"Do you think the Ben-Hassrath will come for you? Now that the war with Tevinter has gotten worse...They seem desperate for men."
"Come for me? No. I'm a Tal-Vashoth now. Less than nothing. Well, in their eyes anyways…" Iron Bull grumbled taking a swig of meade and sighing.
"Besides, let them try. They'd exhaust more of their men trying to capture me then they would fighting all of Tevinter." He let out a hearty laugh as Adaar shook his head grinning uneasily.
"I suppose so." He stared into his meade duly noting the furrowed brow that stared back at him.
"Hey now," Iron Bull rumbled and elbowed him gently. "Maraas-Lok. Drink! Now is a time to celebrate. The Inquisition is at it's finest thanks to it's feisty Inquisitor!" He winked before throwing back his head in a fit of drunken laughter. Adaar's lips cracked into a slight smile but he couldn't bring himself to feel at ease. The once pitiful assassination attempts on Iron Bull were now increasing in frequency and complexity and yet...he didn't seemed vexed by any of it. Adaar wasn't sure if Bull was truly unconcerned or if his stoic composure was a ruse. The two of them had been openly together for some time and yet he still couldn't read him as well as he'd like too.
Adaar was shocked from his train of thought as he felt Bull's weight shifting against him, shivering as warm lips brushed along his lower jaw then down his neck.
"Kadan…" Bull's speech slurred slightly, "I know you worry...but there's no reason to be. Right now there's just you and me. The Ben-Hassrath have other things to be concerned with. I'm certain these petty games as of late are just...left over rebels. Men with grudges against me and my men." He waved it off chuckling and pressing his forehead against the Inquisitor's cheek.
"Come on Boss. It's late. Should be heading to bed don't you think?"
"I'm sure you'd like that." Adaar snorted and surprised Bull as he pulled him to his feet wrapping his arm around his broad waist. Bull groaned softly his one remaining eye glinting with a mischievous fire as he traced a finger along his partner's horn.
"Kadan…"
A loud crash of thunder reverberated throughout the entire ship violently shaking Bull from his sleep. His eyes were wide with fear and lost in confusion.
Focus. Look around. Gain your bearings.
He peered into the inky darkness when suddenly the ship deck was lit with a brilliant flash as lightning tore open the sky. His eyes glanced up viewing a grate in the ceiling serving as his only window to the outside. Ah, now he remembered. It had been three days since he had been ambushed, captured, and shoved into the deck of a ship. Three days of being chained and...persuaded to give information about the Inquisition and it's plans. Despite what they did he had said nothing and no matter what they planned to do in the future it'd be futile. The Inquisitions secrets would die with him. Bull grunted as he was slammed against a wall; the ship being tossed and churned in the waves. He laughed and staggered to his feet trying to keep his balance. This is kind of fun!
"Leliana! Any new reports on The Iron Bull's whereabouts?"
"No, Inquisitor."
Adaar bent over the war table his head hanging low in frustration.
"Knowing the Qunari we don't have much time. Why would they expend so many resources for one man?"
Cullen immediately chimed in, "Revenge would've seemed a likely option. Getting back at him for betraying the Qun. But they are at war. They wouldn't be willing to strain themselves like this unless it would provide them with some kind of progress in the war. My best guess? Military. They're going to ...what do you call it? "Re-educate" him. It'd make sense. He's one of the best Qunari mercs out there. A damn good soldier. Sit him down. Force him to drink qamek and soon enough he will be more than willing to follow them into their personal Hell against Tevinter."
"Speaking of which. I believe I've found a lead, if I may." Dorian graced his presence upon the war room without invitation bringing forth several maps and naval charts.
"Leliana's spies were scouring the shores gathering information on Qunari cargo ships and Dreadnaughts with no luck. We assumed with likely reason due to the recent assassination attempts and his fallout with the Qun that the Qunari would eventually come back for him. Well I figure he's not on a Qunari ship at all. It seems the Venatori have found a reason to keep him captive."
"Shit." Adaar cursed under his breath. "How is that possible? We've had no reports of Venatori activity anywhere near Skyhold. How could…" The Inquisitor paused feeling his stomach sink and begin to twist uncomfortably. "A traitor from the inside."
"Seems like it." Dorian nodded curtly. "And knowing Bull it'd have to be someone he'd relatively trust. He wouldn't be lured into a Venatori trap easily. He knows better."
Adaar gave himself a moment to recollect his thoughts.
"I shouldn't jump to conclusions. None of Bull's men would betray him." The Inquisitor shook his head. "But a rebel Tal-Vashoth with a grudge? Maybe. They'd help the Venatori if it'd even the score with the Ben-Hassrath. Come to think of it...he had mentioned that maybe there were rebels out there that still held out a death wish for him. Perhaps he was referencing someone in particular…"
Cassandra who had been silent up till now spoke with firm definition.
"If he mentioned something of the sort why didn't you inform us before this had a chance to happen?"
"I assumed...that he meant nothing by it. He treated it as if it were nothing. Something to be disregarded. Told me I should just focus on being the Inquisitor because that's what I'm here to do. Told me not to be concerned with him because that wasn't his purpose for me. That I should be allowed to relax when I'm with him and not be given more reasons to be worried since I already have the fate of Thedas riding on my shoulders. Well," Adaar shook his head sighing, "He's captured now. As if that is a problem I can ignore. We need to find out who leaked information and cut them off. Also need to find his ship and shut them down before they smuggle him too far into Tevinter. We don't have the man-power to launch a full on assault."
Cullen nodded in agreement.
"Forces spread out too thin searching for Corypheus. His sudden disappearance is...unsettling."
"That's putting it lightly." Dorian goaded while browsing a map before laying it out on the table scattering objective markers everywhere. Cullen grumbled scrambling to collect them from the floor.
"My best guess is they drug him out to Stormy Coast and began maneuvering him out to sea. We should start there."
Adaar nodded and quickly instructed each team member with their new assignments before rushing to his quarters. He rifled through his belongings gathering a few choice weapons including a staff, a dagger, and some basic supplies. He allowed himself the thought of slipping away in the night and leaving Skyhold to do some reconnaissance of his own. Suddenly the weight of responsibility weighed in heavily on his shoulders. He couldn't just...leave Skyhold without the others knowing. He had duties. Responsibilities. He was the...Inquisitor.
I didn't ask for this.
Adaar continued shoving useful items into his rucksack.
I didn't ask to become the Herald of Andraste.
He finished off packing by adding a couple tomes before staring out the window.
Adaar was grateful for his title. For his role in stopping the Breach. But at the same time...he couldn't afford to be paralyzed and to do nothing. Part of him wished that Cullen had been given the Anchor. He was an incredible leader. Expansive military knowledge. His men looked up to him. He shook his head.
Enough. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Just.. keep moving forward.
Adaar stood there for a few moments waging his own personal war when a soft rapping at his door caught his attention.
"Yes?" His voice grated tiredly.
"It's me Inquisitor. It's Cole. It's me."
"Come in." Adaar spoke before realizing the door was locked and rushed to let Cole inside.
"Do you need something?"
"I can feel it. Your eagerness to leave. Like wings shuddering before flight. I know that you want to go. I can't stop you.
No one can. So I won't. I won't stop you. I can help you. I want to help you Inquisitor. Take me with you. Let us go bring him back together."
"Cole I...I can't...I have no idea what we're going up against here. At least...I can't be certain. Could be a trap. Maybe even one Corypheus inspired himself. Who knows?"
Cole quietly dug his hands into his pockets staring at Adaar from under the bim of his odd wide hat. "I've been around for a very long time Inquisitor. I've seen a lot but many remember so little. You and your friends are some of the few who will ever remember me…" His gaze shifted downward to the floor. "Please Inquisitor. I want to be remembered for something. Even if it's just once. I want to help."
"Aye Boss. You should let him help. Because whether or not you like it I'm coming with you. No questions asked. I owe Bull my life. It's about time I returned the favor." Krem entered the room falling in place next to Cole.
"With all due respect sir..there's no way in Hell you're holding me back." Krem squared his shoulders back eyeing up Adaar with fiery determination.
"Maker help me if I tried to stop one of the Chargers from saving their own." Adaar chuckled with a weak smile, more or less a grimace, and then after a few seconds of contemplation nodded in agreement.
"Go. Get your things. I can't in good conscience leave without informing the others. It might cause panic within the entire Inquisition. But now that I have my own personal...escort...It seems more reasonable to go. Rest well tonight because we leave at first rise." Krem nodded before turning sharply leaving as Cole followed quietly in suit.
Once he was alone Adaar withdrew the halved dragon tooth necklace from under his shirt and ran his thumb over it's smooth edges.
"Just...hold on Kadan. Hold out until we can get to you. We'll find a way."