Solas knew he was in a dream state. Though he hadn't meant to slip between the realms in his sleep, he now found himself in the land of the spirits.
He'd been here many times, though, usually it was done intentionally. He had made many friends among the spirits that dwelled within ancient ruins and temples.
Since the Inquisition had moved to the Skyhold Keep, Solas had found himself too busy accompanying Inquisitor Rowena Trevelyan to find the time to dream.
Yet it seemed that someone or something had pulled him into this dream. The Apostate elf studied the painted walls of his study, where, he noticed, that he'd fallen asleep at his desk while studying an ancient tome he'd found in the Hissing Wastes.
Since he was already asleep, Solas decided that he should probably investigate. With its history, there was no telling what sort of spirits called Skyhold home.
Solas didn't bother to use the door, he simply stepped through the wall as though it never existed. No matter how many times he'd done so, he had never quite gotten used to the sensation. Perhaps it was the ghostly sensation that made him so uneasy. No living being likes feeling as though they are dead.
Stepping into the Great Hall, Solas was surprised to see so many people lingering around. A glance out the Hall's entrance told him that it was still daylight outside.
He wasn't at all surprised to learn that he'd once again fallen asleep during the day while working. Lately, the Inquisition had been working hard in order to deplete Corypheus's forces. Freeing the Wardens and defeating dragons has caused many sleepless nights and work filled days.
The other members of their party surely must be feeling the affects of their hard work by now, he assumed. In fact, he'd recently caught Sera, the female elf, napping under the shade of a tree, right next to the training dummy she'd been slashing at, the daggers still clutched in her limp hands.
While a napping Sera was nothing unusual, discovering the sleeping Ambassador Josephine at her desk, however, was nothing short of miraculous. The human woman loved her work and usually seemed tireless.
Solas imagined the Inquisitor, who was by far under the most pressure, didn't get half the sleep as the rest of their friends. How that woman continued to run an army and find ways to stop Corypheus was beyond his comprehension. Perhaps her romantic involvement with Commander Cullen had something to do with the bounce in the leader's steps and the flush in her cheeks.
A faint smile tugged at the end of his lips as he thought about the couple. The two of them thought they were being discrete when it came to their romance. Although, they seem totally unaware that everyone already knew.
Eyeing a passing spirit, Solas shrugged to himself, if his friend was happy, then let them think that their relationship is a secret. After all, it was none of his business.
The elf stood at the top of the steps and surveyed the courtyard below him. There several spirits wandering the grounds unbeknownst to the living. Humans knew of the Veil between the two worlds, but unlike the elves, they feared any being that dwelled in the Fade. Only Rowena seemed to share his affinity with the spirit world, unusual in a human, but not unpleasant.
He wasn't at all surprised to see some elvhen spirits wandering with the human spirits. The land Skyhold was built upon had once been an elvhen ritual site. It was one of the reasons Solas found himself so comfortable here.
As he searched for any sign of the entity that had summoned him into through the Veil, he spotted two women sitting side by side on a bench surrounded by blooming flowers. The taller of the two was most definitely a spirit. As the once pretty human spirit hid a giggle behind her hand, her companion, as if sensing his presence, turned and met Solas's gaze.
The Fade Mage jolted in surprise as the woman's eyes burned into his. This was no spirit. This human lived, walking through the Fade as he through dreams. Could it have been this girl that had lured him into the Fade without his consent? If so, she must be a powerful mage. But could she be an enemy, a powerful one at that?
He might as well find out. Solas glided down the steps in the natural grace that only the Elvhen possessed. As he drew near, he couldn't help notice the woman stiffened ever so slightly. Was it from fear, apprehension perhaps? Solas couldn't say for sure.
The spirit, noticing her living companion's mood change, glanced up at him. Sensing that his energy was not that of a spirit, she cast nervous glances between the elf and the human. The tension between the living beings seemed heavy as a stone, with one last look at the human female, the spirit vanished into thin air. Leaving the two of them alone.
Now that he had gotten closer, and he hated to admit it, but the human was breathtaking. He had never seen a woman with hair the color of rubies before. The curls spilling over her shoulders and down her back to her waist had lighter shades of brown, gold, and red, like the color of the flames that could be seen in his fireplace on a cool night.
"Hello," her voice was husky, the kind, he'd heard Varric say once, that made men think of bedrooms and long steamy nights.
Solas offered her a half bow, "Good day, m'lady. Can I be so bold and ask you what you're doing here in the Fade? I don't believe I've seen you around Skyhold either."
Though it was a slight gesture, he saw her hands clench into fists in her lap. The movement brought his attention to her state of dress. Her only article of clothing was a thin shift, not an unusual outfit for women to wear when sleeping, her noted.
"I-I'm looking for someone," she responded, her voice held a slight tremor.
Solas offered her an encouraging smile, "Well, perhaps I can assist you in your search. Who might you be seeking?" Why would a being from the realm of the living be seeking someone in the Fade? A lover? An ancestor maybe?
The lovely girl bit her lip, a nervous gesture that unintentionally drew attention to her rather lovely, ripe mouth. "I believe," she muttered, "it might be best if I search for her myself."
So, her target is a woman then, he mused. "Your search could take a while, mistress, there are many people at Skyhold," he pointed out, "I on the other hand, know a great many here at the fortress. And, here in the Veil, even if you found the one you were looking for, there is no way for you to get in contact with her. I can relay a message for you if you'd like."
Her eyes met his for the second time, judging him, weighing him. Those eyes, Solas thought to himself, unusual yet beautiful and mysterious. Their depths glittered like sapphires and encasing her irises were dashing golden spheres with flecks of emerald splattered like paint from a brush.
Reaching her conclusion, she nodded, "Alright. I'll trust you, sir." She patted the now empty space beside her, "Please, sit."
"Thank you, my lady," Solas took the offered seat. "By the way, if I am not imposing, what were you and the spirit talking about?" Call it breaking the ice, but he had to admit he was curious. He hadn't seen many of the living in the Fade before, and seeing another treat spirits with such kindness was, in fact, intriguing.
The stranger smiled in memory, "She was just telling me stories about her children. They were little imps, always getting into some sort of mischief. She was a very nice lady." Her smiled turned wistful, and tad sad, "If I'd ever met my mother, I hope she'd have been like that spirit."
Interesting, Solas thought. "Do you travel through the Veil often?" he asked her, thoughts of her quest pushed to the back of his mind as he struggled to understand this strange woman.
She shrugged, and the sunlight danced upon her hair, revealing more of those flame tones, "Sometimes. But since I can see spirits even when I'm not in the Fade. It's really only useful when I want to travel to a place that I am not presently in. Like now, for example."
"You can see spirits outside of the Veil? And you can travel through the Veil to places your physical body isn't?" Solas asked, more than a little surprised. Even he couldn't see spirits when he was not in the Fade, though he could sense their presence. Nor could travel through the Veil. "That is quite a feat, my lady."
Little dimples appeared on her cheeks when she grinned, "Is that jealousy I hear, sir elf?"
Solas fought the smile that threatened, "Perhaps a little."
A laugh burst from her lips, but soon died as her eyes widened and the smile died from her lips. Terror, plain and simple, had etched itself on this woman's beautiful face.
"Is something wrong?" her face had gone deathly pale.
"He's here," she whispered. Before he could ask her who she was speaking of, she whirled and clutched frantically at Solas's arm. "Please!" she pleaded, "The Inquisitor! I need the help of Inquisitor Trevelyan!"
The Inquisitor? "But why?" the mysterious stranger was starting to fade from his sight. "Why did you come here? Who are you?"
"It's Corypheus," she nearly sobbed the name, "I have to go. I'll try to return tonight."
Solas blinked. Looking around, he found himself back in his study. The woman was gone. He never did get her name, but she did give him a lot to think about.
Corypheus, eh? Judging by her reaction, his dream visitor is more than likely a prisoner of their dreaded enemy Corypheus. No doubt about it, he needed to see the Inquisitor right away.
"I see," Rowena sighed as she laid her cheek against her open palm in thought. "That is troubling indeed." Her red lips quirked at the edges, "Quite the nap you had, eh, Solas?"
He ignored the mocking question and sat back in the chair on the other side of the Inquisitor's desk that resided in her own personal quarters, "So what shall we do, Inquisitor?"
The leader of the Inquisition pondered the question as she stared out the open balcony doors, sunlight kissed her face, like a lover. "Is it not troubling that she was able to find our base so easily? Could Corypheus use her to find our location?"
Solas shook his head, "I don't believe so. First of all, she was no spy. Her fear of the dark spawn was genuine. And as she only traveled here in her dreams and not in reality, there is no physical evidence that she left her prison. Unless she intentionally tells our enemy our location herself, which I believe is very unlikely, I am quite sure we are safe."
"Hm, she could be an asset then," Rowena suggested. "This girl can tell us where Corypheus is hiding. If we know his location, we will have the upperhand on things. We can plant spies around the area and know each and every move that slimeball makes."
"Exactly as I thought. As for the girl," he hedged. "Is there a way that we might save her from Corypheus?"
Dark auburn brows rose in surprise over dark blue eyes, but all she said was, "I'll try." She didn't make any promises, but he was satisfied with her answer. Running an army was more important than saving the life of one girl, but he knew the Inquisitor. If she could, she would save the girl.
Nodding, Solas replied, "Thank you, Inquisitor. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to work." Rising, he gave her a respectful bow before turning away.
"And to get ready for your date tonight, right?" she supplied with humor lacing her voice.
Solas didn't respond, but he did let the smile shape his lips as he exited the chambers.
