Chapter 2: Demons

(Redcliff)

Solas sat in shadow cast by the Hero of Ferelden monument. It has been three days since he came across the empty campsite and so far no luck in finding the one call Demon. Three days since he slept. Three days of asking anyone he saw on the long ride to Redcliff to inform the Demon of his need. He also sent a messenger bird to Skyhold to inform them of the situation but requested that they keep agents away until the last moment in the hopes of not tipping off the kidnappers. Tired, exhausted and with no inkling on what to do next, he leaned back onto the cold stone and closed his eyes.

"Where did you last see your companions, "said a husky female voice as a traveler's pack fell with a thump next to him, "Don't look at me, I'm just another stranded traveler taking a break from the sun."

Solas did not look towards the woman, but out of the corner of his eye he saw a tall human woman in tan leathers and a light colored hood over her head. He then just loud enough for them to hear responded, "At our campsite Hafter's Woods. I can leave a marked map."

The woman crossed her arms and moved her head around, causing a slight popping sound. "Do that and include the note. The Demon will want to see it before she decides to help, "the woman answered as she sat down and dug around in the bag, "Then go get some rest, you'll do your friends no good if you collapse. If what you say is true, the Demon will catch up to you at the campsite day after tomorrow."

(Before sunrise, at the Villa)

"Whispers, always whispering, "mutter Cole as he once again tried to fight the bindings holding his arms in place, "They shall not find me. They shall not have me. Why can't I get free!? It's not like the cupboard, they are just ropes!"

"Calm down, Kid, "said Varric with false cheer, "No doubt Chuckles has the whole Inquisition looking for us right now."

"I'm more worried about this whispering, "Maxwell said shaking his head, "I can hear it too, but it sounds muffled. It makes the inside of my head itch."

The dwarf shrugged best he could while tied up and said, "Must be a human thing. Maybe magic? I don't hear a thing."

"No, no, no. Not magic. They are whispers, not singing. Magic sings, light or dark it sings, "Cole muttered, then louder and louder, "Not of this world, not of the Fade!"

The discussion was interrupted by a loud knocking at the door followed by a loud, "SHUT UP IN THERE!"

Above in a dark figured, climbed through an open window on the floor above. Squatting next to the ladder, the figure's dark grey leathers make the intruder nothing more than another shadow. Even the metal knuckle covers were darkened to prevent shine.

Through the windows, she could hear the guards outside. One loudly wondering why they are even keeping the prisoner's alive for this long. It wasn't like the 'knife-ear' would know. One of the others hit him hard on the back of the head and hissed something about their boss.

The odds weren't great, but they have been worse. A dozen or so patrolling in pairs but due to the size of the place they were too spread out. There was another twenty or so wondering around, cooking or sleeping next to fires. There were only two seemed to be guarding the building, which wasn't designed to be a prison to begin with. The door obviously added on by someone who didn't know what they were doing. All the other buildings had open doorways but no doors. Where was this boss?

Then there were the prisoners. Supposedly all three could fight, whether they could do so without weapons was another unknown. If nothing else they most likely will not panic or at least two of them won't. That young strange sounding one might be a problem.

Down below, Cole suddenly went still. Maxwell asked, "Cole, are you alright?"

"She's here. Calculating. Planning. Concerned. Worried that the young one is panicking after hearing the tone of his voice, "said Cole in a whisper the other two could barely hear and then said louder, "I am not panicking!"

The door slammed open and a scarred man in bandit colors walked in, slamming the door behind him. "What's going on in here, "he demanded.

"My friend here is just getting a little jumpy and we were trying to calm him down, "said Varric not missing a beat.

"The brat huh?" said the guard with a sneer and then took a closer look at Cole with some interest. He took hold of Cole's shirt and dragged him closer, "You may not be the prettiest thing I've seen, but pretty enough for…"

From the shadows she struck, jumping down from the second floor and in one fluid move used a glowing arm to break the guard's neck and using the other arm to push Cole away.

"Lust. Sense of power. Been weeks since that shepherd boy in the hills, "Cole muttered, "This blonde one may not be young enough for my liking but he'll do. It is good that he is dead, he can't hurt people anymore."

The woman's eyes narrowed slightly at what she heard. Maxwell cleared his throat and said, "Cole does that. Any chance you can un-tie us."

"He's reads emotions, minds, hurts?, "said Cole, "Yes, I find the hurt and fix the pain. Can I borrow your daggers? You don't really need them."

The hooded figured shook her head and used one of the daggers to cut through Cole's bonds. The she handed both to the young man and walked over to the Inquisitor. Pulling out a knife from her boot, she then cut his bonds as well.

"Thank the Maker, "Varric said as Cole made short work with his ropes. He then stood up and with a small bow said, "Messere Demon I presume?"

"Let's save the introductions until we get out of here, "said the Demon, "Your…"

"Anger, Rage, CONTROL, "said Cole eyes wide open, "He knows you killed that guard and is…'assuming direct control.'"

The Demon had just enough time to bring up a simmering shield before the door and much of the stone wall around it barreled towards them. In the opening stood who must be the leader of the group, eyes glowing gold. "So you finally came, "said the man in a strangely doubled voice, "It feels like ages since you destroyed my creator and creations. Once you are…

Cole suddenly appeared behind the man with one dagger in the back and the other across the throat. With a scream the body disintegrated

"Assuming Direct Control, "could be heard as another one of the men started to glow.

"Ok, that's not good, "said the Demon.

"Andraste's ass!" hissed Varric as Cole vanished.

"Inquisitor, "said the Demon, "I'm going to try to clear a path. If we get separated, you and your friends head to your old camp it's to the west. There is one watching the place, so watch out."

"Fair enough, but let's try to stay together, "said Maxwell firmly.

The Demon nodded and said, "Stay close. If you can, get a punch or kick in. By the way, I'm not going to be worth shit once this is over with. Whatever you do, do NOT give me lyrium."

During this conversation, a good number of the bandits squeezed into the small space and where attacking the glowing shield with swords and maces. "Ready, "she said her whole body now glowing, "NOW!" The shield exploded with a bright light blinding the attackers, followed by two orbs of swirling energy of either side of them that seemed to pull in and crush the people closest to it. Her body, except for her fists, dimmed some but still faintly glowed. A pair of daggers cut down one of the men blocking the door way as the other's face was smashed in by a glowing fist.

To be continued….