Sorry for the long wait. Real Life has been kicking my ass this past week. I am giving you three chapters this time to make up for it.
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Do not own Dragon Age
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9 Haring, 9:42, Dragon, Skyhold
Solona is walking alone along the grounds of Skyhold, Cullen having to do some paperwork, but he makes her promise to have dinner with him tonight. The Warden-Commander sees the Inquisitor on a balcony above her, talking to a woman. Solona heads to the library, perhaps a good book would ease her boredom.
Solona is skimming through the library, Dorian is helping her look for two specific volumes. Ellana watches them banter back and forth, acting like siblings.
"What are you two looking for?" Ellana asks, laughing at some of there insults to each other.
"Dorian had a wonderful idea. If we can find Corypheus' real name..." Solona starts, excited.
"We can chip away at his support in Tevinter." Dorian finishes, smirking.
Solona is perusing the selections, when another mage approaches her. Ellana departs after talking with Dorian for a time, nodding at the new arrival on the way out.
"Warden Commander Amell?" the woman asks.
"Yes, how can I help?" Solona replies happily.
"I am, First Enchanter Vivienne of Montsimmard and Enchanter to the Imperial Court of Orlais. The leader of the loyal mages of Thedas." the woman introduces, a condescending air in her voice.
Solona blinks and nods, amused by the woman's audacity, "Solona Amell, Warden-Commander of Ferelden." she returns pleasantly.
"I thought it was time for us to meet. I know you have been busy attending to other matters, but you do not seem to be doing anything important now. Perhaps we can have a chat." Vivienne states, her tone coming off as an order, instead of a suggestion.
"Perhaps in a few days. I am in fact working on something important, and it does require my full attention. Now, if you will excuse me." Solona tells the woman, dismissing her.
Vivienne narrows her eyes, but leaves the library.
"You know you're my hero now." Dorian comments.
"That woman. Wow!", Solona begins, "Did you find anything?" she inquires, banishing the woman from her mind.
"No. We would have better luck if we had a copy of the Liberalum. I wonder if we could enlist Leliana in obtaining it for us?" Dorian speculates smirking.
"I see through you, you know. But I'll ask her. This idea has potential." Solona returns with a crooked smile of her own.
"I don't have an inch of attraction to you, but I wouldn't kick you out either." Dorian jokes.
Solona chuckles, Dorian reminders her so much of Alim.
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Solona keeps herself busy with training the mages that are here at Skyhold and research about Corypheus. Leliana was able to have one of her agents steal the book from the Magisterium library in Minrathous. Dorian helps when he is not out with the Inquisitor.
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Solona is training in the courtyard when she hears yelling coming from the weapons forge. Cullen storms out of the building, walking towards his office. Solona steps closer to the door, listening to the conversation still going on in the room. With a deep sigh, she moves off, heading to Cullen.
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Walking through the doorway to Cullen's office, Solona dodges the box and implements that were inside it.
"Maker's Breath! I didn't hear you come in." Cullen gasps, startled. He stands up straight behind his desk.
"Don't worry about it. I'm use to dodging incoming attacks from unforeseen places." Solona quips, trying to lighten the mood, walking further inside.
Cullen chuckles, then sighs, hanging his head.
"How long has it been? Since you stopped taking it?" Solona inquires gently, standing on the other side of his desk.
"Of course you know." Cullen states, then looks up at her, concerned, "Wait. How do you know?" he retorts.
"I recruited two Templars," Solona starts, "about five years ago, maybe closer to six. I recognize the signs." she explains.
"How did they get through it? If you don't mind me asking?" Cullen queries, hopeful.
"It was," Solona says, before taking a deep breath, "a rough road. But both of them got to the other side. Are you past the weepy stage yet? Not that I would mind holding you, as you sat in your small clothes, crying on my shoulder." Solona flirts, grinning.
"Maker. You are horrible." Cullen laughs, coming around his desk, "I stopped taking it when I joined the Inquisition. So a few months now. It's not usually this bad." Cullen tells her, feeling a little better, just by talking to her about it.
"I can make you some elfroot tea, I can't really give you anything else for the pain. It would just be trading one addiction for another." Solona offers, "I can listen though. I have two very cute ears, and both of them are good at just sitting there, being available, if you need them." she concludes.
"It's the thoughts that run throughout my mind. The incessant nagging. The Lyrium telling me to take it, telling me that it can make the pain stop, telling me it will ease my suffering." Cullen rants, "I should take it. I promised that I would give the Inquisition no less then what I gave the Templars. Around and around it goes, never leaving me alone." he states, becoming frantic.
Cullen paces around the room as he talks, punching a bookshelf at the end. Solona watches the whole time, letting him get it out in the open.
"I didn't want it to affect me like this. I thought I could control it." Cullen remarks mournfully.
"What do you want, Cullen? Lyrium or freedom from it?" Solona questions seriously.
"Freedom from it." Cullen answers, his voice sad, but his tone determined.
"Then take a walk with me. I think sneaking in to steal a tart is in order. Or maybe the cooks have made some little cakes." Solona suggests cheerfully, "Afterwards, we hide and talk, work out how best to help you." she concludes
Cullen stares at her for a few seconds, before laughing outright. Maker, he has missed this woman.
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The Inquisitor listens at the door, what a strange woman. Ellana may not agree with everything the Warden-Commander says and does, but she's not wrong either. It's an odd feeling.
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16 Haring, 9:41 Dragon, Storm Coast
Ellana brings Solona along to the storm coast. Darkspawn sightings have been reported and Solona's help in locating them has been a boon. They are also meeting up with a contact of Bull's. The Qunari wish to form an alliance, but something in his voice has made the Inquisitor cautious.
Blackwall has purposefully made himself not stand out to the Warden-Commander. Being this close to her always makes him nervous. It startles him completely when she moves up to him, he never knew anyone could be that quiet.
"I am curious, Warden Blackwall. Did you know Warden-Commander Duncan?" Solona asks, her tone gentle.
"I crossed paths with him." Blackwell tries to side step.
"I see. We put a memorial up for him in Highever. If you should ever wish to pay your respects." Solona informs him with a disarming smile.
"I...I understand. I will make the journey when my business with the Inquisition is concluded." Blackwall says, resigned.
Solona nods and slows her pace, he still does not hear her foot falls.
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The group meets up with the Qunari contact, an elven agent named Gatt. He marks two positions, one south of the beach and one west. Bull assigns the southern point to his Chargers. Gatt comments that it's predictable of Bull to take the harder attack for himself. Solona smiles gently at that remark.
Ellana lights the signal fire for the assault on the Venatori ship. The dreadnought begins its attack, sinking the enemy vessel. A contingent of Venatori mages converge onto Bull's Chargers. Solona sees the danger, she takes two steps back and disappears. Bull is on the verge of calling a retreat, at Ellana's encouragement, when they spot Solona standing with the Chargers. She rallies the mercenary company, helping them hold the ridge. Giving the dreadnought time to escape back out into open water.
The contact is confused and shocked. Bull grabs him by his armor, lifting him up.
"You knew! You knew I would have to make a choice. What did you want to happen? Did you want me to become Tal-Vashoth? Or were you hoping I would sacrifice my men? Why, Gatt!?" Bull exclaims, astonished by the turn of events.
"Put him down Bull. He has played his part. Now I will play mine." Solona says softly, stepping back into the group.
"What?" both Bull and Ellana say at the same time. Bull drops the elven man out of surprise from Solona.
"The Alliance is secured." Solona states, confounding Ellana, and the Qunari contact.
"H..." Bull starts, before sitting down.
"Yes." Solona returns, remaining cryptic.
"Somebody needs to tell me what just happened?" Ellana questions, still confused.
"I did. I will explain, but not here." Solona offers, looking first to Ellana, then to Gatt.
The Inquisitor follows Solona gaze, a piece clicking into place.
"It...It is my honor to report that the Alliance is secure and that the Qunari are pleased to count the Inquisition as an Ally." Gatt finally gets out, still astonished by the turn of events.
Solona squeezes The Iron Bull's shoulder, before walking back towards the Inquisition's camp site.
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They have just finished taking down a small group of darkspawn lurking on a hillside, when Ellana turns to Solona.
"Alright, explain what happened back with the dreadnought!" the Inquisitor questions, her temper at its breaking point.
Solona looks around, then steps closer to Ellana, "The Alliance is secured, courtesy of the Arishok." she whispers.
"What does that mean?" Ellana queries, still frustrated.
"He warned her. He warned her what the Ben-Hassarath were planning. The dreadnought is under the Arishok's control. He didn't want his men to die, just to prove a point to me." Bull explains plainly.
"Sure. Let's go with that." Solona agrees, confusing everyone even further.
"Wait. What? What the fuck?" Bull asks, dumbfounded.
Solona just smiles and starts walking away. There are more darkspawn to take out.
"Hey! Wait up! You didn't answer me! What the fuck?" Bull trots after Solona, not mad, just completely baffled.
Ellana starts laughing, because at this point, she is starting to both understand and become frustrated with the Warden-Commander. Blackwall looks at Ellana, who starts walking, then at Sera.
"Don't look at me. I can't make sense of them either. And that's saying something." the elven archer states, before running to catch up with the other three.
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