Chapter Text
9:41 Dragon, Kingsway
To Her Worship, Inquisitor Trevelyn:
I appreciate your warning regarding Corypheus. Fortunately, my own search has taken me out of the area where the supposed magister is operating, and while I have encountered challenges of my own, they have not involved any weakness related to my Grey Warden abilities.
As I have little useful information to offer, please accept the accompanying gifts instead. If, in my quest, I find anything that may be of use to you in your fight against Corypheus, I will send it to you immediately.
I have also included a note of a personal nature for Warden Alistair.
Please take care of him. Like me, he was instrumental in ending the last Blight. I trust his compassion and his strength above any other's, and I would not go through such effort to overcome our Calling only to lose him to your Inquisition.
Yours,
Warden-Commander Cousland of Ferelden
As soon as she sees the raven, she knows.
She let herself have a moment to hope, but she already knows.
She knows he's not coming back.
Elissa wiped her eyes furiously, taking the scroll holder from the bird's leg and releases it before calling Barkspawn to her with a sharp whistle. With the old Mabari at her side, she steeled herself, opening the tube. The raven had carried more than one scrap of parchment, and she spread them out on the ground in front of her, glancing between them, not really reading.
Warden-Commander Cousland of Ferelden,
On behalf of the Inquisition, I extend my sincere apologies-
It's a hand she doesn't recognize, signed by the Ambassador to the Inquisition.
Warden-Commander, Elissa,
I'm sorry that I couldn't do more to help, like you both helped me. I want you to know-
It's signed by Cullen, and she bites back a sob.
Elissa,
I'm sorry we couldn't save Alistair-
She doesn't bother with Leliana's tidy writing at all after the first line.
Warden-Commander Cousland,
I wish I had longer to get to know Warden Alistair-
The Inquisitor's scrawl is offered to Barkspawn as a chew toy, but even he's not interested in her sentiments.
Elissa,
I do not begin to imagine how you feel-
She tries to laugh and it comes out as a strangled sob. She doesn't finish Morrigan's letter either.
Warden-Commander Cousland,
I am heading to Weisshaupt. I am proud to have known Alistair, and honoured by his sacrifice-
She crumpled Hawke's letter in her fist, breathing heavily.
Pulling Barkspawn to her, she buried her face in his grey-streaked fur and screamed, tears falling thick and fast. She screamed and railed, punched the ground until her throat was raw and coated in dog hair, her hand bloody, her tears spent.
And then she turned to her anger.