Chapter Seven
Skyhold
I had made sure to say a proper farewell to Cullen before I left Haven… meaning I pulled his ass into a steamy kiss to mark my territory to all the women around us.
He was flushed when he pulled away, "That was… more than a little inappropriate for the setting, Admiral."
"Come now, Commander – where is your sense of adventure? Besides – I thought you might like it since it shows everyone we're taken. No women will dare to flirt with you and it shows I'm yours…"
He coughed before pulling me back in for another kiss. I heard several people laugh. Axel called out, "Get a room!"
I winked at him, "I have one, thank you – it'd be a waste to get a new one. Alright – Solas and I will be heading out now. I'll be back in about a week – a week and a half tops. Blake – make sure these men are in top form. You're my second so you best get your ass in gear and do me proud."
"But Admiral," he whined, "You gave me green recruits to work with – how am I supposed to get them in top form?"
"Get with Cullen and Threnn – build an obstacle course, have them swim every day; train them like you would the Seals you were so proud of. These men are responsible for the fate of the world – treat them like it. Better yet – Cullen, I want your men working the mine and the logging site for at least an hour each day – alternate them. Half get to work the mine one hour for one day and move to the logging the next day; and the other half do the reverse."
Cullen perked up, "That's not a bad idea – it will build their strength. Axel, separate the men into two groups. We'll make it so at least two people go to each area at a time – no one goes alone."
Axel smirked and saluted – I knew he was from a mining family from the north near Highever. Cullen knew that too.
I hopped up on the horse and pulled Solas up too. "If I don't see some improvement, Blake, I will blame you. Cullen is already doing quite well in getting them into shape – but we want the best."
"Ma'am, yes Ma'am," he saluted. He knew when I was giving orders that I meant buissness. I nodded firmly, "That's what I like to hear."
And we were off.
On horse, it took us two days to get up the mountain – rather than the 6 it would take by foot from the location I had shown him on the map. Solas corrected his estimate to two weeks from that location hearing that there would be many people with us – slowing us down.
When we arrived, the place was a mess.
The gate was lowered, but we sensed no signs of life. I raised the gate with my elemental control. Solas theorized it was what I gained in the Fade – and I had told him I felt the same. We both wondered if Ellana got anything from her stint.
Solas asked, "Lethallan, where will everyone be placed?"
I took him on a limited tour, "This room will belong to an immature elf who raises Morale – her name will be Sera and you will dislike her on principle. She'll ask questions like 'have you ever bonked a spirit in the fade'. Above her will rest a spirit of Compassion who goes by the name Cole – he will not need to possess a body. And The Iron Bull – our Qunari contact – will spend most of his time in the tavern below."
He looked curious, "A spirit…?"
"He's going to be the reason we need the second Amulet of the Unbound. And right outside will be our infirmary."
He smiled, "Fascinating – and others?"
"Over this way – Blackwall will sleep in the Hayloft; he likes being near the horses. And here is where we will set up the commerce. Against this wall we can set up outhouses. I can install a tank where all the… waste will go. We'll just have to empty it regularly with so many people… Oooh – I can make the tank and pipes to lead to a waste area! No need to empty the tank daily at that point. We'd just need to have people go cover the shit with dirt once in a while. We'll do that."
Solas looked amused, "A good idea."
I had been fixing everything up as we went. I built the system real quick and then we moved on.
"The library – that's what the second floor here will be. This first floor will be your area – research, painting our major exploits on the wall and so on. I know the master bedroom was once yours… is it really okay that I take it?"
"Of course – you are the Inquisitor, after all. It would be strange if you didn't. I do thank you for your consideration, though. And what will become of the third floor?"
"Leliana will have all her birds and such up there. The Spymasters' nook, as I like to call it. The Library will house our Tevinter Altus and possibly my sister if she insists. Otherwise, I plan to have a room for her in the 'family wing' and one for Nathaniel above the garden."
"The way you talk of this Altus – I am not going to like him, am I?"
"Not a bit – he'll insult your clothes and your bald head constantly. You will one time say that you can't hear him over his clothes."
Solas snorted, "So you know of my catty side?"
"Ironic for a wolf, wouldn't you agree?"
He barked a laugh, "That's fair."
We headed into the main hall and I pointed up, "Madam Vivian De Fer will make her bed up there because the other rooms are too small. You won't like her either – she will constantly preach about apostates and such and if I had a choice I wouldn't recruit her… but we need her. All of our companions are needed."
He sighed, "Thank you for the warning at least."
"No problem. Ah, the garden; we will eventually have an apostate wild woman here. She will be the daughter of Flemeth."
He hissed a breath, "She has a daughter?"
"She had many – I only knew of two living but… both are quite powerful. Morrigan also has a son – named Kieran. He holds the soul of the Old God Urthemiel at the moment. As for Yavana, King Alistair killed her less than 3 years ago when she tried to manipulate him."
I built a large greenhouse in the area – it was much bigger than I had anticipated and far more removed too – it had been a bit of a walk to get here.
He blinked, "Truly? He must be quite powerful to have bested her."
"He has Great Dragon bloodlines, Solas – and he surprised her. Over here is where Lady Montilyet will make her office and through here is the new War Room."
He watched as I casually rebuilt things while we walked. We circled around and headed for the battlements, "This will be Cullens' office and loft."
"You didn't fix the roof…" Solas pointed out.
"Cullen has claustrophobia. He won't sleep in here unless that hole stays there. He needs to be able to see the outside after his time being tortured by Maleficar and abominations. If I could convenience him to stay in my rooms, we could just have those large windows open all the time – I actually don't mind the cold; in fact, I sleep better with it."
Solas looked a bit blank, "He was tortured?"
"When Kinlock Hold fell, he was kept alive because they couldn't break him. He was the last one standing by the time my sister and her husband arrived to free him. It changed him – he grew cold toward all mages and was hard on them. He slowly rewarmed over his time at Kirkwall, but the damage he suffered… he wears so much armor that you can't see the physical scars but they're there Solas – I bet if he took of just his chest piece he would be covered in scar tissue. My body reverted to before all the tortures that I endured but I can still recall every scar and how I got them. I survived having my neck slit – I wanted to die then. Cullen will be no different; he could tell you how each and every scar was made. The one on his lip was given to him for turning on Meredith and siding with the Champion; but that's the only one I know for sure. I know he's reluctant to sleep with me in part because of those scars – and it makes me miss my own because then he wouldn't have to worry how I would react because I'd be the same. Cullen… the fact that he doesn't condemn you as a mage just shows how much of a strong person he is after all that he endured. So if leaving the roof open will help him, then I'm going to leave the roof open."
Solas nodded, "I had no idea… How long was he…?"
"Weeks or months – I don't actually know. It depends what order my sister used the treaties in. As it is, I know she went to Redcliffe before the circle so at minimum it was two months."
"That is… impressive."
"It is – you've seen us spar – the way he goes hard like he doesn't have a limit?" I asked.
Solas nodded, "Like he doesn't care if he lives."
"He didn't – for a long time. He got so used to ignoring his own survival instincts to give in to the mages then that he continued to ignore the limits in Kirkwall. By now, he just doesn't hear that instinct screaming at him anymore."
We continued to walk the Battlements with me draining myself to get things fixed – I wanted to get back A.S.A.P damnit.
Solas spoke, "Why do you care so much for this world – you lived for so long in another…?"
"This is my home now – and I finally have a family. I will prove to you that there is a better way to do things than to tear down the veil to restore your people, Solas – because everyone in this world is deserving of life. Everyone plays a part in the tapestry of time. Even our enemy plays his part. His name is Corypheus – from the ancient Tevene for Conductor; Conductor of the Choir of Silence and High Priest of Dumat. I know his real name too."
Solas looked a little pale, "So he was one of the Magisters that sundered my veil and brought back the Blight I had trapped behind it?"
I nodded, "You know – people don't realize this and it is just conjecture so don't be mad – but I think you are the Maker that the humans worship. You made the Veil and made it possible for humans to come here – you didn't take the bride Andraste, of course, but the point is… if the Maker does exist, then you are the only one I can think of who would fit the bill."
He frowned, "I am not a god."
"I didn't say you were – I said you made the world what it is today. Without you, there would be no Thedas. Again, this is conjecture – there's no proof or anything and I plan to tell no one else my theory. You needn't worry about me, Solas – I do think the elves should be restored. It's just your plan as it is that isn't going to work."
"I will think on what you've said – there is some truth to it so I cannot dismiss it out of hand. Does this mean you are not Andrastian?"
"I'm agnostic – I believe there is a higher power at play, but I can't put a name to what that might be. For all I know, the very universe is god – or perhaps we all make up a part of God? I can't know for sure, so why try?"
"That is… practical – and more astute than I would have expected. You know my view on humans so why did you even try to get close to me?"
I snorted, "Because I do believe in your plan – and you're the least likely to make more work for me at the moment. Varric wants to put me in a book, Josie comes to me with nobility reports, Leliana asks too many questions about the future that I can't answer to keep the integrity of the future stable, Cullen is my love interest so that's more work in and of itself, and the others?"
I sighed as Solas chuckled, "Maxwell constantly talks to you about training and such and Ellana is always talking to me."
"Sorry about her – she likes you and she's supposed to be your lover."
He coughed, "My what?"
"I spoke to her – she was set to leave her clan at one point for a difference of views. She found old texts describing what you did – but the Keeper named them blasphemous and ordered her to burn them. Ellana hates having Vallaslin now that she knows what they are – she kept the documents, by the way."
"She… is different from the other Dalish then?"
"She'd make a good Agent of Fen'Harel. She's actually been looking for your people for two years now to join you. She's an Archer; she could help your cause… and I know you will grow to love her, Solas. Take a chance – get to know her at the very least."
He sighed, "I will… think on it. I can't… promise anything."
We made a stop in the throne room – and I chose Dragon Décor. The stuff was just sitting in the undercroft anyway; including the throne. Once we were done, we both went to our separate rooms and fell into a deep sleep – we would head back out tomorrow.
Something came up that prevented us from leaving – I had overdone it yesterday and caught a damn fever.
Solas clucked his tongue when he came to get me only to find me retching my guts out in a chamber pot – rather than the 'toilet' I had installed in my room that connected to those pipes and the tank below. I groaned, "I hate being sick…"
"This is magical exhaustion. You have a lot of stamina, but you certainly spent a lot of it. This will take at least three days to recover, Lethallan. I will send a raven to our people with a map and instructions. They can at least begin making their way here to set up furniture and the like. They may even arrive before you are better."
I groaned as another bout of nausea gripped me. I had nothing in my stomach at this point so I was dry heaving. I coughed, "Wouldn't magical exhaustion put me into a sleep to recover instead of having me purge everything I've eaten since arriving in Thedas?"
He chuckled as he sat at the desk in the room to pen the note and map, "One would think so, yes. But in truth, Magic depletion acts as a poison, not an illness. Your body is attempting to purge a poison by getting rid of anything you put into it. I understand you are new to magic – so you should really ask me of these things."
I sighed as I sat back against the wall and said, "I knew most of it – but magic depletion isn't something I thought of since I don't have actual magic. All I have is an imitation of it."
He nodded, "Yet it appears to be permanent. Everyone who has walked physically in the Fade has come out changed. The Magister Sidereal came out as Darkspawn, Lord Trevelyan came out with the mark that absorbed any energies he came into contact with, you came out with the ability to control elements to a degree, and Ellana… we will find out what she has gained in time. This is Magic – you are no mage, and thus you are not in much danger of Demons trying to sway you in the Fade as you sleep, but you do have Magic."
"I think I know what… Lana got…" I groaned, "She hasn't missed a single shot since she was in the Fade. She commented on it before we left… I think she can augment her arrows now so they don't miss."
His head snapped up, "Andruil was able to do that – that was why she was a famed hunter. Is that all she got?"
"That I know of; God damn son of a bitch this feels like when I got pneumonia."
He chuckled and finished his note before going to the window and calling for the Raven that Leli had sent with us. It was in the stables with the Horse. It came over and he tied the note and map to the Ravens' leg and said, "Take this to your mistress – with due haste."
It whistled a little and took off. "Let me guess – you added my illness?"
"Yes – I felt they needed to know we would be delayed."
"Lovely – Cullen or Blake will be coming along. Admit something for me, Solas – you like that you can speak openly with me, don't you?"
"I find it refreshing – especially as you do not judge me negatively and you are actively helping to rectify my mistakes. I also appreciate that you do not tell the others about me."
"Blake knows – be he won't say anything either. He won't because I said 'no information'. I…" I was cut off by another heaving.
Solas gave me a sympathetic glance, "I had to go through this when I awoke from Uthenera too. I over did it on the magic because I did not realize that I was so much weaker. Unfortunately, this is not something Lyrium can help."
"Keep that shit away from me – I don't want to drink blood," I snipped. He chuckled, "You know about that too, hmm? Fair enough then – I will not give you any Lyrium potions. Health potions are useless at the moment too. And healing with magic will just make you sicker."
"You said about three days, right?" I was glad I had my hair tied back as I coughed up more bile. "You didn't use enough past your limit to make it longer, so three days will be the limit."
"Then don't worry so much – just bring me soup with nothing more than noodles if you must add something other than broth. Clear liquids will make this vomit thing easier and won't tear up my throat… while I do. With an added bonus of… keeping me hydrated. Gods' Teeth this is painful."
He looked surprised, "Do you want it seasoned – the broth?"
"Better not – plain broth and waters only. They sting a lot less coming out the nose," I spat out a bit of blood. Oh, goodie – we were progressing well. Solas nodded, "You know much about being sick then?"
He moved to my fireplace and placed a pot on – the master suite was equipped with everything I wanted – toilet, pots for the fireplace so I could cook on date night or something, and so on. I sighed, "Common knowledge. Most doctors and years of research into the cold and flu say there's only one tried-and-true treatment for colds and flu — plenty of rest and fluids. Fever dehydrates the body, in part through increased sweating from the elevated temperature."
He looked surprised, "Your world was quite advanced then?"
"Yeah – but no magic; it sucked. I miss some things… but this is better. The point is – fluids are the key to non-magical healing, my man. The human body is made of 70% water – that's how we're able to cry, and all that crap. Even coughing requires water – When mucus hardens it becomes more difficult to cough, which is the body's way of trying to expel mucus and the germs it contains; to keep the mucus moist and unhardened, you need water."
He sat back while the broth began heating up, "That is good information to have."
"I was a medic, Solas – healing was my thing. They don't give those medical degrees telling us we're medics without at least 4-8 years of training under our belts. My perfect memory, I completed 12 years by the time I was 24 – because I finished my mandatory schooling by 10. A genius – that's what they called me. I'm no genius – just a girl with a brain that works too damn fast."
He chuckled, "I said something similar when they wished to make me Evanuris – a god. I was no god – merely a man with amazing magical ability."
"You and me… we aren't so different, are we? Both of us were leading people from the front lines when we could have sat back and watched the world burn."
He nodded, "So we are – and now you get the paperwork that goes with it."
I groaned – thankful that the nausea had passed. He chuckled and shook his head. I shot him a glare, "You are delighting in my misery, Wolf."
That did it – his head tipped back and he laughed, "You must admit – it is a bit funny. You leave one leadership position only to land in another. At least I had the good sense not to do that."
"Right – you took a break and I stepped up to lead the riff-raff so you could vacation and observe while you reclaim your orb. Kill me now, Ma Fen – please…"
He sniggered, "Your wolf, hmm? Did you not say that I belonged to the huntress?"
"You can still be my friend, yes? Ugh – this is sucky. Remind me not to overdo it again. I can't afford to be sick when we have a world to save. We could have just left tomorrow if I did half yesterday and waited until today for the rest."
He gave me a smirk – his eyes twinkling with mischief, "Where would be the fun in that, Admiral Cousland?"
"Have your spies turned up any more about me?" I asked lightly.
He jerked, "You know I have spies and do nothing to stop them?"
"Oh, for fucks' sake – if you don't want people to know then make them less obvious! They wear burnt yellow and ancient style armors. They aren't as discreet as you think they are, Solas. I've pinpointed all the ones in Haven. They need a new – more discreet – uniform. Might I suggest black? If questioned, at least black can be said to attract the sun and make people warmer – right now your people just give the standard line about liking the color yellow. It is so suspicious that so many people happen to like yellow."
He frowned and cursed, "Fenedhis Lasa – this is what I get for having them use creativity to explain it away. I will order them to wear Black then – and suggestion on design?"
"Nondescript – just regular clothes with maybe a single sigil in a discreet location. Dark Grey embroidered wolves on the gloves or a removable arm-band to make them discreet; something easy to spot if you're looking for it but not easy if you don't know. I wouldn't be surprised if Leli already knows some of the spies are spies. I would just slowly replace them all with new people when the new outfit is in effect. Now – in exchange for my advice – have your people turned up anything?"
"Your middle name is Violet and there were no signs of forced entry when you were taken. It was like you had vanished into thin air – even the blanket you had been covered with was placed in a way that you should have still been under it; it was undisturbed. Either someone was very clever or… magic was involved that hasn't been seen before. June could command the Elements like you do – were you aware?"
"No – I thought he just liked to craft things. So Ellana, Max and me… we all got something from different Creators. Max got your Anchor, Lana got Andruils' augmenting and I got Junes' elemental abilities. What does that even mean?"
"That you and Ellana must have come into contact with their orbs in the Fade but came away without Anchors because those Orbs hadn't been fully unlocked."
"I wish I could remember – but until we go stop the Wardens from being stupid then we're stuck with my limited memory."
"They are being stupid?"
I nodded and lifted myself back into the bed, "Summoning and Binding demons in hopes of going to kill the remaining Old Gods – but they're being manipulated by a fear demon and our good pal Cory. They bind demons and are in turn bound to Corypheus."
He looked furious, "They are…!"
I cut him off, "I know – like I said; they're being stupid. And you're not going to like it, but rather than run them off, I will have to recruit them. They will play a part in helping us later. You don't have to trust me – but know that I am on the side of what is helpful to us."
His eyes flashed in shock, "Many would say 'the side of what is right'. You do not believe we are right?"
"There is no right or wrong – no good or evil. As I pointed out to Cullen before we left Haven; even evil believes that it is good. The Evanuris believed themselves right in killing Mythal and branding you a traitor, did they not? There is only magic and power – and what one intends to do with what they have."
He nodded, "I completely agree."
"I've seen the worst of the worst – and I did what I had to for survival. Was I evil for killing my captors? Was I evil for killing those men that would sell children as brides? Perhaps to the men I killed, I was evil – but to the kids, I was good. Perspective is everything, Solas."
He handed me a cup of broth and I sat up to drink it down – ignoring the bland taste.
"Rest, Lethallan – you have given me much to think of and do tonight; I will see to it you are guarded until you recover."
I yawned and nodded as I passed him the now empty cup. "Ma Serannas, Hahren."
