The castle was every bit as imposing inside as it was from the outer. The massive walls of stone were lit by flickering candlelight and adorned with flowing tapestries. Each one depicted some variation of fearsome black dragons and ancient magisters.
'I bet those are a recent addition' Dane thought, eyeing the décor.
He and his companions continued the path along the rich maroon carpet of the entrance hall. He was flanked by Iron Bull and Cassandra, both of them quietly absorbing their surroundings as he did himself. The new sceptre he wielded was strapped to his back, a comforting presence when he spotted the masked guards and what looked to be a page-boy approaching the trio.
"Lord Trevelyan," The fair haired page-boy greeted, bowing deeply. "Magister Alexius is expecting you. But only you." The boy looked pointedly at Cassandra, seemingly avoiding making eye contact with Iron Bull at all costs. Dane would have chuckled at the reaction if the situation were not so serious.
"They go where I go. If Alexius wishes to speak to me, he will have to speak to my companions also."
Dane crossed his arms as he spoke, almost willing him to argue and face Cassandra's infamous glare. A moment passed as the boy hesitated, looking to the guards beside him. They were unmoving; silent and secretive watchers. 'How do they even breathe in those masks?' Dane wondered absently, studying the jutting metal that covered the entirety of their faces.
"Very well. Follow me."
The three resumed their pace and strode further into the depths of the fortress. Dane noted the guards followed closely behind the group. They were likely waiting for him to turn and look back for an escape route. He let his mouth sink into a hard line and lengthened his stride as they ascended the stairs.
Alexius was sat on the throne of the keep, his legs crossed and hands spread amiably across his lap. The Magister watched with his impenetrable black orbs as Dane and his companions assembled on the landing. The guards branched away to take position among a dozen or so pillars that flanked the throne.
"My Lord Magister, I present to you the agents of the Inquisition." The page-boy announced in a steady voice, bowing so low Dane wondered if his hair had brushed the floor.
Alexius got to his feet slowly, an easy grin spreading along with his arms. "My friends! How good to see you. And your new associate, of course." He said with a hint of curiousity, gesturing towards Iron Bull. "I take it we can come to some agreeable arrangement."
Dane nodded at the Magister and only then noticed the Grand Enchanter step forward.
"Are we mages to have no say in deciding our fate?" Fiona said; her tone thick with indignation. Dane looked from the small elven woman to Alexius's reaction. The Magister clasped his hands in front of him and let his grin settle into a smile that simply reeked of duplicity.
"Fiona, you would not have turned your followers over to me if you did not trust me with their lives."
'Because you simply ooze trust' Dane thought to himself. His eyes narrowed at the Magister's easy-going attitude. He considered inviting Fiona to the talks just to spite the man, but decided it would be best for her to be at some distance when the trap was sprung – lest she get caught in the crossfire.
"In that case, let us negotiate." Dane said, leisurely climbing a few more of the steps to be at a more even height with Alexius. The Tevinter nodded and returned to the throne, sitting as casually as if he had ruled Redcliffe all his life.
"I'm aware the Inquisition needs mages for the Breach, and you are aware that I have them. So, what are you willing to offer in exchange?" Alexius queried.
Dane felt his mouth twist into a look of disgust despite himself. 'Another higher-up claiming us like property.' He pushed thoughts of the Circle and his former life out of his head before he could involuntarily snarl in anger.
"Actually, I was hoping you could tell me about this cult I've been hearing so much about. The Venatori."
Dane was almost satisfied to see a dark look descend from Alexius's brow to his chin. The Magister placed his hands on the armrests of the throne and leaned forward. His cold eyes fixed on Dane's own.
"Now, where could you have heard that name?"
"He knows everything, father." A new voice interrupted. Both men turned to face Felix and Dorian as the two Tevinter men stepped forth from the inky shadows.
"Felix.. What have you done?" Alexius's tone was stern and laced with betrayal as he rose. The younger Tevinter man had a despairing look etched into his features as he climbed the stairs. He stopped before his father, placing a pale hand on his shoulder.
"Please, Father. Let us end this madness and go home."
"I suggest you do as he asks, Alexius." Dorian said quietly. He had come to stand next to Dane, staff in hand. The Magister turned away from the group, seemingly considering his son's pleas.
Dane spied one of the guards fall from the corner of his eye. There was a muffled whimper of pain as an Inquisition scout snapped the man's neck with deadly precision. Dane risked a glance around the room while Alexius's back was turned. Each of the guards that had stood watch were now dead and dragged into the shadows cloaking the corners of the hall.
'Where is Leliana?' He wondered, craning his neck to try and spot the spymaster in the midst of the silent chaos.
Alexius turned back around to face the group with determined steel in his eyes. "No. The Elder one demands this man's life. It's the only way, Felix." He said. Felix shook his head and looked to the ground in defeat, letting his hand drop from his father's shoulder.
"The Elder One?" Cassandra asked, breaking the steady silence she had kept throughout the entire ordeal so far. Alexius ignored her question, keeping his eyes fixed on Dane and stepping closer.
"Coming here, into my stronghold and thinking you're in control? You don't even understand the gift you have been given."
"What gift? You mean the mark?" Dane was unnerved to see a pleased smirk spread over the Magister's features.
"It's beyond your understanding, Herald." Alexius said venomously. "All you need to know is that the Elder One will bring a new beginning for all mages. We will rule from the Boeric Ocean to the Frozen Seas once more."
"Yep, sounds like the usual Tevinter crazy shit." Bull muttered from behind the pair.
"The Elder One will raise the Imperium from its own ashes." Alexius continued, unfazed by Bull's snarky remark. The Magister reached into his pocket, grasping at something unknown.
"Seize them, Venatori! For the Elder One!"
Dane turned around and watched with pride as the rest of the Inquisition scouts stepped forward to replace the fallen Venatori. He glanced back ahead of him. Alexius had retreated toward the fire burning behind the throne, a mixture of shock and anger written on his face.
"Your trap has failed, Alexius. Your men are dead."
The Magister let a growl rip from his lips as he yanked an amulet from his pocket, using his magic to enshroud it in blue vapour.
"You are a mistake. You should never have existed!"
"No!"
Dane barely had time to register the sound of Dorian's panicked shout before his vision exploded in a flash of green light.
Dane gasped in agony, feeling the searing heat of the mark bubble and froth in the clammy water of the cell. 'What in the Maker's name..'. He got to his feet quickly, feeling the slime of the chamber stick to his armour as he rose. He scanned the cell hastily, trying to regain his bearings. The sceptre that had been strapped to his back now lie broken and splintered where he had apparently landed. 'Useless now.' he thought with a sigh.
The barred room was cast in an eerie glow from crystalline masses; the bloodstained colour of red lyrium. Various shackles were embedded in the stone of the wall, some with decaying corpses still attached. He swallowed the sickness that rose in his throat from the cloying stench of death and turned further in a circle.
"Dorian!" He exclaimed, seeing the Tevinter mage unconscious in the water below him. Dane quickly pulled the man to his feet.
"Dorian, it's me, Dane! Wake up!"
He grasped the silken collar of Dorian's robe and tugged, desperately hoping the man wasn't dead. Dorian's eyes fluttered and he soon stood of his own accord, grasping at the strong hands around his neck.
"Yes, yes. I'm alright." He said, rubbing his forehead to try and alleviate the headache that he had suddenly acquired.
He glanced around the room as rapidly as Dane had, his face deepening into a frown. Dane moved to the cell door as Dorian knelt down to examine a patch of greenish light in the shallow water. Dane pulled on the cell bars above the lock, earning a loud rattle but finding no weakness in the metal.
"Where are we?" He asked in frustration, splashing back towards his companion.
"It's not where but when." The mage replied quietly, getting quickly to his feet. "It appears Alexius has moved us through time. To the closest confluence of arcane energy, I suspect."
"Moved us through time? To when? And the others.. Bull and Cassandra, they were right behind us!" Dane blurted in a stream of worry.
"All excellent questions. If we can escape, I may be able to find the amulet that Alexius used to send us here. Provided he, or it, is still in the castle."
Dane nodded at him and returned to the cell door, sweeping his gaze over every facet of the metal bars. Dorian looked around the room, his face paling slightly at the abundance of red lyrium sticking out from the walls and ground.
"We definitely can't stay here. Not unless you fancy going mad." Dorian said, sloshing towards the door and as far away from the crystals as he could get.
"I wasn't planning to." Dane muttered in response.
He slammed his fist against the lock in anger at their entrapment. He jerked his head to his feet, hearing the familiar screech of metal grinding with the impact. He dropped to his knees, paying no heed to the sewer-like liquid soaking his breeches and squelching in his boots. The bars in the murky water had rusted and come free from the hinges in the stone.
Dane let out a gasp of relief when he felt the bars give ever so slightly as he prised at them. He braced his knees against the ground and gritted his teeth, pulling with all his might. The lock clicked and grinded as the metal bars lost their shape from the wrenching. Dorian leant his staff against the nearby wall and joined Dane in wresting the metal free. After a few minutes of their combined effort the bars finally bent far enough for them to slip through.
"Oh, thank the Maker." Dorian huffed, doubled over from exhaustion.
Dane grunted and hurriedly lowered himself to the ground and into the foul water, eager to escape. The corroded bars scratched at his armour as he squeezed through. He moved to the side as Dorian slid his staff forward and followed suit. Dane grabbed his companion's forearm and hefted him up with ease – suddenly finding strength from the stress of the situation.
"We have to find the others. Not to mention Fiona and Leliana. I didn't see her but I doubt Alexius would have just let everyone leave." Dane said with conviction. Dorian didn't argue, merely nodding and gesturing for him to lead the way.
The cells they passed were each more gruesome than the next. Bodies were everywhere in varying states of decay; all with sprouts of red crystals. Some no more than dried bones, others less than a week full of rot. He spotted one cell in particular housing two tiny skeletons huddled together. Rage boiled in Dane's gut at the sight.
'To answer your question Cassandra, no, I don't believe in the Maker. How could he let this happen to his children?' He tore his gaze away from the corpses and attempted to focus his mind as they navigated the maze of Redcliffe's dungeon.
Eventually they came across a landing with a drawbridge raised high. A Venatori guard sat in a chair facing the cells they had just come from, reacting far too late to Dane's fury. He thrust a streak of lightning from his palm the second he spied the cultist, startling even Dorian. It fried the tainted man in his armour instantly. Dane rushed forward and snatched a set of keys off the corpse, still twitching and jerking from the attack. 'If anyone is listening, please let there be someone left to save with these keys'.
The primal presence that waited in the depths of Dane's consciousness had grown louder; feeding off his anger and fear after killing the man. Black smoke began to stir at his fingertips as he raced down a stone staircase three at a time; Dorian right on his heels. He shouldered open a damp wooden door roughly, uncaring what creatures he might attract in the nightmare they traversed. The door revealed another set of cells, each with red lyrium sprouting somewhere inside. And one housing a very familiar face.
"Bull." Dane exclaimed, spying the massive Qunari leaning against the bars of his cell and watching the pair that had burst in. His eye was narrowed and his fists were tight around the bars caging him.
"You're supposed to be dead."
Iron Bull's voice was distorted, almost as if a deeper version of himself was speaking at the same time. His good eye was a deep scarlet colour. Dane swallowed past a lump that had risen in his throat, knowing the lyrium had tainted the massive Qunari like all the bodies he had passed.
"We're not dead, Bull. We need to find Alexius, and kill him. Come with us."
Dane jammed each key on the loop of metal until he found one that fit in the lock, wrenching the door open. Bull straightened and strode out of the tiny cell without hesitation. 'He looks even more intimidating than usual' Dane thought, noticing the tenseness of Bull's body and the anger that rolled off him in waves.
"Some of the others are in the lower cells. But I'll warn you, the screams stopped a few days ago."
Bull stepped past the two mages and out the door, rolling his shoulders as he went. Dane watched him for a moment, feeling his heartbeat rush in his ears at the Qunari's admission. He exchanged a glance with Dorian. The man looked irritatingly calm. Dane had to hold the noise of disgust that lingered on the tip of his tongue, instead pushing past the mage back to the stairs.
The three continued into the bowels of the dungeon. 'More lyrium. Please, don't let it have taken them.' Dane quickened his pace as the deposits of the scarlet crystals became increasingly clustered and thicker with their descent. 'Don't let it have taken her.'
Bull strode past Dane as they neared the final door at the end of the winding stone stairs. He turned sideways and crashed into the wood with his shoulder, causing the door to splinter and crack from its hinges. Dane clenched his fists, trying to prepare himself for what he might face.
The prison was laid out the same way as where they had found Iron Bull. The entire section was bright with the unnatural red of the tainted lyrium and stank of death and filth. Dane's spine was alight with nerves as he looked into the first cell he saw; almost relieved to find no bodies or bones. He examined each one down the line, growing confused at the lack of prisoners or corpses.
"For she who trusts in the Maker, fire is her water.."
Dane froze, screwing his eyes shut. 'You let it take her.' He opened his eyes and tried to suppress the yell threatening to spill out of his mouth. His pace was slow as he approached the final cell.
Cassandra sat on the cold stone ground; barely breathing. Her legs were folded underneath her and hands wrapped around her body as she rocked gently. She didn't react as Dane drew closer. His hands shook fiercely as he tested each metal key in the lock of her cell, almost dropping them on each try. When the door finally swung open with a screech, she looked up. Her eyes were enveloped in the same ruby colour as Bull's. Dane stood rooted at the entrance to her cell, unsure how to approach the Seeker.
"Blessed are they who stand before the corrupt and the wicked, and do not falter," Cassandra continued, her eyes not leaving Dane's face.
He took a hesitant step forward and crouched in front of her, trying to breathe past the feelings that were so tight in his chest he thought his heart might stop.
"Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just."
"Cassandra, it's me. Trevelyan, remember? We've come to rescue you and defeat Alexius." His voice was quiet and earnest. He desperately hoped there was some part of her still listening.
"Can it be? Has Andraste given us another chance?"
Dane let out a shaky breath and reached for her, grasping his fingers around her wrist in relief. His hand fit too easily around her arm. 'They've been starving her.' Dane realised, the fury in his stomach building.
"Yes, we're truly here. Come with us."
Cassandra made no move to be out of his gentle grip, instead leaning forward with an anguished expression.
"Maker forgive me, I failed you. I failed everyone. The end must truly be upon us if the dead return to life."
He opened his mouth to reply, but she silenced him with a pained look.
"After you died.. Alexius's master, the Elder One. He assassinated the Empress. Took over Orlais with a horde of demons. Nothing stopped them. Nothing."
Dane felt the familiar itch of fear claw at his thoughts but pushed it aside, focusing on the broken woman that sat before him.
"I'm so sorry, Cassandra. I should have been here to help you." He looked away from her eyes, guilt marring his features. He felt her shift underneath his grip as she moved to stand.
"You're here now."
The shadowy wolf pounced on the Venatori's throat, silencing the man's scream with a wet gurgle. Dane flung bolts of violet flame from his hands, crackling and arcing through the air before landing on his targets. Dorian was chanting rapidly under his breath next to him in Tevene. Flaming orange glyphs appeared around the chamber with his words, incinerating a few unsuspecting guards that passed through.
Dane turned towards a hulking enemy charging towards him just as he vanquished another Venatori. The man had a wicked looking sword raised high over his head. He glanced around the battle quickly, seeing Iron Bull occupied with three of his own targets and Dorian busy next to him. Dane closed his eyes momentarily, feeling the fog of bloodlust wash over him as he connected with his beast.
A guttural growl sounded as his wolf barreled into the approaching foe, tearing at the soft flesh behind the knee. The man dropped to the ground; incapacitated by the surprise attack. Dane gave a roar of his own and ripped a fallen sword from a nearby corpse, quickly plunging it into the man's neck and ending his life.
The wolf gave a triumphant howl and padded over to Dane, its semi-transparent jaws dripping with coppery blood. Once the final dying screams of Bull's enemies stopped and the heat of battle had faded from his mind he spun on his heel; chest heaving from the exertion. Dorian and Cassandra were staring at him, mouths and eyes agape.
"What is it? Are you injured?" Dane said. He strode towards the pair, worry immediately springing into his thoughts.
"Since when could you fight like that?" Dorian exclaimed, his voice rising slightly.
Dane blinked and looked down at himself. The sword was still held tight in his hand; drenched with gore. His armour was covered in blood and what looked to be chunks of burned flesh. He swallowed heavily, suddenly feeling bile rise in his throat.
He tried to recall the battle they had just waged. All he could remember was intense rage and anger swirling in his head. 'Perhaps I have been around the lyrium too long already.' He thought with more than a shred of unease.
"I.. I don't know." He said slowly, feeling his voice hitch in his throat. "It doesn't matter. We need to find the others and then Alexius."
Dane turned without another word and walked to the door they needed to continue through, trying to calm himself. Bull joined him and smacked the smaller man on the shoulder.
"Asit tal-eb." The Qunari warrior grunted, his familiar grin back.
Dane gave his companion a bewildered glance, waiting for an explanation.
"The way things are meant to be." Bull continued, looking pointedly at the gore on his armour. He gave Dane one last back-breaking clap and pushed open the door – resuming his position at the head of the party.
Dane turned to Cassandra behind him and proffered the sword he had picked up.
"Are you able to fight? I just thought.."
She accepted the gleaming weapon silently. He watched as she tested its weight. 'She looks more at ease with a sword than I do with my own hands.' He thought, a peculiar twinge of humour slipping into his mind. She let it rest at her side and nodded at Dane. He gave her a weak smile.
"You'll do more damage with it then I ever could."
Dane looked to his direwolf pacing patiently around his legs. He felt his smile widen slightly at the form of the creature. It was no longer made of swirling vapour. Tufts of the wolf's fur were clearly defined – still as dark and black as coal, but no longer a barely-there spirit. Dane closed his eyes briefly, drawing the presence in his consciousness closer. He felt the warmth of loyalty and protection emanate from his companion's being.
The beast moved to stand next to the Seeker without hesitation. Dane knew Cassandra would barely have to lift a finger for the coming fights while the bond between man and canine remained.
The group resumed their trek throughout the dungeon, quickly finding the Grand Enchanter at the bottom of the stairs. She was in a cell of her own, and almost entirely encased in red lyrium. Dane felt the rage bubble higher from his stomach, seeping into his expression and his words.
"Fiona."
The woman turned her head slowly. Shock melded with the pained expression on her face.
"You're.. alive? How? I saw you disappear.. into the rift." Her words were halting. It was clearly painful for her to speak.
"Is that red lyrium growing out of your body?" He queried harshly, stepping closer to the bars of her cell.
"The longer you're near it.. eventually you become this. Then they.. mine your corpse for more."
'All those crystals we passed.. That's why there was no bodies in the cells." Dane felt his hands curl into fists of their own accord at the realisation.
"Can you tell us the date? It's very important." Dorian requested gently.
"9:42..Dragon."
"Then we've missed a whole year!" Dorian exclaimed, with what sounded suspiciously like excitement colouring his voice.
"We have to get back." Dane said flatly, his tone leaving no room for argument. 'Not that anyone would' he thought sombrely.
"Please.. stop this from happening." Fiona struggled out, letting her head drop back to its original position.
"You brought this on us, Fiona! You invited the Magister here!" Dane shouted suddenly, making his companions jump in surprise. Some part of his mind whispered tauntingly, 'Are you sure it wasn't really you, Herald? Where were you while they suffered?'.
His wolf growled at Cassandra's side, advancing forward to be beside his master. Dane glared at the Grand Enchanter unerringly, only glancing up when Iron Bull placed his gargantuan hand on his shoulder once more.
"It's too late for blame, boss. We should focus on that Tevinter bastard, not her."
Dane glared back at Fiona once more, but didn't resume the tirade of words sticking in his throat. He hissed in frustration and reached for the loop of keys in his pocket, only to have the elven woman stop him with her words.
"It's too late for me, Herald. We cannot escape this curse," She said sadly. "Your spymaster, Leliana.. she is here.. somewhere in the castle. Find her.." With that, the Grand Enchanter closed her eyes and seemed to fade into unconsciousness.
Dane pressed his forehead into the cold bars of her cell, immediately disappointed with his outburst. 'Keep it together. We are the only ones that can fix this.' He tried to explain to himself, feeling shame creep up his neck.
"Dorian, if we find this amulet.. Can you truly send us back in time?" Dane questioned, turning his gaze to the mage standing in the doorway.
"If I can recreate the spell Alexius used to send us here, then maybe." Dorian answered honestly.
Dane nodded, sucking in a breath and steadying his nerves.
"Very well. Let us find the Magister once and for all."
[A.N] Bit of a long chapter - In Hushed Whispers just has a lot of great content to write about. Thank you all for your kind words, reviews, favourites, follows, and of course sticking with the story! [/A.N]