Chapter 73: Greater Risks

AN: Thanks for continuing to read, and apologies for the delays (stupid real life, always getting in the way of fanfiction lol). The ending is definitely in my head, now just to get it on the screen!

I'm the last to emerge from the eluvian a couple of days later, and the fluttering in my chest begins anew as I step into the heat and humidity of the Arbor Wilds and consider what we're walking into. Mythal managed to enthrall a dragon, or worse, convinced it to join her. I have no idea what to expect from this encounter, or even what kind of dragon we're looking for. I follow a short distance behind Varric, keeping my staff at the ready, and my eyes open.

"Where do we look for this dragon, Ferox?" Declan asks from the front of our group, looking back at me.

"She said near her altar; that's south of here, but the dragon could be anywhere," I explain. "Stay alert."

The Inquisitor nods, holding his sword in his hand. It seems natural to see him carrying it, but I search my memory, and realize that Declan has mostly let others do the bulk of the fighting, preferring to lead from the back, handling the rifts, instead of engaging the enemy directly. The green glow of the Anchor shimmers even now around the hilt of his longsword, and I'm struck with the figure he paints: Bold, handsome, intelligent, but willing to listen to his supports. Declan is the kind of leader that inspires others.

I think back to when I lived among the humans myself, years ago. They'd followed me, sure, but mostly because they feared my temper and the resulting weather patterns; not out of love and respect the way the people look up to Declan. Would things have gone differently if I'd been more willing to listen?

My eyes instinctively shift to follow the back of Varric's head. His hair is partially pulled back from his face as always, and his gold earrings shine in the bright light of the forest clearing. He's watching the surrounding trees, the same as I had been, Bianca held in his arms at the ready. Varric, in his way, leads from the back as well, although his means are a lot more subtle than Declan's. Varric has a way of putting people right in the path of opportunity. How much of that is intentional, and how much is purely luck I have no idea, but I'm grateful for the day I ran into him - literally , I remind myself, recalling how I'd stumbled face-first into him at Skyhold.

The Arbor Wilds look much the same as when we left, a tangled web of vibrant greens. We walk for a time, and I appreciate the warmth of this place. A colorful bird alights on a nearby tree, crying out its solitary song. I understand why Mythal liked it here. Finally, we reach the altar itself, without seeing any sign of the dragon that has become her servant.

"Just like Mythal," my brother adds from where he stands with Dorian. "Sending us on a wild goose chase with her vague wording and riddles."

I frown. "No, I don't think this is a riddle, really." I walk closer to the altar, examining it. "I think it's here."

Understand dawns in his eyes. "We have to summon it."

I nod. "Appears that way.

Declan walks closer, reaching out a hand to touch the altar. A soft smile blossoms on his face, and I know he's listening to the voices from the Well of Sorrows again. "We few who travel far, call to me, and I will come - without mercy, without fear."

Declan sighs, and turns to me. "I'll do the summoning. But if it doesn't listen to you, Ferox, I want everyone - including you - to back off."

"You plan to take on a dragon all by yourself?" Morrigan chokes out, her pretty features pulling into a scowl. "If you wish your life to end, Inquisitor, there are far easier means to accomplish such." The biting tone to her voice conveys more than she means to: Morrigan is worried about Delcan.

He nods. "Mythal said I had to be the one to master it for it to follow me. So that's what I intend to do."

Varric looks at me. "Firefly?"

I frown, and say a little quieter, "He said to back off if it comes to it. I'll do my best to make sure it doesn't."

"Alright," Varric sighs, but doesn't look reassured. Probably because I'm not, either.

Declan continues mumbling under his breath, and I hear the flap of giant dragon wings. My attention is pulled to the top of the trees as the dragon soars into view. Fire dragon. Because of course , it would be. Great.

"Fire dragon!" I shout, and move away from the others to prepare myself.

I send a silent warning to Toth to remain calm and pull on the fire within. Flames shoot up from the ground, surrounding me in a wash of orange and red, before settling over my body like a second skin. I take a deep breath. Stay calm, you can do this. This isn't going to be like The Hissing Wastes. My confidence is shaken the moment the beast crashes to the ground in front of us.

"Shit!" Tenebris curses, mirroring my sentiment. "That's not a high dragon, that's an Ancient!"

Panic registers on a few of the faces in our group, but I hold my position. Mythal enthralled an Ancient?! My fury burns like the flames covering my body, driving them higher, and I feel a corresponding pulse from Toth. Friend or no, she'll pay for this. I narrow my eyes, taking a wide stance in front of the massive beast.

"Hold, dragon!" I shout. "I am Ferox the Destroyer, and I would speak with you!" I try to keep my words polite, despite the anger simmering under the surface.

It isn't the biggest dragon I've seen, but it's body is thickly muscled, and flames flicker through its skin like hot coals in a steady breeze. This is a formidable opponent. I can't let Declan fight it alone.

The dragon looks at me calmly, intelligence shining in its dark eyes, seemingly unaffected by my announcement. "I know of you, Stormbringer, but this does not concern you."

"I think I liked it better when I couldn't understand them," Varric grumbles from off to the side.

"The human has invoked the covenant. Not you." The dragon walks past me toward Declan, dismissing my presence, and I'm left gaping at its insolence. Screw leading from the back!

"You will listen!" I yell, moving, raising my staff and drawing on my magic, with every intent to crash it down to the ground, creating a magical burst...but it never makes it. I look over to see Declan holding my staff in his hand, shaking his head.

"Don't," is all he says, his eyes steady as he speaks.

"Declan no, not this time. That's an Ancient, you don't stand a-"

"This is my fight," he insists, cutting me off. "It's time - once and for all - for me to prove myself worthy of the name Trevelyan." His smile is gentle, unafraid, and the flames around me immediately extinguish.

"Then you will honor the covenant?" the dragon's voice booms, deep in my head, like a growling. I know the dragon is talking to Declan, not me, and at his nod, my shoulders sag. His agreement means that any interference from me would break the covenant, and it wouldn't help us. Shit.

Varric is there, pulling my shoulder. I look at him, and see the same concern that I'm sure is evident on my face. "Come on Firefly, let's give the Inquisitor room."

I catch a glimpse of Morrigan having a few furtive words with Declan, frowning and gesturing with her hands. Clearly Morrigan isn't happy with this decision either. I wonder at her reaction. Before, I would have sworn Morrigan was only getting close with the Inquisitor to forward her own agenda, but is it possible she really has genuine feelings?

But, as with me, Morrigan understands the nature of the agreement. We'll lose the assistance of Mythal's dragon if we step in. Time to shine, Inquisitor. I sigh, allowing Varric to lead me to the edge of the clearing.

I grumble, "If he dies, Mythal will die by my hand."

Morrigan raised her eyebrows, saying nothing, but a hint of a smile creeps into her features.

I smile back at her, and cut my eyes back to Declan, wishing him luck: both with the fight with the dragon, and the fearsome woman in front of me.

Declan takes his stance, holding his sword at the ready. His armored coat will offer some protection if he's hit, but it doesn't cover his whole body. The dragon circles him, tail flicking.

"Let us begin," it says with a chuckle.

A blast of fire flies from its mouth, aimed directly for Declan. I feel Varric's hand tighten on mine, and I hold my breath, watching in anticipation. But, in a move of extraordinary athleticism, Declan leaps out of the way, rolling and hopping to his feet, still brandishing his sword.

Declan dashes in, slashing at the large legs in front of him, dodging a swipe from its back claws in the process. The dragon howls in reaction, clearly having not expected this one puny human, who doesn't even carry a shield, to be able to hit him. I can't help the hopeful smile that blossoms on my face, and I find myself leaning forward in fascination, watching the dance of these two creatures.

Again and again they circle each other, taking swipes at each other, but after only a few moments, I can tell that the dragon is holding back. What is it up to? It hasn't used magic at all, sticking to it's flame attacks or claws. I don't have long to wonder long, as I see the glow of magic building, illuminating the spaces between scales - and I realize I know this kind of magic. Dread fills me.

"No!" I cry, wanting to run to Declan immediately, but Varric's hand holds me back, and Tenebris steps in my path.

The spell narrowly misses Declan, and I exhale the pent-up breath, and turn to glare at my brother.

"Tenebris that was-"

"I know, but it's his choice."

"I really need to start traveling with fewer mages," Varric remarks. "What did I miss this time?"

Dorian is the one who answers. "The dragon is using necromancy...death magic."

"I take it that's bad," Varric responds. "I mean, it sounds bad."

I nod. "It should have the ability to draw the very life out its opponent…" I look to Tenebris. "Why isn't it using it?"

Tenebris smiles. "You mean 'Dragon Girl' hasn't figured out what's going on, yet? Watch, Sister."

I turn my eyes back to the fight, curious to see what my brother meant. The dragon's movements are rough, hopping around much the way that Miracle had on top of the ruins in the Black Fens. I frown. That's juvenile, behavior, playful. My eyes widen as it hits me: it's not fighting seriously. For all it's bluster about "the covenant", it's just playing.

My shoulders relax and a small chuckle escapes me. "It's not trying to kill him," I comment softly. "It's just putting on a good show."

Varric finally lets go of my hand at my brother's nod, and the rest of us finish watching the fight to its conclusion. It ends in a matter of minutes, with the dragon conceding.

"You have proven your worth. Call for me, and will come to your aid, once," the dragon announces.

Declan, breathing heavy, and bleeding from several shallow gouges, nods, keeping his eyes on the beast.

I see my opportunity, and approach the massive beast. "Wait, before you go, what is your name, dragon?" I ask, having a feeling I already know the answer.

"Mortis." The massive wings flap, and I shield my eyes against the displaced debris as it rises and takes off once more.

As I suspected, Ancient Tevene for death. Mythal, the goddess of creation, enslaved Death itself.

Morrigan sighs, moving to Declan's side, and the blue glow of a healing spell illuminates his shoulder. "It is done," she comments. "We should return to Skyhold."

"You go," I tell them, and several sets of eyes turn my way. "I have an idea."

Declan, standing a bit straighter after the healing spell, looks at me with confusion. "What now, Dragon Girl?"

I smile widely. "I think I have a way to give us the upper hand against Corypheus - maybe even my brothers."

"Do tell," Dorian encourages, his amusement clear in his tone.

"I think it's time I visit a few friends. Varric, are you with me?"

"Shit," he comments. "I think I know what friends she means."

"And I hear there are three more in Emprise du Leon," I add, grinning.

Declan seems to catch on with our banter, nodding. "Indeed, we will call upon all of our resources. Will will not fail!" The Inquisitor's smile is as wide as my own.

"Sister," Tenebris begins. "Will you need my assistance?"

"No," I answer. "But it will take a few days, as I'll need to let my ring charge for the trip home. You help coordinate our efforts with Declan and his people. Oh, and tell Tempestas I'll be bringing company."