So I had long since figured out rifts are weird as ell. Everything within a 10metre radius takes on that metallic taste that comes with spell casting, only so much stronger. The air itself looks like it has been torn apart to reveal a bright green underlay. I stared at this one in fascination, it is beautiful in its own way, I thought as it manipulated the atmosphere around it.
This one was different, and is so much more deadly. I watched from atop a rock down at the guys fighting on the ground. The rift still plopped out demons but while Varric had slowed to a snail's pace, even with the machine gun style crossbow Bianca, Bull had apparently taken speed and was smashing his axe around with a terrifying velocity.
I stayed seated as Lilia stuck out her hand and closed the rift. I made my way down from my rock, and then slid the rest of the way down on my ass. The others had apparently gotten very used to my ineptitude and were in a deep discussion about the speed warping rifts.
"The air is a different colour in the slow and fast bits," I commented. Bull gave me an odd look.
"Darling, you have no experience with magic at all," Vivienne said, I wasn't sure if she was being patronising or not so I just ignored her.
"I know much from where I was I could see it, only small changes but," I grasped for an explanation. "It's like how rifts have their own colour." They stared at me. "Never mind, just forget I said anything," I mumbled and wandered over to the gates that the guards were opening.
I was eager to see the town. The only settlement I had seen around here were some random houses dotted around and Haven. The rest of the party were trailing me and I stared around in wonder at the merchants and the slightly more presentable wooden and stone huts and houses.
Lilia immediately went up to one of the merchants who was selling schematics for armour and began browsing. A nudge from Bull nearly knocked me flat. 'There's a guy who sells dwarven ale,' He thought to me. I shrugged and followed him to one of the wooden structures, 5 minutes later we were walking away with some interesting looking ale and some mead for me.
"Ah I missed this stuff," I said grinning.
"Really? You didn't strike me as the type to go for mead," Bull commented, looking down at me.
"There you are," Lilia said, eyeing up our purchases. "They had no idea they were coming. We are going over to the tavern to talk to Fiona now. Lewis," She said to me. "Gloves off, just in case." I nodded and put them in my pack.
The tavern was devoid of drinkers, never a good sign in any drinking establishment. A small elf in deep blue robes approached us.
"Inquisition, I greet you. What brings you here to Redcliffe," she narrowed her eyes at us.
"You did? Or did I miss something?" Lilia countered, returning the look.
"Fiona, darling," Vivienne slipped in. "You look dreadful! Are you sleeping well?" Don't laugh, I told myself, turning my head away to hide my grin at Fiona's expression.
"It does not matter now, I am not in the position to answer for the mages," Fiona said, ignoring Vivienne's comment. "The rebel mages are indentured to Magister Alexius."
I stepped towards Varric, "What's a Magister?" I whispered.
"Big scary mages from Tevinter," Varric replied. So, that's all of them? I shook my head and carried on listening. Fiona left to go and get the Magister, I moved to stand next to Lilia.
She returned later with a tall man in the spiky red robes typical of those that the Venatori wear, only much more elaborate.
"May I present to you Magister Gereon Alexius of Tevinter," Fiona said and stepped out of the way of the magister. He bowed his head slightly towards us, damn, no handshake then. Lilia gestured to me to go with her in the discussions. I followed them into a booth of sorts and tried to casually put my hands in the way. Oh so subtle.
"Before we start, shall we order drinks?" I piped up. Alexius gestured for someone to bring some, looking slightly annoyed with me.
"Now, to business," he said as some wine arrived. Lilia and the Magister instantly went into a discussion about mages and deals. I got bored two seconds in and so I have no idea what they just said. So I knocked a glass over.
"Oh my, I am so sorry Magister," I gushed as I attempted to pat his sleeve dry. Yes! I thought as I made contact with his hand.
"No matter," he said, giving me this look. Nobles and their fashion, important shit. I withdrew my hands and muttered a final apology.
"If I may ask, what were you doing in Fereldan anyway? Before the conclave explosion that is," I asked politely.
'Who is this cretin? No matter, the inquisition fell into my trap and I have but one task to perform before I rid the Elder One of this trouble maker.' His thoughts went to his son, Felix, who was dying of some illness. Apparently getting this task done will save his son. I shook my head ever so slightly and tried to pay attention to the conversation.
"Felix!" Alexius gasped, the first sign of any emotion, aside from annoyance, I have seen from that man.
A younger man in a similar style of robes, only a mustard yellow, stumbled towards us. Lilia stood quickly and caught him.
"I apologise my lady," he said, leaning heavily on her.
"I apologise, inquisition, we will have to continue with this another time," he turned and called for Fiona, effectively dismissing us.
Upon exiting Lilia pulled out a note from her pocket. "Meet me in the chantry, you are in danger," She read aloud. "A trap, maybe?"
"Not from him," I said. "He is planning a trap for you, just it had nothing to do with Felix or a chantry."
"Do you know more about this trap?" Lilia turned to me, fixing me with her unwavering gaze.
"It involves magic, you, and Redcliffe Castle," I shrugged. "Then he started thinking about his son and red wine stains."
"Ok then, to the chantry I guess," Bull sighed and walked past me, I was attempting to block out some unsavoury thoughts about demons, magic and Tevinter in general.
A rift, just what this day needs. Inside was a lone man firing fireballs at the demons inside.
'Fuck the chantry and all it stands for right?' I don't even know how Bull can keep a straight face. I giggled.
"Good, you're here. Help me close this would you?" He said to us and turned to continue throwing fire. I smiled and backed off into a corner with my knife, trying my best at stealthing. I am not normally too bad if I don't move. Last time I did I walked straight into a tree which does kind of draw attention to you.
I fidgeted with my gloves while they cleared up the rest of the demons. They were made short work of given the mage had already cleared out half of them and with his added help, the rest were taken care of quickly. I unstealthed and rejoined the group.
"Not much of a fighter I see," the mage addressed me. He was a noble, anyone could see that. His stylised hair was such that he could still fight and not have it flap around all over the place, and still look decent. A curled moustache and a style of robes that was evidently not from around these parts and I am not surprised all of our little group was a bit suspicious of this character.
"So how does that thing work exactly," he turned to Lilia who shrugged and gestured for me to come over. He didn't miss that but let it pass, giving me a curious look.
"Who are you?" Lilia said.
"Dorian of house Pavus. Most recently of Minrathous," he dropped into an extravagant bow.
"Careful, the pretty ones are always the worst," Bull commented, staring down the mage.
Even the big hulking form of the Qunari did not faze Dorian at all. I shook my head and turned to leave. Well I tried, but Lilia grabbed my sleeve and pulled me back. I held back a groan.
"Lewis can read minds. I want to know that you will not cause harm here," She said, not one for beating around the bush I have noticed.
"Alexius was once my mentor," Dorian said. "Felix will be along shortly, after he ditches his father."
I listened to the back and forth between Lilia and Dorian for a while before going outside for some fresh air. I got a few curious looks and whispers from the locals and ignored them, taking to wondering around the market stalls. One sold books, my mood lifted slightly. I loved books. I picked up a few of the tomes and quickly realised that the letters were completely different. That will make things slightly more difficult. I picked up a few; I truly had no idea what they even were, a weird mix judging by the merchants face.
"Doing some research, eh?" I shrugged.
"Just shopping for the boss," I said easily, passing him the necessary coins. I nodded to him and headed back to the chantry after stowing away the books, next to the mead.
"You need to stop disappearing like that," Lilia said when she saw me. "Dorian agreed for you to do a read on him when we get back to the inn. I will want a written report with what you find." She didn't even wait for an answer, turning and leading us to our rooms. And of course I would be sharing mine with the mage. I sighed and followed him in.
The room already looked like he had been here a while. I stared at him. He shrugged, "I have been holed up here for a while."
"So where do you want me?" he said.
"Are you sure about this?" I asked instead.
"There is little else I can do that will have the rest of your companions trust me even slightly," he said flatly. A good point.
I had him sit on the bed and I sat next to him, turning to face him slightly. I looked up at his face and upon seeing the determination in them I took my gloves off and took hold of his own hands.
A brothel, scantily clad women strutting around, a bare-chested man sitting across from him. A hand on his shoulder. Magister Alexius. A carriage, an offer.
A dark room, piles of books surrounding him, a determination to show father he is not the failure he seems. Gritted teeth, the candle flame flares before sputtering out.
Alexius, despondent, sad as he looks at the pyre of his wife. Felix is there, pale but still standing.
More sleepless nights, more books, time magic.
He was 26 now, in the slums again, watching a family retainer meander through the crowd. A dark smile, a bribe, and solitude once again.
Alexius and Felix are gone, more slums, more brothels, more men. A ship, a dented and padlocked door. Hands were swollen and bruised. Home. A plot, whispered hushed, blood ritual.
He ran, years of support from distant relatives, a letter. Alexius is in Fereldan. Why? Venatori. Alexius joined them, to save Felix. Felix has the blight. He cannot survive. Alexius has lost his mind.
I let go with a gasp. Dorian was breathing hard, "Maybe you shouldn't tell her all of that, yes?" he said idly.
"Yeah she doesn't need to know all of it," I muttered. "There is one thing I might need your help with." He quirked an eyebrow.
"I can't write," I blurted. His eyebrows seemed to disappear into his hairline.
"No matter, I shall be your scribe," he stood and gave a dramatic bow. I gave a small smile and watched him pull a quill, ink and some vellum from the desk drawer.
An hour later we had a copy we were happy with. I constantly listened to his mind to make sure he was not writing something else entirely and bugged him when he left some things out. "Leliana will find that out anyway," I told him.
He stretched, the silk shirt he was wearing showing off a toned stomach. I averted my eyes, he laughed. "Maybe it is time for bed? She will want us up by sunrise no doubt," I groaned at the thought and flopped down onto the cot opposite from his. I fell asleep to the inane chatter in his head, god knows why he was thinking about theorems now but it worked in knocking me straight out.
Author's note
A slightly longer one but we finally met Dorian! I got some plans for dear Lewis and none of them are remotely canon so sorry about that in advance. Also Dorian's flashbacks are in fact canon. They are from the world of thedas books, I still can't get over Dorian is 31 during inquisition. I mean it makes sense but whaat.
Thanks to EbonySapphire and Gemini-Fantasy for reviewing. And hello to all the new followers!