A/N: I apologize to anyone who actually likes this story that I barely update. I actually haven't written much lately, and so I tend to ignore a lot of WIPs that I even have. I don't have a play by play of what I want to happen in each chapter so that makes it difficult to figure out what I want to happen! I have some steamy bits between them already written way later, but I'm the kind of writer who floats around within different points of times in stories ^^;; So again I apologize to those who've been super nice and faved and followed this! Sanosara was my first Inquisitor that I created before Inquisition ever came out and she's gone through different changes. Unfortunately, I didn't think a lot of the storyline fit with the way I wanted Sano's story to go(one being I was romancing Blackwall with her for the Grey Warden aspect, but upon going through the game with my Trevelyan playthrough I was a little disappointed he wasn't actually a Grey Warden.) Thus the idea of Hudson was born. ANYWAY! I hope whoever is actually sticking around likes this next chapter. Thank you again for reading :3

A few days in of travel and a little more getting to know you left Sano feeling at ease with her new companions. Sure there was still the matter of trust, but considering she hadn't blown them all to pieces as they'd slept she assumed they were beginning to see her as one of them. She couldn't help the circumstances she'd been put in, perhaps that residual memory where the breach had first begun set them at ease as far as what had happened.

She still couldn't remember exact details, but she wanted to help. She didn't want to see their world torn asunder, and she was glad that they were able to begin telling stories in her presence; laughing as if they'd all been old friends. It reminded her a bit of the Valo-kas. They'd become like family to her, and she dearly missed the two she'd lost at the explosion. The rest were waiting on bated breath for their return… She hated to have to be the one to tell them they didn't make it.

Midafternoon and the sun was trying to filter its way through the trees as nugs playfully scampered by. She noticed out the corner of her eye the pop of dark blue from Hudson's headband veer off from the group and begin to wander.

"Hudson?" But he didn't look her way, continued to walk like there was something pulling him away. Demons? She hoped not, she hadn't felt that little prickle that crept up her neck when they were near so she ran over to him as her companions drew their weapons. She placed her hand on his shoulder and still received no response from him until she gripped his wrist and he shook himself out the stupor he'd been in.

"Sano?"

"Are you alright? You began to wander off." She looked up at him, the haziness still settled within his honeyed hues.

Shaking his head again that familiar smile appeared on his lips as he chuckled. "It's nothing, just a little lightheaded. I'm not so used to being this low to the ground."

"That makes no sense," She eyed him.

"It was a jest, Sano," He laughed and made his way past the rest of their companions. "I'm fine, I swear." He waved his hand at them all and continued in front of the group. Sano took up the back as they resumed their travels. None of them wanted to breach the subject of Hudson acting strange, but he seemed alright as he and Varric chatted about various stories and lore.

"Sano, I must ask you something."

Sano looked to Cassandra, "Yes?"

"You were at the conclave with a mercenary band, correct? Did your people make it out alive?"

She shook her head. "Hopefully those nearby were able to make it out, but two of my companions were inside with me…"

"I am sorry." She said, head hanging low.

"I'm sorry for your loss as well. I can see the Divine meant a lot to you."

"She did, but there are more pressing matters at stake. We must put our thoughts to fixing the breach."

Sano knew she was right, but she couldn't help the sense of dread that permeated within at the thought of seeing these missions through. She knew she had to help, but admittedly she was scared. She didn't favor the human's reactions when they saw her coming; tall, foreboding, pointed ears, and how different she was to them. She knew it was based off of fears from the actual Qunari, but when they realized that she was of the same race, the fear bled to her and the distrust was always immediate.

It was a little unnerving that this Herald title was being bestowed upon her, but it was also causing people to look at her with that fear, but also wonderment. Some were beginning to believe she was literally delivered from the fade by Andraste herself, and their looks were beginning to change. But she still feared the reactions. Either because she was of the Qunari race or that they thought she was something more than she was.

She didn't want people to think that she believed this, didn't want them to call her a fraud when this was all over. She already knew it was untrue, she didn't need people rioting about her when this was all over.

She felt a twinge of pain in her hand and she rubbed her palm. That… That was also unnerving as well.

The days had passed by in nearly a blur once they'd made it to the Hinterlands. They'd met with Mother Giselle, and she had immersed herself with helping the refugees. It was trying having to deal with the mayhem the Mages and Templars were causing, but it was necessary to deal with them in order to keep the refugees safe.

She tried to ignore the people's distrust, but the soldiers who were trying to help didn't seem to care. Whether it was because of the Herald title or that she was willing to help she didn't know. All she knew was that she was exhausted after they'd ventured around helping people. They'd procured a cabin in the refugee camp that wasn't being used and had set up their cots when Cassandra came inside holding a note and tossing a bag of supplies onto the floor.

"Here," She handed it to Hudson. "It's for you."

Sano watched as he carefully read the note, cringing slightly at the script on it. "My clan wants me to come back and check in… They also want to meet with Sano…"

Before Sano could ask why Cassandra interjected. "Absolutely not. We cannot risk her going there!"

"Even if they say they'll send warriors to help our cause?" He asked.

Varric scoffed, "Pretty nice offer. Seems too nice."

"My clan isn't above helping others. Even Lowlanders. That's why they let me head out for goodwill missions and interact with all of you. They want to be in the know, and I'm sure they want to know why the Lady in the Sky has torn a hole in it." He chuckled softly at that last part, but Sano began to nod.

"If we can get more help, I'll go."

"We need to head back to Haven and then make way for Val Royeaux, we may not have the time for this."

"But, Seeker, it could be an advantage. And a rare opportunity to work with the Avvar." Solas added and Cassandra huffed.

"We cannot delay our journey to Val Royeaux, and I need to get back to Haven to check in with the others."

"I'll take her to my clan myself. We won't stay more than a night. We can meet you in Val Royeaux?" Cassandra sighed again, apprehensive, Sano knew, about letting her go with Hudson alone. Hudson began to laugh. "Do not fret, Lady Pentaghast, I assure you, Sano could tear me apart with her mind alone. I'm quite certain you have nothing to worry about."

Cassandra rolled her eyes and Sano softly smiled. Most people throughout her life never thought she was capable of being strong. Her father constantly doted on her about how her strength was better than the next, and she was already a more powerful mage than he. But she didn't have her father for very long… Her cheeks were warm at Hudson's compliment, and she silently thanked him for making her think of fond memories involving her father. It was better than dwelling on his demise like she usually did.

"I will be fine, Cassandra. I believe Hudson has proven himself capable of trust."

"Yeah, Seeker, he pretty much follows her around like a lost mabari pup. You've got nothing to worry about." Varric said and she felt her cheeks heat a little more as Hudson averted his eyes, but smiling all the same.

She couldn't help that she was beginning to like him; sure he was nice to her, but there was no way he felt something more than that right? Plus, she was probably a ticking time bomb, it was best to keep her distance from him in those regards. But she couldn't turn off the way her heart skipped a beat when he gave her a reassuring smile.

She was glad for her bronzed skin; it hid the rosy hue that would spread when she tried not to smile. She was tired however, knowing they were finally heading out tomorrow and decided to turn in pretty early. It wasn't long after her head hit the pillow on the too short cot that she drifted off to sleep.

Traversing with Sano had been enjoyable on his part. He tried to ignore the flutter in his heart when she began to talk with him about little things; mostly subjects that weren't too personal for her, and he let it be considering he was hiding many things from her as well. But he couldn't help the way his heartbeat quickened when she so much as looked at him and gave that soft, shy smile.

He hadn't felt like this before. He used to scoff at the idea of ever finding someone to love and be loved. He'd given up on it after the incident and becoming a Grey Warden. Grey wardens weren't allowed such luxuries, or rather that was how he saw it. He didn't want to put his lady through that suffering, especially when he maybe only had a few decades to give.

He had to drown out the song in his head. Quite a few times she'd found him with a hand set to his forehead as he willed the noises to stop though they sounded so sweet. That soothing voice lilting and which told him to head west. Just keep heading west and all the pain would cease if he just followed the trail.

She had asked if he was alright; he shrugged it off and said that sometimes the light caused his head to hurt. Did she believe him? He hated lying to her already. In this short time of knowing her he wanted to reveal everything to her. He almost had, and he knew he would have to explain one of his skeletons once they reached his clan.

They were getting close, probably a half day more of travel through the freshly packed snow. He'd offered up a fur to her, but she had politely declined and said she didn't mind the cold as she was mostly hot. They'd set up a small fire to heat some food over the pit and he knew she could see his unsettled look.

"Hudson… You haven't spoken much about your clan… Do you not get along? Is that why you leave so much?"

He swallowed, rubbing his hand over his stubbled jaw. He knew he had to tell her this. He didn't want them to twist the tale to their liking. He didn't want her to see him as a monster like they had thought.

"Sano, I need to be honest with ye." His highlander brogue was easing onto his words. "About ten or so years ago I found out one of the mages in our clan was summoning demons. In our world… Some of the mages will do that. It's not exactly frowned upon." He saw the understandable look of shock and a tinge of horror at the thought. With her being a mage he wasn't surprised to see her reaction.

"But this one… He was sacrificing other clansmen, trying to claim that it was what was needed. I killed him for it. He claimed them as spirits, but they were far from it, I knew it. My clan… They didn't see it that way, they saw it as my own personal agenda. That I went against the Lady's wishes in killing a man for dancing with spirits and abiding by their rules. They were going to exile me. But… other circumstances led to them to reevaluate my… Usefulness to them. So they sent me out to mingle with the rest of Thedas to trade and barter and keep up with events." He looked up, searching those hunter hues for any sign of revulsion. She looked upon him with sadness and he was confused.

"I'm sorry they did that to you. You were just trying to protect them. Mages trifling with spirits when they don't know how quickly they could turn is dangerous. Plenty of demons try to seduce us and make us part of their game. Not all spirits are bad, Solas is right, but… The demons… I agree with him that they're perverted from their original purpose, which makes them volatile."

He watched the steam rise from her mug, a slight cast of warmth from her palm she no doubt had perfected long ago, and she took a sip. "I didn't think I'd garner that kind of reaction," He chuckled, nervous energy surrounding him.

"You're a protector Hudson. My father used to tell me that I should embrace the empathic part of being a mage, or at least ones like us. I don't sense evil within you… You have a kind heart that just wants to help." She smiled warmly at him and he could be the puddle at her feet after that one. He felt his cheeks heat up and he smiled back at her, grinning as he looked down at the snow. She softly laughed, "What?"

"No one has ever… Spoken so highly of me before."

"Oh? You should've heard one of the maidens in Redcliffe. She was saying some… Very um… Colorful things regarding you."

He burst into laughter, "What kinds of things?"

"Very personal and a tad inappropriate sorts of things," She waved a hand, "I apologize for bringing that up!"

"No, no it's quite alright. I can't say it's not the first time, but I tend to ignore them. I don't like to participate in the fantasies of ladies that I won't see again. It doesn't settle right with me." He chuckled. "But—" he stopped himself there. He didn't want to offer the flirtatious words that he wanted to send her way. He had to stop fooling himself that he could have a life with this woman. "Ah, so your father. He was a mage as well?" He abruptly changed the subject, and he could see the sudden change wasn't lost on her.

"Ah, yes. Yes, he was." He could see the glassy look to her eyes and he immediately apologized.

"I am sorry, Sano. I did not mean to bring up painful memories."
"No, no. It's quite alright. I prefer to speak of the good times with him. It overshadows the bad and lets me smile about the good times. He was a very kind man. He always laughed saying how he didn't know how my mother fell for him. He always chalked it up to the fact that he was taller than the average human."

"How did they meet?"

"Funnily enough it wasn't some dashing heroics on his part as most tales would be told. He said that one day he found himself being chased by a few dragonlings. He'd been out hunting and his energy was low, so they'd torn him up pretty good. He thought he was done, even going so far as accepting his fate, when a group of Ben-Hassrath agents came upon him. They quickly took down the dragonlings and he said he had never seen someone so beautiful in all his life." He watched her smile as she took a breath to continue.

"My father said my mother looked just like me aside from a couple things. She was tall, bronzed brown skin, icy amethyst eyes and long, white as snow hair. She didn't have horns either, which is somewhat rare for Qunari apparently. She just had two hard bumps at her temples. He claims that she fell in love with him at first sight as did he, but he said she left with only a few words between them. He never thought he'd get to see her again, but he frequented that part of the woods quite often in hopes of seeing her. He finally ran into her, just her, and he said she kissed him."

"Just like that?" Hudson smiled at her mother's brazenness. In a way Sano had a slight spark of that. She did things on her own that prompted her to propel forward without others demands or questions upon her. Like when she helped the refugees without question, or defended their group from both Templars and Mages.

"Yes, just like that. And from then on out they would meet in secret trysts. In quiet moments she told him about life back home. She told him how she never thought she'd fall in love with someone. And then one day she came to him with a pack on her back and ordered that they both flee as far away from there as they could. He agreed and they left together to some village in the Free Marches. Six more months and she had me. She left her people because of me."

"She loved your father very much."

"Indeed she did. But… It wasn't very long until the Ben-Hassrath tracked her down. My father had barely any time to get out of there with me and they killed my mother for her betrayal."

"I'm so sorry, Sano," His smile had faded.

Shaking her head, she could only shrug her shoulders. "At least I was a baby. It'd be harder if I had known her. In some small way I feel as though I remember her touch, her voice. I take those comforts with me."

"I never knew my ma and da. Da was apparently a bastard from another clan and he wanted my ma as a wife. Eventually she settled for him, and he ended up leaving her and dying in childbirth."

"Oh, Hudson…" She frowned and he waved his hand.

"It's alright, love, it was far too long ago, and luckily I don't remember any of it as well." He watched her face falter, but he didn't give her time to dwell on his calling her love. "Your father was enamored quite quickly then with your mother?"

"Y-yes," He saw the smile return to her face.

"Always remember those good memories then. They're very lovely ones, indeed, Sano."

"I know. I treasure them." And he could feel himself falling deeper into the pit. It was dangerous, but by the Lady did he ever want to traverse into that pit just for her.

'You'll cause her too much pain,' he thought, chastising himself. 'I never want to cause this woman pain.' He wanted her to always have that lovely smile on her face, but he couldn't resist wanting to be the one to put it there.