~O~

"What's going on here?" Solas asked, his voice cutting through the tension. There was an uncertainty in his tone, as if he, too, was caught off guard by his own state of disarray and their presence at the forest's edge.

Arabella found herself at a loss for words, her prepared speeches and rehearsed questions evaporating under the weight of his gaze. The rest of the companions shifted uneasily, equally taken aback by the sight before them and unsure of how to proceed.

The standoff lasted only a moment longer before Arabella took a step forward, her determination returning. "We were just about to go looking for you," she said, her voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of concern. "What happened to you, Solas?"

"What happened?" Solas repeated the question, a hint of confusion on his face. "I'm not sure what you mean. I could not sleep, so I decided to go for a walk," he said plainly.

"Into the hag's den?" Astarion scoffed. "You look like you've been ravaged by some beast." He tilted his head, eyeing Solas through narrowed eyes, before adding, "Or, perhaps you were doing the ravaging, hmm?"

Solas' gaze hardened as he turned towards the pale elf, the previous confusion swiftly replaced by a flicker of anger at the insinuation. His gray eyes, sharp and piercing, met Astarion's with an intensity that warned against further provocation.

For a brief moment, the air between them crackled with tension, a silent battle of wills playing out under the watchful eyes of their companions. Then, without a word, Solas shifted his stance, straightening to his full height with a dignity that seemed to draw upon the very essence of the forest around them. His body language, firm and resolute, signaled an end to the conversation.

"I need but a moment to gather myself," Solas announced with a voice that brooked no argument. He glanced briefly at Arabella, an unspoken acknowledgment passing between them, before adding, "Then we can head back to the Goblin Camp."

Without waiting for a response, he walked past them towards his corner of the camp near the shore, his steps measured and deliberate. The group watched him go, a mixture of concern, curiosity, and in Astarion's case, a touch of foolhardy amusement lingering in the air.

Arabella felt herself grow angrier with the mage, her momentary concern for him forgotten. Without thinking, she followed him, leaving the group to stand there exchanging both amused and worried looks.

Astarion's grin faltered for a split second as he watched the drow go after Solas. He felt a pang of envy in his chest, but chuckled dryly when he met Gale's curious stare, donning his mask of indifference once more.

Outside of Solas' tent, Arabella stopped for a moment right outside the tent flaps, before gathering her courage and going inside.

"Solas," she said, and he looked up at her, his eyes intense as they searched hers. "Where were you?" she asked him incredulously. "There was blood outside of your tent, and you've been gone for hours. What happened?"

Solas looked around the tent's interior with a scowl, a growing sense of unease enveloping him as he realized his prized possession was nowhere to be found.

"Where is my orb?" he asked, his voice a near growl, standing up slowly and towering over in the small space.

"What?" Arabella asked, her irritation with him flaring in her gaze. "You can't just answer my questions with a question and expect me to let you get away with it." She shook her head and turned to exit his tent.

He reached out quicker than she could manage to step out and grabbed her by the wrist. His hold on her was firm yet restrained. He was upset, still angry with her for not trusting him after Sceleritas had shown up and returned his orb. And he was finding it difficult to suppress the power infused into him by his foci, along with the effect this new realm seemed to have on his magic. Solas felt a tightness in his throat as he swallowed, gazing into her intense gray eyes, which flickered with expectation as she glanced from his hand and upward towards his steely gaze.

"It is important to me," he murmured, his grip on her wrist unyielding.

"I see," she said, a flash of anger in her eyes. "More important than me, clearly. Do what you will, Solas. Guard your precious little secrets." She yanked her hand free of his hold and turned to exit once again.

A barrage of emotions coursed through him. Fear, pain, longing, and above all, regret. He couldn't let her leave like this. Not again. It was a mistake he wouldn't make twice.

Solas reached out once more, grasping her arm. She pulled against his hold, but he held her firm, his eyes wild with desperation as he pulled her towards him. She stumbled, her hands slamming against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tightly against him. She pushed against him just enough to look up at him, her eyes a storm of anger and affection. He held her, looking down into her gaze as he let out a deep breath, willing his heart to slow to a normal pace as he fought to gain control of his emotions. Yet, as he looked into her eyes, he felt reticent, afraid to let her in and allow her to see depths of his hidden nature.

He deflected. "Where is it, Arabella?" Solas asked her, his voice low and controlled.

She felt a flutter in her stomach as he spoke. The sound of her name on his lips, she swallowed hard, her own voice failing her for a moment as she felt his grip on her waist tighten.

"I asked you a question," he said, his tone sharp, but still controlled.

"Why won't you tell me what happened first?" She knew her words sounded like a plea, but she didn't care. She wanted him, and she was tired of fighting him. "I need you to trust me, Solas. I want to know what's going on with you."

"I can't," he told her, his gaze intense. "Not yet," he said. "I'm trying to protect you. I shouldn't have let things get this far." He looked away from her, his gaze shifting to his arm as it wrapped around her waist.

Arabella let out a small huff, and reached up to cup his jaw, turning his gaze back to her.

"You can't protect me, Solas. Not from whatever you are going through, and certainly not from myself. If you want me, then let me be here for you. Just let me in," she whispered, her gaze pleading.

Arabella thought she saw a flash of regret in his eyes, but it was gone before she could register its presence.

He shook his head. "It's better this way. Trust me, lethallan." He stroked her cheek gently with the pad of his thumb.

Her gaze darkened, anger simmering just beneath the surface. Her thoughts turned dark, and she wanted to make him bleed, to make him feel pain, to tear him apart with her own hands. She hated herself for even thinking it, for imagining being so cruel to someone she cared about. But, the thoughts persisted, and she had to swallow down the bile rising in her throat as she struggled to reign in her thoughts.

Solas could sense that something was off. It was as if a fog was lifting in his mind as he gazed into her eyes, which were no longer their typical gray, her irises outlined by a thin line of crimson. The power emanating from her was dark and twisted, and he found himself wanting to draw upon it. Yet, he resisted, and instead tried to pull back from her, to put some distance between them, but she held him firmly against her. She leaned into him, her breath hot against his neck as she pressed her body against his.

She looked up at him, and he saw a brief flicker of her stormy eyes. He swallowed hard. He was suddenly very afraid for her. Whatever was happening, he knew that she was no longer in control. He fought to keep his eyes open, but she was so close to him.

He could feel his body responding to her, but he could feel his magic responding, too, his heartbeat pounding in his ears as he felt the heat of her body against him. Her lips brushed against his ear, and he could feel her breathing in his scent.

"What are we doing here, Solas?" she whispered thickly.

He was about to answer her, when he felt her hand slide up his torso. He sucked in a breath as her fingers grazed the bare skin of his chest, sending tingles of electricity through his body. He gasped as she dug her nails into his flesh, and she pulled away from him, her eyes glinting dangerously.

Arabella could feel her heart racing. Her blood was pumping furiously, and her breath was coming in rapid gasps as she took in his expression. She was angry with him, but her desire and affection for him were stronger than the anger. She wanted him, and she didn't care about what was happening to her. In that moment, she felt wild and careless. She both relished and hated the force of the sensation.

"I can help you, Solas," she pleaded with him, her ire still simmering with a low heat in her chest.

He shook his head. "You don't understand. You can't." He looked away from her, and she could see the pain and fear in his eyes.

She reached up and touched his face. "Please. Don't shut me out." She brushed her thumb over his cheek, and he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

"It's not that simple," he said softly.

She felt a pang of sadness in her chest at his words, the fire in her chest dying down, slowly being replaced by a resonating dull ache. "Why can't it be?" she asked, her voice cracking slightly.

He opened his eyes and looked down at her, his gaze intense. "Because I want you." His voice was low, and his eyes were full of need. "Because I don't know how much time I have left here. And if we do this," he said, gesturing between them both, "I do not know how I will be able to go without…" You. He couldn't finish the thought.

Arabella felt a shiver run down her spine. The way he looked at her, his eyes filled with a warm affection and heady desire, it made her want him even more. But she knew she couldn't have him. Not yet. He wasn't ready. She had to wait. She had to be patient.

"I know," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

"Just know that while I am with you, I will always protect you," he murmured. "No matter the cost."

He turned away from her and crouched near his belongings. As he gathered his robes and gear, he could feel the heat of her stare on his back. He looked at her over his shoulder.

The corners of her lips tugged down slightly, a hint of sadness in her gaze casting a dark shadow over her delicate features. In a swift and graceful motion, she spun on her heel and left his tent. Solas sighed deeply, his heart aching for her, for him, for them.

~O~

It wasn't long before Solas emerged from the tent, his gear on and retracted stave in hand. When he approached their camp's grouping area, he noticed that Karlach, Wyll, Lae'zel and Shadowheart had already gone. He knew Arabella most likely sent them to the grove as a safety measure, while she would lead the rest of their group back to the Goblin Camp.

Astarion was lounging on a log, his arms crossed as he stared into the dead embers of the previous night's fire. His eyes narrowed when he looked at Arabella walking in his direction. She avoided his gaze, her cheeks burning as she looked away.

"Well, that was a bloody long time, wasn't it?" the vampire asked sardonically. "Are you ready now?"

"Yes," she answered with a clipped tone.

"Good," Astarion said, rising to his feet and stretching his back. He turned to leave, pausing to cast one more glance her way that filled the air with a palpable tension.

Arabella walked past him without another word. Solas followed behind her, his thoughts drifting back to the conversation he had just had with her.

She had been so insistent on knowing why the orb was so important to him. It was true that it was the key to restoring his magic, but it was also much more than that. It was the symbol of his former power, a conduit for all of the spells which required a great deal of strength and mana. And it was a reminder, his tether to the world he had left behind, even if he did so unwillingly. As he walked along behind Arabella and Astarion, he felt Gale's presence beside him before the wizard spoke.

"This belongs to you, my friend." Gale's hand held out Solas' foci.

Solas suppressed the immense relief that washed over him at the sight of his artifact. With a swift motion, he grabbed it and stopped walking to examine it carefully. Then, murmuring a soft incantation, his eyes glowed white as he coated the sphere in a protective spell.

"What was that ?" Gale asked, his eyes alight with curiosity. "A protective ward?"

"Yes," Solas said with a nod of appreciation, walking once again. "Should it fall into the wrong hands, someone will be very sorry."

"Well," Gale coughed. "I can assure you I did nothing more than cast a ward to prevent its magic from seeping out. I was so sure it was cursed, but I later gathered it was the rarity of the magic dwelling inside."

Solas remained silent as they walked.

"What is it for, exactly?" Gale asked, chuckling at Solas' arched eyebrow. "If you don't mind me asking, of course. I find all things of the arcane kind extremely intriguing. It is my life's passion, one could say."

The briefest look of indignation passed over Solas' features and he nodded. "I suppose I shall tell you when you tell me what that mark is on your chest. I have sensed its magic from the day we met." Solas kept his eyes trained ahead, his gaze lingering on Arabella.

The wizard's eyes followed the mage's gaze. "Ah. I see. Well, I suppose we are all due some privacy." He cleared his throat.

The two men lapsed into a comfortable silence as they continued to walk. At the sight of the waypoint up ahead, Solas breathed in deeply, his mind taken back in time.

"How exactly do waypoints work, Gale?" he asked. For once, being away seemed pleasant rather than torturous, the familiarity of the waypoint's magic reminding him of the eluvians of Thedas.

"The waypoints are magical constructs that allow travel from one point to another instantly. There are many across the realms, but some require a specific key. Those are rare, however. The others are free for anyone to use," the wizard answered simply, as though it were the most common piece of knowledge in all the realms.

"The eluvians of my people function similarly," Solas added, his gaze resting on the purple swirls of arcane energy.

"Eluvians, you say?" Gale asked, scratching his chin in thought. "I'm afraid I don't know of them. Are they similar to teleportation magic?"

"Not quite," Solas said. "The eluvians of Thedas were built by my people to allow for instant travel across our world, but in a more subtle fashion, like stepping through a doorway that bridges one home to another. Some say they could even access alternate universes, parallel to our own. I once controlled a vast network of eluvians that aided me greatly for quite some time."

Solas averted his gaze, feeling the surge of his memories close to engulfing him. He knew that keeping them at bay was crucial, particularly given the tadpole's unsettling knack for broadcasting intimate thoughts at the least opportune times.

Thankfully Gale seemed more riveted by the nature of the eluvians in that moment to take notice in anything else.

The wizard's eyes widened. "That's incredible! I had no idea such magic could be constructed as such elsewhere. Did you ever use them to explore different realms?" He stopped in his tracks. "Wait. Is that how you got here?"

Solas frowned. "As far as I know, their range was limited to Thedas, but now... I am not so sure." He sighed, rubbing his temples. "I suppose there is no way to know for certain without studying the eluvians further. Something I may never be able to do now."

"I see." Gale nodded slowly, his brow furrowed as he tried to process all of the information. "Well, that would explain why I haven't heard of them before. But I've never heard of anyone being able to travel to different realms either, so I suppose anything's possible."

"Yes, indeed it is." Solas nodded, his gaze drifting back to the waypoint.

As the sun glared down brightly on them once they stepped out of the woods, Solas and Gale reached the waypoint where Arabella and Astarion were waiting.

"Well, that took long enough," Astarion sighed dramatically. "I was beginning to think you two had been snatched up by gnolls."

Solas met his gaze unflinchingly. "You are more than welcome to enter ahead of us."

Astarion snorted. "And miss the chance to watch you two stumble through? Not bloody likely."

Gale rolled his eyes at the vampire's antics. "Shall we get on with it then?"

Arabella nodded, her eyes narrowed at the tense lines around Solas' eyes as he looked at Astarion. She shook her head, stepping up to the waypoint and activating it with a quick touch. As the familiar whirling vortex appeared before them, she turned to her companions and grinned. "Goblin party, anyone?"

And with that, the group stepped into the portal and were whisked away to the old Selunite Temple.

~O~

Entering the Goblin Camp, Arabella felt disquieted by the rare quality in the atmosphere. The goblins all seemed to share a similar expression of fear and apprehension. It was also eerily quiet compared to their usual raucous debauchery. As she stepped around the murmuring goblins on her way towards the temple entrance, she paused when she heard a nearby goblin speaking hurriedly, in a frenzy, his tone piquing her curiosity.

Intrigued, she approached the small gathering of one speaking stopped as soon as he noted her presence. It was usual for them to treat her with deference, for just being a drow alone, but with them thinking she was a True Soul, they always seemed to walk on eggshells around her. This felt different, though, and she wanted to know what was going on.

Solas, Astarion, and Gale stood off to her side, as Arabella asked the goblin to repeat his tale. He looked at her warily, stuttering before finally starting his story about the great creature in the woods.

"It was a beast unlike any I've ever seen, I say! Like a big ol' wolf, but the size of a dragon, with shaggy spiky fur… and the worst part… it had six burning eyes, like a demon straight from Avernus, I tell ya! I ain't never seen a thing like it in my life. It grabbed Booyahg Rork in its jaws and swallowed 'im whole! I don't know what it was doing prowling these woods, but it's probably gonna come back and eat us all. Mark my words!"

Arabella turned to her companions, exchanging a curious look with them before landing her sights on Solas. His gaze was unreadable, his eyes seemingly masked in the most infuriating way. She frowned at him, sensing he knew why she was suspicious. The images of their shared visions from his home world were not something she would easily forget. And coupled with the goblin's unsettling narrative and Solas' strange disappearance that morning, everything was growing increasingly peculiar, more than she cared for.

Stepping away from the gossiping goblins, Arabella led her group towards the ruin's entrance, her gaze meeting Solas' briefly with a small grimace. Once inside, she pulled the mage aside.

"Solas," Arabella began, her eyes narrowing. "Is there anything you'd like to share with us? Something about a six-eyed beast, perhaps?"

Solas frowned. "Be more specific, lethallan."

Arabella scoffed. "Please, I know you know something about this. That description the goblin gave matched the creatures from your visions. Don't try to deny it."

He sighed, shaking his head. "I will not speak of this here," he said tersely. With a slight scowl, he glanced around at the goblins milling about the temple.

Arabella pursed her lips, her gaze following his.

"Fine," she relented. "But we will discuss this later. Understood?"

Solas nodded, his tone softening, "I have no intention of keeping secrets from you, Arabella. I promise you that."

Arabella crossed her arms over her chest. "Good." She turned to Gale and Astarion, who were both watching the exchange with interest. "Let's take care of that priestess first," she said sourly, her ornery mood belied by the excitement in her eyes.

~O~

Solas leaned against a pillar, his eyes closed, the stirring within the temple oddly subdued. Staring at the closed door to the room where Priestess Gut had led Arabella, he felt his scowl deepen. The thought of having to explain himself gave him more anxiety than the idea of removing the goblin leaders in one fell swoop.

Astarion walked up to him and stood beside him, breaking him from his reverie. The pale elf looked at him with a coy smirk, his hands on his hips.

"I can tell you're smitten with her," Astarion stated matter-of-factly, nodding his head towards the room where Arabella and Priestess Gut were. "She's a very attractive woman, after all. And quite charming, when she wants to be."

Solas arched an eyebrow at him. "Indeed," he replied, his tone neutral. "Do you find her to be so?"

Astarion laughed. "Of course. I may be technically dead, but not in the ways that matter, anyway." He smiled impishly.

"I suppose not." Solas frowned.

Astarion leaned to one side, holding his hand up as he examined his nails. "So, you and Arabella, then?" He asked casually.

Solas' frown deepened. "I do not know what you mean."

Astarion snorted. "Oh, come now, Solas. You don't need to be shy about it. I know you two have been sharing more than just a few stolen glances recently."

"What are you on about, blood fiend?" His tone was a near growl as he glared at the vampire.

Astarion grinned, flashing his fangs at Solas. "I'm just saying that if you're planning on wooing her, you're going to have a hard time competing with me. I've already established a rapport with her, after all. And, let's face it, I'm much more handsome than you are. And I'm charming."

Solas looked at him in shock. "Is that what you think? Is she merely another conquest to you? Someone to be used for your own pleasure and then discarded when you've had your fill?"

"Oh no, my boy. I never said that." Astarion shook his head, smiling. "You are truly a fool if you think that. Arabella is far more than that to me, and I know she is to you, too. And yet, here we are, both vying for her affections. It's quite amusing, really."

Solas clenched his jaw. "You speak as if this is a game. As if her feelings are nothing more than a pawn to be used for your amusement."

Astarion shrugged. "Well, I wouldn't say that. But there is a certain thrill to the chase, wouldn't you agree? Especially when the prize is worth it. And trust me, Solas. Arabella is definitely worth it."

"Enough," Solas countered, shaking his head. "Arabella is not some trophy to be won. She is a person, with her own thoughts and feelings. She deserves more than to be treated like an object."

Astarion chuckled. "I never said she wasn't a person. But we all have our desires, dear. You can't tell me that you don't find her alluring. Or that you don't want to ravage her whenever she gives into her bloodlust."

Solas' eyes narrowed. "You would know. I am not the one who has been encouraging her to engage in needless violence."

Astarion rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. You act like I'm some evil villain, trying to corrupt her. I'm merely following her lead. Besides, if she wants to kill for the thrill, who am I to stop her?"

Solas clenched his fists. "You are doing nothing more than inciting her anger. You're encouraging her to act on her impulses without thinking about the consequences. She could get hurt."

Astarion smirked. "I assure you, I have no intention of letting anything happen to her. I care about her well-being as much as you do. Perhaps even more so."

"I highly doubt that," Solas scoffed.

Astarion leaned in close, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "If you think I'm going to let you poison her against me, you're sadly mistaken." He stepped back, his expression unreadable. "You may as well give up now."

Solas glared at him. "You are a fool if you think I will just roll over and accept defeat. Arabella is her own person, and she can make her own decisions. If she chooses you, then so be it. But I will not stand by and watch you manipulate her into making a mistake. She deserves better than that."

Astarion smiled. "You say that as if she hasn't already made her choice. We both know who she would choose if she had to." He turned, his back facing Solas. "But I suppose we shall see how this plays out. Good luck, my friend. You'll need it."

With that final jab, he walked away, leaving Solas alone with his dark thoughts.

~O~

Priestess Gut was an easy mark, taking Arabella but a moment alone with the goblin before slicing her throat and watching her bleed out on the stone floor of her private room. Stepping from the room, she locked eyes with Solas, her leering gaze as dark as the black tendrils of hair that framed her face delicately. He visibly swallowed, his hand twitching at his side. She smirked when she walked past him, nodding for the group to follow her.

As they walked through the temple ruins, Arabella began to sense the tension between Solas and Astarion, and it put her in a foul mood. She stopped abruptly, ignoring the annoyed look on Astarion's face.

"Gale, would you mind going to check on Halsin?" She asked in a clipped tone.

"Of course," Gale replied, sensing her irritation. "I'll be sure to let him know to prepare for what's next."

"Thank you," Arabella said, watching the wizard set off, before turning to Solas and Astarion with a scowl. "Will one of you tell me what is going on? You're both acting like children."

Solas met her gaze evenly. "I was simply expressing my displeasure with Astarion's influence over you."

Astarion snorted. "Influence? I'm not influencing anything. You're the one trying to change her."

Arabella crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at them both. "I am not some possession to be fought over. You both need to stop acting like this, or I'll be very cross with you both."

The two men remained silent. Solas stood straight, his jaw clenched. Astarion stood relaxed, a small grin on his lips.

Arabella glared at them both before turning and walking away. "Grow up," she grumbled.

Solas and Astarion watched her go, their expressions unreadable.

"Well, that could have gone better," Astarion remarked dryly.

Solas sighed. "Indeed. I suppose we will have to find some common ground, if we are to survive this day."

Astarion nodded. "Agreed," he sighed wistfully.

Solas' jaw clenched visibly as he watched Arabella lean on a nearby pillar. He was not expecting the day to go as it had so far. His thoughts were a myriad of chaos, control battling against urges long buried beneath years upon decades spent suppressing emotions.

"You dog," Astarion chuckled darkly, interrupting the mage's thoughts. "Could you look any more like a lovesick pup?"

Solas' brow furrowed. "I think I'll accompany Gale. It seems unwise to travel alone amongst these creatures." He stepped past Astarion, his gait quickly carrying him through the dimly lit temple.

Astarion's gaze followed the mysterious elf, a small frown replacing his usual grin.

~O~

Astarion walked over to Arabella, suppressing the urge to smirk at her lovely scowl.

"Solas went off after Gale. Looks like it's just us two. What would you have us do, my dear?" He raised an eyebrow at her, his lips tugging upward in a half-smile.

She looked past him a moment, seemingly lost in thought, before meeting his gaze with a wicked grin. "I think I know of a quick way to take out Minthara, without attracting any attention."

Astarion narrowed his eyes at her playfully. "Darling, you are just full of surprises. Lead on."

~O~

Arabella guided Astarion back to Minthara, his curiosity piqued by her mysterious intentions yet exhilarated by her propensity for mischief. Suppressing his surprise when she confidently declared the grove's location to Minthara, he couldn't help but smirk as she telepathically teased him with a "Watch this," mirroring her mischievous grin.

Minthara, swelling with pride and a thirst for victory, led her goblin entourage towards the wooden bridge, rallying them with visions of triumph over the tieflings. Seizing Astarion's bow, Arabella skillfully loosed two arrows in swift succession, targeting the bridge's critical points. The structure gave way under Minthara and her goblin crew, sending them plummeting into the abyss below.

Astarion could feel her smug satisfaction through their mental link, and it sent a thrill down his spine.

"Oh my," he said aloud, trying to cover how breathless her actions made him. "That was..." He couldn't find the right words to describe how turned on he was. He watched as she threw her head back, her throaty laughter music to his ears.

Arabella turned to look at him, seeing the hungry look in his eyes. She smiled at him coyly and held out his bow. "You're welcome," she said teasingly.

He took it and set on the ground, before pinning her against Minthara's table. He leaned in to kiss her, unable to resist the urge. He wasn't gentle. She kissed him back just as fervently, her fingers gripping his white curls tightly, and he could taste the metallic tang of blood on his tongue. They both moaned together at the intensity of the moment, neither wanting it to end. He started to trail kisses down her neck, raking his fangs gently across her smooth skin, but she pulled back breathlessly.

"They could come in at any moment," she whispered in his ear.

"Let them," he growled, not wanting to let her go.

"You're insatiable," she said with a chuckle.

"You're too irresistible," he countered, nipping at her neck. She gasped softly at the sensation, wanting to give into his touch, but knowing she couldn't.

"I might let you get a taste later," she teased, her eyes darkening with lust, her mind willfully ignoring the small pang of hurt at the passing thought of Solas.

"Is that so?" He quirked an eyebrow at her, his face lighting up at the thought.

She smirked at him and gave him a quick kiss on the lips, before pulling away and taking a misty step to the other side of the chasm. She peered back at him over her shoulder. "Coming?

"Not yet, but I will be later," he replied with a wicked grin.

She rolled her eyes at him, but the corners of her mouth were turned up in a small smile as she walked ahead of him, shaking her head. He followed after her, a cocky grin plastered on his face.

It was a beast unlike any I had ever seen. Lupine in appearance, but the size of a high dragon, with shaggy spiked hide and six burning eyes like a pride demon… whatever fear the name Dread Wolf carries, he has earned.

Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights