What did you do today in DA? [Spoilers]

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6





The rest of the trip to Lake Calenhad went without incident. Eliana kept close to Alistair and talked, some, about Alistair's memories of the Grey Wardens.  Eliana even laughed at some of the stories. What they did not speak of was the future. Alistair was worried about Arl Eamon but discussing it would not make it disappear. When it came to Eliana's future, well... right now she couldn't see past ending the Blight; that thought scared her but she refused to dwell on it. 

The Circle Supply Caravan's Leader again gave thanks to them as they departed. Eliana just raised one eye brow at them before heading towards the boat and Wynne stepped in to give the usual pleasantries of welcome and goodbyes.  

Eliana made the trip across the lake alone; she wanted her shopping trip to be as brief as possible. She came back with several gold coins worth of lyrium dust and passed it on to Wynne, respectfully asking if the elder mage could make a stronger batch of lyrium potions.  Wynne agreed; the two of them had been getting along quite well since the night they'd shared the wine. Sten and Eliana found a man who seemed to be muddling around in the dirt. From that ignorant man, they learned the name of another who had been to this place and perhaps had information on the sword. Sten stayed stoic throughout. Eliana could understand that he would doubt, heavily, their finding of his "soul." Optimism wasn't his forte and all this information gave them was the name of a trader in the Frostback Mountains outside of Orzamaar. 

Motioning towards Zevran, he joined them on their way into the inn while the rest continued focused on getting their things more ready for the long march ahead of them. One of the patrons finished his cup, glaring at them, before leaving the place. Odd. Their visit was interesting; with some pressing, the inn keeper shared that he was being watched. Eliana's eyes met Zevran's and the assassin slipped towards the door as Eliana continued the conversation. The businessman shared that he wouldn't be too surprised if "they" hadn't seen their armed party enter the inn. Regardless, Genetivi was not there and had never been there.  Buying a bottle of wine and putting it in her pack, Eliana, came near to Zevran at the door.

"Is there a problem?" She murmured to Zevran, as Sten calmly stood behind her. 

"Six men have arrived outside since we've come in. Whether they be the men watching the inn keeper is a mystery, but if they attack? No mystery, that." Zevran said the last with a smirk.

His confidence caused a small smile of her own. "Very well." She said, reaching out for the fade even as they opened the door.

The men attacked immediately, not one diatribe or rant to explain themselves. They had made a major mistake, however. Their group was not made up of just the three within the Inn. Leliana's arrows broke their focused attack as Sten threw himself among them, his sword making a grand arch that scattered them. Not so far apart that Eliana's chain of lightning didn't catch them and cast them to the ground. Zevran swiftly moved among them, swiping his dagger across the throats of those who still breathe; that he'd empty their pockets was also a given.

Alistair jogged to meet up with her, "Maker, that was quick. I hadn't noticed them, Eliana, I'm sorry." His face was one of concern and mild embarrassment as he leaned in towards her short stature, his mailed glove resting on her elbow. "It's fine, Alistair, I'm fine. Revas didn't even wake up from his nap in the sun, lazy war dog." She replied quietly back, observing the bodies and the Lake and the Circle beyond. More death here to thin the veil even thinner. Zevran stood, and her eyes left the Tower to meet his across the field; she realized he'd been watching her. She ignored the flutter in her stomach. All of that..was complicated and best ignored.

Time to go towards the town she'd only seen as a dot on her Fereldan map: Haven. Eliana reminded the group that as they headed further South, they would obviously be heading into the Blighted Territory of the Darkspawn. They would hug Lake Calenhad, make sure Redliffe hadn't come into trouble in their absence while she reported her findings to Bann Teagan, then head on West from there. No one disagreed with her plan; not even Sten, who thought this whole trip to find Holy Ashes a big waste of time. Perhaps her efforts to find his sword had won her some freedom from his burning glares after all.

---

They did just as she said they would with small interruptions of Darkspawn and bandits along the way; the latter looked the worse for wear. perhaps taking on more than they bargained for concerning the Darkspawn. Upon reaching the mountain road that led the rest of the way to the small village, Eliana asked that Bodahn and Sandal wait for them at the base and they all headed up.

The village was the least friendly one Eliana had ever encountered. It was not often there was an UNwelcome party at the entrance of a place. The Andrastian Religion had been modified, Drakon most likely rolling in his grave, their children creepy, and shop barely wanted to sell anything to them. It just seemed like everyone was being majorly jumpy. And everyone had one thing they definitely agreed on. Genetive had never been there and they'd never heard of them. Which Eliana knew was a lie. Seven dead bodies, an inn keeper, and some research papers heavily supported Genetivi having been there. Or... ya know, still being here. Eliana wouldn't put a kidnapping past these people. Their determined investigation in the shop, finding the body of a Knight of Arl Eamon, eventually brought the wrath of the villagers upon them. Which was a relief, to be honest, because lengthy investigations didn't suit Eliana anyway. At least the children hadn't joined battle, right? They headed to their Chantry and, unsurprisingly, the people there were not happy with the slaughter of their neighbors, even if it was justifiable defense. Another battle later, a false wall gave forth to the very man they were looking for. Genetivi was injured but nonetheless determined to climb the mountain to a place only he knew. A place where the Ashes were to lay within. 

Eliana rocked back on her heels. This was all just so crazy. But she'd committed her energy to this to appease the Bann And leaving it here wouldn't do that. So, up the mountain they went, Wynne sending rejuvenating energy into the man to keep them going.  Sigh. Surely the Ashes, if they were there, wouldn't be going anywhere. The man should have just stayed behind and drawn them a map. Perhaps he suspected they'd make off with some relic. psh. Perhaps it was his suspicion of them after walking and battling through a village based on a cult, but Eliana found him to be suspicious as well. He knew how to open the door with a key that wasn't his. He wanted to be left at the entrance as they walked in on without him. The cultists her group encountered within seemed to leave him alone. But each time she checked on him, he really did seem to be studying the ruins. Very well. They would head further in and leave the Brother to his ruminations.

At the Temple of Mythal/Well of Sorrows, your Inquisitor has to totally denounce it all as hogwash to please Sera. If you don't see it her way, it ends the relationship. At the "Cory is dead!" party, my Dalish Inquisitor (who looked way too much like a 14 yo girl) sadly went to her bedroom alone.

Eliana has a lot of anger about the Dalish life she had before being torn away to the Circle. This anger causes her to almost make a lot of irreversible mistakes that her companions talk her out of. If intimidation is an option, she chooses it, reminding those she encounters that she is a mage and not afraid to use a little thunder to get her way. Eliana doesn't see spirits/demons as a cut and dry issue, and makes deals with them often. Blood Magic is just another tool, one of many, to help maintain her ability to have and enjoy her freedom. She values pragmatism over emotionalism, but that doesn't mean her emotions don't sometimes rear their ugly head. Doesn't stop her from trying to keep them under wraps. She doesn't feel any allegiance to the Wardens, but just like Flemyth, one can not avoid a Blight. With the same determination that made her top apprentice in her Circle she will stop the blight and damn any who dares get in her way of that goal. She's in an unrequited love with Zevran and has not returned to his tent since their first time together. At first she hated Wynne and liked Morrigan; but lately that's been flipping. Alistair is like a brother to her. She admires Sten and enjoys their arguments. Leliana has made up for her creepiness with songs and usefulness. Dog is Dog, who doesn't love dog.

In order that I've done them:
Circle: Alistair talked her out of annulling the Circle. Default sided with mages.
Brecillian Forest: Zevran the LI begs her not to kill all the elves. Ends the werewolf curse. 
Redcliffe: Sent friend Jowan away for his chance at safety and a life. Alistair begged her to go to Irving for help. Still intimidated the Demon into giving her blood magic.
Sacred Ashes: Mildly religious, Surana does not make a deal with Kolgrim and is very affected by the Guardian and Compassion Spirit. Almost kills Genetivi to protect the Ashes. Leaves the dragon as protection instead.

Will she destroy the Anvil? Who will she crown in Orzamaar? Who will she crown at the Landsmeet? Will she recruit Loghain? Will she do the Ultimate Sacrifice? And somewhere in all that, will she get back together with Zevran? Saucy.

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7

Added to the cultists were drakes and Dragonlings. Lovely. Until they reached quite a large cavern with what she learned was the leader of the Cultists she'd been killing. The Cult Leader wasn't happy but he stated he wished to deal and Eliana chose to hear him out. However, that he was quite mad became readily apparent. Andraste reborn as a dragon? Really? Take bits of Dragon blood and defile magical ashes? Eliana's nostrils flared. He insulted her with his version of Andrastianism, but what was worse, he insulted her with the bribe. She'd gotten better deals from Demons, seriously. When she rejected his plan, he attacked. And swiftly became very dead indeed. Onwards.

Seeing daylight for the first time in a few hours from dark ruins made her pause and squint. good thing too, as they may have been sighted by the flying dragon if they'd gone further forward. They made their way carefully over the empty space, weapons drawn, but it did not wake from it's rest to attack.

After passing through massive stone double doors, they came upon a square room with a man just standing there, calmly gazing at them. Wait... no he was not a man. It was a very odd feeling for Eliana. He was no demon or spirit but no man either. He "Felt" quite weird. And when he spoke, his words echoed. He told her that he was bound to this place by a promise he made to the Maker and to Andraste herself. The more they talked the more she believed him. She would not admit this to the others, though, for it felt foolish to believe, even as she came more and more into doing so.

The Guardian would not allow them within without asking one question of each of them. He began with Eliana.

"Jowan was discovered by the Templars. You were helping him. Tell me...Do you believe you failed Jowan?"

The blood drained from her face. How did The Guardian know? Eliana had not mentioned how Jowan's escape was tied with her own conscription. She'd ruined his chance at a clean escape when she'd tipped Irving off asking about the Rite of Tranquility. Sending him away from Redliffe like she had had been all she could do for her poor "brother." Maybe if she'd spent less time on being the "best" and more time mentoring his more meager magic... She felt sadness. She felt shame.

Since she was sure that if the Guardian could see Jowan within her, then there was no point in keeping her answer to her self.

Her face was grim, but calm. "Yes. I should have done more."

The Guardian accepted her reply. Wynne offered comfort, but Eliana shrugged it off. She would not turn away from her own self truths just to soothe herself. This pain was hers and hers alone. Then the Guardian turned to each of them in turn. When Alistair shared that he'd wished that he had died at the Battle of Ostagar instead of Duncan, she reached over and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. She hoped her gaze told him exactly what she felt. No more of that nonsense. He squeezed back and dropped her hand. No one elses "truth" was very harsh at all. But Zevran, after making a crack about self flaggelation.. Zevran suffered the same shock of having his soul laid bare.

Eliana had already been close enough to Zevran for him to have told her the story of the one kill he'd always regret. Rinna. The one woman he'd ever been in love with. Eliana was glad the Guardian did not press the information onto the group. Eliana would keep his secret and she'd have been almost as upset as Zevran for the whole group to have knowledge of something so very painful and private. When she looked at him sympathetically, he was still flustered and angry, and glared at her. Still. Upsetting interchanges from an mysterious living spirit aside, they must press forward.

After a room filled with spirits asking simple riddles and offering parts of history any one raised near a Chantry would know, Eliana was to find a second shock. Some replica of Jowan was before her, offering forgiveness and love. Eliana knew this to be some sort of spirit, probably one of compassion. She knew it was not Jowan, that was certain. Still, his words, his facial expression..She couldn't help it. When the spirit pushed a gift, some sort of amulet, into her hands, the pain regarding Jowan she'd just been so determined to keep hold of...just unknotted and melted away. Her eyes misted, and she smiled at this spirit. Mouthed the word "thanks"; for any emotion, good or ill, was something she kept close. And then he was gone. Eliana felt lighter than she'd been since the day Duncan had shown up in the Tower and gave her an optimism that she carried through the rest of the ancient building.

Fought mimics of themselves, that was interesting...She was oddly proud that her copy was the last to fall. And then, a riddle that she was super super sure wanted her to strip her armor off and walk bare through the flames. She cleared her throat after reading it. Even though she did not think it required any but one to take of their clothes she uh... Told every one else that they had to take off their clothes too. Less embarassing that way even if it were a lie. Zevran just raised a brow at her as she stripped, a suggestive smile on his face. Eliana rolled her eyes. He would.

Keeping the beginnings of an ice spell at the edges of her mind, she walked through the flames... unharmed as her companions followed. And the flames died, they re dressed. Zevran pouted. He would.

They walked up the stairs to the dais of which an urn sat upon. Eliana felt a bit of awe. If this really worked, it meant it was all real, didn't it? That all those spirits spouting off stories were spouting history. That Andraste was the Maker's prophet. That the Maker existed.

She reached in to grab a pinch of the ashes; it tingled upon her skin, but otherwise felt as they should, and placed them in a small pouch. They were careful, as they left, to avoid the dragon. It would have to be taken care of later, but now was not the time. Not where there may truly be a way of saving the Arl; Alistair was positively giddy, although more sedately since the awe of religion sat upon him still. When they encountered Genetivi at the entrance, he asked if the Ashes were real, and Eliana confirmed. Then he started going on and on about the discovery and how everyone would stop by to see them. Alistair made a crack about how he hoped there was enough of andraste to go around. That summed up Eliana's feelings exactly. She felt protective of this place and what was within and she told genetivi that publishing it's whereabouts wasn't a good idea. He said he'd publish or die trying.

There was a moment, then, when Eliana considered killing the man in cold blood. It was the first time she'd felt such a thing, and her body tensed, confused about what she would do. But the moment passed, she relaxed, and her scalp tingled in realization when she heard Zevran's bladed going back in their sheaths. She let Genetivi leave. Thought about it. Then smiled darkly. Maybe they would NOT take care of that dragon. It seemed perfectly fine atop the mountain, scaring people away from the Ashes, didn't it?

---

More swiftly went the miles on their way back to Redcliffe Castle. It wasn't so much that Eliana deeply wanted the Arl to live; but that she wanted to see if the Ashes worked. If they did, it would confirm it all. And she didn't know how she'd feel about it, but it being in some sort of in between place drove her to agitation. They pushed on till it was quite dark, and broke camp at dawn, and they saw the small shape that was the Castle on the horizon. AS they drew close, Eliana clasped the bag of ashes tightly. Until the very moment she placed it in the Bann's hand, telling him to swiftly call his healer, for the time was now or never. She hovered in the room in impatience as they waited. The Arl may as well be dead, for you could not hear his breath unless you drew quite near. And then they were all there, the feeling of magic entered the room and... The Arl's eyes opened. Eliana realized she'd been holding her breath and released it.

Maker. He existed. She left the room and went to the kitchens and chewed on that a while. She'd made no head way when she was called to the Arl and Bann's side. They needed her to continue her quest to get the Treaties fulfilled. Okay. And the Arl would call a Landsmeet. Okay.

The Arl would push Alistair forward as a candidate for King. Hum. Alistair was not pleased. Eliana didn't know how she felt about it, to be honest. It would be hard for her to think of her dork of a "brother", her friend, as an actual King. His royal bastard status had been meaningless to her up this point, it was not useful information in the fight against Darkspawn. And sure, there'd been the occasional joke about his becoming King, but this... Guess it wasn't a joke anymore, was it?

Alistair didn't want to talk about it when she approached him. laying a hand on his arm seemed to just irritate him and he stalked away. Still has that inner child, she supposed, placing her slim fingers on her chin as she considered his escape. sigh. Whatever. She was exhausted and looking forward to a real bed. When she turned to find her own room, she found Zevran leaning on the wall.

"Maker, Zevran. I'm beginning to feel like you're my shadow, I hadn't noticed you were there."

"Ah, a time to talk. Good.I have a question for you." He paused, stepped away from the wall and came closer. Eliana arched one brow. Where was this going?

"You and Alistair are quite close, are you not? I am curious as to the nature of your relationship."

Eliana was sure her facial expressions were a riot to anyone else but herself. First, confusion, realization, shock, disgust. Followed by haughty fury. She turned on her heel and left him there. He didn't stop her. Let him rot in his assumptions! The question did not deserve an answer. When she got to her quarters, she indulged in the luxury of being in a real room with thick walls by having a solid miserable cry. When she was done, she shucked her robes and dug underneath the covers. She would bathe in the morning. She was exhausted.