Theolan kept his eyes locked on Ashiril's as the others filed out of the War Room. Cullen hesitated at the door, to be promptly directed out by Josephine. As the door swung closed, the tall mage clasped his hands behind his back and stepped in front of Ash.
He stared silently down at her with pursed lips. She fidgeted like she was fifteen years younger.
"Did you think I wouldn't come?" he finally spoke.
"I hoped you wouldn't," she looked down at the ground. He reached out and gently lifted her chin with two outstretched fingers.
"It was clever of you to wait until I left on my caravan to volunteer for the Conclave mission."
She held his stare. She was ready for him to be angry, dismissive, upset… but he was like stone.
"Well, hold on. I didn't know it would end up like this," she gestured to the green gash on her hand. "But there you have it. Your sister is leader of the modern Inquisition and presumed herald of Andraste herself."
"And how has that worked out for you?" he withdrew his hand and raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
"The pay is shite. The perks are excellent. The quarters are completely gratuitous. It's rarely boring," she put her hands on her hips as she thought. "And I'm always in need of a good advisor."
"Oh? How serendipitous."
"One who knows how to follow orders," she added sternly. "And not unduly risk himself out of a misguided overprotective impulse."
"Look who's talking," Theo pulled the door open for Ash.
"I mean it," she asserted. "If you're in my Inquisition, you follow my rules." His stony façade broke in a bark of laughter.
"We've entered the bartering phase, I see," he followed her out, strolling casually on long legs down the high-ceilinged hall. "What shall you give me for my unfailing obedience?"
"Aside from your continued welcome in my army?" though Ash knew if push came to shove, she could hardly stop Theo. Just as he could not stop her. She paused and considered. A wide smile spread across her face. "I'll convince Varric to write you into his next book." Her brother looked down sharply, and she knew from the glint in his eyes that she had him. They shook hands.
"You've gotten better at this to have me on your first offer. Or I've gotten worse?" he mused.
"I've gotten better," Ash affirmed.
"I do have one more question, however," his tone was light as he opened the door to the Great Hall for his sister and they emerged in the loud bustle of people. All eyes tried to surreptitiously turn to them. She ignored them and motioned for him to continue. "Tell me more of your companions. Especially the human Blackwall."
She knew he was watching for the blush that spread rapidly across her face.
"Damn it. I thought I was so clever not telling you about him," she sighed.
"Yes, you're very clever. Now, spill."
The Inquisition rallied forces for the march on Adamant in record time. Or so Dorian boasted, considering no one had any account of previous marches on Adamant. The morning of the siege, Ashiril donned her new armor with Cassandra's help, kissed her axe for luck, and rode out on the frontlines.
She watched their approach with her heart in her throat. Lines of soldiers carrying huge tower shields led the way alongside the battering ram. Sturdy ladders started being precariously set against the tall stone walls of the fortress. Men and demon alike fell from the ramparts as the Inquisition forces started to make their way upward and over.
We need to get inside and finish this, she gritted her teeth and squeezed the handle of her axe. She watched the battering ram hit again and again against the main gate. A soldier's cry drew her eyes upward to watch his form crash down from a ladder and hard against the ram. Anger swelled inside her.
A splintering crack erupted from the gates as they finally opened inward. Soldiers poured ahead of her and began felling demons and enslaved Wardens. She stepped into the courtyard and surveyed the ensuing battle. A burst of barrier light flashed around her and she glanced over her shoulder. Solas was still holding his staff aloft. Theo stood a few paces from him with his staff in mid-cast, and his expression of mild annoyance was delightful.
"You've got your work cut out for you, brother!" she crowed back at him. The mage opened his mouth to retort, but then his eyes widened, he disappeared in a cloud of frost, and Ash gasped as a chill rushed past her. She followed where her brother had rapidly moved and saw the frozen form of a demon, arrested by Theo's passing through it, poised to slash her across the chest. "Oh, shit!"
She brought her axe down it in a shuddering hit.
"Vigilant as always, I see," Theo quipped.
"Oh, shut it," Ash hoisted her axe and ran past the smug mage.
"You're like children!" Cassandra rebuked. "Focus on the task at hand."
"Happy to oblige!" the elven warrior growled. She spied a Warden mage casting ice runes on the ground and threw out a hook to ensnare her. The mage cried out as she was hurtled off her feet and sprawled in front of Ash. The warrior finished off the unsavory task, trying not to think of what person used to lie behind the Warden's glassy-eyed stare.
Blackwall was cutting a furious swath through demons on one side of the courtyard, with Sera flanking for him a few paces behind. On Ash's other side, Iron Bull and Cole were making short work of a pair of mages.
Ash heard a shout from a Grey Warden above, warning the defenders that the Inquisition forces had made it through. The remaining enemy forces fell back. Cullen strode up behind her. His brow was streaked with sweat and grime from the battle.
"Alright, Inquisitor. You have your way in," he said between breaths. "Best make use of it."
"You've a plan?" she asked as her companions gathered around her for instructions.
"We'll keep the main host of demons occupied for as long as we can," Cullen motioned to the soldiers nearby. Ash frowned.
"I'll be fine. Just keep the men safe."
"We'll do what we have to, Inquisitor," the Commander said firmly. "Warden Stroud will guard your back. Hawke is with our soldiers on the battlements. She's assisting them until you arrive."
As if on cue, a scream of horror rang out above them. They looked up in time to see an Inquisition soldier fall to his doom from the battlements at the grotesque hands of a demon.
"Those men need help up there," Blackwall growled.
"Agreed. Our men on the ladders can't get a foothold," Cullen affirmed.
"Leave it to me," the elven warrior shouldered her axe and jogged toward the stairs leading upward.
As they reached the top of the stairs, Cole pointed to a group of soldiers surrounded by Shades. A massive ogre stood nearby, snapping a whip of electricity.
"Hey, you lanky bastards! You want to eliminate the real threat?!" Ash shouted across the battlefield. Several demons turned toward her, giving the soldiers a few precious moments to regroup. She sprinted forward to engage the demons with Cole and Cassandra at her side. Sera drew the Ogre's attention with her arrows while Iron Bull and Blackwall rushed toward the massive beast, the Bull laughing maniacally. Electricity and ice burst in flashes around them from Theo and Solas.
Ash ran into the midst of the demons and swung her axe in a wide arc. One fell at her feet, cleaved nearly in two. Another shrieked as lightning coursed through it and to the next three nearby. She slammed it in the chest with the butt of her axe, saw it stagger back, then lurch forward as an emboldened Inquisition soldier stabbed it from behind. Ash shouted a battle cry as she whirled and slashed. She glimpsed a demon raising his talons to attack, then saw it careen sideways as Cassandra slammed into it with her shield.
"Nice!" Ash crowed.
"The Iron Bull!" Cole's strained voice called out. The elf spun and saw the Qunari on the ground, being clumsily pulled back from battle by the spirit. Blackwall stood alone against the ogre now. He was being driven back by blow after blow, though Ash could see the ogre bled from many wounds.
She sprinted toward the pair. The wind whistled in her ears as she picked up speed. She risked a look at Blackwall and met his eyes for a moment. It was all she needed to let him know she was coming.
She swung her axe as she bent her knees to slide under the ogre. Her blade ripped across its tendons and it lost its footing. She spun as she came out the other side to see Blackwall in mid-leap with his sword poised. The force of his landing on the ogre's chest drove the sword deep into its throat. It gurgled angrily and slashed at the human holding tight to his sword hilt. Ash swung her axe once more and sank it into the massive wrist closest to her. She growled and fought against the ogre as it flailed, sparing Blackwall another side to defend against. Ash held tight until her muscles burned, warm blood spurting up and across her arms, until the ogre finally sighed its last and fell still.
Blackwall grunted as he pulled out his sword and slid down the beast's chest toward Ash. She smiled and reached out a hand on instinct. He grabbed it. In one strong pull he drew her against him. She reached behind his neck and moved close for a quick kiss.
"Quite impressive work," she whispered, "as usual."
"You help me make it look easy," he smirked.
They were the first words they'd spoken to each other beyond pleasantries since their disagreement at camp. Nothing like constantly almost dying to remind you what's important, she mused.
"The hell just happened?" Iron Bull grunted nearby as Cassandra helped him to his feet.
"Don't worry," the Seeker said in an unamused tone, "the battle is far from over."
"Hate to say it, but more coming, yeah?" Sera let loose an arrow at oncoming demons.
"Well then," Ash winked at Blackwall, "let's go save some Wardens from themselves."
Solas and Theo brought up the rear. Neither had missed the public exchange between the Inquisitor and the Warden.
"I see what you mean now," Theo said to the other mage.
"We have more important business," Solas retorted firmly.
Ash led the charge to the next rampart. She could see the Champion and Varric up ahead, engaged in battle. She charged in next to Hawke as the human rogue danced away from a lanky demon.
"Glad you could finally join us!" Hawke shouted over the din of screams, clangs, and explosions.
"Well, I couldn't let you have all the fun," she balanced the axe hilt with one hand and gripped the end with the other to jab at a demon and knock it off balance. The rogue spun around behind and plunged her daggers into its back. "For as long as they're just demons, anyway."
"Beggars and choosers in war," Hawke quipped darkly.
They fought their way through a swath of enemies to the cheers of the Inquisition soldiers they reinforced.
"There, Inquisitor," Blackwall pointed toward a familiar green glow emanating from a courtyard past the stairs ahead. Ash nodded and motioned her company forward. She could make out the voice of a speaker now. She grasped the stone wall and propelled around it to rush down the stairs.
A well-armored mage with closely shorn light hair paced on a platform across the courtyard, addressing the gathered Wardens.
"That's Warden-Commander Clarel," Stroud announced as they approached.
"And our friend from Tevinter," Varric snorted. The same snide man they had met in the Western Approach stood next to the Warden-Commander. They were engaged in some kind of argument, until a man stepped forward. Clarel drew a long dagger and reverently held it to the man's throat. Ash's heart quickened.
"NO!" she shouted as the dagger drew a bright burst of blood from the man's throat. He collapsed as his life seeped from him. All eyes turned to the Inquisition forces streaming into the courtyard.
"Stop them!" Livius cried in his nasal voice. "We must complete the ritual!"
"To hell with you, Venatori," Ash snarled. She ran forward and made eye contact with the wary Warden-Commander. "Clarel, you're playing into his hands. The ritual isn't what you think!"
"Isn't it? She is fighting the blight, keeping the world safe from darkspawn," Livius retorted. "And you're standing in our way!"
"Keeping the world safe from blood magic?" Hawke interjected.
"If need be. Hate me for that if you must, but do not hate the Wardens for doing their duty," the Venatori sneered.
"Can we shut him up now, yeah?" Sera notched an arrow.
"We make the sacrifices now one else will," Clarel stepped forward. Her face was lined with the worry and stress of recent days. "The Grey Wardens do what must be done, for a world that will never thank them."
"You make sacrifices, while your Tevinter ally binds the mages to Corypheus!" Stroud shouted. Clarel was taken aback at that.
"Corypheus? But he's dead," she shook her head. Doubt crept into her voice.
"They are just trying to shake your confidence, Clarel," Livius leaned close.
"Don't listen to him! He's obviously a liar, just look at that beard!" Sera quipped.
"What?" Dorian raised an eyebrow at her. She shrugged.
"He's squirrely."
Hawke ran to Ash's side.
"Please, I know of blood magic. It is never worth the cost!" she shouted.
Ash's attention was all on Clarel. She saw the shadow of doubt pass over her face. Come on. See through that snake for what he is. The Warden-Commander took a deep breath and steadied herself.
"Bring it through," she finally declared. Ash felt her stomach drop. The green gash hovering above the courtyard pulsed with renewed energy as a great demon was ushered forward.
"And that, my friends, is a prime example of the sunk cost fallacy," Iron Bull observed dryly.
"We've no choice. Attack!" the Inquisitor waved forward. Livius rapped his staff against the ground.
"My Master thought you might come here, Inquisitor!" he laughed. "So he sent me this to welcome you!"
Ash's skin rose in goose pimples as a curdling shriek wafted down from the sky above. The sound of great leathery wings beating against the air reached their ears. She looked up in time to see the red coil of fiery breath hurtling toward her from the archdemon's mouth and leapt as hard as she could out of the way. The dragon breath exploded into the courtyard and sent splinters of wood and several bodies flying, Iron Bull among them. He cursed and got to his feet, in time to scatter with the remaining stragglers as another breath blasted down over them. The dragon finally landed on a rampart overlooking the courtyard and let loose a roar that shook the ground beneath them.
Ash started to rise and looked up at Clarel. The Warden-Commander was horrified. She had heard Livius proclaim his master. And now the archdemon itself was before her. She had been duped.
She raised her wand at the unsuspecting Livius and sent him careening to his knees with a blast of lightning.
"Yes!" Ash crowed. Another blast of lightning slammed into the tower below the archdemon, drawing its attention to the Warden-Commander. Livius got to his feet, took one look at the expression on Clarel's face, and ran. She gave chase.
"Well, looks like they're leaving the rest to us," Hawke brandished her daggers as demons from the Fade rip approached.
"Never a dull day," the Inquisitor swung her axe into her hands and turned to the oncoming foes. "Come at me!"
The demons fell on her in droves. She whirled with her axe, cleaving limbs in one blow or knocking them back into the deadly blades of Hawke and Cole. Arrows and magic coursed overhead from her other allies. She could hear Cassandra, Blackwall, and Stroud issuing their own battle cries.
Ash screamed as she brought her axe down in a heavy blow that slammed the demon before her to the ground. She sprinted over the body and toward the stairs Livius and Clarel had disappeared on. Her blood pounded in her ears. She dimly heard the calls of her companions to wait.
There's no way I'm letting that bastard escape, she gritted her teeth against the burn of her lungs in her chest as she ran. No way I'm letting Clarel face him alone.
She rounded the corner and found herself at the highest level of the fortress. Two demons emerged from an alcove ahead. She cackled in mad delight as she jerked one to her with her chain, stunning it with a quick blow and then cleaving its head from its shoulders. She met talons to axe as the next rushed onto her, squatted to gather strength, then pushed it backward as she leapt upward. The momentum carried her in a spin that she used to slice her axe into the second demon's side. It shrieked and flailed, its talons scraping loudly against her armor. She kicked it off her blade and over the high wall, not sparing a second glance as she continued running.
She heard the whistle of the dragon breath almost too late.
"Shit!" she lifted her arm to shield her face as she leapt into an alcove for cover. The blast landed near her feet and sent her flying. Shards of stone cut into her face and thumped hard against less armored parts of her body. "Ugh, that'll be a bruise. Bruises." Ash got to her feet and looked into the sky warily. She listened for the dragon. I'll have to be more careful. It would be a little embarrassing to get crisped by a dragon because I don't know how to dodge.
"Inquisitor!"
Her companions had just made it to the top of the stairs a few dozen yards back.
"Be wary! The dragon is around!" she called back.
"Wait, damnit!" Theo shouted.
Ash shrugged and kept running. She heard him cursing behind her, but she wasn't about to slow. She listened for the dragon now, ducking into corners as it approached in time to watch the hot breaths blast harmlessly against the fortress.
She ran out onto an expanse of a stone bridge that led to nowhere. The Warden-Commander stood ahead. Bursts of fire and ice exploded ineffectively against her barrier as she strode toward Livius.
"You!" her voice trembled with rage. "You've destroyed the Grey Wardens!" She stabbed her staff forward as if to impale him from a distance. A stone projectile erupted from the end and smashed against the Venatori, sending him flying backwards.
He pushed himself weakly to his knees as she stormed to the other side of him.
"You did that to yourself, you stupid bitch," he laughed weakly. Clarel face contorted with fury. "All I did was dangle a little power before your ey-"
His taunt was cut short by an explosion of lightning that sent him tumbling head over heels backward again, toward Ash this time. He slid for yards, finally stopping in a curled ball of pain. He groaned and writhed on the ground as the Warden-Commander approached him.
Blackwall appeared at Ash's side, breathing hard and covered in blood and sweat.
"Damn you, woman," he gasped. She cast him a quick smile, glimpsed a few more companions approaching, and kept moving toward the exchange ahead.
"You could have served a new god," Livius croaked.
"I will never serve the blight!" Clarel growled down at him.
Ash saw the immense shadow fall over the two.
"Clarel, look-" her warning came too late.
The dragon crashed down behind the Warden-Commander. Its massive jaws clamped down over her middle, then it lifted back into the air so quickly that Ash hardly had time to take a breath. It crashed down behind them, above the gateway leading back into the fortress. With one cruel snap of its neck, it flung the body of Clarel back across the bridge. Her bloodied form tumbled roughly across the stones toward Ash and her companions.
Hawke moved to check on her, but Ash grabbed her arm. The dragon was descending toward them.
"This isn't good," Sera's voice lilted with worry. The massive beast loomed closer, stepping over the prone body. Then Ash saw the Warden-Commander move.
"In war, victory…" the faint voice of Clarel murmured as she dragged herself forward. She coughed blood and rolled onto her back. "In peace, vigilance…"
A blinding flash of lightning burst upward from Clarel's trembling outstretched hands and into the dragon above her. It shrieked in surprise and pain. Ash shouted a warning and leapt for cover as the beast thrashed so violently that the bridge started to break apart. It scrambled over the edge, pulling out supports as it fell, spread its wings, and took flight. But the damage was done. The bridge started to crumble.
"Back to the fortress!" Cassandra cried from somewhere ahead of Ash.
The Inquisitor scrambled for purchase as the stones shifted beneath her. It was a terrifying game to guess which might stay beneath her feet as she ran for the fortress. A shout from behind drew her attention, and she glanced back to see Stroud on his knees. She leapt backwards, reached out a hand, and helped pull him forward.
Almost there, Ash's muscles felt heavy and her lungs were on fire. She could see Blackwall glancing behind, slowing to fall into step with her. She tried to wave him on furiously, but knew it would do no good. The sound of crumbling stones and screeching metal around her was deafening.
Her stomach lurched so hard she gasped as the floor fell out beneath her. This is it.
The air rushed up around her. Pain pulsed in the hand with the anchor. She wasn't sure why she did it, but she didn't have time to think. Ash stretched her arm, palm facing outward, as the ground rapidly approached. Green light leapt from her mark, crackling across the air in front of her like spiderwebs, and a portal suddenly stretched wide. Half a moment later, she fell through it, and the world disappeared.