chapter 21

"This place...where are we?I know the meeting is not until later tonight but I thought we were heading back."Daere inquired she looked at Solas while he deactivated the mirror behind them, she could hear children playing further in the woods as she looked back.

Her body stiffened while her eyes fall upon a knight with a wolf by their side heading their noticed her uneasiness quickly, he reassured her as he walked over towards them"He is one of the emerald knights that guard this place, i promise you they are less hot headed then the sentinels."

"Fen'Harel we were about to request you to come down here."the emerald knight shouted as he got closer,Daere groaned while she lowered her spoke"What is the issue and can it not wait."

"Taliesin took a scouting party out last night, she has not returned but we found some of the people she took with her..well what was left of them."The emerald knight explained, he stopped then turned his gaze towards Daere then asked"Do you need me to take her to Flidais while you get into your gear?"

"Solas i swear if you are leaving me here…"Daere started, Solas cut her off gently"I know it would be impossible to tell you to stay even if I don't like the idea of you beyond the do we have any spares?"

'You would not have to ask for gear if you had just allowed me to wear what I came in with.'Daere thought as she took a breath, softly she remarked."Ma serannas ma vhenan for not fighting me."

"Forgive me for saying but since we know a bit from what Taliesin had told us..is she here to help fortify the wards?"The emerald knight inquired,Solas growled slightly"No in fact i am trying to break her from any of that."

"Your still mad at me because I went to see Dirtheman." Daere remarked,Solas took a breath before he started to walk two watched him while Aiden spoke"I don't know what you are doing with Dirtheman, but a word of advice you might want to consider stopping while your ahead..nothing good will come out of it."

"I will take your advice into consideration but right now...i don't think it is the best idea."Daere replied,Aiden state as his wolf rubbed his head against his leg"What is so important to be around him, is he blackmailing you?"

'honestly think the term is he is blackmailing you and the others here.'Daere thought, she started to walk towards the direction Solas had disappeared while she muttered"It is the least i can do after he spared my life."

"You talking about after what Falon'Din did?I know you probably feel like you owe them but you don't. "Aiden started to walk beside her as he explained, Daere turned to look at the wolf then asked "how come he is by your side?"

"You know nothing about our ways do you ? "Aiden inquired, Daere shook her head studied her then rolled his eyes while muttering "Of course that jackass would not say anything about us after all we been through."

"Let me guess he did something to royally piss you off and your going to blame me for it."Daere stated as she stopped in her tracks, she noticed Solas was already in his mage gear while Aiden remarked"No, unlike the others we dont believe passing judgement to next of kin...is your brother kicking it with Mythal?"

"If you talked so much with Taliesin then you would know he is dead."Daere snapped, she felt her face sting over her memory of watching the sentinel slit her brothers throat crossed her thought, Aiden quickly replied apologetic "Ir abelas...she did not go into details, just Dirtheman had to get involved."

"Daere if your coming hurry and suite up, Aiden i need you to lead the first party towards the east, do not engage with the enemy unless necessary."Solas ordered,Aiden remarked quickly"Yes Fen'Harel."

"go over to the armor down the.."Solas started but Daere cut him off gently."If you have people missing should we not leave now."

"You have seen how things are out there, what is something happen?"Solas inquired, she could see his concern in his touched his arm lovingly while she spoke"I will be fine, beside I do better moving around in light clothing and I doubt you have any that was meant for a rogue.I can tell looking around I will have trouble moving,my body is not use to heavy armor and that is a sure way to slow me down."

"If you insist."Solas slightly growled, he looked back at the remaining emerald knights while he ordered"Those of you who are coming with me need to listen to my command, so of you are not fully prepared for what lays beyond these is not like it used to be, not only has the darkspawn returned but we also face a new threat with red lyrium covering over careful fighting them, Andruil and the a few others have lost brave men and women to if these new enemies have driven back the veneration for now I have a feeling they are particularly responsible for Thedas destruction."

"If that is the case then why are you allowing her to go out there without anything to protect herself."a emerald knight inquired,Solas closed his eyes while he answered"She has a point if we need to retreat, also you don't realize how stubborn ma vhenan is when her heart is set."

"Besides if we come across any shemlens I have a feeling I would be more of use then any of you that are dressed up in those armor."Daere stated, Solas looked at her then back at his emerald he started to move towards the opened gates as they followed, she could hear one muttered softly"What is this.."

"I thought Aiden was joking when he told me the trees were dying, this is just horrible...how long do you think it will be before the wards fade and this reaches within the walls?"another remarked, Solas put on his wolf helmet while he reassured"Mythal and myself will make certain it won't happen."

"I hope so this looks worse then when the blight spreaded."A emerald knight stated as they started to walk, Solas looked at Daere while he muttered"Penshra,ghilas vellathani."

"ma nuvenin, but you know if something ends up happening I am going to help So..Lord Fen'Harel."Daere replied sweetly, she knew instinctively he was not happy with her choice thought'please get over this soon.'

"Dont call me that vhenan." growled Solas through his clenched jaw, Daere kept her eyes forward while she muttered"If you like it or not these people see you as Fen'Harel..if I am going to be here even if we are lovers I am certain they want me to keep up with the title thing."

"I guess you right."Solas replied, Daere giggled softly then muttered"First time I think I heard you say I was right when we are about to face danger."

"well there is a first time for everything, like that giggle of yours I have not heard since we first met."Solas stated, she looked at him and smiled eyes felt softer as she forgot the dangers around them, slowly her expression harden. She look forward while a emerald knight stated"Flidais should be ready for the wounded when we get back."

"Be prepared for the worse, it seems just like with the darkspawn these red templar seem lethal."Solas answered,the emerald knight inquired"How bad can it be."

"Pretty bad if ingested."Daere choked her words as she thought of Darcy,Solas looked at her while she contured"I am just assuming but I think the red templar have been a long time coming..I think..sorry just."

"Vhenan try not to focus on that or I will have you escorted back, it is bad enough your out here with what you are don't need anything to cloud your judgment, take a breath and focus on the task at hand."

"I know..Ir abelas.."Daere remarked, Solas sighed before stating"You should have dealt with your grievance instead of pushing yourself like this, once we get back please consider doing so the pain has to be eating at you by now."

"Fen'Harel I think we have company."a emerald knight replied, they stopped in their tracks the emerald knight was could smell the smoke from a nearby campfire, voices filled the air nearby as Solas whispered his order"Everyone take you position, if they have our people we need to be ready."

"Let me guess stay out of sight."Daere inquired, Solas answered while the emerald knights started to spread out with their wolves close to their sides"Please, like I said you have no place being out here after what had happened.I agreed to allow you to come but I will not allow you to engage with the enemy."

"Solas trust me if these are men that we are dealing with i can help without losing more people, being a distraction is my speciality next to poisoning."Daere replied,Solas studied her face through his helmet then sighed realizing he was fighting a losing spoke softly if they are shemlen then I will hold off the order to attack, if something goes wrong try to get out of their range as fast as you can."

"Thank you."Daere replied, she leaned in and kiss the tip of his nose while he sighed in she walked away from him, Daere headed towards the sound of the men while the smell of smoke started to tickle the inside of her started to crossed her body as they came into view,Taliesin had her head hands were bound behind her as she laid within a giant cart,Daere rested her hands on her elbow while she shouted"Gara quenathra?"

"What do we have here another one seem to have found its way here."the tevinter remarked as they stopped what they were doing,Taliesin opened her eyes and looked at Daere. She muttered in her gag fiercely as the tevinter looked back at her, he kicked the cart while he growled" Shut up you filthy knife ear wrench, someone go to the other one and see if we can take her as well."

"Avanna?Forgive me I had forgotten you tevinters don't know our language...I was curious what business does such fine tevinter guards have here, you must be a long way from home"Daere remarked,the tevinters stared at her in tilted her ear up while inquiring"Have you not seen an elf before."

"No we have not heard any elf speak so fluently our language, I am certain my comrades are wondering why your not attacking like this she elf."the commanding tevinter asked,Daere shrugged her shoulders then dropped her hands to her side"I don't believe there should be blood shed when it is not necessary, I hope you guys could be reason with and let my friend go..where are the rest?"

"Isn't she the one Chase was looking for before Corypheus started working with that Archient to wipe out the elves?"a tevinter soldier inquired,Daere closed her eyes slowly while she groan"I assume you there is an absolutely misunderstanding…"

"Shut up demon."someone muttered as an arrow flew past Daere cheek, she opened her eyes while she brought her fingers up to her face. A small amount of blood coated her hand while she pressed down,Daere swallowed her feet felt did not take her much to realize her talking was not going to go anywhere while she threatened"Now that was a stupid move on your part, there is a reason people don't live long after pissing me off."

"What are you going to do about it, from where I am standing you don't have any weapons on you knife ear."The tevinter commander stated,Daere growled while she muttered."You really want to know what I will do about it you, you will find out."

"I think the elf finally lost it."another tevinter busted out laughing,she held outstretched her hand but felt nothing come to her. Daere stared in disbelief while she wondered' what...why isn't anything happening?'

"I think that is enough games."the tevinter commander replied, Daere clenched her teeth then started to charge at them while she muttered"No matter if I cannot use it, I am not going to let last time repeat...I refuse to be useless."

"kill her on the spot I don't care."The commander ordered,Daere smirked as she lunged forward and slide barely dodging the first looked to his belt belt and saw his hunting knife nestled to his side, quickly she grabbed the handle then thrust the blade into his back. Daere turned around while another started to charge at her from behind only to be stunned by a lightning attack,the commander went pale then recovered quickly once the emerald knights stepped from behind the trees with their wolves by their smiled as he shouted"Now is the time we have been preparing,one of a self proclaimed God has appeared in our mist.A false prophet our elder one wishes us to slay, he has betrothed upon us a gift that will destroy this demon...an abomination that deny us our lands"

'Oh no...this was a trap for him.'Daere thought, she looked at stood there proudly in front of some of the emerald knights, he demanded"How many times are you fools going to keep this up?"

"stop hiding and fight me, come met my blade with honor demon."the tevinter shouted, Daere looked back at Taliesin then at the could hear Solas remark"tell me where the rest of my people are."

"by now on their way to be slaughter."The tevinter remarked, he withdrawn his broadsword as Solas stepped forward. She could hear him order the others"don't engage but keep them from leaving."

"Don't do this, Fen'Harel the blade is made from the very stone from the void"Taliesin managed to shout causing Solas stopped in his tracks, the tevinter stated sharply "Someone shut that bitch up !"

"So you resort to tricks?"Solas inquired,silently Daere started to walk over to the tevinter commander while he replied"It is no different than what you have done to us for so long, why are you hesitate now?Afraid this will be an end."

"You not going to touch him as long as I am alive to prevent it."Daere growled as she got closer,the tevinter looked at her while she broke into a run towards remarked softly upon remembering she was still there "I forgot about you, maybe i should take care of you first after all you are useless. "

'Hopefully speed would be enough.'Daere thought, she swung the short blade close to his throat as he stepped tevinter commander muttered"you got to do better than that if your going to fight like a soldier."

"Daere get away, let me handle this!"Solas shouted, the rest of the soldiers watched while she pressed tevinter remarked while she kept up with her attacks" you should have listen to the demon, because you will pay the price."

"I am tired of people I care about being taken away from me."Daere cried out as she lunged for his throat, the tevinter commander grabbed her wrist roughly causing her body to brought his face close to hers, his foul breath filled her nostrils while he spoke"Then he will just have to watch you be decapitated before I go after him."

"Threatening an unarmed woman, how low can you get?"a woman voice rang out, Daere looked at Solas while he paused with his hand raised in the tevinter commander remarked"I am surprised you were able to get this far inquisitor."

"This business is between us not the elves you were trying to send back."the inquisitor growled,the tevinter let go of Daere slowly he sheathed his spoke sharply as Daere rubbed her wrist gently ."And what do the elves mean to you inquisitor? These are the very things that oppressed us for so long, at least we are trying to bring in the rein for our people."

"what you guys have set in motion is destroying our world, there is a way for us to live with the elves down your weapons and let us end this peacefully."the inquisitor ordered, the tevinter remarked"I got a better idea how about I just snap this elf neck."

"No!" Solas shout as the tevinter hands rest on Daere's neck,without thinking she embedded the blade into the tevinters stared at her with lifeless eyes as his grip quickly loosened then fall while she let go of the handle, a sigh of relief passed through her lips as she looked back to the new she spoke"Andaran atish'an...seeing you are leading some of the people I hope you are friendly."

"I think she is"Aiden replied, he took off his helmet as Solas marched over to inquisitor replied"I wanted to make certain your people made it alright, we treated the wounds who would could save and wondering in return if you can allow us to rest for a couple of days before we head back to skyhold."

"absolutely not."Solas growled, he stopped then looked at Daere while he sneered"what in creators name where you thinking,where you trying to get yourself killed?"

"Solas..I could not bare seeing something happen to you, beside are you really going to deny these people shelter after rescuing the missing?"Daere inquired, Solas studied her face then looked at the sighed then replied"Forgive me,if these people are generous to help us not only bring our people back and help spare your life then I see no harm...we will have a discussion later about this."

"I don't expect anything else...what about the rest of the tevinter."Daere pointed out, the inquisitor replied as one of her companions load the remaining into the cart that had Taliesin in"We will take care of them."

"Aiden go ahead and help them,Taliesin I am assuming you need to get some rest?"Solas inquired as she walked over to them, she nodded her head then looked at Daere while she remarked"Your an idiot."

"Yes but I think we covered that I do have my moments from time to time."Daere replied,Taliesin rolled her eyes while she muttered."I have a feeling in one of those 'moments' you will be the end of our people."