Ow.
She shifted her focus from the awkward bedframe to her weary limbs. All the girl could think of is how sore everything felt, like she had run for miles. At least she could just stay here, in bed. Her term of study had finished for the summer, and she wasn't due back until the autumn. Bliss, no disturbances.
Except, the bed felt a little too rigid. A godsend for achy legs, but it didn't feel very familiar.
She opened her eyes, to see a wooden roof. It looked sturdy, but not like her home. It troubled her that she couldn't remember exactly what her home looked like, but this definitely wasn't it. There were furs on the walls, decorative candles, books – this was very medieval-esque. All of this was no longer just a dream, it was the new reality for her.
On that thought, a nervous helper walked into the room, dropping the provisions at noticing Evelyns' awake state.
She was clearly shaken up, the way she bowed with reverence to Evelyn. This sat uncomfortably within her stomach, she didn't like how afraid this elf girl was. The human girl was picked on enough for being different back home, she'd never be mean to this girl.
Pushing the stray hairs out of her face and retying her style, she blinked a few times to survey the environment. Touching her face, there was no more dust or grime – someone had helped her. On that note, her clothes were different – more regal, more snug and warm.
'I guess I've been promoted past prisoner' Evelyn smiled.
She quickly brushed off the elven girls' apologies with understanding. Evelyn knew this part, the girl would run to Cassanra – it would give her a chance to recollect herself and a moment to get to grips with this.
The moment was short lived, and the happiness faded. She looked at the telltale mark on her palm. It was proof to her that she still resided in the other realm, not the real world. Sadly, she turned her hand slightly to observe the peculiar slit of magic more closely. The unearthly green reflected onto her face, gently lighting up the surrounding wall and floor with a magic distil.
Asking if everyone was safe, the girl played her part beautifully and just as Evelyn remembered.
It was the strangest sense of déjà vu, but it was necessary to get to Cassandra and fix this whole debacle as quickly as possible. If that meant Evelyn had to run through the motions so she could get to Cassandra without fuss, then so be it.
As the girl left, Evelyn shifted her weight to stand. The poor mage almost fell over, underestimating the toll of three days' bedrest on untrained legs. Despite the protest her legs were crying out, she centred her balance and took a few steps, easing out the tension and tingly feeling within her toes. Her muscles well and truly were still asleep.
Evelyn did not expect this experience to feel so raw and, well, real. She knew she wouldn't be able to survive the events of this game in this state. Fear suddenly gripped her, worrying whether she can survive long enough to fall back into the mirror to go home. She can barely remember what home was, or who she was before. All that is here is 'Evelyn' and her knowledge of Thedas. Any other knowledge – modern history, skills or memories of any family – have all been clouded over.
The girl can recall she was studying, she worked, and she played videogames. The name of her studies, or where she worked were now lost to her. But she remembered how it made her feel – the true reality. She was lonely, a bit of a misfit. A weak thing, but she wanted to be kind, and have good friends.
Evelyn thought that it was this way on purpose. She was only meant to take certain knowledge with her on this journey. Like what happened with Solas at the end of the story. Maybe what he did was wrong, and Evelyn had been brought here to prevent him from pertrifying or hurting, or whatever he did, to Mythal. She was knowledgeable of Eluvians. Maybe falling through her mirror would take her home in return for Evelyn saving her life.
She nodded with determination at the notion. Surely she had been given a second chance to fix Thedas for good, and it might be her only way to get home.
Evelyn didn't know how she was brought into the game, but the only wronged party at the end of the game was Mythal. It had to be tied to that woman somehow.
Dressing to outdoor wear, Evelyn swiftly left the cabin, picking up a staff on her way out. It seems people were kind enough to retrieve the staff and items she had earlier. It felt strange balancing the willowy wood between her hands, but it felt study and light - like a long rod of bamboo.
She sighed.
Knowing how to fight- really fight – was going to take a lot of training and exercise. Painful, rigorous, exhausting exercise.
Crunching through the frosted paths leading to the Chantry, Evelyn decided she should organise such for herself. Cullen could help her work with the recruits. With a small wave to Threnn, leaving the woman confused as they'd not met yet, Evelyn scolded herself.
'You remember them, they don't know you yet!' She thought, chastising herself. On that note, she'd have to cool things over with Cassandra. Unnecessary questions or distractions from reaching Flemeth and stopping Solas could put her own plans on hold. Evelyn was already distraught at how little she remembered of her previous life, and every day, more was being lost.
It was then a shearing, slicing pain forced it's way behind her eyes. Evelyn let out a guttural screech, dropping her staff. It felt as if she'd been slashed across her face. She expected blood to gush forward as she fell. This was not pleasant. It felt raw, and biting. The flesh bitterly tingled, stung, with exposure to the air – flesh which should not have been cut open. Her hands clamped and clawed over her face, trying to keep her innards, well, in.
A few soldiers ran to help the mage, on her knees as she was. Looking through a clouded vision, her hands were clean. No blood. To be certain, she touched my face again. There was no wound. As a woman helped Evelyn to my feet, she heard another ask something. The girl didn't really hear it, she was breathing through the sensation, waiting for the pain to eventually dull.
That really hurt.
From standing, the weird pain began to subside. she thought hard about what that was about. All that ran through Evelyns' confused head was a battle here, soon. Haven in flames, destruction.
'Not already, not so soon! I'm not ready for real danger just yet!" Evelyn thought, barely escaping the last battle. Even then, she was unconscious for 3 days afterwards.
It was unsettling. Scary, but familiar. She needed to talk to her advisors. Needed to understand what was happening. The only issue was that the more she spoke outside of what she remembered from her playthrough of the story, they reacted strangely. Not how she remembered them reacting like they did in the story. Opening the doors to the chantry, she strode inside
'I need to be careful in how I bring it up' She decided, shaking off the bad premonition, a reminder of impending doom she didn't need – she was aware of the destruction of Haven – it just felt like it's nearly here.
'If I die here, does that.. – N-No, don't. Just… Step one, step two.' Evelyn took a deep breath, bolstered her resolve, and walked towards the makeshift war room.
Evelyn stopped when she heard the yelling from the Chancellor. She remembered him, and how he felt about the situation, but to hear it for 'real' – it made her a little anxious, a little self conscious and exposed. She began to doubt herself, there was no way she could mimic the impossible feats her avatar did from before.
Despite the cloud of desperation and defeatist attitude cloaking Evelyn, she knew she had to power through it. With a timid expression, she poked her head around the door. She was never one for yelling and arguments, and she definitely didn't like they way they were all staring at her.
It was not fun anymore. It was scary.
"Chain her!" Roderick shouted, pointing accusingly. Evelyn felt dejected, and insulted. Even though she knew that Roderick was reasonable, and his intentions were good, the insult in the air still lingered.
Brushing it off, she walked towards the table as he continued.
"I want her prepared for travel to the Capital for execution!" He continued to order. Faithful Cassandra repeated her role as before, and defended Evelyn, shooing away the guards with a wave and a few calm words. It felt good for Evelyn knowing Cassandra will be more friendly from now on.
"I did everything I could to close the breach, it almost killed me!" Evelyn stressed, trying to get Roderick to see reason.
"Yet you live. A convienient result, insofar as you're concerned." He snided, not trusting the girl.
Evelyn scowled. She felt like these trials were hard enough without his whining.
"Have a care, Chancellor. The breach is not the only threat we face." Cassandra warned, kindly offering Roderick a chance at civility before she lost her temper.
Leliana, cunning and perceptive, saw how Cassandra was close to battering a member of the Chantry, while the liberated prisoner looked as if she was to scream or break down in tears from the ordeal. Taking the advantage, the redhead spoke:
"Someone was behind the explosion at the conclave. Someone Most Holy did not expect." She began, hinting at a sinister reveal. "Perhaps they died with the others" She offered, looking towards Cassandra with sympathy. Short lived, as she glared at Roderick with accusation on her tongue.
"-or have allies that yet live."
Roderick raised his arms slightly in defence and disbelief at the heretical claim.
"-I-am a suspect?!" He claims, disrespect in his tone.
"You! And many others!" Leliana stated, clearly warning him that she is watching all advocates of 'good'.
"But not the prisoner?" He accused, pointing at Evelyn.
The blonde mage shrugged, feeling the weight of the decisions squarely handled by Leliana and Cassandra. She wasn't so scared of Roderick and his shouty voice anymore.
Evelyn took this as a moment to breathe and relax. The tension she felt was real. No one likes being yelled at, especially by those of a higher status. Roderick reminded Evelyn of a stern teacher who has caught you misbehaving. But Evelyn had done nothing wrong. She knows this.
Looking down, she steadied her pulse and understood that she must be careful. She very may be mortal in this world, and she needs to progress quite far to get to a working mirror. Even then, it would be best if she could talk to Flemeth, even warn her.
Evelyn didn't realise Cassandra had diffused the situation until she stated:
"Providence. The Maker sent her to us in our darkest hour." Cassandra looked at Evelyn – confident, so sure of herself. It inspired Evelyn, but also made her feel validated. Less lonely. Like someone was being nice to her.
Evelyn knew she was not the strongest or smartest girl, or even the prettiest. Why she would be special out of everyone was beyond her. She had few friends, was quite introverted, and was constantly criticized by her peers. The Maker wouldn't need her, everyone else would be more qualified.
But the way Cassandra declared it with strong faith, it made Evelyn want to believe that she could do this. That for once, she could be the winner, the hero – to be part of something.
"You really think the Maker would send someone like me?" A timid, vulnerable question.
"The Maker does as he wills, it is not for me to say." She states in return. It gave Evelyn hope.
Evelyn thought about this, it sparked something new in her. A new fire that she could do something great. A childlike adventurous nature which made her want to try. Cassandra slammed a book onto the table, and Evelyn knew that Roderick was about to be sassed by two of the most ruthless and wonderful women that Evelyn had so far met. Watching as Roderick retreated in defeat, Evelyn was excited to be a part of the Inquisition hype. The real one, where she can fight, and kill bad guys, and be awesome!
It was making her dizzy.