Author's note: From now on, I'm going to be using a combo of the wiki and FenxShiral's version of elvish, because frankly I agree with pretty much everything he's figured out so far. If you want to see what I mean, go to ao3 and search that name, then look for his "Project Elvhen: Expanding the Elvhen Language". It makes way too much sense to ignore. Also, while it does contradict a few elvish things I've said in past chapters, I'm not going to correct them. Mostly because I have this story published on three sites, and that's just too much damn work to correct all that elvish three times over. Fenedhis lasa if you think that makes me lazy. ;)
tl;dr: Elvish in this story is gonna be different from now on. Ara'abelas. *shrug* Translations will - as usual - be provided.
Also, yes, I changed my screen name.
Translations:
on: good
dhea: morning
'ma neral: my pleasure
ara'lath: my love
su an'banal i'ma: to the void with you
harellan: traitor/deceiver/trickster
ma nuvenin: as you wish
She wakes gently, slowly, in a Fade-induced haze of fulfillment the likes of which she's never felt. Warmth and comfort welcome her to the earth, and she burrows into it gladly. She reaches out to embrace it, the tips of her fingers softly scratching along the edge. Her actions induce the unexpected response of her warmth shaking under her, a sound of laughter coming from just above her head. Curious, she repeats her movements, resulting in an even stronger reaction. A warm hand spreads over her fingers, smoothing them down to lay flat against their resting spot, a humored sigh of relief following quickly.
"I fear you have discovered yet another of my secrets, ara'lath. I sincerely hope you do not abuse it."
She gives a slight chuckle through her nose, a private smile spreading over her face. She opens her eyes to confirm that the warmth she is spread over is Fen'harel's body, and the spot she had been inadvertently tickling was his ribs. She gives a pleased, groggy moan, settling back in and closing her eyes.
"On dhea, vhen'an. I would ask if you slept well, but I think we both know the answer to that," she murmurs against his skin, pressing a kiss to it and snugging herself to him more tightly.
She hears and feels the kiss returned on the crown of her head, pressed into her hair before he replies with mirth on his tongue.
"On dhea indeed, vhen'an. I will freely admit that I have never been so pleasantly coaxed from the Fade before. Knowing that you would still be here when I woke... it made the transition seamless."
She gives a pleased hum as she responds, "'Ma neral, sa'lath."
He chuckles and gives her a gentle squeeze, then pats her hip with his hand in an attempt to rouse her.
"Garas, ara'lath. You must take a potion, and we all need to break camp, to begin our is a long path ahead of us; we should be gone as soon as we are able."
A disgruntled groan is the only response she graces him with.
He sighs and pats her hip more insistently, "Come da'fen, your people await."
Her response is yet another groan, tinged with a whine.
He grunts in annoyance, then sits up and slides his arm out from under her head, letting it slump to the padded furs.
Her response is to growl and roll onto her back, looking up at him with eyes slitted through narrowed lids.
"Su an'banal i'ma, harellan."
He chuckles, shaking his head, "The void holds no dangers for me, da'fen. Or had you forgotten? Come," he reaches for her hip and turns her over, landing a smart smack on her ass cheek, "up! We must go."
She jerks away from where he'd swatted her, an annoyed whine filtering up from the furs, where she now lies face-down. She slowly drags her arms under her, using them to prop herself up and sit, rubbing her face. She leans over as she finishes, resting against Fen'harel's shoulder.
"Five more minutes."
He laughs, "No, da'fen. Now. We have both rested long enough."
She doesn't move until she feels his finger trailing ice up her spine.
"Ah!"
She jumps up and nearly falls flat on her face, "What the fuck, Solas?"
Fortunately, she catches herself just in time, turning to glare back at him.
"Was that really necessary?"
He smirks, "Not entirely, but it was amusing."
A frustrated groan turns into a sigh that deflates her lungs, letting her body lay back down as her forehead meets the furs more harshly than is strictly needed. Before he can do anything else to try and get her up, she gathers her legs under her and kneels, reaching into her robe for an elfroot potion.
"Fine, I'm up, I'm going. Look, I'm even getting a potion, like you said. See?" She shows him the bottle, uncorking it and downing it in one smooth, practiced motion.
He gives a pleased smile, bowing his head slightly, "Very good. Now let us be dressed and go to meet the Inquisition, before they begin to wonder if we have run away together."
She snorts, "If only."
She pauses as she looks him over, her gaze trapped on the rune emblazoned on his shoulder, which hadn't been there the previous night. She blinks, leaning in for a closer look, noting that it begins to glow faintly as she nears it. The rune is encircled by her wolf's teeth marks, but she doesn't recognize the words that make up the rune itself. She looks into his eyes, raising her brow quizzically.
"Did you expect that our actions in the Fade would not impact reality, ara'lath?" he asks; the corners of his mouth upturned, his voice amused.
She shakes her head, leaning back on her heels.
"I... don't know. I'm not sure what I expected. Definitely not seeing a rune on you that I can't read."
He smiles, "You have one as well, naturally. Indulge me for a moment. Tell me what it feels like to you when you look at it."
She raises an eyebrow, "It's supposed to make me feel something specific?"
He nods, "Quite," he gestures towards his rune, "Look closely."
She concentrates on the rune, tilting her head to look at the scrawled writing that forms a spiral pattern outward from the center, intersected by swirling patterns of blue light. It seems to draw her in, as if the magic that created the rune, also created a physical tether from her mark to his. The effect is profoundly mesmerizing. She gives in to the impulse pulling her to him and lays her cheek on the rune, nuzzling into his neck with a soft sigh.
He chuckles, his arms wrapping around her as he rests his cheek on her temple.
"Exactly so. The magic is quite ancient, woven by Mythal to aide unity between bonded pairs. If you are still curious, she will be able to read the runes to us, if she chooses to."
She nods, which only serves to nuzzle her face into his neck further.
"I'm still interested. If we're going to have runes emblazoned on us for all eternity, I'd like to know what they say, even if I already know what they mean."
She can hear the smile in his voice, "I do not blame you. I admit I am curious, myself. I had planned to seek out one of her shrines to call on her soon; perhaps you would like to accompany me when I do?"
She sits back and nuzzles her nose to his with a smile and a chaste peck on his lips.
"I'd love to. But first, we need to get our people secured."
Standing, she reaches for her robe and slips it on, tying it shut with a satisfied sigh. She finds her staff leaning against the back right corner of the tent and slides it onto her back. She moves some of the furs out of the way enough to unfold the cot, sitting on it and eying her boots dubiously.
"Perhaps just the wraps?" He interjects, as he shrugs his vest on over his tunic, "I can teach you a spell to keep your feet warm, as I do."
"Yes, please. I don't think my toes would appreciate being stuffed back into those boots just yet. And if I can keep my feet warm without them, I'll probably never wear the damn shem contraptions again. Let them call me a heathen if they wish, I'd rather be able to feel the earth beneath me as I walk it."
He smiles and moves over to her, kneeling and lifting her right foot gently as he explains.
"It will sting for the first few days you use it, but once the energy aligns with your aura properly, you will feel nothing but warmth. It can be dispelled as needed, and there is a version of it for hotter climes as well. Observe."
He uses his finger to trace an overly simplified, tiny fire rune beneath the arch of her foot, then smooths his hands over her foot; from the rune, to her ankles, then up her calf slightly.
"There. That will prevent any further frostbite damage for the next week or so. It will need to be refreshed after that. Try it on your other foot," he waves his hands for her to proceed, sitting back to watch.
She lifts her left foot onto her knee, leaning over and trying to trace the same rune he had. It starts to glow as she nears finishing it, then fizzles out. She looks up at him, confused.
He chuckles, "You missed an important part of the rune. Here," he takes her hand and traces the rune on her skin without any magic behind it, the action purely instructional, "like this."
"Ah, I think I see what I missed. Alright."
She tries again on her foot, managing to draw it properly this time.
"Excellent!" he praises her with a pleased smile.
"Now draw the energy over your skin as I did."
She nods and begins pulling the magic from the rune over her foot, ankle and calf as he did. She looks back up at him for confirmation.
"Very good. You learn quickly. Once we get to Tarasyl'an Te'las, I will teach you the cooling version. For now, get your foot wraps on and let us be gone from here. I am doubtless they are all waiting for you to proceed."
She snorts, "I'm sure they are."
She winds the leather straps around her foot with practiced movements, easing them up her ankle, calf and up to her knee quickly, before tying off. Its pair soon follows and she stands, grabbing her boots. She threads the malleable leather on the top half of them through the back of her robe's sash, securing them for the journey.
"It's times like this when I wish I had a pack like you do. I don't know why I never carried one before; with as much gear was we run across in the field sometimes," she muses with a rueful smirk.
He smiles, "It is rather useful to have one. And I agree, it would be nice not to be the only one with some means of carrying all the herbs you pick along the way."
She laughs, shaking her head, "I can imagine. It's no wonder you were so grumpy sometimes, being reduced to the herbal pack mule."
He pauses, seeming to consider her words before replying.
"I believe it was the company, rather than the burden, that influenced my mood. There are several amongst our companions that I would prefer to spend less time with."
"Oh?" She raises an eyebrow, "And who might these people be?"
"Vivienne, for one. And though I wish to reach out to Sera, she seems to have other plans."
She nods, "I'll keep that in mind, then. You don't have any objections to Dorian or Blackwall, do you?"
"No and yes," he sighs, "knowing what I do now about Blackwall, colors my opinion of him somewhat; but I will not deny he is a superb warrior. If he is your choice for that role, I will not complain. As for Dorian, I will endure."
She laughs, "Dorian is a good man, give him a chance. I understand having issue with Blackwall, but he is the best balance for our usual group."
He nods, "True enough."
She watches him finish dressing and pick up his staff, quirking her head to the side as she voices the question that comes to mind.
"Why do you use a staff?"
He freezes in the middle of affixing it to his back, eyes locked on hers. An amused smirk tilts the corner of his mouth up.
"For the same reason every mage in this age uses one: to channel magic."
"Right," she nods, "but you don't have to. It's just how we've been trained to do it, to make it easier. Is that how it was done in Elvhenan? Or are you using it to fit in?"
A slight blush tinges his cheeks, and he smiles sheepishly as he finishes sliding his staff into position.
"I am afraid you have caught me there. It is true I use it as part of the deception of Solas; though using a staff for focusing and directing magic was not unheard of in the time of Elvhenan."
She nods again, her expression thoughtful, "I imagine the transition was odd, going from a foci full of power attuned to your aura, to using a staff that can sometimes prove unwieldy."
He shakes his head minutely, "Not as much of a transition as you are likely imagining. I was trained in the use of a staff before my slumber; I simply did not use it as easily as my foci."
"Huh. Fair enough. How good is your control without either, though?" She asks, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
He raises an eyebrow, "Better than yours, I wager. Why do you ask?"
She smirks, sending a tiny, tightly controlled zap of lightning to his backside with a flick of her wrist, making him jump and cry out in surprise. She grins as he glowers at her, narrowing his eyes.
"My Keeper taught me how to use magic properly, long before she taught me an easier way. Shall we have a game, ara'lath? Let's see who truly needs a staff, and who doesn't. First of us to pull out a staff in a fight, loses one point. The other gains a point. At the end of each day, we tally it up. The winner at the end of each week chooses a favor from the loser."
He crosses his arms over his chest as he gazes at her, considering. After a few moments, he chuckles.
"You do realize you will end up owing me quite a few favors, if you truly insist on this game of yours, da'fen? Perhaps you should desist, lest you find yourself indebted to me for eternity."
She stands and dispels the privacy ward he'd erected the previous night with a devious smirk, brushing past him to untie the tent flaps. She turns as she finishes, regarding him with a smile born of confidence.
"We shall see, sa'lath. I am already pledged to you for eternity, so if I am to be indebted as well, it will be a small thing."
He smirks, "Ma nuvenin, da'fen."
She chuckles and ducks out of the tent, noting the sun has already peaked the mountains on the east side of the valley, to indicate the arrival of mid-morning. As her eyes adjust, she casts about for signs of her advisers, spotting Cass standing over the impromptu war table with a look of intense concentration. Cullen is nearby, speaking with one of his lieutenants. The camp in general is bustling with activity, hundreds of people packing up, dismantling tents and settling their burdens on horses and brontos alike. She barely hears Leliana's steps before she reaches her side.
"How are you feeling?"
Lavellan turns and gives her spy master a smile, "Well, mostly. I'm not completely healed yet, but what swelling I had is mostly gone. And my toes, well, you can see for yourself."
Leliana gasps as she looks down, "Herald! Are you trying to make the frostbite worse? Why are you not wearing your boots?"
Lavellan smiles and gestures to her, "Give me your hand, I'll show you why."
Leliana raises an eyebrow, but complies hesitantly, laying her hand over Lavellan's outstretched palm.
"Solas taught me this a few minutes ago, it's quite useful."
She draws the same fire rune over Leliana's palm, quickly drawing the magic out and around her wrist, before releasing her entirely.
Leliana blinks, raising her hand to look at the rune as it quietly fades into her skin.
"It's... warm. And a little prickly. It almost feels as if I'm holding it slightly too near a campfire. What an interesting spell! Can you match it on the other hand?"
Lavellan chuckles, "Certainly. Here."
She reaches for Leliana's other hand, which lifts quickly into Lavellan's. She repeats the spell and releases her hand.
"There you are, warm hands for the next week. The sting will fade over time."
"Really?" Surprise lights on Leliana's face, "It lasts for that long? It is a pity one of the mages in our party during the blight didn't know this spell. There were many nights we could have used this, instead of huddling around the campfire."
"Well don't feel too bad, if I'd known of it last night, I wouldn't have had frostbite to contend with at all."
"Indeed," Leliana's brow creases in suspicion, "I wonder that he did not teach it to you before this. He's had plenty of opportunity."
Lavellan smiles easily, "Well, you have to admit, the possibility of me getting my digits frozen wasn't really imaginable before last night. In any case, I know now; and he says he can teach me a reverse version of it for hot weather as well."
Leliana's expression smooths into her usual serenity as she nods.
"Yes, well, good that you know it now, at least. On another matter, we are in the process of packing up the camp for the move to this fortress Solas spoke of last night."
Just as she finishes speaking, Fen'harel ducks out of the tent behind Lavellan, giving a nod to Leliana as he sees her.
"Ah, good. I was wondering where you'd gone. I hear I have you to thank for the warming spell," she smiles, bowing her head briefly in thanks.
He smiles, "It is no bother."
He looks around, noting the flurry of activity in the camp.
"I see everyone is readying for departure. I shall do the same, if you will both pardon me."
The ladies nod their acceptance of his excuse, Leliana speaking to Lavellan as Fen'harel turns to head toward his own tent.
"Come, we must plan our route as best we can. The others are waiting for your word, to finish packing up and move out."
Lavellan nods and follows Leliana to the main tent. Plans are made swiftly, and soon the valley is bereft of a single trace of their campsite, aside from trampled snow and snuffed fires. They set out moving north; Lavellan and Fen'harel heading up the long train of people and beasts, guiding the way. It is a four day journey from the valley to Tarasyl'an Te'las; though they make good time, despite their heavy burdens.
On the third day, one of the elven children orphaned by the war slips past his caretaker's grasp and runs ahead of Lavellan.
"Race you to the top, Herald!" He shouts as he passes her, his caretaker rushing past to try to catch him. The woman just manages to grab him and pick him up, before he begins the climb up the hillside. Lavellan chuckles as she watches the woman admonishing the small boy in her arms. The woman gives a small bow to Lavellan as she reaches her.
"I am so sorry about that, Herald. He's been impossible to manage ever since-"
She's interrupted by a gasp from the boy, who reaches out to touch Lavellan's face with concerned wonder in his eyes.
"Who did that to you?" Is all he can ask, before the caretaker snatches his hand back; going between apologizing profusely to Lavellan and chastising the boy as she moves back to the main group.
Lavellan shakes herself out of her shock as quickly as she can, but Fen'harel sees more than she wants him to.
"What did he mean?"
"Nothing," she replies, too quickly.
He cocks his head to the side, brow raised, "It is obviously something, or you would not be so quick to deny it."
"It is nothing to concern yourself over," she growls, "It is buried in the past, and there is no reason to unearth it now. It has no effect on you."
There is a quiet pause before he replies, "Very well, I will drop it for now. You still owe me an answer to a previous question, however; one I said I would collect the answer to on the way to Tarasyl'an Te'las."
She sighs. She'd forgotten all about it until now.
"Ma nuvenin, extract your pound of flesh, if you must."
"Are you so eager to keep secrets from me, da'fen?"
That makes her stop in her tracks.
"No, sa'lath," she answers haltingly, "I..."
She sighs, "I am still unsure what to think about your plans."
She continues walking, so they aren't overtaken or overheard by their following.
"Your offer to teach me any spells I wished reminded me of those plans. Not that they are ever particularly far from my thoughts, to begin with. But I have no doubt that there are many spells which cannot be cast in this world's current state. Or, at least, not as effectively."
"I would not teach you anything that you did not have the ability to cast, da'fen. While the veil may diminish the potency of some spells, it does not render any inert. You are not yet as powerful as I am, but there are very few spells that are completely beyond your reach. Even then, it is because most of them are spells tied to a specific being."
She raises an eyebrow, "'Not yet?' Do you intend to make me as you are, ara'lath?"
"That... is not only for me to decide upon, sa'lath. Even if I do wish it, I could not accomplish it on my own, and I would not do it without your consent."
"I would have to give my consent to be raised into the ranks of your kin?"
At his nod, she continues, "Is that a part of the process, or something you specifically wish in my case?"
He smiles, answering with one word, "Both."
She gives a short bark of a laugh, shaking her head and feeding a burst of energy to her legs, sending her ahead of him and the group to scout. His offer makes her both joyful and worried at the same time. Joyful, because the space his other self once occupied and the voices of the Well both seem to approve of the notion. Worried, because it is not something she would've ever wanted before now, and it frightens her that she has any desire for it at all.
As unsure of this as she is, she's glad that it distracted him from what the boy had tried to point out. That boy is the only one outside of her clan that knows of her secret; a secret she intends to keep from as many as possible. She knows Fen'harel will try to get her to tell him sooner or later. And while he is the last person she wants knowing about it, guilt over her prideful vanity will likely pull the truth from her lips.
She slows her pace and rubs her arm for warmth as a particularly cold gust of wind cuts through her robe. She looks ahead, seeing the now familiar path to their destination; feeling the fortress singing out to her through the Fade. She presses on, the noon sun pouring light down upon their path.
One more night, and the next day at mid-morning, she catches her first glimpse of it. For the second time, at least. It is just as breathtaking as it was the first time, though her mind is less consumed with wonder and more filled with her relief at finally being back home.
There will be much to do once she is named Inquisitor, and it won't be long now.
Soon, she will be dancing with nobles and playing The Grand Game; soon she will meet the Champion and fight demon armies. Soon, she will once again face Abelas and the rest of Mythal's sentinels at the Vir'abelasan; soon she will face down an ancient, blighted Magister and seal the veil closed one last time.
This time, she knows all the steps to the dances she must perform. This time, she will save Fen'harel's foci from destruction.
~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~
A sharp gust of wind ferries her over the first step onto the bridge, sending a familiar chill up her spine. She's definitely home now. She chuckles and shakes her head, moving on to guide the Inquisition over the long bridge and into the fortress proper.
There is a moment where everyone pauses once they make their way inside, gaping at the majesty of the ancient place. She spares a private smile for herself, remembering when she joined them in their awestruck moment of calm. It soon passes, though many will continue to wonder at their luck in finding such a place for weeks.
Her feet carry her up the stairs to the small room just to the side of the gates, heading through the door on the left to overlook the people still pouring into Tarasyl'an Te'las. She leans over on the half wall for a better view, stretching tired and aching muscles in the process.
She hears muffled footsteps behind her, looking over her shoulder to find Fen'harel approaching her side. He takes a similar position next to her, though his eyes gaze at her, rather than the people and beasts still making their way through.
"It is good to be home, is it not?"
She gives an affirmative hum in response, nodding before she turns back to watch the last of the Inquisition's civilians filter into the keep. The children and the injured follow, while the main forces move to set up camp in the valley below.
"I would enjoy walking the grounds with you, after the ceremony is complete. If you will join me, that is."
She rests her chin on her shoulder and smiles at him, then turns back with a sigh and a nod.
"I would like that. Perhaps you can show me a secret or two about this place that I don't know yet."
He chuckles, "I doubt there are many secrets you do not know about this keep, as much time as you spent exploring it. But I will gladly share what I know, if it pleases you."
She straightens and moves around him, laying a hand on his back and replying as she passes.
"It does."
He follows her into the small room, "Then it will be my pleasure. Would you like Atisha to accompany you to the ceremony? I somehow doubt they would be happy with me joining you as I am, but Atisha could easily be excused."
She graces him with a small smile, "That would be lovely. Did anyone see you coming in here?"
He shakes his head, "No. The last that anyone but you actually saw of me, I was headed to the rotunda. I can teach you how to use the magic here to do the same, given time."
She smirks, "That would indeed be quite convenient. There were many times I wished to be unseen before."
"I can imagine. But, for now, you must remain visible for the sake of the ceremony."
She nods, "True. You should shift, if you are still coming. It's time."
He smirks, capturing her chin with his fingers and leaning in to lay a chaste kiss on her lips.
"Dareth shiral, da'fen."
A faint blush tinges her cheeks as she returns the wish.
"Dareth shiral, Fen'harel."
She watches as he smiles and casts the spell to shift into Atisha, rounding to her side and nuzzling her hand comfortingly. She takes a steadying breath, then pushes open the door leading to the makeshift infirmary that's being set up. She sees her advisers across the way, talking amongst themselves. Cass beckons her over, as the others smile warmly at her and depart to gather witnesses.
She steps into her new role with her head held high.
~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~
He stands proudly beside her as she lifts the sword into the air, the crowd below cheering her on excitedly. Though the moment is soon over, he will cherish the memory of it for the rest of his years. He huffs a laugh as he realizes just how many things he will be cherishing from here on, now that he has a partner to create these memories with. What has been his greatest fear, for ages beyond counting, is now null and void. His sense of relief at this thought is palpable.
He follows as they head into the main hall, listening absently to her advisers as they rattle off the list of problems the Inquisition must now deal with. No rest for the wicked, it seems.
Not that she is particularly wicked. Most of the time, at least.
Varric slides in behind them, announcing the Champion's arrival in as roundabout a manner as he is able. Fen'harel barely keeps himself from laughing at the rogue's attempt at subtlety.
Her advisers begin to filter out of the hall, moving to their stations quietly after they excuse themselves with bows of respect. He hears her sigh as she turns toward the hall to the war room, pushing the doors open one by one in her wake.
The war table is packed with tokens and reports for potential operations all over Thedas, but she acts on the first three choices without hesitation. Her fingers land on a fourth, then a fifth, her advisers looking at her with raised eyebrows. Leliana is the first to speak.
"Inquisitor, we cannot manage more than three operations at once for now. Perhaps we can do more in the future, but-"
Lavellan cuts her off with a raised hand.
"I'm not asking you to. This Arcanist? I'll retrieve her. It's a simple enough mission. The trainers? I'll get the Chargers to escort them safely. Bull put them at our disposal, it's time we started using them. Same goes for any other assets we acquire along the way. There's no reason for all of your agents and troops and diplomats to be taxed to capacity constantly, when we have multiple means of getting things done. Delegate. Don't be afraid to send me on missions, either. I may be the Inquisitor, but I'll not sit idly by as the world falls down around my ears. Are we clear?"
Her advisers' surprise is quickly followed by understanding and nods, bowing to her wisdom readily.
"Good. Also, while I'm here, send out forward scouts in the Western Approach, Exalted Plains and Emerald Graves as soon as possible. I need to know what's going on there before I arrive. Once I retrieve the Arcanist, I'll likely be going directly to the Exalted Plains. Tell them to find at least one of the keystones in each region and tune ours to them. I have no intention of riding our mounts into the ground before their time, just to get from one place to another. Not when we have another option."
Leliana nods, "It will be done, Inquisitor. How soon are you departing?"
Lavellan huffs a sigh, "As soon as I've had a bath and talked to my companions. I'm sure they all have things they'd like to discuss, and I need to see who's willing to come with me for getting this Arcanist. Make sure you use whomever stays behind. If it's enough to form a balanced group, send them out to do things that don't require my mark. Or have them train troops. Something other than sitting on their asses all day until I need them."
She gives a stern look to Leliana, leaning in as she continues.
"Leliana, don't neglect Cole's specialty for training your agents when he's around. He's an invaluable asset, and I don't want him going to waste, simply because he makes people uncomfortable. Understood?"
Leliana hesitates, but eventually nods.
"Understood, Inquisitor. Shall I expect to see him while you're gone, or will he be joining you for the Arcanist?"
Lavellan shrugs, "That's up to Cole. But I would like him to join me for this, yes. He was a great asset in our last... conflict. I would miss his daggers guarding my back, but he may stay if he wishes. I will inform you, either way."
Leliana bows her head, "As you wish."
Lavellan nods, "Very good. Dismissed. Cullen, I'd like to speak to you before you go."
Josephine and Leliana excuse themselves and slip out of the room, a rush of leathers and silks swishing quietly in their wake. Cullen looks up from writing on a parchment, waiting for Lavellan's instructions.
"When your soldiers get back from Haven, send them to Wycome. I won't be here to give the order, but I'd like this to be taken care of quickly. I will not leave my clan defenseless, while I run around mending tears in the fabric of the world."
"Of course. I'll make a note of it and send the order out as soon as they return."
Cullen hesitates, opening and closing his mouth before he opens it and speaks.
"Inquisitor, if I might make a suggestion?"
She nods, "Absolutely, what is it?"
Cullen gives a worried smile as he replies, "Perhaps take a moment after speaking with your companions to rest, before heading out? None of us slept very well on the way here; I'm sure it would do you some good."
She laughs, "Do I look that bad, Cullen?"
"N-no! Not at all. I'm just concerned, is all. We all need a moment to gather our wits after Haven."
She gives a thoughtful nod, "I'll take it under advisement. Thank you for the concern, Commander; it is dully noted."
Cullen gives a small bow, excusing himself, "By your leave, Inquisitor."
She nods, sighing and leaning over the maps as Cullen leaves the war room. Fen'harel nudges her, sending a thought across.
'You seemed very concerned for your clan just now. Do you believe sending Cullen's troops will change the outcome this time?'
She sighs, looking up toward Wycome on the map as she speaks.
"I can hope. I already mourned them once, because I didn't take an active enough approach to the situation. I was too afraid of upsetting the political balance so early in my role as Inquisitor, last time. I have no interest in repeating the mistakes of my past. With luck, this will do the trick."
He nudges her again, 'If you are worried, perhaps you should go to Wycome yourself, after we retrieve the Arcanist?'
She grimaces, "I'm... not so sure they'd accept my aid. I was almost harellan to them before I left; to come back to them bare-faced on top of it, might do more harm than good."
'Why would they accept the aid of shems any more readily?'
She turns and leans against the table, looking down at him with a sigh.
"That's... a valid point. But what of Wisdom?"
'Is that why you are intent to rush off to the Exalted Plains?'
She nods, "That is part of it, yes. I wanted to see if perhaps we could head off the mages; give them aid, so they wouldn't feel the need to summon things beyond their understanding."
He growls.
She chuckles, "Is that disagreement you're voicing? I imagine you'd rather handle it differently?"
'Ignorance such as theirs does not deserve to breathe free air.'
She raises an eyebrow, "And intolerance does nothing to further our goals. They can learn. They have done nothing wrong, yet. If we can catch them before they summon her, we can bring them here and train them properly. Would understanding allies not help us more than outright killing them, before they've committed any crime?"
He struggles with an answer for a few moments. She is not wrong, but he remembers what she witnessed the mages do to his oldest spirit friend. He's known Wisdom since long before Elvhenan fell; listened to her counsel for ages. She is one of the rarest of the spirits populating his realm. To see her destroyed by ignorance that is so anathema to her existence would be a travesty beyond all travesties. He would not give such a vivid display of his wrath for anything less. He sighs as he nuzzles his da'fen's hand to respond, at last.
'I will agree to aiding the buffoons, but only for the sake of my friend. I will not be the one to instruct them. I believe if I were to attempt it, one, if not all of them, would be cinders by the end of the day. I do not have the patience to deal with such willful ignorance.'
She nods, "Ma nuvenin. I will teach them the error of their beliefs. I would not wish to allow them the chance of making such a mistake again, after saving them from their foolishness the first time."
'That is generous of you.'
She shakes her head, smirking, "Merely practical. I don't have the patience to save them from idiocy twice."