Chapter Text
“Why are you doing this? You, of all people?”
Ashawyn spun in circles. A strange mist surrounded her, making it difficult to see or breathe. Voices echoed all around her, fragmented and disconcerting.
“What’s going on here?”
Was that…me?
“Keep the sacrifice still.”
The strange growl of that voice caused her blood to run cold. It was followed by a searing pain in her left hand.
“Someone, help me!”
She started to run toward the cry for help, but strange tendrils wrapped around her legs to pull her back.
“Keep running!”
A blinding flash of green light filled her vision as she tried to claw her way back to her feet.
“Go.”
Ash bolted upright, finding herself in an unfamiliar bed and unfamiliar clothes. She groaned and rubbed her temples, pushing away the remnants of a headache and a few beads of sweat rolling down her forehead.
What the fuck was that dream?
The click of a door and a small gasp caused her to jump to her feet, throwing the blanket that had been covering her to the foot of the bed.
A young elf stared at her with wide eyes.
“S-sorry ma’am,” she stuttered. “Didn’t expect to see you awake. Oh, the Seeker will want to see you as soon as possible. If you don’t mind, of course, Herald.”
Ash just blinked at her. “Herald?”
“Erm,” she shifted uncomfortably, “I-I’m sorry, ma’am, I’m not the best person to explain. You should just make your way to the Chantry. R-right away, she said. It’s just up the hill, you can’t miss it.”
With a bow and a squeak, she ran from the small cabin.
Ash stood up and stretched, trying to shake the fog from her mind. After a couple of deep breaths, she was able to remember the previous day.
The bizarre group of people that had taken her prisoner, the gigantic Breach in the sky above the Conclave…
A stinging sensation in her hand caused her to hiss in pain. It glowed briefly, the green light familiar from the strange dream she had.
There was a woman who had taken her prisoner…Cassandra, that was her name. And there were others…
The mage, Solas, had used the magic in her hand to close the Fade rifts.
And…there was a dwarf. A man with a sharp smile and an even sharper tongue…Varric. The name was familiar, she just wished she knew why.
She groaned as she moved her stiff muscles around. Either that fight was harder than she remembered, or she’d been out a lot longer than one night. On the other side of the room, she spotted an open journal.
As she flipped through the pages, she found that she had indeed been unconscious for a few days. But at least she wasn’t shackled or locked in a dungeon, so that was an improvement from the last time she woke up.
Best to see what they want before I end up in a cell again.
Ash found a set of clothes folded and set aside for her on the small table near the bed. It wasn’t until she secured the jacket and scarf over her shoulders that she realized just how cold she had been.
After a few more stretches and deep breaths, she finally left the cabin only to be greeted by a large crowd of people gathering outside.
She stumbled back a couple of steps. Everyone was staring at her, those in the back of the crowd craning their necks so they could see.
This isn’t concerning in the least.
Tentatively, she took a step forward. If an elf was drawing this sort of attention, it couldn’t be a good sign. Murmurs and whispers filled the air as she walked up the path, everyone parting for her as she made her way carefully toward the Chantry. Her hands itched to rest on her weapons, but she didn’t have any at the moment.
“It’s her. She’s awake!”
“I told you she survived.”
She was used to skeptical and curious looks anywhere she went but this…this was something else entirely.
There was a strange reverence in the way they watched her. And while she saw her fair share of skepticism in the crowd, there were just as many looks of awe and admiration.
“She’s the one sent by Andraste.”
Come off.
If it weren’t for the overwhelming confusion clouding her mind, she would have laughed. Why would Andraste send a Dalish elf as her messenger?
“The Herald of Andraste. She’s awake!”
The soft declarations were louder now as everyone followed behind her. Ash felt herself instinctively pick up her pace as they closed in.
What the fuck happened while I was asleep?
The longer she walked through the town, the more the crowd grew.
Please let that building be the Chantry.
She was just about to sprint the rest of the way, desperate to find some sense of cover behind the large wooden doors, when a familiar voice called out to her.
“Ashawyn, you are awake. Good.”
Cassandra was standing just outside, finishing up a conversation with a Chantry member of some kind.
“Am I?” she asked, bewildered. “I feel like I’ve woken from one strange dream into another.”
Her eyes darted around her, taking note of the crowd closing in once more.
“Return to your duties!” Cassandra yelled. “The Herald has important business to attend to.”
How did I manage to become a Herald in my sleep?
Her sudden order startled the townspeople, and the crowd quickly dispersed.
“Apologies. Had I known you were awake, I would have tried to part the sea of admirers. This must have been a…shock to say the least.” She nodded her head toward the Chantry, beckoning Ash to follow. Under her arm, she carried a large book bound in dark leather and metal.
“But why do I have admirers?” she asked, quickening her pace to keep up with Cassandra’s longer legs. “Last I remember, you had people here calling for my execution.”
“If it brings you comfort, there are still one or two people calling for your execution.” She smirked.
Right on cue, there was another member of the Chantry stomping up to them, red-faced and his sights set on Ash.
“Seeker, what is the meaning of this?” he demanded. “This woman was to be sent to Val Royeaux for her crimes.”
“Which are?” Ash crossed her arms.
He whipped around to glare at her. “Murder of Most Holy, for starters.”
Cassandra pressed her free hand to the side of her head. “Chancellor Roderick, as I have explained, we have new evidence suggesting that the Herald–”
“She is no Herald!” he yelled back.
“Well, we agree on that,” Ash muttered under her breath.
“You go too far this time, Seeker.” He kept his eyes on Ash. “This woman should be chained and kept for trial, not paraded about the town as a false idol.”
“And you have little faith. Can you not see a gift sent to us by the Maker when she is dropped in our laps?”
Ash made a face. She had no intention of staying put in any of their laps or following their precious Maker.
“You have no right,” he hissed.
Cassandra responded by flashing the book she carried in his face. “You know what this is?”
He immediately stiffened as his eyes fell on the strange symbol on its cover. Instead of responding, he shot her a hateful glare and stormed away from them.
“Impressive book,” Ash mused.
“A writ from the Divine,” she explained, continuing their walk through the Chantry. “A plan put in place should this sort of chaos rage across Thedas once more. A plan to band those who would put order to that chaos under one banner.”
She nodded, following her through the large hall. At its end was an impressive set of double doors that she was ushered through.
Two more women were waiting for them on the inside, both huddled over a large table covered in maps and metal figures. Letters and loose pieces of parchment were spread all around its edges.
“Ah, you are awake, good.” The darker-haired woman flashed Ash a kind smile.
“Allow me to introduce two of our key strategic officers.” Cassandra strode to the other side of the table to reach their side.
“You’ve already met Leliana, our Spymaster.” She gestured to the red-haired woman across from them, who gave her a polite nod. Then, she turned to the darker-haired woman.
“And this is our Ambassador and Chief Diplomat, Josephine Montilyet.”
“Andaran atish’an,” she said, also offering a nod. Ash’s ears perked up hearing her native tongue. She had an Antivan accent but spoke it well.
“Ma serannas, falon,” she responded.
Josephine’s smile turned sheepish. “Apologies, I’m afraid the one greeting is the extent of my Elven.”
“More than most ever care to learn.”
“Where is Commander Cullen?” Leliana paced on the other side of the table.
“Out working with the soldiers. We’ll pay him a visit once the Herald is caught up on the events of the last few days.” Cassandra gestured for Ash to take a seat.
She narrowed her eyes, not bothering to hide her suspicion. “I’d prefer to stand.”
“Of course.” Josephine picked up a small board equipped with ink, quill, and parchment. “First off, I’m sure that you have questions for us.”
“Oh, I can think of one or two.”
All three women smirked as Ash took a deep breath.
“Where am I? Am I still your prisoner? What exactly is this organization? Is there anywhere to eat nearby? I’m starving. Where are my weapons? Am I still to be tried in Val Royeaux for the Murder of the Divine? Because if so, I’m afraid I’ve already made other plans. And oh, what was the last one…”
She rattled off each question in quick succession, counting them on her fingers, before making a show of tapping her chin in thought.
“Oh, right, and why the fuck is everyone outside calling me a Herald of Andraste?!”
Despite her sarcastic, snippy tone, Josephine just smiled and cleared her throat.
“Haven. No. We are part of the Inquisition, a new organization trying to help restore order to Thedas. I would be happy to send for someone to get you something to eat while we talk. I believe your weapons are still safe with your other equipment confiscated on your capture. No, you will not be sent to Val Royeaux so long as we have anything to say about it. And…”
She blew out a long sigh and sat her board back on the table.
“When you emerged from the Fade, witnesses claim they saw a woman behind you. Many have theorized that it was Andraste herself sending you to our aid.”
Ash just blinked back at her. She didn’t expect all of those questions to be actually answered.
“And if I don’t wish to be this Herald?” she asked tentatively. The short time spent shackled in their dungeon wasn’t enjoyable and she had no desire to return.
“Then you would be free to go.” Leliana shrugged. “As Josie said, you are not our prisoner.”
“But if you leave,” Josephine added, “we will not be able to protect you. Many in the Chantry will spare no expense to have you hunted down as they still believe you guilty of the Divine’s murder.”
“All we can do is make a humble request for you to stay of your own accord. The mark in your hand is our only hope of sealing that Breach in the sky.” Cassandra stood up a little straighter.
Ash let out a weary sigh, looking over the large map spread out in front of them. There were little pins stuck all over the place – figures of people, tents, and equipment placed strategically, but sparsely. One lonely piece was up in the Free Marches, not far from her clan’s last known location.
A fragment of a memory came back to her. A moment shared just before she left for the Conclave.
“You do not have to do this alone, Ashawyn.” Keeper Deshanna stood near the entrance of her tent.
“Yes, I do.” She shoved her daggers into their sheaths with a snap. “I’ll travel faster alone, and you need to keep as many of us with the clan as possible. We’ve lost enough as is.”
There was a prolonged, heavy silence between them. Ash refused to meet Deshanna’s eyes, instead concentrating on packing the necessities for her journey.
“No one blames you, da’len,” she said gently. “You saved far more lives than you lost.”
“I’m sure that’s a great consolation to their families,” Ash muttered under her breath.
“Your father always carried that responsibility on his shoulders as well. I watched it eat away at him for years. I do not wish to see the same burden weigh you down.”
“I’m not weighed down, Deshanna,” she sighed. “It’s just safer this way. You named me head scout. Trust my judgement.”
“It is as you say,” she conceded.
Ash finished stuffing the last few potion bottles into her bag before pulling her cowl up over her head.
“I’ll send a report back as soon as I’m able.” She stopped and placed a hand on the Keeper’s shoulder.
“Halam’shivanas,” Deshanna said softly, placing her hand over Ash’s. “Dareth shiral, Ashawyn.”
“Halam’shivanas,” she responded in the same low tone before disappearing into the night.
Ash looked down at her hand. It wasn’t glowing at present, but she could feel the tingle of power just beneath her skin. Even if she left, the Breach would remain a threat for all, a danger that would stretch far past the borders of Ferelden.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Halam’shivanas.
“Very well,” she sighed, opening her eyes once more. “What do you need of me?”
All three of them visibly relaxed once she agreed.
“Our first priority needs to be the Breach in the sky,” Cassandra reiterated. “The mark in your hand is our only hope of closing it, but you cannot do it alone.”
“And who are those who could help me?” Ash let down her guard just a little, curiosity getting the better of her.
“Solas, the mage you met near the Breach, believes that if the mark had more power, another attempt to seal it would be successful.” Cassandra came back to her side of the table.
“But…?” she prompted.
“But we need the same amount of power it took to open the Breach in the first place.”
There it is.
Josephine picked up her writing utensils once more. “And our biggest block is that those that could theoretically give us the power to do so, want nothing to do with us.”
“What, you don’t have an army of mages hidden underground here?” Ash snorted.
“That is where you come in,” Leliana chimed in. “We need to find a way to convince the rebel mages to help us.”
Josephine let out a small sigh. “Do not forget that the Commander is pushing for us to contact the templars. He seems certain that they could weaken the integrity of the Breach enough for the mark to seal it.”
“Speculation,” Leliana scoffed. “We know the mages would possess the ability to channel the power into the mark. With the templars, we’re going on nothing but his hope and his word.”
Ash narrowed her eyes. She had no intention of approaching any templars for help. Not unless she were bound, gagged, and dragged there against her will.
“Which brings us to the next of our worries.” Josephine turned to face her “The Chantry has denounced us and you, specifically.”
Ash rolled her eyes. “Then tell the people here to stop blaspheming by naming me Herald.”
“The people are desperate for any sign of Hope,” Leliana added. “For many, you are that sign. They saw what you did at the Breach. You have survived things we did not think possible.”
“We have not challenged the rumors, but it does limit our options,” Josephine sighed. “Neither the mages nor the templars are willing to even speak with us.”
“Alright,” Ash started, her mind racing, “if neither side will speak with us, how exactly am I going to change that?”
“Let us worry about that part,” she replied. “I am working diligently to find contacts within the Chantry and without who may be sympathetic to our cause. Until then, we simply need you to just be.”
“You do realize I’m Dalish, don’t you?” She pinched the tip of each ear for good measure. “Why would anyone of importance listen to a word I have to say?”
“It has not gone unnoticed, I assure you.” Josephine started to scribble something on her board. “Regardless of any prejudices, the Breach is a concern for all, not just those who are part of the Chantry.”
Cassandra stepped forward and held out a hand.
“Help us fix this, before it can no longer be fixed. I believe you are the only person who can.”
Ash stared at it for a moment. So long as she wasn’t expected to be in charge of this whole mess, what could be the harm of staying to help for a while? She took a deep breath and clasped Cassandra’s forearm.
“Very well.”
Relieved nods and smiles came from all three of them. The looks were strangely comforting to her.
“Now that we’ve come to an agreement, we should take the time to familiarize you with Haven.” Cassandra rolled her shoulders back. “I’ll introduce you to a few of our trade masters, as well as Commander Cullen. And we’ll be sure to return your personal belongings as well.”
“I’ll accompany you.” Josephine gathered her belongings before heading for the door.
“Follow me, Ashawyn, there is much to be done now that you’re awake.” Cassandra didn’t wait for Ash to respond, she just turned to leave the room.
She jogged to catch up to them, giving Leliana an awkward wave on her way out.
“There were two other men with you at the Breach. Are they also advisors?” Ash asked.
Cassandra made a contemptuous sound, something between a snort and a scoff. “Solas is an apostate who happened to be an expert on this sort of Fade magic, not an advisor. And Varric…”
Ash saw her lips twitch into a snarl, and her ears turned red.
“Varric is nothing but a nuisance and a thorn in my side.”
Okay, so the Seeker and the dwarf don’t get along.
“Come now, Herald,” she waved her forward, “I simply must introduce you to our Commander.”
***
Cullen pinched the bridge of his nose as he explained for at least the tenth time that a shield was just dead weight if you didn’t hold it up to block your body.
Andraste’s grace, my headache will never go away at this rate.
Some of these new recruits were stubborn. They were all good men, but they were getting to be so smug. A few good rounds of sparring and suddenly they thought they were ready to take on an entire squad of templars single-handedly. But after their losses in the Valley, he couldn’t afford to let up on their training.
“Commander.” Cassandra’s sharp voice called out from behind the small training area.
He spun around, bracing himself for whatever orders she would try to bark at him this morning.
“I thought I should make some proper introductions now that our mystery guest is awake.” She nodded her head toward the small Dalish woman at her side.
The so-called Herald of Andraste. Cullen had only caught a glimpse of her as she was being carried unconscious into Haven. She was much smaller than he thought, the top of her head just barely reaching Cassandra’s shoulders. They had told him she was a capable fighter, but looking at her thin, lanky arms he found that difficult to believe.
“Nice to meet you, Commander.” She gave him a small nod of her head. “My name is Ashawyn Lavellan, but you can also just call me Ash if you like.”
Her smile creased the corners of large eyes that were common among the Dalish. He caught a glimpse of one crooked, chipped tooth. The apples of her cheeks were lined with curved tattoos that twisted like vines up around her temple.
“I’m sure Ashawyn will suffice,” he replied. “Commander Cullen, at your service.”
She pursed her lips at him, but her smile returned quickly after.
“I’m pleased to see you survived the fighting at the Breach,” he added. “You’ve made quite the introduction, Herald.”
“Only way I know how,” she teased.
“How are the new trainees adjusting?” Cassandra asked, watching the sparring circle behind him with a critical eye. Josephine was with them as well, her writing board poised and ever ready to record any and all conversations being had.
He let out a long groan. “They’re not hopeless. Most of them have caught on quick, which is good, but also comes with a certain level of arrogance. They start to believe that they have nothing more to learn and turn their noses up at my instruction.”
She grunted in response. Her eyes tracked the movements of the men behind him, narrowing in displeasure.
“To make matters worse, my lieutenant is otherwise preoccupied with all of the nonsense in the Hinterlands.” Cullen flexed his sword hand. The shaking had gotten far worse of late.
“Want me to jump in and teach them a lesson, Commander?” Ashawyn offered.
He gave her a skeptical look. “The Herald of Andraste wants to help train new recruits?”
There was a glint of uncertainty in those big eyes.
“I’m not claiming to be sent by Andraste,” she said softly. “But I can help put a few arrogant, templar wannabes in their place, if you’ll accept the offer.”
Cullen sighed, the sound saturated with exhaustion. A small stab of shame pierced his gut for being so harsh toward this new ally. On the off chance that she was sent by Andraste, perhaps it was in his best interest to play nice.
“Of course, forgive my boorishness, it’s been a rather exasperating few days.”
Her expression softened. “I think we can all understand that sentiment. Pull your four biggest troublemakers. I’ll make an example out of them and that should at least buy you a few days of their undivided attention.”
Ashawyn winked at him before walking into the center of the training area. Her steps were light and deliberate, circling the training yard with the grace of a predator stalking its prey.
Cullen shook off the brief smile brought on by that wink and gestured for the four ringleaders of the cocky recruits to step forward.
“Men, front and center,” he barked at them. To his absolute displeasure, they made their way far too lazily toward Ashawyn. Her eyes were already narrowing, studying her soon-to-be challengers.
“Herald, they’re yours to command.” He gave her a curt nod and stepped back to observe with the other advisors.
“Okay, men, no use in drawing this out. Show me what you’re made of.” Ashawyn stood with her arms clasped behind her back.
She was trying to make them believe she was relaxed and unprepared, but Cullen could see how her weight was shifted to the balls of her feet and each hand rested on a dagger’s hilt at her back.
The four of them looked between each other, trying to determine if this was a test of some kind. It was of course, just not likely the kind they were thinking. Cullen felt a smile tugging at his lips as she waited patiently for one of them to make a move.
“Um, Commander?” Derren, the most insufferable of the group, turned around to look at him.
“I believe the Herald of Andraste just gave you a command,” he said with a smirk.
The young man let out a sharp gasp. Ashawyn had dashed forward, one dagger now rested against his throat while the other’s tip was pointed into his hip.
“Lesson number one,” she whispered just loud enough for them to hear, “don’t turn your back on an opponent. I thought that one would be obvious.”
Cassandra snorted next to him. Was she…smiling?
Ashawyn pushed him away, sending him off balance and nearly falling to the ground. With an innocent smile, she turned around and started to walk back to her starting position.
And just as she probably expected, Derren ran at her the moment her back was to him. He let out a loud yell as he did so, allowing her to easily sidestep the attack without even turning around.
“Maybe don’t scream every time you try to catch an opponent by surprise. It ruins it just a bit.” She rolled her eyes as he scrambled back to his feet.
“You won’t always be facing enemies that are equal to you in strength,” she continued. “Some of them will use their cunning and speed to get past your attacks.”
Another soldier lunged at her. Once again, his shield was held at his hip rather than in front of his body. Cullen bit back a groan at the sight.
Ashawyn spun to the side, avoiding his attack with ease and getting behind him to kick the back of his knees. He fell to the ground with a grunt, dropping his blade in the process. She held one of her daggers to the side of his throat.
“Dead,” she declared with a smirk. “Is that shield just for decoration? Or do you plan on using it to block an attack at some point?”
He whipped around with a frustrated yell, trying to bash his shield into her flank, but she had disappeared into a puff of smoke. That seemed to get their attention.
All four recruits spun around in circles, trying to spot her. Cullen could hear the faintest sounds of her footsteps crunching in the snow, softer than those of the other men given her lighter attire. He was able to pick out her location just before she revealed herself, her dagger once again pressed against the side of the same soldier’s neck.
“Still dead,” she murmured into his ear, causing the man in her grasp to turn a bright shade of red. “Don’t wind up so much before striking, especially at someone behind you. It gives away your next move.”
The four trainees looked much less sure of themselves as they shook off the first round and stood at the ready once more. Cullen smiled as Ashawyn cracked her neck from side to side before holding both hands out in front of her to beckon them all forward. The teasing grin on her face must have driven them all mad since they leapt toward her at the same time to try and catch her off guard.
But Maker’s breath was she fast. Her footsteps were so light, it was as if she was dancing between them. Like she was made of the wind itself as she found the smallest gaps in their defenses to slip past, causing more frustrated grunts as they tried to keep up with her.
“This is a new look for you, Commander.” Cassandra was smirking beside him as Ashawyn continued to spin around the increasingly confused soldiers.
“What look?” he shot back. He tried to turn and face her, but he couldn’t take his eyes off this strange elf.
“You’re absolutely smitten,” she said, barely covering a laugh. He didn’t like it when she laughed, it usually meant more jabs were coming at his expense.
“I’m surprised you can even identify that emotion, Cassandra,” he grumbled.
“Oh, she’s right,” Josephine chimed in. “Look at this little blush on his cheeks, Seeker,” she cooed as she pointed at his face.
“It’s not a blush!” he snapped then immediately lowered his voice. “My face is just red from being out in the cold wind all morning is all.”
“Oh please,” Cassandra rolled her eyes, “you haven’t even tried to intercept any of the messengers scurrying about since she started twirling those little daggers around.”
Okay, maybe he was blushing.
By the time he redirected his full attention to the fight in front of him, their Herald had disappeared. And one of the soldiers seemed to be missing his weapon.
A loud whistle caused them all to whip around.
Ashawyn was sitting on top of a nearby wooden awning, her legs dangling over the edge and holding the young man’s sword in one hand.
“You may want to keep a tighter hold on those weapons, boys.” She threw the sword down into the snow, it’s tip sticking into the ground.
Cullen had to fight a laugh seeing the four recruits staring slack-jawed back at her.
“I think perhaps you need to give Commander Cullen a bit more of your attention, don’t you?”
“Y-yes, Herald. Sorry, ma’am.” Stammered bouts of acknowledgement came from all four of them as she hopped down from her perch.
The soldiers slinked away from her to continue their sparring with one another. They had been thoroughly chastised, and they were a little quieter than before.
But at least they were finally holding their shields up.
When she joined them again, Cullen extended one of his hands. She took his arm, grasping it tight.
“Thank you, Ashawyn,” he said. “That was a worthwhile lesson, indeed. I appreciate the help.”
“Help?” Varric had appeared at the edge of the yard. “She just castrated your boys for all of the others to see.”
“Is that such a bad thing, Varric?” Cassandra spat at him.
“Oh, on the contrary, Seeker. I quite like a woman who can cause an entire company of soldiers to wet their greaves. I just want to make sure credit is given where credit is due.”
Ashawyn threw her head back with a cackle. Her hand was still clasped around his forearm. Why did the sound make his chest feel so tight?
“Anytime.” She turned her attention back to Cullen. “I take payment in drinks if you’d care to join me for one sometime.”
His breath hitched. “I, erm,” he cleared his throat a few times, “My duties don’t leave much time for, ahem, indulgences, I mean I like a good ale, don’t get me wrong, uh…”
Her hand dropped back to her side.
“That’s alright, I guess this one will just be on me then.” She started to walk away but turned around. “Mustn’t get too used to the freebies though, Commander. A girl’s got to make a living.”
She bent over in a teasing bow, causing a few chunks of her red hair to fall over her eyes.
Cassandra snorted as Ashawyn made her way down the path toward their blacksmith. She followed close behind, turning around to mouth the word “smitten.” It took all of his willpower not to pull a face at her.
He turned around to see the trainees had stopped sparring.
“What are you all gawking at? Get back to work!” he barked at them.
The sudden order startled them, and the sound of metal clashing together filled the air once more.
He tried to keep his attention on the fighting in front of him for a time, but he couldn’t stop himself from looking over his shoulder as she walked away.
Ashawyn…