Note: Okay, this one took forever for a reason. I call this a lynchpin chapter as a lot of stuff has happened and a lot of story lines are coming together or unfolding which is why I took my time so I didn't miss anything. I have two whopper chapters that are coming up and so stay tuned. Thank you to all the favorites, follows, and comments. Keep them coming.
Music for this chapter is Dream by Imagine Dragons for Khrys and Michel and I See Fire by Ed Sheeran for Dorian.
Please enjoy Chapter Twenty: Fallout
Dragon Age
"The Relic"
Chapter Twenty: Fallout
By the time Khrys and her party made it back to Skyhold she was surprised to find that Dorian wasn't back yet. The silence for everyone was awkward and Malcolm kept to himself. Bree was the only one beside Cole that talked to him like all was normal. It was strange to know that Malcolm was possessed but Bree had known him since they were little and he was the closest thing she'd have to a brother. Even with everyone looking at him with distrust she looked at him as she always had, like family.
Jean had read in letters about her and her family but it wasn't until now that he saw how close she was to Malcolm. It unnerved him to a point. Varric had given her a horse and he missed having her riding with him. It was a selfish thought really; he liked having her in his arms or in front of him so he could smell her hair. She still rode by him, flirted with him, stole kisses when no one was looking. He'd never liked someone more than he did her. She could ride with better skill than any Chevalier he'd ever met and she wasn't afraid to stand up and fight. Bree was elegant and lovely, he couldn't believe his luck.
The possessed mage was a cause for concern but Malcolm didn't appear to be a threat. He actually scouted with him for a time after landing in Jader. There they had collected a contingent of Chevaliers led by Etienne who was none too pleased when his Prince decided to escort them all the way back to Skyhold. The black haired Chevalier grumbled but rode with them.
Michel panted and settled on his back, he wasn't as young as he used to be but after so long without Khrys he had to give her a satisfying welcome home. He insured they had a nice quiet dinner and private time for themselves. "Never be away from me that long again, Love," he said as she cuddled up next to him on his right. A sheen of sweat covered them both and she kissed his chest, tasting the salt.
"You trying to make an honest woman of me, Michel?" she giggled.
"All you have to do is say yes, belle," he replied. Khrystabel de Chevin always did have a nice ring to it but she liked them as they were. He finally controlled his breathing and she smiled. "I think I'm getting old."
"Hopefully not too old, Vhenan," she grinned and deftly moved from her snuggle position and on top of him straddling his waist.
Michel purred with a smile at the beautiful figure sitting on him. "How can I resist you?" he asked and she leaned down kissing him.
The breeze that came through the open door of the terrace made the night perfectly comfortable. Skyhold was always cold but it was summer. Khrys and Michel weren't sleeping they were talking, talking about everything that had happened. Not much had taken place in Skyhold except every Chevalier passed through. The girls in Skyhold went gaga over Etienne whenever he blew through. It appeared that all the commotion happened elsewhere and Michel just listened, his right hand moving up and down on her arm.
He heard everything she said, the revelation about Malcolm was huge and going to cause problems but his concern was for the girl he considered a daughter. "Is Bree okay?"
"She seems to be," she smiled at his concern for her. "From what she said it sounds like the binding with Mythal. We'll see."
Michel was starting to drift off happy that she was with him again. "I'm just glad everyone is home and safe."
Khrys couldn't help but worry about Dorian. He'd left before they did, he should have returned ahead of them. Tevinter was a long way off but not having any word was unsettling. "Dorian's not…have you heard anything?"
"No," he replied. "Sleep, Love, we'll see in the morning." Khrys was worried but being with Michel made her feel better and lulled off to sleep on his chest.
Anders and Tess sat on couch in Khrys' quarters looking a bit like a couple that had been caught in the act. They'd known that eventually someone would learn the secret and the bill finally came due. Neither of them were particularly happy with how Khrys and company found out what Malcolm was but it was fitting that he used it to protect people.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Khrys asked but her decibel was a little louder than she would have liked. Anders and Tess glanced at each other. "Did you not trust us? Trust me?"
"We didn't trust anyone."
Khrys blinked and Anders looked away from her to his wife. Here was a hit of shame, not for Malcolm but for not trusting someone who'd helped him despite it all. "I don't even know how to respond to that." She said and Anders stood pacing, it was his decision not to tell anyone that didn't absolutely have to know. "I hate to point it out like this but he is an abomination, Anders, you know how dangerous they can be."
"He is not an abomination," he snarled a little harsher than he intended, for over 10 years he'd been defending his son. He wasn't like he was. "He's…not really…not like me. He's been like this since…probably since he was born."
The rules of possession and magic were clear, what he was staying shouldn't be possible. There was no way Anders should have been able to go 10 years as he did but it was apparent this family liked to challenge the norm. "How is that possible? Demons can only effect after power manifests in the fade."
Anders was getting more and more irritated. "It's not a demon it's Justice!" His voice was raised and then he bit it back trying to calm himself down. The squeeze on his arm from Tess was a gentle reminder to stay calm.
"That's what Malcolm said," Khrys went on seeing that Anders was getting irritated. She didn't care if he got raging mad he should have told them. "But I don't get it. How could it be Justice? Justice left you in the Fade and attacked the Nightmare." It was a question that obviously made Anders mad and she could see it.
"We don't know," Tess answered so Anders didn't have to. "When he was a baby we knew something was different but the day he came into his powers we saw it."
Khrys looked at Anders who seemed very uncomfortable about this line of questioning. The behavior between father and son became clear now and her heart went out to him. "That's why you and Malcolm don't get along," she deduced. "It's not because of Malcolm it's because of Justice."
Anders stood with an irritated growl. "They're the same person," he snapped and began to pace. It angered him always and he never got an answer. "But…yes. I want to know why Justice took my son."
"Have you asked?" Khrys asked before she could stop herself and Anders had the reaction she anticipated.
"I hadn't thought of it until now, Inquisitor, thank you," Anders retorted and both Tess and Khrys sighed heavily. "He doesn't know," he added giving her the honest answer.
Khrys brow furrowed. "How could he not?"
"They are not two different entities. They are one. A true blending, he has no idea what Justice wanted." Anders explained with an irritated tone. "My son is not an abomination, Khrys, he's something else but he's not a danger to anyone."
"He kicked Solas' ass and made it look as easy as breathing," she said flatly and Anders looked proud. He had every right to be, Malcolm was a considerable mage and a rogue.
"He's a powerful mage. He's young and he's only going to get stronger."
"And then there's the whole healing the dead thing," she put in and that got the attention of both. Tess looked at her husband and he gave her the same expression. "Oh yeah…your son revived a recently dead Sebastian Vael." The look on their faces told her that they knew he had that talent as well. "You knew that too didn't you?"
"He's never done that on a person…a few animals," Tess said and Anders blinked looking a bit confused and shocked.
The first time Malcolm resuscitated a fox, then Lily's wolf but the thought of being able to do that on a human was head spinning. No mage could do that. "Are you sure he was dead?"
Khrys felt like yelling at him but she didn't, he wasn't there and this was unusual. "Yes, Anders, he died in my arms…he was dead."
Gerard appeared from the steps. "Inquisitor, you're needed downstairs. It's about the…," the Orlesian paused and made eye contact with Anders. "It's about young Malcolm."
Downstairs there was a problem in the main hall. It appeared to be between the Templars and the Mages, the feud would never end. Michel and Cullen stood between them. Bree and Cole were standing with Malcolm, and Lysette had a handful of Templars with her. Michel was in the middle.
"Lysette, you need to leave. You will not take any action without the Inquisitor's say so," Michel warned. "Malcolm has lived here nearly his entire life and I won't let you persecute him."
Malcolm looked at the Templars across from him. He knew them, knew Lysette well and she wanted to take him away. He didn't want to create problems he just wanted to go home. The Chasind didn't care, Lily didn't care. "He needs to come with us. I order you to stand aside."
"You don't give me orders, Lysette, I know you're unsettled but you need to be patient," he hissed firmly in reply.
"What's going on here?" Khrys asked. Anders didn't need a novel; he knew exactly what was going on. The Templars had deferred to their original mandate.
"He's an abomination," Lysette barked boldly at Michel, "seize him!" Michel held up a hand to tell the Templars to stop and keep Bree from stepping in.
Anders moved quickly and got in the Knight-Captain's face. "If you touch my son, Knight-Captain, I'll kill you."
"Like father like son," Lysette thought and glared to Anders. "Step back!"
Defying Templars was old hat for Anders, he could match them if he had to but he knew Lysette…she was a friend. "If any one of you Templar bastards makes a move I'll kill you all!" Anders promised his voice carrying a growl. He was ready to fight.
"Captain, stand down," Cullen ordered trying to avert an all-out massacre. Anders would probably get a few of them before the power was nullified but Malcolm would destroy everything.
"He's an abomination!" The Templar shouted again and noticed that Gerard and Declan were standing with the Inquisitor.
"And I said stand down, now!" Cullen roared in his commander voice. In that moment Cullen became an enormous figure in the room. Lyrium, serving Templar or not, Cullen Rutherford was still the boss. All the Templars dropped to one knee. Cullen would always be Knight-Commander to them.
This was the reason they'd told no one. Malcolm sighed. "I'll go."
"No you won't," Cullen barked firmly giving the crystal clear notion that it wasn't up for debate. "We have quite a bit to discuss, young man," he said and returned him attention to the Templars. "If any Templar acts against this young man they will deal personally with me and I will punish you all."
"Commander, you do-…" Malcolm began but Cullen's hand silenced him. Cullen was clearly irritated with the Templars.
"Captain, you are dismissed."
Lysette held Cullen's stare. "This is a mistake, Commander."
Their behavior irritated him. They didn't ask or wait for an explanation, Lysette went straight for the extreme. "Be quiet. Leave, all of you." The Templars left with the exception of Gerard and Declan. Cullen patted Malcolm's shoulder and looked at Anders. "I think we all need to talk."
"Get your things together, Mal, we're leaving," Anders said and Malcolm remained where he was. Anders turned toward him. "Malcolm?"
He shook his head. "I'm not leaving."
"Why in Andraste's nickers would you stay?" his father demanded. "You have Templars guarding you now! They don't trust you anymore and they've known you since you were a child!"
"Because Khrys still needs me."
Anders' head spun. This was fucking Justice's doing. That goddamn spirit's overworked sense of duty and honor. "You have Templars shadowing you! Lysette wanted to string you up, why the fuck would you stay here?!" he was loud and angry.
"Because I trust Khrys," he replied and paused as he thought longer, "that…the Relic downstairs is dangerous. Solas will use it to sunder the veil and I'm not going to let that happen. They can put as many Templars on me as they want but this is where I need to be."
Anders was proud of his son more than anything. His actions got the Prince of Starkhaven off his back after all these years but he couldn't help but want to protect him. He could see Justice in him, the spirit that he'd spent so much time with fit much better with his son then it did with him. His question though remained unanswered no matter how many times he asked, Malcolm just didn't know. He turned to Tess who had already said she was staying on for a bit. "It seems my love and my son have abandoned me…you've a message for Lily?"
"Not one that you want to relay," he answered and Anders snorted. "I'll give you a letter."
Anders furrowed his brow, dabbling in his son's love life was not his favorite duty but was necessary sometimes. "When was the last time you saw her?"
Malcolm looked down and sighed. "A while," he said sounding sad about that, lonely actually.
"Then come home, son."
"I will," he replied. "Just night right now. Tell her I love her and I'll see her soon."
When Malcolm left Anders turned to face the dresser in the chamber they'd been given. He roared angrily and slapped the candlesticks off it. He leaned on it and felt his wife's hands on his back that eventually wrapped around him. "They all know now." Anders relented and she felt his shoulders slump giving into the truth. "They all know."
"It's okay, Love, he had to," she said and it didn't make him feel better. "He's fine."
"They wanted to kill him out there, Tess, narrow-minded as they always are. They've known him since he was a child. They'll never accept him and they'll never trust him." Anders was clearly hurt by what he saw between the Templars and everyone else, then insulted by his son having Templars assigned to him like he was in the Circle. "He shouldn't have to be shadowed."
Tess turned him around so she could look at him. "You may not like it but Malcolm understands, he's kept his secret for almost 18 years and he did what he had to do to protect people he loved."
Anders just couldn't let his prior experience with Templars and spirits go. "I know that and I'm proud of him for that. I trust Cullen and Khrys but not the rest. They'll try to make him tranquil at the first chance they get."
Tess offered him a smile, she didn't like the treatment of her son either but one of them needed to remain calm. "You need tea…you're too tense," she said trying to calm him down and cheer him but Anders glared.
"I don't need tea, Tess," he hissed.
"Sit down, Anders," she ordered and he glanced at his wife. Anders couldn't hide the smile when she ordered him around. He sat with a huff. "You need to relax, Love."
Dorian had never been so happy to see Skyhold. There were more Orlesian banners than Herald that he was used to seeing and his brow furrowed as they approached the mountain fortress. Thom was at the gate and in the middle of scolding a soldier about something but stopped when the three of them crossed the bridge.
"I was beginning to think you'd never return," Thom said as they crossed under the portcullis.
"Did you miss me, Thom?" Dorian smirked and Thom scoffed.
"Like an illness," Thom retorted and Dorian laughed.
"Anything happen while we were gone?"
Thom hesitated as the three of them dismounted at the stables. "Uhh…quite a bit actually. You'll want to see the Inquisitor."
Bull looked between Dorian and Balian. They still didn't speak socially like they used to and they went their separate ways, Dorian up to the Inquisitor and Balian to the undercroft with his damaged armor.
"Dorian," Khrys smiled. It was a relief to see him back after how long he had been gone. She'd worried about him but with Bull, and apparently Balian also, very little would touch him without going through them. He looked different though and her joy was replaced by concern. He looked…older…his hair was greyer and he looked tired, not too unusual for someone coming back from months on the road but there was something more that she couldn't put her finger on. "Are you okay?" she asked falling into a hug from him.
The mage smiled and waved her off before she hugged him. "Nothing a good long bath can't cure," he assured. He was lying. Balian was still distant and the threat of Tevinter was not something he was looking forward to sharing. "I want to hug my daughter, take a bath, and go to sleep."
"What happened in Tevinter?" she asked and Dorian sat down on the couch.
Dorian loved the couch in her chambers and let out a long tired moan. "Oh we have a major problem up north. You want me to save it for when I have to warn Cullen or do you want to be disappointed twice?"
Khrys chuckled slightly. "Give me the abridged version."
"An insane Blood Mage and her lover, a General who commands ten thousand men by the way, are bent on starting a war with southern Thedas with or without the Empire's blessing."
"That's insane."
"Yes it is," he replied. "But even Gaspard would have trouble with ten thousand or more soldiers and mages."
"Tea?"
Dorian didn't want tea he wanted to get drunk. Very drunk. "Wine. The whole bottle."
"Are you okay?"
"No," he said after a long minute.
"What happened?"
"I don't want to talk about it." The truth was he didn't know what would happen if he let it all out. His relationship with Balian was broken and it was killing him.
"Dorian, what happened? What happened to you?" she asked and sat down next to him.
"I don't want to talk about it, Khrys," he snarled and stood forcing his tired body to get up and pace. His mind changed as soon as he said it. He waited a moment before continuing. "On our way back we were attacked…Balian fought like the knight he is and…," the fear was still real, he nearly lost him completely, "he took two crossbow bolts to the chest, he was dying it was beyond my ability to heal. I used blood magic."
Khrys blinked, shocked. "You what?"
Dorian hung his head and kept his back to her. "I couldn't lose him, Khrys. I knew a spell that would take from me to give to him." There was another pause but she heard his voice change. "He won't even speak to me now."
Khrys stood and moved in front of him just in time to see Dorian wipe a tear away. "Dorian."
"The man I love won't even speak to me because I saved his life." She pulled him into a hug and Dorian tried to keep himself together. He didn't want to break down now and he almost did. He let himself sob for a few seconds before bottling it back up and pushing back and composing himself. "Where's Bree?"
"Dorian-…"
"And why are there so many Orlesian banners here?"
Khrys didn't want to answer that. She didn't want to tell him that Solas had kidnapped his daughter, who was visiting the Prince of Orlais at the time, and that Krem had died in the process. She didn't want to tell him that Solas had bound her to him, that Malcolm was an abomination and has been for his entire life, that Malcolm could also heal death, or that Fenris had the chance to kill Solas and didn't take it. She didn't want to tell him any of this especially after what he had just told her.
Her face must have given her away because Dorian's narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Khrys…don't tell me."
She sighed. "He's here."
"The Prince?" he clarified.
"Dorian, a lot has happened. You may want to sit down for this and try to stay calm." And so Dorian sat as she told him everything from the beginning to the end, what happened with Bree in Orlais, the dream from Solas, the journey to the tower the was shrouded by magic, Malcolm's secret exposed and his hidden talent. But that was only her side…his anger didn't spark until after he heard about what happened to Bree while in Solas' custody.
"Gabriella!" Dorian called as he stormed through Skyhold. Krem was dead. Bull was probably going to break something because of that. Jean was here and obviously too close to Bree for comfort. Bree had been kidnapped by Solas and bound by magic and Malcolm was an abomination. His jaunt to Tevinter didn't seem so bad after learning this. "Gabriella!"
Khrys trotted after him largely to prevent him from being too overbearing and saying something he'd regret later. She slapped Balian's arm on the way by after the Elf was disturbed by Dorian's shout. "You and I get to talk later, come on," she hissed to her clansman and he trotted after her. They hoofed it up the steps to Vivienne's old haunt as he shouted her name again.
"Dad!" Bree shrieked and bounded to him. She would always be a Daddy's girl and everyone knew it. "I'm so glad you're back."
Dorian was in protection mode, she seemed okay and he pushed back from her to take a look. She looked as she always had: bright and beautiful. "Are you alright?" he asked putting his hand on the spot where Solas' invisible mark was. "Your mother told me."
The look Bree directed toward her mother was a teenager's accusation of 'how could you'. Khrys shrugged sympathetically. "I'm fine, dad. He didn't hurt me."
Jean, standing up the couch he and Bree had been sitting on, did not escape him. The Orlesian was quiet and his expression hard to read behind the mask. Dorian ignored him for the time being and looked his daughter over. She appeared to be just fine but seemed to have aged in the last few months, she was sill his little girl but she'd taken to carrying herself with the confidence her mother had. He felt the ring on her thumb and look at it briefly. An Orlesian ring that matched Jean-Fredric's personal sigil. "Are you sure you're alright?" he asked and she nodded like a teen with a father that was smothering. "I am so sorry I wasn't there. I'm sorry about Krem." Bree and Krem were close, good friends and it didn't surprise him to hear Krem was one that went with her to her meeting with the Prince.
So far the Prince had said nothing, it wasn't a cowardly act it was a respectful one. He already knew that Dorian didn't like him and he'd prefer to not make matters too much worse. "Daddy, I'm fine. Jean lost his squire and we lost Ramelle but they all came and got me."
Dorian now turned his attention to the Prince standing proud but quiet. "I thought I made myself clear." He said firmly and Khrys' sigh could be heard throughout the room.
"Dad, he saved me," Bree defended but Dorian held up a hand to silence her.
"Gabriella, you might want find a better place for that ring." Dorian said in a fatherly tone of displeasure before glaring back to the Prince. "You see my daughter in secret after I expressly told you to stay away from her, she is not for you. I will not tell you again!"
Jean stepped closer to him and his expression translated through his mask: determination. "That is not your decision," he growled back.
"If you come near my daughter again I'll have you killed," Dorian threatened and to Jean's credit he didn't back down.
"I don't know what I did to offend you but let me make something perfectly clear, Lord Dorian, it is not your choice, it's hers. If she wishes to see me, I will accommodate."
Dorian's jaw set. "Get out," he growled angrily.
"Dorian," Khrys chastised.
He glared at her and pointed a finger to silence her. "Be quiet," he snapped. "You did this! You let her go out there, if she'd stayed here she'd have been safe, away from Solas and away from him!" He indicated harshly to Jean.
"Dad-…," Bree began and he turned his anger to her.
"You are not to see him again, Gabriella Lavellan, do you understand me?" The use of her first and middle name was reserved for when he was really angry.
"Dorian, stop!"
"You don't own her," Jean defended raising his voice and turning Dorian's anger on him once again.
It was all Dorian could do to keep his magic in check. One wrong temper flare and the Prince would be roasted…as mad as he was sense still asserted itself. "I am giving you my last warning. Do not come near my daughter again."
Jean stepped even closer, they were matched in height but Jean had larger mass. "Don't threaten me," he snarled.
"I already am."
"Dad!"
Khrys had enough of this and stepped toward them both pushing Dorian back. "Alright, everybody stop! That's enough."
Dorian gave Khrys a firm hand telling her to leave him alone and kept his focus on Jean. "Leave Skyhold or I will have Captain Rainier throw you out," Dorian growled and walked away.
Khrys blinked, shocked by the display of full on anger.
"Mama?" Bree's voice sounded like a plea. A teenage girl who's love was crushed.
"Your Grace, I apologize." Jean looked as if he was barely containing his own anger, he hadn't backed down and Khrys appreciated that. She moved to talk to Dorian. "Stay here. I'll go talk to him."
Balian held up and hand stopping her. "I'll go." He said. "I think this is my fault."
Jean sighed pointedly, clearly irritated and turned to the Inquisitor. He didn't know what to say right now that wasn't going to come out very wrong and sound like he wanted to abscond with Bree within the hour. He gave a single acknowledging nod to Khrys for her apology and stepped to Bree taking her right hand and kissing the back of it. "Ma bichette," he said with a smile and bowed to her before he left.
Dorian was ashamed of his temper but he couldn't quite let it go. He'd yelled at Khrys, yelled at Bree, and he'd threatened the heir of Orlais. It was a banner day for Dorian of House Pavus.
"Are you taking your anger at me out on them?" Balian asked bluntly causing Dorian to turn. Dorian was mad and Balian could see it. Balian felt responsible for this, he'd pushed him away after what happened in Tevinter.
"Someone's feeling very self-important today," Dorian hissed.
Balian raised his eyebrows. "And they call me surly," he scoffed.
Dorian huffed loudly clearly annoyed by a multitude of things. "You barely spoke to me for nearly a month, Ser Balian, what do you want?"
Yes, Balian had a part to play in this but he was working through it. "Are you really prepared to lose Bree because you're having a temper tantrum?" It was brutal and honest.
Dorian's slow turn was a sign of his deep seated anger, anger that had been simmering since Tevinter. "I beg your pardon?" he asked and then held up and hand before Balian could answer. "I don't remember asking for your input. I saved your life in Tevinter and you drop me like a rock, now you think you have the right to tell me my business with my family?! My countrymen tried to kill Khrys, the only true friend that I have in this world, my daughter was kidnapped by a maniac while in the presence of that fucking Chevalier, Krem was murdered by that same maniac, and Malcolm…Malcolm…the poor kid is an abomination and none of us knew it." There was a pause as Balian simply listened. "I lost you. I nearly lost her and Khrys…
Balian was quiet for a moment before responding to part of that. "If they really want to see each other they're not going to ask for your permission, Dorian, and you can't stop them."
"Watch me try."
Balian shook his head. "Defiant until the end," he snorted. "You told me once that your parents tried to force you to marry and when you wouldn't comply they tried to change you with magic. How is doing this any better than what they tried to do?" Dorian glared but couldn't argue with his point. "If you want to be petty then continue on your path and the only one you'll have to worry about is yourself because you'll have chased everyone else away. And one more thing you should remember, that fucking Chevalier crossed two countries to save your daughter."
Dorian was tired and highly annoyed. Too much had happened and he hadn't handle it well. Balian had a point, Khrys had a point, he really shouldn't have threatened the heir of Orlais, and should never have yelled at Bree. He took a long bath, changed his clothes, and sighed heavily.
The knock on the door pulled him from running the disastrous day over and over again in his mind. "Yeah?" he sighed again. The door opened and was surprised to see his daughter. "Bree?"
She walked to him and hugged him tight like she always did. "I'm sorry I yelled at you."
"He's not a bad man, Dad, just give him a chance," she said quietly. "Please."
Dorian sighed again as he held her, he didn't want to fight anymore and Balian was right. "I am so sorry I wasn't here to protect you."
"I'm okay. They came and got me," she said. "Jean included. Please try to get to know him, Daddy."
Dorian didn't want to fight and relented for now. "I'll try." It was easier to say then he thought it would be. Jean did cross countries to save her and didn't back down when he was challenged.
Her beaming smile was all he needed to feel better and she pushed back from him. "You look tired."
"That's because I am tired," he replied with a sigh that told her just how tired he really was.
"What happened? Mama mentioned blood magic to save Balian."
He made a note to talk to Khrys about that later. He'd have preferred for that to not pass to his daughters ears. "That's the long and short of it," he replied and pointed a finger at her. "Do not use blood magic, Child, do you understand me?"
Balian dropped his ruined armor off in the undercroft and heard both Dagna and Harrit's apprentice Samuel groan at the damage. Silverite was the best armor out there and it was extremely durable, the crossbow bolt punched clean through. They took some measurements and sent him on his way.
He took an open room, which was strange considering he'd slept in Dorian's bed for the past six years every time he's been in Skyhold. In Galle, he picked up some new clothes that weren't stained with blood but if he was staying in Skyhold like he told Dorian in the Silent Plains he was going to need some more stuff. He didn't like fighting with Dorian. He didn't like being without him. The silence he was enjoying while changing his shirt was interrupted by a loud knocking.
He opened the door and promptly groaned. Khrys' presence was going to annoy the hell out of him. "Oh, no, I am really not in the mood, Lethallan."
Khrys closed the door behind her and shook her head. "Then you better get in the mood, Lethallin. What happened?"
His annoyance was evident as he pulled the black shirt on. "I know he told you already, Khrys."
She nodded hearing the abridged version. "He dabbled in blood magic to save your life. My question is: what's your problem?"
Her clansman growled, irritated at being asked the same question over and over. He didn't have a good answer, just a feeling. "It's blood magic, Khrys, remember what happened with Yoren?"
Khrys' looked confused. The only thing he could possibly be referencing was a clan member who experimented and was subsequently possessed. "For one Dorian is twice his age, two, he's far more stable and one blood magic spell's not going to undo him."
"You don't know that."
He had always been stubborn and she resented the inference on Dorian's behalf. "I do know that and so do you. Don't lose him, Bail, you gave up your post for him and I know how you feel about Sebastian and his family."
Balian was growing more annoyed with the topic and huffed. "I don't want to talk about this."
Khrys growled her frustration. "Fenedis, you are stubborn."
"Then mind your own business," he snarled irritably.
"He is my business, Balian, don't hurt him," she snapped at her clansman. "I know you love him or you wouldn't be so upset."
Her scarred cousin had a temper and was very stubborn. He preferred to work his issues out alone but that usually made his temper worse. This situation was no different. He growled loudly. "Can't you people just fucking leave me alone?" She blinked watching him become more and more aggravated.
"Bail-…"
"No!" he barked cutting her off. "Just leave me alone…I nearly died, Lethallan," he said and his tone softened slightly, "for the second time in my life it nearly ended. Dorian, you, Bull…just…just leave me alone."
This was the heart of the matter. Khrys didn't want to leave him alone but there was nothing she could say, Balian had already nearly died once and now it was a second time. Dorian using blood magic was only part of his issue and certainly there was guilt for what happened to Sebastian at the hands of Solas. She didn't protest when he left the room but she didn't like it either.
The tavern was as busy as it normally was but with a few new faces, one was the Chevalier that followed the Price wherever he went. Etienne, young and lustful, predictably drank and flirted along with a few other Orlesian bannermen. Some of the Inquisition bristled at them but Ariel kept everyone in line, she wasn't running a whorehouse and kept her maids working and away from the intoxicated Chevaliers who wanted to play.
Balian had his feet propped up on the unoccupied chair watching the proceedings in the tavern, his eyes on the Chevaliers at the other side of the room. Etienne, the very handsome Orlesian, wasn't being crude just a bit of a nuisance, splitting his time between the card game and the girls serving him.
Lots of Fereldans and Orlesian in the same room with ale was not a good combination so he limited his drinking in case he needed to help settle something.
A shadow loomed to his right. "Wyvern-killer," Bull's deep voice greeted. He'd spent the majority of his time since he was back drinking coming to terms with the death of Krem. He'd spoken to Bree who felt like it was her fault but Bull didn't blame her.
Balian rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Will you stop calling me that?" he grumbled as the Qunari pulled the chair out from under his feet. The Elf glared at him as the giant sat down with a laugh.
"What? You asked me to not call you Balian the Bear, Bearkiller, or Mi'Herellan," Bull replied while the Elf re-situated himself after the loss of his footstool.
The curse Balian muttered was as close to 'fuck you' as he could get but Bull just chuckled. "What do you want?"
The Qunari shook his head. "Never thought I'd find someone as sullen and grouchy as Thom…I was wrong," Bull said and received another annoyed eye roll from Balian.
"Here you go, Balian." The young maid said bringing him another pitcher of what he was drinking.
Balian smiled with a nod. "Thank you, Asta." Bull watched the girl blush and skitter away with a giggle.
"How the hell do you do that?" Bull asked and he Balian chuckled softly.
"Charm over crude behavior," he replied simply. Bull was crude and loud where Balian took a softer, smoother approach.
Bull blinked to the simple explanation. "Every barmaid, servant, and kitchen wench we encountered from Nevarra to Tevinter acted just like that," Bull said sounding both jealous and impressed at the same time. "How…?"
He'd heard this question before…several times. In Starkhaven he was renowned for his politeness and kindness and he attracted everyone. "When they know you're unavailable they try harder. If you're polite to those who serve everyone else, it makes them try even harder. Smile, bow, open doors, all the while never touching them."
He had that down to a science and Bull was still impressed. "Fuck…how often do you do this?"
The Elf took a long drink emptying the cup. "I don't do anything," he said and poured another one from the pitcher.
"I know that's what I mean. Is it just women?"
Balian was equal opportunity and shook his head. "Men like it when you play hard to get. Women like it when they know you're off the market." Contrary to the current belief for some he was still off the market.
"Bullshit, it can't be that simple."
The chuckle from the Elf was enough to make Bull glare. "There is a very persistent barmaid in Starkhaven named Ginny who would disagree and when I met Dorian I declined his first offer and look where I am now."
"In a tavern by yourself while he's in his room by himself," Bull delivered flatly, not mincing words.
Balian paused mid drink and glowered at the pointed comment. "Let it go, Bull," he said and finished off what was left in his cup.
"I will when you pull you head out of your ass."
Balian slammed the cup down on the table that would have been heard across the tavern had it not been for the noise. "I said let it go," he snarled.
Bull shook his head. "What bug is up your ass? It's been weeks."
Balian angrily tossed the cup causing it shatter next to him and he stood. "Leave me alone, damnit," he left the Qunari there and went to the bar. Ariel gave him a concerned look.
"Everything alright, Balian?" she asked and Balian shook his head.
"I'm sorry about the cup. Can I get another?" he asked and she smiled sweetly with a nod. Balian looked over at the noisy group. "Chevaliers giving you trouble?"
The red head shook her head. "Nah, they're good," she replied with a smile. "The girls like the dark haired one but the Prince keeps them in check." She cocked her head and Balian downed the drink in one long gulp and asked for another. "Honestly, Balian, are you okay?"
He just wanted to be left alone. Dorian had left him alone but was heartbroken and it was hard for him to see. He didn't answer when she poured the next one and he downed it just as quick, tapping for another. She didn't fight him and gave him another. He had a bad temper when he was drunk but she would cut him off before that.
Everyone had a point even him. With so much on his mind adding the near death and blood magic just added to the mess. He didn't tell anyone but, like the first one, he remembered it all. The pain and fear. The dreams were there too…he preferred not to sleep. Dorian helped make the nightmares go away but he had been without him for weeks. After the third rapid drink he made his choice.
There was no knock at the door so when it opened it startled Bree for a moment. Balian read the situation and allowed a smile. Dorian was asleep with his head on his daughters lap. It was a heartwarming sight.
Bree held up her hand to silence Balian as he quietly moved toward the bed. She carefully got out of the bed taking, Balian's hand for help. She kissed his cheek and smelled the ale. Her father resorted to Blood Magic to save his life and it hurt him when Balian pushed him away. Balian being here now told her that he still loved him. She smiled at him as she quietly left.
Balian dropped his shirt and boots. He'd never stopped loving him. The only person to make the pain go away was this mage. He carefully crawled into bed and went to sleep.
Dorian woke to a familiar smell and the feel of arms around him. At first he thought he was dreaming but it struck him that his lover was there. He smelled like ale but he was there. "Are you drunk?"
He'd had several drinks but he wasn't drunk, he knew what he was doing. "No," Balian muttered sleepily. Dorian turned over and in the low light of the fire could see Balian. He loved him, plain and simple. "Ar lath ma."
Dorian smiled at the elven declaration of love and responded with a gentle and loving kiss. It felt like all the wrong in the world was final righted having him back and Dorian kissed his bare chest where the bolts had been. Balian couldn't help but remember, the pain, the shock…looking down and seeing the bolt. For the second time Falon'Din nearly had him. He closed his eyes to shut it out but the memory melted away with Dorian's touch.
As a result of the 'conversation' with Cullen and Khrys and his parents the compromise was that Malcolm now had a chaperone, a Templar was with him at all times just like they were with Khrys. Cullen picked the Templars. Of course, Anders kicked and screamed but that was the compromise. Malcolm never hurt anyone that didn't provoke him but he was extremely dangerous.
He had spoken with near everyone with varying reactions. Most were able to come to grips with it, the Templars were an issue but it was an expected one, and Fenris wouldn't even speak to him. But Dorian, Dorian had been a mentor to him and a very good friend. Dorian embraced the role of fatherhood and it showed with everyone around him, especially to Malcolm. "Dorian," he said quietly. He found him in his haunt in the library leaving his shadow at the door. He didn't look the same as he did the last time hed seen him, he looked older.
Dorian turned to track the sound of his name. "Young man," he greeted and Malcolm sighed.
Dorian flipped another page in the book his was reading. Malcolm leaned on the bookshelf. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" Dorian asked plainly.
Malcolm swallowed, so far he'd seen both ends of the spectrum when it came to reactions. "You gonna make me say it?"
Dorian closed the book and gave him his full attention. "No need to apologize," he said. "You had a secret to protect." He gave Malcolm a critical eye. "I want to know something though…are you a danger?"
Malcolm sighed but answered him honestly. "Only to those who threaten the ones I love."
Dorian nodded at that, satisfied with it but things began to make sense now. "So this is why you and Anders don't get along. Makes sense now," he said. "May I speak to it?"
Malcolm was growing annoyed of the inference that he and Justice were two different entities. "We're the same person, a true blending, not like my father," he replied as he effortlessly switched over into the spirit.
The curiosity in him was hard to ignore. "Fascinating. Do you have its memories?"
Malcolm shook his head; the fade magic in the room was potent and strange. "Doesn't work like that," he answered. "Intuitions…dreams on occasions."
"You've been like this your whole life?" Dorian was shocked and appalled. "How did I not see it?"
"Varric said something along the same lines." The spirit vanished. "I've spent my entire life hiding it. I can count on one hand how many people know…I'm sorry one of them wasn't you."
Dorian gave him a smile but patted his left arm. "Khrys tells me that you gave Solas a moment of reflection."
The small shrug he always did was very nonchalant. "He killed Sebastian."
The perfect segway and Dorian nodded. "Ahh yes…there's the next question. How did you bring him back?"
Another shrug that was typical of him. "Takes considerable concentration and mana."
A very simple explanation from someone that was cocky when you got to know him. "Any other nifty tricks you're hiding, Malcolm?"
Malcolm chuckled. "No, I'm fresh out."
"Are you sure? No shapeshifting or body switching?" Malcolm chuckled again and shook his head.
"No," he answered again and asked the question he was thinking. Why did Dorian look so different? "What happened to you?"
Dorian's expression changed. "I made a choice," he felt better after Balian returned but the doubt was still there. It wasn't perfect but then again the relationship with Balian had never been totally smooth.
"Blood magic?" Dorian's expression narrowed. Malcolm was too smart for his own good. "Friend of mine is a Blood Mage, I can see the effect."
He was way too smart for his own good. "Which one's the adult here, you or me?"
Malcolm smirked. "Do you really want me to answer that?"
"Is it you who's the surly one or the spirit?" Dorian fired back then his expression changed to serious. "Thank you for protecting Khrys."
"I'll do anything to protect family."
The stable hands and workers weren't exactly sure what to do with the Prince of Orlais hanging around dirtying himself up caring for his own horse. Chevaliers, good ones, were very particular about their mounts and Thom had seen more of Jean and Etienne than anyone else.
Jean didn't mind caring for the horses and the Hart was an animal that still had him in awe. He brushed the thick and long forelock of Muir and patted his neck. The brush landed in the bucket with a thump but neither Muir nor Mau, behind him, cared.
"You know there are people who can do that for you." A voice said from the entrance to the barn, a sweet voice that he loved.
"Chevaliers care for their own horses," he responded and she chortled.
"Oh come on, Jean, you're hiding," she smiled and Jean sighed heavily. Bree was not wrong; he was avoiding some people so he didn't have to argue.
'An international incident' as his father's advisors would call it was the last thing he needed. "The last thing I need is to get into another argument with your father."
"He hasn't talked to you yet?"
"No. Why would he except to throw me out?"
She moved up next to him and ducked under his right arm getting between Jean and Muir. "Did you mean what you said to him though? About seeing me even if he disapproves?"
Muir was nicer than Mau and could care less about people being in her personal space. Jean gave her a wry smile. "Yes," he replied and kept up with his task but only briefly before he was completely distracted by the girl before him.
She put her hands on his chest moving them to feel the strong body under the tunic. "Why me? Why do you want to get into this much trouble because of me?"
"Because you're the only woman I ever want to see," he answered and leaned down to kiss her. He wanted to do more than kiss her and she wrapped her arms around him as he did the same. Muir shifted as he pressed her back too far and into the horse. They giggled as they broke from the kiss. Bree took his right hand and led him away from the horses toward the table in the corner.
She kissed him again, practically diving on him, standing on her tip toes in order to reach. He growled and lifted her up onto the bench, helping to equal the height.
Her hands went to his mask wishing to take it off but the clearing of a throat stopped their fooling around. Bree went beet read with embarrassment as Jean took a step back.
"Thom," she acknowledged nervously and slipped off the table she'd been perched on. "Sorry."
"Lady Bree. Your Grace." There was a slight smile on his face after they both went by.
A few days passed and things seemed to right themselves in Skyhold, mostly. The War Room had a decent number of people in it, more than Khrys would have liked to see but certain players were needed. Somehow everyone remained civil even though it was a group that was worse than the Council meeting. Dorian and Jean. Malcolm and everyone else. Balian and Dorian managed to make up apparently.
The meeting went well, all things considered. Dorian's news was the worst and the most important.
"Tevinter intends to conquer Thedas again by starting with Orlais," Khrys sighed heavily and looked at Jean, the very image of his father. "Better let your father know so he's prepared for it."
Jean gave a small nod. "Not to worry, Inquisitor, if Tevinter is mad enough to invade we'll send their sorry asses back across the border," he said with all the Orlesian bravado that made Dorian roll his eyes.
"Ask your father about Artus Cicero…it won't be that easy," Dorian informed sternly.
Jean didn't say anything to the Mage scolding him. "You'll want to keep an eye on Nevarra."
"They're an Inquisition ally."
"To screw Orlais? They'll jump on the wagon," Jean replied flatly.
"We'll need to let Sebastian know so he can keep an eye on the border," Cullen sighed fairly irritated with the new revelations. "Get Suledin and Echoback on alert."
"What about the assassin?" Michel asked directing the question to Khrys.
"I have a subject matter expert on the way," she answered. "See if he knows more."
"Did you find anything about Ross' family?" Thom asked Dorian and the mage shook his head.
"I had Mae ask around…didn't find anything. Not yet," Dorian replied and Thom huffed loudly still annoyed with the situation.
"Inquisitor, you have to let him out."
Khrys grumbled. "No, I really don't and we are not getting into this again," she replied firmly with a tone that told everyone except Thom that the conversation was over.
"Khrys, I vouch for him."
"Alright, damnit, enough. He stays where he is, he betrayed me, he's lucky he still has a head," she snarled back firmer than before. "We done here?" The group had fallen silent as Khrys and Thom locked horns again over the same thing but collectively they shook their heads. "Fine. Let's try to avert more war and the end of the world."
"Khrys!" Thom said sharply still annoyed and she growled loudly.
"Thom, stop," she ordered. "He betrayed me, I understand there might be extenuating circumstances but we haven't proven that yet. You took him in, trained him, vouched for him, you are blinded by how close you are and if this was any other person, you'd let them rot." The room was still and quiet, she was the Inquisitor now and it silenced Thom. He wasn't happy but he was silenced.
When Thom stormed off angrily the rest of the group gradually followed.
"Jean," Dorian called as the group dispersed. The Prince paused and failed to hide the look on his face even through his mask. His irritation was evident. "Stay a moment."
Khrys and Balian looked at each other and then at Dorian not really sure if it was wise to leave them alone. Dorian gave a slight nod to them indicating that he would behave himself and folded his arms across his chest.
"What?" Jean asked and let his tone reflect the fact he was annoyed.
Dorian let the tone go and ignored it. There was a long awkward silence between them before Dorian spoke up. "She's my old child-…," he began and grew annoyed with Jean's groan. Jean had already heard this in Starkhaven and started to say just that. "Be silent, Your Grace," Dorian he scolded in a fatherly tone, to Jean's credit he didn't challenge. "She's the only one I'll ever have so excuse me if I don't like suitors."
"I would never hurt her," Jean insisted and Dorian nodded having grudgingly come to that conclusion.
Dorian ate his share of humble pie. "I know that…and I apologize for questioning you on that before."
"Accepted," he replied simply.
"I've…," he began and trailed off before starting again. "I've never fought with her before…not really. I didn't like it, I didn't like fighting with Khrys, and I don't want to fight with you every step of the way." Jean just listened. "So we'll see how it goes."
"That's it?" Jean questioned. "'See how it goes?' Thanks for the confidence."
"Don't push it, Your Grace," Dorian growled and sighed heavily again, he didn't want to fight him. "She's happy when she's with you and that's what I want."
"Anything else?" Jean asked with an annoyed tone.
Dorian bit his tongue and gave a single shake of his head. Jean turned to leave but stopped when Dorian spoke up. "Your Grace," he called finding a way to make his title sound insignificant, "if you hurt her in any way-…"
Jean saved him the traditional fatherly threat. "I know."
Dorian allowed his dangerous smile. "You really don't," he replied. He couldn't think of everyone that would take a turn to draw and quarter him if anything happened to her and Dorian left it at that.
Zevran Arainai hadn't been to Skyhold in over a decade, the Antivan Crow spent the majority of his time in Antiva, Denerim, Amaranthine, and several years in the Korcari Wilds. He had no title among the Queen's court but he was, for all intents and purposes, her hitman. His time in the Wilds was at the behest of the Champion. He met Tess in Kirkwall and her borderline insane lover at the time, when she contacted him several years ago he gladly came to train her son despite him being a mage.
He'd spent years training Malcolm to become the best student he'd ever seen. Malcolm was a strange child but he learned quickly, extremely so, and it became obvious to Zevran just what the boy was. Zevran was one of a handful of people to know Malcolm's secret. Skyhold didn't seem different just a lot busier then he remembered. He dismounted his horse and looked around, it had changed considerably.
After seeing Jean off Bree actually felt lonely. She watched the contingent of Orlesians leave under the royal banner and wished that she could have gone with him. It was a step that her father gave his blessing but she'd rather be in Orlais, away from Skyhold so she wasn't used by Solas to get what he wanted.
"Hey," Malcolm greeted as Bree leaned on the ramparts looking down the valley. Skyhold was the most beautiful place in the world. "Thinking about jumping?"
"Ha ha," she replied and sighed. "Enjoying your chaperone?"
Malcolm glanced at the two Templars assigned to guard him, smirked and leaned back next to her folding his arm across his chest. "Oh yeah. I haven't had a babysitter since I was 5."
"Liar," she scoffed and Malcolm gave her a look. "Remember how many times Cullen and Fenris babysat us?"
Malcolm scoffed. "Fenris never babysat he guarded."
Apart they were good kids, together they were a menace. "Well you were a pain in the ass…he liked me."
There was a moment of silence between them. He'd gotten bits and pieces of her evolving love life and heard of Dorian's explosion. "So you doing okay? I heard about the eruption from your father." He was actually sorry he wasn't there for support but he was dealing with his own personal issues.
"I'm pretty sure the entire fortress heard…I'm fine," she replied but he wasn't convinced. "Mama and Michel like him…Dad can take his aversion to Chevaliers and stick it."
He laughed. "Oh defying Daddy…about time."
"You're a rebel too."
He laughed. "I'm not marrying an Orlesian Prince."
"Neither am I….not yet…I hope," she beamed, blushed, and smiled all at once and Malcolm shook his head.
"Oh, Maker, save us," he chuckled.
Bree changed he topic and gave him a sisterly look. "People still treating you like you have the plague?" She didn't like the welcome he'd received. The Templars nearly started their own Mage-Templar War with him.
Malcom had a sense of humor about it but Bree was certain it was a defense mechanism. "Serial killer," he joked.
She flashed a simple smile, it wasn't funny to her. "Can I talk to Justice?"
Malcolm effortlessly switched. "We're the same person, Bree, there's no difference. Except I'm a baritone like this."
His sense of humor could always make her giggle no matter the situation, even at his own expense. "And it is a lovely voice."
"I doubt your prince would approve," he smirked and saw her blush. "Making out in the barn…Skyhold's a small place."
"Ya know, Mal…just shut up," she blushed more as he switched back. "What about you? I always hear about Lily but none of us have ever met her."
Malcolm started to pace, a sign he didn't really want to talk about this. "Do you really want to meet her?"
"Of course I do."
He shrugged. "Come to the Wilds some time."
"Or you could bring her here?"
He hawked a laugh, mockingly. "Yes, a Chasind woman in Skyhold. That'll be fun."
"You ashamed?"
Shame wasn't the word, it was protectiveness. "Of her? No. You and everyone else? Yes," he joked.
"Come on, Mal." Malcolm cocked his head and looked off toward the interior of Skyhold. It was from a distance but he knew the man he saw. "What?" As soon as she said it he was heading for the stairs and she chased him. "Mal?"
Malcolm caught his target as he crested the top of the steps to the upper level. "Zev?" Malcolm greeted with a smile and the Elf looked up at his former student.
"Malcolm," Zevran smiled in return and gave him a hug.
Zevran, like any other Elf, didn't look his age. His long blonde hair had no sign of grey and worn in the same fashion as he always had. Bree vaguely recognized him and mostly it was the tattoo on his face. "Zevran trained me. Former Antivan Crow and he taught me all the tricks," Malcolm said to her as he took a step back from his mentor. "Zevran Arainai, Bree Pavus."
Zevran bowed to Bree and flashed a smile. "I met you once a long time ago, my dear, you were quite little then."
Bree smiled at the charming Elf. "I remember," she nodded and indicated his tattoo. "The tattoo."
"Ahh…yes…the ladies love it," he grinned and she chuckled.
"Why are you here?" Malcolm asked.
"At the behest of the lovely Inquisitor," he answered.
After he parted ways with Bree and Malcolm, Zevran made his way to the Keep. Khrys usually worked in her chambers but right now she was at Josephine's desk. Two or three letters from Sebastian and Gaspard made her sigh. Sebastian checking to see if everyone arrived safely and Gaspard wondering where the hell his son was, spy reports from Charter's people, reports from Cullen's people. Lots of messages from lots of people but she had to hand it to Michel, he'd kept her correspondence down to mild roar while she was gone.
The door opened at the far end drawing her attention. "Zevran Arainai," Khrys smiled at the Elf walking towards her like he owned the place. "Welcome back to Skyhold," She got up and met him half way with a hug.
"Ahh, Lady Inquisitor, you look as radiant as the last time I saw you," Zevran winked back and Khrys blushed. The last time she saw Zevran was 10 years ago and he'd shared her bed.
"Last time you saw me I wasn't wearing anything, Zevran."
The grin that spread across his face was enough to make her want to slap him. "We can do that again if you wish," he smirked.
"Ha," she smiled with a loud single laugh. Last time she was unattached, now Michel would kill him. "Thank you for coming."
Zevran's nod looked more like a bow. "I am blessed to have so many beautiful women that desire my services." Khrys rolled her eyes but always enjoyed his company. Zevran had many lovers but never settled down. The rumor was that he was hopelessly in love with Lydia and had been since she spared his life.
"Did you see Malcolm?" she asked with a smile and Zevran nodded. "You gonna stand there and tell me you didn't know what he was, he who taught him how to be so damn destructive with blades?"
Zevran sighed and quite frankly was surprised the secret was kept this long. "So the truth comes out? Yes, I knew."
"I don't believe it," she scoffed. "Everyone knew but us."
Zevran shook his head. "Less than five people knew."
"So I've been told," she muttered.
"Don't take it personal, Inquisitor, I shouldn't have to tell you how possessed mages are treated," he said. She shook her head with a derisive snort.
There was silence between them as they walked and then he spoke. "The Warden-Commander handed me a contract."
Khrys paused briefly in mid step understanding what he was talking about and shook her head. "Of course she did. Don't go after him, Zev."
"Is that concern I hear?"
She stopped him. "I'm not kidding, Zev. If you threaten him he will kill you…he's a God for Creator's sake."
Zevran put a hand on her arm and gave her a reassuring smile. "I have no intention of trying to commit suicide twice. That's another reason why I'm here…if I am to fulfill my contract I will need help."
"Zevran," she warned. "The only person I've seen stand up to him and kick his ass is Malcolm."
Zevran grinned. "I feel like a proud father."
"Well Malcolm can go toe to toe with him, but you can't. So don't," she said and he wasn't arguing that.
The dungeon pretty much became Thom's domain, this was where he worked out of…he ran the prison and was the Captain of the Guard. No one was tortured or mistreated and Skyhold ran like clockwork. The fact that a close friend of his was currently a guest bothered him considerably but he managed to keep himself as professional as possible. When word came down that the 'subject matter expert' had arrived various people trickled in.
Dorian hated the prison. Dark, dreary, and certainly nowhere he wanted to spend his time but he found himself the first one there when the runners came and told him to meet Khrys in the prison. "Look what the cat dragged in," Dorian droned at the sight of Zevran, the Elf just smiled.
Zevran had not changed a bit, the blessing of Elven genes. "Dorian," he nodded. "I must say I like the grey…as if you weren't handsome before," he blatantly flirted.
Dorian groaned as he usually did when dealing with the Antivan. "Couldn't get both of us so you settled for one of us?" Dorian sniped with a snort and Zevran grinned. Khrys blushed.
"Why do you two have to do this?" she chided.
"Sexual tension," Zevran smirked and Dorian scoffed loudly but blushing could be seen.
Khrys had bedded both of them. "Well, pick a room and have fun." She remembered her night with Zevran, it was a lot of fun and she was surprised that the rumors about him were not overblown. He was as good as he boasted.
Dorian's 'not even maybe' laugh made her snort. "You think Balian was angry at me before?" he said dryly. The door opening drew their attention.
"And here comes your newest conquest, Lady Inquisitor," Zevran muttered noticing Michel striding toward them. He was as handsome as ever with his golden blonde hair, blue eyes, strong jaw, and the scars left from his fight with Gaspard. "You know how to pick them."
"Let's just assume I've slept with everyone in the room and move on, shall we?"
Zevran pressed with chuckle. "We're missing your Avvar bedfellows and your other Orlesian one. You really can get Orlais to do anything you want."
Khrys groaned and even Dorian was smirking now. "That'll do, gentlemen, and I did not sleep with Gaspard."
Neither of them believed that, she'd always denied it but nothing was ever confirmed. "Nothing to be ashamed of, Dear Lady," Zevran teased as Michel joined the conversation that Khrys just wished to stop. "A beautiful woman has needs. Needs that need to be tended to and may I say your chose well."
Michel blinked and considered the company, the topic most certainly crude. "I don't think I want to know what this conversation is about," Michel said carefully and Khrys gave Zevran a look that insisted he shut up.
The Antivan pushed the envelope. "Old times," Zevran replied with a wink.
"Zev, he will punch you if I let him."
Michel snorted. "I'll punch him anyway," Zevran chuckled in response and could see why Khrys might have been embarrassed.
"Alright, rein it in, Boys," she smiled, they were having fun at her expense and it made her chuckle. "Everything ready?" she asked Michel and the quiet Orlesian nodded.
In the prison the personal effects of prisoners were kept in a secure room, this is where the belongings of the assassin were. Some suggested the Vault would be a better place but since no one wanted to go near that place with the Relic stored there, the lock up was the best option. Balian, Malcolm, and Thom waited patiently with the trunk of evidence. Zevran had been called in since he was Khrys' best source of assassin information. She figured the Crow would know more about assassins then even her own spies even if they didn't come from the same crew.
"This was all he had on him," Malcolm said. He was curious to know what his mentor would see in the stuff they had collected.
Zevran sifted through it placing the items on the table. He paid particular attention to the armor and the weapons. The Serpentstone blade was expensive and smelled heavily of mage poison, after a few minutes came to his conclusion. "The Black Hand."
"The what?" Khrys asked. Zevran set the weapon down turning to her.
"The assassin was with the Black Hand."
Thom scoffed making his opinion known. "There's no way you could tell that just by looking at this junk."
Zevran was not offended, it took years to perfect his skills. One assassin could spot another no matter how well they were trained. Like the way a Bard could spot another Bard. A warrior could spot another warrior. "Oh, my friend, if you want romance you go to Orlais, barbarians – Fereldan, war every few years – the Free Marches, if you want Mages you go to Tevinter, Pirates – Rivain, but if you want assassins…you go to Antiva," he said and both the smirk on his face and the tone of his voice made Thom and Balian roll their eyes. "The Black Hand is famous for hunting mages and rumor is they were bought by a very important person in Tevinter."
"Bought?" Dorian asked trying to put it all together.
"The whole organization," Zevran clarified.
Thom remained unconvinced. He didn't like Zevran when he met him and his opinion hadn't changed. "Really?"
The fact that Zevran had a permanent smirk irritated him that much more. "I'm very good at what I do, Captain Rainier. The blade was coated in magebane, something the Black Hand does when hunting or subduing mages."
"The arrow that tried to kill him in Tevinter was dipped in it too." Balian countered gesturing to Dorian and Zevran shrugged.
"The blade was also Serpentstone…they favor it…no idea why," he added and felt something nagging him. "How did he get in?" Skyhold was a tough nut to crack, it could be done but Khrys was attacked in her chambers probably the least accessible place in Skyhold.
"Scaled the Keep side of the tower to the terrace," Malcolm informed and Zevran raised his eyebrows.
"Inventive," he praised with the same snort that Malcolm had when he figured it before.
"Any other insights?" Michel asked and Zevran sighed.
"If the organization has been bought this isn't over," he said confidently and earned a strange look from Khrys. "From what Dorian has said a Magister is trying to start a war, the best way to do that…what I would do…is do exactly what they are doing now. Kill the people in command…Khrys, Dorian…I would warn the rest."
"The rest?" Malcolm asked.
"The allies," Khrys answered and Zevran nodded.
"A united southern Thedas is something even Tevinter can't crack. They'll target Orlais, Fereldan, and probably Starkhaven," he continued and looked his audience over. "It's what I'd do."
It wasn't stellar news but no expected it to be and the same order from a few days ago went out. Get word to the allies and tell them to be on the lookout for assassins that were under orders from Tevinter.
Michel took his time reading through missives and situation reports from anyone that was on the Tevinter border. It seemed as though southern Thedas had to gear up for more war, he didn't like what he was reading and knew that Cullen and Charter were reading the same things…none of them were going to like this. By all accounts they figured Tevinter would attack Orlais even though the Free Marches would be an 'easier' target. Sebastian would disagree and give them absolute hell. Zevran had hung around and gotten reports from his contact in Antiva and in Tevinter. The news was still bad.
He sighed heavily as he continued to read and eat his favorite snack: peasant bread and honey. Bree hurried in and immediately started rummaging through the stack of folded and rolled papers on a desk at the far side of the room.
"What are you looking for?" he asked as she picked up a few that had fallen on the floor.
"Michel, do you have a big map like the one on the war table?" she asked and Michel's brow furrowed.
"That one's actually two maps but I think there's one," he answered and walked over to her still carrying the slice of bread he was eating. "Here," he said handing her the bread, "hold this."
She giggled, took it, and ate it. "Oh I love that," she said and Michel chuckled. It was a mutual favorite snack for the both of them.
"More on the table if you want it, Hild made a couple of loaves this morning and I stole one," he offered. "Here's one, it's smaller but I think it might work."
"Can I mark on it?"
Michel studied her. "What do you need it for?"
"I saw a map when I was with Solas, something seemed strange about it… familiar," she told him.
"Need any help?"
She shook her head after thinking a moment. "No. I just want to look and see what I can remember. He had markers on his…seemed familiar."
"If you need me let me know, okay."
She smiled brightly to him. "Thanks, Michel."
Despite the bad news from all corners Skyhold really didn't seem all the different. It was just as busy as it always was. Correspondence had gone out as Khrys had ordered, the Inquisition was on alert, Orlais and Starkhaven already were and would probably double once they got the update, Fereldan was Fereldan and still unhappy with the Inquisition but correspondence went to them as well. Alistair had spat back every notice they'd sent since the attack on Vigil's Keep and was even angrier when he learned that Fenris could have killed Solas and didn't. Michel was pretty sure he saw the explosion on the horizon to the east. Khrys was more stressed then normal but having Bree back and knowing Dorian was okay helped considerably.
Warnings had been sent about the Black Hand but aside from that there wasn't much left to do. It seemed like as soon as they sent everything out they were inundated with responses. Michel was worried about Khrys and found her at Josie's desk looking irritated with what she was reading.
"Could the bad news get any worse?" Khrys complained and sighed heavily after dropping a stack of papers on Josie's desk.
"Don't ask that, it can always get worse," Michel replied getting behind her and putting his left arm around her. She leaned back into him as he kissed her neck. "Maybe you should stop slaving over it. You've been nonstop since Zevran got here."
"Because it's been nothing but bad," she sighed heavily. "Vhenan, just take me away."
"Where do you want to go?" he asked quietly in her left ear.
"I don't care," she sighed. "Away."
"I will," he said and hugged her tightly. "I promise."
There quiet moment was broken when Bree came scurrying in. Bree paused and stammered. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "Mama, can I show you something?"
Khrys remained in her position with Michel's arm around her. "What is it?"
"When I was with Solas I saw a map," she said and spread the map she'd gotten from Michel on the desk. "On that map there were a lot of markers and it seemed really familiar so I asked Michel for a map. I marked what I remembered. Look familiar?"
Michel and Khrys looked at each other and then at map. Bree had marked several parts on the map and at first Khrys didn't see it. She cocked her head and studied it closer. "This is where they found the book in Seheron, and the ruin in the Sea of Ash, where we sent Sutherland in Antiva, and where we found the Relic in the Deep Roads," Khrys said and noticed Michel had taken an interest too.
"This was with Solas?" Michel asked and Bree nodded.
"I didn't put it together at first but I saw the map in Cullen's office and it hit me. All of these are places where we…or you…found pieces or indicators of the relic. The rest are more indicators…we have to check it out." In truth she wanted as far from Skyhold as possible.
"Solas wasn't able to find the Relic, he had to wait for us to do it," Khrys said and tried to put it together. "If he had these marked he probably already looked at them."
She'd thought of that too. From what she had gathered, Solas had been on the trail of the relic for quite some time but since there was next to nothing written about it finding it took time. "Mama, you said it yourself and so has Dad, you have no idea what that thing is. All we know is that thing is dangerous, powerful, and Solas wants it."
"That's a good catch," Michel praised before Khrys could get there. Bree beamed.
"Let me go check it out. You need me as far away from Skyhold as possibl-…"
Before Bree finished her sentence Khrys was shaking her head. "No. No way."
"Mama, come on, I'll take someone and go investigate."
Khrys shook her head, she could agree it was a good idea and worth investigating but she just got Bree back. "No, you're not going anywhere you're staying here."
"Mama?"
"I said no, you're staying here," she barked firmly.
Bree looked to Michel. "Michel?"
This wasn't the first time he'd been put in the middle and looked from Bree to Khrys thinking, it was a good idea and worth checking out but it was too dangerous. "I agree with your mom."
Bree scoffed rudely. "Of course you do."
Michel glared. "Hey!" he scolded. "Don't pit me between you and your mother. It's a good idea but it's not safe," he snapped harshly. As mild as he was he learned how to be a part of the parenting team, Bree was a good kid but she had a rebellious streak. She rolled her eyes. "Do you understand?"
When Michel scolded her it was quick, clean, and to the point. Bree nodded. "I'm sorry."
Michel was satisfied with the apology. "I'll put some teams together but it'll have to wait…we've got bigger problems," he said and Khrys gave her daughter critical eye.
"Shouldn't you be studying right now?" Khrys asked and Bree swallowed her rebellious urge. "Go." Bree turned to leave containing her frustration. "And Bree, work on your manners. Do you understand?" Bree managed to save her long and annoyed huff until she was out of earshot.
Bree stood in the Vault looking down at the Relic. Confusion colored her face. She couldn't remember how or why she was there. It looked the way it had looked the last time she was down there, how it looked when Cole pretty much read the remnants horrifying past. It was the Vault but it wasn't real. She knew what the Fade felt like but she'd never dreamed of the vault before, this wasn't her doing.
"It is incredible is it not?" a voice said and suddenly Solas appeared on the other side of the table.
Bree didn't flinch or react, none of this was real, this was the Fade. "What is it?" she asked even though the question she wanted to ask was how he was able to be here.
"The means to an end. The source of nearly unlimited power and stronger than any Foci my people ever created," he said and passed his hand over the smooth, red, obsidian relic. It wasn't real and Solas knew that.
"Your people didn't create it?"
Solas seemed a little more willing to converse about it here in the Fade as opposed to in reality. Maybe it was because he was more comfortable in the Fade or maybe it was because he had some semblance of control over her. "No. It was created long before my people and it destroyed their civilization."
"And you want it why?"
Solas closed off right then and stood up straight with his hands behind his back. "You know why," he answered and his eyes reminded her of a wolf's as he leveled a steady look at her. "Bring me the Relic, Da'len."
"I'm busy," Bree responded with the attitude of the teenager that she was.
Solas' level stare intensified. "Do not try me, Da'len, bring me the Relic."
"No," she snapped back defiantly.
Solas raised his right hand and the mark on her face seared causing her to cry out. "Now."
Bree's hand went to the side of her face burning from the magic and she leaned on the table with a cry of pain. "I will not," she snarled back. Solas applauded her defiance but he needed her to not fight him right now. He didn't say anything but the burning pain doubled. According to Morrigan there wasn't much anyone could do to fight the binding. Eventually the one they were bound to would get what they wanted.
"You don't have a choice," he said and Bree focused her mind.
Solas was only in her dream because of the connection they shared right now, but she was stronger than he was. She was the Somniari, this was her Dream, her mind, her home. "Get out," she ordered and Solas cocked his head slightly. "Get out!" she ordered again, louder this time, and something thrummed through the Fade and it hit Solas like a kick to the face.
Solas sat up from his dream still feeling the thrumming magic wave that gave him the boot from Bree's dream. He blinked a few times and shook his head trying to shake it off. She was a stronger dreamer than he thought and he smiled. He really did like that girl.
The burning of the mark on her face lingered after Bree awoke with a yelp. Her face wasn't burned but it certainly felt like it. This had to stop. She refused to be a party to the end of the world. She had to do something and jumped out of bed, pulled on some clothes, grabbed the map, and ran.
The pounding on the thick wood door served well enough to startle Malcolm awake. He jumped and quickly realized that it was just someone banging on the door. He contemplated ignoring it, he didn't care who it was. He growled loudly as the incessant noise continued.
"What? What? What? What?!" he grouched loudly crossing the space from his bed to the door and yanking it open. His shoulders fell when he saw it was Bree. "Well, this can't be good," he sighed.
"I need to talk to you," she said and pushed past him, inviting herself in.
Malcolm sighed tiredly and pushed the door closed with a slam a little louder than he'd intended. "Why do you keep coming to me in the middle of the damn night?"
She knew it was late, or early depending on who was asked, but this was important. "Shut up will ya, I need to run something by you."
"Hopefully it doesn't require too much thought," a tired Malcolm replied earning him a glare, she wasn't in the mood for his humor. She scoffed and spread the map out on the table then told him the whole story.
Malcolm had settled into a position against his dresser. Leaned back casually with his arms folded across his chest. He'd had the courtesy to put a shirt on while she told him what she wanted to do but said nothing until she was finished. "So let me get this straight: you want to go out there and see what Solas' interest is in these spots."
"Yes," she said simply and stood over by the fire. Winter always hit Skyhold early and it was right around the corner.
Malcolm thought about calling her crazy but she had a very good point. They were both there when Cole was in the presence of the Relic and every time he thought of the thing it unnerved him. "Why'd you come to me?"
She lightly rubbed the left side of her face, still feeling the burn. "Because Mama and Michel said no."
Malcolm chuckled lightly. "You're not just defying Daddy you're defying them all."
The whole situation unnerved her, the Relic, the mark, Solas' ability to enter her dreams, all of it. She needed to get out of Skyhold and be useful. "You going to help me or not, Mal?"
He sighed heavily and looked at the map again. A few moments passed as he weighed the pros and cons. "Yeah. When do you want to sneak out?"
