CHAPTER 8: More Than Friends?

The next week was one of rough travel as the survivors traversed the mountains. Solas was also up ahead, guiding the Herald. He wore nothing but his fine linen shirt and thin pants. Ria shook her head, wondering how he could still stand in the cold. She mentioned this to Leliana, who laughed as they climbed up the snowy slopes.

"Yes, it does seem quite odd, doesn't it? But then again, I have never seen Solas affected by any weather."

"That is just unnatural," grumbled Ria as she shivered. "A mortal would die of hypothermia."

"Then perhaps he is not a mortal," said Leliana.

Ria looked up to see blue eyes glinting with amusement. She rolled her eyes.

"No but really, look at him: bald head, flimsy shirt, tight pants and no shoes. And I get a strange vibe from him. He's not like the other elves."

"And you would be an expert on such a matter?"

"At least Sera is… okay, not normal but even she's wearing a fur coat and boots right now."

"I see your point," said Leliana, laughing.

"Anyway, the faster we get to Skyhold, the better. I need a good warm bath."

"Patience, Ria. We are getting close."

"Good, I can't wait."

Leliana raised an eyebrow and hooked an arm around hers, leaning closer. "Are you sure?"

Ria felt her breath catch as the woman pressed close.

"..."

"It's so easy to tease you," Leliana murmured in her ear.

"So I've heard," she muttered, blushing.

They travelled for the next few hours in this manner, Leliana teasing her mercilessly all the way. As only a former bard could, the spymaster could use the most casual comments to embarrass her. It was only when Josephine caught up to them that the spymaster stopped picking on her. Josie smiled wickedly as she neared them.

"What's this? I see a healthy flush on our dear Surgeon's cheeks. It can't be the cold…"

Ria felt her cheeks burn.

Josephine gave Leliana a sly look. "And you, my dear," she said, nudging her. "Are laughing so much I can hear you from the back of the line."

"You're exaggerating, Josie."

"Trust me," said Josephine, rolling her eyes. Then she turned serious. "Of course, I don't mind. But take care not to overdo it. Many have lost families in Haven, and they will be in mourning."

Ria looked back at the crowd of forlorn looking people following them and instantly felt bad.

She grimaced and nodded. "You're right, I'm sorry."

"No, it was my fault," said Leliana quickly, looking ashamed. "I forgot my place."

Josephine looked between the two and smiled fondly. "Just be cautious, that's all. The sooner we reach Skyhold, the better it is for these people."

"Yes," murmured Ria, feeling the guilt rise up again.

There was nothing you could do. They still had to fight, a voice said in her head.

But if I warned them earlier…

The outcome would have been the same.

Would it have?

She walked for a time in silence, half listening to Josephine discuss the next mission with Leliana. Ria was still brooding on the events that had happened when there was a gasp of astonishment from the front. She looked up to see someone pointing to something in the distance.

"We're here! It's Skyhold!"

There was an excited murmur as everyone rushed forward to see. She, Josephine and Leliana followed the crowd as they stood under a rocky arch leading to a path that sloped down. In the distance, atop a ragged mountain was a magnificent castle crowning the white snow.

People looked gobsmacked.

Ria grinned at the expression on Leliana's face. The spymaster turned to her, eyes wide.

"I never imagined that it would be so… big!"

"It's great, isn't it?"

"Great?" snorted Josephine. "That doesn't even describe it! It's perfect!" she said, tapping her quill on her notes.

Ria laughed. "Do you always carry that thing around?"

"Of course! How do you think I keep track of everything that's going on? The number of soldiers, our resources, weapons, our allies and… everything down to the socks you wear on your feet!"

"I see your point."

"Good. Now let's not tarry any longer!"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Weeks flew by in a blur as they settled in at Skyhold and she had no time to see Leliana in that time. The spymaster was working furiously, sending out agents and going off on missions.

And Ria wasn't short of work to do either, as ten of the healers had perished in Haven. The workload was double and she was constantly tending to the wounded. She was monitoring patients day and night, hardly getting any sleep. The cases weren't new to her, but the constant care needed was overwhelming. Some had badly dressed wounds, which festered. The older men deteriorated into sepsis. Without any antibiotics and needles for injections, Ria had to rely on the mages to help maintain blood pressure and locate the infection.

Gradually, the excitement died down and things were beginning to be organized at Skyhold. Patients were improving and few passed away. There were a couple of children with bronchiolitis, but nothing serious.

At last, after the majority of the obs stabilized, Ria found some time to visit the newly furnished throne room. Varric was standing by the fire talking to the Inquisitor. The Herald greeted her, suddenly looking like a thief caught in the act. He excused himself and left the two.

"Hey, Surgeon. How's it going?" the dwarf asked.

"Hey, Varric. Things are going well. What were you two talking about?"

He smiled, baring his teeth. "Let's just say that he needs my help."

"Are you going to tell me?"

"I'll give you a hint: I'm actually the unidentified author of a romance series."

Ria smirked. "Wait a minute…"

"You'll never guess who reads my stories. And no, it's not the Inquisitor."

"Josephine?" she asked, deciding to play dumb.

"Nope."

"Vivienne?"

"Argh. I don't think she'd appreciate it." He motioned for her to come closer. "Cassandra!" he whispered, sniggering.

Ria feigned horror.

"Exactly! Who knew a girl like her would read them."

"Anyone can have a romantic side."

"I'll say," guffawed the dwarf. "Speaking of romance, how are you and... getting along?" he said, bouncing his eyebrows.

Ria quickly put a finger to her lips. "Do you want to spread it all over Skyhold?"

He folded his arms across his hairy chest. "It's not really a secret, Surgeon. The gossip is already spreading like wildfire," he said, grinning.

"Great… sorry to disappoint you. We're not a couple."

"Yet."

"…"

"Come on, I've seen you two together. Sparks are flying everywhere you know."

Ria thought back to the kiss at Haven… it was so innocent that it could have been one for luck. Were they friends, or more?

"Damn, you think so? It's been a while since I liked someone… I don't know how to read the signs anymore."

"Wow, you really must have been a worker. Just take my word for it: if she's interested, it won't be long coming."

"You think?"

"Don't think about it too much. Go with the flow."

"I hope you're right."

He looked at her for a moment, grinning. "You really like her don't you?"

Ria reached for the back of her neck. "Um…"

"You don't have to say anything, Surgeon. Tell you what, why don't you talk to Josephine? She might be able to help you."

"Maybe."

"Now, wasn't there a mission you had to prepare for?"

"You're right, I'll get going. Always good talking to you Varric."

"Same here, kid. See you around."

After that, she bumped into several more people who thanked her for her efforts. She didn't recognize them, but assumed that they were the family members of the wounded.

"Maker bless you, Surgeon Ria," said the last woman, pressing a bag of coins in her hand.

"I… that's very kind of you, but please. I can't accept this- I did what I had to do."

With some persuading, the woman left with her money. Ria smiled, shaking her head and turned around… to find Vivienne eying her with that suspicious look.

"Ria, might I have a word with you?"

She knew what was coming. "I owe you an explanation."

"Yes, now come with me."

The mage led her to her chamber, which was surprisingly flash.

"Nice room."

"Thank you. Have a seat."

Ria did.

"Right… about Corypheus."

"Not just Corypheus. I have heard that you were the one to suggest allying with the Templars, you knew that Lord Seeker Lucius would be in Orlais, and you seemed to know exactly where to go when we went to seal the Breach. And that's not all: there are whispers that you appeared out of nowhere in the Hinterlands."

"I guess that does make me look suspicious."

"Is it true?"

"Will you promise you won't reveal this until I do myself?"

The woman regarded her for a moment. "Only because I trust you."

"Thank you. That means a lot to me." She drew in a deep breath. "Okay. Vivienne… I come from another world outside of Thedas. I fell asleep in the hospital I was working in and woke up in a cabin in the middle of the Hinterlands. Back home… Thedas and the Blight, the Inqusition… all of this is a game I played in my past time."

"A game?" the mage said incredulously.

"There are these things called computers," Ria tried to explain, pulling on her collar in frustration. "And on them you can play as a character in Thedas. Last year, I finished Dragon Age Inquisition, which is… basically everything that's going on here."

Vivienne just sat there gaping. "Well, I… this is certainly not what I was expecting. Are you saying you know what's going to happen in the future?"

"Pretty much."

"What a strange story!"

"I just wish things did happen as it did in the game."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I can't guarantee that everything will happen as I expect. That assassin? He wasn't supposed to appear. But if it ended like the game, that would be great- because Corypheus dies."

"That's certainly good news!"

"The bad news is, I'm starting to lose my memory."

"You are?"

"Yes. My memory of what happens in the game is hazy. I even forgot that Haven would be attacked after we closed the Breach."

Vivienne considered this. "Then we must make use of your knowledge before you lose any more!"

"I know… sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I just needed people to trust me before I dropped this bomb on everyone."

"Hm…"

"So do you believe me?"

"Darling, of course I do. I saw what you've been doing- your help to the Inquisition is tremendous. The healers practically sing your praise. And you've proven yourself as a friend. What more do I need to see? I can't imagine anyone would speak ill of you. But I was curious to know where exactly you came from."

Ria grinned. "Well, I'm just glad you believe what I said. I've been dying to talk about it."

"And why haven't you spoken to Leliana about this?"

Maker's breath, was everyone nosing into her love life?

"Leliana and I aren't a couple. Actually… I don't even know what we are."

"Please, Ria. It's quite obvious she has a thing for you. And I'm sure you do too. Though I have to admit, you look so serious and expressionless all the time."

"Hey, I do express myself."

"Expressing yourself and being expressionless are different. Just relax… this isn't your hospital, or whatever you call it."

"Relax when we're at war?" asked Ria, raising an eyebrow.

"You know what I mean."

She fidgeted with the handle of her sword. "Do you really think she has feelings for me?"

Vivienne sighed. "For someone of your intelligence, I'm surprised you haven't figured it out sooner. But then again, for those who don't know her, I suppose it's not as obvious."

"I'm really not good at this."

"Romance? Darling, with your face and status, I doubt you'll fail at it."

"You'd be surprised…"

"Well, in any case, I suggest you tell this to the rest of the Circle. We could use your help for decisions."

"I will."

"Good. Now, I think Josephine wants to see you about the next mission. I presume you know what will happen there?"

Ria searched her memories and shook her head.

What is wrong with me?

"I can't remember who the culprit was. But Trevelyan will find him or her, fight them and save the empress."

Vivienne sighed. "Well, that's a relief. I hope that is truly what happens. I suppose we can't always ask you to predict the future. It would be too good to be true."

"Yeah…" Then she noticed the sun was coming down. "Alright, I've got to go. Thanks for the talk," Ria said, rising from the chair.

"Anytime, my dear."

Ria left the room to finally go to Josephine, who sat in her chair near the war room. When she looked up, Ria was surprised to see her face worn and shadowed.

"Ah, Ria," she said, brightening.

"Josie, you look terrible. Are you alright?"

"Oh, I'm fine. Just… it's been a very busy few weeks and I have so much to do."

Ria nodded in sympathy. "Yeah… it must be a heavy burden, managing all this."

"You've also been busy, I've heard. It may be different from my work, but I can imagine the effort it takes."

"It does take some effort, yes. But that aside, you wanted to talk about our next mission?"

Josephine brightened visibly. "I wouldn't really call it a mission for you, to be honest. You don't have to do much. I just thought it would be a good experience for you."

Ria laughed. "Well, I have always wanted to visit Orlais."

"Which is why I have asked for the best clothes! You're going to be representing the Inquisition, and in Orlais, appearances are everything."

"No dresses?"

Josie sighed. "No dresses. You will have jackets and trousers of finest make. Just visit the tailor and he will size it for you."

Ria nodded. "Thanks. Is that all?"

"Oh, and we need to teach you to dance!"

She groaned.

"It's not that horrible," the advisor said, giggling. "I'll have Vivienne teach you, if you like."

"That would make me feel better about making a fool of myself."

"Don't worry, you'll be fine."

Ria nodded and turned to go, but then paused.

"Josie… about Leliana…"

"Yes?"

She chickened out. "Never mind."

"No, continue. I want to hear what you say."

"It's just… I'm not really good at this. I don't have much experience."

Josie waited patiently.

"In a nutshell: I don't know how to express myself, and I don't even know if we're at that level yet."

The woman actually laughed. "Oh, Ria. All I can say is: be yourself. And talk to her, be there for her. Be honest and tell her how you feel."

"That's it?"

"That's it. Trust me, Leliana is not that complicated a person."

"And you're okay with me…?"

"Of course! Do you know how long I've waited for someone to bring her out of that shell? And I know you're not the sort of person to hurt her. I trust you with her."

Ria smiled.

"You should smile more often, Ria. Especially in front of Leliana."

"Why does everyone say that? I do smile."

"Ah, but you look so sad all the time. So serious and business like."

"… it must be my default face."

"Well then, we must change that, won't we?" she said with a wink. "Now, I will find you later. I have much to do, I'm afraid."

"Alright, thanks for your help," Ria said, leaving the room. As she walked down the steps to find the tailor, she felt a boyish smile spreading on her lips.