Chapter 74: Saving a Friend

"We never meet anywhere nice, Lace."

Scout Harding chuckled, she stood across from Ana and her inner circle, the map that she had brought now spread out on the small table before them. The dwarven girl made a point to carefully note everything her scouts had seen since arriving here, in the Exalted Plains…

What that was…was not good.

"This place is a mess, Your Worship," the scout said, "the imperial army…um…both the imperial armies have been pushed back into their forts. Demons and undead roam freely here, the many deaths early in the civil war have rapidly filled the ranks of these monsters. It is amazing that the armies here have not been overrun at all."

Ana shook her head. She of course knew the history of the Exalted Plains. It was here that the elven army retreated after the fall of Halamshiral to the forces of the Exalted March. It was said that the champions offered the remaining elves a chance to surrender, to join their beaten fellows in a new world under the protection of Andraste and the Maker.

The Inquisitor sighed.

The elves had refused; they had fought to the last here against the human army. In the chantry, those final days were seen as a great victory. The triumph of the righteous over the heathens, many Andrastian statues dotted the plains, paying tribute to the brave men and women who had brought the last of the Elven kingdom to heel.

That is what she had been taught growing up, but now…seeing this place as it truly was…

She could not help but feel…sad.

Could she have surrendered under such conditions?

Would she have?

She could not say for certain.

She found herself thinking about the dark future she had seen in Redcliffe, that broken world where the Inquisition had smashed itself against Corypheus' forces. In that possible future the Inquisition had not surrendered, how could they? Corypheus' victory meant the end of their world, the end of all they held sacred…

During the Exalted Marches of the Dales, the elves had faced a similar choice. They had chosen to go down fighting. She could not blame them for that.

She would rather have died then live as Corypheus' slave. No doubt the elves felt the same, how could she herself as righteous and deny the defenders who had died here so long ago. She couldn't.

She no longer saw this place as the sight of a great victory. The elves here had died bravely trying to defend their home.

There was no victory here, only tragedy.

She tried to push such thoughts away, they served no purpose now. The main goal was to help the imperial army stabilize this region. Corypheus' forces thrived on chaos, so it was chaos that had to be denied.

"Have we managed to make contact with any of the commanders here yet?" she asked.

"No, Your Worship," Harding added, "Our progress has been slow, a faction calling themselves the Freemen of the Dales have been striking not only at us, but at the Imperial army groups as well."

Ana's brow furrowed.

"Tell me about these…Freemen."

"Most are deserters from the Imperial army," Harding added, "People tired of dying in the service of the Empress or the Grand Duke. They are even now trying to claim the Dales as their own. They attack our people on sight, and refuse any attempt to parlay."

The Inquisitor frowned. She was not surprised to hear about such a group. After seeing the decadence and scheming of the Winter Palace, it was easy to forget just what the imperial civil war meant, war was brutal, it was no mere game for the nobility.

"Are the undead attacking these Freemen?"

Ana blinked, Dorian had been quiet since leaving the capital. It was unusual for the usually chatty Tevinter mage.

"I…um…I'm not sure Ser Mage," Harding answered. The bulk of the undead are clustered around the army camps. The Freemen are always moving."

"Really," Dorian said twirling his mustache thoughtfully "Isn't that interesting."

Ana glanced at her companion, Dorian had peaked her curiosity.

"What you thinking, Sparkler," Varric asked.

The mage shrugged.

"Just thinking about what we have seen so far out of the Venatori," he answered, "Corypheus likes tossing pawns at us. Disposable troops like the Red Templars and…what were those cult fools that you and Seeker Cassandra purged?"

"The Promisers," Ana said.

"Yes, them," the mage said shaking his head, "I just find it odd that these Freemen just happen to show up while the Imperial army is so…indisposed."

Ana pursed her lips.

"You think that Corypheus might be behind these Freemen?"

"It is a possibility, my dear Inquisitor," the Tevinter replied, "why waste his own followers while this rabble will do just as well?"

The Inquisitor shook her head.

She hated to admit it, but Dorian had a fair point. The Elder One had proven quite willing to throw dupes at the Inquisition. His agents had failed in the Winter Palace…

Perhaps these Freemen of the Dales were part of his plan b.

"It doesn't matter," she said, "If the Freemen are working for the Venatori we'll have to deal with them. If they aren't, and are still attacking our people on sight, we still have to deal with them.

"We will start here, "she said gesturing to a spot on the map, "These are ramparts, isn't that right, Lace?"

The scout nodded.

"Once we have secured this position, we will be able to better judge what is going on. Then we will see about closing the fade rifts, and dealing with the undead."

She glanced at her men, all nodded grimly, it would be a fight, but after Haven and Crestwood, her people were used to harsh fights.

She had every confidence in them. She trusted them with her life, just as they trusted her with theirs.

"We can do this," she said, "Any other questions?"

No one spoke.

"Comments?"

No one said a word, Ana smiled slightly.

"Good, then we can begin."

"There is one other thing, Inquisitor," Harding said quickly.

She turned to Harding.

"Yes, friend Lace," Ana asked.

The dwarf fidgeted; perhaps she thought she should have mentioned this earlier.

She sighed.

"We…um…have had reports of Dalish elves in the area…."

Ana nodded. That made sense, given where they were; it was hard to imagine that all the Dalish had been driven out of the Dales. It would either be a problem or an opportunity, it was better that they found out which.

"I see," she began, "Are they friend or foe?"

"They are neither, Inquisitor," Solas said emerging from his tent, he had obviously been listening. Ana was not insulted; in fact she had hoped this meet might draw Solas out of the funk he had been in lately. The elven apostate had been distracted the entire journey here.

Ana was grateful that he had finally decided to join them. She had learned to trust his counsel. She valued it.

"The Dalish clans can be...unpredictable. They may see Inquisition as part of the system that destroyed their kingdom all those years ago."

"Or they may see as a means to end the chaos that has plagued these plains all these months?"

Solas' ears twitched as he considered her words.

"Perhaps," he shrugged, "I would still advise caution in approaching them. At least until we can determine their feelings about us.

Ana nodded, his suggestion made sense, after all, better safe than sorry.

"Wise council, as always, my friend," she said.

Solas bowed his head slightly.

She once again turned to her soldiers.

"If you see the Dalish, don't openly challenge them. If they attack, defend yourselves, but do not initiate any conflict without my orders."

"Yes, Your Worship," they all replied.

"Then we are all in agreement," she said, "Good, let's get to work."

The soldiers and scouts dispersed leaving the Inquisitor alone. She sighed as she stared down at the map. Things looked bad, but she had seen worse, both in the Hinterlands and Crestwood.

The Inquisitor chuckled to herself.

Once she would be terrified of going into an area so…chaotic, now…now it seemed like just another day.

She shook her head again.

How had she come to this? How…?

"Ana?"

She turned.

Solas still stood before her. Her friend looked more haggard than she had ever seen him.

"Yes, Solas," she said, "Is there something I can do for you?"

The Elven apostate shifted uncomfortably.

"Ana…Inquisitor…there is a favor I must ask of you, but…I fear with everything going on…"

She smiled at him.

"Solas," she almost laughed, "You were first person to think that I could do something about this mess. You kept me safe and alive in Haven. You showed me the way to Skyhold. If anyone owes you more than a few favors, it is I."

She bowed her head to him.

"I'm at your service."

The elf gave her a tired smile.

"I…thank you Inquisitor…Ana…I…I am in your debt."

"No need," she said shaking her head, "now, tell me what has been bothering you."

Solas sighed.

"While I was dreaming back in Val Royeaux, I learned that a friend of mine has been captured by mages. She…she called out to me, begging for my aid. I…I must help her."

Ana nodded.

"Any friend of yours is a friend of mine, Solas," she said, "All you had to do was ask."

"You…you shame me…my friend," he said lowering his head, "I should have come to you sooner."

"We will see what can be done," she said, "Tell me, how did these mages capture your friend, blood magic?"

"They used a summoning circle, or so I would suspect."

Ana blinked.

"Wait…what?!"

Solas chuckled.

"My friend is a spirit, Inquisitor," he added, "I probably should have mentioned that. She is a spirit of wisdom."

He sighed.

"And she is in pain, they…they are torturing her."

He shook his head.

"I must help her."

Ana blinked, this…this was not what she had expected, but given what she knew about Solas, it was not a surprise.

Saving a spirit? That was something different.

"No, my friend," she said putting her hands on his shoulders.

"We must help her."

Solas gave her a sad smile.

"Yes," he agreed.

"We."

IOI

"ANA!"

The Inquisitor screamed as she was flung back by the heavy blow, her shoulder burned from the impact, the plate shielding it glowed from the heat. Her right arm spasmed, she was unable to raise her blade.

She brought up her shield, barely; lightning splashed off her shield, her body shook from the impact, the electricity flowing through her.

She glared up at Solas'…friend…or rather the monster that had been his friend. It leered down at her; in his right hand it held a whip of pure lightning.

She shuddered.

She had taken only her inner circle in this endeavor, it did not seem right using her soldiers to deal with what was in reality a personal favor for a friend.

She gasped, her ribs hurts

She was starting to regret her decision.

This is what happens, Solas had informed her, when a spirit is forced to perform acts completely against its nature, it is forced to adapt, to change…

Solas' eyes narrowed.

The desires of others replace the spirit's purpose they taint it, corrupt it. The result is the birth of a monster.

The elven apostate shuddered.

My poor friend, he said, look what they have done to her.

Ana did not need to look hard; she had faced such a creature before.

It was never a pleasant experience.

No longer was the spirit a creature of wisdom, the mages had summoned it against its will, they had forced a peaceful spirit to kill for them, to kill or be destroyed.

Their arrogance, their pride had changed the being.

It was no longer wisdom, it was now pride…

…And pride wanted her head.

She staggered to her feet, trying to hold up her shield, to keep it between her and the demon's whip. Solas, Dorian and Varric were attacking the pillars the mages had used to form a summoning circle, the circle that bound the spirit to their service.

Solas believed that destroying the circle would free his friend, allow it to return to its original form, or at least he hoped.

Ana prayed that he was right.

The mages that had done this kept back using their magic to bolster Ana and her allies. They were all survivors from the Circle in Kirkwall. They had fled their home in the Free Marches, only to be set upon by bandits.

They had tried to summon aid, a defender, what they found was Solas' friend. They had twisted the spirt against its purpose, and now it was a demon.

Thanks to them, it had become a monster.

Solas had been furious when he saw what they had done to his friend, more than furious…

He had been filled with a murderous rage; it was all Ana could do to contain him.

She backed up against the last pillar. The demon cackled cracking his whip before her.

She gave it a saucy grin.

"Come on you bastard," she snarled, "Just one more stroke, I dare you!"

The creature snarled, sensing something else was going on.

It lunged almost too quickly for Ana to dodge. It's powerful hand reaching out for the Inquisitor, his claws ready to slice her body to ribbons.

Ana rolled away from the blow, using the skills months of training with Cassandra and Cullen had given her. The pride demon missed its target. The demon's hand found the pillar holding it in its sway.

The binding magic struck the powerful demon head on.

The creature howled as it was thrown back it crashed hard to the ground.

Ana smirked as she put all her weight into the final blow, her shield struck her target as she bowled it over.

The final pillar smashed.

Magic spun wildly as the power used to bind the spirit was unleashed.

The pride demon gasped, its large form glowed, a light more blinding than sun…

When it was over, the pride demon was gone.

Only a small figure remained, her eyes glowed weakly; she flickered like a dying candle. Her form shifted like wisps of smoke, barely holding together.

Solas went to her, he…he looked upon her with both pity and shame.

The spirit whimpered.

"Mas…mas serannas," it whispered.

Ana fell to her knees; Dorian and Varric were there to help her. Despite her weakness she tried to hear what passed between Solas and the spirit, they spoke in what she supposed was elvish, words barely whispered between old comrades.

The sight broke her heart. The look on Solas' face broke her heart.

And then just like that, the spirit crumbled away, its form blew apart like dead leaves.

It was ash.

It was gone.

Solas sat there for a moment, staring at the spot where his "friend" had been. He glanced over at the mages. They bowed their heads, refusing to meet his gaze.

Rage flashed through the elven apostate's eyes. He rose, staff in hand, magic crackling around him.

Ana's eyes widened in horror…

…she knew full well what her friend intended.

"Solas," she gasped, "DON'T!"

She managed to stagger away from the others, to put herself between Solas and the mages.

He glared down at her, or perhaps past her.

"Get out of my way, Ana," he snarled.

"No," she said grimly.

Solas' eyes widened.

"Ana…you…you cannot seriously be defending these…these…people. They played with forces beyond their understanding and got my friend killed, killed!"

It was the lead mage who spoke, his words did not help.

"It…it was just a spirit."

Solas' elven ears lowered in fury.

"Just as a spirit," he spat, "JUST. A. SPIRIT! Did you know her? Did you even try to speak with her? No, she was just a weapon to you! She was just a tool!"

The elven apostate began to raise his staff.

Ana forced herself to stand taller, to continue to block his path.

"You would defend them?" he gasped.

Yes," she growled.

"Why?"

"Because you are not a killer, Solas," she said, "You don't want to do this! Your friend would not want you to do this! Where is the wisdom in slaughtering these mages?"

Her words gave him pause.

Ana forced herself to breathe, she hurt all over from the lightning the pride demon used, but she would not let that stop her.

She had to save the mages, and…she had to save her friend.

She had to save Solas, even from himself.

They faced each other, Inquisitor and Apostate, human and elf…

The two friends faced each other.

No one said anything, not Dorian, not the mages, not even Varric.

They stood there, facing each other.

Finally, it was Solas who backed down, the apostate sighed heavily.

"I…I need some time alone," he murmured, "I…I'm sorry Ana, thank you…thank you for helping my friend, for helping her find peace."

He gave her a sad smile.

"Thank you, my friend," he murmured.

Solas turned away; he began to walk alone across the Exalted Plains.

Ana gasped and started to fall.

Dorian was there, to catch her. Varric kept a wary eye on the Kirkwall mages, just in case they decided to try something.

Ana wheezed weakly.

Maker! She hurt.

Dorian smirked at her.

"Just couldn't help falling into my arms could you," he said giving her a playful grin.

She smiled weakly.

"Guess…guess I couldn't," she shrugged, "Don't tell Cullen."

The mage smirked.

"My lips are sealed, my dear."

Varric snorted as he regarded the mages, they looked exhausted from their spell work, but that did not mean that they could let down their guard.

"What do we do with this lot, boss?" he asked.

Ana sighed.

"We will take them back with us, we…we will let Fiona and the other senior mages decide what to do with them.

The dwarf nodded, lowering Bianca slightly.

"Good a plan as any, I guess," he said, "I will…"

Varric paused.

Ana moaned softly as Dorian's magic eased her breathing, something in Varric's voice set off her danger senses.

"Varric? What is…?"

Dorian looked up as well. The Tevinter mage's eyes widened.

"Oh my," he whispered.

"Shit," Varric said softly.

Ana finally looked up as well.

Her eyes widened slightly.

They were surrounded.

All around them stood archers, their bows nocked and ready. They pinned the humans and dwarf with cold harsh stares.

All of them were elven, their faces covered with swirling tattoos.

She let her weapons fall from her hands, with Dorian' aid she managed to stand up.

"It um…looks like we have found the Dalish," he murmured.

She almost laughed at his sense of the obvious, yes they had found the Dalish, or rather, the Dalish had found them.

She glanced at the elven hunters, none of them seemed interested in talking, still, there was no harm in trying.

Ana raised her hand.

"Um…Hi…ah…good morning…eh…nice weather we are having."

None of the Dalish responded, they just kept glaring, their bows at the ready.

Ana flinched.

Guess they aren't morning people, she thought.

A single elf lowered his bow, he approached them. He seemed older than his fellows, likely the senior hunter here. He regarded her and her companions with an even look.

The he looked at Ana herself, his ears twitched slightly.

"You seem to have found yourself in a spot of bother human," he said in that lilting accent of his kind.

Ana almost laughed, she could not tell if the elf was being sarcastic or speaking candidly.

Not that it mattered either way, she supposed.

"I…I suppose we have Master Elf," she replied.

The elf nodded, and gestured to his fellows, as one they lowered their bows.

Ana nodded in gratitude.

"I am called, Olafin," he said.

She crossed her hands over her heart and bowed awkwardly.

"I am Ana," she said offering her hand.

"It is a pleasure to meet you."