The grating of the crystalline rift reached a crescendo as the beam from Dane's hand blazed. He ground his teeth together, feeling sweat bead and stick to his forehead. 'Come on, close already!' he exclaimed angrily. Just as he thought the burning in his hand would make his entire body combust into emerald fire, the rift collapsed in on itself. It vanished with nary a puff of smoke to suggest it had been there in the first place. Dane doubled over in exhaustion, sucking the soupy air into his lungs like a drowning man.
"Fascinating."
The man that had spoken strolled towards where the rift had been, gazing around in wonder at its disappearance. His skin was darker than the pale spectrum most Fereldan men's bodies fell into. He was clad in unusual silken robes embellished with black serpents.
"How does that work, exactly?" The man said curiously.
"Buggered if I know." Dane muttered in spite of himself, struggling to ignore the mark's attempt to melt his hand. The man let out a peal of rich laughter that echoed in the Redcliffe chantry's walls. He walked closer, examining each of his new visitors. His eyes were a decadent amber colour, framed with impossibly long black lashes.
"I suppose introductions should be made. I am Dorian, of House Pavus. How do you do?" He spoke haughtily, but with a particular colour to his voice that seemed honest. Dane sent a sideways look to his companions. Sera was watching Dorian with her blue orbs narrowed. He suspected she was thinking something along the lines of 'friggin' nobles.' Dane paused for a second. 'Probably a few more curses in between 'friggin'' and 'nobles'. Solas wasn't involved in the conversation at all. He was crouched between the remains of a wooden pew that had been shattered in the fighting - seemingly examining something of interest. Cassandra still had her sword and shield drawn, watching the man with even more animosity than Sera. Dane turned over his words carefully before replying.
"We were here to collect mages to help seal the breach. A magister named Alexius declined us that particular honour. Do you know anything about that?"
"Certainly. Alexius was a mentor of mine, and the reason I'm here. It seems he has become.. involved in a cult." Dorian said, a hint of unease tainting his words.
"A cult? What sort of cult?" Cassandra asked harshly. 'Does it matter what type? I've never heard of there being a good sort of cult' Dane thought bitterly.
"I do believe they call themselves 'Venatori'. Tevinter supremacists; bent on restoring the Imperium to the glory of old."
Dane brought his hand to his face, rubbing his jaw in frustration. 'Right. Of course. So we have holes in the sky, demons, and now a band of crazy extremists'.
"A man in our meeting with Alexius left the instruction for us to come here. Do you know who he is? Or why?" Dane asked warily. The frown loosened from Dorian's face, shifting into a dazed sort of smile as he replied.
"Felix. Alexius' son. He is helping me stop his father, before he does something truly stupid."
"Why would his own son stop him? How can we be sure you're telling the truth?"
Dorian's smile evaporated at Dane's suspicious accusation. He crossed his arms and shifted his weight to one foot.
"I said he was a mentor of mine. As in past tense. Would I have helped you close that blasted rift if I just wanted to kill you?" His question came sharply off his tongue, biting at Dane's thoughts.
"I suppose not."
Cassandra rounded on Dane at his meek admission, an incredulous expression plastered all over her face. He closed his eyes and breathed in heavily. 'Why isn't she the leader of this entire thing? I don't know what in Andraste's name I'm doing'.
"You will come with us, Tevinter. I do not trust you, or your information." Cassandra snapped at Dorian. The mage didn't reply straight away, instead raising a hand to his mouth and smoothing his well-manicured moustache. After a moment a smirk pulled at his lips and he folded at the waist, giving the Seeker a deep bow.
"In that case, lead the way."
The tavern was packed to the brim. Drunken patrons were laughing and crashing into every available surface, spilling ale and smiles as they went. The chairs that had hosted the tense meeting between the magister and the Inquisition earlier that afternoon were now groaning under the weight of red faced men with serving girls perched on their laps. Sera pushed past Dane, a massive grin of delight adorning her face.
"Now this is more like it, yeah!" Before any of the others could comment, she had grabbed the hand of a passing village girl and entered the raucous fray of dancing and drinking. Dane grimaced, feeling his headache worsen with the days stresses echoing in his mind. He approached the counter, having to squeeze past a burly man snoring heavily on the wood. A pretty raven haired elven woman sidled up opposite him, rubbing a damp cloth against the rim of a mug carved from some unlucky stag's antlers.
"How can I help you fine gentlemen this evening?" She said with a charming smile. Dane looked over his shoulder at Cassandra. 'She certainly isn't a gentleman' he thought to himself. Her mouth was twisted in a look of disdain and her arms were folded over the all-seeing eye painted on her chestplate. She looked immensely out of place - all glares and huffs of disapproval. He doubted she was the type to patronize many taverns.
"We'd like to rent rooms, barkeep." Dane reached into his pocket, retrieving the modest pouch of coin there. He frowned as the barmaid's eyebrows flew up the porcelain skin of her forehead.
"You're the Herald!" She exclaimed breathily. Dane glanced to his hand extended over the counter. The mark was casting a steady emerald glow over his skin and reflecting off the glossy wood. He sighed and dropped his arm with a thud.
"Yes, but please don't announce it. I'm just a traveller looking for some rooms to rent." He leaned over the bench and whispered almost pleadingly in return.
The elven woman looked back up at his face, her silver eyes still wide. Dane's skin was pale and coated in a thin sheen of sweat. He breathed a sigh of relief when she relaxed once more. She resumed polishing the mug and let the toothy grin spark back to her face.
"Of course, traveller. The only problem is that most of our rooms are full. Many refugees have poured into the city, thanks to.. The Herald." She said with a warm gaze. Dane felt a small smile pull at his mouth from her kindness.
"We'll take whatever you've got."
Dane huffed his way up the stairs, feeling his legs grow more leaden and his eyelids droop a little lower with each step. He fidgeted with the copper keys the barmaid had given him. 'Only two rooms.' He swallowed nervously, 'I can't decide if I want to share a room with Cassandra or not.' His thoughts wandered, wondering how she slept. 'If she sleeps at all', he mused. He heard the others troop up the stairs behind him as they all arrived at the wooden corridor.
"The Herald and I will take that room." Cassandra announced, pointing to the door at the closest end to the stairs winding back toward the noisy bar. Dane blinked in surprise, feeling a warmth creep up his neck. 'Well, I guess I'll soon find out.' She turned to face Solas and Dorian. "Solas, if you could keep an eye on the Tevinter."
"Only the one?" Dorian quipped. Dane had to bite back a smirk at the man's razor sharp wit.
Solas nodded politely at Cassandra's request and padded down the hall to the other room without a word. Dorian remained a moment longer, examining the pair with his curious gaze.
"Well, goodnight chaps. Don't stay up too late."
Dane felt his face burn, desperately hoping a blush hadn't lit him up like a ripe apple. Dorian sauntered away, a low rumble of his laughter echoing in the hall. Cassandra scowled at the man's retreating form and sniffed in annoyance. She took the key from Dane's limp hand, unlocking the door to their room with little fuss. He resisted the urge to fan himself like a kept lady and stepped into the modest chamber after her, closing and locking the door behind him. It was simply furnished; a bed, a set of drawers and a window facing out into the darkened village below. 'Wait, only one bed?' Dane nearly croaked aloud in surprise. 'I swear I'm trapped in one of Varric's awful novels'. He felt the familiar bundle of nerves manifest in his throat as Cassandra began undoing the various belts keeping her shield and sword strapped to her body. 'Don't picture her getting undressed, don't picture her getting undressed..' he chanted internally, scrambling to avert his eyes and distract his mind.
"What about Sera?" He squeaked suddenly, immediately screwing his eyes shut in embarrassment at the crack in his voice. Cassandra snorted derisively; whether it was at his voice breaking like a young lad's or the mention of Sera; he couldn't be sure.
"If she does sleep, I imagine it will be face down somewhere in the tavern with an ale in her hand, Herald."
"Why do you not call me by my name?" Dane blurted abruptly. He watched her as she crossed the room to lay her sheath on the floor beside the bed without answering.
"Because you can call me Dane, you know. I won't be insulted at you not using my formal title." He continued quickly, hoping his joke didn't sound as strained as his nerves were. Cassandra straightened, turning to him with a single of her dark eyebrows raised. Dane swallowed, hoping he hadn't offended her in some way.
"It is a matter of respect, Herald. Although I suppose I could switch titles for you if you like," She hummed as she thought. "Let's see.. does Lord Trevelyan suit? Perhaps I could revert to 'Prisoner', although that is not strictly true any longer."
Dane gaped at her, 'Is she.. is that a joke I detect coming out of Seeker Pentaghast, Right Hand of The Divine's mouth?'. She watched him with an amused expression. The fine lines around her eyes crinkled slightly and the corners of her mouth were upturned.
"Forget I asked." He mumbled sarcastically, turning his back to her and removing his bedroll from his shoulders. He felt a grin spread across his face; so wide it pulled on his cheeks.
[A.N] How do all you lovely readers feel about the characters? Are they keeping true to their canon? Feel free to flick me a PM or review on your thoughts. Thank you all for reading, reviewing, favouriting and following. It truly makes my day. [/A.N]