I felt the darkspawn's dagger pierce my side before I even saw them move, the bloodstained metal slicing deep into my skin. The force makes me take a few steps back before I can regain my balance enough to counterattack. Even with stiches, there's no way that's not going to hurt like a son of a bitch tomorrow, but I try not to focus on that, there are still demons attacking us. After catching my breath I move to the closest group of them and renew attacking, my blades become increasingly more covered in the black goop that is demon blood, but it doesn't stop me.
A half an hour after the battle began it came to an end, with all the demons dead and few injuries. Just as I slayed one of the last demons, the Inquisitor closed the rift, preventing anymore from spawning. There was almost a visible sigh of relief that echoed through my comrades now that the rift was closed. After a few moments the Inquisitor called for everyone to head back to the camp not far from our current location in the Hinterlands.
As our group started making their way back to camp, Varric came up and walked beside me.
"Tough battle, eh Princess?" he asked in his usual joking tone.
"Yes. May I ask why you call me Princess?" I reply; the question had been nagging me for sometime as there was no way he could possibly know my royal background, I had made sure of that.
"I don't know, maybe you just seem regal to me?"
"You mean I have a stick up my ass?"
Varric blinked a few times before bursting out into laughter. "No, that role would be held by the Seeker, but you may come in a close second."
"Well I shall be sure to change that."
"And then what would I call you?"
"My name does have a nice ring to it."
"Does it now. I suppose Sada does roll off the tongue well. But then again, so does Princess."
"If your trying to negotiate with the dwarf, then you might as well give up now," Cassandra counseled, coming up behind us.
"I suppose I will just have to put up with the nickname," I sigh, "How far is it back to camp?"
"Not far," Cassandra replied.
"What Princess, tired of me already?"
Instead of replying I made an umph sound and the rest of the journey back was traversed in silence.
Upon reaching camp I helped some of our soldiers move some supplies before retiring to my tent to assess the damage the darkspawn had done to my side. After removing my cloak I carefully unstrap my breastplate and discard my leather gauntlets on the floor before messing with the chain mail shirt I wear. I could see maroon blood crusting the area where the wound was; luckily my cloak had concealed it on the walk back.
Before I could remove it I heard a voice call to me from outside my tent. I quickly put my cloak back on before calling for them to come in.
"Varric, can I help you?" I inquire.
"No, the Inquisitor asked me to give you this report, she would like your opinion on it."
"Of course, leave it on the table, please," I say, gesturing to the correct place.
"You're hurt," he observes, following my instructions.
"What?"
"The gash in your side, you were trying to hide it."
I sigh, "Yes, but it is small, it will be healed in a few days."
"At least let me get you some medical supplies."
"If you wish."
He leaves and I take my cloak back off as well as the chain mail, leaving me in my linen undershirt. The right side is soaked with blood, but the wound is no longer bleeding.
While I wait for Varric to return I read the report the Inquisitor sent. It was a simple report detailing Leliana's latest findings. I wonder how she got so good at her job as spymaster. Sure, I can be observant, but not like that.
I was pondering what to tell the Inquisitor when Varric returned, bandages and rubbing alcohol in hand.
"Thank you," I say as he hands me the supplies.
"Don't mention it, Princess, couldn't have one of our best new warriors bleed out now, could we?" he jokes turning to leave, but he stops at the door of my tent to say, "You don't have to be so uncomfortable around us you know, we don't bite."
"Well Cassandra warned me that you might," I laugh. I hear him snort before he continues out of my tent. Now to clean up the laceration so I can go to sleep.
The next morning, before the sun had even risen, I found myself in the main tent while the Inquisitor briefed us on the day's mission.
"There's one more rift in this area I want to close before we return to Haven," the Inquisitor explained. "Blackwall, Cassandra, Varric, and Sada. I would like you to accompany me to close this rift, the rest of you prepare for our trip back to Haven tomorrow."
A chorus of yes ma'am's sounded and everyone in the tent began to move to carryout their assigned tasks. I waited for most of the group to leave before attempting to leave the tent, but the Inquisitor called me over just as I was starting to leave.
"Varric has explained to me that you were injured yesterday," she said nonchalantly.
"Yes, but the wound was not bad, and he so kindly got me medical supplies," I reply curtly. I am starting to get annoyed at all these people concerned for my wellbeing, perhaps because they remind me of my overprotective mother. I love her dearly, really, but she gets on my nerves sometimes.
"Will it prevent you from performing your duties today?"
"No ma'am."
"Good. Meet us near the waterfall in half an hour." I nod and proceed to my tent to ready myself.
These rift battles are getting hard, with higher-ranking demons spawning at each new rift we travel to. This one is particularly bad as it was difficult note to get surrounded by the enemy while still fighting them. After killing several, I retreat back to catch my breath before redoubling my efforts.
"Perfect timing, Princess," Varric quips as I kill the darkspawn that was gaining ground on him.
"Don't mention it. This rift is particularly nasty."
"Agreed. How's your side?"
"Sore, but manageable."
"Are you not going to ask why I told the Inquisitor?"
"No, I understand perfectly. She is the leader and needs to make sure her team can adequately perform their duties."
Varric made a humph noise as he sent another bolt into a nearby darkspawn. I went and rejoined the main part of the fighting, wishing for it to come to swift conclusion. As I did I pondered the dwarf's behavior. He and the Seeker fought almost constantly, but to me he was almost over attentive. I wonder why? Perhaps I am overthinking the situation again; it would not be the first time.
"And then the Seeker stabbed it through the heart," Varric explained, telling the story of our various battles to Iron Bull, Cullen, and Josephine while we all sipped our drinks at a table in the bar.
"It was not that magnificent," Cassandra downplayed, as she came and sat at the table next to me.
"Perhaps not Seeker, but then it wouldn't make a good story, now would it?" Cassandra did not reply.
It was then Iron Bull turned to me and asked, "So how did the new recruit find the Hinterlands?"
"Exhaustingly beautiful. I've always loved the woods, but I do like them better when demons aren't trying to kill me. And when it's warmer. That rain was terribly cold."
Iron Bull laughed, and Cullen agreed with my position. "Well, you're back in Haven now, so you might as well warm yourself back up. Would you like any help with that?" Iron Bull not so innocently offered. Cullen turned a shade of pink in embarrassment for me and I rolled my eyes and muttered no.
"And what does it take to warm your bed, Sada?" Iron Bull continued, unfazed by my less than enthusiastic answer.
"Must you pick on all our new recruits, Bull?" Cassandra harshly asked, coming to my defense as I looked away from the table, but not from embarrassment. I had a strange feeling, like trouble was coming and I had no sooner looked back toward the table before the reason for the feeling walked through the tavern door wearing handcuffs and being led by the Inquisitor.
"And just how did you talk yourself into those?" I asked my brother, referring to the handcuffs.
"I am not entirely sure. I only inquired to see my sister, Princess Sirena, was told there was no one here by that name, then described you and here we are."
"How do you know this man?" the Inquisitor asked, eyeing both of us curiously.
I looked down, careful to avoid Varric's gaze in particular and sighed before answering. "He is not lying, he is my brother, Sky. And he should have known better."
"She is right, what good would a princess be to the Inquisition, but a known smuggler and spy, now that would be useful," my brother replied in his fake sarcasm.
"Is that why you lied?" the Inquisitor inquired.
"Yes, and because my true name is not something I like many people to know about me. A princess I may be, but it is my right as to who I let know that little fact."
"Will you still help the Inquisition?"
"As long as there is giant rift in the sky threatening this world, yes, I will. Unless you have a problem with that, Inquisitor?"
The Inquisitor sighed. "Please do not lie to us again, but you have proved yourself a valuable asset so you may stay."
"Thank you," I reply before turning to my brother to ask, "Why are you here?"
"I brought you information, I will not stay long. What name are you using this time?"
"Sada."
After Sky passed along his intel the Inquisitor showed him to a place to sleep and I quietly left the tavern to return to my own quarters and solitude. Sky had brought valuable information on the rebel mages, but I still wondered why he had brought it in person, and why he revealed who I was. Perhaps mother wanted credit for me helping the Inquisition, honestly I couldn't care less.
Halfway back to my room I realized I was being followed and I turned around to see none other than Varric.
"Come to gloat on your good intuition?"
"So you're really a princess, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Now I understand your attitude, that must be stifling."
"Sometimes, its not as bad as it seems, but I do yearn for privacy sometimes."
"Understandable. Is that how you became a smuggler?"
"You're gathering information for story, aren't you?" I asked, glancing slyly over at him.
"A Princess nobly fighting an unknown enemy while pretending to be a common criminal would make a good story now, wouldn't it?"
"That answer implies that that was not your original intention in starting this conversation."
"Maybe, maybe not."
"You sure do know how to be frustrating!" I grumbled.
"Ah yes, my true talent," he jested.
"Then why, why talk to me like this?"
"Maybe I find you attractive and I want to find out the answer to Iron Bull's earlier question."
At this I blushed fiercely and was immensely thankful that we were now right outside of my quarters. I quickly opened the door and shut it behind me, but it didn't block the sound of his deep, baritone laugh echoing down the hallway.