In the uneasy silence after the fall of Kirkwall, a Dalish elf immune to red lyrium’s corruption and a Qunari warrior bound by duty are thrust together by forces greater than themselves. Tasked with uncovering the origins and purpose of the red substance spreading like a blight across Thedas, they must navigate distrust, forbidden magic, and the fragile alliances left in the wake of war. She walks too close to the fire; he is the only one who can pull her back. Together, they may be the only hope to understand the madness—and destroy it before it consumes everything.
The red lyrium is different, darker. Daggers under the skin. It eats you inside until you're nothing.— Cole
The explosion at Kirkwall's Chantry had definitely set things in motion that the world of Thedas had been trying to keep from spilling out since the influx of refugees from Fereldon, thanks to the Blight. For some time, the Circle Mages had found unrest within their walls, largely in part by the Templar hold that had gotten much tighter over the last months.
The Right of Tranquility had become a widely used punishment for more than just those who could not pass their Harrowing's, and it had bordered on abuse if it had not already crossed that line. Once those rumours had reached the Seekers of Truth, the Divine Justinia sent out her Right Hand, Seeker Cassandra Penteghast, to uncover the truth of the rumours and put it to right before any more members of the Circle were harmed unnecessarily. The real truth of the matter was that they did not wish to let the truth of the Right of Tranquillity could be...
Reversed.
Questions led to more questions, and none of them managed to have
e any answers, even when pressed. Though, where there is a Right hand, there is also a Left, and the Divine Justina had both of her Hands outstretched and put to work. While the Seeker tried to get answers of the Champion's whereabouts, Leilianna had been sent to Val Royeaux to collect a mage who had been sent to the Circle there to be tested by Vivienne de Fur, First Enchanter of Montsimmard Enchanter to the Imperial Court of Orlais to eventually be made Grand Enchanter.
"One more time, girl, with feeling!"
The dark-skinned human barked orders to the silver-haired elf that stood opposite her, dusting off her backside after finding herself pushed back with the Circle mage's spirit blade. The Dalish-trained woman stood with a scowl clearly written on her usually kind face, a staff in one hand and her other, left sparking with what had been the blade the human held in hers.
"Enough," the human named Vivienne said as she straightened from her defensive pose. The shining blade vanished in mid-air as the mage released the hilt, and sighing heavily, she reached down and retrieved her staff. "You are tired, and you will only hurt yourself or me if you continue on."
"I just need a moment," the Dalish replied as she shook her hand, attempting to gain some of the feeling back into her fingertips. "Both blade and spell drained me a bit more than I had expected."
"The blade is a spell, Elindra," Vivienne scoffed, turning towards the door and ending the sparring lesson. "I will see you in the morning."
Leaving the young elf standing by herself in the large training room with her thoughts. A strategic move as the reason the session had ended when it had revealed itself as the hooded redhead, anyone worth their weight in gold would know before the introduction would ever need to come.
"I see you have mastered the Spirit Blade," the ginger-haired woman said quietly, breaking the silence that lingered heavily after the exit of the First Enchanter. "That is good to see as you will be needing it where I will be sending you."
"And just where might that be, Lady Leiliana? I was not fully briefed by my clan's First, and I am unsure of why I would need such skills," Elindra asked, closing the distance between them. Though she had been grateful for the experience to train alongside a renowned Circle Mage as the famous Madame de Fur, the elf was still keen enough to know that most in the Game do not grant favours without expecting something in return.
"You are too observant for your own good, Miss--"
"Just El," the elf interrupted with a bit of a bow. "I might be Dailish, but I am familiar with how the rules of the Game are played. I hope that we can dispense with the tricks and just get straight to the point. What is it that you want from me?"
"Very well, just El," the Left Hand of the Divine said with a heavy sigh. "I am sure your clan has heard the rumours of Red Lyrium and that you, yourself, had an encounter with the material, yes? That is why your assistance is needed."
"I was unaware that you knew of my exposure to the lyrium," the elf answered, her head giving a bit of a shake, most likely in an attempt to shake those ill feelings of the way the lyrium had made her have. "Though, it does not surprise me that the Left Hand has learned of what had happened."
"Well, it had been your Keeper who had told me what happened," Leliana corrected with a bit of a huffed chuckle. "Truly, it had been she who had reached out to me. Don't look so surprised. I have ties to the Dailish, thank you very much."
Realising that her jaw had dropped with Leliana's comment, she quickly closed her mouth and gave a slight bow. "I only meant that most sh- humans are not too fond of the Dailsh."
"A common misconception your people have on humans, but that is not something we can fix at the moment. I brought you here to learn those skills because you will need them, as I have said already. I have another who will be meeting you here as you will need his help for the task you will need to take."
"And just what makes you believe I would be willing to go on a mission for you, for your Divine?" Elindra was not sure if the Left Hand was thinking clearly, as she had not even proven herself with her Keeper, much less the Fist Enchanter, Vivienne. "I think you might wish to find someone else for this task. I am not the on--"
"You are the one I need for this," she interrupted, smashing away all thought of an argument from the defiant elf. "This isn't just for humans. This is for all of us..."
Arisaas went along ahead of the pack, scouting, as was his role. Qunari men were not at all the sort that didn't perform up the standards that had been made for them, that had been laid down as their tenets. His own system, then, was simple - obey the Qun. Follow. Lead by example, only, and when it came to how he was in charge of the hunt, well, that was something that he did in the most exemplary fashion possible. It was merely his calling, as it were.
"Asit tal-eb," he said lightly, turning his back to face Salazim with a wry smile. 'It is to be' is what the phrase meant; those were no less words to live by, as far as he saw it. Existence in harmony with this natural order was a choice. An individual that refused to accept their place was only going to cause suffering to themselves, and the world around them. They chose not to be, according to the Qun.
He very much had always chosen to be.
The Tamassrans has assigned him this particular role a long time ago, at an early age when he was no more than a boy. He had never once illustrated a single desire to change it. Being a warrior was who he was, and a hunter merely fit in with that line of thinking, in his own eyes. True, it was not always that way with humans, elves or dwarfs, but they were not of the Qun and thus hardly ever mattered to him to at all.
At least, that was what he used to think.
As Salazim wordlessly moved toward him, to stand at the same peak looking out in the Wilds, Arisaas cast his mind toward the past, thinking on recent events. The explosion of the Chantry within Kirkwall had been quite a notable event, and though many of the Qun were not nearly as invested as he was, due to what had occured with The Arishok, yet keeping his ears to the ground had been worthwhile. So many secrets were coming to the fore, and leaking out. Who knew what one was going to do with them.
Never once did he ever think that one such as him would ever be wrapped up within the events as they were told. Not one single time had the notion of being anything but a skilled hunter even remotely appealed to him. That was until he found out that the Tamassrans wished to speak with him, him only. Why? He wasn't at all sure, but the meeting was coming soon.
Pulling back his serrated blade, he crouched, and indicated that Salazim should do the same. "What are we...?" "Shh," came the response, and the younger Qunari fell silent, thankfully. Who could have guessed that they would be staring at a Bereskarn in the flesh? The beast didn't see them - all the better for it, since one single glance could turn the creature into a fierce and deadly opponent.
That was what Arisaas loved most fervently about the hunt - the thrill that one got from the way they went about tackling even the most fervent, intense animals. Salazim held his ground, though droplets of sweat did trickle from his brown in the hot day, mid-year in Thedas fully evident. No such trickling perspiration came from Arisaas however.
These mongrels were the sort tainted by the Blight; Arisaas knew all about it, and while he didn't usually try and read all that much into happenings of the sort that would concern other non-Qunari mortals, the signs recently had been...concering to say the least.
The rumor going around was that the act severing one from their magical abilities, The Right of Tranquility, had the power to be reversed. That stunned him, and coupled with what he had seen of Thedas' flora and fauna being disrupted as well, it came as troubling news.
This thought ran through his mind while he sought to tackle the Bereskarn, his protege hot on his heels. Arisaas swung upward, and as he heard the angry roar of the monstrous animal, turned his blade to become a swinging slash on the right side. Salazim hit him on the left.
Howling, they were about to catch a fistful of untamed claw leading to their likely death when he saw that he did, in fact, draw blood. So had Salazim, blessedly. They'd done it.
At least, that was the hope anyway. But the pair of them were not done yet. Their new leader, or the remaining of the triumvirate, had asked for this act precisely because it was considered difficult, and not at all even very possible. Arisaas, together with his partner, had made it possible. All that was left, then, was to find out what awaited him in the upcoming meeting.
"Do you think they will be pleased with us? That was a fine strike with your blade," Salazim told him, striking the other male hard on the back. Arisaas said nothing for a small spell, then finally brokered speech once again. "I do not know what they have planned for me, but I intend to fully serve. It is my destiny," he simply stated.
Even Salazim was caught off-guard upon hearing that remark.
"Come then. Let's haul it off," he told the other, who nodded and took a deep breath. Slowly, achingly, they dragged the carcass all the way to their appointed camp, and the laid it out flat so that all could see. There were stunned faces to great them, and few that were openly approving.
Meanwhile, Arisaas stood guard and waited. The rain came, and fell, and still he waited. The bereskarn smelled foul; it was The Blight on him.
Times were changing. He likely just had to change with them.
The week that followed had been one that could be remembered as a blur. Documentation for the city officials where it needed or questioned why she was where she was. As a Dailish, one who would be travelling by herself and a mage or apostate at that, questions would definitely be brought to the surface of every shemlan's lips.
"Here," the Circle's Enchanter said, handing the elf a cloth-wrapped package. You'll get more use out of this than I will. It's of Dalish make and should serve you well wherever you're going."
Taking the package from the mage, El unwrapped it and gasped. "Vivienne..." Elindra breathed, lifting the light phoenix-scaled armour out of the linen cloth. "This is too much..."
"Nonsense," the mage said with a wave of her hand, brushing off any fuss the young woman had begun. "It is made for a Dalish, child. You see what I am, and I definitely won't be getting any use out of that armour unless I magically change into one of you. Please, Elindra," she said softly, showing her softer side. "I ask that you take it and use it well."
"I don't know what to say," she said, holding the soft armour in her hands.
"Say 'Thank you, Madame de Fur," she chuckled and slinked past the elf towards the chamber door. "And be safe, will you? I want to hear all about your journey when you return."
Left standing in the centre of the room, armour in hand and her bag in the other, Elindra quickly closed her gaping mouth and quickly slipped the leather onto her person. It had fit surprisingly well, and she could move quite freely, though the leather did make the usual creaking noise when stretched too far in a particular direction. Feeling a bit better about a journey with little to no information to go on, Elindra picked up the bag she had discarded and retrieved the staff that she had left by her bed chamber door. Giving the room one last look, she turned on her heel and made her way toward the stable.
Once there, she found Leiliana and one of the templars who had always stood by when Vivienne and Elindra would spar. "Elindra, this is Roderick," the Left Hand said when she approached the duo. "I am sure the two of you have crossed paths, yes? It is why I asked him to join you."
"Ah, yes, a dangerous apostate must not be seen in Thedas without her leash holder," Elindra said more to herself than to anyone else. "As I understood it, there is a sort of rebellion going on between the Mages and Templars, is there not?"
"Yes, there is," Leiliana answered quickly, knowing all to well the friction between the two factions. "As a matter of fact, there is to be a conclave held to discuss this matter and hopefully put an end to this madness. Or, that is the hope, at least. Regardless, it will take time, and it is better to be safe than sorry."
"Careful," Elindra said with a single raised brow. "Someone might think you have a soft spot for Mages."
"It isn't a secret," Leiliana countered, a bit on the defensive side. "I have known many, and they are no different than the rest of us, who are not gifted with magic."
"What about you," Elindra said to the stoic Roderick, who had, up until that point, simply looked on and observed the two women. "Are you to be seen and not heard, or are you planning on actually speaking during this trip?"
"I was told I was only to accompany you to the Crossroads," Roderick stated after clearing his throat from apparent non-use. His tone wasn't unpleasant, though one could clearly see that he held his distance where magic was concerned.
"I have arranged for you to meet with one of my scouts and a party they had gathered," the Left Hand spoke, taking over where Roderick had left off. "You'll know who they are when you see them."
"Keeping it rather vague there, aren't you? But, I suppose this is supposed to be a secret quest, and the less I know, the better, right?"
"See? You're catching on," Leilianna answered with a grin and a quick nod. "Here, take these papers. They'll let my men know who you are, and they'll let you know where to report in."
"What about Mister Talks-A-Lot here? Is he just the tour guide, or will he continue on with me?"
"That will depend on the situation when you arrive. Now go," she said, stepping out of the way so the two could mount their horses. "The sooner you learn about what we've discussed, the better."
Both riders now sat atop their mounts, and with a look to Roderick that said, "After you," the two were on their way to the rendezvous at the Crossroads.
"You have got to be kidding me," Arisaas said as he stood in front of the triumvirate - a full one, in fact, which had caught him off-guard. That was nothing compared to what he was told, though, or instructed to do. In his opinion, everything that they had proposed to him was no less than madness.
Sheer and utter madness.
"We are not kidding and entirely serious," the female off to the right of the council table told him, while the others watched. He didn't know her name; he only knew that he wanted to tear her to pieces completely for wanting to separate him from his home.
"There is much in movement within Thedas. The Blight has affected all of us. This rumor needs to be investigated. And there is every chance that whatever the result, the Qun will be affected as well, and be in a rather poor position if there is no intercession from us."
Dammit. She was right, but that didn't make it any easier to here. With a resigned sigh, Arisaas looked right up into the face of the woman, eyes sharp and also rather sad. "Why me then?"
Instead of her choosing to answer, it was the new Arishok that stood up and addressed him directly. That was an honor, and it made Arisaas question his own consternation, as well as his sense of duty and loyalty. If the Arishok himself was deigning to address this, then perhaps there was some merit in the discussion after all.
Did that make it any easier for him? No, but at least he would here what the vaunted leader had to say.
"You are a warrior. Simple. Our best warrior, in fact," the Arishok slowly drawled out. Arisaas was about to correct him in some fashion when the other male held up a hand. "I am not finished."
Arisaas therefore remained silent.
"Not many Qun are capable of tackling a Bereskarn. Even with aide, you acquitted yourself well, and that was merely the last test to solidify that you were our choice. My choice," the Arishok added in, and that again caused Arisaas to swell with a sense of pride. "The Blight, the explosion at the Chantry, this story they tell about the Right of Tranquility - those are all matters of magic. Yet, in the end, there will be an investigation, and a party or band of adventurers - and they will need you. I need you because you are to be my eyes and ears throughout all of this. That is why there should be a Qunari present, and you are that Qunari." After that, the Arshok ceased speaking, and merely looked at Arisaas as if assessing whether or not he had anything else to say. After that little speech, there was simply no counterargument to be brokered, and the poor fool was only ghad that he had no family to speak of, which would make the transition easier.
"What would you have me do, then?" He looked at all of the faces that were staring back at him, wondering what exactly was his task in this whole mess.
"There is a meeting at the Crossroads," one of the females answered. "One of the most accomplished bards and assassins that we've ever known in Thedas, Leilana, is assembling a party to meet a traveling elf who is to be presumably the leader of the pack. They are gathering the finest there as a presence in order to be there when the time comes when perhaps the meeting may turn hostile. That is where you come in. You will be part of that meeting. One of my contacts in the field by the name of Iron Bull has arranged for one of his best Qunari warriors to be there and be ready for anything. Guess who that is," she said with a wide smile.
Arisaas didn't need to guess, for he already knew the answer. "Well then. So I have an 'in'. And what do I need to take with me? Is there anything else I need to know?"
To this, it was the Arishok who provided the answer.
"Nothing but your finest weapon - I've seen it in action. And your wits and intelligence. This elf is said to be talented and spirited. Meet with her, and try and get her to take you along. Insist if you must, and then demonstrate also why you would be useful. And that is it. After this is accomplished, I expect regular reports, but you will do what she says. Oh yes, you will listen," the Arishok grinned, cutting off Arisaas' wish to argue. Not that he considered it an insult in any way - women were quite as strong as men - but for him to follow a non-Qun would be...difficult. "You will listen," the Arishok said again, "because she will have plenty to say, and thus you are going to be her blade when called upon. That is your role now."
So it was to be. That was his role, now. There was nothing left to say. Arisaas bowed, looked them all in the eye squarely on more time, and then departed in order to get ready for his fateful meeting - however it was to shake out in the end.
The journey had not been as long as Elindra had thought it would have been. There had been plenty to occupy her time while they made their trek, especially with all of the infighting they had come across. Mages, or now, apostates roaming freely, some making their way towards Redcliff, the one place Mages could find Sanctuary in Fereldan after the explosion in Kirkwall.
Mage Circles were falling and that meant chaos. Most feared them because they thought they were a direct link to the Fade and could bring forth demons... Or worse. They were believed to know how to use Blood Magic. To some, it was the most dangerous magic known to man. What they didn't know, was that all magic was inherently good or evil, and it was all a matter in which some would use it.
"The fighting will only get worse," the usually silent Roderick grumbled as they rode past a few cottages that were still smouldering from a recent attack of some sort.
"Let us hope that whatever the Divine has planned works," she said, returning her eyes to the road. "The sooner we get to the Crossroads, the better."
"I suppose it is a good thing we are almost there," he returned, his features still stoic, but at least he began speaking more.
"Are you to continue on with us once we get there, or were you to just be my guar-, I mean, escort," she asked, still believing he had been sent to make sure she stayed in line while outside of the Circles walls.
"I suppose that would depend on the party we are to meet once we arrive," he said, pointing to the large tower that signalled the outskirts of Redcliffe. "See? Almost there."
"Let us hope the fighting hasn't managed to make it past that tower," the elf said glumly.
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