The Inquisitor's Sister

The lamp was beginning to burn low in Keeper Istimaethoriel's aravel. The dancing flame cast shadows on the walls of the large wagon. The walls were covered in bookcases filled with thick tomes. Some of the leather bound books had gold gilded elvhen script on the spines. There was a large table in the center of the wagon with even more books strewn across it. Some lay open within easy reach of the lone occupant, others were stacked in various piles.

A smile played across Era'Atisha's lips. The low light meant that the Keeper couldn't get mad if she went to sleep. The mage/templar conflict had forced the clan to forage in new areas, which meant that Atisha now had access to a part of the Fade that she hadn't explored before.

She looked down at the tome she had been reading, and slowly changing. Her nose wrinkled in distaste. It was some lore about Falon'Din, her second least favorite deity. She saw things in the Fade that contradicted most of what the Dalish believed, especially about the gods. She spent most of her study time altering small parts of the lore at a time, so that it wouldn't be easily detectable. The only thing that she couldn't change was the information about the vallaslin, the part she wanted to change the most.

Atisha's hand went to her plain brown cheek. It was a strong point of contention between her and the rest of the clan, especially her brother. They viewed her lack of tattoos as an insult. It was the reason she would always be the clan second and never the Keeper.

She balled her hands into fists as she rose from her chair and left the Keeper's aravel. She had endured the torture since she was a child, and would endure it for however long she had to. But it would not do to stew over her treatment by the others in the clan.

For now, she was eager to enter the Fade and find escape with the wolf pack. She hurried to her own aravel, avoiding the common area at the center of the camp.

A couple of the hunters spotted her.

Atisha knew the sour looks. Her chest tightened and a lump formed in her throat. They had had a little too much to drink and were looking to cause trouble. She would have to lock and ward her wagon tonight. Not wanting to get caught in the open, and worried that there were other drunk hunters about, Atisha picked up her pace.

Once she was in the wagon, she locked the door and took a moment to look around, making sure no one had left her any surprises. She had one of the smaller wagons, since she lived alone. Her bed was to the back, the fore being occupied mostly by shelves filled with her journals and a few items she had found in elvhen ruins. Two chests held the rest of her possessions. The larger one had a few everyday outfits, a formal robe carefully wrapped in paper, a set of leather armor. The smaller one held her pens, ink, and blank journals.

It only took her a few minutes to rummage through everything. Satisfied that nothing had been tampered with, Atisha raised the wards. Then, she stripped down and pulled on a simple shift. She slipped beneath the covers and quickly fell asleep.

She entered the Fade in her wolf form and immediately joined the pack. The scent of a deer spirit, a buck, was thick in the air. Her tongue lolled out of her mouth. She could taste its fear, and it set her heart pounding. The breeze blowing through her red fur was exhilarating, and a wolfish grin spread across her face. She always felt more alive in the Fade.

The pack flowed through the forest, twenty-three deadly hunters. She heard all of them in her mind, synching perfectly as they thrilled in the chase. Alpha was at the head of the pack, leading the charge, with Atisha close behind.

She asked him to move away from the Dalish camp. Their dreams were already pulling at her, trying to bring her in. She did not feel like dealing with Dalish problems tonight. They could rot for all she cared.

Alpha was only too happy to comply. Part of the pack broke off. Some of them moved to the right and others to the left, herding the buck away from the aravels of dreamers. After a few minutes, they were in the open Fade.

Atisha was finally able to let go of her worries from the waking world. She immersed herself fully in the hunt and let the wolf part of her take control.

It was intoxicating.

She howled as she ran, giving voice to her exhilaration. The rest of the pack copied her call, their howls echoing across the Fade. Atisha felt other spirits tremble at the sound.

The wolves that had broken off continued to herd the buck, guiding it toward a hilly area. The hills grew taller until they were mountains. They entered a ravine and the pack fanned out so that the buck had no choice but to keep moving forward.

Finally, they came to a cliff face. The buck had no choice but to turn and fight. It lowered its head and brought its antlers to bare.

The pack surrounded it and began to circle. Alpha was the first to strike, nipping at its hindquarters to test its speed. The buck turned, driving forward with its antlers down. Alpha dodged them as another wolf spirit came at the buck from the opposite side. The buck was not quick enough to meet the attack. The second spirit sunk its fangs into the buck's flank. The buck reared up and bellowed in pain.

Its head was thrown back, leaving the neck exposed. Atisha lept toward the buck, going in for the kill. She could almost taste the flesh beneath her fangs as she flew through the air. Her heart was pounding so loud that she couldn't hear anything else. Time seemed to slow as she relished the moment just before the kill.

The buck's fear was at its peak. It knew that its end was near.

Something pulled her. The ravine disappeared, as did the buck and the pack. Atisha was no longer in her wolf form. She barely had time to bring herself into a tumble, grunting as she hit the ground. She rolled for a bit to soften the blow. When she finally stopped, she allowed herself to lay sprawled as she got her bearings.

The area around her was unfamiliar. There were crumbling pillars covered in vines and the walls were decorated with stucco murals. There was no ceiling for most of the structure, letting moonlight shine into the space. She was laying in thick, soft grass and there were a few trees growing in the space.

She groaned as she realized that she had been pulled into a dream. She had been so close to bringing down the buck. The wolf part of her growled in frustration. It felt like it had been cheated out of a kill, and she couldn't blame it.

She had been certain that there hadn't been anyone nearby. The crumbling architecture was definitely elvhen. Perhaps there was a ruin that she had not yet found in her wanderings? If she could reach it in the Fade, that meant that it was close in the waking world.

Atisha took note of her surroundings so she could begin searching for the ruin in the morning. For now, she had to find the dreamer and figure out what need was so great that it had pulled her from the hunt.

She rose to her feet, dusting herself off. There was something off about this dream, but she wasn't sure what it was.

The dreamer was close. Maybe seeing what he dreamt would answer her question.

She set off through the ruin, moving cautiously to remain undetected. She could sense spirits up ahead, several of them. Her brow creased in confusion. It was unusual to find a single spirit in a dream. The number that she sensed... it shouldn't have been possible.

It was almost like when she viewed a memory, but that just couldn't be. In all of her years, she had never seen a dreamer view memories. They couldn't.

Perhaps it wasn't a dream, but a domain. A few demons had tried to trick her before. Their set up hadn't been this elaborate, though, and they hadn't been able to pull her in. She had entered willingly out of curiosity.

Atisha rounded a corner, and gasped at the sight that greeted her. Her hand flew to her mouth.

A single elvhen man was sitting in a stone chair, watching as spirits relived the memory of a court dance that had happened in these ruins.

Her gaze fixed on the man as she slowly stepped into the room. He had a long nose set in an angular face with high cheekbones and a dimpled chin. Intense, narrow gray eyes were fixed on the scene playing out before him, a soft smile playing across his lips. His head was clean shaven, leaving a dome that shined in the moonlight. He wore a simple tunic and breeches, though they seemed to be made of rich fabrics, and a pelt was slung over one shoulder and tied at the opposite hip. He looked like he was in his early forties.

There was something familiar about him, but she could not place him. Perhaps she had met him when he was younger? That had happened a couple of times before.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she approached him, her unblinking gaze unable to look anywhere else. Both of her hands were now at her mouth to hide the gaping hole that it had become. Here was another who could view the Fade like her, and yet not like her. He still needed the dream. Did that mean that he had to sleep to enter?

She was walking through the memory, but didn't notice.

The man did, sitting up straight. His eyes widened as she came closer. She didn't realize that she had been moving until she stopped in front of him, her hands finally falling away from her face.

They stared at each other for several moments.

Atisha tried to speak, but couldn't get any sounds past the lump in her throat. The man appeared to be in the same position, his mouth hanging slightly open.

Her lips began to quiver and she could feel tears swelling in her eyes.

His aura read as elvhen, though he was hiding most of it. Demons had tried to hide their auras from her, but their base nature was always visible. She could try to see past the masking, but it was poor etiquette.

He was really an elf, watching memories in the Fade.

“I thought I was the only one,” she finally whispered, a sob escaping with her words. Her hand flew back to her mouth, as though that could stop her from bursting into tears. None in the clan, not even her brother, knew what Atisha could do.

The man rose from his chair and slowly approached. He circled her cautiously, examining her.

She turned her head to follow him, afraid that he would disappear for good if he left her sight.

“Not the only one, but few and far between,” the man finally replied. He stopped in front of her, bending at the waist with a hand at his chest. “I am Solas.”

She continued to stare for a moment, still in shock, then realized that he was waiting for her name.

“I'm Atisha.”

There was a long silence, but no awkwardness or tension. They both took in the presence of the other, trying to understand it. He had no vallaslin. At his age, that probably meant that he wasn't Dalish. There was no Circle Tower nearby, and they would have made him Tranquil if they knew what he did when he slept. He must have been an apostate, then.

“Are you alone, in the waking world?” he finally asked.

Atisha shook her head. “I travel with my clan.”

One of his eyebrows pricked up. “Oh? You have no vallaslin.”

Atisha shifted uncomfortably. She finally looked away as she replied defensively, “Not all Dalish have them.”

“Curious,” he responded, perking up. “That's not the impression I've gotten.”

“It is part of becoming an adult among the clans, but they must be taken on by choice and are not required.”

“And you chose against having them?” His head tilted to one side, as though she were some puzzle to be unraveled. “I don't think I've encountered that among the Dalish before.”

She shifted uncomfortably, again, as she gave her excuse. “Why bear marks to honor gods that don't answer?”

It was not the real reason, but seemed to be the most acceptable one among elves.

He smiled, bemused. “That's an odd sentiment for a Dalish.”

“I'm not like most Dalish,” she answered.

“No, I suppose you aren't.” His brows creased and he gazed at her with a strange look in his eyes.

Atisha did her best not to shift any more under that stare. She felt as though he could see through her, see past the mask to what she really was. Spirits, she hoped he wasn't trying. Being a Fade Walker was bad enough, but even the Dalish feared what she really was.

“Do you enter dreams often?” he finally asked, still looking at her oddly.

Atisha shook her head. “Not usually. But, this one was different than most, and I was curious.”

It wasn't a complete lie, but he didn't need to know the full truth, at least not until she knew more about him.

She looked him over, trying to decide what need had brought her into his dream. On the outside, he seemed just fine. Indeed, he had been enjoying himself before she had so rudely interrupted. She could have gazed into the strings of the Fade to discover her answer, but was wary about revealing too much about herself to this stranger.

Solas smiled, but there was pain in his eyes. “Then it is fortuitous that you happened into this area. Please, join me. We are missing a fascinating memory.”

He sounded excited at the prospect of sharing a memory with her. So there was something Atisha could do for him.

She looked behind her.

The spirits had continued to relive the memory as the two mages sized each other up. They must have missed out on a great deal, because somehow a duel between five people had started.

Solas held out his hand to Atisha.

She looked down at the outstretched hand with smooth palm and long fingers. It was such a simple gesture, but it had been so long since someone had offered it. Slowly, she raised her arm, placing her hand in his.

His fingers closed around her hand and he gently led her to the stone seat, which now had a matching one next to it.

Atisha raised an eyebrow at the additional seat. So, he had full control of his environment in the dream. Interesting. It was also interesting that he would give her an idea of what he was capable of in the Fade. Maybe he was offering an olive branch?

He helped her into the new chair before taking his seat. From there, they watched the spectacle unfold. It ended in the death of two of the courtiers, two others going to find a private space, and the fifth one staggering over to a servant, requesting several jugs of wine be brought up so he could drown his shame.

Atisha smiled as the spirits moved away. It had been an interesting memory. She should have payed more attention to it. She had watched numerous memories over her lifetime, but this was the first time she had someone else to enjoy them with. She couldn't help casting sidelong glances at Solas. She still couldn't shake the feeling that she knew him somehow.

“You seemed rather distracted,” Solas commented, the corner of his mouth turned up in a slight smile. “Is there something on my face?”

Atisha blushed, her cheeks turning a deep red. A lump was forming in her throat. She tried to clear it several times, but it took a few moments before she could speak. She had hoped that he hadn't noticed.

“I'm sorry,” she sputtered, her cheeks going even darker. She must look like a fool. “It's just that, well, have we met before? I have this nagging feeling that I know you.”

His smile spread further as he shook his head and chuckled. “I highly doubt it. I like to think that I would remember someone like you. But I sense something familiar in you, as well.”

She didn't think her cheeks could get any darker, but they were certainly getting warmer as she smiled in return. “Well, you're certainly a sweet talker.”

He chuckled again. “If you consider the truth sweet talk, then you'll find that I'm probably the most charming person you've ever met.”

Atisha giggled, covering her mouth. He had a sense of humor as well. He was literally the man of her dreams.

She stopped as she realized how relaxed she felt. How long had it been since she had been this... happy, content, at peace? Not since she was a child. Even then, she had been guarded in all of her interactions.

The waking world tugged, her body letting her know that morning approached.

She slowly frowned. She didn't want to wake up. She had found someone that she could be herself with. Mostly. He was sweet, but she needed to know more about him.

“And now a frown. Have I offended you so soon?”

Atisha shook her head as she snapped out of her reverie. He sounded disappointed.

“No, I'm sorry. It's just, morning approaches, and I have to go.”

She couldn't meet his gaze, now. She felt almost guilty about having to go. It was more than that, though. It was the whispers, the stares, the barely contained contempt. She could already feel all of it starting to weigh her down, again. Her shoulders sagged as she thought of how she would avoid the hunters today.

Solas put a hand on her shoulder, using his other to lift her chin, bringing her eyes up to his. They were moist, like he was holding back tears. But why would he be close to crying?

“I know the burden of living among those who don't understand you. It can be difficult.”

He was concerned for her? Dear spirits, how long had it been since someone other than Enasalin had showed interest in her welfare?

Of course, he probably thought that she was still quite young.

She smiled softly as she placed her hand over his.

“I know how difficult it can be,” she assured him. “I have ways of coping, and I'm not completely without friends. There's a spirit of Valor not far away. It's a little full of itself, but has led me to some of the more interesting memories in the area.”

“You are friends with spirits?” he sounded surprised, though not judgmental. His eyebrows raised as his eyes widened. Then, the smile returned. “Another pleasant surprise. Perhaps we can speak more tonight?”

“I would like that very much.”

She could feel her cheeks growing warm again, but did not mind. It was nice to find someone who could make her blush.

“I look forward to tonight, then.” He actually sounded like he meant it.

Atisha's smile widened as they nodded their heads to each other. She was looking forward to their next encounter, as well.

Then, she woke up.

Light was streaming in through her window as the sun rose into the sky. She could not wait until it set, again.