Chapter 9

Days turned into nights, and nights into days. Ih'tal and Solas navigated their newfound connection with a mixture of caution and yearning. Each encounter, each stolen moment, deepened the bond that had formed between them.

One evening, as the moon cast its silvery light upon the Hinterlands, Ih'tal found herself leaning against the railing at the edge of the campfire, lost in thought. The camp buzzed with activity, Cassandra and Varric going about their duties, but in that moment, she was enveloped in a quiet solitude.

Solas approached silently, his footsteps barely audible on the soft grass. Without a word, he stood beside her, their shoulders almost touching. The firelight painted his features with shadows.

"Have you ever wondered," Solas began, his voice soft and contemplative, "how the stars continue to shine, even in the darkest of nights?"

Ih'tal's gaze turned upward, studying the constellations that adorned the sky. "They are beacons of light," she mused, "guiding lost souls and inspiring dreams."

Solas nodded, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "Indeed. They are remnants of ancient stories, woven into the tapestry of time itself."

"There's a comfort in knowing that even in the darkest times, there are still points of light," Ih'tal remarked, her gaze returning to the fire.

Solas's presence beside her felt like a steady anchor, grounding her amidst the currents of their emotions. "Perhaps that's why they endure," he mused, his voice softening. "Even when the world is shrouded in shadows, the stars continue to shine, offering a glimmer of hope to those who seek it."

Ih'tal remained silent. A smile played on her lips. She liked these moments with Solas, as if they were moments meant just for them.

However, their sanctuary was shattered by an abrupt commotion. The clash of voices drew their attention, snapping them back to the camp, where Cassandra and Varric were arguing (yet again).

Cassandra's voice rang out with intensity. "Varric, this is a serious matter. You cannot simply make light of it!"

Varric's reply was laced with his characteristic sarcasm. "Hey, Seeker, it's not like cracking a joke ever hurt anyone."

Ih'tal and Solas exchanged a glance, and Solas let out a sigh, his lips curling into a wry smile. "Although it doesn't seem like this particular story would be deemed significant enough to join the stars," he remarked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Ih'tal chuckled softly, her gaze still fixed on the unfolding scene. "Indeed, it appears that the complexities of certain dwarfs' humor are beyond even the stars."

As the argument between Cassandra and Varric escalated, Ih'tal and Solas stood on the periphery, observing the dynamic between the two companions. The firelight painted their faces with ever-changing hues, highlighting the tension that filled the air.

Solas leaned in slightly, his voice a mere whisper. "Should we intervene?"

Ih'tal considered the question for a moment, her gaze unwavering as it remained fixed on the argument. "Let them have their moment," she suggested. "Perhaps they need the release."

Solas nodded in agreement, his eyes locked on the scene before them. "Very well. But if it escalates further, we should step in."

Their attention remained fixed on the argument, the intensity of their conversation momentarily forgotten in the face of their companions' disputes.

As the argument reached its peak, Cassandra threw her hands up in exasperation and stalked away, her frustration palpable in every step. Varric watched her departure with a bemused expression, seemingly unaffected by the encounter.

Ih'tal and Solas exchanged a knowing look, their unspoken understanding bridging the gap between them. With a quiet chuckle, Ih'tal remarked, "It seems they have reached an impasse."

Solas's smile was warm as he nodded in agreement. "Indeed, but I have no doubt that their banter will resume before long."

As the night carried on and the campfire's flames continued to dance, Ih'tal and Solas returned to their previous positions, leaning against the railing with a shared sense of amusement. The argument had momentarily disrupted their contemplative moment.

"In a world where battling gods and darkspawn is turning into an everyday occurrence, the ordinary moments hold significance," Solas mused, his gaze fixed on the stars above.

Ih'tal's smile was gentle as she turned her gaze toward him. "True. It is a reminder that amidst our own challenges, life continues around us."

"Ih'tal," Solas began, his voice a soft murmur that carried the weight of ages, "there are fragments of memory that haunt me. Whispers of a past that seem to be just beyond my reach."

Ih'tal nodded, her gaze fixed on him as he spoke. "I've known you to be a man of great knowledge and insight. But the past can be difficult, and sometimes good deeds and intentions are tangled beyond our control."

He offered a faint smile, a mixture of appreciation and frustration in his expression. "You understand the complexities of my situation more than most. But still, if you knew what I was talking about..."

Ih'tal stepped closer, hoping her presence to be a balm during his inner turmoil. Was this their moment? She tried carefully. "We all carry our pasts, Solas, and the choices we've made shape us in ways we might not fully comprehend. But they don't define us entirely."

Solas met her gaze, his eyes searching for something, perhaps a glimmer of understanding or acceptance. "I've made choices that have led to consequences I could not foresee," he confessed, his voice tinged with regret. "I once believed that my actions were just, that they would restore the world to its rightful state. But now, I see the pain I've caused."

Ih'tal reached out, her hand finding his, their fingers entwining in a gesture of support. "Solas, we are all bound by our choices, and sometimes, they lead us down a path we could not predict. What matters is how we respond to those consequences and the lessons we carry afterward."

Solas's lips parted as if he was on the cusp of saying something significant. His gaze, warm with a mixture of emotions, locked onto Ih'tal's eyes. He seemed ready to speak, his expression holding a vulnerability that mirrored the stars above.

However, before he could utter a single word, the urgent arrival of a messenger shattered the moment. The messenger approached with haste, eyes wide with urgency as they scanned the camp until they spotted Solas and Ih'tal.

"Inquisitor," the messenger gasped, struggling to catch her breath, "urgent news has arrived from Skyhold. The War Council requires your presence immediately."

The interruption hung in the air. Solas's expression shifted, a mixture of frustration and understanding crossing his features. "It seems duty calls once again," Solas said, his voice tinged with regret. "I wish we had more time to continue our conversation." Offering a reassuring smile, "Go, attend to what needs your attention," he said, his voice gentle. "We will have other moments to share."

With a nod to the messenger, Solas left to return to the camp.

Ih'tal watched him go, before turning her attention to the messenger, who was holding a letter. She accepted the item with thanks, her curiosity piqued by the sight of the wax seal bearing the mark of the raven, Leliana's seal. With a nod of gratitude, she dismissed the messenger, her attention fully focused on the letter in her hands.

Breaking the seal, Ih'tal unfolded the parchment and began to read Leliana's words:

Inquisitor Lavellan, I hope this message finds you well amidst the challenges that continue to unfold around us. I wished to bring to your attention that we received an update concerning your clan. Please hasten your return to Skyhold.

May the Maker watch over you, Leliana

As Ih'tal read Leliana's words, a mix of concern and determination settled in her heart. Her clan was her family, and the well-being of her people was a responsibility she took seriously.