The Western Approach was becoming overwhelming. Besides the normal issues of a desert: the sand, wind and heat, and the vicious animals, they had Venatori, White Claw, and a dragon to deal with. On the very top was the Grey Warden issue. There was something just wrong about this place and everyone could feel it.
The group was heading back to Griffon Wing Keep after fighting Erimond and some corrupted Grey Wardens. Stroud, their one other ally amongst the Wardens, noted that Erimond was heading to Adamant Fortress. They would need to go back to Skyhold and figure a plan as Adamant was no little issue like the Keeps she had recovered for the Inquisition.
Adamant Fortress was just that, built by dwarves and served as a high point to hold back the darkspawn. It had come to be abandon after the west became what it was now, but Erimond and Corypheus were using it now as a hold on the Wardens.
All this was becoming more of a labyrinth for Inquisitor Desilinairs Levallan. Everytime she thought she gained ground, she would uncover more of Corypheus' plans. She wished, in part, that she knew if this was Corypheus leading her into a trap or if his followers were just that arrogant to spill the plan.
As they entered the Keep, she noticed the sun setting which meant she could get a full night's rest. Yawning, she realized that she was no longer leading their band of misfits. Blackwall was with Iron Bull walking close by. Part of her was confused but, she really didn't want to think about it, she was just too tired and wanted to rest.
Thankfully, most of the soldiers were either training or resting so she didn't have to deal with formalities as she made her way to Knight-Captain Rylen. He greeted her and gave a quick report for dismissing himself. Luckily, the report was mostly positive with only the dragon and darkspawn being issues. Going back to Skyhold would have to wait at least another week.
She had agreed to help Frederick with his research that the Venatori had stolen and destroyed. Plus, dealing with it either way would put the soldiers minds at ease. The darkspawn came as a non-surprise surprise with the Abyssal Reach. It wasn't uncommon to see a few darkspawn around here, but something had spurred them.
The sulfur pits had hindered the Inquisition forces, but after some construction, a ruin was discovered. Scouts reported it was most likely Tevinter made, but it seemed to be the focal point where the darkspawn were coming from. Thankfully, orders were that no one was to go into the ruins before her.
"We're fighting her, right? Tell me we're fighting her, boss!" Iron Bull said as they headed to the tents.
"We're doing something about it." Sili replied, "In the morning."
"Where are you going, Miss Sili?" Varric asked, watching her leave the group.
"Sleep..." Sili said, "Just tired."
"I would not advise that, Inquisitor." Solas said, getting her attention.
Anytime he used her title, she knew he meant for her to listen, "Why's that?"
"You need to eat, like and with the rest of us. Also, someone needs to look at your head wound." The elf stated, a hint of concern in his voice.
"Chuckles is right, on both. Come on... We need to check out that cook you requisitioned." Varric added.
"He loves to cook and can create meals for everyone, without the ingredients, just talent." Cole added with a smile, "With one pot, everyone can have a meal from their homes..."
Cole loved it when anyone could help others, especially without trying. Sili smiled at Cole, but shrugged her shoulders. Their Inquisitor followed the men to where some soldiers were already sitting by the cook. He was rationing out bowls of stew, going on about stories of deserts and cold, and his days as a soldier.
Sili sat amongst the soldiers and her little group, observing and listening to all the stories of home. It was nice to see and also because everyone forgot she was the Inquisitor, Sili was able to be just one of the soldiers. She remembered Iron Bull taking her to meet recruits when they first found Skyhold and quick glance over to the Tal-Vashoth, he was smiling... at her.
After many more stories and few more rations of stew, Sili and her companions excused themselves for the night. She was now extremely tired and just wanted to lay her head down to sleep. Her head wasn't throbbing, not like it had been days ago. By the Creators, she hoped that they all had forgotten and that she could just go to bed.
"My dear Inquisitor, may I have a moment?" Dorian said, coming up next to her, "Bull and Solas are in some debate again, so I will bunk with you tonight?"
"Sounds fine to me. Blackwall and Varric?" Sili asked.
"They are going to be in another tent. Tis my turn with you my dear." Dorian laughed.
Sili couldn't help the smiled that inched across her face, "By the Creators, I am a lucky girl."
"I know, you should write me down in your Dalish history, like a grand Tevinter friend." Dorian replied.
"That would be a good start." Sili nodded, gliding into one of the tents with Dorian behind her.
They were able to stand, well... she was able to stand without problems, the Tevinter mage had to slouch slightly. Though the tent was big enough for each of them to have some space, Dorian seemed rather close to her as she began to remove her armor.
"Is there something I can help with, Dorian? Is your robed armor too much to take off yourself?" Sili asked, turning to him.
"We've noticed, my dear. Someone needs to check and that someone is me." Dorian stated bluntly, "Now, off with the armor and I want you to lay your head here... on my lap."
Dorian had shrugged off is armor, made a small, but comfortable space for him to sit and her to lay, and was sitting, patting his knee. Sili wanted to slap that smug look off his face, but sighed and got the last of her armor off. She put her Skyhold night watch outerwear on as soon as the armor was off before laying her head on Dorian's knee.
He started to rhythmically stroking her hair, running his fingers and pulling out the braid it had been in. Sili was surprised that he went the full length, knowing her hair was down just past her shoulder blades. She felt a brush soon after and moaned a response, it felt good away from her scalp, but it stung near her head.
Dorian replied with a silent apology and rubbed her shoulder as she could feel him using his magic on her. It was warm, relaxing her further as her headache subsided and she closed her eyes. Sili tried to best to stay awake, listening to Dorian talk about himself, but she could no longer fight and allowed herself to drift off.
But a sharp pain drew her from her sleep. Thinking Dorian had done it to keep her awake, Sili turned to scold him. Pushing herself up, Sili found herself alone in the tent, dust covering everything. Not again! Sili cried silently and she knew she was back in her nightmare.
Tears immediately stung at her eyes as she ran from the tent, but tripped over something as soon as she had left. She barely had enough time to keep her face from slamming into the sand...sand? This wasn't right, well scratch that, this wasn't right in the first place, but this nightmare was different. The demons that plagued her had normally gone after her clan, but this... this was Griffon Wing Keep.
"My, my, my, look who finally joined." A voice said from behind before a hand grabbed her hair and pulled her up to her knees, "It's the lovely Inquisitor." Livius Erimond laughed.
"What... By the Creators!" Sili gasped when she finally looked around. The Keep, what wasn't in rubble, was engulfed by fire. Inquisition soldiers bodies were everywhere: some in pieces, on torture racks, hanging from ramparts.
"We've save the best for you, my dear." Erimond stated, pulling her up to her feet and down the stairs to the main courtyard. A makeshift gallows had been constructed and her friends all stood with nooses around their necks. He threw her into the dirt, just shy of the gallows.
Sili screamed, tears falling down her cheeks and the lever was pulled, but the world slowed. A cold wind started to descend on the Keep and it was coming from Dorian. Cole looked at her with his simple expression before removing the noose as if the world didn't affect him. He made his way over to the others as the world stilled and removed each of their noose's.
"Sili, sweet. You need to calm down, everything is fine." Dorian said, the cool winds dancing around all of them, "You need to relax."
Tears still fell from her eyes as she let her head fall into the dirt, cradled by her hands. She knew this wasn't real, but it hurt all the same. Sili then felt a hand rubbing her back, but pretended to ignore it for another moment. When the cold receded, Sili blinked as she raised her head.
She was back at Skyhold, down by the main gate with Cole. He helped her stand as she looked around, "They are using you, to hurt you in ways. You've stayed strong and still need to." Cole explained, hugging her as she had him once, "We got your back and Dorian thinks your head is healed for good this time."
"These are nightmares the demons play on me in the Fade..." Sili sighed, "They are trying new tricks and it seems I let them this time." Sili said, tears still sliding down her cheeks.
"No, they surprised you and caught you off guard this time. They won't try again, not with you healed now." Cole stated, "It's late, so you can either wake up and let the others know you're okay. Or I can let you sleep, without any more disturbances and I can let the others know."
"We'll see..." Sili said, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. She felt her body shift, like the world fell from under her. Sili opened her eyes slowly, immediately meeting the eyes of a very concern, merchant dwarf. Something cool was placed on her forehead and she jumped slightly, her hands flying up, but were caught by gentle yet stern hands.
"Hey..." A horse whisper from Varric, "You're back." He sighed, using another cloth to wipe her face from the tears.
"Da'len?" Solas' whispered voice came from her other side and she guessed he was holding her hands, "Are you-"
Without a word, Sili stood in one fluid motion. Her hands racing over Varric and Solas' faces, as if she was looking for something before leaving the tent. Trying to keep her anxiety in check, Sili made her way around the camp and found Iron Bull, Dorian, and Blackwall. She checked them over like she had Varric and Solas and, feeling satisfied, headed towards the astrarium.
From there, she could see most of the Keep and the surrounding area. It was quiet, like it had and was suppose to be and she sighed in relief. Sili stood there and watched the Keep a moment longer, as the few scouts walked along the battlements and ramparts, nodding their heads if they caught her eye.
The moon was barely at the apex of the night, yet the sand seemed to appear as water on a shore. In some way, it looked beautiful, yet haunting with the purple tint. Then the exhaustion started to creep into her muscles and bones. With the adrenalin gone, Sili slumped by the ladder, but kept her eyes scanning the surrounding landscape.
She thought that no one noticed, since none of the soldiers had, but she felt a gentle hand on her leg. Sili looked down to see the Iron Bull, though he wasn't looking at her
"Boss?" He asked, scanning around like she had been, "Something up?"
Sili thought a moment, "No, but there was a hint." She stated simply.
She then tried to climb down the ladder, slowly, knowing her body was still coming off the effects of her adrenaline. Without a word, Bull grabbed her around the waist and placed her on his shoulder. Besides the quick shock, Sili allowed herself to be carried, but wrapped her right leg around his side to anchor herself.
"Boss, we're all heading to bed..." Bull hinted, "Dorian and Solas are keeping you company tonight. The rest of us will see you in the morning." He added, setting her down by the tent she had come out of.
Dorian grabbed her arm and pulled her into the tent, making her sit on her sleep mat. Without a word, he sat behind her and checked her head. Once he was satisfied, he pushed her to lay down.
"You need to rest, we have the darkspawn to deal with in the morning."
