Do not own Dragon Age
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6 Firstfall, 9:41 Dragon, Western Approach
The Western Approach is a rather inhospitable place, heat, sand, and rock, a wasteland. It takes the group a little bit to get use to the terrain. Ellana comments that some of the creatures they come across are not as hostile as the scouts reported. Solona smirks, but says nothing. Ellana listens in to the banter between The Iron Bull and Solona, not outwardly surprised anymore by some of the people the Warden-Commander knows.
"Where you able to send my message off before we left, Bull?" Solona inquires.
"Yeah. Although I still don't understand why you wanted me to send that. It didn't make any sense." Bull replies.
"Did you not recognize what it was?" Solona asks, delighted.
"I know what it was. I just don't understand..." Bull starts, confused.
"The Arishok has a sweet tooth. I send him recipes from time to time. I am hopeful that the most recent is to his liking. He favors cookies more than cakes or pies. Although, there is a Flowerdew cake that is made in Antiva. It is so good." Solona tells him with a dreamy tone.
"Wait a minute. You know the Arishok? The Arishok? As in the leader of the Qunari military arm?" Varric questions, stunned.
"Oh yes. I have not been able to get up to Par Vollen in the last two years to visit with him proper, but we write. We are also in the middle of a chess match, that was the last part of the message." Solona explains happily.
"Well, that explains the first message I received after I informed him of your appearance." Bull comments, put out a little.
Solona just stares at him, an eyebrow raised, waiting.
Bull stares back at her, but her crooked smile unnerves him, "Fine. I was told to give you every respect that I would give to the Arishok himself. That you are a trusted friend." he relents with a sigh.
"Is there anyone you don't know?" Varric asks, rhetorically.
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The group comes across a Dragonologist near a Inquisition camp site. They had found his supplies as they traveled and returned the items to him. Solona gives him a book she found in an old Temple they found just inside the Approach, it having information relevant to his field of study. He asked if the group could help him with observing the Abysmal High Dragon that has taken up residence in the territory. Solona just takes his hand and leads him towards its hunting ground. At first he protests, but Solona reassures him that its alright, he can wait behind some rocks. The others watch and wait with the professor.
Solona just walks out and sits down. The Dragon comes swooping in about ten minutes later, landing close to her. Solona stretches out her hand, letting the creature take a whiff. It eventually bumps the offered appendage, before letting Solona pet its muzzle. It takes another hour, the group mesmerized by what they are seeing, before Solona motions for the professor to come forward.
The Dragon eyes him, but makes no move to attack. Solona and the professor talk, but no one can hear the conversation. The professor reaches out tentatively to touch the Dragon himself, after a few minutes, he is fully immersed, giving the Dragon the full treatment, scratches and pets. The companions can hear his laughter as the Dragon licks his whole body.
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They leave the professor back at his camp, he goes immediately to his makeshift table, writing down everything that he saw and did. The others just kind of follow Solona, still overwhelmed by the experience.
"How did you do that?" Ellana finally asks, her shock still present.
"Do what?" Solona returns.
"With the Dragon. How did you do..., all of it?" Ellana clarifies, amazed.
"I can't really explain it better than I have a way with animals. They like me." Solona tries.
Ellana and everyone else really, just stares at Solona as she continues forward.
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The ritual Tower comes into view, they see Hawke and Stroud waiting by an archway. Once everyone meets up, they rush forward, the mages in the group can feel the magical energies getting stronger. Hawke will take the rear, keeping a lookout from behind.
"Don't do this. This isn't right!" a man shouts out, backing away from another man.
"Remember your Grey Warden oath. In war, Victory. In peace, Vigilance. In Death,..." a new voice states, drawing the first mans attention.
The first man turns back around, he faces the person who was stalking him. A knife is about to stab into him, when the mage is frozen in place, encased in ice.
"Stop!" Solona calls out the order.
"Ah, the Inquisition." the second man starts, standing at the back of the Tower on a raised platform. "Allow me to introduce myself, Livius Erimond of Tevinter." he concludes.
Ellana learns a great deal about what happened with the Wardens of Orlais, not pleased with any of it. Livius tries to activate the Anchor the Inquisitor holds, but Ellana is able to counteract his manipulation. Livius orders the mages in thrall to kill the group, before running away.
Solona smirks, then pulls out a secret of her own. She holds a scroll in her hand and quickly recites the words, releasing the magic within. It spreads out quickly, effectively shattering the control over the Warden mages present. The demons bound to them are released from their binding spells, and begin attacking everyone. Ellana uses her Anchor ability to banish them back to the Fade.
"What was that?" Ellana asks, astonished.
"This is the Litany of Andralla. A useful defense against blood magic." Solona informs, "I'll make copies if you want. It would be good to have, since we now know for certain, that the mages are bound with blood magic." she finishes.
One of the previously enthralled mages was killed, the other two are injured, but alive. The frozen mage at the beginning is freed, the warrior that was to be sacrificed, fought alongside the companions. Solona checks on the warrior first, who is grateful for the intervention that saved his life.
Ellana questions the mages alive, but learns nothing new from them, other than Warden-Commander Clarel sanctioned the use of the Ritual, but has not done it herself yet. Solona waits for the Inquisitor to finish, before ordering the two mages originally under control, and the third who was about to kill his comrade, to go into the Deep Roads. They are hereby ordered to perform their sacred duty, to die with honor fighting the darkspawn. The three mages nod, understanding that this is a mercy. Hawke and Stroud will take the warrior Warden with them in their investigation of Adamant Fortress, they will try to gather as much information about the Fortress as they can, until the balk of the Inquisition forces arrive, to help them storm the compound.
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19 Firstfall, 9:41 Dragon, Western Approach
Ellana is walking around Griffon Wing's Keep, checking on the different groups. Cullen is directing his Captain's, giving out deployment orders. The base has been a great boon to the Inquistion, the troops are able to gather in and around the compound while the army prepares for the assault on Adamant Fortress. Its proximity to Adamant has eased some of the soldiers worries of fatigue.
The Inquisitor sees Solona working with Connor and Lysette, Dorian is watching, giving the boy some pointers, Solona is running them through tactics and counter-measures. Ellana observes the exchange, but her attention is drawn to Cullen, smirking as the Inquisition Commander watches Solona work. Tomorrow the army will begin the attack at nightfall, the trebuchets will be in place by then.
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Cullen is directing the Inquisitions forces, assigning the placement of the trebuchets targets in key locations. His captains are reporting in, giving him updates. He sees Solona out of the corner of his eye, but he refocuses, he can not be distracted now. Solona is waiting with Hawke and Stroud, she will charge with the forces at the front gate. Waiting for the signal is tedious, but necessary. She sees Cullen giving orders and receiving reports. She smiles, he is a natural leader.
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The fighting is intense all over the Fortress, demons of every type attack the group. Hawke, Solona and Stroud meet up with the Inquisitor and her group near the bailey, taking out demon defenses, and giving the Inquisition a chance to push forward. They spare Wardens that are not attacking the Inquisition forces
They make it to Warden Commander Clarel, just as she is about to complete performing the first part of the binding ritual for herself. Solona shout out, just as Clarel kills her sacrifice. A Fade Rift, opens.
Solona finally identifies herself to everyone gathered, "I am Solona Amell, Warden-Commander and Hero of Ferelden. I order all Grey Wardens to surrender to my authority." she shouts out.
Livius is shocked by the revelation. The Wardens of Orlais are silent, astonished. Ellana takes the opportunity to tell the Wardens what is really happening, Solona confirming. Warden Commander Clarel turns to Livius, who smirks, and confirms the information himself.
"I know you are all scared, but I can offer you this." Solona states loudly, holding up a white flower with a red center.
"Flowers? Really?" Livius exclaims with a sneer.
"Everyone likes flowers." Solona says back cheekily, "This flower has the ability to slow the Taint, and in a few cases, has reversed its effects. I have been studying this for the past ten years. I drink a tea made from this flower every day. I and the Wardens of Ferelden were never affected by the false Calling, as other Wardens were." She informs the crowd gathered.
"Truly, Warden-Commander?" a Warden close to Solona asks, hopeful.
"Yes, truly." Solona tells him softly.
"No matter. My master lent me something to deal with the Inquisition if need be." Livius remarks, striking his staff on the ground.
Just then, Corypheus's dragon appears, sending fireballs down into the courtyard. A pride demon emerges from the Rift. The mages that have already performed their rituals attack, the rogue and warrior Wardens fight them off, supporting the Inquisition forces. Solona directs Stroud to take charge of the Wardens fighting with them, reminding him to use the Litany on the mages, she'll help with the demon. Ellana sends a shock spell, but it has no effect. Solona steps in front, a cone of cold hitting the demon squarely, freezing it in place. Iron Bull grins wide, then charges the creature. Cassandra moves to the demons left side, her mace taking chunks off the enemies hide. Ellana sends a cold spell herself, keeping the demon immobile. Cole and Hawke roll behind the demon, flanking the behemoth. Solona sees Clarel chasing after Livius, her anger is fueling her magic.
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In the chaos of the renewed fighting, Clarel has caught up to Livius, are fighting in a corner walkway, behind and below is the abyss. They circle each other, sending spells back and forth. The Inquisitor and her allies arrive on the scene, they are behind the dueling mages, closest to the edge of the walkway. Solona spots the dragon on approach heading for Clarel, Solona casts quickly, knocking Clarel down, just as the dragon lands, missing Clarel by centimeters. The dragon steps left, circling the group. It jumps onto a battlement, it watches Solona, knowing that she is the biggest threat.
Solona tries to make eye contact with it, but the creature is far too gone, the red lyrium in its system is drowning out all other communication. The dragon is ready to pounce on the group, it leaps, but is immediately brought down again by the Abysmal High Dragon they saw in the Approach. The force of the impacted, causes Corypheus's dragon to scramble back. Livius dives into an alcove, just as the walkway gives way, not being able to handle the damage from the dragons colliding. Ellana, her companions, Clarel, Hawke, Solona, and Stroud, along with the dragons that are fighting begin to fall down into the abyss below. The two dragons disengage and fly off, the Inquisitor, thinking fast, opens a portal to the Fade, everyone disappearing inside the opening.
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Cullen was walking into Adamant Fortress, his sword ready. The fighting on the lower levels had stopped, but some pockets of resistance still remained in some of the upper floors. He and Leliana were assessing the damage, as a mage and demon emerged from a doorway. Using his templar abilities, he drained the mages magic, while Leliana incapacitated the demon. He uses a series of quick moves, the two enemies were dispatched swiftly.
A soldier ran towards them as they were stepping away. The soldier informs them that Livius Erimond was in custody, but that witnesses had seen the Inquisitor fall into the abyss, a back walkway had collapsed. The Inquisitor had opened a portal to the Fade and disappeared, along with the companions, including Hawke and Stroud, plus both Warden Commander's. Cullen's look is stricken. Leliana dismisses the soldier, then looks to Cullen.
"If there is a way, Solona will find it. She's far too clever to die. We just have to have Faith. And with Solona, I believe she will return. She's stronger than anyone realizes." Leliana reassures him.
"I know. I can't help myself." Cullen says, sorrowfully.
Leliana nods, "Me too, Cullen." she tells him, worried as well.
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