Chapter 9:
Some R and R.
The kadan was our only casualty as we entered the fortifications of the compounds, and her sleeping figure was swiftly tended to by the healers. And yet, she was seen up and about the very next morning, moving about the barracks' courtyard with barely a limp. I only saw her in the twilight, when the kithshoks were finally satisfied with our reports of the Tevinter camp.
"So... What did you see in the Fade?"
She had snuck up from behind me, handing me food that was still warm, even though the evening meal was already over. There had been tests to prove that we were not corrupted by the bas saarebas—and I had been detained the longest.
"What?"
"The karashoks told me they saw the island at peace, but knew it could not be so, since the qunari that were left only consisted of kossiths. The demon apparently left out the humans, dwarves and elves. They also mentioned that you weren't with them… so that got me thinking— What did you see in the Fade?"
We were now alone in the yard, the moon rose as I finished the soup—and I realised that it was stew. Thick, warm, seasoned stew. The kadan had successfully infiltrated the kitchen.
"It is nothing important."
"Really? They came upon the sloth demon first, so I assume that whatever you saw, it must have been quite...captivating… to have it delay you so—"
I heard myself sigh aloud. She was indeed persistent. "Does it really matter?"
"I am merely curious; it's fine if you don't want to share… I've been… forced into the Fade before, so I know it can be quite hard to talk about—"
"I saw you." Anything to stop her from prying. I truly did not mean for that to be revealed.
"Wha—" Her confusion was not mild.
"I saw you, kadan." If only there was a way to explain it—all of it—and I would be free of this… obsession.
"I… see."But her hesitance angered me—even if I knew it was irrational.
"No, you do not. You cannot possibly know what it means to see you— like that— in that place. It is something that does not bode well." The strain in my… body was great— the tumultuous contents of my mind greater. I turned away from her. She clearly did not need to know.
Still, she followed me, into the building, voice soft in the hushed silence that followed. "Was it… that terrifying?"
"Somewhat." I felt a familiar smile on my lips. Perhaps she understood after all? There was hope.
"Great. I'm your worst nightmare."
"It was not entirely… Pashaara." We were now near her quarters—specially isolated from the men.
Her irritation was beginning to slip into her numerous questions. "What?"
"Never mind. It is done."
"You know, I hate it when you do that, leading me on and then stopping before you fini—"
I needed to know. Was what I saw…natural? Was it common? "What did you see in yours?"
"Hmm? Oh. I saw Daylen." This thought disturbed me. They cared deeply for each other, but were in the capacity as comrades—at least, that was what it had appeared to be.
"The other mage Warden?"
"Yes. We were still at the tower. Safe. There was no Blight threatening the land."
"So he wasn't dressed too?" Perhaps it was normal to come across such figures of others in the Fade?
"No, we had on our mage robes… Fully-clothed, as it were. Wait what? Too? You saw me in the fade without clothes on? How— odd…" A laugh was creeping into that voice. Her mirth overtaking all other thought.
"Enough." She was amused, and this was a relief, if slightly discomforting.
"Okay."
It didn't take long for her to break the silence, however, right as she opened the door to her quarters—she could not resist, her hands gesturing to various… areas of her figure.
"Did I look good? With the scars and all. I also think I put on a bit of weight—some extra meat around my hips and chest."
"Vashedan." The kadan was… too much.
She giggled briefly behind the wood, seeming to think nothing of the implications behind… that vision. Perhaps it was innocuous, safe—perhaps I was safe.
P.S.: Might not post for a few days at least, but I hope that this chapter entertains you wonderful people till then! Thanks for reading and do review if you liked it!