Chapter 64: Diversions
Killing the dragon had not been planned. It is not the kind of plan Ana would have made for herself.
You know what; I hear that there is a great, flying, fire breathing lizard nearby. Let's go see if we can put a stop to it.
That thought had never even crossed her mind. They had been returning from Crestwood. The Inquisitor's thoughts had been heavy. She had sent out her search and detain order for Mayor Dedrick. The man needed to answer for the horrors she had seen in the caves beneath old Crestwood. She had returned from sealing the rift to find the man long gone, he had taken a horse and took off without a single word to the people he had sworn to lead and protect. The confession note he left behind did little to sooth Ana's temper. Had the man remained and thrown himself on her mercy, she might have been willing to grant it, despite the horrors she had seen.
He could have confessed in the very beginning! He could have told her what he had done. She would have been appalled but his honesty would have shown her that he at least wanted to find redemption.
She knew that there was no cure for the Blight. The circumstances of his actions would have been considered at his trial, if she had deemed it necessary to hold one, but instead he had chosen to run. He had fled leaving only a paltry letter of apology for his murderous act ten years ago.
Charter said she would have her people start searching for him. He could not have gotten far.
Of course the mayor was only one issue she had to deal with, and a minor one at that.
The meeting with Hawke's warden friend had not gone very well; in fact it confirmed her worst fears.
It seemed that the wardens were likely being manipulated by Corypheus, to what end, she could not say, but it was clear that their disappearance in Ferelden and Orlais was not a coincidence.
Warden Stroud had mentioned the Western Approach in Orlais. He said that the wardens were assembling at an old Tevinter ritual tower near there. They were heading there to prepare for their final great strike at the Darkspawn, a strike they believed necessary since they all thought they were now dying, a belief that Ana believed had been bolstered by the Elder One. Considering what Hawke and Varric had told her about their fight with Corypheus in the Free Marches. It was not hard to imagine that he was behind this surprising and desperate move.
Corypheus had power over wardens; both Varric and Hawke had confirmed that. Several wardens that they had faced inside Corypheus' prison had fallen under his spell without even realizing it. They believed what they were doing was their will and their will alone. Now that he was free, the Elder one had apparently been able to expand that control, and the wardens did not seem the wiser.
Now they had turned to blood magic. Whether the wardens realized it or not, they were serving Corypheus' will. She was not sure what he wanted from them yet, but it was clear that this was more than just some simple holding action against the darkspawn. The wardens were preparing to do something drastic, and she had no doubt that Corypheus intended to reap the benefits.
She had been troubled and angry when they arrived in Dusklight camp outside of Redcliffe. She had not been up to dealing with the village itself, not after everything she had seen in Crestwood. All she had wanted was to slip into her tent and get some much needed rest.
The roar north of their position had changed all those plans.
A scouting group had gone into Lady Shayna's Valley and had not returned. They had been searching for the raiders that had burned several farms these last few nights, raiders that had left no clues.
Ana was still angry and spoiling for a fight. She decided to go looking for her missing men.
What she found was more than a pack of simple raiders.
The High Dragon was massive, not as big as Corypheus' Archdemon thing, but still quite large. The territorial beast spit fire at them as they made their way towards its nesting ground, smaller drakes and dragonlings tried to block their path.
The Inquisitor and their allies met the beasts head on. Part of her had wished at the time that Hawke had been with them, but the Champion had headed into Redcliffe with Varric, looking to purchase a few supplies.
That left her, Solas, Iron Bull, and Sera to deal with the giant lizard.
Bull was usually a man of few words in battle, but what he said as they engaged the beast described his feelings perfectly.
This is going to be awesome!
She was not sure that she entirely agreed…
…But it was an experience to be sure.
The dragon snapped at them and breathed fire on anything that moved or could burn. When it got in trouble it called out to its whelps and Drakes. The smaller beasts attempted to aid them against the inquisitions attacks.
"COME FORTH GLORIOUS ONE!" the Qunari bellowed as he swung his ax in challenge, "ORDER WAITS TO BE RESTORED UPON YOU, MY BLADE IS EAGER TO BRING JUDGMENT!"
The Dragon roared again, filling Ana with both fear and a strange kind of giddy excitement.
Facing this beast with so few was insane, but they would do it none the less.
A nervous giggle escaped her lips.
Maybe Bull was right after all.
This…was going to be awesome!
IOI
"ATTASHI!"
Bull's shout went up all over the Tavern, men and women raised their mugs, likely not even knowing what the toast meant.
It was just an excuse to drink, and few needed any excuse when they were in a tavern.
As for the Inquisitor she happily joined in.
She emptied her mug in several quick gulps, and immediately wished that she hadn't.
Ana's eyes burned as she tried to stay on her feet, her throat felt like someone had poured liquid fire down it. She coughed and sputtered but somehow managed to keep the harsh liquor down.
She could not say if that was a good thing or a bad thing, still…it had not been as bad as her first taste.
Iron Bull said that was a good sign. The booze had likely killed most of the nerves in her throat after the first drink. What came next would be easier.
Ana frowned.
She really hoped he was joking.
The Tavern in Redcliffe was packed, townsfolk and Inquisition soldiers both. The Bulls Chargers had pretty taken the place over the moment they had gotten into town with their dragon head trophy behind them.
Rumors of the dragon had been growing for weeks. To the villagers a dragon in the area just seemed to reinforce the ideas that these were the end times, despite all the Inquisition had done to restore order to the Hinterlands.
For the people of Redcliffe seeing the beast dead was a huge load off their minds.
The excitement had spread quickly after that. Bull had been riding high since the fight with the dragon. Even Sera was in a good mood, surprising how pissed she had been when they left Crestwood.
That lording behind the problems in Verchiel had really rattled the archer. She had expected reward, but found only the death of her contact, a trap set by one of her own "friends." Sera had not been pleased by that, and this Lord Harmond had paid the price for her anger. Ana had heard stories of people being so angry that they could beat a person to death with their bare hands.
She just never had expected to see it in person.
One lesson to be taken from it all, do not mess with Red Jenny.
Now Sera was more than happy, drunk off her ass, swinging idly from one of the tavern's overhead beams, she was singing another loud and bawdy drinking song, she had half the place already in the second or third verse, before few realized who had started it.
Ana made note that if she ever needed Sera calmed down, a tavern would be a good place to visit, preferably one with a full wine cellar.
Iron Bull bellowed another throaty laugh. The Inquisitor had been at his side most of the night. She had tried drinking in moderation, but that had not lasted long. The large Qunari was amused that she was now matching him drink for drink, at least she thought she was…
The Inquisitor giggled.
She had lost track after the first three or was it four?
Bull gave her a good natured slap on the shoulder, just a light tap really. It still almost shoved her over the bar.
The Inquisitor snorted.
It was a good thing Bull knew his own strength, or perhaps she was just too drunk to call him on it.
She blinked.
It was probably the latter.
Iron Bull gave her a big silly grin. He had drunk twice as much as she had, or at least she thought he had.
How he was still standing up she did not know.
"That's the stuff Boss," he crowed happily, "This stuff will put chest on your chest!"
Again she giggled.
Yep, it was official; she was too drunk to care! Still…
She looked down at herself; a single finger ran down her chest, stopping just over her heart.
Her brow furrowed in thought.
Put chest on her chest?
She could use that! As far as chests went she did not have much of one, not really, not when you looked at her sister Lizzy. Even mother had had a much larger bosom in her youth, it was hard to believe that she was truly a member of the same family. Perhaps that was why Lizzy could be such a bitch.
She snickered slightly, covering her mouth, she had never had the courage to call Lizzy that to her face. Maybe she would do it the next time they spoke, pay her back for calling her a monster back in Val Royeaux.
Teach her to have such a large prow! Stupid Bitchy Cow!
Ana smiled.
If this stuff could do what Bull claimed…so why not, she would show up Lizzy and who knew?
Her eyes sparkled mischievously.
It could make things really fun for her and Cullen!
From what she knew of her less than successful courtships back in Ostwick, men liked women with big…well…that. Of course there was still a matter of getting to that point.
She was starting to think she might have to take matters into her own hands.
Ana frowned slightly.
He was a good man her Cullen, a sweet and a gentleman, but that was starting to become a bit of a problem.
Cullen was a gentleman, and she appreciated that, but as much as she appreciated romance and gentle courting, part of her wondered what Cullen was waiting for?
What did she have to do? Stand before him with a big sign saying: "Have me Cullen!" So far all they had done was kiss, and more than a few evenings of touchy feely moments, very hot touchy feely moments.
She had been dreaming about him for months, not the kind of dreams you told others about. She wondered if he looked as good out of that armor as he did in it. What it would be like, how it would feel to touch his chest and feel only soft skin, to taste his bare neck and shoulders, to feel him on top of her, and then…
She swallowed hard.
Oh Maker.
She was a lot drunker than she thought!
Ana snorted.
Normally such thoughts never occurred to her. Normally she could be patient
Why had they not gone further? Was he intimidated? It was possible.
She winced.
Killing that dragon might not have been the best move for their relationship….
What if he decided he just wanted to be friends?
She almost whimpered at the thought of it.
That would be awful, more than awful! She…she…
Ana staggered, fighting the urge for her stomach to turn over. She…she…
Oh Maker, she did not feel so good!
She pushed the last pint away from her, trying to breathe.
Bull was too busy razzing Krem to notice, thank the Maker.
She gave the large Qunari a blurry eyed stare. He seemed more relaxed since the fight. He had told her about the Qunari's reverence for dragons. That they saw the beasts as unrivaled power, uncontrolled power and chaos, killing them was restoring order to the world according to the Qun.
She smirked.
Today they had restored a lot of order to that dragon…
A lot of order.
Indeed.
Her stomach recovered enough that she could stand straight again, or as straight as she could in her condition.
She raised her pint anew.
"TO KILLING BAD THINGS," She crowed, "AND SHOWING THEM THAT WE ARE BADDER STILL!"
The whole tavern roared in agreement.
Ana grinned widely.
Damn straight!
IOI
"You're drunk."
Ana blinked as she turned, Cassandra stood before her with an intense frown upon her face.
In some small part of her brain she realized that she had disappointed her teacher. That part of her was now awash with shame.
Fortunately, it was a very small part; the rest of her was too drunk to care.
She giggled in response.
"SEEKER!" Iron Bull bellowed again, he put his arm around Ana, pulling her tight against him.
She could not decide if he was being friendly or trying to kill her.
The fact that she was still alive was a good sign.
"Have a drink with us," he continued, "Our Inquisitor has killed a Glorious one. It was a glorious battle, leading to an even more glorious celebration! We are living in glorious times with glorious battle! It…it is…"
Bull blinked his eyes glassy from far too much liquor.
Cassandra rolled her eyes.
"Let me guess," She sighed, "It is…glorious."
Bull busted out laughing; again he slapped Ana on the shoulder almost putting her on the floor.
Ana giggled even as she winced from it, Bull did not notice.
"I like this Seeker," he exclaimed, "she knows the way of things. She…"
KA-THUMP!
Sera fell off her perch; she landed on a table in the center of the room. The elf giggled and tried to stand up, she fell face first into Krem's arms.
The seen amused Bull.
"I think our little archer is done for the evening," he said, "Krem de la crème, see that she makes it back to a nice room, well…nice for this place anyway."
"Got it chief," the mercenary called back, putting the elf over his shoulder, she was still mumbling about how glorious everything was as she gave everyone a cheery wave good bye.
Ana smirked.
It was nice to have a fun night with friends.
IOI
Cassandra glared but said nothing. It was not like anyone would remember what she had said tomorrow anyway.
The Seeker rolled her eyes.
She was not the type to engage in such…debauchery, but that did not mean that she did not understand the value of it. Everyone in the Inquisition were fighters, fighters needed to find their diversions where they could.
She pursed her lips.
It had been a long time since she had allowed herself to simply let go. It had been a year or so after she had first become right hand. She and Galyan had met at some little tavern outside of Val Firmin, just a quiet dinner really, just the two of them. She had come hoping to speak to him about one of his contacts outside the circle.
It had turned into something more.
She had had…a little too much wine that night. Galyan had as well; the two of them had ended up in bed together, for two days they had been shut away from the world.
It had been irresponsible, foolish, and a bad idea.
She smiled slightly.
It was one of her most treasured memories.
No, she would not deny the Inquisitor her release. Ana was still a young woman, let her be young. The soldiers seemed to like that she could stand among them, that she could revel among them.
They recognized that she was not above doing the same things that they enjoyed.
It made her more approachable and not simple an ideal.
Justinia likely would have approved.
Too many leaders forget what it is like to be one of their followers; the Most Holy had tried to change that.
Still she needed the Inquisitor's help, and Ana needed hers. She looked ready to collapse.
Cassandra would not allow that, not publically anyway.
"Ana may we speak," she said, "I…I have a favor to ask."
The Inquisitor gave her wide grin.
"Offfff course," she cooed, "Follow meee. We can talk…in my roooom."
The young girl staggered but Cassandra caught her.
"Whoops," Ana giggled, "Stoopid floor!"
"Yes," Cassandra snorted, "Stupid floor, indeed."
The seeker half carried her up the stairs, as Inquisitor Ana could have had a room in Castle Redcliffe, but Cassandra doubted that she would make it that long, and besides.
It would not do to see the Inquisitor staggering through Redcliffe like a common drunkard.
It would not do at all.
Bull made some crude comment and laughed. Cassandra decided to ignore it. The Qunari was drunk.
It would not be right to discipline him in front of his men.
They would discuss the matter later, provided he remembered it at all.
She led the Inquisitor down the hall; she came to a stop before a door on the left.
The young woman grinned.
"Here weee are," Ana exclaimed.
Cassandra opened the door, but not before making sure that no one else was already inside.
Old habits die hard; her duty was to protect the Inquisitor, her student, and friend.
She would not fail in that duty.
She sat Ana on the bed, grateful that she was not in full armor. The girl murmured slightly, fighting a losing battle with the liquor inside of her.
Cassandra's eyes narrowed. Remembering her wild nights with Galyan she placed a bucket beside the bed, the girl would likely need it come the dawn.
"You should try to lay down, Ana," she advised, "Get some rest."
The girl looked up at her and smiled.
"We keeled a dragon," she exclaimed.
"I know," the Seeker replied.
"It was…was…was gloricacus!"
"I'm sure it was."
The Inquisitor hiccupped and flopped over on her side. Cassandra had to rush to her side to keep her from rolling off the bed.
She pushed their leader flat on her back.
The girl was already snoring.
Cassandra shook her head.
So much for the Herald of Andraste, she thought, the defender of the faith.
Immediately she felt bad for such a thought.
Ana was brave when she needed to be, that was what they needed, but that did not mean that she could not be young when she wanted to be.
That, Cassandra realized, was needed to, for Ana if for no one else.
The Seeker left her then, taking up guard position before the door. If Ana needed anything in the night she would be there. In the meantime she would protect their leader from prying eyes.
In the morning, when Ana had sobered, they would need to discuss the Seekers of Truth.
Let them all revel tonight, for tomorrow…
…The war would continue.