Finally the next chapter. I will update it but I wanted to get it out there. DAI and LOZ are owned by whoever owns then.
Muara walked out of the stable with a small cloth containing a number of small necessities she was in need of using. She would return them when she was done; there was very little that had been saved from Haven and every piece of equipment would be indispensable for a while. Plus, she had the unmistakable feeling of being watched.
As she looked out, her mind had wandered to when she crossed the bridge into Skyhold. The memory of the faces of the injured and dying she had seen entering the fortress as she sat by fortifications. They were only taken down the steps by the gates, outside on the cold stone ground, not even a tent to offer shelter from the elements. These poor survivors from the attack on Haven were mainly soldiers, still in their uniforms and armour, but there were civilians caught in the flames or on the sharp end of the red templars' blades. Some were struggling to breath or deal with their pain whilst the healers tried to do what they could with what little they had. She would have ;eft and continued towards the stables when a small voice by her ear stopped her.
"Mama?"
The child she had been carrying through the mountains was staring wide eyed at one of the dozen people spread along the ground. Muara calmly put him down and he sprinted towards them.
"Christopher? Is that you?" came a weak voice, just loud enough to hear. The child was crouching over the body of their mother within seconds, the body been wrapped in old, blood soaked bandages around her middle and around her head, covering her eyes. Her face was far too pale to be healthy and it seemed that she hung onto life by one of her slender fingers.
"I'm here mama. I'm here"
"Oh, thank the Maker. You're alright." Muara watched the heart-breaking scene in front of her as the two wept in their joy and grief, holding each other as tightly as they could, afraid to let go in case the other disappeared. They spoke softly between whimpers before the child beckoned Muara over.
"Thank you, stranger," the young vai said to the air. "However, can I repay you for my son's life?"
"Live," Muara answered. "He needs you. Don't give in to your injuries."
"I… I will try"
Muara promptly left the couple to reconnect. She prayed that Din would bring her the strength to recover but it was no longer her responsibility to watch over them.
Now, shaking her head of the memory, she decided to take care of her bodily needs. A long soak and brushing the many tangles out of her hair was greatly needed. If she was going to be recruited, she needed to make a good impression.
/wwwwwwwwww\
Muara had been seated beside the large staircase leading to the entrance hall of the main keep, sharpening her spear using a whetstone she had pilfered from the armourers' stores when she heard the sound of soft foot falls coming towards her. "It's time" she thought but made no effort to turn away from her current task, letting the smooth stone glide effortlessly over the curved blade.
"You've come to inquire of me," Muara stated. It wasn't a question. She glanced up briefly to see the familiar tattooed face. "That is what an Inquisitor does, is it not?"
"It feels like that's all I do lately," the elf answered with a sigh. She seemed exhausted under the weight of her new title.
"The only way to get answers is to ask questions. Shall we start with introductions?"
The elf nodded before giving a small bow. "I am Erui Lavellan. Thank you for coming when you did."
"Muara. Your thanks are not needed" the tall vai returned with a deep nod before placing the whetstone next to where she sat, beside a small bottle and folded rag. She then proceeded to examine the sharpened edge of her spear, her critical eye gazing over its head.
"I hope I'm not being rude but what are you? Qunari? Addar?"
"I am Gerudo"
"I haven't heard of Gerudo before" Erui said with a knot of confusion on her brow
"You wouldn't have." Muara said, face set in a neutral expression as her thumb tested the edge. Satisfied with her work, she laid the spear across her lap and took the oil and folded rag in hand.
"You arrived in Haven with Cole. How do you know him?" the elf asked. Muara nodded and sat straight, pouring the greasy liquid onto the rag then finally looked at her companion.
"He was going to warn you of the army's advance and I thought to join him. Sadly we didn't get there sooner."
"And you trusted his judgement?" Erui questioned sceptically.
"Cole is a sage spirit. I would be a fool to not accept his guidance"
"That is dangerous, you know. What if he was a demon?"
"I know the difference. Don't take me for a fool." Muara spat with a glare. She wouldn't take the sage, a kind soul who tried to save them, being compared to the cursed residents that occupied the spirit temple.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to offend…"
"I've had worse" she cut off calmly, turning back to her spear and continuing to work, spreading the oil over the metal in smooth, even strokes. This was not a subject she wanted to continue and though Muara had put her neutral mask back on, Erui took the hint.
"Why did you come to warn us of the red templars?"
"I've seen the acts the templars have committed. I couldn't ignore it. No one chooses to be born the way they are" Muara then turned her head to look straight at the Inquisitor. "Most of the mages here had never seen a real battle till a few days ago. I can tell. They would have been slaughtered without any warning." This seemed to give Erui some reassurance that the Gerudo was joining for the right reasons.
"What could you offer the inquisition?"
"Myself. I'm a warrior first, mage second. Strong but swift. Ready for anything. My strength and natural magic could assist in the rebuilding of this old fortress if not on the field of battle."
"Natural magic?"
"Need anything from a single herb to an orchard, I can provide it if given the seeds. It's useful in battle too. Give me time and I can summon a Deku-Baba for you. Not here of course. They are carnivorous and quite large." Muara gave the elf a devilish smirk, fully emphasising what that meant.
"The Inquisition would be glad to have you." Erui ended with a smile.
"Sarqso Inquisitor. Go. You have many duties."
/wwwwwwwwww\
It had been days and she knew that from her travels, she was getting out of practice. Most of her time had been assisting in unloading carts of supplies and materials for the stonemasons and craftsmen restoring the keep. She needed to be on top form if she was going to assist in defeating the forces of darkness. The training grounds were small. Just around the back of the small tavern that had been built. The recent recruits to the Inquisitions forces were currently doing drills with the lieutenant and, with so many were still assisting with making the fortifications of Skyhold fit for habitation, it was quite desolate. Except for a sing figure.
The human vai was dressed in plate armour, striking the training dummy, with the single handed sword she wielded, with so much force, the straw sack was torn open and notches in the wood littered it's structure. If the dummy were a person, they would have been dead a hundred times over. Noticing she was being watched, the dark haired warrior turned towards their inspector, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"Is there something you need?" the warrior asked.
"I wanted to ask if we could spar. It's been a while and I'm out of practice"
"You are a mage"
"And?" Muara noticed a small tensing in the warriors shoulders, taken aback by such a short statement.
"... It is unusual for a mage to know armed combat." The circles of magi taught elemental magic which could be used in an offensive situation but they were never allowed near weapons unless to enable enchantments. The Templars needed to have a way to fight back against demon possessed and blood mages; if the mages knew how to defend against them, they would have been harder to control.
"My people teach us how to fight from the moment we learn to walk. It is important for all to know, whether they are later blessed with magic or not." Muara explained.
"What weapons do you use?"
"Hand to hand, sword, dual wielding or with shield, spear and bow are all taught. We can specialise in specific weapons but all must know how to wield them all effectively."
"Quite the list." she commented but seemed hesitant to give in to the Gerudos' request. An apostate that knew how to fight back was always dangerous.
"It'll be better than destroying these sandbags you call training dummies"
"I suppose it will be good to gauge you." the warrior conceded with a sigh.
"As I challenged you, you chose the weapon"
"Sword and shield"
Muara nodded and headed into the armoury. Taking a set of the Inquisitions' standard weaponry, she returned to her sparring partner.
She noticed how different the swords and shields were compared to those made by her own people. Most, if not all, blades were curved in design, giving a smaller surface area when slicing through an opponent. Of course, she was familiar with that of the Hylians swords, having faced the opposite end of one on many occasions. The straight, dual edged iron or steel design seemed to be popular in Thedas too. It was the shields that were the biggest difference. Those of the inquisition came in so many shapes and many were made out of wood with a slight metal rim. Gerudo shields were small and spherical but were always a spectacle. The shields shone in the sun in bright gold and were often inlaid with rubies to symbolise the goddess Din's fire. The more elaborate the design, the higher the rank within the tribe. The only exception were the mirror shields, silver so brilliant that they reflected the sun's rays which was useful when having to deal with the dark residents who took over the spirit temple, which was why only the priestesses got to use them.
Muara had to take a deep breath and push the memories of her home to the back of her mind. One's thoughts should be clear when in battle, not fogged with grief and loneliness. With that, she readied herself, eyes focused on the warrior across from her.
"I warn you, I won't go easy on you"
"Neither will I"
Meanwhile, from inside the tavern, someone was gazing out the window with great interest at the fighting women. Watching as the Late-Devine's Right Hand put the newcomer through their paces. Analysing their movements. Dodging and countering seemed to be preferred to block and parry. Knees constantly bent and prepared for any movement needed by those long, shapely legs. Large golden eyes focused on her opponent like a tigress stalking her prey. Controlled breaths held behind heaving breasts. A shield bash. A roar as they strike.
"Mmm. Redheads."