Chapter Fifty-Two: Red Lyrium

Perhaps it's because I didn't sleep well, but it takes me a while to realize that someone is knocking on the door. I manage to get to my feet, although not exactly gracefully, and pull on my dressing gown. I'm a bit surprised to see how bright it already is outside. That sneaky dwarf caused me to oversleep, damn it.

I unlock the door and open it a crack to see a runner standing there.

"Can I help you?" I ask. Is he looking for Varric? No, everyone who would send a runner already knows he's not here.

"Yes, I'm to tell you that your presence is requested at the War Table."

"Oh, thank you. I'll head there straightaway." They need me at the War Table? Why? They don't even know about Bianca and the red lyrium yet. I guess this is as good a chance as any to tell them. The runner nods, his objective achieved, and quickly retreats down the hallway and out of sight.

I dress in my standard blue armor, and take a little more care braiding my hair on the sides and pinning it back, combining the sections into one long plait that hangs down my back. I carry my staff, as I'll need to go see Fiona and the apprentices if there's time afterwards. At least it's easier to get there from here. I head downstairs, and through the hallway that leads to the War Room.

When I open the door, I see that the usual set is assembled: Cullen, Josephine, and Leliana. Alistair has joined us again today. I'm a little surprised not to see Morrigan, as she's been attending more of these meetings in her role as liaison.

"Fashionably late as usual, Ferox," Leliana says, and I can't tell if her smirk means she's annoyed or impressed. "Let's get to it."

"There's another dragon," Cullen says, leaning over the War Table. He puts his finger down on the map on the Storm Coast. "Here, on an island off the Storm Coast."

"Tell me what you know," I instruct.

He continues, "The Inquisitor first encountered the creature on the beach some time ago, fighting a giant, but it flew away. We just managed to rout the red templars in the area, and found boats they left behind. This alerted our scouts the idea that the red templars might be using one of the nearby islands to either store or bring in red lyrium. Our agents went to the island, but when they encountered the dragon they retreated back to safety."

"Do we have a sketch?" I ask, and I'm handed a drawing. It's rougher than the others, probably drawn in a hurry, maybe even on the boat back to the mainland, but I can still make out some of the features. "Lightning type again, which is a relief after last time. Long neck, narrow head, markings follow the shape of the wings instead of crossing them. I can't get an idea of scale from this, but...Vinsomer maybe? I hope not."

"Is there something about them that makes them worse than other lightning dragons?" Josephine asks, followed by, "I can't believe I just said that."

I smile and shake my head. "No, they're no worse, they're just really skittish and tend to fly off pretty easily. I'm surprised you saw one fighting, to be honest. It must have been looking to nest somewhere. That's probably why it's on that island. Nothing there that will bother it, and it can come and go as it pleases."

"Nesting dragons are more aggressive, I take it?" Alistair clarifies.

"Very much so. They get defensive if they're laying their eggs or their dragonlings are young."

Cullen nods. "There were reports of dragonlings."

I sigh. "If we start killing her babies, she's not going to be happy with us."

"How would you like to handle this, then?" he questions.

"Stealth might work, but dragons have amazing senses. Speed would be better. If we can disable the dragonlings without hurting them, we can run past them. Put them to sleep, trap them temporarily, cause them to panic and run away; that might work. I'm going to need my brother Lucis on this one. His Haste spell and glyphs will help if this is our approach."

"Alistair should go with you, too," Cullen says.

I flush, my cheeks warm in my shame. "I'm not going to turn, Cullen. This isn't even a fire dragon; it's a lightning-type, so it should be easy. Lightning is my natural element, after all."

"Still, I'd feel safer if he accompanied you."

Alistair just shrugged. "I could use a break from all these meetings."

"Alright," I concede, "but before we start assembling the team, there's something I need to tell you all. I had a visitor last night."

Leliana smiles. "My operatives told me that Bianca Davri was seen leaving the keep last night. She's good to have gotten in without being spotted."

"Don't get me started on her...anyway, she had news she was hoping to deliver to Varric, but found me, instead. She has a lead on Corypheus's source of red lyrium."

That gets a reaction from all of three advisors, and their voices blend together as they each try to ask me questions.

"One at a time please," I state, laughing.

"This could strike a decisive blow against our enemy," Cullen states. "We need to be a part of this."

"After Halamshiral, we've been so focused on Adamant, but this would definitely help our efforts," Josephine says.

"I agree," Leliana states. "But we must be careful. Can we trust this information?"

I shrug. "I wouldn't trust that dwarf as far as I could throw her, but Varric believes it's worth checking into. I've already talked to him, and he's going to talk to Declan today."

"Talked to...how?" Alistair asks, looking at me questioningly.

"How else? Magic," I answer with a grin. "I have a way to talk with my brothers and I gave the same kind of device to Hawke and taught him to use it. They're supposed to get back to me today to let me know what he says."

Josephine nods. "Do let us know."

I look down, and sure enough, the pendant is glowing. "Well, sounds like you'll get your chance earlier than you expected. They're trying to contact me right now."

"Truly?" Leliana asks, looking at it curiously.

"I guess I'll answer them," I say, laughing. I pull the pendant over my head, set it in my hand as usual, open the chamber to reveal the water, and connect the magic. But it isn't Hawke that I see.

"Tenebris!" I exclaim. I quickly follow it up with, "Sorry, I was expecting Hawke."

"I know, I've been in talks with him and the Inquisitor this morning. Declan is with me."

"Oh good, I'm with the advisors in the War Room, and Warden Alistair, of course."

"Perfect," he says, stepping out of view. Declan's face appears, instead.

"And I just talk into this thing?" he asks, not sure where to look.

I chuckle. "Just talk to me like I was standing there. We see and hear you."

"Wonderous…" the Inquisitor says, then shakes his head. "But I've heard about this Deep Roads entrance that links to the ancient thaig of Bartrand's Folly. I don't think we can afford to ignore this."

"We agree," Leliana states from behind me. "I would advise caution, but there are obvious benefits if this lead is genuine."

I prop the pendant up on a small wooden box on the War Table and go to the other side to stand with them.

Delcan says, "I need to come back to Skyhold. As this is Varric's contact, he's requested to be there, and suggested we bring Tenebris due to his familiarity with red lyrium. The Hinterlands aren't too far from Skyhold, but we're traveling from the other direction. We need to get there faster. Tenebris and Etiam have agreed to bring the two of us, but I think Cassandra would be a good choice for this one, as well, due to the likelihood of running into more red templars. I'll have to ask you for a favor, Ferox."

"I'll do it. I need to come there anyway, as I have something for Frederic."

He nods. "It will mean leaving the horses to be led by the others, but I think it's better than waiting. We're still about a week away from Skyhold as it is."

"Gather your things. I can be there shortly."

Cullen clears his throat. "We're not done discussing your mission, Ferox."

"Oh?" Declan asks. "More dragons?"

"Just so," Josephine confirms. "The lightning dragon you encountered on the Storm Coast."

"Ah, yes, the one fighting the giant. I believe the Iron Bull called it 'badass'," he comments, and chuckles to himself.

I lean against the table, looking at Declan's image. "They want me to go see to it, and I'd like my brother Lucis on the team."

"You want to take Lucis into the field?" Tenebris asks. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"He's been good since we came here. He's been healing the wounded, and seems to be back to his old self."

"There's a problem with the brother?" Alistair asks from next to me.

I turn to look at him. "When his beloved was killed, he was lost in grief and sadness. But that was a long time ago, and he's better now. I've seen it. He likes helping the others."

Declan's expression is serious. "What are the risks here? Tell me everything, Ferox."

I nod. "He normally loves people, is kind to everyone to everyone he meets. He's brave, and would face any challenge in the name of doing the right thing. Her death changed him, though, and he pulled back from the world for a long time. He was colder then; more callous. The biggest risk to this mission I can see is that he would freeze up, or leave. But with me there, I don't see that happening. He would stay, for me."

I hear Tenebris speak again. "You're probably right. You were always Lucis's favorite, being twins and all."

"Alright, those are acceptable risks. You can take your brother," Declan states.

"I'm sending Alistair with her, as well, to mitigate the other risks," Cullen tells him.

"Solid thinking. But she'll need a rogue, and I already have Varric and Cole tied up. Ferox, you and Sera are friends, right? You should ask her to go with you."

I grin. "Sera does need to get out more. But Declan, if I'm not with you or Cassandra, who's leading the mission?"

"Sounds like you are," he says, "but I'd also consider Alistair's advice. His experience with the Wardens will no doubt be valuable."

"You're putting me in charge?" I exclaim, blinking in surprise. "I...thank you for trusting me with the responsibility. I won't let you down, Declan. I'll talk to that dragon. I'm pretty sure it's a Vinsomer, though, and they're a bit different."

"But gorgeous if you get to see them up close," Tenebris comments with a chuckle from out of view. "You must be excited."

"About another lightning dragon? Of course I'm excited!"

Declan laughs. "You and the dragons," he says, shaking his head. "So give us...about an hour, and come meet us here in Emprise du Lion. We've taken over a place called Suledin Keep."

"It's elven. I know it," I say, nodding.

He looks at me for a minute. "One of these days, I'm going to have to get more information out of you. It didn't even occur to me that you'd know the old places. I bet there's a lot your family could tell us."

"Probably." I grin.

"It's a good-sized fortress, but was a hard won fight getting it. The red templars took this place over, they were experimenting with red lyrium, and were led by this demon named Imshael."

"No...one of the Forbidden Ones? I thought they were all dead."

"Yeah, that's what your brother Etiam said. He was keen on talking to him, but it ended in a fight, anyway."

That must have saddened Etiam to see it go that way. He really does like spirits, and meeting one of the Forbidden Ones must have been fascinating for him. I wish I'd been there, now. Seeing Etiam excited was a rare event, indeed.

I confirm, "So Suledin Keep, one hour. I'll see you then." I glance at the others. "Anyone else here have anything else to say before I end this?"

"No, we'll see one another soon enough, it seems," Cullen replies.

The connection ends, and the blue glow fades. I had hoped to see Hawke and Varric again, but I guess I'll be there soon. I remind myself to pick up the Draconic primer for Frederic.

"I need to go check in with Fiona to tell her I'll be out again. Then I need let Lucis and Sera know about the mission. Sounds like we'll be leaving again soon, today or tomorrow."

"I should go pack a few things, as well," Alistair states.

Josephine nods. "Thank you for letting us speak with the Inquisitor through your device. Any chance that we might obtain one for Skyhold?"

"Possibly, but it requires a mage with a decent amount of mana to use it. Hawke drained himself quickly the other day trying to sustain the connection for a few minutes. My own reserves are more substantial than normal mages, so I never really thought about it."

"I see. We will have to learn more about it, then."

"I'll return later with the Inquisitor," I say, bowing my head a little, and take my leave.

I don't remember Suledin Keep being this cold. Snow covers the ground, save for gnarled trees bare of their leaves and a few hardy plants stubbornly clinging to life. I look up and see the skies are gray and overcast. Red lyrium did this? The stone stairs and pillars of the ancient fortress resemble the bones of some long-dead creature, rising out of the snow. This is land that's lost the light of hope. I cast a warming barrier. No sense suffering when they already know what I am.

I'd appeared outside of Suledin Keep. The guards stationed out front eye me strangely as I approach. I smile at them.

"Greetings, Inquisition. I am Ferox, and the Inquisitor should be expecting me."

They immediately relax. "Indeed, he is within."

I walk through the entrance, and I'm shocked at the amount of red lyrium in this place. And Varric was worried about me going to the Deep Roads? He should have been worried about this place. It appears as though the templars brought it in using carts, but the crystal formations took over, growing right through the metal of the containers that once held it. Agents are pulling bodies out of tents and piling them on a pyre. At least, I think those things were once human. They're twisted now, hunched backs and more of the crystals protruding through the skin of their backs or along their arms. How awful.

I continue on, careful not to get too close to the bodies or the towering monoliths. They give off an eerie aura that makes my head hurt. Passing through into the next section, I see what appear to be cells. Peering inside, I'm sickened. Giants. They were experimenting on giants. Will that magister stop at nothing? I'm grateful that Lucis isn't here to see this. His connection to the natural world would make it difficult to see the world choked by such corruption.

There are more giants as I move forward, but these aren't in cages, they're just...dead. I see bolts in the legs that I know were fired from Bianca. They killed these? I'm impressed at the skill it must have taken. I'm glad now that Tenebris and Etiam were with them. I step carefully around the massive bodies, again experiencing that feeling deep in my temples. I stop, cocking my head. Tenebris said it has a call like an Archdemon. Toth is quiet, not even a stirring, but I don't dare touch any of the crystals. There's a humming, almost musical in nature. Bartrand "heard the song", is this what he meant?

"Firefly," Varric calls from the top of the stairs, but I don't react. We need to set this right. Corypheus must be stopped. If he's doing this...he was our responsibility...I feel my thoughts getting slower, as if caught in the sticky web of a spider, the humming resonating with something inside me.

"Ferox?" he says again, putting a hand on my shoulder, having walked closer without my realizing it. I meet his eyes, and it dawns on me what just happened. That red stuff called to me.

My expression must have given him an idea of what was happening, and he guides me toward the stairs, away from the body of the giant.

"There's less of it up here," he says, pulling me along by my hand. I nod and willingly follow him.

Before coming here I'd been so excited about seeing Varric, but after witnessing what I just did, the unnaturalness of this place, I can't summon anything but sadness. I take a deep breath and follow Varric. The others are at the top of the keep. He was right, I can breathe a little easier here, and my head doesn't hurt as much. Varric squeezes my hand before he lets go.

"Ferox," Declan greets me, smiling, and walks closer, only to stop when he sees my frown. "What is it?"

"Declan...this place. It's awful."

He nods, and moves to hug me, which causes Tenebris to frown. "I know. Sorry to have to bring you here."

He keeps an arm around me, and I tilt my head to look at him. "This can't continue. We have to stop Corypheus."

"We will stop him," Declan promises, stepping back, and I smile at last.

"We have to find the bastard first," Hawke says.

Tenebris adds, "Every time we think we have a lead, he's not there."

"Yes," Etiam agrees. "His forces have been weakened, increasing the Inquisition's chances at success, but Corypheus himself has been elusive."

I face my middle brother. "What's your theory on where he is, Etiam? You're always so good at predicting things."

"I'd say he's hiding behind his troops right now. He's thrown his minions at the Inquisition one by one: The grand duchess, the red templars, Imshael. These are the actions of an enemy who is either not ready to fight the Inquisition again directly and is just delaying the coming conflict; or has truly underestimated the growing power of the Inquisition. It's not clear which it is, but I'm sure he's moving to make further grabs at power. That is how he will reveal himself to us."

The Iron Bull nods. "If he's falling back, looking for a way to gain a better position would be a good move."

"You're probably right." I look around. "Where is Frederic?"

"He's over on the far side, with the merchants that are moving in."

"Merchants? Is Maeven here?"

"She is," he nods.

"I'll be back." I walk quickly to the opposite side of the upper floor of the keep. My friend is in the middle of setting a box down on top of a stack of others. She spots me, and walks toward me.

"Maeven, it's good to see you again," I say, moving to hug my friend in greeting. "I didn't know you were going to be here."

"It was a recent thing. We were headed this way from the Exalted Plains, and a runner came and told us to change direction. I hear you're quite the big news around here…" she breaks eye contact, and I know she's heard about me.

"Don't worry, I'm still me...still Dragon Girl," I laugh.

"I wasn't quite sure how to act around you," she admits with a small chuckle, "so that's good to know."

"I need more friends like you, Maeven. I wish I could spend more time with you now, but I have to go back with the others. Soon, though, okay?"

"Nothing last forever," she says, "even war. Have faith."

I nod. "The sooner we can finish this the better. I didn't expect it to be quite like this. Be careful. I'll see you soon, but I need to talk with Frederic before I go."

We hug one more time, and I move on to the Orlesian researcher. "Frederic," I call, getting his attention.

"Miss Ferox," he starts, and then finishes by greeting me in Draconic. I respond in kind.

"I am afraid we did not cover that one," he states with a smile.

"I said the pleasure is all mine," I tell him, and reach into my pack. "Your accent is improving, by the way. I have something for you; I wanted to keep my promise to keep teaching you. I'm sorry we can't practice together right now, but this should help."

Reading the first bit, his head raises again and I know he's looking at me, despite that mask he wears. "This is spectacular! I will make use of it in your absence, I assure you. I look forward to returning to visit Cinder."

I nod. "I'd like that, too. Unfortunately my own mission will take me from Skyhold and I probably won't be there when you get there."

"Until we next meet, then," he says, and I get the impression that he is smiling behind his mask. I wonder what Cole must make of him, remembering his words from the Winter Palace. I look over, and see him conversing with Etiam.

There's never enough time. The thought of so many friendships makes me smile. I never would have thought I would have been so connected to the people of the Inquisition. I've made a lot of friends in my time with them, and I think I have Maeven to thank, truly. She was the first to show me kindness, and have to expectations that I treat our friendship with respect. If it weren't for her, I might not have reacted to the others the same. Simple, devout, unassuming Maeven. I need to make good on my promise to see her again soon.

I reach the others again. I see that Varric, Declan and Cassandra are now holding their packs. "I've finished my business here, and I wouldn't mind leaving, if you're ready."

"I have a question first," Cassandra states.

"Alright, I'm listening."

"This magic...what will it feel like?"

I look at Varric, and defer to him. "You want to take this one, Love? You've been through it a few times."

"It's terrible, like the primal forces of the world are ripping your guts out. I hope you didn't eat a big breakfast, Seeker."

Her shocked expression is too much for me, and I burst out laughing. She catches on and glares at him.

Etiam offers his arm to her, and looking up at him, she accepts, and they disappear from in front of us. The Iron Bull and the others watch on with fascination. Tenebris clamps a hand on Declan's shoulder, and they too are gone.

"Our turn, Firefly," Varric tells me.

"Before we go, I just want to say thank you, for before. It wasn't like that when we saw the red lyrium in Crestwood."

He pulls my hand into his. "Yeah, shit gets worse the longer you're around it. Let's get out of here."

The scene blurs, and we leave Emprise du Lion behind.