We continued on in relative silence, only Varric speaking to fill it and again, I was thankful for the dwarf's presence.
"Glad you brought me now Seeker?" He called over the roar of battle as we ran into a small bunch of demons on a frozen lake. Cassandra said nothing, only glared and charged into the forefront, fearless of the demon's claws. She was ruthless, cutting them down effortlessly as if she did it everyday. Again I found myself quite frightened of her. The prisoner, Trevelyan, rather, also charged in, small rusted shield held up in defence as she cut through, not as skilled as Cassandra but competent- there was potential there. Varric was deadly as he was before, so was Solas. In fact he was quite hypnotic as he cast his spells precisely and controlled. He was a powerful mage, even if I couldn't feel the fade ebbing off his being, just seeing him in action was proof enough. I however was having a significant amount trouble with my warped and clunky human bow.
"Fenedhis! Dread wolf take this stupid thing." I hissed as I resolved myself to using it as a club rather than a bow. I just couldn't shoot straight with it. Soon I was surrounded, a shade on my left and right and a little green wisp ahead of me. Thinking quickly, I through down a vile of smoke and tumbled quickly out of their range. It left them confused for a moment but they soon fell on me again. I cursed again, loudly this time, mounting another arrow to the bow before I heard a sharp ping and snap and the bow went slack. I looked down in horror at the now broken and subsequently useless bow string, the two demons still lurching towards me. I nearly resigned myself to being demon fodder before I unwilling let out an arch of lightning. I almost jumped at its ferocity but it gave the demons pause as they shuddered from its shock. Then I had an idea. Throwing my bow away, I focussed enough to create a small circle of flame around the demons. It was not very powerful, and not nearly hot enough to harm them but as it fizzled out and they lurched forward, there was an echoing crack over the ice and with a shriek, it gave way beneath them and the tumbled into the freezing depths.
I laughed loudly in triumph turning around to see Varric laughing too.
"That was some trick, Trixy." He called over, strapping bianca securely on his back.
"One of many Im sure." Said Trevelyan. She had a smile on her face but it was tighter, more wooden and less trusting. Did she have a thing about mages? If she did she was doing the polite thing in not showing it but my opinion of her changed somewhat. I wasn't angry or vexed about it just... Disappointed. I smiled back at her and picked up my broken bow, retying the string and hoping if would be alright in the mean time. But I still couldn't shake that feeling of disappointment. I found myself falling instep behind her, Solas to my left. We walked for a while further, not really coming across anything major apart from a few skirmishes until we made it to the Forward Camp.
Again there was arguing. Some cleric throwing accusations left right and centre, Cassandra biting back harshly- I couldn't help smirking at her come back- and Leliana, the red headed Orlesian. She looked at me now, less distrusting. In fact it wouldn't be far off saying she looked sorry! I acknowledged it with half a smile and she returned it, barely though. But still, my fondness for her grew. They turned to Trevelyan then, asking her opinion. She didn't question, just looked thoughtful for a moment before agreeing with Cassandra in charging with the soldiers. I internally shook my head and I could see Leliana thinking the same. Going through the mountain passage would save time, and cause less deaths. Something told me Trevelyan was very inexperienced in the art of battle, if her earlier sword display was anything to go by- she was young, a novice and it made me slightly nervous. I wandered then how old she was. Studying her features, her plump cheeks and bright curious eyes... She couldn't have been older than 18. That made me very nervous, and it made me feel old. I sighed quietly and fixed my bow on my back as I followed the rest of them but a light touch on my arm stopped me. I turned to my right and was met with a serious look from Leliana.
"Can I ask a favour of you." She said quietly. The rest continued to walk on, only Solas cast a somewhat confused look behind him. I met her gaze again and listened.
"I know my men missing on the patrol could still be out there, I do not wish to leave them to die. If I send you with a small unit of spies, will you scout through the mountains?" She asked, her silken voice low so as not to be heard by the prying Chancellor Roderick. I felt myself rear back slightly in instinct.
"You're asking me?" I guffawed. She nodded and brought me further towards a table with a large dirt ridden map.
"I know the skills of the Dalish, you are excellent huntsmen, you always make for the best spies. I am asking this of you Lavellan because I think you are capable." She finished, her expression as grave as her words but I couldn't help feeling my pride swell at her admiration for myself and my people.
"Your men will take orders from me? An elf... A mage... A Dalish mage who not so long ago was blamed for the breach?"
She smirked then slightly, but nodded,
"My agents are professional and do not let race or creed become an issue when it involves their commanding officers."
I thought about her request and I thought I may as well try to save the remnants of her patrol. It would surely do more good than brashly charging with the soldiers. I nodded, accepting her request and she eagerly lead me towards a group of six of her agents. Four hummans, looked upon me like I was any other person. The two elves eyed me more suspiciously and I shifted under their gazes, but I was appointed a task and would see it through. Leliana briefed them quickly before we set off up the mountain pass. The six of them conversed quietly with each other while I lead quietly at the front.
"So you're Dalish." Said one of the men, his tone more conversational than accusatory.
I turned round to see him, this tall shemlen man with dark her, brown eyes and a proud jaw.
"And you're Ferelden." I said smartly nodding at him. He smirked then, and he was quite handsome when he did.
"Close, Free marches, Wycome to be precise. I came here not last month, thought I'd actually do something with my life other than farming." He chuckled and again I felt at ease.
"Wycome? My clan are camped close to there!" I beamed.
"Really! That's your clan, why my father used to to trade with Lavellan when he was still alive. I went with him sometimes. Now what one were you? The girl that climbed the trees or the little girl that pulled my hair?" He said jovially and I laughed outright at that, in surprise more than anything because I remembered him. I remembered the shemlen man coming to trade with master Nehn when we passed Wycome every spring. I remembered the small boy who trailed along behind him, the one who used to play with Ren'ara and Manavin- the one that pulled his hair, I assumed.
"The one that climbed the trees I think." I chuckled, unconsciously stepping closer to him. He smiled a kind and endearing smile. It was familiar and oh so very handsome. He was undoubtedly charming and I found myself picturing what it would be like to jump his bones right here in the middle of the Frost backs.
"See, I knew that, you have that tree climbing look about you, it suits you really, you're quite beautiful.
I blushed furiously at that remark but tried to be nonchalant, "Just 'quite'?" I teased and he smiled more, yes I really did like his smile. "Well I would've said 'very', only I did not wish to come off too strongly when we've only just met. I'm Fredrich by the way." He said as he shook my hand. I chuckled again, "I'm Nevalla, it's a pleasure to meet you, Fredrich."
"The pleasure's all mine, Nevalla. Now, how about when this little jaunt is over I buy you an ale, or a brandy, it might help to warm you up, you look bloody freezing." He said kindly. I nodded with a smile,
"That sounds like a plan."
"Good! Yes, that's good." He stuttered and blushed now, but tried to hide it with a smile, "Until that brandy then." He said quietly, nodding ahead as we came to the old mining tunnels.
I signalled them to stop around the corner while I peaked my head into the darkness. I quickly spun back round.
"Demons." I whispered to the group. There were some nervous glances but no one seemed blatantly terrified... Yet. I took it as a good sign.
"There's three. You two take the front, you two aim to flank, you two are behind with me, we' attack from a range." I said quickly and quietly, falling into my hunting habits. We used this tactic for groups of stray wolves. The scouts nodded and without another word, jumped into action. They followed my instruction and for that I was grateful and if my ego swelled even the tiniest bit, that was acceptable wasn't it? We continued in through the caves, finding nothing of any real consequence... Until we came to the exit.
"Andraste's mercy..." One of the scouts sighed as we came across the bodies of the lost patrol. Habit bid me to whisper a prayer for the departed but the others protested.
"That cannot be all of them. There must be more further ahead." Fredrich said, collecting their letters and marching on through the snow. I nodded and followed close behind him, as did the others. We walked on through the bitterly cold mountain until we reached a bend and my stomach dropped. Ahead of us was a rift, green and spewing demons and being all round terrible. But the little hope I had was seeing the rest of the patrol, fighting fearlessly against the demons that came forth from it. Their efforts inspired the rest of them to charge, and I did too, only holding back to get a good distance between me and the fray of battle. The demons came thick and fast, though they were not as strong this time, but even so, we couldn't fight them forever. Especially when Trevelyan and her magical rift closing mark were on the other side of the mountain. The group of scouts were skilled fighters, quick and trained but that didn't stop a few from being cut down by the demons, and as I saw the third fall in wave of flame, I turned to Fredrich.
"We can't keep this up forever, we have to fall back!" I cried. He met my eyes and nodded.
"There are too many!" He called out to the men, "Fall back down the hill! The rest will have made it to the temple by now!" The two of us began ushering the rest of them away from the rift and they cantered down the hill, some still firing arrows as they did.
"Come on get moving!" I cried out, urging them onwards. When they were all making their way towards safety, Friedrich and I shared an affirmative nod but... Time seemed to slow down, the world becoming distant echoes as I saw a foul and twisted shade lurching up behind Friedrich. Before for I could draw breath to scream in warning, it's wretched claws came down on his back and he stumbled forward, wide eyed.
"NO!" I cried out viciously, Fire unwillingly pouring from my body and hitting the demon as I fired an arrow at its heart. It fell with a shriek, but that is also when Friedrich fell. I ran towards him, there was a slight break in the wave of demons, so I took the opportunity.
"Fredrich? Fredrich come on, wake up! Lethallin please! You still need to buy me that brandy." I said, my voice growing thick with tears. But he was gone. His eyes were lifeless. He hadn't time to be afraid, his look was only of surprise*... And I wept for his death. I barely knew him, barely spoke to him... But he was the only person who had shown me true kindness. The only person who didn't just see a savage elf. I stroked his dark hair off his face before kissing his forehead and praying Falon'din guide him safely. My time with him, however, was cut short when I saw the rift crack open again, ready for another onslaught. With a final squeeze of his hand, I took off, landing one more flaming arrow in a wretched demon's heart for good measure.
*This is a line from a Gov'nt Mule song, Kings Highway. I really love it so i added it.