Chapter Text
“I trust her as much as the next guy, but nightingale, we need her to save the world. If she is willing to help us, I don’t care about her past.” Varric stated in a quiet tone.
There was a pause. The crackling of the quaint fire filled the room as snow fell silently outside the solitary window. The modest shack filled with more people than it had ever encountered before.
Leliana let out a defeated sigh as she placed two fingers on her temple in attempt to concentrate. “I know, but what if she escapes after we release her?”
Solas chimed in as he gazed out the window. “As a spy ‘master’ I’m sure you can handle any attempt the prisoner may have to escape.” He paused briefly to turn towards the others and then continued, “I agree with Master Tethras. We need her to seal the remaining rifts and ultimately seal the Breach to save Thedas.”
“Are you saying you trust her Solas?” Cassandra questioned.
“I am saying nothing of the sort. I am, however, saying that we currently need to look at the bigger picture. The world is in danger. She is the key to our salvation. We need her alive and not kept in captivity.”
The room once again filled with silence. They all knew Varric and Solas were right. The only conflict, trust, could be pushed aside for the moment. They needed the prisoner to save the world. End of story.
“Do we all agree then? We need to set the prisoner free, and get her far away from Roderick.” Cassandra asked the group.
Leliana, now standing more confidently, answered, “Yes, we must free the prisoner. I will ensure that she does not attempt to flee, and she will be interrogated thoroughly as soon as we get the chance.”
All around the room the companions nodded in agreement.
“Now the question is, how are we going to break her out of prison?” Varric asked.
“Leave that part to me.” Leliana said before she headed toward the door and let it close behind her.
The hours passed by agonizingly slow. Ava had already reflected on her testimony at least three times, planned a way to break out of the cell at least a dozen times, and thought of at least five different ways she could destroy the hideous beige outfit that clung to her body.
“So what’s your name?” Ava questioned the Templar stationed just outside of her cell.
Silence filled the air.
The Templar did not move an inch as he kept his back to the imprisoned Herald.
“Hmmm,” she hummed, “Not the talking type I guess. I’ll call you Stephan then! So Stephan, how does one become an almighty Templar? Oh, do you know Cullen?” Ava continued to rattle on as the Templar remained quiet. “Buff guy. Curly hair. Lion helmet.”
“We were instructed not to talk with the elf prisoner.” The Templar flatly replied.
“Ah. I see,” Ava said, not convinced, “and who told you that?” She made her way to the cell door and rested her forearms casually on the rusty bars.
The Templar unsheathed his sword and moved to square up with the elf. “Step away from the cell!” He commanded as he stared at the glowing mark on her hand, sword pointed at her heart.
“Woah, woah, woah.” She put her hands in the air as if surrendering, and took a step back. “Stepping away. Look.” Ava noticed his eyes were still locked on the anchor, so she slowly hid it behind her back. “Really, I’m sorry! I am not going to hurt you, especially not with that.” She gestured to her left hand.
He slowly lowered his sword, and his gaze softened as he looked away from the anchor and to her face.
Ava gave a faint smile. “Thank you Stephan. I know you are just doing your job.”
She continued to retreat slowly, until she bumped into something.
His eyes widened in shock.
What the…?
Suddenly, there was a sturdy arm that wrapped around the imprisoned Herald, and she could feel the cold metal pressed against her throat.
A familiar voice came from the mass behind her. “I have decided to take matters into my own hands. The prisoner dies. Now.”
Leliana?
“Wait! No!” Ava’s voice rang through the cell, a strangled plea.
Leliana shifted as the hand free of the dagger wrapped itself around her neck instead, the dagger now poked at Ava’s lower torso.
Lady Nightingale continued, “If you try to stop me, I will kill you as well.”
The Templar stood speechless, and eventually nodded in agreement.
“Open the cell!” Leliana shouted at him.
“Don’t do it Stephan. Help… Me…” The Herald croaked.
Ava could feel herself begin to slip from consciousness, as Leliana had her in a sleeper’s hold.
You fall asleep, and you won’t wake up! Do NOT fall asleep! Stay awake Ava! Stay awake! I… can’t…
The cell was promptly opened by the Templar, and Leliana carefully dragged Ava through the opening.
Ava was determined to stay awake. That is, until she felt a sharp jab to the gut, and the cool metal sunk through her skin.
Her eyes widened as pain and unconsciousness spread throughout her body. The last thing she remembered was the pure awe and panic on the Templar’s face as the dagger penetrated her skin.
Stay. Awake.