When I awoke, it was with a jolt, a scream dying on my lips. The sound of something falling to the floor caught my attention and I looked to the side. I was on a bed, the small room bathed in warm light from a candle beside where I sat.
"I didn't know you were awake. I'm sorry," a trembling elf said. I took in the small girl before me. Her frame trembled as she ducked out of the room and disappeared from sight.
I thought I was alone again until a voice said, "You can't blame them for being frightened."
I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sound of Solas's voice. He was leaning against the furthest wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Fenedhis, how long were you standing there?" I hissed, a bit breathless still.
Solas untangled himself from the shadows of the room, pushing off of the wall to come stand in front of me. "Who do you think made sure that you were safe? Who do you think carried you back to Haven? Surely not Cassandra. You're welcome."
He seemed more amused than put off, but still…thanks were in order I suppose.
"Thank you," I murmured reluctantly. " Did we do it? Did the rift close?"
"Yes, you did it. And now the people of Haven see you as a blessing."
"Blessing?" The word was sour on my tongue. "Didn't they hate me just a few hours ago?"
"You've been out for a day. A lot has changed. You did what they deemed impossible," Solas explained. "They need a way to rationalize that."
"That girl seemed more scared than enchanted by me," I objected coolly.
"Fear and awe are often seen hand in hand," Solas said with a bitter smile.
I shifted on the bed and asked softly, "Can you explain something to me?"
His pointed ears seemed to perk up at that. "Explain what?"
"Any of this. Any piece that can help me make sense of what happened.'
"I fear I cannot yet, but soon we will have more answers." He moved toward the door, talking more over his shoulder as he left, "I'll let you get dressed. I bet that Dalish girl is running to tell Cassandra that you've awakened."
"Solas," I said almost without thinking. My voice halted him just outside of the door. "I really do mean it. Thank you."
"The pleasure is all mine," he replied, though the smile on his lips was a little tight.
I dressed quickly, only wobbling a bit on my feet. When I stepped outside though, I was caught off guard by more than the cold. Two guards stood on either side of the path before me, their hands over their hearts. Behind them a line of people stood on either side of the path. Their murmuring increased when they spotted me and I was able to make out bits and pieces as I passed.
"That's her!"
"The Herald of Andraste!"
"They say she walked out of the Fade with Andraste behind her!'
My mind spun and my pace quickened with each mutter of praise until I was practically sprinting to the Chantry.
Sylaise'abelas, would this nightmare ever end?
I clasped hands with the Iron Bull while being pelted by rain on the Storm Coast. He was an unusual one–admitting that he was essentially a spy–but I liked him immediately. His crew were a hardy bunch and seemed close. We could always use a band of well-seasoned fighters. I was happy to have them.
I was not happy, however, to be drenched in my armor. My hair was plastered to my skull and my visible clothes were glued to me like a second skin. Beside me the sea raged and swelled along the rocky beach.
"So, Solas," Bull said, turning to the apostate. "I heard you explore the Fade quite often?"
Solas's eyebrows turned downward, waiting for the question the Iron Bull wasn't asking yet.
"You ever…you know?"
"No, I don't know what you mean," Solas said warily.
"Have you ever banged some hot Fade tail?" Iron Bull asked with not a fleck of embarrassment.
I snorted, trying to reign in my laughter.
"No," Solas replied flatly. "Such actions draw demons."
Bull groaned, "Demons fuck up everything."
"You can't blame him for being curious," Varric chuckled.
"I don't believe we've been formally introduced," a man said at my side. He was one of Iron Bull's men.
I turned and took their hand, "Hello, I'm–"
"The Herald of Andraste?" the newcomer asked.
I grimaced, my smile falling quickly. "Lavellan, is fine."
"This is Krem," Bull said as he shoved playfully at the mercenary. "Best Vint around."
Krem shoved back and the two immediately launched into a tirade of bickering. I couldn't help but smile.
I shuddered against the breeze that rolled off the sea and said, "Alright. Everyone gather your things. Bull, we'll show you and your crew Haven."
It was time to get back now and address the mountain of tasks that just kept piling up.
I slid around the corner, huffing with exertion and praying that they went away. Haven was nice…safe…but the people were overwhelming with their devotion. The meeting with the Chancellor had gone horribly, but the moment I had stepped outside the Chantry, people had swarmed me. I wasn't used to this type of devotion–I wasn't the Herald of anyone.
"Hiding from someone?" a familiar voice with a bemused tone asked.
"Just looking for a moment of respite," I said to Solas, never taking my eyes off the path I had just left.
It looked like the group of devotees had gone down another path. For now, I was safe.
"The Herald of Andraste is before me!" he teased.
That got me to look his way. I scowled for a moment–I hated that moniker–and then found my own sense of humor. "I feel like I should be riding in on a shining steed."
"A griffon would be a better idea," Solas joked. "Shame they're extinct."
He was standing outside the apothecary, his shoeless feet buried in the snow. Many Dalish also chose not to wear shoes, but Solas was not Dalish– his bare face told me that much. There wasn't even a hint of a vallasin on his face.
Before I could ask if he was cold, Solas said, "Joke as we will, posturing is necessary. I've journeyed deep into the Fade and I've watched wars countless times over. Every Great War has its heroes. I'm just curious what kind you'll be."
"The Fade?" I blurted, ignoring his obvious question out of sheer shock. "As in the Fade itself? How did you manage that?"
"Every battlefield is steeped in death and every building is shrouded in history. Spirits love to gather where there's blood and history. Through my dreams, I can communicate with those in the Fade and find memories no living being has seen before."
The number of questions fighting to release from my mouth were vast and I could only dumbly reply, "You sleep there? In the middle of ancient ruins?"
"Wards work fine and bait for spiders keeps them content while I dream," Solas replied, that tight lipped smile returning to his face.
"That's impressive."
"It's not a common field of study. But I wouldn't trade it for anything."
I wanted to ask him more, to beg him to regale me with stories of what he'd found. But this man was a stranger and the false smile he was giving me gave me pause. I found myself locking eyes with him, as if I could find my answers there. Instead, of all the things I wanted to ask, I said, "Will you be leaving soon?"
"I will stay, for now. But I am an apostate surrounded by soldiers in a Chantry stronghold. Can you see why I would be wary?"
He held my gaze. It was disconcerting. It was like a battle was being waged right here–who would look away first?
"Us outcasts should stick together. You can trust me. I won't let them hurt you."
That seemed to immediately throw him off guard. He brought his knuckle to his lip and coughed. His gaze drifted away and I felt a little sad.
"How would you stop them?" he asked.
"Anyway I can. You're just trying to help."
He didn't expect my answer, but he seemed satisfied by it. "Thank you. I will help close the Breach. Now it seems you have some admirers looking for you."
"What?" I gasped before Solas shouted, "Is that the Herald of Andraste?!"
A gaggle of devotees flocked to me almost immediately. I was swarmed by arms pulling at my clothes and people dropping to their feet before me. Not to mention the constant, endless chatter and praises they sung. I glared over my shoulder at the apostate responsible and said, "I won't forget this, mage."
"See that you don't," Solas answered with a wink.