Camp was set, but no one was really interested in resting. They had their lead, they knew where they needed to search, but making sure Elden was safe and as comfortable as possible in the meantime took priority. Inside the tent, Dorian used his magic to warm the air, pulling up extra blankets and tucking Elden in. He looked so incredibly frail now, Dorian's chest ached as he watched him, unwilling to leave just yet. When Elden's eyes finally fluttered open, he sighed in relief, moving closer just to be closer to him.
"How do you feel?" Dorian asked. Elden winced in pain as he tried to move and Dorian hurriedly put a hand on his chest to still him. "Don't try to move."
"I'm sorry," Elden said, looking so tired and earnest as he looked over at him, as if pleading him to understand but too tired to say everything on his mind.
"Shh, amatus," Dorian said, leaning forward to brush the hair from Elden's forehead, alarmed by how fever-hot he was. "Just rest."
"I just— I don't want to leave you alone," Elden said, voice faint as he slipped into sleep once again.
Dorian's heart twisted painfully as he leaned forward,burying his face against Elden, hand caressing his cheek. It wasn't fair, none of it was. Elden was in so much pain, but still, after everything, he was still more worried about him, wanting to be with him, comfort him, when it should have been the other way around. Was this really happening? Was this really all he could do for Elden? He'd brought nothing but pain everywhere he went, was this really how Dorian would repay him? Thank him for everything he'd done for him? Was this really how it would end?
Dorian's life had shone the moment they'd met; hope and affection, more than he'd ever thought possible, suddenly filling every moment all because of Elden. He couldn't lose him. He couldn't let it end this way. Elden deserved so much better than the hand fate had dealt him, he'd remained kind and soft throughout despite a lifetime full of pain. Suddenly Dorian was nothing but fury. He would make sure it wouldn't end here. It couldn't.
He wanted to stay, but the best thing he could do for Elden now was to find the Venatori. He needed to get back out there and keep searching. Every moment he wasn't was another that could be damning Elden. He placed a kiss to Elden's forehead, lingering for a long moment, his eyes burning with tears, but there was no time for that.
He squeezed Elden's hand before reluctantly pulling away. As Elden slipped out of his grasp, he tried to remember every detail of his hands, the way he'd felt in his own, location of every callus, everything. He didn't look back as he left the tent, shivering with the cold of the mountain air. Looking back would only make this harder. It felt worse than it ever had as he walked away, terrified that would be the last time he'd ever see him alive.
Dorian scrambled up the side of a mountain, glancing over his shoulder constantly, trying to find the exact angle in those three mountains in the distance. It was more difficult than one would have thought, but there was so much ground to cover and the heavy snow made it slow going. Cassandra and the Iron Bull were around here somewhere, but they'd separated to cover more ground
Dorian was so focused on the mountains, so desperate to find the location as soon as possible, that he wasn't paying much attention to his surroundings so as he came around a bend in the mountain path and came face to face with a Venatori scout. They both seemed equally surprised, nearly colliding as they both slid to a stop.
The scout recovered first and even as she swept Dorian's legs out from under him, sending him sprawling he couldn't help but feel a surge of hope. If she was here, the other Venatori had to be nearby, they were so close! Of course, he needed to avoid getting killed here first if he was going to do anything with that knowledge.
From the ground, he saw her throw a dagger somewhere above him which confused him until a heavy pile of snow landed on top of him, smothering him and freezing him to the bone. He could barely move, panic overwhelming him at the sensation, only made worse by the knowledge that as he struggled the scout was getting away. She was going to warm the others that they were coming and perhaps they would destroy all hope that they might be able to save Elden!
With a surge of magic, he burst his way free, melting the snow in the process as he jumped to his feet. He was disoriented and it took a long moment for him to spot the scout, now too far for him to catch up.
"Bull! Cassandra!" he yelled, hoping the others might be nearby. He fired off a bolt of lightning, but it missed as she ran out of range.
"Dorian?" Cassandra called out, but she was too far behind him he realized with a horrible sinking feeling.
With a curse, he sprinted after the scout. He had to catch up in time, he couldn't let this happen!
The Iron Bull leapt out as if from nowhere higher up the mountain, ax raised as he landed, with a flurry of snow, directly on top of the scout. Dorian skidded to a halt, profound relief causing him to suddenly feel weak as he leaned over, trying to catch his breath. He nodded his thanks to Bull as he approached. It would have been nice to have been able to question her, but they were a bit limited in their options at the moment.
"Thanks for that," Dorian said as Iron Bull approached.
"I guess we know where they are," Bull said, nodding in the direction the scout had attempted to flee. "This is it, it's time to finish this."
"You should go get the others, Dorian." Cassandra said. "We'll keep an eye out, scout the area and make sure no one else discover our presence.
Dorian nodded, suddenly feeling shaky. Soon they'd have their answers and Elden would either be saved, or they would have to watch him waste away and die. Dorian didn't waste any time. He ran all the way back, fueled entirely by adrenaline and trying to ignore the way each gasp of the frozen air burned his lungs. Blackwall was standing guard when he returned and he apparently read his expression.
"You found it?" he asked, hope evident in his voice.
"Yes," Dorian said, trying to recover his breath and compose himself. "Time to get going."
He continued past and entered the tent where Vivienne was sitting beside Elden. Any words Dorian might have said in response died in his throat when he saw Elden. He still looked so exhausted and worn out but at least he was awake and seemed more aware than before. He smiled as Dorian dropped down beside him, brushing his fingers across Elden's cheek, disturbed to feel how cold he was; a terrible contrast to how fever hot he had been before.
"It's time," Dorian said once he'd regained himself. "Let's get you up."
It was slow going, Elden having difficulty walking. Dorian stayed close to his side the entire time, arm around him, and every time Elden faltered he was there for support. Elden's face was determinedly blank, not wanting the others to see the pain he was no doubt in or how difficult simply moving was. Dorian was relieved when they found the others so Elden could at least stop and rest for the moment while they planned.
Cassandra and the Iron Bull had taken cover at the bottom of a slope. Carefully, Dorian and Blackwall climbed to the top, being sure to stay low. From their vantage point, they could see an outcropping not far below with several Venatori, no doubt keeping watch, and behind them was the cave.
"We need a plan," Cassandra was saying behind him. "We don't have time for a frontal assault."
Something was gnawing at Dorian as he slid back down to join the others. The area looked vaguely familiar, until the memory hit him like a punch in the gut. He recalled being dragged along here, but they went a different way.
"There's a back way in," Dorian said, voice more grim than intended.
Elden must have noticed his pained expression at the memory because he took his hand, obviously concerned, and Dorian held it tightly as he turned to the others, taking too much comfort from the simple contact.
"There's a trail up ahead. Easy to miss but we can use it to circle around, take them by surprise."
"Right," Blackwall said. "We'll attack from the front, distract them while you get in there and find something to cure the Inquisitor."
Dorian couldn't help but think it a little odd that he be the one appointed with the most important task. Did it mean they were beginning to trust him again? Or was this a test as well?
"The Inquisitor and I best accompany you," Vivienne said, moving to Elden's side.
"Are you sure that's wise?" Cassandra asked, eyeing Elden. "Perhaps he should stay out of sight-"
"I'm fine," Elden interrupted, doing his best to stand a little straighter. "I don't want to get in the way, but I can't just stay behind."
"It's best if he's close at hand," Vivienne interjected.
"It's settled then," Bull said, drawing his ax. "Let's bash in some heads."
This was it. The atmosphere was tense as they all said their goodbyes, Elden wishing the other group good luck, obviously apprehensive, hating that this was all happening because of him. Dorian wanted to correct him, none of this was his fault, it was Dorian's, but of course he wouldn't listen. What if someone died for this? Somehow Dorian hadn't considered that. All the more reason to find what they were looking for as quickly as possible, he supposed. Then Dorian could join the frey and help fight.
It wasn't long after they parted ways that the sounds of battle filled the air as he, Vivienne, and Elden made their way to the hidden entrance. Dorian was torn between wanting to rush ahead and search or to stick close and help Elden who was doing an admirable job keeping up despite his exhaustion. With a nod from Vivienne, however, his decision was made for him. Vivienne would do a much better job assisting Elden, so with an apologetic glance towards Elden, Dorian sprinted ahead.
As he entered the cave, he gripped his staff tightly, expecting Venatori to jump out at him from every shadow, but there was no one here. No doubt they were all currently occupied by the distraction the others were providing. When the center of the room came into view, however, he decided he would have much prefered the ambush
On the ground was a large magic circle drawn in blood, dry and flaking, and from the wall dangled chains that were much too familiar. Dorian shuddered at the sight, staggering and falling to one knee as pain spiked through his skull and he had to bite down hard on his gloved hand to stop from crying out. He could feel a crowd of memories rushing in, nearly overwhelming him, and he tried desperately to focus on here and now. He needed to save Elden, he couldn't do this now!
Breathing heavily, gripping his staff for support, he stood and took a determined step forward. The sound of boots scraping on stone caused him to spin around, however, and he was just in time to see Elden fall. Vivienne caught him and lowered him to the ground and Dorian took an involuntary step towards them, wanting nothing more than to rush to their side as terror gripped him.
Was this it? Were they out of time? He couldn't leave Elden, not like this. He took another step, but Vivienne raised a hand, stopping him in his tracks and he knew she was right. He could go back, stand uselessly by and watch Elden die, or he could find the cure and possibly save him. He had to try. Wrenching his eyes away, he turned and ran farther in.
The cave curved to the left and in the distance Dorian could hear the sounds of battle. Dorian desperately wanted to continue on and join the fray, to fight and tear into everyone responsible for all of this, but he hesitated. Elden was his priority. Instead, he took a right where an adjoining cave opened up into a wide room. It appeared to be in use as a sleeping area, personal belongings and bags scattered about. Dorian picked one section that appeared to belong to Venatori of a higher station and began tearing through, even checking pockets of whatever garments he dug up.
He was so frantic, when he pulled up a small bag that clinked in that particular way glass bottles did, he nearly dropped it again. Setting it down, he opened it carefully and, hands shaking, began sifting through various potions, from healing to lyrium among others, until he finally found it. A half-empty bottle of poison.
He carefully wrapped his fingers around the bottle. It was such a simple thing, the vial small enough to fit into his palm. And yet so devastating. Dorian shuddered, thinking about the dark liquid running through Elden's veins, causing him so much agony, slowly killing him. He just hoped Elden wasn't already too far gone. He slipped the vial into a pocket, knowing he needed to get it to Vivienne as soon as possible, and sprinted back out of the room to where he'd left them.
He was in such a hurry when Elden and Vivienne came into view that he almost didn't see it. Movement at the entrance of the cave caught his attention and he skidded to a halt. A man was standing there, wearing the robes of a Venatori mage, and he was raising his hand in Vivienne and Elden's direction, readying a spell.
"No!" Dorian cried out reflexively, knowing there was nothing he could do, no way he could get to them in time.
Vivienne acted with impressive speed at his warning, pulling a barrier up around herself and Elden as a wave of fire crashed around them. As the spell fell away, Dorian was relieved to see that the barrier held, but the Venatori turned in his direction, drawn by his shout. At the sight of him, a cruel grin spread across the Venatori's lips and it sent a chill down Dorian's spine as he took an involuntary step back. He recognized this man. He didn't think he would ever be able to forget his face.
Dorian thought he might be sick as he was overwhelmed with more memories; of blood dripping into his eyes and agony as they cut into him again and again, and this relentless taunting voice that he tried so desperately to resist as it told him over and over again to kill Elden, to wait until they were alone and drive a blade into him.
That voice drowned out every part of his mind until there was nothing else and Dorian knew without a doubt that this man had complete control over him. He could order Dorian to do anything and he would have to do it. He could be forced to turn on Elden all over again, finish him off for good this time before attacking the others, and Dorian would be helpless to stop it. He felt truly terrified, cold down to his very core and he lashed out reflexively, frantically bringing his staff up to cast something, anything, but it was already too late.
"Stop."
With that one word, one simple command, Dorian was brought to a halt. All that magic he'd summoned up simply dissipated and vanished. His arms shook with strain as he tried to move, just a fraction, but he just couldn't. There was no winning against this, there was nothing he could do and that terrible grin widened as the Venatori watched the panic in his eyes.
"I must say, I am impressed you made it this far," the Venatori said.
While his attention was elsewhere, Vivienne took advantage and fired off several sharp blades of ice but the Venatori easily raised his own barrier to deflect. There was a flurry of spells and explosions as Vivienne and the Venatori bombarded each other and, above the din, he heard it.
"Kill them!" the Venatori yelled and Dorian felt the last of his hope fade away.
