Chapter 1: Boom!
She had been doing this for months now, waking up in a cold sweat, lips trembling, heart racing. Even if she could not remember the dream that caused it, the elf found that these occurrences were getting more and more frequent. At times she wouldn't even be able to sleep at all, the fear of dreaming was too great.
Why should such a powerful woman be reduced to, as low, a state as this?
The inquisitor could not say for sure, but it must have had something to do with her arm, with...him. Ever since he had told her the truth, told her the real reason for his leaving the inquisition, her mind was burdened with thoughts of what else he had kept from her; had lied about.
How could she have allowed herself to become so close to him, to the dread wolf?
Her eyes drifted to her arm. She stared, for a long time, at the nub where they had cut off the infection. This was what she got, for trusting a mage, not seeing the signs that he wasn't who he said he was. But she couldn't help but still want him back and forgive him for keeping his secrets. She needed his counsel, among other things.
But was it worth it?
She pushed the thoughts from her mind and slipped to the edge of her bed, his side of her bed, lightly pressing her hand to the pillow that had once held his head. The elf had little time to linger this morning, so she stood, walking over to her wardrobe to get dressed. The soft sound of footsteps caused her to stop in her place. "Cole." Was all she said as she shuffled through her clothing, not bothering to look at the boy.
"Y-yes, how did you know?" He answered, in his odd half knowing/ half confused way. His body lowering to the floor, to stand normally, not seeing the point of trying to be silent if she knew it was him. Even in his physical from, the only one he knew these days, he still could not act like a true human. Yes it had been years, but the longing to still be able to fade from the memories of others, to 'help' was still there. Having not be given an answer to his demand he spoke again. "Solar'a, are you listening to me?"
The elf turned to him as she buttoned her blouse. "Yes Cole, I've just had little sleep again, and you knew I would know." She gave him a quick smile. "You're the only one I allow up here, without invitation." She went back to getting ready, slipping on her glove and wrapping her scarf about her neck and shoulders. The Boy watching and waiting with a blank, yet, questioning look on his face.
"The Smith sent me, he has something for you." Cole finally said as he walked over and helped her with her belt. He knew she didn't like getting the help; but she had been fumbling with it for minutes now. "He sounded very happy." he finished as he patted her side lightly, like he had seen Solas do so many times before, to make her pay attention.
Snapping back to the moment she was apart of she glared at Cole, her face softening once she remembered it was him and not the mage. "Did he?" She asked clearing her throat, quickly answering her own question. "I'll bet I know why. It's ready." She gave the boy a wide grin, causing him to do the same as he nodded. "Polished and oiled." He chimed as he bounded for the stairs. "If we hurry, you might be able to get some time to practice with it.~"
Her scared face was bright now, a look Cole enjoyed seeing on her, as she made her way to the main hall with him. The two talked about what should be done first today, start the war counsel to look for leads, or look over training, and such. If Cole were to tell the truth he wanted Solar'a to get more rest, but he knew she would be happier doing something, not laying in bed.
The soft drone of the visiting dignitaries, and inquisition's own members, fill the hall. Each occupant going about their business as the day started. A few of them speaking in small groups, others tending the tables to clear them of the food from breakfast, and the mass of them all awaiting the chance to capture a glimpse of the legend that had save them with a tireless will and endless support from her inner group of friends.
The atmosphere of the massive room dotted with the soft glow of candles and sun light clawing it's way in, from outside, for a place of few large brazzers lining the hall had not, yet, been lit for the day; leaving deep shadows in the areas not touched by the gentle light.
Everyone had known that she was there, Her door quietly squealing as she exited her chambers with the young man. Her task of fending off the threat of the riffs long since finished, however, her work was far from over; even after all these years. Though most of the people there wanted to speak with her, they would leave her be for now. In truth she was glad for the lack of attention, it had worn her down so much over the past few years. More than she had thought it would, even back in her younger days of leading the massive forces with such little effort. Now, was a new story, lack of sleep and the need to find Solas...To stop him from destroying Thedas, was enough to wear her thin. And deeper her thoughts delved, going back to the days of not knowing, Simpler, happier…
A wide eyed elf stood staring at the sword that Labeled her as Inquisitor, marked hand resting lightly on the blade as she wondered what to do next.
The soft voice of the mage whisping into her ears, bringing heat to her face as he answered her, unspoken, thoughts. "You are the leader of the inquisition. The world lays at your feet, and yet you know nothing of how to start." His steps told her he was drawing nearer. "You could start with finding resources for those you lead, or find your enemies and strike fear into their hearts."
The pressure of his hand on the small of her back sent her back to the moment, but this wasn't the same. She was back in the keep, at the foot of the stairs that lead to the lower half of the undercroft. The hand on her back was Cole's, gently urging her forth, knowing she had become lost in her memories.
"I-I'm sorry, what was that?" came her words, the sound of her own voice was almost strange to hear, echoing in her head.
Narrowing his eyes at her,Harritt held up the item he and Dagna had worked on for months. Metal glinting in the light of the cave, the faint scent of fresh leather coming off of it, and the tale-tell sign of new oil shining on the gears; there was even the faintest hue of blue glowing within the device. "As I was saying… It took a damn long time, but hell if we didn't finish it!" His lips curled into a grin as he saw Solar'a was mystified by it. Each digit was crafted with care, every joint was held together with a small bolt, and the leather was supull. The thing she admired the most was the coloration. Blue steel, accented with a light bronze embellishment, Even the leather was beautiful; with it's dark brown hue and little gold facets. She wanted to just look at it, for a long time, but knew the smith and dwarf were eager to have her try it.
"And this will work like my old arm?" she whispered as she gave it a bitter look, sudden remembering that it was not a simple piece of armor. The Shem nodded and was about to answer, but for, being cut off by his 'helper'.
"Yup, as long as you keep it charged with magic...well, Lyrium." She gave a light chuckle to try to keep the elf from glaring at her. The action doing little, as she was still met with a harsh look, from both the smith and inquisitor. "Maayyybe...just try it on and then see if it works?" She asked in a slightly more defeated tone.
Solar'a nodded lightly as she held her stump up, allowing them to strap it on. "Wait, should I, well can it go over my clothing?" Came her shy question, her eyes traveling the length of the new arm, resting on the base of her real one. She wasn't sure she was willing to allow them to see her without anything on. She was the inquisitor, after all,and there was no need for them to see the leader of their ranks topless. She gave Dagna a worried glance, her eyes then resting back on Herritt and the new arm.
The old Shem shrugged, "Don't see why it can't." He answered gruffly, working to set the base of her arm and the base of the new attachment together. Wanting it to be as solid as a real arm, he strapped it snuggly to her, the longest of the straps anchoring over her shoulder and base of her neck on the other side of her upper body. The smaller straps were fastened to what remained of her arm, almost to the point of discomfort, but she could mess with them later to relieve that. "Now jus' flip the switch and it should move." He told her.
Doing so she looked it over waiting for it to move.
Nothing.
"Should I-" the fingers twitched; her eyes lighting up. "Well, that answers that!" She called as she lifted her new hand, flexing it, the soft hum and whiz of the gears and magic sounding within. It was odd at first, the elf making faces at the sounds. "It's a bit loud, but I can manage." She stated as she gripped at the air, now flexing each finger on it's own as she was shown to do, by the dwarf.
"Good on ya!" The smith stated, puffing out his chest as if he had just watched his child taking her first steps. "Now all we need to do is make sure it don't ex-"
As if on cue the arm started to glow, growing hot; and with a loud bang, shattering. Burning off the leather straps, cloth, and even flesh on the elf's left side, arm,hip, and face. Black char covering the areas that were harmed. She could only make out the faint sounds of yelling, and metal hitting the stone of the walls and floor. The others leaping back, as not to be harmed by flying bits, avoiding most of the shattered arm. Cole not understanding, and trying to go after his friend to save her, if he could. Only to be met with an empty floor, blood, and black soot.
Then...nothing but darkness.
