Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Dragon Age Series
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No Title 5
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4th Week
"I've arranged the payment with the Iron Bull and his Chargers. They are a bit costly."
"But they are worth it. Already we find that there are Tevinter cultists called the Venatori that are after the Herald. Dead or alive."
"This is quite frustrating. I wish the soldiers would stop obeying the Herald's orders, but they can't when it comes to helping people who are in danger."
Cassandra let out a disgruntled noise. "Let's not talk about him. He gives me headaches."
Cullen only nodded, knowing so sympathetically; however, he can't deny that he respected this Herald, and that he was starting to… have faith in him. Whenever a report mentioned him, the Herald was always doing something good, and even the smallest of tasks, such as cleaning up a grave for someone and leaving flowers there. Another selfless task was getting a ring back for a widow that had recently lost her ordinary husband to rogue Templars.
Josephine nodded, "Agreed. For now, we must focus on getting the Rebel Mages. After all, Former Enchanter Fiona offered first."
"Templars can do just as much to suppress the Breach, weaken it so the Herald can close it, and it's much safer for everybody," Cullen reasoned with them, well tried to.
"While I would like to go to the Templars Cullen, we have to close this Breach fast and I've no patience with them at the moment," Cassandra said. She felt a little humiliated at Val Royeaux, being called a hound dog of the Herald, but the Chantry got the worst of it.
"That settles it then. Cassandra, I need to talk to you." Leliana said, dismissing the meeting so abruptly, as she left the room first and the Seeker followed after.
"What about?"
"Not here."
Cassandra glanced to see the Chantry Sisters and Lady Vivienne, the Grand Enchanter. They continued to walk until they made it to the Sister's tent.
"What is this about, Leliana?"
Leliana sighed as she went over her table, looking over the reports. "I wanted to you to go and see this Warden Blackwall. I fear the Wardens are disappearing, and I can't help but think it is connected to all this…"
"You're really bothered by it. If you want me to, then I shall go and see this Blackwall––"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about… He turned up missing too," Leliana explained to her. "He wasn't in the area anymore by the next day. All this… and everything… and then there's the Herald… this man is a puzzle."
Cassandra sighed again. This man was an endless amount of trouble. It's already been the fourth week, and of course, they heard there were no more rifts in the Hinterlands, but still! Couldn't he show himself?
Another thing to worry about was her faith. She was starting to believe in it more that the Maker had sent the Herald to them–––Providence. How else can they explain this? The man is everywhere making one miracle after the next, helping all the common people.
He had to be sent by the Maker.
"Cassandra?" Leliana called out as she turned to her friend. "Do you believe in him? The Herald?"
"I… I do… but I still have doubts."
The Sister nodded. "As do I…"
"Sister Leliana!" A scout called out her urgently as he ran over to her, holding a letter. "It's from the Herald!"
Both the women's eyes widened, hearing this and quickly Leliana grabbed it to read. Cassandra couldn't help but to stand next to her and read it as well.
The Spymaster still read it aloud, "The Rebel Mages in Redcliffe are… under attack? Send Cassandra to help Fiona and recruit the Mages as Allies. Beware of the Venatori."
No doubts. Not right now.
They looked at each other before Cassandra was off and Leliana went to grab her bow and summoned her scouts.
The Iron Bull was there with Varric standing next to him.
"Something going on, Seeker?" Varric asked.
Cassandra nodded. "We need to go. Now. To Redcliffe."
"Looks like I'll be needed," Bull said, grinning as he lifted his Edge. "Maybe we can finally meet this Herald?"
"Perhaps."
Varric chuckled. "Doubt it, but I suppose, we'll just see."
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"Do you… recall anything, Warden Blackwall?"
"Not much… I think we were fighting demons and… mages?"
"Ohh! Yes! We were… fighting demons in the Chantry of Redcliffe, and then the Venatori came––"
"We were attacked! Then the rift exploded!" The pieces of the puzzle were coming together now to put their memories back together.
Dorian remembered how he found a note from Felix in the place where they would usually meat to plan. Felix had said that he had met the Herald and said that the Herald would want to meet him tonight in the Chantry. When night came however things didn't go as planned as the demons started acting up and the Venatori even came charging in. He and Blackwall were outnumbered but then they recalled the rift blasting out of nowhere.
But that was it. Nothing else.
The female elf cut in, "Rift? You mean one of those holes that shit out demons?"
Dorian raised a brow at the quirky female elf. "Well, I wouldn't phrase it that way, but yes. Holes that shit out demons."
"So let me get this straight! A Grey warden and a Tevinter mage were skippin' 'bout to Redcliffe Chantry to play around with a hole that shits out demons and then got beat up by Ven–ass–sorries?"
"Venatori." Dorian corrected her. "We were going to meet the Herald."
Blackwall added, "Also it's less skipping, and more fighting."
"Whatever!"
"SO… Why are you here? Who are you by the way?" Dorian asked, getting to the point.
"Oh! I'm Sera of the Red Jenny, and I don't know how the fuck I got here––and where the fuck are my bow and arrows?! AARRGH!" The two men flinched away from the sudden bipolar anger. The Elven woman got up and started cussing and stomping about, looking for the said weapons that were missing.
Heck, Dorian's staff and Blackwall's sword and shield were also missing.
They didn't know how nor could they remember too much, but they were in a room similar to a barracks. A bunch of double deck beds for soldiers to sleep in and a door that was probably locked.
Probably.
"So Sera, how did you get here?" Dorian asked.
"How should I know?! All I remember was taking down this prissy noble and it was a bloody friggin' mage! Then poof! Nothin'!" She said, frustrated just as much from the memory loss.
"In any case, we need to get out of here." Blackwall pointed out, getting up. He always get straight to the point of things.
The Elven rogue crossed her arms. "I don't got any lock picks with me."
Dorian got up and he went over to the door. He can just blast it with fire, but then he thought about it. He walked up to the metal door and he turned the knob…
Click. The door slowly opened wide and the Altus pushed it.
Ah. So the door was unlocked the whole time.
Dorian looked back to see the jaws of his company drop, flabbergasted. Sera looked more annoyed than ever.
"Argh! Let's go already!" she shouted as she stormed out of the room first. Dorian and Blackwall quickly followed, exploring the strange hallway that reminded them of ancient elven ruins.
"Fascinating! What is this place? It doesn't look decrepit or old," Dorian noted, looking around in awe.
Sera scoffed. "Who cares!? We need to get our weapons! There might be demons or somethin'!"
"She's right. We've no weapons and we're in a disadvantage on who brought us here." Blackwall couldn't agree more. He would feel a little better having a sword and a shield.
They heard a door opening with a creak, and they fall silent. They snuck over at the end of the hallway that was going around a corner. Sera peaked her head out first and then Dorian…
Dorian saw who it was.
"Felix?" The Altus called out, coming out from around the corner.
Felix turned around, surprised by the voice. "Dorian!?"
"What…How are you here?" His friend asked as he saw what happened to Alexius' son. Felix was carrying around two trays, one tray had snacks like cookies and pastries while the other tray had tea. "And who are you playing servant for?"
Felix rolled his eyes at that one. "I'm not playing servant! I'm just helping since everyone's frustrated––but Dorian! You're here! And you brought company! Did the Herald bring you here?"
Dorian smiled; there was something different about his friend. He was more… cheerful. "I was hoping you would know. The three of us really don't recall anything… and did you say the Herald brought us here? He owns the place? You know him?"
Felix laughed giddily.
"Know him? Dorian! He cured the blight in me! I'm taint free! I'm not doing to die!"
Shock stilled them. What? Did they hear that right?
"Maker…" Blackwall gasped, but Dorian was so happy for his friend.
"Really..? Felix, are you sure?" He asked, going up to him quickly, being careful of the trays. He looked over him.
The Tevinter Saint chuckled. "Yes! I don't feel it anymore, and I've been feeling great!"
A laugh escaped Dorian's lips. He couldn't explain how happy he really is for seeing Felix alright and cure for the blight. "W–where's your father? Where's Alexius?" The Altus asked.
"Working. We are helping the Herald now on his mission!" Felix said, grinning.
His mission?
"Hey! That's great and all, but where is he?" Sera interrupted, still miffed. "He took my bow and arrows, and I want them back and out of this joint! This place is weird! Just. WEIRD."
Felix nodded. "I couldn't agree with you more since only the Herald can leave here willingly–––and well, the Architect too, but Damien always checks on us every few hours or so. He drops off supplies, and he replenishes here. I healed him a couple of times before."
Damien? So that's the name of the Herald. Felix talks of him as if he and the Herald are buddies. Well… Felix could be friends with almost anyone. He was one of those individuals you couldn't help but be friends with.
"You know healing magic?" Dorian asked amusingly.
Felix smiled. "I started to practice, and while I did, he coaxed me through. Said he was a healer first."
"So he really is a Herald sent by Andraste," Blackwall was still gawking a bit. He was in awe, but he was also now afraid of the Herald. Does this Herald know of his sins? Is that why he took him here? Why did the Herald bring him here?
Felix interrupted his thoughts. "Oh! Try not to call him Herald too much. He dislikes the title. Says there's no such thing as Gods. No such thing as Heralds sent by Gods."
Dorian mused. "The Herald of Andraste doesn't believe in the Maker?"
How ironic.
"I don't know. He makes it…confusing. Any who, I need to get back to the research room. You can come with me if you wish, maybe Damien is already there," Felix said and he started walking but he stopped and he turned around realizing. "OH! And… whoever you see there… Do NOT Panic… okay?"
The three paused, looking at the Tevinter strangely.
"Why should there be a cause to panic?" Dorian had to ask.
"Just… please do not panic." And that was it.
So they followed Felix up the stairs and into a grandiose dome–like lobby hall with lights twinkling up in the ceiling, resembling stars. The place was amazing. It was dim, but not too dark that it would cause people to trip in the darkness. Felix took a left, and they kept walking until they stop before a double set of doors.
"Do you mind..?" Felix asked.
"Certainly not," Dorian went first opening the door wide for him and Alexius' Altus walked right in.
"I brought snacks! And we have visitors!" Felix said as he hurried over to a large table, and all the three were thinking was how they should panic.
Because, they felt like panicking right now.
Because, see, in the room, there was not only Alexius, but a tall looking monster standing next to him, messing around with potions and lyrium shards of red and blue encased in a very thick glass–box with enchantments.
"Dorian!" Alexius called out, surprised. Though he did know now that his son Felix had recruited Dorian to help him stop his father… but since there was no longer that trouble, why was Dorian here?
Dorian then pointed, "Alexius! You have an abnormally large darkspawn–looking company that is standing right next to you!"
"KILL IT!" Sera shouted then she turned to Dorian. "You're a mage, ain't you!? I can sense your magic!"
Blackwall's eyes looked everywhere, trying to look for a weapon, but he doubted chairs, tables, and books could count as weapons, nor would it hurt that beast.
Then there were footsteps behind them, though they were panicking too much to notice.
"What are you three doing?" A deep yet mellow voice spoke out in the confusion.
Dorian whirled around to see and he saw a very handsome man, standing there and wearing dragon scale armor: colors of red, white, gold, and black. What a scheme… yet it fit him. Could this be the herald? He was more good–looking than he thought he was. Though why was he carrying a finely made staff and a crafted bow.
However, Dorian's awe was ruined when there was an actual looking darkspawn right behind him, carrying a sword a shield.
The three backed up now cautious. What was happening here?
"…Speechless?" Damien teased them a bit, but the Altus couldn't help but feel that that was directed to him, and his cheeks flushed of embarrassment. Was he staring too much?
"You… you must be the Herald, I presume..?" Dorian asked hesitantly.
"Your presumption is correct. I brought you three here when it looked like things were getting out of hand," He explained to them as he stepped up to them, handing Dorian the three–dragon headed staff and then giving the spiked–long bow to Sera.
Sera immediately grabbed it and examined it. She didn't dislike it, and it did feel better than her other bow.
"Wrex?" Damien called out.
The Darkspawn sneered a bit. "They won't try to hurt the Architect, would they?"
Again, the three were gaping. Darkspawn can speak!?
"I won't let them. Now come on," The Herald gestured again and the Darkspawn reluctantly gave the sword and shield.
Damien then handed them to Blackwall, and Blackwall pursed his lips. They were definitely amazingly crafted Grey Warden sword and shield, each with a griffon inscribed on to it. So did he know? He'll have to ask later.
"Hold on!" Sera suddenly said. "Okay! Explain! Because Darkspawn are usually baddies! And they don't friggin' talk so this is weird and––"
He interrupted her.
"To sum it up, Sera. I'm trying to cure the blight, turn all Darkspawns into mortals again, close the Breach, and defeat the Elder One," Damien explained concisely of his current goals, and their jaws were hanging again. Oh Maker… But he couldn't help to feel happy to see them again. Especially Dorian… Gods, did he look divine.
His lover… How he wanted to hold him again, but Damien will have to wait for that…for now…
"Look. I know I have a lot to explain about but we don't have time," The Herald said, using a serious tone now. "You've offered your magnificent services, Master Pavus, on paper, and I like to take it. I would also ask for your aid, Grey Warden Blackwall… and you helped the Inquisition, Sera of the Red Jenny. I will need your arrows to shoot enemies dead."
Damien paused for a moment. "…I need your help. The Inquisition is right now helping the mages, so we must get to the Templars."
"Wait… The Templars? What about them?" Dorian asked.
"…They are also under attack. We must go. Now."
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Notes: Yes, it is a bit rushed, but I had to get it out now before I forget. I'll be gone for several days so happy weekend!
I promise I'll do more DorianxInquisitor fluff later. Count on it!