Chapter Six: Preparations
There's a knocking at my door. Huh, what? I struggle through the foggy thoughts in my head to identify what that sound could possibly be. It takes me a while, but thankfully, it's persistent. I grab a dressing robe and throw it over my sleeping shift.
"Who is it?" I call out.
"Maeven," she replies from the other side of the door.
Oh man, I'd ditched her at the Inquisitor's table last night. I bet she's furious with me. I walk to the door and open it. I usher her in out of the cold.
"I just came to deliver a message. Declan asked me to tell you that he wants to see you this morning, they're going to set out for Crestwood in the afternoon and he wants to discuss preparations," she says.
"So it's 'Declan' already, and not 'Your Worship'?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. She just shrugs. "Maeven, about last night…" I'm not sure where to go from there, so I stop.
"It's okay. I was happy to be invited," she replies sullenly.
"No, I'm sorry. They found my one major sore spot and poked it. I lost my temper, but I should have been more considerate. Can you forgive me?"
She thinks for a moment, then nods. "I'm going to be going with you today, anyway," she states. "Mother Giselle has assigned me to help some of the merchants set up at Caer Bronach, so I'll be traveling that far with you and Declan."
"Will you be staying there?" I ask.
"Not sure yet. I think they need people to help out like that all over, so I might get to travel."
"That sounds nice, Maeven," I admit. "I'm pretty sure my place is on the front lines, but I hope we get to see more of each other. You've been a good friend to me already."
"I hope so too. You seem to be making new friends of your own, though. You didn't hear what they said when you left."
"I was pretty sure I didn't want to hear what they said when I left," I confess.
"Well, I'll be honest, Josephine was a bit shocked - she's kind of proper, you know - and Vivienne doesn't seem to have too high an opinion of you. But Dorian defended you. I think you made an impression on him. And Varric and Hawke leaving with you certainly said something to the others at the table. I think Declan was a little embarrassed. Go easy on him today, okay?"
"I can play nice if he will," I assert.
"Good enough for me." She smiles, and I'm glad we talked.
Maeven slips back out the door and leaves me to get ready. I dress in simple armor designed for a mage. It consists of several pieces that each serve a different function. A pair of flowing trousers that taper back close to the leg at mid-calf and short leather overskirt of loose-hanging segments protect my hips and legs without limiting movement. My long-sleeved undershirt has quilted sections on the bodice for added warmth and a little protection. Over that I wear an angled leather vest that stops just under my breasts, and has a high collar. The cloth pieces are all in a muted shade of blue that seems to shift the depth of color as I move. I know it sets off the blue hue of my eyes, and I want to impress today. The leather is a deep rich brown.
I pull on a set of matching leather wrist cuffs with blue laces, a belt with many pouches and slots for potions, and a pair of short leather boots. I braid my long, dark, wavy hair and pull it to the side, next to the collar of my vest. A few unruly tendrils escape, as they always do, to frame my face. I go to the mirror and give my reflection a look. Ready as I'll ever be.
I grab my staff and step out the door, and I'm grateful for the warmth of the clothes. The clear skies persist today, so it's a sunny morning, but the temperature hasn't risen much yet. The garden stays a little warmer, nestled in between the heated halls of Skyhold. I'm fairly certain the warmth from the fires is the only reason we're able to grow anything at all down there.
I make my way to the main keep, without trouble this time as I remember the route I had taken after leaving Hawke and Varric. Speaking of, I spot Varric sitting at a table near the fireplace. He's frowning at something on a piece of parchment. It looks like a letter. I attempt to sneak over and manage to catch the name "Bianca" in the header before he sees me and tucks the paper away. Bianca is a real person? The story he'll never tell, eh? Dwarf has reflexes like a twitchy cat, though. Need to remember that.
"You feeling okay?" Varric asks. "I can't believe you drank that Qunari stuff last night."
"I'm good. Takes more than that to knock me down; I have a pretty sturdy constitution," I tell him. "I'm looking for Declan, is he around?"
"I think he was heading to Cullen's office last I saw him," he explains.
"Great! And….where is that, exactly?" I ask, embarrassed to admit I still don't know my way around.
"I'll walk you. I could use a break, anyway," he replies with a frustrated huff. I wonder for a moment about the contents of the letter, but follow him as he leads me into the next room. He heads up the staircase. I, however, stop in my tracks as I see the last person in Thedas I wanted to see.
" You," I bite out through gritted teeth. "I should have know you would be here, what with the rip in the-"
"Firefly?" Varric questions from the stairs, realizing I hadn't followed him. He sees the look that passes between me and the other occupant of the room.
"Ferox, it's good to see you again," the elven man greets, and comes over to me. I stand my ground, but scowl at him. It's all I can do to keep my hands from wrapping around that scrawny neck of his.
"You think hiding here in the Inquisition will save you?" I ask haughtily. "If my brothers knew you were here…" I shake my head.
"The two of you know each other," Varric concludes.
"Yes," the man answers. His bald head does little to detract from his sharp elven features. He is average height for an elf, which puts him still a little taller than me. "Our families were friends once."
"That was a long time ago, F-" I say, but he cuts me off.
"I do not wish to dig up old feuds, Ferox. You know why I am here - the Breach requires my attention."
"Of course, the precious Veil," I hiss.
"You have problems with Solas?" Varric asks.
"Varric, you have no idea," I say. So he's going by Solas.
"And I assume it was the dragons that brought you here," Solas guesses.
I nod.
"Perhaps we could speak later, just the two of us?" he suggests. I get his meaning. He doesn't want to reveal his identity any more than I do at the moment. "I propose a truce. For now."
"For now," I reluctantly agree.
"Life is never dull around you, is it, Firefly?" Varric teases as we head up the stairs. "You know, the more I hear about these brothers of yours, the less I want to meet them."
"Oh, you can't judge them by the thing with Solas! He was right, it's an old family feud, one that's probably best put to rest, at least for now if we're going to have to work together. My brothers are great; they're just a little protective."
"I know a thing or two about brothers from problems with my own, Bartrand. Well, he's far less trouble these days, I suppose."
"What happened?" I inquire.
"He got exposed to red lyrium. Stuff drove him mad. He's getting help now, and he has his good days, but there are an awful lot of bad ones, too."
" Red lyrium?"
"You hadn't heard? Stuff's growing practically everywhere these days. It's like if lyrium had a scarier, evil older brother. Corypheus has been using it to brainwash and corrupt his minions."
"I don't like the sounds of that." Corruption? I wonder if Tenebris knows.
"Yeah, me either."
We'd reached the library again, and I wave at Dorian. He's draped artfully sideways over an armchair, reading, and doesn't seem to notice me. "Dorian!" I call out, picking up my pace to walk over to him, a big grin on my face. "I heard you were my champion last night."
He raises his head to look at us. "No, I believe that honor went to the actual Champion. And you, of course Varric. But I was happy to assist."
"Still, you barely know me, and you stood up for me...thanks," I say. "Sorry we can't stay, I have to get to Declan, but I'll see you later?"
He smiles, and gives a wave before returning to reading.
"So about these brothers…" Varric starts. "How many are we talking again? Just in case they do show up and start trouble."
"Three," I answer with a smile. "The eldest is my twin, and the other two are younger than us."
"Three brothers, and one of them is your twin. Maker, I don't envy any man who tries to date you. Or woman, whichever," he says, covering his assumption awkwardly.
"Men," I laugh. "But I didn't come here for romance."
"Declan will be disappointed. You know, come to think of it, Hawke has twin siblings. Well, had, anyway. One passed away. His sister is alive and well and with the Grey Wardens now."
"Again with the Grey Wardens," I groan, rolling my eyes.
"Is this another dragon thing?"
"What else? They kill the ancient ones. That's the worst of all."
"But you're talking about the Archdemons, though, right? Surely you're not suggesting they should just let Blights happen?"
"Of course not, I just wish they knew a better way." I can't let on that I do know another way, or next thing you know, I'll be fighting Corypheus and his corrupted high dragon single-handedly for them. "If his sister's a Warden, though, it does explain how Garrett has a Warden friend in Crestwood. You don't suppose it's her, do you?"
"No, I have a feeling I know who's in Crestwood. If I'm right, he's an old friend of mine, too. You know what, Firefly, you've just convinced me that I need to go."
I smile at him. "You just want to see how I stop a dragon without killing it."
"Maybe." He grins back. "But we're here; that's Cullen's office up ahead."
"You're going in with me, then?" I ask.
He nods, and I open the door. The Inquisitor is standing near a large desk, leaning forward over it, hand down on the table. A large blonde man in armor stands behind the desk. He's handsome, despite his frowning. It's obvious we've walked into the middle of a heated discussion.
"Sorry, are we interrupting something?" I say, announcing our presence in case they hadn't noticed the door opening. Declan straightens up and sees me in the doorway.
"Ferox, wow, you look really lovely today," the Inquisitor greets me, and walks over. He takes my hand and kisses me on the cheek, and I'm startled for a second. "I'm sorry about yesterday. We were rude to you, and after I invited you."
"Apology accepted...but you can let go now," I urge, pulling my hand out of his grasp. "I take it this must be Commander Cullen?" I ask.
"Yes," Cullen says, expelling a breath. "Cullen Rutherford, Commander of the Inquisition's forces. This is...a bit awkward, but we were actually just discussing you."
"Oh?" I look at Declan, who blanches.
Cullen continues, "I'm not sure it's wise to take an untried recruit out on such an important mission. Not to offend, but you're a wild card here, and I don't approve of taking unnecessary chances with our people."
"You may not know my capabilities yet, but I promise you, I'm worth taking the risk. I have an ability with dragons that from all of your reactions, I'm sure you've never seen before. But I've been doing it almost my whole life. I know what I'm doing."
"I'm going to need you to explain your plan a bit more," he insists.
"I can explain it, but it's going to sound far-fetched. Seeing it will be better."
"Try me," he states, the expression on his handsome face unwavering.
"Fine. I create a barrier around myself out of primal magic, of the element that matches that of the dragon's. This cloaks me, makes me somewhat neutral in her eyes, allowing me to approach safely. Then I talk to her in the language of dragons."
" Talk to her?" Cullen asks, the vertical scar on his lip twitching as he arches an eyebrow in disbelief. "Your plan is to talk to a dragon?"
"High dragons are sentient beings and understand their own language. I'm quite fluent in Draconic. I know it sounds crazy, but it costs you nothing to let me try. If I fail, I'll be dead, you'll be free of a madwoman, and can do whatever you like to the dragon. But if I'm right..."
"You won't have the support of the Inquisition's forces. You'll be on your own."
"I expected so."
"Maker's Breath, you are mad," he says, shaking his head.
Declan speaks up, "Or just very confident. Like the lady said, though, it costs us nothing to try. What if this can help us against Corypheus? Or have you forgotten his little pet? We'd be mad if we didn't let her try."
"I suppose you're right. The expedition sets out this afternoon. Ferox, you will be a part of it. You will head first to Caer Bronach, and from there, to the lake, where the dragon was last spotted."
"Sounds perfect," I acknowledge with a grin.
His annoyed expression wavers for a moment, but he shakes his head and it's back again.
"So...who all else will be going?" I query.
Declan is the one who answers. "Me, of course, and Hawke. You, and the Iron Bull."
"What about Varric?" I ask.
"What about him?"
"What do you mean, what about him? Varric wants to go," I explain.
"Firefly, you don't have to do that," Varric protests.
Did he want me not to say something? He's acting strangely. He just said a minute ago that he wanted to go. Did he change his mind after I talked about my plan? I look at him in confusion.
"Is that so?" Declan asks. "We could probably make room for one more, I suppose."
"Guess I'm in, then," he says to Declan but keeps his eyes on me.