Sili waited by the main entrance of Skyhold, her foot tapping the wall. It had been a week since she passed out, making that day scary for Skyhold. Sili had pushed herself with just being up, retelling her stories, and no one knew if she would have survived the night. She only guessed at the panic everyone had been in, especially Cullen. Her lips tinted into a smile at the memories with Cullen and the past week.
After the healers allowed her to recover in her private quarters, Cullen had stayed nearly four days. He had laid in her bed with her, making sure that nothing happened at night. Though Sili swore he must have been in full armor, for what reason she would never know. Cullen nearly refused to talk about any of it so Sili had asked the Iron Bull and Varric when they relieved Cullen.
Iron Bull told her about the tavern, how everyone had seen her fall just outside the door and Cullen running to the healers. He had explained that many of the soldiers blamed themselves, thinking Sili had pushed herself her them. On a good note, it made them respect her more, so Iron Bull claimed.
Varric told her of everyone else, mainly the nobles. How they were divided in gossip and rumors. Some were saying that this was a ploy to gain sympathy and in so, gain power. Others complained that the Inquisition overall was too demanding of their people if the Inquisitor was falling from exhaustion. He apologized that none of them, the nobles, seemed concerned for her alone.
Though she couldn't help it, she had lashed out at Leliana and Josephine, claiming they only cared about the Inquisition's reputation. If that was what the nobles were thinking, it was because of those two telling everyone so. Sili regretting the words once they left her mouth, but neither woman seemed to take it to heart.
Shrugging off the past, she needed to be in the present as she readied herself to be the Inquisitor again. It was time to head to the Western Approach, meet up with Hawke, and find out more of what the Wardens were up to. After the week she had, Sili was going stir crazy, but she would miss the company.
Hearing footsteps, Sili turned to see Varric walking towards her, Bianca primed. Knowing what and who was involved, Sili wasn't surprised he was the first to show. He looked up from polishing a part of his crossbow and graced her with a huge smile.
"Miss Sili, it's good to see you out and about." Varric joked, "At least, out of your room."
"I felt like a child, Varric." Sili whined, "It was so hard not to just sneak out and run off."
"I commend you for keeping it together, but at least we can go back to getting things done." Varric laughed, "Who else is going to join us?"
Sili shrugged, "I let you all know and said the first three that showed were going with me. I just know Vivianne wasn't going so that she and Josephine could prepare for the Winter Palace. Oh look, more visitors."
Varric turned to see Solas, Dorian, Iron Bull, and Blackwall heading their way. Behind them was a confused, but irritated looking Commander. Sili saw him too and looked to Varric in surprise.
"Knowing Curly, he wants you to reconsider, be careful, that sort of thing... I hope." Varric shrugged before whispering, "You know better than anyone at how worried he's been."
"Yes, I know, but still... I just want to get going." Sili whispered back, "The sooner the better."
"My, my, our dear Inquisitor is up and about, and the first in line." Dorian joked.
"I'm surprised we don't have to catch up with her on the road."Iron Bull added, "Mornin' Boss."
"I only need three, er two more volunteers." Sili said, ignoring the two lovers.
"We've received reports about more Venatori and Grey Warden activity, as well as weather." Cullen stated, "There will be more soldiers going as well, but I, uh we wanted more going with you."
Sili shot Cullen a confused looked, but shrugged before turning to her left, "Cole? Are you going with us as well?"
In a blink, Cole stood next to Sili, eyes downcast, "Yes, I would like to go as well."
"Then it's settled. Can we go now?" Sili asked, crossing her arms, "We have a long way to go."
"Are we walking or riding?" Blackwall asked, looking around.
"I have Master Dennit bringing some horses around." Sili replied, "Once we get to camp, we have to walk or try to around the desert."
"I know Hawke will be waiting and I don't want to keep her anymore than she probably will be." Varric added, "She's growly enough as it is."
"You almost sound scared of your friend." Dorian teased.
"If you only knew, Sparkler." Varric replied.
The horses soon arrived, but the Dennit could only spare four, which Sili was quick to pair everyone up. Putting Varric with her, Solas and Cole, and allowing the last three to figure something out. Dorian sided with Blackwall, wanting not to over tax a horse, which lead to a few jabs and jokes. Sili tried to hide her amusement, but gave the signal to head out.
Turning back to glance at Skyhold to watch the sun rise behind it, she saw Cullen still standing there, watching them. She waved to him before urging her horse to gallop, as it would take at least three days to get to the Western Approach. Sili wanted to get there as soon as possible, but mostly to get away from Skyhold.
Sili felt weird around the Commander now, like something was different. She hoped it was just nerves getting the better of them and that some time away would do everyone some good. Sili prayed to whoever would listen to make this an easy adventure as she had the Winter Palace when she returned.
"Varric, I want a new nickname." Dorian's voice shook her from her thoughts. Looking around, Dorian and Blackwall were riding up next to her and Varric.
"What's wrong with Sparkler?" Varric asked with a chuckle, "Not colorful enough for you?"
"You must know me better now. Or does the moniker you gave me five minutes after we met still apply?" Dorian sighed.
"I have the eyes of a story teller. It's a gift." Varric shrugged.
"Or a curse, depending on the situation." Blackwall added with grunt of a laugh.
"So... I'm a big of light you stick in a window sill to impress passersby?" Dorian stroked his mustache, "All flash, no heat? Hmm... That's actually pretty clever."
"I like the flash." Iron Bull added.
"See? Embrace your place in the universe, Sparkler." Varric laughed.
Sili's mind drifted, but not onto any subject. It was like she was wading down a stream, barely able to see or hear anything around her. Unless the others were oblivious to her, they weren't saying anything as they talked about anything that came to mind. She was mostly surprised by how civil they were being. Shrugging, Sili kept them on main roads, being the fastest route with their horses.
When the sun began to disappear, the group had traveled as far as the Exalted Plains, which meant to Sili that they were making good time. Solas suggested to rest at a camp that the Inquisition had set up the first time they had ventured there. It was already prepared and with scouts, which meant that the group could all rest properly.
Sili protested at first, but the others could hear her slurring her words which meant she was pushing herself to far. Varric quietly convinced Sili that this was the better option and lead the horse towards the encampment. There were only a handful of soldiers about, but they quickly acknowledged the Inquisitor's party and allowed them the tents they needed. Thanking the scouts, the group began to dismount and prepare for the night.
"Blackwall and I will take watch over her." Varric whispered to the others, "I know Cole and Solas can check on her as well."
"I will try and keep us quiet as well." Dorian replied, he and Bull sharing a tent.
"I make no promises, nor should you." Iron Bull laughed, causing Dorian's cheeks to redden a little, "But if you need a hand, let me know and I can watch the Inquisitor, too."
"I am not a fucking child." Sili whispered harshly, not wanting the soldiers to hear them, "Keep this up and I will disappear and go without you."
"Be still, Desilinairs." Solas stated, getting her attention, "We mean no ill will or insult towards you, but we do have just cause to be cautious." He added, gripping her arm to reassure her.
Sili sighed and shook herself of Solas, but headed towards a tent, "Sorry and good night." She stated simply.
Solas waiting until she was in the tent before turning to the others. Since they were there, he wanted to visit the death site of his spirit friend since they were nearby and Cole was going with him. They promised to be back and ready to go in the morning. Iron Bull and Dorian gathered wood to make a small fire, none of them were exactly tired yet.
Once the fire was roaring to life, Blackwall produced some fish that he and the soldiers had caught, "I only got enough for us. I know Cole doesn't eat and I have never seen Solas eat."
"He lives off the Fade and air, Blackwall. I'm sure Chuckles will be fine." Varric grunted, "Save a share for her, though."
"I planned on it." Blackwall smiled, before the group fell into a comfortable silence.
Not ten minutes later, Sili lightly stumbled out of the tent, looking at all of them oddly, "What are you all doing up so early?"
"My dear, have you ever known me to be up before anyone else?" Dorian laughed, while the others did their best to hide their growing smiles.
"No, that's what is disturbing." She added, walking towards them and rubbing her head.
"Still have a headache, Boss?" Iron Bull asked, "Here, drink this then eat something. It will help. Krem makes it and it helps with all aches."
Before she knew it, Blackwall was next to her, holding on to her arm and waist. He helped her sit between himself and Varric.
"Inquisitor Sili?" Blackwall asked, "You are tired, what made you get up?"
"The smell…" Sili replied, her words slurring. Her stomach rumbled soon after, her cheeks growing in a light shade of red.
"Well, drink this then you can have something to eat." Iron Bull stated, handing her a bottle.
Sili eyed Bull, but quickly gulped down the potion. She shivered at the taste before being rewarded with a small plate of food. She stayed eerily quiet as she ate with the others, but only finished half her plate and handed it back to Iron Bull.
"Go back to bed, Boss. We aren't far behind." Bull said, "Blackwall…"
"On it. Come on, I'll help you." Blackwall said, helping Sili stand.
"This fucking sucks…" Sili growled, letting Blackwall lead.
"I know, but you'll be better in the morning." He said with a smile.
He helped her into the tent and removed some of her arms and leg armor before she laid down on her stomach, falling asleep instantly. Blackwall watched her a moment, making sure their Inquisitor was sleeping peacefully before rejoining the others.
"What was in that, Bull?" Blackwall asked.
"Sleeping drought mixed with some healing herbs." The Tal-Vashoth shrugged, "It will help her."
"We know Tiny… doesn't make this any easier." Varric sighed.
"Cullen tried to get her to stay, maybe we should have tried harder as well?" Dorian asked.
"Nah, she was bound to get out. This way, we have her back and she isn't alone somewhere." Bull replied with a laugh, "Though, watching Josephine freak about that might be fun."
"Josephine gets in tizzies just thinking about things that could go wrong. That would surely make her lose her hair." Dorian added.
"We best finish, she'll probably want to head out at first light." Varric added."
"So is it true that the Knight Commander of Kirkwall became a ... statue?" Blackwall asked, having that on his mind awhile.
"One hundred percent true." Varric shrugged, "She is still bringing an extra level of horror to the Gallows." He added, waving his fingers.
"You mean… they haven't moved her?" Blackwall asked, helping clean up.
"Well, if they did that, then the children could play, 'Who is brave enough to poke Meredith?'." Varric replied and Blackwall waited for the merchant dwarf to laugh or make some joke.
"They… they don't really do that, do they?" Blackwall asked when Varric didn't continue.
"No, no one is brave enough to poke Meredith… I'll take first watch over Sili." Varric walked into the tent to a sleeping Inquisitor, but he could see the tears slowly falling from her closed eyes, "Shit…"
