“You have memories you’d aspire to forget…so do I.” He stated lowly as his hand hovered over the board. “The Veil I suppose.” I surmised as I selected my next move based on his. Solas plucked his Pawn from its dock at A6 and observed it, twisting the stippled token in his fingers. “It was a grand spectacle when the Evanuris played chess, they didn’t use marble carved pieces such as these. They used slaves armed with weapons.” I relented my gaze from the board to stare at him in growing unease, no longer able to concentrate as I listened to him continue. “Swords for the King and Queen, lances for the Knights, daggers for the rest. There was so much blood one could no longer see the checked tile. Deleterious entertainment.” Solas set the piece down, his tone tempered with notes of repressed rage. "Is that how you became so skilled?" I murmured, thoughtlessly. "Who fought on your behalf?" "You don't know what you suggest." He growled, his fist curling around the table. "Countless lives were lost, lives spent as if they meant nothing, no one fought on MY behalf. Do not equate me to them." “And yet, when the mighty veil comes crashing down, you’ll free them. Those that are so evil. What happens if they escape your vague plans?” I chided, smug that I had something to wield against his supposed perfection. “They will never see the light of day.” Solas raised those churning eyes to my own.
The Heretic
