Chapter Twenty-four

Shall the Maker be My Guide

Two days passed, tension rising in Skyhold. With few troops to guard the fortress and the threat of Corypheus imminent after the events in the Wilds, everyone was on high alert. The weather did little to boost morale, storms battering the stone stronghold from all sides and waylaying the return of the troops from the Arbor Wilds. The mood was sour among the recruits who patrolled the battlements, picking up only when they found a fire to dry off in front of, especially if that fire happened to be in the tavern.

Malakar met with Morrigan on the second afternoon following the war room revelation about Corypheus' dragon, and rumours made their way through Skyhold until even the kitchen staff speculated about the Inquisitor's plan. For their part, Valina and Cullen remained clandestine about the events in the war room, knowing it would help little to reveal details about the discussion. They could only wait.

They sat side by side at a table in the Herald's Rest, stealing glances and lingering touches beneath the table, a quiet moment to themselves. Since their return from the Wilds, they'd had had little time to savour even the smallest acts of intimacy between answering letters, writing reports, and maintaining the recruits' watch schedule. Even Bull had not approached them, as he often would, although he was arguably… distracted.

No one dared disrupt their meal or the quiet conversation that weaved between the commander and his rogue, too scared of the gaze that Valina would level upon them. From any other, it would just seem like a blank, almost disinterested look, but from the woman known affectionately as 'Vicious' among her friends, it was a piercing glare that sent even the hardiest scout bolting in the opposite direction.

Which is why, when it came time to call them to the war room again, the resident scouts selected Jim as an offering.

They gathered outside the front of the tavern, a group of four pushing the man towards the entrance. He dug his heels in but it was no use, the muddy ground slick from days of steady rain, and with a final determined shove from his companions, he tumbled into the Herald's Rest.

Jim managed to stay on his feet. He tugged at the front of his uniform, clearing his throat as he rehearsed the words in his mind. His feet felt leaden as he neared their table, almost dragging with every step, but he pursed his lips, determined to hold his ground against Valina's serpentstone stare, and the Commander's tawny glare.

He stopped at the end of their table, almost losing his nerve when Valina instantly swept her gaze over him, when she smiled at him, a knowing curl on her lips that seemed to draw out images and memories that he wanted so desperately to bury in the depths of his mind.

Maker, I wish I could forget that afternoon I interrupted them. Never again, never again…

Jim cleared his throat again, standing tall even though his hands shook at his sides. 'Commander, Lady Valina, your presence is required in the war room. The Inquisitor needs to see you at once.'

Valina and Cullen shared a glance before they rose from the table together. Jim breathed a sigh of relief when Cullen waved him off, his duty done for the night, and the pair raced from the tavern, across the muddy grounds in the rare moment of dry skies, and up the steps to the Great Hall. The nobles gathered there whispered and tittered excitedly to see Cullen enter in such a haste but the moment they spotted Valina on his heels, they glanced away as if enthralled by the décor.

Cullen glanced over his shoulder, smirking at her before he turned his attention to the doors that led to Josephine's office.

Josephine was preparing her ledger when they passed through, and she followed swiftly on their heels to the war room where Malakar, Morrigan, and Leliana waited. There was no time for pleasantries, it seemed, for the moment Cullen, Valina, and Josephine took their place on the opposite side of the table, the meeting began.

Leliana folded her hands at her back. 'Morrigan, did you find what you need?'

A smile curled on her lips. 'I know now that I can match Corypheus' dragon, yes,' she said, then turned her attention to Malakar, 'but it is up to you to face the Magister himself, Inquisitor.'

Malakar's jaw tightened, and he answered with a curt nod.

'Then there is only one thing for us to do: find Corypheus before he comes to us.'

'We've been looking for his base since the beginning,' Leliana said, 'without success. How will that change now?'

'His dragon doesn't just materialise out of thin air,' Cullen said, 'it must come and go from somewhere.'

Josephine stepped forward. 'Perhaps it is hiding in the Deep Roads? We could contact Orzammar, and hire envoys to–'

Green light flared through the room, the anchor crackling and sparking with power. Malakar grasped his wrist, gritting his teeth against the magics that surged through his hand. At first, the group thought another thunderstorm was beginning to roll over the fortress when the sky above rumbled, their focus on the flaring anchor, but Valina watched Malakar's face, watched his eyes drift up from his palm to the windows at her back.

Valina nudged Cullen's arm, turning him, and Josephine and Leliana quickly caught on. The sky rumbled again, the rift churning in the distance, sparks of light streaking the air.

Morrigan dragged her eyes back to Malakar. 'It seems, Inquisitor, that Corypheus is not content to wait.'

Malakar stared at his open palm as the green glow subsided, and he grit his teeth against the surge of power. He took a shuddering breath as the mark finally calmed, stormy gaze lifted to his companions.

'He's in the Valley of Sacred Ashes.'

'Then your time has come. You must close the Breach or it will swallow the world.'

'But that's madness!' Josephine said, a note of panic in her gaze, fear for her friend, 'wouldn't it kill him as well?'

Valina studied Malakar's face, the slow knotting of his brow, the icy determination in his blue eyes, and the hard line of his lips as he looked up from the mark.

'He's willing to take that chance.'

Cullen curled his finger around the hilt of his sword, an instinctual response to the thought of the danger Malakar would face. 'Inquisitor, we have no forces to send with you. We must wait for them to return from the Arbor Wilds.'

'If I don't go now, it will be too late.'

'Inquisitor, please,' Josephine said, 'I'm sure the first contingent of troops will arrive in the next few days.'

'The weather will not subside for days, for all we know. The road is treacherous enough when dry. Even if they march through the worst of it, they're three or four days march away according to Leliana's most recent reports.'

'It's true,' Leliana admitted, 'I've received regular updates, with the last report arriving an hour before you summoned us for this meeting. They've not even reached the D'or estate in Sahrnia yet.'

Cullen shook his head. 'You cannot face this alone.'

'He won't be alone,' Valina said, eyes still on Malakar, mapping the frustration that tugged at his brow and the weight that settled on his shoulders, the sheer responsibility of the task finally succeeding in bowing them to its will, and still he did not falter. She felt Cullen's gaze snap to her, but she ignored the burning sensation on her scalp, continuing. 'The core members of the Inquisition are in this very fortress. I, for one, am ready to follow you. After all, that is ultimately why you recruited me, is it not? To help you face Corypheus, no matter the circumstance?'

'I can't ask you to do that, Valina,' Malakar said, 'we dragged you into this war. You've done more than enough for us.'

'You don't need to ask.'

Malakar pursed his lips again, but he nodded, knowing that Valina did not commit lightly. He glanced at Cullen. The Commander's jaw was tight, hand still on the hilt of his sword. As much as he hated to take another into danger with him, they were running out of options. If Corypheus attacked Skyhold, if he attacked when only a contingent of new recruits guarded the fortress, with backup days away…

He shook off the thought, remembering the conversation he had with Valina only nights before, remembering what he'd said.

'We're in a war, and we need action… you have an incredible ability to compartmentalise, unlike anyone I have seen. You can remove your emotions from the situation, remove the specific lenses – be it military strategy, espionage, or diplomacy – and calculate an effective strategy without agonising over the hesitant 'if'. Many people who do not know you must think you cold for that, but that's what we need. It has helped in more situations than you realise, and it may be what gets us through this war.'

When he opened his eyes she was still looking at him, that serpentstone gaze focused so intently. He feared for his friends, for the people he had grown to love but, much as he hated it, she was right. Each and every person joined the Inquisition because of the cause, because of the ultimate goal, and they were finally, truly in reach of it.

'We leave at dawn.'

A heavy silence fell upon the room until barely even a breath could be heard. Even Cullen's quiet murmur of, 'I need a moment,' seemed loud as it broke through the stillness.

Cullen turned from Valina, walking around the table and out the door, ignoring the eyes that followed him as he entered the Great Hall, ignoring the whispers of the ignorant nobles – Ferelden and Orlesian both – when he slammed the courtyard door behind himself.

He marched across the cobblestone, fighting his fear and anger as he approached the altar steps, but he could not fight the memories that surged forth.

Cullen stumbled forward, pushing Dorian aside. He cupped her cheeks with shaking fingers. Her face felt icy even through his gloves, and her bronzed skin was pallid, drained of the vibrant glow he had grown to love. He bent his head over hers, trying to capture her serpentstone gaze, but she could not focus her eyes on him, her lids sliding closed. He glanced over her body, seeing the shining stain on her dark coat.

Cullen watched helplessly as Dranus placed his hands on Valina's ribs either side of the wound, forming a frame around the deep slit with Malakar. The room crackled with energy and a soft glow danced between their hands. Before their eyes, the bleeding stopped and the wound slowly knit back together, their healing magic quickly taking hold.

Valina took a sharp breath. It shuddered through her body, then finally settled in a steady rhythm again. She relaxed, and the people around her uttered a collective sigh of relief.

'Thank you,' Dranus whispered, 'thank you.'

'We need to take her back to camp,' Malakar said as he removed his hands from her ribs, allowing Dorian to pull him away, 'she needs rest.'

'I'll take her.'

Cassandra moved, allowing Cullen to shift to her side. Dranus grasped his arm, forcing Cullen to look up.

'Please,' Cullen whispered.

Dranus' serpentstone gaze was assessing, but whatever he saw in Cullen's eyes made him relent. Cullen hooked his arms beneath her shoulders and knees, lifting her petite body easily. He cradled her tight against his chest, relieved to see colour returning to her skin.

It was hard to believe that it was mere months since they had rescued her parents from their estate, mere months since she'd nearly lost her life to her father's staff blade before they managed to break the spell. The thought of losing her had nearly destroyed him then. He knew now that if he lost her, he would lose himself.

Still, he could not ask her to stay, knew that even in the face of their ultimate enemy, he would never – could never – ask her to sacrifice integral parts of herself just to ease his fears.

Malakar did not watch Cullen as he left, his focus on the war table. 'This is going to be a difficult night. I suggest you all get some rest,' he said, leaning on the edge, gaze lowered to the map, 'we'll leave at first light.'

The group filtered out in silence. Valina was the last to leave. She knew she had upset Cullen, even if he would not say it outright, and she knew where he might have gone to deal with the emotions that her declaration would invoke. This wasn't a simple hunt for a Highland Ravager, though they would likely have to face the red lyrium dragon. Essentially, their target was a god.

She entered Josephine's office, deep in thought. Still, she felt her mother's presence and she shifted her focus from the door ahead, finding Amira's soft blue gaze.

'Valina, is everything all right? I saw Cullen leave. He did not look well.'

'It will be. I have to leave in the morning to help Malakar. In case I don't see dad, please give him my love.'

'Leave? Where are you going this time?'

Amira was well aware of the situation outside Skyhold and the results of the expedition to the Arbor Wilds, and still, Valina considered lying in that moment, but she knew it would be no use. Somehow, her mother would find out her true destination.

'The Valley of Sacred Ashes.'

Amira pursed her lips for a moment before she asked, 'The rift?'

'Yes,' she said, 'and this can finally end. Malakar can end it. But our army is days away, and we don't have much time.'

'You're going with the Inquisitor, aren't you?'

Valina nodded, and Amira sighed. 'That explains the look on Cullen's face when he walked past. He may not admit it but he is scared for you, and I sense he doesn't want you to go.'

'I know,' she said as she remembered the conversation she and Cullen had before she left to face the Highland Ravager, and the fear in his eyes before they left camp to fight in the Arbor Wilds, 'just like you don't want me to go either.'

'True. You are my daughter. I may wish you would stay where it is safe this one time, but I know better than to argue. Once you've set your mind to something, you'll see it through.'

Valina managed a smile, pulling Amira into a tight hug. 'Unless someone offers me better pay.'

Amira tightened her embrace. 'There's no better pay than love,' she whispered before she pulled back, forcing a smile onto her lips, 'now, go find your Commander. I dare say he needs you more than I.'

She kissed Valina's cheek, then gave her daughter a little shove towards the door.

Valina entered the Great Hall, weaving through the thinning crowd of nobles and envoys. She entered the courtyard, finding it empty of the usual patrons who had long sought cover as rain began to fall again, thunder booming overhead as another storm rolled over Skyhold.

She quieted her steps as she came closer to the door, finding it open. The soft glow of candles filling the room, silhouetting Cullen's kneeling form. She paused in the doorway, holding onto the frame as his voice drifted to her even though it was hardly more than a whisper.

'Though all before me is shadow, yet shall the Maker be my guide. I shall not be left to wander the drifting roads of the beyond… For there is no darkness in the Maker's light, and nothing that He has wrought shall be lost.'

'A prayer for you?'

Cullen's shoulders went tense for the barest moment, startled by her voice, but he quickly relaxed again.

'For those we have lost,' he said, head turning slightly back to her, 'and those I am afraid to lose.'

'You're frightened by my going to the Valley.'

Cullen sighed. 'I am. Corypheus possessed a Grey Warden at the temple. I can't help but wonder what more he is capable of. It's only a matter of time before he retaliates.' Cullen finally lifted his head, rising from his knee. When he turned to face her, she saw shadows lurking in his tawny gaze, the fears he tried to hide.

'We must draw strength wherever we can. When the time comes, you will be thrown into his path.' He approached slowly, stopping just out of reach, and still, he did not meet her gaze. 'I know it is where you must be, that it is the best course of action and that I must follow the Inquisitor's path, but… Andraste preserve me, I must send you to him.'

Valina stepped closer, reaching up to cup his face with one hand. 'There's nothing to worry about, I have luck on my side,' she said as she reached beneath the collar of her tunic, pulling on the chain that hung there. She brought the coin to her lips, pressing a kiss to it before she held it in front of his gaze. 'Remember?'

Cullen caught her hand in his own, bringing it to his lips. He pressed a kiss to the coin also, then to her fingertips, a quiet chuckle rumbling deep in his chest. 'That's less comforting than I'd hoped, but if anyone can…' He trailed his hand down her arm, coaxing her into his embrace.

Valina clung to him, not caring about how his armour bit into her skin, or the chills that contact with the cold metal sent through her. He needed this, this moment of quiet intimacy, and she needed it too.

'Whatever happens,' he whispered in her ear before turning his head to press a kiss to her neck, 'you will come back.'

'You know I will.'

'To believe anything else… I can't.'