A Candle in the Darkness (A Dragon Age: Inquisition fanfiction)

The Price

28 Solace, 9:44

The Qunari had some kind of fortress buried deep within the Fade, and Antonia climbed the many stone steps wearily. Her hand spat sparks and burned with the intensity of the fire within it, and she had to release the pressure of it more and more often. All she wanted was to kill this damned Viddasala and get it over with, but there were so many Qunari in the way, and she was so tired of fighting and fighting and never getting anywhere.

At last, they made it into the fortress, finding a large room where a dragon was chained. The poor thing looked sick, and it spat a slimy green poison.

"Boss," the Iron Bull said, "I think I can set it free."

"I thought you liked killing dragons."

He shook his head, looking at it sorrowfully. "Not like this."

"Go, then."

She and Dorian and Cole kept the other Qunari busy while the Iron Bull was opening the gate and breaking the dragon's chains. It took out several Qunari on its way, and then flew off. The flight was erratic and slow, but the dragon was free, and that was something. The Qunari couldn't use it against them—or anyone else.

The Viddasala was poised in front of yet another eluvian. If Antonia ever got out into the real world again, she never wanted to see another eluvian for the rest of her life.

Raising her arm, the Viddasala called out to her remaining troops. The only word Antonia understood was "Inquisition." And then the Viddasala looked at the Iron Bull. "Hissrad," she said, her voice pleading. "Now, please. Vinek kathas."

If the Iron Bull turned on them ... but he wouldn't, Antonia knew. She trusted him absolutely, and next to her, Dorian didn't take his eyes off the Viddasala. He trusted, too.

"Not a chance. Ma'am." The Iron Bull drew his sword, and the Viddasala spat a curse at him.

Antonia's hand sparked and sizzled, and she bent over, unable to hold back the cry of pain.

The Viddasala looked at her without pity. "You have such little time left. Elven magic already tore the sky apart; through you, it may yet shatter the world, as well. Perhaps the agents of Fen'Harel, your allies, can help you—but I think if they were going to, they already would have."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Antonia said through clenched teeth.

"Come, Inquisitor. I am the eyes and ears of the Qunari people. You cannot deceive me. You would have died from the mark on your hand, were it not for one of their chief agents."

As the true meaning of the Viddasala's words sank in, Dorian groaned. "I knew it."

"How did you know? When?" Antonia asked him.

"The suspicion has been growing. We need to find Solas."

"Yes," said the Viddasala. "He helped seal the Breach. He led you to Skyhold. He gave Corypheus the orb, then founded the Inquisition to fix his mistake. You cannot tell me you didn't know." Antonia's blank, startled look must have convinced her, because she burst out laughing. "How we have overestimated you, Inquisitor. We thought it was a cunning plan, this pretense of innocence while Solas did your dirty work, when in fact you know almost nothing at all. You were his pawn."

The Iron Bull growled. "I should have known."

"You are right, Hissrad. You should have."

Antonia's hand sparked again, and she fell to her knees, crying out with the agony.