We spend some time on the Storm Coast flushing out darkspawn and blocking their entrances to the surface, much to Warden Blackwall's delight. Upon returning to Haven, Leliana informs me that they have found where the Inquisition soldiers are being held in The Fallow Mire. I can't help but wonder why the place has such dreary name. I agree to leave in 2 days' time giving the group some time to rest.
I spend time catching up with Nadia and playing with Fenris. I spar with Cullen again and Cassandra decides get in on the fun. She teaches me many new techniques to counter warriors. I really can appreciate her knowledge, even if her manner is bit brusque. I'm feeling a bit battered and bruised by the end of the lessons, although we basically bested each other evenly. Teaching each other is the best way to learn I decide. I notice however that both the warden and The Iron Bull watched with interest. I make a mental note to ask if they would like to join in next time.
I decide it's a good time to get to know my new friends as I walk up to Warden Blackwall; He's staring at the breach.
"Maker, look at it. So much easier to ignore when it's far away," He says guiltily. "To actually walk out of it…be that close." He looks at me with astonishment.
"If I hadn't been saved by Inquisition soldiers, I don't know what would have happened," I say honestly.
"Inquisition soldiers? That's not what I heard," he says surprised.
"What did you hear?" I ask smiling curiously.
"I heard it was Andraste herself that delivered you," He says a bit sheepishly.
"There was a woman in the fade with me; I don't know who she was," I say truthfully. "Some saw her behind me when I left the breach."
"I have to admit, I thought you'd be…" he trails off awkwardly.
"Human?" I add smiling.
"Yes," he sighs, with his face reddening.
"Well at least you're honest," I grin at him. "And it's better than knife-ear." I can't help but to tease.
"It was a foolish thought…should've known better than to say anything," he berates himself.
"I'm not offended, Warden Blackwall," I reassure him smiling.
"It's what you do and how you do it, that's important," he states firmly smiling back at me. "I do have a question though…"
I incline my head waiting for him to ask.
"How do you think you fit in with all this?" he asks pointedly.
I sigh a bit confused, "To honest it's been a whirlwind, and it's hard to say where I fit in."
"I guess we'll have to figure that out," he says smiling. "For me, I'll be satisfied as long as we find the bastards who killed the Divine. They owe us some answers."
"You're oddly charming for a man I found wandering around a forest," I tease lightly.
"I've always thought of myself more odd than charming," He jokes grinning back. "But I'll take the compliment from a lady, their hard to come by these days."
"Compliments or ladies?" I banter back wickedly.
"Both," he says smirking.
"Is there something large and heavy you need moved?" He asks chuckling.
"I was just looking to chat, no ulterior motive," I say earnestly.
"Well I do enjoy our chats, you are quite refreshing," He says smiling. "To be quite frank my lady, you are unlike any woman I have ever met."
"How so?" I ask curious now. I note that I must tell him to just call me Ellana as my lady is weird.
"You treat everyone with the same respect, regardless of their station. You have control of yourself but are free at the same time if that makes any sense." he says a bit bewildered, "I'm flattered you would even spend time with me. I…enjoy your company."
"You are good person, Warden Blackwall, you stick to your convictions, and your modestly is quite endearing," I offer sincerely. "And please call me Ellana, my lady is something Vivienne would demand being called."
He grins at the thought of that and says, "Only if, you shorten it to Blackwall."
"Deal," I say chuckling as I turn to head towards the gate.
As I pass by The Iron Bull he calls out "Hey boss!"
"What's up Bull?" I ask, as I saunter over to him.
"They have good form," Bull says looking at the soldiers sparring. "Cullen is putting his templar training to good use."
"Did Cullen tell you he was a templar? He's not wearing the armor," I note.
"He didn't have to. He might not be using a templar shield but its templar holding it," he says insightfully. "He angles it down ever so slightly, as it helps to direct fire or acid away from his face. We use the same technique to fight tevinter mages."
Sometimes I forget the huge warrior is a spy and quick to pick up on things.
"I'm impressed with how quickly Cullen is pulling together the troops," I say smiling.
"Damn right," Bull says proudly. "It takes time to build a group into a team but he has their loyalty. Now if he can just get them to make a decent shield wall, they will be good to go."
He seems to go off into thought for moment. I patiently wait for him to speak.
"I do see one problem with your Inquisition though," he states thoughtfully.
I look at him for moment and then ask "what's that?"
"You don't have a leader, no Inquisitor," he states firmly.
"Do we need one? It seems we've been doing alright without one," I ask curiously.
"That's because all we've needed so far is damage control," he explains. "A group can handle that. Once you've sealed the breach, it is gonna be time to make decisions. Someone's gonna need to step up."
I don't want to do that. I decide quickly. He didn't say "if" I could seal the breach. He must think I can actually do this. I muse.
"Ah, who knows, maybe you seal the breach, the chantry gets off its ass and all these soldiers go home and get fat," he says smiling.
"You think?" I grin at him hopefully.
"It won't happen," he says sadly, "it could, but it won't"
We talk for a while longer. Bull explains the hierarchy of the Qun and explains the family structure or lack of family structure, not sure how to describe that one. I head back to my cabin feeling sore and tired. As I enter the cabin Nadia and Fenris greet me. She had brought water for my bath and insists on laying out clothes for the morning before I send her to bed. I sigh tiredly and walk over to heat the water for my bath, as I hear a knock on my door.
I wonder briefly who would visit me this late. I am surprised when I open the door to find Solas standing there.
"What can I do for you, Hahren?" I ask gesturing for him to enter.
He sits gracefully in the chair next to the bed.
"I just wished to talk," he says calmly. "However, it looks like my visit is ill-timed."
Fenris is examining Solas with intense interest. He leans over and picks up the wolf cub scratching his ears.
"Well, I was getting ready to heat my water," I admit, "but I can always make time for you, Hahren."
"Then allow me," he says handing me Fenris. Walking to the tub, he puts his hands in the water and heats it making steam roll off it. He repeats the procedure a few more times, and pulls the privacy screen across.
"Is that acceptable?" He asks collecting the wolf pup and sitting back in the chair.
I wonder briefly if it is, but then I toss out my reservations as we shared a tent many times.
"Thank you, Hahren," I nod and walk behind the screen.
"You don't have the servant girl bring you hot water?" he asks lightly.
"Of course not, she could get scalded, and I'm perfectly capable of heating my own water. I don't even think of her as servant, but more like my friend," I reply muffled as I'm pulling off my tunic.
He snickers approvingly.
"I'm told you asked specifically for her," he notes, his voice belying nothing.
"She was frightened, by whoever her master was before," I answer softly, remember my first encounter with Nadia.
"I didn't want her to be afraid anymore. I figured if she was my…servant …she wouldn't have to be afraid," I continue. "Although she insists on cleaning my room and setting out my clothes, I only let her do those things to maintain appearances and make her happy."
"You've spoken to her about this," he says surprise lacing his voice.
"Of course," I say simply, "I don't order her to do anything. I ask, after all that is what a friend does."
"You change everyone around you," he says with wonder.
I'm confused to what he means, but before I can ask. I hear rustling and he says, "I will leave you to your bath, Da'asha, good night," and he is gone. I hear the door click behind him.
I am curious but too tired to think about it. I relax in the bath and pull myself out once it starts to cool. Grabbing my sleeping tunic, I pull it over me and crawl into bed. Fenris jumps up and lays at my feet, as I blow the lantern out and fall into a peaceful sleep.