Chapter 9: Tracking

(Skyhold Jane's room)

Confined to quarters, Jane paced as best she could in the small space. Cole was in trouble. She rubbed her throat remembering the feel of behind held in a tight grip of ghostly fingers and the pain of being struck in the face. It did not help that it occurred when one of the healers was here. There was a brief concern that she was being possessed. Fortunately, those who actually had a say in this matter dismissed that claim after receiving a message via one of Leliana's messenger birds that Cole was sensing her trouble. The Inquisitor and his group were to return as quickly as possible to resolve the issue. "Damn it, "said Jane punching a wall, "I should be out there looking for him."

The door opened as Leliana entered said, "I agree." She stepped aside to allow two servants carrying Jane's gear and travel bags.

"What happened, "said Jane using a long unused command tone as she started to change clothes.

"We just received another message from the Inquisitor, "said Leliana standing with her arms behind her back, "Cole and Solas have been kidnapped. Currently, he and Varric are searching for clues, but this connection you have with Cole may be the fastest way we can track them down. You are to go with a separate team and search on your own as the Inquisitor's team concentrate on Redcliff and the surrounding area."

"Who is leading the second team, "ask Jane as she sheathed her daggers, "Iron Bull?"

"You are, "said Leliana with a secretive smile, "Let me know who you wish to take with and they will be notified. Those that don't go with you will head out and meet up with the Inquisitor."

Jane tapped the side of her thigh for a few moments and then said, "Cassandra and Dorian. I prefer a smaller team that can be at least somewhat sneaky but able to hit hard when needed. Bull is too big, Blackwall has been too distracted since Adamant and Vivienne will be complaining the whole time. Heh..plus I might just punch her if she call's Cole a demon one more time with 'that' tone of hers."

Leliana gave a small nod and bow, before turning to leave. As the spymaster walked out, Jane said, "Thank you."

(A few nights later in the Hinterlands)

"Are you certain they are in there, "asked Cassadra hiding behind a boulder. Jane was lying on the ground watching the moments at the cave entrance on the other side of the small valley. "Cole's in there, in pain but nothing serious and he's concerned about Solas,"answered Jane and then she narrowed her eyes, "He also knows we're here and is worried that I might get hurt. Idiot."

"Ah, but he's your adorable idiot, "whispered Dorian sitting next to Cassandra, "I'm almost jealous, with the way you two are connected it will be marvelous when you…"

SMACK! Cassandra slapped the back of Dorian's head. With a smirk and an 'ow' he rubbed the back of his head. "None of that nonsense "hissed Cassandra, "Even if Cole is not a demon, he is still but a child…"

"He's not a child, "said Jane, "He acts the way he does because is from a very different reality than this one and is use to using different means to communicate."

Cassandra huffs, "Why are we talking about this anyways?"

"We're waiting for those guys to get sleepy and careless, "said Jane as she slowly stood up and pulled out some arrows from the quiver on her side. Placing six of them in two parallel rows, she took the seventh and said, "Get ready, but don't go until I start heading down the hill. Need to thin the numbers some."

Dorian stood up and took hold of his staff as he said, "I didn't know you were any good with a bow."

"I'm not, so I'm cheating, "said Jane with an evil smirk. The she and the bow started to dimly glow. She drew back and released the first arrow. Like a small, guided missile it flew down and struck one of the sleeping men in the head. The second arrow quickly followed taking out the one sleeping next to him. At this point the one of the men called out in alarm as the third glowing arrow got him in the throat. Once the area was cleared, Jane slid the bow over her shoulder and then started to make her way down the hill.

By the time they got to the cave, more men came running out. Jane took down two with her daggers as Cassandra shield slammed into the third. Dorian set the fourth and last one on fire. A sphere of light surrounded the trio as they made their way into the cave. They were all informed earlier that the shield was not meant to hold for long as to not to drain Jane too quickly, but to at least give them some protection from surprise attack. The attack came, but what was attacking was the bigger surprise. "DARKSPAWN!" yelled Cassandra.

To be continued…