Chapter Forty-Seven: Home

Having someone to talk to is welcome, and Tempestas and I spend the next couple of hours discussing what has happened since I left the Black City to join the Inquisition.

"I never thought you would forgive the humans for what they did," she says, and although a dragon can't really smile, her voice softens, and I know she is pleased.

"These aren't the magisters who betrayed us back then in their greed. I'd forgotten what it felt like to be connected to them, and to teach. I've been teaching again, Tempestas," I announce.

I notice Lucis standing in the doorway. "Teaching them is also pointless."

"Are we back to that?" I ask, hurt creeping into my tone. "I thought we were understanding one another."

He sighs, and walks over to me. "I want us to be a family again. We can save the world together." His eyes shine with hope in a way that I remember from so long ago.

I smile. "If you mean that, then help me. I'm going back; nothing you can say is going to change that, but it doesn't mean that I love you any less. We're still family, Lucis; you're the other half of me. Come with me; join the Inquisition."

I can see he is troubled, confusion warring on his face, and he doesn't look me in the eye for a moment. Finally, he meets my gaze. "Alright, I'll go to Skyhold with you, for a time."

I smile broadly, and throw my arms around him in a hug. "You won't regret this. I think you'll like some of the people there and...oh...I should probably tell you. Fen'Harel is with the Inquisition."

The frown lines reappear on his youthful features. "I know," he says. "Tenebris told me."

"I've called a truce for now. He says he's trying to seal the Breach. I don't have a problem with it if that is his goal. He's agreed to stay out of my way in saving the dragons, as well."

Lucis just nods.

I turn to Tempestas. "I hate to leave you so soon, but we should probably go tomorrow."

"I understand. You will return, of course," she says, her head dipping a little, letting me know her disappointment.

"I will. I'll still have my travel ring. I will return when I can." This seems to satisfy her, and she nods.

Lucis's mouth draws into a thin line. "Why must it be tomorrow? The Inquisitor and his caravan will not return for weeks yet."

"I'd like to help Alistair and Cullen plan their attack." A thought occurs to me. "Oh, maybe we could see something of the Grey Wardens in the Well?" I suggest.

"Shall we go watch the foolish humans, then?" he asked, smiling kindly at me. Like we used to.

"I'd like that. But first...I'm starving."

Lucis laughs at something we see in the Well, and I'm taken back eight hundred years. Every reaction that reminds me of the old Lucis is like a weight lifted from my shoulders. My brother is coming back to Skyhold with me, and he's laughing again. Today couldn't be any better. The day wears on, with no sign of Corypheus or the Wardens in the Well. I'm about to give up when the scene shifts.

Soldiers. Soldiers adorned in blue and silver, with winged helmets and shields. Grey Wardens, this is it. They are marching through what is clearly the desert, but to what?

"Do you know that place, Brother?" I ask, not taking my eyes off the Well. "Is that the Western Approach?"

"I'm not certain...wait, that's the area outside of Adamant Fortress. I can just make out the griffon statues in the distance."

"Adamant, huh? Lively place. The ground is already scarred and the Veil worn down to almost nothing there...well, I guess that fits what the Wardens and the Venatori are trying to do."

"What's that?" he asks.

"They're summoning demons," I say, sighing and shaking my head. "Idiots. Corypheus is behind this, I know it. I need to tell the Inquisition about this. It wasn't that long ago that I watched Adamant, when Pharamond made his discovery that shook the world. I think I remember a bit of the layout of the place."

"I bet that would be useful to them. But you should stay out of the actual fight."

"What? Why?" I look at him sharply.

"I don't like you putting yourself at risk like that. Advise them if you want, but you should remain behind when they siege the place."

"You know something," I state.

He hesitates. "Yes," he admits. "I've been watching them for a while, when I was using the Well to look for you. This Erimond, the Venatori leader that they've allied themselves with, is quite crafty, and I have no doubt that he's allied with Corypheus. There's no telling what a desperate magister with Corypheus's backing will do. I don't want you to get hurt."

I chuckle shake my head. "You're just being protective. I can handle one little human and a few demons on my own if I had to, no matter how weak the Veil is, and I'll have my brothers there, anyway. So stop worrying." I poke him in the forehead. He laughs, and waves my hand away.

"It's good to have you back," he says.

"That's supposed to be my line," I tell him. "I've missed this. Missed you."

He smiles. "I'm going to head off to pack a few things and then I'm going to bed. You wanted to leave in the morning, right?"

I nod. "Pack warm. Skyhold is freezing."

"Noted. Goodnight, Sister."

I watch him leave. I stay at the Well for a few more minutes, wishing it would show me Varric, but I know that one dwarf is unlikely to have that big of an impact to catch the Well's attention. I miss you too, love. I look at my ring. It's fully charged. I could go see him and come back, and even after the trip to Skyhold I'd still have one left. Grinning, I stand up.

The Well flashes, but doesn't disconnect. I look back, and I'm shocked to see him standing there. He and Hawke are talking on the outskirts of camp. Varric. I wish he could hear me. I would have left my pendant with him, but it requires magic to use. But I could give it to Hawke; why didn't I think of that before? A plan clearly in my head, I go to my room, searching, and see another locket similar to the one I carry. I return quickly to the Well, and retrieve a little of the water. Back in my room once more, I lock the door behind me...and transport myself to right behind Varric and Hawke.

"Hey boys," I say cheerfully, and giggle when they jump.

"Firefly! you about gave me a heart attack!"

I laugh harder. "Stars, the look on your faces!"

"You're back? I thought you were going with your brother?" Garrett asks.

"I did. Lucis is doing better than I've seen him in a really long time," I say with a smile. "Today has been amazing, actually. We're going to Skyhold in the morning, but I promised Varric a visit."

"Yeah," he grumbles, "it was supposed to be a secret visit. I didn't exactly expect you to just show up in the middle of camp."

"Well, I had planned to just show up in your tent, but I have a present for Hawke that can't wait."

"Something for me?" Garrett asks. "What is it?"

I pull out the pendant. "You remember seeing me use my communication magic, right?"

"You'd just give me this?" he questions, a wrinkle in his brow.

"Well, Varric can't use magic. It would be useless to him. And, seeing as you're his best friend, this is a way that we can still communicate if we need to."

"I don't have any idea how to use this thing," he states.

"I'll show you. It's really quite simple. Here, I'll open mine. It contains a liquid, so you have to lay it flat. I usually just hold it in my hand, but you don't want the water to run out, so be careful."

I hold the pendant in my hand and open it. "Then you connect to the Fade, just like if you were preparing to cast a spell. But don't actually focus on any spells, just the magic. Then put it in the water. That will open the connection. To end it, you just let go."

The blue light from my pendant reflects on our gathered faces in the dark. "Try it."

He opens it, holding it in his palm, the same as I'm still doing. I see the magic build, but it's not going for the pendant. "Imagine the magic as having tentacles like an octopus. Should be easy for you."

Varric chuckles behind me. Hawke smiles, but maintains his concentration. "Magic tentacles...okay, Ferox."

"Yes, perfect, that's it, now picture the tentacle reaching for the pendant, not to grab it, just to touch it."

The blue light bursts into being, and I see my own image projected from the magic liquid. Hawke gives a quiet cheer. "That's...remarkable," he says on an exhalation.

"Okay, Garrett, the more advanced stuff. If you open it, and call my name, my own pendant will light up. The same goes for you, if you see the pendant glow, it means someone is trying to reach you. Lay it flat, open it, and start the connection. Got it?"

"I think so...you said I 'let go' to close it?" he asks.

"Draw the magic from the pendant, reform the tentacle, and pull it back toward you."

The blue light extinguishes from his pendant; I do the same, casting us back into the dim light from the fire.

"Ferox?" a voice calls from behind me. "You're back already?"

I turn to look, and see my brother standing nearby. "Hey Tenebris. Not really. Just dropping off a present."

He sees the pendant in Hawke's hand and he nods. "Having someone else that can talk to you is a good idea if we get separated. How is Lucis?"

"He smiled and laughed today, Tenebris."

"Truly?" He sighs, and smiles. "You're good for him. I'm glad you're going back."

"Me too. See you soon."

Tenebris nods, and heads back toward the fire. I know he'll try to keep anyone else from figuring out I'm here.

Varric catches my eye, and I smile broadly at him.

Hawke clears his throat. "I'll just...um, go back over there. See you, Ferox."

I chuckle, but take Varric's hand as he leads me back into the tent we had shared for so many nights.

"So...we can't go anywhere, can we?" he asks, pointing to his finger in a gesture I understood to be about my travel ring.

"Afraid not. I have to go back home, and Lucis and I will be going to Skyhold tomorrow."

"Then I guess we'd better be quiet," he whispers, grinning.

"Oh. Right," I blush, suddenly shy at the thought of someone hearing us. I look and see he's only put out one bedroll. But I guess I'm not really spending the night here.

Varric sits on the bedroll, and lays down, gesturing for me to join him. I secure the tent flap and move to straddle him. When I lean in to kiss him, his stubble scratches against my skin.

"Mn, you smell really good," he whispers.

"Shh," I tell him with a low chuckle. I move downward until I'm over his legs and work at the fastenings of his trousers. I look up to see him watching me with a heated gaze. I grin. "You're going to have to try to stay quiet, love."

I awaken in my room back in the Black City with a sigh. I wish I'd been able to stay with Varric. I've gotten so used to sleeping in his arms that it was difficult falling asleep alone. Soon. I'll see you again soon, my love. I'm glad I went. Knowing that Hawke can use the pendant now makes me feel a little better. If something happens and they need me, he'll let me know.

I dress in another set of gray armor, this one lighter, almost silver in color, with accents of pale blue. I braid my hair in one long loose braid, allowing the rebellious curls to do what they like. I look at my image and realize my lips are pinker than they should be again. That dwarf and his kisses. I shake my head and cast the healing magic. I'm glad I do, because immediately after, there's a knock at the door.

"Ferox? Are you awake?" Lucis calls.

I go and open the door. "Good morning, Brother. Yes, I was just finishing getting dressed. I want to go see Tempestas again before we go."

"We should eat something, as well."

"That's a fantastic idea. Oh, if we eat at the main keep, don't drink the wine. Declan keeps serving this awful stuff," I inform him with a smile. "I think he might be doing it on purpose now."

"You go on to see your dragon. I'll prepare something for breakfast."

"You're the best."