I was in almost a daze as I walked towards the Tavern, Dorian told me Fiona would be there. I had never felt so in over my head in my entire life. This was too big for me! This was magic I'd never even heard of before and I was toying with the very fate of Thedas itself! Me! A little nobody elf from Wycome...
I nearly walked into the tavern door, my thoughts were so confused.
I stood in front of that door however and told myself to calm down. It didn't matter that it was me. It didn't matter that I was a normal person. What matters was that I got the job done. What matters is the lives I would save. So with a long and calming breath I pushed open the door.
There she sat, surrounded by other mages and one guard. Shit. Suddenly I was a jumble of nerves. I was actually going to pluck out The Grand Enchanter's hair. Fen'harel's arse but I wish I wasn't in this situation. Who would want to be in this situation?!
I had to think, long and hard about this. Did I just walk up and pluck out her hair like a mad person? Truly that was my only option here... Shit, shit and shit again. I couldn't do this. I found my jelly legs carrying me over to the bar where I ordered the strongest drink they had. I downed it in one trying to subside the burn in my throat when suddenly and idea came to me.
It was either that or the mad person bet and right now, I wasn't willing to risk a tango with that guard. So with a deep preparative sigh I feigned a stumbling walk over to the table, mug in hand. Believe me when I tell you, I've had enough practise at a drunken walk to play it convincingly.
They all turned to look at me, brows arched in confusion.
"I jus' wanna tell ye's all..." I mumbled drunkenly, "That ye's are all brilliant! 'Specially you, Gran' enshanter! C'mere!" I slovenly walked over then and embraced her in a drunken hug. She seemed rather taken aback and suffice to say, she didn't return it.
"Thank you for 'elping us mages." I said, and part of me meant it. However, it gave me the opportunity to craftily pluck three of her hairs as I withdrew. I ignored the outraged gasps of the rest of the mages around her and was hastily ushered out by the guard but my mission was complete, for I really did just pilfer the hair off somebody's head. I had a cunning smile all the way back to the chantry, gripping those three hairs in my hand as if my life depended on it. When I entered Dorian simply laughed.
"Truly! You did it! I had my doubts, Lavellan. But don't let it be said that you aren't the best thief in all of Ferelden." He chuckled and I did too, more out of the remainder of my adrenalin than anything.
"Where's Felix?" I said, carefully depositting the hairs in Dorian's hands.
"He should be back soon. His father does like to fuss with him. He's... Well he's quite sick you see." The usual snark and cheer went from his voice then.
I couldn't think of what to tell him, comfort had never really been my strong point, and from his tone, Felix was indeed very ill, "I thought so... I'm sorry to hear it. Are the two of you close?"
"I've never had a dearer friend, truly. When I was just an apprentice he and I would always get each other into trouble." He smiled wistfully then and I felt a pang of sympathy for Dorian. It seemed that his flamboyant exterior perhaps was just.
We didn't have to wait long for Felix to return with the ominous ritual amulet. But it was first set aside because I needed to be transformed into a grand Enchanter. Dorian bid me to stand utterly still as he formed a light in his hands and waved them over the hairs.
"Ready?" He asked me, eyes focussed in concentration.
"As I'll ever be." I sighed.
"You and I both." He chuckled and with that he let the light in his hands explode and wash over me. It felt endlessly strange, like a wave of pins and needles, tickling every nerve in my body. When it subsided and I could see the two of them again, I felt immediately self conscience. They stared at me like I had two heads... Gods, I didn't have two heads did I? A quick check confirmed that I didn't.
"Well? Did it work?" I asked hastily, covering my mouth in shock when I heard an Orlesian accent come out instead of my elvish brogue.
"It did... rather well in fact. Excuse the staring but this is quite remarkable." Dorian said stepping closer and examining me. "It actually worked." He laughed to Felix who nodded in awe aswell.
"Was there any doubt?" I asked indignantly. "Well, there was the slightest chance it could have turned you into paste. I don't know why I ever doubt myself, really. This worked splendidly. But, now to the trickier part. Again if you would, stand perfectly still." He said as he picked up the amulet and began wafting his hands around it quite hypnotically, until it began to float.
I suddenly became very nervous indeed. The idea of ripping a hole in time didn't sit well with me.
"Are you sure this will work, Dorian?" I asked.
"You'll be fine Nevalla." He said, his voice distant. It didn't really calm my nerves. But again, I reassured myself. This needed to be done. I took a deep breath and readied myself.
"How long to I have when I get there?" I asked him.
"As long as I can keep it open, as long as I can manage." He said, his voice distant again but his eyes were firm and focussed. I had to put my faith in him. I had to trust him, truly trust him. A moment later his eyes came away from the amulet.
"Ready?" He asked, more sombre this time. He was just as nervous as I.
But I smiled, a more confident smile,"As I'll ever be."
He nodded then, his shoulders relaxing slightly, "Good. Good luck Nevalla." And with that a swirling rift opened and I was dragged inside. For a moment the world spun in shades if green and black and I was almost sick with how dizzying it was until, whoosh! Here I stood in the sun light. Tall white washed buildings surrounded me, golden lion heads decorated the walls and people stood conversing normally in their decorative masks and fancy gowns. I almost collapsed with relief.
So far, no holes in time... none that I could see. That was good. But now I needed to find the Herald. I didn't think this far ahead.
Suddnely though, my thoughts were interrupted by the heavy marching of boots as a whole troop of Templars marched by and out of the gates. I hid immediately in the shadow, instinct to avoid Templars over riding everything else. That was strange though. Why were the Templars leaving Val Royeaux? As I looked around, a chantry mother sat on a scaffold with a bleeding nose, and many Orlesian women had fainted. Something bad had just happened here.
"We shall have to discuss this when we return to Haven. If the Templars do not offer us their support then..." It was Cassandra and her voice was drawing closer. I spun on my heal and there they were! Right there and walking towards the gate! This was my chance.
"Inquistion, a moment if you please." I stepped out in front of them, hoping the disguise was holding. They all looked sufficiently shocked at my appearance.
"Grand Enchanter Fiona?" Cassandra voiced their surprise.
"Leader of the rebel mages." Came Solas' voice from behind. He switched his footing to lean on his staff an eyed me suspiciously. I hoped to the Gods he didn't somehow recognise me. I ignored him however and did what I planned. Invited them to Red Cliff. Mythal's mercy I couldn't even tell you what I said, it all went by in a blur I was so nervous. I hoped they didn't pick up on it.
"I hope you will consider my offer, Herald. It would be very beneficial for us both." I finished my point as they began to depart.
"We shall, good day to you Grand Enchanter." Trevelyan said ever mannerly and with a sincere smile. Again it struck me how young she was and I suddenly felt very guilty for misleading her like this. I watched them go, ignoring the fact that Solas' eyes lingered on me suspiciously longer than the rest. I could only wait now for Dorian to-
Whoosh! Back through the terrible time vortex of terror and I was back, staring dumbly at an expectant Felix and Dorian as he downed a bottle of lyrium.
"Well?" Felix asked eagerly.
I nodded, still in shock at the sudden change in scenery. "I talked to them." Felix smiled in relief then and Dorian slammed down the empty vile with s triumphant smile on his face.
"Splendid! Only trouble is you were gone for quite some time and while you were away, this ghastly thing appeared." He said, pointing up towards the ceiling and there, ominous and green, an unopened rift. True enough also, the colours of the stained glass windows were cold with moonlight.
"Shit..." I sighed, feeling my stomach sink.
"Well it hasn't opened." Felix said lightly.
"Yet." Dorian added ominously and I could only agree.
"We can only keep an eye on it." Felix sighed, his breathing rattling in a disturbing sort of way.
"We shall do no such thing." Dorian interrupted. "For starters, you need your rest, don't think I can't notice when your feeling unwell and secondly, Lavellan dearest, if you want to remain unofficial Inquistion spy, I suggest you make your way back to your unofficial boss. I don't know whether that portal flung you into the future or the past, all I aimed for was the present but time magic is oh so temperamental. You really should get back if we have any hope of saving Redcliff." He said, gathering up himself and readying his staff.
"What about the rift? We can't just leave it." I protested and he smiled.
"I'll keep an eye on it, you needn't worry." If there was ever a man who suited the phrase 'cock of the walk' more, I would really like to meet him.
"It's all well and good keeping an eye on it when it's closed, but what about when it opens and all manner of terrible demons start to pour out of it? No, I can't just leave you alone with it, its too risky." I said, reaffirming my point by sitting back down in a pew. His smiled turned less from a smirk to something more sincere.
"Nevalla, while I sincerely appreciate your concern, it is paramount that you get back to your Herald. Who else is going to persuade her to come here? If you stay here then this rift is a much bigger problem if the Inquistion don't come to Redcliff. Really, I'll be fine. I know how to look after myself." He said with a wink. Something in me told me not to leave him. He'd been a perfect stranger and decided to help because... Well truly, for no other reason than it was the right thing to do. Behind his pomp and arrogance, This Tevinter mage, no... Dorian was a good man. And he had a witty sense of humour, I was always a sucker for a joker. I liked him, and I didn't want to see him hurt. He seemed to notice this and his smile all but faded. Still his eyes held their spark as he crouched down in front of me.
"Truly, I do appreciate your concern. Not very many people hold us Tevinters in much regard and yet... Barely a minute after I met you, you trusted me enough to fling you threw time! Put that trust in me again, Nevalla." He said softly, squeezing my hand. I looked down at him, his face truthful, his moustache curling up with his growing smile. A natural camaraderie seemed to float between us, similar to what I felt with Leliana. He was a kindred spirit, and he seemed to recognise that too.
"Only if you promise you'll be here when I bring the Herald." I said smartly.
"Dearest Nevalla, of course I will." He laughed as if any other notion was preposterous. That was reassuring. In truth I barely knew Dorian, but in time, I could tell, we would become fast friends.
"Alright then. Be careful, don't touch it and if it opens, run like the clappers." I warned. He laughed at my vernacular.
"That sounds like something I would excel at, truly. Now, off you go, the sooner the better and Felix, do try to stay out of trouble, won't you?" He said, gathering up his belongings and organising them.
"Only if you promise to be careful." Felix laughed as he headed out the grand chantry doors.
"I make no promises I can't keep, he really should know that by now." Dorian chuckled.
"I'll be off too then. Remember, don't touch it." I repeated and he laughed.
"And run like the clappers if it opens, yes Nevalla." He laughed again and that somewhat eased the tension I felt. I waved him goodbye one final time before stepping out into the night air.
Now, if only I kept my bloody horse.