Daughter of Tethras
Disclaimer: Don't own Dragon Age
A/N:
Chapter 31 (The Dream)
The world outside was strange, yet intoxicating. By the time they reached land, much of those aboard were exhausted from the perilous journey and were thrilled to be off the ocean despite the shipwreck.
Isabela had done her best to keep her calm despite the storm that threw them off course. They were uncertain which way they were headed, so when it took longer than the original amount of time it took Isabela to reach this new world, the crew had begun to grow fearful of sinking.
Now standing before them was a tall man with a stoic expression and a heavy stare. He wore a white powdered wig with an oddly shaped blue hat atop his head. He was in uniform similar to that of what was at the Winter Palace, but with broadened blue shoulders that bore glistening stars. The man's jacket flaps spread apart to reveal a white shirt with a tail that flapped over white pants of a rough material. He wore heavy black boots that rose to his knees.
At his waist was a holster with an oddly shaped device that appeared to be some sort of portable cannon. His right hand was gently placed atop the holster of a long sword. Despite not appearing battle ready, no one wanted to tussle with this intimidating figure.
"Identify yourself travelers," said the man in a calm and collected tone. Bianca approached carefully and maintained eye contact with him. There was a firmness to his words, one that beckoned her to be honest.
"We're shipwrecked and we have little idea where we are." Bianca placed her hand to her chest and looked at the crew. "We are no threat to you, but we're out of food and have no shelter.. "We are no threat to you, but we're out of food and have no shelter. If you want, I can grab our captain."
"Yes. Thank you. I may be able to offer some aid." The man pulled his hand from the sword; a sign of trust. He straightened his back and turned his eyes to Isabela as she approached. "I am General-"
Bianca awoke with a start and started rubbing her eyes as the sunlight pierced them. "Another dream?" She blinked twice and looked towards the balcony. Her hands lowered to the bed sheets and tightened around them. "So vivid. Even if Solas says it's the anchor, I can't possibly understand…"
It didn't take much for her to get dressed and head out into the main hall. Her initial plan was to spend some time with Cassandra in the training area, but the dream she had was still on her mind; so she sought out Solas instead.
Solas stared at her for a moment as she walked into his den, and spoke without missing a beat. "Is there a problem? You look troubled." She took a seat at his table and looked up at him with a faint smile.
"I'd like some advice."
"Oh?"
"Yes. These dreams you were telling me about. The anchor was causing them…"
"That is correct." Solas approached the table. His left arm wrapped around his waist and he perched his right elbow on the arm while scratching at his chin. "You had another dream?"
"Yeah but it's so vivid." The other dreams would fade away almost instantly while nightmares would linger for a few minutes before ultimately being forgotten. "Like what you did when you took me back to Haven in a dream, I could still remember that trip."
"It is still unknown the effects the anchor would have on you. What can you tell me about this dream of yours?"
"It was weird. Like dad and I, Isabella and Thane, as well a whole bunch of others were shipwrecked in this really strange place." She remembered the area behind the man in her dream; it wasn't so much that they shipwrecked in a random location as there were barrels and paved roads near tall buildings and structures that looked relatively similar to Orlais.
"It was like we were in Val Royeaux, but it wasn't truly that. There was this strange man dressed almost formally, but it wasn't a formal occasion." Solas's eyes narrowed for a moment and he paced to the right.
"I see. Was there anything else you can recall?"
"I woke up and he was introducing himself as a general." Her eyebrows slid together and her eyes drifted towards her left hand. "He looked intimidating enough, but he wasn't wearing armor that would be indicative of a General."
Whatever it meant, there was a chance Solas could know. She looked up to him as someone that knew a great deal of information, so she respected and valued him deeply.
"Solas? Do you…do you think it's just a dream and nothing more?"
"Possibly, or possibly the anchor is showing you images of the world outside Thedas."
Her jaw dropped as she considered it. Bianca shook her head and slammed her left hand shut. "Are you sure there's even a chance?" It didn't seem like the right question to ask, but it felt like she was onto something. "Solas. Do you know what the outside world is even like? I mean, all any of us have ever known is Thedas, the countries of Orlais, Ferelden, Antiva, but all that uncharted and undiscovered area…"
Solas's mouth dropped to a frown and his chest expanded slowly. "You've been thinking more about that stuff, I see." His hand fell away and he sat down across from her.
"It's hard not to. Josephine asked about it in our meeting room too, but she doesn't know what you told me. I thought since you knew so much about it that maybe you'd somehow seen the outside world."
"How? There's a barrier up."
"Some can go through. Like Dad's friend Isabela, surely you've gone through?"
"Unfortunately not." Solas leaned back in the chair and pushed his hands down his legs. "I am afraid I am not as adventured as you may have believed me to be. Perhaps if you were to ask Isabela what it was she discovered?"
"Maybe I can have dad send her a letter." She inhaled deep and shut her eyes. The memory of the strange general appeared in her head and drew a smile to her face. "Thank you for talking with me, Solas. You know I respect you a lot."
"I-thank you." Solas smiled back and Bianca opened her eyes. "What are your plans today?"
"I was going to train a bit with Cassandra."
"I see. Enjoy yourself then."
She made her way out to her friend to see Cassandra standing still beside one of the mannequins. Her fingers were caressing her chin and scarred cheek, and her forehead was tense.
Bianca raised her hand, waving as she approached. Cassandra's lips fell apart and she raised her head. "Bianca! I wasn't expecting to see you."
"I was coming to spar with you."
"Oh."
Cassandra's voice fell quiet and the woman started to hum. "Is something wrong?" The woman walked towards the stone wall and leaned her back against it.
"I've been thinking. Something was said at Adamant…You wish to leave Thedas behind?"
She paused and turned her eyes downcast. This wasn't the time to bring up such a conversation, but she knew it was going to have to happen. "You know I haven't had the best life here. Dad's friend says there's more out there, beyond the borders we know, and I want to explore that world."
"But you don't know what's out there. None of us do."
"That's why I want to see it."
"What will happen once you leave Thedas, Bianca? You've established a foothold here. This is your home, isn't it?"
She moved beside her friend and carefully sat on the ground. Her fingers idly brushed the grass and her shoulders fell. In her heart she could feel the familiar pain that existed as she grew; the sense that she did not belong.
"Maybe." She thought she was safe when she found Skyhold, and sure she believed an army was going to protect her. "Marcus and Amelia managed to sneak in. Mom abducted me from the front gate. I thought I was safe here, but I'm not."
"You are."
"Yeah, I feel safest when I'm talking to dad, but that's about it." Her head moved back against the wall and she peered up to the sky. "All my life I've searched for a place to belong, just like Dad has. I guess we never found that place…"
"Is it really all about that? Does Varric not wish to return to Kirkwall?"
If he had, he hadn't said anything about it. It was possible for Kirkwall to be home to her as well, but she wasn't certain if it was the right move.
By now their adventures had taken them all over, and there were many parts of Thedas that was truly beautiful, but many parts that she didn't care for at the same time. "Thedas is-it's pretty similar all around. The Dalish hate the humans no matter where they are, mages feel oppressed no matter where they are, the Templars have gone nuts pretty much everywhere, and let's face it…are things really going to change?"
"They can."
"As long as magic exists, people are going to be afraid of mages and then mages will act out." She bent her knee and hung her left arm over it. "As long as magic exists, demons and darkspawn will exist, and as long as they exist, so will the blights continue to come."
Cassandra crossed her arms and Bianca turned her head to the woman. "Thedas has a huge problem, Cassandra. It's addicted to magic."
"What makes you think the world outside Thedas is any better?"
"It's just the lure of exploration that gets me. More than dreaming of a land without all this corruption and all this hell." An exhale trembled from her lips as she pushed herself onto her feet and pat down her clothes. "Isabela's letter said people in this other land had no knowledge of anything here."
It didn't help that she had very little in the way of positive memories in Thedas. Cassandra had a point, there was no real way to run away from the problems people had in life, but it was better than staying put and letting them kill her.
"Solas said that ancient elves erected a barrier to keep our continent isolated from the outside world…for the rest of the world, we're uncharted. What's so bad about wanting to see something new? Something different?"
"The uncertainty. You never know what is out there, and when you see what there is, will you really like it?"
"Who can say, but that's the joy of it." She shrugged and took a small step forward. "I'm sick of running scared, looking over my shoulder to see who wants to kill me next. I'm sick of being unable to go outside without seeing either a demon summoned by a power crazed mage or darkspawn trying to get their kicks."
"I understand." Cassandra's breath shuttered and her eyes started to glaze over. "You are a good friend. Just know that if you and your father decide to leave, you will not be forgotten."
"Thank you."
"You-" The woman cleared her throat and coughed into her hand. "You know you would have to find someone to take charge if you left."
"Someone with the heart and ability to lead. I know. Someone that people would look up to." Having that responsibility made her uneasy, but someone would have to pick a new leader if it came to that. "Would you like to spar for a while?"
"That would be nice. Just the two of us?"
"It has been a while."
She hurried off to grab her axe, and for the next few hours the two focused only on each other. It was refreshing to focus on something besides the insanity around them for a change, and their friendship strengthened.
Then towards the end of the day she thought of the strange dream from before, with the General's stern expression flashing in her head like a beacon. Perhaps it was just her subconscious thoughts that created the dream, but now she could recall Isabela's boat as well-in splinters.
A sign, perhaps, that leaving Thedas didn't just mean leaving behind all the nightmares but leaving behind the friends she was making in the process. Now she understood why it was that Cassandra appeared upset at the mention of the plan.
Regardless, the desire to see this mysterious world was strong. The dream had to have meant something, but maybe the focus wasn't so much on the General as it was on Isabela's broken ship. Was it a sign? If they left Thedas, would they be unable to return?
It's a refreshing chapter without a bunch of constant worry. I haven't gotten to the Arbor Wilds yet, but that should bode to be intriguing. What are your thoughts of everything?