A/N: It's a bit slow now but it will pick up once they get established in Haven. Enjoy ^-^
Solas guided me to the camp. I noticed the great difference in Cassandra and Solas. While Cassandra was harsh and rough, charging her way forward, Solas was cautious and wise, as though he knew exactly what would be around the corner. With Solas leading, we ran into far less trouble.
I felt more comfortable after speaking with Solas, well, as comfortable as you can be in with demons all around you.
I had a goal in mind and I intended to achieve it! If not to go home then only to get out of this hell for a breath's second.
I studied Solas as we walked, trudged, and climbed our way to the camp. Every time I looked away I had the feeling I was being watched, studied, as well.
He intrigued me, which was a funny word to use, but I could find none other that fit my thoughts so well. I knew he knew I was staring at him, at some point I gave up trying to conceal it. I had no shame in my "gawking".
I couldn't say I didn't find him attractive. He held an aura of intelligence and mystery that drew me in. His features were prominent; a sharp jaw, flat chin, and thin eyebrows pointed on his hazel almond eyes. His cheekbones were high, giving him a raised look of awareness.
What stuck out, quite literally, to me the most, was his ears. The tip was pointed, and looked so sharp it could stab someone. His ears were slightly fanned out, making them even more prominent...and probably more sensitive.
But his attractiveness was not the point, the point was that he seemed to be the key to me escaping this...dream...if it is a dream...
"We're almost there. The camp is located on that bridge just over this hill...wait." Solas came to a halt, his ears twitched towards our destination, "I believe there is another fade rift ahead. Prepare yourself, it is directly blocking our path and we must be rid of it."
I mentally prepared myself for disgusting abominations and terror-inducing creatures. We inched forward at a grueling pace. I could see the top of the crystallized gem portal rift, at the head of the hill. Solas held up a hand to stop. I waited with baited breath as the portal detected us and started summoning it's minions.
It felt as though time stopped for a miniscule second.
Solas suddenly cast a spell at one of the summoning circles, and it disappeared, while the rest sprung demons into the air with green light showering them.
Action swept over the area, our new battle-field, and it swept me up too.
Even feeling utterly hopeless in my staff wielding abilities, I tried none the less. Solas did most the fighting, but that was to be expected, since I had no training what so ever. I owed him my life sevenfold after that fight. Constantly he told me to put my defenses up.
And finally the moment came again when I had to seal the rift. I dreaded it, the immense pain sent shock waves throughout my body, zapping of energy.
Through gritted screams I gained temporary control over my mark and closed the rift. I fell to my knees in fatigue, and would have fallen completely to the ground had Solas not caught me and swooped me with ease into his arms, carrying me through the bridge gates.
"She is still alive, yes?" The French woman spoke with a hint of panic in her voice.
"She is quite well," Well I wouldn't say that... I thought, "Althought I fear the pain will traumatize her, she is not used to this level of pain." Solas finished saying as he laid me down on a cot inside a nearby tent.
I barely whispered to Solas, "I should be fine in a few minutes...I promise...I need to see this through."
"I understand. I shall gather you when the decision is made," He opened the tent sleeve to reveal the French woman and a man in priest like robes arguing. The sound was muffled, slightly, as the tent sleeve fell back into place.
I drifted off for a few minutes, trying to regain as much strength as I could, when I was suddenly awakened by a shouting voice charging in the tent: It was Cassandra, of course.
"...let us ask the person who will actually be sealing the Breach!" Cassandra marched up to me, seeing I had already awoken she didn't bother speaking quietly, "What would you decide? Should we march with our troops into battle, or let them defend themselves and take a shorter, more dangerous, route to the temple?"
My eyes went wide, why was she asking me? The crazy fragile exhausted prisoner? "So sacrifice soldiers...or time?"
"That is how it seems to be turning out." Cassandra said with a grim expression.
I remember seeing those soldiers on the frozen bridge, yes, I don't think I'll ever be able to get that image out of my mind. I closed my eyes, concentrating, weighing the consequences.
"I won't let more people die. We march." For once in this hectic day I sounded sure and confident. I needed to, for the soldiers who were giving up their lives at that very moment, for their families, and for myself.
The rest of the party had gathered in the tent while I had been concentrating. They all nodded in agreement with my decision, and I was greatful for the arguing had stopped. For some reason they listened to me, I couldn't understand why.
On our way marching up the mountain to meet up with the other soldiers, Solas pulled me into a conversation.
"I can see it," He said ambiguously.
I tilted my head in confusion, "See what, Solas? I don't see anything." I looked at the front of our traveling party. The only thing present was layers of snow and distant fires.
He laughed, "You're a natural born leader." He completed his thought, and answered my confusion.
"What makes you think that? You saw how helpless I was, I could barely hold myself together. You had to hold me!" I protested.
"True, but they listened to you back there. In fact, Cassandra demanded to know your opinion. You know you have the potential to be a leader when people look to you to lead, when they seek out your verdict. What makes someone truly a leader is when they take that need and transform it to do great things, whether they be for good or evil." Solas paused and looked me straight in the eyes, "I wonder what kind you'll be."
I understood what he meant, I could either be like Lincoln or Hitler. Good or bad. Right or wrong. But a moral compass is subjugated to the person who holds it, and their opinions. The power that leadership wields can do a great many things. And I realized, for some people that is terrifying.
I looked back at Solas back with a calm face and determined eyes, "I will be the person to end this." If this...this Breach, hell, nightmare...thing! was causing innocent people to lose their lives, I would do my best to save them.
Because I am the only one who can.