Sisters of Tevinter

Rip in the Veil

         "Where are we going?" 

         Cassandra scoffed. "You did not think there was only one rift, did you?" 

          Jor flushed, embarrassed. "Well-" 

         Varric snickered. "You hoped." 

          "Yes," Jor said quickly, grateful. 

          "You're not from around here, are you, kid. What's your name?" The dwarf smiled up at her. 

           "Jormungandr." 

            He whistled. "Mouthful, that. With a 'Y'?" 

            "It sounds it. A 'J' actually." 

            "Ah, of course. The Serpent. Got a nickname?" 

           "Uh, I-"

             "Jor. I'll call you Jor so when you're bleeding out I don't have to shout four whole syllables, alright?" 

             Jor paled. "Okay." 

             Solas smiled wryly. "We do hope it will not come to that." 

              They were nearing a makeshift camp. A tent had been hastily constructed from canvas and crates. Scouts ran back and forth across the clearing. Within the tent, standing at a table strewn with maps was the same cowled woman from the dungeon. She spoke with a man in white and gold chantry garb, who turned and gave a strangled cry of outrage. "What is she doing here?" 

                "Chancellor," Cassandra sighed, trudging towards them. 

                 "She should be in irons, well on her way to Val Royeax by now, scheduled for execution!" the chancellor snarled. Varric hung back by Jor's side, looking amused. 

                  The scholar's already pallid complexion suddenly grew gaunter. "Pardon?" 

                 "Take her away! Guards!" 

                   "Chancellor," the cowled woman began reproachfully. "I've been informed that she is indeed connected to the Breach." 

                     "Sister Leliana," he replied slowly, as if it pained him. "She is a danger to you and I, as well as everything she touches. We cannot allow her to view our planning, she may be a spy as well as a murderess! Seeker, I order you to take her away!"

                      "Order me?" Cassandra folded her arms. 

                      "Oh this'll be good," Varric murmured. Solas only shook his head, but even he seemed eager to watch. 

                      "Y-" the chancellor began. 

                       "You are a glorified cleric!" Cassandra barked. "A bureaucrat! I do not serve the chantry. Welcome to the battlefield, chancellor." 

                        "We serve the Most Holy," Leliana said softly with a meaningful glance at the Seeker. She turned to the chancellor. "As you well know." 

                         "Maker bless her," the chancellor murmured, chagrined. 

                          "If I may speak?" Jor offered softly. 

                          Leliana looked up. The chancellor glowered at her. 

                          "I don't care how you do it," a new voice commanded, striding towards them, deep red cloak swinging in the snow. "Just get those men out of there. I want archers on every wall, hear me?" 

                           "Yes, sir." The scout dogging the armored commander's footsteps veered off, vanishing into the mountains. 

                           Jor, distracted, found her gaze drawn to him. He was tall, human, rugged and blonde. His neck rimmed in thick fur and a deep scar along his mouth, his amber eyes found hers and softened slightly. He sighed. "This is she?" 

                           "Yes, commander." Leliana looked to him with a quiet relief. 

                            "Good. We must take her to the Breach." The commander ran a weary hand through his hair. "Perhaps bring some stability to this madness." 

                            "On your heads be it!" the chancellor hissed, turning and striding pointedly in the opposite direction. 

                             "I do not like him," Jor sighed, rubbing her eyes. "We don't need him for anything, do we?" Varric laughed. 

                           The commander smiled wryly. "You're chipper for someone who's only met him once. Pray you never have to again."

                            Cassandra made a disgusted noise as her eyes followed the chancellor into the snow. The commander was still studying Jor curiously. "I don't suppose we've met before?" 

                             Leliana smiled and turned away. Jor took no notice, blinking slowly. "No, sir. I think I'd remember." 

                              "Funny. You don't seem to remember much these days." Cassandra cast the scholar a cold stare. 

                             Jor, irritated, stared back. "I wish I could." 

                             The commander, sensing unrest, snapped his gaze to the dirks at Jor's belt. "Any good with those?" 

                               "A little," the scholar said sheepishly. 

                               Varric scoffed. "She's modest too, Cassandra what did you do to her?"

                               Jor blushed. The commander smiled. "Good, you'll need them. The quickest route to the Breach is straight northward. We can bring troops, a strike team." 

                                Leliana frowned. "I disagree. The pass through the mountains will draw less attention. It is not the fastest, but it will give us an advantage." 

                                 "Scouts have been lost in those mountains. Your people have yet to return from the valley," Cassandra said. "We cannot risk our only salvation in unknown battle zones." 

                             Varric elbowed Jor's side. "That's you," he said in an exaggerated stage whisper. 

                             "Perhaps our salvation should decide for herself." The commander turned to the scholar. 

                            "You're asking me?" Jor shifted uneasily. "I'm hardly qualified-"

                             "Your mark, your mission, your call," Leliana agreed softly. 

                             Everyone turned to look at her. Jor, terrified, drew herself up and cleared her throat. "...I do not wish to risk others' lives. Your soldiers should be prepared for what they face. A frontal assault on the Breach seems the best option, if you think I can stabilize it." 

                       "Then it is agreed." Cassandra was already striding down the snowy hill. "Let us go." 

                         "Andraste go with us," Solas mumbled, walking alongside the Seeker. The commander called a well armed contigent of soldiers. Leliana vanished into the mountains with a small group of white clad scouts. 

                  Then they were marching through the snow, towards the massive hole in the sky. 

                        Jor kept a firm grip on the hilts of her blades. Maker's ass... what have I fallen into?