seen from United States
seen from China
seen from Romania
seen from Kazakhstan
seen from China
seen from Russia
seen from Greece
seen from United States
seen from Tunisia
seen from China
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Saudi Arabia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Colombia
seen from Vietnam
Chapter 28: Open up your eyes (aka This is filler!)
Read on AO3
Cassandra and Varric watched the exchange from the walkway above. They were standing at the edge leaning on the wall where could see and hear without being seen from below. Cassandra shook her head making a disgusted noise as Seth and Cullen parted after a short and rambling conversation.
“Those two are ridiculous,” she said, “Setharial is the leader of the Inquisition and Cullen is the commander of an army. You think they’d be able to talk to each other without acting like a silly school children.”
Varric chuckled, “Seth can face down dragons and crazed Darkspawn Magisters, but she’s not so good with emotions. And Curly’s so nervous around her that she starts to get nervous too. Notice she starts rubbing her ear? Then she crosses her arms to stop herself.”
“She usually starts that right after Cullen starts rubbing his neck and blushing,” Cassandra added with a snort, “Though, I swear he blushes whenever she so much as looks in his direction.”
“Very true, Seeker. At least she didn’t give him brass marigolds or send a sheaf of wheat and some goats to his mother.”
Cassandra snorted again, remembering the story Varric had told her about Kirkwall’s guard captain and her first attempt at courting her husband, “We’ll step in if it looks like it’s going in that direction.”
Varric nodded his agreement and patted the Seeker’s hand softly, quite pleased that she didn’t pull away. Then, they parted ways to return to work.
Seth Da’lath: Chapter 26 - Three Cheers for the Inquisitor
On AO3
Seth walked up onto the rise Solas had pointed out and gasped. Skyhold was beautiful. It was an enormous castle surrounded by high stone battlements. It definitely needed some repairs but it was beautiful. The stones were lightly colored and shone in the early morning light. There was sheer cliffs on three sides, leaving only one entrance to the fortress, and giving a fantastic view of the mountain behind. Sethariel stood and watched the sunrise behind their new castle while Solas went to send a message to the rest of the Inquisition.
Cole hesitated for a moment then moved up to stand beside Sethariel. She was still looking at Skyhold but the wonder had passed and he could tell she was worried.
“You won’t fall,” he said.
“I know.”
“You fell before. Ice and snow, you fell and lost your ear. But you won’t fall this time,” Cole said soothingly.
“It’s more than that,” Seth sighed.
“You’ve been afraid since you were little, but heights can’t hurt,” Cole said matter-of-factly.
“Falling off them can,” Seth grimaced and rubbed her flattened ear.
“But you’re not falling,” Cole was starting to get confused. It wasn’t usually this hard to help and something was not right. “Why isn’t this helping?” This wasn’t the first time he’d tried to help with Seth but it never seemed to work.
Seth sighed and gave the boy a reassuring pat on the shoulder, “Cole, I’m not really worried about falling, it’s a lot more than that. And you are helping me.”
“Really?” he asked, “It’s hard to tell. I can hear you a little but it’s too bright and you buzz too much.” He was very serious.
Seth smiled then gave the spirit boy a hug, “It’s alright Cole, you are helping me. Much more than you know. Come on, let’s go.”
Cole brightened a little at this reassurance of his helpfulness and followed Sethariel back to the others.
“Well Josie, what do you think?” Seth asked as she the ambassador around Skyhold.
“It’s much larger than I expected,” she replied with a smile as she took notes yet more, “When we have it fixed up it’ll be perfect.”
They walked through the main hall and into a large side room.
“I think this should be your office,” Seth said, “It’s the perfect location and there’s a room you can use a conference room through that hall. Part of the wall is missing though, so it’ll need to be fixed as soon as possible.”
Josie nodded as she headed into the hallway and examined the hole, “I’ll have some builders come take a look. Maybe we can put a nice window here since it faces a sheer drop.”
“Or a nice opaque stone wall,” Seth quipped peering around the door frame.
Josie laughed then looked seriously at Seth, “Herald…” she hesitated, “Seth, there’s something we need to talk about.”
Cassandra cornered her as she tried to sneak out of out of the great hall.
Cullen was working the crowd below, they were cheering for her. Seth took the sword gingerly from Leliana she could barely lift it.
“Hold it over your head,” hissed Cassandra kindly, trying to help.
“I can’t!” she said under her breath.
She was starting to panic. These people had made her their Herald now they wanted her to be Inquisitor.
“This is insane. You’re all insane! ”
Suddenly the sword was much lighter. Someone was using magic to lift it. She spotted Dorian, giving her a small smile and an encouraging nod. Sethariel held the sword up with one hand, over her head using her own magic to lift it and tried to suppress her urge to bolt.
“Shit. How am I supposed to lead these people?”
Seth Da’lath: Chapter 25 - Feathers and Fur
I realized today I never posted this chapter *facepalm*
on AO3
“Where are we going to go?” asked Josephine. “We need to get everyone relocated as soon possible.”
“I agree, we’re too exposed here and we don’t have the resources to keep everyone warm through the winter,” Cullen added.
“Solas has found something,” Seth said, then motioned for him to explain.
“Ah, yes. There is a fortress near here,” Solas said, “In common, the name would be something like Skyhold. It’s abandoned, and in need of repairs, but it is large and easily defendable. It should only take us few weeks to reach it.”
“I suggest we send a scouting party ahead,” Cassandra said.
“A wise suggestion Seeker,” Solas said, inclining his head slightly.
“Solas, Cassandra, Cole, and I can go,” Seth volunteered.
Normally, she’d take Varric or Sera but many members of the Inquisition were still uncomfortable with Cole. Especially since they kept forgetting about him. Seth wanted to keep him with her for the time being. Varric had taken a shine to Cole, so he would soften up the others while they were scouting.
“I like helping, but you think I might get into trouble. Sometimes they’re afraid because they don’t remember me,” Cole murmured from beside her. He sounded sad.
“Exactly,” Sethariel murmured back.
“But I get to come and help you?”
Seth nodded and Cole seemed contented.
Leliana nodded her approvement of the plan though she didn’t seem to notice Seth and Cole’s aside, “We can send a few other groups out too, to collect supplies. Then follow behind you.”
As everyone left the meeting Cullen stopped Sethariel, “Could I have a word?”
Sethariel nodded and they walked towards CUllen’s temporary command center. He gave her a rough map Harding and some some of her scouts had managed to put together of the area ahead. There were a few paths that were to dangerous to cross but there seemed to be a northwestern passage that seemed save.
“Thank you, this will be useful. Solas can only find out so much from the Fade. Please thank Harding for me. This is good work, especially with all that’s happened.”
“Our people are doing surprisingly well,” he said, his tone slightly absent.
“That’s good, very good. I am glad you - ah, and so many people survived” Sethariel pulled hand from her ear and tucked it under her arm.
“As am I,” Cullen said softly then looked away.
“Maybe I should go,” Seth turned and started to leave.
“You stayed behind, you could have…” Cullen said suddenly, stopping Seth in her tracks. His voice was soft but serious, “I will not allow the events of Haven to happen again.”
Seth blinked, surprised. Everything felt rather intense.
“You know, I have something to confess,” Seth said softly. She was interested in Cullen, she’d accepted that. She also realized she wasn't going to get to go home any time soon. And, if he was also interested… Well, maybe she should find out. Or she could just leave it alone.
Cullen heart thumped loudly but he couldn’t possibly imagine what she would need to confess to him. He let her proceed.
“When I first met you, the very first thing I thought was that your armor was the stupidest thing I had ever seen. You were wearing that lion helm and everything was so fluffy and shiny, it was ridiculous.”
Cullen stared at her for a moment, then burst out laughing. It was a warm hearty laugh, full of mirth. He hadn’t laughed like that in a long time. As it subsided, he looked at Seth. She was watching him, a wide grin on her face.
“I’ve never heard you laugh like that,” she said.
“I don’t do it very often,” he replied, still smiling.
“You should, it’s nice.”
Cullen felt a blush starting to creep up his face. His smile slipped, and he reached up to rub his neck. “Yes, well…” he managed to stammer out.
Seth suddenly felt rather flustered herself, and fingering her left ear as she started talking again. “About your armor though.” Seth said crossing her arms in an effort to suppress her nervous habit, she was still watching him intently. “Why do you wear it? Not armor in general, I mean, but that particular armor.”
“Oh, um, well,” he tried to collect his thoughts. “It was given to me when I joined the Inquisition.”
In truth, he really didn’t know why he wore that particular armor. Leliana and Josephine had picked it out, they had giggled about it too he recalled. He hadn’t argued, it wasn’t important, but he had grown fond of the fur trimmed cape and vest that went over it, and now was more than a little embarrassed that she thought it was silly.
“It’s just I thought lions were an Orlesian thing,” Seth interjected, “and you’re… And the feathers...” She stopped, her brain finally catching up with her mouth, “Uh, anyway, I should let you get back to work and I need to get packed up,” she finished feeling ridiculously stupid.
“Maker’s breath,” he mentally rebuked himself, disappointed by the downward turn of the conversation.
Then a sudden impulse struck and he blurted out, “It’s fur, actually."
“What?” Seth was confused.
“The trim on my cape, it’s fur not feathers. You were confused about it as well, when we found you,” Cullen explained. He wasn’t sure why he was telling her this, but it had seemed important.
Sethariel blushed slightly, it was quite fetching Cullen thought. But then he realized her smile had faded and he frowned.
“No, no! I didn’t mean to insult him. Ramble like an idiot. Fluffy feathers. No! Damn it, fur! Fur and soft red fabric draped over hard, shiny armor. He’s so pr...” Seth whipped around and grabbed the spirit boy behind her, cutting him off mid-sentence. Cullen could see her ears had turned pink.
His own blush intensified as he processed what the boy had said, “Was he going to say pretty?”
“Cole! How nice to see you! In a talking mood, I see. We should go,” she dragged the boy away quickly. “See you later Commander,” she called over her shoulder.
“But I was making it better,” the boy was protesting.
Cullen heard her say to the strange lad, “No. No, you weren’t!”
“Maker’s breath!” the boy said, “I wasn’t trying to make her feel bad. I just wanted to talk more. Shouldn’t have said anything, should have let it drop. But it was nice to talk. So stupid. Always saying the wrong thing to her. ”
Sethariel stopped and half turned back towards the Commander. She and Cullen both looked around in embarrassed silence for a moment while Cole looked between the two of them, an expectant expression on his face.
Cullen was about to speak, but Seth beat him to it
“Thank you again for the map and… and your cape it is quite nice either way. Very nice. Goodbye, Commander Cullen. I’ll see you later,” she said, brushing the hair back from her eyes before turning and leading Cole away.
“I look forward to it, my lady,” Cullen replied. He watched them for a moment grinning like an idiot before schooling his face and returning to his duties.
Ask anything you like about my oc’s.
Seth Da’lath:Chapter 24 - From the Past
Read on AO3
Solas materialized beside her, “A word, lethallan. In private.”
She nodded. Seth still found it odd when Solas used the familiar term with her.
The Inquisition forces were all singing a song, some kind of hymn, she’d never heard. It was surreal. Mother Giselle had told her their faith would sustain them and seemed to think that would make everything better and somehow magically persuade her to believe in the Maker. For now maybe things would alright, but Seth didn’t want this turning into some kind of crazy, holy war. These people needed to think beyond their Chantry. If she had any say, they’d help anyone regardless of race or faith.
The song was beautiful though. Cullen had even joined in, his voice was a pleasant tenor. He’d looked at her for a long moment, like he was singing to her, before looking away and joining the rest of the crowd.
Seth was shaken from her thoughts by realizing Solas was walking on top of the snow. He slunk gracefully over the snow, barely leaving footprints.
“How do you do that?” she asked, amazed and slightly short of breath as she waded through thigh high snow.
He looked back at her and chuckled, then held out his hand and helped her step up. He used a little magic to help her walk on top of the snow too, though he wasn’t using any for himself.
They stopped at a veilfire brazier.
“Your accomplishments are impressive,” Solas said, hand clasped behind himself, “None of our kind have ever been so highly regarded by humans.”
“Well, there was Shartan. Though, he, of course, was murdered trying to rescue his lover and now is considered heretical and knowledge of him is repressed,” Solas chucked and Sethariel continued, “But, um, thank you?”
Sethariel had a bad feeling about this conversation, there was an unspoken ‘but’ hanging on the end of his statement.
“But,” Solas continued.
“Ah,” she thought, “There it is.”
“The orb Corypheus had, it was of elvhen origin.”
Seth put her face in her hands, “Of course it is, of course it bloody is.”
“You see our problem then.”
Seth looked up, “It it one of the orbs you think? The orbs of power the ancients had?”
Solas looked a little surprised, but made a small noise of agreement, “Yes.”
“Shit!” she felt the buzzing in her head increase, “Do you think we should tell the others? Oh creators, I’m not sure how they would take it…”
“Indeed,” Solas replied, “The elves may very well be blamed.”
“But they must realize the elves don’t have that sort of power anymore... Honesty may be our best course,” Seth said slowly as she thought, “We don’t need to tell everyone but Cassandra, Josie, Leliana, and Cullen should know at the very least. But, if we tell Cass, we have to tell Varric…” Her thoughts were more formed now and she began speaking rapidly, “I think we should just tell the whole inner circle of the Inquisition. It’s the only way I think to keep this from blowing up in our faces. Maybe... not right away. That would just set everyone on edge. Do you think you could gather some more information? That way we can give them a better idea of what we’re facing.”
“Of course,” Solas’ mouth quirked into a half smile.
“He gets to do fade research, so he’s happy,” Seth sighed, at least they had a plan, “I’m the one who has to break the news that the magic Orb is an elvhen relic.”
Seth Da’lath: Chapter 23 - Somewhat Slightly Dazed
AO3
(Some strong language)
Sethariel had no idea how much time had gone by when she woke up. She tried to lift herself but her arm gave out under her. Her right arm was broken, she could vaguely see the bulge where the bone was sticking out. Seth couldn’t feel her arm at all which she knew was not a good thing but there was nothing she could do about that. It hurt to breath so she probably had some cracked ribs too.
Seth used a little magic to help her breath a little easier and scrambled to her feet, cradling the useless arm against her. Then the nausea hit and she emptied her stomach. Seth managed to stay upright by leaning against a wall of the cave. After a few minutes, she was enough recovered that she could somewhat assess her situation as best she could. Seth still was thinking straight so it took her several minutes to figure out that she had a healing potion that wasn’t broken. She drank it slowly. There was no point in saving it but she knew didn’t want to vomit again. Besides, she was tired and the cave she was in was fairly sheltered so she could rest for a few moments and try to get some kind of a plan together.
As the healing potion began to help her a little, Seth realized she was in some kind of tunnel. She wandered around for a time and found a path leading out onto the mountain. It was freezing cold with the snow up over her knees. She’d lost her staff but at least she was wearing a coat and boots. She walked for what felt like an eternity. Her steps were heavy and she was stumbling more and more as the night went on. She came across and old fire but it was long cold. Wolves howled in the night. Poor things, sounded like they were checking on each other. Maybe looking for lost pack members.
Seth slogged on. She needed to find her friends. She muttered to herself, her left eye was refusing to open. Her friends would be distraught if she died. And the world needed her to help close the rifts.
Seth remembered Dorian’s face as Bull dragged him away. She couldn’t do that to him. And…
“Creators, Cullen.”
He would blame himself if she died. He’d already started to blame himself when they’d parted at Haven. She’d just have to keep moving.
Seth had learned lots of good, new swear words hanging around with The Iron Bull and his Chargers. She used them liberally as she shuffled on through the snow.
****
Seth had seen the lights but she’d collapsed, she couldn’t walk anymore. Maybe it had been a snow mirage or a hallucination. She’d even thought she’d heard someone yelling ‘There she is! We’ve found her!’. But that was crazy.
Yet, now someone was scooping her up and wrapping her in something warm. It felt like a wool blanket. She managed to open an eye and saw Cullen’s blurry face. Sethariel shut her eye again for a moment, not quite sure of this was real or not.
“You need to stay awake,” someone was telling her. It sounded like Cullen’s voice.
“Sethariel, stay awake.”
“Cassandra?”
Seth felt like she was being carried and she still felt warmth. She opened her eye again. Her vision was still blurry but she still saw Cullen and she could see the blurred form of Cassandra nearby.
“I’m ‘wake,” she managed eventually. Her words were still slurred like she was drunk. She shivered, she was still so cold even wrapped in a wool blanket.
Suddenly Cullen put her down. She could still only manage to keep one eye open but watched him take off his cape thingy and wrap it around her. Then he picked her up again and they started off.
The commander’s wrap was still warm from his body heat, which helped her to warm up a little more. She let her eye close and got yelled at again by Cassandra.
“Good old Cassandra.”
Seth started to reply that she wasn’t sleeping but something fuzzy tickled her face.
“It’sh feasherz,” she blurted out. “The damn thing’sh feasherz. And ish two partz.”
“What?” Cullen sounded confused.
Seth peeked at him but her vision was still too blurry to see his expression clearly.
“Thought it wash fur,” she muttered, then plucked weakly at the vest he was still wearing trying to explain she also hadn’t realized the outer cape and vest were separate pieces. They didn’t understand the last part, but Seth heard Cassandra let out a short, frustrated laugh.
“I think she’s going to be alright,” Cassandra said, her tone warm though it did sound rather forced.
The walk didn’t take too long. Seth managed to stay awake with Cullen and Cassandra’s help. Solas and Dorian met them at the edge of a camp. Dorian insisted on carrying Sethariel to the tent they had for her. Solas was already using healing magic before they got there.
Cullen and Cassandra must have followed because when Dorian put her down on a soft, warm bed she heard him trying to shoo them off.
“They can shtay, if they wan’,” Seth muttered to Solas.
“Alright, lethallan,” Solas replied, “ but you have to stay quiet. Dorian, they can stay. The two of you just sit over there.”
Solas fussed for a long time, Dorian acting as nurse. They had to cut her coat and blouse off because they didn’t want to try to pull it off over her broken arm. The bone was sticking out against the bruised skin. She thought she’d be cold in just her undershirt, but the tent was very warm.
“Lethallan, you have a broken arm and some cracked ribs.”
Sethariel tried to say ‘No shit eggman’. But it just came out, “Nosh eggim.”
Solas ignored her, understanding the intent if not the words, “The break in your arm is clean but I need to set it. This is going to hurt, do you want someone to hold your other hand?”
Seth said yes and Dorian moved to her side grasping her good hand.
Solas continued. “Seeker, would you please come hold her legs, just in case she kicks involuntarily.”
Cassandra moved to grasp her legs, Cullen moved with her, fidgeting slightly.
“I’m the one getting medicaled,” Seth told him, “Stop worr’ng.”
Cullen gave her a sad smile. She was right, he was blaming himself.
“Idiot. Like him getting himself bloody killed would have fucking helped any bloody thing.”
“'Medicaled' isn’t a word, dear.” Dorian pointed out.
“What’vr,” Seth sighed.
Solas set her arm then. He was fast, it was done in a single quick movement. It hurt all the way up her arm and shoulder and down into her hand. She gasped and gripped Dorian’s hand tightly but didn’t kick. The sharp pain began to dull and Solas used magic to knit the bones together.
Solas then moved to her head. He concentrated on it for a long time. When he was done, her vision was much clearer but still a little blurred. He slumped back in his seat.
“She needs a lot of rest. Thankfully, no permanent damage. The skull fracture and concussion were both relatively minor and I was able to fully heal them. She is lucky,” Solas said wearily.
“I have a hard head,” Seth replied, trying to focus her vision, “And thank you.”
Solas ignored her, “I’d rather leave the ribs at least for tonight. They’ll heal better if the swelling has time to go down on it’s own. Let’s get this shirt off and we’ll put a compress on it.”
Dorian, who was still holding her hand, leaned down and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead. Then he got up to get the compress material for Solas.
Seth could see Cullen turn bright pink.
“I should go,” he muttered fleeing the tent.
“Baby,” she muttered closing her eyes for a moment.
Her head was pounding, but she was thinking more clearly and no longer felt the urge to swear violently with every other word.
Cassandra snorted and helped Seth get her undershirt and combat bra off. Solas put the compress on her ribs and bandaged them firmly. Cassandra helped Sethariel into a light, strapless tube top and a shawl. Then, she fluffed a pillow and laid Sethariel back down on it gently.The compress started off feeling uncomfortably cold then became warm. Cassandra covered her up in blankets, then told her apologetically that she needed to go.
“Go to sleep now, lethallan,” Solas told her, he was leaving as well.
“I’ll stay with you,” Dorian added.
Seth smiled at him, then snuggled down into her blankets and went to sleep.
Seth Da’lath: Chapter 22 - Attack on Haven
On AO3
Haven was still celebrating that evening when Cullen came and collected Seth and her inner circle, making sure they had their weapons.
“The scouts have reported what appears to be troops closing in our position,” he said gravely. “I think you should come see.”
They headed to the gates to take a look.
“I can’t come in unless you open!” a voice cried. It sounded like a young man, and he was banging on the gates of Haven, “Let me in! I want to help!”
Sethariel felt funny, she knew that voice. “Let him in!” she ordered.
The guards hesitated for a moment but jumped to help her when she started opening the gate herself. A tall, thin, blonde boy with a ridiculous looking hat slipped in. The guards closed the gates again.
“The red templars are coming. They want to hurt you, but - you probably know that. The Elder One is angry with you. You took his mages. He’s so loud,” the boy said, grabbing Seth’s hand.
“I know you,” Seth said, “How?”
“I’m Cole. We met but didn’t. It was with the red templars.”
Seth nodded, “How long do we have before they get here?”
“Not long. The Elder One is very angry.” Cole whispered conspiratorially, “He has a dragon.”
“Herald, you don’t seriously believe this? Someone is headed our way, but a dragon?” Cullen asked.
She knew it was true even though she wasn’t sure how, “I know it sounds crazy Cullen, but I know this, um, boy. He’s trying to help. And what’s coming our way is bad. Very bad.”
“He seems to be a spirit,” Solas said with some interest.
“Yes…” Seth said slowly, “I know.”
“An abomination?” Vivienne gasped and Cullen gripped his sword, “Herald, you can’t trust him,”
“He is not an abomination, he is a spirit. This is the form the spirit has chosen, he is not possessing anyone,” Solas stated, clasping his hands behind his back.
“A demon in human form, delightful!” Vivienne made a face.
“No, he’s here to help. You’ll just need to trust me on this Vivienne. He… he saved my life once,” Sethariel spoke slowly, her eyes narrowed, grasping at wisps of memories.
“You remember! You shouldn’t, but you do!” the boy said excitedly.
“Only a little, Cole,” Seth said with a soft smile and patted the boy’s arm affectionately. She turned to the others, “We need to get the people into the Chantry.”
“Luckily all the mages have made their way back down here from the mountain. They’re tired but they’re in good enough shape to fight. I’ve already sent out orders to get our troops into position and … Herald,” Cullen pointed and handed Seth his spyglass.
Out on the hills an enormous figure followed by glowing red men had appeared. The thing looked vaguely like a man, but corrupted, it was some kind of darkspawn. Varric gasped. Another figure joined it, it was a man but there was something wrong with him and he had a faint red glow to him. There was an army with them. They had at one time been men and women but now spikes of Red Lyrium jutted from their bodies. They were the Red Templars.
“That’s Samson,” Cullen said, his voice angry, “He won’t make this easy. We need to move now!” He started shouting orders to the troops.
“The Elder One made them red and angry. It sings bad songs to them.” Cole said sagely. “He’s angry you took his mages. You took some of his templars too. You weren’t supposed to.”
Seth began giving her own people orders, the Red Templars were almost to the gates. “Bull! You and the Chargers make sure the civilians make it the Chantry safely. Leave some to protect them, then get back out here. Solas, go with them to the Chantry, they’ll need your help in there. Blackwall, Vivienne, Sera, you go to the stay here and help Cullen. Try to keep to many from getting through. Dorian, Varric, Cassandra you come with me. We’ll run damage control. Cole, help keep people calm.”
Everyone scrambled to their jobs. Cassandra looked pleased with Seth, she was proud of the woman’s control and quick decision making.
The Red Templar attack was swift and vicious. Sethariel’s party managed to keep the trebuchets outside the walls much longer than anticipated but were eventually forced to sabotage them and retreat back to the gates. The templars numbers were so great they managed to breach the walls at one point. Seth’s band and the soldiers were able to drive them out. Unfortunately, the village was on fire. They were able to rescue the few people trapped by the fires and get the wounded to safety.
Seth was heading to the gates she saw the dragon. The troops retreated and everyone headed into the chantry, barricading the door.
“I’m afraid we’ve lost the time you bought us,” Commander Cullen said sadly.
“It’s not your fault. Perhaps we should look into procuring a dragon,” Seth replied, her humor a little forced.
“We can use the trebuchets to start an avalanche,” Cullen added, “At least that will stop them.”
“But the entire village will be buried,” Sethariel protested.
“At least we will get choose our deaths, very few have that choice.”
Sethariel bit back a scathing comment, the commander had a point and it was clear he was not making this suggestion lightly.
“He wants to help,” Cole said.
Both the commander and Herald turned to see Cole supporting a badly wounded Chancellor Rodrick. The man had a deep wound in his side that he was clutching at weakly.
“He needs to say something. It’s important,” Cole said, getting the man to a seat. Seth came over and used a little healing magic to examine him. He was going to die, he had a punctured lung and several of his internal organs were severely damaged. The Chancellor had also lost a lot of blood. She was able to use her magic to dull the pain a little and stop some of the bleeding.
With Cole’s help, the Chancellor told them about the path out the back of the Chantry.
Seth took the Chancellor’s hand, “Thank you for telling us this.” She lowered it gently and turned, “Cullen, you need to get everyone out.”
“What about you?” he asked though he knew the answer.
“I’ll go deal with the Dragon and this Elder One and buy you the time you need. I’ll start an avalanche and bring the whole bloody mountain down on them. Send up a signal when you have everyone clear.”
“But… what about you?” He shook his head. “Perhaps…” Cullen swallowed, “Perhaps, you’ll surprise it, find a way?” He tried to make his tone hopeful.
“Ahh, you know me, I’ll come up with something,” she shrugged, trying to feign confidence she didn’t feel, “You just take care of them.” She reach out and grasped his upper arm for a moment, “Good luck, Cullen.” She turned to leave.
“Maker watch over you,” he replied quietly then turned to get everyone moving out the back passage.
Cole was helping Chancellor Roderick up, but he made the boy stop and spoke to Sethariel. “Herald if you are meant for this, if the Inquisition is…” he wheezed heavily and began coughing up blood but continued, “I’ll pray for you.”
She nodded and gave him a small smile.
Seth took Cassandra, Dorian, The Iron Bull, and Varric. Solas protested but she needed him to stay with main group. He was the best healer they had and many people were injured. He acquiesced but before he left he grabbed her shoulder and turned her to look at him.
“Stay alive, lethallan. Don’t do anything stupid,” his voice was serious.
Seth looked at him sadly. “I’ll try, Solas. But I can’t promise,” she was serious.
Solas didn’t look pleased but joined the refugees. Blackwall and Sera had sense enough not to argue.
Sethariel and her small group moved out, fighting their way through to the trebuchets. They got them aimed and focused on holding their position until they got the signal from Cullen.
Seth thought they were going to make it but then the Elder One and his dragon were bearing down on them.
“Move, now!” Seth shouted but her friends didn’t want to leave her.
She refused to see them die, “Not again. Never again,”
Seth dragged up as much mana as she could safely and threw them bodily, using a combination of wind and barriers, towards the path to the Chantry. She didn’t give herself time to be surprised that it had actually worked because the dragon was now in front of her spewing hot flames.
“No!” Dorian shouted and tried to get back to her, Seth spared him a quick look and saw The Iron Bull grab the smaller man and haul him away.
“If I live I owe him pint, hell, a whole keg for that.”
But living was a big if. The dragon breathed more flames, this time she wasn’t able to roll away fast enough. The Elder One grabbed her by her left wrist lifting her into the air. He tried to do something to the mark but it didn’t work and her roared in anger. Then he threw her against the trebuchet. She had hit her head and was a little dazed, but seemed unharmed and she got to her feet as quickly as she could.
The Elder One was strutting towards her.
“Seriously, he’s strutting like a great… fucking, ugly peacock.”
Maybe she had hit her head harder than she’d thought. She tried to focus but her vision was starting to blur, “Oh, shit.”
He was talking, yammering on about how she was a mistake the Anchor should have never been hers. How he’d entered heaven to find the golden city empty.
“Whassit? You’re a magister? You look like shit,” Seth replied.
This didn’t make him too happy, “I am Corypheus, and I am your god.”
“No you aren’t. You can’t just go roun’ an… an’ fucking appoint yourshelf!” her words were horribly slurred, but she still managed to convey her utter disgust with him.
“You’re opinion is duly noted and ignored. You’ll be dead soon anyway,” he began to move closer.
Then, Seth saw the signal.
“Wrong bitch!”
He shouldn’t have left her so close to the trebuchet. She hit the lever, Corypheus’ eye or eyes, Seth wasn’t quite sure, followed the projectile. By time he responded to the avalanche, she was already running away. Albeit, somewhat unsteadily. She didn’t really think she could outrun it but she might be able to find a hiding place or something. The ground started shaking and she fell into a deep hole that opened in front of her.
Seth Da’lath: Chapter 21 - A Hero Party
On AO3
Sethariel woke around noon, feeling much better. Her hand and arm hurt, but she didn’t have a headache. There was a faint buzzing in her head, but it wasn’t painful. She headed out into the village.
Everyone was celebrating. Tables, many of them makeshift, were set up everywhere despite the cold. There was food and drink for all. People toasted her as she passed, and cheers followed her.
Seth ran into Krem. “There’s our triumphant Herald!” Krem cried merrily and clapped her on the back.
“Thanks Krem. Having fun?”
“Of course,” he grinned. “Have you found your friends yet?”
“Just you,” she replied with a smile.
She and Krem got on famously.
“Gah, you just have a weakness for us handsome Tevinter men,” Krem said laughing.
Seth nodded, smiling. “True.”
“I’ll take you to the rest of your gang,” he led Sethariel through the milling crowd to the tavern.
She had to grab his hand so she wouldn’t lose him. They tried to push through but made no headway until Krem started shouting, “Make way for the Herald!”
The crowd cheered and parted for them.
Sethariel’s inner circle, even Vivienne, were seated at a large table in the middle of the room. Cassandra and Solas made room for her between them. She indicated Krem was welcome to sit but he shook his head, a mischievous grin clearly saying he had better places to be.
“Your lady friend?” she mouthed. He nodded and she couldn’t help but grin. She was so pleased things were working out between them. Krem had been a little nervous but Seth had kept reminding him if the girl was worth his time, she would like him for himself.
The Iron Bull shouted, “Speech! Speech! Speech!’ and pounded his mug on the table. Vivienne arched an eyebrow at him, but she seemed amused.
Seth shook her head, she didn’t have anything to say, but the rest of the table took up the cry. She gave in and stood.
“So, we’ve closed the Breach. Umm….Thank you all for coming. Have fun!” Seth sat back down. The tavern erupted in laughter and more cheers. Her short speech seemed to have pleased them.
Dorian was sitting across from her, leaned forward and asked through his laughter, “Thanks for coming? Thats your big speech?”
“You wanted it to be longer or you wanna go back to drinking?” The Iron Bull grinned.
"Brevity is the soul of wit," Vivienne almost smirked.
"Exactly ma'am," Bull said in his most respectful tone.
“Drinking! Drinking! Drinking!” shouted Sera, ignoring the First Enchanter. Sera looked like she was already feeling a little better, or worse. for the wine. “And cake!” She shoved a heaping plate of cake at Seth, “Saved this for you!”
Seth and Sera were on better terms now. Seth had gotten a little more used to the younger woman’s different personality and Sera had, somewhat, accepted that Seth needed a lot of quiet time. Seth thought they might even become friends.
Seth thanked her and took a bite, it was delicious, “This is lovely.”
Dorian gave her a large glass of wine. “Good vintage,” he told her.
“Okay,” she took a sip. She did not like it, it was too tart, but she gave him a smile and surreptitiously slipped the rest to Varric.
The partying continued on, but after about an hour the noise in the tavern was getting to be too be too much for Sethariel. She slipped out and her friends followed. They set up a large blanket on the floor of Seth’s house, in front of the fire, and had a picnic. It was quieter and everyone had a nice time chatting and eating.
Josephine even dragged Cullen in to celebrate a little before he insisted on getting back to work.
“He needs to relax,” Varric said shaking his head at the commander’s retreating form. “He’s going to kill himself with work.”
