A camp was made once they found adequate shelter, an open mouth of a cave not far from where Athras said their mother was. Insisting they rest and heal their wounds before joining her. Ramia was brushing Laisa's hair when Athras returned with three rabbits. He lifted a hand when Ramia made to help him and went back to her task, braiding Laisa's hair and finding her more suitable clothes the ruined ones she wore.
Igniting the flames to cook the rabbits better Athras, made himself comfortable, pulling out a pipe and igniting it with a click of his fingers. Bringing it to his lips, Athras takes along drag from the pipe, eyes closed, relishing as his lungs fill with the medicinal herb. His eyes lazily trail over to Ramia, a lazy smile on his lips.
"You don't have a care in the world do you?"
"Hmm? That's directed at me?"
"How do you stay so calm? After all that?" Athras hums in thought, scratching at his head and taking another drag of his pipe. "Never mind, forget it."
"Everything always seems like the end of the world at your age. You live as long as I have, as adventurous as I have. You learn not to get too uptight about everything that comes your way." Athras turns over the rabbits. Ramia's eyes suddenly pique with curiosity.
"Adventurous?"
Athras gave another boisterous yawn, sitting up slightly.
"Sure, take this forest for example. Been here before."
"Really? When? Why?" Ramia blushed faintly when he chuckled at her numerous questions.
"Tevinter's my homeland, well same way that you're a Marcher."
"You were a slave?"
"Mmmm, I suppose, for a while, I came into my magic before I could be sold. Ran away as soon as I could throw a decent fireball in someone's face." Athras took a swig of water before continuing his story. "Stayed with a Dalish clan for a few years, then I was in Nevarra for a while."
"You must have so many stories?" Athras gave a closed mouth chuckle.
"Everyone has stories, I've enjoyed myself. You get to my age you start realising how you pissed your life away and start feeling life you haven't done enough. Helping your mother during the Inquisition and now in whatever way I could seemed like a good use of what's left of my life."
Ramia scoffed, eyes trailing off to the side to stare at the fire. "All that effort my mother's put in won't mean anything. Thanks to Solas…" Athras became silent, studying Ramia's gloomy expression. Rising from his place, Athras flopped down next to Ramia, making a quick glance to check on Laisa who had kept herself preoccupied with a frog that had wandered into their shelter.
"You were close right?" Ramia shrugged her shoulders, pulling her knees up to her chest. Her brows furrowed at the memory of a humble unassuming apostate. The lessons and laughter had many afternoons, a gentle pat on the head after a well-executed spell. A farewell with no explanation as to why he had to go. Ramia knew now and sadness was replaced by anger and a sense of betrayal.
"My mother's been much more forgiving. I guess she's just tired." More memories came back. Times of her mother crying alone at night when she thought no one was around. Ramia knew deep down her mother would never be able to stop loving Solas, she could probably even forgive him. That mercy would not be granted by her, to be gone for years only to return to take away Laisa was an insult. Pouring salt into an old wound. "He doesn't care, he probably never did."
"You really think that?"
"…..No…I don't know…" Athras wraps an arm around Ramia's shoulder, hand patting against her affectionately.
"I think he's just doing what he thinks he needs to do. That's why we're being a thorn in his side remember? Help find a Plan B?" Ramia sent him grin, as unconvincing as her faith in his words but Athras wouldn't press the issue. Laisa interrupts the sombreness, carrying the frog she had found in her hands and throwing it in their faces.
Ramia giggled, an eyebrow raised. "Laisa, let that poor frog go! You don't know where it's been." Laisa looked plainly at her sister, bring the frog closer to her face.
"Laisa…"
Laisa did not shrink from Ramia's warning tone, frog inching closer and slowly releasing her tongue from her mouth. Athras watched the entire spectacle in silence with a hand to his chin.
"Laisa…Don't you dare put your mouth anywhere near that frog."
Before the frog could be placed anywhere near Laisa's mouth it was dropped unceremoniously onto the ground. A roasted rabbit being put in its place that she was more than happy to sink her teeth into. Ramia gave up trying to get the girl to sit down while she ate and let her hop around the cave and divulge her evening meal.
Athras handed Ramia her own rabbit, both watched the young girl. Her sparkling and widening at anything they laid upon.
"I worry about her sometimes." Ramia murmured the concern as she took the occasional nibble from her food.
Moro's pregnancy wasn't easy to bear. Many nights were spent ill and in pain and no healer could find anything to work long-term. The entire thing was a conundrum to them, no signs of ailment were found in Laisa but some nights they wondered if carrying the child and bringing it to term would be the death of her. Ramia could still clearly remember the sound of her mother's screams from down the stairs that circulated the tall tower towards the Inquisitor's quarters.
Knowing now what Solas was, wondering if Laisa was closer akin to him than more than just the shared blood of father and daughter. Ramia had no time to play the jealous older sister. She had been so afraid of losing both her mother and new sister, she did everything she could to help. After the loss of her arm, her role in Laisa care doubled even more. Ramia couldn't imagine her life without Laisa anymore and the thought of Solas taking her away from her and Moro terrified her, more so the state her mother would be in if he succeeded.
"Back in the crossroads, she made that barrier didn't she?" Ramia was startled from her musings by Athras question. Her food getting cold and forgotten in her hands. One last bite was taken before she was ushering Laisa over and replacing her finished rabbit with hers.
"We shouldn't be surprised honestly, given who her father is" Laisa's ears perked up at their conversation, her chewing much more slowed, blue eyes scrutinising their every move and word. "Want to join the conversation little one?" Ramia was not keen on the direction Athras was taking the conversation, but she remained silent.
Athras tapped at his thigh for Laisa to take a seat, which she did. Ramia had never seen Laisa look so serious. The topic of her father never coming up in conversation, save for the little ones little mumblings and abstract thought when her mind seemed elsewhere.
"We're talking about your father."
"I know."
"A dangerous man. A dangerous man going through a lot of trouble to get you."
"I know."
Athras turned his head slightly, searching Laisa's eyes for anything other than the stiff attitude she was giving off. "What do you think about it, little one?"
"You don't have to answer him Laisa." Ramia cut Athras off, pulling Laisa from him and into her arms. Laisa wrapped her arms around her sister, resting her head against her shoulder and her eyes gazing out towards the open mouth of the cave. "I don't know what you're trying to pull Athras but drop it." Athras lifted his hands up in defeat.
"Sorry! I had no intention in upsetting her. You have to admit, the magic, the mumbling nonsense that's that actually nonsense. She's not a normal child Ramia and all this trouble your mother's going through to keep her away from her father."
"So what are you proposing?!"
"I'm saying that The Dread Wolf isn't the only one thinning their resources in this ridiculous cat and mouse chase. That Solas is a calculating individual and would not be entertaining this unless he had good reason to. Think about it."
Ramia had no time to bark back with laisa jumping out of her arms and running out of the cave and into the forest.
"Laisa!"
Ramia growled, grabbing her cloak and staff. Athras has a hand on her shoulder before she can chase after her. She rips herself off from his hold, teeth bared as she scowls at him.
"This is your fault! Why would you do that?" Athras grabs her again, donning his own cloak and weapon in hand.
"Then let me go after her, it's too dangerous."
"Then we should both go."
"Stay here. She may return, it's better if you're here if she does."
There was little room for argument as Athras pulled over his hood and exited out into the forest, leaving Ramia in the cave alone with her distress. She began keeping herself busy, pulling out Laisa's bedroll and having small food rations ready for her should she return hungry.
Spare sticks and other firewood stood a few feet away. The fire blazed more strongly when she fed it, the flames crackling. The rain outside had stopped, and it suddenly felt quiet. Very quiet. Ramia stared out at the towering trees outside as they gently billowed in the cold night air, their groaning being the only sounds coming from outside the cave. Pulling her cloak closely around her, Ramia could let go of this feeling of dread. Like she was being watched.
Her head darted behind her but there was nothing there. She sighed silently, chastising her own paranoia. The fire began to wane again. With a grumble she attempted to reignite it with her magic when she suddenly couldn't feel her arm.
The numbness was felt all over and in her very bones, her vision a blur. It took her awhile to notice she had been throw halfway across the cave, the numbness in her body the only reason she could feel no pain at the impact.
When she attempted to rise she couldn't. Her body felt like stone, deep-rooted to the ground, her eyes the only thing that could move and they moved in a panic as she wildly. She had been struck with a paralysis spell.
"Forgive me Ramia. I would never condone harm on you, but you left me little choice."
Ramia's heartbeat began to race at the voice so familiar, her eyes wide as they came into view of her saboteur. His face, which should be looking down at her in disdain or arrogance at outsmarting her, was instead pained. A hand placed against her temple with affection, moving stray hair from her face to better look at her. To see how much she had grown.
"…Hahren..." The term came out in a choked whine. She would be angry at herself for being so weak later, but to actually see him again face to face after so long broke her. Solas himself seemed to be as well, although he was much more composed.
"Fen'harel, what should we do with her?"
His face went back to that steel neutrality that befitted the title the sentinel beside him addressed him with.
"I have subdued her. There is no more that needs to be done Fen'an." From the pitch of his voice Fen'an was young and his face was obscured by the hood he wore. His hand clenched at Solas' word and he seemed uninterested in letting it go.
"She has been a nuisance and killed many of ours. Why not be rid of her?" The air suddenly felt thinner and colder and unsettled all but Solas as he spared Fen'an a glance, expression unamused and threatening.
"You are eager for blood when it is unnecessary. Are you a barbarian Fen'an? Do I now bring animals into my ranks?" The boy looked down to the floor at Ramia, his look of disapproval had not wavered but he was now embarrassed at his master's words.
"No."
"Good. If I find the Inquisitor's daughter harmed in any way, shape or form, there will be dire consequences." Solas moved his attention from Fen'an to his other agents. "Is that understood?" All nodded in understanding as more of his men came into the cave followed by Drynne, the warrior they had previously fought back in the crossroads.
"Drynne."
"Ser. I've done as you've asked."
Solas stepped away from Ramia and approached his lieutenant.
"You are quick to redeem yourself." Drynne gave a small satisfied smile at Solas, turning towards the entrance of the cave.
"Of course."
Ramia darted her eyes towards the entrance to where all of them looked. There Athras stood, with Laisa in his arms, relief that they were alive flooding through her.
"Athras! Take her and go! Get out!" It took much willpower to speak, and her voice came out hoarse low as she begged Athras to escape and leave her behind.
"Sorry kid." Athras approached Solas, handing Laisa over into his arms without hesitation. Ramia's heart sank into her stomach, mouth open agape.
"Change of plans…"