First off, the Inquisitor should've been able to chase Blackwall down harder about the Wardens. "Corypheus doesn't bother you? All the other wardens have disappeared. Like, ALL of them."
"Nah, I'm good."
"Really?"
"How dare you."
So, that's different. Also, the love triangle is getting played hard. It just doesn't make sense that you can have a romance that shakes the foundation of SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER (you get me), and then those feelings don't rear their head ever again if you break it off early. So, we're going to play with that.

"Are you certain you want me to do this?" Cassandra was skeptical.

"I'd trust no other," Ash said firmly.

The elven warrior had called Cassandra to her private chambers to discuss preparations for the coming journey to Crestwood. Ash had been making so much progress elsewhere, she was loath to simply put it all on hold. And it made no sense to leave so many capable people at Skyhold with nothing to do.

"I will not shirk from duty, but… Sera? Vivienne? And Iron Bull?"

"I have the utmost faith in you, Cas. Now help me with this buckle," the elf turned to hide her smirk. Cassandra sighed loudly and obliged, putting the finishing touches on Ash's armor. The Inquisitor did have faith in Cassandra's ability to lead. She also a keen interest in the stories Iron Bull and Sera would tell of Cassandra's exasperation at the tavern after they'd all regrouped. She was learning to find small pleasures in this leadership role.

"And who will be accompanying you to Crestwood?" the Seeker asked dryly.

Ash frowned as she adjusted the axe on her back. She had heard rumors of what was going on in Crestwood. If it was overrun with spirits and demons, that was a point in Solas's favor. Dorian wouldn't be pleased to be left behind yet again, but she'd make it up to him. Besides, she trusted few with the magical integrity of Skyhold as she trusted him.

She wanted to get to know Cole a little better as well. Varric had already gone ahead to meet Hawke. That left Blackwall.

"I'll be bringing Cole, Solas, and Blackwall," Ash said decisively. She moved to the exit with Cassandra at her side. "If you wouldn't mind letting some of the soldiers know, I have something to discuss with the Warden before we go."

"Of course, Inquisitor." Any other opinions Cassandra had on the matter were expertly hidden. Ash liked the Seeker, but she made a mental note to get her out to the tavern sometime, if only to see a little behind that mask of duty. Almost worse than Cullen…

Ash stopped in on the War Room to check any news and, finding nothing of serious import, headed at a brisk pace out the main hall, down the massive entrance steps, and across the yard toward the barn Blackwall had claimed as his own.

She had spoken to him a few times since their conversation on the ramparts. Always in other company, usually about business. And she'd seen Blackwall was not the stone and stillness his previous declaration had seemed to promise. He had walls, but they wavered every time he looked at Ash.

She caught sight of Blackwall chopping wood from afar. He had gathered a stack of logs in his arms and was carrying them inside when she reached the barn entrance. The Warden saw her, set the wood aside and wiped a sleeve across his reddened brow.

"Good morning," Ash smiled warmly. The Warden flushed very faintly.

"To you, too, my Lady," he said gruffly. "What can I do for you?"

"I take it you've heard some of what we've learned from Hawke?"

"I have," he nodded. "The Chargers have been acting as your unofficial news hub. I just drop into the tavern to get the latest if I haven't seen you or one of your advisors," he chuckled.

"Oh. Well," Ash hadn't known that. "That works. So, then you know I'll be heading to Crestwood soon."

"Today, is it?"

"Yes. I've asked Cassandra if she would continue some missions while I'm away, to keep up our momentum," Ash could feel people watching them. She wondered what gossip was being spread. She'd have to ask Varric. Maybe Cole? Maker. No, definitely Varric. "And since Crestwood is the next step to understanding what is happening to the Wardens, I wanted to know if you'd care to join me?"

"Of course," the warrior said without hesitation. "Wherever you need me."

"I appreciate your enthusiasm. It's just… I also wanted to ask…" Ash moved further into the barn, around the corner for a little more privacy. Blackwall took the hint and stepped closer. She stared at him with concerned gold eyes. She'd been wondering this, but hadn't figured out the most diplomatic way to ask. Best to plunge in. "How are you? With the Calling?"

"Ah. That," he crossed his arms and shook his head. "You don't need to worry about me, my lady. I do not fear the Calling." Ash clenched her fists nervously.

"I don't doubt that, but that's not what I mean," she pressed. She had learned in Haven how abrupt Blackwall could be about his past. If there were too many questions, he shut down. "I'm sure other Grey Wardens were also stalwart. And yet they've disappeared. You're the only one we've found."

She saw the warning signs as he bristled and straightened his back.

"As I've said, I was alone in the wilderness. I've explained before why I don't know what's happened to the other Wardens."

"I know that," Ash raised a hand, "but you can't be surprised that it's a point of concern."

Blackwall's expression hardened.

"Is it?"

Uh oh. Annoyance sparked in Ash. She felt words bubbling up, impolitic and sharp.

"Should I not investigate curiosities amongst my ranks?" her tone was crisp. "Should I trust you implicitly, because we've survived some harsh times? Because I like you? As Hawke trusted the mage, Anders? As Andraste trusted her husband, Maferath?"

She could see the whites of Blackwall's startled eyes.

"I… that's a bit of a stretch…" he began.

"I do trust you, Blackwall," Ash interrupted. She closed the distance between them until she was glaring up into his half-shocked, half-defensive face. "But, in all honesty, I don't know much about you. And people depend on me."

The fog of her outburst started to clear from her mind. For a moment, in the taut silence that followed, she wondered if he might bark an obedient response and withdraw into sullen silence. Ash braced for it as the storm gathered across his face and his jaw tightened.

Then he fell back a step with a harsh grunt. His aggressive stance slackened.

"You're right," he growled. "I may not like it, but… I understand." His hard stare snapped back up to her face. "It's not, ah... the most pleasant situation. But I promise you, my lady. Corypheus has no power over me. Perhaps that's because I know what he is. Maybe the other Wardens just don't know what we do."

"Then… I believe you. And we'll figure this out together, Blackwall. We shall leave shortly," Ash said authoritatively. She turned and started to leave, paused, and looked back. "Sorry I yelled at you."

The elf turned and walked away quickly before the Warden could get in another word.

That went better than expected.

Ash climbed the stairs upward. She still had to find Cole and Solas. How does one even find Cole? Sera mentioned something about him hanging out in the attic of-

"I am right here," a soft voice at her shoulder announced as she reached the apex of the stairs.

"Ah!" Ash whirled and narrowly stopped herself punching the bewildered face of Cole the spirit.

"I'm sorry!" he said, shrinking back against the stone outcropping.

"It's alright," she started laughing as her heart slowed. "I was looking for you, actually."

"I know," he nodded. Ash frowned. She opened her mouth to continue, then paused. I wonder…

"Do you… know why?"

"Are we leaving?"

"Well… soon. Would you like to come?"

"Yes!"

"Good, then," she grinned. "Let me go grab Solas, and we'll be off." Well, that was easy. A little creepy, maybe.

Solas was bent over his desk, flipping through manuscripts as usual. She gave him a wide berth as she walked around the table to make her presence known. He caught sight of her, straightened, and gave her a smile devoid of eye wrinkles.

"Inquisitor," he greeted.

"I never asked, how did you feel about our time in the Fallow Mire?" she dove right in. Solas's nose wrinkled.

"We shared a bonfire for our clothes," he said curtly.

"And if I never thanked you for that, thank you. Which brings me to the reason for my visit," he quirked an eyebrow at her, "Care to join me in Crestwood? The rumors are that it's overrun with demons and spirits."

"And you seek my knowledge," he finished.

"Who better?"

He shrugged as if, naturally.

"Very well. Lead on."

"There's no guarantee we'll find much of anything, really," Ash continued as Solas gathered his things and followed her out. "Perhaps we will just meet with Hawke's Warden and go on from there. But the rumors don't sit well with me."

They emerged in the bright afternoon and headed down the stairs toward Skyhold's massive gate. Solas blinked against the sun's glare, and as his sight adjusted, he noticed the pair waiting at the exit.

"Cole and the Warden are joining us?"

"I want to get to know Cole better," Ash cast the mage a sidelong glance.

"Hm." Solas was torn. He was not surprised Ashiril would bring along the spirit in an effort to understand and help it. More and more, such actions served less to surprise him, than encourage his admiration for the Inquisitor.

But the Warden… There was a man defined by his armor, if ever there was one. A soldier of singular, frustratingly earnest motivation. Solas respected that. And it irked him.

The mage had made his choice. He'd accepted the sacrifice. And she was still there, still a rare, unexpected light on this journey, flitting around on the periphery. A distraction. A gift.

She was an occasional respite he had come to anticipate. So, he would just have to ignore things like when Blackwall stared too long at her as they broke for camp, or the teamwork the two displayed fighting on the frontline.

Ash made a few arrangements with one of Leliana's scouts, and then they headed out for Crestwood with a few soldiers in tow. The journey started uneventfully. Ash was her usual boisterous self as she bounded ahead, scouted from trees, and generally basked in the outdoors.

Solas had not said more than a few words the first hour when Blackwall approached him, looking tentative. The elf tried not to look overly annoyed.

"You remind me of someone I used to know," the Warden began. "He was fascinated with the Fade and spirits too."

Curious. An attempt at camaraderie?

"A mage?" Solas offered.

"No, just a man who liked eating these strange purple cactus berries," Blackwall shrugged. His brow furrowed at the memory. "I don't think he was ever actually in the Fade."

Solas's eyebrows shot up. A snort of laughter drew his gaze, and he saw Ash covering her mouth. Her eyes danced between the two of them.

"Ahem," she cleared her throat, "I forgot to say, if anyone sees herbs or ores, do pick them up. I'm trying to gather more supplies for the Inquisition."

"Consider it done," the warrior nodded. He was scanning around them and off collecting bits in short order.

Solas sighed. He fell back into a reverie, of past and future things.

"He has many feelings."

The elf looked to his left, startled. He'd forgotten about Cole. He chuckled.

"Does he?" Solas didn't particularly want to talk about Blackwall, but he didn't want to discourage the spirit's attempts at understanding this world.

"He thinks if he speaks with his sword, it will be enough. But the rest is… in pain. Demanding. Not forgotten. He can't let it go," Cole sighed.

Solas's hand tightened on his staff. His eyes darted to the warrior as he tore a handful of elfroot from the base of a tree, then to the lithe form of Ash as she jogged yards ahead of them.

"What do you mean, Cole?"

"He keeps singing that song. He doesn't want to forget the children. But he does want to," the spirit said. Cryptic as ever.

"The children? Blackwall has children?" Solas knew he should let it go. He shouldn't be so curious. He shouldn't have been many things lately.

"No," Cole shook his head, "he has regrets. They chain him. They won't let him reach her."

The elf tried to ignore what that meant.

"We all have regrets," he said ambivalently.

"But his… they would ruin him," the rogue continued emphatically. Solas's eyebrows pressed together, interest piqued.

"What do you mean?" his gaze darted between the spirit and the Warden in the distance. "Is he a threat to the Inquisition? To Ashiril?"

"No. Yes… In ways. I don't know how to help him," the spirit said sadly. He met Solas's eyes. "I don't know how to help you."

The elf scowled at the sharp shift in the spirit's attention. Not wholly unexpected, he chided himself.

"You cannot," Solas said simply. "Tell me of Blackwall. Perhaps there is something to be done."

Cole tilted his head to the side as he considered.

"You are curious, but not cruel. You would not like it."

"That is acceptable."

"I don't… know," he was looking at Ash now. He frowned. "My head hurts."

A few moments passed. The elf remained silent, hoping the spirit would fill the void first. He finally broke.

"It is alright, Cole," Solas assured him. There were more important things to consider. But the spirit's words hung in the air, tempting the elf with their secrets.

"You're quiet, Solas," Ash observed when she came back to strike camp. "Anything on your mind?"

He watched the light of the fire dance on her face a few moments before responding.

"A great many things," he said quietly. Her expression was both amused and annoyed. She let it go and settled in for the dinner the Inquisition soldiers were preparing. Blackwall joined them a short while later, sweaty from his evening training. He tried to be subtle about the glances he cast Ashiril's direction, but Solas was watching intently. Cole's words lingered. The Warden was entitled to some secrets. But if they threatened the Inquisition, or Ashiril? Well. They must cut the rot, within or out.