Chapter 4: Reality

(Healing Chambers)

Anders was quietly talking with an injured scout as he changed the bandages, when the mage heard some racket coming down the hall. The door slammed opened and Cole carried an unconscious, bleeding Shepard in his arms. The mage stood up and hurried over.

"What happened?!" Anders demanded as she was carefully placed on one of the beds.

"Practice with the Chargers and some of the guards, "said Cole fighting to keep his panic down. He had to be strong, "Rocky threw one of those exploding balls. It was harmless, but loud and very bright. Next I heard, felt a sharp cutting pain from her and then burning, darkness. "

Anders frowned as he carefully checked the cut across her lower arm. There was goo of some sort in and around the wound. "Do you have the weapon that did this?"he asked as he checked Shepards eyes, pulse and reflexes. One of the other healers raced over with water, herbs and bandages.

Cole shook his head and said, "No…"

"Here. I figured you might want this seeing it's all covered with something, "grumbled Iron Bull as he walked into the room. Anders dressed the wound as the assisting healer took the small throwing dagger from Qunari. Iron Bull added, "The boys got the bastard that did it too. Once he wakes up, Leliana will be questioning him personally. I might just go see if I can offer a hand."

Backed up in a corner, Cole hid behind his hat with fists clenched and shaking. Seeing this Iron Bull walked over and said softly, "Just let him live long enough to find out who sent him. Whether you kill him or not, he's a dead man. The Inquisitor is almost as upset as you are….almost."

Cole remained silent as he lifted looked out from under his hat to give Iron Bull a quick glance and then turned to watch Anders tend to Jane.

"Well this is strange, "said Anders as he cast a few more spells on the wound and then took closer look at the dagger, "This isn't poison. It's some sort of lyrium mixture. It shouldn't kill her…but what is it? I rather not try any healing spells until we know what's in her system. Karen, keep a close eye on the Investigator. I'm going to look over some of my books. Bull if you're heading that way, could you get Dorian for me?"

Iron Bull patted Cole on the shoulder and then said, "Sure thing. I'll head over there now."

(War Room)

The Inquisitor slammed his palms onto the war table, causing many of the mission tokens to jump and fall over. "How did this happen?!" he demanded.

It was Josephine who first spoke up, "The assassin arrived as part of Lady Murray's following, her son's personal man servant to be specific. She claims he had been a loyal servant for years and has no knowledge as to why he attacked the Investigator."

"Security, I'm embarrassed to say, has gotten somewhat lax of late, "sighed Cullen, "With the rift situation resolved, many people just up and left feeling that the job was done. What people do remain have been spread thin and don't really believe there is much of a threat to worry about anymore, especially here. There were no guards on duty in the training area since it was assumed that those training would be able to act if something should happen. I have already dealt with the officer that made that decision."

"The prisoner is currently in the dungeons, guarded by the Chargers, "said Leliana placing her hand behind her back, "It seems they are taking the attack personally. Iron Bull has even suggested letting him use some of his Ben Hassrath techniques to get information out of the prisoner."

"I want a full report when you are done, "the Inquisitior ordered, "Cullen pull back as many men as you need, I want all the security holes here at Skyhold plugged up. Josephine, see if you can drop a hint or two to Empress Celene and Queen Anora about doing something about protecting their own damn people for a change. If anyone needs me, I'll…"

A sharp knock on the door just before it opened. The messenger passed a note to the Inquisitor and left. He opened the folded piece of paper and sighed as he read it silently. "Great, just what we need, "he said as he handed the note to Josephine, "Someone claiming to be representing Trevinter has just arrived. Josephine see what you can find out what that is all about. Leliana go with her and let Bull question the prisoner. Also let him know we'll need his Chargers to help out with security at least until we get enough Inquisition soldiers back."

(Grey Warden Tower)

"Well this is rather nasty, "said Dorian checking the substance that was found on the dagger, "I've only read about the stuff but I do believe its Mortal's Fade."

Sitting at a table covered with books and scrolls, Anders looked up from one book to say, "Never heard of it."

"I doubt you would have with your southerner fears of everything Fade related, "mused Dorian as he placed the dagger down and rubbed his mustache, "It enables a normal person to enter the Fade like a mage would. Except that the person has no magic or training on how to deal with demons. Some naughty mages use it to experiment on abominations or create minions."

Anders leaned back and cross his arms. "I don't think we have to worry about that in this case, "the blonde mage said, "I think Shepard has more experience with demons and the Fade than most mages."

"Yes she does doesn't she, "mused Dorian, who then sighed, "Unfortunately, if there is a counter agent to Mortal's Fade I don't know it and I have no idea what effect it would have if we decide to just let it run its course. As much as it pains me, I could send a message to my father to see if he can find anything."

"That would take too long, "said Anders as he stood and considered his options, "One thing we do know it does not affect the body like normal lyrium does. If it did, that small dose she got would have worn off already. Also, I'm a little concerned. Shepard has always insisted that she never be given lyrium but never explained why beyond that that she isn't a mage. Now I'm concerned as to why."

The sound of someone running up the tower's wooden stairs could be heard. One of the healer aids' head appeared in the stairwell and said, "Ser Anders! Come quick! The Investigator is…just come!"

A few moments later the two mages stepped into the healing chambers to see the place in shambles. Beds and other furniture appeared to have been thrown and three aids struggled to hold Shepard in place as Cole held the sides of her face staring into her eyes as if trying to reach into her soul.

"She can't hear me, "Cole turned to look towards the mages and cried out, "Someone, something is blocking, stopping, preventing me from reaching her!"

To be continued…