Chapter 14: In Persuit of Love

"Is something wrong with Faize?" asked Cullen.
"What do you mean?" Obsinion returned, looking over the War Table. News had come from Muffy, detailing the fact that there had been some sort of magic at work and making dead soldiers come back to life. She also mentioned a group of Dalish Elves she'd come across and helped, granting them a young Dalish warrior who had wanted to join the Inquisition.
Lotus had also sent word. The Tevinter were almost driven out of the Wastes, but there had been evidence to prove they'd been mining Red Lyrium, and that they had moved locations to Emprise du Lion, where she was taking her group now. There had also been a Dragon researcher out there, and he was now headed for Skyhold to help out with research.
"He walks funny, lately." Cullen replied. He looked over as Rose, now into her fourth month, walked into the war room.
"Well, this isn't as difficult as Mother made it out to be." Rose said. "I keep up with most of my fighting exercises, and I can still walk around no problem." She looked over at Obsinion. "Oh, and he's walking weird again."
Obsinion sighed. "He'll be fine." he said.
"Staggering like a drunk, and dropping to his knees to vomit?" Rose asked. "You've got a weird definition of fine."
Obsinion sighed. "Where is he?"
"Currently with Leliana, in the tower." Rose replied. She stole a kiss from Cullen.
"I'll go talk to him." Obsinion pushed back from the War Table and headed off.
It had been about a month since Lotus and Muffy had left with their groups, and Obsinion was actually looking forward to their return. His life had gotten much busier with being made Inquisitor, and it left him exhausted on a good day and out cold on the floor of the War Room on any other. He'd hardly had time to help with Faize, or to see Cassandra, and it made him feel guilty.
When he reached Leliana's section of the tower, he noticed two things: there were a lot of birds up there, and Leliana was crouched next to her desk, dabbing a damp cloth over Faize's face. "How is he?"
Leliana looked over. "Feverish, and slightly delirious." she replied as she stood.
"How delirious?"
"He keeps muttering about your Elven gods."
"Mythal in particular?" Obsinion asked.
"Yes." Leliana replied. "Why is that?"
The elder Elf looked at the younger. "It's the amulet." he replied. Carefully, he pulled one from his own pocket. "I lied. I know what clan Faize and I were born to, and why we were cast aside to Clan Lavellan, but Faize doesn't know. We were five. Our parents died, and no-one wanted the strange pair of Elves. We were born with our marks, which was unheard of. Faize with the green marks of one watched by Mythal, and I with the blue marks of one who is watched by Fen'Harel, the Dread Wolf." He showed her the amulet he carried. "Our mother carved these for us, then dipped them in liquid silver. When she and father died, we were pushed off to Clan Lavellan, because no other clan would take us together." He put the amulet back in his pocket.
"They say the Dread Wolf is the one who trapped the Old Gods, then went to sleep." said Leliana. "That you would be watched by him would mean he's awakened."
"I know. Just as Faize being watched by Mythal would mean she is once again alive." He knelt and felt his brother's forehead, then sighed. "I'll put him to bed. He shouldn't be out in his condition." Obsinion picked his bother up and carried him to the room they had been given. Technically, it was Obsinion's room, but until the Iron Bull's room was fixed up, this was where Faize was going to end up staying.
Faize shifted, groaning. "Obsinion?" he whispered.
"Yes?"
"I . . . Ir abelas(I'm sorry)."
"What were you doing out when you have the Spring Fever?"
"Looking for you." Faize coughed. His face was pale, paler than usual.
"Why?" Obsinion asked.
"Because I finished it." Faize replied. He fiddled with his pocket and pulled out something. "Here, for you and Cassandra."
Obsinion tentatively put out his hand, startled when two metal rings fell into his palm.
"I asked Rose what humans do to make a bond eternal, and she said they exchange vows and rings. I tried to make them the right size, but I'm not sure."
Obsinion smiled. His little brother had seen the way things were going between him and Cassandra, and had wanted to help should the relationship go further. "Thank you, Faize. I was just wondering when I was going to get the time to make these. Now rest up, alright? We need you better as well."
Faize nodded, drifting off to sleep.
As Obsinion stepped out, he noticed Iron Bull standing near the door. "What is it?"
"So, he finished them?"
"Huh? You knew about these?" Obsinion was startled.
"Yeah, and before you ask, I'm here to let you in on something, in case he goes to someone else besides me. The Qunari are bred like pets for different jobs, so there's no use in marriage or whatever you guys do. There is, however, something given to the one you care deeply about, if it ever happens. A Dragon's Tooth, split evenly in two, and made into a necklace, one for each. This shows that no matter how far away you are, you are still close to their heart."
"Is that why you helped him get the Dragon's teeth?" Obsinion asked.
"That and he used his bow to try and prop that slippery mouth open. I was actually hoping to get my hands on one and make it myself, but he's hoarded the damned things somewhere."
Obsinion sighed. "I have no idea where they could be, then. I haven't seen them in the room." He heard a thump from the room. "Crap, his terrors."
Iron Bull put his hand on Obsinion's shoulder. "You go spend a few minutes with your girl. I'll help him." He walked past the Elf and into the room.
Obsinion just shrugged and headed off to the courtyard to find Cassandra.