Chapter Twenty-One

Dragon's Bane

Leontine's Ring

Emprise du Lion, Orlais

The five companions crouched low as they reached Leontine's Ring, breath frosting in the cool morning air of the Emprise. Night had barely lifted, the sun rising lazily through the thick clouds to illuminate their target.

Malakar raised a finger to his lips to silence Bull's excited chatter, though the Inquisitor did smile to see the Qunari bouncing, he was so eager. The group lined up along the upper edge in the shadows of the pillars, peeking around the crumbling stone to gaze down upon the sleeping beast. The dragon rolled onto its side, the action shaking the ground beneath their feet, oblivious to the watchful eyes that beheld it.

'That's definitely a Highland Ravager,' Valina whispered, just loud enough for her companions to hear, 'I hope you brought your fire resistant leathers because this will be a rough fight without them.'

'Just another day in Orlais,' Malakar said, signalling for them to move. They followed the path as per the scouts' instructions to find an easier access point for the ring, knowing that a climb down the high crumbling walls of the ring would probably alert the dragon to their presence, or result in a broken bone should they slip and fall.

The companions approached slowly as they neared the entrance, a crude and cracked stone archway. They moved as quietly as they each could manage, wary of their steps, lest they wake the beast before they were ready.

At Malakar's signal, they grouped together. 'Bull, Cassandra, I want you at its front legs. Keep it distracted,' Malakar whispered, barely loud enough for his four companions to hear even with their heads so close together, 'Dorian and I will flank the sides. Valina, I trust you'll find some weak spots or create them.'

'That means I get to dodge a tail. Fun times,' she said, smirking sideways at the Inquisitor.

'Dorian and I will cover you all as best as we can but… be careful, everyone. Like Valina said, this is going to be rough, and I expect us to walk out of this with more than some singed hair and clothes.'

'And it'll still make my day,' Bull said, taking his axe off his back, a wicked grin on his lips. He was still bouncing a little in his excitement, full of energy for the fight, despite the danger they faced.

The five companions crept forward, eyes locked on the sleeping beast. It huffed in sleep and the group paused in unison, tension so thick it was palpable in the air. When the dragon did not wake and they took a few steps closer, beginning to disperse in preparation to flank for the attack.

Valina disappeared in a swirl of darkness, invisible but for the ripple in the air around her as she moved ahead of the group. She moved in a wide arch to approach from the side, steps as light as air.

Dragons weren't Valina's idea of a fun fight. She much preferred sparring with her Commander – especially when he was sans shirt and thinking about a very different sweaty ending than the one she anticipated she would face now – but she did enjoy the challenge, and she was working with people she trusted.

Valina froze when she heard an audible crunch, her eyes darting to Iron Bull. The Qunari glanced down at his feet, a brittle old bone crunching beneath the sole of his boot. His four companions eyed the dragon warily, but it still slumbered, oblivious to their presence.

Dorian breathed an audible sigh of relief.

Large eyes shot open, dirt swirling as it unleashed a smoky breath, and the group – minus Bull – cursed collectively.

They craned their necks as the dragon lumbered to its feet, quickly shaking off its slumber as it unfurled its massive wings and flicked its tail menacingly. Its eyes locked onto the warriors in its line of sight, and Bull let out a sound akin to a giggle.

'I love you, boss!' he yelled, earning a disgusted noise from Cassandra before the two warriors charged into the fray.

Valina darted forward, using her stealth to take a cheap shot at the tendons in its meaty back leg. She used her momentum from the charge, tucking herself to roll to the other side and slash again. She cut and swiped at its armoured skin, its thick hide difficult to penetrate even with her sharp blades, but she knew she would soon break through the armour with her efforts.

She crouched low, dodging stomping feet. It was dangerous to remain beneath the dragon but Cassandra and Bull made an excellent team, keeping the beast focused and relatively still, making it attack with its front claws rather than the back. She trusted in Malakar and Dorian's supportive magic and her own skills, merciless in her assault as they broke down the dragon's defences.

'Fire mines!'

Valina glanced at her feet just in time. She rolled out from under the dragon as it exploded, but another appeared beneath her, forcing her to throw herself into a backflip before she'd gained her balance. The heavy leather of her coat protected her from the heat of the explosion but the blast threw her back a few extra feet, and she landed hard on her side on a rock, air rushing from her lungs as pain wracked her.

'Valina!'

'I'm fine,' she called as she stood, masking as much of her breathlessness as she could as the dragon reared its massive head, 'focus on Cass and Bull, it's about to get hot in here!'

Bull was forced to dodge as the Ravager unleashed its fiery breath in a wide arch. Cassandra dropped behind her shield, weathering the onslaught, the metal glowing red with the heat. The Seeker rose from behind the shield, lips a hard line of determination, her gaze like stone, and for a moment Valina caught herself staring. Had she not been so head over heels for Cullen, she might have jumped the Nevarran beauty then and there on the battlefield once the fight was over, she was so impressed.

Valina shook off the thoughts, forcing a deep breath into her winded lungs. She threw herself back into the fight, slashing deep into the dragon's legs again. It was slowly beginning to weaken, the fight dragging as they battled against its heavily armoured skin.

Malakar shouted encouragement; standing at range, he could be defender and damager, as well as strategist, using his keen eye to monitor the dragon's every move and shout directions to keep his companions working as a cohesive unit, even as fatigue began to set in and fight the adrenaline that pumped through their veins.

The dragon turned its massive head, eyes locked on the mage as it sensed Malakar's building magic. With a nonchalant puff, it sent a fireball at the Inquisitor, forcing him to dodge, his fade-step taking him out of the line of fire with a mere second the spare, but the blizzard he was casting fizzled to nothing with his concentration broken.

Cassandra bashed her shield until the dragon returned its attention to the warriors at its feet, but the relief was short-lived as fire mines sprouted at their feet again, all five companions forced to dart away from their positions, only to be drawn back in as the dragon rose on his hind legs and flapped its massive wings. They struggled futilely against the pull of the air, the draw too strong, and the companions stumbled into range, Dorian and Malakar too disorientated to fade-step away.

The dragon saw its opportunity and Valina watched at its flank as it lifted its massive tail. 'Look out!' she cried, vaulting backwards and over the thick, spiked limb as it swept back and forth.

Cassandra dropped low at Valina's call, the sweep deflecting off her shield, the force knocking her onto her arse, but Bull, Dorian and Malakar weren't fast enough, the beast easily sweeping them off their feet. Bull stumbled back up with Cassandra's help, and Valina rushed to her closest companion, dragging Malakar up before she sprinted to Dorian. Blood streaked his face, and when he stumbled he clutched at her arm for support before he righted himself fully.

'Dorian?'

'I'm fine,' he said, though his tone was rough, 'let's finish this.'

Valina tried to move away, but the dragon unleashed an almighty roar, the sound vibrating so hard through Valina that her head throbbed in pain, her chest tightening. She could not move, not even to block her ears, precious seconds stretching as the roar echoed through the ring.

They recovered their equilibrium, shaking off the pain of the stunning roar. Beneath the loud breaths and hard steps of the dragon Valina heard a harsh scramble among the rocks, her eyes scanning. She grabbed Dorian, turning him wordlessly towards the wall as dragonlings descended behind their companions, attracted by the roar.

'Wonderful,' Dorian muttered, but he cast what protective magic he had mastered as Valina sprinted forward.

'Incoming!' she cried, rolling beneath the dragon. She sprung up, hardly a break in her stride as she sprinted straight for Malakar. The mage was surprised by her advance but he ducked when she directed him, and she vaulted over his crouched form, landing on top of a dragonling's head as it reared back to strike.

She landed hard, daggers finding their target, her blades easily piercing through the thick hide on the back of its neck. It gurgled, choking before it fell, and she tumbled off its back. Fighting continued behind her, three more dragonlings circling as they picked their targets. Malakar froze the one that snapped at Cassandra, and the Seeker shattered the beast with the heavy blow of her sword.

The final two locked on Bull – the biggest target – rushing towards him. He grinned as he turned from the dragon, sprinting to meet them head on. He knocked the first one into the air, sending it flying towards Dorian, the mage quickly calling thunder down upon it.

Bull lifted his axe, ready to swipe, and the dragon unleashed another roar, the five companions incapacitated again as the sound resonated in the ring. He stumbled on his feet, axe falling from his grasp.

Valina grit her teeth, unable to move as pain burned through her from the dragon's cry. She could do nothing but watch as the dragonling neared, snapping and slashing at the Qunari. The moment he regained control he punched the beast in the jaw, but the dragonling shook off the blow, swiping wildly in its anger, digging thick slashes in Bull's chest.

Behind the embattled Iron Bull Valina saw movement – another dragonling, she thought – and she felt a surge of adrenaline renew her. She rushed forward, expecting it to pounce at any moment. Instead, she heard a battle cry, and the dragonling that had been on top of Bull went flying, it's skull crushed by the heavy blow of a massive hammer as the armoured figure struck in an upwards arch. The weight of the weapon did not overwhelm the woman, and she reined in its sweep, standing firm at Bull's side. She wore a vicious snarl, but when her bright eyes lowered to Bull all vehemence evaporated, replaced by an almost cautious smile.

'Well, get up then, you big lump!'

There was no time to stare or take in the sudden turn of events. With the Iron Bull in apparently safe hands, she sprinted back to join her other companions in the fray. She dove beneath the beast, ignoring the chill of Malakar's blizzard as she fought to break through the last few scales that protected the Ravager's belly.

Vicious relief roared through her when her daggers penetrated to the hilt, and with the last of her strength, she dragged them along the length of the beast's belly. Her final assault combined with the onslaught from all sides and the dragon released a weakened roar, its legs trembling under the weight of its final breath. Valina dived from beneath the dragon and it collapsed in her wake, frame shuddering a final time before the ring fell silent but for the heavy breaths of the five companions.

Make that six.

Valina kept a tight hold on her blades. Even physically spent she was still deadly, and in much better condition than her companions; Dorian and Bull were bleeding profusely, Cassandra was limping, and Malakar was struggling to stand, his arm wrapped tight around his waist.

Valina assessed the new arrival coldly. Mid to late twenties. Ferelden accent, probably a traveller. Armoured, not a refugee. Weakest point in the knees and feet, inadequate protection. Warrior's build, five eight, five nine at most, thickly muscled arms and thighs, solid core, and strong shoulders. Prominent scars, combat hardened, potentially poor defence tactics. Warm open face, easy to read. The two-handed hammer she carried – head resting on the ground, slowed retaliation – was nearly as tall as her, was definitely taller than Valina, and by her display against the dragonling, she knew how to use it.

'Identify yourself,' Valina said, her voice clear despite the mask over her face.

'Oh, you're a stern one,' the woman said, a smile quirking her lips that was quickly extinguished by Valina's answering glare, 'I'm Azyrth. Azyrth Winterbourne.'

Ferelden, low nobility – distantly related to Arl Teagan Guerrin.

'Why are you here?'

She waved towards the dragon. 'I heard the roar, thought I'd come check it out. Saw you get jumped by those dragonlings. They came out of bloody nowhere.'

Truth.

'So you thought you would help?'

'I've not taken on an actual dragon before but I used to have to clear dragonlings off my grandfather's the farm, so I thought, yeah, maybe I can help when the big guy over there was getting torn to ribbons.' She glanced around the group. 'What are you guys anyway? Dragon hunters?'

Truth, genuine curiosity.

'Inquisition.'

A smile sparked on her lips. 'No way! I'd seen the camps around here, but I've never seen you guys in action before.' Her gaze flickered back to Malakar, eyes travelling down his hand. 'Andraste's tits, and you're the Inquisitor!'

'We don't have time to deal with fanatics.'

Azyrth vivid eyes went wide. 'Oh, shit yeah, you guys are hurt. Come on, I'll help you get back to camp.'

She took a step towards Bull but Valina blocked her advance. 'We don't know you.'

'Not the trusting type either, are you?'

'Not particularly.'

'That's fair. You can hold onto my hammer if you like, but I'm going to help your friend here if you'll let me.'

Valina glanced to Malakar, and he gave her a barely perceptible nod: I trust your judgement.

Valina assessed Azyrth a final time, finding no malice in her bright gaze. 'Come with us. You may keep your hammer for now.'

The warrior gave Valina a half smile as she made her way to Bull's side. 'Why do I feel like you're going to add that you'll kill me if I try anything?'

'Because I will.'

Azyrth grimaced as she offered her hand to Bull. 'I bet she's fun at parties.'

'Once you get to know her,' he said, grunting as Azyrth hauled him up.

Valina glanced between her other companions. Cassandra was still limping, pain tugging at her brow, but she was mobile and stable. Dorian stood beside Malakar, visibly shaken but in one piece. When Malakar stumbled Dorian reached out, barely catching his lover in time.

Malakar clutched at Dorian's arm, teeth clenched, and his breath shuddering in. 'I'm okay, I just… I'm fine.''

'You're very obviously not.'

'Neither are you,' Malakar said, glaring pointedly at Dorian's bloodied face.

He scoffed. 'Blood will wash off when we get back to camp, and I'll be back to my handsome self. You, on the other hand, don't look like you'll make it back at this rate.' Although he tried to be teasing, Valina caught the waver in his voice.

Valina sheathed her blades and dug a potion from her belt pouch. 'Drink it,' she said, waiting until he tipped the contents into his mouth before she swept Malakar into her arms. Her knees wobbled a little at the sudden weight, but the elf was thankfully slight.

'Valina–'

'I don't want to hear it,' she said, the sharpness in her tone leaving no room for argument, 'let the potion do its work. We need to get back to camp and inform the scouts if we want the remains harvested for crafting. The longer the corpse is left there, the more likely it is to fall prey to scavengers.'

Valina led the way out of the ring and back on the rocky path. Malakar complained only once about being carried before he finally whispered his thanks, the potion slowly healing the injuries he'd sustained. He was lucky, considering he'd taken a dragon's tail straight to the torso, and they both knew it.

They reached the crossing just as the sun dipped below the horizon, and shouts sounded from the other side. The scouts rushed to their aid, and Valina relinquished Malakar to a stretcher. With her companions back to safety, Valina grabbed the nearest scout and compiled a list of instructions for stripping the dragon's carcas, then sent her off with a group to gather the materials.

When she took a seat around the campfire she sighed with relief, sweeping her hood back and shaking out her hair. She spent a moment just sitting there, gaze focused on the crackling flames until the last of the adrenaline abandoned her body. She dragged her mask down and scrubbed dirt off her face. She craved a bath and a steaming cup of tea – or the whole pot if she was honest – but there was still work to be done. The sooner they were healed and organised, the sooner she would be back in Cullen's arms.

She lifted herself, ignoring the exhaustion that threatened to fold her, and she found quickly found the medical tent where her companions were being treated. Malakar was sitting up on a cot; his skin was ashen, but he was clearly in less pain. Dorian sat beside him, somewhat less bloodied than before, his moustache stuck at an odd angle from obvious mishandling by the scout that wiped the blood away, but for the moment, the mage didn't care, his whole focus on the man he wrapped tightly in his embrace.

Valina moved further into the tent, nodding at Cassandra. The Seeker returned the look before she growled at the scout that was wrapping her ankle, a sharp apology quickly following her harsh reaction.

At the far end of the tent, Valina found Bull, the scout that was dressing his cleaned cuts having to duck beneath his meaty arms to wrap the bandage around his massive chest and stomach. Azyrth sat close by, eyes downcast, but Valina caught every glance the warrior stole at the Qunari.

'Perhaps Varric should start calling you stitches; that must be all that's holding you together now.'

'Takes a lot more than a dragonling to tear through all this,' he said, waving over his battered torso. The scout yelped as he dodged the gesture, and Bull lifted his arm again. 'Oops, my bad. Keep doing what you're doing.' He looked up again. 'You seem to be in one piece.'

'No claw marks, but…' Valina opened her coat and lifted her shirt, revealing the bruises that blossomed over her side and hip. She might have dodged a few of the worst attacks, but a few hard landings could do enough damage.

'Curly's not going to be impressed.'

'No, not particularly, but I'm sure he'll kiss them all better.'

'And a few other places too.'

'Wow.'

Valina's gaze flickered to Azyrth. 'Wow?'

The warrior's cheeks flushed. 'I'm… I'm sorry, I've just never met a lady rogue before. Those are some serious abs. How did you even get them?' She sounded awed, her gaze caught somewhere between fascination and embarrassment as she glanced between Valina's face and her stomach.

'You've got to kill a few men to get those abs, don't you Vicious.'

Azyrth's bright dawnstone eyes flickered down to Valina's stomach again. 'You must have killed a lot of people.'

Valina barely kept her lip from twitching when Bull winked at her. 'Indeed.'

'I'm pretty lucky to be alive, aren't I?'

'It's not luck, but circumstance. You proved yourself to be a valuable asset during the battle, and afterwards, you made the right decisions. Had you picked up your hammer at the wrong moment though, you'd have a dagger between your eyes.'

Azyrth glanced sideways at Bull. 'You Inquisition folk don't mess around.'

Bull nudged her foot. 'Vicious here is a different breed. Don't worry, she'll warm up, won't you Vicious?'

'I will if you stop calling me Vicious.'

'Nah, you like it. It suits you too well.'

'Perhaps, but that being said, I believe I owe you a formal introduction, Azyrth. My name is Valina Voclain. I'm an ally of the Inquisition, and a mercenary by trade, much like Bull.'

'How'd you join?'

A slow smile curled Valina's lips. 'That's a long story. Let's just say I was recruited for my skills and assets.'

Bull chuckled. 'Cullen would agree with that.'

'He would,' Valina said, smirking before she returned her attention to Azyrth.

'Can anyone join?'

'Yes.'

The three companions lifted their gazes as Malakar moved closer, Dorian at his side. The Inquisitor wasn't yet standing straight and he was leaning on Dorian, but he didn't grimace with every step, and some of the colour had returned to his face. He sat down on the cot beside Valina, a breath shuddering from him.

'You had impeccable timing, Miss Winterbourne,' he said, 'while I trust we would have made it through the fight, we may have been significantly worse off.'

'Well, I wasn't going to just stand there and let it eat you or anything.' She glanced at Bull, something flickering in her gaze that made Valina smile.

'We could use another warrior in our ranks.'

Azyrth's gaze snapped back to Malakar, a tentative smile on her lips. 'Really?'

'We're in the middle of a war, and you've shown that you know how to fight. I can't promise it's as glamorous as some of the tales you may have heard, but if you'd be willing to join us, you can accompany us back to Skyhold first thing tomorrow.'

A smile broke over her lips, and for a moment Valina wondered just how young their new companion was. Beneath the jagged scars – heaviest on her right cheek – her sun-kissed skin was supple and smooth, barely a mark of age to blemish her complexion.

Malakar extended his hand, and Azyrth did not hesitate. 'Count me in.'

Ser Cullen Rutherford,

Commander of the Inquisition at Skyhold.

Amatus,

We set out from Sahrnia at dawn this morning in a flurry of activity. I write to you from the back of my horse, as I know not when we will stop tonight. The battle was difficult and exhausting but we succeeded – with a little help. I'm sure you'll soon read Malakar's report of the event. The scouts spent the whole night loading and preparing the crafting resources gathered from the remains. Ensure you tell mother so she can prepare with Dagna.

I'm sorry I didn't write to you last night. I know you must have been terribly worried. I planned to send something the moment I returned to my tent and sat down, but I fell asleep where I lay. I dreamt of you, Amatus, of being in your arms again. I long to be back with you, but our caravan has grown and the return journey will be slower. There are too many bandits along the road now to leave the carts undefended, and the goods we carry are valuable.

I will write you again as soon as I am able.

I love you,

Valina.

Lady Valina Voclain,

Member of the Inquisition forces, travelling in Orlais.

My Love,

I'm so glad to hear from you. I hardly slept last night. Every time I closed my eyes – Maker, I do not even want to speak of it without you here to calm me. I know not how I will wait for your return, but it will be a long few days. If my duties allowed it I would meet you at the camp or perhaps along the road, if only to hold you again. Reports are flooding in and the training is growing more rigorous for the recruits. I am still tempted to risk it, but I'm certain Josephine could kill me with an earful of rapid Antivan, and I would never see Leliana coming.

I love you too, Valina. I cannot wait to have you in my arms again.

Cullen.

Skyhold, Inquisition Fortress

Frostback Mountains, border between Ferelden and Orlais

Cullen rubbed at his temples, his head aching. The words on the page in front of him had been blurring for some time, but he'd pushed on until his eyes were heavy and his head thumped a dull rhythm. He was determined to wear himself out before he attempted another restless night of sleep. The nightmares had worsened without Valina's presence, his mind finding new ways to taunt him, creating new fears each night he endured her absence from their bed.

He pushed up from his chair with an audible groan, his muscles stiff from hours in the hard seat. He needed a break, a walk; anything to get his mind off the tension that had slowly settled on him as he waited. She'd written every day, and in the time she had been gone he had never waited so long to hear from her. As irrational as he knew it was – he knew they were due to return soon, and had probably only stopped to sleep – he could not dispel the growing weight in his stomach.

Cullen stumbled towards the door, the darkness that greeted him on the battlements a stark reminder of how long he'd been at his desk. He could hardly recall if he'd had lunch and knew he'd probably missed his opportunity for dinner at the Herald's Rest.

He walked the battlements, stretching out his aches and pains, the mountain air soothing in his lungs, his breath misting in the cold breeze with each steady exhalation. He leant against the stone, firm and reassuring beneath his arms, and closed his eyes. He was surrounded by memories here, both pleasant and not so. He recalled their argument, their heated moments, and he recalled their first kiss and all those that followed, the tender moments, and the intimate one they had shared mere feet from him on the opposite side of the wall.

He glanced up when he heard the soft flutter of wings, a raven landing beside him. It fluffed its wings impatiently, tilting its head to look at him before it hopped closer, and his eyes dropped to its spindly leg. He took the small note from the raven before shooing it back to Leliana's tower, eager to send it away; he'd had more than his fair share of problems with her birds.

Cullen turned the note in his hand. There were no marks to identify it, and the parchment appeared torn. It was unusual to receive such a short missive, even for urgent matters, but he supposed it could be from Sera. She'd sent crude jokes to him before in this way, but when he unfolded the battered note he felt his heart soar.

See you soon, Amatus.