Chapter 7
"Funny enough you had not said a word to me since we left."Solas repled, Daere looked at him then muttered"I just been thinking what Arranz said, I know Darcy can easily take care of himself just it never really never accorded to me what I was going to do with my life once he was gone...besides I figured you wanted the silence. "
"We can head back to where you're from if you want."Solas stated as he kept his gaze forward,Daere shook her head no as she muttered softly"It would be pointless and I really don't want to face him until I figure out what I am going to tell him how I lost that blade of mine."
"Certainly he would understand..wait "Solas remarked as they halted their horses, they watched in silence as some bandits fought against a small group right in the middle of the road .Daere tilted her ear up as she muttered"Interesting I do need to blow off some stress, I wondered if that qunari is friendly."
"You are not considering getting involved in that aren't you?"Solas inquired dryly as she slide off her horse, she turned her head slightly as she spoke"What right do we have to just sit there and watch hedge mage."
"Stop calling me that."Solas demanded as she unhilted her daggers, Daere picked up her she got closer she slide right underneath the qunari spread legs as he swung his giant greatsword down, the qunari paused his blade inches from the top of her head as she crossed her arms then leaned blinked with his good eye while he stared at the elf that suddenly appeared underneath him, the qunari watched as Daere's blades embedded themselves into his opponent then slashed as she uncrossed her arms. Blood sprayed onto her face as she rolled to the side,then focused her energy on another target as the qunari raised his great sword to his shoulder.
As soon as she turned her body Daere felt her wound open wider as her blade danced right across the bandits throat, she stopped there for a second then fall to her knees as the pain traveled through her body. The bandit fall to the ground as she followed, she laid on her side and groaned in pain as Solas slowly walked over to her while the qunari order"Company stand down."
"See what happens if you don't listen to people who try to help you, how is it your even still alive."Solas remarked as he stopped by her, Daere closed her eyes then raised her middle finger up as he used one of his foot to gently nudge her body close to her she growled"Just heal me hedge mage."
"Not with those manners."Solas stated as he stopped, he looked at the qunari as he and his company watched them. Solas slowly looked up at them as he rested his foot on top of the bleeding elf while he looked over to them, softly he spoke"Ir abelas for her behavior, we don't want any trouble we just want to pass on through."
"Hedge mage I swear if you do not move that foot of yours, I am breaking it."Daere threatened, he looked down at her and remarked sharply as he nudged her body one more time with his foot"I would like to see you try."
"Please stop, is that better?"Daere muttered roughly, Solas replied sarcastically "Well that is a start,yet still not good enough...am I going to see those blades near my face after I heal you again?"
"Do you even think I am that stupid?"Daere nearly snapped then sigh as he finally knelt down beside her, the qunari offered as Solas moved the bandage. "The two of you don't look like you could travel far on your own, how about joining us for a spell. "
"And here I thought you guys where ruthless brutes. "Daere remarked as she sat up on the ground, Solas wasted on time demanding "Sit still, I swear other people I have dealt with don't move as much as you."
"No not ruthless brutes but you should be more careful when sliding underneath people like that, if I was not paying attention certainly you would have more to worry about instead of what that bandage he is dealing with. I'm The Iron bull and those are my chargers , mind I ask who you are?" The Iron Bull inquired as Krem stopped by his side, she grinned as she answered "I'm Daere, the hedge mage is Solas. "
"Where are the two of you heading?I would like to know just in case we might be heading out of the way. "The Iron Bull inquired, Solas stood as he clenched his teeth together while walking back to their mounts. Daere watched Solas as he looked through a bag one the saddle as she answered "Cumberland, I am meeting a friend there hopefully afterwards back home to check on family. "
"That is not to far from where we are heading. "The Iron Bull stated as Solas seem to stiffen then slowly looked at Daere as she stood up,with ease she dusted herself off while asking "Where are you heading?"
"Wildervale.. I am surprised you are not heading over there, what I heard some high noble elf is visiting during that festival. "The Iron bull replied, Daere stopped then shook her head while replying "Sounds fun, my curiosity wants to know who but probably best not to ask to many questions. "
"We should get going or make camp soon. "Solas finally stated as he gave up searching for any traces of lyrium , The Iron Bull remarked. "There is a clear grounds not to far from here we can rest.. hopefully we don't have anymore company. "
"How would you know about the camping grounds? "Daere inquired as Solas grabbed both the horses reins, he lead the horses to her while The Iron Bull answered "This is not the first time we have been through here… just the first time an elf has been insane enough to slide between my legs just to kill my opponent. "
"There is much more than sliding between people's legs just to take care of a problem. "Daere jokes, there was a slight pause before she asked "Are you guys mercenaries or soldiers… by your dressed I'm assuming mercenaries. "
"Good observation, yes we do mercenary work.. how about yourself? You don't seem like a common rogue. "The Iron Bull remarked as Solas held out the reins to one of the horses. Daere shrugged her shoulders as she replied "I am nothing but a humble common rogue that is trying to get by in life."
"Ma nuvenin masal din'an"Solas remarked sharply as he glare at Daere, she looked at him as she allowed her tongue to lash out "Hey I told you not to come with me did I not?So don't 'masal din'in' mage."
"If I did not come you would be dead."Solas sneered,The Iron Bull cleared his throat then spoke up."Hopefully the two of you are not planning to do this all the way over to the campgrounds, just let my men know if when you two need some privacy."
"Please tell me your not implying what I think you are,I just met up with this guy."Daere snapped as she looked at The Iron Bull,Solas wasted no time adding"I assure you we are not together like what you are thinking qunari."
"Really, then are you two related or something?I mean there has to be a reason the two of you are traveling together "The Iron Bull inquired,both Daere and Solas snapped as they glared at him"No!"
"I am only with her because she seemed to be in need in assists and I just wanted to make certain she got to her destination safety."Solas remarked as he soften his tone, Daere sighed as she added"Even though I have told him thousands of times not to, besides look at me?Do I look like a woman that just falls for any body?It is about the soul dear, anyone can have a nice body but it is how a person treats others that matter"
"So your picky?"The Iron Bull inquired as she took the reins from Solas,she helped herself up onto Arranz horse while she remarked"Yes, it applies to my company to and really..look are we going or not last I heard the grey wardens are missing and in truth I would rather keep going until we reached town."
"First I heard about that, the only thing we have been hearing about is about what happened in Jader."Krem finally replied as the others got onto their own mounts,Daere looked at him as she rode a little closer to them, softly she spoke"What have you heard on that, have they figured out who did it?"
"No but what is left of the templar order has been call to investigate, they think since there was traces of magick that a mage tried to make it look like an assassin rogue did last I heard they were going to question the servant and his family, but by the time they arrived half of that aliege was think the family is guilty and want information on their whereabouts, more or less if they are caught they face execution."
'I guess it is a good thing they left before the templars came for them, last thing i need to add to my list is them suffering' Daere thought, she nodded her slowly head then spoke."It is true we just left Val Foret and I overheard some of the shems talking."
"Val Foret?Do you know of the attacks that happened there?Normally don't like the idea of anyone starting a war within a town but I think the teventers deserved what they had coming, it is a shame those elves did not just did not finish them."The Iron Bull replied as Solas rode up beside her,Daere tilted her ear up as she inquired"I get some of the tevinters are bad, but has anyone not tried to find any goods ones?"
"From what I hear these people jumped off the looney bin and are trying to go after some elves in the sky, please explain to me how that does not sound insane?True we have seen some of the buildings but how could anyone live up there?"The Iron Bull asked her as he got onto his own mount,Daere replied with some mockery to her tone as they started to ride together"Your talking to an elf Bull,you know we 'believe' we have 'gods and goddess' who dont give a Mythal tits about us down below."
"Can you please stop mocking her."Solas remarked sharply, Daere looked at him as she asked"No, anything about them rubs my own feathers the wrong way. So I will not take back the 'Mythal's tits' comment nor anything else about them, not until i see what good they can do that does not harm our people"
"Would you truly give one a chance to show you if one offered?" Solas inquired, Daere paused then sighed as she spoke"One tried but then his sentinel stabbed me in the back, so i wont lie I am aiming to return that favor."
"what are you two going on about?"The Iron Bull inquired, Daere replied softly"Ir abelas but just somethings are true, I do believe they hide up there being selfish. In fact I kind of know about what you were speaking of because one of those supposive 'god' was taking some of my people with him..look just agree that some of it might be true."
"Is that why your armor looks like rags?"The Iron bull asked as the clouds started to clear revealing the sun starting to set, Daere stated dryly as they contured to ride"Hey my armor is good, there is no 'fashion statement' when your trying to live, question have you not noticed how quickly those with the 'shiniest' outfits seen to die faster on the field?"
"Did you just say shiniest?"the dalish inquired as she looked at Daere oddly,Daere smiled as she remarked" Why yes yes i did, i am one who tries to find the small fun in this sadly forsaken world even if it annoys others life is to short"
"look boss an inn."Krem butted in as they started to near Val Chevin,The Iron Bull looked forward then replied as the group slowed the horses to a stop."Krem you and the others get the horse to the stables.."
"You guys are staying here?"Daere inquired cutting him off,her mind drift back to Jader as she shuddered while The Iron bull looked at her as he answered"Yes."
"I..I..I can't, if you like we can meet somewhere tomorrow morning and conture our journey…"Daere replied with slight nervousness ,The iron Bull remarked "I thought you said it was probably a bad idea to sleep outside, my chargers are exhausted from out last mission and I don't think they would have much energy to keep watch from darkspawn."
"Starters I was not planning for a pit stop, secondly I am kind of fresh out of coin that is why I was hoping to catch my friend."Daere explained as she pointed her fingers together,Krem replied"Don't worry about it, with the bandits active on these roads we could not allow you to be on your own aint that right chief."
"I can find a tree to sleep in if I must."Daere raised her hand to protest as a patron walked past them as a couple tevinter opened the door, Daere made eye contact with them as she looked past The Iron looked at her while he inquired while some of the chargers took the mounts to the stable"So what your a bird now?"
"No..just with some rope I can easily support myself on a branch." Daere tried to explain as she ignored the ass question, she watched the tevinters talked among themselves then one walked away while The Iron Bull spoke "no i don't mind paying for you if you don't mind sleeping with dalish and skinner."
"protesting is useless ain't it?"Daere replied as she gave in, deep down she knew that was not going to happen as she forced a gentle smile while The Iron Bull replied "Pretty much, beside maybe after you met up with your friend and take care of your family issue you could hang around us for abit."
"ma serannas but one thing at a time please."Daere replied, The Iron Bull nodded his head as Solas made his way inside. He wasted no time remarking"Well think about it, you seem like you would do well with contact work."
"one thing at a time, but thank you for the offer."Daere replied as he started to make his way back inside, the tevinter that had stayed made his way over to her as he asked"Lavellen I am assuming?"
"Yes?"Daere inquired as she studied him, the tevinter nodded as he spoke"Dumas be praised we can finally rejoin the others, Lady Kira has had us out nearly working day and night trying to wait for you. It seems she wants to repay you for saving her life back in Val Foret, I am just thankful you did not take long to catch up to us."
"Alright but I need to do something before I go back with you."Daere replied softly,the tevinter nodded his head while he muttered "we will wait for you at the stables, please make whatever you are doing quick."
"I will don't worry about it will be."Daere replied as she made her way inside, slowly she scanned the busy inn her eyes paused as she notice Solas making his way up the she made her way through the crowd as he reached the top of the steps, Daere ran up the stairs as she shout "mage."
"for the last time please stop calling me mage,I don't even like it when you call me 'hedge' mage besides what do you need.""Solas snapped as she caught up to him, she stopped as they stared at each other. Finally she spoke as she changed her own tone"I have a feeling we might be parting ways sooner than Cumberland, so I wanted to thank you again..despite my own behavior. "
"why the sudden change in behavior?"Solas asked as he tried to hold back his own shock while he blinked, Daere walked closer to him as she replied"Just shut up and take my thanks, normal when people say thank you the normal response would be 'your welcome' or has manners slipped past you?"
"Your wel…"Solas tried to say but his words got lost as she leaned in and kiss him on the lips gently , quickly she pulled back and walked off as she remarked loud enough for him to hear her "Goodnight Solas."
"Goodnight?" Solas inquired as he touched his lips checking for any trace of poison, Daere paused and looked back at him as she replied with a soft smile of her own"Don't worry I did not poison you. "
"Then why.."Solas tried to ask as she made her way back down the steps, she made certain to lose him as she disappeared into the crowded inn below. Daere bumped into dalish as she open the door,Daere quickly lied"Tell your qunari friend that I ran into someone I knew..if we meet again next time we have drinks it will be on me."
"I will and safe travels friend."The dalish replied as Daere started to run in the dark streets, she slowed to a stop as she noticed the tevinters as they pulled out two black could hear Solas shout angrily at her as she stopped in front of one of them"Hey!"
"Move along knife ear."The tevinter growled as Daere climb on the back of the horse,Solas stopped in his tracks as she looked back at one of the tevinter climb on behind her, sharply he yanked the reins as Daere shifted her own gaze towards the long road ahead of them.
