Breaking the Divide - Cullen X Reader

3

Y/N pressed her nose up against the glass until it hurt.

Sweet buns, little cakes, and decorated pastries sat in neat piles inside the shop. Her mouth watered as she stared at them, wondering if they'd taste half as good as they appeared.

"Herald," Cassandra called, voice sharp and strained, "The mothers will be waiting for us."

"Along with a bunch of templars, apparently," Varric added under his breath.

"I still cannot believe it. I know Lord Seeker Lucius. I can't imagine him coming to the Chantry's defense, not after all that's occurred."

"I'm not so sure about that," Y/N said, fighting off her pout as she finally pulled herself away from the lure of chocolate. "I doubt he was thrilled to hear that the Inquisition had named a mage as the Herald of Andraste."

"Even so," Cassandra said, "to say that they are protecting people from us. We are the only ones trying to close the Breach!"

Varric put a hand on Cassandra's arm when she her hands tightened into fists. "I think she knows that, Seeker."

"Thank you, Varric," Cassandra snapped. "But you can—"

"Good people of Val Royeaux, hear me!"

Y/N walked around the pair of them and into the main square where nobles and commoners from all over the city were gathering. The woman who'd spoke was dressed in traditional Chantry robes, her head piously covered as she preached to the mixed crowd. The woman's worn eyes flicked to Y/N's face and a ghost of a sneer pulled her lips. "Together we mourn our Divine. Her naïve and beautiful heart silenced by treachery. You wonder what will become of her murderer. Well, wonder no more. Behold—" She threw out her arm in Y/N's direction, her sneer no longer subtle. "The so-called Herald of Andraste. Claiming to rise where our beloved fell. We say this is a false prophet. The Maker would send no mage in our hour of need!"

Y/N glared up at her, feeling the chill of frost begin to build between her fingers. How dare she. How dare she! Standing there above the rest as though she was better, preaching about things she didn't understand to people she cared nothing about. Any member of the Chantry who turned their backs on those in need had no right to wear those robes.

"Easy there," Varric muttered at Y/N's side.

"Do not give into anger," Solas said. "Do not give them more reason to denounce you."

"I know that," Y/N growled through clenched teeth. Tightening her fists, she clenched them until she feared her fingers might freeze. With a haggard sigh, she released her rage, shards of ice falling to the ground beside her feet. She stepped forward and addressed the crowd instead.

"Believe whatever you want about me. That's not why I'm here. That's not why the Inquisition is here. The sky is torn apart; you've seen it, we've all seen it. I'm not here to be your prophet. I'm not here to tell you the will of Andraste. I'm here to ask for your help before the Breach dooms us all."

"It's true!" Cassandra rushed forward, eyes shifting between faces and masks as she spoke. "The Inquisition seeks only to end this madness before it is too late."

"It is already too late," the mother spat. "The templars have returned to the Chantry. They will face this 'Inquisition,' and the people will be safe from your lies once more."

The templar behind the woman puffed out his chest, his green eyes nearly glowing with pride at her words.

"Lord Seeker," Cassandra whispered under her breath as a set of men dressed in full Templar armor marched onto the dais. Lucius glanced the mother over once before passing by. The mother took a single step towards him before she crashed onto your knees. The man behind her shook out his fist, fingers running over the knuckles that had smashed into your head.