I do not own any characters. The almighty Bioware does! Thanks to all of you for your comments and likes. Honestly, I really appreciate it! Hope you enjoy! Rated M for language and future lemons.
Chapter 9
I stumbled out of the rift, my mind trying to keep me in the moment. My hand stayed on my wound and I used the other to stop my face from smacking into the pavement. I heard muttering around me and Branwen's voice addressing people. My head spun from the pain of the wound and using the powers in the Fade. I gave a shaky breath before finally laying on the ground spent. I heard the rift close behind me, glad she didn't close it right away like in the game.
I tried to keep myself awake, knowing if I closed my eyes, I might not wake up again. "King!" I heard Cassandra call and my vision blurred, unable to tell whose boots were whose. I gasped in pain as someone rolled me over, dragging me into a sitting position. I felt my back against armor and I wondered who I was leaning against. "Stay with us Captain!" Cassandra's voice said nearby and I tried to turn my head to look at her, but it was so heavy.
"We don't have any more potions or poultices," Solas' soft speech informed. "I can try to do a couple spells to keep her conscious and stop some of the bleeding, but she needs more than just my magic. The demon wounded her deep."
"What then?" Stroud's voice asked and I felt the vibration on my back. So, I was leaning against Stroud.
"It is up to the healers. This is all I can do," Solas informed them.
"Do it Solas," Branwen ordered, worry lacing her voice. "How she made it out of there is a miracle. We won't let her die now."
"It's fine," I whispered. "We should-." My voice was groggy and I barely recognized it. I felt Solas move my hand and another set started unlatching my armor.
"Hush," Hawke instructed. "You have a very bloody shirt and a big wound." My shirt was ripped more to reveal the wound and I grunted in pain as Solas touched the outside of it.
"Hold her still," Solas instructed. I felt Stroud's arms tighten around my waist on the left. Two pairs of hands held my shoulders and another on my legs. "This is going to hurt, but not as bad as it will later."
I screamed in pain and flailed under the hands that held me, closing my eyes tight. I felt the world slip away a little more and I kept telling myself to stay conscious. The pain radiated through me and I felt my chest heaving from the screaming. I opened my eyes, seeing Stroud's face above me.
"That is all I can do for now," Solas said. "The wound is still losing a large amount of blood. We must hurry and get her to the healers."
"Cassandra, go find the Commander and inform him we will meet him at the healers," Branwen ordered. "Hawke and Varric, oversee the Wardens and get them ready to head out."
I heard their answering "Inquisitors" and Branwen addressed Solas. "How bad is it?"
"The venom from the spider and the demon has spread," he told her. "She is also weak from using her power in the Fade. If what you said was true, a rift that size used a tremendous amount of will. Her body won't be able to stay awake much longer. The sooner we get to the healers the better."
"Let's go then," she told him. I felt a cloth on my wound and I gasped, not wanting to waste any more energy on yelling. I held the cloth there, wetness already starting to seep through. My eyes went to Branwen and her light blue ones softened. "Stay awake," she told me. "You're not dying today."
I nodded, not able to talk. I kept a hand on the wound as Stroud lifted me into his arms. I felt odd about this, never having it done before. I gritted my teeth at the movement as he adjusted me in his arms. "Thanks," I barely whispered to him.
"Don't try talking," he told me. "Besides, we should be thanking you." I closed my eyes tightly and tried to focus on staying awake. The darkness felt so nice though, and I felt my head start to fall onto Stroud's chest with sleep. "Fight it!" He called to me.
"Okay," I mumbled. My body and mind at a war against each other.
"Almost there, Captain!" Branwen shouted and I blinked a couple times seeing tents set up in the distance. You can do this! I told myself. Make it! I'm just going to rest my eyes for a couple seconds, my body argued.
"Inquisitor!" I heard Cullen's voice above the other voices in the area. "I have Cassandra organizing the troops. What happened?"
"It's a long story Commander," Branwen said quickly. I let out a deep breath, a shaky release at the end from the ache.
"We are losing her Inquisitor," Stroud told Branwen. I felt his pace go even faster.
"Losing her?" Cullen asked in a fierce voice.
"I'm fine," I whispered to whoever was listening. I felt my hand slipping from the cloth, and I moved it back.
"Solas, can you do anything else?" Branwen asked.
"We are almost to the healers, they can do more than I can," Solas told her. "I suggest you run Warden."
I fell into the blackness then, not able to hold on any longer. The pain left me as I slipped away, a welcome relief.
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I woke to intense agony and it was coursing throughout my body. I screamed loudly, not able to control what came from my mouth. I felt hands pinning me down and I arched my back from the pain, eyes unable to open. My body seemed to vibrate, every nerve on fire. I felt a moment of relief and stilled, my breathing ragged and fast.
"We will give her a couple minutes of recovery before we continue," an unfamiliar voice said. Hands released me and I felt the wound pulsing now to the rhythm of my heartbeat
"What exactly are you doing?" Branwen asked, her voice full of worry. "Will she survive this?"
"I do not know," the healer answered. "We are fighting the poisons in her. Her wound is deep, but if she makes it through us healing her inside with the magic and potions, then she most likely will survive."
"Most likely?" Cullen's questioned.
"I am sorry, Commander," the healer began. "We are doing everything we can. We will give her ten minutes to regain strength. If it helps, I doubt she is conscious through this at all."
"Might as well get that cut looked at Stroud," Branwen suggested. "We'll need you for the next round of healing."
"I will be right back then," Stroud answered, his boots crunching on the stone.
"What happened in there? How did this happen?" Cullen asked as soon as Stroud left.
"She warned me and I didn't listen," Branwen started. "Everything was as she said. We barely made it out alive."
"What do you mean?" Cullen urged.
"The spider demon she mentioned, it was there. Along with this Fear demon. We almost had the Fear defeated when it disappeared suddenly and then it was over by her. It was fast and she was distracted with fighting off Fearlings. It got her before we killed it."
I took a deep shaky breath, a gasp escaping through my teeth at the pain that shot through me when I breathed deep. I felt a hand on my shoulder in comfort. "How are all of you unharmed?" He wondered, bewilderment in his voice.
"Someone had to stay behind to fight off the Spider demon. Hawke and Stroud volunteered but she did it. She used her powers to open a rift and distract the demon. She was bleeding heavily and she wasn't going to take no for an answer." Branwen took a breath. "She was telling me the truth the whole time and I refused to listen. Even after that, she was willing to give herself up."
"You just let her?" Cullen asked with a bit of anger. "Couldn't all of you escaped? Just avoided the demon?"
"You weren't there, Commander," Branwen argued. "It was humongous and there was no way of getting out without one of us staying behind." There was a moment of silence and I fought to stay conscious to listen. "I know she's here now, but she might not make it. Cullen, there was something she wanted me to give you."
"I don't understand," Cullen whispered. He was silent for a minute. "She gave this to you, to give to me?"
"Before opening the rift," Branwen confirmed. "I'm guessing you know the meaning behind it."
Cullen didn't get to answer as the healer came back. "It is time," he told them. Hands were on me again and I opened my eyes briefly to see Cullen on my right side, his own on my face. His face was worried and he held on to my shoulder tightly, giving it a small squeeze. I closed my own again, waiting for the pain to begin.
This round of pain was the worst, I was fighting the hands that held me, an unrecognizable yell of agony coming from my throat. I felt tears on my cheeks and I opened my eyes wide, staring at the sky above me. "Keep fighting, Kassy!" Cullen called to me. I felt my back and neck arch up and a tremendous pain was in my side. I shrieked again, the noise leaving me unwillingly. My body began to shake from the magic and pain and I felt my insides trying to reform and group together. Another yell escaped and then the agony was over.
I couldn't catch my breath as I laid on the ground, my eyes closed, trying to let my lungs get air. I felt the tears on my cheeks, but I was too tired to wipe them away. "She needs rest now." The healer said. "The worst is over. I will give her a potion to help sleep through the pain. The magic needs to finish its work."
I opened my eyes again, turning to watch the dark healer leave. Didn't recognize that person from game. I felt my breathing coming easier, but I still panted and turned to find Branwen's eyes on me. "Told you we'd keep you alive," she joked.
I chuckled, my hand going to the wound in pain. "No making me laugh," I groaned, my voice hoarse. The healer was back quickly.
"Lift her up and give her this," he told Cullen. Then he addressed me. "The most painful part is over. I will dress the wound and then you must drink that potion and rest." I nodded and the healer began to put a poultice on the wound and wrap a bandage around my waist. "It will take a while to fully heal, but she should be able to travel in a couple days."
"Thank you," Branwen said, her eyes turning to Stroud. "You should go check on the Wardens. She will be alright."
Cullen was helping me into a sitting position, his hands gentle as he lifted me up slowly. I grimaced in pain and leaned against him, too weak to sit up by myself. How embarrassing. Stroud's eyes found mine and I gave him a small smile. "I just need rest," I confirmed, my voice barely there.
Stroud stood and left us, looking behind his shoulder at us as he walked away. I gripped the fur of Cullen's robe, as an intense shot of pain rain through my midsection. "Drink this," he ordered, lifting a bottle to my lips. I drank it slowly, my throat hurting from the yelling. I let go of him, putting a hand to my forehead and closing my eyes, feeling the potion already in action. This thing worked fast. My eyes were so heavy and I felt the pull toward sleep. I felt my hand fall and my head lean heavy against Cullen's armored chest, not caring that it wasn't comfortable. Right now, all I wanted was sleep.
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"Commander, I will get you as soon as she is awake," the healer said almost annoyed. "She needs the rest."
"It's been a day," Cullen argued. "The Inquisitor is wondering how much longer you expect. We need to start plans and head back to Skyhold."
"She has had much damage to her. She needs time to mend and this sleep is doing it," the healer countered.
"Go without me," I croaked. I kept my eyes closed, sleepiness still in them.
"Captain," the healer addressed me and I blinked to look at him. His dark eyes seemed relieved and he gave a small smile. "How is the pain?"
I was surprised to not really notice it right now. It was like after having my appendix out. "Manageable," I replied, clearing my throat.
"Let me know if you are in pain," he ordered. "Stay laying down. It is the best position to be in right now. I'll go grab you some water and food."
I nodded, watching him walk out of a tent. A tent? I was in a tent? I felt the bedroll under me and the blanket that was covering my legs. I noticed movement from the flap of the tent and almost forgot Cullen was there. "Don't let me slow your progress," I said, my voice sounding a bit more like me.
"You're not slowing anyone's progress," he said gently, walking toward me. I felt my heartbeat quicken and he was sitting on the ground beside me. His whiskey eyes were on my blue ones before he glanced away with a bit of guilt. "What I said to you before Adamant," he began, a hand going to the back of his neck. "I shouldn't have spoken to you that way."
"You were just doing your job," I told him. I put my hand on my wound gingerly, not knowing what else to do with it.
"I was cruel," he argued, eyes back to me. "You were telling us the whole time this would happen and I basically belittled you." Cullen reached into his robe, pulling out my necklace. "You almost died because of us."
I didn't know what to say, my heart was beating so fast. I glanced at the necklace, the blue dark in the tent shade. Looking back at Cullen, I licked my lips and felt a blush. "No one's perfect."
He gave a small laugh and his eyes were back on my necklace. "The Inquisitor told me you wanted to give this to me." Cullen's voice was quiet and his golden gaze was back to me. "Why?"
I took a deep breath and regretted it when the pain hit. I gritted my teeth for a minute, thinking of a good response. Because I love you? Because you are the most lovable man I ever met even if you are an ass sometimes? I opened my eyes, his own still on me. "Out of anyone I knew here, you would be the one who understood what the necklace meant and how to treat it."
He raised an eyebrow. "Are you implying I need luck?" I laughed, groaning as soon as my stomach shook from it. "Kassy?" Cullen said, touching my arm.
"I'm fine," I assured him. "Just hurts to laugh." Cullen removed his hand and I glanced up at him. "Honestly though Cullen, how are you surprised that I thought about you before thinking I was going to die?"
Whoa Kass. Really? You are doing this? Now? You are going to make him go running. You sound like a crazy person right now. Then again, you did almost die. Doesn't he deserve to know? He stared at me with a bit of a blush, before looking back at my necklace yet again. "I'm sorry," I told him. "You probably think I sound like a crazy person. I've known you for a total of what? Almost two weeks?"
Cullen nodded. "You don't sound crazy," he said quietly. "I can't tell you how I felt when I saw you covered in blood in Stroud's arms." His eyes went back up to me. "I know it was more than how I would have felt for a friend." My breath caught and I swore my heart stopped beating for a moment. "You should take this back," he told me, placing the necklace into my left hand. "You're going to need it."
I smiled, not knowing what to think or say. I squeezed the necklace in my hand, feeling the familiar coolness of the orb. We just stared at each other for a couple minutes, a half smile on both of our faces. The healer came back in with a bowl and some water. Cullen cleared his throat and stood. "I will let the Inquisitor know you are awake and mending."
"Thank you, Commander," I replied, giving him a nod. Cullen acknowledged the healer with a "good day" before heading out of the tent.
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"Captain King, the hero of Adamant Fortress!" Dorian exclaimed, his voice carrying a bit away.
I blushed, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. "Enough, now," I told him with a smile. "I have blushed enough for a while."
Dorian chuckled and sat on a stump next to me. "Should you be traveling?" He gestured to my stomach. "You were just impaled by a demon."
"The healer told me that I was able to," I told him. "Just no lifting swords for a week."
"That's a shame," Cassandra's said, leaning against a nearby tree. I glanced up at her with a small smile. I hadn't talked to her since we came out of the Fade.
"Didn't realize you liked our practice so much," I teased. "Adamant make you realize how much more training I need?"
She rolled her eyes and gave a half smile. "Something like that."
I felt happy to be in the fresh air again. I was stuck in that tent for a couple days, sleeping on and off and reading Swords and Shields. Dorian's and my reunion was odd yet natural. He teased me, claiming I couldn't stay away from him. I agreed claiming that was my one and only reason to come back. We didn't discuss what happened in the Fade, knowing it was easier to keep that in the past.
"Are they ready to head out?" I asked, not wanting to slow anyone down. I began to stand up and Dorian pushed me back down.
"They are deciding where to make camp," she informed me. Cassandra looked down at her feet then back up at me. "I never said thank you for what happened back in the Fade."
I felt awkward, peering up at her face. "You are the one who kept me alive," I told her. "I would have died if you didn't help me with those demons in the beginning."
She shrugged. "That was nothing compared to what you did."
I laughed. "I didn't get this wound by being brave. I was in the wrong place and too inexperienced."
"Still," Cassandra said.
"Still," I repeated. I looked at my hands, the scrapes almost gone. "Maybe Varric will write his book faster now, huh?"
Cassandra rolled her eyes, smiling at me. "I doubt it," she responded.
"Troops ready," Cullen called and Cassandra looked over toward his direction.
We all went back to gather our things, Bull insisting he carries my bag. I kept my lute, throwing it over my shoulders. I ran a hand through my hair, happy to have bathed in a stream last night. I touched my cheek as I brought my hand down, finger tips touching the scar from the wraith. My first battle wound. The healer still wouldn't let me look at my stomach wound yet, claiming I wouldn't like what I saw. I took his word, not knowing what he was talking about but knowing I hated wounds. Even small ones.
"Doing alright?" Stroud asked me, adjusting the sword on his hip.
"Fine, thanks," I replied giving him a smile. "You?"
I felt odd around Stroud. He had been there lately, not up in my space, but observing me. I felt awkward with it, and didn't know how to proceed with him. I couldn't tell if he was just protecting me or wanting something more. Either way, I decided I would go with it. Stroud was a nice guy and we needed him for the Inquisition.
"I'm well," he responded, shifting his weight on his leg. "I was wondering if we might speak later, Captain?"
"Of course," I told him. "Should I be worried?" Why did the head of the Grey Wardens want to talk to me? Things were going to be different now that everyone somehow knew I saved the Inquisitor and the others in the Fade.
"No," he laughed. "Until later." Stroud gave a smile and walked away. What just happened?
"Hello again," Dorian said amused. "Another suiter?"
I watched Stroud go stand by Branwen. "I don't think so."
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"I can sleep just fine with you, Cassandra," I said again. I had my hands on my hips. "I don't need a tent to myself."
"The Inquisitor says differently," she told me. I rolled my eyes. This was getting ridiculous. I wasn't going to get broken. I could sleep in a tent with Cassandra. How did I get special status to earn my own tent?
"I'll go talk to her," I sighed. I was tired of being treated like an invalid. I could carry my bags and sword, but Bull still wouldn't let me carry my bags and Cullen didn't issue me a new sword. I needed to talk to him about that. "After everything, I prefer not to sleep alone right now."
Cassandra gave me an understanding look. "I want to write it all down so that I remember," she confided.
"I think that's a great idea," I encouraged. "It will be useful for later when we are complaining about something like training." I waved to her as I headed toward Branwen's tent. We stopped for the night and she was discussing plans with Stroud.
Her tent was closed and I heard talking. I didn't want to interrupt whatever they were planning. I never did check to see what happens between Stroud and the Inquisition if you saved him instead of Hawke. I went and sat by the fire that someone made between a few tents. Moving my lute to my lap to sit more comfortably.
Dorian was sitting there with Bull, their conversation very animated. On the other side of the fire, Cullen was reading a report. He was always working. A few soldiers sat as well, their conversations quiet. "Are you too injured to play us a song, Rift?"
His words broke my attention and turned my eyes from Cullen to Bull. "I might be able to make it through one," I said with a laugh. I thought about the songs that I had for gaming and "Here's to Us" by Halestorm came to mind. Perfect. I always thought it sounded like a post battle song then a love one.
I began strumming the chords, glad that this one was in between upbeat and slow. Hawke and Varric glanced up from their conversation outside a nearby tent. I started to sing, my voice a little rough still but it adjusted once I got to the chorus.
"Here's to us, here's to love
All the times that we fucked up
Here's to you, fill the glass
'Cause the last few days have kicked my ass
So lets give 'em hell
Wish everybody well, here's to us, here's to us"
I glanced up from looking at the chords to find Varric and Hawke closer now, amusement on their faces. My eyes went to Cullen and he had a small smile on his face, report forgotten in his hand that rested on his knee.
"Here's to us, here's to love
All the times, that we messed up
Here's to you, fill the glass
'Cause the last few nights have kicked my ass
If they give ya hell
Tell em to go fuck themselves, here's to us, here's to us"
More troops gathered, cheering at my lyrics. I laughed with them as I finished the song. I handed the lute to Dorian, who took it with a wide grin. "When won't your songs be entertaining?"
"When I run out of them," I replied with a smirk. I slowly got up, the leaning over the guitar and laughing aggravated my wound. "I need a breather," I told him in a low voice and he nodded in understanding, concern in his eyes.
"Do you need me to come along?" His voice only drifting to me. He glanced me over to make sure I wasn't visibly bleeding or anything.
"I'll be okay," I told him. "Just in a little pain. I'll be back."
I began to walk to a thicker part of the forest, seclusion and quiet being the goal. I put my hand on my wound, the healer's words reminding me that I was still mending inside as well as out. Magic couldn't heal everything with speed. I heard footsteps behind me and I rolled my eyes. "You didn't have to follow me," I sighed, intending to see Dorian.
"I can leave," Cullen said and I spun around quickly.
"Cullen! I thought Dorian followed me," I told him, hand on chest. I felt myself get calmer, my nerves always on edge since the Fade.
"Dorian told me you weren't feeling well," he said with a bit of a frown. "Are you not feeling alright?"
So, Dorian sold me out to Cullen. What did that mage have up his sleeve. "I'm fine. You guys are making this a bigger deal than it is. It isn't that bad of a wound," I argued.
Cullen stared at me with astonishment and then crossed his arms. Oh no, I told myself. Arms crossing means trouble. "You don't understand how bad you were, do you?" He said quietly. "You were bleeding heavy when I got there. Stroud said Solas made the bleeding slow down, so I can't imagine what it was like before that."
"Yes, but-." I tried to cut in but he talked over me.
"You don't understand what it was like to watch you lay there pale and hardly breathing," Cullen's voice went dark and he had a hand in his hair, whiskey eyes on my storm ones. "The screaming was the worst. Hearing the pain you suffered, and not being able to do anything but hold you down and make you take it. I felt helpless and guilty that you had to be in that position in the first place." He took a step toward me. "That wound drained you of blood and life."
"I'm still here," I assured him, giving him a soft smile. I knew he had many bad experiences, and I hated that I would be another. I leaned against a nearby tree, letting myself rest for a second. "The pain isn't much anymore really."
Cullen's eyes looked down at his hands and he reached out to grab one of mine. I let him, confused at where he was going with this. "Usually, I never would have felt anything more than comradery with someone I've known for the amount of time we have." He glanced up at me with a profound amount of intensity. "I have realized that war makes you feel differently."
I tried to follow what he was saying. Did he just tell me he had feelings for me or? "I'm sorry Cullen, I don't follow." I looked down at my hand in his, feeling guilty about the secrets he still didn't know. Maybe never know.
He dropped my hand, taking another step closer. "I just don't want to be too late, ever," his voice getting husky. Oh God! This was going to happen! YES!
My breathing went faster and I stared at him with surprise, not expecting this conversation to happen this soon. "You're not just saying that because you feel bad about what you said before Adamant?"
Cullen closed the space between us with another step. "I'm saying it because I realized it would have been too late if you didn't escape Adamant." He cupped my cheek, lightly tracing the scar on it with his thumb. I felt like my heart was going to leave my chest with how hard it was pounding. I reached up a hand, moving a stray curl and he smiled.
"Captain?" A voice called out. I almost yelled in frustration. Not now! Cullen jumped back, a flush of embarrassment on his face.
"I should go," he said, taking a few steps back. No! Don't pull away!
"Cullen?" I said hesitantly. I stood awkwardly, my eyes darting to the area where Stroud was calling from. Cullen's scar lifted into a grin, and I felt my stomach flutter. "We'll talk later," he said softly. Okay! My mind yelled. I nodded, returning the smile. You did it! You. Did. IT!
Stroud came through a few trees, his eyes taking in the scene before him. "Commander," he said to Cullen and then turned to me. "I was hoping I might get that word now."
"Umm…yeah," I answered, watching Cullen leave for a second. "What's up?"
Stroud raised his eyebrows at the phrasing and gave a small smile. "I wanted to talk about what happened in the Fade," he answered, his face serious.
I knew him and Branwen would want to talk about it eventually. "What about it?"
"I just wanted to thank you for what you did," he told me. "I know I offered to stay behind, but you showed a ferocity and bravery I see only in true heroes."
I blushed, tucking my hair behind my ear. "I…thank you Stroud. You are being too kind though. If I wasn't so persistent, you would have stayed. I think if the roles were reversed, you would have been happy dying a hero."
Stroud nodded. "With being a Warden, I am aware that I don't have much time left to fulfill everything we aim to achieve. Being able to save the Wardens and help the Inquisition by sacrificing myself, would have made me remembered in history."
"You sound as if I should have let you stay," I told him with a quirked eyebrow.
"No," he assured me. "I am very happy to have the chance to make things right here. To rebuild the Wardens to what they once were."
"I'm sure you will be successful with that," I answered, feeling very awkward. He smiled at me. This got deep and I didn't know Stroud in game very well. It was like learning a new person.
"I actually came to tell you the Inquisitor was looking for you," he informed me. "However, I figured I would get that word in really quick as I did it."
"Oh," I said lamely. "Yeah. Of course. It was nice talking Stroud." I pushed myself away from the tree. "To you as well, Kassy." He replied with another smile.
I made my way through the trees, heading toward Branwen's tent. I felt nervous, not talking to her since the tent when I got the healing spells. I didn't know what to expect, or what I was going to say.
"Kassy," a soft voice said and I stopped, looking for Solas.
"Yes?" I answered, seeing him in a clearing a little way away. "How can I help you, Solas?"
His eyes studied me, still trying to put me together. "You surprised me."
I raised my eyebrows at him. "I surprised you? Did you not expect me to live?"
Solas slowly walked toward me. "The Inquisitor told me about the rift you made and the size of it. That would have been an extreme amount of power to summon, and in your state, you should have been weaker."
I crossed my arms and tilted my head. "I guess I'm just invincible."
Solas slightly disapproves, scrolled through my head. "There are so many secrets that you keep, Captain. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them happens to ruin everything you have created here."
"I have secrets that could ruin things?" I asked in disbelief. "Yours will cause the destruction in worse ways then mine. It already has."
He raised an eyebrow. "You seem to think you know a lot about me. We could be friends you know, Kassy. I greatly respect you. I wasn't expecting so much from a human."
We stared at each other. "Don't do it, Solas," I begged him, pleading him. "Don't you love her? Don't you want to be with her? Please, use your god powers for good and help heal the world. I know you believe in your cause and you think it's right, but don't you want to be with her? Doesn't she deserve that?"
Solas' eyes finally showed the emotion I was looking for. I somehow managed to turn the conversation to a route he wasn't expecting. "You seem to be bleeding through your bandage, Captain." I glanced down and saw that I was indeed bleeding a little bit through. How did I not notice? "You should go get that checked out by a healer."
I went to check it again, confused that this happened so quickly. "I think-." I began, stopping when I realized Solas was gone. Sneaky elf. I sighed, making my way back to camp toward the Healer's tent, my hand covering the stain.
I hurried through camp, wanting to get this done with quickly. I hated that I was still bleeding through bandages. What was the point in mage healers if I was still bleeding through? All my shirts were stained now. I passed Branwen's tent, hoping she wouldn't catch me. My luck wasn't with me. "Captain!" She called.
I groaned to myself, just wanting to get this dealt with. "Inquisitor," I replied. "I just have to get a situation handled and then we can talk."
She noticed my hand on my wound and she seemed to understand. "I'll come with you," she told me.
I nodded, letting her tag along. The healer had me lift up my shirt as he began to unwrap the bandage.
"You wanted to talk Inquisitor?" I asked. Branwen watched as the healer got to the end of unwrapping, taking the bandage and placing it in water.
"Branwen," she corrected. "In private you may call me Branwen."
"Branwen," I repeated. "What's on your mind?"
"I know you have probably heard this a lot lately, but I wanted to thank you for everything you did in the Fade." She licked her lips and crossed her arms. "I should have listened to you Kassy. I thought it was impossible and that you didn't really know, but you were right. About everything. And yet, you still sacrificed yourself to help us."
"Of course," I told her. "Your cause is important. You are important."
Branwen smiled at this. "You've barely been a part of this world, or cause, for a month and you helped in more ways than you realize. I now know, that I should trust you and the judgement you have. I was wrong to not listen in the first place. If we brought Dorian, you would have been able to leave without being hurt."
I winced as the healer started wash off the wound. I decided I was going to glance at it. I looked down at my stomach, embarrassed by the stretch marks. The stretch marks were forgotten once I saw the wound. It was fresh looking, and barely stitched together. The lining of the wound black from the poison. "Is that black?" I asked the healer. "That can't be good."
"The poison will leave once the wound is healed. Only a scar will be left but the blackness should fade within the week." He started putting a poultice on it and I glanced back up at Branwen.
"Let's be honest," I smiled. "I would have still been hurt. I'm not super handy with a sword. Plus, without this, I may not have known how much Fade power I could use."
"I admire your optimistic view," she laughed. "I realize you have more information and that I will gladly listen to it, taking whatever action you seem fit."
I grimaced as the healer touched the wound over the bandage, making sure it was on correctly. "I'm glad to hear that, Inquisitor."
"Welcome to the Inquisition officially, Captain. I'm sure you will be getting plenty of praise once we reach Skyhold." Branwen held out her hand and I shook it, feeling awkward with my shirt up, sitting on a stool. "I hope you will come with us to our quest in the Hinterlands in a couple weeks."
"I look forward to it," I said honestly.
Maker's breath, I was going to need to do extra training.
