Ser Scooch sensed it before he was even told.
He sat next to Anders who had been clinging onto that letter he received hours ago. They sat on the grass outside their little hut, under the night sky where he, his beloved master, Garrett, and Anders always watched the stars before bed time. Anders instinctively patted Ser Scooch's head, still staring into the distance.
The skies were starless today, and the moon was hidden behind the clouds. The night was cold and Anders had forgotten to light the campfire across the hut. Ser Scooch barked and it threw him off his thoughts.
"Sorry," Anders muttered. He looked down at the letter in his hands. He folded it and slipped it in his pockets. "Varric sent word today, and . . ." He paused. Ser Scooch noted his shaking voice. "I-I'm not sure I believe it."
Ser Scooch only watched.
"Garrett, he . . ." Anders's voice faltered. "H-He's been helping the Inquisition. He's reunited with Varric and he's met the Inquisitor . . . but . . ." He stopped. Ser Scooch observed him as he gulped and froze. His own heart fell too, and before he could stop himself, he let out a whine and snuggled close to Anders who was taking several deep breaths and was biting his lower lip. He shut his eyes hard.
"Alistair will be taking the other Wardens back to Weisshaupt," he went on shakily. "He's . . . he's going to make reports, and . . ." Anders held and lowered his head. The tears, Ser Scooch saw, were starting to fall on the grass. Whimpers escaped his lips.
"I told him not to go," he was muttering. "I-I told him not to go."
Ser Scooch whined again. He raised his paws in an attempt to lower Anders's hands but soon gave up; he barked loudly in the dead of night, wanting to cry along with him. Anders turned to him and wrapped his arms around the dog, sobbing.
"He's not coming back," he cried. "Garrett's not coming home."
Ser Scooch could feel a tiny drop of his own tears fall down his snout.
So that was why the stars were absent tonight. The heavens were also mourning his loss.