Chapter 80: A Night by the Fire
"Care to join us, Your Worship?"
Ana smiled slightly. She made her way over to Krem and his fellow soldiers all hunkered down next the large campfire blazing in the Maurel Courtyard. The Iron Bull was currently on watch with Sera, and would likely be joining his men soon, but for now, the mercenaries were alone.
The inquisitor came over, deciding to say hello.
All around them the tents were going, soldiers bedding down for the night while the scouts set up a patrol parameter around the villa's walls.
The Villa Maurel was still in shambles after the battle between the Inquisition, the Freemen, and their Red Templar allies. Ana's forces had won the day, but the scars of battle still remained.
That battle had ended little over three hours ago. Before that, this had been the headquarters of Maliphant, the Freemen General here in the graves…
Now…it was the place of yet another Inquisition victory. Maliphant and the Red Templars he had been meeting with all lay dead in a ditch behind the estate. In the aftermath, Ana had chosen to bring her soldiers here, to use the villa's high walls to protect them not only against animals, but any surviving freemen as well.
She had had the grounds searched from top to bottom. Maliphant's people had left it in shambles, but at least the Inquisition now had shelter from the cold and the giants who still prowled these lands. No doubt that was why the Freemen commander had set up here in the first place, not that that had saved him in the end.
Ana frowned.
Considering what the man had been doing to the innocent people here, it was a far more merciful end than he deserved.
She felt anger, cold dark and simmering. She had read the Freemen documents, their reports of selling innocent people to the Red Templars. It was sickening, she was glad that these men were dead. She…she…
Ana paused and took a deep breath. When she let it out, the anger went with it. What was done was done.
She shook her head. She did not need such hate taking root in her heart. Cullen had warned her about the dangers of that. He had been lost to his anger for a long time, and the mages of Kirkwall had paid the price.
He would not see her fall into a similar trap. She was grateful to him for that. He was not just a good lover, but offered wise council as well.
It was easy to get too caught up in the darkness of this job. It was far too easy to let it swallow her whole. The Inquisitor recognized the need to step away from that abyss.
She smiled slightly.
A night with friends might just do just that.
"Good evening Chargers," she called out. Krem and Skinner moved over just enough to let her squeeze in beside them. Stitches barely acknowledged her, taking his time to inspect his supply of healing herbs. Dalish fiddled idly with her staff, while Grim stared silently into the flames, Maker knew what was going on in his head this night.
The Inquisitor yanked off her gauntlets and rubbed her hands before the bright orange flames.
The soldiers all nodded, various voices called out greetings from "Your Worship" to "Inquisitor"
She removed her helmet and sat it on the ground at her feet, just as another cold wind keened mournfully through the trees. She had come to expect that sounds coming, especially after dark. The sound was so sad…so…tragic.
Ana shook her head.
Either that or she was remembering what this place had once been…what had happened here so long ago.
This was not just the site of an old battle, like the Exalted Plains, it was something more.
This…this was the site of the death of a world.
"Inquisitor?"
She looked up.
"Yes Stitches?"
The Healer frowned.
"Let me take a look at that.
The dark skinned man leaned in; Ana had a small cut on her forehead. An arrow had struck her helmet and splintered, leaving a small cut.
"It is nothing," she assured him.
"Uh huh," the man said gently inspecting the wound, "Nothing can turn into something really bad on the battlefield," he reminded her.
Beside her, Krem chuckled.
"Best let him do his work, Your Worship," the Charger's lieutenant advised, "He won't stop staring at it until he does."
Ana sighed.
She did not really think it important, but…
She nodded and leaned back.
The healer nodded and pulled out a small container of elfroot extract.
"Nice place," Skinner said, looking around the courtyard, "Or at least it was, until those freemen shems got done with it."
She ran her fingers through her dark hair.
Ana tried to nod, but Stitches was still holding her head, still cleaning her wound.
"Please stay still," he murmured.
"It is not so bad," she heard the dwarf Rocky growl, "The Inquisitor hit these nug-humpers hard and fast."
The dwarf with the handle bar mustache smiled.
"We will put their supplies to good use soon enough."
Skinner snorted at that.
"All but the wine," she complained, "The Inquisition soldiers burned it all."
Ana could not see, but she could imagine the elf shaking her head.
"That was good Orlesian wine, prime stuff," she sighed, "We could have had some fun tonight."
Ana frowned.
"We're still deep in enemy territory," she murmured as Stitches placed a small bandage on her head, "It would not do to let our guards down too much."
"Her Worship is right Skinner," Krem said backing her up, "The Inquisition's stock wine will have to do."
Again the elf snorted but fell silent.
Ana pursed her lips.
She understood the Charger's desire to indulge themselves, and normally she would have said just have at it, but not in this case.
She glanced around at the soldiers, all of them oblivious except for Krem who had no doubt heard the story from Bull, the story of that Inquisition patrol in the Hinterlands. The Lieutenant understood better than anyone.
It was better to be safe than sorry.
An Inquisition patrol had dealt with a small camp of Venatori not far from Redcliffe road. The mages had been raiding in the area, using their slave soldiers to cause trouble with shipping in and out of Redcliffe. The men had not seen action like that in months and had gotten…overconfident. The mages fled leaving all their stuff behind, including three casks of Tevinter wine. That night the soldiers had indulged themselves, enjoying the spoils, and downing at least two casks of that wine.
Ana shivered.
That, as it turns out, had been a big mistake.
The casks had been enchanted in some way, something subtle, so even one of the Inquisition mages would not have detected it or so one of the Vivienne's Enchanters had said later, after they examined the damage done to the camp. The man on watch that night had needed to flee when the enchantment first took effect. When his fellow soldiers started shrieking, bleeding from their eyes, noses, and ears, and started hacking away at each other.
The man managed to make it to the crossroads, and gather reinforcements, but by that time, the deed had been done.
A whole patrol slaughter and all because of three casks of Tevinter wine. The story was kept under wraps, mostly, to make sure that no one panicked, or decided to go off snarling on some kind of vendetta. The officers' corps were all told, and reminded not to let their men take any food and drink from captured Venatori installations, at least not until the mages had a chance to examine it. Fiona's people were studying the remaining cask now, making sure that whatever was used could not be used so…successfully again, still the cautionary tale remained in Ana's mind when she put all of Maliphant's wine into the fire…
…As the old saying said: Better safe than sorry.
Despite Skinner's complaining, the Chargers seemed relaxed after the hard day. They were all hard people, but that did not mean that they did not need a little down time every now and then.
Ana shook her head.
In a way, she envied them, the sense of professionalism they carried into every battle. Bull had not just built a company of soldiers, but a skilled group of warriors.
The Inquisition was lucky to have them on their side.
She looked over at Dalish, the blonde woman was holding up her staff, inspecting the green crystal at the tip.
The Inquisitor smiled.
"Magical problem, Dalish?" she asked.
The elf smirked at her.
"Inquisitor," she said in a haughty voice, "You know I don't use magic."
Her elven ears twitched with amusement.
"Anyone can see that this is a bow."
Ana fought the urge to giggle. As Krem had said back at Skyhold a few weeks back…
…An interesting bow, with a glowing green crystal at the tip.
Speaking of Krem, he decided to join her poking a bit of fun at the elf.
"Dalish is a great archer Your Worship," the Lieutenant chuckled, "Freezing arrows, fire arrows, even arrows that you can't see, it is almost like magic. Isn't that right Dalish?
The elven woman chuckled.
"Go hump your horse, Krem!"
The other chargers snickered, even Grim, who rarely cracked a smile, seemed amused.
Ana smiled.
"What do you think, Grim," she asked, "Is Dalish a talented archer?"
"Hmmph," the man replied.
The elven woman smirked.
"See even Grim sees the truth."
"Or he is trying to get into your small clothes Dalish," Rocky sneered.
Dalish blushed from her cheeks to the tips of her ears.
Grim snorted and gave the dwarf the finger.
Ana almost laughed.
"Nice try Master dwarf," she said, "But still our friend Grim holds his silence."
Rocky gave her a sly look.
"Bull offered a sovereign to the man who could make Grim say more than three words at a time. One day, I'll be collecting that prize."
"Hmmph," Grim replied.
Now Ana did laugh.
"I think Grim might have something to say about that master dwarf. He seems…"
"Excuse me, Inquisitor."
Ana paused.
An Inquisition soldier stood before her with a list everything they had compiled since taking this place. She took the list with a nod and salute; the soldier answered and went on her way.
Ana gave the Chargers a wan smile.
"An Inquisitor's work is never done," she said.
"Probably why you are the boss, boss," Krem said taking a large gulp of wine.
The other soldiers nodded.
Ana rose from her seat.
"That for the doctoring, Stitches," she said.
The Charger's healer gave her a slight salute.
The Inquisitor gave them all a sly grin.
"Don't have too much fun tonight, Chargers," she said, "We still have work to do on the morrow."
"Good evening, Your Worship," Krem said.
The other Chargers murmured their own good nights as well.
Ana made her way back towards the main part of the Inquisition camp, where her command tent was already set up.
It had been nice to get away from the conflict for a while, but now she needed to get back on track. The freemen of the Dales had been hurt today, but they were still a threat. Then there were still Red Templars skulking around out in the shadows, they would need to be cleared out too.
Ana perused survey reports carried out by Maliphant's, it noticed the various lyrium smugglers they were working with, men that would need to be dealt with before the Inquisition could consider this area pacified. There were also reports of Dalish elves in the area, likely members of the same clan they had encountered in the Exalted Plains.
Ana pursed her lips.
It might be worth their time to say hello.
She flipped through the rest of the reports. Maliphant had in recent weeks taken an interest in Fairbanks, not surprising given the man's skill had organizing the refugees. He…
Ana frowned.
More than a few of those reports referred to a story almost twenty years old. It was the tale of the exile of noble woman Bernice Lemarque, by her father, and the birth of her son Evariste, later that year.
Ana blinked.
Among the reports, was a sketch of Lord Giroux Lemarque, a very familiar looking sketch.
The Inquisitor smiled slightly.
Hm, she thought.
…These might prove useful.
Of course, she wanted to speak with Fairbanks about these reports first, see what he had to say.
It might be…informative.
She slipped into her tent.
"Hello Boss."
She almost jumped.
"Maker," she gasped.
Iron Bull stood before her, his large arms rested across his powerful chest.
The Qunari chuckled.
"Sorry Boss," he purred, "Didn't mean to scare you."
She glared at the mercenary.
"You surprised me," she snorted, "Not a smart move when said person is armed."
Again Bull chuckled.
"It is not like you are some raw recruit," he said, "You know how to keep your blade under control."
He let out a tired sigh.
"That might be a good idea, considering what I just heard, from home."
Ana frowned.
"Trouble?" she asked.
"Don't know," he said, "Maybe, you have…impressed my people, not an easy feat. There is even talk of a possible alliance between the Qun and the Inquisition."
Ana's jaw almost hit the floor.
"Your people want to ally, with us?"
"With you," he clarified, "This is…unusual to say the least, but my sources say it is on the level."
Bull gave her a sad look.
"It could be good for you. More reports, financial support, maybe even a dreadnaught or two."
The Qunari shook his head.
"This has never happened before, Boss. My people understand the danger the Venatori and those Red Templar bastards pose."
"They're taking Corypheus seriously."
Ana blinked, digesting what he had just told her.
A Qunari alliance? The girl from Ostwick inside her wanted to say no, but…an alliance…
…If they could do it?
Why not?
That is when she got a good look at Bull's face.
He looked so…down hearted.
"You don't like this idea, do you?" she asked.
The Qunari snorted.
"Of course not," he said, "It…it is just…just…"
He sighed heavily.
"I'm used to them being up there, and me being down here."
He frowned, but quickly chuckled.
"Pay me no mind, Boss, I'm just tired."
Ana nodded, that made sense, but still…still.
"How do the Qunari want to do it," she asked.
"They're sending a man to Skyhold," he said, "We'll meet him there. He…he will then pass on what comes next.
Ana nodded.
It seemed that her return to Skyhold would be a little bit more exciting than she thought.
Interesting.
Still, the look on Bull's face bothered her.
"You sure you are okay with this?" She asked.
"Fine," he chuckled, "Don't worry your pretty little head about it."
He patted her on the head, she snorted with amusement.
If you had told her a few years ago that she would be friends with a Qunari, she would have laughed.
Now…well…
She had learned to accept a lot of strange things.
Bull turned to leave.
"I need a drink," he rumbled.
"Want company," she asked.
He gave her a sad smile.
"Not tonight," he said, "Um…Goodnight Boss."
"Good night Bull."
He started to step outside.
"One last thing," he said.
"Yes," she answered.
"Sera brought you a cake."
Ana blinked.
"She did?"
"Yeah, it is on the table, he said gesturing.
Ana turned, the small pastry looked rather pretty, but…
She glanced back at the Qunari.
"Should I be happy or concerned?"
Now Bull did laugh.
"Bit of both I suspect," he said. "Sera was very…pleased with herself when she told me about this, more than pleased."
Ana frowned.
"Should I be frightened?"
He gave her slight smile.
"I would not eat it if I were you. Sera said it was fit for a noble, and you know how she feels about that."
"Yeah," Ana said, "Thanks for the heads up Bull."
"No problem Boss," he said, "That is what I'm here for."
He stepped out into the darkness, but still she heard him let out another tired sigh, that and one final sentence.
Ana pursed her lips, not sure what to make of it.
"Happy to help," he said.
"More than happy."