Four - The Recruiter of Andraste
As much as good as Ruby and the rest of the Inquisition had been able to do, they still had a serious problem. Well, several serious problems. If you asked Cassandra or Cullen, they might say that the continued existence of the breach was the main concern. Leliana seemed chiefly concerned with finding out who caused the breach. Josephine was too busy making sure the Inquisition had the power to do what it wanted to help decide what was best for it. Ruby ensured that her friend Treva had a job at Flissa's bar, and made sure to keep the bar open by drinking at it every day.
Eventually everyone in Haven got used to seeing the Herald of Andraste a little sauced. Josephine recommended that Flissa and Treva begin watering down her drinks, but the dark look in Treva's eyes when that was suggested told her that may not be the wisest course of action.
Naturally, decisions began to fall to the Herald. First it was little things, when to head out, who would accompany her, that sort of thing. Then, she started making moves of her own on behalf of the Inquisition. This wasn't seen as a bad thing, as there had been cause for her actions and all could see the merits in her decisions. Sometimes there were disagreements, but they were usually either won by Ruby or conceded by her.
A particularly funny moment occurred when Josephine almost fainted because Ruby had requested that Leliana send assassins after her distant relatives that were throwing around her name and role in the Inquisition to win arguments at parties. Cullen laughed, weakly, once he was somewhat certain that the Herald was joking. Still, the joke led to a discussion that led to Leliana's people spreading rumors that the Inquisition was considering sending assassins after those who used the Herald's name out of turn. Things soon quieted down.
Ruby's position in the Inquisition was also difficult to understand, as she was many things to many different people. She treated Treva and Flissa like sisters, laughing, gossiping and generally making a mess of the Tavern.
She hounded Leliana for archery lessons, which were quickly abandoned once it was clear that Leliana had nothing to teach her. Cassandra had gone from wanting her dead, to thinking she should be worshipped, to treating her like a little sister. The first time Ruby called Cassandra 'Mom,' the Seeker vibrated with rage. Now, it barely earned an annoyed scoff. Varric took her under his wing, teaching her how to pick locks faster, and tell shit whiskey from the good stuff. At times, Haven felt like a home; which was not what she would have expected three months ago.
There were also new members of the Herald's traveling party. Ruby hadn't thought to ask permission to recruit on behalf of the Inquisition, and no one told her she wasn't allowed to, so she did. On the Storm Coast, Ruby had run into a qunari named Iron Bull. He led The Chargers, an organization Leliana had already been somewhat interested in acquiring. Apparently he had a penchant for redheads and based on the way Ruby was acting around him, she wasn't against the horns.
When news got back to him, the Commander protested, perhaps a little too loudly. However, he was placated when he learned that The Iron Bull and Ruby had met before, as they'd both worked for a nobleman in Starkhaven once. Leliana assured the Commander that there was no fraternization for him to be worried about, insinuating that the Commander didn't want competition.
This was speculation that led the man to bluster about the appearance of impropriety. Even Josephine chuckled. The Commander hadn't done a good enough job to hide the crush he'd developed on the 'Herald,' although if Ruby noticed it, she certainly wasn't doing anything about it.
Warden Blackwall, a sturdily built Grey Warden, joined their ranks after Leliana had told Ruby to seek him out. As it would turn out, this was the man he should have been concerned about. Ruby was enthralled by his stories of the Wardens, even if they felt a little too fanciful. A little too romantic.
Varric and Solas both noticed this; but Warden Blackwall seemed to be the best at keeping Ruby light-hearted and goofy, which was universally accepted as the best version of her. The alternative, the easily annoyed, hot-headed assassin, was not something they wanted to see often.
They'd also gained Vivienne, the former First Enchanter of...well, Ruby wasn't really paying attention. She'd eventually learn that Vivienne was actually quite powerful politically when she wasn't being a throbbing cunt.
Ruby didn't think too much about the long term problem of mages and templars but the woman was so grating she found herself at odds on principle. The woman droned on and on about loyalty and perseverance to the Chantry. They weren't really in a position to turn away anyone, so when the woman inevitably offered her services, Ruby accepted. Cassandra seemed pleased, but when Ruby made a joke about why, Cassandra openly swore. Then she claimed that the Maker had sent Ruby specifically to test her.
This led to a particularly interesting situation. Attempting to travel with all seven of them, plus the various scouts and requisition officers was unwieldy. Ruby mentioned off-hand that she preferred to work in smaller groups so that they could cover more ground. Leliana and Cullen supported this decision. It was decided that Ruby would have one group, and Cassandra would lead the other. Cassandra's group consisted of herself, Vivienne, and a former Templar named Lysette. When the situation called for it, this group was assisted by The Iron Bull and his Chargers. This left Ruby's main party as herself, Blackwall, Varric and Solas. The three men got along well enough, and all of them seemed to be hiding something, which kept everything nice and tidy and on the surface.
Just like Ruby liked it.
Or at least, just how she thought she liked it. Truthfully she'd enjoyed the last few months. Since they'd mostly been spent battling demons, templars, mages and various other assholes, she wondered what this said about her. She wondered what others would say if they knew their 'Herald' was a whiskey guzzling murderous lush.
That's why her third conversation with Blackwall caught her off guard.
They were camping, a day's walk from Redcliffe. Ruby had been traveling with Varric, Blackwall and Solas for a while now, and she'd felt more comfortable around them than she did around the rest of the Inquisition forces.
Ruby acted younger around them; not pretending to care about the pretentious trappings of nobility when she was covered with dirt and grime from the long road. Varric particularly enjoyed this Ruby; Solas noted that dwarf had an almost paternal edge when talking about her. Varric shrugged and said that she reminded him of the best parts of two of his dear friends. He wasn't sure who Rivaini and Daisy were, but Solas knew that the dwarf loved them. Solas and Varric often opted to take first watch of the camp, so when they did Blackwall and Ruby went off into the woods to hunt more rams for the refugees. And for breakfast.
This is what led them to their conversation. Moonlight peeking through treetops as a babbling brook whispered sweet promises of nature's renewal. The sounds of nature around them provided an utopian soundscape. It was a majestically romantic scene for Blackwall and Ruby. Or, at least it could have been if she didn't open her mouth.
"Maker's balls," she grunted. "These blades will be dull after plowing through all this goddamn ram hide." As she said this, she skinned the ram with a clean practiced motion. Blackwall admired her precision, her talent.
He admired more than that, more so than he liked to admit. But he didn't know her, and didn't know how much he'd have to share to get to know her.
"So," he began. "It is night."
Inwardly, he groaned. Years on his own hadn't helped his social awkwardness. This was going to be painful.
"Yup," she said shortly. "Grey Warden abilities for observation have definitely not been oversold."
Blackwall raised an eyebrow in her direction. She'd been cocky at times, overly sarcastic, but never with him. She seemed to have a deep respect for the Grey Wardens, more so than even Blackwall was used to. But outside of his stories, she'd never seemed that interested in him beyond ensuring he was between her and whatever force wanted to kill her.
"You seemed interested in them before," he said with a huff. "If I was boring you, I'd have liked you to say something." He didn't hide his disapproval, slight as it may be.
She stopped skinning the ram and looked at him. Had he been a man of weaker constitution he would have withered under the sight of her penetrating gaze. It was intense, as usual. Her brilliant green eyes were shining brightly, as usual. They reminded him of the veilfire they'd witnessed earlier in the week. But there was a softness to it as well, which was unusual.
"I didn't…" Ruby began. " I didn't mean for you to think that. I was joking."
The earnestness in her voice made her soft accent that much more musical.
"Well, then." Blackwall said quickly. "I apologize, my lady, for jumping to such conclusions."
Ruby attempted to hide the twitch when he referred to her as 'My Lady,' but she wasn't able to prevent him from noticing.
"Why do you twitch at your title?" Asked Blackwall earnestly.
"I'm not one," Ruby replied simply.
"What do you mean?" Asked Blackwall. "I don't mean to pry...it's just that you don't flinch at arrows an inch from your face. It seems strange that you would recoil from a honorific."
Ruby took off her quiver and bow, and sat it down next to the slain ram. She then took out a waterskin filled with 'not water' and took a long swig before offering it to Blackwall. He took an apprehensive sniff first, and then coughed. He'd expected wine, not whiskey.
She giggled for a moment, then covered her mouth. She turned red with embarrassment, and Blackwall noted how innocent she looked when her cheeks matched the crimson of her hair. Then he remembered that he'd seen her covered in Templar blood after the they routed those bastards on the east road. She'd looked decidedly less innocent then.
"Don't try to avoid the topic," Blackwall pressed. The statement was more for himself than it was for her, as he didn't mind if they kept things light and breezy if it meant more moments like this. But he intended to know the woman he was going to follow. He knew better than most what happened when you didn't know why you were following who you were following.
Ruby looked sad for a moment, realizing the moment had passed. She sat down on the ground, leaning against the partially skinned ram. It was a slightly chilly night. The cool air caused it to look like their was steam coming off the freshly killed ram. She looked up at him, green eyes peeking out from under stands of red hair that was no longer pulled back in a tight ponytail. Her leathers were scuffed and scratched, and she smelled like blood and alcohol. She looked at peace, which Blackwall found confusing.
"Well, Warden Blackwall." Said Ruby suddenly. "You missed the whole 'Get to know your Herald' meeting, so I'll give you a chance. Five questions. No follow ups; if you ask me what how old I am twice, that's two questions. I suggest you choose wisely."
"Well then, Herald." Blackwall said slowly. "I imagine Ruby isn't your real name."
It was Ruby's turn to raise an eyebrow.
"You don't know it?"
"I hadn't thought to ask anyone except you."
"You'd waste a question on something you can ask anyone?"
"I want to hear the answer from you. If this is how I get it the question isn't wasted."
Ruby smiled, a soft one. Treva always said Ruby would try and bed the first Grey Warden she'd met, and while Blackwall wasn't the first Warden she'd met, he was certainly the first one she'd been interested in.
"Magnolia Trevelyan," Ruby said. "That one's for free."
Blackwall frowned. "How'd you get Ruby from that?"
Ruby smiled. "Varric gave me that nickname a few months ago."
"You just all of a sudden decided people were going to call you Ruby?"
Ruby's smile faded a bit. "People were going to call me whatever they wanted. I decided I was going to answer to Ruby."
Blackwall paused. There was wisdom in that, more wisdom than he cared to think about at this time.
"Careful Warden," said Ruby with a smirk. "That's two questions, and it should have been three. Unless you're writing a book about my name I suggest you ask me something else."
"Okay," Blackwall said. "Why did you say you weren't a lady? You've done nothing that wasn't honorable and deserving of the title."
Ruby scoffed. "Flattery is nice, but you've seen me drenched in blood, muck and whatever the fuck else those fade holes throw at me. Also, ladies don't fucking curse. So there's that." She flipped a dagger in the air nonchalantly, catching it by the side of the blade without cutting herself.
"I've seen you dive into muck, blood and whatever the fuck else those fade holes throw at you. And you did it so that someone else wouldn't have to." Blackwall said, letting his emotions get the better of him near the end of that statement.
She looked at him with an expression he didn't quite understand.
"And all the important ladies curse like fucking sailors," he added.
She snorted, easily the least lady-like thing he'd seen her do but after that speech it would probably ruin the mood to point it out now.
"Fine," she said with a laugh. "My idea of a 'Lady' is a woman who finds herself defined by something more than what she does. I don't want a title, or a name to mean anything to me. I want to be me, and be judged by my actions. And my ability to drink almost any human under the table."
Blackwall laughed, it was a deep and hearty sound. Like hot stew on cold winter's day.
"Fair enough, Ruby. Fair enough," he conceded. The two gathered all the meat they could and began to head back to came. They were about fifteen minutes away, and with any luck they'd be asleep in the next hour or so.
"Two questions left, Blackwall." Said Ruby teasingly. "What's it going to be? If you don't get them out before were back, you forfeit them."
Blackwall turned to face her, and the abruptness of his movement made her stop.
"Why turn this into a game?" He asked, more critically than he meant to. "I want to know you, and I think you want to know me too. So why make it a contest?"
As soon as the words were out of his mouth he regretted them. But she looked stunned. Blackwall was beyond upset with himself. Everything had been nice and somewhat light and he had to fuck it up.
Ruby looked deflated, but her response caught him off guard.
"I make things a game because it's easier," she said. Her voice was as soft as a whisper. "It's easier to make things a game because when you lose, it's less important. I've been on my own for a while now, and even when I've been with people I haven't felt 'with them.' Outside of Treva and my brother, I've never really trusted anyone. It's starting to feel different. I'm starting to feel different, but I guess I still fall back on old tricks."
Both of them were silent for a moment. Then, as if nothing happened they both started walking back towards the camp. Blackwall stole a few glances at Ruby, and saw that her eyes were shining more than usual. The dull emeralds looked damp.
Wet.
They'd gotten close enough to hear Varric telling Solas a story about someone named Fenris when Blackwall stopped her again. Ruby tried to keep walking but he got in front of her, stopping her movement. Her eyes flashed dangerously, and Blackwall remembered that she was not someone you got in the way of.
He could see it now. She was so many things to so many people, and she didn't know what she was to herself.
"Blackwall…" she whispered, "I…"
"...promised to answer five questions? Not four?" Blackwall interrupted softly.
She stared at him, no longer angry but still apprehensive.
"One left," she said with a sigh. "Let's have it."
"If I hadn't fucked it up a few moments ago and tried to kiss you, would you have tried to kill me?" Asked Blackwall boldly.
Ruby's eyes went wide for a moment, and then softened.
She gave Blackwall the sweetest grin he'd ever received. It was just the left side of her mouth; he may have gone weak at the knees if she'd given him a proper smile. He'd never want for anything sweet again, as long as he was given one of those a week. A month. At this rate, he'd settle for a year.
"I wouldn't have tried to kill you," Ruby said with a smile. "But I may not have kissed you back."
"Want to know which one would have hurt worse?" Asked Blackwall with a grin.
"Sorry, Ser Warden." She said sarcastically. "That's a sixth question. Better luck next time."