Chapter Eight

The Voclains

Valina jumped down from the desk, pulling on her coat. 'I have to go to them,' she said, snatching the letter from Cullen, 'we just took the Grey Wardens away from Corypheus at Adamant. We've been stopping his Red Templars and Venatori at every chance we get. We're slowly crushing his forces; he must be getting desperate.'

'What are you saying?' Cullen asked as he dragged on his shirt and righted his clothing quickly, realising she meant to leave.

'I'm saying that my father was born of one of the most powerful Altus families in Tevinter and he was being groomed to take his father's place as a magister, but it's no secret that he left to marry my mother. Corypheus needs mages. He needs slaves. Where do you think he'll start searching for them?'

'Wherever he can.'

'Exactly. And my father isn't across a sea or hidden in a cave. He's in Orlais.'

'What if this is a trap?'

'It doesn't matter, Cullen. They're the only family I have. I have to go. I'm not afraid of a fight if that's what I must face.'

'No.'

'Yes.'

Cullen grasped her wrist. 'Valina.'

'Arguing isn't going to change anything, nor does it help,' she snapped as she tried to free herself from his tight grip, 'you either come with me, or you shut up and stay here.'

'I'm not saying you're not going,' he said, reaching into his pocket, 'I know you're used to doing everything by yourself, that it's more efficient, but I'm trying to tell you that you don't have to do this alone, Valina.'

He held up the token, the silver sparkling in the light.

'Cullen…'

'We're going together,' he said as he took her hand, turning it so her palm faced up. He curled her fingers tightly around the token. 'And we're going to need all the luck we can get.'

Valina glanced down at the token, then tried to give it back. 'I can't take this, Cullen. You'll need it too.'

Cullen closed her fingers around it again. 'Humour me, Valina,' he whispered, cupping her cheek. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead, and she felt her resistance dissolve.

She gripped the token tightly in her fist, bringing it to her chest. 'All right.'

He took her other hand, dragging her to the door. 'We're calling the war council.'

'Cullen, no–'

'You have aided us at every step, Valina, even though we dragged you into this war. If you hadn't aligned yourself with us they might have been safer,' he said, pulling until she nearly tripped over, 'and if there is any chance that you're right about Corypheus hunting for mages…'

Valina almost had to jog to keep up with his stride as they burst into Josephine's office. The ambassador stood up, masking her surprise at Cullen's state of undress. She'd rarely seen him without his armour on, let alone in only his shirt and pants.

'Lady Valina, Commander–'

'War room, now,' Cullen said, storming past.

'Of course,' Josephine called, and Valina heard her rush to action.

It took only minutes for Josephine, Leliana, and Malakar to join them.

'What is going on?' Malakar asked, adjusting his jacket awkwardly, 'we only just got back.'

On any other day, Valina might have commented on the way his hair was ruffled, the fact that his jacket didn't quite line up, or the small bite marks on his neck. Instead, she pointed to a spot on the board, south-west of Val Royeaux, on the opposite side of the mouth of a river.

'I received a letter from my parents. It contains a panic code, a word or sentence we use to alert each other to danger. The code word they used – Bones – means that they are at the Voclain estate, in imminent danger, and are unable to escape,' she said, 'I'm sure you have all heard the rumours about my mother's marriage.'

All of the heads around her nodded, except Malakar's.

'Time for a crash course in recent Voclain history then: thirty years ago, my mother, Amira, married a mage from Tevinter, an Altus named Dranus Navorr. He took her name in an attempt to leave his past behind, but it's impossible to hide among the nobility. Even withdrawing from life in the court did nothing to soothe interest in the scandal,' she said, 'the Navorr family spent many years and a vast number of resources attempting to kill me as punishment. Obviously, they failed, but they succeeded in sending my father a message: they were embarrassed by him and scared that I would inherit his magic.'

'Why would they be scared of that? Because they thought he was a traitor?'

'Tevinter prides itself on power, especially magical power. My father is incredibly skilled with a variety of magic, predominantly specialising in fire. But what few know is that he is a particularly powerful blood mage.' As she had expected, the atmosphere in the room shifted as she said the words. She shook it off. 'My father would only send this if he were under serious threat, and we know how Corypheus likes mages: pliant and deadly.'

'How do we know it is not a trap?' Leliana asked.

Valina placed the letter on the table. 'This is in my father's hand, sealed with the wax that my mother crafts,' she said, pointing at the crest, 'and I was taught for the better part of thirty years never to use a panic code unless my life depended on it. If they've used this code, then there is no doubt in my mind: they're in danger.'

'And if your father is already enslaved?' Malakar asked, 'he is a blood mage, after all.'

She flashed him a menacing glare, and he shrunk back a step.

'My father would sooner kill himself than fall into the hands of that monster,' she snapped, 'but it's good to know that you're acceptance of necromancy is dependent on you sleeping with the mage who uses it. If they're not in your pants, then they must be a monster.'

'How dare you–'

'Venhedis! I could say the same, to you! I do not need to be a psychic to read what's on your face, Malakar,' she snarled, and for the first time, her carefully crafted accent slipped, her anger rolling over the room, 'if you dare call my father a maleficar, I'll put a dagger in your throat before you can finish the word.'

'Enough!' Cullen shouted, slamming his fists onto the table so hard that the pins and markers shook, 'we have all dealt with the consequences of blood magic, but that…'

His fists clenched tightly, and Valina saw the flash of memories in his eyes, shadows that haunted his tawny gaze. She snapped out of her anger, reaching to cover his hand with hers, and he glanced up.

'What matters right now, is that Valina's parents are in danger,' he said, and he had to fight to drag his eyes away from her serpentstone gaze, 'we are going to their estate, with or without Inquisition help.'

'What do we do?' Josephine asked.

'Have Master Dennet prepare two horses and enough supplies to last us for a week,' Cullen said, 'we don't know what we will face.'

'Make it six horses,' Malakar said, 'Valina's support and work has been invaluable. If it's important to her, then it's important to the Inquisition. I'm sorry, Valina, I did not mean to–'

'I'm sorry too,' she said, 'we all say things we don't mean when we're scared.'

'It's settled then,' Cullen said, placing a pin on the board, 'we leave in two hours.'

An hour and fifty-four minutes later, six horses set out at dusk. They rode until midnight: until the horses needed a break, and until the companions could go no further. They were all still weary from the return trip to Adamant.

Dorian and Malakar retired first, and Cassandra followed. Valina excused herself shortly after. She had been quiet throughout the ride, but Cullen could see her mind working, planning for whatever they would face at the Voclain estate.

Cullen rubbed at his eyes. He could feel the weight of sleep attempting to bear down on him, but he resisted its pull. He didn't want to disturb Valina. Although she could hide it from the others he could see that she was exhausted.

'I count two fewer tents than there are people in this group.'

Cullen glanced to his side, and Iron Bull smirked. There would be no silencing the Qunari.

'Now, I knew about Malakar and Dorian,' Bull continued, 'known about that for a while. They're so into each other it's impossible to miss.'

'Really?' Cullen said, resting his elbow on his knees and propping his heavy head on his hand, 'I hadn't noticed.'

'Sarcasm? From the Commander? I never thought I would see the day.'

'That's probably because it's night time.'

'And humour, too,' Bull laughed, 'am I in an alternate universe?'

Cullen rolled his eyes. 'Just get on with it, Bull.'

The Qunari smirked. 'So, if Dorian and Malakar are accounted for, and Cassandra isn't into sharing, despite my encouragement,' he said, 'leaving me with a tent to myself…'

'Get to your point, Bull,' Cullen said, standing up. He stretched his back, trying to shake the ache from his bones after so much travelling.

'Who could possibly be sharing a tent with the rogue?'

Bull knew that Cullen and Valina had shared a tent on the journey back from Adamant. As Dorian had done, Bull had even commented on the love bite on Cullen's neck. He was trying to make Cullen flustered because he found it entertaining, but Cullen would not give him the satisfaction.

'That would be me,' Cullen said, flashing a smirk before he turned to his tent. A faint glow radiated from a lantern within. He peeked inside, expecting Valina to be sleeping. Instead, she sat up on the mat, making the covers tumble down her chest.

'I need you, Commander…'

His breath hitched as she curled a finger at him, her legs shifting to pull the covers down further, revealing more of her sun-kissed skin.

'Just one more moment, my love, and I will be yours. First…' He closed the tent flaps and looked back at Bull. The Qunari's smile faltered. Cullen smirked. 'Dibs.'

He disappeared into the tent, stripping his surcoat as the flaps closed behind him.

The Voclain Estate

Orlais

Despite being over 150 years old, the Voclain estate stood proudly. Set back three miles from the Waking Sea, it overlooked the river to its north. Beneath the sturdy stone bridge which led to the estate five companions huddled together, keeping quiet as they awaited Valina's return. Iron Bull was getting restless; he was too tall to stand under the bridge without wading out to the middle of the river, so, instead, he had to arch his neck uncomfortably to accommodate his horns.

He stifled a loud groan of relief when he heard Valina approaching. She moved carefully along the sunken edge of the river, stopping under the bridge beside her companions. She pulled down her mask to speak. 'There are Red Templars at the gates, and I could see more forces, including Venatori, further into the grounds. There could be thirty, forty, maybe even more spread throughout the estate,' she said, 'but there is another entrance, an old escape route built into the house years ago. It leads to the library, behind a bookcase. My father sealed it years ago after the second attempt on my life because he was scared that it would just make it easier for someone to sneak in. With some force, we might be able to get through.'

'That's our best bet then,' Bull said.

'Except we're going to make a lot of noise,' Valina said, 'and we'll be surrounded as soon as we get into the house.'

'Not if we make enough of a ruckus at the front,' Dorian said, glancing to Malakar, 'what do you think, Amatus, shall we start a party?'

'I think we can manage that.'

'We could just send Bull,' Cassandra said, 'his jokes would be enough to drive the Venatori to jump in the river.'

'You love them, Seeker.'

Cullen rolled his eyes. 'Cassandra, Bull, go with Dorian and the Inquisitor. Make some noise,' he said, ruling out further banter from the two warriors.

'Go a short way up the river. You'll be able to sneak up from the side of the gate,' Valina added, 'oh, and don't be afraid to break the gate if you have to. It's only fair.'

Valina and Cullen turned in the opposite direction, following the river's edge. In the distance, they could hear the beginning of a fight, the blast of magical explosions and the clash of steel. They reached a low waterfall.

She glanced back at Cullen. 'I hope you're not afraid to get wet.'

Valina ducked beneath the stream of water. Cullen paused, trying to see a path, but her hand reappeared and grasped his shirt tightly to drag him beneath the waterfall. He shook water from his hair and surcoat, sputtering. She was already moving.

Cullen felt panic well inside him, sweat instantly coating his body; he almost had to drop to his knees to fit in the tight space, his armour scraping along the edges if he didn't tuck his arms in. He took a shuddering breath, locking his eyes onto Valina as she led the way along the cramped path. He used her as an anchor point, imagining he was following her along the walls at Skyhold to where they had first kissed.

Soon, the incline became steeper, the tunnel curving towards the estate. As they got closer, she slowed down, and he nearly collided with her in his desperation to reach the end of the tunnel.

'Cullen, I don't know what we're going to find in here, but I don't expect my parents to be themselves anymore. If my father has been bound to a demon like the Warden mages, and I can't free him, you must do it, even if it means–' Although he couldn't see her well in the darkness, she could not mask the waver in her voice. 'My father would rather die than live as a monster.'

'I'll do whatever I have to to save your parents,' he said, 'you have my word.'

They moved further along, and the tunnel opened enough for Cullen to walk rather than crouch. He could take deeper breaths now, and he realised they must almost be at the blockage. He only had to make it a little further. His mind looked for a distraction, locking onto a single word.

...Amatus...

The name Valina had called him popped into his mind, shaking the panicked thoughts aside.

'Valina, before, I heard Dorian call the Inquisitor amatus.'

'Yes?'

'You called me that in the forest.'

'I did.'

'What does it mean?'

'Cullen, I'm not sure this is the best time to–'

Valina paused as her fingers bumped something wooden on the wall. She lit the torch, filling the small space with light. A wall made of rough brick blocked their path. She scratched along the grouting with a nail and it crumbled into small pieces. She examined the wall carefully, finding a few long cracks between the bricks. The gaps were too small to see through but large enough to create a draft.

'Can we break it?'

She glanced sideways at him, stepping away from the wall. 'I'm not the battering ram, handsome, you are.'

'Let's give it a shot then.'

Cullen pulled his shield from his back and strapped it onto his arm. He rolled his shoulders, stepping back as far as the small space allowed. He brought his shield up at the ready, then dropped into a charge. He hit hard, and the sound reverberated painfully in their ears. Valina shielded her eyes as chunks of brick sprayed her, pelting at her skin. When the dust cleared, she found Cullen standing at the wall before a large hole, his chest heaving.

'That was somewhat more solid than I had hoped,' he admitted, holding his shield arm. He shook dust and pebbles from his hair.

Valina rushed to him, standing on her toes to kiss him on the cheek. 'I knew you could do it, my handsome warrior,' she said, flashing a smile at him, 'and as for amatus, it's a term of endearment. Sort of like how you call me 'my love'.'

Suddenly his arm didn't hurt quite so much.

Valina disappeared through the hole, and Cullen squeezed through after her into a wider room. She was already halfway up a short ladder and she quickly clambered over the top edge. When he reached her, she placed the torch into a holder on the side wall, then crouched before a plain surface, her deft fingers working with finely crafted tools to pick an intricate lock.

'Be ready for a fight,' she said, and a click sounded.

Cullen drew his sword as she heaved the door open. The bookcase swung wide, the hinges creaking after so many years of stillness. Cullen led the way through, his shield at the ready, Valina at his heels. They could hear the fighting at the front of the estate again, but the library was empty.

'Looks like the diversion worked.'

Valina drew her daggers. She nodded at Cullen, and he fell into step at her side as she led the way through the estate. They checked a few rooms. As they went to exit one door, footsteps sounded in the hall. Valina put a finger to her lips, signalling him to be quiet. She peeked through the crack at the edge of the door, then turned back to him, mouthing, 'Venatori.'

She disappeared beside him quicker than he could blink. He saw the faintest ripple in the air as she moved through the partially open door, but her steps made no noise. He crept forward, peeking through the opening. Valina appeared behind the soldier in a flash, her daggers slamming into his back before he could sense her presence. A choked cry escaped him, and she kicked him off her blades. He hit the floor with a dull thud.

'Come on,' she hissed at Cullen.

Cullen rushed forward as another Venatori soldier stepped into the hall to investigate the noise. Cullen slammed into his side with his shield, and the man went flying into a wall. He crumpled to the floor, stunned by the impact, and Valina quickly dispatched him.

They continued searching, moving through more rooms until they reached the master bedroom. Valina tried the handle, but the large door did not budge. She quickly picked the lock, then eased the door open, peeking inside. Relief flooded through her when she saw her mother pacing at the window. Although Amira's dress was tattered and dirty, her thick auburn hair dishevelled, she seemed to have no significant injuries.

Valina sheathed her blades and burst into the room. Cullen closed the door behind them as she rushed forward. Amira turned at the sound, her body tensing as they approached. Valina wrenched her hood and unmasked her face, and Amira sobbed at the sight of her daughter.

Valina ran into Amira's arms. Her mother clung to her, sobbing in abandon. After a few moments, Valina pulled back, cupping Amira's hollowed cheeks. Valina felt rage spark inside her as her eyes darted over her mother's face: she was so cold her lips were tinged with blue, her fair skin pallid and covered in bruises. There was a distinct imprint of a hand around her neck.

'It's all right. We're going to get you out of here, okay?' Valina said, brushing a tangled strand from her mother's face, 'where's dad?'

'Oh Valina,' she whispered, her voice trembling, 'the things they have done. He refused to do their ritual. They tortured him until...'

'What did they do?'

'They couldn't break him, so they threatened to–' a harsh sob rattled in her chest. 'I begged him to refuse, to just let them kill me, but they threatened to… do things to me. To take me into the deep roads and turn me into a… a…'

Valina felt her veins turn to ice. She crushed her rage deep in her chest, forcing it into a tight ball.

'Shh, that's enough,' Valina whispered. She placed a soft kiss on her mother's cheek, wishing she could make the bruises disappear. 'Where is he?'

'In the tower, I think,' Amira said, 'they've kept me in here for more than a day now.'

'I'll find him,' Valina said, 'but first, you're getting out of here. We've opened the old library tunnel. Do you think you can get through there without us?'

Amira nodded.

Valina turned to Cullen. 'Take my mother to the escape tunnel. See she gets down the ladder safely.'

'Valina–'

'Please, Cullen, we don't have time.' She drew her blades, and he saw ice in her serpentstone gaze. He could not argue with her; she was too deep in her rage to hear him.

'I'm coming after you.'

'I know.'

Valina disappeared back through the door, and Cullen led Amira to the library. He watched her take the torch and climb carefully down the ladder. She glanced back up at him, and although her eyes were a soft, pale blue, a sharpness appeared in her gaze and Cullen finally knew from whom Valina inherited her deadly stare.

'I may have lost my husband, but I will not lose my daughter,' Amira said, 'you get her out safe, or Maker help you, I will hunt you down and have an acquaintance crush every bone in your body. Slowly. The golem will enjoy it.'

Cullen nodded curtly. 'Understood.'

Satisfied, Amira turned from him. He watched her climb through the hole in the broken wall before he sprinted after Valina.

Valina moved to the base of the spiral staircase. She had only faced one more Venatori soldier. She glanced back as footsteps came up behind her, relieved to see Cullen running to catch up.

'Your mother is in the tunnel.'

'Thank you,' she said, 'remember what I said. If we can't save my father–'

'We'll deal with whatever we face when we face it.'

More footsteps sounded in the hall. She prepared to throw a dagger but faltered as Malakar rounded the corner.

'The grounds are clear,' he said, 'did you find your parents?'

'Yes, my mother is in the escape tunnel we used to get in, but my father–'

'Is being held upstairs,' Cullen said, 'he's probably hurt.'

Valina glanced at Cullen, surprised to hear a lie escape his lips, but she did not question it. She had no idea how her companions would react if they knew that her father was already enthralled.

'We must be prepared for anything,' Cassandra said, 'Valina, you know this place best. Lead us.'

Valina nodded and turned back to the staircase. Cullen was the first to follow her up the spiral steps, his shield and sword at the ready, their four companions close behind. Valina's grip tightened on her daggers. She strained her ears, listening for voices, but she heard nothing except for a quiet shuffling. She stopped below the floor level, staying out of sight as she prepared for a fight. For the first time in so many years, she had to find the strength to take another step. She could feel Cullen close behind her, could hear his steady breath, and his presence steeled her resolve.

Valina rushed up the last few steps, and they charged into the room. She had thought she could cope with seeing her father under the thrall of the binding ritual, but when he turned to face her she was met with blank burning eyes, the sight hitting her like a sucker punch to the stomach. She stopped as if frozen. The rage demon slid into place beside Dranus, and the mage next to him grinned. 'Kill them,' she hissed to Dranus and the two soldiers.

Dranus raised his arm in compliance, and the rage demon surged forward. Cassandra met it head on, slamming the hilt of her sword into her shield, forcing it to face her. Bull and Cullen burst into motion, stopping the soldiers from reaching Dorian and Malakar. Dorian panicked a soldier, and Bull sliced through the man with his massive axe, the two halves of his body dropping with sickening thuds.

Malakar cast a barrier on Cassandra, then froze the soldier Cullen faced, giving Cullen the upper hand.

Valina charged the mage but had to abort her attack, barely dodging a fire mine that the Venatori placed in front of her feet. Bull charged in from the side, catching the mage off guard. He threw her against a wall, her body slumping.

'Make sure she doesn't get away,' Valina shouted, not waiting for a reply. She turned to face her father, her heart hammering in her chest.

'If we kill the demon, we can free your father!' Cassandra called over the fighting, and all companions turned their attention to the rage demon. Cassandra stumbled back as the demon swiped at her shield. Valina dipped her fingers into a small pouch in her coat, blowing the sleeping powder at the demon to stun it long enough for Cassandra to right herself and catch its attention again. She dropped low to dodge a fireball hurled by her father, the heat so intense it scorched the shoulder of her coat.

'Dorian!'

'We're trying,' he shouted, glancing to Malakar, 'come on, Amatus. If we immobilize–'

Dranus blocked Malakar's winter's grasp, then raised a wall of flame to separate them from the group.

'Kaffas!'

Dorian grabbed the back of Malakar's robes, pulling him away from the flames as they flared higher. Cullen turned, but Dorian waved him away, shouting, 'we're fine, kill that blasted demon!'

The moment of distraction was enough. The rage demon slammed into Cullen, throwing him across the room. He slammed into the wall hard enough to leave a crack between the stones, his sword clattering on the floorboards as it fell from his grip.

Dranus turned his hollow gaze to Cullen's slumped body and raised his hand. The demon followed the direction, ignoring Cassandra's attempt to draw its attention away from the Commander.

Valina turned to chase the rage demon, but she knew she would not reach him in time. She grasped the blade of her dagger, feeling it slice her palm as it left her hand. She watched it sail through the air, turning end over end as if in slow motion. It slammed home in the back of the demon's head, and the monster released a deafening screech. Cassandra screamed beside her, but she was too focused on Cullen to listen to the Seeker's warning, her eyes locked on the rage demon as it began to sink into the floor with its death throws.

Her breath shuddered from her lungs as something cold pierced her skin between her ribs. She heard the wet slide of the blade leaving her body as she fell sideways, heard footsteps moving to surround her. She tried to catch herself, but her arms were too weak to support her weight. Her lungs emptied as she hit the floor, the impact winding her. With a shaky hand, she touched her side, gasping as white hot agony rocked her. She raised her hand, seeing blood glistening on her glove, the exposed tips of her fingers coated in it. The wound was warm with the blood that gushed forth, but she felt so cold that a shiver rolled down her spine, tingling through her limbs.

'Valina, no!' a deep voice screamed beside her. Arms surrounded her, lifting her from the hard floorboards. They jostled her, and she winced, her gasp turning to a cry as hands pressed hard on the wound, but the sound was strangled in her aching lungs.

'Oh Maker, what have I done,' Dranus whispered, his voice breaking as he pulled the mask from her face, 'Valina.'

She dragged her eyes open, finding a matching serpentstone gaze. 'Dad… you're okay,' she said, through sharp breaths, 'mum is safe.'

He tried to smile. 'I'm so proud of you, my little raven.'

The wall of flame finally weakened, allowing Dorian and Malakar to rush forward. Malakar dropped down beside Cassandra, and Dranus dragged his eyes away from his daughter.

'Can you heal?'

'Yes,' Malakar said with a sharp nod.

'Work with me.'

Cullen groaned as he woke. He used the wall to support himself, making it to his feet. He shook the fog from his mind, ignoring the thump in his skull. When he dragged his eyes open, he could see a cluster of figures. His vision became clearer, and his eyes locked on to a duel edged dagger beside a bloody palm.

He stumbled forward, pushing Dorian aside. He cupped her cheeks. Her face felt icy even through his gloves, and her sun-kissed skin was pallid. He bent his head over hers, but she could not focus her eyes on him, her lids sliding closed. He glanced over her body, seeing the shining stain on her dark coat.

Cullen watched helplessly as Dranus placed his hands on Valina's ribs either side of the wound, forming a frame around the deep slit with Malakar. The room crackled with energy and a soft glow danced between their hands. Before their eyes, the bleeding stopped and the wound slowly knit back together.

Valina took a sharp breath. It shuddered through her body, then finally settled in a steady rhythm. She relaxed, and the people around her uttered a collective sigh of relief.

'Thank you,' Dranus whispered, 'thank you.'

'We need to take her back to camp,' Malakar said as he removed his hands from her ribs, allowing Dorian to pull him away, 'she needs rest.'

'I'll take her.'

Cassandra moved, allowing Cullen to shift to her side. Dranus grasped his arm, forcing Cullen to look up.

'Please,' Cullen whispered. Dranus' serpentstone gaze was assessing, but whatever he saw in Cullen's eyes made him relent. Cullen hooked his arms beneath her shoulders and knees, lifting her petite body easily. He cradled her tight against his chest, relieved to see colour returning to her skin.

Iron Bull appeared beside them with the unconscious mage draped carelessly over his shoulder. He nodded at Cullen, and an understanding passed between them.

When they reached the gates, Amira climbed the sloped side of the river, a relieved cry escaping her lips. She rushed into her husband's arms, the force spinning him on his feet. Dranus held her tightly for a moment before Amira saw Cullen approaching at the back of the group with Valina cradled in his arms.

Amira pulled away from Dranus and ice filled her pale gaze. 'You said you would keep her safe!' she screamed, lunging toward him.

Dranus caught her arm, dragging her back. 'Amira, she's unconscious,' he said, forcing her to face him. He pulled her into his arms, locking her tightly in his embrace until she relaxed. 'It was my fault, all my fault. I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…'

Cassandra stopped beside them. She gently squeezed Amira's shoulder. 'Let us get somewhere safe. Valina needs rest, and so do you.'

They turned to the bridge, beginning the short journey back to camp.