Italics are internal thought
Bold is elven
Thank you to silentsum for editing! Also thank you for the support I have received for this! Its so encouraging to hear that people are enjoying what I write. :)
Im on tumblr as the-hidden-1
The first two days of travel were pretty uneventful. Just travel, make camp, cook something bland to eat, sleep, and in the morning repeat. I had for the most part kept to myself. Mostly because any time that I spoke, Tammen and Alamen listened to my words with rapt attention. It made me uncomfortable, so I withdrew from them.
Iron Bull and Varric often chatted with the other scouts in the party, and I gleaned some of their stories by eavesdropping. Other than Harding, there were four other scouts along with us.
"Hey Luc. You're from Orlais right? Orlesian?" Bull asked.
The man just grunted in reply. An Orlesian mercenary, Luc Urbain had joined the Inquisition at Haven, and was quite a skilled warrior. He was tall and slim, with dark hair that brushed his jawline, rough stubble constantly on his cheeks, and dark eyes that portrayed an unbearable sadness. For all their prying, neither Varric nor Bull could uncover the man's full story. Just half hints of a purpose he found with the Inquisition.
"What the hell is with the Orlesian masks?" Bull wasn't deterred by Luc's disdain for speaking.
When there was no response from Luc, Marden spoke up.
"Actually the Orlesian's use the masks as a way to show their status among the nobility or even the middle class. The noble houses have masks that are inherited through each generation, and they each have a specific design and style. It's all very interesting."
Marden Norris was a huge man, standing almost as tall as Bull, and half as wide, with cropped brown hair and a clean shaven face. But he had the temperament of a scholar and tended to ramble about his interests. He was curious about everything and had eagerly joined the Inquisition with the other mages from Redcliff. But he had approached Leliana, asking if he could help in some other way. He wanted to see the world that he had been denied in the circle. And Leliana had, of course, welcomed him into her scouts with little hesitation and some training.
"Oh, shut it, Marden! Nobody cares!" Lamaya yelled from her horse, where she was using a dagger to clean her nails.
"Hey, he asked!" Marden griped back at her, looking sullen.
Limaya was a city elf from Denerim's Alienage. She had a fiery temper belied her small stature. She was a rogue of great skill, carrying both daggers and a bow. Limaya had been recruited as a scout right when she walked through Skyhold's gate with a group of elves looking to join the Inquisition. Apparently Leliana saw something in her that she could use. She was very beautiful, with dark skin, long black hair that was always tied up in a bun, and pretty green eyes. I got the impression that she did not welcome any attention for it though.
The last member, and the one that Varric seemed to get along the most with, was Rhagrand Branarek, or Rand as he preferred. He was a surfacer dwarf from Starkhaven who also had ties with the Dwarven Merchants Guild, though not so highly connected as Varric. A younger son, he had simply been looking for an excuse to leave his house for a while, tired of the backwards politics of the Dwarven surfacers. So he joined the Inquisition. Rand was very serious, and proud. He didn't waste words on anything, but when he did get to talking, he was as opinionated as any dwarf. He had his hair cut very short, and a well trimmed goatee, and steely blue eyes.
I had listened to all I could with interest. I wish I could quiz these people on their stories, and why they joined, and who they were. But I wouldn't. I wouldn't be able to answer any of their returned questions myself. So I would not ask them to share when I would not.
But Varric was, of course, determined to involve everyone in conversation. Thankfully, when he did direct a question or comment to me, it was never pertaining to my past. Even so, with questions like 'What is my favorite ale?,' 'Who would win in a fight between Solas, Dorian, and Vivienne?,' and 'What do I think of Orlesian politics?,' which is how the current conversation was started. Tammen and Alamen would cease their talking and listen closely whenever I actually spoke. It was worse when I spoke to Solas, as we usually did so in elven.
By the third day of travel I was frustrated. We were going through the Exalted Plains, skirting around the problem areas where the civil war was focused. I was feeling a little lonely, to be honest. I wanted to talk to everyone. To just be a normal person, not some ancient elf from a time long gone.
We stopped at Verchiel for the night, and in the morning we would hire a ferry to cross the river and make our way to Velun. From there we would have to continue on foot, as we would not be able to carry the supplies needed to feed our horses in the desert. I didn't look forward to leaving Da'asha behind. She was a constant comfort and friend, but I also knew that the Western Approach would be very dangerous, and we were passing straight through it. She would be safe in Velun until we got back.
We rode into the city just as the sun was setting, and quickly found a inn, that was also a lively tavern. For an Orlesian establishment, it was surprisingly lacking in ornate finery, at least from the outside. It looked warm and welcoming after our long day of travel.
"Ah. This makes me miss the Hanged Man. Nothing like a shithole to make you think of home." Varric chuckled, smiling at Rand beside him, who nodded.
There was a large stable attached to the building, and at our stop, three young elves came scrambling out of it. They bowed politely and then rambled off in Orlesian. Luc conversed with them for a moment, before he gestured for them to take our mounts. Luc gave them a small handful of coins, and then said something in a threatening voice that had all three boys bowing again, looking nervous. Probably something like 'Take good care of them, or else.'
The smallest one ran over to me first, and I handed him the reigns. I smiled at him when I caught his eye and snuck a few extra coppers into his hand when no one was watching.
"Take extra care of her for me?" I whispered to him.
His eyes widened at the extra coin, and he nodded, pocketing it quickly. I had no doubt that they were normally not allowed to keep most of the coin for themselves. And as the smallest of the stable hands, he probably got the least of the day's earnings as it was. He grinned at me, and led Da'asha away.
I stood there for a moment, not ready to follow the others into the noisy din of the tavern. I looked around the street, seeing bustling people closing out their day as the sun was sinking below the horizon. I saw Solas standing still as well, seeming to take joy in the quiet as everyone else filtered inside. He stood tall and straight, confident. My eyes drifted over the lines of him, and I suddenly wanted to draw his face.
He turned and caught me staring and I offered him a small smile. I tilted my head towards the door, and he sighed and nodded. Our silent conversation betraying our reluctance to leave the moment of peace we had found in the fading light.
Solas pulled open the door for me, and I smiled at him in thanks as I walked inside. I was hit with the familiar stench of sour ale, sweat, and general body odor. I couldn't help but wrinkle my nose at it. Solas chuckled beside me, watching my face. I glared at him with no real anger, and shook my head.
Harding walked over to us, the rest of the group forming a loose circle so we could speak.
"I've made arrangements for rooms. They had three available rooms. So the women will share, and the men will split up four in each room. Any problems with that?"
Luc glared at the floor but that was pretty much just his normal face. The twins, Tammen and Alamen, looked at each other briefly, but nodded. I bet they were considering camping outside the city for the night.
No one else even looked bothered by the idea. There was a short conversation among the men about sleeping arrangements. It was finally decided that Bull, Rand, Varric and Luc would be in one room, while Solas, Marden, Tammen and Alamen would be in the other.
We split up to settle and find our rooms. I followed Harding and Lamaya up the steps and down a narrow hallway with scattered doors on either side. It was a rather large inn. They had at least eight rooms from what I could see. Which was impressive considering I knew the one in Redcliff only had two rooms.
Harding opened one of the doors and slipped inside. There was one large bed pushed up against the wall, a dresser with a washbasin and mirror atop it, and a small couch by the window. I immediately went to the couch and dropped my bag on it.
"Are you sure you wouldn't rather have the bed Shae? I'm shorter than you, obviously, being a dwarf and all. I wouldn't mind sleeping there."
I smiled at her. Harding and I had become friends over the last few days. She gave me the relief of easy banter and even easier questions. She never asked about my past, just inquired about my interests or skills.
"I would prefer this actually. I am not really one to share a bed."
Lamaya snickered.
"Bet ya woulda if that bald mage was inviting ya, huh?"
I rolled my eyes and began sorting through my pack, ignoring her snickers behind me.
"Lamaya! Be polite!" She scolded gently, but then she grinned at me. "It's not nice to point out people's infatuations."
I shot a glare over my shoulder at her.
"What? I'm defending you!"
"Right." I chuckled and turned back to my bag. I began pulling out the blanket that I would use on the couch, and my journal. I had taken to writing in it often, thoughts and drawings to go along with my thoughts. I may not write in it tonight though.
"Well, I'm gonna get some food. You paid fer dinner, right?" Lamaya sent a pleading look to Harding who laughed.
"Yes! You ungrateful… I paid for dinner for all of us already. Now Shae, that means you have to eat tonight." She cast another look my way and I tried to ignore the undertone of concern in her voice.
I had been skipping a few meals. It hadn't really been a plan. I just lost my appetite. Solas had been gently prodding me everyday to eat something. It just didn't settle well in my stomach. I think it's stress. After all, I did just get guilt tripped into agreeing to the invite to Halamshiral.
Even thinking about it made my stomach twist, but I resolved to put it from my mind. I would enjoy the night, eating good food and sleeping on a couch. Hopefully it's better than tasteless oatmeal and a tent.
Harding left the heavy room key with me, and followed Lamaya back out into the tavern. I checked the room. It was relatively clean. Clean enough, at least. I took my time, and poured a little water from a pitcher into the washbasin and splashed some of it on my face, cleaning off the dust from the road. Feeling much better, I left the room, and locked the door behind me. I wandered down into the tavern and stopped in the doorway.
Looking into the large room, I noticed most of my companions sitting at a large table in the center. They were eating the dinner the inn provided, some kind of stew and a thick slice of bread. They were loud, and already obnoxious. Probably due to Bull and Varric's presence. As I watched Varric whipped out a deck of well loved cards and convinced everyone to give him a chance to steal their money. I chuckled at their excitement, which I could feel even from over here.
As I was about to approach the bar and ask for my own stew, I saw Tammen and Alamen sitting by themselves in a corner. They were talking quietly to each other, eyeing the humans that overwhelmed the room. I liked them. I really did. Traveling with them had revealed that while they did have a tiny superiority complex, they were kind.
The man behind the bar looked me over while he passed my dinner over. It was a beef stew. Something warm and hearty. I took my stew and walked over to the twins table. I didn't hesitate or think about it. I just sat down beside Alamen.
Who looked very shocked. Tammen too.
I started eating without looking at them, just trying to enjoy my food. It still wasn't very appealing, but I knew I needed the sustenance.
"Ha'hren?" Alamen asked hesitantly.
My spoon froze about halfway to my mouth, and with a sigh I dropped it back in the bowl. I tiredly massaged my forehead.
"I wish you wouldn't call me that."
"But, it means…" Alamen started, but I held up a hand.
"I know what it means. I am not your teacher. I may be your elder but…" I shook my head. "Please, just call me Shae."
Picking up my spoon again, I continued eating. I knew they were staring at me, but I just ignored their baffled looks for now and just ate with them. Eventually they turned to their own meals as well. I finished only slightly more than half of the meal and then pushed the bowl away from me, leaning back in my chair.
Tammen and Alamen were both casting glances at me constantly, as though afraid I would be offended by their curious looks.
"So, where are you two from?"
They both faced me, and then glanced at each other. It almost made me laugh. They were so concerned about getting information from me that they weren't sure how to treat me if I actually spoke to them.
"We are from the Ralaferin Clan. We spent most of our time in Eastern Ferelden. Near the Brecelian Forest." Alamen answered smoothly after a moment. Tammen raised his eyebrows at his brother.
"And you hunt for the clan?"
Alamen nodded, but Tammen spoke up, his eyes a little uncomfortable.
"I apologize, ha'hren, but you won't tell us anything of your life, but now you are asking of ours?"
I felt my lips twitch in amusement. Isn't that just the truth of it? Glancing at Alamen out of the corner of my eye showed that he winced at Tammen's statement and looked at his hands on the table.
"I understand your discomfort. I am often approached by strangers asking me to share the few precious memories of my life that I can remember, and they are not willing to share in return. I suppose getting to know one another in a mutual exchange of knowledge is too much to ask these days."
I stood from the table, and picked up my bowl. I wasn't angry at him, and my calm demeanor and easy tone showed that. As I said, I knew exactly where he was coming from. It was my entire life these days.
As I started to walk away from the table, I heard the chair scrape loudly behind me and Tammen darted around to block my path, a small amount of panic showing in his eyes.
"Ir abelas, ha'hren. I misspoke." He bowed his head low and waited for my reply. I sighed heavily. These men should not be bowing to me, much less calling me teacher.
"Please, stop calling me ha'hren. And I won't push you to tell me anything you are uncomfortable with, Tammen. I just wanted to know you both a little better."
Tammen straightened and smiled at me. It made his normally serious face very handsome. He gestured back at the table with his eyebrows raised in silent invitation. I considered him for a moment before turning back to the table and settling back in my chair. What am I doing?
I didn't give myself time to regret my decision.
"So tell me of tell me of the Dalish. I have read a few things, but as evident by what the books say about Arlathan, I really have no doubts that they are mostly incorrect."
They blinked at me, and then glanced at each other. Alamen laughed.
"It's strange for you to ask us that, ha'h…" I narrowed my eyes slightly at him and he looked sheepish. "Shae."
I nodded my approval and he smiled.
"Yes, but I know very little about your culture and what I have heard is from others. No one can explain a culture as well as the one who lives it."
Tammen looked a lot more relaxed, and Alamen was smiling brightly. They are probably happy I am finally talking to them. I suppose it's a start.
The brothers began telling me about the Dalish way of life, their stories, clans, and gods. I was fascinated, because even though I knew most of this information, it had not been told to me like this. With eyes that lit up when they talked of their gods, and the respect in their voices when speaking of the Keeper. They laughed about the young children they were training to be hunters, because the whole clan was involved in raising young ones. They grew solemn when they spoke of the clans hardship. As they warmed to their topic, they opened up more to me. Relaxing into their drink as they smiled and reminisced.
I spent hours with them at the table, until a lot of the room was emptied of the crowd. I noticed the rest of our companions were finishing up their game of Wicked Grace, and it appeared Scout Harding was the lucky one tonight. I chuckled at her smug expression, and the disgruntled faces of those who lost. When I turned my attention back to the brothers, I noticed that Alamen was yawning and Tammen's eyes were drooping. It had been a very long day.
"Why don't you both go get some sleep? You look tired."
Alamen nodded, and stood dragging his twin out of his chair and away toward the stairs. As they left Alamen threw a last comment over his shoulder at me.
"Sleep well, ha'hren." He had a cheeky grin on his face. I rolled my eyes at him and waved him away. They had been calling me Shae for most of the night, but slipped up a few times. They laughed at the irked expression on my face each time, until eventually I laughed with them. Ok, so they're nice. And cute. I like them. Sigh.
What are you getting yourself into Shae? You know this is just going to make things more complicated.
I stood from the table and was about to go upstairs, but I noticed that Lamaya and Harding were just getting up as well, ready to stumble up to the bed. I flinched at that. I wasn't really in the mood for more drunken conversation. If anything I wanted to be alone. Harding walked over to me and I handed her the room key so that they could go to bed, telling her I would be a while longer. She gave me a scolding look but didn't say anything else as she teetered off to the room.
I quietly sank into the shadows and slipped out of the tavern. It was very dark out, but with my eyes and the moons and stars to light my path, I had no trouble. I walked around the building towards the stables and crept inside. The boys from earlier were gone, but there was a guard sleeping by the entrance. I padded silently past him and found Da'asha in a stall.
She leaned forward to reach me, shoving her head against my chest. I leaned into her, patting her neck and whispering to her in elven. It was a comfort to have the love of an animal so trusting. And she didn't ask questions.
She had been well taken care of, her coat shined from the brush, and she looked comfortable. I checked the other mounts from our party and noticed they all looked well. The three harts each sniffed at me curiously and looked at me with big watery black eyes. I smiled and murmured to them as well, stroking their noses. Animals are so much easier than people.
I snuck back out past the snoring guard and continued my path around the stables. On the far side, I noticed a stack of crates. I eyed them with interest. Not because of the crates themselves, but because of the perfect steps they created up to the roof of the stable, and then progressively to the roof of the inn.
I glanced around me, and seeing no one, smoothly bounded up the crates to the roof. I crouched and walked along the ridge until I reached where the stable connected with the main building. This was a larger gap. The inn's roof at shoulder height to my small form. I hooked my arms and hauled my body up easily, throwing up first one leg then the other.
Once up, I looked around. I don't want to fall into someone's bedroom. But the roof looked very sturdy. There were moss and leaves in places, but otherwise the simple shingles looked solid. I walked to the center and sat down, looking up at the sky. It was peaceful. And soon my anxiety was soothed away by the quiet.
I had been agonizing over every word I said, every action I took, every smile I gave. It was exhausting. For once I wish I could just be me.
But I can't.
I'm not even sure who I am anymore with all this mess.
I sighed heavily and shivered. I nudged my magic to make a small warm ball of light that danced around my fingers. I made sure it wasn't too bright, hoping to avoid attention. But it gave me just enough warmth to stay where I was, away from everything. Just for a moment.
I wasn't sure how long I just stared at my little dancing creation, but it felt like much later when I was jolted from my melancholy.
I heard footsteps on the roof. Very quiet, but too close to be coming from the ground or in the building. My hand automatically jerked to my blade as I turned. But it was just Solas.
Just Solas. Right. I rolled my eyes at my own internal thoughts sarcasm.
Maybe I have multiple personalities. So shut up other me.
I watched as Solas picked his way over the stable roof, and climbed smoothly onto the inn. He quietly walked over and sat down beside me. I shivered when his arm brushed up against mine, and I leaned away slightly, pushing down the warm feeling that was rising in my chest..
No. Don't go there, Shae. You are already too close. Stop it with the feelings.
Solas didn't say anything for a while, just watching my little ball of warmth move around my hand.
"It is dangerous to be out here alone. Orlais is not known for its kindness to elves." He spoke quietly, as though afraid to break the peaceful silence we were wrapped in.
I chuckled to myself and shrugged. We both knew I could take care of myself. But I dimmed my light a little to show that I heard him. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him smile.
"I would also prefer we didn't get carted off to the circle." There was a slight sarcastic tone to his voice.
I rolled my eyes but I snuffed out the little light. It was still cold though so I let a tiny bit of my magic warm the air around us. He chuckled as he felt me raise the temperature in a subtler way.
"I see you prefer the warmth."
"I don't mind the cold so much. But I also don't need to put up with it. Why should I when I can just warm the air?" I quirked an eyebrow at him with the slightly rhetorical question. He laughed quietly at that, and I couldn't help the wide smile that spread across my lips in response.
"The fear of magic in this time is unfortunate. Especially, when it can be so beautiful."
His voice lowered into a deeper tone when he said that, and I glanced at him. His blue eyes were focused on me. I felt a blush stain the tips of my ears and I hoped the darkness would be enough to cover it. Though I doubted it. I broke away from his steady gaze and looked back to the sky.
"Yes. It's unfortunate." I whispered.
We were silent for a long time after that, and I pointedly kept my eyes upward. He is being very flirtatious. I always thought he wouldn't be because I'm not the Inquisitor. I mean, I am supposedly an ancient elf. I guess he would treat me differently because of that. But I never really expected him to buy it fully. Maybe some. But I thought he would have doubts. Why is he flirting? I'm not that great! I'm awkward, and emotionally all over the place. I sobbed on him! Oh god. I'm a mess.
But it is kind of nice.
No! You shut up!
I sighed sharply through my nose as I stared at one of the moons.
"Your thoughts are loud tonight. What is bothering you?"
You.
"Ah, nothing." He raised an eyebrow at me, but didn't push. That's the most unbelievable excuse. You need to come up with something better.
"I'm… concerned that this won't work. With the rifts. I'm also concerned with what I will see."
Solas nodded sagely. He always looks so freaking confident, and wise. And smart. And...
Stop it now, or you'll list all your favorite things.
I huffed at my own thoughts. I really need to pull myself together.
"I believe it will work. Even if it doesn't we have another purpose. To find the Temple and learn more about the shards. So it cannot be a wasted trip. As for what you will see…" He studied me for a moment, his blue grey eyes steady in the dark. "It will be better to know."
I nodded, but also partly believed that if I hadn't had these strange things happening with rifts I would be able to act like a normal person. Or maybe wouldn't have come here at all. But then I would be dead. Which is worse.
"If you had been given the chance to forget your past, and start over, would you have taken it?"
Solas blinked at me, and then looked to the sky. I waited patiently as he was considering his answer. With his eyes turned upward I couldn't help but take a moment to subtly examine his face. In the moonlight all his features were more pronounced. The line of his jaw, his nose, his ears, his mouth. I studied each feature until I came to his eyes which were looking back at me. I blinked for a moment. I didn't even notice him turn. Damn it.
I cleared my throat gently and turned away.
"I would always want to know who I am. Even if I do not like some of the choices I have made, I would not want to forget them. They were valuable lessons, if difficult to learn."
I nodded, unsure if I agree with him or not. After a time he stood up and offered me a hand. I cautiously accepted it, pushing back my snarky inner voice that smirked at the contact. I brushed off my pants and followed him to the edge of the roof, gently dropping down to the stable and then climbing down the stacked crates to the ground.
"Would you?" He stopped by the crates, still in relative privacy as he asked me the question in return.
I stared at him for a moment and then looked to the ground. Would I? I would have said no with my old life. But if this was really me? An ancient elf with a dark, half remembered past. Would I want to remember if I really was Lethanavir?
I shivered against the cold wind that ruffled my hair and clothes.
She was important. She was strong and had a life, a lover, friends. I don't think she would want to be forgotten. But she's gone. I'm here. And for some reason I am receiving her memories. Maybe because we have so much in common. Maybe it's some kind of parallel universe thing? Ugh. I'm gonna give myself a headache if I do this. But would I want to forget?
"No." I hesitated to elaborate, but the expectant look he had encouraged me to speak. "I wouldn't want to forget. It is important to remember. To know."
His eyes looked pleased as he gave me a tiny smile, and nodded. We turned and walked back around the building in silence. He held the door for me as I slipped inside. I noticed that there were only three people left in the main room when we entered. I had been on the roof longer than I thought. We walked up the stairs, and along the hallway until he stopped at the door to his room. I glanced back over my shoulder at him.
"Good night, Solas."
He smiled at me.
"Sleep well, Shae."
I snuck quietly into the room, slipping in the door and silently locking it behind me. Harding and Lamaya were curled around each other on the bed. I chuckled silently at them, unsure if they were simply cuddly sleepers or actually in a relationship. Either way, it's cute.
I stripped off my armor and dropped heavily on the short couch. I curled up in my blanket and fell asleep almost immediately.
I woke to the sound of movement in the room and scowled. Not only was I dead tired, but I had been disturbed from the one dream I've had since coming here that wasn't a nightmare in one way or another. Though it was already slipping from my mind. I could only remember the moon, blue grey eyes, and a sense of joy. I threw an arm over my eyes as I tried to bring it back into my mind.
But it was gone.
I sighed and looked around the room. Harding was up and moving about. As the leader it made sense for her to be the first one to rise. She had to get all of us moving at an appropriate hour.
Lamaya was spread out all over the bed and snoring lightly. I wasn't sure how Harding had fit on there. Harding glanced at me and saw I was awake.
"Good morning!" She whispered. "I want to get an early start today, since we'll be crossing the river. You may want to start getting up."
I groaned quietly and she laughed. She turned and gently shook Lamaya's arm, trying to wake her. She looked wary and tense as she moved her though, and I wondered why. I found out quickly as Lamaya jerked awake and immediately took a swing at Harding. She jumped out of the way in time, but it was close. Lamaya was fast.
She blinked around the room, and spotted Harding standing nearby. She groaned much louder than I had and flopped back on the bed.
"Come on, Lace. One more hour." She whined as she turned her face into the pillow so her words were muffled.
"No way Maya. We gotta get a move on." She poked Lamaya in the ribs, and she squirmed and giggled away from her. I was starting to think their cuddling may not have been platonic.
I stood from the couch and stretched quickly, knowing that Harding would be pushing us all to move very soon. I packed my bag, and donned my armor quickly, making it to the door just as Harding was shoving Lamaya forcefully off the bed. I smiled and slipped out into the hallway.
There wasn't much activity this early in the morning. At the other end of the hall I saw a human with greasy hair watching me leave with eyes that made me shiver. I glared at him to deter him from trying to approach me. Nothing like that had happened to me yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did. Orlais was not kind to the elves.
I walked down the stairs into the main room and saw that I was the first one down, though not the only person in the room. A few humans lingered about, and of course the barkeep was behind the counter hiding a yawn. I picked a larger table, since I knew I would be joined by others shortly, and sat down. I could have probably asked the barkeep for breakfast, I was sure Harding had paid for that as well, but I just wasn't feeling it this morning. Breakfast was the meal I skipped most often. Eating right after waking just didn't sit well with me.
It wasn't too long until Harding dragged Lamaya into the room. She plopped Lamaya into a chair, and she promptly went back upstairs, presumably to bang on the doors the men were sleeping behind. As soon as Lamaya had been shoved into the chair she laid her head down on the table and fell right to sleep again. I chuckled at her ability to doze anywhere, even a sticky tavern table.
Soon Harding came back, grumbling about stubborn men under her breath. She laughed when she saw Lamaya sleeping on the table.
"You know, sometimes I feel like a mother to all these layabouts. I have to wake them, and feed them, and get them moving. Lazy nug lickers." Her words were harsh, but the smile on her face contradicted her tone.
She went over to the counter and told the barkeep to get enough breakfast served out for all eleven of us. The man grumbled and groaned until she slipped a few extra coins his way. Then he was more than happy to help. Harding came back and dropped down beside me at the table.
"So. I noticed you came in pretty late last night." She waggled her eyebrows at me.
I gave her a look that said 'What are you talking about?'
"Oh come on. I saw you go outside just as I was taking this one upstairs." She pointed at Lamaya's sleeping form on the table. "And then I came back down a while later to make sure the rest of the guys hadn't passed out drunk or anything. I was about to go outside to look for you but Solas volunteered." She said 'volunteered' with all the innuendo she could put into the innocuous word.
I just blinked.
"What's your point?"
She rolled her eyes like I was the thickest person she had ever talked to.
"He had been watching you the whole night you know. While you were talking to the Dalish? He was trying to be subtle about it. But nothing escapes these eyes." She tapped her finger against her temple knowingly.
I laughed. There's no way.
"I think you must be mistaken, Harding. But I'll take your word for it."
She sighed again, but didn't continue the conversation as the men began to trickle into the room just as the barkeep was starting to bring breakfast to the table. I sat quietly as they began to eat and talk. Some of them were silent. Like Luc. But that's pretty normal behavior for him. And me. Marden prodded Lamaya awake, flinching away when she woke swinging again, and gestured to the food which she turned on with fervor. Rand went to the bar and bought a pint of the strongest ale. We all looked at him with incredulity.
"It helps the hangover." He mumbled, and the table chortled at his pained expression as he clutched his head and winced.
Solas came down last. Which was not unusual for him. He sat in the empty seat next to me, and I couldn't help but feel like maybe Harding had planned this. The sly smile on Varric's lips made me suspicious too.
If these idiots are trying to play matchmaker, I'm going to kill them. I glared fiercely at Harding and Varric. And Bull for good measure, in case he was involved. They all looked unconvincingly innocent as they avoided my gaze.
"You should eat."
I glanced at Solas and then looked to the table, actually inspecting the food. Oatmeal. Does Thedas have any breakfast other than oatmeal? Ugh.
There was a small bowl of apples that were a little wrinkled, but I took one of those and bit into it. I had learned that Solas was as persistent and stubborn as a mule. Fighting him on something as simple as breakfast was not worth it.
We always ate quickly, Harding pushing us to move out as soon as possible. When I finished my small breakfast before everyone else, I stood and headed for the door.
"See if you can get them working on our mounts, Shae!" Harding called out to me. I waved over my shoulder in acknowledgement.
Once outside I walked back into the stables. The three young boys were there again, but they hadn't noticed me yet. They were standing around the three harts, petting their noses and whispering in rapid Orlesian.
I walked up behind them and they jumped when they noticed me. All of them looked mortified, but I just smiled.
"We are going to be leaving soon. Can you help us get the horses ready?" I tossed a few extra coppers at each of them, and they all looked thrilled. Nodding and running to get things moving. I went to take care of Da'asha myself.
Soon enough, the group wandered out of the inn and started helping with the mounts, tying their packs, and getting mounted up.
As Solas walked past me to his hart, he stopped and pressed another small apple into my palm, looking into my eyes.
"You don't eat enough."
I scowled at him, but there was no real heat behind the look. I pocketed the apple and led Da'asha out of the stables. I mounted up and watched as everyone else scrambled to get things moving.
Soon enough we were heading out of Verchiel. We would be heading into The Heartlands and crossing at the river that fed into Lake Celestine, and then heading on to Velun. The group was chatting amongst themselves as we rode out, and it was at least five miles outside Verchiel before I noticed it.
A tug in my mind. A tiny spike of pain.
I waited another mile or two to make sure I was positive, not only of its presence, but it's direction. But it was there. It felt like the start of a headache, growing slowly as we moved, the same as what I had felt in Crestwood. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on it. It was definitely there. And I could sense a direction. I trained my eyes to where I felt the slight pull, but couldn't see anything in the landscape. We were probably still too far away.
I spurred Da'asha and caught up to where Solas was in the line. As I pulled up next to him, I hesitated to tell him. Do I really want to have more of these memories?
I remembered our conversation from last night. I would not want to be forgotten.
I looked at Solas, and he was watching me curiously. I pointed in the direction I felt the pull.
"I sense a rift."