—

Storm gathering

Song: "Awake and alive" by Skillet

"We have a report from our spy. The Qunari are gathering forces in Seheron. He is pretty confident that they will make their move soon, both by land and sea." Octavius' face displays a great level of concern, and Fenris understands these fears too well. He knows what a full blown Qunari assault would do to their diminished troops.

Noting their sullen expressions, she frowns. "How many?"

"So far - close to eight thousands in land forces and six dreadnoughts."

A sinister silence falls in the room, while all men exchange meaningful looks.

Evidently refusing to admit gravity of the situation, she stares at the military leader with suspicion. "And just how reliable is that information? I find it hard to believe that the Qunari have managed to form such an army without disclosure."

"I'm sorry, my lord. It seems I am best to answer that." Intervenes the old legionnaire with a scarred face, who serves as the captain of their scouts. Octavius shrugs in relief, letting the man speak. "His report's are reliable, as scouting information can be, milady. It became increasingly difficult to infiltrate Seheron since our retake of Alam, but I've no reason to doubt him. His allegiance to the Imperium has been proven multiple times."

Disheartened, she shifts her gaze to Fenris. He can see, that she has finally accepted the threat. "Then how much time do we have? The Senate has promised us reinforcements within a month. At least three legions, several dozen elephants and ten battlemage squads."

Turning away, Octavius puts his hands behind his back, nervously flexing the fingers. "I'm afraid there is a fair chance it would be too late, Senator. We sent additional scouts in that area, but from our experience the Qunari should almost be ready to get on the march. According to our experts - probably in a week." For a while he looks out of the window, before turning back to declare his proposal. "I recommend we make a tactical retreat to Minrathous at the first signs of their approach. And if the western route is blocked, we go to Carastes."

"I am no sailor, General, but I trust the remaining ships are capable of taking less than a quarter of our troops. If we want to evacuate everyone, we would have to start now."

Fenris wishes he could warn her of what is likely to come next. She still retains some faith in humanity, his mage, despite years spent in the Senate.

Pursing his lips, Octavius appears to be set on his decision. "I won't run until we are entirely sure, that the Qunari will reach Alam sooner, than our reinforcements. If you want to be tried before the Imperial Court for desertion - be my guest."

Fenris fails to hold back the scowl. Of course, it is as expected. From the slight change in her posture he sees, that she begins to understand.

"And what would you suggest, then?" She prompts in a deceitfully soft tone.

Predictably, the human falls into this trap. "We would have to leave the slaves and majority of lowborn Soporati behind. Mages, staff and their retinue, and the officers are our priority. A typical arrangement."

An arrangement, that once left him to die. They simultaneously look at each other, both remembering. She opens her mouth, but his forestalling glance snaps it shut. There is a question in her eyes, begging him for some sort of a guidance, but what answer can he offer to her? She is one of the mages, and by that solution she will be safe. This is all that matters.

Seemingly confused by his compliance, she unexpectedly changes the line of her questioning. "Have you gotten any reports of the rebels in the vicinity?"

"Rebels?" Octavius looks to be taken by surprise. "Ahem... almost none, Senator. They should know about the Qunari preparations, too. I expect them to gather their forces and launch a series of attacks on survivors, in hopes of retaking the town."

"A wise decision." Fenris' voice is full of irony.

He receives an indignant glare from the human, but she thoughtfully repeats. "Wise, indeed."

Her face takes on a faraway expression, which causes his markings to sting in alarm. And so it begins anew, despite all the claims? Didn't take her long to forget the promise, but this time she chose a wrong subject to meddle with. Coughing to get her attention, he subtly tilts his head towards the door and she instantly makes a suitably worried face.

"I shall take your plan into consideration, lord Octavius, and give my answer shortly. Now, if you would excuse us." With these words she leads a quietly seething Fenris out of the war room. Despite numerous pokes on her part, he refuses to speak until they enter their living quarters.

—

His restraint only lasts so much, before he kicks the door shut.

"Whatever you are plotting, don't even think of that!"

She grins, widely spreading her arms. "Octavius is a fool. If anything, I wonder how he became the General in the first place. The man can't see past his nose." She starts pacing in agitation, counting something on her fingers and leaving him tracking her steps, ill at ease from suspense. Just as he decides to grab her hand to stop that frantic movement, she sharply turns on her heels to face him. "This is a perfect opportunity, Fenris! We'll stay and fight."

"What?!" He can't believe he just heard from her the most idiotic idea in his life. What is wrong with this woman? Surely, she can't be serious, no.

"No, I will not allow it! You don't understand, this is too dangerous. If you are captured... No!"

She raises her hand in an attempt to halt his rejection. "Wait! I know you think I'm insane, but I have a plan."

"Already? What kind of plan, other than throwing your life away?" His sarcasm is the answer to her folly. It serves better than rage in convincing her, that she shouldn't downplay their situation. He needs the help of logic to dissuade her from committing such recklessness she already fancied. He cannot risk her getting into Qunari hands, not with her magic.

"Well, that's not much of a plan." At first impishly smirking at her own silly joke, she quickly becomes serious after seeing his menacing gaze. "All right, all right, listen to me. We have almost two-thirds of their numbers and we..."

"And you don't have their dreadnoughts. And their cannons! They will tear these walls apart within days. From a safe distance I must add. Like they always do. You don't have warships to fight them!" He pinpoints the flaws in her plan.

Unsurprisingly, his efforts go in vain, just as he feared. Captivated by her idea, she almost jumps from impatience. "You are right! I don't have warships. But I have ships. Look..."

While she explains the basics of her strategy, Fenris begins to think they might stand a chance, despite all odds. But it's the second part, that defeats his arguments.

"If we manage to hold Alam until reinforcements arrival, I can appeal to the Archon for replacement. There is no way in Thedas he would reject my request. Coming victorious, we can leave the Imperium with no repercussions." Catching her breath, she looks down at her palms, clenched in tight fists. "I was indecisive, I blew the chance of getting away! It won't happen again."

A fresh opportunity to get away from the strangling grasp of Tevinter? This sounds like a dream, too good to be true. But what do they have left for them, if not dreams? Here, on the edge of the known world, bound by debts and loyalty...

Suddenly Wycome appears within reach.

Yielding, he grumbles. "You will be the death of me, woman."

She leans into him, wrapping her hands around his waist. "I need you, Fenris! I need your help with the details, you know the Qunari much better than I. And I need you to believe in me!"

Taking her chin in his hand, he looks her straight in the eye. "I will support your crazy plan, on one term only. You must agree to leave the town and escape to the western settlements in case the walls breach." He pauses to make his words count. "Do we have a deal?"

"Yes. We have a deal." Her eyes shine with anticipation. "Now, let them come."