Hello my lovely readers! I'm so sorry I haven't posted in a while! I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all so much for reviewing, following and favoriting my story! It means so much to me! So thank you, and I hope you keep it coming because I love to hear your thoughts about the story! Now on to the story!
"Please don't kill me! I have a family! Please I'm begging you!" I didn't listen. The world around me was painted red and swirling with black as faces among faces came into my view. Bleeding and dying agonizingly slower than they had the first time. They were scared of me as I raised my blade without a care for them.
"You're a murderer." Another voice screamed. A fat greasy old Templar who had been mutilating the Mages in his charge. More chimed in all screaming the same thing.
"MURDERER!" It was deafening. All the voices of my past screaming at me. They surrounded me, Magisters and Orlesian nobles. Nobodies who were cruel and heartless, to abominations and Apostates who needed to die. My eyes however became glued to one person in particular in the crowd.
"You murdered me. You didn't give me a chance. You could've saved me! You said you loved me!" He grabbed me and his eyes flickered to black and he grinned. I clutched my head and moved away from him trying to block out the voices with my palms.
"STOP IT!" I screamed, but instead he grabbed me again and pulled me towards his face with a wicked grin.
"I will never stop." He whispered and drove his blade through me.
BAM, BAM, BAM!
"Holy Sh-!" I almost cursed as I jerked straight up and out of my nightmare, but got tangled in the sheets. Frantically I tried to pull them off of me, but instead tumbled to the ground with a thud.
"Lady Protector are you alright in there!?" I groaned as I tried to lift myself up to answer the door, but I just couldn't. These dreams, they were worse now than they've ever been. I didn't understand it. My hand hovered shakily over the scar on my stomach as I remembered the time before. Sweet Andraste. "Lady Protector!? Please answer or I will have to break down the door!" The soldier called out again and I quickly scrambled to the door and opened it. Sweaty and disheveled I stared at the soldier who had his hand raised to bang on the door again. "Lady Protector are you alright? I heard you scream and then it sounded like something fell." I nodded as I pulled a hand through my hair unruly and stepped aside.
"Oh that? Nah, I'm fine. Just wrestling with the sheets. " I joked hiding my shaky voice and saw him nod with a short tiny smile. "Thank you." He nodded again and saluted before turning on his heels and I looked after him and slumped against the door frame for a moment before looking up at the sky and noticed the moon was far past its peak, and the sun had just started to light the morning sky. Wait a second! We were supposed to leave at dawn! "Oh, crap." I hissed, scrambling around the room I pulled on my cloak and armor and slid my daggers into my holsters. My hand deftly tugging my hair into a high ponytail with one hand as I pulled on my boots with the other. I rushed through camp noticing the people of Haven were already out and about. Some carrying baskets of crops and some with pitchers. Carts and crates and materials bustling past me, but not fast enough to stare first. I carried on nodding to them as I descended the steps and turned immediately spotting Cassandra, Varric and Solas all packing up their horses' saddlebags. I walked over to them and tried to stifle a yawn as Varric turned to me.
"Hey there, Angel. Sleep well last night?" I looked to him and lied,
"Like a babe." He grinned as he let out a low chuckle and pulled the saddlebag latch tight on his pony before pointing over to a tall white horse that stood strapped by his reins to a fence post.
"That one's yours. Curly already packed you up." Varric stated with a twinge of mirth in his tone.
"Curly?" I asked him and he nodded with a smirk playing on his lips.
"The Commander." Staring evenly at him I forced myself not to look around for the Commander. How'd I miss him? He's a hard man to miss with his large feathery mantle and imposing figure.
"He did?" I asked finally and Varric shrugged as he patted his pony's neck,
"He packed you before heading off somewhere with the Herald." He said, but I was only partially listening as I gazed across the training grounds looking for the handsome Commander, but no sign on him. "Probably a thank you for bringing him some dinner." Varric added with a wink. I looked down at my dwarven friend with a smirk before turning to my horse. Petting its hair gently its eye watched me carefully from the side.
"Well, aren't you beautiful…girl?" I cooed as I looked over the horse with a smile, "Do you have a name?" I asked and it snorted while stamping a hoof on the ground.
"It doesn't have a name. It's a horse, Thedran." Cassandra drawled and without looking at her I petted the mane of the horse feeling its coarse hair under my fingertips.
"Awe, don't listen to that mean old lady, you're not just a horse!" Cassandra scoffed behind me and I grinned at the horse who bobbed its head as it let out a low snort. "I know! I'll call you Belle." I declared with a snap of my fingers and she whinnied in what sounded like agreement. I chortled as I petted her mane and gave her some treats from a nearby bucket.
"You're pretty good with horses." Trevelyan commented next to me and I looked over at him with a smile,
"Oh, thank you." I replied as he pulled his horse along. A tall black horse with a dark brown mane. Trevelyan nodded as he fed his treats as well, "You seem to be pretty good with them too." He grinned at my compliment and patted the horses' neck.
"My Father felt it was important a man know how to ride a horse. Said I'd never woo a woman if I was riding in carriages all the time." I chuckled at that and saw the others hoisting themselves up onto their saddles and I followed suit. Placing my foot into the stirrup I swung my leg around the horse's body and made myself comfortable in the saddle. Grabbing the reins I pulled the horse round to follow them. As we made for the exit it seemed like all of Haven had come and lined up on either side of us. Never had I experienced anything like this, they looked at us like Gods and that was unnerving. Stiffening my back I looked around as we slowly moved past the training grounds and towards a large gateway. I'd yet to see the Commander anywhere, until I caught a glimpse of his form standing on the steps to Haven. There he was leaning up against the door frame as the citizens of Haven filed out by the dozens to get their last glimpse of the Herald and their heroes before they leave. Cullen wasn't looking at me instead watching each of our party as they passed him. I looked forward at Trevelyan as he waved sheepishly to the bar maid from the night before who was now enthusiastically waving back her breasts almost bouncing out of her shirt as she did so. I chuckled at the blush that shot across the Herald's face and shook my head. Men. My attention, however, drew from the Herald to Jim who was standing at the bottom of the stairs waving at me. I waved back at him with a smile feeling a bit awkward,
"Safe journeys, Lady Protector!" He called out and I couldn't help but giggle at how adorable he was. His hair gleaming cutely in the morning sun his eyes bright and excited.
"Thank you, Jim." I replied and his eyes widened exponentially and he shook the person next to him. I covered up my mouth to stifle my fit of giggles before placing them both back on the reigns. My eyes then flicked from Jim to take one last peak at Cullen as I came by him and felt my heart slam in my chest when I noticed he was staring back. Amusement written plainly on his face as he dipped his head respectfully with his arms crossed over his broad chest. Gripping the reigns with one hand I took my other and sent him a two fingered salute accompanied by a lopsided grin. His shoulder shook with laughter as he looked down for a moment. When he looked back up I could see his eyes remarkable honey color sparkling with mirth and my chest tightened a bit painfully. I felt a twinge of pink hit my cheeks and quickly broke eye contact focusing on my travel companions in front of me. Maker's Balls what is the matter with me? I berated myself mentally trying my best not to look back at him. Soon we were out of Haven completely and open to mountains and the freezing air it brought. I let out a puff of air and pulled my cloak tighter around me as our horses began to trot at a faster pace through the brisk mountain air. Varric and Trevelyan chatted for the most part as Cassandra kept in front and Solas on the opposite side of him. I stayed in the back of the group my mind straying to the night before. The note, the threat against the assassins, my Father asking for my help. I cannot go back. Not after what he made me do to Tayen. Staring down at the reigns with a scowl on my lips I scratched at a fraying thread that was sticking out to keep my hands busy. It was about 3 more hours and Varric had pulled his horse back to chat with me. For a while we were just talking about random things we'd done during the years we'd been separate, but then it started to delve into more recent developments.
"So…you don't remember a thing? About what happened at the Conclave?" He asked and I nodded as we bobbed in unison traveling through a rather thinly wooded forest with snow covering the ground and branches.
"Yes, I remember being at the Conclave, and then I woke up in the middle of the wreckage. There was a golden woman, who I think was Andraste, in the rift. She pushed Trevelyan out of said rift and then the Commander and Inquisition soldiers found us." I explained as I mentally ran through everything that had happened.
"That's weird, Quinn. Like not a good weird either." He stated as he looked back ahead towards the path. "Look, even though all this crap has been happening with the end of the world. It is good to see you again." He added with a grin and I felt my own lips curl into a bemused smile.
"It's good to see you too, Varric." I responded with a twinge of suspicion in my voice. He shot me a look of confusion and shrugged at me muttering,
"What? Can't a guy tell his friend he missed her?" I felt a laugh rumble through my chest and I regarded my dwarven friend with a small smile. "You just took me by surprise is all. Your sentimental moments are few and far between." I explained to him as we bobbed on our horses. I looked down at him and grinned, "I missed you too, Varric." He looked up at me and shook his head as he made a sound of disgust.
"Dear Maker, Quinn. Stop it, it's weird when you're sentimental." I broke into another fit of laughter and punched him in the arm.
"Hey! I am very sentimental thank you!" I protested and he shot me an unconvinced look before snorting and looking back ahead of us. "Yeah, you're right. But, that's why you love me." I replied cheekily as we continued our trotting through the dense forest. Varric nodded in agreement, but we both paused when my stomach rumbled loudly. His eye brow lifted as he eyed me.
"Hungry?" He asked with a bemused smile.
"It appears so." My stomach let out another low grumble and I covered it up with my hand, embarrassed by how loud it was. He grinned at me and patted his right saddle bag and pointed over to mine before trotting back up next to the Herald. Looking in between him and the saddlebag I then opened the flap. Inside there were two apples sitting on top of a blanket and supplies with a note folded up next to it. My stomach twisted in delight and my mouth watered when I saw the apple sitting there. I grinned and pulled the first apple to my lips as I unfolded the note gently.
"One time thing.
-Cullen "
I snorted with laughter and read over it again before slipping it into my pants pocket. Biting into the apple again I savored the sweet taste and felt a small blush come to my cheeks. Maker he is…something else. We continued on, our horses trotting steadily through the heavily wooded area. Hours passed and the sun was almost at its peak in the sky. I groaned, horseback riding for an extended amount of time was so boring. That was until the Mage, Solas, pulled his horse back a bit and started to ride next to me.
"Hello, Lady Protector." He said with his head inclined to me and I inclined mine back to him.
"Hello, Solas." I returned with a smile and he nodded to my marked hand,
"I wanted to ask you about your hand, you have a very…unusual case." I turned my palm up and looked to him with a grimace.
"I'm not sure I can be of any help. Your guess is as good as mine." I told him shooting him a short smile. He smiled back calmly and looked at my palm,
"It has a strange pull from the Fade, similar to the Herald's, but also very different." He paused looking very thoughtful for a moment before lifting a finger to his lips. "I saw when you saved the Commander at the Temple…but, I confess I'm confused as to what actually happened." He confessed as his green eyes cast thoughtfully ahead of us. Sighing as I rubbed the mark on my hand I looked towards him.
"I'm not sure myself of that either. I remember panicking and I was too far away, then suddenly a flash of green almost like a door and then it was like I opened another door. Then, I fell right into the Commander. It was weird." I recalled as I looked back down at my mark. The damn thing sparked up as if it were laughing at my lack of understanding. I didn't looked back at Solas, but I could feel the weight of his eyes on me.
"Interesting, this is just theoretical, but you could be moving through the Fade. Albeit very quickly." My heart started pounding in my chest harder and harder.
"But-how is that possible!?" My mind was doing flips accompanied by my stomach and I couldn't breathe. Suddenly a hand was placed on my shoulder and Solas nodded to me offering a small comforting smile.
"I am not sure, like I said theoretically speaking. But, you must be careful. I've never seen anyone who could move physically through the Fade, and if that is what you are doing it could be very dangerous." He explained calmly and I smacked my forehead. I hadn't even thought of the danger!
"How am I supposed to be careful with it if I don't even know how to control the blasted thing?" I argued out of frustration and fear. My hand sparked, mocking me and I shoved it into my cloak to hide it.
"I might be able to help you with that, if you wish. That way you don't accidentally open a rift and fall on to the top of the Frostbacks." He mused with mirth laced in his tone. My eyes widened in shock, but chuckled beside myself.
"Sweet Maker, that could happen!?" I guffawed at him and he let out a snort of laughter,
"Theoretically speaking. We don't know the scale yet, it might be a few feet, might be miles." I huffed and sagged a bit in my saddle.
"Well shit." I muttered before shooting Solas a questioning look. "How do you know so much about our marks anyway?" He nodded, a small smile still on his lips,
"Ah, yes I was wondering when you were going to ask. I study the Fade." He explained, but I couldn't help and stare at him in confusion. "Yes, I know not a common practice." I grinned and looked back ahead of us.
"Well, why?" I asked and he looked at me questioningly.
"Pardon?" I rolled my eyes and leaned back in the saddle and smiled at him.
"Why do you study the Fade? Is it personal? Or is it a hobby…?" I asked again and he looked at me oddly for a moment his eyes thoughtfully looking about for a moment before he finally responded.
"Please excuse my hesitance, but no one has ever asked about why I study the Fade." He explained before looking forward and smiling. "I feel a special connection with the Fade. There is so much still to learn. Battles in the ruins of old, stories and tales can be seen like you were there. Places that have been broken by time can be seen in their day." He breathed as his eyes continued to dance around the horizon.
"That sounds amazing." I whispered as I looked ahead trying to imagine what he was. I looked over at him and he nodded to me.
"It is." He agreed as he looked back ahead of us.
"Perhaps one day I could see the Fade like that." I mused mostly to myself, but caught him flash a smile out of my peripheral vision.
"Perhaps." He replied before trotting up back to his place next to the Herald. He's rather nice for an elf. We continued on until we came upon a small camp which was mostly hidden if it weren't for the red tents I probably would've missed it. We rode in and hopped off our horses tying them to nearby Seyoumer trees as a female dwarf walked up to the Herald.
"Herald of Andraste! Lady Protector! I've heard the stories. Everyone has. We know what you did at the Breach." She said as she nodded to both of us and I smiled at her and tilted my head standing in between Varric and Solas as Trevelyan stood directly in front of the woman and Cassandra opposite to Varric. "Inquisition Scout Harding. At your service. I-all of us here-we'll do whatever we can to help." She added and Trevelyan nodded and shook her hand, but Varric was the one to speak up.
"Harding, huh? Ever been to Kirkwall's Hightown?" He asked and I looked at her questioningly as did Scout Harding and she answered him.
"I can't say I have. Why?" She asked and he chuckled,
"You'd be Harding in-" He began, but I smacked him on the arm and he chuckled and finished, "oh, Never mind." Beside him Cassandra audibly groaned, but Trevelyan kept a straight face.
"I'm starting to worry about all these stories that everyone's heard." She seemed to blush a bit at that.
"Oh there's nothing worry about. They only say that you are the last great hope for Thedas." She said nonchalantly and I grinned as Trevelyan stiffened and rolled his eyes,
"Oh, wonderful." I chuckled at that and looked down at my feet before I heard Scout Harding speak up again,
"The Hinterlands are as food a place as any to start fixing things. We came to secure horses from Redcliffe's old horse Master. I grew up here, and people have always said that Dennett's herds were the strongest and the fastest this side of the Frostbacks. But, with the Mage-Templar Fighting getting worse, we couldn't get to Dennett. Maker only knows if he's even still alive. Mother Giselle is at the Crossroads helping refugees and the wounded. Our latest reports say that the war has spread there too. Corporal Vale and our men are doing what they can to help protect the people, but they won't be able to hold out very long. You best get going. No time to lose." She stated finally and I sighed as Trevelyan nodded and we took off towards the crossroads. First heading down a large hill and then weaving through a tunnel like rock formation before finally hearing a fight going on. My blood start to hum in my veins as I felt the magic around me from both the Mages and Templars crackling in the air and making my hair stand on end. We turned the corner and I saw soldiers with the same symbol as the one that's all over haven fighting against Mages and Templars who were too busy fighting each other to have a care.
"Inquisition forces! They're trying to protect the refugees!" Cassandra cried out as she ran forward and I grinned,
"Looks as if they could use some help!" Varric added as we all ran forward to aid the soldiers. Now this was my element. I could do this. I burst forward and ducked to miss an ice shard that shot past my head and got close to the Mage all the way in the back. She lifted her staff to try and strike me quickly with the bladed end, but I caught with my own dagger and drove my other dagger into her chest. Her eyes widened in pain as I ripped my blade out, and rolled onto the ground to miss a lightning bolt headed straight for me. Running towards the next Mage who was a tall man with a book in one hand instead of a staff I noticed his eyes fixed on Trevelyan who was blocking an attack from a Templar. Holding his shield up to just try and stop the attacks was all Trevelyan could do as the large red headed Templar bashed his sword down again and again. The mage started to cast, but instead I threw my dagger forward and ran towards him as it sunk into his skin with a wet thud. He arched backward and sent a couple more lightning bolts at me. He lit the ground on fire in front of me and I quickly dove over it and rolled just before him. Bringing my blade up, I cut along his leg and leapt to my feet. Moving as quickly as possible I ripped my blade from his back and twisted back as he did and sliced across his throat. He fell to the ground silently, but I didn't stop as I ran towards Trevelyan who was still trying to land blows on the stocky Templar. The red headed man merely started laughing at him.
"Come on, Little Man! Hit me!" I was almost there as Trevelyan swung his sword again, but the Templar merely cast it aside and lifted his large sword. "Time to die!" I grinned and gripped my daggers tight as I leapt onto the Templars back and held the dagger flat against his neck.
"You read my mind." I growled as I slit his throat and jumped off as he hit the ground. I stood looking at Trevelyan who was now frozen in place. "Trevelyan what's wrong?" I asked him, but before he could respond I noticed just over his shoulder an archer with her bow drawn and an arrow poised at Trevelyan. I felt my heart shoot into my throat and I yelled for him to move drawing my dagger back, but he just continued to stare at the dead Templar. Before I could throw my dagger she let the arrow free and I tackled him to the ground. A short flash of pain resonated from my shoulder and I looked over to see that I had the arrow meant for Trevelyan. The archer drew another arrow quickly and I leapt off of Trevelyan and turned sideways to miss the arrow that shot towards me and flung my dagger forth and watched as it sunk into the chest of the archer forcing her onto the ground. I sighed and turned my attention back to the arrow in my shoulder. I rolled my head to side as I started to yank on it.
"Are you alright, Angel?" Varric asked his voice laced with worry as he ran close. With gritted teeth I pulled the arrow from my shoulder and tossed it to the ground away from me and gripped my shoulder tight to stop the bleeding. I looked to Varric who was now looking in his pockets for something. "Hang on I've got a bandage." He said, but Solas walked forward and motioned for me to take off my overcoat. I did so and stood in front of him as he inspected my shoulder and nodded holding up his hand. I stood stalk still looking at him questioningly,
"I can heal you like I did before with your leg." He stated simply as he inspected the wound. "Unless you'd prefer the bandage." He added with a smirk.
"Yeah…I'll go with the healing please." He nodded and held his hand over my shoulder before pausing.
"You might want to sit down." He said and motioned to the fence post just behind me. "Oh, and this might hurt." I nodded and sat down on a fence and looked past him to see Cassandra stalking over
"What happened, Thedran?" She asked and I pointed over towards where the archer was,
"You know I'm trying to figure that out right now." I stated calmly and she eyed my shoulder.
"And that? I thought you were one of the best!" She taunted gruffly and I shook my head nonchalantly.
"Hey, I didn't expect him to just freeze up! Besides…it's not that bad." I explained, but abruptly hissed in pain when the skin started to close up. "Ouch."
"I told you it might hurt." Solas remarked with mirth shining in his eyes. I scowled, shook my head and waited. It didn't hurt after that first bit, it actually felt a bit pleasant.
"What do you mean he froze up?" Cassandra questioned and I sighed heavily and scraped a hand through my hair,
"I mean he froze up. Complete Halla in crosshairs moment. I killed that Templar and the Herald just stood there staring." She sighed and nodded, but I saw Trevelyan walk up behind her staring at me.
"Quinn!" He shuffled to my side and looked at my shoulder that was now almost fully healed. "Quinn, I'm so sorry!" I looked to him and nodded my head,
"What happened, Herald?" Cassandra asked and he looked down at his shoes ashamed,
"I-I've never killed anyone before, and there was so much blood-I'm sorry." He stammered with his hands clasped together tightly in front of him. So he was a little squeamish around blood-wait. What? Did he say he's never killed anyone before!?
"You're joking right?" I asked and he shook his head still looking very ashamed.
"No, I'm not." He answered and I groaned audibly, well that's just bloody perfect. I looked up at Solas as he pulled his hand away and I looked over at a small silver scar that remained where the arrow had hit along with some caked blood. I thanked him and he nodded while backing away. Varric uncorked his canteen and grabbed a small towel and I cleaned around the newly healed wound. Pulling my overcoat back on I grimaced when I saw the hole in the leather. I buckled the chest plate in and stood, moving my arm around to check it out. Smiling a thanks to Solas I moved quickly to where the archer was and ripped my dagger from her and wiped it off on my leg before sheathing it. I bent down over her and searched her for a moment looking through her pockets, but found nothing. I pulled away from her, but stopped when I looked down at her hand and saw a ring. Templars didn't wear jewelry. My mind recalled and I pulled it off of her and looked over it calmly. I didn't recognize the symbol on it, but perhaps Leliana would. I placed it in my pocket and turned when I heard someone approaching. Trevelyan was standing just a few feet from me staring somewhat sadly. "I'm sorry." He said eying my shoulder and I waved my hand in a nonchalant manner.
"Fine-it's fine." I muttered as I walked past them him. Maker, he hasn't killed anyone before? What happens if he freezes up and I'm not around to save him? What happens if I'm too late? Or what if the archers a better shot next time? Ugh, it doesn't matter. Next time I'll be better prepared knowing that he'll freeze up. I ground my teeth together and walked on towards where I saw big white and red hats. Trevelyan was just behind me with Cassandra and the others. We walked up a pair of stairs and when we reached the top we saw a woman in a tall cleric's hat and we walked towards her as she helped a wounded soldier.
"There are mages here who can heal your wounds. Lie Still." She calmly said, but the soldier still tried very weakly to get away from the Mage who was watching him just as cautiously. At her words, I felt my eye brow lift in amazement. She supported magic? How interesting.
"Don't let them touch me, Mother. Their magic..!"
"Turned to noble purposes, their magic is surely no more evil than your blade." The soldier persisted still, but she merely held up her hand to him. "Hush, Dear Boy, allow them to ease your suffering." She said finally and stood from her kneeling position.
"Mother Giselle?" Trevelyan asked and she turned gracefully. Trevelyan walked up to her, but I hung back. He was the Herald, and even though she wanted to see me as well, I wasn't very good at these sorts of things. He smiled at her and she bowed her head slightly out of respect. She then looked over his shoulder at me and bowed her head again.
"I am. And you must be the one that they are calling The Herald of Andraste." She answered respectfully and smiled at him, before nodding to me. "And you, The Herald's Protector." I nodded stiffly not yet speaking.
"Is that why you asked for us? The Chantry has already-" He started, but walking a bit closer she nodded,
"I know what they've done." He looked back at me for a moment, but I simply shrugged and he looked back at her.
"Then why are we here?" He asked and she started to walk towards the staircase next to me.
"I know of the Chantry's denouncement, and I'm familiar with those behind it. I won't lie to you some if them are grandstanding, hoping to increase their chances of becoming the new Divine." I ground my teeth at that. Right, like any of those meaningless Clerics could hope to be the new Divine. "Some are simply terrified, so many good people, senselessly taken from us." I stayed where I was now next to Trevelyan as Mother Giselle looked sadly off into the distance. I felt like speaking, but there are no words to convey the horrors of what happened.
"What happened was horrible." Trevelyan said slowly and I looked to him and shook my head. That's putting it very lightly.
"Fear makes us desperate, but hopefully not beyond reason. Go to them. Convince the remaining clerics you are no demons to be feared. They have heard only frightful tales of you. Give them something else to believe." She stated calmly and I stared at her questioningly.
"You want us to appeal to them?" I asked incredulously and both of their heads turned to me putting me on the spot.
"Not all, just some. Their power is the unified voice. Take that away from them, and you receive the time you need." She stated slowly. Maker I hated politics this was shit, why do we have to appeal to the Chantry in the first place!? Why do we care? The Chantry abandoned the Inquisition!
"It's good of you to do this." Trevelyan told her with a charming smile before looking to me.
"I honestly don't know if you've been touched by fate…or sent to help us, but I hope. Hope is what we need now. The people will listen to your rallying call, as they will listen to no other. You could build the Inquisition into a force that will deliver us…or destroy us. I will go to Haven and provide Sister Leliana the names of those in the Chantry who would be amenable to a gathering. It is not much, but I will do whatever I can." With that said she walked away and down the stairs. I stared after her watching as she nodded to the soldiers around her.
"Quinn, about earlier-how's your shoulder?" He asked quickly, but I didn't turn to him. It wasn't his fault that he hadn't killed anyone before. It was however his fault that he hadn't told anyone! I mean we are in a war! He's going to have to kill someone eventually! Be kind to him.
"Don't worry about my shoulder, I've had worse. But, why didn't you inform any of us that killing was going to be a problem for you?" I asked and he dropped his head to his sword as he rubbed his hand against the pommel.
"I didn't know. I thought that it'd be fine. Maker…I didn't think it would be so terrifying." Sweeping a hand through his short brown hair he sighed. "I'm sorry, but there was so much blood and gore." Against my better judgement I rolled my eyes, but bit my tongue. Maker's shit-what did he expect it would be like?! Trying to calm myself I wrung my hands and started to walk down the stairs to Cassandra, Varric and Solas who were waiting by a small house.
"That's not the problem, Trevelyan. The problem is, is that my job is to protect you. But, what happens if I can't get there in time and you freeze up again?" I asked and he stopped walking for a moment before shaking his head,
"But, what if I don't want to kill anyone?" I froze where I stood and couldn't help the temper that flared up in me. I turned to him with an icy stare.
"Okay look, I need you to understand something very simple. You are in the middle of a war. You are going to have to kill someone eventually that's just how this life is, Trevelyan. If you die then the world is screwed. So get over it or go back to Haven. Because you're not just endangering yourself, you're endangering those around you." His face paled exponentially at my words his eyes a bit too wide. I shook my head at him and walked towards the caravan where the rest of our party was standing. Varric looked past me at the Herald and then to me and shook his head. He lifted his eye brow in confusion at me as I neared him. Cassandra looked between the Herald and I before announcing that we should go and speak to Corporal Vael. I nodded, but Varric pulled me back and looked at me very seriously.
"What did you say to the kid?" He asked and I looked towards the rest of the group as they disappeared around a corner.
"I told him that he is in the middle of a war and he's going to have to kill someone eventually because I might not get there fast enough next time." I said with a glare and he slapped his forehead.
"Let it never be said Quinn Thedran put anything lightly." He groaned while shaking his head,
"Well what was I supposed to say, Varric? He needed to hear it from someone." I huffed as I stared off in the direction where Trevelyan, Solas and Cassandra had disappeared.
"I understand, Quinn, just go easy on him." He urged as he played with his sleeves and looked around the small town-like place we were standing in the middle of. I felt my temper rise a bit and I twisted my head down to regard the dwarf incredulously.
"Easy on him!? Oh c'mon." I scoffed at him and he shot me a quick disapproving look with his arms folded over his hairy chest. Glaring from him to where Trevelyan had disappeared I found myself growling under my breath. "Ugh, fine, I guess I'll just have to watch him a bit more." I finished feeling deflated and felt Varric pat my arm.
"It'll be okay. If anyone can keep that man alive, it's you." He said and I felt a laugh burst from deep inside me. "Well isn't that ironic." He added with a hearty chuckle.
"You're a comedian, Varric." I commented as I shook my head. It was rather ironic. An assassin who's trying to keep someone alive. Almost a bit poetic. We started to walk forward and saw Cassandra round the corner with Solas and Trevelyan tailing her.
"The Herald spoke with Corporal Vale. For now we head to Redcliffe farms to ask Horsemaster Dennett the horses for the Inquisition, and we will be completing some tasks along the way for the refugees." Cassandra stated as she held out a map. My eyes set on the Herald who was lingering in the back looking around the crossroads. Mentally sighing I gripped my daggers tightly. Cassandra motioned for us to move back to the camp where we had left our horses, but I caught up to her.
"Cassandra." I started and she turned her head to me. "I'm assuming you are going to file a report on what happened here today." I said and she nodded with a tight lipped expression.
"Yes, as is procedure." She stated giving me a questioning look.
"Are you going to report what happened earlier…when the Herald froze up?" I pressed and watched as she shifted her weight towards me. Her eye brows knitting together as her nose wrinkle in confusion.
"Why?" She asked slowly and suspiciously. I looked down at my gloved hands and fiddled with the tips of the fingers.
"I don't think it wise to have a message sent that Trevelyan is squeamish around killing. He is the Herald, and you don't want anyone doubting his…chosen-ness." I explained to her and saw her eyes narrow at me.
"What are you talking about?" She grunted, and I smirked at her as I pulled my hands to my hips.
"I'm just saying that if you write a report telling them that the Herald of Andraste cannot protect himself around a couple of thug Templars. They might lose faith in the man and in our cause if it got out. Maker forbid if the message was intercepted." I explained to her and watched as she absorbed my words.
"You want me to lie?" She asked incredulously. Her eyebrows raising high on her head and her arms crossed over her chest imposingly. Rolling my eyes I crossed my arms too, matching her stance.
"Not lie, just…withhold information." Her eyes smoldered with anger and disgust as they narrowed into slits. The vein in the middle of her head looked as if it were about to pop right out of her skin. Her face turning redder as the seconds ticked by between us.
"Which is another form of lying, Thedran. I am not a liar like you." She spat, like poison from between her lips. Ouch. Way to call a girl out, Cassandra. Her nostrils flared angrily at me as she turned away and started to stalk off after the group. Brushing off the insult, I shifted my weight and called back out to her.
"Then let me write the report." I suggested and she paused her steps and turned to me giving me her attention. "That way you're not held accountable for lying. It's on me." I added and she looked down at her balled hands and scoffed.
"Fine. You write the report." She conceded causing a wide grin to spread across my lips as I brushed past her.
"Thank you, Lady Seeker." I replied and carried on my steps towards the group hearing her scoff behind me. Now, what was I going to say in the report?
Retiring to my tent that night I pulled a quill and paper to the desk in my tent and smirked down at the parchment before me.
Hello Report Readers, whomever you may be,
The Hinterlands are boring, except for the usual crap. Mages vs. Templars, bears, and the occasional whiny townsfolk who need all their problems solved. We did see a Dragon fly over us which was pretty interesting. However, we did not pursue the flying beast because Cassandra-the-kill-joy-Pentaghast said we shouldn't. Overall, nothing to worry about. The Herald is in good hands especially since you are lucky enough to have Quinn and the merry band of misfit heroes on your side. (Just wait, it'll stick.)
Quinn Thedran.
I signed the parchment and sealed it with wax. Walking over to the post where Leliana's ravens were sitting I tied it to the birds foot. The birds' wings flapped aggressively through the air as it carried the report back on towards Haven.