Cursed or not, the bone was perfect for carving a bow, and Isa was nothing short of a master, having done so many times for her clan in the past. The first day of carving the basic shape she could do while she was reading, which pleased Solas. It was about lunch time, and she was reading on the various types of demons one might encounter in the fade, while skilled fingers whittled away at the bone resting on her leg. It was starting to take the shape of a bow at that point. She even carved sharp blades into it in case she needed to beat someone with it.
"You've been a diligent student today, da'avise," Solas broke the silence, looking up from a book of his own. Isa stopped her motions, looking over at him, as if breaking out of a trance. "Oh. I guess keeping my hands busy helps." Solas nodded thoughtfully. "Would you like to take a break and get something to eat? I'm rather hungry myself." Isa nodded, standing and cracking her back. "I've been sitting still for too long." She left the bone on the desk, and Solas waved his hand, casting a barrier over it. Isa doubted anyone would steal it, but she was glad for the precaution. They left the cabin together, making their way to the makeshift tavern. "Do you think you'll finish your bow before we head to Redcliffe?" Solas asked, dropping a few coins on the counter for a couple of bowls of soup. He was very kind to her.
"I'm not going to Redcliffe." Isa declared. Solas seemed surprised, "I thought you would want to get out of Haven when you got the chance." Isa nodded, "I do, but while Vhera goes to Redcliffe, she asked me to look into the red lyrium in the western road fortress and possible carta activity with Varric and Blackwall, then if we have extra time, we're going to look for a circle tome for First Enchanter Vivienne, the mage who came back with them from Val Royeaux." Solas frowned, sitting at a table near the corner of the tavern. "You are going without a mage?" Isa let out a light laugh. "We don't need mages for everything, Solas. I am not helpless." "I am aware," Solas began to eat his soup. Isa sat next to him, perhaps a little closer than she should have, and ate her own. It was gamey, probably ram, but delicious, and the heat was welcome. "But yes," Isa said, "I will finish my bow within two days, if I keep sleep to a minimum and you don't bombard me with too much work."
Solas rubbed his temple. "I am concerned for you," he began. "You must be a mage, there isn't any other explanation, but you're very unusual." Isa put her fingers on his arm. "You don't have to push it so hard. I don't need magic. Maybe I can't solve everything with arrows, but that's what you're for, right?" Solas smiled at her, chuckling softly. "Inanshain."* Isa tilted her head, but Solas just continued with his meal.
Maryden, the bard, entered the tavern, tuning her lute. Isa perked up, she liked music, and Maryden had a lovely voice. It reminded her of when she and Vhera were children and would sing together. They even knew a few shemlen songs, and had used them as sort of a common ground with villages their clan passed through. Maryden began to strum her lute and sing, and Isa was delighted when she recognized the song.
**I am flesh and I am bone,
Rise up ting ting like glitter and gold
Isa began to play the drum beat for it on the table, humming softly. Maryden flashed a knowing smile her way.
I've got fire in my soul
Rise up, ting ting like glitter
Isa began to sing along softly, smiling ear to ear.
Do you walk in the valley of kings?
Do you walk in the shadow of men
Who sold their lives to a dream?
Do you ponder the manner of things
In the dark
The dark, the dark, the dark
Maryden sat on the stool she played on and nudged the drum in Isa's direction, motioning her over with her head. Isa couldn't resist. She hurried over, sitting in a chair and tucking the drum under her arm. It was almost like singing with Vhera again, and she was able to harmonize well with Maryden.
Solas was entranced, resting his chin in his hands and openly staring.
Do you walk in the meadow of spring?
Do you talk to the animals?
Do you hold their lives from a string?
Do you ponder the manner of things
In the dark
The dark, the dark, the dark
I am flesh and I am bone
Arise, ting ting, like glitter and gold
I've got fire in my soul
Rise up, ting ting, like glitter
I am flesh and I am bone
Arise, ting ting, like glitter and gold
I've got fire in my soul
Rise up, ting ting, like glitter
Maryden finished the last few notes of the song and turned to Isa, "you've got a real knack for that drum. You should join me more often." Isa glowed with the praise, "thanks for letting me join you." Maryden nodded, and Isa tossed her a coin before rejoining Solas, who had what looked like a loving smile on his face. It made Isa blush.
Lunch didn't take long to finish, and soon they headed back to Solas's cabin. To Isa's surprise, he closed the large tome on the desk. "Let's not worry about that for now. You'll need to finish that bow, da'avise." Isa grinned and sat down, taking the bone in her grasp and the whittling knife in her hand, getting back to work. Strands of hair fell in her face, but she was too concentrated to notice. She and Solas sat in comfortable silence.
*adorable
**I do not own the song, Glitter and Gold belongs to Barns Courtney. Go give it a listen, it's a good one