The next two days past without incidence. I wrote a report for Leliana (andruil's tits it was tedious) and I helped some of the recruits learn how to handle a bow. Some of them wouldn't know a target if it came up and bit them in the arse. Still, I'm a good teacher apparently and I managed to get 4 out of the 7 to hit a bullseye, or there abouts... Still, it was nice to not have to look over my shoulder incase of apostate mages or rogue templars for once. Haven was just that... A safe haven. The people were warmer now, more hopeful. The more that came, the more that hope grew and they smiled more. It felt like a little mishmash community. It was was quite comforting.
On the third day I met Adan, the herbalist. He was still quite rude but I think that must have been his way because he was rude to everyone, not just me. And he did not once call me knife ear or Rabbit and for that I was grateful.
"If you've got some time to kill, I could use a favour." He said curtly as he fiddled about with his potions. His shack smelt of elfroot and grass and spindle weed and all other sorts of herbs and spices, it was almost dizzying.

"What can I do you for?" I asked cheerfully, turning away from his catalogue.

My old teacher, master taigan. He was killed in the explosion at the Conclave. Thing is he left some of his research notes in his cabin just outside the village. I've been too busy to get them and they may be useful, last I spoke to him he said he was on to something. It'd be good to see them." He said the last part with a touch of wistfulness and it twinged at my heart.

So I smiled at him and nodded, "Certainly."
He gave a curt but thankful nod in return as I left into the cold air. It was just slightly warmer, the trees showing the first signs of blooming so it must have been coming into spring. Ah spring, a season I am fond of, though not as much as summer. I past Solas on my way and I had to stop because curiosity over took me. He was dressed in his leathers, staff in hand and everything!

"Where are you off to?" I called, picking up my pace to walk next to him. He startles at my voice and looked almost confused. Almost. I doubt the great and powerful Solas is ever truly perplexed by anything.

"To Val Royeaux with the Inquisitor. You are not accompanying us?"
I frowned then, I was in fact perplexed. I hadn't heard about any trip to Val Royeaux. Not that I minded. The whole Dalish elf in Orlesian capital city did not appeal to me. Gods, it was bad enough being just an elf in Monsimmard, they had stories about the Dalish that would make your blood run cold.

"Not that I know off." I shrugged simply.

"Then you have a week or two to do as you please." He replied with a soft smile.

"It would seem so." I bid him good day and to have a safe journey and continued on my way. I tried not to let the distinct feeling of being left behind boil over too much. It was probably just easier that they went without me. Maybe they knew I wouldn't be comfortable... Still would've liked to be asked... Not that I was going to let that dampen my mood! The day was too pleasant to be miserable and I soon forgot all about it when the tall pines of the forest surrounded me in their comforting gloom.
Their smell was strong and I felt refreshed, even more so. After a few minutes of leisurely strolling I cane upon master Taigan's old cabin. It was simple and quaint and out of the way, surrounded by trees and the mountain wind. I understood why it's previous owner thought it a good place to set up shop. I would've considered moving in if Taigan hadn't been so recently deceased. I decided to let it stay there quietly, frozen in time, his bed sheets still unmade and an empty cup of tea on his table. It was quite a sad little scene, as if this little home was waiting for him to return. I thought then that many homes must be waiting on the return of their inhabitants. Many families too... With a sigh and one final look at the cabin, I returned to Haven.
The Herald's party was just disappearing through the gate as I returned, and I quashed that feeling again. I couldn't be so petty about things like being left behind, the world was ending for goodness sake! Not that I had the time to be petty because I was called upon yet again to do another favour no doubt. It was one of Leliana's spies one I didn't recognise, a young blond elf who guided me to Leliana's tent without a notion of being the timid new recruit. Really it was common decency to act timid when you're first recruited. The cock of the walk thing would surely become tiresome to the others. It was strange how she eyed me, strange the way she held herself. It left a bad taste in my mouth and for the life of me I don't know why. But as I say, my instincts always serve me well. I'd keep my eye on her.

"Lavellan, I apologise for denying you a trip to Val Royeaux." Leliana said with a quirked lip as she looked up from her maps.

"Oh truly I'm heart broken." I replied and she laughed. Laughed. Leliana, ice woman and cold hearted spy master. Her face changed when she did. She looked younger and her eyes were not as hard, perhaps her mask was slipping. Perhaps she trusted me enough to let it slip. The reason for her immense trust still confused me. Perhaps we were simply kindred spirits, her instincts judged that I was worthy of trust. I hoped I was.
"I have a task that I can trust only to you Lavellan. That is why you must stay." She began and my interest was piqued. "I have had... Strange reports coming from Redcliff. The mages are using it as a base of operations and until days ago there was nothing sinister in their actions. However my scouts are sending back odd reports of rifts opening up and shutting of their own accord, time seeming to slow or speed up around them. Whether these are true or not, I cannot say but I would like for you to head to Redcliff and validate these reports."

I couldn't help but show my confusion, it was a day to be confused it seemed, but the whole thing of changing the pace of time around the rifts, surely it was bad magic.

"Why go to this trouble to scout Redcliff?" I ask.

"Because I believe the mages there are the only source of power that can seal the breach. I do not wish to ask the Templars for aid, no matter what Culled says. I agree with their cause, mages should be free to govern themselves. Why is it that we live as we please and yet they must be locked away? It's not right. Not only that but this sounds like very dark magic and I doubt we want that sitting on our doorstep. We must make the mages seem like the better choice, enough to edge the Herald's mind away from the Templars."

"So you wish to manipulate the Herald?" I said, folding my arms. I was not accusatory, at least I hoped I wasn't, but this choice would potentially decide the entire fate of the Inquisition. Could that really be left to one woman?

"I wish for her to make the right choice. We cannot fight this without the mages help. I leave it to you, Nevalla, if you disagree with my methods then-"

"I'm not disagreeing, I would prefer asking Redcliff's help but... How? I know the herald is a perfectly lovely girl but you should've seen her face when she found out I was a mage! No matter how pleasant and kind and good she is, she's still another shem... Ahem, human who was brought up to fear magic. How do you expect me to make her go against her instinct?" I asked, beginning to pace inside the tent. It was impossible what she was asking, the Herald wouldn't go for it and I'd already seen her blushing at Cullen, whatever he said about the matter she'd agree with. This wouldn't work. I stopped pacing when I realised Leliana smirking at me.

"How much you underestimate yourself, Lavellan." She chuckled, "You escape prison to aid the people that held you captive, you hold what could barely be considered a force at the crossroads onslaught after onslaught and take no credit for it. You can also talk Cassandra out of killing you, that my friend, is not a skill to be scoffed at. If anyone can do this, I believe it is you." She said with finality and a small smile.

"Then you put too much faith in me."

She scoffed, "I have put too much faith into my entire life. I have been proven wrong many times, but others make my faith worth while. You remind me of my friend, she was like you, always doubting. Of course she was not half as tactless or brash." There was a fondness in her eyes and an admiration of which I felt entirely unworthy. But it made me want to show that her faith was not misplaced. I ran a hand through my hair and sighed, this would be difficult.

"I'll see what I can do." I said with a shrug.

"I look forward to your success." She nodded and with that, I was packed up, saddled and sent on my way to Redcliff, not before spying that blond elf again. She was watching me carefully. I couldn't put my finger on why I didn't like her. There was a look in her eye. An age beyond her years. It wasn't right but she deeply unnerved me.
Anyway, here I was on the road again. I didn't run into any particular trouble, thankfully. Just the odd two Templars or rogue mages or a wolf. Nothing i couldn't handle. I wondered then if my letter made if back to the clan, I wondered if Mahanon had read it. Did he let little Ellana read it too? I hoped he did, I missed her terribly. She was always so full of life and cheer and always had these permanently rosy cheeks even when she was asleep. She was what I hoped the Dalish would be. Open, kind hearted, sure and true. Living along side the world, not over it, not trying to control it by building monstrous castles and waging war. Not burning the land to a crisp out of spite. The King's Road was truly a disastrous place. Fire engulfed the houses, spread over the ground leaving a black trail of burned decay. The smoke would nearly choke you, but I held an arm over my face, even as my eyes stung at the thickness of it. Still, I passed through it, away from the now settled but none the less there groups of Templars. It wasn't long before I saw the walls of Red Cliff village come into view.