Thanks for reading! Additional translations at the end of the chapter.
Solas actually hesitated once he was in his bed. He wanted to investigate whatever past Mahariel and Sera had. He had postponed the idea. Considering the poisoning, he had had other matters in mind. Now that this was dealt with…Two things were making him reluctant: he had still in mind what happened last time he did that and was no that eager to bumped into another wrong memory. Without forgetting how intruding it was. Last time he did it, he thought not highly of the Herald. Now...It was not the same kind of curiosity.
He finally settled to look for her into the Fade, maybe more in order to prove himself a point than anything else.
Mahariel walked awkwardly into the Alienage. She hardly suppressed a sigh of relief when her eyes laid on the Vhenadahl. One thing that seemed not that wrong. She was wearing some loosened mercenary coat, too big for her thin frame. The skin around her vallaslin was reddish, as they were still young on her face. She withdrew awkwardly into the shadows, as all eyes were on her. She swallowed, unsure of what to do now. She started as a red-hair accosted her.
"Hi there. You seem a bit uncomfortable." Mahariel composed herself and raised a brow at the flat-ear. Her short hair, her bare face, her yellow commoner dress. Her voice was neutral, but one could feel she was forcing it to be so.
"I'm looking for a place to stay. I cannot afford the Inn in the Market District. The shems indicated me this place." She gave a look around and grunted "Can I know what is wrong with them? Why are they looking at me like that?" Shianni chuckled.
"We haven't seen a Dalish around since the Blight. You can be thankful to be in one of the few Alienage where we are aware you people even exist. In other cities, you'd get more than odd looks. We have no inn, but we might be able to figure out something. Can you help the tailor? The carpenter?" Mahariel looked at her, dumbfounded.
"I didn't follow June's path."
"What?"
"I said I – "
They were interrupted by a human yelling at a girl nearby.
"What is wrong with you, knife-ear?!"
The girl swallowed and ducked her head. Mahariel didn't think twice, anger taking her features immediately. She closed the distance with a stride, cornering the man against a wall. He looked at her with wide eyes. She pointed a dagger at his throat and grinned.
"THIS is a knife, shem. Maybe you get the difference better now."
Shianni looked at her, hesitating between laughing and stepping in. She reluctantly settled for the second and reached them. She put a subsiding hand on Mahariel's shoulder.
"Okay there, everyone calms down." Mahariel shoved the hand away.
"I won't let some shem call us that."
"I think he got it. Don't you?" She looked at the merchant. A vague commoner who likely peed his pants. He nodded eagerly. "Good boy. And you won't take this to the guards, will you?" He shook his head just as eagerly.
It took more than that to ease Mahariel, but she eventually accepted to step back. The man nothing but flee the Alienage. Shianni's face turned grim as soon as he was out of earshot.
"Now that you've done that, I hope you can kill someone discreetly." Mahariel seemed surprised a second before she smirked.
"And here I thought you were stupid enough to trust his word, flat-ear."
Solas considered the memory. Interesting. From what he could tell, he didn't believe Mahariel older than sixteen in it. And from the way she acted…She had barely left her Clan. Considering the red-hair's words, the city was Denerim. With the final battle against the darkspawns, they had indeed seen the Dalish march. It was not what he had been looking for, but, he believed it close enough in the timeline for the location to be accurate. So, Sera and Mahariel met in Denerim. Question was, as always with Mahariel, why was she making a secret of it? He wielded his focus to direct the pieces when he wanted.
Mahariel was standing into a black corner on the first floor. She sighed, bored. This gathering did not seem to come to an end. She was wearing a black hood and cape. She was playing with a dagger between her fingers, summoning slight ice magic around it. She gave a small smile. She missed magic. Her ear flinched and she jumped on her feet as she heard footsteps.
She frowned deeply at the red hood arriving with a bow towards her. She withdrew further into the shadows, waiting for the trespasser to pass by. But they did not. Instead, they did as she, withdrawing into the shadows. Which came to the result of them eventually bumping into her. She suppressed a curse and put swiftly her hand on their mouth. It was enough to keep them quiet, however, the red cape bit her hand.
"Fenhedis, what's wrong with you?!" Asked Mahariel in a barely controlled whisper.
"Wut's wrong with ya?! 'Tis my party to mess and I don't know ya!" Sera turned towards her and rolled her eyes. "And you are an elf. Using words which aren't words." Mahariel raised a brow.
"If you got a problem with me, you are more than welcome to get out before I kill you, flat-ear."
"Oh great, I just bumped into an elven Queenie."
"Pala adahlen." Sera winced.
"Pffffffbhhhht." Mahariel snorted.
"And I bumped into a twelve years old."
"The twelve years old uses words at least. Unlike ya, queenie."
"For the love of – "
"What is going on upstairs?"
The voice of the nobles cut them both in their catfight. They looked up a second, only to realize they were already sending guards.
"Fenedhis."
"Crap! That's your fault!"
"Mine?! You are the one wearing a red cape, idiot!"
Mahariel grabbed Sera's elbow and they began to run.
Solas was watching the memory as activity around him caught his attention. He realized he might have stayed long-enough for Mahariel to become aware of the presence. He muttered a curse for his distraction and found his way-out quickly, disappointed to have no time to learn more.
One more day and they were leaving Ghislain. They had to pass by Val Royeaux once more on the road to pick up a merchant the Herald had recruited in the city.
On the way out of the city, they ran into the First Enchantress Fiona who invited them to Redcliffe. Vivienne – "loyal" mage that she was – nothing but disdain the woman. Mahariel glared at her to signify her it was not the time to let her opinion about the rebel mages known. She could like it or not, but it was no invitation to disregard. Being approached by either mages or templars was exactly what the Inquisition wanted.
The travel was interesting, to say the least. Sera and Vivienne were quite the duet. Not in a good way. Mahariel had a hard-time keeping her composure, the blond taking devious pleasure in hurting the good moral standards of the enchantress. She was staying close to Sera. Even if she had made clear what was or not to say, she'd rather be around to see how it went. Especially with Varric and Solas trying to trick her constantly into saying something. If Sera could not handle them, let alone what was to happen once face-to-face with Leliana. The blond was not such great match with Solas either. And he was not such great match with Vivienne. The few exchanges between the two mages ended up being particularly vicious.
By the first week of Drakonis, they were back in Haven.
The discussions between Leliana, Josephine, Cullen, and Cassandra were particularly heated during the next days. At first, Mahariel let them, considering the question was their decision to make. Still, she used the time they were arguing to learn more about the Mages-Templars conflict. And to take care of her own bunch of reports and headaches.
On the early afternoon of the third day since they had returned, another endless meeting was planned to discuss the subject. She was becoming quite pissed by these. There was no time for this.
She arrived at the door, fashionably late, in armor, Solas, Varric, and an unknown man on her heels. She slammed the door like she owned the place and declared, voice firm and final.
"Cassandra, you have half an hour to pack. Mounts are ready, we are heading to the Storm Coast. Then, we go to Redcliffe."
The jaws of everyone in the room dropped. Cullen growled, ominous.
"This is not your decision to make, Herald." Not impressed by the dark glare he was casting which usually flustered even his best soldiers, she answered.
"Well, someone has to take one, no? And you still have no insight about how to get in touch with the Templars." She glanced towards Leliana who remained still, confirming what she thought. "Good for you, the detour by the Storm Coast gives you some time to figure it out. Then, we go talk with the mages."
"You have no – "She snapped.
"Yes, I do!"
She took off her left glove and threw it on the war table. She held her hand bearing the Anchor. They froze. The green split had widened significantly and threatened to reach the back of her hand. Solas, most of all, seemed highly disturbed, not having noticed it before. She had been wearing gloves or gauntlets relentlessly for the last month. She resumed, voice menacing.
"I do because if I let you bicker, this thing will kill me before it closes the Breach. What is the most important Commander, to antagonize a bunch of mages or to prevent Thedas to be swallowed?" She glanced at the room with irritation and stopped on Cassandra "Remember what you said to the Chancellor? We will restore order with or without your help. Guess what, I intend to do the same. Be ready to accompany us or stay out of my way."
She spun on her heels and took her leave, leaving everyone speechless. And now I need an agent to drop the name of Therinfal Redoubt somewhere around Leliana's people. Great. She gestured to the unknown man to follow. She needed to discuss further with him the question of these mercenaries. The Iron Bull…That was a name she had heard and she was well-decided to place where and when. As they both made their way out and passed in front of the tavern, she stopped, gesturing to Krem to wait a sec. She came back but a handful of seconds later, pulling Sera by the hand.
"Wow, wut? Goin' somewhere?"
"Yeah, Storm Coast. I'm not leaving you here to be questioned. Half an hour, suit up."
Krem rubbed the back of his neck. He definitely didn't choose his day, or so it seemed. At least, she didn't yell at him. Yet.
Leliana, Josephine, Cullen, Cassandra, Varric, and Solas remained in the War Room a time before the dwarf spoke up.
"Well…Shit. Chuckles, did you know for her hand?" Solas looked at him with a frown.
"No. She did not mention it." Varric snorted.
"She has been known to do that. If she closes the Breach, will it help her?"
"This is possible. I…hope it will." Added he, truthfully. Leliana looked at them, the slightest sign of concern in her unreadable eyes.
"I never saw her like that." Varric raised a brow.
"She is dying, Nightingale. She has the right to be a bit pissed." Solas shook his head.
"I don't think it is that, Master Tethras." Cassandra nodded, looking worried as well.
"Agreed. The perspective of her death has always been here."
"And no emotional reaction." Confirmed Leliana.
"Didn't you mention your scouts spotted her with a messenger outside of the town earlier?" Pointed out Josephine. Leliana nodded.
"Yes. We wanted to intercept him but he disappeared as he had arrived."
"Shit, it must have been damn bad. Chuckles, Seeker, we should get going. She seems in desperate need of killing something and it's going to be us if we slow her down."
Mahariel groaned as her hand slid on a rock. Did it ever stop raining? She wasn't planning on staying here more than necessary, but she was not going to let these people down if there was any chance for them to be still alive. She had taken her boots off down the cliff to climb more easily. It was too hazardous for the soles to get any kind of grips. She finally looked down, irritated to see Solas and Cassandra didn't even start climbing.
"Are you following or what?" Solas frowned.
"Someone has to stay down to catch you when you fall, Herald."
"Herald, there has to be a way around this cliff."
"This will take a good hour of walk."
"Boss, I got the rush, but how are you planning to go down?" Asked Bull, few inches on her side. The Qunari was indeed a Ben-Hassrath, which explained why she had the feeling to have heard about him. Probably mentioned in some random report of Salit.
"Easy. If Solas condescend to follow, he puts a barrier around us and we jump."
"WUT?!" Exclaimed Sera.
"I don't like the sound of this plan at all, Grey!" She smirked.
"Wait for the sound of it if Solas does not condescend to follow."
Solas and Cassandra exchanged an exasperate look but did start climbing. Solas kept an eye up to at least put a barrier if something went wrong. Mahariel and Bull arrived at the top. She stretched her neck, giving a self-satisfied smirk to the mage. She lost her balance as an arrow brushed her shoulder. Bull caught her before she completely fell. She growled, ominous, turning towards the archer. She avoided nimbly another arrow, extending her hand to help Sera up.
"C'mon, these idiots interrupted my told you moment. I cannot tolerate that." Sera laughed.
"Got it, Queenie."
"I'm here, Boss."
The three of them charged into the new-found opponents. Varric, Solas and Cassandra, having no view of what was happening, sped up.
Mahariel looked at Bull, having suddenly an idea. The Blades of Hessarian were more numerous than them. She picked up the bow resting next to the corpse at her feet. She nocked several arrows.
"Bull, be ready!"
"For what?" Asked he, his axe dancing in the middle of their foes. She smirked, breaking into a sprint.
"Launch me!"
The three others peeked at her from the edge of the cliff with disbelief as Bull beamed. She cannot be serious was their shared thought. She rushed even quicker. Bull wiped a man on his feet, turning to face her. He squatted slightly. She slid nimbly her foot into his hands without losing her momentum. He launched her with force, reaching the trees' height. She spun in the air, releasing numerous arrows. They all found their target, cleaning the battlefield instantly as the Blades stared, ajar. Solas had but the time to find back his mind and to put a barrier before she hit the ground. She made a dramatic roll and ended with a slight bow. Bull guffawed whole-heartedly.
"Ha-ha that was GREAT! We need to do that more often, Boss!" They shared a high-five. The four others joined them, Varric and Sera laughing too.
"NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!" Yelled Cassandra at the Iron Bull.
"Agreed." Nodded Solas, looking at him just as dark as the Seeker.
"Eh, wasn't even my idea." Mahariel rolled her eyes, still laughing and full of adrenalin.
"C'mon don't be all grumpy you two." They both gave her a deep scowl. Varric intervened.
"Seeker, Chuckles, that was pretty amazing. Admit it." Mahariel waved the thought.
"Ignore them. Team fun, with me, we have investigations to lead! Let team spoilsport to their brooding."
She took Sera and Bull's elbows, gesturing to Varric to follow. The dwarf shrugged and conformed. Cassandra pinched her nose.
"At least, she is in a better mood."
"She could have killed herself in a dozen of ways." Pointed out Solas, irritated.
They caught up quickly with the rest of them. Mahariel's good mood didn't last. She entered a small house where laid Inquisition corpses. She frowned, looking around for clues about the men they just killed. She spun on her heels as soon as she found the location of their base.
"Herald, wait."
She turned towards Solas and looked at the paper he was showing her. Her nose wrinkled. Shit, she couldn't ignore that. She wanted revenge for their men, not to recruit this bunch of asses! Her teeth gritted as she nodded reluctantly.
"I'm sending a bird to the camp. They can make this amulet."
She conformed as they searched the Inquisition bodies for clues about these soldiers' identity. The least they could do was to inform their families of what happened. They settled into the small house, waiting for news about the crest they asked for. Despite the rain, Mahariel made her way outside. She climbed on the roof, taking deep breathes. She hated to wait. And that was all she had to do right now. Waiting for this crest, waiting for reports from Tevinter, waiting for a letter from Felix. It was unlike him not to write her back, but, considering the situation, she wouldn't be surprised if Alexius forbid him to. Cassandra peeked by the threshold.
"Herald, you are going to catch a cold." Mahariel raised a brow.
"Excuse me, when did you become my mother?" Cassandra rolled her eyes.
"Put your boots back, at least."
Mahariel's nose wrinkled but she took the said boots the seeker was handing. She, however, put them right next to her as soon as Cassandra disappeared back into the house. Bull and Sera eventually fell asleep after a good hour of waiting.
Solas exchanged yet another look with Cassandra, glancing towards the roof. She shook her head apologetically. Mahariel didn't move the slightest. Varric looked at Solas too and, as he did, glanced towards the roof. The elf looked at him confused, not seeing where the dwarf was going with that. The Seeker and himself just settled they had no idea of what was going on. Varric looked at him with more insistence. He frowned slightly, understanding. Why was he pushing him to go talk to her? Cassandra gave a single nod. Solas remained immobile a moment before standing. She was just going to shove him away or to give a Grand-Game smile, at the best. Still, he made his way outside. He heard a paper being folded quickly as he came. Silent, he climbed on the roof, sitting at arm's length from the Herald. She spoke up.
"I have no news about this crest yet."
"You wouldn't be here if you had." She gave a single nod, considering the conversation had reached its natural end. He suppressed a sigh. Always difficult. "I thought I could take a look at the mark, while we are waiting." She didn't look at him.
"No need. Thank you." He frowned.
"Need there is since you barely let me approach it since we left Haven." She glanced at him.
"We both know you cannot prevent it from killing me. So, no. No need." He paused, unsure how to answer that. It will eventually kill her and he could not do lot in his current weakness. Guessing his discomfort – even if unaware of the true why – she resumed quickly and softer. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing you. I just don't want to be indebted to you if I know I won't have the time to repay."
"You don't owe me anything."
"Untrue." He shook his head. No, she didn't. But she couldn't know why.
"What is in this letter?" And that was not the question to ask. A smirk took her lips immediately.
"Mystery for another day."
She stretched her neck and shoulders. He felt a slight tremor going through his spine as the muscles of her sleeveless arm rolled. He could not help but wonder how it would look like if she did that in her antaam-saar. He scolded himself immediately for the thought.
"Come on, we could as well gather some plants while we are here." He rolled his eyes with the hint of a smile.
"Such indomitable focus."
She jumped from the roof as he spoke, offering him a hand. He raised a brow, jumping nimbly as well. She held both hands in innocence, scanning the area for elfroot. As they walked further from the house, she peeked at him with mischief.
"Indomitable focus?" He gave a mischievous smile.
"Presumably. I have yet to see it dominated." He paused, waiting for her to look back at him. She took the bait. "I imagine that the sight would be…Fascinating."
She bit her bottom lip, fighting as much against this stupid giggle as against a blush. Okay, she really had to stop taking these baits, she should have seen this coming. You did see it coming, yet, you asked, chastised a voice in the back of her head. Damn apostate. Cassandra and Varric sent him on distraction duty. Yes, that is it – And this is working. She scolded herself on the inside. Yes, and a bit too much for her taste. Not being undercover doesn't mean being allowed to be your stupid self.
He looked at her as she turned around, capturing a bit of the blush and giggle before she could help it. Definitely a very enjoyable side benefit. She squatted in front of a bush to collect it – and herself in the process. A self-satisfied smirk still on his lips, he made his way to join her.
The crow with the amulet didn't come before the night. Mahariel was still up when it did, not feeling like sleeping these days. She took the crest, looking back towards the little house. She could deal with that on her own. Knowing Bull and Sera had taken more sleep than the others, she woke the Qunari discreetly. He looked up sleepily.
"Boss, what is it?"
"I need you to take my watch."
"Going somewhere?"
"Yes."
"Alone?"
"Yes, they could benefit of some sleep. Long day tomorrow, we leave for the Hinterlands at firsts lights."
He didn't question further. He knew enough of the Basalit-an to know she could take care of herself. Mahariel spun back on her heels and made her way outside. She stopped quickly to finally put her boots back. It was nice to play Dalish a bit now and then, but she'd rather not risk a sword in her shin for that. The map they found indicated the lair of these Blades of Hessarian was only one hour far.
She didn't bother with being particularly discreet. Except from wild animals, the area was as good as deserted. She could have sped up with fade-walk but considered it was unnecessary. The night was young and she always liked lonely walk.
She looked at the base with a raised brow. Not that sure she wanted these guys, finally. Nice hideout, maybe, but one has to be stupid to put a base in a basin. She could put the whole thing on fire with a handful of arrows from where she was. She rolled her eyes and jumped on a rock under her. Her foot slid slightly on the humid rock. She grabbed a root to stabilize herself. Okay, maybe looking for an actual path would have been an idea, this time. She wrapped herself with a barrier, wincing as she felt its weakness. She was not used to that anymore. She hanged herself to the root to reach more carefully the next rock. That did not work that well. The rock cracked and crumbled under her foot. She caught the remaining part in her hand in extremis. She winced again as she heard it crack too.
"Okay, rocky. Be nice, please."
Her whisper didn't change much. The stone collapsed with her grip. She sighed as she fell, preparing herself for a rough landing. Hopefully, no one will witness –
She barely muttered a yell of surprise as Solas caught her. Mouth ajar, she blinked several times. They stared at each other just a bit too long before he loosened his embrace and put her back on her feet. He cleared his throat, a slight smirk dancing on his features.
"Not to say I told you, but I did." Varric laughed.
"Now that I saw that, I forgive the scout for waking us."
And that explained that. She didn't consider Leliana's people. Of course, they would fetch Cassandra if she was to sneak out in the middle of the night. Bull gave her an apologetic look. Cassandra looked at her, obviously amused too, as Sera mumbled something she didn't quite catch. Mahariel sighed and let out.
"You are supposed to be asleep." The Seeker actually smiled.
"When did you become my mother?"
They all paused, looking at the Seeker, before laughing. Cassandra making a joke. What a day. Well, a night. Whatever.
The doormen let they in as soon as they acknowledged Mahariel's amulet. She made her way in, the others on her heels. A bunch of Blades peeked with curiosity through the barracks' windows. A loud voice resounded. The man was leaning against a lamppost, obviously not expecting visitors. He eyed the mercy's crest around her neck and groaned, slamming his tankard on a table.
"So, you would challenge the Blades of Hessarian?" Mahariel unsheathed a dagger. A cruel smirk on her lips, she played with the blade between her fingers.
"You challenged us when you killed Inquisition's soldiers. We cannot let this stand."
"You want justice? Claim it." My pleasure.
He growled a war-cry, charging her with an axe. She avoided easily. Two mabaris barked, rushing towards her. They didn't get to reach her that bolts and arrows where in their sides, claiming their attention. She caught a glimpse of the man flinching.
"Oh, we were counting on them, weren't we? Time for a real duel, my dear."
She disappeared into stealth, letting the man in his confusion. She reappeared at his side, dagger diving deep. He spun, hi axe flying. She avoided it, letting his own momentum affecting his balance. This was way too easy. She turned around again, flanking him on the other side. This time, she didn't stop at avoiding the axe. She gave a clean cut. The man cried out with pain, blood spurting from his arm, hand and weapon on the ground. Eyes dark, she thrusted a blade all the way through his shoulder. She pushed him fiercely until he hit the wall. One hand on the other side of his neck, her face but few inches from his, she gave a vicious twist to her blade. His knees gave up on him but the dagger was forcing him to stand. She spoke low.
"I don't want justice. I want revenge."
She stepped back and beheaded him with her second dagger. She wiped the blood away from her face, a wicked grin on her face. The mabaris laying on the ground too, the others were looking at her, slightly discomforted. Bull finally let out a small laugh.
"Tough little thing."
"That's one way to put it." Admitted Varric.
Mahariel ignored them, more interested by the man who was standing in front of her, obviously waiting for her attention. The man swallowed hard when she finally looked at him. I see I made an impression, thought she with a self-satisfied smirk. She listened to his words. Definitely easy. Good, the Inquisition will have some eyes on the Coast…And we will too. Could prove useful.
They decided to spend the rest of the night in the base. Mahariel stayed on watch, once more sitting on a roof. Inside of the book she was pretending to read where the last dispatch of her agents. She was trying to determine who will be the best suited to keep an eye on these Blades of Hessarian. First of all, they needed to figure out the extent of this group and of their loyalty.
"Dammit Queenie, do you ever sleep?!"
As dawn was coming, she flapped the book closed, raising a brow to Sera.
"I'll sleep when I'm dead." She smirked. "Shouldn't take too long." Sera winced.
"Don't talk like that."
Mahariel shrugged, moving her attention towards the sky. The sun should come up soon now. Better get prepared for the travel. She jumped from the roof, making her way to the leader of the Blades. For now, he could as well report to Leliana. Varric peeked sleepily through the barn they slept in. He yawned and finally declared.
"Okay Buttercup, I bite. Why Queenie?"
Sera paused. Hum, good question. She had given this nickname to Mahariel years ago. At first, because she considered her the equivalent of an elfy silky breech. Then, because of the other elves, going around, calling her my Lady despite how much it pissed her off. None of these reasons was to be shared, that had been made clear. She finally shrugged.
"Elven queenie of death was too long." Varric paused, considering what she offered. He finally nodded.
"Does stick with the character. Granted."
Solas overheard the conversation from his bedroll. He remained thoughtful a bit. Even if he knew the reason she gave was a lie, Sera had…A point. With her bright blue-green lagoon eyes, her long white hair…Mahariel was beautiful in a regal way. Now that she pointed it out, he realized that she looked like Ghilan'nain. He couldn't help but imagine her with the dresses the Evanuris used to wear, her hair loosened around her delicate features. He pursued his lips, looking around. Hum…The sun would be up soon but…He should have time for a quick sketch.
Vhenadahl: tree of the People
Pala adahlen: Go fuck a forest