I saw the battle within Featherless's head. He has his own plans, for he is more than just Featherless. More than just falon. Nevertheless, what he has done for me now has proven his loyalty and faith in me. I had given him my trust just before I left, I will give him the knowledge of my people.
But right now I have my mission. The dragon of Crestwood will be slain if I do not warn him. Tamings take days, some weeks and many of my people are involved in a single taming. I have to do this all on my own, and before morning.
Finding the dragon's nest did not take long, he was hiding in the ruins of an abandoned fort. Debris from the damaged castle were scattered about creating an obstacle I silently creeped about to reach the dragon.
It was young, just reaching the age of a mature dragon. She was sleeping humbly, body draped over the ruins. A low menacing rumble emitting from her throat as she slept. I dared to creep closer carefully caressing her long neck tracing the pattern of her scales and up to the delicate spot under her chin. The low rumble of a snore turned to a growl. I watched her open large eyes, her pupils dilating as she looked at me.
"Ssshh, lovely, I mean no harm to you. I am here praise you and the great power you hold." I coaxed gently in my tongue. Softly singing into her ear words of praise and compliments.
She growled half-heartedly and slowly began to sit up. Her large wings stretching outward and neck upwards. I lifted up into the air swiftly following her face. Eye contact is crucial; create a bond and never let it sever. If I can do this right, I will be the first to tame a dragon single handedly. I have to have faith in my strength and ability. Without confidence this majestic being will see that I am not worthy to follow.
She roared out viciously as I kept eye contact.
"Follow me, dragon, and I will lead you to a safe and happy life." I claimed in my native tongue.
Solas watched as the sun began to peak out of the horizon. He gripped his staff tight and looked to the sky in the direction the harpy had left. No sign of her yet. She must hurry soon, he won't think he'll be able to persuade the Inquisitor in thinking she is simply taking a stroll. He grinded his teeth and clenched his jaw.
Varric and Blackwall; perhaps they can distract the Inquisitor for a while. He has to go look for her soon if she doesn't come back within the next hour.
"Please, hurry, falon."
Time continued on, the sun rising above the horizon. Solas managed to create a decoy in the cage, using sacks of whatever inventory they had, draping a blanket over it to make it look like the harpy was sleeping. He began to hear rustling from one of the tents and in one last way to keep her cover he stood in front of the empty cage to obstruct the site of whoever is about to come out. She doesn't have much time left. However, now he is beginning to worry of her safety more than her cover.
In that vision in the Fade. She showed how many of her people are needed for these ritualistic tamings of dragons. Some would distract, others will coddle the dragon, and present present offerings.
She is on her own. No help. And as far as he knows, no offerings.
The sun was up and people began to wake. No one suspected the cage was empty, his decoy seemed believable at least.
The Inquisitor was the last to wake, heading into nearby shrubbery to relieve himself.
"Solas, you haven't eaten breakfast are you alright?" Blackwall asked as he finished his bowl of whatever porridge he managed to make. Varric also looked up giving the elf a curious glance.
Solas bit the inside of his cheek, "I had a bit before sunrise. I should be fine until noon."
They both nodded, somewhat pleased with the answer, but Varric still kept a cautious eye on him.
"Oi, why hasn't the harpy woken up yet? Is it dead?" The Inquisitor asked, coming back to the camp.
"She is still resting, Inquisitor. She must have tired herself from flying all of yesterday." Solas answered calmly.
"Well, it's loss. Guess it'll have to deal with no breakfast today. Let's clean up camp and get going. That dragon ain't gonna slay itself," He announced before scooping up a bowl and helping himself to some of Blackwall's porridge.
With resounding nods and grunts of agreement they all began to pack up.
Throughout the journey to the last known location of the dragon, no one seemed to have questioned the unmoving 'harpy'.
Except for Varric's quips to her lack of energy, to which Solas would respond with her need to rest and rejuvenate.
"Honestly, I've never seen her sleep like this before. She's like a rock." Varric commented.
"Probably because she doesn't fly much back home. Always being cooped up in that large cage," Blackwall defended.
"Yes, perhaps a days full of rest would be enough for her to recover." Solas glanced back at the mobile cell.
"That thing will have to wake up soon. I want to use it to slay the dragon," The Inquisitor announced up head with a determined grin.
"Inquisitor, I don't think it wise to put her up against such a large opponent."
"Relax Solas, it's an experiment. You like those, right? We'll see if it has any hidden powers. It's a way to find out why the Venatori wanted this thing in the first place."
Solas sighed and remained silent.
He grew more and more worried when they heard the not so very distant roar of the dragon, Solas had to restrain himself from hurrying his horse on ahead.
"Sounds close by, men, keep alert," the Inquisitor ordered.
Almost as if on queue, a great shadow casted above them, blocking the sun with its large size. The dragon roared and flew above them startling the horses with a large gust of wind, created from its take off. It was enough to topple them off their horses and turn the harpy's cage onto its side.
"Aaggh, fucking animal! Varric and Blackwall, with me! Solas get that damned bird on commission! We fight now!" the Inquisitor barked as he drew his sword and followed after the dragon.
Solas rushed to the cage 'following his orders', but looked up instead spotting a swift dot flying circles around the dragon.
He felt a wave of relief that she was alright, but it wasn't over yet. She still hasn't driven the dragon away and the Inquisitor has arrived to slay it.
He tried to signal her in the air, sending sparks of light into the sky.
"Solas! The harpy!"
Solas gritted his teeth and hurried to the trio of men who stood ready to fight, "She escaped the cage, Inquisitor! She's already after the dragon!" He lied.
The human noble however seemed pleased with this, "Atta, girl! Alright, Solas, Varric! Shoot that thing down!"
Varric nodded began firing at the circling beast. Solas a bit hesitant also began to fire, rather weakly.
She seemed to finally notice the trio and screeched out loudly. A warning. Whether it was for them or the dragon, he was not certain.
Varric's bolts however were enough to get the mighty beast's attention, as it landed menacingly in front of them with a loud roar. The harpy circling around in front of its face, trying to distract it.
The Inquisitor took this moment and began to charge with a battle cry, Blackwall at his side.
"Come on, Chuckles! Where are the barriers?" Varric called as he began to fire at the dragons front legs.
Solas nodded casting his barriers, trying to refrain from attacking at all costs.
The harpy's calls became more desperate as she tried to divert the dragon from the group. The dragon however ignored her, swiping with its large claws and snapping with powerful jaws.
Then, without much time for reaction, the dragon charged its power in the back of its throat, firing lightning directly at the harpy in mid air.
She was downed instantly. Her pained screech echoing throughout the ruins. It was enough to halt the dragon and the Inquisitor.
Solas was the first to run to her side. Her slumped form almost lifeless on the ground as the electricity from the attack still coursed throughout her body.
"Falon!" Solas called out as he fell to her side carefully turning her body and moving her wing. Blood. He felt a chill crawl up his spine and he frantically began to pour whatever mana he had into healing her wound. A large burn, spreading from her neck to her lower stomach and part of her left wing.
He could hear the battle continue on behind him. The Inquisitor calling out for a barrier, but Solas ignored him.
"Falon, please open your eyes!" He pleaded under his breath. He snatched a healing potion from his pack and carefully picked her head up, feeding it to her.
The dragon's roar echoed as one of its legs gave out.
She jolted awake and looking frantic up at a relieved Solas, but she pushed him away weakly, trying to get up.
"Wait, falon, you are weak!"
"No! Stop!" she tried taking off, but her injured wing made it impossible so she ran.
"Falon!" Solas followed after her.
"Stop! Please!" She called out, "Leader!"
This caught the Inquisitor's attention if only for a second before he continued his attack on the dragon.
"Leader! Stop, please!" She wailed falling to the Inquisitor's side as the dragon dropped to its last leg. It's large face managing one last attack before the Inquisitor delivered the finishing blow right between its eyes.
The final roar echoing with the harpy's wail.