"Don't be afraid of your fears. They're not there to scare you. They're there to let you know that something is worth it." ― C. JoyBell C.

~oOo~

"Do you think she's gonna be alright?" I heard the group asked from where I was emptying my stomach after my first real fight with actual people and not monsters. I didn't want to kill them, I really didn't but when that Templar dude came at me I had no choice. He raised his sword and I tapped the earth to bring up a spike that went right through his head. It was so quick and easy I almost didn't believe I actually did it. After the fight all of them kind of looked at me funny, asking me if I was alright before I upchucked whatever was in my stomach from that morning.

"Solas can you help her?" Jacob asked and I heard Solas sigh before he went through his pack.

"I'm alright, I'm good. Just, give me a minute." I called, making sure I was good to go before walking back the group. Solas reached into his bag and pulled out a root I had to frown at.

"You're gonna kill me." I said and took it, chewing it softly as we continued to walk. "Taste like dirt." The group chuckled as we made our way to the Hinterlands near Redcliffe to speak to some Mother Giselle person. There is one thing I have to say about this place and that is...

Beautiful.

Everything is so green, and pretty, and so frickin' huge! I've never seen trees this tall! Then we had to run into mean men. I've never killed anyone in my whole...wait, never mind. There was that one time but that was an accident. I didn't mean to do it, I just sort of lost control. An accident I swear. But other than that, I kept looking everywhere as we walked down a path from where we set up camp. As we neared the small town we came across both mages and templars. We tried to reason with them but they wouldn't listen, attacking us and everything else within range. I watched as people were burned alive, electrocuted, had their heads chopped off, stabbed to death, and everything under the sun and it made me want to hurl.

Again.

When the fighting was over with, Jacob went to talk with the mother while we helped the solders who still remain in the village. While we waited Solas asked how I was feeling; Varric making a joke about my weak stomach but I swatted him on the arm, telling him that I've never fought before. I explained to Solas that in my world there is still violence but it's mostly a lot quicker so all this hacking and slashing was a thing of the past.

And about telling them about more about myself; right before we came to the Hinterlands I told Jacob, Cassandra, Varric, Solas, Leliana, Cullen, and Josephine everything. Solas told me that it would be better if I told them everything that I knew. They all looked at me like I was crazy but I asked them if they had an answer to my speech, clothing, actions, and everything else that I did when I first got here. That seemed to have bought them over but I could still tell they are still a little worrisome about me but they treated Jacob the same way. We both came out of the fade and yet Jacob fits in more than I do.

Varric, Jacob, and Solas are one of the few who actually talk to me since we got to Haven. Solas is very inquisitive, Varric keeps making fun of me by calling me spitfire since I accidentally sneezed fire, and Jacob treats me like a little sister. It's nice to have people behind my back.

After he talked to the Mother he told us that she suggested to go to Val Royeaux, and see what other people we can get to join our cause. Before we left the Hinterlands we decided to see if there was anything that we could possible do around the area to help others. We talked to a few people in the village about collecting ram meat, a man whose wife is sick and the only way to help her is to go find their son who lives with some rebel mages to the south, a mage who lost her Templar lover somewhere, and then Corporal Vale who needs help finding some caches that can help the refugees who need more blankets and such. When I asked Jacob how long this will take he said a few weeks at most if we get good weather and if we can close some of the rifts in the area as well.

Weeks in the woods with two humans, an elf, and a dwarf.

Sounds like a really bad bar joke.

But as it turns out, it's not that bad really. Solas and I mostly talked about my gifts after I drilled into his thick skull once more that it's not lyrium or anything of the sort that powers me. Just my emotions that would flare up the occasional hair lighting on fire or a small earth quake. It's like he was studying me but at the same time he was kind of funny about it too. I had to laugh at his enthusiasm to know more about my gifts. Maybe he can help me control it better? Who knows?

"So, all we have to do is prove to crazy cult lady you can close rifts and she'll help us?" I asked Jacob as we entered the mages castle refugee site. The mages inside kept staring at us as we walked to the back of the castle that needed some work. It took us two days to get to this place and I already miss sleeping in a bed of my own. Bedrolls are only comfy when you don't have sharp pointy rocks jabbing into your back.

When we got to the back there in the middle was an open rift. As we approached, the rift opened and more shades and these large skinny green monsters with a melted face and multiple eyes. Gross. We were doing fine until one of the newer monster grabbed a hold of my ankle, dragging me down to the ground as his leaned over me, it's mouth open like a scream. Next thing I knew I was back there...

When it all began...

When I first had no control and I almost killed them...

If it wasn't for Eric and Amanda...

I don't know where I would be...

"Aleera?! Aleera are you alright?! Aleera?" I gasped and started to cough as Jacob rubbed my back. The battle was over and I looked around to see that the rift was now closed.

"What happened?" I asked.

"A horror demon came up behind you and next thing we knew you were in a trance, screaming your head off. When we killed it...we thought you were dead. You were just laying there." Jacob said and helped me to my feet, helping me stand as I rocked a little bit.

"I'm sorry...that thing took me by surprise. Can we go talk to that damn lady, find the son, missing recruit, and the rest of the caches? I wanna get back to Haven and sleep." I told him as he passed me to Solas. As Jacob talked to the woman Solas and Varric sat me down and looked me over. "God, I feel like dead weight with you guys, I'm only slowing you guys down."

"Easy there spitfire; you're new to this. No one is expecting you to become some badass off the first try." Varric said and I smiled. Solas rested a hand on my forehead and sent a cooling wave over me.

"The dwarf is right. You are lucky the horror demon only paralyzed you and not killed you. When we get back to Haven we will have someone train you on some type of weapon until you are comfortable with using your powers. Maybe you should stay behind when we go to Val Royeaux?" Solas suggested.

"That's not fair, I'm part of this team too." I whined.

"Solas is right Aleera. Maybe you should set Royeaux out?" Jacob said as he came over to where we were sitting.

I huffed. "Fine. What do we go now?"

"We'll spend the night here and then finished up here before going back to Haven. Cassandra; you stay here with Aleera while me and Solas go and look around for Rits. Get some rest." Jacob said and when I tried to protest, Cass placed a hand on my shoulder and turned me toward a building where they were serving food.

"Let's go get something to eat. Leave them to it." She said and I groaned. "Maybe later I can see what weapons that would be best for you?"

"Sweet! Thank you Cass!" I said and smiled at her. She smiled back and ruffled my hair.

Maybe this place isn't so bad?

~oOo~

Kind of short but next time will be longer. Just trying to break this writers block I have. Until next time!