The journey back to Skyhold felt different to Sera. In all the other times, she was 'meekly' following the others and inventing new ways of tricking Vivienne and annoying Dorian, to the point of the mages' irritation reaching its zenith. This time she was going alone...Well...almost alone. She turned her head towards the boy walking beside her. He looked weird, as always, so that wasn't a change. Snowflakes collected on his enormous hat, as it obscured most of his face from her, casting a shadow over it. He was walking with a slight spring in his step, looking around at the snow laden trees and frost covered tree barks in childlike wonder. He would stop every now and then and try to initiate a conversation, or ask her about their task, but the elf's reply to him was silence.

She was not in the mood. It's not that she hated him, exactly, he just annoyed her. A lot. The current situation of the world was not a time for daydreaming and long philosophical discussions. They were in the middle of a war. The peace between the countries was only temporary and contractual, alongside the ever returning dark spawn threat, Solas and the Red Templar's order being rebuilt. The latter's possibility being the reason of Sera's and Cole's journey back to the ancient fortress. They walked on in silence, as the snow fell and covered their tracks. Cassandra, Dorian and Varric were far away now, still by the cave waiting for Leliana's decision.

There was a sudden rustle in a bush and Sera automatically drew her bow and aimed in the direction of the sound."A wolf. It won't harm us. It's not hungry." Cole said. Moments later, as foretold by the boy, a wolf emerged from the thicket. It was a majestic creature. It's fur shimmered, glimmering with an unearthly glow. It was the colour of the Moon one minute and the pitch black of the night sky the next. Red eyes focused on Sera. It was a scary, piercing gaze that seemed to reach deep into her very soul, searching, looking for something. But at the same time it felt warm, familiar as if the creature that stood before her knew who she was. Sera stepped back and lowered her bow. She momentarily swayed but was caught by Cole. The two stared at the wolf and the wolf stared back. That short moment of intense connection seemed very long to Sera at the time. Then as quickly as the wolf appeared, it was gone. Dissolved into nothing. Turned into one of the many snowflakes that fell from the sky, or perhaps a small cloud of mist that clung to the undergrowth.

"What the bloody hell was that?" she muttered. The elf rested her head on Cole's shoulder and sighed with relief. That ...thing, really freaked her out. Then remembering who she was leaning against, she quickly detached herself from the boy with a loud."Get off, Creepy!" After brushing bits of snow from her top and swinging her bow over her shoulder, she proceeded to march forward, knowing her comrade would soon follow and probably ask her ten thousand arrows worth of bizarre questions concerning their unusual meeting with the weird canine. To her surprise, the boy remained completely silent right up to them crossing the bridge into Skyhold.

"Leliana's in the rookery. We should head there immediately." He said. After the Inquisition's disband, the fortress became quieter and almost peaceful. Few staff remained, the castle pretty much ran itself. The garden grew wild and turned into a paradise for the rooks. The dark birds' nests littered every tree in the abandoned garden, and its occupants watched every movement, every falling leaf, every disturbance with great intensity. The organisation's allies left its grounds, but would drop by every now and then, to deliver vital information.

The first person to know anything concerning the Inquisition or related matters, was none other than it's Spymaster, Leliana. She knew who, when, why and how entered or left Skyhold's grounds. She knew where dark spawn had their lairs, and would send her associates on errands there. Nothing escaped Leliana's notice. When Sera and Cole entered the rookery, the Spymaster was already waiting for them, stroking the pitch- black bird perched upon her shoulder."You ran into some trouble on your way here. A wolf, yes?" she said softly, turning to face them. Sera opened and closed her mouth, unsure of what to say without letting out that the whole situation has left her distressed and embarrassed, which is, for someone of Sera's sort , a rarity.

Luckily Cole decided to answer the question."Yes, Leliana. Close to the mountain pass. .." he trailed off, before continuing " We are bringing some grave news. The dark spawn cave you sent us to clear, seems have more to it, than the creatures that dwell within. The creatures ran out of it frightened, but not by us. We discovered red lyrium embedded in the dark spawns' bodies. Varric thinks the Red Templars may have had something to do with this. They might be trying to rebuild their order, and using the dark spawn for something. " Leliana's face darkened."This is, indeed...grave news. I must send word to our allies immediately. Josephine!" she called. The Antivian stepped from the shadows."Yes, Leliana?" "Write a letter to Cullen Rutherford, he's in the Templar Sanctuary. " Josephine noted that down."Grand Enchanter Vivianne too, last time I heard she was in Val Royeaux. Locate the Bull's Chargers, Iron Bull will be with them. Thom Rainer...Warden Blackwall is in Denerim."

Josephine left the room, and went to write the letters. The Spymaster turned her attention to Cole and Sera."You leave for the cave, first thing in the morning. Hopefully Vivianne and Iron Bull will be here by then. Right now I suggest going to your chambers to sleep, both of you will benefit." The two stood there for a few more moments. Cole wanted to ask something but Leliana had walked passed them, out of the rookery, presumably to discuss the plans for tomorrow with Josephine. Looking over his shoulder at Sera he said."Leliana's right. I sense tomorrow will be very hard. We must be awake and prepared for it."

Sera walked into her old chamber. It was a small, but cosy room. Windows lined the walls and at night she could see the stars from almost every angle. Colourful carpets covered the floor. A bookshelf with some of her favourite books and a few random but interesting things she picked up during her travels stood on the left, next to a big painting of a rider, a chest and numerous other containers full of her stuff.

A lute rested against soft pillows on her window-seat resting place, next to the little table she always put her bow on. The elf smiled. She had good memories from here. Pranks, chats with her comrades and mornings of sitting by the window and basking in the sunshine surrounded by a million cushions. Sera put her bow on the table and stood by one of the windows, gazing out into the night. Stars sparkled in the distance and the moon glowed like a giant orb in the sky. She lay down on her 'bed', resting her head on a comfy pillow and curled into a small ball, hoping sleep would come soon.

Instead the night seemed to stretch on, as if to annoy her. Unwanted thoughts , vivid daydream nightmares, crept into the elf's mind. They were made of weird wolves, rejection and nothingness. No matter how she tried to push these thoughts away, they kept coming back to her. She couldn't close her eyes, let alone sleep, fear pressing itself against her, painful and suffocating. She punched her pillow angrily, cursing, when it brought no effect.

The thoughts remained. Suddenly she heard a curtain rustle nearby, accompanied by a quiet, barely audible squeak of floorboards. The elf shot up and looked around the dark room. Seeing no one, she grabbed her bow from the table and readied an arrow, preparing herself to shoot whoever dared to come closer than she desired. Be it demon, a nug or Leliana; she was NOT going to let them see her in her current state.

"It's just me, Sera. Please put the bow away." Said Cole stepping out of the shadows. The archer grimaced."What d'you want Creepy? And what are you doing in MY room?" The boy sat beside her and explained."I heard your suffering. I felt your pain. I came to help. I want to help you. " "I don't want your help, Creepy. Besides I'm not suffering. I'm perfectly fine. Just go away will you? I should be kicking demon arse, or sticking my arrows into Dorian's breeches in my dream right now. Instead I'm here. With you" "I know" Cole said. "You need someone to lift your spirits, though you're not wanting to admit it to yourself."

The elf burst into a fit of laughter so extreme, she found herself gasping for breath and clutching her shaking sides while a look of pure amusement painted on her face. When the laughter finally stopped Sera looked at the boy with shining eyes."Creepy. Y'know what I need?" The boy shook his head. She gestured for him to come closer and whispered into his ear.

"I need you to go to Vivianne, give her a flower, tell her how succulent she while I will accidentally secret a wig into her bedroom...with a personal note." "I'm not sure that this is a good idea, Sera." "Oh, you're such a spoilsport! Besides..she deserves it." "Maybe you're right, but there are other ways to do it." "Oh yeah? Like what?" "Yes. There are. And I think this would be best ." Cole said leaning closer and whispering something into her ear. Sera's face lit up."That's a good one, Creepy."