Ripples in the Pond

4

Notes:

Bold - Elvish
<> = translation
Italics - thoughts
Underlined - WOS
*Asterisks* - Writing ✍️

Cassandra and Silvhen walk together inside the Chantry and as they go, Silvhen's sight is fixed on the mark. It's on his (only) organic hand humming like a bee and shining brilliantly as his eyes twist around it. It was almost enchanting if not for the fact that this thing would be the cause of another loss limb for him.

"Does it trouble you?" She asks, a hint of concern in her accent. His chest flushes at her voice. She is here, she is alive and breathing and yet she is different. He feels a slight pang and twitch in his hand. He wants to touch her, to hold her in his arms as she had done so many times for him, but instead he gently takes her by the hand and traces into her palm 'I am fine ... for now at least, Lady Cassandra.'

"That is good to know. I hope it stays that way for your sake." She says, looking up at him before they continue to Haven's War Room. "The Breach while it is sealed is stable as is your mark. You have given us time and Solas believes that a second attempt would be successful with more power."

Silvhen hums in response as Cassandra enters the War Room. He ducks under after her and stands at the center of the table as Cassandra makes formal introductions for his 3 advisors. He nods at Cullen, signs to Leliana and waves at Josephine. She waves back at him with a smile and an image of her dull, bruised face appears for a brief moment before he shoves it away.

'Pleasure to meet all of you.' He hears Leliana translate for the others as he places a hand on his heart and with the other he introduces himself. 'I am called Silvhen.'

Josephine smiles and tucks her clipboard under her arm and signs back. 'Good. Meet you. Silver?' Her Silent Tongue is very slow and hesitant. Must have been a while since she last used it, he thinks, chuckling as he corrects her.

'Silvien?'

'Silvhen.'

'Silfen.'

'Silvhen.'

'Silvhen' she signs correctly and he nods enthusiastically. 'You did it!' He cheers as she makes the signs for his name repeatedly before looking up at him with her usual sweet smile. "Apologies, for my Silent Tongue, Ser Silvhen. It has been many years since I last ran into another who used it. So I'm a bit rusty."

Silvhen waves his hand at her dismissively. 'It is fine, my lady. I applaud you for your effort and if you would like I can teach you more and perhaps Elvish too if you are up for it.' He says recalling that Josephine did not know much elvish and that he wouldn't mind teaching her again.

"Yes! That would be wonderful." Josephine says, clapping her hands. Leliana clears her throat and Silvhen turns and faces the Spymaster as she gives him a polite smile. "Cassandra has informed us that we need more power to seal the Breach for good and that means we must approach the Rebel Mages for help." She starts.

"I still disagree. The Templars could serve just as well." Cullen counters sternly, hands clasped over his front. Ah, the bickering. Despite how annoying and utterly pointless the arguments seemed it was comforting to hear them, to see them, to be with them after... after...

He's snapped from his trance when he catches Josephine gesturing to him and quickly tells them 'It makes no difference to me. I have no care for the Chantry. I care about us finding a way to seal it. We don't need the Chantry to make it so.'

"That is true, Silvhen," He smiles at his name. It had been so long since he heard it. "However, some are calling you a dalish(?)..." He nods. "a dalish elf- The Herald of Andraste". This frightens the Chantry and so the remaining clerics have declared it blasphemy and we, heretics for harboring you."