TRUSTED
I remember how dreaming used to be, albeit vaguely. I remember how it felt falling deeper and deeper into the unknown subconsciousness. There could be a nightmare waiting for you that will devour your mind and will prey on your worst fears. Or, a dream could be coming. A dream about floating or flying away towards an unknown horizon. A dream could be about anything but nothing. A dream could end in a nightmare. A dream could feel like a vision. In short, it could be everything. And yet, when you wake up, you remember nothing of it. You can feel the sparks of tension in the air, the goosebumps on your skin, the sweat dripping down your back… the memory of the dream or nightmare still lingering. Sometimes you remember specks of images, like droplets. However, they can fade throughout the day, until the next night, when you dream again.
There was something… comforting about forgetting and the possibility of creating or seeing something new the next night. It could be scary, but for me, it was exhilarating. Why? Because those dreams were not real. They did not have any real implications. Sometimes I miss that.
XXX
I knew exactly where the Fade would take me. It would take me where I needed to be, where I was expected to be, where I was supposed to be. The air around me stuck against my skin, feeling me as if alive, touching chastely and recognizing me. The air, misty and opaque, suddenly twisted and turned see-through, showing the giant door in front of me. I held my breath, expecting the marble hallway I saw before to appear before me once more. However, that was not the case this time.
The room before me warped and shaped itself. The marble ceiling of white and gold had turned dark blue, silver dots splattered across it. An orb of milky white light floating in the centre of the dark sky. It took me a moment to realize it was the moon, bigger and brighter than ever before. The silver dots were stars, scattered across the midnight sky, accompanied by swirls of galaxy behind them. A breeze passed by me and filled my nose with the smell of fresh grass, spices and wine and… fire. My eyes travelled from the sky to the ground below. I was standing in a field, the city of Arlathan shining beyond the horizon. Fire pits were placed randomly, all too far away for me to feel the heat. I could, however, see figures sitting around the fire, their forms blurry, almost like shades. The breeze carried music within it, and I noticed some figures dancing around the various pits, drinking and laughing. The grass beneath my feet was slightly wet with dew.
It felt like I was a spy, peeping at the figures in the dark. An uninvited guest.
I was invited, however, as the host suddenly appeared behind me, caressing my shoulder with his cold, large hand.
'I have been waiting for you.' He hummed.
I yelped and turned around. A tall Elven man was standing behind me, his face covered in darkness. It took me a moment to recognize him. Just like it took me a moment to recognize the moon in the skies. His features were covered in shadows cast by the fires in the background. I took a precautionary step back and looked the man up and down. I reminded myself of the door which I had come through, invisible but still there, and the crack that I had left open for me to escape through. I hadn't forgotten my lessons…
The man cocked his head as I stared at him. He was dressed in robes that I couldn't recognize as Fereldan or Orlesian or of any Thedosian fashion. I could say the patterns on his long-sleeved quilted tunic resembled Dalish ones, but not quite. The pants he wore were loose-fitting and stopped just above his bare feet. I squinted and could just see the jawbone necklace that hung loosely around his neck.
'Solas?'
The man stepped forward and I took another step back. Finally, the light caught up to him, making his grey blue eyes glitter, his skin almost translucent. His freckles almost resembled the stars in the sky above us.
'Were you not expecting me?' He chuckled, because of course I was.
'You…' I sighed and shook my head. 'I just did not expect… where are we?'
Solas' smirk remained on his face as he slowly walked around me, taking me in as I was doing with him some moments ago.
I smiled faintly as I looked up to him, standing before me as he closed the mental door behind me. And for once, I let him close it, no little crack for me to escape through. I had to trust him. The gesture made Solas lift up a brow, his eyes glittering.
'I'm sorry… I had lost track of time.' I hummed back.
'You are a busy woman.' He answered, his hands bound behind his back. He lifted his chin slightly, nodding at me to follow him as he turned around.
I blinked a couple of times before I understood, and then I quickly followed behind him, trying to mimic his slow, yet steady pace. 'So… where are we?' I asked, not wanting to wait any longer. I heard Solas chuckle, but he didn't slow down.
'You are eager, da'len. Come.' There was a warm tone in his voice, I could hear the smile behind it.
'I'm not…' I wanted to interject… But I am indeed a da'len in his eyes. 'Of course, hahren.' I joked back, knowing full well how ridiculous we both sounded… Look at these two immortals, bickering who's the oldest. My eyes focussed on his back, his shoulders, broad but narrow. As I stared at him, I felt the soft music in the background ebbing away, like the ocean retreating.
You could sometimes forget how much control Solas had over his surroundings. In comparison to myself, he never lost his grip. Although… I think… he felt comfortable around me, I could feel, almost nervously, how he tightly held the ropes over his own space in the Fade. It felt so real I could forget where we were…
We neared one of the fire pits, the shadows that were once dancing around it disappearing like smoke. The crackling fire, too red and orange and yellow, made me stop in my tracks. Not even the Fade could make me forget my own burial, how I could feel my skin peeling off and growing on top of those wounds again. The fire, dancing like the shadows before, was drowning me.
'Do not be afraid.' Solas' voice broke my trance.
I looked up to him, failing to hide the fear of memory in my eyes.
Solas swallowed, like he wanted to forget too, but couldn't. He turned back to the fire, and with a swift wave of his hand, the fire turned blue and green… and almost still.
'Veilfire', I breathed.
I could hear him chuckle. It resonated through my bones. And I liked it.
'Very good.' He hummed. 'Please, sit.' Solas lowered himself on top of the grass and sat in front of the Veilfire, almost like he was meditating.
I stepped nearer and sat down, maybe a little too far. It felt awkward. My eyes focussed on the Veilfire. It wasn't as hot as real fire. It was almost… cold, like crackling ice. So cold, it felt warm. It's hard to describe.
I turned my face as I felt his eyes on me, warm and glowing. Like fire. That thought shouldn't scare me. It doesn't. I turned back to the Veilfire, trying, so much, to not think about that kiss… those kisses last time, the feeling in my stomach, my own core… I had to focus. Solas knew that I was unsure about my past, that I couldn't remember anything, only the last few centuries… I threw another quick look at him, at his clothes, which I hadn't seen up close yet, not in the light. His tunic, resembling the one he wore in the waking world, was made out of a more luxurious material, leaves and branches embroidered into his long sleeves with gold and silver thread, the white linen soft and clean… his pants underneath were made of a same, soft material that hung loosely around his legs, cuffed at the end to give way to his bare feet. The jawbone necklace was loosely draped around his neck, the bone touching his sharp collarbones. He probably hadn't, but it felt like he had dressed up just for me.
I jerked my eyes away. Staring isn't polite. I shook my head, slipped a strand of hair behind my ear and bit my lip before looking back up to him. I saw his eyes glancing over at me, to my grey and brown pants and shirt, to the loose braids in my hair. I hadn't paid any attention to how I looked. And still, I heard Solas mumble, 'You are beautiful.'
He had said that last time too.
I scoffed. 'Don't try to distract me.'
'It is not you who is distracted.' He breathed.
I smiled softly. 'Now, tell me.'
'What do you want me to tell you?' His eyes glittered, and it was not because of the Veilfire.
'Everything.' I smiled. 'How old are you? Did you live here? Where have you been? Is…'
'One at a time.' Solas hushed while laughing under his breath. 'This… This used to be a place I visited often when I was young.' It was too dark to see how far this field reached. Were we in a garden… a patch of grass in the forest… So many questions, my mind couldn't follow.
'When you were young? When was that?' I asked without thinking. This could be a very rude question out of context. Vivienne would kill me if I asked her this.
But Solas pursed his lips, thinking. 'A very long time ago.'
I rolled my eyes. 'Did you… you lived in Arlathan?'
'For a while, yes.'
'You're being very vague.' I pouted… Though I wasn't going to push it, I wasn't telling him everything about my past either. 'Well…' I continued before he could say anything. I don't want him to say things he isn't ready to say yet. It would be unfair. I haven't told him… everything. 'If you lived in Arlathan… could you tell me what it was like? Did you live with many others?'
Solas stared at me nostalgically. 'Arlathan was… indescribable. Not even my memories could ever do it justice, for what you see now are but shadows of what once was. The Fade tries to mimic it as a reflection into water… yet, it will always be a reflection, imperfect and incomplete.' His eyes turned a little sad as he stared at the city in the distance, glowing blue and purple and green and... like the northern lights of another world. 'We will never be able to recover what was lost. Never realize what could have been.'
'I'm sorry…' I whispered.
'Do not be sorry.' Solas lifted his face towards mine, the shadows cast by the Veilfire hiding his eyes. I could see his mouth twitch a little, though. 'The Fade and the Waking World were one and the same, flowing together like time itself. And in whole Elvhenan, no greater city existed.'
I leaned forward and rested my chin on my hands, eyes closing. Solas' voice was so soothing, whisking me away to Arlathan as if in a dream. A real one, where anything could happen with no real consequences. A soft dream like before I knew what dreaming could be. 'I wish I could've seen it.'
'As do I. If only I would have met you then…' He mumbled.
'Then what?' I smiled, eyes opening and staring into his.
Solas swallowed and then he smiled cheekily, eyes sparkling. He didn't say anything, however, leaving me in blissful curiosity.
A blush was creeping up, from my neck towards my cheeks. I wished I could will it away. 'Were you different, before?'
'Cockier, perhaps. Naïve, as all da'len once were.' He sighed.
'How… how come you're here?' I straightened my back. 'Where are all the others? How did you survive? I thought the Elvhen all died when… when the Veil was created. You had said some might have survived… How?'
Solas straightened his back. I think I've never seen so much discomfort in his face before.
'If you do not want to tell me… that is fine.' I interjected. Solas stared at me. 'We have time.' Enough. I bit my lips again.
'Don't… do that.' He sighed.
'What?'
'Biting your lips.' His eyes pierced through mine. This time, the Veilfire didn't hide his eyes but made them spark and lighten up… like he wanted it to. There was something predatory in there… It made me forget what I had asked.
I immediately let go of my lips and stared back to the fire. I hoped the blue tones of the flames would hide the redness of my cheeks. I coughed up another question… before we would… get distracted.
'You… you lived in Elvhenan, among the ancient…' This question felt like I had to spit it out. 'The Evanuris…' that word did something to me. My green eye flared as I said it. I remembered my time with the Dalish, their stories, their beliefs, and I never believed in them, like I never believed in the Maker, or God way back when, but what if they were real? Perhaps… Solas had seen them? Had met them? Perhaps the Evanuris… were still… alive? 'The Evanuris, were they real?'
The question struck Solas. Like he knew I was going to ask about them, but not so soon. 'Yes. They existed.' He said that like they had never "lived".
'Okay…' I hummed. 'So the Dalish were right after all…'
He laughed. It was so sudden, so deep, but not in a good way. It was an angry laugh, like scoffing or mocking. 'No.' He articulated his words well. 'The Dalish are wrong to…' He shook his head again. Then, he stood up, brushed off his pants and turned around. I could hear him say, 'Follow me', as he strutted away.
I jumped straight up and ran behind him. Perhaps I was asking too much. He had lost everything, like me, and I would hate it if he were asking me such questions.
When I had almost caught up with him, trying to touch his back to tell him to slow down, the space around us suddenly warped and changed. The moon above us expanded, taking over the dark skies and covering it like a white blanket. It stilled and turned to marble. The stars turned from silver to specks of gold embedded in stone. The grass turned from soft and wet to hard cold tiles of stone.
We were back in the hallway. My heart pumped, I had never seen him change the Fade so drastically, so sudden. From night it turned to day, outside to inside, cold to warm. 'What are you…'
'Come', his voice echoed through the hallway. We passed the hall and the room with the balcony. We walked in silence until we reached the end of another hallway. Solas stopped in front of a large, double glass door that seemed to be transparent, but wasn't. Only until Solas pressed his palm against the archway did the glass become see-through, showing the room behind it. A library.
Solas pushed open the doors, and we stepped inside. Never had I seen such a large library before. The one at Ostwick's Circle was a crawlspace in comparison to this one. There were so many rows of bookcases that I couldn't see the end.
'Where…' I mumbled, but Solas cut in.
'This place existed, but has altered throughout the years. All of the books I once have read, all of them can be found in this place.'
I stared at him with an open mouth. 'All of them?'
He nodded. Walking forward, he immediately grabbed a book from one of the shelves. 'Once, a library as large as this one had existed. Vir Dirthara. It held the living knowledge of all Elvhenan, connecting libraries from every single city, collecting wisdom of every single court. It was intrinsically tied to the Fade. The Veil destroyed it. I created this place to resemble it… yet it is but a mangled reflection. My memories have failed me and will never do it justice.'
I furrowed my brows in confusion, but Solas wasn't done yet.
He walked towards yet another row of books. I followed him and stopped when he stopped. A large mirror had been gathering dust. Yet, underneath everything, you could still see the treasure it once had been. Its framework was made out of pure gold, with designs carved into it leading towards its pointed arch.
'There were countless other marvels, all dependent on the presence of the Fade, all destroyed.' Solas' head drooped, his voice breaking.
'The Veil…'
'It took everything from the Elves. Even themselves.'
'How did you survive?' I asked again, couldn't help myself.
'The Veil changed everything. Those unprepared… perished in the chaos. I… I escaped.' He caressed the mirror, though the dust couldn't be removed. 'I theorize I was not the only one.' He looked back up to me, and there was so much to read in his stare. Anger. Doubt. Fear. Sadness… so much sadness.
'What is that mirror? I think I've seen it before…'
'This is an Eluvian. No roads existed in Elvhenan. With these, all we needed was to step through one side and step out at another.'
'That is… I have never heard of them before.'
'The Veil destroyed many Eluvians. Those that remained, were either destroyed or corrupted. One of the many things the Veil has taken.' Solas swallowed. 'I fled… Through one of the remaining Eluvians…' He furrowed his eyes, thinking of what to say. I wondered if what he told me was the truth. He swallowed his words as if… perhaps he is not ready to tell me everything yet. 'I lay in dark and dreaming sleep while countless wars and ages passed. I woke… a year before I… joined Haven and the Inquisition.'
'Solas', I stepped closer towards him… 'I cannot imagine… I'm sorry I asked.'
'No need to apologise.' He swallowed again. There was still so much I wanted to ask. Where did he go to, where did he sleep? Was he in uthenera for thousands of years? Is that even possible?
He turned away from the mirror again. He was so worked up, like my questions had stirred something in him. A droplet into a lake. I anticipated his moves and stepped right in front of him, laying my hand on his cheek, and he leaned into my touch. He closed his eyes and sighed, suddenly so tired again. I sighed as well, completely out of breath because I had run behind him, trying to catch up. I felt bad for bringing it up. He lost everything, everyone he once knew. I knew how that felt, in one way. I shuffled closer to him, and cupped his face with my other hand. I felt my green eye twisting, it almost hurt. 'I'm still here.' I whispered. 'You're not alone.'
Solas opened his eyes and stared into mine deeply. 'Say that again.' He huffed.
'You are not alone.' How I had longed to hear those words myself. To say them out loud. We were so different. Yet we were the same. Imperfect reflections of what we once were or could have been. We can never recover what was lost. But we can try to pick ourselves up and establish something for the future. 'I'm glad, I'm glad that I've met you.'
'You could not fathom what…' Solas mumbled, almost leaning in to kiss me, but instead he shook his head. Then he moved his head away, his shoulders slumping. 'Your questions… I understand you have so many. This library holds many answers and perhaps even more questions. I want to answer all of them… But I cannot.'
I smiled, albeit a little sad. 'I understand.' More than you know. I wish I had a library of my own.
Solas grabbed my shoulders and turned me around, my back pressing against his chest. I stared at the rows upon rows upon rows of books in front of me. 'These books', Solas continues, 'will tell you.'
I nodded. I should find out for myself. Learn for myself. Perhaps, it is not all his to answer. Who were the Evanuris, were they real gods or not? He knew, but I needed to see for myself. Learn. Learn of my past and learn of his. When he tells me his story, I'll understand it.
I didn't know… back then… that he wanted me to find out his secrets he couldn't bring himself to tell me yet. He wanted me to find out what he truly was. I should have realised that before it was too late. Before everything would turn to shit. To chaos. To hatred.
But I didn't know. All I knew was that he was handing me over his knowledge, something he held so very dear.
'Thank you.' I nodded. I stepped out of his grasp and took the first book I saw. The cover was nothing fancy, just brown leather. But it felt new. Like it had just been written en never read. I knew in the back of my head that this was Solas' space, that he would let me read what he wanted me to read. But I didn't care. I was so thirsty for his knowledge.
Perhaps, I would not only find him but myself too.
I opened the book. The Elven words within almost moved around. But I could read it… 'I can read it.' I heaved, eyes big.
Solas walked towards me and laid his hand on my shoulder. 'Of course you can.' He chuckled.
Because we were the same.
XXX
I had read the rest of the time, curled up in an old armchair, my nose buried in the pages of the book I was reading. The first book was about ancient history, and I had only read a few pages before another book caught my eye, about ancient magic and then another, about ancient species of birds and then… I felt like none of the books I had read were relevant, but I felt so powerful reading them. They were as a window to the past.
Solas had been walking through the library, rearranging books, staring at me through the cracks of the bookcases. I could hear him chuckle as I would take another book. Perhaps too enthusiastic.
And before I realised, the sun was coming up in the Waking World.
'Saeris.' Solas whispered.
'No, not yet… I never knew that there was a whole network of Eluvians all over Thedas… How come I've never come across one of 'em?'
'Saeris.' I yelped from the seat as Solas was standing right in front of me. 'I am pleased you like my library.' He said, hands bound behind his back again. 'But I fear it is time to…'
'I know…' I could feel the sun on my skin, creeping through the window, trying to take me back to reality. I closed the book in my hands gently and placed it on the broad armrest of the chair. 'Can I… come back tomorrow?'
Solas bent over so his face was level to mine. 'I would very much like that.'
'Okay', I tried not to smile like a creep but I definitely did. Looking back up and drowning in his eyes again, I wanted to lean forward and…
XXX
'Rise and shine, pretty face!' Maxwell pushed the door open so hard, it smacked against the wall and cracked open the newly painted surface. 'Oops.' He giggled, knowing Josephine was cursing somewhere.
I growled and pushed myself straight, wiping away the drool on the side of my mouth and holding the blanket in front of me.
'Ew!' Maxwell snorted as he jauntily walked into my bedroom. 'Dreaming about Solas were you? Or perhaps a topless Cullen?' He wiggled his eyebrows.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide the guilty smile. How'd he know? I mean about Solas… 'You know, you can't just barge into a lady's chambers like that.'
'Sure,' he snickered and came in anyway. 'But you need to wakey-wakey, we're leaving.'
'Huh?' I sat up straighter. 'Where to?'
'Somewhere where it's rainy, so pack some boots.' He was energetic. So much so that he was jumping up and down my room, opening drawers and throwing clothes and gear on my bed. He opened another drawer and shrieked.
'What!' I gasped.
Maxwell took his dagger slowly from his leg strap and tilted it carefully into the drawer. 'My Lady', he gasped outraged, 'I didn't know you fancied such…' He wiggled his eyebrows, 'indecent fashion. I have to tell Dorian about this.'
I groaned, annoyed as Maxwell lifted up his dagger. Hanging from the tip was a frilly, laced dress, completely see-through and too short to cover up anything. 'Andraste's tits, Josie…' I cursed under my breath. Why did she put such a thing in there?
'You mean Andraste's tits and ass and everything.' Max giggled again like a little girl. 'Don't worry, your secret is definitely safe with me.'
'There's no secret!' I pushed the blankets off of me, jumped out of bed and jerked the dress, or whatever it was, from his hands. 'Josephine or Vivienne must've put it in there. It seems I do not even get a say over my own wardrobe.'
Max smiled. 'They did that to me too. I now suddenly have such silky undergarments… I quite like them.' His smile fainted and he rested his hand on my shoulder as I frantically pushed the dress back in the drawer. 'They're just trying to be nice. It's not like you had many clothes anyway.'
'I had enough.' I pouted. I do not need dresses or fancy undergarments. I needed travel gear, weapons, sturdy boots and protective clothes. Even white linen cloth and pants would've sufficed…
Maxwell coughed and turned to the dresser again, pulling open another drawer. 'Here!' He yelled, 'Is this better?'
'Yes.' I sighed, and grabbed the quilted tunic from his hands. As I gathered the travel gear (it was hard to find, but Josie had given me at least new sturdy pants, a jacket and coat), Maxwell plopped on top of the bed and sighed. 'What's wrong.'
'Nothing.' Max lied. He's a terrible liar. 'Okay, I'm excited but also scared. First mission as Inquisitor, you know.'
'It's going to be fine.' I turned and sat down next to him. 'You've got me,' I winked, 'and Varric and Bull, Cassandra and Solas and all the others.'
'I know.' Maxwell sighed, relieved.
'Now, tell me what's going on.'
XXX
During that one particular rowdy meeting at the war table, Hawke had revealed that Corypheus could influence the minds of Grey Wardens. If the Darkspawn brings them under his sway, he'll command a legion of highly skilled warriors. Our mission was to hunt down Hawke's Grey Warden ally hiding in Crestwood to learn about the other Warden's plans. Since the Breach, no one had travelled to and from Crestwood. Leliana has sent her fastest agents to discover what disaster had rendered it silent. Agent Harding was already in the area. She had sent a hastily scrawled note, received by messenger bird, to Maxwell, stating that Hawke's friend had been seen around the town of Crestwood, but that he had disappeared before they could talk to him. He seemed alright… but Harding specifically warned us to be careful on the road.
Undead were roaming about.
And people needed our help.
She'd explain more once we're there. And it seemed there was no time to waste.
I heard stories before of undead coming back to life. Strange magic was at large. Some of the pilgrims at Haven and Skyhold had told stories about them. Lifeless carcasses standing about, jaws hanging loose, brown and grey jagged teeth protruding from rotting flesh… And the taste of magic, so vile your teeth would start to rot if you breathed it in.
And we were going there. Now.
The road to Crestwood was paved and cleared by Inquisition soldiers. We only needed to ride as fast as possible and rest as little as possible. As soon as it started raining and smelling like death, we would know we were there.
Not all of the Inner Circle would join. Sera wasn't too keen on the undead. She would probably be just a nuisance, too. Vivienne refused to travel in the mud and rain. Cole… was too unreliable. He was sweet and one hell of a fighter, but we didn't know what he was just yet. Maxwell didn't want him to come, perhaps he also wanted to protect the seemingly innocent boy.
Bull was coming, of course, and so was Blackwall. Bull was strong and sturdy. Maxwell wanted Blackwall to join because he was a Warden after all, we would need his expertise. Naturally, Cassandra would join the party as well. Our Inquisitor couldn't survive without her. I wondered if he had read her his poem already?
Varric, being Max's best friend, was coming along, too. So was Dorian, who was an expert in necromancy. That would come in handy when dealing with the magically undead.
Finally, I would join. And so would Solas. We were the rift experts. I could point out, using my green eye, where rifts were situated. There was a big one in the centre of that lake. A really big one.
I hoisted my travel backpack on my shoulders and threw one more glance at my chambers. I hadn't looked at the new furniture in detail, didn't want to. But now I stared at it, because who knows when we'll be back again? Could be next month, could be next year. Who knows, right? I stared at the grand, king size bed with Fereldan linen and crushed velvet covers. The duvet and cushions, filled with Orlesian dove feathers, were so soft, it was like sleeping in the clouds. On the stone walls hung Fereldan tapestries and on the ceiling, an Orlesian glass chandelier. Too over the top. I would have it taken down.
The bedframe was covered with gold leaf, its edges spiralling like a throne. Across the bed, next to the entryway of the walk-in closet, stood a large dresser with a mirror on top of it. The mirror was old as dark patches covered some of the reflection. I had already thrown my grey, long-sleeved nightgown over it. I wouldn't need it during the mission. I would sleep in my day clothes anyway.
The closet, I hadn't dared to fully venture into. There was a section, somewhere at the back, with travel gear, weapons and sturdy armour. The sections with dresses and such, I hadn't looked at. Maker knows why I needed those. Not like we were going to get invited to a ball anytime soon. I hope.
Next to the sleeping quarters were two other small rooms. One was a small lavatory with a large, wooden tub in the middle. The other room, the one with the balcony that opened to the gardens below, was a small study with a desk and chair with quilted cushions. On the desk stood a simple quill and ink. But no letters. No paper. No books.
I would request those when I'd come back.
XXX
The others were waiting outside in the courtyard, down the stairs, in front of the gates. Skyhold castle looked down on them, like an overbearing mother.
Leliana, Josephine and Cullen stood in front of the group, Sera and Vivienne behind them. Cole was nowhere to be seen, although we all knew he was watching from somewhere… perhaps the roof. Dorian, Bull, Varric, Blackwall, Solas and Maxwell were all grouped together, horses at hand. The horsemaster, Master Dennet, was strapping on the saddles, pulling the straps and belts on tightly.
'There you are, Twinkle!' Varric smiled as I hurried down the stairs, my ponytail swaying left to right. Maxwell waved at me, his armour gleaming. He was wearing his official armour, the polished one, with the bright golden emblem on the chest. Large, so everyone could see it from miles away. I knew he'd switch his armour when we're far enough, perhaps when we set up camp. It was just for show. His real, leather and iron armour, was way more flexible and protective. He'd need it against the undead.
Dorian was still talking to Blackwall. They were discussing something… something about the undead and the Wardens. Blackwall seemed nervous, his Warden armour was even more polished than before. I think he even combed his beard. That wouldn't last in the rain. Dorian wore a more flexible outfit made of soft leather. A colourful tweed scarf was tucked under his jacket. His pants, also from leather and tight-fitted, were stuffed into his boots, which were, I think, the most basic shoes he got. Perhaps he didn't want the fancy ones to get dirty. Bull wore his normal pants and large leather belt. His chest piece, also made out of leather and iron studs, covered most of his upper chest, but not his abdomen. Not very protective, but very impressive. His abs alone would scare away the demons.
Varric was in his normal getup; brown leather jacket, red and gold shirt, which was opened so far you could almost see his belly button, gloves and golden necklace. His hair was tied back in a loose bun at the back of his head, showing off his pierced ears. Cassandra, in her usual black and red Seeker armour, was standing as far away from Varric and as close to Maxwell as she could. Even if that meant she stood closer to Sera, who was snorting and giggling about something no one really knew… or wanted to know.
Hawke, who was travelling with us to Crestwood, wore a black quilted wool and leather getup, chainmail covering his upper arms and a fur cowl around his metal chest piece. The shoulder piece with three protruding spikes of steel made his outfit complete. Ready for war.
And finally, Solas. His blue-grey eyes followed my every move as I walked towards the group. He had his wooden staff planted into the ground below, leaning onto it like an old man would. He wore that same grey woollen tunic with a green vest with brown stitches. The collar of the vest had some grey fur on it, which had probably seen better days. His dark grey pants, loose fitting, were bound at his ankles. Bare feet were the cherry on top of his whole shabby apostate outfit. There seemed nothing left of the proud Elvhen man I'd met in the Fade. Except for that collarbone necklace, those magnificent eyes and that cheeky little, almost unnoticeable, smile on his lips.
I walked over towards them. Maxwell spotted me, smiled brightly and opened his arms as if I was coming over for a hug. 'There's the missing piece to our puzzle.' He laughed.
Cullen coughed. He failed to give me any eye contact. 'Alright, everyone set? You have all been briefed of your mission?'
'Ay-ay ser!' Dorian winked playfully.
'Good.' Cullen nodded, full-on Commander mode. 'Agent Harding has already set up camp at the edge of the Crestwood region.' He eyed Maxwell. 'Take the pass through the North-East side of the mountains – Cassandra you've got the map, don't you? – and take the road to the Hinterlands and up to Lake Calenhad. Our agents have cleared the way, follow the river North to the Storm Coast. Crestwood is marked with red ink.'
Cassandra, who had taken the map from her backpack, followed the Commander's route precisely. 'Understood, Commander.' She stated.
'And first and foremost, be careful.' Cullen dipped his head towards Maxwell and then towards the whole group. His eyes seemed to stop at me for just a second.
Leliana and Josephine gave speeches of their own, briefing us again about the situation at Crestwood.
Then, the group moved to the horses. As I climbed on top of mine, I suddenly felt a hand on my lower arm. I looked down and saw the Commander standing next to my horse. 'Be careful.' He mumbled. 'Please.'
My heart sunk to my feet for a moment. The way he said that… 'Of course, Cullen.' I whispered. Why was I whispering?
'Good… good.' He whispered back. I noticed the fur mantle on his shoulders, bound tightly. I looked back up to smile at him, but he looked so tired. His blonde hair was messy, like he had been tossing and turning in bed all night.
'Let's go, people!' Bull's voice was like thunder, louder than any voice or any conversation.
People had been gathering around the court. Pilgrims, soldiers, nobles, peasants, everyone applauded for their Inquisitor. Out to save another village. Another day.
And so the gates opened and we lead our horses towards the mountains.
