Dragon Age Inquisition: In A Hopeless Place
Chapter Thirty Two
Varric shifted in his horse's saddle and grimaced, "Ugh I have sand in so many places I'm starting to chafe." Varric grumbled as they made their way through yet another sand storm.
They had received word from Hawke stating that he and Stroud were in the process of staking out the Western Approach in the hopes that they would find Warden activity. After a brief discussion, Miklo and the others decided they would ride through the night so as to not keep the two waiting for too long. They had reached the Western Approach by mid-day, greeted by the intense heat of the sun blazing down on them and lots of sand.
Miklo turned to face the squirming dwarf, shooting him a look of sympathy as she nodded in agreement from underneath the protection of her hood, "We are not far from the Ritual Tower Stroud mentioned. Hopefully there will be some cover there."
Iron Bull spots a dragon in the distance, "Ooh boss, can we?" He pointed out the growing figure in the distance.
Miklo glanced at the beast and then shuddered as she remembered the feeling of sliding down the throat of the last dragon they had faced, "Bull…"
"Didn't you get eaten by the last dragon you fought Mik?" Varric interrupted.
Cassandra's eyes widened in shock at the storyteller's words, "What?!" She stopped her horse and reached out for Miklo's arm. "You were eaten by a dragon and you didn't tell me?!"
Miklo froze and turned her head to see Cassandra looking back at her with a heavy frown on her face. Miklo nervously scratched the back of her neck, "Well see, I uh back at Crestwood there was this thing that happened and it wasn't a bad thing, but it definitely wasn't a good either. It was kind of a good and bad thing because we won but-"
Iron Bull cut off Miklo's rambling with an exhilarated laugh, "Oh it was the best! It was this beautiful Northern Hunter. Boss here jumped onto its back and rode it like a cowgirl before it knocked her off."
Miklo watched nervously as Cassandra opened her mouth to speak when a loud crash was heard from behind them. Miklo jumped and quickly took advantage of the distraction, "Oh gosh, now what was that we should go see?!" She said in one breath as she turned and made her way over to the source of the crash.
"Miklo! This isn't over!" Cassandra exclaimed as she followed the girl. Miklo followed the sounds of fire bursts and caught sight of Hawke and Stroud standing before two pillars leading to what seemed to be the tower Stroud had mentioned before.
The two men turned to face them as they approached, "I'm glad you made it Inquisitor. I fear they've already started the ritual." Stroud spoke, a look of unease written on his features.
Hawke nodded and gestured towards the tower, "Blood magic I'd wager. You can smell it…or see the corpses. You take point, I'll guard your backs."
Miklo lead them through the opening between two pillars and was greeted with the sight of a young warden calmly walking away with a demon behind him, while two other Wardens watch eerily calm alongside two more demons. A dead body laid at the bottom of the steps leading into the tower. A dark haired man stood at the top of the steps. His cold eyes locked onto the young Inquisitor.
"Inquisitor! What an unexpected pleasure. Lord Livius Erimond of Vyrantium, at your service." He bowed mockingly.
Stroud glowered, "You are no Warden."
"But you are." Erimond sighed, "The one Clarel let slip and you found the Inquisitor and came to stop me. Shall we see how that goes?"
Miklo held her hands up, placating as she addressed the Wardens, "Wardens please, listen to reason. Erimond is lying to you. He is serving a Magister who is trying to unleash a new Blight on us all."
Erimond scoffed, "That's a very serious accusation. Let's see what the Wardens think." He gazed down at the young men before him, "Wardens, hands up!" The men obeyed. "Hands down." Again the wardens obeyed the order.
Stroud shook his head, "Corypheus has taken their minds!"
"They did this to themselves." Erimond explained, "You see the calling had the wardens terrified. They looked everywhere for help."
"Even Tevinter." Stroud added grimly.
Erimond nodded with a smirk, "Yes and since it was my master who put the Calling into their little heads, we in the Venatori were prepared. I went to Clarel full of sympathy and together we came up with a plan. Raise a demon army, march into the deep roads, and kill the Old Gods before they wake."
Miklo shook her head in disbelief, "Corypheus marching across Orlais with an army of demons? Sounds an awful lot like the future I saw at Redcliffe." She added that last part to her companions.
"And now you know how it begins." Erimond replied, "Sadly for the Wardens, the binding ritual I taught their mages has a side effect. They're now my master's slaves." He pointed to the dead man laying at the bottom of the stairs. "This was a test. Once the rest of the Wardens complete the ritual, the army will conquer Thedas."
"Why would Clarel risk using demons?" Cassandra asked.
Erimond quickly answered, "Demons need, no food, no rest, no healing. Once bound they will never retreat, never question orders. They are the perfect army to fight through the deep roads, or across Orlais, now that they are bound to my master."
Miklo frowned, "Why would you serve someone who can start a Blight? What do you get out of this?"
Erimond rolled his eyes and explained, "The Elder One commands the Blight. He is not commanded by it, like the mindless darkspawn. The Blight is not unstoppable or uncontrollable. It is simply a tool. As for me, while the Elder One rules from the Golden City, we, the Venatori, will be his God-kings here in the world."
Miklo snapped, "That's enough, release the Wardens from the binding and surrender. I won't ask again."
Erimond frowned, "No. You won't." He held out his hand and it glowed an eerily familiar red, a split second later Miklo's mark flared up, send a streak of white hot pain up her arm. She let out a sharp gasp and sank down to her knees in agony. Cassandra moved to Miklo's side, torn between pulling the girl into her arms and charging at the Commander. Instead she stood beside the elf, sword drawn and glowering at the dark haired man. Iron Bull and Varric both drew their weapons, but were quickly halted by Stroud. They turned to the man ready to let him have it when Stroud spoke.
"Wait, we don't know what that is. You could cause her more harm if you try to stop him." Stroud spoke, his eyes narrowed on the red power swirling around Erimond's hand.
Erimond smirked, "The Elder One showed me how to deal with you in the event that you were foolish enough to interfere again. The mark you bear? The anchor that lets you pass safely through the veil? You stole that from my master. He's been forced to seek other ways to access the fade." His eyes narrowed as the elf moved back onto her feet and met his gaze with a sharp one of her own. "When I bring him your head, his gratitude will be –" He was cut off when the Inquisitor threw her hand forward and with a loud bang the anchor countered his attack and sent him flying back through the air. His body slammed into a pillar behind him, leaving him breathless as his power fled from his hand. Pain wracked his body as he stood up shakily, he looked up to see the elf gazing back at him, her expression firm.
"Kill them!" He barked to the corrupted wardens before quickly taking his leave. Miklo moved to give chase when the remaining Wardens drew their arms and charged, forcing her to fall back in defense.
The first warden flew towards her heaving a massive sword as if it was nothing but a common blade. Miklo ducked underneath a powerful swing and then slammed her fist into the side of his head, briefly dazing him before she swiftly kicked him in the chest, propelling him into another charging warden. A quick glance behind her revealed Hawke and Stroud facing off against a demon while Cassandra and Iron Bull each had their own Warden to face. A loud war cry caught Miklo's attention and she turned to see another Warden charging towards her. Just as she readied herself for his attack a bolt lodged itself into the man's shoulder, sending him stumbling to the ground.
"Always a fight, never a peaceful confrontation." Came Varric's voice from beside her. The dwarf shot a bolt into another charging Warden, the one who had originally attacked Miklo. Miklo followed up Varric's attack by jumping up and kicking the man in the face before slamming the hilt of her dagger into his forehead.
A brief moment of silence descended upon the group as the last Warden was dispatched before Varric spoke up, "As I said; always a fight, never a peaceful confrontation."
Hawke shook his head in frustration, "They refuse to listen to reason."
Stroud nodded, "You were correct. Through their ritual the mages are slaves to Corypheus."
"And the warden warriors? Of course, sacrificed in the ritual. What a waste." Hawke sighed in aggravation.
Miklo shook her head, "Human sacrifice, demon summonings…who would think any of that was a good idea?"
"The fearful and the foolish." Hawke answered grimly.
Stroud turned to his friend, "The wardens were wrong Hawke, but they had their reasons."
Hawke shook his head, "All blood mages do. Everyone has a story they tell themselves to justify bad decisions…and it never matters. In the end, you are always alone with your actions."
Stroud sighed and turned to Miklo, "I believe I know where the Wardens are, your Worship. Erimond fled in that direction. There is an abandoned Warden fortress that way, Adamant."
"I'm guessing they didn't want to summon a demon army in public." Miklo asked, holding back a grimace of pain as her hand continued to throb painfully. She glanced at the Wardens they had defeated and felt a pang of regret, knowing that the poor men were just additional pawns in Corypheus' plan.
"The Warden and I will scout out Adamant and confirm that the other Wardens are there." Hawke exchanged a glance with Stroud, before bowing to Miklo. "We'll meet you back at Skyhold." The two warriors took their leave and Miklo sighed, rubbing her aching hand,
Cassandra moved closer to her, "Are you alright?" She reached out and gingerly grabbed Miklo's marked hand. Looking down at it, she frowned at the red skin circling the glowing green gash in Miklo's palm. She looked back up into Miklo's green eyes, "Are you hurt?"
Miklo gave her a weak smile, "I'm fine." She flexed her hand with a wince, feeling the dull throb.
Cassandra frowned, "Has that happened before? That red glow?"
Miklo nodded, "Yes, Corypheus did the same thing back at Haven." This statement gained Iron Bull and Varric's attention, both men moving closer to listen. "Erimond's was weak compared to Corypheus, I couldn't break out of his." She looked down at her hand, again flexing it slowly.
"But what was it?" Iron Bull asked.
Miklo shook her head, "I don't know, he used it to try to remove the anchor but he couldn't do it."
"The anchor?" Varric asked. "That's what that is?" He gestured towards the glowing mark on Miklo's hand.
Miklo nodded, "It's what he called it." She scratched the back of her head and then sighed, "Ok, I'll send a messenger back to Skyhold, we will head out for the Hinterlands tomorrow Varric."
Varric nodded, "Sounds good to me. The sooner we can get out of here the sooner I can get all this sound outta my a-"
"Let's go find a spot to make camp." Cassandra cut the dwarf off with a sharp look before looking back at Miklo, "Preferably a place where there is shade and water."
"Good idea. Cullen had sent some soldiers to locate a secure water source for the Inquisition here, but they ran into trouble. Cullen wanted us to look into what happened. Maybe we can find a decent place to camp while we are at it." Miklo replied and held up a small scroll she pulled out of one of her pockets.
Varric frowned, "When did you get that?"
Miklo grinned, "Scout Harding gave it to me while you were reliving yourself behind the desert rose bush."
Cassandra frowned in disapproval while Varric chuckled, "Well when you gotta go you gotta go right big guy?" They turned to see Iron Bull relieving himself behind a cactus plant.
"Hmm what?" Iron Bull asked. Miklo and Varric laughed while Cassandra rolled her eyes.
A few candlemarks later, the quartet finally found a nice shaded spot to set up camp. After eating a dinner consisting of leftover ram meat and warm ale Varric had snagged from the kitchen back at Skyhold, they began to settle in for the night. Readying her bedroll, Miklo exchanged a shy glance with Cassandra and asked politely, "May I lay my bedroll here?" She gestured to the spot beside the warrior's own resting place near the fire.
Cassandra smiled warmly and nodded, "Of course." Her stomach began to flutter pleasantly when the younger woman smiled brightly and began to lay her bedroll down beside her. She found herself watching the elf move. She had always found Miklo attractive, with those mesmerizing green eyes framed by gorgeous long eyelashes and that long silvery-blonde hair that Cassandra longed to run her fingers through. She flushed when a darker thought of tugging that silky hair as she passionately kissed the girl came to mind.
She shook her head to clear those thoughts before returning her gaze to Miklo and resuming her admiration of the girl. She wasn't muscular but rather slender and toned, her body built more for speed and agility rather than brute strength. Cassandra loved watching her move. Cassandra loved watching her.
As Miklo settled down into her bedroll, Cassandra adjusted slightly so that she could keep Miklo in sight while also being able to look towards the two men across the fire pit. Miklo had a similar idea as she laid down on her side and propped her head up with her hand so she could give focus to the conversation around her.
"So this guy walked into the hanging man and let me tell you he reminded me of a broodmother." Varric was saying.
Iron Bull scrunched his nose, "Really?"
Varric nodded, "Really, he was this huge hulking mess of a guy and he smelled like the sewers of Darktown."
Miklo tilted her head, "What's a broodmother?"
Varric looked surprisingly pleased at Miklo's question, "Why a mother of Darkspawn of course. Broodmothers are these huge, tentacled ghouls, if you will, that literally give birth to little baby darkspawn." He grinned as he saw the wonder in the young elf's eyes.
"Really?" Miklo asked. Now wondering why she never thought to ask how the Darkspawn were created in the first place.
Varric nodded, "Darkspawn can't reproduce, so they take female beings and force feed them darkspawn flesh to make them contract the taint." He chuckled when Miklo scrunched her nose in disgust at this before continuing." After several days of this, the tainted females become Broodmothers. Tell me, do you know what the different types of Darkspawn are Mik?"
Miklo tilted her head in thought. After a moment she responded, "Hmm well I know there are Hurlocks, Genlocks, Shrieks, and Ogres…" At Cassandra and Iron Bulls' curious looks, she quickly added. "My sister once found a book written by a Scholar that spoke a lot about the different Fade demons and Darkspawn that appeared during the Blight." The two warriors nodded in understanding before looking back at Varric.
The dwarf continued, "Yes but the darker aspect of that is that they come from four different types of Broodmothers. So let's say we have a Broodmother that was human once, she births the Hurlocks. A dwarven mother makes Genlocks, elven mother makes Shrieks, and the Qunari makes…" He trailed off.
Miklo, Cassandra, and Iron Bull answered, "Ogres."
Varric clicked his tongue, "Bingo."
Miklo shuddered, "That's terrible." Her face took on a pale hue as she thought of all the innocent female beings that were turned into monsters only to create more monsters.
Iron Bull whistled, "So this guy was that gross you compared him to one of those?"
Varric chucked, "Well he was huge and he had the tits to match one." He and Iron Bull roared with laughter at the mental image while Miklo and Cassandra rolled their eyes.
"That got way off topic." Cassandra muttered as she subtly inched closer to Miklo and comfortingly placed a hand the girl's back.
"What? Mik wanted to know what a Broodmother is and I told her, and then I continued to offer a description of this guy I had met in Kirkwall. How is that off topic?" Varric asked.
Sensing an oncoming argument, Miklo cleared her throat to speak when a huge yawn escaped her mouth. It didn't escape Cassandra's attention and she quickly decided it was time to call it a night. "Well if we want to be in the Hinterlands at a decent hour, we should all get some sleep."
Miklo yawned once more forcing Varric and Iron Bull to do the same. They all nodded in agreement and began to get comfortable in their bedrolls. As they shifted about, Miklo and Cassandra's eyes met and the elf seemed to hesitate for a moment before she finally leaned forward and pressed a sweet kiss to Cassandra's lips, "Goodnight ma vhenan." She nuzzled the warrior's warm cheek with her own before she settled down into her bedroll.
Cassandra laid frozen for a moment, reveling in the affectionate gestures she had just received from the young woman she was finding herself falling deeper and deeper in love with. She slowly snapped out of her state, aching to return the gesture but not feeling quite brave enough to do so in front of others just yet. Instead she smiled down at the girl, "Good night Miklo." She settled down into her own bedroll. She closed her eyes, ready to let sleep envelop her, but something felt off, like something was missing. She let out an irritated huff and then felt a soft touch on her forehead. She opened her eyes to see Miklo pulling away, her green eyes warm. The rogue gave her a soft smile and then nuzzled her face into Cassandra's shoulder. A warm feeling spread through Cassandra's body and she felt herself finally beginning to relax into her bedroll as she tentatively wrapped an arm around Miklo's waist, holding the Inquisitor against her. Miklo let out a happily little mewl and Cassandra smiled and lightly kissed Miklo's forehead as sleep finally began to envelop her.
The next morning they set out for the Hinterlands early. There was a new energy within the little group. Miklo and Cassandra found themselves having a hard time not reaching out and touching the other, to which Iron Bill and Varric were highly amused by. Especially at the warrior's expense. Miklo had always been open with her affection. She was just so cute and sweet. Cassandra however was not as open with hers. To see the Seeker soften and become completely unhinged at even the smallest amount of affection from Miklo was hilarious.
The two men had awakened to see that at some point, Miklo had shifted closer to Cassandra and had snuggled up against the warrior. What surprised Varric was that Cassandra had wrapped an arm around Miklo and had buried her face in the elf's neck. Now six candlemarks later found Miklo and Cassandra riding side by side in front of them. Miklo was chattering excitedly, her hands making grand gestures while Cassandra gazed back at her adoringly, a warm smile playing on her lips as she listened intently to what the girl was saying.
At one point Varric had even caught the little elf grabbing Cassandra by the collar of her armor and pulling the warrior into a passionate kiss when she realized Cassandra had already packed up Miklo's bedroll and had tended to Kaliiou for her. He took way too much pleasure watching Cassandra temporary lose herself as she had responded to the kiss with enthusiasm before Iron Bull ruined it with a loud whistle. The female warrior had pulled away from the rogue as if she were on fire, while Miklo didn't seem to mind in the least.
A full day of riding had left the quartet sore and tired as they finally reached Redcliff. The sun had set candlemarks ago and by the height of the moon, it was well after midnight.
"I don't know about you guys but I'm torn between starving and on the verge of passing out. We should head over to the tavern, a nice warm meal and a bed would be great right about now." Varric suggested.
Miklo nodded in agreement and lead them to the Gull and Lantern Inn. Pushing open the tavern door, they walked inside and was greeted by the warmth of a crackling fire and the smell of cooking spices and mead.
The Innkeeper looked up from his sweeping as the late night guests entered his tavern. His eyes instantly settled on the elven girl he had recognized as the one who had saved Redcliff from the mad Tevintor Alexius. He watched the blonde convene with her followers and make her way over to the bar as the others found a table. He watched as his barkeep continued to wipe down the bar absentmindedly when the girl softly cleared her throat to capture his attention.
The barkeep looked up and his eyes widened at the sight of the young elf before him, "Inquisitor! How may I help you?" The Innkeepers eyes widened at his barkeep's words. The Inquisitor? In his tavern no less. His eyes trailed over to the trio who had followed the elf in and noticed all three were carefully watching the girl interact with his barkeep. Protective. He decided to keep to himself for the time being and give the weary looking group some privacy.
As Miklo approached the bar and ordered food for them; Varric, Iron Bull, and Cassandra sat at a table tucked away in the corner of the tavern. They each settled in a chair that gave them a good view of the bar so as to keep their young friend in sight.
Varric noticed a man silently sweeping near the fireplace. He appeared to recognize Miklo and seemed curious but made no move to speak with her. He seemed harmless enough as did the barkeep, whose eyes widened at the sight of Miklo standing before him. Varric turned his gaze away from the bar and settled on Cassandra sitting across from him. She was sitting up straight in her chair with her eyes fixed on their young leader. A grin tugged at Varric's lips, "So Seeker…" He enjoyed the way Cassandra's eyes shot away from Miklo and onto him before narrowing.
"Varric." Cassandra answered, suspicious by the near smirk gracing Varric's features.
Varric's eyes glowed with mischief, "I've been meaning to ask but just what are your intentions with our sweet little Inquisitor?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Cassandra replied sternly, before she looked over at Miklo at the bar. She smiled when Miklo spotted her and waved cutely.
Something that did not escape Varric or Iron Bull's attention. "Ah come on Cass! Everyone in Skyhold sees the moon eyes you give her. I mean look at her." The Qunari gestured towards the elf. Varric's playful tone provoked the warrior to respond in the like. "She can handle herself in a fight, she's clever, pretty darn adorable if I do say so myself." He grinned as Cassandra absentmindedly nodded her head in agreement. He couldn't help himself, "And just look at that cute little butt."
Cassandra's eyes strayed down to the said cute butt before she stopped herself and snapped at the Qunari, "Iron Bull! That is highly inappropriate!"
"Are you drooling?" Varric asked with a smirk, thoroughly amused.
Cassandra's eyes widened and she rubbed at her mouth furiously. Not feeling any moisture at all she glowered at Varric, "Shut up! We are done talking about this!" Cassandra hissed.
"Talking about what?"
A/N: Oh my gosh, I am so sorry it took me forever to update. I have written (or attempted to write) this chapter three times and every time I would get close to finishing it something would happen. So I honestly took a break from writing out sheer frustration, but I am back and raring to give it a go again. Once again I am so sorry for the massive wait.