Asha'bella'nar tilted her head to one side, looking at Merrill. “One of the People, I see,” she said, her golden eyes warming at the sight of her. “So young and bright. Do you know who I am, beyond that title?”
Merrill didn't look up. “I know only a little.”
“Then stand. The People bend their knee too easily,” Asha'bella'nar said, indicating Merrill should rise. Asha'bella'nar's every move was fluid and elegant, effortless. She surveyed the group, her gaze landing on Velanna for a moment. Velanna had not bowed, and Asha'bella'nar seemed fascinated. “You are of the People as well,” she said. “But I see you do not know me as this one does.”
Velanna's back straightened. “I only know whispers,” she said. “Of dragons and things long forgotten.”
Asha'bella'nar’s smile grew. “Of course,” she said. “Many things persist through time. This is one.” she turned her gaze upon Abigail at last. “So refreshing to find someone who keeps their end of the bargain,” she said, her tone making Abigail feel as if the dragon woman were making fun of her, but she wasn't sure why. “I half-expected my amulet to wind up in a merchant's pocket.”
“Your amulet?” Abigail exclaimed. “So—in the Wilds—was that--who was that? Was it your sister, or...?” Abigail couldn't think of any other ideas. the witch they had met in the Wilds had been a small woman, with wild gray hair and a haggard face. She'd worn a patched dress made of plain deerhide, nothing like this strange ensemble of armor and dragon’s skin. She had moved stiffly, as if her joints had pained her. However, despite these differences, Asha'bella'nar and Flemeth shared the same face, and had the same voice.
Asha'bella'nar’s smile showed teeth, her golden eyes gleaming. “Yes, it was me. Is it so difficult to believe that one may take many shapes?”
“So—you were inside the amulet?” Bethany asked, her eyes very wide.
“Just a piece, a small piece,” Asha'bella'nar said. “A bit of security, should the inevitable occur. And if I know my Morrigan, it already has.”
“Morrigan?” Anders glanced at the other Wardens.
“Wasn't that the name of Surana's--?” Sigrun asked, eyes darting to Asha'bella'nar and back.
Asha'bella'nar looked at the Wardens. “You know Surana as well, do you?” she said, her lips drawing back from her teeth, showing that they looked a trifle sharper than was common. “I am pleased that her name has spread so far.”
The Wardens all glanced at each other, nervous.
“So—you have plans, I assume?” Abigail asked quickly.
“I do,” Asha'bella'nar turned away from them, to look down at the valley below. “A word of advice, before I go,” she said. “We stand upon the precipice of change. The world fears the inevitable plummet into the abyss. When that moment comes—do not hesitate to leap.” she turned back to them, that smile still on her face. “It is only when you fall that you learn if you can fly.”
“Well, that’s certainly easy for you to say,” Abigail said, her words coming out as a croak.
Asha'bella'nar laughed, and the sound pierced each of their hearts, a dagger of curious mirth and loss, betrayal--
Then it was gone, the world righting itself.
“I did not say it would be easy for you.” she told them. “Your world will see the hardest thing it has ever seen, before this is done.”
“What does that mean?” Varric muttered.
“A great many things, but I can hardly tell you about all of them now,” Asha'bella'nar said. She looked at Merrill again. “Step carefully, da'len,” she said. “No path is more dangerous than when one's eyes are shut.” her teeth flashed, catching the light. "But no path is more rewarding than when one sees it clearly."
“Mas serannas, Asha'bella'nar,” Merrill said, inclining her head.
Asha’bella'nar surveyed the others as well, and her eyes caught on Anders. “You should step carefully as well,” she told him. “Spirits do not fare as well as they once did. You are a beacon in the dark, calling many things to you.”
“What do you mean?” Anders wanted to know.
Asha’bella'nar only shook her head. “The time has come for me to leave,” she said. She looked at Abigail. “You have my thanks—and my sympathy.”
The Veil warped around them, coiling around Asha'bella'nar like a cloak, and then quite suddenly a high dragon was soaring off the cliff and rising overhead. It was so large that its shadow covered them all for a moment, and then it was gone, behind the mountain.
“Maker,” Anders breathed. The rest of them were silent, stunned, their own feelings of awe changing the air around them.
“We should leave,” Merrill said quietly. “The mountain is becoming unhappy again.”
They made their way back the way they had come. Fortunately, they did not encounter any corpses this time. They met with Marethari, who waited at the bottom of the trail.
“I saw Asha'bellanar fly over the mountain peak,” she told Abigail. “Mas serannas, da'len. Your debt is paid in full.”
She looked to Merrill, Marethari and Merrill had an exchange in Dalish. Velanna's face grew darker as she listened to it.
“Come on,” Merrill said, turning away from Marethari after a few moments. “We should go.”
“Hold a moment,” Velanna said, touching Merrill's shoulder. She approached Marethari, and they had a heated conversation in Dalish. Merrill interrupted and pulled Velanna away. Velanna got one last word in before she allowed Merrill to take her.
“What were you all talking about?” Abigail asked as they left the camp.
“Keeper Marethari is a fool,” Velanna snapped.
“No, she isn't!” Merrill protested. “She just doesn't understand--”
“She is a fool for driving out her own First,” Velanna said, raising her voice. “And for driving away the only person who knows anything about the eluvians!”
“Stop,” Merrill said, her voice now more stern. “We should just leave.”
Velanna scowled.
“What's an eluvian?” Sigrun asked.
“An artifact of Elvhenan,” Velanna said. “I have never seen one in person, only read of them.” she looked at Merrill, and asked her more questions in Dalish, very quickly.
“Would either of you care to fill us in?” Anders asked.
“Oh, not right now,” Velanna snapped, waving a hand at him. “Later.”
Anders sighed. “And by that you mean...never, right?”
“I’m glad we’ve reached an understanding on this.”
Merrill had to go and get some things from one of the aravels. She returned with a rucksack and a large box that had several locks placed on it.
“What’s that?” Bethany asked, pointing at the box.
“This? Oh—nothing,” Merrill held the box closer to her. “It’s nothing.”
Bethany raised her eyebrows, but didn’t ask any more questions. Velanna instead engaged Merrill in talk as they walked away from the Dalish camp. Velanna and Merrill spoke for several minutes, when something occurred to Abigail.
“Where are you going to live?” she asked Merrill.
“The Alienage, I thought,” Merrill said. “Is there somewhere else?”
“Do you already have a house there?” Sigrun asked.
“No—oh dear,” Merrill said, her eyes widening. “How do I get a house?”
“Why don't you live with me and Velanna for now?” Sigrun suggested. “Then you can sort it all out later.”
“Are you sure?” Merrill asked.
“We already live in the Alienage,” Sigrun explained. “And I think Velanna likes you. She doesn't usually talk to people this long.” she winked at Velanna.
“Oh—you are ridiculous, arasha,” Velanna said, flushing a little.
“So are you, ibine,” Sigrun said with a grin, and she slipped an arm around Velanna's waist.
“One thing that might be a problem,” Varric said. “I don't think the Templars are going to be very happy with another apostate in town. Are you sure this'll be safe?” he asked Merrill.
“I'm not sure,” Merrill wrung her hands. “I can hide my magic—Mythal knows I've had enough practice—but I've heard the Templars in Kirkwall are very bad. Are they?'
“Yes,” Anders said bluntly. “You should stay with your Clan.”
Merrill shook her head. “I can't,” she said. “I swear, I think Marethari is half-convinced I'm possessed,” she blurted out. “And no one else understands—they think it was the eluvian that killed Tamlen and Mahariel, so they want to forget it—but I can't forget it!” she chewed on her thumb. “A Keeper is supposed to remember, even the dangerous things—especially the dangerous things. They don't--” she took a deep breath. “When I fix the mirror, I'll come back to them,” she said. “And I'll show them. Then they'll know—what it was all for.”
“And I suppose the blood magic is all worth it, then?” Anders muttered.
An angry expression crossed Merrill's face for a moment. “Did I ask you?”
“You have to know how dangerous that is,” Anders said. “I mean--”
Merrill shook her head. “I really don't think I asked you,” she said, her voice light but her words firm. “Why—we hardly even know each other! That's very personal, isn't it?”
“Personal to tell you you're putting yourself in danger?”
“Well—yes!” Merrill blinked. “Oh—is that not personal for humans? I can never tell.”
“Anders, if you would remove your foot from your mouth, that would be appreciated,” Velanna snapped. “Or better yet, close it altogether.”
Anders sighed heavily, but left off the subject. They spent the better part of the rest of the day getting down the mountain. Abigail went ahead when they reached the city gates to see if she could find Aveline or one of the guards friendly with her and get them into the city with minimal hassle. After about an hour, Abigail returned, with Aveline in tow.
“You lot need to be careful,” Aveline told them. “But you should be alright—there has to be a better way of getting in and out of the city.” she looked at Merrill. “You're Merrill, aren’t you?” she said.
Merrill nodded.
“I'm Aveline Vallen—the Hawkes are friends of mine.” she reached out and grabbed Merrill's hand in a firm greeting. Merrill seemed a little confused by the custom, but made no comment.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Merrill said, trying a small smile.
“This isn't a really good time to be moving into Kirkwall,” Aveline said with a grimace. “It'd probably have been a better idea to stay on your mountain.”
“Oh—no, I don't think so,” Merrill shook her head.
“Alright,” Aveline's expression was dubious. “Anyway—you lot, look out for yourselves. The Templars are still nervous and they might be considering closing the city to refugees again.”
“What?” Abigail asked in surprise.
“That would be a bad idea,” Varric said. “Do you have any idea how many things we couldn't get a hold of the last time the city was closed?”
“I don’t understand,” Merrill said. “Why would it be so bad? I mean—it wouldn’t be good for the refugees, but--”
“If they’re blocking refugees, they end up blocking merchants and anyone else, too,” Anders explained, rolling his eyes. “They want to make sure no refugees sneak in somehow. It makes trade a mess.”
“I know,” Aveline said, rubbing her forehead. “Look—just be careful, alright?” the group went to leave, and Aveline caught Abigail's arm. “I could use your help with something, if you can,” she said.
“Sure,” Abigail said. “Come by Gamlen's later and we can work something out.”
Aveline nodded. “Good.”