Solas pulled her close, reveling in the closeness of their bodies. Each time he saw her in the fade it felt like an eternity since he truly saw her. He only wished to give her the same attention in real life that he gave her in the fade, but it seemed impossible at this moment where she was.
Solas became lost in his thoughts, for a brief moment forgetting about the woman in his arms. She set her temple against his chest as he breathed, smelling the scent of her hair, his eyes closing. She was so close, and wished for her to be with him in his tent, in his arms and under the covers, cuddled close to his chest. He wished for the feel of her soft skin and warm smile set upon his lips. He ached for her, but knew at this point that their meetings in the fade will never be enough to sate him.
He pressed his lips against her forehead, "I have dreamed of this, but now that it is here, I wish only for more…" She looked up into his eyes, a fire within him burning. "I have claimed you, loved you and taken you so many times in my dreams. I have been tempted by desire demons for you, and now that you're awake. I want nothing more than the reality behind it."
She looked confused by Solas's admissions, his hands cupped her face, as he pressed his temple against hers. "I have seen your memories Vhenan, I have walked your dreams and I have felt your heart. I have done all of these things and I want more." He didn't know how to approach it anymore, but the promise of better. "Meet me in the mountains Vhenan, and I will give you all of me, and more.." His words dripped like warm honey, her breath hitched in the back of her throat. Feeling his arms sneak under her cloak, touching her arms. She felt the slight tingle of electricity run across her skin. He wished for more in the flesh, but in this moment they were in the fade. Where there was no judgement, no loss, and no memory of the mark.
She gasped at the feeling as it ran through her body, her need to meet in the flesh seemed less important than the feeling she was having now. Her voice growled, as Solas leaned in for a kiss. Her head tilted back, exposing her neck to his eager lips. His kisses were warm and inviting, still leaving a tingle in each ones absence. She barely knew his name, only meeting him early in the day when he had pulled her from her slumber. She didn't know him, but it didn't matter. The ache she felt in her heart from all those dead seemed to disappear like each fleeting kiss.
Solas could feel his resolve slipping away. All the times in the fade he had felt her lips, had tasted her skin, he knew that those moments would never compare to real life. But he knew that she was under the watchful gaze of Haven. He had to be patient, had to wait for his chance, wait for the town and Cassandra to know how wrong their decision was. He had to wait it out, if he wanted to feel her in the flesh again. Outside the gentle touches and caresses, outside his search for the mark in her arm. Those weren't meaningful in his mind, they were purely academic. Maybe. Solas couldn't quite put his finger on why he considered it as that. He had to shake himself out of this random deep thoughts, but instead into the present, to what was right in front of him. His hands tangled in hers as he rested his temple back against hers. He had to reel himself in, and fast, the sweet sounding sigh that Anara gave when he stopped his kisses, resting his head against hers. He could feel the magic between them form and combine, either attracting or repelling demons, that was for another debate, but not now.
He had closed his eyes, feeling her relax into him, trusting his strength to keep her in place. Her fingers unlaced from his, her fingers tracing his chest, running across his collarbone. She looked fascinated with his skin, how it felt, Solas could understand her fascination and he sighed to her touch. His lips pressed against her forehead, delivering a tender kiss as he struggled with his words.
"Vhenan, I promise that I will see you soon. That this, all of this, will not be in vain. " He could feel her move in his arms, as they wove around the small of her back. Pulling her closer, he smiled against her skin. Perhaps he thought, this is what humans considered as love. They're wild tempest of emotions could burn hot and cool quickly. Like the smithing of a blade, they burned, cooled and hammered away at the pieces. Until all that was left was a single set of perfection.
Perhaps this is what he was missing in his life. He could feel it, the kind of fiery passion and what he called love in his heart. But he didn't know how to say it, how to confirm what he was truly feeling. He could say it in Elven, but he never expected her to know the words. To hear them in her head, to hold them close, he never expected that. Perhaps it frightened him, perhaps he wasn't completely used to it yet, but he was slowly becoming more and more open to it. To a human, to another mage, to an outsider to the world around them. He knew if continued down this path there would be no turning back, that he would fall in love with this woman…
"Vhenan…" His hand pulled her chin up, looking her in the eyes, his words struggled as he stared into the brown depths. His other hand reflexively pulling strands away from her face, "Vhenan, You need to wake up. Find me in the mountains.." He pressed his lips gently against hers as her hands clenched on his tunic. Feeling the rush between their bodies as Solas broke them from the fade, ending their connection.
Anara shot up from the floor, a loud exasperate gasp leaving her mouth. She looked around the room, she couldn't tell the difference in time, only one burning Brazier nearby. She could still feel the repression coming from a nearby Templar, but not as strongly. Her eyes studied the room, until they fell upon the sleeping form of Cullen. His back against the wall as he braced his sword, his head seemed to loll back and forth, periodically snapping up.
She sat up on her knees, looking down at the stocks on her hands. The pain from the mark had lessened, she was in more control now then she was just the other day. Her magic was suppressed, but she was in control of it, she felt no danger of it spilling over. She looked around again, trying to assess the situation, Cullen tried to keep himself awake but failed. His Templar abilities waning with each failed attempt. She pitied him, a Knight-Captain forced to watch over another mage, another apostate. She felt his abilities weaken once again, as she felt not only her magic grow, but the magic of the mark as well.
Her eyes had issue adjusting now, she felt the magic in the mark flare, causing her hand to jerk, the fingers becoming uncomfortably stiff. The flash of green light filled the room, alarming Cullen from his slumber. He braced his sword, expecting the worst but instead saw her gritting her teeth in pain. Beyond the feel of the mark Cullen sensed no other magic trying to cause havoc.
There was a loud clatter outside, the sound of voices, and armor clanging just outside. Anara braced for the incoming swaths of people, expecting groups of Templar's, but instead blinded by the morning sun as bodies poured into the room. She was confused by the state of the world around her suddenly, swords being drawn and pointed at her. As if she were a rabid dog ready to be put down. She hated the notion of it, Ferelden loved dogs..
As the blades stood there, ready to mark the floor with her blood the door opened again. Met with a short haired warrior and a cloaked thief. Cassandra and Leliana made their entrance, and it was Cassandras turn with their captured apostate.
Cassandra slowly paced around the mage, the blades drawn back. Anara could feel her magic become more suppressed, but the Templar that had watched her was not in his prime at this moment. She feared that there was another Templar in the room.
Leliana stepped closer, Cassandra to her back. Anara began to panic internally, she couldn't use her magic, she could feel the eyes of everyone in the room upon her. She didn't know what to do, how to act and the only thing she could think of was Yes, Knight-Captain. Cassandra leaned over her shoulder, talking to the whole room.
"Tell me why we shouldn't kill you now? The conclave is destroyed. Everyone who attended is dead." Her feet kept in pace as she walked around to Anara's front, her hand pointing accusingly at her. "Except for you." Cassandra's words were intimidating. Anara began to recoil back from her hand, she could feel the sting from Cassandras abilities, it was HER that was suppressing her powers. But she had to work through it, she remembered her words, Everyone who attended is dead. dead. DEAD! She could feel the sting in the back of her eyes as tears began to form. No, everyone? She couldn't believe it, she didn't want to…
"What do you mean everyone's dead?" Was the only thing she could say, there was nothing left in her mind to say.
Cassandra didn't believe her, didn't believe her glassy eyes, the look of horror on her face. She grabbed her hand, still tightly secured in the stocks. She held her arm up, "Explain this." A green flash erupted from her hand, as if it reacted to Cassandras presence. Her shoved the arm back down, the stocks rattling as the green light illuminated Anara's face.
She couldn't, she had no reason, no excuse and no memory of it. She was trying to grasp at straws, trying to please the woman in front of her, like she had been trained to do in the circle. "I...Can't…" She couldn't find the right words to make her happy, and only ran into a wall with words.
"What do you mean you Can't! " Cassandras grip on her sword getting tighter as Leliana began her pace opposite of Cassandra.
Anara felt like she was in a sea with sharks. As they encircled her, " I don't know what that is, or how it got there."
"You're lying!" she said, Cassandra gave into her anger as she grabbed Anara by the tunic, the clatter of the stocks as her hands shot up, trying to resist Cassandras grip. Cullen shifted, knowing full well of Cassandras anger, he stopped as Leliana jumped in, pushing her away from Anara.
"We need her, Cassandra." Leliana assured her, Cassandras face growing dark as they separated from the mage.
Anara's eyes shot down to the ground, the woman's temper flared her abilities and she felt stifled. Like a plant left in the sun for too long, she felt any longer and she will wilt. "What happens now..?"
Tears kept threatening to appear, but she suppressed them, just like Cassandra suppressed her magic.
Leliana stepped forward, Cassandra trying to burn holes with her gaze, "Do you remember what happened? How this began?"
Cassandra kept pacing, now uncomfortable with letting the mage settle down.
"I remember running. Things were chasing me, and then...A woman?" Her memory was cloudy, but she remembered the feared that she held in those moments. Running for her life as she heard the scuttling noise behind her. Anara focused her attention on Cassandra, trying to ensure that the warrior didn't take her head.
Leliana seemed genuinely interested as she rocked back, arms braced, "A woman?"
Anara nodded. Her hair knotted and hanging in her face, the night or two here hadn't been kind to her. But all she wished was the appease the people in front of her, especially the one still circling like a vulture. Waiting to pick her remains clean until there is nothing left. "She reached out to me, but then…"
Cassandra had finally put her foot down, having enough of this conversation, "Go to the forward camp Leliana, I will take her to the rift.." She had trusted Cassandras judgement, leaving her alone with the blades and the Templar.
Cassandra seemed impatient, unshackling the stocks around her wrists, letting her hands free, " "What did happen?" Anara spoke up, looking at Cassandra, her attention no longer on her, but on a different task at hand as she bound her hands together.
She grabbed Anara's arm, pulling her up, "It will be easier to show you." Cassandra stepped forward, leading the way as the blades still stood behind her. She had no other choice but to follow the warrior in front of her. Her steps were reluctant and quiet, hoping that she could just step into the fade and to freedom. But she knew with her around, being able to control magic was like trying to make good food from a Nug.
The doors to the Chantry opened as they both stepped outside, the air was cold, as fresh snow covered the ground. The sun was bright in it's reflection, making sight all the more painful. Her body recoiled as she tried to adjust, her eyes slowly sweeping the sky, 'By the maker' her head screamed and her heart dropped as her eyes looked over the green tear in the sky.
"We call it "The Breach" It's a massive rift into the world of demons that grows larger with each passing hour." Cassandra looked up to the sky, her hand on the hilt of her sword. She turned around, looking at Anara, "It's not the only such rift. Just the largest. All were caused by the explosion at the conclave."
Anara's eyebrows furrowed, her mind was confused by what she was looking at in the sky, "An explosion can do that?"
"This one did." She stepped forward, the look on her face seeming less than pleasant towards her current company. "Unless we act, The Breach may grow until it swallows the world."
A noise ripped through the air, as the sky groaned from the tear. The breach was expanding, and flaring. Tearing through to the mark in her arm, Her arm flexing to the breach as she groaned. The burning pain in her flesh coming back again, as she felt it surge and grow further into her. The pain burned towards the top of her arm, slowly making it's way into her shoulder. She suddenly feared what effect this magic would have if it reached her heart.
Her knees buckled as she fell to the ground, the tears that she fought back for so long finally coming through. She fought to regain control, clenching her fingers tighter trying to reign it in but it failed. She was at a loss for this experience.
"Each time the breach expands, your mark spreads...And it is killing you."
Anara would've preferred good news to the situation at hand, but she was in the middle of something that she knew nothing about.
"It may be the key to stopping this, but there isn't much time. " Anara didn't know what was happening. One moment she felt the warrior was going to kill her, then punch her and now she's making bargains? Using sound logic? This was a different tactic.
Anara was caught at an impasse, she didn't know what to say, but in her mind she agreed to whatever terms. " I understand."
Cassandra for a brief moment looked taken aback, " Then…?"
" I'll do what I can. Whatever it takes." Anara raised her courage to look her in the eyes, desperately trying to build trust.
The people of Haven silently judged her as she walked through the town, Cassandra explaining the situation regarding the conclave. The death of Divine Justinia, and the continuation of the war between mages and Templar's. It had seemed that the people of Haven had already judged her guilt regardless. That the situation was cut and dry and simple to explain. Suddenly, the town of Haven felt more cramped and tiny than anyone could've originally thought before.
Anara was all the happier leaving the town, leaving those eyes staring at her, judging her for being a mage. For surviving when the Divine didn't, she understood their judgement, although it was misplaced. The wind picked up as they crossed slowly into the mountains. Cassandra stopped her, to cut the binds that held her in place. Finally putting some small amount of trust in her, but to remain defenseless.
"There will be a trial. I can promise no more." She could live with this decision, she had a chance to prove herself, regain some of her memories, get some distance between herself and that town. To go. Up into the mountains…
Vhenan…
They had crossed the bridge, and began their ascent towards the mountain, towards the breach. Towards him.
She could feel her heart quicken as her thoughts wavered to his promise, to his words and admission. Suddenly her feet felt like they weren't going quick enough, her steps matching Cassandra step for step.
She had fought demons, her magic no longer suppressed, but the warrior still seemed at odds with her, " Drop your weapon. NOW." Anara held up her hands as Cassandra moved in with her sword.
"OK, have it your way…" She prepared to drop her staff until Cassandra spoke up, " Wait, I cannot protect you, and I cannot expect you to be defenseless.."
They had moved further up the mountain, getting closer to him, to the elf in her dreams. To the one who held her when she had first awoken. To the one who called her Vhenan. Her feet reluctantly stepped onto the ice, hearing the deep cracking noise that began to spread from her weight. Her eyes darted upwards, so close to the mountains, so close to the Breach… Her feet gained distance, a path began to lead up the mountain it's steps winding higher and higher.
" We're getting close to the rift. You can hear the fighting.." Cassandra shouted as she picked up her pace behind Anara.
" Who's fighting?" Her voice began to lose out as her magic flared, her hands gripping her staff as she reached the top. The winds howled across the ground, snow flaring around her wildly, the rift growing closer.
"You'll see soon. We must help them." Cassandra made it around Anara, her shield out and ready, her blade gripped in her hand. She was prepared for a fight without a second thought she charged towards the bright green bombardments, striking the earth.
Anara paused, looking over the small battlefield, demons fighting men. Her eyes searched, uncertain and afraid. Her eyes flowed over the field until she saw ice encase a demon in it's place. Flurries of deadly snow crossing the battlefield, Another mage. Her mind quickened, seeking out the magic that cast such a spell. Until she crossed an elf standing there. Ice erupting forth from him as he channeled his magic, tearing through the demon horde.
Anara could feel the fire begin to rise inside of her, as her magic lashed out. Fire erupted on the field, burning through those deemed unfriendly. Her staff rose and twirled as she channeled her magic, until lighting cracked down from the sky striking into the enemies. Their bodies twitched and convulsed, some disappearing back into realm that they came from. She could feel a twitch upon her lips, feeling as if the most wicked smile would play across her face.
Solas looked up to the sky, watching lightning strike the ground, sending shock waves through the ground. Destabilizing the demons and their footing on this world. Lightning… He realized from the overpowered rush of magic in the air who was causing all this damage in the area. Lightning was her craft, and perhaps one of the purest forms of fire. For she did not singe in the fires of her heart, but instead burned in an inferno.
Solas looked up, his spell stopped as he looked over the field, finally resting his eyes upon the form of Anara. Her coat blew wildly behind her, her hair a wild mess. She looked feral, like some wild cat that came prowling from the woods into battle. How each time he came across her she became different, she had a sense of duality about her. She was kind and gentle, but when consumed in her magic, in her emotions she was an aggressive and strong creature. Solas looked upon her, the corner of her mouth hooked up in a wicked smirk. The power that she felt, that she exerted was overwhelming, and seductive all at once.
Varric shot his last bolt, Cassandra stood down and sheathed her blade, and Solas lowered his staff. There stood Anara, still as wild and feral as she was before, but her eyes began to soften and her body became less rigid. Her eyes roaming across the field, coming into contact with him from a distance. Solas wanted to race across the field, wrap his arms around her and kiss her deeply. To oblivion with what everyone else thought in that moment.
His feet moved without a thought as did hers, their steps becoming closer and closer. Solas knew in his mind what he had promised, to give her all of him and more. He wanted nothing more than that, nothing more than to hide out in the wilderness, as passion engulfed them. But as he approached he saw Cassandra turning her attention to him. Then the small rift that formed.
He was so close to kissing her lips, but felt his need to fulfill his duty come first. Duty first, passion second, until there is nothing left but passion. His hand clasped around Anara's wrist holding it up.
"Quickly, before more come through!" His arm moved violently, as if he channeled the mark to work. Her hand exploded in light, green seemed to move around them like smoke, or fog on a lake. She could feel the surge of power as the rift before her shifted, compressing until it shattered like glass. Sending a shock wave through the air, the closing of the rift sent a ripple through her mark. Her face grew in confusion as she pulled her arm back, uncertain with what had just happened.
"What did you do?" Her uncertainty only grew as she looked back down at her hand. Unknowing of what kind of power it possessed.
Solas wanted to grab back her hand, hold it in his and damn the world around them. Varric stepped forward, walking towards the group.
"I did nothing. The credit is yours. "
"At least this is good for something." Her eyes looked suddenly judgmental towards her mark and what it has done to her life so far.
"Whatever magic opened the breach in the sky also placed that mark upon your hand.." Her hand still glowed so lightly to the presence of the breach, "I theorized the mark might be able to close the rifts that have opened in the breach's wake..And it seems I was correct." Solas looked down at her hand as well, seeing the panicked look in her eyes. Vhenan, do not fear it.
Her body seemed to relax as she looked up at him, it seems he got through to her after all. "It seems you hold the key to our salvation." Solas wanted to remind her of her importance, and of the good her mark could do. He urged the reassurance with his words, knowing her better and better in each day.
" Good to know! Here I thought we'd be ass deep in demons forever." Varric stood there, adjusting his gloves to the harsh climate. The sarcasm in his words were dripping out of his mouth. He approached Anara, her staff in her hand as if it was a crutch at this point.
"Varric Tethras; Rogue, storyteller and occasionally, unwelcome tag along. " His eyes looked up to Cassandra a quick wink that made her eyebrows furrow in anger, a snarl forming on her face.
Anara looked at Varric, the dwarf was roguish to say the least, but a tag along? "Are you with the Chantry or…?"
Solas chuckled, she had such innocent questions. But she had been asleep, she had very little recollection and he knew her questions would seem off until she regained a part of herself again.
"Technically I'm a prisoner, just like you. " His head looked down, looking back to his gloves.
"Nice to meet you, Varric." Her face softened as she greeted the dwarf.
" You might reconsider that stance. In time." Solas smiled, a laugh threatening to erupt from his lips. Anara tried to hard to be diplomatic, to have the nobility that ran in her blood. But Solas knew that with her nobility, there too was magic, and magic was shunned. He looked over at Anara, trying not to give away his feelings to the overly observant dwarf.
"My name is Solas, if there are to be introductions. I am pleased to see you still live." He said what he had to mask his intentions, to try and seem normal to Varric.
He shook his head, trying to hold back a laugh to Solas, " He means, 'I kept that mark from killing you while you slept."
Anara turned her head looking at Solas who, seemed open to her questioning look, "I...Thank you.." Other words began to fail her as she looked at Solas. His eyes seemed to pierce hers as she remembered what he had said in the fade to her. How he had seen her memories, walked her dreams and more. How he had said those words, but didn't kiss her. Oh how she wished for his kiss now.
Solas and Cassandra were now talking, his words trying to reassure the warrior of the magic that dwelled in both Anara and the Breach. As well as the situation with the forward camp, Cassandra's feet moved, trying to rush everyone to the forward camp. Varric slowly following,
"Well, Bianca's excited!" He spoke as he rounded out behind Cassandra, their bodies moving forward towards their next destination.
"Vhenan.." Solas spoke behind her, a gasp of surprise leaving her lips as she turned to meet his eyes. He started her down, through her soul he had seen through her in yet his eyes met hers hungrily. "Vhenan…" He whispered, his lips inching closer and closer, she could feel the heat from his lips. "Ma vhenan'ara.." Was his final whisper as his lips met hers. Finally touching outside the fade, outside promises with desire demons, outside bringing her back from the brink. This was real, for the first time, and in the pit of his stomach he felt a fire begin to form, and he knew that he couldn't stop himself anymore