So... anyone remember the smite episode? (Chapters 43 - 48, 53) You can become more resistant to them if you build willpower with mental exercises.
"About the anti-smite training..."
"You were serious about that? I thought you weren't meant to give away Chantry secrets."
"That was before I threw a holy smite at you, O heathen apostate."
~Alistair and Morgana, Chapter 53: Firewood
Trust
Morgana
"Do you trust me?"
Honey eyes meet hers, the sincerity of the question clear in his voice. It should be simple, but just the words make her breath catch. There is a moment of silence; she looks at his outstretched hand, and it hits her abruptly that she does. She does.
She nods, takes his hand, and shuts her eyes, letting the note of the hum build up in her throat and blocking out everything else, until there are no thoughts, no other noises, no oppressive, werewolf-filled forest around their camp, just that one note.
She has never tried this method of meditation before; the way the templars do it is different, isn't it? Yet, he taught this to her - the thought of him sitting humming is oddly comical; it breaks her focus, and she has to begin again. Nothing but the one note, she reminds herself.
When she opens her eyes, he has just the hint of a smile. "Very nice." It turns to a look of worry. "Are you sure you're ready?"
She nods, and he shoots her one last worried look, then, still keeping tight hold of one of her hands, spreads one of his. The meditation means that she doesn't even panic when she sees the briefly blinding light of the smite. Her knees begin to buckle as she feels the mana disappear, but, perfectly calm, she tries to steady herself. It doesn't work; where the smite would normally repel the mage, Alistair swiftly pulls her in to stop her falling, and they end up in an accidental, awkward hug, his stubble scratching her ear.
Well, that's her focus gone to the Void, she thinks, ignoring the odd tightness in her chest again - almost nausea.
He steps away, barely able to look her in the eye, and she very nearly laughs as he rubs his neck, eyes fixed firmly on the ground. "Er, good. You're getting better, I mean." He gives her a smile, and she returns it, barely able to believe that he's teaching her Chantry secrets, and at the cost of his dignity.
Her stew is nearly as hideous as his, but she gives him an extra helping that night anyway - it's the thought that counts, after all, and the Grey Warden appetite isn't discerning.