Do not own Dragon Age
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20 Harvestmere, 9:41 Dragon, Crestwood
Solona checks her travel bag, use to packing up after a few days and moving on. This is a routine she is usually comfortable with, but today it is harder than it should be. Cullen walks into the little room she was using, shutting the door behind him.
"I feel like I am always watching you walk away." Cullen states sadly.
"I don't mean to make you feel that way. I just..." Solona starts.
"Have a duty. I know. I didn't mean it to come out as an accusation. Maker, I'm messing this up." Cullen tries to back step, running his right hand over the back of his head.
"It's just a meeting in Crestwood. I will be back here before you know it." Solona stands in front of him, her right hand smooths down a rumple in his cloak.
Cullen grabs her hand with his, before she can pull it back, "You better be. You're the only decent opponent I have to play chess with." Cullen jokes, pressing his forehead to hers.
"You are messing this up." Solona smirks, knowing what he is trying to say, "If we are ever able to get some time, I would like to have dinner with you again. Maybe catch up some more with each others lives." she finishes with a smile.
"I look forward to it." Cullen agrees happily, he tilts his head ever so slightly, wanting to bridge the gap between them.
Solona turns her head up to meet him. A knock at the door, stops them. Cullen is ready to murder who ever it is. Turning he opens the door with an angry retort on his tongue, but it dies on his lips.
"Did I interrupt something?" Ellana inquires, an eyebrow raised and a smirk on her face.
"I will be along in just a few more minutes." Solona tells the Inquisitor, blushing bright red.
Ellana winks at her before moving off. Cullen deserves some happiness.
"I should prob..." Solona begins, Cullen cuts her off, crushing his mouth to hers, kissing her senseless.
Solona gasps, Cullen takes full advantage, deepening the kiss. His tongue slips along hers. Solona is not idle for more than a heartbeat, before leaning into him, her mouth and tongue moving in tandem with his. Cullen wraps his arms around her, desperate to have her as close as possible. Solona embraces him back, just as needy for him.
Cullen pulls back, he rests his forehead back on hers again, "Maker's Breath! That was amazing. You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that." he confesses.
"Hmm. Probably as long as I have." Solona sighs contentedly, running her tongue along her lips.
"Hurry back to me." Cullen orders gently, leaning in to kiss her again.
Solona smiles happily, meeting him in the middle.
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Ellana grins at the Warden-Commander as they ride towards Crestwood. Solona just tells the Inquisitor to shut up, while smirking. The two chuckle knowingly, the others are confused about what is so funny between the two women.
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Scout Harding reports the situation within the region, giving the group a heads up. They come across two Grey Wardens, protecting an elven woman from the undead. After the corpses are disposed of, they are a little confused by Warden-Commander Solona being there, they thought that the Ferelden Wardens had disappeared. She orders them to protect the village and is effectively canceling any and all investigations by Grey Wardens from outside Ferelden. The two are surprised again, but agree to help the village.
The elven woman is impressed with the Grey Wardens, and comments on joining. Solona reassures her that she would be happy to test her, but not until after the tears in the Veil are repaired and the threat of the undead is eliminated. Solona steers her towards the the Inquisition, if she is eager to help sooner, rather than later. The woman agrees to joining the Inquisition.
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"You are not as I pictured a Grey Warden would be." Solas comments as the group walks towards the village.
"Thank you?" Solona questions.
"I had heard that your order is rather relentless in your dealings with darkspawn and Blights. I did not think that the group in Ferelden would be different. Warden Blackwall does not speak of the Order too much." Solas explains, trying to soften his tone.
"I can not speak for those branches that are more taciturn than others. I myself never understood their thought processes. How are we Grey Wardens suppose to fight darkspawn without some grounding force. We are guardians against evil. If we succumb to deplorable methods to achieve our goal, then we are just as evil." Solona informs the elven mage.
"You are a truly remarkable woman then. To hold fast to your ideals, even as others push against you to do otherwise." Solas compliments, impressed.
"Thank you again then. I can let you in on a little secret. I have told the First Warden, on several occasions, to go suck a Bronto's balls. The things that man has asked me to do, all in the name of destroying the Taint. He's an asshole." Solona remarks, clearly not happy with the man spoken of.
Varric can't help himself to laugh at Solona's comments. He finds the Warden-Commander to be a wonderful addition to their little party.
Blackwall smirks, but he does not say anything. He is trying hard to hide his anxiety.
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After taking care of several other tasks, including stopping the undead from attacking the village and draining the lake, the group moves toward the rendezvous point with Hawke. The Champion of Kirkwall is waiting for them at the caves entrance.
Ellana goes in first, she is taken by surprise by the Grey Warden friend Hawke mentioned.
"Stroud, this is the Inquisitor, Ellana Lavellan." Hawke introduces, then points to the Solona, "And this is Solona Amell, Warden-Commander of Ferelden." he finishes.
"Perhaps you can tell me why the Wardens of Ferelden have disappeared?" Stroud queries, wary of Solona.
"I have an ally who warned us about the Calling being false. I have moved the Wardens of Ferelden to safety and sent word to the Warden-Commanders of the other nations to disregard it. Only Antiva ever received the missive. Someone intercepted the ravens carrying the messages. I suspect it was the Venatori." Solona explains.
"I believe you are right. Warden-Commander Clarel of Orlais has turned to blood magic in an attempt to stop the Blights once and or all. When I protested the plan, I was branded a traitor and fled. I needed to find some proof, to show her that this course of action was madness." Stroud informs them.
"And what of Corypheus? Do you think that he may be what is behind this 'Calling'?" Ellana inquires, a tad confused.
"I have never come across anything to indicate that such a thing is possible, but I would not rule it out entirely. I have seen many a strange things in the Deep Roads." Stroud offers.
"What is this 'Calling', exactly?" Ellana asks.
"It is how a Grey Warden knows that their time has come. We are tied to the darkspawn, as they are tied to the Archdemon. At a certain point, the song becomes clearer, louder. We say our good-byes and venture into the Deep Roads. We die down there, taking as many darkspawn with us as we can." Solona answers mournfully.
Ellana is taken aback by the answer, "Do you hear it now? Are you being manipulated, even now?" she questions, concerned.
"I have been able to ignore it, for the most part." Stroud informs her.
"I have been able to shield myself from it. It is there, but it is in the background, similar to the feeling of a headache coming on, but not quite there yet. I'm alright. I'm still in complete control of myself." Solona reassures the Inquisitor.
"The mages under Clarel have not been so fortunate. The are all slaves to Corypheus' will. I trained some of these men and women, I counted them amongst my friends." Stroud tells them.
"Blood magic. Why do my fellow mages never learn." Solona comments, disappointed.
"What do you mean? Grey Wardens allow the use of blood magic, as long as it used towards killing darkspawn." Stroud asks, surprised.
"Not in Ferelden they don't. I forbid its use amongst the Grey Wardens ten years ago. We are better then that." Solona returns.
"Even to save your fellow Wardens lives, or your own?" Stroud queries, shocked.
"Even then. We are protectors, Stroud. Guardians. We must be better. Blood magic is dangerous and addictive. To condone an evil practice to fight evil, is still evil. We walk in shadows, but we must be turned to the light, not away from it." Solona explains, confident in her conviction.
"I am beginning to understand a little better why you are so beloved by the people of Ferelden." Stroud remarks, proud to have met the Hero of Ferelden.
Solona smiles softly, she nods to him in gratitude.
"I didn't know that there were people like you in the world. I thought they were fairy tales told to children." Varric remarks, hopeful.
"We are very rare. Similar to seeing a rainbow on a clear day." Solona says, amused.
"What else can you tell us, Stroud? Any leads?" Ellana questions, her faith in people restored a little.
"I know that the mages have gathered in the Western Approach. There is an old Tevinter Ritual Tower there. I would be honored to have the Inquisition join me in the investigation." Stroud offers.
"I need to return to Skyhold first. We'll meet you there in two weeks time." Ellana agrees.
Stroud shows them on the maps behind him where the location is. Hawke is going with Stroud, to watch his back. Hawke is not sure what to make of Solona. She is an idealist, but she also has the power and position to back it up. A rare person indeed.
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