What Secrets Await

Chapter 18: Hope and Ruin

Maeva was unable to sleep for the rest of the night. The remaining hours of darkness were spent watching the stars while clenching her arms and hands in the dark with confusion over her dreams. Though she was surrounded by other sleeping souls she felt more alone than ever.

Memories of Anthena flooded her mind. Big changes were nothing new to Maeva's life but her mother had always been at her side for them, until now.

Why am I here?

Why? Because mamae is dead, and I ran into Varric, and joined the Inquisition. This brought me to Haven and then to Skyhold, and now here to the mouth of the desert. I'm about to march closer to battle, fighting-- or at least crafting-- for a peaceful future.

Who is left to care about?

Her mind hung onto visions of Anthena while she cried, the grief of her loss denying all other possibilities. But as her tears finally ceased she thought of Varric. Her friend Varric, watching over her since she was a kid in Kirkwall, buying her nugskins even when he didn't need them, steady smile and easy laugh ever-present to make her day better. He was now the person she'd known the longest.

Varric is the closest thing I have to family now. I am thankful I found him after she died.

And Solas, because he saved me, because I think of him every day even if it is futile to pursue him. There's also Cullen, who is like a brother I never had. And of course Ellana, to whom I am grateful for making all of this possible. I may have only had brief exchanges with these people, but I can see them becoming my whole world if I wish it.

Despite these thoughts and her attempts to console herself, the loneliness traveled deep and was twisted with speculations. But then came the memory of Anthena's dying revelations.

The ring! Her message, the secret. That-- yes, that!-- is enough, for now at least. Hold fast, you, she told herself, the message in the ring awaits.

At last she rose quietly and washed her face in the water, a brief thought back to her latest dream. As dawn crept into the sky she busied herself by collecting elfroot and washing dishes in the little stream until the waking hour arrived.

Once risen, Cassandra briefed the Volunteers that were to remain at this camp while the others packed up bedrolls and the kitchen workspace. Next she addressed the other Volunteers to explain their assignments: Maeva was assigned to Griffon Wing Keep for her leatherworking skills, along with Gwenyn, the white-haired archer woman that was also a tailor, and a middle-aged gentle-looking man named Oliric who'd only held weapons when he crafted them. In sight of this, Cassandra assured them that they wouldn't be in any danger at the keep despite its proximity to the Adamant assault. On any other day Maeva would have been disappointed that she couldn't go to a more adventurous location and hunt instead of being a crafter in an established keep, until she learned the keep was in sight of Adamant Fortress. At this news she grinned, looking forward to witnessing the battle.

Together the departing group of them followed the road west through a wide canyon. Sun lit the yellow-orange sand and stones in every tone against a dusty azure sky. Wiry green clumps of dry grass spurted from the ground in dips along the rocks. They passed a quarry built against a high wall of the canyon, sheltered by a wooden roof and scaffold, and boasting an Inquisition flag.

Though it was still before midday the sun glared upon the travellers harshly, and Maeva winced as she hid her face behind her arm's shadow. The milder suns of the Hinterlands and even summery Kirkwall were no match for the desert's even if combined twofold. Meanwhile the burning sand chewed at her boot soles and snuck in through cracks to scratch her swollen toes.