Chapter 5. What Lies In Dreams

The Fade [Sura]

What did I just do… and how? I didn't know I could do that, or what even came over me.

In front of Sura is the scene of a woman running through the woods, rain pouring down around her. In her hands she carried an infant wrapped up in blankets. The scene shifted to Merrill and Sura playing in the woods as children, then to their first kiss. Sura still remembered how soft her lips were and the smile on her face when the kiss broke. It then changed to Sura after she had arrived in Denerim. In this scene she stand over a man whom she had just killed. This was the first person she'd ever murdered. She had her hands held out in front of her, horrified expression on her face, as she look down at the man's blood dripping from her hands.

What she saw next wasn't a moment from her past. It was a desire of hers, a dream. It was her lying by the campfire with Leliana in her arms. Sura suddenly felt a funny feeling in her chest. Then it changed to her slaying the archdemon and avenging Duncan.

"You're not a bad person." Sura turned around to find a spirit had approached from behind and was now speaking to her. "You wonder if you deserve to be alive, if you deserve forgiveness. You also wonder what just happened. You have a purpose and in time will make up for the sins of your past. As for what just happened.. you have a special connection with the Fade. One never before seen in anyone. Spirits are drawn to you, to strong emotions you feel. They strengthen you and enable you to do things no other mage can. Now, the world needs you, Sura Amell."

Redcliffe Castle [Sura]

Sura opened her eyes to find Leliana sitting in a chair beside the bed of which she'd been moved to. "Is this another Fade vision?" She groaned.

"No," she said with a small smile. "This is real."

"Pinch me to make sure?"

This caused Leliana to laugh. "I can do worse than that," she said. She went on to explain the situation with the Arl to Sura, as Alistair had told it to her not long before Sura woke up. Just when Sura thought things couldn't get any worse or stranger, now they had to find some woman's remains in hopes of saving Arl Eamon.

"If you're feeling okay, we should get going. Alistair wanted to leave as soon as possible."

"Yeah, I should be fine." Sura stood up but instantly stumbled. Leliana caught her in her arms before she could fall to the ground. Sura's breathe was taken away, not cause she'd nearly fallen to the ground, but because the woman of whose arms she

was now in smelled so sweet and warm, like milk and honey. "Thanks, maybe I'm not exactly fine yet."

"It's okay, I'll help you." Leliana put an arm around Sura and helped her walk to where the others waited at the entrance to the castle.

Sura noted how Morrigan and Zevran both had disheveled hair and clothes. Leliana whispered to Sura about how she'd heard moans in one of the nearby rooms. Sura could've never saw that one coming. And so fast too?

Bann Teagan had gifted them two horses and a cart. Leliana helped Sura up onto the cart and followed sitting beside her. Morrigan and all of their supplies were already inside. Alistair climbed onto the front of the cart, along with Zevran. They had agreed to take turns guiding the horses. Sten chose to just walk alongside with Dozer. Sura was grateful for not having to walk all across Ferelden. Her feet still ache from all the walking they'd done from Ostagar to Redcliffe.

Sura made the suggestion that they stop at the Circle Tower on the way to Denerim, since it was on the way and they needed to ask the mages for help in the Blight. Alistair was reluctant, preferring to get the Arl help as soon as possible, but admitted it'd be the wise thing to do. They didn't stop to camp, however. To make better time Alistair kept riding on through the night, while the rest slept in the cart. They only stopped and took a break the next morning to eat.

Once Sura finished her breakfast, she took her journal and sat with her back against a tree to sketch. Leliana had been her muse as of late. She'd sketched her in secret on several occasions. She thought back to last night, of her conversation she'd had with Leliana. Leliana had told her about her life in Orlais. She'd told her that her mother died when she was young, and how she was raised by a wealthy noblewoman her mother had worked for. She told her about her favorite memory of her mom and how she'd smelled like the flower, Andraste's Grace. She also mentioned how extravagant the clothes were and her love for the shoes. She talked extensively on shoes. Sura had made a mental note to find her some as a gift.

Lake Calenhad Dock [Sura]

The Circle Tower loom in the distance in the middle of Lake Calenhad. There was no bridge connecting the tower to shore, they had to take a ferry across. Anticipation filled the pit of Sura's stomach. While they were here she could finally meet people who would happily teach her more about her powers.

"Ho' there. What's your business here? I have strict orders to not let anyone pass." The Templar in charge over the ferry called.

"We're here on Grey Warden business."

"Right, and I'm the Empress of Orlais. I'd like to see you prove it."

"Prove it? How?"

"You know, kill some darkspawn! Do some Grey Warden-ing."

Sura was taken back. Is this man serious? "But.. there's no darkspawn here."

"Right, well, was nice chatting with you."

"Wait, can't we work something out?"

A lecherous grin came over the Templar's face. "Well.. you could leave the red head behind with me. It gets mighty.. lonely out here."

Leliana's expression was one of nothing but disgust. "I, I don't think so. I'm a.. sapphic. I don't want anything you'd have to offer."

"That's unfortunate. Seemed like you all really needed to get across."

Sura's eyes began to glow and she stepped forward, grabbing the Templar by the neck. "Listen, I tried being nice. But you'll first end up dead before you'd have your way with her, you disgusting shem. We're getting across one way or another, whether it be willingly or not."

"Pl-please, let me go. You can cross. I'm sorry!" He stuttered, eyes wide with terror.

Sura released him, shoving him out of the way. "Dirthara-ma." She muttered as she boarded the ferry. The rest of her companions stared after her in disbelief and followed.

Circle Tower [Sura]

As they were stepping out of the boat to the landing to the Circle Tower, Leliana pulled Sura to the side away from the rest of the group. "Thank you for what you did back there."

"Anyone else would have done the same."

"I wouldn't be so sure.. I've been thrown to the wolves before by people I thought I was close to."

"That's a shame. Someone like you deserves so much better." Sura could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

Leliana lifted an eyebrow, questioning. "Someone like me?"

"I just meant you're the most wonderful person. And kind. Among other good things."

Leliana broke into a smile at hearing that. "Why, thank you. That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me in a while."

"I find that hard to believe."

"What do you mean?"

"All of Thedas must have lost their minds if no one else has recognized how magnificent you are and showered you in compliments." Sura instantly regretted it as she said it.

I must be crazy. Flirting with her? There's no way she'd ever be interested in me.

"Oh.. I.. don't know what to say." Sura could almost swear Leliana was blushing.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

Leliana quickly shook her head. "No! No, it's alright. It was just unexpected."

"We should, uh, probably get going."

Nice job, Sura. Way to make things more and more awkward.

She took a deep breathe and followed her companions into the tower. She didn't know what to expect ahead and could feel herself growing anxious. Leliana reached out and squeezed her hand, offering comfort. Sura turned to her and gave her a nervous smile.

"You have nothing to be nervous about." Leliana smiled back at her.

Up ahead Alistair and Morrigan had gotten into an argument with the Templar Knight-Commander, Greagoir. Sura broke away from Leliana's side and walked up to them. "What's going on?"

Alistair replied with a grim expression,"They've invoked the Right of Annulment. They're going to kill all mages in the Tower."

Nothing to be nervous about.. right.