"Inquisitor. If I may take a moment of your time?"
The warrior looked up from his cup of ale with a raised brow. He was in the Herald's Rest, giving proof to the tavern's name. Solas knew he would find him here if not in his quarters.
"You have until I finish this ale." He muttered, not appreciating the interruption of his drink. He was quick to start downing the almost full mug.
"I have an idea of how to let the harpy fly."
That got him to stop for a moment. He set down his cup and gave the elf a smirk, "I knew you were good for something. Let's hear what you've got."
Solas bite the inside of his cheek to keep cool before straightening his stance, "We keep her restraint. With a long enough rope or chain we can keep hold of her and simply pull her back if she tries to run."
The Inquisitor nodded in thought, picturing it in his head, "Well, obviously chains. Ropes would rip easily, I mean, have you seen those talons? Sharp," the Inquisitor chuckled and downed the rest of his drink, "Good. Tomorrow I will gather a few of my special guests and you will supply them with a show. Now go and let me drink in peace."
Solas nodded and left when he gave a dismissive wave. He hated him so much, but all he needed to do is find a chain long enough and somehow convince her to play along. It should be easy, he hoped.
He was quick to find pieces of unused chain links and have the blacksmith smelt them all together to create one long chain. He found shackles to go around her delicate ankles. They weren't too tight so it shouldn't hurt her much.
It was mid afternoon when he came to visit her. He saw the Iron Bull speaking to her and she seemed to be chirping in response. He kept his distance trying to listen to the conversation.
"My people have heard rumors of your kind all over. It was a surprise when we found you here. I know there is much you can tell me, but I won't force you to say anything. You're too cute to torture." the qunari teased.
Her feathers ruffled and she looked away shyly, chirping playfully causing Bull to chuckle.
She pressed into the cage bars as he reached and stroked up her wings. She fluttered and shuddered happily, "What the Qun would do to know more," he trailed off as she reached her clawed hand to touch at his horns, "I will be sending my report to my people soon. Anything you would like me to say?"
Her feather crest rose and she whistled out with a lovely tune before she pressed her forehead against his. He gave a hearty chuckle and winked at her before he went to leave. She flew up into the tree and perched herself against it stretching out her wings wide and groaning lowly.
Solas pondered for moment longer as qunari left. He won't let the Qun harm this creature in anyway, he can't trust him after what he's done to his own Chargers. He took this moment to step into the cage looking up at her. She looked down at him and gave him an emotionless glance before turning around.
Solas sighed, "Falon. May I please talk with you?"
She ignored him only scratching her long talons against the branch her long tail feathers fluttering in the soft breeze.
"Falon."
She huffed.
"Please."
She peaked over her shoulder.
"I have a plan, please listen to me and let me apologize."
She dared another peek before pressing into the tree more not giving him her full attention.
Solas sighed and stepped in front of the tree sitting down at the base, "Very well then, but please just listen," he started speaking in soft elven, "The Inquisitor plans to make you fly to impress his guests. As much as I hate for you to be used in such a way, I don't advice angering him. He is a powerful man. He will not hesitate to harm you," he mumbled softly, "I plan to have weak restraints on your ankles. The shackles won't be tight, and I trust you won't try to fly away yet."
She hummed softly in response and peaked down at him curiously, "I won't see you hurt. Tomorrow all you have to do is display to his guests your flying capabilities and return safely to the cage. I will be willing to treat you later if you wish," he paused for a moment and looked up at her in the tree to find she was staring, "I am sorry if you felt I would think such things of you earlier. You are no beast, you are more civil than some of the people I have come to meet, falon." He admitted softly all in truth.
They were silent for a long moment before she finally chirped and climbed down landing next to him and pressing her forehead to his. He smiled and gently patted her head, "I trust you, falon."
She gave what sounded like a soft purr and smiled, "fa-lon." She tried to utter with a small smile.
His eyes widen in amazement and pride.
The next day Solas had woken early to prepare the harpy for the Inquisitor. He had given her a small cloak to help cover up her exposed torso against the cold mountain airs, draping easily over her shoulder without the need of sleeves. She was marching in place excitedly and ruffling up her wings. Cawing and chirping happily, hugging his arm as he tried to adjust the shackles and chain around her ankles.
"Falon, please keep still while I check the chains," Solas scolded as she whined and flapped her wings almost lifting into the air. He was quick to hold onto her waist pulling her back down and giving her a half hearted glare, "Not yet, falon. Be patient." she chirped playfully and gently butt her head to his chest, her tail feathers swinging to and fro behind her.
It was during lunch when the Inquisitor arrived with a few Orlesian nobles. Solas straightened his stance and gently order the impatient harpy to behave.
"As you can see, my lords, the harpy is very much real. We rescued it from a Venatori caravan in the Western Approach. Gastly creature, killed three of my men, but we captured and keep her here for study. As matter of fact we'll be testing her flying capabilities right now." the Inquisitor bragged as the Orlesian nobles stared in awe at her. She stared at them with her intense red eyes and spread her wings impressing them greatly.
"You've managed to tame the beast, your worship, how impressive!" one commented making the man grin.
"What a beautiful thing, perhaps scholars from the university may come to study it as well." one noble asked.
"We may discuss that later, my lord, come watch while we see the bird in action. Solas, if you could." The inquisitor gestured.
Solas nodded and carefully guided the harpy out of the cage leading her to a small clearing. Already a crowd had started to form as the harpy was taken out of the cage. She cawed out softly and trembled with excitement, making the audience whisper in awe.
"Alright, falon," he whispered in soft elven in her ear, "fly." a shiver with a soft gasp was his response.
She took off without hesitation, her large wings spreading wide and lifting her up into the air almost reaching the height of the tallest tower of Skyhold. Solas held onto the long chain, showing the people he had control, but his grip was loose. The crowd cheered and hollered in amazement as she flew in circles, diving down and back up cause a strong gust of wind. She whistled out happily her song echoing throughout Skyhold. Solas couldn't help, but smile proudly.
It was a site to behold. Her colorful plumage even more beautiful in the sunlight and her melodic song making people smile and cheer. She kept flying higher and higher, soaring, almost reaching the clouds, when the chain tugged at her ankles. She stopped. Hovering in one place still flapping her wings. Solas new what she was thinking. She could escape, she was strong enough pull the chain and be free. Fly back home to her people and hiding back away from all the mess that is Thedas.
He felt a sense of relief and guilt when she finally dived back down landing gracefully on the ground next to him.
Alternate Ending:
It was a site to behold, until a stray arrow pierced into her left wing. The shot strong enough to take her down and her pained screech stunning all who witnessed it.
I am cruel. This was how I wanted to to end this chapter. Anyway, I see you people reading but y'all don't comment. Don't be shy to say something. Thanks for reading.