A/N: Haven't had a chance to work in any smut yet beyond harmless flirting, but I promise I'll be getting to it soon. Also, quick shout out to 'just to read 49' for your review, it was definitely appreciated! It's nice to hear feedback that someone likes what you're writing :D
Arriving in Redcliffe with a relatively small band of Inquisition soldiers accompanying them, Evelyn first sought out the nearest Inquisition camp outside the settlement to gather intel.
"My lady, we've been secretly exchanging information with Grand Enchanter Fiona over the last few weeks over a potential alliance. There was no word of any Tevinter presence, until recently."
"What do you mean, soldier?" Evelyn was unsure what he was getting at. From all accounts previously, it sounded like the Inquisition might be a welcome ally, until word of a Tevinter force came out of nowhere, all communication had ceased.
"Once this magister came into play, things...changed. Now it seems like we're an unwelcome force here."
"That's odd, considering not long ago we were potential allies. My brother said he spoke to Fiona in Val Royeaux." Evelyn kept to herself the unsettling feeling in the pit of her stomach when the scout mentioned there was an active rift right outside the city gate that seemed to distort time itself.
"If Grand Enchanter Fiona was still expecting us, she's pretending to not know. We managed to arrange use of the tavern to speak with the magister, hopefully that will clear things up." The scout bowed his head to her and left her to speak with her party.
"We should investigate this rift he spoke of, it sounds potentially more dangerous than others we've encountered." Solas would have made it a priority for them if it hadn't been on the way, so that was their next stop before entering Redcliffe.
"The Veil is weaker here than in Haven, and not merely weak but altered in a way I have not seen." Solas inspected the area after they dispatched of the demons.
"Just lovely. I'm willing to bet this has something to do with a certain magister, I'm definitely calling it, Varric." Hawke said disapprovingly, having a bad feeling about all of it.
"Don't worry, Hawke, I'm sure Evelyn will protect you from the big bad magister." Varric laughed at the thought.
"Will you, please? I'll be having nightmares all week!" Hawke turned to Evelyn and clasped his fingers together as they walked into town.
"My dearest Hawke, there are some things my bow can't do. I'm afraid you're on your own!" She cracked a smile at the playfulness of it until Hawke turned it around on her.
"I'm sure there are plenty of things you could do for me…" He said barely under his breath, making Blackwall squirt out the water he was in the middle of chugging down from his canteen.
"Cheeky this one is!" Blackwall let out a booming laugh as he wiped the water from his beard.
"Garrett Hawke!" Evelyn's face turned beet red at Hawke's suggestion. He was driving her crazy, regardless of his undeniable charm. Evelyn didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing comments like that got under her skin in a way no man had done before. And Evelyn Trevelyan was stubborn just like her father, so giving him that win was not an option.
"Okay, okay, I think you've teased the poor girl enough for a week, Hawke." Varric tried to sound serious, but his facade was failing as he let out a laugh.
"I dare say for a lifetime! And I'm not a girl, Varric." She sent him an easy going chiding look and redirected her focus back to making their way to the meeting.
"I just can't believe you made me spit out my water…" Blackwall said hung up, Solas rolled his eyes.
The next hour they found out who the magister controlling the mages was: Gereon Alexius, and what they didn't find out through their meeting with him, they discovered from his former apprentice. A mage named Dorian Pavus, he came off putting on airs, Evelyn could certainly tell he was a confident man. His friend, Felix Alexius was much milder in manner compared to him.
"Evelyn, you know how I said that note saying we were in danger was mysterious?" Varric asked.
"I recall you going, 'ooh very mysterious !'" Hawke gave his best Varric impression to lighten the mood, despite all the dark things they had recently learned of time magic and indentured mages.
"This wasn't the kind of mysterious I was going for." Varric furrowed his brow, Evelyn agreed.
"My father's joined a cult. Tevinter supremacists. They call themselves 'Venatori'. And I can tell you one thing: whatever he's done for them, he's done it to get to you."
"I'm flattered, really." Evelyn said deadpan, not in the least bit worried for her own safety as usual.
"You know you're his target. Expecting the trap is the first step to turning it to your advantage. I can't stay in Redcliffe, but whenever you're ready to deal with Alexius, I want to be there. I'll be in touch." Dorian left out the back way of the Chantry to avoid being seen until the right time, leaving Evelyn's party to plan.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Evelyn sighed when she spoke in confidence to Hawke.
"That's why you have me here to protect you, I'm all you need." His words were his usual roguish charm, but his demeanor had changed to one of comfort, which she welcomed. She didn't need his protection in the time to come, but it felt nice to have.
Evelyn looked up at him and grasped his hand, choosing not to reply back with her usual biting wit she always countered him with. She just hoped things were going smoother for her brother in Therinfal Redoubt.
X
The tension in the air was palpable from the moment they had stepped into the fortress, there was no denying it. Max went through the motions exchanging pleasantries with the nobles that had come to demand the templars do their duty, but the back of his mind was busy observing their surroundings.
The only person outside of the Inquisition force Max felt was trustworthy was Ser Barris, but that proved to not be enough when things went south. Cassandra, Sera, and Iron Bull had accompanied Max to the building where the Lord Seeker was supposed to appear, while Vivienne kept up appearances with the nobles, doing what she did best.
"The Lord Seeker had a plan, but the Herald ruined it by arriving with purpose." Knight-Captain Denam, though Max had never known the man before, was definitely acting suspiciously. When fighting could be heard erupting out in the courtyard, that confirmed Maxwell's suspicions.
"It sowed too much dissent." He stood still with his arms clasped behind his back, not in the least bit worried of what was going on outside. Max's hand went to his sword, ready for a fight.
"Knight-Captain, I must know what's going on!" Ser Barris strode forward, he was completely clueless, but Max knew what was happening.
"Step away from him, Ser Barris!" Max drew his sword, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Sera was acting twitchy while Cassandra and Bull were just as ready as the herald.
"You were all supposed to be changed! Now we must purge the questioning knights!" He summoned nearby templars from the corners of the room.
"Abernache, look out!" Max tried to shove the man out of the way, but he was too late to save him from the arrow flying towards his face.
"The Elder One is coming. No one will leave Therinfal who isn't stained with red!"
"Well, shit." Max sighed, grabbing his shield from his back and sword up front. Cassandra stepped to his side, also ready.
"Finally, enough talking!" Iron Bull rushed to the front and without a warning, swung his axe into a corrupt templar, starting the fight.
Max dashed to the side when a sword when in for his heart, making the man miss and give him the chance to bring his shield slamming down on his wrist. He howled in pain, giving him just the moment to bring his sword into stab the man.
"Ser Barris!" Cassandra called out when she saw the man struggle with two templars. Max was busy fighting another one, but he could see her rush forward to his aid. Max's sword played with one corrupt templars blade, but his attention became more diverted when he saw Cassandra get tripped over her feet by a chair getting knocked her way, causing her to fall over.
"Cassandra, watch out!" Max called out, his energy was renewed as he shield bashed the man fighting him and ran over to her aid just before a templar overwhelmed her. A fire had already started on the second floor of the building, spreading fast as the air started to grow thick with smoke.
Cassandra gave him a look of gratitude as he helped her up after killing the templar, but it was not long lived. A burning column from the second floor came tumbling down right in their direction, there was almost no time to react. Max shoved the both of them out of the way, sending the pair to land hard on a bale of hay to safety.
"Don't get used to saving me, Herald." She grunted, pulling herself up to her elbows as Iron Bull finished off the last templar.
"Would you have preferred I let you get crushed by a burning chunk of wood, my lady?" Max was slightly frustrated by her stubbornness, now wasn't the time for it.
"Never mind that," She turned her attention back to the situation at hand. "Is the Knight-Captain alive?" The pair rose from the hay and regrouped in the center of the room.
"Barely. If you use a healing potion, he may survive. If he even deserves it."
"We'll figure out what to do with him at a later time, let's just bind him for now. We need to get outside and find the Lord Seeker." Max decided then, and they fought their way back outside where they found Vivienne lending her support to the uncorrupted templars.
"Darling, so good of you to join us!" She twisted and twirled her staff with her signature freezing magic, holding her own against the horde of enemies that faced her.
"We were tied up…" Max stopped midsentence when an ominous voice rang out across the grounds.
"Prepare them! Guide them to me! " The tone of voice sent shivers down Max's spine, he didn't need magical talent to surmise that voice was not human.
"Herald?" Cassandra stood confused that he trailed off.
"The Herald of Andraste! It's time we get better acquainted! Come. Show me what sort of man you really are."
"Did you hear that? It sounded like the Lord Seeker!" When the group insisted there was no voice, Max's suspicion grew ten fold. He hated when his gut proved him right, and so it did when they climbed those steps where the Lord Seeker stood.
X
Hawke really didn't like this Tevinter bastard. His smug face and patronizing tone thought it was hiding well his real intentions, but little did he know they were already one step ahead of him.
"Are we mages to have no voice in deciding our fate?" Fiona asked, Hawke being Hawke just had to chime in on that.
"Yes, that would be just grand if they could have an opinion if they're going to be slaves or not." He rolled his eyes, not caring if it irked the man. He tuned the rest of the conversation out, choosing to covertly observe their surroundings, one that conveniently had them surrounded by Venatori guards.
This man sat on his throne, Redcliffe's throne , like he owned the place and could just take control of everything; it really annoyed him. If Hawke's cousin could see this place now, he'd be seriously kicking some ass that same place he had defended from undead and a demon ten years ago was overtaken by a Tevinter magister.
Evelyn shared Hawke's disdain for taking part in the whole debacle, she cut to the chase as soon as it was appropriate, leaving Hawke to ready himself for a fight possibly. Oh, and of course it happened! Hawke knew these things never turned out right, even when planned perfectly.
One moment they were talking, the next Venatori guards were being taken out and Alexius was hovering a magical amulet in their faces. Hawke and Dorian sprung forward when the danger was real, they had to stop Alexius. Hawke stepped to Evelyn and tried to shield her, but it was futile.
Time magic was a bitch.
A/N: And that was part one to Hushed Whispers/Champions, I'm hoping to get the second part out within a week so I can advance the story to Skyhold where all the good stuff happens :D