Chapter Text
The mountains swept over the cold mountain range of Ferelden, a border well known by all of both Orlasis and Ferelden. A single raven flew past a jagged point of one mountain, diving low towards the iced-over valley long since frozen in time. The flutter of wings could be heard as its shadow reflected the ice, slowly shrinking as it ascended.
Its destination lay within the massive stone structure of a once beautiful city, Skyhold seeming to hold the sky away from the lands. It fluttered up and scaled up its stoned walls, towards its destination at the highest tower that wasn't as tall as the Hold of Skyhold.
It landed, retrieved by a scout before being put in a cage for rest as its message was removed from its leg. The scout was fast, scaling past the construction workers before reaching the War Room on the other side of the Hold. The scout nodded to the guards, the large doors to the War Room are opened.
Kate straightened, turning to see the scout, dressed in her new robes. She nodded to the scout, taking the parchment, and waited until the scout was out of the room before opening the note.
-
Inquisitor,
Sadly, we were not able to find Mysteria in the place she was supposed to be in. We are heading towards Crestwood to follow another lead. Varric is heading to the Storm Coast to check his own leads.
Harding
-
Kate sighed, folding the parchment before taking the paper on the table, taking a quill, and crossing out one of the long lines of leads.
It had been a month since Haven fell and a week since coming to Skyhold, thanks to Solas's instruction. A month since Mysteria went missing. Solas had told Kate that Mysteria would need time before she could regain the little humanity she had left.
But a month without her best friend was taking a toll on Kate.
And on Varric.
Varric had been awfully quiet during his few days at Skyhold, combined with the trip to Skyhold. He'd been too busy writing letters, uncaring if they went through Leliana. When Kate asked if Varric needed time, he disagreed.
"I would rather have Mysteria here, where she's safe."
And she wasn't here, leading Varric to follow the leads, even if he spent days going around Ferelden and almost, almost, finding her. Kate knew just from his actions and lack of words was proof that Mysteria meant more than just a friend, even if he refused to admit and said that he had feelings for someone else. That someone else being a dwarf Kate hadn't seen since before the Inquisition formed.
For Kate, she didn't have anybody to talk to and she couldn't find Mysteria in the Fade. Their usual conversations about their lives, more so Kate's than Mysteria's, had been nice since Kate didn't trust very many people, especially since she was the Herald. Even if she and Cullen were on the fence about a growing relationship, Mysteria was an outlet she needed.
And it was nice for Kate to just talk freely with Mysteria. Her childish nature leads to funny jokes and comforted Kate about some bad memories. In a way, Mysteria cared for Kate, like a Keeper to their First. If Mysteria was an elf, Kate would say she would make a wise Keeper.
But Kate was bothered by this new development.
Looking out the stained windows of the War Room, awaiting for Leliana, Josephine, and Cullen, Kate thought, leaning against the frame and pushing the strained glass in, giving her a wonderful view of the valley. The breeze gently waved by her, causing her to sigh and close her eyes in deeper thought.
Since Haven fell a month ago, Mysteria had been seen throughout Ferelden. At first in the Hinterlands by Harriet before his arrival to Skyhold. She was later driven away by the Ferelden Frostback High Dragon, or more so left before it got agitated by her presence. And Mysteria wasn't violent, with no reports of her attacking, just staying in one place for short periods of time before moving on.
During that month, Queen Anora had gotten annoyed, saying that the dragon had been causing panic all over Ferelden, and rumors that it was an Elemental Bender furthered everybody's panic, a myth made real many had reported. She had summoned the Hero of Ferelden and Warden-Commander, according to Leliana, but there haven't been any sightings of Grey Wardens.
Which added another concern.
Grey Wardens held Elemental Benders sacred since legends from Tevinter states that Elemental Benders created the Grey Wardens during the First Flight. And it has been proven in the First and Second Blight that Elemental Benders are capable of killing Archdemons, though it could destroy their human form in exchange for not being killed when their soul collided with the Archdemon.
Yet with an Elemental Bender said to be flying the skies, the Grey Wardens still didn't appear. Blackwall had informed Kate that Elemental Benders have been decreasing in popularity since the Third Blight when Elemental Benders disappeared entirely until the Fifth Blight with the discovery of Excalibur and the Messiah. But it still made no sense how no Grey Wardens have approached anybody about Elemental Benders.
If there were no Grey Wardens to come forward, then the bounty hunters would be sent to kill or capture the supposed Elemental Bender. Tevinter still regarded Elemental Benders as exotic pets and Starkhaven wanted to send assassins after Mysteria. The Qun hadn't said a word yet, but it wouldn't take long for them to get in on the action too.
Luck was with Mysteria though.
Dorian had sent a notice to his family regarding the halt of the Tevinter slave trade in the South until further instruction since his family had a high standing in the Tevinter Magisterium. Varric had informed the current king of Starkhaven that if he set foot in the South, then the Inquisition would send soldiers to Kirkwall to combat them and help Kirkwall. And the Iron Bull had withheld information until Mysteria was reined back into the Inquisition.
It was a risk, but to Kate, this was important. The Inner Circle of companions hadn't said a word about Mysteria unless it was a lead or new rumor, but Kate could tell the shock that Mysteria was an Elemental bender hadn't faded. There was actually a divide in what should happen with Mysteria upon her return.
Iron Bull and the Chargers thought it best that Mysteria did not occupancy them for the time being when they head out on their own missions per Kate's orders. Iron Bull said it was because Mysteria would only hinder them if she acted up or the Qun finds out the Iron Bull is hiding the fact he had an Elemental Bender with him the entire time.
Solas and Dorian wanted Mysteria to train before setting foot near Skyhold, in the case her emotions take control. Solas more so than Dorian.
Being the Fade Expert he was, Solas worried that Mysteria's presence would cause more demons to pour out of Fade rifts still left after the Breach has closed. Demons may fear Elemental Benders, but that didn't mean they were less aggressive towards those they deemed under Elemental Bender protection.
Dorian was overall excited to learn more about Mysteria, even if her loss of memories would hinder him from experiencing what Elemental Benders were like long ago.
Vivienne would not say anything when asked, but she had mentioned that Elemental Benders had properties that could heal ailments, an organ she would not distinguish. Leliana had reported that Vivienne has been sending letters to other nobles to not bother with the Elemental Bender matter, stating that it was just rumored. This meant Orlasis didn't believe Ferelden like they always didn't.
Sera had no opinions, only saying she wouldn't want to see Mysteria transform into a monster. Might show organs forming, in her words.
Blackwall was actually terrified of Mysteria coming back. He avoided the topic of her until finally admitting that a dragon coming to Skyhold with its fortified systems, knowing how deadly Mysteria can become if angered, had given him nightmares. He stated that if Mysteria returned, he would have to avoid her or keep a sword on him at all times.
Josephine was shocked, not terrified, of this new development. She wanted to do her best in supporting Mysteria and even wanted to help Mysteria when she returned. Apparently, Josephine made sure that Skyhold was thoroughly searched, finding a cave at the bottom of Skyhold that was under the Skyforge.
Kate had seen the structure. To avoid nobles making a connection between the childish mage and the massive dragon flying near Skyhold, Mysteria needed a place to cool or relax in before heading to Skyhold. It was a hollow cavern with a smooth floor and a stream leading from Skyhold to the frozen river. As much as Skyforge already had their fire, Diana, a dwarven forger, said that the Elemental Bender fire is said to be much hotter and less controllable than a normal fire, according to some older dwarfs in Ozammar.
Cassandra had no opinions, only saying that if Mysteria was around, she would keep a sword on her at all times in case Mysteria turned on them. Similar to Blackwall's reasoning except his reason was more out of fear than logic. It bothered Kate to know how divided the Inner Circle was.
But what bothered her the most was Cullen.
Cullen knew the Messiah, always said she had an aura of ice around her despite being 'Tranquil'. But what bothered Kate the most was how Cullen told her at one War meeting that if Mysteria were to return, there was a high chance Mysteria could destroy Skyhold and that the Templars would have to kill her. Or, another choice that had Kate wondering what kind of man Cullen was, take Mysteria's crystal away.
When Kate asked Solas and Dorian about the option, Solas was the most disturbed. It was then Solas informed them both of the meaning of the crystal. It was both storage for magic and also a vital organ is attached to the heart with some strings that are only able to be torn off without killing an Elemental Bender if it was weak enough from fighting or bleeding out. It was like what templars did with mages at the tower, keeping the blood of each mage in the case they runoff.
Overall, Kate knew that none of this would go very well.
It would take time, but Kate could only hope Mysteria returned to them soon.
Hopefully, after she gets the whole Inner Circle to agree to let her return.