Hey guyysss, Chapter 20 is finally up! (so sorry it took so long)! However, since it did take so freaking long to post I made it extra long! :p (sorry again)
I wandered through the darkness, stumbling against my surroundings as I held my arm in pain.
"Hello?" I called out, but it echoed around me, like I were in a box. I continued to trudge forward, but it seemed useless. "Hello?" I called out again suddenly hearing movement in front of me. I stopped moving as the movement stopped. It had come from straight in front of me, maybe ten feet. Everything sounded so distorted in my ears, but I could hear the shuffling of feet as if the creature making the noise were turning towards me. My heart started to beat faster and faster in my chest. I reached for my dagger, but stopped when I heard a voice.
"Well, well. What do we have here?" That voice. I knew that voice. I gripped my daggers in my palma, but kept them in their holsters. "You've strayed far from your nest, little Sparrow." I backed away as I heard the feet advancing on me. "Oh, dear how rude of me. Let me get the lights for you dear." Suddenly two rows of torches lit at the end of the dark hallway. Each lighting on after the other like a waterfall effect. My eyes stayed wide as I found the demon standing a few feet from me. Tayens eyes and his smirk facing me as the torches illuminated us both. My eyes turned to slits as I slid my daggers out.
"You." I seethed as I got into a defensive position. He sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly.
"Must we fight every time we meet?"
"You killed my Father! Attacked the people of Haven! You expect me to be cordial?" I snarled. He shrugged.
"Why not? Really, I don't understand your negativity. Your Father abused you and you barely know the people of Haven. I bet you didn't know the names of any of those soldiers that I killed to get here." He was right. I didn't know their names and my Father… "Human emotions are so strange. So attached to the people who can hurt you the most." He replied with a roll of his eyes.
"He was blood." I growled. "The last bit of family that I had left and you stole that from me!" He tsked his tongue at me.
"Blood means nothing. Blood can be spilt. Let's look at it this way. If your Father had been the one to kill your love, would you still feel the same way about him? Would you still feel this allegiance to him?" He asked with a playful look in his eyes. I thought it over for a moment.
"What are you-" I paused as I looked back at him. "No-It doesn't matter."
"Oh, doesn't it? What if I told you that it was your Father who killed Tayen?" He asked me making my heart beat faster in my chest. I frowned as I backed away from him as he advanced. "That he knew I was there at the Magisters mansion all those six years ago." I shook my head horrified as my heart sunk in my chest. This couldn't be true.
"No...no!You're lying." I replied, my voice shaking.
"Unfortunately for you, I'm not." He replied as he moved forward standing close to me. He smelt of death and smoke, the scent permeating the air making my lungs constrict. "The man you called Father, that you saved from me. Was the same man who sent your love to me, who saw the opportunity to destroy your happiness and took it!"
"No! He...he wouldn't!" I defended but, in my mind I always knew he hated Tayen. He hated that he distracted me. That I had love when his was taken from him.
"Stop lying to yourself, child. You know in that intelligent little mind of yours that he couldn't stand Tayen. That he wanted you to be just as alone as he was!" I clamped my hands over my ears.
"Stop it!" I yelled as I tried to block out his voice.
"And poor Tayen. He wanted to save you from dear old Dad so badly. He was practically leaping at the opportunity to kill him." My eyes were wide as I felt tears in them. The demon smiled at me through Tayens image."Yes, poor lad. Said he'd agree to it, but only if I got you away from your Father. If I punished him for all he had done to you. He knew you both would never be able to be happy unless he was dead. Our goals lined up fairly well." He stated with a smirk on his lips as his finger swept aside a strand of hair from my face. "I still feel it sometimes. The echo of love that he had for you. Do you still feel it for him? Or have you moved on to better, living, prospects?" He asked as I withdrew from him.
"Shut up." I hissed. "I don't want to hear anymore of this!" I growled as I tried to ignore him. He was lying. He had to be! My Father was cruel in many ways but…but he wouldn't kill Tayen. He wouldn't do that to Tayen-He wouldn't do that to me! I turned to walked away, but he was in front of me suddenly.
"Don't tell me it's that tortured blonde Templar. Really, darling, if you're going to go for the most vanilla option you're going to make this very boring for those who are spectating." He replied with a roll of his eyes.
"Then fuck off." I growled.
"Such naughty language. Do you kiss your mother with that mouth-oh, wait." I snarled at him as he walked with me. I balled my fist up feeling my anger rise. "Oh, don't take it too personally, love, I was only joking about the vanilla. Actually I know some very interesting things about the blonde wonder." He added with a grin. I pushed away from him trying to just put space between us. My hand though, was on my dagger ready to strike. I want to kill him so badly I can't stand it, but I couldn't touch him here."For instance, did you know he was tortured by a blood mage?" He asked as he tapped his lips. "For, I want to say, a whole day or two. Demons ripping apart his friends, but he endured. Really I have to hand it to him, that's fairly impressive." I shook my head. "I mean the last person I tortured...why they only lasted an hour."
"Stop it, demon!" I yelled. He paid me no heed as he continued.
"Wonder how badly it would mess with him were I to reenact that whole traumatic episode of his pathetic life. Maybe he'd even-" I threw a punch at his face and he stumbled backwards. My glowing palm feeling bruised at my side. I frowned as I shook it slightly. He touched his nose as it bled slightly with black blood. He looked in between me and his now bloodied fingers. "Well, that's interesting." He murmured before glaring up at me.
"You stay away from him." I snarled. "I swear if you hurt him or anyone else in Haven I'll-"
"You shouldn't be worrying about what I'm going to do." He commented as he looked me over with a shrug. "My master is in the genocidal mood now that the Herald is dead. What with the Mages and Templars under his control I don't think there's a place in Fereldan that's safe."
"Wait, the Herald… he's… he's dead?" I asked halting the demons words. "Wait...then am I..?" I couldn't finish it.
"You're not dead. I don't know how you survived or got out of the castle, but you are in fact alive. The Herald however, was not so lucky. Magister Alexius turned him to ashes along with the Tevinter Mage accompanying you both." My heart dropped into my stomach and I felt sick. My legs felt wobbly as my head spun. I stumbled and fell against the black wall as I tried to regulate my breathing. No, no, no. This can't be happening. "Oh yes, it is happening, Quinn. Soon, the world will be swallowed by darkness and chaos. My brothers and sisters will roam your earth and destroy life as you know it. Your Inquisition will die along with all hope left in the world. He has already taken over Denerim and the Inquisition is next. They stand no chance-" This can't be real! I threw my fist at his face again.
"Stop lying to me!" I ordered, but he chuckled as he dodged my blow and grabbed my wrist. I pulled against him, but he was too strong.
"You know that I am not lying. What would I game from such a ruse?" He paused for a moment. "Deep down you know. Don't you, Quinn?" I didn't want to believe it, but he was right. I could feel mark, it felt...different. painful even. Like it was mourning the loss of its other half. He smirked at me realizing that I knew. My anger and pain from news of the Herald driving a blade through my heart. Now everyone was doomed. The world was doomed because I survived instead of the Herald! This was all my fault. He side-stepped my punch with ease and snapped his fingers and the flames from the torches swarmed us and when the flames cleared I was surrounded by debris. Skeletal remains of trees, charred and broken. Some fallen and some barely standing. The smell of blood and smoke in the air so thick I gagged. The demon before me breathed it in as if he were smelling roses and smiled. "This, my dear, is what the world will be. The Elder One comes for all and soon…" He paused as he spread his arms wide. I looked around seeing bodies some piled on top of each other others splayed out. Their blood painting the snow beneath them red. My hand was against my lips in horror as I stood in the center of the remnants of a battle. I shook my head as he grinned at me. "This world will be ours for the taking." He added as his grin turned malicious. I backed away from him trying to get away, but I tripped and fell onto the red dyed snow and then tumbled through.
I gasped awake. My eyes wide and alert, but I cringed as my hand went to my waist. Pain blossomed all over my body. My hands gingerly grazed over the parts of my skin that hurt the most feeling them wrapped with some sort of sticky salve underneath. I touched the salve lightly and lifted any finger to my nose to taking in the sweet smell of elfroot and Dawn lotus. I pushed myself up slightly to see the majority of my body bandaged and my marked hand. I lifted my bandaged had feeling the mark vibrate and hum with life. I remembered the pain that it caused, the feeling of the mark tearing me apart. I cringed at the thought and balled up my fist. What the hell happened? Where was I!? The demons words were stuck in my mind. That I was alive...but, the Herald. Panic set in as I looked around me. It was small shack, maybe only big enough for one person. There were ingredients everywhere held in tiny vials and hung around the beams of the roof. A healers shack? It didn't matter, I had to get out of here. I tossed the covers off of me and pushed myself up off the bed. I grunted as I stilled, pain erupting through my body. I shook my head as I pushed on, ignoring the pain when suddenly I heard the shack door open. My hand went to my hip, but I found my weapons gone. I locked onto the woman in the doorway who didn't look the least bit startled at my consciousness.
"Where am I? Who are you?" I asked abruptly as she closed the door behind her. She shuffled in quietly before sitting the basket down next to me. I watched her closely as she pulled away a cloth to reveal fruits. I looked from her to the fruits and then back at her warily. She looked familiar, like a face you've seen in a crowd as you pass by. She looked completely ordinary. Her hair gray and disheveled, her wrinkled face kind, but stern. Who was she? I looked to the drink next to me, sniffing it for poison.
"If I was going to go through the trouble of killing you, dear child, I would've just left you on the mountainside." She said making me pause. She has a point. She took a piece of fruit and bit into it. I followed suit and took a bite of my apple. "You are in my home. I found you on the side of the mountain after those demons attacked you. A brave warrior such as yourself didn't deserve to die like that." She explained with an intelligent gleam in her eyes. "As for my name, it is not important right now." She answered. I frowned as I looked down at myself.
"I need to go. I need to help my friends. The Herald -" I said as I pushed myself up, but my body lit on fire with pain. I gasped and completely stopped my movements.
"You are in no condition to move." She advised which made me frown as I kept myself completely still. "If you run out there, damaged as you are, you risk getting yourself killed. I won't be able to help you again after this." She added as she stood and walked towards her table splaying out ingredients and plucking some from the rafters. My mind reeled as I tried to remember what had happened, but my memory was fragmented. The flag, however, that was stuck in my mind making it hard to concentrate on anything else. The last moments I remembered were seeing the Herald standing before Alexius and then pain.
"Where was I? When you found me?" I asked, my throat constricting with anxiety.
"You are in Ferelden, dear. Where I found you was just outside of an Inquisition camp." She explained making my heart beat louder.
"I remember everything looked like there had been a fire. And the demons, they were just roaming around. They wouldn't be so close to an Inquisition camp…" I trailed off as my mind focused on the blood smeared across the flag.
"I recognize that mark, you know? I have heard stories about the Herald of Andraste. But, you are not him." She said as she looked back towards me. "I sensed a different magic in you. The Fade pulls at you more, is more in touch." She explained. "That's why the demons were around you. It calls to them."
"The Herald." I interjected. My mind slamming to an abrupt halt. Maker, don't tell me. "Do you know anything about him?" I asked and she stopped mashing up the ingredients. "He can't be dead. The-I...I would know."
"You mean that you don't know?" She asked as she stared at me. My eyes were wide as I stared back, my heart in my throat as I clutched the apple tightly in my palm. Her brows knitted together causing more wrinkles to appear as she looked back to her ingredients. "It would be wise for you to stay as long as possible. The days are about to get darker, child. The Herald of Andraste has been killed." My eyes widened as my heart jarred in my chest. Ice gripping at my chest as my stomach flipped. Maker...it was true.
"No." I whispered in utter shock ass the apple dropped from my palm. Her eyes flicked to me. "I failed." I gasped as my marked hand shook next to me, intensely bright green even through the thick bandages. "I need to get back to the Inquisition." I decided, but I still couldn't move. "I have to help them."
"Lady Protector, you need to rest. You will be no good to your friends half dead." She urged gently as she placed her hand on my arm. Her eyes continually flicking to my shining green palm with a distracted look.
"I cannot just stay here while the Elder One seeks to destroy them! He may already be there. Maker they could already be-"
"What would it matter?" She asked making my train of thought derail completely.
"What did you just say?" I questioned as I stared up at her.
"I asked 'what would it matter'?" She answered with a frown before turning to me. "Your goal was never to help the Inquisition. It was to protect the Herald who is now dead." She stated with a lift of her eyebrow. "If you go there, you will die. You do not owe those people anything. You are too special-"
"NO! It is because of me that they are going to die!" I growled and stood, but wobbled as pain erupted through me and I collapsed. I gasped as I grabbed my side.
"Really, girl? Use that brain of your for one moment. You are wounded and the Elder One has an army. You are going to step in between him and his prize?" She asked me as she turned towards me looking rather annoyed. "You're a fool." I growled and pushed myself up to my feet trying to ignore the pain coursing through my body.
"And you're a healer." I panted as I leant against the wall. "So heal me or get out of my way." I growled as she stood in between me and the door out of here. With a roll of her eyes she grabbed a bottle from her table.
"I will say it again, you go there and you will die."
"I. Don't. Care." I hissed as I shoved off of the wall. I was now standing in front of her bent slightly and limping. My hand on my waist I shuffled forward towards the door.
"You stubborn girl." She huffed behind me, but I didn't stop. I grabbed the handle and opened the door only to walk into a barrier. I pressed my hand against it in confusion. I could barely see through it, the swirling purple energy obstructing any view of the outside world. I turned my head to her, anger spiking in me.
"Drop this barrier. You cannot keep me trapped here." I growled and she shook her head.
"It is not to keep you trapped here, my dear. It is to keep everything else out and you protected." She explained with that same annoyed look on her face. "But, if you refuse then there is little I can do." My glare started to ease.
"Why do you wish to protect me? What do you gain from my survival?" I asked with suspicion. She turned back to her table pulling different ingredients from the wall and small jars.
"Are you always so suspicious of everyone?"
"Yes. Actually I am." I retorted. "Especially when they use barriers to keep me locked in a cabin."
"For the last time, it is to keep other things out. You do not know the world now, child. It is not safe. The demons that attacked you...they walk this world freely now. Rifts have appeared all over stretching the veil between the Fade and this world till it is barely paper thin. Here, my magic can keep you safe. Here I can teach you what you are, dear." She said causing me to pause. What I am? Her eyebrows pinched together. "I know you do not trust me for now, but I know much about you. I have been watching you for years now. The miracle child." She explained as she moved towards me with a hand outstretched to my arm, but I jerked away from her.
"What are you talking about?" I asked with wide eyes.
"In due time I will explain everything. I have great power, child, and you are very, very special. So I will give you an option." She stood before me with a confident look. "You can stay here and I'll tell you and teach you all about what you are. About the power you possess, about the demon that is after you…" She paused before waving her hand nonchalantly. "...Or you can run back to your Inquisition and maybe delay the inevitable." She said as she watched me. "You aren't a hero, Quinn. You can finally know why you never fit in as a child. Why you've always felt a call to the Fade." She coaxed. I stared at her, my mind screaming at me to stay here with her. To figure out what she knew. I needed to know, but... I let go of the door handle to look at her.
"No, you're right. I'm not a hero." I said noticing a small smile come to her lips. "But, this...isn't about being a hero or not, this isn't about me. This is about good people who will die if I don't help." I stared at her with a frown. "They have no hope."
"And what hope will you provide? The Herald is dead and you cannot close rifts. You will only die, Child. Where is the hope in that?" She asked as she reached for me again. I pulled away from her, who was this woman?
"How do you know so much about me?" I asked her and she stopped to frown. Her eyes on me with a strange look before smiling.
"I already told you. I have been watching you for a long time." She replied.
"Why do I know you?" I asked with a frown on my lips. Her smile never dropped.
"You know me child because I have protected you through the years. You know who I am." She said and for a moment I knew a name. It stood out as plain as she stood before me.
"Flemeth." I whispered, my heart suddenly ramming in my chest. The Witch of the Wilds... Strangely enough, it was fear that I felt being in her presence, but shock and confusion.
"That's right you know me." She said with a grin. "But, you're not afraid." She added. I shook my head to answer her.
"You've had ample opportunities to do me harm." I responded making her smile.
"What a smart girl you are." She praised.
"What I don't know is why the witch of the wilds is interested in me."
"Powerful women draw my attention, just as the Champion and the Warden Queen did before you." She explained as she smirked at me. "I have seen what is to come for you, child, and let's just say I'm invested in your future." I frowned at her words before looking away.
"I'm no one special." I replied.
"Funny, the Warden and Champion thought the same thing. They we're just as lost as you. If you stay I can share my knowledge with you." She coaxed, and I was tempted. My mind pushing me to say yes. That I would stay and learn from her. Something in me yearned for it. I was about to take a step forward when I thought of Varric and Leli still at Haven. They needed to be warned. They'd...they'd die. I couldn't just abandon them now. I stopped myself to look at her again.
"I can't. I want to, but...my friends. I can't...I can't abandon them now. Not when I know I can save some of them." I told her sternly to which she nodded and grabbed the vial off of her table.
"Fine. Do not say I didn't warn you." She told me as she flicked her wrist and the trunk opened. Inside were my things. "Can't let you go on a suicide mission without your weapons. I fixed your clothing to my best ability as well." She said as she handed me vial. "This should help your wounds." I uncorked it and sniffed the purple liquid recognizing the elf root and something else, but also the tingle of magic. I gulped it down. The potion was warm and soothing as it spread through my limbs and the pain receded almost completely. I stood up straight and let out a breath of relief.
"Thank you." I sighed and she nodded as she turned from me. I went to the chest and quickly pulled on my gear and weapons. I turned towards her, my muscles still feeling so stiff. Flemeth waved her hand and nodded to me.
"Once you step out of this cabin there is no coming back. This is final." She warned and I nodded as I walked towards the door.
"I understand." I replied as I grabbed the door handle.
"There is something else you should know." She said halting my movements. "You do this and you will suffer and die. That is your fate. Stay here and you'll live, simple as that." I thought on her words for a moment. I didn't fear death, but I couldn't live with the knowledge that I'd sat by and did nothing.
"I'd rather die saving as many people as I can than live knowing I could've made a difference and didn't." I replied shortly and for a moment I noticed a glimmer of a smile on her lips before it went away.
"You ate a fool then, but have it your way. The barrier is down." She announced and I nodded as I pulled on the handle,
"Thank you." I responded without looking at her and opened the door.
Once I stepped out I felt bitter cold blow past my skin. Icy wind biting into my skin making me clutch my cloak closer to me. My breath fogged around me as I turned trying to figure out where I was. When I looked back the cabin was gone, like it had never existed in the first place. With a shake of my head, I ran to the edge of the hill I was on and saw the little town beneath me. My heart nearly stopped when I noticed the front gates of Haven destroyed. Torches and figures swarming the walls, climbing any remainders of the wooden structures to breach the small town. My eyes were wide, but that wasn't the most shocking thing. Everything was covered in this eerie green glow. I peered up at the sky and felt my stomach clench as the Breach stared back at me. Ugly and gaping and larger. Alive. Its energy sparking and bleeding into the dark skies around it. Earth floated in the center of it, looking as if a mountain had been torn apart and suspended in the sky. I could hear the crackling of the Fade, the slight pull of my palm to it. Energy calling to like energy. Screams pulled my attention from the sky and my eyes snapped back down to the town. Men, women and children crying out pleas of mercy and help. I was moving before I even realized it. I skidded down the hill and sprinted through the broken gates. I looked around hiding in the shadows with my weapons drawn as I saw creatures red and horrid clawing at the walls and climbing them. All around me the snow was stained black and red from the battle that had occured. I had to go in with them. I scanned the area and quickly slid over the wall avoiding any of the figures that were climbing near me. I needed to find my companions and as many people as we could possibly get out of here. My eyes went to the trebuchet next to me and then to a crate full of explosives. I lifted an eyebrow and grabbed a couple of hand bombs and stuffed them into my pockets. With my daggers at the ready I ran towards the screams looking to help any I could. I ran past the trading post which had been trashed, blood and bodies littering the ground as a creature twisted towards me. It's red crsytaline skin glistening in the green light of the Breach. I gasped and ducked from the blow he attempted to deliver and drove my dagger through his neck, but it glanced off. The creature let out a shrill screech as it slashed its broadsword at me forcing me to back away. Blocking the next attack, I tried again, but it was hardly damaging it. It shrieked again and grabbed my by my cloak and slung me against the rocks. I grunted in pain, my eyes wide as I coughed. I looked up at it and growled as I charged and leapt onto it driving my blades into its chest.
The crystalline creature cried out a dying screech as it tumbled to the ground with me on it and I let out a sigh of relief, but was quickly interrupted when another crystalline monster charge me. I tried to take my blades out of the body of the one I'd just killed, but they wouldn't come out. My eyes widened, dodging the blow of the creature charging me. The blade cutting clean through the arm of the dead creature. The monster reared back and was about to strike at me again, but I rolled to the side swiping the dead monster's broadsword and drove it through the gut of the creature watching as it cut through cleanly. It's eyes bulged as it gurgled up blood as I kicked it off the sword. I stared at the sword as it lit in my palm. There was this...song calling to me from the sword, no not the sword, the red of the sword and I gasped as I threw the sword away from me. "Red Lyrium." I whispered as I looked from the sword to the two dead creatures next to me. My eyes traveled along the two dead humanoids noticing this sword like pattern on their chests like a chest plate. I stared at them and shook my head. Templars? What the hell is happening? I moved away from them looking to my daggers which were being encased by the red lyrium in the Templars chest. I frowned as I looked around me and moved to the trade stand and leant over it looking for weapons. I slid a bow over my shoulder and grabbed a short sword and a dagger. There wasn't much left so looks as if this is what I had to work with. More came over the wall and I ran forward and the first red lyrium Templar I say I drove my blade through as hard as possible through its back. I ripped it out before it could get stuck and kicked it away. I bobbed and wove through Haven killing any that I came across. My hands sore from the cold and from my hands constantly grazing their coarse skin. I ground my teeth together as I ran at more, but for the most part it didn't appear that civilians were around when suddenly I heard a cry for help. My head twisted to the side and I bolted towards them. The tavern was on fire as I ran towards it, the cries for help inside. As I got closer I was met with a red lyrium Templar who fell from the entrance with an arrow in its forehead. I moved out of the way as it tumbled backwards and I moved through to catch a flash of blonde hair as more arrows sung into the red Lyrium Templars, but they weren't stopping. I killed two who were entering and kicked the beam next to the door to blockade it before twisting and running at the group of Templars. There were only three of them. I had this. I leapt towards them driving the blade quick and strong across their necks. These were different...more human… the last one however was the one tanking all arrows. I drove my blade through, but it shattered on touch. My eyes widened as it turned towards me and raised it's massive sword. I rolled and grabbed the red Lyrium sword from one of the dead Templars and drove it towards the crystalline creature. I peeked over at Sera who was staring at me with wide eyes.
"Sera, Go! Get them out of here!" I ordered and she nodded quickly, her mouth slack open.
"You 'eard the lady!" She yelled to them and they ran out. The Templar growled and drove his blade in further and I rolled to the side knowing I couldn't match it's strength. My eyes widened when it was suddenly on top of me again. It's too fast. It swiped at my arm and I felt it connect. Slicing through my skin like butter. I gasped in pain before jumping back again. The Templar moved after me with a predatory look on it's face.
"You can't run from me." It grumbled. It's voice horribly distorted and cruel. I was no match for it in regular sword fighting. It was stronger and faster and I was not that good at sword fighting. I looked for an escape, but everything was going up in flames, literally. Suddenly I saw it. I grinned and threw my dagger forward towards the ceiling and the chandelier. The Templar dodged it obviously and laughed. "You missed." The chandelier came crashing down and toppled just behind him making him stop. He turned towards it laughing at me, but I took advantage of this and ran forward driving the red Lyrium blade through its heart.
"Did I?" Its eyes were wide as I kicked my blade free and ran towards the window which was the only thing not on fire at this point and vaulted out of it. The glass shattered as I broke through it and dropped down into the snow. I ran towards where Sera had gone and saw Templars had surrounded her again just in front of the Chantry. I ran towards her, but as I did. I saw explosive arrows being fired and the faint sound of a trigger. I grinned. Varric. Sprinting towards them now I leapt on top of the Templar closest to me as a group came towards them and drove the Lyrium blade through it's head. I yanked it free and kicked the second Templar in the legs and as he fell I drove the blade through its neck. I kept on my war path till the last one. I was about to drive my blade through it when a bolt sung by and blasted it into bits. My eyes widened and I looked over towards Varric and him at me as he pointed Bianca towards my heart. I raised my hands as he kept it pointed.
"Who the hell are you?" He asked in his usual tone, except I noticed exhaustion in it now. Maker how long had they been fighting? I pulled away my hood as Sera stepped forward.
"That's-"
"It's me, Varric." I called out and I noticed his arms stiffen and unstiffen with shock.
"Angel?" He asked and I nodded. Bianca bounced for a moment before he slung her over his shoulder and moved to me. I got down on my knees and hugged him as he hugged me back. "We thought you were dead." He said as he hugged me. "Everyone who went to the castle…" I frowned as I looked beyond him to the doors of the Chantry.
"I'll make this right. I'll save you all, I swear it." I whispered and he nodded as I stood. He smirked at me with watery eyes.
"Well then count me in." He said as I heard a group of people running up behind us.
"Go! Through that door! The Chantry is the only safe place left in Haven!" A voice commanded and I turned to see Rylen moving closer, but when his eyes scanned over me and he paused. "W-what?" He stumbled and I frowned, nodding to him. "How are you...here?" He chose his words carefully.
"I'm not sure and we don't have time. We need to figure out how to stop the Templars." I said and he nodded as he looked to his men then back to me.
"Lady Protector. Come with me." He said and I nodded as I walked forward towards the Chantry with him. "Men, stay with Master Tethras and keep those Templars off of this Chantry!" He ordered and they nodded as they got into a formation around Varric. We walked into the Chantry and instantly I noticed the panic in the air. So thick and palpable I nearly choked on it. Everyone wreaked of fear and blood and ash as they scurried about holding onto their loved ones. People we're falling onto their knees praying for salvation from the Maker. Praying for their loves and lives. Suddenly though, they stopped as we walked through. All eyes turned towards me. Wide eyes that once wanted to slit my throat now looked at me if I were their last hope. It unnerved me. My eyes searched the people for my companions, but I didn't see any of them. Rylen led me through the people and we stopped when I saw Leli and Josephine pacing back and forth. Leli was ordering agents while Josephine scribbled mercilessly.
"Leli." I breathed and I wasn't sure how she heard it, but she turned as if sensing my presence. Her eyes were wide and I smiled as we threw our arms around each other.
"You're back? How are you-?" She stopped and shook her head as she hugged me. "Nevermind, thank the Maker you're back. He has sent you to us to save us." She whispered and I hugged her tightly.
"I'll do whatever I can." I promised and she smiled, but it quickly faded. The fear and worry about what was going to happen overwhelming her. Josephine walked up and hugged me as well.
"My Lady, we thought you were dead." She said and I nodded.
"I know, but I'm here. I don't know how, but I am." I said as I looked to them. "Tell me you have a plan." I pleaded and they looked to each other.
"The Commander is already seeing it through." She said, but I noticed the looks of depression on their faces.
"The-Cullen? He's alive? Where is he?" I asked and she frowned up at me.
"There's no stopping this force, but we can help us anyone else that these monsters attack by taking a large sum of them out. We won't survive this, but...maybe we can help others survive." Josie murmured and it clicked in my head what they were doing.
"The trebuchets…" I whispered. Maker had I just missed them? I was over there and I saw no one. "No! There has to be another way!" I argued, but they shook their head.
"There isn't Quinn. We are trapped." Leli responded, but I couldn't accept that.
"I have to stop him." I said, hearing them voice their arguments behind me as I turned, but was stopped by a boy with a giant hat.
"So many lives. Lives I damned. I can't let him do this. I must-" He stopped and I stared at him. "I am Cole. I warned them about the attack, but it was too late. I can help." He said and looked towards Chancellor Roderick. The Chancellor was pale and barely able to stand. His hand clutching a wound. "He is going to die, but you don't mind that." He said sounding somewhat sad. "He knows a way through. A tunnel hidden for centuries, but he took it."
"Why are you telling this now? These people would have been out already!" I growled, but he didn't seem fazed.
"No one would listen to me. Everyone wanted to die. For the cause, but there was no cause. No hope, but you. You brought hope. They will listen now." He explained and I nodded with a grimace on my face.
"Leli, Josephine, round up the people and get them through this...tunnel. I will stop Cullen or at least hold him off for as long as possible." I said and moved close to the boy.
"Cole. I am trusting you. If you betray us there is no where you can hide from me." He looked over at me with his cerulean blue eyes.
"I just want to help." He responded honestly, his eyes holding no lie in them. I nodded and gave him the only smile I could muster which was barely a flicker. I moved to the front of the Chantry seeing Madame Vivienne look towards me.
"I am coming with you." She said, but I shook my head.
"You need to get out of here with the rest, Madame de Fer. I can do this alone." I said, but she shook her head.
"As now as that is, there are more out there than you can take being just one person. I can aid you and I will." She said and I sighed, but nodded.
"Well then, come on. We don't have much time."
"Agreed." With that we were off and heading into the heart of battle. I needed to find Cullen and quick. Varric looked to us as we left and then to the soldiers.
"I'm coming with you too."
"No, Varric, you need to help protect the Chantry. Sera, here." I called out as I tossed her the quiver I'd snagged full of arrows. She moved forward towards me.
"They only need one archer. I'm not gonna let you come back to life and die in the same day." She said and I nodded as I looked back at my old friend and threw a two fingered salute at him.
"Lady Protector! Wait!" Rylen called and I spun to see Rylen running towards us. "I'm coming with you as well!"
"You must stay here. If-if anything should happen to Cullen you are the Commander. We cannot have you dead as well."
"He's my friend. I'm not going to sit back in safety while he is out there." He argued and I sighed before nodding.
"Fine." I turned and we ran forward. As we moved down the staircase red Lyrium Templars moved towards us. Three in the front and a tall one in the back. Their shields at the ready as they snarled at us. I heard the sound like a loud heart beat surround me as I ran in and noticed myself illuminated with blueish white energy. I leapt onto the Templar in the front and drove the blade through the side of its neck as it fought to get me off. Rylen ran up and blocked the attack from the other Templar as I leapt towards the third Templar. He backed away slicing his blade towards me barely nicking my shoulder, but I felt no pain as the bluish light flickered. A shield. I grinned and kicked the Templars legs out and flipped on top of him driving my blade deep into his chest. I yanked it free as the tall Templar walked towards me. His armor bulkier than the others as he swung his blade towards me. Suddenly an arrow flew past me and embedded in its eye making it back away with a scream. Not wasting a moment, my blade drove through its chest eliciting crunches and crackles of bone and crystal. I let out a deep breath as Rylen finished off the last. I heard a shout and I spun when I heard footsteps just behind me. My blade rose to stop the incoming one as ice spread from the ground up. The blade came closer, but the ice was faster and I stared wide eyed as the bladed figure whose blade was mere inches from my heart. I drove my blade through it and the ice crumbled. I looked to Vivienne with an appreciative look. She nodded back and we turned, off once again looking for the Commander. We made it down the stairs and a soldier ran up, but stripped.
"Help me! Help me, please!" He cried and we ran forward. Just after the soldier there were two Templars with their swords at the ready. In moments the two were dead and the soldier thanked us profusely. "Y-Lady Protector! We thought-" I nodded, agitated that he was standing awestruck instead of running. "You have to help the Commander! He's pinned down! There's too many! We were trying to get the trebuchets to fire, but he's overrun!" My heart beat picked up in my chest. Rylen stepped forward.
"This way!" He yelled and I ran after him as we ran from Havens gates and towards the horde of Red Lyrium Templars. I got ready for the fight as we ran forward and sure enough we found it. The very last trebuchet pointed at the mountain to the left of us was almost in place. My eyes widened as I saw Cullen. His furry mantle glistening with blood and a helm with the face of a lion reflecting the green of the Breach. My eyes widened as I ran forward. There were too many and he wasn't retreating! I had to save him! I sprinted passing Rylen and heading straight into the fight as Cullen continued to yank on the wheel of the trebuchet. I drove the blade through the first Templar I saw and then the next as I fought a path to him. I cried out his name, but he wouldn't turn. I caught sight of him getting the trebuchet almost in place. Soldiers in formation around him, but they were going down like flies. I took one of the hand bombs from my pocket and rolled it into the crowd of Red Lyrium Templars before driving a blade through a Templar that got too close. The bomb went off and the blew Templars from my path. Pieces of their crystalline skin flying past me and embedding in other Templars. I ran forward towards him. My heart in my throat as I killed as many creatures as I saw. Cullen turned at the sound of the explosion, his eyes finding me immediately. He was stalk still for a moment, his shock apparent. I felt a smile come to my lips, but quickly fought off another Templar. I ran to him and was almost there when a massive Templar stepped in between me and him. My eyes widened as I backed away and got ready to fight. I leapt away from his attack, and tried to counter it, but my blade barely sliced him. Just beyond the massive creature I saw the last of Cullen's soldiers go down. Red Lyrium Templars crowding him. I gasped as I fought to get past the massive creature, but it slung me onto my back and placed it's massive foot on me. I gasped in pain and fright as my eyes went from the massive Templars sword being aimed at my forehead and Cullen as he tried to fight off as many Templars as possible. The Templar got ready to drive his blade home when I drove my blade into his ankle. He let out a scream of pain and anger as he backed away stumbling before running at me again. I rolled out of the way, but the Templar pivoted and punched me in the gut. I gasped for air as it grabbed me by my shirt and lifted me up holding it's blade towards me. I gripped onto his hand trying to claw myself free, but to no avail. It was about to drive it through my heart when suddenly a blade pierced through its skull from the side. My eyes widened as I looked over and Cullen stood slightly bent over from the throw still atop of the platform of the trebuchet. The Templar slowly died in front of me, but its grip was still firm as I tried to get free. I had a view of Cullen looking to me, he'd killed himself to save me.
"NOOOO!" I screamed as multiple Templars drove their swords through him. "CULLEN!" My heart felt like it had been ripped out of my chest as I tore myself from the Templars grasp. My shirt ripping and cloak still in its clutches. I ran forward, anger and pain fueling my movements as I sliced through Templar after Templar. Laughs raised into the air as they mocked him. I would kill them all. I ran forward with a speed I didn't know, my blade slicing through them as if they were nothing. They were nothing. I destroyed them. Every one of them that were near him and looked down at him. My heart breaking as I sunk down to my knees. Tears stung my eyes as my hand ran over his furry mantle. Maker, please no. I felt a sob in my throat as I pulled away the helm and gasped.
"Blackwall?" I gasped and he choked for a moment before nodding.
"I-I didn't think I'd be seeing you again." He admitted with a short smile. Blood coated his teeth as he coughed up blood.
"Why-?"
"He would never get a shot at getting to the trebuchet unless he had a diversion. I came up with the plan-" he coughed "-fairly ingenious." He grunted. I felt a small smile to my lips as like let out a laugh. Tears falling from my cheeks.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, this never should have happened." I whispered and he clutched my hand something in between.
"You're here now. That's what matters." He choked and let out a ragged breath. "You have to go-" He wheezed, "There's more coming."
"My Lady, we have to leave." Rylen said as he touched my shoulder. I hadn't even realized he was there.
"I won't leave him." I stated adamantly as Blackwall wheezed. "Help me carry him back. He doesn't deserve to die in a place like this." I ordered as more and more Templars came towards us.
"No, M'Lady. Leave me. I'm already dead. Just go!" He ordered me and I felt the chill of dread and the fire of anger spread through my body simultaneously. He let out a raspy breath before it shuddered to a stop.
"I'm sorry.." I whispered and kissed his cheek as tears fell onto his skin. "Thank you, my friend." I slid the helmet back on him as Rylen grabbed ahold of me.
"Quinn, the other trebuchet! Look!" My eyes flicked to the trebuchet barely peeking over the walls. The same wall that I'd crossed when I got here. My eyes went to the horde of Templars running towards us and he pulled me back. They ran along the wall, but I ran up it vaulting over the top. I scanned the area for Cullen, but didn't see him. There were barely any soldiers left. Maybe 12 against a horde and now that Blackwall was dead all those Templars would be coming right for us. There were far less Red Lyrium Templars now though and these I could manage. I attacked multiple of the red Lyrium Templar creatures. My blades spilling blood and staining the snow beneath my boots. More and more kept coming over the wall though as the horde came upon us. I saw a soldier at the trebuchet turning it and ran towards him and my mind instantly went to Cullen. I grabbed him when I got there and turned him to me, but it wasn't him. He stared at me in shock as he clutched the trebuchet in both hands.
"Where is the Commander?!" I asked and he shook his head startled.
"I-I don't know! He was down with the other trebuchets! Told me to get this one in position ma'am!" He cried as I looked around for him. Maker where was he?! The soldier stared at me. "Y-you're the Lady Protector! But you were…"
"Dead, yeah I know. I'm being told that a lot today." I responded. "We need to retreat! If we stay here much longer we'll be overrun by that hord-" Suddenly an arrow flew past me and embedded in his heart. My eyes widened as his did and he fell onto the ground in front of me. I hid behind the wheel as another arrow sung towards me. Looking down at the dagger in my palm I let out three short breaths before I rolled to the side to dodged an arrow, launching my dagger towards the archer. With perfect accuracy the archer fell backwards with a blade in its skull. I looked to dead soldier and then to another soldier. I grabbed his shoulder. "Call the retreat! We must leave now!" I ordered and he looked to the men around him yelling for us to retreat. We fought back the Templars to the best of our ability, but there were too many. We turned to get out when suddenly in front of us a huge red hand-like club, bigger than most houses in a carriage, swung through the wooden wall. The soldier to my left threw me forward and I gasped as I tumbled into the snow and when I looked back he and the soldier next to him were hidden under the hand-like club. I backed away, with wide eyes as I stared at the monster as it broke through the remainder of the wall. What was left of the group backed away on the other side of it. The Templars behind them and this monstrous thing in front of them boxing then in. I was frozen for a moment as I realized they were going to die. I only had a sword left and with it I swiped it at the legs of the gigantic Lyrium monster, but it barely noticed I was there.
"Lady Protector, run! We'll hold them off as long as possible!" My eyes were wide as I looked to the soldier in front as he nodded. "Go!" I shook my head as more attacked. The soldiers defended against the blows but they were being slaughtered.
"Go! Now!" Another soldier called and I turned and ran. I tried to ignore their screams of pain as they died, but I knew the sound would echo in my mind for days to come. If I survived this, that is. I ran for the Chantry knowing that the horde would be headed for it next. We were barely able to defend it before. It would be destroyed when the horde got there. We needed to get everyone out. I turned the corner and suddenly I was rammed. I gasped as my head cracked against the boulder next to me. I gasped in pain as the Templar that had rammed me grabbed my shirt and smacked my head against the boulder again. I wobbled as the sword fell from my hand. He laughed at me as I fell to my hands and knees. The pain in my head making it throb.
"Get up, Bitch!" He yelled and I felt a snarl cross my lips before my foot snapped out and swept his leg. He tumbled onto the ground and I swung myself around and punched him in the face. I kept punching, blood from his nose and lips oozing out his wounds. He groaned before I took a knife from his belt and drove it through soft skin of his chin. I stood and leant against the wall heaving breaths as my head throbbed. As I leant against the boulder a Templar took notice of me and grinned. Random lumps of sharp crystals jutting out from his body and stretching the skin. I groaned in annoyance looking for the sword that the other Templar had, but didn't have time. This Templar ran at me and I twisted to the side as he tried to run his sword through me. I kicked the side of his leg, but yelped in pain when I felt the crystals slice through my pants and skin. I grabbed the monster quickly by its neck and drove it into the boulders behind me. Blood splattered as crystals shattered and fell from its head. I snarled as I kept bashing its head against the rock until he stopped moving. I wobbled and leant against the same rock, but heard shouting that made my ears perk up. I grabbed the dead Templars blade and hooked it around my waist and scaled the rocks and ran along the rocky parts of Haven. I ran towards the shouts and the sounds of battle. My eyes scanned the ground beneath me to see Templars moving across the blood stained snow towards the Chantry. I kept running until I spotted Rylen running with a soldier. My eyes scanned the area and I saw Vivienne a ways ahead, but Sera was missing. They were outnumbered and being surrounded as Templars moved in front of Vivienne. She gasped as she fell to the ground. A Templar in front of her holding his hand towards her form and glowing a bright red. I felt the impact of the silence where I stood. The silencing magic of the Templar in the air choking any magical energy. I felt my palm thrum, the magic flickering like a flame in the wind. I looked down and saw a dead archer just by my feet. His bow still clutched in his dead fingers. I tore it from his palm and grabbed his quiver slinging it over my shoulder. Six arrows were left in the quiver, six shots I have to make worth it. I heard Rylen shout for Vivienne as I notched an arrow and released. The arrow found its mark in the Templars neck who had been approaching Vivienne. 5 arrows left. I notched another arrow as another came after her, but no sooner had it made in her direction had it fallen to the ground with my arrow through its skull. I grimaced as I pulled out my third arrow and notched it. Rylen shouted in pain as I fired the arrow towards another Templar advancing on Vivienne and it hit it in the close to its heart. I twisted at hearing the cry of pain to see a Templar about to drive his blade through Rylen. It was well armored around its neck and head. Too well armored for an arrow to pierce. My bow moved slightly up and I released. The arrow lodged through the Templars hands and he dropped the blade in shock and pain. My notched another to finish off the Templar, but the soldier to the left of Rylen took care of it. The soldier's eyes went from the arrow in the Templars hands to me. Rylen looked to me with a relieved nod as he leant on the shoulder of the soldier who was still staring at me. Vivienne stood wobbly and drained looking. Another Templar moved towards Vivienne, his palm outstretched towards her, a silence zapping the air of magic. Vivienne let out a quiet cry of pain as the silence rolled over her. I reached into the quiver, but my fingers grasped nothing. I slung the bow across my shoulder and pulled the sword as I leapt down and drove my blade through the Templars skull. I felt the silence stop as the Templar and I hit the ground. Vivienne lay on the ground wheezing for air. More approached her and any that stepped closer were cut down by my blade. The Templars dropped around us as the soldier and Rylen moved in closer. The soldier defending as best as he could.
"Vivienne are you alright?" I asked as I held my blade at the ready. She groaned.
"I'm alright, my dear. Thank you." She called out as she wobbled to a standing position. I placed my hand on her shoulder to check on her condition before looking around. The Templars were dead around us and more were coming through, but we'd stunted them for the moment. I needed to take a moment to catch my breath anyway. My head pounding angrily from the impact from being thrown. I tried to ease the pain as I looked to Rylen.
"Rylen! I went to the trebuchet, but it's been overrun. I couldn't find him." I called out as the soldier stood stalk still. Rylen walked towards me. "Help Madame Vivienne back to the Chantry. Where's Sera?" I asked as I stared at him. He shook his head.
"We got separated." He stated as the soldier moved forward.
"Get Rylen to the Chantry." I stated as I squared my shoulders at him. "I will go find Sera and Cullen." The soldier nodded and pulled Rylen's arm around the back of his neck and pulled him along.
"My Lady it's too dangerous! He will be going to the Chantry, I know it." Rylen protested.
"I don't know that and neither do you. What if he's out there?" I questioned and he frowned.
"He is at the Chantry. I'm sure of it, please. Trust me on this." He pleaded as he looked up at me. I frowned as I looked in between where the horde was and Rylen. "If he's not there then go, but I don't want you running into danger without eliminating the safer possibility." He advised and I frowned for a moment before nodding.
"Fine." I stated, "But, what about Sera?" I asked and he closed his eyes.
"I pray she is there as well." He murmured. I looked to Vivienne and pulled her arm over my shoulder. She thanked me quietly as we hobbled forward, but from behind me I heard a shout. I turned as a Templar drive his sword forward and I had little time to react. I shoved Vivienne off as the blade drove in. I heard two separate cries of my name as the blade moved between my arm and side, slicing through the already torn shirt and blooming red with my blood. The Templar laughed, but paused as I grabbed the blade and kicked him away. He stumbled and I took advantage of it bringing the blade forward and cutting its throat. I let it swing back as I heard cries around me again. I grabbed Vivienne and called to Rylen and the soldier.
"Move!" We were almost to the Chantry as more Templars came, cutting us off. I gasped as an explosion went off to my right, a Templars body scattering into bits from the impact. The explosion shook the ground sending Vivienne to the ground and me down with her. I scrambled to try and get her up as a Templar attacked us. I held the blade up as it brought its own down. The blades sparking as they met. I pushed her to move out of the way and she scrambled to her feet. Magic crackling in the air as the Templar pushing on my blade suddenly froze from the ground up. I growled as it completely froze and I drove my blade through its chest. As the blade lodged in its chest I rolled away as the iced Templar crumbled I looked towards Vivienne. Her magic was swirling around her as she threw shards of ice towards the Templars. I turned as another Templar ran at Rylen and I lobbed off it's head in one swing of the sword, its body falling to the ground a few feet from him. My arms were starting to sting from the weight of it as another Templar approached. I swung the sword, but it counter attacked and disarmed me. I backed away bringing the bow from my back and using the metal hand guard to stop the blade before swing it around and smacking him in the face with the wooden end. Another Templar came up as the other recovered and I snarled at it as I blocked an attack attempting at the same attack, but it dodged and brought it's fist around and caught me in my chin sending me sprawling. I grunted in pain as I turned onto my side trying to get away from them, searching for a weapon when the Templar grabbed my foot. I tried to kick it off as it held up it's blade towards my chest and drove it home. My eyes were wide as I stared at the blade suddenly bounce off sending the Templar back a few steps. An aura flowed over me as the other Templar hacked at it making me flinch. A shield? I looked over towards Vivienne who nodded at me when suddenly a Templar came up behind her. I gasped as I scrambled to my feet, but the impact of something hitting the shield sent me back to the ground. "Vivienne!" I cried, but it was too late. The blade stuck out of her chest. I let out a strangled cry as I was suddenly kicked in the side.
"Puny woman. Perhaps I'll have some fun with you before I kill you!" He kicked me again making me taste blood. He laughed as I tried to crawl away. To my right I saw a small knife and I grabbed for it, but I was dragged backwards and grabbed by my hair. "My, my you are fiesty, pretty girl." He said in my ear. I growled, but whimpered as he yanked. "That's right, good lil' bitch." He chuckled and tossed my away onto a dead Templar. I gasped in pain splintered through my body. The Templar was walking towards me, his feet making the ground rumble around me. My own heartbeat nearly drowning out the sounds of battle, but not his malicious laugh. I'm going to die here. My mind whispered in horror. Desperation kicked in and I snarled as I looked to the crystals sticking out of the dead Templars shoulder and grabbed it. The crystals around it were sharp and cut my hand as I yanked on it. The Templar grabbed my hair again yanking me backwards as I broke it free and held it in my palm. He turned me and grabbed my face in its massive hand. "Beg for me, bitch." He growled. I spit in its face and brought my knee to its groin. It grunted in pain as it doubled over and I snarled as I brought the crystal down and into its neck. My legs were shaky as I forced myself not to breathe too deeply. My abdomen screaming in pain from the beating I'd taken moments ago. I placed my hand on my stomach as I hobbled forward passing Vivienne's body. I wanted to stop, Maker knows I didn't want to leave her here. For these monsters to trod over as if she were nothing. More Templars were coming though and I was in no state to stop and carry her. I'm sorry, Vivienne. I had to make it to the Chantry. Rylen shoved a Templar away before falling from the wound in his leg. I moved towards him when suddenly my foot was grabbed and the Templar with the crystal in its neck yanked me towards it. I gasped as I tried to kick myself free. My heel stomping on its face as it reached up with its other hand.
"Get off me!" I cried as I continued to kick the monstrous thing. It's hands were sharp and crystalline scraping against my skin. My abdomen burned as the Templar dragged me back towards it over rocks as I tried to claw at the ground to stop myself. Suddenly I heard a cry of anger and a blade came from seemingly nowhere and drove through the skull of the Templar. I scrambled away from its now dead hand as it released my foot. My eyes went from the blade up as the owner got down in front of me. I was so shaken I grabbed the first thing I could find and readied it, but paused. For a moment I forgot about the violence and the horrors around us.
"Cullen." I breathed. His hair was flopping onto his forehead caked with dirt and blood. His eyes wide and golden, lips slightly parted. A different type of armor than his usual that was smeared with blood, dirt and soot. He didn't say anything, but his hand outstretched shakily pushing my hair aside so that he could see my full face. His fingers barely grazed my skin. He heard something I didn't and suddenly he pulled me into his chest holding me close. Before I could say anything we took off. His arms holding me tightly against his chest. Rylen and the soldier ran next to us, Rylen still hobbling from his wound. We got to the Chantry and the doors opened wide for us before closing almost immediately. Cullen set me down gently on the ground, calling over a healer as he moved my hand aside to look at the wound on my hip. I grimaced as he peeled away the cloth of my shirt from it. He let out a quiet sigh of relief as reached into a pack on the backside of his hip and pulled out bandages. His fingers touched the edge of my shirt and paused.
"I need to wrap your wound." He said, not looking at me. I groaned and wiggled my shirt free pulling my shirt up enough for him to see the wound. He kept his eyes on the wound as I leant my body upwards towards him as he pulled the bandages around my waist before tucking the ends into the fold to keep it place. "I thought I'd never see you again…" He murmured to me. His voice was so quiet, so unsure of what to say. I didn't exactly expect us to be running into each other's arms, but he seemed so...sad.
"I thought the same." I replied quietly as he pulled my shirt back down. His eyes wandered for a moment around the room.
"Are there no blasted healers they can spare?" He asked, his voice urgent and angry. I touched his arm.
"I'll be fine. There are people in far worse condition than I that they need to attend to." I stated as I looked over and saw Rylen being looked after by a woman in bloody clothing. He looked from Rylen back to me. I noticed Leliana as she jogged over. Adan on her heels, stopping just in front of us.
"Makers balls. Is that-?" He didn't get to finish as Cullen swiped the potion from him not unkindly. He tilted it against my lips and I drank it. The elfroot soothing me as it went down. I could feel it faintly fixing things in my body and thanked him. He couldn't take his eyes off of me as he stayed close. His hand came up and he gently wiped away the blood and some dirt from my face.
"Leli, you need to get those people through the escape. There's a horde of Templars heading here right now. They'll kill everyone here." She closed her eyes before looking back to the people that were already pushing through the escape.
"How much time?" She asked and I frowned.
"Maybe ten minutes." I replied. "If we can get everyone through we can destroy the entrance. We can all get out of this." I told her as I pushed myself up. Cullen protested as I slid up the wall and leant against it as he grabbed my arm to steady me. I placed a hand on her shoulder noticing a faint smile come to her lips.
"Being optimistic now? Better late than never." She replied with a sad smile. I closed my eyes and grimaced.
"Go. Get yourself and Josephine out of here. I will help guard the front-"
"No. You're injured. You need to get out with the others." Cullen insisted. His eyes on me with a stern gaze.
"I will be fine. We'll all die if those Templars get through." I replied adamantly. "These people need as many bodies as possible stopping those...things." I argued before nodding to Leliana. "Go. Get everyone out." I frowned as she pulled me into a hug.
"You had better make it out." She whispered before letting me go. "Here, when you-when we thought you were dead. I had your things put away." She said as she held my mother's hidden blades up to me. "If these are what I think they are, these blades should be able to pierce through the Red Templars flesh." She explained and I nodded mutely as she looked to Josephine and they moved through the line of people. My eyes drifted down to the bladed gauntlets in her palms. I could feel the magic in them. It was calling to me, whispers from the shadows for me to put them on. I let out a breath and looked down at the gauntlets before shaking my head. They weren't just weapons. They were symbols of my past life. A life that I fought so hard to be free of. I couldn't. No I wouldn't go back to that even if it meant death.
"I don't need these." I replied and she nodded mutely.
"Be safe, my friend." She whispered and turned from me. I turned from her as well and moved towards the front of the Chantry. Cullen who was staring at me with impatience drew my attention as he grabbed my arm.
"You need to leave. You are injured, if you go out there it's little better than suicide." He said in a hushed growl of irritation. I glared up at him.
"Does it matter what it is, Cullen?" His eyes were burning through me with intensity. "I'm staying, right here." Maker, I didn't want to fight with him right now.
"Not if I throw you over my shoulder and make you." He threatened and it brought a smile to my lips as I touched his hand on my arm and gently ran my thumb over his knuckles.
"This is my choice, Cullen." I replied quietly noticing him soften just a fraction as his hand eased on my arm. "I am one of the best fighters you've got at your disposal, and you know that."
"One of the most valuable as well." He retorted obviously unhappy with my choice. He looked so distant as he looked past me, his hand still holding me in place. "I wish you hadn't come back." He replied quietly staring at the door as if trapped in his own thoughts for the short moment. I felt a pang of hurt in my heart from his words, but when I saw the hopeless expression on his face...I knew why he said it and if it were me in his position I'd feel the same way. "Not now-not when…" He trailed off as he dropped his head looking angry with himself. His eyes moved down to me for a moment. "I can't-" I slipped my hand into his palm and brought it to my lips.
"It'll be alright." I promised as I looked towards the door with him the pain in my abdomen subsiding. Now all I had was this uneasy feeling for the upcoming battle. "We'll make it out of this." I added mostly to myself trying to erase this unabated fear that he would be killed. No, no I would protect him. I would make sure he got out of this alive. My eyes lifting to him for a moment as he looked down at me. Even if I didn't.
"No matter what, promise me you will stay close." I nodded myself out of my thoughts and gave him a short smile noticing him try to give me one back as well.
"I promise." We said nothing else as we turned moved towards the front doors of the Chantry. The soldiers in front of us pushed at the doors and I felt the cool blast of wind break through bringing the sounds and smells of battle as well as sparking my blood buzzed adrenaline and terror for this battle. We just needed to hold them off. Enough for those people to get through.
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