Hissing, I wince, grimacing in pain from the sore earthquake taking place in my mind, enjoying the source of warmth I am sat upon, sleepily cuddling closer into the source of warmth, curling into the side of heat, ignoring my aching muscles, raw pain in my throat and the aching headache echoing in my mind.
"Had a nice nap…?" I wince at the slam of the door making me weakly look up to meet an pair of smug grey as Solas gently places his book down on the bedside table. His arms wrapped around me as I simply hum, my arms grip tightening around Solas torso, nuzzling my cheek into his thighs as he stares down at me, curious.
"You know you're quite an affectionate person when drunk," He points out as I groan.
"Shut up…" I growl, lowly earning a small chuckle from him.
"How are you feeling?" Teasingly, he questions.
"Like shit, what happened?" I ask nuzzling closer into his torso, enjoying the warmth, and comforting scent of pine.
"Well I was waiting for you reading in our bed when you came stumbling in, hammered and smelt of liquor, speaking in gibberish, I presume to be qunlat since you then mentioned Bull daring you to do it," Grumpily, Solas recalls.
"Oh yeah he asked me to speak dirty to you in qunlat," I recall smirking to see Solas unimpressed and annoyed expression, bringing a coy smile to my lips.
"What?" He scowls as I snicker.
"See, that's the expression I knew you'd pull," Successfully, I smirk gently booping his nose making him blink startled as I smirk
"Why were you drinking with Bull?" He questions.
"He wanted to celebrate the dragon slaying it cheered him up," I shrug.
"Right…" Solas mutters.
"Say can't you just magic up and fix this hangover of mine?" I question puzzled, leaning into the comforting cool touch of Solas hand caressing my temple.
"I could…" Cheekily, he trials off.
"Then what are you waiting for?" I frown at the ass with the solution to my problem on the end of his fingertips.
"…Well," Smugly, he smirks down at me.
"Want a kiss from it?" I huff.
"Maybe when you don't have vomit breathe besides you won't learn," Smugly, he smiles playfully placing his hand acting as a barrier between himself and I, making me huff.
"Meeean…." Gently, I feel Solas' soft fingertips comb through my white locks, trying to comfort me as I lean into his touch groaning until the loud crack of the door erupts earning another groan from me as I glare darkly at the ass causing another tremor in my head as I hide in the duvet, earning an amused chuckle and brow raised from Solas.
"May I help you?" Solas enquires.
"Ah sir Solas, good morning sir, I hope I'm not interrupting…" Meredith bows.
"You're not. Fennic is simply sleeping right now," Solas says.
"Right, well…the inquisitor would like a word if that is alright?" Meredith requests.
"I suppose not," Gently, I feel Solas' arms around me gently prop me up as Meredith's eyes widen when seeing me cling to Solas.
"Deciding for me that's normal. Fine I'll go meet with Eve," I grumble cradling my head as Meredith hastily nods and retreats fleeing, leaving us alone.
"Why did you have to tell them?" I grumble.
"The inquisitor takes priority," Solas shrugs.
"Urgh…I'm getting up now," Frowning, I slide out of bed grumbling curses as I feel Solas' gentle lips on me, trying to help me up.
"I know you're trying to wake me up but its only making me want to stay in bed more," I grumble.
"And is there something wrong with that?" Teasingly, Solas smirks as I turn to him eyes narrowed.
"Are you testing me?" I frown.
"Perhaps," She smirks.
"Don't test me Solas you don't want to do that," I whisper, leaning in my hot breathe against the nape of his neck as he smirks.
"Or what?" He challenges only to feel my lips upon his neck, making the hickies from prior stand out even more as I smirk victorious as he releases a small moan, oblivious to my hidden sneak attack as I leave him, changed and ready…or as ready as a hangover guy can be.
"You I can't urgh…leaving me like that with him," Groaning, Eve whimpers as I frown at the girl.
"Oh is this your first hang over that's adorable, ahhh I remember mine," I smile nostalgically at the memory of my young self-vomiting her guts out as the Seheron people cackled and cheered for pride at my first steps into adulthood, with my brother going off to hunt.
"Look…I won't be on my A game today and Dorian won't be joining us," She warns me tiredly groaning.
"How come?" I question curious.
"He has a guest coming in and wishes to meet them…" She groans.
"Right…So what are we doing?" I ask curious.
"Helping Cassandra she's worried about the seekers," Eve answers.
"Right and how's Vivienne?" I ask noting Eve place her hand on her temple in pain.
"Well she's glad to have those parchments back now we just got to get her the heart…" Eve responds saddened.
"You sure you can go out today?" I question concerned as she heaves into her bucket once more.
"I have to see it through," She vows darkly as I shrug.
"Okay…just don't vomit on me. I recommend Vivienne though," I smirk cheekily.
"Any tips on hangovers…?" She requests feebly.
"Um…deal with it?" I shrug not sure what to say.
"You're great at comforting people aren't you?" Sarcastically, she remarks making me raise a brow at the sudden snark.
"You would know cry baby," I scoff.
"Hey! I'm still mad you know for shoving me to Cullen!" She scowls.
"Hey I wasn't the one who snatched the drink back…" I argue.
"But still to see me in that state, Maker…" Eve bows her head covering her face with her hands in shame.
"Oh please I think you've still seen him in worse conditions…" I argue.
"I know I just…I'm the inquisitor I have…" She begins making me roll my eyes.
"Nope. Stop that," Sternly, I stop her.
"Stop what?" She questions confused.
"The whole inquisitor thing, you are you, you are not your title, you are weak as well as strong, you both cry but roar, well…cry more but still, you are you, a lightweight," I explain to her calmly.
"Wow thanks," Weakly, she smiles.
"Anytime now let's get this over with." I huff.
"Agreed, the sooner we do this the sooner I can sleep…" Eve agrees as we gather our allies and head out…
"Elfroot. Do elves just call it "root?" Blackwall questions curious as we make our way to the castle where Cass believes some of the seekers to be.
"No, we have another name for it," Solas clarifies.
"Well, that's no fun," Blackwall pouts.
"There's always royal Elfroot Blackwall," I remind him jokingly.
"Vhenan don't encourage him. You spend too much time with Sera," Solas scowls at Blackwall as I roll my eyes.
"You have seen a great deal of battle," Solas notes attempting to change topic as we walk up the hill path before us.
"We all have." Blackwall shrugs.
"Not all. Not like you. You live and breathe war. You understand it. It is home to you," Solas reasons.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Blackwall frowns.
" I intended no offense, We have both seen terrible things. We have watched death and destruction render that which we love unrecognizable. It is calming to see something familiar in another," Solas assures.
"Sera and I were just talking about you. We need you to settle a question for us," Blackwall begins.
"Sera's involved? So this question will be offensive," Solas sighs as briefly my fingertips graze his, giving him a small smirk.
"Yes, probably. Sorry. You make friends with spirits in the Fade. So... um, are there any that are more than just friends? If you know what I mean! If you can't tell me cause Fen's here that's fine!" Blackwall glances at me seeing my sly smirk, finding this far more amusing.
"Oh, for... really?!" Solas scowls glancing at me, frowning to see me clearly enjoying this.
"Look, it's a natural thing to be curious about!" Blackwall argues.
"For a twelve-year-old!" Solas scowls.
"It's a simple yes or no question!" Blackwall reasons.
"Nothing about the Fade or spirits is simple, especially not that," Solas glares.
"Aha! So you do have experience in these matters!" Blackwall smirks.
"I did not say that," Solas retaliates.
"Don't panic. It'll be our little secret," Blackwall teases.
"Ass," Solas glowers, gravitating towards me as gently, I place my hand in his, giving it a faint squeeze as he glares.
"Now who's twelve?" Blackwall laughs going on ahead leaving us as playfully, I smirk at the still seething scowling Solas, teasingly, placing my lips on his cheek, startling him as he turns to look down at me, to see my teasing smile.
"My, my Solas do I have competition?" Jokingly, I tease him.
"No Vhenan, ignore them they know nothing…" He assures me making me smirk at his genuine tone and bring him into a side hug, surprising him from my struggle.
"I know. I know…calm down," Softly, I whisper as he sighs, leaning into my touch as we continue on, briefly, turning to glare at the smirking Varric and blushing in both awe and envy Cass.
"This is gold," Varric grins eagerly.
"I better get a cut Varric," I hiss in a low tone, smirking from his eager nod.
"If you keep producing this stuff, it'll be fifty fifty," Varric promises making my smirk widen as we continue on our way…
Scowling, I glare at the evildoer that is the sun, the faint tint and buzz lingers in the air from the cut of the grass, brings another throb of pain as I try to keep in the shade, enduring the hangover while Eve bless, looks on the verge of collapsing, brow twitching…done with everything.
"Solas, if you do not mind me asking, what do you believe in?" Cass questions noting Eve's sluggish attitude.
"Cause and effect. Wisdom as its own reward, and the inherent right of all free willed people to exist," Solas shrugs.
"That is not what I meant," Cassandra argues.
"I know. I believe the elven gods existed, as did the old gods of Tevinter. But I do not think any of them were gods, unless you expand the definition of the word to the point of absurdity. I appreciate the idea of your Maker, a god that does not need to prove his power. I wish more such gods felt the same," Calmly, Solas explains as I nod in agreement to his words, noting her staying by my side as I begin to wander going off ahead only to hear Solas call out to me
"Penshra! Ghilas vellathan!" He calls out as I roll my eyes, easily replying to it back in elvish, responding with a simple no.
"No way you're teaching Fennic elvish!?" Eve gawks.
"She asked and I am simply educating her," Solas shrugs.
"She always did like her languages heh, I remember when we met the Arishock, I nearly legged it right there when one of the Qunari spoke to me and I had no idea, until Fen translated," Varric recalls.
"What did he say?" Cass ponders.
"Why are you so short? The face Fen gave when we had no idea what the Qunari were saying was hilarious, she looked at us as though our parents dropped us as kids," Varric laughs at the memory.
"Hey I was young, I thought everyone knew," I argue turning back to English as Solas strides up next to me, gently placing his hand on my temple, frowning, speaking in elvish of my temperature seeming to be normal as I snicker, telling him he worries too much in English only for him to respond with…
"I worry too much over someone I cherish," I blink from his words, turning away, making me turn ruby red and flee from the arrogant male.
"You just said something dirty," Varric accuses playfully.
"What I tell her has nothing to do with you child of stone," Sternly, Solas tells Varric who smirks.
"Fine but don't have a go at me when I write about you two," Teasingly, Varric smirks earning an eye roll from both of us as we continue onwards.
"You have seen much sadness in your journeys, Solas. Following the Maker might offer some hope," Cass offers.
"I have people, Seeker like Fen. The greatest triumphs and tragedies this world has known can all be traced to people," Solas assures her.
I've wondered: How did you know to approach us, Solas? "The Breach opened, we were scrambling and barely had time to think... and there you were," Cass questions curious as I raise a brow interested.
"I went to see the Breach for myself. I did not know you would be there, nor did I expect to see an elf battling with a dwarf, its stage to see two opposite species work so well with one another," Solas exclaims as Varric smirks.
"Well what can we say we know each other's battle styles," Varric boasts smugly.
"You must not have been far away," Cass notes.
I was not. I'd come to hear of the Conclave, but did not want to get close. So I stood back helping Fennic and Varric hold back the demons for innocent to escape and find safety," Solas informs.
"Hmm. Lucky for us, then…."
"Caer Oswin. Odd that the trial would lead us here…Bann Loren is a pious unassuming man. What has he become involved in?" Cass notes as I stare at the beautiful place.
"He's involved with crazy just like everyone else these days," Eve confesses.
"This place is gorgeous," I whisper in awe of the lush greenery, the stone building matching well against the wildlife as the bright beam of the sun glistens, making the plants shine even more, almost glow as we make our through the footpath.
"Truer words have never been spoken, let's see what lies within," Cass agrees as we approach a wooden door to the castle, the same door Cassandra spoke of ready for anything, we brace ourselves and enter inside, ready for anything…
"Promisers I should have known. The order of fiery promise is a cult with…strange beliefs about the Seekers. They've hounded us for centuries." Cass sighs withdrawing her blade as Eve and I kneel down, looting the bodies of these warriors, ignoring the stench of iron in the air and noting the pools of crimson interconnecting like streams or rivers as we make our way into the numerous cells and rooms of the castle.
"What kind of beliefs?" Eve enquires.
"They believe they are Seekers, the rightful ones. They say we robbed their power long ago, preventing them from ending the world," Cass explains.
"Ending the world?" Eve questions.
"The only way to truly eradicate evil in their eyes, 'the world will be reborn a paradise' it's all nonsense," Cass dismisses.
"Why haven't the seekers dealt with them?" Eve frowns.
"We have. Many times, they simply reappear after a time like weeds. Nobody knows how," Cass answers.
"Can we reason with them?" Eve asks hopeful.
"They're fanatics, drunk on whatever forbidden magic they can find to make themselves 'true' seekers. This explains why the seekers might be here but not the connection to Corypheus, come on," Cass exclaims as we nod and continue onwards.
"A seeker! Did they torture him to death?" Cass gasps disturbed at the numerous wounds on the deceased male as my eyes narrow checking over the dead body.
"No…he died in battle, see the scars, he was long gone when they striked him after the fatal blow," I explain kneeling down to examine the body, trying to bring some sort of comfort to the distraught Cass, trying to keep her poker face on.
"The promisers will pay for this!" Cass growls moving on ahead. Calmly, we exit the castle after abundant battles to find more hordes of deceased seekers dead, laying on the green grass as Cass strides over, picking up a letter from one of the dead bodies.
'As the seeks of truth have proven resistant to the effects of red lyrium. The elder one has seen it fit to place them in your care, reclaim your destiny and know that the elder one expects your devotion as repayment, signed by lord Samson, commander of the red Templars.' Does Corypheus not realize the promisers want the world to end? What use are they to him?" Cass scowls lost to the motive of Corypheus in obtaining the Seekers as I frown, more man power but he's got the Templars…maybe to combat the mages we stole from him, even then to perform this. Corypheus must be desperate…
"So Corypheus sold the seekers to these cultists," Eve gasps.
"And they leapt at the chance," Cass spits out in disdain.
"He'll betray them in the end," I shrug.
"But this doesn't explain how he captured the seekers in the first place, or what's been doing to them. We must keep looking," Cass declares.
"The latter spoke of seekers being resistant to red lyrium," Eve frowns.
"Our abilities grant us many gifts but a resistance to red lyrium corruption? That seems strange although it would explain why none have numbered among the red Templars and thus seekers would be ridiculous to Corypheus. He would have no leash to hold us," Cass argues lost.
"You're worried you sure you want to know?" Eve questions concerned.
"I am, the seekers are my friend and I must know the truth it is my duty after all," Cass reminds us as we all nod and continue the search.
"Daniel! Daniel! Can you hear me?" Desperate, Cass calls out to him as I stare at the deathly pale balding dying man, ruby red veins all over his weakened state.
"Casandra, i-it is you! You're alive!" Daniel gasps hurt evident in his low breathes.
"As are you. I'm so glad I found you," Cass smiles forcefully.
"No, they…put a demon inside me. It's tearing me up," Daniel hisses.
"What? You can't be possessed- that's impossible," Cass furrows her brow.
"I'm not possessed. They… fed me things, I can feel it growing," Daniel weakly whimpers.
"Can we do anything?" Eve turns to us only to see Solas shake his head.
"I don't know…this thing inside him," Cass struggles.
"The lord seeker you have to find him," Daniel reasons.
"Of course we'll find him. If he lives we'll-"
"Lucius betrayed us Cassandra. He sent us here, one by one, 'an important mission' he said. Lies. He was here with them all along. He's still working with them," Daniel informs us.
"But we met him in Val Royeaux he couldn't have been here," Eve argues, confused as I frown at the odd angered behaviour of the man, proclaiming his way to be the right way, gaining a god like god complex from the breach, scaring many, fondly, I smirk at the memory of a chantry woman being punched in the face, still finding that to be hilarious to this day.
"That wasn't him. It was a demon masquerading," Daniel responds.
"What? How could that be?" Cass questions lost.
"The lord Seeker allowed it. He let that demon take command while he…" Daniel explains.
"Came here…" Cass gathers.
"Cass, I'm so sorry," Eve apologises.
"Now is not the time for sympathy." Cass says as I nod my head in agreement.
Wait don't leave me like this please.." Feebly, Daniel coughs pleading to the pained Cass.
You should have come with me. You didn't believe in the war any more than I did." Cass kneels down sadly.
"You know me. I wanted that promotion," Weakly, Daniel coughs, my eyes narrowing at the blood spewing out, a league of ruby red dripping down like a thin stream of water, my nose twitching at the familiar heavy iron stench lingering in the air, joining the heavy rotting odour of dead bodies.
"Go to the maker's side Daniel. You'll be welcomed," Sorrowfully, Cass stand, my ears ringing when hearing the heavy ring of metal as solemnly, sternly and strictly, Cass draws her blade and ending her friend life…ending his suffering.
"He was my apprentice. I have never known a finer young man. Now we find Lord Seeker Lucius…"
"Lord Seeker Lucius!" Cassandra seethes out when we discover the smug seeker smirking in greeting at us, hands behind back with his goons consumed with red lyrium looking possessed behind him.
"Cassandra with the woman I presume to be the new inquisitor," The seeker acknowledges.
"No what gave it away the mark?" Sarcastically, I remark.
"So you're the man who betrayed his own order," Eve scowls.
"I presume you know we seekers of truth were once the inquisition. Oh yes we fought to restore order in a time of madness long ago, you do now and we became proud. We sought to remake the world, to make it better. But did we create? The chantry, the circles of magi. A war that will see no end," Lucius declares.
"What is with every order we meet going culty?" I huff frowning, tired of the repetitive pattern.
"We are not the original inquisition," Eve corrects him.
"Of course you say that now," Lucius scoffs.
"So you did all this because you hate our order?" Cass scowls at him, anger laced in her tone.
"We seekers are abominations Cassandra. We created a decaying world and fought to preserve it as it crumbles. We had to be stopped. You don't believe me see for yourself. The secrets of our order, passed to me after the former lord seeker was slain. The secrets of our order passed to me after the former lord seeker was slain. The war with the mages has already begun but it is not late for me to do the right thing," Lucius explains, passing her a huge book with a familiar symbol on the cover.
"This isn't the right thing. He's completely insane isn't he!?" Eve gawks.
"Lord seeker what you've done," Cass begins, rage etched into her tone and stern glare.
"I know. What Corypheus did to the Templars does not matter. I have seen the future," Lucius proclaims.
"And here we go…I roll my eyes ready for another monologue or some boring lecture.
"I have created a new order to replace the old. The world will end so we can start anew- a pure beginning. Join us Cassandra. It is the Maker's will," Lucius dictates.
Enraged, Cassandra snarls drawing her blade as we head into battle against lord seeker Lucius and his henchmen.
"He was insane he had to be. The influence of Corypheus perhaps? Was he trying to disable the seekers?" Cass reasons to herself, in denial from the tone.
"All this destruction on such beautiful land…" Eve sighs sadly.
He could not have destroyed all of us. I won't accept it," Cass refuses.
Even if he has you can still rebuild, recruit and teach like the grey wardens had, though by choice," I offer my words to Cass who sighs nodding at the worst case scenario.
Let's return to Skyhold, I want to see what's in these books of secrets," Cass reasons as we nod, leaving the paradise of beauty returning to the hinterlands to do some hunting for some people at Skyhold…
"I am somewhat surprised you didn't follow Hawke to Weisshaupt, Varric, Fen," Cass tries to break the tense silence fallen on us.
"There's a lot of work to do, Seeker. We'll catch up once this is all over. What about Fenris? Will he...?" Cass turns to me.
"Oh he'll be there, if there's Hawke, there's Fenris with a small Robin behind them," I smirk fondly at the thought of them.
"Oh he'll go. Once he gets my letter and after he's finished brooding. And Hawke's brother. He's still alive, isn't he? Aveline took him off somewhere when the Calling started going nuts, but he'll tag along, he always does. Hawke would rather we stay away, stay safe. That won't fly forever. Besides, if I went to the Anderfels, how could I annoy you?" Varric reasons.
"You would find a way," Cass groans.
"You may recall, Seeker, that a friend of mine had one of those Eluvians. It didn't end well. Are you really going to allow one in Skyhold? " Varric informs her, remembering Varric and my look of horror at the mirror while some looked in awe and others in confusion, Varric and I both knew what that was and it only brought dread…
"A blood mage at that who had no idea what she was doing," I bring up.
"You speak as though I could forbid it. I did not know your friend or see her Eluvian. If you have an issue speak with Lady Morrigan," Cassandra offers.
"Um... No. I'll pass." Nervously, Varric sighs.
"I've tried, she threatened to turn me into a more fitting form," I grumble at the memory.
"Fitting form?" Eve asks.
"A Fennic fox, Kieran offered to keep me as a pet," I growl at the memory arms crossed, earning a small chuckles from the group.
"This is not funny!" I scowl.
"I'm sorry just thinking of you as a Fennic fox, you'd be the most grumpiest one ever," Eve giggles as I roll my eyes.
"Fasta vass," I hiss earning a small chuckle from Varric.
"Am I to understand your Bianca is married?" Cassandra enquires curious, the banter having seem to lighten her sullen mood.
"Oh have we reached the state where we gossip about each other's love lives? Did you hear that boss? Don't worry, I'll tell you whatever she says," Varric assures Eve who smirks eagerly.
"Forget I mentioned anything. It was a simple question, Varric," Cass grumbles.
"There was nothing simple about it. You brought up Bianca, Seeker. Does that mean I could ask about your conquests?" Varric teases.
"I would rather you didn't," Cass dismisses.
"No tantalizing secrets to divulge?" Varric jokes.
"None. Very well, Varric. If you wish to know about men I have known, I will tell you," Cass sighs.
"Look, Seeker. I was only..." Varric trials off.
"You are right. I pried first, and fair is fair. Years ago, I knew a young mage named Regalyan. He was dashing, unlike any men I met. He died at the Conclave," Cass reveals making Varric and I do a double take at the news.
"...Oh," Unsure Varric glances at me only to see me shrug, not sure what to say or do.
"What we had was fleeting. And years had passed. Still, it saddens me to think he's gone," Cass confesses.
"I'm sorry. Look, Seeker, I didn't mean to make you talk about your mage friend," Varric apologies guiltily.
"I know. I was not trying to make you speak of Bianca. If I was, you would know. I would yell, books would be stabbed," Lightly, Cass teases.
"I'll keep that in mind," Varric chuckles the sorrowful tension lighting up as we head back...
"So you sent Cassandra back ahead…" I mutter looking in annoyance at our new group, consisting of Bull, Solas, Vivienne and myself. Sadly, Dorian couldn't join due to waiting for this guest, this guy must be important to Dorian for him to wait this long, it better be a good reason for having me endure the annoyance that is Vivienne's presence.
"Yeah she seems quite sad, thought to let her read it first gather her thoughts than talk to us," Eve explains calmly.
"And Varric?" I ask curious.
"Strangle enough, he volunteered to go with her, I think he was concerned for her," Eve shrugs.
"Of course he is, I just hope she doesn't punch him or ruin another book of his," I grumble.
"Still though Varric writing a book about us, to be put in history," Eve whispers in awe.
"We already are in history, we're making history as we speak," I exclaim.
"I guess you're right. I wonder how I'll be remembered," Eve ponders.
"The inquisitor…" I deadpan.
"You don't see fond of the idea," Eve notes my annoyed tone.
"I will most likely be remembered as some extremist…it's how history works, over the years, it bends, it moves, it cuts out most of the detail to bend towards what the user believes in…I'll either be remembered as the massacre of the mages or saviour…" Calmly, I explain.
"You make history sound so simple." Eve sighs.
"It really isn't…But anyway that's a good idea so guess we're going wyvern hunting," I shrug.
"Bingo." Eve agrees as I adjust my bow and quiver.
"Great…question why is horny here?" I scowl at the horn hat of Vivienne looking snooty as everyone briefly, Iron Bull turns to frown at me but I wave him off, gesturing it isn't him I am referring him as, he then turns back to Solas, talking as we continue on our way through the soft smooth grass of the exalted plains.
"It's madam defer elf…" She spits out, correcting me.
"I think you mean bitch face," I snap.
"Is that your best response my, my," She mocks as I glower, my hand quivering balling up enraged.
"Shove off abomination…!" I spit out, rage, and disgust laced in my tone.
"Won't you guys ever get along?" Eve sighs.
"I've tried my dear," Vivienne defends herself making me scoff and roll my eyes.
"Oh please your try is basically blaming me for the massacre of the mages," I point out, recalling our argument.
"Well that is your fault…" Vivienne states.
"How dare you! You have no right to judge when you weren't there!" Solas defends me as I seethe.
"I swear…" Growling, I attempt to lunge at her only to feel Solas and Bull's arms pull me back, Bull being the wall between us as I'm pinned to Solas' chest, trying to pry myself off as Solas drags me away to cool off.
"You hate her as much as I do why hold me back!?" I demand.
"Because attacking won't do anything she's still an ally no matter how foolish she is," Solas reminds me as I seethe, kicking a pebble to the side arms crossed as calmly, Solas keeps by my side, gently grasping my hand and rubbing patterns on my knuckles, to keep me calm as we continue our hunt.
"I do hope you were not mistaken for a servant at the Winter Palace, Solas," Vivienne smirks.
"Such mistakes are opportunities in disguise. Nobles say things around servants they would never say to Cassandra, or the Inquisitor. As well as allow me certain privileges to get away with," Solas explains.
"And by privileges I assume you mean you and our dear Fox trotting about the place, my, my, going to the far corner of the servant quarters what were you doing there?" Vivienne teases as my eyes widen and I feel a blush crosses my features at the memory.
"That has nothing to do with you," Solas scowls.
"Of course it doesn't, the love life of savages like you does not provide to be entertaining enough for me. Yes, anyone who wishes to play the Game learns to use her servants effectively. Although I am surprised to see an elven apostate catch on so quickly," Vivienne sneers in disgust.
"My apologies. I shall try to live down to your expectations…" Solas remarks snidely as we continue the hunt.
"If you have a moment, Bull. Pawn to H4," Solas begins.
"Shouldn't we be focusing on my hunt?" Vivienne growls but it falls to deaf ears as we wander around.
"Arishok to G6," Bull continues.
"Pawn to H5." Careful, Solas warns.
"You're the one who lost his Mage. Arishok to G5," Bull points out.
"Queen to F3," Solas commands.
"Oh, clever. Almost trapped my Arishok. Ben-Hassrath to G8," Bull praises.
"Mage takes Pawn, threatens Queen," Solas exclaims.
"Arishok to F6," Bull grunts.
"Knight to C3. You've developed nothing but your Queen," Solas says.
"Don't get cocky, you're still one Tamassran down. Tamassran to C5, by the way," Bull smirks.
"Hmm. I will need to consider," Solas mutters as Vivienne groans and our hunt continues.
"Any news Fen…?" Eve asks as I hear the hiss and crackle of the camp fire having returned from the hunt, ram meat in hand, raising a brow to find Sera, frowning, arms crossed, keeping her distance from two certain mages.
"No. I can't find these tracks yet seems best to camp for now I'll go on ahead to find any prints tomorrow, fortunately it doesn't look like it'll rain so hopefully some of the tracks won't be gone by then. I'll do a quick double check again, just came to give you meat to cook, I'm sure one of you lot can cook," I explain calmly.
"You sure to go alone?" Solas voices out.
"I'll be fine." I shrug him off.
"Dareth shiral Vhenan," Solas calls out to me as I pass him, giving him a brief peck on his cheek as he remains focused on the game.
"Ma serannas," I respond
"Speaking in tongues now are we?" Vivienne sneers.
"She simply wishes to learn," Solas shrugs.
"You tried dirty talk yet?" Bull smirks eager.
"No! And even if we have it has nothing to do with you for the hundredth time!" Solas scowls.
"Oh you did, you two have!" Bull laughs.
"How is she doing?" Eve asks trying to change topic.
"She's really coming along with her pronunciation…however her listening skills to certain words need improvement…" Solas reports coolly as I head off, to find Wyvern tracks…
Gently, I kneel down, my eyes narrowed at the tracks before me as I stand.
"So?" Vivienne frowns as I turn to the impatient women.
"These are wyvern tracks, fresh but I cannot identify if they are snow white or not," I inform Vivienne.
"Then let's go, they'll be one out of the horde," Vivienne orders turning her back to me as I seethe, my hands reaching out in temptation, to strangle the bitch only then to frown as I feel a familiar hand on my shoulder, making me turn to the calm Solas as I scowl, my brow twitching….
"I could always do the bees," Sera offers.
"Do it." I hiss making her giggle as Solas shakes his head at us and we make our way around, hunting.
"Hey Viv! Vivvy! Look at this! I've got something for you!" Sera calls out to the abomination.
"Darling, it's your bottom. Again. As bony and sad as it was the last dozen times you've displayed it," Vivienne sighs.
"It's my butt!" Sera grins.
"Maker, however shall I endure this horror. Someone fetch me a fainting couch," Vivienne orders.
"Sure," Smugly, I smirk as I pass by her shoving her into a bush of thorns making her curse.
"You…! You savage!" She seethes as self-assuredly; I smirk moving on ahead as she attempts to fire a ice spell at me only to miss.
"Enough! Fen apologise!" Eve intervenes.
"Over my dead body." I scoff.
"That will come soon enough!" Vivienne hisses darkly as I shrug, Sera and I high fiving one another.
"They'll never really like you, Vivvy," Sera begins.
"Sera, dear, whatever has your scattered mind conjured now?" Vivienne grumbles.
"Those nobs in Orlais. They barely like their own kin. And you're a mage," Sera points out.
"Your failing- among many- is that you presume I desire approval. Power does not require that I be "liked," Vivienne answers.
"Well, halfway there, then. Who's a bitch?" Suddenly Sera cough.
"Charming, darling, " Vivienne smirks.
"Fact," Sera states as we find a horde of wyvern, sadly none of them as a snow white.
"I sent a box of rabbit raisins to some Lord What's-his-tits in your name," Sera giggles.
"That explains the letter of gratitude. They were, by all accounts, delicious," Vivienne compliments.
"Ewww! Ew, ewww!" Sera winces, sticking her tongue out.
"Okay that is disgusting," I nod.
"This coming from someone who eats ram brain," Eve argues.
"Actually ram brain is quite the delicacy," Vivienne comments.
"For once I agree," Grumbling, I huff.
"You underestimate both the fragility of his holdings, and the severity of tribute demanded of him in the past. Perhaps he was grateful it was not a stew made of some lesser cousin," Vivienne smirks. "That's lies, right? Must be lies," Sera turns to me only to see me shaking my head.
"Enjoying your food lately, Vivvy?" Sera taunts.
"Ugh. Shall I assume you have altered my meals? Set the servants against me and encouraged sputum-based rebellion?" Vivienne grumbles.
"Of course not, I would never. But you can't know, right?" Sera smirks.
"Rest assured, I will eat privately from my own stores from now on," Vivienne decides.
"Whose idea?" Eve sighs.
"Fen-MINE! Checked your drawers recently, Vivvy?" Sera corrects herself as I send her a sour look from my stolen fame.
"Hmm? Oh, yes, my dear. Although I was rather well stocked with that particular shade of viper. So I sent it back," Viv responds.
"Sent... sent it back?" Sera blinks.
"Yes. It should make its way to you at some point. I was most concerned it might have difficulty on the steps, so I gave it legs. Six of them," Vivienne explains.
"That's not... you're making fun, right?" Sera whispers, her tone shaking in fear turning to me, clinging to my arm making me frown with Solas.
"Do you sleep with your mouth open? I should avoid that, it was heavy with eggs. Skitter skitter," Vivienne teases.
"Skitter skitter skitter," Vivienne taunts snickering.
"Frigging stop it, witchy pisser! Fen I'm sleeping in your tent tonight!" Sera screeches.
"Um…we'll see," Awkwardly, I turn to the frowning Solas, silently staring as we finally arrive, finding another horde of wyvern but most of all, a snow white one, standing out…along with a halla.
"Is that…?" Eve turns to me.
"A golden halla," Solas confirms.
"I didn't know they existed," I whisper surprised.
"Let's kill it!" Sera smirks.
"No way, we should keep it away from the danger, it's going extinct from what I heard," Eve argues.
"Fiine," Sera mopes as I roll my eyes and we approach the horde of wyverns, easily taking them out and the snowy white one. Once completed, Solas and Eve go to tend to the Halla, leaving me, Sera and Vivienne.
"So…how do we do this?" Vivienne turns to us.
"Don't know never dissected anything before," Sera confesses as I sigh, approaching the dead body.
"Right Vivienne you got the container?" I ask as she nods, passing it over to me as I draw my blade and easily cut open the wyvern, earning a grotesque noise from Sera and a disgruntled groan from Vivienne turning her back as I roll my eyes, they can deal with killing but not this, babies. Easily, I take out my blades, dissecting out the heart, ignoring the heavy smell of iron and copper in the air, noting the spoonful of crimson descending down from the gut and foul stench.
"Oh Maker! What is that smell!?" Eve winces back.
"So…we keeping the intestines or…?" I ask curious.
"No!" Eve barks in disgust making me roll my eyes at the cry-babies, taking out the heart and putting it in the container, finishing this quest and thankfully finishing my time with the abomination.
"These forests have changed much since I was last here. I like being out in the forests. It's peaceful, Solas confesses.
"Indeed, I often recall sleeping under the shade of trees or sleeping on the tree branches, provided a good bed," I hum lightly at the memory.
"Our people used to be here," Solas tells Sera and I.
"Pfft, you say that everywhere," Sera dismisses.
"It is more true than you want to believe," Solas affirms.
"I bet, right? Who wants to think about stepping on dead elves?" Sera scoffs.
"Din elvhen emma him?" Solas retorts.
"Oh, you felt that one. Weird," Frowning, Sera shivers.
"Sera? What are you feeling?" Solas questions.
"Ugh, here we go. It's nothing, it just feels like I've seen this. Exactly this. It happens," Sera dismisses.
"Not to everyone," Solas states.
"It's not an elf thing. Fen's not shaking," Sera points to me as I blink innocently.
"I wonder if there is a single place in the Dales that does not know a human footstep," Sadly, Solas comments.
"The Dalish remember fragments of fragments, but that is more than most. Great battles thin the veil. This region will be home to demons for ages to come. The Exalted Plains have been soaked in too much unexalted blood," Solas carries on as I turn to him, intrigued by his low words almost in whispers as I note a few angry wolves, who pounces only for me to swiftly silence them with the end of my blade and son them as the others move forward.
"The Breach may have driven them mad... or perhaps a demon took command of the pack," Solas hypothesises.
"Do you know a lot about wolves?" Eve questions as I note her briefly looking down at her marked hand briefly grimacing just after sealing another rift here.
"I know that they are intelligent, practical creatures that small-minded fools think of as terrible beasts," Solas says to Eve.
"So…what are we going to do with the deer?" Bull asks, ignoring Solas and my conversation to focus on the task at hand
"It's a halla," Solas corrects him.
"He probably wants to go back to his clan, we should return him," Eve smiles.
"Do we have to?" Sera and I groan.
"Yes, yes, we do." Eve smiles.
"Fine don't blame me if I punch the keeper, or if they end up trying to kill us," I warn them, recalling my last time with the Dalish, not going as smoothly as anticipated.
Shocked, our eyes widen when my ears ring, hearing the ring of metal and battle cries making us approach to find the dead fighting against the Dalish warriors, oh yeah…Leliana and Eve did mention there being a dead problem…
"The dead should stay dead wouldn't you say friend," Huffing, the Dalish warrior smiles at us, his eyes widening to find the halla in our midst.
"Where did…?" He trials off as Eve steps forward.
We found this halla and thought it best to return it to your people," Politely Eve smiles.
Thank you. We've been camped for weeks in the fields to the west. The war between the lions made passage through Dirth difficult. Damaged some of our caravans. If you find my clan tell Keeper Hawen I will continue the hunt and perhaps find a safer route through the plains," The scout explains.
I heard the Dalish were aloof, mistrustful of strangers. You seem different," Eve points out as I raise a brow at her words.
Well don't tell the Keeper. I love my people but they keep old wounds raw. I don't know. Perhaps I feel like it's time to… forgive, " The Dalish scout reasons as I nod my head in agreement.
"Seems this place has some trouble," Eve notes.
"That's putting it mildly. The war has stopped but now the dead are walking. Funny though, I've been watching these undead and they seem…focused on the shem armies…" The scout points out.
"I should go and return the halla," Eve reasons.
"Very well be safe and thank you…" The scout bows his head.
"Effly, efly prepare for proper culture and blabbly blah," Annoyed, Sera huffs poking her tongue out as we approach the Dalish camp. Smiling, Eve approaches the keeper unaware of his scowl as I block out the conversation about to take place.
"It is good to see another of my people, in this place from which we all came," Blinking, I turn to find the keeper talking to me weirdly enough as I frown at him, ignoring Eve like she isn't here.
"For…I am not your people, I am my people, alone." I state coldly.
Then explain the vallaslin," He points as I hold in the urge to punch him.
"Let me tell you this keeper, I rather not have these of my own free will…" Bitterly, I remark.
"We met one of your hunters up ahead, having to save him from the dead and we come in peace, simply here to return this halla, you seem troubled is something wrong?" Eve enquires as all eyes turn to Eve, including the keeper, rambling about the issues of the clan as I ignore them, only then for Eve to agree to help them for their favour much to my annoyance.
"Why do you call this place DIrth?" Eve asks.
"When the people settled here. We called it Dirthhavern, the promise. For the Dales were promised to us, by Andraste. It is still the Dirth to us even if Shemlen give it a name that recalls our destruction," The keeper tells us.
"Mythal'enaste Valorin. Where are you?" The girl sighs.
"Who's Valorin?" Eve asks.
"My brother! He's been sullen for a while because the keeper chose another as his apprentice .he thinks it's a slight but it isn't. He just wasn't ready. Keeper Hawen wants him to wait. Then he took off three nights ago, on his own. I don't know what he was thinking. The keeper sent hunters to search but they never found a trace. Mythal's mercy, if anything happened," Sadly, the elven woman sighs in worry as I note Eve glancing at us and we reluctantly nod, knowing of the quest to come as she continues searching the camp.
"You are the one they call the herald of Andraste!" We turn to the giddy voice of some lad, smiling eagerly at us.
"For all the world to venerate a Dalish Elf…that's never happened before, has it? All the clans are talking about you. Or so Keeper Hawen says," The lad sighs.
"They talk about me?" Eve frowns worried.
"Good things, I think? A few hope this is a sign of change for our people. Real change, if it's true I want to be part of it. It won't happen, Keeper Hawen won't allow it he doesn't trust anything to do with the chantry or Andraste," The boy continues.
"I don't blame him." I mutter.
"I could convince him, don't suppose you know who this Halla belongs to!" Eve offers.
"Oh that's…Irethen, he's tending to the halla," Loranail, tells us as Eve thanks him.
"You could," He encourages as I watch Eve approach the Keeper only to be rejected brutally from her facial expression…yeah just as I expected, after returning the halla to the smiling owner…
"So we're really doing this..." I grumble after leaving the cave where Eve and Solas nerd out as Sera, Bull and I simply stay outside, watching Sera do cartwheels as we kept daring her to do stupid stuff out of sheer boredom. That is until, my eyes narrow as I stand up, spotting something odd standing out to me as I approach, kneeling down next to the boy.
"Oi, Fox what's…" Bull trials off when seeing the body.
I think this is that Valon kid, I mutter turning to the sound of footsteps, turning to see Solas and Eve finally leaving the temple, their eyes narrowing to find the burnt body as I give Eve the letter, reading it and her face softens in sorrow.
"This is him." She whispers.
"He was trying to bind a spirit," Solas adds.
"Valorin was searching for Lindiranae's talisman, a lost Dalish artefact of particular importance to Hawen's clan. Valorin's journal mentions ruins on the plains where the talisman may be found," Eve summarises the notes.
"We should find this talisman," Eve decides as we comply and follow her, returning inside the shrine where Solas and Eve found one of the glyphs.
"After careful consideration. Knight to D5," Solas exclaims turning back to Bull watching Eve decide to let her have this herself, taking the veil fire and setting off determined as we decide to let her have her independence for this brief moment.
"Arishok takes Pawn at B2," Bull orders.
"Mage to D6," Solas smirks.
"Arishok takes Tower. Check. What are you doing, Solas?" Bull questions lost.
"King to E2," Nevertheless, Solas continues.
"All right, Tamassran takes Tower. Your last Tower, by the way," Bull reminds Solas puzzled.
"Pawn to E5," Solas sternly states.
"Really. I've got my whole army bearing down on your King, and you're moving a Pawn? Are you even trying anymore?" Bull huffs flabbergasted, making Solas smirk.
"Think about it, my friend," Smirking, Solas tells him as he approaches Eve, taking pity on the struggling Eve in her search of the glyphs.
"So that's why there was a barrier," Eve mutters as we enter, finding Eve dispersing the barrier and kneeling down, taking the talisman, we then decide to return to the camp, with the information, talisman and the materials needed in hand.
Calmly, I watch on the stone wall as Eve deals with the elven folk, saying her sorrows and sympathies for her brother's demise, noting the look of grief on her features but she bows her head, grateful to Eve as I note Bull bargaining with the trader who refused before while Sola and Sera, distance themselves from the camp, not speaking but lingering around me, finishing our report here as I enjoy the calm sun, noting Sera and Solas discomfort. However as Eve gets a message from Leliana through Crow, I blink as next thing I know, I find myself in some stinky smelling cave…
This is not going to end well…
"So let me get this straight we went into some shitty dungeon fought some demon all for some scriptures to give to the keeper guy," I repeat after Solas had filled me in after finding myself groaning in pain in bed, cuddled up to him as he tended to my groaning aching muscles and earthquake of a headache. Only then to leave to get some medicine as Varric strolled in and of course shouting at the top of his lungs, good morning much to my horror and building rage.
"Well you did then after the sewage show you told me, drank yourself silly until chuckles found you and dragged you back to bed," Varric informs me.
"Urghh…I can't deal with dungeons of this shit." I huff.
"I can tell…" Varric chuckles as he leaves me so I can change and relax for the day since Eve had taken pity on us, mainly herself after the boss fight from the demon or something and decided we should all have a day off, something I am far from against…
Calmly, I lean against the sofa bed in Solas place, I'm leaning against his body as we both silently and patiently read the codex's, mine is on the exalted march, the knights and all I missed out on in the reports from my blackout.
"I can't believe I drank myself to forget," I huff a tad bit irritated.
"You were tired, I'm just relieved you didn't try to punch me…" Solas exclaims.
"Oh come now, why would I punch this cute face?" Lightly, I tease pinching his cheek as he gently slaps my hand off, making me snicker, finding amusement in teasing him.
"I think I would prefer a better adjective adjective than cute," He huffs.
"Now, now," I gently slap his cheek as he grumbles.
"Just kiss already!" Dorian's voice echoes surprising us as we both turn to look up and glare at the smirking mage.
"Oh shove off Dorian at least we spend time together and not just fuck!" I bark as I remove myself from Solas, earning a small groan of annoyance as I glower at the smug ass, tossing a spare book at him, narrowly missing him as he glares.
"Kaffas!" He curses as I smirk smugly at my win. Tired, Solas sighs, used to this by now as he returns to reading as I give Dorian the middle finger, finding my seat on the ground, by the sofa, Solas lies on as we continue to read, only then for briefly, my eyes to narrow.
"Didn't Dorian have a guest coming?" I ask.
"I believe so," Solas mutters as I catch him looking happy, relieved as he excitedly glances at me only making my muscles tense, sighing, I stand up.
"Dareth shiral," Solas whispers gently as I nod giving him a brief peck on the temple and leave, exiting the room, entering the gardens. Shaking, my body quivers from the icy touch of the chilly winds of the mountain area, thinking of speaking to Varric for a bit only for my blues to catch a familiar gothic woman, calmly watching her son play in the garden, curiosity gets the best of me and I decide to approach, not caring from the cat to be killed by my curiosity.
"I know why you're here. Yes I got the note, Leliana gave me the note, that the hero of Fereldan gave me, silly of course but she did mention the letter. I suppose some things never change, no matter the pettiness. She may even have left it sealed. A pity. She would have learned thing that could make even an Orlesian blush now is that all?" She smirks.
"To be honest yes, I was just curious," I admit.
"Curiosity can be quite a dangerous thing," She warns me.
"Anything can be," I shrug earning a small chuckle and smirk from her.
"True indeed," She agrees as Eve smirks at me, making me frown as I sigh, cradling my throbbing headache, reminding myself of the exalted plains, we reclaimed a fortress and then having just put an end to some Orlesian civil war, a matter up to Celene and Briala not us…urgh…I hate politics.
"Ar dirthan'as ir elgara, ma'sula e'var vhenan…" Solas whispers turning to me as my brow furrows about to translate the words only for Sera to cut me off with well…
"Pppbbthh!" Wildly, Sera spits her tongue as we arrive in Val Royeaux.
"Excuse me?" Solas frowns.
"Excuse yourself, whatever you said and what I did, same difference to me," Sera states.
"I'd hoped, well, our people can sometimes feel the rhythm of the language despite lacking the vocabulary," Solas explains.
"Uh huh? Know what else is good? Words that mean things. Like these. Words, God I don't know how Fen puts up with you, she deserves someone who actually speaks normally," Sera scowls.
"Fenedhis lasa," Solas curses.
"Pppbbthh!"
"Right here guys," I remind them shaking my head at the dummies.
"Have you ever had any interest in learning magic, Sera?" Solas questions.
"Get off?" Sera scowls.
"While it has not manifested naturally, there are ways to determine whether arcane gifts lie dormant within you," Solas reasons.
"What? Don't make me think about that. I have to sleep at night!" Sera freaks out approaching me once more clinging to my arm, making me briefly flinch but sigh.
"Sleeping would give you the chance to explore the Fade. I could introduce you to spirits," Solas proposes terrifying Sera even more.
"Right, you're messing with me on purpose!" Sera accuses.
"Why would I do that? It is not as though I know who filled my bedroll with lizards," Solas remarks making both Sera and I glance at one another.
"Heh. Fair point! That was pretty good," Sera smiles.
"Hey…wait a minute, oh my goodness Fennic your neck!" Eve gasps in both shock and fear at my neck.
"What?" I frown puzzled, placing my cool metal gauntlet fingertips on my neck puzzled.
"You've been bitten you should have Solas take a look at it," Eve reasons as my eyes widen and my features pale.
"No way!" Sera laughs.
"Solas you sly dog!" Bull cackles as I turn to glare at the smugly smirking silent Solas.
"You son of a…" Angered, I glare at the smirking elf.
"You weren't the only one to mark besides I had to get you back for the lizards…" Simply, Solas shrugs.
"Shit! You mother fuckin- " Incensed, I curse about to lunge only for the cackling Bull to hold me back.
"I'm so confused," Eve admits lost.
"Solas here is a dog, he marked his mate!" Bull smirks patting Solas on the back, taking him aback as he briskly adjust himself from the hard hit.
"Marked? Wait…oh those are called hickies right? I had read…" Eve mutters finally catching on as I feel my blood boil, my features turning ruby red.
"You'll pay for this later." I hiss venom evident in my tone.
"I'd like that very much," Confidently, Solas smirks as I glower at the ass.
"ARGHH!" Enraged, I release a demonic screech storming off, leaving the giggling group to themselves as I head back to Skyhold.
Infuriated, I storm off, fuming as we arrive back at Skyhold, ignoring the banter from behind as I approach the chantry doors, slamming them open, seething, fuming, searing, cursing everything I know from Qunlat to Tevine as I feel all eyes on me, only then for my eyes to widen, my breathe to shorten and my blood to turn ice cold.
"Surprise!" Brightly, Dorian greets me grinning unaware of my disturbed expression as I stare numbly in shock at the elven red head before me, staring stoically at me, unfazed by my shocked expression as I feel all the breathe in my lungs constrict and my heart to drop at the familiar redhead before me…
"Hello Asteria…"
*Oh boy if people know who it is fair play and would love to know your thoughts on what you think their dynamic with Fen is like...*