Disclaimer: I own none of the recognized characters. I am merely borrowing them to satisfy my muse
Chapter 17
The rift below the lake was sealed. No more undead would walk around. Crestwood could be at peace. The mayor had fled, having been the one to flood the town. Cullen sent soldiers after him. When he was found, he would be brought to Skyhold to await Talon's judgement. Warden Stroud was met, and told them of Corypheus's trick. Putting the calling into all the wardens' heads. CJ looked at Blackwall during that. Had he been hearing the calling the whole time, and refusing to follow it?
Talon split the group up, sending most of them east, with Hawke and Stroud. She, Cole, Dorian, and Talon remained with Bull and his chargers.
"We're going to Storm Coast first before following them." Talon said, as the smaller group crowded around him. "Iron Bull's informed me of a chance to make an alliance with the Qunari. I accepted."
"That's a big step." Iron Bull said, as they began the march to Storm Coast. It would only take about a week, if they kept a good pace. "The Qunari have never tried to make a formal alliance before. It will further the relationships between our lands greatly, if it all goes well."
"If?" CJ questioned.
Iron Bull shrugged. "I've come to realize, with you and Boss around, if something can go wrong, it usually will." CJ pulled a face at him, knowing he was referring to the partial tunnel collapse beneath the lake.
"That was hardly my fault." She exclaimed. "The demon shouldn't have fallen into the support beam!"
"You threw a hunk of rock at it with all of your strength. Of course it was going to fall!" "It worked out in the end, didn't it?" She retorted hotly. "They didn't survive, did they?!"
Iron Bull laughed.
"She's got you there, Chief." Krem said. "Tonight, when we set up camp, fighter, care to play a game of chess?"
"Have you got a set?" CJ asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
Krem nodded. "Bought it off a fellow in Crestwood. Thought it would come in handy."
"I'd love to play, Krem." She agreed eagerly. She loved playing chess.
That night, CJ and Krem set up a game. She beat him quickly.
"You were trying to take it easy on me." She exclaimed, frowning at Krem. "Don't."
"Apologies, my fair lady," Krem grinned at her. "Shall we play again?"
Very soon, the games began being played for stakes. The entire group was involved. Every night after the camp was set up, the board would come out and the next game would be played.
CJ, Cole (though that surprised no one), and Iron Bull (which surprised everyone) became the top players. It was fun, those games. It kept their nights light, and happy. When their days were filled with fighting and marching. They could always look forward to the games at night.
They met the qunari liaison at Storm Coast. He kept calling Iron Bull Hissrad. Talking about the old days. CJ could see that it made Bull uncomfortable. He didn't like being called Hissrad. To be reminded of the life he had left behind. As if somehow what he was doing now was less than what he had done before. As if he had fallen, and this alliance was his way back up. In annoyance, she had finally snapped at the elven qunari.
"Stop calling him that!" She exclaimed. "His name is Iron Bull!" Her face flared red as everyone stared at her. The elf merely nodded, inspecting her face closely.
"I meant no offense." He said, but his face held a smirk. CJ wanted to punch that smirk right off his lips. She turned away to prevent herself from following through with the desire.
They split up, Bull sending his chargers to the farther marker, where there would be less defense. They fought to the marker, sending it up, signaling the dreadnought. It came, but so did more Venatori mages. They were advancing on the chargers. If they didn't fall back soon, they'd be overwhelmed. CJ looked between Iron Bull and Talon, forcing herself to stop from ripping the horn away and blowing the signal herself. If Talon chose the alliance over the chargers, CJ would run. Maybe she'd be able to reach them in time to help. She recalled the question she had asked Iron Bull in anger so long ago. Had she tempted fate?
She could read the distress on Iron Bull's face as he waited for Talon's decision. He would follow whatever order Talon gave. Like a good soldier. Just as Bull's chargers would do for him. They knew what they were risking. They were willing to pay the cost. But that cost would destroy Iron Bull.
Horn blowing, relief coursing through CJ. The chargers were pulling back. They would be safe. But the alliance with the qunari was broken. The dreadnought destroyed. Iron Bull was now Tal-Vashoth. A traitor to the qun.
