Anara felt as if the walls around them were starting to come in, ensnaring them further into a trap. But she stood her ground, looking at the Grand Enchanter.
"What has brought You to Redcliffe?" The look of confusion on her face slowly turned, her eyes staring as if their presence insulted her and all the mages that found solace here.
"Where here because of your invitation back in Val Royeaux." Anara's eyebrows furrowed in frustration as she saw the Enchanters face turn again. She no longer looked insulted, but instead quickly became confused.
"You must be mistaken, I haven't been to Val Royeaux since before the conclave.."
Anara looked at Fiona, trying to see if there was truth to her words, "Well that's strange...Because someone who looked exactly like you spoke to me in Val Royeaux…"
Fiona's face twisted in disbelief and confusion, her shoulders shrugging as she answered, "Exactly like me? I suppose it could be magic at work. But why would anyone…" Her head shook, trying to dispel any doubts and disbelief in her mind. "Whoever, or whatever brought you here. This situation has changed, the free mages have already...pledged themselves to the service of the Tevinter Imperium.." With those words, Fiona looked as if she had given up on life and her mages.
Solas tried to be convincing, and understanding of the situation, who else but an elf could speak to another about slavery and Tevinter? Anara looked at him, worried about the ice in which he tread, he had a look in his eye. Of unknown knowledge and assurance in his ideals, as if he knew what would happen to the mages.
Fiona could only say a small piece, and it was no longer within her power to negotiate anymore. Instead that was reserved for the Magister that they pledged themselves to.
Anara's stomach became sick as she thought of indentured servitude, to a Magister nonetheless. She knew that the Imperium was tolerant of mages, but she knew in her heart that any mage outside the Imperium was no better than the dirt they stepped on. She could feel her jaw clench as she looked at Fiona, the Grand Enchanter of the circle, now a defeated puppet.
" Greetings my friends, I apologize for not meeting you earlier." Anara looked at the man walking towards them, his hood spiked and red. She watched him approach her as Fiona spoke, introducing Magister Gereon Alexius. Anara could feel her skin crawl as the man tried to take her hand, in his. Glad he said to meet another mage.
He spoke words only to save face with everyone within ear and eye shot. But she could feel his magic touching against hers, almost as if it was searching. It felt, wrong. Like the times her Knight-Commander would suppress her magic to try and force a kiss from her lips. His magic felt altered and unnatural, even by Tevinter standards, whatever she was feeling made her sick.
She could feel herself sinking backwards into Solas, trying to find refuge in him, away from the prodding Magister and his magic.
She felt a gentle hand touch hers as she came into contact with Solas, feeling his magic surround her like a warm cloak. Creating a barrier between her and the Magister's ever seeking power.
"Interesting…." Was all she heard from him, her jaw permanently clenched at this point her teeth aching from the pressure.
"I'm here to get mages to close The Breach." Anara tried to hold herself high, her back straightening against the man, but she couldn't hide her feelings from the surface.
" I understand of course." He waved his arm at them, beckoning them away from the crowd, Anara giving Fiona one final look. Watching as her eyes diverted to the ground, shame trying to hide from her face. Anara knew her plight, and her feelings. But where Anara stood now, would hopefully serve as a better example than their Grand Enchanters position.
Alexius left, trying to remain courteous despite his reach in power against her. He prodded and poked, questions constantly about her and her mark. Like he knew something else about her, something she didn't know. It was unnerving to say the least, especially more in the presence of current company.
She watched as the group left, Fiona quickly in tow. Anara stood there, the awkward silence surrounding them like death. Her hand clenching onto the note she felt passed into her hand by Felix, Alexius's son.
Solas looked at her in curiosity as she pulled the note free, looking over the writing. "What is it?" Solas asked as Anara's eyes looked up into his.
"Come to the Chantry, you are in danger.." Cassandra looked at the note in her hand, trying to decide if this was a thought came across her mind a few times, Anara knew it could be a trap, but no more a trap then just being in Redcliffe.
She looked over the group, all of them perplexed by the note and it's somewhat cryptic writing. "It's worth investigating.." She watched as Cassandra nodded, knowing full well the power of the mages would have on the breach. Solas silently agreed, still trying not to let his feelings show in the light of day.
Varric seemed un phased by all of it, instead eager to get going, and hopefully to step away from this series of bad decisions on the mages part.
They stepped back into the village, Anara's eyes adjusting to the blinding light from the sun. She looked over the lake, staring at Redcliffe Castle, remembering the stories she had heard that happened within those walls.
"Vhenan." Solas spoke as they all turned to Anara, trying to pull their leaders attention to the task at hand.
"Sorry, I...This all feels very strange.." She moved with the group as they made their way across the town, heading towards the strangely abandoned Chantry.
The doors creaked open as they walked in, grunts and yells heard from within, Anara moved without a second thought, Cassandra stopping long enough to only shout, "Wait!"
Demons shrieked as they began to fall back into the fade, the mage in front of them was more formidable than seen from a distance. Anara stopped for a moment as he turned his gaze up from his defeated foe, " Good, you're finally here. Now help me close this would you?" His skin and hair were dark, tanned from the sun, like hers. She suddenly wondered the resemblance between them, both mages, tanned with dark hair, her male equivalent.
She felt her fingers clench as she looked at the rift within the walls of the Chantry. The mark within her began to flare, stretching outwards and causing the muscles in her arm to spasm.
Cassandra drew into battle as demons resurfaced, the howl of the terror demon shocking those down to the core. Anara's hand held outstretched to the rift, the magic within working itself as the rift burst forth, the demons staggering to the ground, making their work easier.
Solas felt Anara's power surge once again, her magic had reflected her, body and soul. Lightning was the purest, strongest form of fire, and that is what she is. Her strength lies in the fire within her, a fire created from The Circle.
Their staves twirled and spun in the air, conjuring their respective elements to battle as they fought. The last and final terror demon staggering to the ground as Cassandra took the final blow with her sword. As it's severed head rolled to the ground howling one last time it faded from reality. Exposing the rift to Anara and her mark.
The rift hummed as she poured her mark into the rift, sealing it shut with a move of her hand. The rift shattered like broken glass, hurling pieces back into the fade, forever shutting the door to this world.
The man looked around, checking to see what had happened, he turned back to Anara, a look of curiosity and interest filling his eyes, "Fascinating…" He spoke slowly, trying to comprehend what it was that he saw. "How does that work exactly?" He chuckled as he looked at Anara's look as she stared at her hand, trying to figure out how it does work, "You don't even know do you? You just wiggle your fingers and boom, the rift closes."
She couldn't decipher if he was complimenting her or insulting her, his words were too well guarded. She couldn't figure out his true intent either, something else she couldn't quite figure out as well. She tried to suppress an annoyed look on her face as she looked at him, an eyebrow cocking up in question.
"Who are you?" She asked in her least insulting tone, trying to remain somewhat neutral to the unknown mage in front of her.
"Ah right, Dorian of house Pavus. Most recently of Minrathous." She could feel her jaw clench as he spoke, Tevinter she thought, more Tevinter's..She had suddenly wondered if Dorian could understand her trepidation suddenly. Becoming lock jawed isn't exactly the most secretive thing to do in this situation, when you're expected to converse.
He continued to be grandiose, almost to the point of where Anara questioned how sound his mind was. Her simple question soon opened the floodgates to many ideas and answers that she would've never thought of. In her last remaining years within The Circle, she had joined a fraternity, and allied herself with the Aequitarians of the Free Marches. Devoted to the betterment of mankind through magic, instead of fighting against it. It was after the destruction of Kirkwall that lead to her decision. The Templar's spent years tormenting her, and finally breaking her for her to stop fighting them as much as she did. But it had taken the destruction of Kirkwall for her to finally commit to the new senses that they forced upon her.
Here she was, talking to another Tevinter about magic.
He spoke of Alexius and his ability to bend time, to distort it, and Anara did all she could to keep herself from rolling her eyes. It all sounded ridiculous to her, but then again she was a circle mage from the Free Marches. Whatever magic she learned, was institutionalized for her and others, to pacify them with just a little power. But never enough to even truly overthrow a circle tower and it's Templar's.
She looked over at Solas, whose eyes seemed to light up at the talk, three mages talking about time travel. It seemed like a funny sight to her, to think about them gathered in the Chantry, talking of bending time to their will and the dangers of it. But she couldn't take away the interest that Solas had for the subject. She unknowingly began to smile at the thought of Solas and his curiosity, even if the subject was considered taboo.
Anara's eyes focused in the distance, looking at the young man who feigned illness earlier, slipping her a piece of paper. Dorian acknowledged the man, both indulging them in their knowledge of Alexius's plan, and in turn, creating a plan of their own. The mage took his stand with them, and in turn giving them a sense of insight that they never expected. He turned his back to the group, leaving well to the shadows of the land as Felix made his way back as well. Both men, leaving an awkward silence in their wake.
"What do we do?" Cassandra spoke, looking at Anara their unintended leader.
Her hand gripped her staff, feeling the marks presence within her, she looked around the Chantry, determination coming through like a fire in her eyes as she turned to her group.
"Lets find this, Alexius and stop these Venatori." A smug smile played across her lips as Varric stroked Bianca, prepping her for their upcoming battle. Cassandra nodded, her hand holding steady on the hilt of her blade. Solas, stood there a sense of pride shining in his eyes as he looked at her. She was taking the mantle that they unfortunately cast upon her. It seemed that leadership suited her well regardless of her past.
He nodded, his words spoken only to her, "I am with you Vhenan." She nodded to the group, confidence coming through more and more, the smugness fading from her lips and instead replaced with confidence in herself and her group.
Word was sent from Haven, wishing for the groups immediate return. Anara looked at the not with curiosity, it's handwriting was messy and fast. Barely any of it made sense to be honest, but she took the news as any other from Haven, a chance to rest, recuperate, and move on.
Their trek back was met only with anxious worry from the people. She assumed that they already heard their plans to align with the mages. She understood their discomfort, it was only through sealing the rift initially these people began to trust her. But beyond that she could take their trust with a grain of salt it seemed.
The small town was bustling with more people since they brought in more agents. One from Orlais brought food, as others brought intelligence, mages, and men to the fight for the inquisition. It was all becoming coordinated, each time she entered the town she saw the group begin to flex its muscle slowly but surely.
She came across Cullen, and Leliana, both lost within their worlds of intrigue and training. She watched as the Commander walked through the training grounds, his commands making him seem more...Domineering.
She cocked an eyebrow at the man as he turned to look at her. He watched as she slowly bit down on her thumb, trying to determine if she was trying to be seductive or if she was nervous.
"Lady Trevelyan are you alright?" He spoke as he walked up to her, her mind coming back to her as she focused on the Commanders presence.
"Yes...quite alright.." He sensed that she was hiding something, putting on a face for his sake.
"Lady...Anara.." He leaned in closer, trying to keep the conversation quiet. " You don't need to hide your thoughts, please. Tell me."
She looked into his eyes, finding a sense of weakness in them that she couldn't bear to lie to.
"I...I.." Her words seemed to stammer as she tried to find the right thing to say. Trying her best keep the trust that was left between them.. She couldn't think of what to say, how to be appropriate, how to not have the Ex-Templar think ill of her. Instead she did what she was taught to do since childhood. She forced a smile onto her face, as false and fake as it was she tried to make it seem genuine. "I am alright Commander, truly.."
She tried to turn, but Cullen grabbed her hand, pulling it close. She felt a blush slowly creep onto her cheeks as he held her hand in his, almost like a prince that she had heard in stories as a girl. " Anara.." She swallowed her words as he pulled her hand up to his lips, pressing them gently against her hand. "Do not feel that you should have to keep things from me...Lest you make me worry."
She forced a chuckle, "Commander there is no need to worry.." The fake smile vanished as she looked into his eyes, his face was solemn and serious in his words.
"I fear that I will always worry.." With that he nodded gently to her and let go of her hand as he left back to the training yard.
Anara stood there in stone silence as he walked away, not knowing what had happened. She was the hunter at some point in the past. Luring Cullen into a kiss, hoping only for more. But it seemed that in her concern for saving face with him, it seems that she has now becoming the prey.
Solas looked over from across the yard, looking at Anara's blushed face. He smirked to himself, she looked adorable stumbling about almost like some far away maiden.
"Funny isn't it." He heard the familiar tone of the dwarf next to him, "Templar's and mages always seem to hook up. I guess it's the whole protector and protected idea."
Solas looked down at Varric, "What makes you think that there's something between them?"
Varric held out his arms, "Come on look at me, I'm a writer, I know weak knees and blushing cheeks in the dark, in a house. That right there is classic weak knees, almost good enough to write about."
Solas chuckled, "I don't think so, Templar and Mage romances are common, and I thought you were above romance novels."
Varric laughed, turning his back to the elf as he decided to stroll back to the tavern, " Ah chuckles, no ones above money, and this whole thing could mean a lot of money."
The night had passed over without a doubt, Solas kept to himself in his hut as Anara stared at a fire within the camping grounds. There was too much to think about, and she refused the idea of sleep. Leaving her body ragged and exhausted as she made her way to the War Room, Cassandra looked her over, "Did you get any sleep?" Her eyebrows furrowed in their typical way, meant for silent judgement.
"No." Anara spoke as she rubbed her eyes, the door breaking open to Josephine's humming and scratches on her paper with her quill.
They stared at the map, Cullen beginning his argument with Cassandra all over again. Redcliffe wasn't the best choice to the Commander. Still wishing for them to join forces with the Templar's. But Anara knew, after what had happened in Val Royeaux that there was no chance the inquisition could depend on them.
"It's an obvious trap." Josephine spoke, going over the letter received by the Magister. Everyone in the room knew that it was a trap, knew the problem with the decision that they were making. But they couldn't sit there and do nothing anymore, the war raged between the two factions, and in it all the innocent people stood. The breach was closed, but not permanently and they needed to come together if there was a chance to fully close it.
Anara slammed her hands on the table, frustration finally taking a hold of her "We need to stop arguing.." She spoke through gritted teeth as her eyes looked at the table. Trying not to let her anger take control of her.
But regardless of her words, Leliana and Cullen argued, Cullen's words trying to sound both commanding and assuring. Anara knew his feelings and his concerns, but in the end this was her decision.
They heard the door barge open as Dorian strode in, carrying confidence with him like a second skin. Cullen seemed uncomfortable, his eyes looking over Dorian as he stood next to Anara. She knew he didn't trust him, he was a mage but not only that, a stranger and a foreigner.
They all stood there, in hushed whispers agreeing to the terms of Dorian, and Anara resigning herself to her fate has bait.
She looked at her hands as they rested on the table, "Who will go with you then?" She looked at Cassandra, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade.
Her eyes stared at Redcliffe, the castle was foreboding and unapproachable by most ways. But she trusted Leliana's knowledge of the castle, she was there during the blight. She took that secret passage, but Anara knew in her heart that this would be no easy task.
" Alexius Is a Magister, I think it'd be best to pit magic against magic."
Dorian had a side cocked smile, "Brilliant, enough magic should do the trick."
Anara turned to Cassandra, looking the fighter in the eyes, "I will need Dorian, Solas and if it gets out of control, I need you to suppress Cassandra."
She nodded her head, looking at Anara, "Of course, I will ready our forces." Dorian was fast in tow as they left, leaving Anara alone to the room.
"Is it wise my lady?" Cullen had stood there at the door, "To have that Tevinter lead us."
"Commander, I understand your trepidation. He is not only a mage but a foreigner to this land." She pushed her hands from the table, turning towards Cullen, "But so am I."
Cullen was silent, she could see his jaw tighten as he tried to think of what to say, "I'm..Sorry..I.."
Anara made her way past the Commander, stopping only long enough to look him in the eyes as she spoke, "It's alright Commander."
He reached out for her hand, pulling Anara back in, he looked at her, his eyes piercing hers, " You will come back." His free hand gently ran through a freed curl from her braid.
"Commander?" She was confused with the man and his intentions now. He had rejected her and Solas's proposal before, what had changed in which he was acting upon this now.
Cullen was attracted to her, no doubt in his mind. He wasn't attracted to the idea of sharing, or being between her and Solas. It was a situation that the Chantry had gone against, and in his heart he was still a Templar. But he knew the truth to her words in the past, he was a man as well, and a man had needs.
He leaned in, wishing to only feel her lips against his once again. His last kiss was a broken shamble, an embarrassment to say the least. His first, was like lightning, like a spark flew between their lips, starting to set afire a flame of need within himself. He felt his fingers leave the curl, finding it's way to her cheek, cupping her face as he leaned in closer.
Anara's confusion quickly disappeared with the Commanders lead, his lips getting achingly close to hers. Her eyes closed slowly, feeling the heat from his body rise and almost the small shock between their lips.
"Vhenan!" A shout was heard down the hall. Solas standing there at the door looking at Cullen as a blush quickly spread to his face. He bolted backwards, his hand leaving hers, fingers pulling from her cheeks. He turned his face, covering his face with a hand, guarding a cough.
"I, see it's time to get ready to leave my lady.." Cullen avoided her eyes, a move that only confused her all the more.
" Anara…" She spoke, reassuring him, "Don't be embarrassed Commander…"
She turned, walking down the hall towards Solas. The elf stood there an eyebrow cocked in her direction. Her head turned back towards Cullen, " Solas is more than willing to share." She smiled at him before turning away, leaving the Commander alone in his silence.
Solas turned towards Anara as they stood outside the Chantry, "What was that about Vhenan?"
She smiled, making her own assessment to the situation, "It seems my dear, that we have a second shot at this, if you're still willing to share."
The corner of Solas's lip turned up into a smirk, looking at Anara, "Meet me in a few minutes and you'll see just how willing I am."
She playfully pushed the elf, thinking little into his words until she looked at the seriousness in his eyes, A coy smile spreading across her lips "You're on."