Chapter 4: Testament

The night was growing old as the white moon was becoming lost in the warm yellow glow of the rising sun. A new day was on the horizon but the horrors of the night were not over. One elf lay injured on the ground while the other - recently unarmed - stood nervously a few feet away. The unnamed Charger watched from behind with an air of security while Iron Bull observed the scene. He was the first to speak. "Almost ready but I want this settled here," He confessed with a nod as his thick shoulders turned to face the elf lying on the ground. There was a quick silence before the thick gray lips moved again, "I want to know how the little lady brought you all the way out here."

The man on the ground was shocked. "What do you mean?" Roy asked hesitantly as he slowly positioned himself onto his feet. "I mean, I'm not a fighter. She's barely smaller than me and she had a knife." Between his words Roy kneaded his hand around the missing digit

"I mean it seems strange." Iron Bull added as he eyed the elf carefully.

"What's strange?" Roy mumbled as he continued to fidget with his ruined hand. His eyes dared not stray from the Qunari's face.

Iron Bull shrugged, "Strange that the person with a set of broken toes is the person in command. Not to mention that she's still drunk."

"I'm not drunk." Stated Elek proudly with a furrowed brow.

"Says the drunk," The charger laughed, "Your emotions have been all over. You were fuckin' mad when we first got here, then nervous when I asked for the knife, calm before, now insulted. You're as drunk as a skunk, love."

"And watching your feet when you walk." Iron Bull added flatly with a mild grin.

Upon further consideration, Elek saw their logic and accepted it begrudgingly with a nod. Her sleep had sobered her a little but, apparently, not enough.

"So? What does that matter?" Roy snapped. His brow furrowed with distain.

Iron Bull took a step toward the wounded elf as he crossed his arms. "So how does a drunk force a perfectly sober man into the forest? This story I have got to hear."

Roy panicked briefly. His breath was faintly heard to heave in and out from the worry building. "Well she had the knife and told me to get out. I, I just followed. I didn't think she was drunk. She talks perfectly fine."

"And you just went ahead with that? Didn't yell out for help?" The Charger added.

"There was a knife. That was all I needed to listen. Why does this matter so much?" Roy's thin hands were wiggled around each other. The blood from the wound bled over the palm and left stains in his clothes that he timidly touched.

"It matters because I'm not bringing back a threat to my team," Iron Bull stated bluntly. His dark eye challenged Roy as he continued, "So tell me the truth or walk away."

"Why isn't the girl being attacked like this?" Roy asked as he took a step back. His heels pressed against a tree behind him until he was wedged against the bark."I've been saying nothing but the truth. She's the liar."

A silence came over the group. Iron Bull paced the features of Roy with endless patience. The Charger watched between the boss and the suspect. Elek, however, was left to just think. She had no fear that she would be suspected. Perhaps that was because her drunken nature removed the thought or potential guilt. It then passed her mind that perhaps Roy had planned this from the moment they were saved; it may be the reason why he never took a drink. She hadn't even known how long he carried that knife. It was unlikely he was so cunning as to grab it from one of the Chargers. It could very well have been the weapon that disfigured her. That thought frightened her and she tried to swat it away. The anxiety finally left when she heard that strong voice speak again. It was Iron Bull.

"Leave, Roy." There was no doubt in his voice. His statement was clear and even the Charger did not question him.

Roy shook his head. "What? You're just gonna leave me out here?"

"Yeah," Iron Bull stated as he took a step back and gestured for the Charger and Elek to follow him, "I don't care what you did before but I don't trust you now."

"And you trust that little knife-ears?" Roy hissed as his hands clenched against his chest, "I'll die out here."

Iron Bull hadn't seemed to care and simply began to walk away. "Good luck," Muttered the Charger as they followed through and nodded for Elek to follow. As the young woman passed by Roy, his bloody hands reached out to her. His digits twitching as they gripped her arm and pulled her back.

"Don't let them leave me. Please. I-I can't even protect myself." His voice shook as she pinched Elek's arm. "Are you ready to just let me die?" The elf tried to pull her arm from his grasp but desperation made him strong. His back was anchored against the tree to ground him. "I can tell you about them. The blood mages, I mean. They're bigger than you think. They have their hands in everything. Please, please don't leave me."

Elek stopped. Terror held onto her as she mentally battled between truth and lies. Roy may have worked for them but he had shown no honour thus far – none that would give any credit to his words. But it was Iron Bull who made the decision not to listen. His large hands gripped onto Roy's managed palms. The man shrieked in turn as the Qunari crushed his remaining digits with a solemn face. Roy fell. Elek stepped backwards, still slightly shaken by the ordeal. Iron Bull wiped the blood onto his thigh and moved on. "C'mon Elek," He commanded. His large form turned away and began to walk back to town. The elf listened and hesitantly stepped behind with tender feet. Her eyes still stuck on every step. The other Charger took a position behind her as if to guard the rear. Roy, however, remained on the ground. His shriek had turned to sobbing as he simply was left to the mercy of the wilds.

The trio marched down the dirt path. The sun had risen and the shadows retreated to their haven in the forest. The trip seemed unfamiliar to her in the light. She knew it must have been the same road but not one tree at its side was recognizable. Not even the cart treads that marked the path were familiar. It must have been the alcohol she mused. "Iron Bull," She started cautiously before waiting for him to reply.

"Yeah?"

With a quick breath she muttered, "Do you think he knew anything about the blood mages?"

Iron Bull shrugged, "No I don't. Least not anything worth listening to. Desperate men say desperate things." The man had moved to peer over his shoulder at Elek, a smile beginning on his large lips. Iron Bull was a strange man. He easily recovered from horror and grief as if it were simply the course of life. And through it all, he held a subtle kindness. Elek felt it then, as she did the day before.

"Why trust me then? I did have the knife." She stated as her blue eyes watched his features.

Iron Bull had turned away to face their path. The road below faded into cobblestone as the town came into view. "Yesterday you called out for help. Roy I found hiding in a bunch of bodies. I tried to drag him out a few times and he kept crawling back like a cockroach." He paused for a moment as the morning birds called through the cold air. "It says a lot about a person by how they take help. You begged for it, he ran. The guilty usually run. Besides," he smiled, "I'm still on your list."

Elek shrugged, still too focused on the previous events to smile. "So why'd you bring him back with you?"
Iron Bull was frank once more as he marched on, "It could have been senseless fear. He was injured and once he was out, he followed. For what I knew at that point, he could have known something."

They reached the town and kept their paces. A few villagers had stopped to ask if they had found the source of the yelling. Iron Bull confirmed and advised them not to worry. They seemed at peace as they went about their day. A similar conversation happened when they entered into the bar.

"Eh, Iron Bull," The bartender began, "how'd that distress call go? Was James fibbin' again?"

"Not this time," Iron Bull admitted, "It's taken care of." He arrived at the side of the bar and leaned against the counter. His large hand gripped the ledge to keep his balance.

"Good." The bartended stated with a nod. "So you headin' out soon?"

"Soon enough. Has the healer arrived?" Iron Bull muttered.

"Over there." The man stated with a quick point.

The trio followed the man's hand to see an old man with white hair bundled behind his head. A nun and templar accompanied him. "C'mon Elek. Time to see those feet get better." Iron Bull stated as he pushed himself onto his feet and headed over. Elek was slower to start moving but helped along but a soft nudge of the Charger.