Faydren exited the War Room and shook her head as the others continued to discuss. Even when the door closed behind her, their voices were still audible. It was interesting that a group with such diverse opinions and backgrounds could complement each other so well – though it also made for arguments that lasted far beyond her own willingness to endure. They had excused her graciously enough when she asked for some time to think their plans over.

Walking slowly towards the Chantry exit, the mage rolled her shoulders a few times and stretched. Val Royeaux had not gone as planned. It could have been worse, of course. When they first arrived in the city, she was certain they'd be attacked by the Templars on sight. Seeing them turn on the Chantry instead was... unexpected. To say the least.

The trip wasn't a complete loss though. Two new allies had sought her out and joined the Inquisition. The elf girl Sera was a strange one for sure, but she had connections all across Thedas with the Friends of Red Jenny. Vivienne was a much harder read... she already had power and influence in her circles. Was it truly her only goal to help restore order?

It was still odd that somehow Faydren Trevelyan had become the face and name for this endeavor, but thankfully she hadn't managed to completely bollix things yet. If all the rest of them needed to fix this world was a symbol to stand for, at least she could try to provide that. Faydren moved a hand to her chest where she could feel the coolness of Darius' pendant against her skin. Wearing it under her clothes seemed the best way to avoid prying questions, and its presence comforted her.

Stepping outside, the cool mountain breeze chilled her skin but it felt nice. Her eyes looked to the Breach for a moment – as they usually did – and in that time she nearly collided with a young armored man who was standing near the doors.

"Pardon me," he straightened into a somewhat military posture.

"Apologies. That was my fault," Faydren inclined her head and moved to continue.

"Wait- if you will, I've been trying to get someone from the Inquisition to speak to me for a while now."

"Oh... Alright, what did you need?" She could handle a simple message.

"We've got word of some Tevinter mercenaries gathering out on the Storm Coast. My company commander, Iron Bull, offers the information free of charge. If you'd like to see what the Bull's Chargers can do for the Inquisition, meet us there and watch us work," the young man was polite and professional.

"Why did your commander send us this information?" Faydren asked carefully.

"Iron Bull wants to work for the Inquisition. He thinks you're doing good work."

"We'll consider your offer," she didn't feel right accepting without speaking to the others, but this could prove useful.

"I appreciate it. We're the best you'll find," he smiled and gave a quick bow before leaving.

He was long gone before she realized they hadn't even introduced themselves.

Faydren enjoyed the rain - and the Storm Coast had plenty of it. She had managed to convince her usual traveling companions that checking out this mercenary company could prove beneficial. Since the Herald didn't pursue her own ideas very often, they assumed she had a pretty strong gut feeling on this one. And she did, strangely enough.

Inquisition scouts had spotted the Chargers along the coast engaging with an enemy force. Faydren led the group in the direction pointed out. It was difficult to keep good footing as the rocks and gravel slid around in the mud under their boots. Living in the Circle didn't exactly provide great experience in counteracting that sort of thing either, but she managed to make it down the steep incline to the shore without losing face. From there, they could hear the sounds of battle nearby.

Turning the corner, Cassandra quickly brought up her shield. An arrow glanced off of it harmlessly. Solas cast his barrier and Varric picked out a good place to stand as Faydren stepped next to the Seeker in order to see the situation. Two groups were engaged on the beach – one wearing colors she didn't recognize and the others dressed in simple but well-made armor. The latter were outnumbered but holding their own.

"Those colors... that symbol. They were being truthful, those are Tevinter soldiers. But what are they doing here?" Cassandra spoke quietly. The arrow had been a stray, and neither side had noticed them yet.

"Perhaps we should assist first and then find out?" The Herald whispered back.

"You may be right. More of them are coming," without another word, the dark-haired warrior charged into the fray.

Varric and Solas both nodded before beginning a ranged assault. Faydren assisted as well, her lightning lancing across the battlefield. However, there were more reinforcements rushing along the water than it had first appeared. They immediately veered in the direction of the outlying mages and archer, swords raised high. Faydren didn't see them approaching outside her peripheral.

"Stormcloud!"

Hearing the warning in time to see the blade slicing toward her, she vanished into a blue haze that shot across the ground leaving frost in its wake. Faydren attempted to stop and felt her feet slip on the rain-slick gravel. Oh shit. She crashed into a supply crate and tumbled over it, landing unceremoniously in a heap on the other side.

This did not go unnoticed, and she looked up to find two Tevinter soldiers preparing to attack. Before they got the chance, a gigantic greataxe swung into one and smashed them both aside. Faydren craned her neck upward to meet eyes with the largest person she had ever seen. It was a Qunari. And he was grinning down at her with amusement.

She scowled up at him defiantly and slammed the blade of her staff into the ground, pushing to her feet as a blast of cold energy shot out from it. Faydren went back to the battle without a word. The Qunari turned to find a soldier frozen solid behind him. His grin grew even wider as he smashed it to gory bits.

As the last Tevinter fell, Faydren wiped at the rain running into her eyes. She was a little tired, but pleased to realize that her training with Solas was paying off – narrowing her focus to use less power more effectively. Looking over, she saw the Qunari giving orders and gesturing. It seemed he was in charge. The moniker suddenly made a lot of sense.

"You should speak with him alone," Solas spoke as he moved next to her.

"Why do you say that?" Faydren questioned.

"These are mercenaries. It is customary for one leader to speak to the other when discussing terms."

"He is right. Having us there would make you look weaker, and thus the Inquisition by proxy," Cassandra was reluctant in her agreement.

"Then shouldn't Cassandra go? I'm not the leader," Faydren shook her head.

"You're the Herald of Andraste, Stormcloud. Sounds awfully leader-ish to me."

"Well if you are all agreed, it seems I have little choice," she sighed, shooting Varric a look.

Faydren strode over to the Qunari. He turned to greet her with the same easy grin as before. She didn't return it, still frustrated that he'd needed to assist her.

"You must be with the Inquisition."

"And I take it you're Iron Bull," even standing, she had to tilt her head back to look at him.

"The horns always give it away. Come, have a seat," he walked a few steps before sitting down on a large rock. Faydren chose to remain standing. She could finally see his face without straining her neck now. The young man from Haven walked up to them.

"I assume you remember Cremisius Aclassi, my lieutenant."

"Good to see you again," Cremisius nodded in her direction. So that was his name.

The two men spoke for a few moments, clearly comfortable trading joking insults. When they were done, Bull made his proposal. After seeing them in action, Faydren was convinced the mercenaries would indeed be helpful. Before the final decision could be made, the Qunari gave her one last piece of information. A surprising one at that.

"You're a spy... And you just - told me?" She blinked at him incredulously.

"Whatever happened at that conclave thing is bad. Someone needs to get that breach closed. So whatever I am, I'm on your side."

Faydren mulled it over for a little while longer. He seemed sincere. And he could have tried to hide the truth. With how loyal the Chargers seemed, Iron Bull couldn't be all bad. She locked eyes with him.

"You're in. Don't make me regret this."

"We'll meet you back in Haven," he nodded before turning his attention back to the Chargers and issuing new orders.

Faydren left to the sound of more friendly banter between him and the lieutenant. Her own companions were waiting patiently for her return. She filled them in on the conversation.

"A Qunari spy?! I hope you know what you are doing," Cassandra shook her head.

"If you didn't trust my judgment, you should have talked to him yourself," Faydren said flatly before heading back to camp.

They were in the Hinterlands. Again. Being born and raised in Kirkwall, Varric had no love for nature. Even traveling with Hawke, they'd mostly avoided long treks in the wilderness. Sometimes he wished the Herald would just leave him back at Haven. On the other hand, there was something to be said for watching Faydren experience it all for the first time. It was like watching a little kid, the way she darted from new thing to new thing. She certainly never had nature walks at the Circle, and he doubted she was watching the scenery last time they came through. This time they were less rushed and had a little more leeway to explore.

Officially they were there to locate the Grey Warden named Blackwall and check out some other issues deemed worth investigating. Unofficially, the Inquisition council needed more time to gain enough influence to approach the mages and/or Templars (Varric still had no idea which side they were going to choose). But Stormcloud got antsy staying at Haven for too long so they found some assignments to occupy her. Who wouldn't get antsy in such a small settlement where everyone knew who and what you were...

Cassandra had stayed behind this time, having other matters to attend to. Their traveling group now consisted of Faydren, Solas, himself, and Iron Bull. Despite his previous experience with Qunari, Varric had warmed up to the mercenary captain quite easily. Looking around at everyone, he couldn't help chuckling a little as he stepped up next to the Herald.

"I was wrong, Stormcloud. We did get more conspicuous. 'A human, a dwarf, an elf, and a Qunari walk into a tavern…'" Varric mused.

Faydren didn't look down at him but her lips curved into a small smile as she realized they were indeed quite the sight.

"Aha! I knew it would come out eventually," the dwarf practically shouted, getting looks from Solas and Iron Bull who had not been paying attention. Faydren was startled by the sudden loud exclamation beside her and the smile vanished.

"You knew what would come out?"

"That pretty smile hiding behind the clouds," he smirked up at her triumphantly.

Faydren's mouth worked open and closed but no words would come. Finally she gave up and cleared her throat before asking Iron Bull something instead.

The Iron Bull looked down at the white hair bobbing along beside him and smiled. His first impression had been that she was powerful, but inexperienced – seeing her crash into that supply crate was hilarious though. Second impression concluded that the girl was tougher than she looked – not many people attempt to stare down the first Qunari they meet. Now? She was the Boss - though not in the way he was expecting.

When he had offered to be her bodyguard, it was a simple business agreement and a way to get close to the leaders of the Inquisition. It wasn't often that he actually found someone worth protecting, even if he never got paid. Despite her outward coldness, Bull found himself growing quite fond of the little mage. With his Ben-Hassrath training, the hardened facade Faydren put up was pretty much useless. Underneath he could see a hurt and scared young girl - angry, but still kind and caring. He knew that she kept the mask on as much for her own sake as anyone else's, so he let it remain. At least until the time came when she no longer felt the need for it.

"Bull!"

"Yeah, Boss?" He realized by her frown that she must have been talking to him for a while now.

"You didn't hear a word I said, did you..."

"Nope," he grinned roguishly.

"Never mind then... And why do you keep calling me 'Boss'?"

"Because that's what you are," he had picked up early on that she hated all the titles and honorifics that were tossed on her recently.

"It doesn't make much sense. You're far more experienced at leading than I am, yet you're calling me the boss," her nose wrinkled slightly. He didn't think she'd appreciate finding out it looked more adorable than angry.

"You pay, I work. So - you are the boss."

"Tiny has a point," Varric added from behind them. The nickname he had given the Qunari was ridiculous. Bull loved it. But he wouldn't tell the dwarf that.

"Helpful as always, Varric..." Faydren went quiet and stopped walking.

"Awww don't be like that, Stormcloud!"

As the rest of them stopped to look at her, Bull noticed her face had changed from mild frustration to nervous puzzlement. Her eyes took on a telltale violet outline as they scanned the open area around them. Short white hair began to raise in the static growing around her. He could feel it now too. Something was off. Nature was too quiet. The sound of Solas and Varric readying their weapons signified they also knew – they were being watched.

Faydren's magic acted first as a lightning bolt materialized behind Solas and struck, revealing a bandit with two daggers about to sink into the elf's back. The shock was not enough to incapacitate the assassin, but gave Solas time to cast a barrier. The daggers glanced off, creating blue sparks. Snarling, the assailant was about to try again when one of Varric's bolts caught him in the throat. He dropped to the ground, twitching and gurgling.

A shout went up, and men popped out from behind multiple rocks and trees. Four were drawing back their arrows while another five charged in with simple blades. Bull went to meet them head-on, roaring with adrenaline. It was only natural for a normal man to be given pause when a horned giant barrels toward you, and pause they did. Spinning with the momentum, Iron Bull swung his axe in a great overhead arc before smashing it into the ground at their feet. The earth crumbled and two of the attackers fell on their asses. The Qunari looked down at them with a savage grin. Game over.

After finishing them off, Bull scoped out the fight. Two archers were convulsing on the ground. Bull wasn't sure he'd ever get used to seeing electricity bouncing all around him while he fought, but he couldn't deny its effectiveness. One of the other archers lay still with two bolts in his chest. A flaming swordsman screamed and ran around, arms flailing wildly. Bull split his skull out of pity.

That left only one archer and two melee that had made it past him. The others shouldn't be having any trouble. He turned and swiftly discovered that not to be true. Another rogue had come out of stealth and was dancing around Faydren, making quick stabs now and then. If it wasn't for Solas' barrier and a lot of dodging and blocks with her staff, she's probably be cut to ribbons. The other two were holding their own but had been distracted trying to help the Herald.

Her back was to him now as she faced down the rogue circling slowly. With a growl, Bull remembered there was still one more archer. The barrier vanished, but Solas was dealing with his own attacker. The archer was too far for Iron Bull to reach in time so he ran toward Faydren instead, placing his considerable bulk between her and the archer's position. Not even a second later, he felt an arrow punch through part of his leather harness. The wound wasn't deep, but damn it stung like hell.

Faydren's head turned to look up at him in wide-eyed surprise. He smirked and grabbed the back of her jacket, tossing her to the side before he swung his axe horizontally along the ground. The assassin had not been ready for the change in opponent and took the axe straight to the chest, launching into a nearby outcropping of rock where he fell limply to the ground.

There was a furious scream behind Bull and the sound of ice shattering. He smiled. It seemed the archer would no longer be a problem either. And with that, the battle was done. The four of them regrouped, breathing a bit heavy but mostly unharmed. Faydren looked positively livid, her eyes still glowing dangerously as she glared at him.

"What were you thinking?!"

"I'm a bodyguard, Boss. I was guarding," his response was easy and relaxed.

"I'd like to see you guard anything while you're dead!"

"It's barely a scratch. It'll heal up nicely and I get a sweet new scar out of the deal."

"Calm down, Stormcloud. He knew what he was doing," Varric cautioned.

"Things may have gone worse had he not assisted in that way," Solas spoke calmly.

That seemed to take the wind out of her sails and Faydren's shoulders sagged. She dropped her eyes to the ground and turned away from them.

"We'll head to the Crossroads and get it looked at. Then let's just find this Blackwall person and get back to Haven..."

Iron Bull noted the cuts all over her armor and a slight limp as she walked away. He frowned. He'd thrown her harder than intended. She must have hit something. And that damned assassin may have done more damage than she was letting on. Solas and Varric nodded at him in silent agreement. Oh they'd be stopping at the Crossroads alright.