doesn't develop gender until then. It's why men have nipples when – practically speaking – nipples are useless on men. So… that's why the mark passes to both when blessed on a woman – because all people are women for the first few weeks!"
"Well – this means that the Theirin line will be considered doubly blessed and now the Rutherford line will also be blessed since from now on, any children you have will have will have the Dragon mark. It will be no great loss if one of Cullens' kids take the throne as long they are your kids at this point. You just stabilized the throne – even if the Taint is too far pronounced in me to sire a child, your children with Cullen can take it."
I curled into him, "Then we don't need to keep track of who knocked me up – any child would be yours or Cullens and they'll have both or no marks at all because I have both. So we know it can be done, at least."
"That we do – it didn't overpower or erase your other mark."
Blackwall caught up, "They want to know what we do with the bones? Keep them or leave them, Inquisitor?"
"I just want the Skull and Claws – I promised Blake a claw and I plan to mount the skull back at Skyhold… on second thought – keep the bones for Wade and Herren in Denerim."
"I'll have someone grab an extra wagon from the Crossroads for the… dragon…"
I rolled my eyes and Alistair placed me into the tent that was obviously his – it had the Theirin heraldry on it and was over large. His bedroll was far more comfortable than it had any right to be. I moaned, "Tell me you brought me one of these and I will declare you mine forever."
He laughed, "I'd love to see the faces on the Orlesian noble faces… yes, I brought you one."
"Good – God, I love this bedroll. I refuse to sleep anywhere else on the trip back to Haven."
"Well, we did make a deal that we'd share a tent if I caught up."
"Truth be told, you only caught up because I chose to fight the Dragon, dear," I hummed and rolled around on the furs like a very happy cat.
He flushed and looked away, "I-I… your shirt…"
I looked down and noticed that my boobs had fallen out of my tank-top and smirked, "Did you want to play with them?"
"Maker… I should have realized you were a temptress."
"More to the point, I've only recently learned the joys of sex and Cullen is back in haven so…"
He shook his head and sat down beside me, "The forest was surprisingly empty."
Taking his hint, I fixed my shirt and said, "Not such a surprise – spirits can 'regrow' so to speak, so the spirit of the forest is reforming. What that means is that it will be a bit more peaceful there."
I held out my arms and he took off his cloak and the unnecessary bits of his armor to snuggle with me. He smiled, "I've dreamed of this."
"So did I, but we were both wearing considerably less clothes," I quipped.
He cleared his throat, "In mine too."
"Then why wear clothes at all?" I asked.
"I believe because it would be improper to bed you so soon after meeting you."
"But not to share your tent and bedroll?" I pointed out.
"Ah… good point," he muttered.
But still – neither of us moved as I held him close.
It wasn't long before I heard the others arrive. Solas poked his head in unabashedly, "Would you like for me to cook lunch, Inquisitor?"
"My hero," was all I said. He chuckled and left again. Alistair said, "We could have been…"
"Nah – Solas is very in-tune with the Fade. He never would have poked his head in if we were having sex; foreplay, maybe, but not sex."
Alistair nodded and bit his lip, "May I kiss you again?"
"You never need to ask – we're engaged; kiss me whenever the mood strikes you."
His lips found mine at once. I gasped as my hands fisted in the fur thing around his shoulders. His voice was hoarse as he said, "Maker – I've never felt such an intense desire for a woman I've just met…"
"Cullen said something similar after the first time I kissed him…" I whispered against his lips.
"I… I want you…" he admitted.
"Tonight – I want you too, but I'm not going to risk someone interrupting us. Solas is a major Cock-Block."
"Good to know – I'll keep that in mind."
I dozed off for a nap since the adrenalin was wearing off.
Dinner was tense – sexually tense. Varric spoke, "So… you two have fun?"
"It was a relaxing nap – but you would know if we'd had sex, Varric. He's wearing only a tunic but you don't see any love marks. His neck would have at least one if we'd had sex. Stop fishing."
Alistair had ale spew from his nose as Solona laughed and pounded on his back, "I like you! So – how did you nab the Commander?"
"He lost several bets and Bippity-Boppity-boo – we got married. He likes to gamble, apparently. First one he lost ended in him buying me dinner and a pint; the second ended in him formally courting me."
"That escalated quickly," Alistair remarked.
"Go big or go home," I smirked.
"And the third wager?"
"No wager – Elissa approached me about having a kid with Alistair and Cullen got all jealous that Alistair might have me first and poof – we got married less than an hour later. I think it helps that Cullen and Alistair have been lovers on and off for the past 4 years."
Solona choked on her drink, wide-eyed, "Cullen? Cullen Rutherford? Isn't he straight?"
"Uh – no? He's been sleeping with men at least since the tower fell at Kinlock. Though – I thought Alistair was so straight he couldn't tie his own boots until Cullen mentioned it when we were… talking about me being with Alistair. So, yeah – hot."
Alistair was flushed, "You're so mean – I don't usually tell people, you know."
Solona said, "I wish I'd known! Celeste is right – that's so hot."
I leaned against Alistair, "He's mine now – and I'm rather… possessive."
Varric cleared his throat, "I got a dispatch last night – our mutual friend is waiting outside of Haven; he doesn't want to risk going in without the woman that will keep Cassandra off of him and he has a healthy respect for Leliana, so…"
"I can't wait – I've wanted to meet Hawke since waking the fuck up in Thedas."
"On that note; please don't take a third husband," Alistair pouted at me.
I shook my head, "I won't – it was all just teasing. Keeps you men on your toes."
He kissed my temple, "Thank you. Was Elissa upset about the Annulment?"
"No – she also signed Denerim over completely to me, so we're going to turn that mansion into the Orphanage I want. Did you bring me blueprints so I can make a layout plan?"
"That I did – just in case. That wagon there is all things from the nobles and me to you, by the way. Your cheese and Brandy are easy to reach."
Solona shook her head, "Zev is going to go nuts when he learns that you gave her the Brandy that he secured for you."
I sighed, "It was Alistairs' penance for accidently dredging up memories of a forced miscarriage."
"Zev won't be upset…" she looked sympathetic.
Alistair pulled me completely into his lap and said, "I… hope it isn't too forward of me, but I did bring one other thing…"
He passed me a little velvet box. The ring was golden with two sets of strands looping around each-other leaving small gaps but looking like… braided infinity. It had tiny amethysts inlaid in it in every available spot and still looked very delicate.
I smiled up at him, "It's beautiful – and it matches my eyes." I allowed him to slid the ring onto my right ring finger. One ring-finger for each husband – more of a reason I couldn't take a third.
He beamed at me and brought my hand up to kiss, "Then from this moment on, we are officially engaged."
Anna smiled and said, "A toast then?"
We toasted and went to bed.
