Chapter Two:

Immortals

The following morning proved that their journey would be…interesting so to speak. As Artemis drew close to the front gate, spotting Cassandra glaring at Solas suspiciously whilst Varric seemed amused by it all and Ana was trying to lighten the mood.

"Artemis!" Ana called out, looking relieved at her presence. Instantly, Cassandra's eyes snapped to hers as she glared daggers. Artemis sent her a challenging look, daring her to speak. "We're all here so we should get going."

"Understood," Cassandra turned away from the elves and led the group, followed by Ana and Varric who began discussing various things as Artemis and Solas brought up the rear.

"Here I thought she was against me for being an apostate," Solas spoke up with Cassandra far out of ear shot. "Perhaps there is a chance our Seeker does not share sentiments with elves?"

Artemis snorted as she walked. "I fear it is not with our race but who we choose to be; an apostate and a rouge."

Hearing her answer, Varric shot her a grin. "If you're a rouge, then what am I?"

"Banal."

Solas chuckled as Varric winked, having picking up few elvish words from his association with her. Artemis returned the wink with a satisfied grin of her own before glancing back at the elven male beside her.

"I heard you've studied ancient ruins," Artemis spoke up, repeating the information she had gotten from Ana. She noticed the slight smile on the corner of his lips at her question.

"You heard correct. Any building strong enough to withstand the rigors of time has a history. Every battlefield is steeped in death," he explained as they walked. "Both attract spirits. They press against the Veil, weakening the barrier between our worlds. When I dream of such places, I go deep into the Fade. I can find memories no other living being has ever seen."

Artemis frowned, glancing at him. "Isn't sleeping exposed like that a bit…dangerous?"

"I do set wards," he answered her, like it was obvious. "And if you leave food out for the giant spiders, they are usually content to live and let live."

"I'm torn between impressed and slightly afraid that something such as that can be possible," Artemis responded and he seemed to understand her reasons.

"I hope it is the former you feel, as it is not a common field of study for obvious reasons. Not so flashy as throwing fire or lightning."

He paused, smiling as softly as she had ever seen on his face. "The thrill of finding remnants of a thousand year old dream? I would not trade it for anything."

As they moved further southeast, the snow patches gradually disappearing and tree lines becoming thicker and greener. Artemis felt calmer, having left the chaotic war camp filled with high tension and returning to the serene of nature. She enjoyed winter but it could never compete with the crisp air, the smell of pine and grass.

The group followed Cassandra as she led them down the mountain, halting in the middle of a forest, with a small river running smoothly down past them.

"Perhaps we should stop for a break," Cassandra suggested and the rest agreed. As Artemis, Solas and Cassandra began unpacking some food they received from the quartermaster; Artemis stood standing without giving any indication that she would join them.

"I'll go scout the area," she informed Ana who nodded, noticing Varric's lack of surprise. As she turned on her heel to head back to the path they had come from, Cassandra called out to her.

"I don't believe it to be necessary; the area is safe," Cassandra informed her and Artemis placed a hand on her hip, leaning her weight on one foot.

"On the contrary, I believe it to be necessary. You can never be too careful, Seeker," Artemis replied, lifting her chin as she stared at her. "Why don't you stay here like a good warrior and keep an eye on the camp?"

"You presume to order me? You are a murderer! An assassin," Cassandra spat, standing up and Artemis rolled her eyes, giving her a dismissive wave of her hand.

"There is no point in informing how wrong your assumption of me is. Clearly you believe baseless rumours over what you see in front of you," she responded, turning on her heel and walking away from them, ignoring Ana's voice calling out to her.

So there it was; the reason why Cassandra had been eyeing her with suspicion ever since she had arrived at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. The warrior believed her to be an assassin, probably having heard from Leliana.

Upon her return, she found Varric holding out the dried ram strips and a wedge of cheese from her pack. Smiling, she gratefully bit into the cheese as she sat down next to him. A few feet away, Cassandra and Ana were discussing their journey.

Noticing his absence, Artemis's eyes searched for Solas. "Where did Solas run off to?" she asked her dwarven friend who pointed to a few thickly branched trees a little off to their left. She could only make out his bald head.

Something felt…off.

Standing up, she jogged over to him without a word and found him staring up at the sky, seeming lost in thought. Cautiously, she drew closer until she was a few feet away from him.

"Something on your mind, hahren?" Artemis spoke softly, but witnessed him snapping out of his daze and he glanced at her.

"Just pondering, da'len," he answered and her lips twitched slightly, her arms folded behind her back.

"I am not a da'len."

"Then why refer to me as hahren?"

She paused and stared into his eyes. "They say the eyes are the window to the soul; your eyes tell me of your old, wise soul. Therefore, I say hahren suits you perfectly."

They fell quiet, listening to the silence offered to them both by the forest and nature itself. Hearing Ana's voice, Artemis glanced at him.

"How long will you stay with the Inquisition?"

"Until the Breach is closed," he answered before letting out a weary sigh. "I am an apostate mage surrounded by Chantry forces and unlike the Herald; I do not have a divine mark protecting me. Cassandra has been accommodating, but I am sure you understand my caution."

Artemis stared at him, her eyes narrowed. "You came to help them, Solas. If they dare harm you I will—"

"You will do what? Send arrows and daggers at them?"

"No, I would stop them in any way I had to," she answered and was surprised to find a small smile directed at her.

"Thank you, da'len," he said before looking out at the scenery in front. "If this mess does not get sorted, I would have no place to rest my head and dream."

"You cannot spend your entire life dreaming, could you?"

"No, in truth I have come to enjoy experiencing more of life to find more of the Fade," he stated, leaning against the tree beside him.

Artemis tilted her head slightly to the side. "Oh? How so?"

"You train yourself to hit your target every time. The grace with which you move is an enjoyable side benefit," he answered simply, gesturing to her with a wave of his hand. "You have chosen a path whose steps you do not dislike because it leads to a destination you enjoy. As have I."

She raised a brow at him. "You think I'm graceful?"

His eyes softened as he stared into her ice blue eyes. "Think it? No, I declare it. It is a subject not up for debate."

She chuckled, taking a step forward with her arms clasped firmly behind her back and turned to him. "I hope you continue then, enjoying my…side benefits, hahren," she grinned before heading back to their make-shift camp, feeling Solas's eyes watching her depart.

oOo

The last arrow sank into the Templar's chest, piercing through his armour and killing him instantly. Artemis lowered her bow as the barrier casted on her by Solas disintegrated as the others sheathed their weapons.

"I knew Kirkwall's influence would extend far, but to witness it," Artemis said quietly to Varric beside her. He didn't say anything, but she knew he thought the same thing.

Inquisition filed into the Crossroads, helping to restore and remove the dead bodies. Refugees stepped out of their homes, seeing the danger had passed and began resuming their earlier activities.

Artemis shook her head. "They seem used to this."

"They are no stranger to war, da'len," Solas spoke up as Ana passed by, squeezing her shoulder before heading off to where Mother Giselle was tending to the wounded.

"Artemis," Varric called and she glanced at him, seeing the look he gave her. She nodded and without a word, returned to the camp where Scout Harding was situated.

When she arrived, she called for some paper and a quill. The Requisition Officer handed her the supplies as she leaned against the desk.

Emma Mi,

I need you to send some of our men to the Crossroads in the Hinterlands, close to Redcliffe. The war between rebel mages and Templars who abandoned their order is occurring here with innocent lives caught in the crossfire. Refugees urgently need the assistance.

Send one of the healers as well, preferably Helena. And commission some blankets from one of the fabric shops. Slap on our name for good measure. It's time to make a difference out of the Free Marches.

Dareth shiral,

Assan.

Satisfied with her writing, she grabbed one of the nearby ravens and attached the small letter to its leg. Carrying it on her arm, Artemis stood on a nearby rock and whispered the destination to the raven before it flew off.

"Scout Harding," Artemis called to the dwarf who turned around upon hearing her name. "Is there someone in charge of overseeing the safety of the refugees?"

"Corporal Vale," she answered and the elf nodded, thanking her before re-joining the others back at the Crossroads. Ana was missing, indicating she was still occupied with Mother Giselle.

"And where did you run off to?" Cassandra questioned with a raised brow. She still was slightly suspicious of her, but during their trip to the Hinterlands, the two women came to an understanding after she informed Cassandra what Black Wolf truly was. She seemed hesitant to accept it, but eventually saw them in a different light.

"To send word to my second for men to arrive here," she answered, placing a hand on her hip. "This place needs more than just Inquisition soldiers. I requested the presence of one of my best healers and for blankets to be commissioned by one of the fabric stores under my care."

"The Purring Fur?" Varric asked and she shrugged her shoulders. "You didn't specify?"

"I'm sure Anthros will know which one is best," she waved off dismissively and Varric chuckled.

"Maker only knows how well that guild is in your absence…then again, with Locks acting as leader it might survive."

"Your faith in my guild is overwhelming, Durgen'len."

Ana marched towards them, smiling brightly as if she had won a game of Wicked Grace.

"What's gotten you in such a good mood?" Artemis asked, crossing her arms across her chest. "I didn't realise talking to a sister of the Chantry would make you smile."

Ana frowned. "You don't like talking to those of the Chantry?"

Varric snorted, laughing a little at the young woman's question. Seeing her puzzled look, he cleared his throat. "She's never been good with dealing with those of the Chantry."

"I've never been good at dealing with anyone who would force their beliefs and rules down my throat," Artemis retorted heatedly, looking away as she wanted no more words spoken on the discussion. Varric's amused chuckle at her reaction made her lips pursed into a thin line.

"Mother Giselle suggested I travel to Val Royeaux and address the Chantry's heretical claims personally," Ana informed them confidently, a smile on her face. "Their power only comes from their united voice. Creating doubt would cause them to turn on each other and allow us more time to close the Breach peacefully."

Cassandra gave a firm nod, seeming satisfied with the information. "In the meantime, we should see Corporal Vale. We need to acquire horses for the Inquisition from Horse master Dennet."

Ana led the way, with Cassandra and Solas not far behind. Artemis took a step forward to follow, only for something small to crash into her right leg. Looking down, she spotted a small boy on his backside, wincing.

"You should be careful, da'len," Artemis warned, crouching down and helping the child to his feet. She noticed a small, wooden toy side tied loosely to his belt and raised a brow. "And what is this?"

"My sword! I'm going to be a brave warrior and protect my Momma like that lady over there," he pointed to where Cassandra's figure disappear behind the corner.

"Oh, Seeker would just love to hear that," Varric snorted behind her and she shot him a look before placing a finger between the boy's brows.

"A warrior must also use his head and not run into people," Artemis teased, standing up straight as tightened the strap that held her arrows. "Your mother is lucky to have such a brave warrior-in-the-making."

The child's eyes widened as a huge grin spread across his face and he nodded furiously. Waving goodbye, they parted ways with the young child and re-joined the others at one of the Inquisition camps at the Crossroads.


Song: Immortals by Fall Out Boy

Here's chapter two :) I hope you enjoyed it and can sort of see the different sides to Artemis. She can be serious, deadly, kind and sarcastic all wrapped in one. It just depends on who she speaks to.

Rate and review if you would be so kind :D