Another long awaited chapter. I found a burst of creativity this weekend and found myself completing this chapter in record time.
Thanks goes to my dear friend, Dawnstone, for her kind and critical attention as a beta to whip this chapter into shape.
With no pressing missions to handle, Cara and her friends are returning to Skyhold at a leisurely pace. Cara and Fenris are still brooding over unresolved decisions and tension grows as they find themselves in Crestwood. Cara broods over Fenris' stubbornness, unable to see her own until it rears its angry head.
Cara trailed at the rear as their group turned south on their way to Lake Calenhad. They lingered at each Inquisition camp, extending the time it took to return to Skyhold. With the leisurely pace it took them a week to reach The Kings Road.
As they neared Crestwood, Cara met Fenris' lingering gaze. She offered him a soft smile, but his furrowed brow deepened before he turned back to the road before them. He'd asked for time. No matter how her heart ached, she would grant him all the time he needed. She let out a sigh, hiding it with an exaggerated yawn. Remus whined up at her; concern lowering his furry brows.
An Inquisition scout hurried in their direction, as Caer Bronach came into view, his hand waving over his head to gain their attention. Fenris slowed Shem'nan and tossed a look over his shoulder. They hadn't intended to stop at the Keep, having stayed at a camp only half a day's ride to the north.
"Ho there. I'm glad I found you. I've watched the road the past two days and began to fear you wouldn't pass by." He crossed his arm over his chest and dipped his head in a salute to Fenris.. "Lieutenant, I'm glad you're well."
"Thank you. Is there news from the Inquisitor?" Fenris asked.
"Yes, one moment and let me find the missive." He shuffled through his pockets, patting them as he searched. "I had it this morning, I'm sure of it." His cheeks flushed with color. "Maker save me from Charter if I've lost it."
Fenris let out a frustrated sigh. "Will someone at the Keep know the contents?"
The scout's face turned redder. "No, ser. No one opened it. It's addressed to Lady Carina."
"For me?" Cara touched her chin. She contemplated the missions in the nearby regions as she attempted to guess what task Mia might have for her to do.
"Ah, here it is." With an exaggerated flourish the scout held the scroll out for Cara.
"Thank you." Cara instantly recognized the ornate seal. The symbolic eye of the Inquisition surrounded by fire pressed into the bright red wax. Certain of its authenticity, she broke the seal and unrolled the parchment. A lump formed in her throat, and her hands trembled as she held the scroll out to Solas. Cara cast a searching gaze to the skies. The distant roar of the dragon stole her breath.
"You are certain the scroll held the seal of the Inquisition?" Solas asked as he handed the scroll to Fenris.
Cara nodded numbly. "Fairly certain. While I can't imagine why Mia would give us this task, I don't see why someone else would forge her seal for something like this."
"A dragon?" Fenris looked up from the scroll. "If it is a danger to the locals, why have the soldiers allowed it to live?"
The scout kicked at a rock. "We lost an entire squad two days ago. We couldn't get close enough to even harm her."
"Well, shit. Not exactly how I wanted to spend my final hours." Varric muttered as he read it. "Though, if we survive, it will make for a helluva story." He rolled the parchment and handed it back to Cara.
The scout bent over his arm in a deep bow. "I had no idea that was the request. The four of you are skilled, but to go against a dragon is a suicide mission."
"I don't like the idea myself, but the dragon has become a menace. She's killed more farmers in the area, and travelers are avoiding the road. Someone has to take care of the problem." Cara let her shoulders droop. She hadn't enjoyed fighting dragons in the game. Each battle had been a close one. She'd only dealt with the ones that posed a threat to people living nearby, and left those settled in remote areas well alone. "She uses lightning as her main attack." Cara tapped her chin. "She will also use her wings to create a strong wind that pulls you in close. If Dorian were here I would feel more confident. Having another mage with a strong barrier would be helpful."
Fenris curled his lip in a snarl. "You trust your companions too easily."
"And you don't trust us enough." She shot back, meeting his glare with one of her own. "You let your pride and distrust get in the way of sound judgement." He growled but she held up her hand. "I understand that you have suffered at the hands of Danarius and his associates. They abused their gift of magic to harm and torment those weaker than them. Yet, you unfairly continue to blame magic for their corruption. Magic is magic, and with any power, the user is responsible for how they wield it. Place the blame where it is due; on those who chose to harm others. Many of us seek to help; we are willing to sacrifice life and limb, to see those unable to fight for themselves are safe. If you can't see beyond your past and your hate then return to Skyhold. Iron Bull would jump at a chance to slay the dragon." She clenched her fist at the widening of his eyes and spurred her horse toward the Keep.
"Cara!" Three voices called to her.
She pinched her eyes closed, to force back the tears, as she raced through the gates. Leaping off Hanin she led him to the stable. He rested his chin on her shoulder and nipped gently at her cheek. She patted his nose and pulled an apple from her pocket, then handed the apple and his reins to the waiting stable boy.
The young elf grinned widely and bowed. "What a beaut he is."
"His name is Hanin, he'll behave for you as long as you treat him well."
"Not to worry, miss. I'll take good care of him."
Cara nodded and hurried up the steps to the inner courtyard. She wove through the crowd of soldiers, nodding at the salutes she received. As she turned the corner she watched a crestfallen Fenris enter the gate. Solas frowned as he scanned his surroundings.
Cara met Solas' gaze and shook her head. To speak with either of them before she had her emotions under control would be a mistake. She'd not intended to scold Fenris for what transpired in the Storm Coast. Her own anger surprised and shamed her. Why couldn't he see she was not a threat to him? She couldn't help it that she was a mage.
When she woke between them both she was overjoyed he was safe, and hadn't given her own injuries a second thought. She reassured him she was all right; that she wasn't angry about what happened. So why lash out at him a week later?
"Cara!" Fenris called from the main door. His expression determined, he rushed toward her.
Panicked, she tossed a look around her and ducked through the first door she could find. She shut it behind her, and cast a blast of cold at the lock to freeze it in place. Time to find a quiet room where she could think. Guilt from running from him formed a lump in her throat, but she swallowed it down as she slashed at the tears on her cheeks.
The corridor was dimly lit, but she pressed on until she found a ladder leading down. She took a deep breath and gripped the ladder and swung her leg over. She'd never mastered the art of sliding down them as quickly as the others did, but she intended to outpace her pursuer. Casting a barrier she set her feet on either side and let out a shaky breath. She loosened her grip. Her confidence boosted the moment she made it down the first ladder without incident, and she hastened down the next one.
The air rushed around her as she slid, the friction of her feet and hands against the wooden ladder heating her skin through her leather boots and gloves. She braced to hit the ground, but miscalculated the distance. Instead of her feet hitting the ground, her right foot caught the second to last ladder rung.
The loud pop of her ankle preceded the harsh thud as her back and head hit the ground. A long moan of pain echoed in the dark cave beneath the Keep.
Cara lay still, her hands and jaw clenched against the pain shooting from her ankle, tailbone and head. Her staff bit into her left shoulder and the middle of her back. She took a steady breath and assessed her injuries. The pain in her head subsided, as did the ache in her back. Pain still throbbed in her backside. Tomorrow she would sport a helluva bruise across her back and ass.
Sprawled on the cavern floor, she didn't know if she should laugh or cry over the state she found herself in. She'd accused Fenris of letting his pride get in the way of sound judgement. Clearly, she wasn't above doing the same thing. Cara let out a dark chuckle and slowly sat up to take in her surroundings. Injured, alone and with few supplies, she would need to find a way out. She eyed the ladder. With her ankle either dislocated or broken, climbing it would prove an impossible task. At the least, the ankle was badly sprained. She tried to move her toes, but the shooting pain that answered her efforts caused her to gasp.
Something small hitting the water sounded behind her. She grit her teeth and scooted on her bruised backside to use the ladder to give her leverage to stand. She gripped the lower rungs and pulled herself shakily to her feet, or foot. Putting any weight on her right ankle made blinding pain shoot up her leg.
As she blinked back fresh tears of frustration she hobbled on one foot, gripping the ladder so she could lean down to retrieve her staff. It had come loose, and Cara was grateful it hadn't broken. Fingertips just barely reaching the end of the blade, she tried to grip it and pull it closer.
While she awkwardly scrabbled for her weapon, another splash, closer this time, echoed against the stone walls. Her gaze scanned the darkness before her. A hiss above her drew her attention. The white blur stole her breath and her blood froze in her veins.
Fenris cursed at the door blocking his way. Frost formed on the door and the frame near the knob from the blast of ice magic Cara cast at it.
"Fenedhis." He rammed his shoulder to the door in a vain attempt to break the ice free of the lock and knob.
"It would be best to allow her time to herself." Solas crossed his arms over his chest. "Her stubbornness is rivalled only by your own."
Fenris gave him a withering look and resumed his struggle with the door.
"Ser? I wouldn't advise going down there. It isn't safe." The soldier pushed his way forward and tried to block the door.
Fenris gripped the soldier's collar. "What do you mean unsafe?"
The color drained from the young man's face. "Tha... that's where Snow... Snowball lives, ser." He stammered. "No one goes down there if they can help it." He swallowed loudly, his eyes round as saucers.
"Snowball?" Varric asked. "Well, that can't be good. Just what exactly is 'Snowball?"
"A giant spider, Master Tethras. The largest one anyone has ever seen. She guards the lower tunnel from the dam. We've orders not to go through this way. The door is always locked."
"Step aside." Solas didn't wait for them to move, but shouldered past them as fire filled his hand. He pressed it against the door knob, making short work of the ice around the lock.
"But, Ser. It isn't safe!"
"Hurry. She left her bow and daggers with Hanin." The recent battle Cara faced against Despair played in his mind. He'd barely reached her in time.
"She hates spiders more than bears." Varric shook his head, and readied Bianca. "Sorry, friend, but Violet went through there just moments ago."
The soldier's face paled. "Whatever for? How? The door is always locked." He stared in disbelief.
Solas shook the door knob and rammed his shoulder against it. The door groaned and burst open. In a blur of light he Fade Stepped down the corridor.
Fenris leaped after him, willing the brands to speed his way. Varric called for them to wait, his cursing grew quieter as they left him behind.
A scream of frustration echoed from the cavern below, followed by a shrill screech of anger from something not at all human.
They reached the last ladder just as a blast of light lit the ceiling above them. Lightning rained down. The charge in the air stood his hair on end. Fenris licked his lips and pulled his sword from the sheath on his back. Calling the brands to life he surged forward. He kicked off the edge of the landing, sword held over his head as he dove at the large white beast below.
"Fenris!" Solas yelled after him, then covered him with a barrier.
"Always so impatient to die, elf," Varric muttered.
As the ground drew closer Fenris readied his sword, aiming for the beast's head. He kept his eyes on the spider. White and immense, it rivalled the ones they fought in the Deep Roads. A second of distraction could mean life or death.
His heart hammered in his ears, his stomach protested the sensation of falling. Fenris clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes as he landed on its back and used the momentum to sink his blade deep into the space between its head and upper body. The massive spider bucked wildly, an unearthly screech drowning out his own battle cry. The creature twisted and bucked to throw him, but the sword had been driven too deep to shake free. Fenris gripped the hilt, the only thing keeping him from tumbling to the water below.
A new barrier surrounded him, just as lightning struck the beast. Flinching at the tingle in his palms, he refused to release his sword as he tried to get his feet beneath him. He drew his knees up, and his toes found the hairy back. Fenris waited until the spider's front legs lowered, and with a feral growl he pushed to his feet, tearing the sword free.
He had but a second to spring forward and plunge his sword between the many eyes staring angrily at him. Green ichor and spider blood surged around his blade. He gripped a fist full of hair and stabbed again, repeatedly striking at its eyes until the spider fell to the ground and the screeching stopped. Satisfied it was dead, Fenris leaped away; with a flip in midair he landed in a crouch at the edge of the pool. He noticed then, four large spiders, the size of druffelos, lay dead in the pool beyond Snowball.
"Carina, are you well?" Solas called from above.
"I'm here." Her voice cracked around the sob of pain. "Beneath the ladder."
Fenris rushed to her. Her face was pale, sweat dotted her forehead, tears streaked her cheeks. She slumped against the ladder, her knuckles white with the strength of her grip. He skidded around the ladder and caught her in his arms. Stiffening at his touch, she cried out in pain.
"Kaffas, you're injured." Fenris held her up and out to survey her injuries.
"My ankle." Her cheeks and ears turned red. She looked down. "I caught it in the ladder and fell near the bottom."
Fenris swept his arm under her knees to lift her and held her close. His heart hammered in his chest. A lump in his throat blocked his voice.
Cara threw her arms around his neck and pressed her face into his shoulder and cried.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lash out like that." Her voice cracked with emotion.
He pressed his face into her hair. "You need not apologize for speaking the truth." He pressed a kiss to her hair. "Know that I count you among those I trust with my life."
She held him tighter, took a shaky breath and lifted her face. "Forgive me for acting so childish. It seems, I'm just as capable of making stupid choices because of my pride."
The tension in his chest lifted and he let out the laughter bubbling up. "Then we best hope Solas continues to be the rational one of the three of us." Fenris leaned down and captured her lips with his own.
Her fingers curled into the hair at the back of his scalp as she deepened their kiss. His body thrummed with energy, his markings reacting to her mana. She was safe in his arms, holding him as tightly as he held her. A weight lifted from within as she teased his tongue with her own.
"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure. You should have seen me when I was younger; hot headed and always ready to pick a fight." Solas' chuckle drew them back to the present. He leaned against his staff, a smug smile softened his features.
Cara smiled and tucked her face into Fenris' neck.
Varric scratched his chin. "Why do I get the feeling I've missed something monumental?" His curious gaze searched each face while he waited for an answer.
Cara shook with silent laughter and hid her face. Fenris knelt and set her gently on the ground. She hissed and adjusted her seat.
"I think my ankle is broken." Her voice was quiet, she didn't raise her eyes to Solas. "Don't laugh, but I think I broke my tailbone, too."
Fenris sat and lifted her into his lap. He pinched his lips together to hold back a laugh. His arms shook with restraint as he cradled her gently. Relief welled up, stealing his voice, he closed his eyes and leaned his cheek against the top of her head. He'd imagined the worst as he dove toward Snowball. Never daring to take his eyes from the beast to see if she was safe. Now that he had her in his arms, he didn't wish to let her go.
Varric choked. "Wait, wait, did I hear that right? You fell and broke your ass?" He slapped his thigh and bent over laughing. "Oh that's priceless. This is definitely going in my book."
Cara glared at him, her fist clenched. "It's not that funny, Varric."
"Violet, there is never a dull day with you around." Varric wiped his eyes and took a deep breath. "But what I really want to know is why Fenris is still alive after that kiss we just witnessed? And why the hell haven't you let her go yet?"
Cara's cheeks darkened. "Because I don't want him to." She bit her lower lip and searched Fenris' face. "Does this mean?"
Fenris cupped her chin and kissed her again. He drew back when her tongue teased his lower lip, and pressed his forehead to hers. "It does."
Solas put his hand on his shoulder. "Dare I hope this means the two of you will behave less recklessly in the future?"
"Why do I feel as if I've grown invisible? I don't recall Chuckles hitting his head recently." Varric frowned at them.
"It's quite simple Master Tethras. Carina and Fenris have resolved to accept they care for each other." Solas gave Varric a smug smile.
"And you're just what, going to quietly walk away?"
"On the contrary, nothing has changed between Carina and myself." He knelt beside her and tenderly cupped her calf. "This is indeed broken, vhenan. Removing your boot will cause you immense pain. Do you wish me to salvage your footwear?"
"You know how big of a baby I am. Do what you must. I'm sure Harrett will understand given the circumstances. Especially, if I bring him some dragon scales."
"The dragon will have to wait, I'm afraid. Even with healing magic you will be unable to walk for several days, let alone fight." Magical energy flared, and with a burst of light and heat, the boot crumbled to ash.
The last of the tension left Fenris' shoulders. From the moment he'd read the missive he'd feared what would happen to Cara if she fought the dragon. "We will send word to Skyhold immediately, requesting Iron Bull and Lord Pavus assist us while you rest at the Keep."
Cara's bottom lip pushed out in a pout. "Oh, sure, now you want to invite Dorian to help."
Fenris kissed her temple. "I'm attempting to exercise sound judgement despite my reservations."
She cupped his cheek and pressed a tender kiss to his lips. "Thank you. I'm relieved the three of you won't go alone."
Varric cleared his throat. "Let me get this straight. The three of you are now a couple, no wait, maybe it's a thruple?" He shook his head and scratched his chin."I'm not sure how to spin this to my readers. A love triangle is one thing, but this...?" He waved his hand at them. "I'm not sure I have my head wrapped around this yet." Varric sat heavily and frowned at the three of them.
"Is there a problem, Varric?" Cara asked.
Varric shrugged exaggeratedly. "Hell if I know? Just exactly how did this come about? When I invited Fenris, this wasn't what I had in mind."
Cara took Fenris' hand, curling her wrist, she pressed their hands to her chest, and smiled up at him. "You don't need to worry about Fenris. I intend to protect his heart just as fiercely as I protect his life."
Fenris' chest swelled and he leaned down to claim her mouth again. Words were inadequate to explain how he felt. He showed her with his kiss.
Cara flinched and pulled away with a gasp. She frowned at Solas.
"Ir abelas, vhenan. I thought it prudent to set the bone with you distracted." He patted her knee. "The pain should subside quickly now."
Cara took Solas' hand and pulled him closer. Solas leaned in and gave her a passionate kiss of his own. The surge of jealousy didn't flare as Fenris witnessed their tender moment. The sensation of her kiss still lingered on his lips, reminding him she was also his.
"I swear it's like I'm not even here." Varric muttered as he stood. He shouldered Bianca and thumbed toward the dark tunnel. "I'll see if there is a way out that Violet can handle." He shuffled off, shaking his head. Soft laughter shook his shoulders. "Maferath's hairy nut sack, I didn't see this coming at all."
Cara sighed and leaned against Fenris' chest. "I didn't either, Varric, but thank you," she whispered.