Sisters of Tevinter

Renovations

    Jor rose, burning with grief, exposure and irritation. "Look, Cole, this is fascinating and everything, and I thank you for your help at Haven-"

  "You remember that?" Cole looked up. She could see his eyes now. He looked confused. 

  "Of course," Jor said hoarsely. "We'd all probably be dead without you." She'd have to remember that to reign in her temper. 

   Cole shifted uneasily. "I hoped you would forget. You should have forgotten."

    Mystified, Jor furrowed her brow. "...I have a decent enough memory. If you'll excuse me?" 

   "We will speak later. I will find you." Cole nodded, understanding. 

    That's comforting. Jor bit her lip and turned away, choosing the first old banded door she saw. It was up a long lane of stone stairs and opened inside the fortress to a long, empty hallway. The hall was grand and large, opening to a main chamber full of fading sunlight. Doors lined the scuffed stone walls, leading in every conceivable direction. Torches had been lit, debris cleared from the dais. The Inquisition moved quickly. A small smile touched her mouth, she was grateful. 

     The hall was wide and tall, chandeliers laden with candles lined the arching ceiling. Jor's footsteps echoed on the stone as she made her way forward, admiring portraits in alcoves, faded with age. She couldn't quite make out the subjects of these framed reliefs, but the paint itself was flaking, old and beautifully dull. It made her wonder... who had lived here before? 

       She walked to the dais at the end of the chamber, stuffing her hands in her pockets to admire the masterfully crafted stained glass. It cast lines of amber and blue across her face, reminding her suddenly of the chambers in Redcliffe. She turned away, Cole's voice echoing just out of reach of her mind. That strange boy... was he clairvoyant? He looked so lost... 

         Guilt crept its way to nestle in the nook of Jor's chest. She wished she hadn't snapped at him, perhaps she could learn from him. She'd find Solas tomorrow. For now... For now what? She slumped to the dais' shallow steps and rubbed the back of her neck, sighing bitterly. Should she try to find Leliana or Josephine? Part of her dreaded having to make decisions right now. She was so tired...

         Distantly, she heard a dog barking. A breeze brushed through the hall from the open doors, carrying the scent of winter twilight and early blooming honeysuckle. Jor buried her face in her hands, weight building on her chest, moisture clouding her eyes. What am I doing here...?

          "Herald?" Someone's bewildered voice echoed across the stone. 

           Jor lifted her head quickly, wiping her eyes. "Yes? Sorry." A man with dark hair and a clipped beard was standing at the entrance of the hall, a hand braced against the doorway and a makeshift crutch beneath his arm. He looked familiar... 

           "Am I disturbing you?" 

           "This is a public hall." 

           The man laughed softly. "Glad to see you're still kicking, despite two near death experiences. Gods above, you're one crazy blighter." 

           "Thank you. Do I know you?"

           "In a sense. I'm Adan, the potions master. You saved my life." 

           "Oh." A small, uncertain smile tugged at Jor's mouth. "I should have known. Well, I'm glad I did." She glanced at his crutch. "How's the leg?" 

           "Hurts like hell, but that means I'm still breathing." He grinned a little and hobbled towards her down the hall. "I was heading to the Undercroft, I hear they found a place for me there."