A loud bang resounds through the hall, startling Solas and sending his book clattering to the ground. The elf turned his face toward the direction of the sound and exited out of his enclosed room. There, in the doorway to the main hallway stood blood-stained Cullen gasping for air. He suddenly collapsed in an exhausted heap and began stringing together incoherent words in a hoarse whisper. Varric and several other bystanders rushed to the ex-templar's side attempting to lift his battered body. Solas advanced forward quickly, but bypassed the crowd and stepped out of the gaping doorway.
Cullen and the Inquisitor had received a lead on Venatori wreaking havoc within the Emerald Graves several days before. Without even batting an eye, the young Lavellan had gathered a large group of Inquisition soldiers and set off with the Inquisition's military advisor by her side. Solas had shook his head in disagreement at the time, but he knew there was no way of convincing the Dalish elf of abandoning her quest and staying within the protective walls of Skyhold.
Now, Solas' blue eyes darted over the courtyard looking at the remaining soldiers attempting to pick out the silver-haired elf out from the crowd. Not seeing her sent a wave of panic through the elf's body but quickly he shook it off. It is because she possesses the anchor, our only hope of defeating Corypheus. Solas thought to himself. A tiny, nagging voice in the back of his mind pressed Solas to think it was more than just her importance to the Inquisition that caused him to worry so. The elf gave his head a quick shake, dismissed his thoughts, and returned to the injured Cullen.
"What happened?" Solas questioned.
But Cullen was already beginning to spill the details to the worried crowd. "Red… *cough cough* templars interceded us outside of the Emerald Graves. They caught us completely unaware, and there was too many of them to even put up a decent fight. I called a retreat, and our forces began to fall back. But our Inquisitor and a few of our other men were caught in the heat of the battle, there was no way to get to them. Suddenly, a green light erupted in the middle of the fight and then she was gone!" Cullen hung his head in sorrow, pausing for a few seconds before continuing quieter. "We tried to search for her, but the Red Templars gave chase to us and we were forced to return to Skyhold. I don't know where she could be…." Cullen's voice tapered off to a quiet whisper and then Cassandra spoke up.
"Listen! We need to find where our Inquisitor is, but we must help our injured soldiers first." The seeker turned her head towards Leliana. "Please, we need you to send spies looking for her. Please leave as soon as possible."
Leliana responded with haste "Of course! I will take the Stonereach path, it should be the fastest." Solas quietly hissed under his breath. Stonereach path may be fast, but he knew the quickest route to the ancient burial grounds from his time journeying across Thedas.
But Lilliana is quick, she knows what she is doing. She has rogues and she can reach the Inquisitor safely and be more helpful. Solas reasoned within his mind. The last thing the elf wanted to do was spill any more secrets about his travels, especially about an ancient path into the Emerald Graves. The elf closed his eyes and let his thoughts turn inward. He would get there faster and he could help the elf mage. The thought of her injured and bleeding out sent waves of panic through his body, but once again he could not understand why her safety was suddenly so important to him.
"Solas." a voice brought him back to reality as Varric stood staring at the apostate mage. "We will need your help with the healing. You up for it?"
"Of course." Solas replied and took off towards his room to gather his staff and elfroot potions. The elf approached his desk strewed with books, potions, paintbrushes, and snatched up his staff. Slowly a cool, calmness settled over the elf mage and he closed his eyes for just the moment. She needs my help. The Inquisitor could die if Leliana does not arrive soon enough. But you are needed here! Help the wounded soldiers. Solas knew his help was needed here. But, some unknown feeling pulled the elf mage towards the back entrance of his study, something telling him he needed to leave. Cole can help the others, Solas reasoned. And within a few moments he had gathered enough supplies to handle the day's journey and he set out through the door with a loud clatter.