Chapter Twenty-Seven: Standing Together
A new day dawns and I feel at peace. I stretch in my bed, reluctant to leave its warmth although I'm not really tired anymore. I throw the covers off, and shiver. I reach for the warm robe and throw it over my shoulders, stoking the fire a bit. They must have entire crews here just devoted to just finding firewood. Of course, come to think of it, some of those empty rooms here were full of old furniture. They're probably going through it first.
Sure enough, when I peek into the embers of the fire, I see one of the logs off to the side that had not completely burned had a curved shape as though it had been carved. That had to be the leg of an armoire or chest of drawers or the like .
The day passes peacefully enough. I learn that Dorian left on another mission and that's why I didn't see him yesterday; but he's due back soon, probably before the others. Skyhold seems a little empty. It's a bit lonely, to be honest, and I look forward to my allotted chess time with Cullen later.
I practice magic with some of the other mages just to pass the time, and teach them a few things. It makes me remember the way things used to be, teaching the humans of the world to use their abilities. Of course, magic was more prevalent back then. Now, many forms of magic are locked behind the Veil, or gone entirely.
It's time to meet Cullen; but I glance down and I notice the glow from my pendant. Now? I've already reached the garden, so I glance around for a space for privacy. I go back to the shrine, but find Cullen praying there. He doesn't notice me. I hear the words of the Chant of Light pouring from him, which makes me smile. I quietly step back and close the door. Need somewhere else, he won't be long . I take some of the twisting hallways again and end up in the underground wine cellar. This will work.
I barely open the locket when the magic springs to life and Tenebris's face is there.
"Hello brother, what is it?"
"I have something urgent to tell you. Are you alone?"
"For the moment, but I'm meeting with someone in a few minutes."
"Where are you...looks like the cellars at Skyhold…" he mutters, and the connection ends.
I'm staring at it in confusion, when his voice sounds from in the room behind me.
"Sister," he says, and I turn around, snapping the pendant closed. I embrace him, and he returns it.
"What is so urgent?" I ask, slipping the pendant back on.
"I fear I have grave news."
"Not about Bartrand?" I ask, suddenly worried for Varric's brother.
"No, the dwarf is improving a little with repeated treatments. But I have an idea of who may be helping Corypheus. There's only one thing that makes sense. It has to be a god."
"What? Do you think Fen'Harel…" I wonder, thinking back to Solas's help.
"It is possible...but his knowledge of the Blight is limited. If it is him, I doubt he is acting alone."
A sick feeling starts in the pit of my stomach. "What are you saying, Tenebris?"
"I think one of our brothers may be involved."
"That's why you came in person. You didn't want to be overheard."
"I may be wrong. Stars, I hope I'm wrong," he says, shaking his head. "But I wanted to share this with you."
"What do we do?" I ask.
"For now, I'd say nothing. Do not let on that we suspect them of anything. If it is as I fear, one of them will tip their hand and we will know."
"I haven't been able to talk to Etiam, anyway. He's never there when I try to reach him."
Tenebris sighs. "Most troublesome. I should return before I am missed."
"I will be careful with Solas and in talking with Etiam if he contacts me. Thank you for bringing me the news about Bartrand; Varric will be happy to hear it."
"Hm...so you've decided on the dwarf, then," he says with a sigh.
"Yes. But this time I've thought it through, and I can accept whatever happens. I believe it to be worth whatever risk I face to myself."
He hugs me again. "Then I will not stand in your way, but I caution you to keep it from our brothers, for now. If they wish these people harm, you do not want to give them a target."
I nod. "Thank you for understanding. Will I see you again soon?"
"I'll be leaving Kirkwall in a couple of days. The alchemists now seem to understand the creation of cleansing amulets and potions. It is the best I can do for the dwarf. I hope in time he will recover."
"Until I see you again, then."
With a twist of his ring, Tenebris is gone, and now I stand alone in the dim torchlight of the underground chamber, lost in my own thoughts. Varric will be happy about his brother, but now I'm worried about mine. What would possess Etiam or Lucis to corrupt the lyrium, or stars, to help the magister who wanted to destroy our home and seat of power? No answers immediately come to mind, but I have no other conclusions as to how Corypheus is managing to accomplish what he is.
I still need to meet Cullen, but now my heart is heavy. I sigh, realizing there is nothing I can do about the immediate state of things. Saving the dragons is the only way to stave off permanent destruction of magic in Thedas. The same goes for the lyrium. If it all turns to red and spreads across the land, the corruption will cause the people of this world to fall. If either of our brothers is helping this happen, they will stop, or they will feel my wrath.
I realize I need to learn more about Corypheus's corrupted dragon, and I look forward to speaking with Declan when he returns. He's the one who has seen it closest, and will be able to provide the most detail. Between Tenebris and I, if we can't help the dragon, we should at least be able to find a way to end its suffering.
I head back to the garden and Cullen is sitting at the chessboard already. He stands when I approach.
"Hello, Cullen," I greet him, but smiling is difficult.
"Ferox. Is this a bad time?" he asks, noticing my expression.
"No, I was just...reading correspondence from my brother in Kirkwall. He is making some progress with the red lyrium. Bartrand is improving."
"That's good news, so why do you not seem happy?"
"Because we're not getting anywhere with the rest of it. We know a few things, but will it be enough?"
"What has he learned?" he questions, our game forgotten for the moment.
"We know that the red lyrium seems to have a 'song' like the call of an Archdemon, and yet, there is no Blight happening. Somehow it can reach to people long after they are away from it. And we know that Corypheus is somehow faking the Calling. From what we know of darkspawn and the ancient magisters, he shouldn't be able to do that."
"Yes, Hawke and Alistair advised us of the situation with the Wardens."
"Any word on their progress?"
"Yes, but it isn't encouraging. The Wardens were sacrificing the lives of their order to summon an army of demons."
"What?! No!" I cry. "Those poor spirits."
Cullen looks at me strangely. "The spirits, and not the Wardens?"
"Of course the loss of life is saddening," I correct. "But the spirits didn't choose this, either. Just like the rifts, summoning a spirit here against its will twists it, corrupts it. They suffer."
"I believe Solas said something similar once. I'll admit, I did not really understand at the time. You're saying they're in pain?"
"Sometimes. It's more...well, imagine if you lost yourself in a fit of rage. You destroy the things around you without noticing the ramifications of your anger. All you can see is your own suffering. That is what happens to demons. They get lost in an emotion, find a purpose that is wrong, but they don't see it, and can't stop it…ugh, Etiam would explain this better than I could."
"No, what you said makes sense."
"What they are doing...I understand the Wardens believe in using any means necessary to stop the threat, but there is no way this is the right thing to do. They can't be allowed to continue."
"I'm glad to hear you say that."
"Why?"
"Because once we find where they are hiding, we will plan an assault on their location. I'm sure your knowledge will be helpful. And your brother's, of course, should he be available."
"Of course I'll help," I smile.
He smiles back. "Now, shall we play?" He gestures toward the chess board.
"Yes, let's," I tell him, and wait while he sets up the pieces. "Cullen...thank you. I feel better having talked about it. We live in a troubled time, but it's good to know we're not alone. We can face what comes together."
He meets my gaze. "I think that's the whole point of the Inquisition." He looks thoughtful for a moment, and states, "The night is long, and the path is dark. Look to the sky, for one day soon, the dawn will come."
"That's beautiful, what is that?"
"A song. And a beacon of hope in the darkness."
"Just what I need in this process of learning to play again," I sigh dramatically, throwing my head to the side. "Teach me, Commander."