Chapter 4: Homeward Bound
Eka woke to the familiar smell of roasted rabbit with garlic, thyme, mushrooms, and wild onions. Solas must have gotten up early, she thought. Everyone loved it when Solas cooked because he knew how to use spices well enough to turn the most bland meals into delicious ones. As she opened the flap of her tent and poked her head out, she was surprised to notice that the sun was already high enough in the sky for it to be almost noon. How did she manage to sleep nearly sixteen hours, she pondered.
"Good morning, Inquisitor," Cassandra smiled. "I thought you were going to sleep the entire day away." "Well, I might have, but my hunger and the delicious smell woke me up," Eka said as she glanced over towards Solas, who was busy crouched over the fire, frying pan still in his hand. "How are you holding up," Eka inquired. "A little sore but still quite happy to be alive," responded Cassandra with a short laugh. Eka smiled back and started walking towards Solas.
He didn't notice her approach until she had put her soft hands over his shoulders and started to rub them gently. "Why didn't anyone wake me up," she said with a perplexed look on her face. "Because, vhenan, you were absolutely exhausted last night, and every so often one needs a full recharge. We decided that your rest was more important, since the trip back to Skyhold is only about half a day's journey," he said as he placed his free hand over hers. "Lunch should be ready in about fifteen minutes. I believe Dorian would like to speak with you," he added.
With that, Eka kissed the top of his hand and walked over to help Dorian, who was in the process of disassembling the second tent. "I was kind of worried about you last night. Care to put my mind at ease," asked the Tevinter mage. "After that battle yesterday, I was dealing with some internal issues and just needed to sort myself out," Eka responded vaguely. "You're going to have to do better than that, sweetie," Dorian answered with a grin.
"Alright," Eka said. "I walked away from that fight terrified. It wasn't because of anything I did, but rather, it was because I almost lost him, and I felt completely powerless to stop it. To be honest, I've never been so scared in my life. "What about when Corypheus picked you up like a rag doll and threw you into a trebuchet? That seemed pretty scary," Dorian stated.
"I've been scared many times since I woke up with the anchor, but every time I was injured or in pain, I was able to endure it and move on," Eka replied. "I realized after the snowstorm at Haven that once I accepted death, fear lost its grip over me. I don't want to die, but I've been close enough to dying to know that it is inevitable for us all, and I accept that. I think the worst thing that can happen - the thing that scares me the most is having to watch my closest friends die while being powerless to stop it.
Dorian grabbed Both of her arms excitedly as he said, "But you did do stop it. Combining your fade step and spirit shield was brilliant!" Eka instantly realized that Dorian had spoken to Solas about everything and was quite glad that she didn't have to explain. "It was a blind act of desperation, Dorian. If you asked me to do it now, I probably couldn't," Eka muttered. "So practice and get better. That spell could become a valuable asset," responded Dorian fervently. "If you allow me, I'll help you work on it when we get back to Skyhold." He then grinned and looked at Eka, adding, "that is, after you take me up on that drink I owe you." Eka put her right arm around his torso in a half hug. "It's a deal. Drinks tonight then work tomorrow." "Try to bring your hobo with you," added Dorian mischievously, earning him a playful slap on the back of his shoulders.
After lunch, they packed up the rest of their belongings and headed back towards Skyhold. The conversation on the way back was a lot lighter than it had been the previous day. Solas and Dorian didn't argue at all, which was a welcome departure from the norm. Cassandra and Dorian rode up front and continued their talk from the campfire about Orlesian and Tevinter nobility. Eka and Solas participated rather passively, rarely contributing to the conversation until Cassandra involved Solas by asking a question about how he had seen the game played through the fade.
At some point Eka's mind drifted. She was looking forward to having drinks with Dorian that evening and realized that the other groups that were dispatched would likely be back when they returned to Skyhold. Given that her companions rarely had the opportunity to spend their free time together, Eka decided that they should all have a little party that night. Everyone had been working very hard recently and had earned a night to loosen up; furthermore, a few days off might be nice, if possible.
"I've decided," Eka stated quite suddenly and assertively, which got everyone's attention. "Since everyone will be home, I'm going to reserve the tavern tonight and we'll all have tomorrow off, assuming we aren't greeted with any crises upon our homecoming." Dorian smiled as he said, "Count me in." Cassandra seconded the motion. Eka looked up to Solas, who responded predictably with, "Not tonight. I need to catch up on some reading."
Eka frowned and then looked up at him with big blue eyes and her best innocent puppy expression. "Pleeeeaaaaase," she begged, only to be answered with, "I no longer drink and am not very entertaining." "So don't drink," she said. "I'm not much of a drinker myself and could really use the company. Plus I promise to leave you alone with your books all day tomorrow." "What if I do not wish to be left alone," replied Solas with a grin. "Dorian said he would help me with my fade step combo tomorrow morning, but I can come distract you afterwards," she said happily. Solas looked down at Eka, who was once again making that irresistible puppy face. He shook his head with an amused expression as he said, "Eka Lavellan, you will surly be my undoing. I will accompany you tonight."