"Parshaara! Dear Inquisitor, you have such little time left. You must finally see the truth. Eleven magic already tore the sky apart. If the agents of Fen'Harel are not stopped. You will shatter the world as well." Mockingly, the Viddasalla greets us. Protectively, I have Dror behind me, feeling his tiny fingertips coil around my legs, clinging to me, fearful, hidden by us.
"And you think bringing a young child into this is any better!? My son at that!? I'll tear your horns off before dismantling the rest of your body you Fasta vass!" Snarling, I roar at the Viddasalla glaring icily at the kaffas, my blood boiling bubbling as I feel my grip tightens around my blade.
"That boy is more than your small mind can perceive. His power is similar to that of elven magic so he must be destroyed!" Sternly, the Viddasalla dictates making my eyes narrow, my blood boiling further as I feel Dror's grip on me tightening.
"Over my dead body you will harm him." Seething, I vow to the kaffas.
"So be it. You shall pay for your years of tormenting my people!" Angrily, she proclaims.
"Whatever you think I've done mass assassination isn't a good moral high ground…" Eve intervenes.
"The south was poisoned by these elves' manipulations it suffers such as you do now. You would have died from the mark on your hand but for the help of one of their chief agents. The same agent who helped seal the breach. Who led you to Skyhold? Who gave Corypheus the orb, then founded the Inquisition?" Sternly, the Viddasalla proclaims.
"Solas, Agent of Fen'Harel…" Proudly, the Viddasalla proclaims making my eyes widen, my blood boiling bubbling beginning to simmer down like a timid flame, my muscles once burning now tense as ice, feeling the river flowing through my crimson veins begin to freeze over.
"Wha…what?" Stunned, I spit out my lips having become as dry as the Anderfels. My tongue tied, my brain buzzing having no idea how to comprehend it, what did she just say? No, no, that couldn't, that wouldn't…
"It wasn't suppose to happen this way. Just know what we had was real."
Was this…? What he meant? Horrified, I stumble back at the thought, my brow furrowed. No, he's smarter than that, he isn't delusional I mean sure he can be pig-headed but he isn't some crazy psycho vint but then again…Grimacing, I furrow my brow remembering Leliana's report…
Fennic I know you told me not to delve into this, you told me it was not of my concern but as your friend I wanted to help, I owe you a great deal my friend and I couldn't stand by when I knew I could help. Despite my efforts, I have been unable to locate Solas. From the site of your battle with Corypheus, he was last seen headed west, still distraught over the destruction of the orb Corypheus carried. From there he disappeared, evading my people so easily and so completely that I am forced to wonder how much he knew about them.
When Solas initially approached the Inquisition and offered aid, after saving you. I questioned him extensively about his background and history just like you had insisted on me doing. He was evasive, but he did give the name of the village where he grew up, noting that it was small, unlikely to appear on any map.
I hate loose ends, so I kept a few of my agents searching, to verify his story. They recently located the village... or what remains of it. It is a ruin, as it has been for centuries, its name preserved only in degraded form in Ancient Tevinter mysteries. Whoever Solas truly is, wherever he came from, he has deceived us from the very start, even you and for that I am sorry. You deserve better I am sorry if I had caused you pain through this report. The way he would look at you I had himself to be genuine but now who knows?
I apologize for not investigating this more thoroughly while Solas was here. He was clearly helping us, and other matters were of greater urgency, but it was an oversight nevertheless, given how little he shared with us. It is not clear what his plans are, if any, but I will continue to search.
"Dammit Chuckles what have you done?" Scowling, Varric curses glancing at me concerned when seeing my distraught features.
"Fen? Gently, Eve questions me making me flinch.
"Mummy…whose Solas?" Timidly, Dror questions me snapping me out of my thought. Urgently, I turn to look down, seeing him look so confused as I steel myself.
"No one. No one that matters." Poisonously, I spit out my hands bawling up, shaking quivering, steeling my shaking tone, my voice eager to break but I refuse to, not in front of Dror, he needs me now I have to be strong for him for both of us.
"I beg to differ…" Viddasalla exclaims.
"What are you on about? Solas wouldn't betray us!" Easily, Eve argues as I sigh shaking my head as I feel Eve glance at me uncertain. I turn away unable to meet her in the eye.
"I don't know about that…" Lowly, I hear Varric mutter bitterness etched into his tone.
"Did you not know? We thought you were his ally…Solas tricked us all. He pushed a dying Qunari into the winter palace to lure you into opposing us. Without him, we could have brought the south peace and wisdom along the gentle path. Now we must take the way of blades." Sternly, the Viddasalla dictates.
"Wait!" Shocked, my eyes widen when Dror reveals himself.
"Dror no!" I scream horrified.
"This Solas guy he's the one you want he should be the one to pay the price for all this not the people of Thedas. Why should some nobody cause an entire group of people to take up arms? What gives you the right to dictate to us how we live!? What wisdom could you possibly have that we need when your entire culture is based on restriction!? Restriction and wisdom should never coexist!" Pleadingly, he begs to the Qunari breaking my heart at his need of peace.
"Enough!" Angrily, she snarls down at my son who remains unfazed.
"Dror!" I scream out only for my eyes to widen Eve releases a shrill screech surprising us all to turn to Eve, clutching her mark flaring out as Dorian rushes to her aid.
"Panahedan Inquisitor if it is any consolation Solas will not outlive you." Strictly, she tries to assure Eve before entering the Eluvian again.
"Your damn right he won't…" Snarling, I seethe hands bawling up, my marks flaring, feeling my blood boil bubble.
"Fen wait!" Worried, Eve cries out but it falls to deaf ears as I charge ahead chasing after the Viddasalla, needing some answers and the only way to do that is to crack some eggs….in particular, a certain prick of an egg.
"It's going to…everyone back!" Panicked, Eve cries out pain etched into her tone as she cradles her hand to her chest, eerie green sparking out as a green burst of green flows out creating a shockwave of green dispersing and annihilating the Qunari in our path. Urgently, we rush forward, chasing after the Viddasalla through the Eluvian only to be greeted by her troops once more.
"Eve!" Concerned, I call out, but it falls to deaf ears as she falls to her knees in agony.
"Wha…what's wrong with her mummy?" Concerned, Dror tugs at me.
Nothing we can help with Dror just stay close to uncle Varric." Sternly, I command him.
"But I can…I can help!" Worried, Dror calls out but Varric places his leather gloved hand on his shoulder as I lunge over to Eve, Dorian rushing alongside me.
"Eve…" Gently, Dorian and I kneel down next to the pained girl.
"We've got to stop this before it kills you. Assuming we find him, maybe Chuckles can help…" Varric reasons as I help Eve up as Dorian furrows his brow at the anchor flaring up.
"He damn well will help whether I have to force him by my hand." Strictly, I snarl, fury etched into my tone.
"This chuckles guy seems like bad news to me." Uneasily, Dror whispers.
"He's nobody sweetheart. No one you need to worry about." I assert to Dror.
"Oh okay." Smiling, Dror nods his head.
"Solas doesn't want to hurt people. He isn't that kind of wolf. The Qunari don't see." Weakly, Cole tries to defend him making me scoff.
"All I see are bloodied Qunari soldiers that we are now dealing with…" Snippily, I remark reminding Cole making him sigh disappointed almost.
"Yeah, sorry Cole but this Solas guy seems like a meanie! Like a bad egg!" Confidently, Dror tells Cole.
"You could say that Pup." Varric sighs.
"No, he means no harm!" Desperate, Cole pleas to us.
"No way he's a bad guy! I know it my gut's telling me, uncle Carver always tells me to follow my instincts!" Confidently, Dror states the fact as more Qunari rush at us only for us to feel a familiar barrier making us glance at Eve then Dorian, the two looking puzzled until finding Dror staff outstretched healing us and such.
"Sweetheart don't always take uncle Carver's advice. There is a reason why he is a grey warden after all…" Sighing, I warn him.
"Okay…" He nods following after us taking cover now and again healing us, supporting us as we take the Qunari on.
"That must be where Solas is…" Dorian points towards the Eluvian in the distance.
"It better be. Dror back up now!" Strictly, I order him.
"Yes mum!" Dror complies taking cover once more and supporting us.
"Saarebas! Meravas Adim Kata!" Viddasalla announces.
"Saarebas oh no the mage is coming be careful guys!" Worriedly, Dror calls out from cover.
"The big guy is headed our way…" Varric adds uneasily.
"We will Dror just stay behind us understood?" I command.
"Okay." He nods his head.
"Seems the Saarebas is no longer following orders…" I remark from Viddasalla's attempt at reeling him in only for my eyes to widen when the Saarebas lets out a huge spell making my eyes widen as it hits…
"Dror!" I scream tears in my eyes as the rock he took cover in is destroyed as I lunge forward only for my eyes to widen, stumbling back stunned. Shakily, Dror stands from the smoke of dust and debris, my eyes widening when through that cloak of debris, familiar marks of icy blue peer through the veil in particular markings under his eyes as he calmly walks through the smokescreen, roaring, screaming, screeching to the high heavens as his staff, veins of icy blue slam down on the ground releasing a burst of eerie green making our eyes widen at a second layer of a green shield surrounding our body. Angrily, he screams releasing a burst of a raw ruby red flame hitting the Saarebas releasing a cry of agony as the creature alongside the other Qunari are enveloped in flames, screaming searing in flames as many of them collapse to their knees, pained, ruby red pooling beneath the fallen soldiers.
"Wait what…he…absorbed the spell!" Stunned, Dorian gasps.
"That's impossible…" Eve whispers unsettled.
"Dror!" I whisper panicked lunging over as he stumbles forward falling to his knees as I pick him up, checking him over frantically as she smiles weakly at me.
"Did I…do good mum?" Weakly, he questions me making my voice hitch as I place my temple over his, releasing a shaky breath.
"Never. Do. That. Again." Seething, I assert as he dumbly nods, complying to my wishes as I gently set him down, releasing a sigh of relief as I bow my head, feeling his temple on my own.
"No it's like he…aborded the spell…" Baffled, Eve describes.
"Mummy I beat the giant I beat the giant!" Cheerfully, Dror cheers jumping up and down, staff in hand waving it about victoriously making me smile softly on my knees watching him celebrate.
"You…you did." Exhausted, I smile.
"Could this be an effect of his lyrium…?" Varric whispers.
"It would explain how powerful his spells are." I mutter.
"They are…" Bull begins not sure what to say.
"Yes I can feel the sparks crackling from his lighting, he is a gifted mage. He seems to have a longer lyrium deposit to sue his spells for then us." Dorian describes.
"I never knew I mean Merill did mention but I…I never really thought it would…" Baffled, I confess my shoulders slacking watching him celebrate, doing a cartwheel making me chuckle shaking my head amazed, impressed by my little boy only then for us to furrow our brow when recalling the task at hand.
"You will not leave her inquisitor! Antamm, Ebrashok Adim!" Angrily, Viddasalla snarls at us entering through another Eluvian.
"Nothing is hurting him use your mark!" Quickly, We call out as the wounded Saarebas snarls as we deal with him, allowing Eve to raise her anchor to the high heavens, releasing a burst of green finishing off the rogue Saarebas.
"ARGHH!" Defeated, Eve screams out tears in her eyes as she collapses to her knees writhing in pain, clutching the mark humming loudly to her chest as we rush over.
"Eve!" Concerned, I call out.
"I can't it…it's too much! Argh!" Tearful, she screams the pain finally consuming her as uneasily, we all glance at one another, attempting to pick her up for her to stand only resulting in her screaming and falling to her knees again, unable to stand alone.
"We got to get her through to see Solas if we don't hurry she'll die…" Sternly, Dorian states the fact.
"Right…she can't move not with her mark." I sigh furrowing my brow.
"So what do you suggest?" Varric asks.
"You guys need to go back." Frowning, I place her hand over my shoulder draping her hand over my neck as I steady her, helping her up, my ears hearing her pained whimpers.
"What!?" Stunned, Bull and co blink taken aback.
"What about you?" Dorian frowns.
"Mummy don't go!" Desperate, Dror rushes over to me.
"I'll be fine. Stay here in case reinforcements arrive…" I tell the group.
"But…" Weakly, Dror whimpers as softly, I place my free hand over my son's raven roots as he looks up at me wide eyed.
"I'll be back soon. After all this...we can get those Orlesian cakes you want." I offer making his teary blue widen as he shyly nods.
"Just come back soon, even if it means no fluffy cakes!" He pleads clinging to me as I gently nod, combing my fingertips through his raven roots as Varric gently pulls him back as I nod my head grateful.
"We'll keep him safe." Dorian promises me.
"I know you will." Softly, I smile as I approach the mirror.
"Are you sure you will be alright?" Concerned, Varric asks me, his brow furrowed.
"I have to face him eventually and Eve can't do it." Sighing, I state the fact pained.
"Will you tell him…?" Delicately, Dorian questions me.
"We'll see what happens. What matters now is getting Eve to Solas and you lot getting Dror to safety." Sternly, I remind the two.
"Mum don't…" Dror whimpers.
"I have to sweetheart." Kindly, I remind him.
"I'm sorry for getting kidnapped, I'm sorry…" Weeping, he whimpers his voice breaking, tears in his eyes as he tries to brush them off.
"It's alright you're safe that is all that matters." Tenderly, I assure him.
"Love you mummy come back safe." He whispers as I nod.
"I will…alright Eve let's go…" Sighing, I adjust Eve as we step towards into the Eluvian, exhaling shakily…time to pay a visit to a certain prick…
"Ebasit Kata Itwa-Ost…"
"Fen…" Weakly, Eve whimpers pained as my eyes widen in shock at the numerous stone statues of Qunari all in mid battle. Shaken, I approach helping Eve through the splashes of puddles and greenery below.
"Come on Eve we're almost there." Gently, I assure her fortunate to not have another magical disperse alongside no Qunari forces coming to harm us.
"That voice…" Grimacing, Eve exclaims.
"I know." Sternly, I answer.
"But I…are you?" Worried, she whispers making me sigh at the idiot, we have more important things to worry about then me, then us.
"This isn't about me; this isn't about me and him. This is about you. This is about you getting better and getting that hand fixed…" Strictly, I state the fact.
"Thank you…I'm sorry." Weakly, she whimpers making me sigh bowing my head shaking my head as I help her up the stone staircase.
"Hey…what are friends for?" Strained, I smile trying to hide the tremor in my tone.
"Marass Kata!" Angrily, the Viddasalla curses as we make it to the top.
"Your forces have failed. Leave now and tell the Qunari to trouble me no further." Calmly, Solas tells her, my eyes widening at his sentinel attire alongside the wolf like pouch across his chest.
"Seems those Qunlat lessons paid off in the end for you, didn't they? Seems your accent needs a bit more though…" Loudly, I call out my eyes widening in alarm as the Viddasalla releases a disgusted noise, ready to raise her spear at Solas. Stoically, he calmly turns his back to her, slowly walking over to the Eluvian until to my shock, her body turns to stone just like the rest of her troops trapped down below.
"Don't. Just help her." Silently, he turns to me, his blue hues turning to meet my stoic glare. He turns to open his mouth only for me to cut him off as he calmly approaches us, my eyes widening as his eyes flash a silvery hue making Eve collapse in on herself. Urgently, I kneel down catching her, steadying against a rock, checking her over, she seems to have a pulse…
"What did you do?" Sharply, I demand from him.
"She is merely unconscious, the pain was too much for her to bear she will be fine in time…" Gently, he assures me making me sigh bowing my head, my brow furrowed as we simply stare at one another, not quite sure what to say as I scowl, feeling my fury flowing through my bubbling blood, my hands bawled up into a pair of shaking fists, the pair of us not knowing what to say…
"That should give us more time. I suspect you have questions." Sadly, he smiles at me making my eyes narrow.
"And what would be the point?" Snippily, I remark looking over Eve.
"What do you mean?" He furrows his brow.
"How would I know it isn't another lie you are willing to spill to me…" Shakily, I whisper bowing my head as I pinch the bridge of my nose, blinking back the tears threatening to fall.
"Vhenan…" Tenderly, he begins.
"DON'T YOU DARE FUCKING CALL ME BY THAT TITLE! YOU LOST THAT RIGHT ABOMINATION!" Screaming, I snap at him sharply turning to stand, snarling in his face as he remains calm, composed by my sharp snarl, baring my fangs at him as he sees my watery blues, seeing the pain in his eyes.
"Vhenan…" Delicately, he calls me that fucking… Livid, I seethe, my hands shaking bawling up, those fucking words, those stupid fucking words, those stupid, stupid, stupid…
"Wow you're as prideful as you are stupid!? Can you not for once in your life listen to someone! You have no right to call me that name you betrayed me!" Harshly, I remind him.
"I didn't want to. I never wanted to hurt you. Hurting you is hurting me. Seeing your pain is tenfold for me…." Softly, he whispers.
"And yet another like from the filthy abomination surprise surprise…and no I won't ask you want to know why?" Mockingly, I sneer at him.
"And why would that be?" He furrows his brow at me.
"Because that is what you want. You want me to be some bright eyed innocent elf that strokes your fucking ego and pride by asking all these questions that I can tell you've probably rehearsed knowing how sad of a fucking mistake that you are. Well not this time Solas! If that is your real name, the crossroads and Qunari told me everything from the notes to the murals I know about it all!" Angrily, I yell at him.
"And what would that be?" Coolly, he challenged me making me seethe.
"So, no big surprise here but guess what? You're fucking Fen'Harel! I banged a fucking god! Hah, oh this is…this is something else…" Emptily, I chuckle shaking my head turning my back to him, hand on hip. I pace back and forth, still trying to allow all this to settle in.
"Well done…" Sadly, he smiles at me impressed.
"Oh, my to get praise from the big bad wolf himself how fucking honourable is that…shall I bow down to you oh mighty dread wolf? Or would you prefer me to kneel down so you could place your legs on me, not the first time someone asked that of me…" Snidely, I ask him fuming.
"I know you're angry…" Gently, he begins.
"Really what gave it away?" Dramatically, I gasp, mockingly placing my hand on my cheek feigning shock.
"I was Solas first. Fen'Harel came later…an insult I took on as a badge of pride. The dread wolf inspired hope in my friends and fear in my enemies…not unlike the silver shroud I suppose. And now you know what is the old Dalish curse? May the dread wolf take you?" Pained, he recites making me grimace at the phrase turning away.
"And you did…" I trail off.
"I did not. I would not lay with you under false pretense." Sternly, he has the nerve to correct me.
"No don't you dare! False pretenses my ass! Don't you fucking dare go there! I trusted you with something I never thought I'd willingly ever give without something for me. My entire life I was taught my body was a tool for secrets, for perks, for survival but you…you were the one person I thought I could give my body too and you…" Pained, I turn my head away, my voice cracking as I slam my eyes shut, trying to force back the tears…
"Ir Abelas Vhenan…" Solemnly, he whispers to me.
"At least I told you about that! I told you everything, I told you what they did to me, I told you what I had to do to survive, I told you all my secrets and how do you repay me you spit back even more lies to me!?" Venomously, I scream at him, reeling my fist back only for him to catch my shaking fist cradling it, caressing it.
"I never wanted to lie to you." Softly, he whispers to me leaning in as I feel my voice hitch as I feel his soft, delicate lips brush against my bruised and bloodied fingertips. Unfazed by the stench of iron, unfazed by the scars, unfazed by the cuts as I watch on as he gently caresses each of my cuts and scars, my heart shattering as I note his blues hues softening around the giant slash across my palm. He never asked and I never told, a shared silence of secrets between us when ready we were to spill, we promised and he broke that, like he broke everything…
"But you did Solas, you did..."
*Poor Fen what did you think of her words towards Solas?*