Hey guys, had to rewrite parts of this chapter and get back through some of my other chapters to go with the flow. Felt that I was mentally going off board with my work and now that I'm done with the whole getting married thing I can ACTUALLY get this together right instead of just spit balling.
So then, here we go, moving on from here.
They felt the heavy doors press open as their eyes looked through the vacant hall. What had once existed here was no more. A mere shadow of once was in the past that is Skyhold. Anara's eyes looked down the long column, her eyes looking at the old chair that stood as a heavy reminder in the dust and dirt that surrounded them.
"So this is where it begins.." Cullen spoke, his eyes roving the area, scanning the walls and the wooden boards looking for anything of importance.
" It began in the courtyard. This is where we turn that promise into action." Leliana spoke as Josephine walked beside her, the light from the candle one of the only other sources of light.
Anara looked ahead, her eyes looking at the ferelden stained glass, it's colors and hues shining through and scattering across the floor like hundreds of stones strewn from a pack. She looked at her mark, the feeling slowly wearing away finally after days of travel. But the reminder of it's effect forever in her mind.
"Someone out there must know something about Corypheus." Anara spoke as she clenched her hand, looking back on her advisors.
" We have one advantage: we know what Corypheus intends to do next." Leliana stepped forward, looking at Anara, realizing what she meant. " In that future you experienced, Empress Celene had been assassinated."
Josephine looked up from her papers, her eyes looking in distress as she looked at Anara, " Corypheus could conquer the entire south of Thedas, god or no god."
Leliana sighed, her head bowing down in exasperation as she spoke, a sigh escaping her lips, " I'd feel better if we knew more about what we were dealing with.."
They heard Varric behind them, his voice picking up as if he were ready to tell one of his tales. " I know someone who can help with that.." They turned to see him walking towards them, a swagger in his step as he moved.
"Everyone acting all inspirational jogged my memory, so I sent a message to an old friend." Varric watched as the group surrounded him, ready to eat up his words as if they were the only chance of saving themselves.
" She's crossed paths with Corypheus before, and may know more about what he's doing. She can help. " Anara looked at Varric, trying to gauge his words, wondering if this was his big moment to bolster himself. But she knew better, Varric only takes credit for the things he steals, and what he writes. Other duties and other tales of valor, that wasn't his shtick.
" I'm always looking for new allies. Introduce me." Anara spoke, confident in the dwarves ability, and his letter writing skills. If he was able to sell so much on Hard in Hightown then writing a simple letter should be child's play.
Varric looked around panicked as he spoke, his words almost stammering, "Parading around might cause a fuss. It's better for you to meet privately. On the battlements." Anara looked at him, an eyebrow cocked in confusion as he spoke, "Trust me. It's complicated."
With that he waved his arms in defense as he spoke, knowing well his words may not be received well. But he had to make sure as he walked away that no harsh glares or knives would find their way into his back.
Anara looked on in confusion as the dwarf left, his back fading as he stepped from the door, stepping back into sunlight.
" On your order, Inquisitor." Cullen spoke, turning towards Anara as she looked back at him, the faintest smile escaping her lips as he looked at away suddenly, embarrassment sweeping over his face.
As quickly as that small smile came it faded. becoming a faint line of disappointment and perhaps something else underneath.
" I know one thing: if Varric brought who I think he has. Cassandra is going to kill him." Leliana turned towards Cullen, who suddenly remembered who she was talking about. He could feel his lips draw into a line as he realized who she was talking about.
Anara looked back to Leliana who gently nodded, waiting for her to make her decision. "If anyone needs me, I'll be on the battlements." Anara began to step out, her arm pulling down on the sleeve of her tunic. Hiding her scars underneath the cloth.
She felt the dirt under her boots as she moved, hearing the twigs snap and the birds chirp. Haven was a good starting point she knew, but this was an uncalled match to the small town. Anara's eyes looked across the courtyard to see Solas standing there, braced against his staff he looked at her, a warm smile upon his face. A smile only reserved for her.
She felt her feet move towards him as Solas moved slowly closer. Their bodies separated only in public.
" We have good fortifications here Vhenan." Solas spoke, his words soothing, calming her now frayed nerves.
"We wouldn't have found it without your guidance." Her head tilted as she looked at him, watching as he tried to suppress a laugh.
" In yet it was your determination and will that drove us here. I planted the seed, you let it grow." Solas bowed his head gently at her as she looked at him.
"Walk with me. I'm to meet someone on the battlements and would like company beforehand." She knew he would follow willingly, their lives now completely entrenched with one another.
"Why would I say no?" Solas began to walk with her through the courtyard, their talk and look upon the area was no different than those that just showed up. Both still in awe of the fortress."So then, who are you meeting on the battlements? Is it the Commander?" Solas prodded with his words playfully, knowing there was no embarrassment.
" No." Anara spoke, her hand pulling on the sleeve of her tunic. " I think the Commander has lost interest. " She looked at her arm, almost in disgust, " Who would be interested still? " She shook her head, trying not to put herself down.
"Vhenan." Solas stopped, his staff hitting the ground hard as it forced her attention up. Anara looked at him in surprise, not knowing what to make of him now. " Any man would be stupid to not be interested." He looked into her eyes. "And if I have to show you how interested I am, we can forgo this introduction all together, I know you get your own room. With a bed." His eyebrows listed as he looked at her, seriousness in his face.
She smiled, looking at him as they spoke, "Maybe I'll take you up on the offer later." She could feel as if a weight had been lifted off of her shoulder as she looked at Solas, knowing his words rang true.
Solas reached out, his hand touching her wrist gently, looking as if comforting a dear friend instead of a dear lover. She nodded gently, knowing now their words need not be spoken.
Emma Lath, Ma Vhenan.
Cullen stood there at the door, his eyes looking at the two standing there on the battlements, he could feel his jaw clench as he saw Solas's hand touch hers, knowing well their silence between lovers.
He felt as if there was something eating him up from within, a gnawing bite of guilt that was consuming him from the inside. Wishing only to give into the mages deal long ago. To feel close to such completion. If not for Corypheus what would have happened? Would he have spent the night in the arms of the woman he wanted. Or would he have spent the night in heated passion, careless for the sleep of those around him. He had been haunted for too long in his dreams of her. Waking up in spent passion and exhaustion for the woman just across from him.
It was damning and he knew it, and he was unable to hid his feelings anymore, wishing only to not make a spectacle of himself in the process.
He watched as the two lovers departed, Solas turning enough to look at the Commander, knowing well he was watching them the whole time. Like a hawk watching over a field of mice, watching each take their step, awaiting for the perfect time to swoop down and catch her within his claws.
Anara looked at Varric, her arm waving to him as she pushed forward, not wishing to tarnish a mutual friendship before it even started. She walked towards the dwarf, waiting on him to speak the words and bring forth his mystery friend.
She heard in the distance the sound of heavy armor. the sound of plate mail and chain mingling as it walked down the steps towards her. Anara felt awkward, not knowing when to turn around. She turned her ear, hearing the steps come closer. Curiosity couldn't hold her back anymore, as she turned to see a woman walking towards them with sword and shield in hand.
"Inqusitor, meet Hawke, the Champion of Kirkwall." Anara could feel her mouth hang open as she looked at the woman walking before her. She had medium length hair, straight and black with eyes as piercing and green as emeralds. She felt her throat tense for a moment as she tried to find her words. Her reputation in Kirkwall preceded her, she would hear stories all the way to Ostwick. Of the mage rebel Anders, of the slave Fenris and only tales of smut filled tales Varric was willing to share in the tavern.
"Though I don't use that title much anymore." She spoke, as she straightened her back. The shield in her hand seemed to be weighing heavy.
"Hawke, the Inquisitor. I figured you might have some friendly advice about Corypheus. Varric stood between the two ladies, both seeming to size each other up.
Anara was from the Free Marches, more extoc in nature than what was seen in Ostwick. Hawke was pale in comparison, her black hair making her pale in the morning light, letting the red on her cheeks stand out more. She had heard Hawke was from Ferelden, Lothering to be precise. Her home wiped away after the 5th blight. She had lost her brother Carver to an Ogre, was saved by a witch of the wilds by the name of Flemeth and rose through Kirkwall after escaping. But what she remembered most was the destruction of the Chantry by Anders.
She remembered in Ostwick the night it happened, when Kirkwall was thrown into chaos. She could hear the rumble, as if the mountains were threatening to uproot and walk into the sea. There was a flash of green followed by the low rumble of The Chantry. After that, she remembered seeing the red that sparked into the sky, signaling all that she had ever known.
" Impressive view. reminds my of my home in Kirkwall. I had a balcony that overlooked the whole city." Hawke looked over the courtyard, her eyes falling upon a familiar figure in the distance. Still standing within the doorway, watching over Anara. "How is the Commander?" She spoke, turning her head towards Anara. "Did he ever tell you he was in Kirkwall during the rebellion?"
Anara looked at her, confused as she spoke, continuing on. " The first time I met Commander Cullen was on The Wounded Coast. He was beating a recruit by the name of Wilmod."
"The Commander wouldn't do that." Anara spoke, looking at Hawke.
"He is a different man now it seems. But his suspicions were correct, Wilmod was carrying a demon within himself. Became an abomination. But it didn't matter. When Knight-Captain Meredith wanted to kill all the mages within the city. Your Commander stood beside me to take her down." Hawke turned to look at Anara, "He is a good man, when you get past the Templar exterior."
Anara pressed her back against the wall, looking at Hawke, " Do I call you Hawke, or do I call you the Champion?" She looked as a smirk pulled at the corner of her lips. "Call me Le'sondar. Or Hawke. Whichever works" She turned her head to look at Varric standing there, bottle of wine within his hands.
"So, you fought Corypheus?" Anara spoke, looking at the woman as she set down her shield.
"Fought and killed. The Grey Wardens were holding him, and he somehow used his connection to the darkspawn to influence them." Le'sondar paced, her hand running against the stone battlements. "If the Wardens have disappeared, they could have fallen under his control again."
" If that's what happened to the Wardens, do you think we can free them?" Anara watched as Le'sondar braced herself against the battlement, her eyes looking back to the courtyard.
"It's possible. But we need to know more first. I've got a friend in the Wardens. He was investigating something unrelated for me. " She moved again, as if pacing by nervousness. " His name is Stroud. The last time we spoke, he was worried about corruption in the Warden ranks. Since then, nothing."
"Corypheus would certainly qualify as corruption in the ranks. Did your friend disappear with them?" Varric held his arms out as he looked at them.
"No." Le'sondar looked at Varric, "he told me he'd be hiding in an old smugglers cave near Crestwood."
Anara nodded, looking at the Champion, "I appreciate the help."
She spoke as Le'sondar nodded her head,"I'm doing this as much for myself as for you. Corypheus is my responsibility. I thought I'd killed him before. This time, I'll make sure of it." She looked as if Le'sondars jaw clenched as she thought of Corypheus. They had both seen the power of the fallen Magister. From what they've seen, it would be a long fight ahead.
Anara leaned over, looking out over the courtyard with Le'sondar. " Why are you alone?" She looked at the champion, her eyes off in the distance as she thought.
"Fenris would have killed himself to protect me. I didn't want to give him that chance.." Her eyes lowered as she spoke, "Perhaps I will see him again soon...It seems safe enough here.."
Anara looked at her and saw a gnawing sense of loneliness. Something she once understood all too well, "It is safe enough, we are in the Frostbacks.."
She watched as Le'sondar nod, her mind elsewhere, "Perhaps...You're right.."
Anara could feel as if the conversation was beginning to tense up, she knew in this moment she should leave the Champion alone. Let her mind wander on better things and better times than what may be ahead of them all.
" I should go." Anara spoke as she pushed herself back up, her eyes looking back towards the door, to Cullen still standing there.
Cullen could feel his palms get sweaty as Anara left, hoping that Le'sondar hadn't spoken of the bad he had committed when he was in Kirkwall. Wilmod was possessed, he had answers for things and he was a different man then. Cullen knew that, he was still using lyrium as a way to cope with his dreams. To suppress them, push them down.
But it had only got worse when he had missed a day, it seemed now is dreams stood in between nightmares and fantasy. Dragging him down one pit, and into the sweet caress of another.
His feet moved, pulling himself away from the door as he walked away. His eyes looking over the chair that stood in front of the large glass windows. People were sweeping and moving boards, preparing already for the stonemasons work and to rebuild the Inquisition.
He could hear the cawing of crows in the distance as Leliana took up perch, overlooking the movements of those below her. Dorian had set himself up with a large chair and many books in front of an open window. Solas had taken refuge below everyone, a simple chair and table with books and elven artifacts. Solas had taken up painting in the large circular room, painting the decisions and actions of the Inquisition. One area at a time, filled with something representing them, representing Anara.
He knew Cassandra would take up the smithy, living around the smell of battle Cullen assumed it's how she slept at night. The Bull took up wherever he needed to rest his head. Sera had her own spot within the tavern reserved only for her, upon pain of arrows. Blackwall kept himself separate from everyone. Only close to the horses in the stables.
Cole, he would shift in and out of places. Throwing people off and leaving without a trace. Cullen wondered how many times the strange boy had played that trick on him? Or how often he played it on others? Did he know any better? Or was he simple minded in those actions?
Cullen would now rest his head in the tower near the drawbridge. Overlooking the bridge and the coming and goings of the inquisition. Cullen turned towards the old bridge that fell apart, his body aching as the sky began to set, their long day only turning towards a long night. His shoulders slumped as he walked down the stairs, his feet finding their way to the ground. The soft earth moving under his feet as he looked into the courtyard as couriers ran with survivors. Watched as people set up camp, feeling the reigniting of hope within the faces of those that sat around the fire. Feeling the warmth of food, within their bellies and the joy of song upon their lips.
As much as Anara placed the doing upon others, they all knew this was possible because of her. As each step she took, made her seem all the more prophetic in the eyes of those following Andraste and The Maker.
He looked up into the tower where he'd take shelter seeing light spill out from the windows, his hand opened the door at the base, his feet stepping inside away from the rising cold. Wishing to find himself in the comfort of his cot, hoping soon for more provisions, like an actual bed..
He could feel his eyes get heavier as he looked around the room, his eyes looking up to a tall loft in the distance, no ladder to be seen. Cullen made a mental note to get one built asap, but until then his cot laid bare in the dusty room, old tomes on bookshelves, a few candles lighting the room, the shadows playing tricks on his mind and his eyes.
He took a final look out the window, looking at the world through stain glass as he gathered himself up, preparing for what he hoped was the first real rest he'd have since Haven. The past nights have not been kind to him both physically and mentally, leaving him irritable and at times spiraling towards lyrium. But he knew better than to give into such a demand.
He could handle this, without the lyrium.
Cullen sat down in his cot, his hands pulling the boots off his feet. He pulled them from the stone floor when he felt the coldness touch the pads of his feet. He didn't like the cold, but he wasn't going to sleep in armor and boots.
He rubbed his eyes as his hands mindlessly unlaced the chestplate, letting it fall to the ground with a loud clank. He rested his head in his hands for a brief moment, catching up with himself as he pushed the last few days out of his mind. Wishing only for sleep without distraction.
" By The Maker…" he groaned as he slipped the bracers. Finally allowing himself to relax in this tunic and breeches. Soon he knew the inquisition would be able to provide more than a simple cot and august rams skins. But beggars can't be choosers.
He nestled into his cot after blowing out the few candles that littered the room, but let a few torches burn for the sake of warmth.
He turned towards the last candle, staring into it for a few moments, feeling enraptured like a moth. Comparing the heat and light he felt to that of the mage. To their Inquisitor. He groaned again, he wanted to sleep without distraction, and it didn't seem like that was going to happen tonight. His face his pillow, groaning loudly into it in exasperation.
That's it. He needed to sleep. Now.
Cullen closed his eyes angrily. Hoping that sleep would find it's way to him, hoping his mind would shut up long enough to reach sleep.