Sisters of Tevinter

Interrogation

            Jor came to groggily, her head lolling to one side over her shoulder. Her head pounded, she could hear her blood rushing in her ears. Her right hand was agony, her wrist felt like it was being split open with a crowbar. 

              She was on her knees, her hands bound in front of her in sturdy iron manacles. The room was round, cold and dark. Soldiers in glinting silver armor surrounded her, each holding a sword with steady surety far too close to her head. She blinked rapidly, confused, disoriented, her heart leaping into her throat. The hell...? 

               The small wooden door in front of her banged open, two strangers strode through, arguing in hushed voices. They fell silent as they saw her blinking back at them. 

                The first, a severe young woman with sharp cheekbones and a deep scar at her jaw in plate mail, gave a loathing scowl. "So. You're finally awake." She didn't sound thrilled. 

                Jor said nothing, struck dumb, her jade eyes wide. 

                The woman's eyes narrowed as she paced in a slow circle around Jor, her armor shifting with soft metallic clinks. Blearily, Jor noticed the eye of Seekers emblazoned on her chestplate. "What were you doing in the Temple of Sacred Ashes?" 

                 "I- I'm sorry?" Jor could barely hear over the blood in her skull, the buzz of fear in her throat and the pounding of her heart. She felt like her head was stuffed with cotton. 

                 "Don't play innocent with me," the Seeker snarled, slamming her gloved hands over the shackles at Jor's wrists. "Why did you murder the Divine?" 

                  Nose to nose with this fearsome creature, Jor scowled. The Seeker's shouting drove pain into her skull, and she didn't appreciate having her space invaded. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Where am I?" 

                   The Seeker raised her hand to strike Jor across the face. 

                 "Cassandra," the second stranger said softly from beneath their smooth lilac cowl. It was another woman, a bit taller than the Seeker, the same eye symbol at a clasp on her shoulder. "Let her speak." 

                  Cassandra froze, glowering, as Jor flinched back. Outrage burned in the young scholar's ribs. "Who are you people?" 

                   "We found you outside the temple ruins," the hooded woman said quietly, striding forward. Her footsteps made no sound. "The conclave exploded, there was conflict all around- you were the only survivor." 

                   Jor's jaw fell slack. The floor seemed sucked out from beneath her, her stomach was in knots. "The ambassadors... the nuns, the Divine? They're... they're-"

                    "Dead," Cassandra hissed, her voice choked with pain. 

                     "But how?" 

                     "You tell us," the quiet woman said. 

                      "I..." Wracking her agonized brain, Jor frowned. "I don't remember." 

                      "You don't remember." Cassandra laughed bitterly. "How convenient." 

                      "Cassandra," the woman murmured reproachfully. "The destruction wrought could only have been brought about by intense magic. Look at her. She is no mage." 

                      "Oh, and I suppose this is completely natural." Cassandra snatched up Jor's wrist. The room was flooded with crackling green light. Her veins glowed a flickering emerald, her palm was torn open and blackened at the edges of the creeping, illuminated wound. Jor cried out in pain, fiery agony streaking up almost as far as her shoulder. 

                       The Seeker released her quickly, momentarily stunned by the girl's reaction. The light dimmed, but still swirled and flickered around Jor's hand. The young scholar gritted her teeth. "What is this?" she hissed. 

                        The hooded woman frowned. "It is linked to what has happened. Cassandra-" 

                        Cassandra shook her head and scowled. "I know. I will show her." She hauled Jor to her feet. The soldiers sheathed their swords. Cassandra laid a heavy hand on Jor's shoulder and shoved her out the door, into the cold air and snow.