And here's Chapter 2! We finally get to more characters and see more of the personality in them. Haha. I had to go through it a couple times to deal with typos. Jeez, I'm damn tired. I think I wrote this at, like, one in the morning. There might be things I missed but hey, I guess that's life.

Enjoy!

Chapter 2: And so We Burned

Despite the horrific pain that spread along her left hand, Heliwyr kept up with Cassandra as they made their way through the valley. Thankfully, she had been permitted to keep the bow she'd found. If Cassandra had insisted, Heliwyr had no doubt they would have come to blows.

Still, Heliwyr missed the weapons she'd gone to the Conclave with. They were, however, likely destroyed or somehow trapped in the Fade. But the feel of this bow was wrong and rough, not like the bow she'd used most of her life. Not to mention, shoddily made. Humans are terrible when it comes to hunting.

The paths were winding, the snow freezing, and Heliwyr found herself missing the warm forests back in the Free Marches. Her fingers moved slower than she was used to, and her reaction time was off. Heliwyr hoped Cassandra wouldn't mind her current lack of talent.

Before long, Cassandra called out. "We are almost there. You can hear the fighting."

Frowning, Heliwyr responded. "Who's fighting?" Demons? She hoped more soldiers weren't getting killed. As a hunter for her clan, Heliwyr was no stranger to death. But this was something else entirely. Fire burning, corpses strewn everywhere, and so much blood. Too much blood.

Cassandra shook her head. "You'll see when we get there." Her hands tightened around her sword and shield. Heliwyr responded similarly. If what they were approaching put Cassandra ill at ease then Heliwyr would do well to be cautious. Observing her fight had taught the elf much of Cassandra's prowess.

As they reached the top of the path Heliwyr saw them.

A dwarf and an elf fighting demons, wraiths she thought in the back of her mind. The angry spirits poured out of a crystallized structure hanging in the air, changing fluidly between states. A couple soldiers hung back and attempted to help, but most damage was being done by the pair of non-humans.

Immediately, Heliwyr leapt to action. There were a scant few arrows remaining in her quiver, but there were only three demons so far. The other elf and dwarf seemed capable enough so she focused on the one near the soldiers. Taking a deep breath, Heliwyr drew back her bow. Cassandra moved forward to defend against any incoming blows. Together, they quickly dispatched the first demon and moved on to deal with the others.

As Cassandra aided the dwarf, with a couple of sour looks, Heliwyr went to the side of the elf. She figured that, as a mage and seeing as he was without a nifty crossbow, he'd need the most help. It didn't take long for him to disprove her theory.

Heliwyr had never seen a mage move like he did. She had spent long hours with her clan observing how the Keeper and her First wielded their powers. It was nothing like what transpired before her.

He was like water, all grace and quick movement. Nothing was wasted with every step he took. Each blow efficient and powerful. His magic leapt to his fingers easily and he seemed at home using his Creators given gift.

Still, gawking would not get the job done. Heliwyr focused on the task at hand. She danced around the wraith to draw its attention and fired off a series of shots that penetrated deep into its weak points.

Soon all the enemies were dead.

Before she could take a moment's rest, Heliwyr found her wrist being grabbed by the mage-elf and shoved at the rift. The familiar power of the mark flowed through her and tugged at something beyond the flickering green. A pulsating sensation echoed within her and she pulled in time with it.

Shards burst from the rift until it collapsed upon itself. Heliwyr let out a gust of breath and backed away warily. Her teeth pulled back in a feral smile. The soldiers moved on ahead at a nod from Cassandra. She and those remaining approached Heliwyr.

She looked back at the elf-mage. Studied him. He seemed at ease with the situation, exuded a casual confidence that belied his obvious strength. His ice blue eyes crinkled at her and she responded with a quiet snarl. At that, though, his eyes darkened and Heliwyr instinctively moved into a fighting stance.

Heliwyr's senses screamed that he was dangerous. She felt circled, hunted. Her eyes narrowed. How dare this elf-mage make her feel like this! She was the hunter of clan Lavellan and would not be cowed by some unknown, bare-faced elf! Her ears tipped up in anger and he quirked an eyebrow at her.

Oblivious to the silent war waging between the two elves, Cassandra asked for more information. "How did you do that?" Both the elves heads swerved around to gaze at her.

The elf-mage broke the silence first and laughed, shaking his head. "I did nothing." He gestured to Heliwyr, the tips of his lips curled. She frowned back at him. The smile grew wider. "The credit is all hers." His voice was lilted, skimming along mockery. Heliwyr felt a buzzing annoyance.

Looking at the smear of green burned into her hand, Heliwyr spoke. "You mean this mark." It wasn't a question. She clenched and unclenched her fingers. Sparks flew out and shocks went up her arm.

"Whatever magic opened the Breach also placed that mark upon your hand." He paused, looking somewhat smug. "I theorized that you might be able to close the rifts using that mark - and it seems I was correct." Heliwyr's hackles came up. This elf-mage knew too much, was too casual with his knowledge.

Cassandra, however, went along with it. She nodded, as though she knew of what he spoke. She looked hopeful which caused Heliwyr's ears to flick nervously. "Could it also then close the Breach itself?"

The elf-mage frowned. "Possibly." He turned his eyes back to Heliwyr, his face suddenly impassive. The tips of his lips still curled as he rolled out his next words. "It seems you hold the key to our salvation."

Heliwyr glanced up at him through her eyelashes, wariness lining her features. He met her gaze steadily and she felt the tips of her ears start to burn.

A voice called out from behind Cassandra. The dwarf stepped forward with a slant to his lips and a quirk in his brow. To call him charming would be easy. He adjusted his gloves and laughed. "Good to know! Here I thought we'd be ass deep in demons forever." He winked at Heliwyr and twirled an arrow with ease. "Varric Tethras, my lady - rogue, storyteller, and, occasionally, unwelcome tagalong." At that, he looked up at Cassandra with a shit-eating grin on his face. Cassandra noticed and turned away with a noise of disgust. Heliwyr struggled not to laugh.

This was odd. What was a dwarf doing out here with the Chantry? Especially one so obviously familiar with the Seeker. Or, at least, familiar with pissing her off. Her head tilted back and forth, her hair brushing her shoulders with the movement. Eventually, she decided on what to say. "You're with the Chantry?" Better to know as much as she could before making assumptions.

Behind her came laughter. The other elf shook his head at her. "Was that a serious question?" His eyes crinkled at her and she had the awful urge to stick her tongue out at him.

Varric shifted, looking back down at his hands. "Technically, I'm a prisoner. Just like you."

A scoff came from Cassandra. She glared down at Varric. "I brought you here to tell your story to the Divine. That is now no longer needed." A mutter came from Varric that sounded remarkably like 'that's obvious'. Cassandra's scowl increased in intensity and Varric coughed, looking away.

He turned back to Heliwyr. "And yet, I'm still here." Switching targets, he turned back to Heliwyr. "So, Red, I assume you have a name behind that frown of yours?"

Heliwyr was thrown for a loop. Her mouth gaped open and it took a while for her to find her voice. "Red?"

The dwarf laughed again. "Sure. Red. You've got the hair, and the eyes, and the-" he gestured, "tattoos. And you're embarrassed so the tips of your ears are red." He grinned at her. "Don't like it?"

"Well, it's not the most creative..."

"You wound me, Red."

She sniffed at him and tried to fight the smile creeping on her face. These were strangers. Clearly not of the Dalish and it would not do for her to let her clan down again. A deep breath and she steeled herself again. Looking between each of her current companions, Heliwyr clasped her arms and bowed. "I am Heliwyr, hunter of Clan Lavellan, sent to observe the Conclave and report the results. As you can see, it hasn't gone so well."

Varric snickered. "That's an understatement, Red."

A frown. She let it go, for now. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Varric." She nodded, as was proper.

Different laughter sounded this time. Heliwyr and Varric turned to find the other elf shaking his head at them. Even his amusement was casual, though, and Heliwyr retreated back into the comfort of wariness. Something about this other elf put her on edge, in varying ways. He raised an eyebrow at her, as though he knew. "You may reconsider that stance, in time." His ears flicked up in humour.

Varric huffed at him and smoothed out his worn leather jacket. His expression matched the elf's, however. "Aw, I'm sure we'll become great friends in the valley...Chuckles." The grin on his face grew as he saw the brief look of mortification pass the elf's face.

Before, the elf could reply, Cassandra interjected. "Your help is appreciated, Varric, but-"

He looked beyond smug. "Have you seen what's happening, Seeker? Your soldiers aren't in control anymore, you need me." He smiled widely at her as she turned away with an ugh. Turning back to Heliwyr, he winked. Heliwyr smiled slightly in return. It reminded her of a couple of the boys back with the clan, always arguing for attention.

The other elf approached her, bowing his head slightly. "I am Solas, if there are to be introductions." Heliwyr frowned. Pride? That's an odd name. "I am pleased to see you yet live."

"He means he kept you from dying while you slept." Varric nodded at Solas, who looked away.

Heliwyr turned to him with wide eyes. If he had truly kept her alive then maybe she'd misjudged him. Perhaps her fear was simply because he was different. If this was the case... "Ma serranas, Solas. I did not realize..." Her ears drooped. "I thank you for your aid."

Solas shook his head. "It was no trouble. Think nothing of it." Beyond his polite facade, lay quiet amusement. "I simply did what I could." His strange robes fluttered in the frozen wind as he changed his focus to Cassandra. "Seeker, you should know that this is magic unlike any I have ever seen." He gestured back at Heliwyr with his long fingers. "Indeed, she is no mage but I find it unlikely that any mage could have such power."

Cassandra nodded. "Understood." She started walking. "Come we must reach the forward camp and meet with Leliana." Solas followed without pause, leaving Varric and Heliwyr behind.

Shrugging his shoulders, Varric moved forward as well. Glancing back at Heliwyr, he joked. "Well, Bianca's excited."

Heliwyr waited for a fraction of a second before following. These people were odd, nothing like the others back with the clan. Hopefully, she wouldn't make a mistake dealing with them. Sighing, she tried to steel herself for what was to come. Sealing the Breach.

Creators, what had she gotten herself into this time?

Recently got a haircut and now I look like Krem! So pleased!

This chapter came out earlier than I'd planned but I figured, hey why not? I'm going to try to get them out on a weekly or...bi-weekly? Every two weeks. Something like that. Next 'chapter' is going to be something of an interlude I had planned. A chapter dedicated to another character's point of view. These chapters won't be spaced evenly (and will count towards the weekly publish!) but should add some flavour to the rest of it.

TTFN,

Ginger