The rest of the day the ship moved at half speed, with the crew split from trying to recover from the sudden demon attack. The leftover crew were barely able to maintain a decent speed. The coast of Ferelden was visible however, and their port not far off.

"At this rate, we will reach the harbour by midnight Inquisitor." Honey said as she handled the wheelhouse.

"That's a relief to hear…" the inquisitor sounded exhausted. His vest, covered in applesauce and pastry dough. Flour in his ruby-red hair.

"I sincerely hope the captain is enjoying her time off…" he sighed, "I should send word to Skyhold for people to meet us."

"Go to the war room, Michela has many birds for you to send messages." Honey suggestion. "Also, you should be nicer to her. She has been cursed." Honey blurted out as if it was nothing.

"What do you mean cursed?" Rubeus paused and turned back to Honey.

"I don't know details, but she has many problems. Small problems, but many of them." Honey said calmly.

"I wouldn't call a curse a small problem…" Rubeus sighed.

"You say big problem, I say inconvenience. Voices in the head are easy to ignore. What? You don't have voices that speak to you?" Honey asked.

"Not really?" Rubeus replied and shrugged.

"Everyone has voices, some are louder, some are quiet, some are your own insecurities fucking with your brain. Michela… well she has daddy's voice always scolding her, begging her to come home. Like my ex husband. Sometimes he talks to her while she addresses the crew and she has to speak over him like a child at a holiday feast." Honey was the most honest crew member Rubeus had met so far. Her relaxed demeanor let him feel welcomed and trusted with such delicate information.

"Why didn't she say anything? We have resources to help her," Rubeus felt beside himself with what he just learned.

"She can't talk about it, but if you tell her you know. She will be your best friend. Trust me." Honey said. Rubeus really did not know what to say. He gave the navigator a small salute.

"Thank you for that. I'm going to send that message now."

After sending the message to Leliana, Rubeus made his way to the surgery. He knocked on the door before opening it.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it here till now. There was an issue with the cook," Rubeus explained. "How are you holding up?"

"Hey Rubeus, I'm fine and I got Broody here to keep me company. You two have met right?"

"we haven't," Rubeus nodded to Fenris. "Thank you for keeping an eye on him." Fenris nodded, eyeing the other elf carefully.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Inquisitor." Fenris responded, not bothering to get up.

"That is my bad, Inquisitor, Fenris was of great help to the Champion of Kirkwall and myself, you can call him your caped vigilante in tevinter now."

"Do you know which bottle has the antidote?" Fenris asked.

"Not a clue," Rubeus admitted.

"You might want to look for something golden coloured with pink shimmer. Wyvern poison is cured with Andraste's mantle, drakevine and winter berry." Varric gestured to the potions cupboard. When Rubeus tried to open it, he discovered it was locked.

"Well there goes that idea…" Rubeus sighed.

"I could crack it open, but I think asking for the keys would be a better idea." Varric chuckled, before coughing aggressively.

"Captain is taking a break right now and I think I might be one of the last people she wants to see," Rubeus admitted.

"You came into her home and challenged her authority. Can you really fault her for that?" Fenris asked, plainly.

"You know, Ice box still like you." Varric addressed Fenris waggling his eyebrows. Fenris rolled his eyes.

"We need the antidote quicker than you think. The venom is making him hallucinate." Fenris responded.

"Oh come on! She's lonely can't you tell! Obsessed with my autograph? Jealous of Rubeus for being with Dorian. She needs some attention." Varric said as if his advice was handed down from the maker himself. The elves stared at Varric like he had gone mad.

"Would you be able to ask the captain for the key? You probably stand a better chance at getting it than I do," Rubeus asked.

"Fair enough," Fenris replied and got up. "I'll be back." The broody elf left the room, leaving Rubeus and Varric alone.

"I don't want to put too much on you while you're sick…" Rubeus started, "but I was wondering if you remember the captain saying anything about being mind controlled at any point?"

"Funny you mention that, I had a revelation during my wyvern acid trip. I remembered a conversation we had a long time ago. One I forgot." Varric said, embarrassed.

"... If you knew this why didn't you mention it before?" Rubeus asked.

"Well, this conversation happened when we were black out drunk at the hanged man over 4 years ago." Varric fiddled his thumbs nervously.

"It's ok…" Rubeus sighed.

"Are you sure? You look… pressed." Varric adddd. "I know I've been adding to it."

"I know I've been… off and moody this entire trip." Rubeus admitted, "I shouldn't be taking it out on my friends."

"I'm an idiot, thinking I could sneak around to try and help. I made things worse and all I had to do was remember a drunken bar night conversation." Varric shifted ready to tell.

"Go on," Rubeus said with much anticipation.

"Well, after we got back from our trip to deliver my books, Hawke. Michela and I celebrated our success with some drinks. We were completely knackered, but I think that's why I was able to get her to talk." Varric explained.

"So this is first hand information from her? Did she say anything else?" Rubeus asked.

"Well, I don't know much about this curse, all I figured out was that she couldn't talk about it and that Emilio placed it on her. She compared it to… oh what was it. Being displaced in her own body. Like being in a dream."

"So it's true… the navigator said something similar to me about her. I wonder who else knows…" before Rubeus could finish that thought the door opened again and Fenris returned with the key.

"Here," he said and gave the key to the inquisitor,

"How's the captain doing?" Rubeus inquired.

"Amused that you have visible flour in your hair," Fenris replied. Rubeus huffed and brushed the flour out with his hand causing the white powder to scatter in the room.

"I want to hear this story, what's up with the flour and applesauce buddy." Varric asked

Rubeus said nothing went to the cupboard and unlocked it to look for the antidote.

"Hey, what's with the applesauce?" Varric asked again desperately.

"You met Minnie didn't you?" Fenris said.

"So many apples…" Rubeus said, sounding traumatized.

"That bad? What did she make you do?" Varric asked again and looked at Fenris who gestured to cut the conversation. Rubeus grabbed the antidote and thrusted it into Varric's hand "Drink this!"

"Okay fine! How did asking the Captain for the key go?" Varric asked Fenris as he shot back the antidote . "Did you put any moves on her?"

"N—no," Fenris replied. His cheeks lit up as red as Rubeus's hair.

"What's that look for?" Rubeus asked.

"She answered the door practically naked," Fenris replied.

"No way!" Varric said shocked.

"She had to be wearing something," Rubeus questioned.

"Yes, a house robe if you can even call it that. It barely covered anything…" Fenris elaborated. Rubeus felt his cheeks get warm.

"So we talking, thin silk revealing or off the shoulder loosely fitted revealing." Varric asked. "Cause either way, she's gorgeous."

"You're thinking about it," Fenris pointed out with a smirk.

"I am not!" Rubeus argued.

"She needs to stop dressing like that when she answers the door. Not that I'm complaining," Fenris said.

"What colour was the robe?" Varric asked.

"Ok, that's enough!" Rubeus tried to end the conversation.

"Hey! If I'm going to add saucy content to the daring tales of the inquisition. I need info." Varric said with a quill in his hand.

"Where did you get that?" Rubeus asked,

"I always had it." Varric replied as he starts writing ideas down in a little book. "The great captain of the Hateful Barnacle, a vision of blonde beauty whose supple bosom bounced as she walked." Varric teased.

"I'm not sure if those are the best words to describe her… " Fenris said as he tried to think of what he wanted to say. Rubeus just stayed quiet. His cheeks completely flushed.

"You two are so sheltered." Varric sighed. "I miss Isabela, she would know what to say to describe her." Varric chuckled.

"A woman with eyes as blue as the ocean she sailed upon and curves that would make the greatest sculptors weap. Her ample chest bounced almost as much as the blonde curls that framed her sultry face," Rubeus suggested. Fenris looked surprised.

"Oh wow, that was really good." Varric said jotting it down

"I read a lot of romance novels," Rubeus replied, sounding embarrassed.

"You can teach me a few things then, romances are the hardest for me." Varric added.

"I think you should ask the inquisitor to flirt with Michela, he seems to know what he's doing," Fenris pointed out.

"I have a boyfriend, and I am going to go find him," Rubues huffed and left the room.

"You know what Isabela would say?" Varric asked Fenris

"What?" Fenris replied.

"She would say, Get her in a threesome that would put a smile on her face." Varric said intimidating Isabella's sultry accent.

"That's not how it works!" Rubeus shouted from the hallway.

"You're the lead character in your own story! You make it work however you want it too." Varric shouted back.

As Rubeus stormed down the hall, he spotted a ruffle of golden fabric ahead. It was Michela. She hadn't noticed him yet, and was headed for the cargo hold. Though Fenris did not do justice in describing her silk robe. It was embroidered with dragons and flowers of green and violet. Her wounded shoulder exposed, wrapped in bandages and she indeed was practically naked. The long slit of the side of her robe exposing one of her thighs as she walked.

Michela paid no mind to him, didn't even see him as she headed towards the brig with a large ring of keys in her hand. When she finally reached the door she paused and sighed.

"Perhaps, I should have bought Honey to Intimidate him a bit." Michela mused. "It's not like I can drill him on his past. Or… ugh. What am I doing, I should just go sleep." Michela was talking to herself, staring at the door intently.

"Maybe I should go check on Minnie instead… I am hungry." Michela said.

"I'm hungry too." Fritigern said from beyond the door.

"HEY! I WASN'T TALKING TO YOU YET!" Michela shouted back at the door.

"Captain! Please! I'm so sorry." the muffled voice called back and she kicked the door.

"No you're not! Trouble maker." Michela groaned and turned to leave and spotted Rubeus blocking her way.

"Is that really the best outfit to be walking around a damp ship in? You'll get sick," Rubeus said to her sternly.

"Excuse you, I am covered in scratches and claw marks. Would you like to walk around in skin tight leathers after that?" Michela asked. "And this is my ship, I will wear whatever I like. You're not my husband." Michela huffed. "Besides, I thought you were gay." She said and pushed her breasts up on purpose. Making them jiggle.

He became flustered and stammered.

"We will be at shore by midnight and Skyhold before dawn, you should pack anything you wish to bring ashore with you. I will be addressing the crew about it shortly." Rubeus said. "Unless you want some help dealing with your first mate?"

"That's fine, I'll be prepared for shore leave before we hit land." Michela said and straightened out her robe to cover up a bit more now that there was someone with her. Wincing as she slid her arm back into the sleeve. "I haven't decided what to do with him yet. Fritigern broke the rules, but didn't take anything." Michela pondered.

"My bedroom is my only place of solitude and protection. If he can just crawl in there at his heart's desire. How many times has he snuck in before? How did he get past my lock." Michela seemed extremely flustered. "I thought I was safe here, and now I don't feel safe anywhere."

"So he invaded the privacy of a captain in the inquisition? We can have him stand trial at Skyhold. If you think that's a suitable way of dealing with him." Rubeus offered.

"A big over the top trial? With guards and actual punishments under an inquisition banner. Oh. That would scare the piss out of him." Michela smirked wickedly. "Hmmm, sure! Why not. Besides. Rumour has it you dealt with Minnie swimmingly today that she is singing your praise." Michela walked up to Rubeus.

"If you deem it appropriate I can make it happen," Rubeus replied, uneasy with how close Michela was getting.

"Plus, you know how he broke into my room don't you." Michela accused.

"Ahaha—- that is correct…." Rubeus gulped.

"Try not to abuse that knowledge, unless you're trying to get in trouble with me." Michela said with a wink before walking past him. Rubeus stayed silent.

"I'm off to get ready for shore leave. Unless there is something I can do for you? Captain." She asked.

"No, I have things under control. I'll see you when we reach land." He bid the Captain farewell and went to speak with the crew.

Honey's navigations were correct and it was midnight by the time the Hateful Barnacle reached the harbour. Inquisition members waited with horses and wagons to help bring the crew and innocent to Skyhold. Cullen who spearheaded the retrieval met with Rubeus as he disembarked the ship.

"Josephine has made sure there are lodgings for the crew," Cullen assured. "And sorry, about our last meeting. I should have followed orders."

"Everything worked itself out. Just please, don't try something like that again." Rubeus lamented.

"It certainly has not," Dorian protested. "The duchess swaps between helping you and wanting your head on a pike!"

"At least it's not constantly wanting my head on a pike," Rubeus laughed.

A large crowd of 35 off people disembarked from the ship with all their belongings packed. Word had gone around about seeking refuge at Skyhold and it looked like a majority of the crew did not wish to stay. Those who stayed, helped them disembark and bid their farewells.

It wasn't until all the refugees were ready for travel, did Captain Michela disembark.

Standing on the gangplank with a large bag slung over her shoulder and dressed in a long yellow military coat. She looked over how many people were leaving, with a solemn smile. Fenris walked up to her and put his hand on her shoulder. A bag in his other hand and his sword on his back.

"Thank you for your help, Captain." Fenris said with a smile. "These ex-slaves will be able to live freely."

"You're welcome, I'm sad to see you go though." Michela sighed.

"I have other work to do. Good luck with the Inquisition. I will be in contact."He waved goodbye and disembarked.

"I'm coming with you, Fenris. I need to get back to Kirkwall. You think you can spare the detour?" Varric asked the elf.

"I can spare the time if you have the coin." Fenris replied.

"I'll make it worth it, ya bastard. Oh hey! Michela. No hard feelings right?" He asked.

"Did you learn your lesson?" Michela asked.

"No." Varric smirked.

"Did you even tell Rubeus you're leaving?" Michela asked.

"He's known for a while, besides I hate long goodbyes and there is enough drama happening without me adding to it." Varric said as he disembarked behind Fenris.

"So…I'm the messenger for that… great." Michela sighed.

"Captain." Honey approached her before she could take another step.

"Yes Honey?" Michela asked

"Rubeus is a good man, let them help you, and be nice to Dorian." Honey instructed.

"But-" Michela was about to talk back before Honey put a finger in her lips to silence her.

"You are not a donkey, stop being so stubborn before you lose your chance at some real allies who can fight." Honey instructed as Michela went red in the face.

"Alright." Michela wheezed.

"I will take care of the ship while you're gone" Honey said and slapped Michela so hard on the back her eyes popped out of her head.

"A tch tch tch!" Michela winced.

"Good luck!" Honey shoved her and Michela disembarked from the ship nervously. Leaving her territory and entering the world of the inquisition.

Cassandra, and Dorian had all their own horses, each magnificent Ferelden purebreds and a gorgeous wild hart. Who nuzzled Rubeus from behind to catch his attention. Rubeus pet the snout of his majestic beast.

"Michela, you remember Commander Cullen." Cassandra said as she mounted her horse.

"We… didn't really meet actually." Michela said and avoided eye contact before everyone's attention was drawn to Fritigern. Lead off the ship in chains by Inquisition soldiers.

"I'm sorry about how rude I was during our original introduction," Cullen apologized and presented a modest bouquet of flowers to the captain.

"Well I did tie you up… are those lilies?" Michela said and accepted the bouquet with hesitation.

"Right, There is a horse on the hitch for you." Cullen said pointing to the white and black speckled Dalish all-bred.

"Awe, he's so cute." Michela said and looked at Cullen with red cheeks. "The horse I mean."

"Yes, the horse. He's a good boy." Cullen replied, also with rosy cheeks.

Michela said nothing, just shuffled away to hide behind the flanks of the horse to admire her flowers out of view.

"You think you're not over doing it?" Cassandra asked Rubeus looking around for Varric since his horse was still hitched.

"Over doing what?" Rubeus asked, "I just suggested giving her a Dalish horse because she seems more familiar with it than anything else we have available."

"The flowers were Josephine's idea. To apologize for the army," Cullen sighed.

"That's my concern, she's a smart woman who won't be fooled with empty tokens of affection." Cassandra warned.

Michela joined the group on the horse, with her bouquet safely tucked into her satchel and one of the lilies in her hat tucked in with the rest of the plumage of feathers.

"Varric's not coming." Michela said bluntly.

"What!" Cassandra asked

"He left to go back to Kirkwall." Michela added straight faced.

"Not surprised," Rubeus replied plainly.

"He told me he planned to go back. It's a quicker trip from here than from Skyhold." Rubeus replied.

"I'm more upset we didn't get a final game of wicked grace," Dorian added as he caught up with them.

"I like wicked grace." Michela said softly.

"Did you say something?" Dorian asked. Michela stayed silent.

"We'll hear from him. He's bad at being quiet," Rubeus laughed.

"Typical. Well, At least we have another traveller who knows how to take care of themselves. You can ride next to me." Cassandra said as she and Michela followed Rubeus and Cullen on the way back to Skyhold. Dorian kept on the rear making sure the refugees kept up.

"Things got kinda weird on the ship." Michela said awkwardly.

"You saved my life and Rubeus as well from that desire demon, I won't forget that." Cassandra said as Michela looked to her with a sheepish smile.

"Yes, thank you for that." Rubeus added.

"You're welcome." Michela said.

"I'm surprised both Rubeus and Cassandra needed cover. You must be impressive on the battlefield," Cullen said and looked over at Michela.

"We were underwater," Rubeus added. His hart trotted ahead of the group taking the lead.

"Underwater?" Cullen gasped, "That's even more impressive."

"You're going to overwhelm the poor woman," Dorian called out. Cullen straightened up and looked forward.

"I did what had to be done to close the rift and save my crew. That's what a good captain does." Michela said. Her attention turned to the view of the trees as they climbed up hill towards the mountains.