That night the Seeker aided by the Herald questioned the Templar claiming to be the brother to the spirt. After hours of questioning the only thing the two women learned was that the man was truly on a mission for the Templars only to come back after hearing about the rift that opened up. Seeing no reason to hold him prisoner, he was allowed to join the Inquisition with only one catch. The catch being he was not allowed to be alone with Cole without other people around.
"He is hurting." Cole whispers as he appears next to the first who stood by her tent.
"He is simply confused is all Cole. He will get over it." Vanna says as she looked to the spirit.
With a slight nod the spirit turns walking away to the fire in the center of the tents. Lowering himself to sit on a log he gazes into the flames, concerned the first follows him. Gently sitting next to him she tilts her head only to notice slight wet streaks upon his cheeks. Taking a deep breath she lifts her arm to wrap it around his shoulders to comfort him, only to have to lower it back down as Cole scooted closer to her. This time it was she who froze as his shoulder touched hers, his hand right beside hers. Lowering her head slightly to see his eyes under his hat, she noticed he had not taken his eyes off the flames that licked at the sky as they rose in height.
"Are you ok Cole?" she asked quietly not wanting the people passing by to hear her, but knowing he would.
".. his words…they hurt.." he responded his voice echoing his pain.
Not knowing what to say Vanna took a breath and titled her head back to look to the stars above. The words that the Templar, Tristian, had said echoed in her mind. Looking at Cole once more she found he was looking at her his face showing fear mixed with sadness. Slowly she lifted her hand moving it over his comfortingly as she smiled slightly.
"They may hurt now, but having someone who knows and remembers you is good isn't it?" She says lowly her grip on his hand tightening lightly.
"Yes, No." Cole says shaking his head slightly.
"Good that someone remembers you, but also bad because he hurts you?" Vanna asks earning a slight nod from Cole.
"He brings bad memories." The spirt says his eyes narrowing slightly.
"That might be true but it is your past. Everyone has something in their past that brings pain. You can tell me if you think it might help." she replies her voice hinting at her feelings for him as she quickly turns her head away.
Without responding to her offer his weight shifts, feeling the shift Vanna turns her head slowly. Her eyes widened when she noticed that Cole had passed out his head resting on her lap, his face towards the flames. Feeling her face heat up, she knew her cheeks had turned crimson. Although approaching footfalls made her lower her head trying to hide her blush, as the sound of a man clearing his throat registered in her ears.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Herald your shift on watch is over. I am to replace you." A Tavinter accented voice said.
"Dorian, your timing is horrible." Vanna whispered as she gently looked only to see Cole awake now and frozen his face red.
Just as she was about to ask him to move Cole jumped to his feet, turning his back to both mages his head looking at his feet. Holding back a laugh the first stood slowly turning to look at Dorian who was freely laughing. Lighting gathered around her hands as her anger slightly increase, feeling the magic Dorian stops laughing looking at her with wide eyes. Seeing that she saw her meaning she dissipates the magic and looks to where Cole had stood to see he had vanished, sighing she returns to her tent. Now laying on her small cot in the tent she looks at the roof until sleep took over.
