The Girl from another World

Chapter 09

As much as Anne rolled the eyes over the chantry of the Maker, much to her regret, the chantry was a big part of the Inquisition, and a point why she even more adored Solas and Dorian. Mostly because Solas was a god himself and reminded her often of Loki and Dorian was a Tevinteran, the Satanists of the Maker religion. And the chantry hated the mages of Tevinter, so he was already condemned by that stupid religion anyways.

But the royals of Orlais and Ferelden, as of Nevarra, Antiva, the Free Marches and Starkhaven believed in Andraste, the Maker and all that stuff Anne for her declared as stupid. Despite knowing that Andraste for sure had existed.
So, it wasn't surprising that nobles visited the Skyhold to see the two holy appearances. The Herald of Andraste and the Maker's Envoy, as she was called.

Her first reaction to her new title was the try to not laugh.

"How for the sake of the dragons did that name happen?" she asked when she visited the room with the war table again. She joined the briefings there now and then in a half regular basis and told the Inquisitor about bigger happenings at places.

The name came up, when Josephine informed the Inquisitor of new visitors from Nevarra. Some cousins of Cassandra as much as Anne was able to follow the conversation. "They look forward to meet the Herald Andraste's and the Maker's Envoy." she chirped smiling; her dark eyes gleaming in her milk-chocolate brown face.

"Well, as much as I know, some people talked about a bright light that spilled a woman out of the sky. Her divine light was so bright that the dark and evil wasn't able to stand it, and the cursed arch demon fled in fear from her." Leliana told the story. Her words made it sound like a poem. The slight accent Leliana had made it sound playful and her grin she gave the people around said more than her words. She was involved in the spread of these words. There was no doubt, at least for Anne who knew Leliana well enough to tell.

Anne gave the bard a slight frown. "And the people believed that?" she wanted to know.

The playful smile even grew wider on the bard's face. "Oh, why not? I mean, that was exactly what happened, right?"

To be exact it partially was the truth, but truth to be told. Anne doubted that the Maker had anything to do with those happenings.

"Well, if it helps people to sleep, they shall call me whatever they want. I don't care, I guess." She mumbled slightly annoyed.

Josephine lifted her board and noted something. "I will tell Cassandra's cousins that they can come then." she informed the Inquisitor, and Rachel gave her a nod. Cullen was the one who started the stranger subject, no one wanted to touch in front of Anne.

"Milady, I don't want to insult you, but well, you are not from this world. So, I ask you, do you know the story of Andraste?" he asked her. Surprised Anne lifted her head to gaze at him. "I can't recall the sacred texts of Andraste or the chant of the light. But yes, I know the story of her.
She was enslaved by Tevinter, then later freed, returned to her tribe. Married Mafferat whom she gave two daughters – both weak in health, she met the Maker, they fell in love, the maker gave her power and with that and the allies amongst the elves under the leading of Shartan, she fought Tevinter to free the slaves. But Mafferat got jealous because he couldn't stand that Andraste loved someone else than him, so he sold her to the magister for more land and she got burned alive by the Tevinteran. Well at least they wanted to do that before the Archon stabbed her with the blade of Mercy to end her suffering. But now she is at the side of the Maker.
To keep that recall very short.
Is that right so far?" she asked, and Cullen nodded.

"Good, we didn't want to insult you, really. It's just..." he tried to explain himself, but Anne interrupted him. "Cullen, it's alright. I know why you asked. It could have been that I had no clue and in that case before someone would cause trouble because I have no idea about the story of your religion, you wanted to make sure, no one can get me with unknown facts about her." she said softly and smiled. It was cute how he cared. Anne remembered very well why she adored him through all the games. He was kind, gentle, protective, and just and would never do something that wasn't right.

Leliana changed the subject then. "Inquisitor, I've sent some of my men to the Western Approach. The Tevinter Ritual Tower awaits there." She informed the Inquisitor. A knot built up in Anne's throat and her stomach. She sighed. "Be careful Rachel. The Tevinteran mage uses Warden mages to slay not mages and use their blood to summon and bind demons. Nothing beautiful there if you ask me." The voice of the former player of the game was serious and Rachel nodded. She was thankful for the advice, but things had to be done.

"Make some men ready Cullen, just in case. Leliana, your agents shall keep the tower in view. I will take Varric, Cassandra and Dorian to crash that party." She said and Anne followed her with her gaze. She hoped everything would be alright.

She already learned that things changed around her, just because she was there, but she hoped she was able to change things for good.