Dreams of a Soul Colored by...
The sweet smell of grass was one of the first things Numina noticed when she woke. Next she felt the its fingers tickling her face and hands. She found herself laying on a bed of grass that had overcome stone, her right arm underneath her, her left outstretched above her. Grogginess still held her, but she softly braced herself on her hands and knees before gracefully rising to her feet. Weariness did not have a place in her body and well rested strength coursed through her.
Numina took in her surroundings. Elegant stone was at her feet, patches of grass and flowers emerging through the cracks, adding to the beauty. Ancient walls surrounded her, cracked and crumbling in places, only serving as a barrier for there was no longer a ceiling for them to support. Tall columns sprouted in areas. Where they once stood for elegance and beauty, they now were home to birds and vines. Nature was slowly reclaiming this lost and forgotten place, though it did not take away from the beauty. Instead it created an ancient harmony. The golden sunlight that filtered in through the trees surrounding the ancient walls made everything shimmer, adding to the beauty, the harmony.
"I remember this place..." Numina hummed softly to herself. She then laughed softly. "This is a dream. A memory. I have visited these ruins before."
She looked on with wonder. It had been many years ago when she was last here. The fact that the fade could recreate it with such exquisite detail she did not even know she remembered was incredible.
There were stairs before her. Ones that lead deeper into the ruin. Numina was about to head towards them, when a nagging feeling in the back of her head stopped her. Smoothly, she turned around, looking up at the entrance. At the top of the stairs standing between the old archway was a white wolf with silver eyes. Numina gasped at the sight, readying herself in case it attacked.
But it didn't. The wolf stood there, it's breathing loudly echoing in the silent dream. It sounded like it was panting, as if it had run a long way. Curious, Numina thought, lowering her guard and relaxing. Usually you find only yourself and a spirit or demon in a dream, not wolves.
The wolf sat down, watching her with his piercing eyes. It cocked its head to the side as if to ask her what she was doing. Playing along with the dream, Numina cast her eyes around her surroundings before looking back at the wolf. She shrugged elaborately, I have no idea.
Not wanting to end the dream, she went along with it, as most who are unconscious when they dream do automatically. Numina made her way down the stairs. She could hear the click-clacks and the wolves nails on the stone as it followed her. The urge to look behind her to see if it truly was tagging along was strong, but her fear of chasing it away made her continue on. A rotting wooden door was before her, and cautiously, she opened it, entering a room that was bare.
On each wall in this room there was another door. Three in total. Three choices. Numina walked into the center of the room. "That's right," she said to know one in particular. "This place was like a maze. Go through the wrong door and there's some kind of trap or creature to fight." The wolf was there with her. Standing in the doorway. Silver eyes glowing with mischief. "Let's see if I can remember..."
Hesitantly, Numina walked to the door straight ahead. Her hand was on the handle, when she heard a small whine from behind her. The wolf was now seated in the middle of the room. He cocked his head at her. Numina smiled, teasingly. "I know it's the wrong door," she said playfully. "But now I know that you are friendly." At least for the moment.
Numina moved to the door on the left and threw it open, revealing a corridor that had another door on the end. On the other side of that it was another room that contained another set of three doors to choose from. This continued several times over, Numina hopefully remembering the correct door and the wolf watching and following. At first, Numina was hesitant about letting it follow her; though he had warned her of the wrong door previously, she still couldn't be sure that it wasn't a demon of some sort. But after a time, Numina enjoyed the company in this lonely dream. The soft sounds as its paws tapped on the stone and its soft breathing were relaxing.
Once, Numina "remembered" the wrong door. She had picked the one on the right and opened it to find very large corrupted spiders behind it. As soon as her eyes fell on the multiple beady ones of the spiders, Numina slammed the door and braced herself against it. The door began pounding and bursting as the spiders threw themselves at the door. Numina was using all her strength to keep the door closed. One of the spiders threw itself exceptionally hard at the door, managing to open it slightly allowing a few of its friends' legs to slip through. Numina went from bracing the door with her back to pushing against it face on with her hands. "Fenedhis!" she swore. "I. Hate. Spiders!" she shoved with sudden explosive strength, closing the door and severing the legs that had sneaked through the opening. The spider that owned them screamed and the legs twitched there for a couple of seconds.
That is when her friend came up to her carrying a staff with a blade on each end up to Numina. It was an old weapon he must have found in the amongst the rubble. Numina looked and saw that on either side of the door, there were cracks in the stone it was imbedded in. "Brilliant," she thanked her friend. Grabbing the staff she quickly wedged it into the cracks and backed away. The spiders redoubled their efforts and managed to open the door, but the staff held and there was only a sliver of an opening. Allowing some of their legs to get through, but nothing more.
Numina rushed through the correct door, the one that was straight upon entering the room, and closed it behind her. She picked up one of the loose rocks that were lying on the floor and placed it on top of the door`s handle, signaling that she had been here in case she needed to backtrack or got turned around.
The whiter than snow wolf looked at her, silver eyes sparkling with what Numina thought was humor. She also could have sworn that the wolf was smiling at her. "Laugh it up," Numina sighed. "You'd hate spiders too if you were smart." And of course the wolf said nothing. He simply cocked his head to right and looked at her, his eyes filled with laughter. Numina shook her head and continued onwards, thankfully having no more mishaps like the spiders.
It was the last door. Numina remembered it almost perfectly. She also could recognize it because of the charcoal mark beside it she had left when she first visited it. Numina narrowed her eyes at the charcoal scribble. That's almost too particular, she thought. Would the fade have truly recreated this place so perfectly from my memory? Carefully, she opened the door, peering inside. She then cast it open and walked inside.
It was an underground cave. The ceiling was far above them, with a hole in the center that grass and leaves hung from. It allowed in sunlight that shone directly on a crystal blue pond in the center. The light sparkled and danced off of the water's surface, shimmering against the walls, ceilings and floors of the cave. The floor was a sea of green grass littered with flashes of color in clusters and bunches covering the entire area. Of this peaceful, serene, and tranquil place, the flowers and the pond where her favorite. She had spent countless hours by its edge, gazing into its clear depths with flowers in hand when she had first discovered this place years ago.
There was another reason she loved this place though. Behind the pool of glassy water, there was a statue of a wolf. Fen'Harel. Numina gazed at the statue, it stone eyes staring blankly back. She walked to the edge of the pool, her feet at its bank. For a moment she stood rigid before bowing out of respect for Fen'Harel, the Great Betrayer.
Her white wolf friend strode up and sat beside her when she was finished. He gave her one of his curious looks that he must enjoy giving. "What?" Numina asked. "Are you expecting a bow now, too?" The wolf didn't move, just watched her with silverite eyes. "Alright then," Numina sighed teasingly. She turned to face her dream companion, going to make her next bow outrageously extravagant. Something caught her attention though. Her left hand.
The mark was gone. Everything was back to normal.
Lightning flew, crackling and sizzling, white and intense. The wolf yelped in surprise as Numina's will directed the lightning to the nearest of the cave walls. The illusion shattered. The peaceful scenery was gone, jagged and grey was the new theme of the dream. Never trust the Fade.
Numina looked for her adversary, anger growing for not noticing earlier that things were mimicking her desires. Hot chains wrapped themselves around her legs and wrists before she noticed. A gasp and then a shriek as electricity surged through her restraints. Numina was left breathing heavily. Her bright pink and purple confines glowing against her skin. That is when she finally saw it.
Desire.
"And here I thought I finally had you," the feminine voice said teasingly. "All you needed to do was relax some more and let your guard down." Its voice was pleasing even to Numina's ears, and certain words would draw out, invoking the thoughts and feelings tied into them; like the word relax. Numina shook her head. While the demon may sound pleasing, its looks were not. "What gave me away?" It asked in a pout.
Numina looked into the demon's magenta eyes. "You overplayed your...hand," Numina said moving her left hand in a wave.
The demon growled in disgust and rage. "No matter," she hissed. "You are far too valuable to lose now. I will have you!" It roared, ready to lunge at Numina.
Something more malicious came from behind the demon, though. It too was growling, but with a fierceness only a wolf could manage. The white wolf stood behind the demon. It's eye glowing with anger.
Desire turned to the wolf. "You-!" it gasped.
But Numina had seen her opening and took it. She drew on her magic and will, freezing the chains around her wrist and shaping it into the form of a dagger in her right hand. Lunging forward, the chains snapped like twigs, brittle from freezing. Without hesitation, Numina rammed her Fade dagger into the demon's back.
"You're not the only one who can manipulate," Numina hissed, jamming the dagger higher up Desire's back.
Numina received weak, mocking laughter in return. The demon was still looking at the wolf. "If only you could see what I see..." More laughter poured from her lips. "Here...let me help you!" Desire wrenched herself free of Numina's grasp and turned to face her, raising her hand to Numina's eyes.
Violet light blinded out everything. It was all Numina could see. Then everything was black. Fear rose that she was now blind in the Fade. Thunderous sounds reached her ears. A wolf snarling viciously, barking, and snarling. Shrieks of pain as something was torn to shreds by teeth and claws. The loudest of all was a scream.
"Wake up...Dreamer!"
~~.O.~~
She woke up with a start. Lunging forward, a cry of fear on her lips. Numina all but terrified the young elven girl that was bringing a crate into the room.
"Oh!" the elf cried, dropping what she was carrying. Glass crashed as it hit the stone floor. "I didn't know you were awake, I swear!" she said, scrambling to give an explanation as if she had done something wrong.
Numina glanced around the room, taking in the simple furnishings, before turning back to the elf. "Don't worry about it," she said lightly with a smile. "I only just-"
The elf dropped to her knees though, bowing before Numina. Alarm and confusion caused Numina to raise to her feet, standing beside the bed she had been on. "I beg your forgiveness and your blessing. I am but a humble servant," she said, continuing to bow before her.
"Stand up," Numina ordered coldly. The elf looked confused, but did as she was told. "Do not bow before me," she added more softly. "I am no one."
"My lady, do you not know?" the elf asked, puzzled expression still on her face.
"Know what?"
"You are back in Haven, my lady," she supplied. "They say you saved us. The Breach stopped growing just like the mark on your hand." At this Numina looked down. Back where it should be, she thought. The pain was gone. A miracle. "It's all anyone has talked about for the last three days."
Three days!? Numina was beyond shocked at this point, yet she did what she could to retain her composure. "Then the danger is over?"
"The Breach is still in the sky, but that's what they say." The elf then began walking away. "I'm certain Lady Cassandra would want to know you've awakened. She said 'At once.'"
"Where is she?"
"In the Chantry with the lord chancellor. 'At once' she said." With that, the elf quickly ran out of the room, closing the door behind her.
What an odd girl, Numina thought, going to the crate she had left on the floor. There was a few supplies in there for her. She explored the room a little, locating her bow and daggers in a chest nearby, for which she was thankful. Realizing that she could no longer put it off, she moved to the door to go meet Cassandra. What she saw outside, nearly floored her.
A crowd had gathered outside, waiting for her. They had lined themselves along the path that lead to the Chantry. From where she stood, she could see Varric some ways off by one of the campfires; and she could see Solas, though he was much further away speaking to a man in robes. As she passed those that were gathered, some of them saluted her. Others would nod respectfully. She could also hear them whispering "There she is!" "She's the one who saved us all!" "The Herald of Andraste!" What did they call me? Herald?
Ironically enough, her only refuge from the many people who wanted to see her and talk about her was in the Chantry. The door at the back of it was slightly ajar and she could hear the Chancellor's angry voice along with Cassandra's. Upon opening the door and entered she was warmly welcomed.
"Chain her!" the Chancellor snapped at the guards that stood by the door. "I want her prepared for travel to the capitol for trial!"
"Disregard that," Cassandra said, "and leave us." Without hesitation, the guards obeyed her orders, saluting before they left.
The Chancellor was even more furious afterwards. "You walk a dangerous line, Seeker," he sneered.
"The Breach is stable, but it is still a threat. I will not ignore it," She growled menacingly.
"I did everything I could to close the Breach," Numina said defensively. "It almost killed me."
"Yet you live. A convenient result, insofar as you're concerned," the Chancellor hissed.
Numina snarled at him and was ready with harsh words, You think I would choose any of this! If I could choose, I would have died sealing the Breach, but Cassandra stopped her. "Have a care, Chancellor," Cassandra forced out, trying obviously hard to control her anger. "The Breach is not the only threat we face."
"Someone was behind the explosion at the Conclave," Leliana added. "Someone Most Holy did not expect. Perhaps they died with the others- or have allies who yet live," the last part was menacing, aimed at the Chancellor.
"I am a suspect?"
"You, and many others," Leliana growled, nearly better than Cassandra could.
"But not the prisoner?"
"I heard the voices at the Temple," Cassandra supplied, defending Numina. "The Divine called to her for help."
"So her survival, that thing on her hand- all a coincidence?"
Try bad luck. Maybe cruel fate. Coincidence sounds like it's good, Numina wanted to say. "Providence." Cassandra answered knowingly. "The Maker sent her to us in our darkest hour." Numinas eyes locked on to Cassandra. Does she really believe that?
"No offense," Numina said carefully, "but I highly doubt that. I mean, why me?"
"No one can know the Maker's will," Cassandra said. "But you were exactly what we needed when we needed it." She turned to retrieve something from a table behind her.
"The Breach remains in the sky," Leliana added. "And your mark is still the only hope of closing it."
"This is not for you to decide!" Chancellor Roderick snapped.
Cassandra slammed what she had on the table. It was a tome with a strange symbol on the top. "You know what this is, Chancellor," she told him. "A writ from the Divine, granting us the authority to act."
"As of this moment, I declare the Inquisition reborn. We will close the Breach, we will find those responsible, and we will restore order. With or without your approval."
~~.O.~~
"If you are truly trying to restore order...then I'm with you." By the Creators...what have I gotten myself into. All I was supposed to do was spy on the Conclave and bring the information back to my clan. Now I am part of a week old Inquisition, taking advice from a Spymaster who was formerly The Divine's left hand, a Commander who was formerly a Knight-Commander of the templars, and an Ambassador from Antiva. All the while people now call me the Herald of Andraste. She is who they think was standing in the Rift behind me. A Dalish elf the Herald of Andraste? Fen'Harel has a sense of humor.
The sounds of battle echoed everywhere across the frozen landscape of Haven. Commander Cullen always had his troops running drills to get them in shape. The Inquisitions forces weren't large by any means, but Cullen kept them busy and, most importantly, useful.
Numina was walking back from the dock that overlooked the frozen lake on the outskirts of Haven. She had spent most of the morning reading, finally finishing Varric's Tale of the Champion he was willing to supply her with. He had only given it to her two days before, having witnessed her reading an old Chantry book. "We can't have the mighty Herald reading nothing less than perfection," he had said. "Here. Informational and a wonderful plot, if I say so myself." She had to give Varric credit, though. It was a good book, though she was curious as to what had happened to Hawke's friends and family. Luckily enough, the author wasn't very difficult to get a hold of.
That was who she was on her way to visit, book in hand, when something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. A white wolf...? Images of a dream from a week ago splashed to the front of her mind. She turned to look in its direction, instead seeing Solas looking off into the distance, deep in thought. It must have been a trick of the sun on the snow, she reasoned, forgetting it quickly. Deciding that she could speak with Varric at a later time, Numina approached Solas, offering him a smile when he noticed her.
"The Chosen of Andraste, a blessed hero sent to save us all," he said, greeting her by her new title.
"Am I riding in on a shining stead?" Numina asked, smiling playfully.
"I would have suggested a griffon, but sadly they're extinct," he gave her a small smile of his own. "Joke as you will, posturing is necessary." Numina gave him a questioning look. He looked out to the horizon for a moment before continuing. "I have journeyed deep into the Fade in ancient ruins and battlefields to see the dreams of lost civilizations. I've watched as hosts of spirits clash to reenact the bloody past in ancient wars famous and forgotten." He sounded lost in thought, and Numina found herself drawn to his words. Especially those about him seeing memories in the fade. "Every great war has its heroes," he continued, finally looking back at her. "I'm just curious what kind you will be."
Numina thought to address the question there, but instead her curiosity got the better of her. "What did you mean by ancient ruins and battlefields?"
He smiled, seemingly amused by her question before going into a deep explanation. Solas told her about how any building strong enough to stand against the ferocity of time has a history, and that every battle field is steeped in death. These places attract spirits that cling to the emotions and energy, pressing against the Veil, weakening the barrier between worlds. When he goes to these places and dreams in them he can see memories that no other living being has ever seen.
Numina was completely fascinated by the whole idea of dreaming of memories long since forgotten. She wanted to press him for more information, but instead decided to play it safe, "You fall asleep in ancient ruins? Isn't that dangerous?"
Once more he smiled in amusement. "I do set wards," he explained. "And if you leave food out for the giant spiders, they are usually content to live and let live."
I hate spiders, Numina thought as she shook her head. "I've never heard of anyone traveling so far into the Fade. It's extraordinary... I'm honestly a little jealous," she admitted.
"I can understand that. The thrill of finding remnants of a thousand-year-old memory? I would not trade it for anything." The smile he had faded a bit, as he lost himself in thought. "I will stay then," he finally said. "At least until the Breach is closed."
"Were you thinking of leaving?"
"I am an apostate mage surrounded by Chantry forces in the middle of a mage rebellion, and unlike you, I do not have some divine mark to protect me. Cassandra has been accommodating, but you can understand my caution," he explained.
"You came here to help, Solas, and you have done so more than most. I won't let them use that against you," Numina tried to reassure him, determination making her words honest.
"How would you stop them?" Solas asked
"However I had to. I owe you at least that much."
He seemed a little surprised at how fiercely she had spoken. He did not doubt that she spoke the truth. "I... Thank you." There was a moment of silence between the two. Numina nearly took her leave when Solas spoke. "If I may," he started, "why is it you hide your Vallaslin? Is it out of shame?"
Numina chuckled softly. "Usually I am accused and not asked about that," she said. "But no. My experience with people outside of the Dalish has showed that others usually find it easier to speak to me if they cannot see my Vallaslin. Even if they already know I'm Dalish."
Solas nodded in understanding. "I take it that you've spent a lot of time with humans."
"Yes. When I was younger, I began to visit human villages during my Clan's travels," she explained. "I would share stories in exchange for news and any other kind of information. Sometimes an old veteran would show me a new fighting style. Sometimes I would trade ironbark trinkets for books. It has been many years and most of what I learn is current events now, but I still visit when I can."
"Very odd behavior for a Dalish elf," he remarked.
"Indeed," Numina agreed. "I received a great deal of disapproval from my fellow clan members. Still do, in fact." She paused for a moment, deciding whether or not to continue. "I simply do not see how cutting ourselves off from the world outside of our clans, clinging to the distorted shreds of history we have, can help anyone. Least of all ourselves. We have lost so much and lose even more as we look for what's forgotten, letting what is happening presently pass us by."
Solas looked at her with hidden wonder. Numina continued to surprise him with her character and wisdom. She was a mystery to him. "It is a pity that more Dalish do not share your views. Truly they would benefit greatly from it."
"Perhaps," she replied with a sad smile. "That is something we will never know. We Dalish are too stubborn. Too prideful." Solas nodded his agreement. Silence threatening to take hold once more. "I should return this to Varric," she sighed. "Thank you for your time Solas. I enjoyed speaking with you." Numina bowed her head in respect before retreating towards the campfires.
"I enjoyed it as well," Solas finally said, but she had been gone for a short amount of time and was already handing her borrowed book back to the owner. Too far away to hear him.
~~.O.~~
As Cassandra walked beside her on their way to the newly established war room, Numina found herself staring at the mark on her hand.
"Does it trouble you?" Cassandra finally asked, drawing her from her thoughts.
"Hmm?" Numina hummed before fully processing what was asked. "It's stopped hurting. That's something. As for everything else..."
"Take the victories, however small, where you can get them," Cassandra advised earnestly. "Your mark is now stable, as is the Breach. You've given us time, and Solas believes a second attempt might succeed- provided the mark has more power. The kind of power used to open the Breach in the first place."
"You don't just stumble into that amount of power," Numina observed skeptically.
"No," Cassandra agreed. "We will need the help of the Mages or the Templars"
"I understand." Numina then added cynically, "Besides, what harm can there be in powering up something we barely understand?"
Cassandra laughed dryly, "Hold on to that sense of humor." The two of them passed the guards and entered the war room. The Inquisition's three advisors stood on the other side. "May I present to you Commander Cullen, leader of the Inquisition's forces."
He stood in magnificent armor, rustic reds favoring him. "Such as they are," he said stoically. "We lost many men in the Valley." Which is on me, Numina lamented. I chose the mountain path over charging with the soldiers.
"This is Lady Josephine Montilyet," Cassandra continued. "Our ambassador and chief diplomat."
"Andaran atish'an," she said in greeting. She was dressed in vibrant colors, with silver and gold trimmings and jewelry that sparkled in the candlelight.
"You speak elven," Numina asked in surprise.
"I'm afraid you just heard all of it," Josephine answered with a smile.
"And you already know Sister Leliana," Cassandra finished.
"My position here requires a degree of..."
"She is our spymaster," Cassandra interrupted.
"Yes, tactfully put, Cassandra," Leliana responded, sounding rather unamused.
"It is a pleasure to meet all of you officially," Numina said, bowing her head respectfully.
"I mentioned that your mark needs more power to close the Breach for good," Cassandra said, tactfully moving on to business.
"Which means we must approach the rebel mages for help," Leliana put in.
"And I still disagree," Cullen argued. "The templars could serve just as well."
Cassandra sighed. "We need power, Commander. Enough magic powered into the mark-"
"Might destroy us all," Cullen cut in. "Templars could suppress the Breach, weaken it so-"
"Pure speculation," Leliana interrupted.
"I was a templar," Cullen sighed, annoyed. "I know what they are capable of."
"Unfortunately neither group will even speak to us," Josephine finished.
Creators watch over us...They are bickering like children. Were we back at my clan, the Keeper would have had them tied up to the same tree until they finally got along. Numina could feel a headache coming on. This Inquisition is going to need all the help it can get if the advisors can't even have a similar opinion.
"The Chantry has denounced the Inquisition- and you specifically," Josephine added, pointing at Numina with the quill she had.
"Well, that didn't take long," Numina remarked.
"Shouldn't they be arguing over who's going to become Divine?" Cullen asked, his voice sounding a little bitter.
Josephine ignored him. "Some are calling you- a Dalish elf -the 'Herald of Andraste' and that frightens the Chantry," she explained. "The remaining clerics have declared it blasphemy, and we heretics for harboring you." Oh, how I've missed that word, Numina thought cynically. At least it won't take me by surprise when I am called a heretic.
"Chancellor Roderick's doing no doubt," Cassandra said, spitting his name as if she were swearing.
"It limits our options," Josephine continued. "Approaching the mages or templars for help is currently out of the question."
Numina shook her head as silence covered the war room. "Just how am I the Herald of Andraste, anyway?"
"People saw what you did at the Temple, how you stopped the Breach from growing," Cassandra explained. "They have also heard about the woman seen in the rift when we found you. They believe that was Andraste."
"Even if we tried to stop that view from spreading..." Leliana added.
"Which we have not."
"The point is, everyone is talking about you."
"It's quite the title, isn't it?" Cullen remarked. "How do you feel about that?"
"Frankly? It's a little unnerving," Numina answered.
"I'm sure the Chantry would agree with you," he chuckled.
"People are desperate for a sign of hope," Leliana said. "For some, you are that sign."
"And to others, a symbol of everything that has gone wrong," Josephine added.
Again, Numina shook her head in disapproval. "They aren't more concerned about the Breach? The real threat?"
"They do know it's a threat," Cullen supplied. "They just don't think we can stop it."
"The Chantry is telling everyone you'll make it worse," Josephine finished.
"So, what I've gathered so far," Numina started, finally allowing herself to be brutally honest with them, "is that none of you can agree on who to go to for help, which currently doesn't matter because we cannot approach either due to the Chantry because the rumor that I am the Herald of Andraste has not been stifled but rather encouraged." Numina took a breath. "Which if I'm not mistaken leaves us no closer to moving forward in an another attempt to close the Breach." There...what took many minutes of conversation perfectly summed up with no bullshit in the way.
"Yes," Cassandra agreed, clearly feeling that the advisors were somewhat worthless at the moment. "You are exactly right."
Leliana and Cullen shuffled nervously at the slight accusation Numina had made towards them. Josephine looked calm, no doubt from many years of experience with arrogant nobles.
"Actually, there is something you can do," Leliana finally said. "A Chantry cleric by the name of Mother Giselle has asked to speak to you. She is not far, and knows those involved far better than I. Her assistance could be invaluable."
You should have lead with that in the beginning... "I'll see what she has to say."
"My agents have already made contact with her," Leliana continued. "You can find her tending to the wounded in the Hinterlands, at the Crossroads near Redcliffe."
"While you're there, you should look for other opportunities to expand the Inquisition's influence," Cullen suggested.
"We need agents to extend our reach beyond this valley, and you're better suited than anyone to recruit them," Josephine agreed.
"Very well," Cassandra said, then turned to Numina. "I will start gathering and readying supplies for the journey. You should inform Varric and Solas that we are traveling to the Hinterlands. We will leave tomorrow at dawn."
~~.O.~~
They set up camp just before the sun was to disappear below the horizon, leaving them plenty of time to prepare for the night. Their horse was unloaded and tied to nearby tree. Makeshift tents were pitched, and Numina started a fire. Cassandra announced that she would go and gather some firewood, leaving her shield and the bulk of her armor behind, but bringing her sword with her as a precaution. Solas was rummaging through their supplies, picking out what they would make for supper this night. They had covered a great amount of distance that day, making it to the forest just outside of the Hinterlands. All of them were weary though, having kept up a brisk pace.
As soon as Cassandra had disappeared into the forest's shadows cast in the dying light, Varric turned to Numina, "Now that Cassandra's out of earshot, how are you holding up?" he asked with honest kindness in his voice. "I mean you went from being the most wanted criminal in Thedas to joining the armies of the faithful. Most people would have spread that over more than one day." Solas had turned so that he could hear the conversation but made it look like he was busy.
Numina thought about this. No one had really asked after her or about how she was doing. They just assume that I'm doing perfectly fine because that's how I act. She sat cross-legged on the ground in front of the fire. "Honestly? I'm just thankful that I'm still alive," she said with a dry humored smile.
"I'm surprised you managed to survive Cassandra," he said, drawing light laughter from Numina. "You don't know how lucky you were to be out cold for most of her...frothing rage." When she stopped chuckling, Varric continued. "Ah, but you can't blame her or any of us, for that matter. For days we had been staring up at the Breach, watching demons and Maker-knows-what fall from the sky. 'Bad for morale' would have been an understatement." He shook his head. "I still can't believe anyone was in there and survived that."
"As bad as it was, why did you stay?"
"I'd like to believe that I'm as selfish as the next guy, but this..." His face turned grim. "Thousands of people died on that mountain. I was almost one of them. And now there's a hole in the sky. Even I can't leave and just let it sort itself out."
"I still can't believe that any of this is really happening," Numina admitted.
"If this is all just the Maker winding us up, I hope there's a damn good punch line coming." Varric settled himself down beside Numina. "You might want to consider running at the first opportunity," he advised. "I've written enough tragedies to recognize where this is going. Heroes are everywhere. I've seen that. But a whole in the sky?" That's beyond heroes. We're going to need a miracle."
"If I were a hero like in one of your stories," Numina asked in a silky voice, "would I take your advice?"
"No," Varric chuckle dryly. "But you idiots really should."
Numina smiled, watching the fire dance in quick patterns, never repeating the same move twice. "I don't think the real heroes are the ones that carry the titles," she finally said, voicing a thought that had been with her for a while. "The real heroes are the ones who stand by their side and continue to do so long after." She turned to Varric. "Like you, Varric. You stood by the Champion's side all those years, and now you are fighting along the Inquisition."
Varric laughed. "You are too kind. But I am no hero."
She smiled playfully. "Isn't that exactly what a hero would say?"
"You have to admit she does have a point, Varric," Solas said, finally joining the conversation. "Most heroes are only as strong as the companions they've turned into friends, and that is because they carry some of the weight required of a hero as well." Solas' eyes met Numina's, and he gave her a small smile.
"Fine," Varric grumbled."Call me a hero if you'd like, just don't give me some ridiculous title like..."
"The Herald of Andraste?" Numina supplied with a wolfish grin. That got a few laughs from Varric and Solas, as the both agreed with her.
Cassandra finally returned with more firewood. Supper was prepared, and the four of them made some small talk while they ate, but it was just something to fill the silence. Afterwards, they chose the order in which they would take watch. Varric took the first one, saying that he had to clean Bianca anway. Numina picked the last shift. She was usually up much earlier than the sun and didn't mind getting up a few hours earlier than that.
Numina retreated into her little tent, resting her head on some balled up cloth for a pillow. Her eyes suddenly felt heavy and her muscles relaxed, adding to her weariness. She fell asleep easily with the sounds of the wilderness and the crackling fire lulling her into dreams.
~~.O.~~
Solas' dream had been very uninteresting. Nothing of any kind of import had happened in this forest, so there were not any memories to be found in the Fade. As he rose he heard a soft melody coming from outside his tent. It was beautiful, sounding as pleasant to the ears as sugary candy tasted and just as sweet. He exited the tent, looking for its source.
Numina was seated on a nearby rock a few paces away from the camp, bow in hand as she cleaned the dirt and grime off of it with a rag. She was singing a wordless tune, the notes dancing through the trees and the leaves.
The others were still asleep, it being still rather early. The sun had yet to rise, though the sky was a deep purple as some of the sun's ray snuck up the back of the sky. The moon and stars were still out, but slowly fading.
"Beautiful," Solas breathed. Numina jumped to her feet, startled to hear someone else at such an early hour. "I apologize for startling you. I had wanted...I was merely complimenting your singing," he stammered. "I have never heard that tune before."
Numina visibly relaxed and smiled, sitting once more on the stone. "The song is my own. I'm sorry if I woke you."
"You didn't," Solas reassured her, silently cursing himself for making this conversation more awkward and difficult than it needed to be. Silence took over, as Numina stared awkwardly at her hands and Solas looked off to the side. Finally Solas spoke a question, or rather a desire, of his. "Would you mind...continuing...with the words if there are any."
Numina's cheeks turned rosy pink with embarrassment. "The words are a bit more depressing than the melody might imply," she stammered, trying to dissuade him. But he was not. He looked at her earnestly, his eyes soft and almost as if they were saying I do not mind. Numina nodded slightly, giving her answer and looked at her hands. She had never really sung for anyone before. Certainly not in front of someone she hardly knew. He only asked you to sing. Don't act like such a fool. Numina picked up the bow in her hands and began cleaning it, drawing her mind off of her audience. She hummed softly at first, the intro to the song before she sang the words, a beautiful melody few could mimic:
Crimson lights, the sky
The bird's still asleep
Like a dream, it shines
From heavens safe keep
Childrens songs, we sung
As soft as the breeze
Endless fields, our home
I long for those days
I call out these prayers to the sky
Heavy with thought
See your face
I carry these memories inside
Thoughts of a soul colored by love
See me grow wings and fly high
Passions will die, down below
I burn in a basin of fire
Watchers look on, as they dance in their merciless sky
Watching me, watching you
Silent black, the dawn
And time tells its tale
Darkened blood, it flows
The forest receives
Look within, the dark
As deep as you dare
There inside, you find
Destruction you seek
I call out these prayers to the sky
Heavy with thought
See your face
I carry these memories inside
Thoughts of a soul colored by love
See me grow wings and fly high
Passions will die, down below
I burn in a basin of fire
Watchers look on, as they dance in their merciless sky
Watching me, watching you, watching me
Numina finished the song, bowing her head once more as embarrassment flooded her. During her song, Solas had closed his eyes, hoping to commit the words and the melody to memory. Opening his eyes, he could see how flustered she was. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he said apologetically. "I simply..." he trailed off abandoning that sentence and picking up another. "Thank you for sharing it with me. Do you have a title for it?"
"Um... No," she answered. "I haven't really thought of giving it one. But we should- we should start packing up others will be waking up soon." With that, Numina rose to her feet in a rush, moving over to her tent and began deconstructing it and packing the rest of her gear.
It wasn't too long after that, that both Cassandra and Varric rose. They finished packing up camp, loading their things onto their horse, before having a small breakfast of bread and dried meat. The group then struck out to the east, hoping that today they would finally make it to Leliana's scouts' camp outside of the Crossroads.
The trees were dense in this part of the forest, casting the floor in a near solid shadow. Numina felt at home here. Birds fluttered from branch to branch, singing their myriad of songs to one another. For a long time, the sounds of the forest, along with the horse's hooves, was all you could hear. The group kept up a good pace and they hadn't run across any bandits or warring Templars or Mages.
It was a serene and tranquil place. The light filtering almost romantically through the leaves. The soft and spongy grass slightly giving way underfoot. The smell of pine and wildflowers lingering and wafting through the air on gentle breezes. Despite what she would say negatively about the Dalish, Numina would not wish to be anything else. It was because of growing up in her clan that she felt a strong connection with nature. She felt more relaxed and safe amongst the trees than she ever could in the most impenetrable fortress. Numina knew the rhythms of the forest and how to flourish beneath the leafy canopy, or the windswept plains, or the snowy mountain peaks. No. She would not trade her experience or heritage as a Dalish elf for anything in the world.
Presently, she began humming her soft tune once more. It drew a small smile from Solas, as well as from Cassandra and Varric. While it was peaceful, the light melody made the journey more pleasant. It lifted the worry from their hearts and drew their minds from the troubling matters that loomed so far above them. Ominously. Hanging in the sky.
~~.O.~~
Author's Note:
The Song that I have Numina singing is called Growing Wings from Drakengard 2. Here's a link if you wish to listen to it: Drakengard 2 Music - Growing Wings: /HCN3J3EnzVM
I thought it was a rather beautiful song and it just seemed perfect in and out of context, honestly.
Also,I apologize strongly for the overabundance of dialogue in this chapter. Unfortunately I find it at least somewhat necessary for the plot to make sense.
Next chapter will hopefully have less talking and more fighting scenes and more fluffy nonsense stuff that I just squeal over. ;)
Thank you for reading and feel free to let me know if there is some kind of error in the story that needs to be fixed.