The next day came, everyone went back to their respective tasks.
Elle summoned her advisers in the War Room to further look into their plans and also to widen their influence. They need to be prepared for the worst situation. A new wave of a storm is fast approaching and she can feel it. That's why they have to triple their efforts.
"Inquisitor," the three advisors, Josephine, Lelliana, and Cullen, greeted her and they all stood around the war table.
She paced around the war table as the 3 advisers watched her and the evident stress and pressure placed on her shoulders. They all examined the war table, checked their reports and analyzed their current situation. They can also feel the upcoming storm.
"Cullen," she called the attention of her Knight Commander, "How are we fairing? How are the men doing?" she asked as she sat on the edge of the war table as she looked at the commander.
Cullen cleared his throat and checked the reports of Scout Hardings, "So far we're fairing well. Our men have driven the bandits away, ensuring our camps are safe. They have new gears, allowing them to fight more demons. They're spreading the news of Inquisition quite quickly that we were able to get recruits every day also with the help of Blackwall. Sera also called out for the Jenny's for assistance and they're a very big help to our side."
She breathed deeply and scanned the map on the table, digesting and analyzing the news as she nodded at the commander and thanked him as he finished the report, "That's good," her eyes fell on a certain part of the map, "Lelliana, do we have any contact at Emerald Graves?"
Lelliana perked up and paced as she flipped through the pages of her report, "I was just about to bring that up, Inquisitor," she said as she was looking for a certain note and clicked her tongue when she found it, "Our men investigated the area. They had a couple of run-ins with some rebels, then Scout Hardings got a note from a bard which has "Fairbanks" written on it," she paused and glanced at the Inquisitor who was listening to her and she continued, "Scout Hardings had no clue if it's a society, place or a person so I personally investigated the matter and found out about the Freemen of the Dales. Apparently, he leads the Orlesian Refugees," Lelliana paused and paced again, as she set her notes on the war table while the rest watched her. They knew the wheels on her head are turning so they waited patiently for her next word.
"What do you suggest?" Inquisitor Trevelyan asked as she knew they needed to spread, widen and increase their forces.
"We go to Emerald Graves and talk to Fairbanks, get their support and loyalty to the Inquisition," the spymaster said.
Then Cullen chimed in, "Set up camps and get more recruits in Orlais," he examined the map and he looked at Elle, "What do you think Inquisitor? Should I send a word to Scout Hardings?"
She nodded in agreement, "We do that, however, Ambassador," she called out to Josephine, "Please continue monitoring Ferelden. We can't lose our forces there."
"When shall you set out?" Cullen inquired.
"Tomorrow at dawn," she answered, "I'll personally tell them the mission."
"Okay, do you need me there?" he offered.
"Thank you, Commander, however, Skyhold needs you while I'm gone. I'll bring three others with me," she smiled softly and Cullen nodded, "We're done for now. Keep your eyes open. We need to triple our efforts to win the battles and this war," she said, "Let's prepare for tomorrow's departure. Alert the rest, I need everyone here."
After 30 minutes, Sera, Varric, Cassandra, IronBull, Blackwall, Viviene, and Solas came inside the war room while Cole appeared afloat in the middle of the war table, creeping Sera and Viviene out while the rest are already accustomed to the spirit's antics.
They all gathered around the war table and she was about to begin when she noticed that someone was missing.
"Where's Dorian?" she asked.
They all looked at each other in wonder when Bull spoke first, "Sera and I went straight here as soon as we were alerted."
"That goes the same for Madame Viviene and myself," Cassandra added.
"We saw them coming here so we followed," Varric said.
"I heard you calling out so I appeared here," the spirit said.
"I believe I saw him gather his staff and cloak last night then he went out," Solas informed them, "Though I assumed he was retiring for the night."
She massaged the bridge of her nose and she knew there's a headache building up, "He's needed here," she muttered, "What the fuck is he thinking?" she cursed and she breathed deeply and laid both of her palms on the edge of the table to collect herself.
"Let's worry about the tevinter later on," she finally spoke up, "For now, Josephine, Lelliana, and Cullen, can you enlighten them on the mission?"
She allowed her spymaster and her knight commander to brief them. Her whole plan is ruined because she needed Dorian on this mission. Now, her mind is full of worry and annoyance. She sat on the edge of the table as she let her advisers take over. They had a couple of discussions which ignited when Madame de Fer raised up a concern, then Varric countering her, Cole sputtering out what he picked up from their emotions, Sera booing, Ironbull joining the argument along with Thom Rainier.
She was about to stop them when Cassandra drew out her sword, "Speak one more word of nonsense and I'll cut each and every one of you here," she threatened and emitted a very dark aura.
Everybody stopped that instant and remained silent. Nobody crosses the Seeker, not even the Inquisitor or the advisers, well maybe except for their Knight Commander.
She knew Lelliana was trying to hide her amusement, Cullen was disappointed in their behavior and Josephine was just shaking her head, also amused with how Cassandra handled the situation.
She tried to hide her smile and forced herself not to chuckle. She's already known for finding humor out of the most difficult situation and this one, by far, diverted her annoyed mind from Dorian's disappearance.
She cleared her throat audibly and tried to sound very serious with very little effort. Everybody knew that... even the Seeker knows she's already sniggering inwardly, "Since Dorian is missing in action," she paused for a while closing her eyes in annoyance of his disappearance, "Sera, Bull and Cassandra gear up. We'll leave tomorrow at dawn. The rest, don't put your guards down. Skyhold needs you," she turned to her advisers and they all had the same faces, hiding the hilarity, "I leave Skyhold to the three of you. If anything comes up, notify me right away."
They left for Emerald Graves at dawn. Elle felt disappointed and annoyed at the same time. She felt disappointed that Dorian is not with them and annoyed for the same reason. It is true that the man is very self-righteous and vain, but he is a magnificent and reliable mage. And she misses their playful and intelligent exchange of thoughts.
Everyone is oblivious to her feelings, except for Ironbull. The Qunari is very much aware that the Inquisitor is smitten with the tevinter and he knew that Dorian does enjoy the presence of men, however, he's in denial that the Inquisitor has wormed her way into the deepest of his subconscious. It is quite obvious that there's also the sexual tension in the air whenever they have a petty or playful argument.
When they reached their camp in Emerald Graves, they were greeted by Scout Hardings and also briefed them about what they have found out. Then they began to work.
They immediately went to Fairbanks and they fulfilled his request. They were able to finish their main mission in 5 days. They also set up camps and started to accept recruits. They just have to thoroughly search the entire region and ensure that all the rifts are gone.
"I think Fairbanks said that there's only 1 rift left," Cassandra said while she's cleaning and sharpening her sword.
"I did hear him say that, but where in this place do we find that?" Sera whined.
We just have to search harder. I think we have not searched the northern part thoroughly," Elle Trevelyan said.
"Let's get this over with," Ironbull said, "And hope that we find a dragon."
"Urgh. No freaking way," Sera disagreed.
The four of them replenished their potions and headed to the northern part of the region. Good thing there's already a portal to their camp there so they used it. Then they started searching that part.
"BANG! CRASH! BOOM!"
They were all alerted by the ruckus in the forest and they drew out their weapons and stood ready.
Suddenly, a giant appeared just behind the Inquisitor and he was about to crush her with its big foot when Ironbull ran as fast as he could and lunged at her, pushing her out of the giant's foot as he clashed with it head on.
"HUADHKSHFARRRRR!," he shouted as he pushed the foot of the giant away, making it lose its balance.
He rushed to the side of the Inquisitor to check if she's okay, as he held his sword in a fighting stance.
"Sorry I had to push you, m'lady," he said in concern, "Are you okay?"
Elle was pushed away by Ironbull, but actually, she flew straight to a tree. She reached for a potion in her bag and slowly stood up on her feet.
"THIS AIN'T THE TIME FOR A CHIT CHAT YOU TWO!" They heard Sera exclaim, "THERE'S A FREAKIN' GIANT READY TO TRAMPLE US!"
Ironbull helped her get on her feet and they helped Cassandra and Sera.
"It's not budging," Cassandra said in between pants.
"We've been hitting it, even Bull's sword and it's not even backing down," Sera said.
"Let's attack it all at the same time," Elle said with determination.
"You ready?" Ironbull asked, "On the count of three."
"One... Two... NOW!"
They all attacked simultaneously when they noticed that the surroundings changed. The giant moved really slow and they're moving as if they're on overdrive. Nonetheless, they took the chance and gave their best attacks and they delivered successfully.
They were all catching their breatha when they looked at one another with the weird phenomena or something.
"Was it only me or did everything went very slow?" Cassandra asked as she sheathed her sword.
"Or we went faster?" Sera responded with a question while fixing her arrows.
Ironbull was about to say something when he felt something behind him move so he withdrew his sword and swung it to his left to where it moved towards.
"Woah there Bull!" the man shouted in surprise and relief cause the blade is at his neck.
"Dorian?" Ironbull asked in shock, "Why are you here? You disappeared and now you're here?!"
"Calm down big guy," he answered as he raised both of his hands up, "First, put the sword down."
The Qunari lowered his sword and turned his back on the tevinter. He was about to announce that he already found the missing mage when Elle stood up and pointed her staff at their direction and his immediate reaction was to duck and avoid it and he forgot that Dorian is still behind him but it was too late.
Dorian followed the Qunari when he was surprised when Ironbull dodged to his right and a big ball of fire is coming right at him so he quickly drew out his staff and created a big wall of ice to stop it. He hid behind it and slowly poked his head out and saw an angry Inquisitor and she pointed her staff directly at him and destroyed his Wall of Ice.
"Wait!" He shouted in panic as spells came one after the another, all directly at him and he can only dodge and block her attacks.
He was starting to feel the frustration of the situation so he used fade step and appeared in front of her and clutched her arms to prevent her from moving, but she pushed him away and ran off.
He cursed but he ran after her.
Cassandra was about to interfere but Ironbull stopped her, "Let them be."
She ran off. She knew he was there the moment when everything slowed down. He's the only person who can perform that spell so she cast her strongest spell because she felt suffocated. She can't help but feel really pissed off when he left and leave her worried especially they're in the midst of war, crisis and men amongst them die, even the strong warriors and enchanters. Anything could happen. She never doubted his skill, it's just that she's too afraid of losing people close to her.
She stopped running. She supported herself on the nearest boulder, drank a potion to restore her health. As soon as she caught her breath, she noticed that the atmosphere is changing and a rift appeared to where she is and demons came out.
"Fucking perfect," she cursed at the timing. She's alone, her party is far from her and the rift that they've been searching for is here. She drew out her staff and threw a Jar of Bees at them then she conjured a cage of electricity and aimed fire at them. She cleared the first wave. She did not let her guard down and waited for the second wave.
"Holy shit," she cursed again as she watched the boss of the rift came out, "Holy fucking shitballs."
She breathed in and out to collect all of the courage that she could muster and faced the Fear Demon all by herself.
"Crazy inquisitor," he cursed as he ran after her, "fucking hell she runs fast," he told himself.
He was almost giving up cause he can't find her in the forest when he heard trees falling and a couple of pained screams and he knew it's from her so he ran as fast as he could to get to her.
When he finally found her, the trees around are either on fire or on the ground, ice and electric waves can be seen, and the Mage Inquisitor is in the middle of the clearing, closing the rift then collapsed on the ground. He started to run to her, but Ironbull pushed him to the side and made his way to Elle, followed quickly by an angry Seeker and a worried Tempest.
"See, this is why we don't leave her alone," Cassandra scolded the Qunari, who bent down on the ground to check on their Leader.
Sera rushed to her side and check her bag for first aid.
They were all worried, when Ironbull stood up, went to Dorian then lifted him off the ground with one hand around the neck of the tevinter. He gave him the coldest death-pissed-glare, "What the fuck happened?" he asked as he tightened his hold on his neck, choking him a little bit, "Why is she hurt?! You were supposed to be with her!"
"I- t-ried!" he said, gasping for air, "She was too fast, I was too late!"
The Qunari was so pissed off that he was still glaring at him and slowly crushing his neck, but he also sent a glare at him, well the best glare he could whilst gasping for air.
"Hey, Bull! Put him down," Sera commanded, "Right now or I'll shoot arrows straight through the skulls of you two!" She threatened and pointed her arrow at them
Ironbull dropped him unceremoniously and turned his back on him and left without a word.
Dorian fell on the ground and took the time to fill his lungs with air, then massaged his neck. "Fucking Qunari," he cursed in his head.
They all ignored the angry Qunari and left him alone.
He stood up and dusted his clothes when Cassandra went to him, "Leave him be," she said, pertaining to Ironbull, "Dorian, what happened here?"
"I ran after her but she was too fast. If not for the trees crashing and falling, and her screams of pain and anger, I won't be able to find her," he answered, "But I was too late. She was already closing the rift when I found her, then she collapsed on the ground. That's when you guys came in, well you know the rest," he finished.
Cassandra accepted his explanation, Sera patted him on the back after she pinched his ear for leaving, Ironbull only huffed in annoyance (from afar).
"I already gave her healing potions, so she should be okay. Let's leave her to rest," Sera told them.
The Seeker nodded, "Right. I'll send a word to Scout Hardings. Be back in a moment."
They all settled beside the lake. Ironbull sat on the edge of the lake. Sera watched over Elle.
Dorian approached the Qunari and sat on the rock not too near or too far from him.
They both stayed in silence.
"I'm sorry," Dorian broke the silence while Ironbull did not move or anything but he knew the Qun is listening, "I planned to confront her that night, but I don't know what to say," he said, "It's frustrating, you know," he voiced out, "I never had these strong emotions towards any of the female species, till she came. I never thought of the possibility of being a queer that's why I had to get out... To sort this out," he finished.
He waited for him to respond but he was just staring at the lake. So he sighed and stood up. He was about to leave when the Qun started to talk.
"I know how that feels like," he heard him say, "But that doesn't change anything. She was endangered and she dealt with the rift alone," Ironbull said with passion and guilt which he also felt cause he was too late, "She's also a woman I look up to, a woman I would fight, kill and willingly die for. Make things right with her, Dorian," that's when he looked at him straight in the eye, "I love her as much as you do, but you're the one who captured her heart. We may have something that could be a future, but you have to deal with what is present. I don't want you to have any regrets in the future and we only have regrets with the things that we did not do. If things go well between the two of you, my heart will also be happy. If things end the other way, make sure she's okay... Otherwise, I won't forgive you. Whatever future we can build with each other, I know it will happen in the right time if it is the Maker's will," he finished as he stood up and placed his hand on his shoulder and squeeze it firmly, then left him alone with his thoughts.
"Oh, I forgot," the Qunari turned around, "You saw how feisty she could be right?" he nodded absent-mindedly, "And how strong she is, being able to close the rift without our help," he nodded again, waiting for him to get to point, "You're quite lucky that the rift was there to save your ass. I was kinda expecting it would be your wounded ass that we would save, not hers. But good luck with her. She's really pissed and worried about you."
He sat on the rock and processed that and the Bull was right. If not for the rift, he might be the one they're carrying right now, not her. He caught a glimpse of the Fear Demon and that one is a tough enemy to fight. And he has to deal with her once they're back at Skyhold. Now he thought he'd rather face the Fear Demon rather than an angry Elle Trevelyan.
They went back to the nearest Inquisition Camp and they rested. They had a report that there's a dragon in Emerald Graves and they knew that Lady Trevelyan (and Ironbull) would be thrilled to slay it and get new crafting materials. They stayed there for a couple of days, as they also took that chance to train and increase the influence of the Inquisition. Sera and Cassandra took care of the side missions that they can get, Dorian did some investigation about Fairbanks and the rumors that he's a noble while Ironbull stayed with the Inquisitor, guarding the camp.
Elle woke up after 3 days and she knew they placed her in an induced sleep to force her to rest. She went out of the tent and saw the four sitting around the bonfire and she decided to join them.
Ironbull saw her coming so he moved to give her enough space to sit down, then poured her some booze in a mug which she gladly took.
"Hey boss," the Qunari called her attention, voice filled with raw excitement, "there's a report that they found a dragon here in Emerald Graves."
She drank her beer and she cannot deny that she also felt excited and thrilled.
"I don't see why we don't slay it, Bull," she smiled devilishly while the rest sighed in defeat, "Though, Cassandra, I have a special task for you. I need you to confront Fairbanks and persuade him to help us."
The Seeker smiled and nodded while the rest of them prepared to slay the dragon.