Cullen spurred his dapple grey horse on, galloping to catch up to the Inquisitor. Grass, dust, and dirt flung to the air in clumps in the wake of his horse's hooves. Her companions followed on their mounts.
"Inquisitor, I hope you don't plan on closing this one alone," Cullen shouted over the hoofbeats.
Silvia glanced over her shoulder, giving a nod of approval before focusing her attention on the fast approaching rift. The jade, crackling tear into the fade floated above their heads as the Dalish struggled to move their landships. The elf flung herself off her horse, rolling into a crouch before springing forward to the nearest target- a rage demon. Its two arms swung widely as the amorphous lava body oozed along the ground. Seizing her dual daggers sheathed on her back, the Inquisitor slashed downward in a criss-cross motion. Silvia's blades cut deep into the magma flesh on its pointed face before the demon had time to react. The creature bellowed a rumbling cry and then dissipated into the earth. Without hesitation, she moved on to the next demon.
Cullen arrived in time to see the demon's defeat. Dismounting swiftly, he drew his sword. The commander took a step toward Silvia's skirmish, but a vociferous shriek stopped him where he stood. A thin stream of green energy cracked in front of the ex-templar, and in an instant, a spindly, seven foot tall terror demon flashed into existence. Its eight beady eyes stared unblinking and hollow as the drooping, gaping mouth uttered another wail. The lanky figure whipped its thorned tail, glancing off Cullen's shoulder, causing him to stagger. He withstood the attack, slashing his sword, slicing nothing but air. The creature had vanished. The area around him crackled with fade energy as the demon toyed with its prey, popping in and out of existence at will.
"Curly, duck!"
Instinctively, Cullen crouched. A whirring bolt soared inches above his head, piercing the demon that had just materialized through the middle. The creature screeched while clawing at the wound with angular fingers. He shot up, thrusting his sword into the terror demon, knocking it to the ground. He twisted the blade as it screamed and writhed- struggling to break free before going limp. It dissolved back into the fade with a green shimmer.
Commander Cullen turned back, waving a brief thanks to Varric. The dwarf, perched on a boulder, gave a salute back then turned his focus on firing a barrage of arrows into a rage demon that was closing the gap between them.
"Inquisitor! Close the rift!" Cassandra barked bashing her shield against a lesser shade, causing the ghostly shade to dissipate into a wispy cloud of black-grey vapor.
"Or don't. I could do this all day," quipped Dorian, holding his staff up high as he covered another shade with ice.
Silvia thrust her marked hand upward, casting a sparking beam from her hand into the veil tear. The rift fizzled and hissed as if in protest. Collapsing on itself, the rift exploded in a blaze of light and thunderous boom. The Herald felt the resounding boom vibrate in her sternum and heard it echo in the surrounding hills. Silence blanketed the valley.
'.'.'
The sun had shrunk to a sliver on the horizon when Silvia rode with her companions and Cullen to the newly relocated Dalish camp. The elves were in the process of regrouping, others were setting up the landships, and more than a few tended to the wounded. The Dalish elder approached them as they neared.
"Andaran atish'an. I am pleased at your safe return," the keeper bowed keeping her gaze fixed on the Inquisitor.
"The Dalish should be safe here. I will have some soldiers stay to help with relief efforts."
"Ma serannas! That is very gracious of you," Istimaethoriel Lavellan's eyes widened, a polite smile tugging at her aged face. She paused, eyes darting to the Inquisitor's companions then back to her. The keeper leaned in, inches from Silvia's face, and whispered, "Please forgive hunter Ishall. He does not mean what he says. Ma'dareth vhenas melanada."
Silvia stared into the keeper's deep brown eyes for several seconds, searching her face for sincerity. "I understand. Emma isala melana mir'aravel. I will consider it."
"Very well. Dareth shiral," the elven elder, turning her attention to Silvia's companions, bowed her head slightly. "Travel safely."
Silvia watched Keeper Lavellan until she disappeared into the tent designated for the wounded.
"We should rest at camp before heading back to Skyhold," Cassandra stated. A light wind whipped past, bringing the rustle of leaves with it.
"Yeah. I think it's going to rain soon," Varric added casting his eyes to the starless sky.
'.'.'
Silvia, sprawled out on her cot, laid in the darkness of her tent. How long have I been awake? The voices of the soldiers giving and taking orders had died down to near silence. The elf closed her eyes and crossed her arms over her middle. The anger that flashed in Ishall's eyes burned in her mind. The Herald turned onto her left side, pulling the down-stuffed pillow close to her face. 'You dare show your face after Kyllen?' She closed her eyes tight, trying to drown out the words in her head. Ishall has every right to hate me. With a frustrated growl, Lavellan sat up, swinging her legs over the edge of the cot. She was dressed in little more than her night clothes, with a black overshirt and grey, loose-fitting breeches. The cold dirt greeted her bare feet- making her shiver. Cautiously, the Inquisitor peered out between the tent flaps. All other tents were dark. A few soldiers on night watch dotted the distant perimeter. Navigating past the tent flaps, Silvia's bare feet pitter-pattered on the packed down earth as she hurried to a giant oak several yards from her tent. The Herald slid her back down the trunk of the tree, her shirt catching in places from the roughness of the bark. She was quick to tug her top back into place once sitting on the ground. Gazing out at the field of tall grasses before her, she breathed deep the chilled night air.
"Trouble sleeping?" a quiet male voice broke the silence. Silvia jolted at the sudden intrusion. Cullen reclined on the right side of the tree, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Had I walked by without noticing?
"You too?"
"I volunteered for the night watch. Lieutenant Rozellene will have the task of investigating the origin of those 'bandits'."
"And how are you feeling?"
"I am... sure I will feel better with time," Commander Cullen muttered as his eyes darted away.
"Oh. I hope so," the elf said giving a lackluster smile before returning her attentions to the meadow grasses swaying in the breeze.
"You have been quiet since meeting with Keeper Lavellan. If I may ask, is there something on your mind?" The ex-templar scooted next to Silvia.
"The keeper said ma'dareth vhenas melanada. I will be safe at home always. She's saying I can come back to the clan when I am done at Skyhold."
"What did you tell her?" Cullen propped an elbow on his knee.
"I told Keeper Istimaethoriel I would consider it, but I'm on an important journey. Skyhold is my home now."
"Is that why you are here... Or is it different matter?" The sound of distant thunder rumbled in the distance.
The muscles in Silvia's face tightened. "I have been thinking about Ishall. I wanted to say... well... anything to ease his pain. He hates me because of what happened to Kyllen. I do not know if I could help, but I at least want to offer my sympathies."
"Something is holding you back?"
"I am afraid of... I'm not sure what. Perhaps Ishall's reaction." The Herald wrapped her arms around her bent knees, pulling them close. Resting her head on her knees, her gaze fell on Commander Cullen.
"Maybe you should tell him what you think-how you feel. When are you going to be in this area again? There may not be another chance."
Inquisitor Silvia closed her eyes, pausing for several minutes. "I am leaving for clan Lavellen's camp," she declared, taking to her feet.
Cullen arose to his feet, concern rising in his voice as he almost shouted, "At this instant? It might be wise to wait-"
"Sorry, commander," the Inquisitor whistled for her horse, then continued, "If I do not do this, I might not get another chance." The elf's horse, giving a loud snort, trotted over. Thunder clapped closer this time.
"Shouldn't I at least accompany you?"
Silvia mounted the horse as she said, "I will be back shortly. Besides, I do not think it would be wise to leave your post."
Spurring the black and white mare, Silvia Lavellan disappeared into the dark.
"Andraste keep you safe," Cullen whispered. The wind rose up, huffing once more, and the light patter of rain started to fall.