When Ella walked out of Solas' lodging Adan and the other man were no longer standing out in the snow. She paused for a moment thinking. The two men had been standing in front of the lodging to the right of Solas'. With a shrug, she decided to go for that one first. When she found the door unlocked it confirmed to her, she likely had the right place.
As she walked into the warm space, she was greeted by a multitude of tables with various herbs, flasks, and potions. It was like something directly out of a movie or video game. Not that this whole thing hadn't contained a certain amount of that, but this space was… well if she'd had any lingering misconceptions about if she was in her world still or not, they were there no longer.
"Did you just come here to gawk or did you need something?"
The harsh male voice pulled her back from her examination, and she turned, meeting a pair of stony eyes. "I-" She cleared her throat, "I came to help."
Adan squinted at her, the bushy brows almost entirely hiding his eyes, "I know you. I'd have thought you'd be gone by now. Or dead. Probably dead."
She clenched her jaw and gave him a hard smile, "Thanks for the vote of confidence. Do you or do you not need help?"
"I do but won't do me any good to have help from someone who doesn't know anything." He eyed her up and down, "More trouble than you're worth I suspect."
She felt the irritation rise and her jaw muscle twitch, "Try me."
Adan looked at her for a moment more before shrugging, "Why not. Not like things can get worse." He turned to the desk behind him and grabbed a piece of parchment. "This here is a list of all the herbs we need that can be found in this area. If you can find everything on this list, I will think about keeping you on and pay."
She opened her mouth to say she didn't need any pay but closed it again. It might seem strange if she refused payment and raise questions about why she'd ask to help. Not to mention she could give the funds to Ivy to try and repay her at least a bit. She'd just leave whatever she made between now and departing this crazy world, in Solas' quarters with a note to give them to Ivy.
"Alright."
Adan handed her the list. She took it and her brows furrowed. She looked from the parchment to him and then back to the parchment. "20 elfroot? That's it?"
He gave one of the most dramatic sighs she'd ever heard. You would've thought she'd asked him if it ever snowed here. "Great start girl. How many winter wastelands do you know that have an abundance of herb variety?"
Not anywhere she came from, but this was a freaking fantasy world. Demons fell out of holes in the sky. She had magic and could be killed in her dreams. Everything was strange here. How was she supposed to know what was the same and what was different from what she knew? Since she could hardly rant at him about that, she clenched her mouth shut once more.
She forced another smile speaking through clenched teeth, "This everything then?"
"Yes." Ella turned to go but Adan spoke behind her, "Wait, there is one more thing. My predecessor was on to something big before the conclave. I haven't been able to find his notes. If you stumble across them, bring them to me."
"As you wish, oh potions master." She couldn't help the sarcastic jab and hurried out before he could reply or change his mind.
The moment she stepped out she was greeted by the same elf woman who had filled her bath in Ivy's lodging. The girl was now carrying a bundle of blankets. How long had it been since that first day of being out of the dungeons? It felt like ages ago. It was somewhat hard to keep track here. A few weeks?
"I've come to change the bed coverings in Solas' lodging."
Ella raised a brow, "That's really not nece-"
"It's my job. Let me in." There was a hesitation before she added, "Please."
Strange, still it was just sheets. Ella shrugged and opened the door for her. She followed the elven woman inside watching her for a moment before she turned her attention to the various books on Solas' shelves. There were books on the Fade, magic in Thedas, geography, and one on creatures. The creature one looked interesting.
As she reached for the book on creatures, the elven woman spoke directly behind her making her jump, "Done. I'll be going then."
"Thank you." Before Ella even got the you out, the woman was already gone with the previous blankets bundled in her arms. "Strange one."
An odd feeling prodded at her gut that something wasn't quite right. She did a quick assessment of the room and couldn't find anything missing, shrugging off the nagging feeling she headed outside to start searching for some elfroot.
The sun was already almost full in the sky by the time she made it out of Haven's gates. It was odd being in a place without any way to keep time. In other circumstances, it might be pleasant, but being thrust into such a thing was just another item on the list of jarring stuff for her to deal with.
As she went about collecting she found herself enjoying it. Other than the horrific cold that bit at her face and fingers it was rather peaceful. If she were staying longer, she would have talked Solas into showing her how to do that one spell that warmed her body. She gave a little involuntary shiver of pleasure at the remembrance of the soothing warmth, what she wouldn't give for that again.
Adan had been accurate when he'd spoke of the difficulty of finding herbs out in the snow. Though she was managing, she'd gathered only about eighteen in the hours she'd spent out in the surrounding area. After collecting number nineteen she released a sigh and removed her hood to try to tuck the strands of loose curls back into place.
"You there."
Ella turned towards the male voice, brows furrowed. As was to be expected she'd had people following her but none ever approached her. None had been so clearly marked as one of Leliana's people either. He wore the, now familiar, hooded uniform with the Inquisition symbol on the chest. He moved swiftly towards her and she waited where she was, unsure exactly what to expect.
The man stopped about a foot in front of her, face completely unreadable, "Lady Leliana wants to see you. Immediately."
She felt her throat go dry, "I-" The sound came out as a croak, and she cleared her constricted throat trying again, "Why? I haven't-"
"She will tell you. Come now." He spoke in a tone that allowed for no arguments. Not that she would try to get out of it anyways. Not with Leliana, the woman who could kill her quickly and without a second thought.
She placed her hands under her cloak and grasped them together in an attempt to stop the trembling. With a deep breath, she tilted her chin up and walked forward. The man turned, and she followed trying to look more confident than she felt.
Whatever this was, it was uncalled for, she'd done nothing, and she had nothing to hide. Well, at least nothing that was a danger to the Inquisition which was all Leliana cared about surely.
As they entered Haven, she expected them to go towards the tented area in front to the Chantry. That was where Leliana had set up her operations, though Ella found that a bit odd to have it out in the open. It would make more sense to have spy operations established in some top secret chamber of the Chantry dungeon.
Still, what was even odder was they didn't go towards that area. Instead, he led her in the direction where she would go to get back to Solas' lodging. As they continued on that exact path, she became more confused.
Confusion turned to shock when she saw Leliana, along with two inquisition soldiers and the elven woman from earlier, waiting outside the door to Solas' lodge. Immediately it felt as though a stone dropped in her stomach. She'd known that woman had been up to something. She'd known before she even opened the damn door to her. Why the hell hadn't she listened to her instincts.
She beat down the panic that threatened to overtake her as they neared. Instead, she thought back to all the stories and movies she had seen and pulled on her best pestered noblewoman voice, "What's this about? I was in the middle of an important task." She turned her eyes to the elf, "Honestly if you forgot to do something with the blankets or whatever else in there you should have waited. There is no need to take up Leliana's valuable time or mine."
It felt odd treating the woman like a lowly servant, but she held her ground only staring the elf down as her triumphant expression turned to a scowl. Leliana was unreadable, as always.
"Open the door, please." Leliana's voice was even. She had no need to raise it to make clear that she was to be obeyed. When your very presence screamed obey me or die, there was no need to put force into commands.
Though Ella's heart fluttered, and her knees felt weak, she forced herself to remain calm as she went to open the door. She kept her movements unrushed and worked to steady the trembling in her hands.
"Of course. I've nothing to hide, and I'm sure Solas doesn't either." She unlocked the door with a soft click and swung it open. She was oddly aware of the cold, rough wood under her fingers as she tried to stay centered. "Though I would appreciate knowing what all this is about."
Instead of answering Leliana motioned to the two soldiers, "Check the mattress first."
As the soldiers entered the lodge, she heard the approaching of heavy boots crunching in the snow and turned towards the sound. Cullen was coming towards the home a frown creasing his mouth.
He stopped in front of the door close enough that Ella had to tilt her head up to look at him. His eyes glanced to her before going to Leliana. "I was informed that you requested two of my men." Though his statement was not a direct challenge, it was clear enough in its intent.
Leliana crossed her arms looking unfazed, "It is not a matter worth concerning you over, Commander. It should be over soon enough." The two men came out. One of the men held a small pouch that Ella had never seen before. He handed it to Leliana, and she spoke, "You see."
Whatever control she had managed up to this point was slipping out of her now much like the blood that fled her face. She felt her body grow cold. She wanted to shout at the elven woman. To ask what the hell she did to her that made her pull this move. Instead, she swallowed her anger down and spoke in as calm a tone she could manage, "I have never seen that bag in my life."
Leliana looked at her expression never changing, "Coin was reported stolen from the Singing Maiden. It was taken sometime between when the Herald left and after the sun was full in the sky."
She could point fingers. She could throw the elf to Leliana's mercy. After all, the woman had tried to do so to her. Still, who knew what kind of harsh punishment they'd deal to a thief. Cut off hand? Death? She may be a bitch, but she didn't deserve that.
"As I said," Ella held her head higher, "I have never seen that bag before. I have also been gone most of the day picking herbs."
Cullen spoke, "I can confirm this, Leliana. I saw her leave, and she didn't come back until escorted by your man."
Leliana kept her eyes locked on Ella, "I am well aware of her movements." Ah, so Leliana wanted her to know she was being watched. At least that question was answered. Only a thousand more to go.
Cullen shifted putting his hand on the hilt of his sword, "Then why are we here?"
Leliana spoke, "From my reports, she would have had no chance to take the bag." Now her cold gaze shifted to the elf, "You changed the blankets today did you not? An unusual thing to do since Solas had them changed before he left."
The elf blanched and started to tremble, "I- that is they didn't-" She started to move like she was going to run but the soldiers were already on each side of her taking her arms.
"Take her to the dungeons." Leliana turned from the scene of the flailing elf ignoring her pleas. "I should hope you've learned a lesson from this. Trust is not something to be given easily."
Ella pulled her gaze from the woman being dragged away back to Leliana, "Why?"
For the first time, Leliana actually gave a small smirk, "We believe she was jealous. It would seem she is infatuated with our Fade mage." Leliana gave the slightest of shrugs, "The heart can make a fool of anyone and that girl was already rather foolish."
Cullen shook his head, "I don't understand women."
Leliana and Ella both glared at him. Ella spoke in a dry tone, "Yes, because never has a man acted the fool to wet his member."
Leliana let out a laugh that made Ella jump in surprise, and Cullen blushed mumbling, "I didn't mean… I suppose you are correct. I perhaps spoke in haste."
Ella turned her attention back to Leliana, "What's going to happen to her?"
Leliana uncrossed her arms shifting to place a hand on her hip, "I suppose I can leave that up to you. We could send her packing. Keep her in the dungeons for a few weeks or... perhaps cut off some fingers."
Ella could have sworn she saw a playful twinkle in Leliana's eyes at the last suggestion. "There wasn't really any harm done, other than wasting people's time, as far as I'm concerned you can let her off the hook."
Leliana raised one delicate copper eyebrow, "Off the hook?"
"It means let her go. Maybe with a warning against any future shenan-" Did they have the word shenanigans. Perhaps it would be wise to stick with a more common term. "Uhm incidents."
"Very well. Cullen." She gave Cullen a smile and nod before walking away towards her usual area.
Ella let out a large breath of air her shoulders relaxing. All her muscles had been so tense she actually felt sore along her shoulders and neck. She looked down at her pouch. "I was so close too…"
"Close?" She jumped a bit having forgotten the commander was still standing there.
"Uh yeah. I was getting elfroot for Adan. One away from…" Her eyes glanced inside the still open door and to the table where Solas kept his herbs. They landed on a small pile of elfroot. If she took one, she'd restock it. Surely he wouldn't mind too much.
"Adan, has you running errands does he?"
She went inside picking up one of the elfroot and sticking it in her bag. "Well, I offered. I like to keep busy. Today was his test run for me." She walked outside shutting and locking the door before turning to the commander. She brought her finger up to her mouth in a shush gesture, "Don't tell Adan."
"I only saw you hard at working gathering herbs outside. If he asks, I'll tell him that truth."
She managed a smile, "Thanks, Cullen."
As she started to walk away, he spoke behind her, "Do you like chess?"
She paused turning back to him, "I like it fine, but I'm awful at it."
"That's fine. I like winning." He gave a lopsided grin, "When you're done with Adan meet me in the tavern. I'll set up a game in the back to go with our dinner."
"Sounds like a plan, Cullen." She gave him a salute she'd seen other soldiers do and once again headed to Adan.
When she handed the herbs to Adan, he seemed surprised. The amount of surprise was actually insulting, although the fact that she was still tightly wound from recent events didn't help. In fact, the more she stood there, the more anger boiled in her. By the time she'd confirmed with Adan that would go out daily for him, she was seething.
Instead of going to the inn she made a detour. She headed to the outside of Haven where they kept their training dummies. She grabbed one dragging the heavy straw filled target through the snow. One of the soldiers spotted her and opened his mouth but quickly shut it when she glared at him. He immediately turned and went back to what he'd been doing.
The stupid straw thing was heavier than she would have expected but she was determined. She was too filled up. All the emotions she was trying to suppress were raging inside her to be let out. There were two ways to do this, sex or brutality. The first was out of the question so the mannequin would get the second.
She just needed to drag it out far enough that she could let some of this frustration out without worrying about accidently risking anyone. The Haven resident Leliana had trailing her currently stayed a good distance away as though knowing what Ella was planning. She had no doubt she would continue to stay that far away, if not further.
When she was satisfied that the mannequin was far enough out, she set it up. Trying to force the stake deep into the frozen ground was a bit of a challenge, but her rage gave her enough strength to manage it after a few tries.
With that done she punched it, hard. Then she reeled back and punched it again and again. She felt a stinging on her knuckles and saw bits of red start showing against the tan of the straw, but she kept going.
"Fuck you. Fuck this. Fuck the Fade. Fuck all this damn snow. Fuck the cold. Fuck the stupid demon shithole. Fuck it all." She punctuated each item with a solid punch until her arms started to weaken and she started just beating at it with the sides of her fists, "I didn't ask for this shit. Not any of this. Why me!? Why the hell did it have to be me? Stupid fucking demon hole. I don't want any of this." Her voice started to crack and falter, "I just wanna go home."
She took a few steps back and pulled on her magic. She heard the familiar vibrations as they flowed through her body, reaching out her hand she released a large ball of fire engulfing the mannequin in flames.
The last of her strength sapped from her she fell to her knees in the snow, her body quaking. She could feel the heat of the flames as they ate at the straw and cloth. Smoke filled her nostrils as moisture streamed down her cheeks. She let out a wail that turned to a whimper, as she hugged herself and let the tears fall.