Two months ago
"I need that new prosthetic now Dagna! I don't care if it's ready or not!" Moro shoved herbs and poultices into a burlap sack. "And someone get rid of that fucking body!" One of the former inquisition agents jumped to attention dragging the dead sentinel's body out of her quarters.
Skyhold was in a panic, many had thought all of Solas' spies had been routed out of the castle but last night's attempted assassination proved otherwise. Lailani, Moro's trusted friend sat by her work desk, watching Moro paced about frantically as she packed two sets of provisions and clothes.
"You must calm yourself Moro. You weren't going to go along with the plan until months from now"
"He sent a spy after her Lailani! We move tonight, he knows about Laisa now and he clearly has no intention of leaving her in my hands." Lailani sighed, standing up and pulling Moro to face her, a hand on each of her shoulders.
"Focus. You are sure now is the right time?"
"We know it's there, I can get there faster through the eluvians, I have no doubt he knows about it too. Vexing fool…" Another agent arrived, prosthetic in hand. Lailani nodded in thanks, telling the agent to bring Ramia and Laisa up to the Inquisitor's quarters as she helped Moro don her new arm. "I will need magic…"
"Which is where Ramia comes in."
"Laisa will be safer with her, most of his forces will be focused on me. I can draw their attention while they find another way to me."
"Athras will help."
"Thankfully…I will need him."
Ramia sprinted up the steps, hair unkempt and clothing askew. She leapt at her mother, checking her for any injuries.
"Mother are you alright? Did they hurt you? Where is Laisa? What's happening?!" Lailani pulled Ramia aside as Moro continued to pack and prepare. "I don't understand."
"We're moving forward for the plan."
"What? So soon?"
"Solas knows about Laisa…" Ramia's eyes widened in dread. "You have a task Ramia, and it's important you follow exactly as I tell you." Lailani sat Ramia down, taking her hands in hers. "There is a small village to the west of here, a man named Athras will be waiting for you at the local inn there and you must take Laisa with you."
"With me? Shouldn't she stay with mother?"
"Solas' men will assume that, your mother will meet you further along the way."
"In that forests to the north? You still haven't told me what's there."
"You will learn more when you meet with Athras, do you remember him?" Ramia nodded in understanding. He was a close confidant of her mothers, if her and Laisa could make it to the village and meet with him they'll be much safer. "You must be quick, and protect Laisa, they will be relentless in taking her from you."
"Why does he want her so badly?" Moro dumped one of the bags of provisions next to the two women, putting a staff into Ramia's hands.
"It doesn't matter. He will not have her." The sound of footsteps creaking on wood drew their attentions, an agent carrying Laisa in her arms addressed the Inquisitor. The sight of her mother caused the young girl to squirm in the woman's lap.
"Mamae!" Laisa ran into her Moro's arms. "You're leaving." Moro stroked her daughter's hair, regretful and hurt by the events befalling her.
"Yes da'vhenan. It's time…Mamae is going to be gone for some time, but we'll see each other again soon I promise." Moro chocked back her tears, she had never been apart for as long as they were going to be now and it brought her great pain. "What I'm going to tell you is very important, you must pay attention to me." Laisa's eyes roamed the room, ignoring her mother and seemingly in her own world again. Moro firmly held the sides of her face, making eye contact, desperate to bring her back to this world.
"Listen to me Laisa!" Laisa's eyes shook and for a small moment she had her attention. Her eyes were a striking blue like her fathers, always seeming to pierce right through you and her hair soft loose waves that frame her small round face. Once again Moro had borne a child that was a spitting image of their father and this time it did not seem a blessing as it did with Ramia. "You must listen Laisa, don't look to the fade…Look at me…" Laisa bit at her lip, giving a small nod.
"You won't stay here."
"I know, Ramia and me are leaving because babae found me."
"Yes Laisa…" Moro had been dreaming in the fade when the incident occurred. So young Laisa was but still she was already able to control the dreaming world, dreams like as a wisp, a form she favoured above all the others. Many times Solas would approach Moro in dreams, always so close but so far and always disappearing before Moro could call or reach out to him. Their last meeting was interrupted by Laisa approaching her mother. Despite her appearance, Laisa could not hide her nature and Solas saw it for himself and he was gone before Moro could do anything.
That was how Solas had come to learn of his and Moro's child and from his actions this day it was clear what he felt.
Outrage. Betrayal maybe, and that Laisa was no longer fit to be in her mother's care. Moro would not stand for it, he would not take her child from her and this would not put a dent in her plans to save Thedas. Moro released her grip on Laisa's face. "You must run away if he finds you when you dream, stay away from him. Promise you will." Laisa pouts, looking down at her feet pondering her mother's request.
"I promise." Moro kisses Laisa on every surface of her face, eyes glossy with tears and pulling the girl into a crushing hug.
"Be good and listen to your sister. I love you so much." Laisa pulls in for another hug, lifting her legs as a que for Moro to lift her up and hold her. On the other side of the room Ramia is packed and ready, a sling wrap across her back for Laisa and staff in hand.
"We're ready, let's go."
