Chapter Text
If it's one thing that could be said about Inquisitor Trevelyan, he always had a smile for others, although those more accustomed to dealing with nobles or the tranquil were familiar with it. It was practiced, perfect, just the way he had been trained when he was younger, and more so when he was at the Circle. While the smile wasn't genuine, those who knew him knew he was a modest and sincere person who never got his fame or power in his head. He used what resources the Inquisition had to garner peace everywhere. A year after the Inquisition was founded, its influence and stability was felt all over Thedas. The institution had become large, but it was seen as a protector, a guardian. Where the Inquisition went, trouble was cleaned up and order was restored. Yet those in the Inner Circle had noticed slight changes in the Inquisitor’s behaviour. He had been excusing himself more often from their social endeavours. Other than when they were on missions, the Inquisitor had stopped visiting them.
It was dinner time and the friends had gathered together at a table. Sera, Bull and Blackwall gathered together at one end of the table. Vivienne sat at the other end, with Leliana and Josephine. The rest were scattered in the middle and Solas kept to himself as he sat in the middle of the table. They had only come together to eat at Islington’s insistence, something about needing to know each other better as colleagues even if they couldn't get along. It had resulted in some interesting friendships. Where once Cassandra had wanted to strangle Varric, the two were now steadfast allies. Even Cole showed up after some cajoling from Islington and Varric although he didn't touch the food.
Dorian poked at his food rather despondently. He had no appetite and he kept glancing at the Inquisitor’s quarters.
“Dorian, did something happen between you and Islington? He's not here for dinner,” Cassandra, the ever blunt one spoke first.
“Something happen? Things are always happening between us Cassandra. If it's not a darkspawn from legend, it's a death trap or murder plot. Or maybe oh I don't know, we are both just utterly bored with each other and started quarrelling,” The Tevinter snapped.
“Whoa Sparkler, calm down. Cassandra was just asking out of concern. You're not eating well and Snowflake’s not about. He's clearly not talking to any of us at the moment since everyone’s here,” Varric said as he tried to diffuse the tension.
Dorian sighed, “I'm sorry Cassandra, we had a little fight earlier today. He's been making excuses not to spend time with me, asked me to go back to my own room a week ago. Saying Josephine has some work for him and he can't get distracted… or that he has to spend time with the rest of you. I'm sorry it's selfish of me but he's been quite distant of late.
Varric paused for a bit. “He barely stops by to chat with me as well, and I thought he was upset with me but he said he wasn't. Ruffles has been giving him too much paperwork apparently.”
“I've done no such thing!” Josephine protested looking hurt. “In fact, the Inquisitor is so behind in his paper work I've taken to do most of it myself to get things going with his permission. He says he's been focusing on his studies as a Rift mage.”
All eyes immediately went to Solas who was midway spooning soup into his mouth. He elegantly placed the spoon down and looked around the table. “I'm afraid the Inquisitor has been lying on that fact. He's been making excuses to avoid lessons or further talk about it. He hasn't spoken to me about it for a week now.”
There was some silence as they processed the information, it pointed to the obvious. The Inquisitor had been deliberately trying to avoid his closest companions, quarrelling with Dorian even. He was usually steadfast but firm, but seldom fought directly with anyone, preferring to be diplomatic and opting for a choice where everyone was happy. He was an amiable and considerate fellow.
“The voices get louder. Listen to the well. I can't hear it. Where's the whispers? Anything’s better than this.”
Cole’s voice pierced through the silence. An uneasy feeling settled amongst the Inquisition members as they realised whose thoughts he was hearing. Usually he couldn't because of the mark and now the well, but the very fact that he could meant the Inquisitor was crying out loudly enough for him to hear.
Bull got up and headed towards the Inquisitor’s door, followed by the rest. Islington usually left it unlocked.
“You will fail. I will not fail. I need Dorian. No can't have him, you're so needy. Can't put this pressure on him. This is silly. Maker I can't keep their faces away. Leave me alone. I did my best! It's not enough. I could have saved more… Why did they have to die? They didn't have to attack. Why are you attacking? No these are voices. Think of numbers, wrap the Fade around the ice, tug at the loops of time. You failed them. You could have done more. Multiply it by seven. Stop. Stop. Stop! STOP!” Cole said suddenly, the panic evident in his voice.
“I don't hear him.” The spirit’s voice was back to its gentle monotonous tone.
Bull gave a roar and charged towards the door, placing the weight of his shoulder against it. The wood creaked then shattered but at that moment, ice formed between the broken pieces, holding it in place. Bull stepped back in surprise. “Shit.”
Panic gripped the rest of the members. The warriors got together and rammed hard against the door of ice. The ice creaked under their weight but held.
“Let us. We must get to him as soon as possible,” Vivienne said as she readied a fire spell. The warriors stepped back. Fireball after fireball was hurled towards the Inquisitor’s door and the ice wall started to melt.
“Cole get to him,” Cassandra instructed as she rubbed her sore shoulder and the boy vanished. He came back a while later. “I can't get to him. He's frozen. I don't know how to help!”
Once it had melted enough, Bull charged at it again, shattering it once and for all. The corridor that greeted them did not ease their minds. A thick layer of ice covered the surfaces of the ground. Even the floor was ice. They walked carefully across it, silent, each worried about what they would find. The occasional glance was given to Dorian, even he was silent. They all cared for the Inquisitor but the one who held him the closest was the Tevinter. The urge to rush was present but it was sheer folly over the slippery surface. It was quiet save for their footsteps.
“Andraste preserve me…” Cullen said as he came across one of Skyhold’s feral Ravens frozen where it was. It had attempted to take off but was frozen to the handrail which it had previously perched on. Leliana stopped, just checking it briefly but it was clear the sight had shocked her a little. She always had a soft spot for animals, and it pained her to see one killed like this.
Bull had gone first, his brows furrowed. Partly out of worry for his friend, the other part grim. He had seen Tal-Vashoths slowly descend into madness. He himself was one now but he had his men to ground him, so did the Inquisitor, but it wasn't looking like it. The magic blast unnerved him. Warriors and people he could handle but the madness that seemed to be taking over the Inquisitor wasn't something he could hit with a blade. If the Inquisitor had become an abomination… Well… His hand fell to his broadsword at his back, just in case. He was not the only one on that thought. Cassandra and Cullen had their hands on their pommels. As they walked, Solas and Vivienne ran their hands along the ice, melting it. Only Dorian remained silent. Varric and Sera walked quietly with him.
Bull’s horned head poked over the bedroom floor as he came up and he frowned. What he saw didn't please him. In the middle of what was a literal bed of ice, curled the form of the Inquisitor. He wasn't breathing. “Is he dead?”
“He alive but… frozen,” the boy said.
The mages looked uneasily at each other. They could tug at the magic of the Fade and what they found troubled them.
Solas moved to speak, his tone logical as always, but he sounded troubled. “He… Somehow he managed to freeze time on himself. It's… Similar to that of the Still Ruins and Redcliff but… Different. I can sense a bit of Rift magic involved… And elemental.”
Dorian rushed over to his amatus’ side, breathing hard. He nearly tripped and would have slid if Bull had not caught him by the arm. The Qunari gently held his friend as he went over to the Inquisitor’s side. “Amatus?” He called out, his voice barely a whisper. Hot tears started to fill his eyes. No he couldn't lose him like this. To something else maybe but he couldn't lose the Inquisitor to the Inquisitor.
Vivienne glanced at the sleeping figure before she walked over to the Inquisitor’s desk. It too had frozen over with a slight layer of ice. Through it she could make out some papers with equations. “Solas, I think you should see this. Dorian darling, if you could put aside your emotions for a bit we might be able to come up with something to save your Amatus.” It was wild shot and statement but she had to try. At the moment, neither the warriors and rogues knew what to do, nor could they do anything.
Josephine stood rooted to the spot as she looked at their leader. They had to bring him back somehow. Her thoughts flashed to how the Inquisitor had readily agreed to help her out personally, without want for favour. A glance was given to the others of the Inquisition.
Sera wore her emotions on her sleeve, distress evident on her face while Blackwall placed a hand on her shoulder, his face taut and grim. “They'll work something out,” he tried to reassure her. Varric nodded his head as well, taking a deep sigh. “He’s right, it always works out like in the stories Buttercup. The hero falls for a while then comes back and he's only done it so many times. He'll be all right.”
The dwarf and warden shared a glance with each other. They had seen enough stories where the hero failed to return as well, too many lives and soldiers lost.
Cullen remained quiet for a while “Maybe he’ll surprise us again… We… I'll… I'll go see about setting guard. Josephine, Cassandra, I'll need your help… Leliana, keep us updated.” He knew he needed to keep his friends busy. The two warriors and ambassador walked out, discussing what they could do. It was probably lucky for them that they had few dignitaries at the moment and it was getting late into the night… or there would be more questions than necessary. Cassandra stood guard at the Inquisitor’s door, while Cullen went to find soldiers to reinforce it. Josephine was left to handle the queries of anyone coming along.
“There has been a matter, the Inquisition’s Inner Circle is handling it as we speak. It will be all right.” Although she knew in her heart the rumours would spread like wildfire. Still she did her best. The Antivian glanced at the door, looking to Cassandra for support before she pulled a chair for the both of them to sit down and wait. The Seeker chose to stand, doing her best to glare. It helped to deter the curious well enough. Anyone who came near had business, either to handle the door, or just to pass a missive. But even passersby could tell the worry on their faces that something had gone terribly wrong.