Chapter length - 2,585
Jack's thoughts are in italics
Chapter Summary: Jack gets un-squishy
Once Solas had deemed her well enough to walk on her leg, they made their way toward the Chantry. While they walked, Jack went over her lesson in the fade in her head. When she reached the end of the dream, she remembered the elven word Learning had called her.
"Solas? You know what Isenathe'amelan mean?"
"Where did you hear that?" He stopped near the edge of her cottage, the outlines of several people standing at the curve of the Chantry doors.
"I heard it in dream."
"Hmmm." Solas' face was unreadable, but his eyes shined with the same glint everyone had when they were analyzing her. "It is elven for Dragon Keeper. Do you remember who said it?"
Jack didn't know why, but she had a feeling this was something to keep to herself and Learning, so she shook her head and shrugged and they continued up the way. Danica, Leliana, Varric, and Cassandra were standing, bags packed and horses at the ready as the two sidled up to the group.
"G'morning Blackjack." Varric greeted as they reached the group. "G'morning Chuckles. You come to say goodbye before we leave?"
"Something like that." Jack smiled at the group. A memory from her threading wiggled into her head. "Oh! Just remembered something. Is merchant woman named Belle in Val Royeaux market. Would like to work for the Inquisition, provide food and supplies. If you talk to her, would be happy to join. Might be good contact."
"I'll remember that, thank you for telling us." Danica smiled at her. "I'm sorry I didn't introduce you to Tevin last night. You looked too peaceful to wake up. Leliana has offered to introduce you after we leave."
"Thank you Sister Leliana." Jack gave a small bow in her direction. "Very much appreciate help."
"I'm sure it will be a pleasure for us both." Leliana smiled in that sharp, predatory way. "I was hoping you would agree to more questioning before I do."
It wasn't completely unexpected.
"Of course. Have already agreed to answer questions you have. Am happy to help."
"If this is all," Cassandra cut in sharply. "We should leave immediately. Val Royeaux is a three days ride away. Herald, I expect you to explain who this woman is and what she is talking about on our way."
Danica grimaced. "Yes, Cassandra. She is right, we need to leave now. Jack, Leliana, Solas; I'll see you all in two weeks. We'll talk when we get back."
The group exchanged goodbyes and the three of them – Leliana, Jack, and Solas – watched as the other three made their way out of haven until they were going, going-
Gone.
When Jack turned her attention back to the other two, Solas and Leliana were having a silent staring contest. Finally, Solas stepped back, nodding his surrender and retreating to his cottage without a goodbye to either woman. Leliana turned to Jack, the glint in her eyes shining brightly.
It seemed everyone but Danica seemed to look at her like that – like she had something they wanted.
"Let us return to the war room so you may answer my questions in peace."
Jack nodded in acquiesce and followed the redheaded woman into the Chantry. It was still rather early in the morning, so there were not many people up and awake yet. Once they were well situated in the war room, she was pleasantly surprised to find out she was not being interrogated further, but Leliana wanted to go over what she knew and had more questions on where she came from and what life in the Barrier was like.
By no means did Leliana trust her, that much she was certain, but there was a sense of 'I will listen to what you have to say and defer my judgement for now and keep my blade sheathed', which Jack greatly appreciated.
She very much appreciated not being stabbed.
Once Jack was done speaking about the Barrier, Leliana moved her onto what she had seen in the threads and more specifics on the attack on Haven. After they had both reviewed the information from the night before, Leliana brought up the one-part Jack had avoided in her story.
"I would like to know what you know about the mages."
Jack grimaced. She didn't want Danica to know to influence her decisions, but would it really hurt to tell the Spymaster of the Inquisition? "Alright. Will tell, but want you to promise not to speak about what I say until Danica chooses side. Do not want to influence her decision on topic with knowledge."
Leliana nodded. "You will have my discretion."
So Jack told her about the time travel, about Dorian and Alexius, and the awful future and knowledge that came from it. Empress Celene's assassination, the Red Lyrium, the Elder One's vengeance. The words filtered her lips in broken common and painted a truly horrifying future.
"I can see why you are adamant in saying nothing until her decision. I have a question, if you were to choose, who would you pick?"
"The mages. Now I am free of Barrier, would never go back. Feel how they feel."
"I have decided you have not lied so far." Leliana finally told her as the silence stretched after her admission. "I spoke to Chancellor Rodrick and confirmed the information about the path out of Haven. I have also reached out to some of my contacts in Val Royeaux and news of a hint of Lady Vivienne planning a party have just begun to recently spread. There was no way you could have known about it. I will check on Redcliffe and see what my people have to say on the matter. I have heard rumors of the Grey Wardens disappearing around Thedas, however. Would you know anything about that? Is it something you have seen?"
"Yes and no. Don't know why they are disappearing, but know they disappeared in thread I saw too. In thread, warden by name of Blackwall is in Hinterlands. Is currently spending time training farmers to fight bandits. Does not know that wardens have disappeared, but will join Inquisition if asked. Is up to you if he join."
Leliana nodded. Jack had the distinct feeling she already knew that and that Leliana had been testing her. "How long did you say you had studied Thedas?"
"Nearly sixteen years. Was taken from birth parents at very young age. Do not remember much about them. From what know in Barrier, many parents given money in exchange of threader child. Are told children well taken care of and gifted. Do not know if they take money or offer me or I been forcibly taken. Not know much about world outside Barrier. No information from outside world."
She felt a lump in her throat. Leliana gave her a minute, then Jack continued.
"In Barrier, received basic education until age of 10, where was pushed ahead of class and became threader two years before was supposed to. Told I was very smart and gifted. I studied different world other than Thedas for six months until mentor at time assimilated into thread studied together. I was reassigned to Thedas after guardians killed him. Spent next ten years as regular threader then was promoted to Lieutenant at age 21. Five years later, was promoted to Captain of units 300 to 350. Year and half later, found self here."
"So you are 27 years old then? You do not look so old."
Jack laughed and inclined her head. "Thank you, Sister Leliana. Very much appreciate kindness. Might be older though. Not certain of exact year or month born, only guessing. Lived very soft life as threader, but am willing to pull my weight to help Inquisition. Am excited to… harden self? Un-squishy? Toughen up. That right word."
A genuine laugh made its way out of Leliana's mouth and both women were startled by the sound for a second.
Clearing her throat, she continued her interrogation. "You mentioned you studied another world in your younger days as a threader. Do you know anything about that world that may help us?"
"Was long time ago. Not remember much. Know bits and pieces of many worlds, but do not think would be anything to help you here. In Barrier, everyone exchanges information on their world for information on other worlds. Know much, but like said, is bits and pieces, and nothing substantial. Are mostly songs, stories, heroes, politics, and culture that are traded."
"I see." Leliana stood. "I have taken much of your time, Lady Jack. Thank you for the information, I will take you to Tevin now."
"Was no problem, Sister Leliana. Am happy to answer questions you, Danica, or other advisors have for me."
"I must ask you not to speak about this to anyone else."
"Danica already asked me as much, and I promised her will do so. Varric, The Iron Bull, and Solas know very little about story but otherwise not told others about self. I keep it that way, will keep my promise."
Leliana nodded in acknowledgement, but otherwise was silent as she led Jack through the now-bustling Chantry. Various sisters glanced at Leliana and Jack as they walked through and flitted to one another murmuring as they watched the two leave to the outside.
The two passed the outside gates to the training ground. Jack waved at Iron Bull as they passed and the large man stopped talking to a brown haired human man long enough to wave back at Jack. When they reached the fighting soldiers, Leliana made a beeline for Commander Cullen.
"Hello Sister Leliana, Lady Jack." He greeted as they entered his vision.
"Commander Cullen. We are here to borrow Tevin Assani for the next few weeks. Lady Jack is in need of training, and the Herald has asked that she receive it so that she is able to defend herself in the future."
Cullen glanced at Jack before retraining his eyes on the soldiers. "And she is not to join the other soldiers, I presume?"
"No. The Herald wants her to work independently until we find a place for her in her personal guard."
Jack looked at Leliana in surprise, but said nothing.
"Yes," Cullen sighed. "She did warn me of this last night. Tevin is a good soldier, Lady Jack, please do not break him." He flagged down a nearby scout. "Go get Tevin Assani for me."
"I will do my best not to break him, Commander." Jack examined his face closely.
Why would he need to warn her not to break someone who was teaching her to become stronger?
Isn't that counter-intuitive?
Despite her thoughts, Jack made no comments on the matter. Instead, she and the other two advisers watched as the scout darted through sparing soldiers to stand in front of a soldier with shockingly white hair pulled into a low ponytail. The soldier sheathed his sword and nodded as the scout pointed at the three of them. He slapped the partner he had been training with on the shoulder, then trekked up the hill to meet them.
As he drew nearer, Jack was stunned at how similar he looked to Fenris. If Fenris ever smiled, that is. His hair was longer, true, but it was just as brilliantly white. The soldier, Tevin, was smiling, and it made all the difference in contrasting the two. Tevin didn't have any vallaslin or other markings, but his face held kindness and a softness she'd never seen from Fenris. Tevin's eyes were a dark forest green and he had a scar that sat horizontally below his left eye and ran to his nose. All in all, he was very good looking.
As he reached them, he briefly saluted the three of them with a clenched hand to his heart.
"Tevin, this is Lady Jack." Cullen waved his salute off as he introduced Tevin to Jack. "I hear you informally met last night, but now she is awake and ready to train. She has hurt her leg last night so for the next few days' start training her on bows. You can work your way up from there. Her training hours are from sunrise to evening bell. You're in charge of her training, so everything is at your discretion."
Tevin threw an easy smile her way. "We'll start with the basics today, and we can work from there, like the Commander said. Do you have any experience with weapons?"
Jack shook her head. "None. Is first time training."
"Perfect! A blank slate! I'll get to your training immediately then. Commander, Lady Nightingale." Tevin bowed to both advisors then gestured for Jack to follow him.
Jack offered quick goodbyes to the spymaster and commander, then followed Tevin to a currently unused part of the training field. He quickly loaded her up with a bow and dozens of blunted arrows for practice.
If Jack thought she'd pick up archery quickly, she was dead wrong. In forty shots, she made the outer rim about five times. All the others went clear over the board and she'd had to run into the forest behind the target and find the other thirty-five arrows that had fled into oblivion.
After the fortieth shot, Jack had turned to Tevin and sighed, discouraged. "Knew would take while to become good, but didn't think would be this bad."
Tevin chuckled. "Everything takes practice, Lady Jack. Nothing good comes easily, it takes hard work and dedication to build strength. Try aiming lower and more to the right. Bring your elbow higher up. Now, try again."
She didn't hit a bullseye or anywhere closer to that area, but after then, most all of her shots landed on the bale of hay painted as a target. Tevin offered some more commentary and suggestions, but mostly let her correct herself.
By the time the dinner bell rang, Jack was drenched in sweat and her arms were sore as hell.
"You did very good for your first time with a bow. We'll keep with this for the rest of this week, then I'll start you on daggers and swords. I'll see you tomorrow at dawn."
She bowed to the white haired elf. "Thank you very much for help. Will be here at dawn."
They exchanged pleasantries before parting ways. Jack was looking forwards to changing her clothes and cleaning up. She trudged back to her cottage without being stopped by anyone and found a bucket of water sitting on the dresser in the corner of her room. It was cold, but it served her purpose well and soon she had changed from her sweaty armor to a thin cotton shirt and breeches.
She slipped back out of her cabin and strode over to Solas' cottage, diagonal from hers. Hesitating only for a minute she knocked on the door and he opened the door not long after her knocks.
"Jack." A brief look of surprise flashed across his face but it was quickly schooled. "How can I help you?"
"If you not mind, would like to continue lesson in common. Still need better speaking. Would you help? Please?"
"Of course. The Herald has you training now, yes? What time are you free for lessons?"
"Now. Training from dawn to evening bell. Was able to get here and clean up between bell and now. You free during time?"
"Yes, that is amendable. Would you like to begin today?"
Jack grinned at the elven apostate. "Yes. Now is good."
I'm really sorry there wasn't an update last week, but I wasn't able to sit down and get this chapter out then. This past week has been my finals week in college and I took 5 classes this past semester, so you can only imagine how hectic everything was.
That being said, I should be updating every week now on schedule and there should be no hiccups until at least early January when I start classes back up. I'm taking 5 classes that semester too bc I'm a glutton for punishment. I'm hoping to have finished this story by then and started on the other ones that currently float around my brain.
This week I'm recommending two stories to make up for last weeks disparity. The first is Blood Queen by WickedWitchoftheWilds and the second is Crossing Stars by the_queen_of_thedas! Both are mythology influenced pieces which is something I'm going to dabble with after I finish Jack's story. Super good reads, definitely recommend.
Thanks for reading and keeping with me! Leave a comment telling me what you think so far please!
-Jade