We've reached the Temple of Mythal plus lots of banter. I really enjoy writing the banter between the characters. It's one of the many elements I really loved about DAI so I've incorporated it into the story plus some of my own.
Thank you so much to everyone who has followed along thus far :) It means the world to me.
Hope you enjoy xx
—-
Chapter 28:
Preparations were in full force for the Arbor Wilds. Corypheus was getting closer, she could feel it in her anchor. The way it flared, the way it pained her. He was up to something, plotting, formulating, reaching, achieving. His small chance at entering the Fade through the eluvian seemed nearly possible and Lara swore to herself whenever that feeling was overwhelming. She knew what his future entailed. If he entered the Fade, the world would be swallowed whole, consumed by an untreatable madness and she would sooner end her life than relive that future.
Josephine rallied support from Orlais which increased their numbers and strength. Leliana sent some of her best scouts to push them back, derail them and buy them time. Cullen worked tirelessly in picking his best men, training them for what lay ahead, and ensuring they were suited in their best armor. Morrigan had warned her the Arbor Wilds contained old elven magic that did not take kindly to intruders. She sincerely hoped the Wilds would defend itself until they arrived. Today was the day they would make their departure, but there was another departure she needed to make.
"I'm sorry I was an asshole to you," Lara spoke as she approached her brother who was waiting while some scouts loaded up his carriage.
"Is my sister apologizing?" Gabriel raised an eyebrow.
"Don't get too excited. Only for the Ball," Lara smirked.
Gabriel laughed. "There she is. To be fair, you were right. I had no authority to meddle in your affairs after all these years."
"And to be fair, you were right too," Lara looked away, rocking back and forth on her toes nervously.
"About your dashing Commander? I know I was."
Lara shot him a look.
"Dorian told me I was to call him that," Gabriel let out a laugh.
Lara groaned and rolled her eyes.
"Please don't," She muttered.
"I won't force you to confide in me but as long as you're happy and he treats you right, I am happy. I can only imagine how many men you must have casted aside to find the right one. You probably didn't make it easy for any of them," He chuckled at the thought.
Lara cleared her throat trying to hide the flush in her cheeks, her rocking a bit more sharp.
"What?" Gabriel raised an eyebrow.
"Zero."
"Zero what?"
"Zero men," Lara's voice wavered, not sure if she could say it outright. She couldn't even make eye contact with him.
Gabriel was silent at first, studying her, until his expression morphed into surprise, not expecting it to be his sister's answer. He had miscalculated completely, realizing there was a lot he didn't know about her since he last saw her.
"He's your first?" He lowered his voice as he leaned in closer to her.
Lara nodded, wishing the ground would swallow her whole.
"Wow. That was not what I expected. There's so much we need to fill each other in on but I know I need to earn your trust back. Thank you for telling me," Gabriel spoke.
Silence followed and Lara could see Gabriel struggling out of the corner of her eye. He was on the verge of saying something, but he was being held back, hesitating if he should.
"Out with it. You're making me nervous," Lara turned to face him.
Gabriel let out a sigh. "I brought a case of all the items I ever gave you growing up. I believe it's everything but there might have been one or two I missed. I brought it on the off chance that you might accept them from me as a peace offering if you will," He finished, watching for her reaction.
Her eyes widened as her heart raced. Items from her past, items that she adored because he had brought them for her, were now here with her in Skyhold. She swore she would never see those items again yet he brought them here just for her. He really had kept them. Gabriel walked over to the carriage, taking out a wooden box from one of his suitcases, and walked back over to her.
"Wait. Don't," She called as he was about to open the box.
He looked at her, waiting for an answer.
"Keep them safe for me. Maybe if I survive I will take them but for now, no. I am no longer that little girl, I need to keep her in the past," Lara spoke, not taking her eyes off the box.
"You have no idea how proud I am of you, Lar. I'm not sure what you make of me or what you want but I only hope that we can keep in touch," Gabriel's eyes focused on her.
An emotion glazed his eyes that Lara couldn't place, turning his blue eyes to reflect a gray hue. She had done a lot of thinking since the Ball. He was the only family she had, the only family member with a chance to make things right. A second chance. That's what the Inquisition was about, right? Second chances, saving the world, becoming new people, letting go of the past, making a new future.
"I'm quite hard to get rid of you know," Lara smirked as she raised her Anchor, a light green hue reflecting around her hand.
He laughed, understanding her meaning, and shook his head.
"After this is all done, perhaps we can meet again," Lara admitted.
"Please," Gabriel smiled.
He walked over to her, closing the distance between them, and bringing her in for a tight hug. With a sigh of relief, Lara sank into his hold, not realizing how much she needed this. How much she needed her brother back after years of loss and pain. How much she needed to know he still cared and he didn't just trick her. He gave her one last smile and kissed the top of her head before heading to the carriage that led him back home, where he would be safe.
"I might've threatened your Commander's life if he hurt you even though I'm pretty sure he could easily defeat me," Gabriel said once the carriage door closed.
"You didn't," Lara covered her mouth trying to hide her expression. He was no match for Cullen. Did he even know how to fight?
"Wouldn't be doing my brotherly duties if I didn't," He winked at her, as the carriage began to pull away.
Lara chuckled to herself as he rode away, but the sinking feeling of not being able to see him again erased any traces of happiness she had. The fear of not stopping Corypheus was threatening to overtake her. What if she couldn't do it? His future had been haunting her these past few days, traces of red lyrium appearing on those she loved only to realize it was in her head. Or was it? Her hallucinations were too real, she didn't know what was real and what wasn't. Gabriel wasn't present in this future and she had no idea what would become of him. The not knowing agonized her.
Something flew out of the carriage as it carried on, Lara walked over to it and noticed a small white flower sticking out from the grass beneath her. She knew exactly what it was for.
—-
The Arbor Wilds was peaceful and serene. High, thick trees and lush greenery went on as far as the eye could see. One could meditate here and get lost, surrendering themselves to the Wilds. The magic here was much like the magic she felt in Skyhold and she wanted to preserve it. It was her sanctuary. Anger rose in her body at the thought of even having to fight here. To spill blood on such a beautiful land would be to taint it. She suddenly wished with a scream she could make everything and everyone disappear from here, leaving only her and the Wilds. She just wanted to be here, with no burden, no responsibility but just simply to exist.
"Inquisitor," A scout approached her.
She turned around trying to bite her tongue. They had set up camp while Cullen led his men to clear the way. They had already approached Red Templars and were making a dent in Corypheus's numbers. She remembered briefly when he stood on a semi-destroyed wall as his men marched on. He stood, one foot propped on the edge, sword in hand, watching over his men, his stance so sure, so effortless. She couldn't take her eyes off him.
"The Red Templars fall beneath our blades. Commander Cullen says they're nearly finished. Our scouts saw Corypheus traveling towards an elven ruin to the north. We can clear you a path through his armies," The scout continued.
"Thank you…uh-please, just don't destroy the Wilds. Keep them intact as much as you can," Lara requested.
"Of course, Inquisitor. As you wish. I shall inform Commander Cullen and his men," The scout saluted her and left.
She could already picture Cullen's quizzical look at her request but accepting it nonetheless. As he always does. As he always had. Whatever she requested of him, he gave her.
It is a testament of my loyalty to you. Any command you make of me, I will lay at your feet, including the world.
A shiver ran down her spine as she remembered their encounter in Solas's rotunda. He had submitted his candidacy and had won before he even finished his submission. She never doubted that he would give her the world if she asked him for it.
"If your scouts report accurately, I believe these ruins to be the Temple of Mythal," Morrigan snapped her out of her thoughts.
Ugh…can everyone just leave me the fuck alone for a second…
"Mythal?" Lara arched an eyebrow. She had heard that name before.
"An elven goddess, the Great Protector. Her Temple is a place of worship out of elven legend. If Corypheus seeks it, then the eluvian he covets lies within," Morrigan answered.
Explosions took over the silence of the Wilds. Lara spun around to look at the offensive noise only to find anger consuming her. She hadn't realized her Anchor was flaring or that she was emanating magic off of her.
"Easy, lethallan. You must control it," Solas's voice appeared.
"Control what?" Lara snapped.
Solas only indicated her arm. Lara looked down in disbelief. Had she flared the Anchor on her own without a rift being nearby? She took a deep breath, closing her eyes and trying to focus on the magic of the Wilds rather than the one coursing through her veins, threatening to attack.
"There. Better?" Solas asked with a smile.
"I can conjure magic with my emotions?" Lara asked shakily.
"It is possible although I hadn't witnessed any of that in you until recently. The answer may lie in your mark being stronger," Solas replied.
"I must say her anger is not misplaced. Let us hope we reach the Temple before the entire forest is reduced to ash," Morrigan intervened.
"I hope you're right about this Temple, Morrigan. I could use a building or two," Dorian joined them, throwing disgusted looks at the nature surrounding him as if it had offended him.
"Do the woods discomfort you, Pavus?" Morrigan smirked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, but it's mostly the people trying to cut our heads off that manage that," He replied.
"Thought you'd be used to that by now?" Lara asked.
"My dear, I'm too pretty to die. I will never get used to it," Dorian smirked now.
Solas scoffed.
—-
Lara made way with her party to the first blockade. Cullen had been at it since dawn leading the men into battle, fighting endlessly. He had too little sleep for such an exertion and worry began to form at the realization. Stress and lack of sleep exacerbated his lyrium withdrawals and now was not the time or place for him to have a relapse, for his symptoms to overtake him. Solas had brought the necessary treatments for him and healers were at the ready should anything go wrong, but Lara wouldn't be there to know if he was alright. An instinct was telling her he was in danger. If Samson was targeting him before, he sure as hell was going to be targeting him now.
Lara tried to bury that for now as they fought their way through another cluster of Red Templars. As they continued on, they came across a giant waterfall with a large wolf statue on top. Lara couldn't help but take a few moments to stare at it in awe. She wished she knew more elven history to understand what the wolf meant but the beauty of the place overtook her yet again.
"Lara!" Dorian shouted, waking her up from her thoughts.
More Red Templars. And lots of them. They were scattered throughout the water and around the broken bridge that lay before them. With a glare, Lara grabbed her staff and smashed it down on the floor, sending jolts of electricity at the nearest ones to her, stunning them, and allowing Dorian to take his shot at them. Solas used the Fade to his advantage as rocks fell towards their enemies. It felt like being back at the Temple of Sacred Ashes as they saved Inquisition soldiers from perishing. Red Templars were also joined with the last of the Grey Wardens who were bound at Adamant. It wasn't the end she hoped for, but at least they were put out of their misery.
They proceeded on through water, dampening their clothes, much to Dorian's disgust. They followed the trail leading them to a Templar Camp, swarmed with Red Templars fighting, to Lara's confusion. They were elves but not Dalish elves. As soon as they began attacking the Red Templars, the elves caught sight of them and fled.
"Who are those elves? They're not Dalish, are they?" Lara asked Solas once it was clear.
"It seems the Temple of Mythal is not abandoned after all," Solas replied eagerly.
"Perhaps they are the reason few return from the Arbor Wilds," Morrigan interjected.
"I don't want to harm them or their land. I just need to get rid of this asshole and his stupid fucking Red Templars," She grumbled in annoyance.
Solas smiled, resting a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure they will know when the time comes, lethallan."
—-
The statues that lay ahead of her led the way to a world Lara was too scared to enter. It was too holy, too sacred, and she was not pure enough. She was tainted by whatever kind of dark magic infected her arm and her past that didn't hold a match to these ancient elves. What if they rejected her? What if they banned her from entering?
"We've cleared the way for you, lass. We'll be stationed here to keep anything from entering while you kill that bastard," Rylen approached her.
Lara turned to him and smiled. Cullen soon arrived with more men behind him, setting up barricades to be at the ready should any more enemies approach. He was Commander now, not her lover, as he directed his men, barely noticing Lara and her party there.
"Samson is here," Lara stated, still watching Cullen.
"Aye," Rylen responded with a sigh.
"I need you to promise me something please. I only trust you with this."
"Anything, lass," He replied.
"I fear Cullen's being targeted. There might be another traitor among us. Rylen, please, keep an eye on him," Her voice nearly cracked.
"Any evidence? Clues? Anything that might help?" He asked.
"Her intuition is stronger than we realize. Perhaps even more than she herself realizes. It most likely is true. I wouldn't dismiss it," Solas interjected.
Rylen chuckled. "You are her magical teacher after all. I'll take your word for it," He replied.
"Just stay by his side at all times. Whatever order someone gives either of you, question it. I wish I had more to give you but don't trust anyone besides Cullen at this moment," She pleaded.
Rylen placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring squeeze. He saluted her and moved to be by Cullen's side. She let a strong exhale, trying to calm her nerves. A barrier wouldn't keep him safe when she would be too far from him. She had nothing to reassure her besides Rylen and even then, their duty to serve was stronger than their intuition. Cullen's echoing voice soon caught her attention.
"Our aim is to stand strong together and defend. Defend against the enemy, defend against anything that aims to destroy or harm the Inquisition and our Inquisitor. We must allow her all the time she needs in the Temple to be victorious. The Inquisition will see victory tonight. We will celebrate one more fall from Corypheus. Our purpose is her. We will protect our Inquisitor at all costs, we will fight for her! For the Inquisition, for our Inquisitor!" He raised his sword.
His last words were drowned out by the shouts of his men raising their swords, clanking their shields against their armor, letting the world know their purpose, their reason. She felt her heart swoon at his words. He really would lay the world at her feet, if she asked him to.
—-
The world they knew disappeared as they made their way through the narrow passage. It felt as if she were entering a new world, a new dimension, away from the one that was so familiar to her. Despite the many areas she traveled to first as Herald, then as Inquisitor, this was not even remotely the same feeling. She prayed the elves would let her in and let her defend their land. Solas, Dorian, Morrigan, and Blackwall followed close behind her, each aware of their own footsteps as they slowly made their way towards the light.
They were welcomed with a vast landscape of green trees and a giant statue of who Lara assumed to be Mythal. Red Templar bodies lay beside them covered in arrows, the red lyrium still sickly humming around them. They crouched down so as not to interrupt the scene in front of them. More enemies and their leader. Samson? Was this him? He looked as slimy as he was. Greasy slicked back black hair and an expression that just read addiction, you could almost taste it just looking at him. Those same elves that fought now stood defending the bridge and the Temple before them.
"They still think to fight us, Master," Samson's voice called.
Corypheus threw one of the elves' bodies on the ground. Lara shook as she heard the thud.
"These are but remnants. They will not keep us from the Well of Sorrows," Corypheus's voice sent a shiver down her spine.
"Well of Sorrows?" Lara whispered to Morrigan.
Morrigan hesitated before looking at her, shrugging. She didn't know.
Great…
Blue lights flowed throughout the statues at either side of the bridge. The elves' last final chance at defeating him before it was too late. So they hoped. As soon as Corypheus stepped onto the bridge, his body was submerged with electricity, with such powerful magic that even Lara could feel. The elves looked in horror as they realized he wasn't dying, and started to make a run but Corypheus had grabbed one, suspending him in the air, the electricity taking both of them with it, the pressure building, almost like the time she closed the Breach at the Temple. WIth a sudden pop, it felt like the world exploded. They were thrown back by the impact and Lara hoped their cover hadn't been blown.
As they descended down the stairs to the scene of the incident, Lara felt her stomach churn. Sinister events like this didn't belong in this world. Already too much damage had been done that couldn't be erased. Figures appeared across the bridge. Somehow Samson and his men had escaped and managed to cross to the other side. Lara didn't miss that slimy smirk on his face as he turned around after his men.
A growl behind them caused the hairs on Lara's body to stand on end. Morrigan and her exchanged worried looks before daring to look behind them. A man in armor began to jerk uncontrollably until he stood on his knees, the growling noise increasing. Lara, Morrigan, and Dorian approached cautiously while Solas and Blackwall stayed put. Suddenly, his head flew backwards as dark blood began to spew out of him. As he fell to the floor, his body had transformed completely into Corypheus's form in an instant. Lara's eyes widened in horror as she took steps back.
"It cannot be!" Morrigan yelled beside her.
An arm raised in the air.
"Across the bridge! NOW!" Lara's yells echoed around them.
They all sprung into action, running across the bridge, into the sanctuary that the Temple had to offer. They needed it. A screech from Corypheus's form echoed followed by the cry of a dragon.
Shit!
They scrambled faster in unison upon hearing the dragon enter the vicinity, its wings flapping furiously. They were so close. The air burned in her lungs as she pushed her legs harder and faster trying to close the distance between her and the door. As they rushed through the door, the five of them pushed together to close the door before the dragon could enter. Fire erupted from the dragon's mouth heading their way but nearly missing them as they managed to close the door. The wind from the dragon's attack pushed them backwards. As Lara sat up from the floor, she could see and feel a beautiful magic, sealing the doors and locking them away from the world.
—-
"At last, Mythal's sanctum. Let's proceed before Corypheus interferes," Morrigan spoke.
Lara couldn't help but admire the serenity of the Temple. If there was ever a place to enter the Fade with Solas, it would be this. She suddenly had an urge to study everything elven; their magic, their laws, their history. So much of this was unknown to her, she felt lost.
"Hold on. Corypheus mentioned a Well of Sorrows. I thought he was here for an eluvian?" Dorian asked, confused.
"I…am uncertain of what he referred to," Morrgian replied awkwardly, scratching her head.
"So you were guessing? The eluvian might not even be here then?" Lara put her hands on her hips, annoyance in her voice.
"Yes, I was wrong! Does that please you?" Morrigan fought back.
"No, it doesn't actually!" Lara shouted.
"Whatever the Well of Sorrows may be, Corypheus seeks it, and thus you must keep it from his grasp," Morrigan responded.
"Fine."
Lara continued on. There was no use in arguing. Whether the well or the eluvian, Corypheus was after something here in the Temple. What mattered most was stopping him from getting whatever it is he wanted. Arguing would only hinder their progress. The overflowing garden was at least enough to bring Lara back to focus and appreciate the wildlife that grew inside the Temple. An uncompleted altar stood in the middle as they continued surrounded by oddly designed tiles. As Lara gently hovered her foot over one, it illuminated.
"It appears the Temple's magicks are still strong," Morrigan said from behind her.
"The pillars are carved in what I assume is ancient elven. I can't make anything out," Lara studied the pillars.
"Atish'all Vir Abelasan. It means 'enter the path of the Well of Sorrows," Solas spoke.
Lara turned around. "You can read ancient elven?"
"Some," Solas shrugged.
"There is something about knowledge. Respectful or pure. Shiven, shivennen…'Tis all I can translate. That it mentions the Well is a good omen," Morrigan added.
Lara studied the tiles on the floor. It was clearly a puzzle. She completed many that Gabriel had snuck her before but she was rusty. It had been quite some time. She continued on the next tile and followed her instinct to whichever tile felt right to her. Success! The tiles remained illuminated in a light blue hue, the same hue that illuminated the door up top.
"Mythal was a goddess then?" Lara asked Morrigan as they looked around for any clues before entering the door.
"So one assumes. What is a god but a being of immense power? After all, they rise as archdemons and then they die. Perhaps Mythal was a powerful elf, a ruler among her kind. History often plays storyteller with facts," Morrigan answered.
She doesn't even know…
"You admit lack of knowledge, and yet dismiss her so readily?" Solas snapped.
Lara stopped to look at him. Solas was not one to be angry.
"I do not dismiss her. I question her supposed divinity. Truthfully, I am uncertain Mythal was even a single entity. The accounts are…varied," Morrigan defended herself.
"Varied?" Lara asked.
"In most stories, Mythal rights wrongs while exercising motherly kindness. Other accounts paint her as dark, vengeful. Pray to Mythal and she would smite your enemies, leaving them in agony," Morrigan answered.
"More Dalish tales, I assume?" Solas asked sarcastically.
"Solas, please. If you know more, tell me," Lara spoke quietly as she approached him.
"The oldest accounts say Mythal was both of these, and neither. She was the mother, protective and fierce. That is all I will say. This is not the place to bring up old stories lethallan, especially in… company," Solas's expression softened.
"All accounts of Mythal end the same, Inquisitor: exiled to the beyond with her brethren," Morrigan added.
"Exiled?"
"Tricked by the Dread Wolf, as all elven gods were said to be. Trapped in a land beyond the Fade. Many Dalish believe this is why the elves fell from grace and their gods did not save them. Or perhaps they were rulers simply slain by Tevinter. Who can say?"
Lara could hear Solas tensing at her response especially when speaking about the Dread Wolf.
Dread Wolf…why does that sound familiar?
They continued to venture to the upper level. Lara studied the murals on the walls with fascination. She wasn't quite sure what it meant, but asking too many questions seemed to send Solas at Morrigan's throat if she answered for his people in a way he didn't like. He knew more than he was letting on and it was a matter of not telling rather than couldn't. Perhaps he didn't want to speak with the others present, or maybe speculate in a sacred Temple. Lara made a mental note to ask him more when they were alone.
Another wolf statue faced them. It was too many to be a coincidence and now here one stood, or sat, in the Temple of Mythal. Was this the Dread Wolf? If she was tricked by him, why was a statue here? Reading the note didn't clarify anything for her, just more speculation.
"God of Rebellion…" Lara muttered to herself.
"Why would this be here?" Morrigan asked as if reading her thoughts.
"You tell me," Lara responded.
"It depicts the Dread Wolf. Fen'Harel. In elven tales, he tricks their gods into sealing themselves away in the beyond for all time. Setting Fen'Harel in Mythal's greatest sanctum is as blasphemous as painting Andraste naked in the Chantry," Morrigan remarked incredulously.
"Come, now. I wouldn't call it blasphemous. I'd call it entertainment. Maker knows the Chantry needs some livening up," Dorian commented.
"For all your 'knowledge', Lady Morrigan, you cannot resist giving legend the weight of history. The wise do not mistake one for the other," Solas answered coldly.
Lara had never heard him so angry.
"Pray tell, what meaning does our elven 'expert' sense lurking behind this?" Morrigan responded just as coldly. Lara didn't miss how she emphasized 'expert'.
"None we can discern by staring at it."
Dorian let out a satisfied chuckle causing everyone to look at him.
"Me calling out to you from the staircase doesn't seem so bad now does it? Wishing we were back there?" Dorian teased.
"Hardly," Solas spat.
"Ah! We have found someone who gets under his skin more than I do," Dorian winked at her.
"Dorian," Lara warned, giving him a look.
"It would be wise for you to stay out of this, Tevinter," Morrigan eyed him.
"Just as it would be wise for you to stay out of elven history. All your answers are just mere speculation much like your mysterious eluvian we were supposedly looking for," Dorian retorted back.
"Ha! And you believe…"
"Oh for fuck's sake…" Lara muttered while pinching the bridge of her nose. Now she really understood why Cullen did this.
A large clang against the stone floor turned them silent. Everyone followed the source, finding none other than Blackwall.
"If you ladies are done sipping your tea, we have some fucking men to kill in case you've forgotten," Blackwall commented, looking just as annoyed as Lara did.
Together they all moved towards the illuminated door in silence. Lara mouthed her thanks to Blackwall. He nodded in acknowledgement.
"I do not sip tea," Solas muttered behind her, annoyed.
She couldn't help but let out a laugh at his child-ish protest.
—-
A loud explosion reached her ears as they entered a new part of the Temple. Lara felt her heart sink into her stomach at the sound, rubble flying everywhere. They were destroying the Temple all for a fucking Well. She wanted to cry, to scream in hopes to destroy them all. Is this what Solas meant about her emotions triggering her magic? Samson turned around to face them from the upper level, glowering at them. He hadn't expected them to make it into the Temple.
"Hold them off!" He yelled.
Lara had assumed he meant the Behemoths but she soon realized they were surrounded as hooded figures caught her eye. Red Templars emerged, some with bow and arrows, others with swords. The hum now buzzing in her ear, the taste of the lyrium. It was a disease that would not go away no matter how many she killed. Dorian immediately set up a barrier around them to offer protection as they approached them.
Banging her staff, she set off waves of electricity towards any that were within reach putting as much focus and energy into the waves so they could do the most damage she could wish on them. Blackwall was already at work, hacking away, his bloodthirst nearly matching Bull's. He was a tank and she needed him to defend. Bull needed to be with Cullen's men. They needed someone to defend them too. For the last of the men, Lara took a deep breath and raised her hand. Solas didn't stop her. Using her rift magic, she could suspend time, allowing them their chance to dispose of the remaining ones. They followed her cue and wasted no time, knowing that her mana would be depleted.
With a cry, she released the hold, falling to her knees. Solas stood by her side helping her up. She refused the potion for now. Who knew what lay ahead, she didn't wish to drink them too quickly. Together they went up the stairs and found the destroyed floor surrounded by fire in which Samson had escaped. The drop looked harsh and bile rose in her throat at how much this sacred place had already been tainted. She didn't want to follow their path.
"Hold a moment!" Morrigan interjected.
Lara turned to look at her.
"I can sense your hesitance. This leads to our true destination," Morrigan pointed her staff to the door beside her.
"We should walk the petitioner's path, as before," Morrigan finished.
Lara turned to Solas.
"In this case, I must agree with the witch. This is ancient ground, deserving of our respect," Solas answered.
"You see the urgency. We cannot find the Well of Sorrows unprepared," Morrigan smiled.
An unwelcome shiver trailed down her spine as Cullen's words before their departure played in her head. The pieces now clicked into place as a realization hit her.
Promise me you will be careful around her. She is not to be trusted. Whatever her purpose, it will be for her gain, not yours.
"You're suddenly very eager to reach our destination," Lara turned to her.
"Are we not all eager to stop Corypheus from achieving his mad plan?" She defended.
"Oh, I'm sure we are. I'm also sure you want that Well for yourself," Lara wasn't vague.
Morrigan didn't respond but pointed towards the door as she made her way over. Lara followed her before looking at Solas, who still was annoyed with the witch.
"There is…a danger to the natural order," She spoke as Lara approached her.
"Corypheus would squander the ancient power of the Well. I would have it restored," She finished.
"A moment ago you had no idea of what he referred to. Now you want to restore it? Convenient."
"Yes! Is Thedas so full of wonders that we should leave them to die one by one? Mankind blunders through the world, crushing what it does not understand: elves, dragons, magic…the list is endless," Morrigan let out a sigh.
Lara didn't bulge. She was standing her ground on this.
"We must stem the tide or be left with nothing more than the mundane. This I know to be true," Morrigan finished.
A sudden smirk appeared on her face and another shiver went down Lara's spine.
Listen to your intuition…
"What else did you read in ancient elven? Celene wouldn't hire you as her occult advisor based on your meaningless speculations alone when her life was at risk," Lara spat.
"Very observant, Inquisitor. I did read more than I revealed. It said a great boon is given to those who use the Well of Sorrows…but at a terrible price."
"What did it say about the Well of Sorrows?"
"Like most elven writing, it was insufferably vague. The term I deciphered was 'Halam'shivanas'- the sweet sacrifice of duty. It implies the loss of something personal for duty's sake. Yet for those who served at this Temple, a worthwhile trade," Morrigan answered.
"And you didn't trust me enough to tell me about this when you read it?"
"I hoped to find more information. If I intended to cheat you, I would have feigned ignorance entirely. My priority is your cause, but if the opportunity arises to save this Well, I am willing to pay the cost," She responded clearly.
"By gaining what?" Lara wasn't convinced.
"That is what we must discover. The rituals may point the way," Morrigan smiled.
"Don't get too ahead of yourself. I didn't give you permission to do anything," Lara glared at her.
Before entering onwards, Lara found mosaic walls, each depicting different elven gods. Morrigan naturally put her input in but she was mostly seeking Solas for his interpretations which differed from Morrigan's. He was so sure in his words that Lara didn't understand why he held back. She believed it was due to Morrigan. Whenever he would answer her, he would make sure Morrigan was some distance away. Lara completed the last of the puzzles which she soon realized were the rituals in order to open the door. She didn't miss that there were more Fen'Harel statues surrounding one of the puzzles and a mosaic mural opposite it. Drawings of elves walking in the same direction covered the walls around his mural. Lara didn't ask any questions to avoid another argument but she made a mental note to research this back in Skyhold. Solas looked at her proudly as she completed them without difficulty, but there was also another emotion that she couldn't place. It made her feel uneasy.
There was no doubt she had walked into something sinister here despite the serenity of the Temple. There were myths, history, and lies scattered throughout and Lara feared Solas knew more than he was letting on. Almost as if he was involved in this. Lara shook her head at the thought.
That's not possible…
He was an apostate who studied areas where others barely ventured. He knew more because he studied it, his knowledge wasn't based on tales alone like Morrigan's was. She knew elves liked to keep themselves and their history separate from humans. They desired to protect and preserve what was theirs and Lara didn't blame them. However, she couldn't ignore the warnings crawling up her spine.
