****Note, reposting this chapter in hopes that this time will not devour it! Thanks to jpgFury for catching it! If the problem continues please let me know!***
Part 5
Cold Comfort
"This. Is. The worst." Dorian's complaints cut through the biting wind to reach Astlyr's ears. Her ears which prickled with the icy grip of cold. Even the two Qunari were shivering as they encouraged their mounts onward through the blizzard. Astlyr bit back an angry retort. There was no need to scold her friend. He was right. With winter already threatening more southern climes the frigid temperature of Emprise Du Lion had reached deadly levels. Though the group had packed well with many warm furs, the wind still managed to find every place where Astlyr's attire was thinnest. Cole, of course, was unbothered by the weather, but was concerned for his friends. He had gone from horse to horse passing out more warm furs and encouraging words.
These words did little to help Dorian, who suffered the most vocally of the bunch. Astlyr might have had stern words with him about affecting everyone's morale, but she couldn't get her chattering teeth to let her get a word in edgewise. Instead she tightened her grip on Smoke's reins, encouraging the horse to trudge onward. Once they achieved the peak she hoped there would be a few places to shelter for the fast approaching night.
"I don't remember it being this bad the last time we were here," Varric managed between lips cracked with cold.
"It was not," Cassandra assured him, her eyes squinted to scan the terrain ahead.
"At least I don't see any red Templars roaming about this time," Iron Bull pointed out, his words muffled by the large scarf Cole had found for him.
"They're buried under all this damn snow," Dorian griped. "Do you have any idea what this air is doing to my complexion?"
Astlyr stifled a smile. She knew her friend was more bluster than actual anger. She was getting worried, however. Visibility was waning faster than she might have expected and she could feel her horse's strength flagging. She knew Varric's mount, though it was a stocky mountain horse, was struggling in the thick drifts which seemed to move like shifting sands. Astlyr spotted something, "make for that stand of trees," she pointed towards a close huddled group of conifers to the west.
The wind whipped her voice from her throat, but the message was passed back through her little band and they surged doggedly towards the place she had indicated. Cole teleported ahead to scout the area. He appeared on his horse's waiting back beside Astlyr. "Several rabbits have set up a home in those trees, so there are droppings, but it is sheltered."
"Grand. Rabbit droppings," Dorian muttered, riding closer to hear the young spirit's report. "Still, better warm droppings that cold winds, eh?" he shot Astlyr a cheeky smile.
The tough inquisitor could not help but chuckle as she put her head down and clung grimly to the saddle, occasionally looking up, with eyes streaming from cold, to ensure they were headed in the correct direction.
After what seemed an age they achieved the trees. Cole had not been wrong about the rabbits. Several fled under the lowest pine branches as the riders entered their little copse. Astlyr felt a great relief wash over her as the wind abated. She dismounted, as did her comrades, and they set about slowly making camp. "Be careful of the fire," Cassandra warned, wisely as Dorian raised his hands over the pile of kindling Varric had hastily gathered. "We have to find a spot where it will not catch on the trees or we will burn our shelter to the ground, and us with it."
Iron Bull picked up the entire pile of sticks and wood, setting it in the middle of tree gap. It was slightly less sheltered, but still better than it had been on their ride. Soon the mage had the fire blazing, as the others gathered what wood they could find. Dorian kept a small flame alight in his hands, warming them.
Finally the company settled as best they could. Tents were impossible with no good ground to drive the stakes into, so instead the leathers were draped over the surrounding trees to create more shelter. Then they huddled together, watching the flames dance and sharing the food they had brought. Varric heated water and dropped a few pine needles in to make a weak tea. All drank, gratefully.
"It is official," Dorian said, clasping both hands around his tin cup and looking up with redrimmed, baleful eyes, "This is the coldest I have ever been."
"My nose is dripping and my fingers and toes are prickled with a thousand needles. Biting, battering, blasting cold eating through me," Cole supplied.
Dorian gave the boy a wan smile, "yes, thank you." The tip of the man's nose had gone a cold crimson.
Wonderful, Astlyr thought with a heaviness in her chest, now I'm going to get all my people sick. She stood, pulling one of the furs from her shoulders and draping it over Dorian's. She sat down in the snow beside him and put her arm around him. He snuggled willingly against her. Iron Bull shot the mage a mock warning glance. "You're sure it's men you fancy?"
"Never fear," Dorian said with a cough, "were I not freezing to death as we speak I would never voluntarily be this close to breasts."
"I think I've been this cold before," Cassandra spoke up, her dark eyes focusing on the dancing flames. "I was fifteen. My uncle took my brother and I into the mountains. He would have only taken Antony but my brother begged that I could come. There was supposed to be an adolescent frost dragon up there. If we found it I was instructed to hide while the my uncle and brother killed it."
Astlyr stifled a chuckle at the thought of Cassandra letting the men kill a dragon without her.
"We didn't even see the damned thing," Cas chuckled, "but I got frostbite on these two fingers," she held up her hand to illustrate, "and poor Antony caught such a bad cold he lost his voice completely. He couldn't talk back to me for days. I loved it."
"I've been this cold," Varric piped up. "I was a lot younger too. My brother, Bartrand, and I were on a smuggling run, not too far from here as I recall. This was before we found homes in Kirkwall. We did manage to finish the run, but we almost didn't make it. Snow drifts were over my head. Why, I lost sight of my brother once. Only found him again because he was wearing one of those absurd helmets with the horns on it. Had to pull him out of the drift by his beard."
"You miss your brother," Cole strolled over. Completely unbothered by the harsh windchill. The spirit boy had been attempting to befriend a rabbit using a piece of bread.
Varric hung his head slightly, "yeah, Kid. Sometimes I do. He wasn't a bad person. Not for most of his life."
"Friends, family, everyone dies. Cannot trust people. Cannot love people because they will only go and leave me alone and empty. A loneliness that hangs on me like a weight around my neck. Slowly dragging me down to dust and desolation." Cole spoke quietly and rapidly.
Varric said nothing, but looked at his hands. Cassandra moved to him and put her own arm around his shoulders, as Astlyr had done for Dorian. The dwarf looked momentarily alarmed, as though certain she was trying to get him in a headlock, but then he relaxed, resting his head against the tough woman's shoulder.
"Oh gods, are we sharing now?" Iron Bull asked, with a playfulness in his tone. "The chargers and I have been cold like this loads of times. We got over it. And you can skip me with the touchy feely, what's-my-pain crap, kiddo," he gave Cole a warning look. "Today I think I'll just keep that to myself where it belongs."
Cole flashed Iron Bull a quick glance and shrugged his narrow shoulders, then put his head down and went back to crouching under the tree, seeking furry friends.
Everyone looked at Astlyr. Clearly it was her turn. She thought for a moment. "There was a year our roof fell in and my mother and father had to spend the day repairing it," she said, considering. "I don't think that was the coldest I have been though."
"How old were you?" asked Varric, pulling out of Cassandra's hug with an embarrassed look.
"Four, maybe. I don't remember much of it, except that I thought it was an exciting adventure to have to cook lunch out in the snow."
"The thought of three year old Astlyr is the most adorable thing I can picture," Iron Bull chuckled, playfully reaching over and tugging one of her horns.
"I'm told I was pretty cute," Astlyr admitted as her companions laughed. "You know, I think the coldest I have been was after Haven," she said reflectively after a pause, fixing her eyes on the dancing flames. Cole came back with an armload of twigs to add and plopped down, cross legged, to hear. Astlyr noticed that he had placed a sprig of pine into the band of his hat. "After I faced Coryphius for the first time and I managed to get that avalanche to fall on him. I was knocked down into some sort of cellar or cave. That was freezing enough in itself, and I am pretty sure I had a cracked rib or two, plus the concussion."
"They found you in the snow," said Cole, "you would have died."
"Cheerful as ever," Dorian muttered, sitting up a bit, though not quite willing to give up the warmth of his friend's arm.
"That was cold," Astlyr finished and everyone was silent for a long moment.
"Solas sat with you," Cole said, not looking up. "He didn't want to leave your side. I saw him there because I was worried for you as well, though I did not know you well then," the spirit boy explained.
"He was with me?" Astlyr asked.
"Yes. He only moved when forced to by hunger or the need to get away from the arguing."
"Our arguing," Cassandra admitted, looking ashamed. "In our defense the situation was pretty bad."
"I wonder if he walked with me in dreams," Astlyr pondered. "He said he had done before, when I stumbled from the Fade and wouldn't wake for days."
"Solas liked you," Cole said. "You made his pain less. You made him calm."
"Really?" she tilted her head to look towards the boy.
"Yes. Solas was very sad, but when he was with you, you made him less so. You were strong for him when he was tired of being strong. You do the same for Dorian, and Iron Bull...and me," he gave her a weak smile which was about as big as his expressions of happiness got.
Astlyr felt her cheeks go hot at this revelation. "Astlyr can have the job of 'the strongest'" Dorian said, mirth prickling in his voice, "as long as I keep my title of 'the most handsome.'"
The group fell back into chatter and lighter tales. It was a challenge to keep the fire going, as they were fast running out of fallen sticks and branches, but they managed. Dorian supplemented with his own, magical flame, when it was requested. Though all had seen better nights, but the end they could agree that this one was far from the worst.
Bears. Why was it always bears? Astlyr dodged an incoming claw and slashed with her sword, then struck the beast across the face with her shield. Apparently the bears had had the same idea as Astlyr and her friends, to shelter in he trees. They had been woken by the alarm of Iron Bull, who was on dawn watch, and the sound of their horses whinnying in fear.
Smoke and Bull's horse could hold their own against the beasts, and Cassandra's mare with kicking and biting wildly when the friends charged to the rescue. Magic blasted past Astlyr's head as Dorian picked his targets with skill. Iron Bull slammed into one of the largest bears with his shoulder, knocking the mass of fur and muscle to earth with a shower of snow. He smashed his maul downward, not doubt crushing the bear's thick skull.
Cole darted in and out, causing deadly bleeding wounds to the attacking animals. Astlyr and Cas came together, forming a two woman shield wall, pushing back against the grasping claws and teeth. Finally the bears all lay dead, their blood steaming in the snow. "Well," Dorian panted, "I suppose that is one way to get the blood going in the morning."
"I'm not cold any more," Iron Bull swung his maul to fall into the holder he wore strapped his his back.
Astlyr looked to the horses. A few cuts and scratches marred their sides, but nothing serious.
"Do bears just smell you and come running?" Varric huffed, slinging Bianca back over his shoulder.
"I must have smeared myself in ham grease again last night," Astlyr joked, sheathing her own sword. She gave herself a quick once over. Though she had not yet put on her armor, the layers of furs she was wearing had protected her from the worst of the bites and scratches. She clicked her tongue with annoyance as she saw that her favorite winter cloak had a long tear.
"Well, we're up," Dorian said, moving back to the camp to take the tent leathers down from the trees, "where is it we're going again?"
Astlyr pulled the map from a pack on Smoke's saddle. The big horse swung his head around for his usual pat on the nose, which she absently gave him as she studied the parchment. "An old elven holy place of some kind."
"Of course," Varric grumbled, going to help Dorian pick up the camp.
"Well, we are looking for an elven artifact," Astlyr said, squinting at the map. Cas stopped and peered around her shoulder. Astlyr moved so the woman could see.
"I think that pass should still be open," Cassandra pointed. "Even after the blizzard last night."
"Alright, we'll give it a try," Astlyr agreed, folding the map.
With the camp packed the group made their way. The pass which Cassandra had chosen was indeed negotiable though the snow was thick. The horses slipped and struggled, but the way was made. Cole popped ahead on several occasions to check for snags and icy patches.
Finally, cold an bedraggled, and so wearied that even Dorian had ceased complaining, they stood before a cave entrance. Astlyr checked the map. "This seems too obvious." she gave the cave mouth a scrutinizing once over. "Morrigan mentioned that there might be wards and other protections. The artifact we're looking for, if it is even still here, is supposed to be protected."
"Joy," Dorian stepped forward, magic glowing and coiling around his hands. He sent the magic surging and seeking. A few symbols glowed on the walls a short distance in. He grunted. "Simple wards. They probably get more complicated further in. We'll have to be cautious." He curled his hand into a fist and with a jerking motion the glowing wards vanished with a faint popping sound.
"Aren't we always?" Varric smirked, settling Bianca into place in his hands. He peered into the darkness. "Well...it isn't the deep roads I suppose."
"Count your blessings," Astlyr agreed with a smirk. She and her fellows took a moment to pull on armor. It was freezing, but worth the trouble after that arrow incident, Astlyr thought as she buckled her plate mail into place with practiced skill. "Alright, kids, formation time. Cole, stay back here with us. We don't need you getting ahead and hitting a ward you aren't ready for. Stay just behind Cas, Bull and I. Dorian, behind and to our right. Keep your magic going as best you can, checking for traps."
"Alright," the mage nodded. "Though I'll burn through mana I could be using to for attacking spells if there are undead or the like."
"Noted. We can handle a few undead," she nodded towards Cassandra, Iron Bull, and Varric. She indicated a spot for the dwarf, "behind us and to the left."
"Right," Varric nodded, taking his place.
"Are we ready?" Astlyr asked.
"As we'll ever be," Varric answered with a grim smile.
The going was slow. Even underground it was cold, and they shivered as they went. The way was dark as well. They had brought torches, which Dorian lit, but the light from the flames did not seem able to reach all the shadowed recesses of the tunnels as they traversed. Three times they had to stop so that Dorian could take down a barrier spell or ward that threatened their way. The cave itself seemed natural, not man-made, but there were sconces visible in some of the walls where ling ago torches had once been set.
It was clear, however, that no one had tread this path in a long time. Muck and dirt on the cave floor was deep and undisturbed by footfalls. Astlyr and Bull had the most difficulty negotiating the low, craggy ceiling. Once Bull caught his horns on a narrow place and Astlyr had to help him get free, much to the amusement of the others.
Perhaps three hours of traveling found the friends resting for a moment, leaning against the walls. "How are you holding up?" Astlyr questioned Dorian. He had dark circles forming under his eyes and his nose seemed to be constantly running.
"I'm getting low on mana," he admitted, pulling a blue potion free from his belt and downing it. He held up a hand and magic flickered around it. He sighed. "Keeping up a constant search for traps is tiring, I will admit."
"You're doing well," Cassandra reassured him. "I have seen lesser mages collapse when put to such a challenge."
"Well," Dorian straightened slightly, "I am exceedingly well bred to be the very best," he cut a regal posture, which was somewhat undermined by the layers of furs he wore.
"How far do you suppose this cave goes?" Astlyr wondered aloud. "We haven't come across any side paths that go more than a few feet."
"I don't know," Varric squinted into the gloom. "Maybe the artifact isn't even here any more."
"Cole, do you sense any pain memories?" Astlyr turned to the boy, who was, of course, the only one not looking weary. Cole handed a water skin to Iron Bull as he answered. "No. This place is quiet. All I hear is us."
"One would think if there is an ancient elven artifact in here that there might be some elven memories floating around," Cassandra pointed out.
"Maybe they're all happy memories," Iron Bull suggested, taking a swig on the water and passing it across to Varric.
"Yes, sure. Because happiness just follows us around," the dwarf said sarcastically as he had a drink and sent the water skin on.
"Well, we had best keep moving. I'm curious to see the back of this cave system if nothing else. These wards and barriers were put here by someone." Astlyr stood, glancing around at each face. None of her friends flagged, each rising and getting back into formation without complaint. She felt her heart tug. She could not ask for truer followers, and she hoped she could be worthy of them.
The group trudged on as time dragged, though Astlyr was uncertain how long they had walked. Her feet were beginning to blister, which was usually a good sign of the passage of hours. She was about to call for another rest when Dorian got her attention. "Strong wards up ahead," the mage said, edging forward carefully.
"I looks like the tunnel opens up," Cassandra squinted into the gloom, holding up her torch.
As the party drew cautiously forward they could all make out a cavern before them. It was not a large place, but did not have the same, naturally formed quality as the rest of the tunnels. The walls looked carved, the floor smoothed from its natural sate, though some stalagmites were forming as water dripped from the ceiling. In the center of the dark room Astlyr could just make out what appeared to be a table or alter made of stone. Upon it rested a nondescript shape. "Is that what we're looking for?" she asked, peering through the dim light and reaching shadows.
"It may be," Dorian said, stopping them all with his arm, "but there are powerful wards in this entry way. Watch." He searched around until he found a loose rock. This he tossed into the room. As soon as the rock passed through the arched doorway to the cave bright magic glowed all along the stone and a blast of magical flame burst into being, emanating from two runes near the top corners of the doorway. Where the twin jets of fire met in the middle they exploded spectacularly with roiling flames. The group stepped back as one. Astlyr felt the heat singe her cloak and eyebrows.
"Can you take those down?" Astlyr asked, scanning the symbols that lined the walls as they faded back to stillness.
Dorian coiled magic around himself, then sent it out, snaking free to slither experimentally out to the wards. His face took on a look of intense effort and concentration. After a moment he exhaled wearily and slumped back against the wall. His voice was breathless as he gave his report, "These wards are ancient, and are designed to gain power the more time that passes. A mage more skilled than I placed these, as much as it pains me to admit it."
Astlyr put a hand on his hunched shoulder. "Alright, you did well. Take a moment to catch your breath. We'll figure this out."
Dorian sat down on a protruding stone, looking glum and frustrated.
"So what now?" Varric asked, peering into the room at the lump on the stone slab, which were the only obvious furnishings.
"Dorian, were there wards inside the room, or just in the doorway?" Astlyr asked, turning to her mage friend.
"I only detected them in the doorway," Dorian answered, meeting her gaze with a baleful look.
"I know what you're thinking," Cole appeared at Astlyr's elbow, his expression eager. "I can help."
"Now, Cole, just wait," Astlyr said, turning to the boy. "There could still be traps inside. You need to be very careful!"
"What are you thinking?" Iron Bull asked.
"Cole can teleport in, right past the magical wards," Astlyr explained, "and grab that little thing on the alter. Then he can blink right back."
"It might work," Cassandra said, but her voice was uneasy, "though we have no idea what else might be waiting in there. If they put a ward this strong over the door, what could they have done to the inside?"
"Or maybe they knew their door block would be good enough to stop just about anyone," Varric pointed out. He unslung Bianca from his back. "Here's let's try this." He fired a bolt into the room. The fire wards reacted for a moment as the bolt passed, then went still. The bolt clattered against the stone table and bounced off, hitting the floor. Everything was perfectly still as the group leaned forward, tensely watching. Nothing stirred.
"I can do it," said Cole, his wan face bright, "I can go get it and come right back. Don't worry."
"I worry," Cassandra mumbled, her dark eyes sharp with suspicion. "I don't think this is a good idea."
"It's all we have at the moment," Astlyr sighed, her shoulders slumping. "We'll table that for now. Keep thinking, everyone."
"I can do it," Cole said again, hands balling into determined fists at his sides he vanished.
"Cole, NO!" Astlyr shouted, grabbing at the air where the boy had been only seconds before. The group turned to look into the room. He was standing before the altar, seemingly unharmed. "I'm inside," he called back to them, holding his body very still. "I found an idol. A little frog, I think. Should I bring it?"
"As long as he is already out there, he may as well bring it back," Astlyr assented as everyone looked uncertainly to her.
"I'll bring it back, then," said Cole. He reached out and took hold of the idol. There was a distant thunk and clank from somewhere in the depths of stone around them. Then a metallic sliding sound and Cole cried out.
"COLE!" Astlyr yelled, trying to see what had happened. She held out her torch as far as she dared. The boy was still standing, but stiffly, in the attitude of one reaching for something.
"Astlyr," Cole whimpered, "I can't move."
"Shit! Cole, we're coming!" Astlyr shouted. "Cas, with me! Dorian, I want you to blast us with an ice spell while we do this. Bull, you get Cole out." Iron Bull nodded, taking up a position behind the two women. Dorian stood, looking baffled for a moment, but his face cleared as Astlyr continued. "Alright Cas, the fire seemed to come from those wards near the ceiling. We have to prevent the blasts from meeting in the middle." the qunari woman made certain the straps of her shield were snug, and she gave a nod to her human counterpart.
"Ready," Cassandra's jaw was set, her eyes fearless.
"Go!" Astlyr stepped into the doorway, Cassandra doing the same at her side. The fire roared down onto them. It pushed her back slightly as she held her shield up against it. The heat was almost unbearable as it lapped around her shield and clawed at her body. But she could feel the creeping ice coiling around her as Dorian hit both women with his best cold magic. The ice melted almost at once, but he kept showering it onto them.
"Go, Bull!" Dorian said, his voice very strained.
Iron Bull charged in between Astlyr and Cassandra. Flames lapped at him, but not enough to stop the juggernaut as he surged towards the still form of Cole. As he moved, spikes shot up from the floor, grazing his legs and feet. Astlyr heard one ping off of the metal cuff he wore around one ankle. Bull little noticed as more spike slashed at him, almost impaling his foot.
"Hurry!" Cassandra pleaded, her whole body braced behind her shield, the ice around her body struggling valiantly against the flames.
Bull hesitated as he took in Cole's situation, then he lifted the boy straight upwards. Cole gave a cry of pain at the motion. Please, Maker, or old gods, or whoever, let him be alright! Astlyr thought desperately as she pushed back against the mage-fire that bit at her. She could feel her shield heating almost beyond her ability to bear. She chomped down on her lip until she knew it was bleeding. Iron Bull charged past the women, Cole cradled in his arms. Astlyr gratefully stepped back and the flames died. She unstrapped her shield with two quick motions, shaking the steaming metal from herself.
Dorian slumped back, gasping for breath. Bull knelt, resting Cole's head against his legs. "Those spikes you saw," Bull explained hurriedly as the friends gathered around the fallen boy, "As soon as Cole touched the idol one came up through his hand, and another got his leg."
Astlyr glanced down. There was a neat hole through the bottom of the spirit boy's calf, and another where the spike had exited near the bone. "We need to stop the bleeding," Varric knelt, grabbing bandages from his pack.
Astlyr pulled her charred sleeve and a large chunk came away. She grabbed Cole's injured hand, squeezing it with the cloth to put pressure on the puncture, which leaked dark red. Cole whimpered. "It's alright," Astlyr soothed, meeting his smokey eyes. "It's alright, we've got you."
"I know," Cole spoke haltingly as he panted for air, "I know, Astlyr. You're helping me. When you help things are alright. It just h-hurts."
"I know, sweet heart," Astlyr stroked Cole's hair back with her free hand. Cole gasped as Varric firmly pressed bandages to his punctured leg. "Easy," Astlyr soothed.
"You're burned," Cole reached with his uninjured hand towards a red mark on Astlyr's neck.
"No, no, Cole," she almost smiled. "We're taking care of you now. Be still."
Cole settled at her words, seemingly concentrating on making it easy for his friends to help him. Aside from rapid breathing and the occasional small sound of pain, he made no complaint. Astlyr kept her hand resting lightly his forehead as her friends worked, tightly bandaging both hand and leg. Dorian rallied and joined them, pouring what little healing magic he possessed into the mix.
"I got it," when Cole spoke again his voice was quieter.
"What?" Astlyr leaned down.
"The idol. I got it." Cole fished into his belt pouch with his uninjured hand and pulled a small object free. It was about as big as Astlyr's fist, made of green stone and shaped like a frog with its mouth open, froggy head tilted back as though about to strike its tongue out at a fly.
She smiled, feeling her lip tremble slightly, "Oh Cole, you did so well," she said.
He grinned thinly up at her. "I helped."
"You did," she rubbed his cheek with her thumb.
"We need to get him back to Skyhold," Varric said, concern on his weathered features.
Astlyr felt Dorian tilt her chin to see the burn on her neck. He sent a little ice magic to sooth it, but he shook his head. "Both you and Cas could use some attention as well. Bull?"
"A few cuts, nothing serious," the big qunari said. He had been sitting still as a statue with Cole leaned against him, as though he feared if he moved the boy would shatter.
"We've got what we came for," Cassandra stood with a stiff groan, picking up her own shield, which she too had tossed aside. The front was slightly deformed by the blast of heat it had withstood. "At least I hope so. We should head back."
Astlyr nodded, trying to clear the cobwebs from her mind. "Give him to me," she held out her arms. Bull helped get Cole into them. The boy made a small sound of pain, but cooperated as best he could. His good hand gripped Astlyr's armor tightly.
"Astlyr," Cole mumbled to her, "I can feel your worry for me. I will be alright. The bleeding has stopped, and you all are taking good care of me. Do not worry."
Astlyr smiled down at him as she began to walk, Iron Bull carrying her shield for her. "I would stop if I could, Cole. Sometimes we simply have to worry. It's alright. Once we get you back to the Skyhold healers, then maybe I'll stop. Until then, try not to think about it."
She felt Cole rest his head against her shoulder and she carried him as gently as she could. Once outside the horses were summoned and she put Cole on Smoke ahead of herself, her arms wrapped around him in case he should he pass out, so he would not fall. Only one hand guided the reins, as Cassandra took the lead and Smoke willingly followed. Astlyr tucked her cloak in around them, though she knew Cole did not feel the bright cold of the day.
"Astlyr," Cole spoke again, his voice hoarse.
"What is it, Cole?" she tilted her head down to hear him better.
"I have never felt anything like that before."
"What do you mean?"
"When Bull carried me back to to the group I felt everyone's worry...for me. I have felt so much of people's concern and pain, but never so much concentrated on me before. I...I liked the feeling."
She gave him a careful squeeze. "We're all your friends now, Cole. You'll be getting that feeling from us a lot more."
Though she could not see his face, she could tell he was pleased as he rested against her. Astlyr heaved a weary sigh. This mission had not gone as she had hoped. She needed to stop getting her people injured. She glanced down at the pack on her hip where the frog idol was hidden. Dorian had given it a magical once-over to ensure it was not cursed, and he found nothing. Still, Astlyr was not certain she liked the way the jade eyes seemed to stare. She hoped that Morrigan would have some answers once they reached home. Home. Skyhold. It had been a long time since she had considered a place to be her home. After she had left her family's house in the Free Marches she had wandered, worked as a mercenary, searched for meaning. Perhaps she had found that meaning in Skyhold. How long it would last, she tried not to think about, for she had learned that nothing in her life was permanent.
The horses trudged onward through the deep snow as the winter sun showed itself to warm the weary backs of the adventurers.