헤사리안의 귀의

경애하는 안드라스테시여, 창조주님 곁에 앉아, 저의 비탄을 헤아려주소서. 저의 마음은 당신의 위대한 영광을 섬기기 전까진 나약하기 그지없었나이다.

그분은 나의 적이었기에, 나는 배신자의 말에 귀 기울여 그분께 사형을 선고했다. 그렇게, 그분은 모든 이들이 잘 지켜볼 수 있도록 장작더미에 묶였다.

그러나 선지자께서 불에 휩싸이자 침묵이 드리웠다. 불꽃이 필멸의 육신을 훑는데도, 그분은 울부짖지 않으셨다. 사람들의 마음은 부끄러움으로 가득 찼고, 모든 이가 그분과 함께 침묵하였다.

나는 그분의 강인함에 경탄하면서도, 그것을 저항이라 생각하였다. 내 마음은 여전히 흔들리지 않았다.

그때, 선지자께서 고개를 들어 올렸고, 그분의 얼굴이 신성한 불길에 휩싸였다. 그제야 나는 그분의 비애와 체념을 보았다. 불길이 나를 집어삼키는 것을 느꼈다. 나는 나 자신이 천천히 죽어가는 것을 느꼈고, 그분의 고통을 알게 되었다.

나는 불길을 뚫고 걸어 들어가 그분의 심장에 검을 꽂았다. 그리하여 선지자께선 해방되셨다. 귓속에 들려오는 창조주님의 목소리에, 나는 내가 주의 의지를 대행하는 도구가 되었음을 깨달았다.

—폭풍의 시대 7:34년에 쓰인 헤사리안의 귀의에 대한 해설. 헤사리안이 직접 쓴 글이라는 주장이 있으나 사실 여부는 확인되지 않았다.

 

Beloved Andraste, sit well at the Maker's side and know my sorrow. For my heart was weak until it served your greater glory.

 

As she was my enemy, I heeded the word of the Betrayer and so sentenced her to die. Thus she was bound upon the pyre so that all might bear witness.

 

But as the Prophet burned, a silence fell. For though flame licked mortal flesh, she would not cry. The hearts of the people filled with shame, and all were silent with her.

 

I thought it defiance and, though I marveled at her strength, my heart was yet unmoved.

 

It was then the Prophet raised her eyes, her visage wreathed with sacred flame. It was then I saw her sorrow and her acceptance. I felt the flame eat mine own flesh. I felt its slow death upon me and knew her suffering.

 

Through flame I walked and drove the sword into her heart. And so the Prophet was released. The Maker whispered in my ear and knew I had become the instrument of His will.

 

—An interpretation of the conversion of Hessarian, written in 7:34 Storm. Claims that it draws from a text written by Hessarian himself remain unconfirmed.