Davrin opened his eyes to an empty bed but a lively house as Dav'ari's laughter from the kitchen pulled him from his slumber. They had a rough night after Rook's encounter with the Despair Demon and he had slept much later than he intended. He sat up in the bed and put his feet on the cold wooden floor, chilled a little more by the morning wind that blew through the broken window. The forest outside was alive and bustling with the sound of morning birds cooing and a call from the nearby Halla. He stood up and put on his shirt before going out into the kitchen. Eldrin and Rook were sitting at the table and Dav'ari sat on the floor with Assan. Rook had fed Assan from their rations and Dav'ari was eating from a bowl of porridge. Eldrin sipped at a coffee his breakfast laid out before him, Rook was picking at some fruit and a third place was set at the table for him.
"Good morning," said Davrin taking a seat at the spot. "Any coffee left."
"I suppose I could spare some," Eldrin grumbled in jest. Rook smiled at Davrin from over his cup and took a sip as Eldrin stood up and poured him a cup. "Not that fancy Antivan stuff Rook told me you're used to but should get the bull runnin, my boy." Eldrin sat the cup on the table in front of him. "Cream or sugar?"
"Um cream I guess," Davrin was caught off guard by the offer.
"Well get it your damn self, I'm old and hungover," Eldrin laughed. Rook snickered at the comment and Davrin sat back in his chair and put his arm over the back of it.
"There's the caring uncle I remember," laughed Davrin. "Was starting to think we brought back the wrong old man." Davrin got up and got the cream out of the cold storage before sitting it on the table. "How'd you sleep Eldrin?"
"Apparently, a lot heavier than everyone else. Rook told me about what happened," said Eldrin. "I'm glad you're okay, Rook." Davrin topped off his mug of coffee with a bit of the cream. It had been a while since he had cream from the Halla, a small indulgence he looked forward to when he was able.
"Me too," said Dav'ari from the floor behind them.
"Thank you, Eldrin," said Rook. "I'm sorry about the window." Rook took a bite and looked up from his plate at Eldrin.
"Oh, it's a simple fix." Eldrin sipped again from his coffee.
"How about you?" Davrin reached across the table and took Rook's free hand. "Did you sleep okay?"
"How could I not?" Rook smiled. "None of us moved. I woke up with me on your chest Assan's head on my shoulder and Dav'ari curled up under your arm. You?"
"Yeah, it was pretty great." Davrin took a bite of the buttered bread from his plate, he stopped a moment and savoured the Halla butter. "I always forget how much I miss the Halla butter." Dav'ari stood up and sat his bowl on the table and Eldrin pulled him up on his lap.
"You're mom's probably going to be looking for you soon," said Eldrin holding the child in close.
"We can take him home after breakfast. I wanted to spend some time with Junai this morning," said Davrin. "I figure they'll need some help repairing the aravel from the attack."
"Yeah, we really should see if we can help them after everything that happened," Rook finished his plate and sat back in his chair with the coffee in his hand. "Sound good Dav'ari? We'll finish breakfast, get dressed and go see your mom okay?"
"Okay! Can Assan come too?" asked Dav'ari. Assan let out an excited squawk as he finished his food and walked over to sit by Davrin as he ate.
"Of course he can," Davrin reached out and pet Assan on the head.
"I'm going to go get my gear on," said Rook taking a final sip from his coffee cup. Rook got up from the table and went into the bedroom while Davrin continued to pick away at his breakfast.
"Is he going to be okay after last night?" asked Eldrin. "Despair demons shouldn't be taken lightly."
"He's going to talk to Emmrich about how he can deal with that," said Davrin sitting forward and crossing his arms in front of him. "He's done well, when we talked a few months ago after we saved our friend, Lace, he got his episodes under control. That's the first one since before then." Davrin moved the remainder of his food around on his plate as he let his mind wander to the thought of Rook getting possessed by a demon. "Emmrich'll have answers I know he will," Davrin reassured himself. Eldrin sat back in his chair and stayed silent but the look on his face was giving uncertainty.
"He needs you too," he affirmed just as Rook walked out of the bedroom fully suited up, he sat his staff against the wall and sat down. Davrin had eaten most of his food before sitting the plate down on the floor for Assan to finish, just a bit of fruit had been left over.
"Here ya go, boy." He noticed that Dav'ari was finishing his bowl with a few final scrapes as he stood up. "I'll go get dressed then we'll head out?" Assan squawked happily before diving into the plate.
"Sounds good," Rook agreed. "Dav'ari you ready to go?"
"Yup!" Dav'ari exclaimed jumping down from Eldrin's lap. Davrin smiled before walking into the room. He grabbed his gear and quickly dressed before sheathing his sword and holstering his shield on his back. Davrin adjusted his collar as he walked out into the kitchen, Dav'ari and Rook were waiting at the door.
"Good to go?" asked Rook.
"Eldrin you sure you're good to fix that window? I can come back later if you want?" Davrin offered.
"I'm just going to board it up for now, I'll get a new one from D'meta's Crossing here in the next week," Eldrin stood and took his plate to the counter. "I think I might just go back to sleep for a while yet. I was glad to see you boys, don't be a stranger." Eldrin leaned on the counter with a hand on his hip. "And when the time comes for that ceremony don't you forget what I said."
"We'll keep you posted after we talk it over, might have to do a couple jobs first to get some coin together for it," explained Davrin as he turned to leave. Davrin felt a hand on his shoulder and turned back to see Eldrin. Before Davrin could react the older man hugged him.
"This was good, let's not go so long next time," Eldrin affirmed before pulling back. Davrin looked down at the ground and then smiled at the man letting out a breath.
"I won't," Davrin spoke quietly as he rethought how all of this was almost lost.
"I'll get him back here more," Rook reassured.
"Good, now get out of here, go see your sister!" Eldrin patted them both on the shoulders with a comforting smile before letting them both go.
As soon as the door shut behind them Rook watched as Assan took to the air and Dav'ari ran a bit ahead of them laughing at Assan and flapping his arms mimicking the griffon. For the first few moments, they walked in silence down the narrow path. The sounds of the forest and Dav'ari laughing at Assan were the only sounds.
"You okay?" Rook probed. He walked up beside Davrin and looped an arm through his as they walked.
"Hmm, oh yeah," Davrin looked at Rook his eyes shining in the sunlight. "I'm good, Rook."
"You sure? You seem distracted." Rook could tell when Davrin was nervous knowing that he was probably both excited and nervous to talk to his sister.
"Nah, just a bit anxious about talking to my sister. She was pretty young when I left. I don't know if she understood why. Just worried she might be resentful I guess." Dav'ari had gotten almost out of sight as they walked. "Dav'ari come back here please!" Davrin called. "Assan stick close he's trying to keep up with you!" Assan dropped to the ground just ahead of the little boy and Rook watched as the griffon coaxed the little boy back toward them with a series of gentle headbutts. Davrin chuckled a bit as the little boy laughed. "Assan's really taken a liking to him."
"Yeah he's good with him, he knows he's important to us," said Rook. Davrin smiled at him as they walked.
"Good boy Assan," said Davrin.
"I know you're worried about your sister but I don't think you should be. She's grown up now. Just answer her questions if she asks them," advised Rook.
"Thanks, Rook." They continued down the path and it wasn't long before they came up to the camp. Most of the clan were scattered around the camp some sat at a campfire taking a break while others were cleaning up debris. It was later in the morning and Rook figured they were probably working in shifts on repairs and cleaning up. Dav'ari saw his parents and immediately ran to them. Rook and Davrin followed him over, they sat around the fire on a large log.
"Mommy!" Dav'ari wrapped his arms around Junai and she hugged him back.
"Hello da'len, did you have fun with Eldrin and Davrin?" she asked Rook noted that she left his name out but didn't bring up the matter.
"And Rook," Dav'ari exclaimed. Rook smiled to himself.
"Ah yes and of course Rook," she said looking up and smiling at the two of them. "Thank you for keeping him for the night, I hope he was no trouble."
"Of course not," said Davrin. "Assan loves him, practically can't keep them away from each other." Assan let out a short squawk and landed only a few feet away. Some of the others of the clan pointed to him and whispered amongst themselves.
"I'm so glad they're getting along, how was Eldrin when you left?" she asked.
"He said he'd probably go back to bed. He had a fair bit of that wine last night," explained Rook. Junai's husband sat quietly next to her and Dav'ari moved from his mother to his arms.
"He does enjoy his wine," said her husband.
"I'm sorry we never really got to meet yesterday," said Davrin extending a hand to shake. "Davrin, pleased to meet you." The man leaned forward and shook Davrin's hand.
"Lorrik, good to meet you, thank you for saving me and my family," he shook Davrin's hand and Rook extended his hand to do the same. Rook could tell Lorrik pretended not to see him extend his hand as he stood. "Well, we should get back to work." Davrin cut his eyes at the man as he stood and Rook placed a hand on his shoulder. Davrin looked at him and he just shook his head.
"It's okay," he whispered and Davrin backed off. "We came to help out where we could, what can we do?" Rook stepped forward.
"Can you fix an aravel?" Lorrik snarked.
"No but I can use my magic to lift one while you do," said Rook rather matter of fact.
"I can," said Davrin crossing his arms.
"That so," Lorrik paused, "Alright shemlin, you can come with me, to fix the hahren's aravel. It's the largest one in our group. Davrin go help Junai with ours." As Lorrik walked away Rook felt like he was the type he'd have to earn his respect and maybe his trust.
"Alright. Let's do this," said Rook. "Davrin I'll come find you later okay." Rook held eye contact with Davrin as he walked passed him. Davrin nodded to him as Junai got up from the log where they had been sitting. He followed Lorrik away to the large aravel where he had found the kids. "Where's Sylphy?" he asked realizing that the little girl was nowhere to be found. Dav'ari had stayed with his mother.
"Don't worry about her, she's with the other children for now." They stopped a few feet from the aravel and Lorrik's disrespect didn't go unnoticed but again Rook chose not to engage it. Several other elves were waiting for them. "We've been having our hunters hold this up while we work but even with all of the belongings out of it, it is still very heavy. Takes six of our strongest hunters to hold it."
"I thought these things could fly," Rook remarked.
"Some of them do, ours do not," Lorrik spoke in a condescending tone. "We need to fix the wheels and patch up the bottom." Rook removed his staff from his back and took a couple of steps away from the aravel.
"Whatever how far off the ground do you want it?" asked Rook giving the same tone back to Lorrik.
"Five feet." Rook could tell that Lorrik picked up on his response, he knew there was no way that they had been lifting it off the ground that far.
"Okay, stand back for a moment I'll tell you when it's safe to get in there." Rook placed his staff firmly in the ground in front of him and began manipulating the arcane energies of the fade gently coaxing the spirits to elevate the aravel. As he moved his hands around they began to glow an eerie green as the magic activated. He took a step forward and placed his hands out in front of him making a motion as if he was lifting the aravel himself. As he raised his hands the aravel lifted with ease and very little effort on his part. It floated up to where they wanted it and Rook moved his hands around a bit coaxing the spirits to make sure it stayed stable. He almost felt as if it locked in place knowing it was safe for them to proceed. "Go ahead and get started. Should be good for a while." Lorrik gave him a bit of a disgruntled look as he walked over to the aravel with a tool in his hand and began the process of fixing the wheelbar. Rook couldn't stop himself from giving a rather smug smile to the elf as he walked by. Two of the other elves began working on another part of the aravel.
"You're quite talented," said Lorrik and Rook could hear the rest of the sentence even though he didn't speak it out loud. For a human.
"Lorrik, have I done something to upset you?" he asked finally confronting the tension between them. Lorrik stopped for a moment and looked at Rook. "Look I get that humans have given you plenty of reason to distrust them. But two humans helped save you and your whole clan." Lorrik went back to what he was working on but Rook could tell he was still listening. The other elves looked between Lorrik and Rook. "I just want us to get along…"
"You are right Rook. Two humans did save our clan. But several more took us to sell as slaves in the first place," Lorrik retorted. "You're magical talent tells me you're probably from Minrathous." Rook almost dropped the aravel at the accusation and Lorrik jumped quickly back before giving him a dirty look.
"Don't worry I've got it," he barked. "Minrathous? You think I'm from Minrathous?"
"Aren't you?" Lorrik looked at him waiting for an answer.
"No, I grew up in the Anderfels in a small village, until the Darkspawn destroyed it…" Rook had long dealt with the grief he was about to bring up but he still didn't talk about it to very many people. "My parents were killed in that attack, I wasn't much older than Dav'ari. I spent my younger years in a Chantry Orphanage until I was old enough to leave. Then I went right to Weisshaupt and joined the Wardens as a servant until they let me take the joining." Rook took a breath and looked at the ground thinking back to that period not mentioning the fact that he also wore a face and body he felt was not his. "Not that I owe you, an explanation." One of the younger of the elves that was working with them walked up to him. Lorrik seemed taken aback by his outburst but stayed silent.
"Rook, I just want to say that we are grateful for your help, Lorrik is too," he paused, "He's just not good at showing it." Lorrik seemed to keep working and Rook decided to let it rest. Some people just couldn't change whether there was a good reason or not.
Davrin lifted the mast back into place on the small aravel and felt a sharp pain shoot through his shoulder. After that guard had hammered him so much with that mace he knew it was only a matter of time before it started to bother him. He managed to ignore it for now as Junai tied the ropes into place and fit the brace around the bottom of the mast. He felt the strain relieve itself and then got down onto the ground. Only he and Junai were there working on the aravel the others had gone to perform other tasks for the clan. Assan circled overhead and Dav'ari had gone to be with his sister while they worked.
"Feels like it should hold," he said.
"I think so," Junai let out a sigh and moved a curly lock behind her ear. "I'm going to have to make a new sail for that before we leave." Davrin examined the sail as it was, and besides being singed around the outer rim it was looking quite tattered. He let out a sigh and took a look at the rest of the aravel, aside from the wheelbar being broken and the mast they had just repaired it wasn't too bad.
"All things considered it's not that bad, at least they didn't burn the body." He put his hands on his hips and looked back at his sister.
"You are right brother." It felt weird for Junai to call him that, he hadn't seen any of his family in so long lately the only person to call him that was Lucanis. "Are you okay?" His reaction must have been more visible than he realized, he smiled at her.
"I'm okay, just feeling a little nostalgic I guess," he replied, "Just thinking about how much simpler things were back then, before I left…" Davrin trailed off and looked at the ground.
"When you left, I was too young to understand why," explained Junai, "I remember mother crying for days and father barely spoke for weeks." Davrin stayed quiet for a moment and took a breath the words hit harder than he thought they would but likely because it was his sister saying them. "Why did you leave, Davrin?"
"I… I had this need to see the world and I felt like I'd never get that staying with the clan, I didn't see the future I wanted with them," Davrin hesitated, "Not to mention my need to hunt was a plight in the forest back then. Mother and father both often scolded me for it."
"That is… concerning."
"I'm surprised that they reacted in such a way after I left. I certainly didn't feel like they'd miss me. Do you remember the day I left?" Davrin looked at his sister and could tell by her eyes that she did indeed remember. "I can see neither of us wants to relive that day." Davrin walked over to the aravel and looked at the wheel well. "I'll lift it if you can get the new wheel on?" A new wheel bar and wheel were sitting nearby someone had already started the work. Junai nodded and picked up the replacement bar. "On three." Davrin got a firm hold on the aravel and prepared himself to lift. "One… two… three." Davrin lifted the aravel feeling the strain in his shoulder again while his sister slid in the new bar and quickly secured the new wheel to it. She snapped a couple of links into place and signalled him to let it down. Davrin rubbed at his shoulder and winced from the pain.
"What's wrong, did you pull something?" asked Junai.
"No that fight with the slavers, one of them really gave my shoulder a beating," Davrin tilted his head away from his shoulder hoping to stretch the muscle and relieve some of the pain. "Nope, that's not gonna help it. Guess I'll just have to take it easy for a bit after the work's done."
"I have an elfroot salve that will help," Junai offered.
"Yeah, it can't hurt to try." Davrin watched his sister crawl up into the small aravel and come out with a small glass container.
"Come sit down." Junai walked to the log they had met them at earlier and sat down. Davrin followed and sat down in front of her and removed his arm from his sleeve so she could apply the salve. Assan dropped from the trees beside her and let out a concerned squawk.
"I'm fine boy, my shoulder's just a little banged up from that fight."
"Can you understand him?" asked Junai as she unscrewed the top of the glass container.
"For the most part, it's not like I hear actual words. Rook and I have really gotten to know his mannerisms though," answered Davrin extending his hand to Assan. Assan came over and nuzzled Davrin's hand. "Good boy Assan."
"Where did you find him? I thought griffons were extinct." Junai applied the salve to Davrin's shoulder, he flinched at the touch of it as it was cold at first.
"One of the Wardens discovered a clutch of eggs that had been hidden and protected during the fourth blight. Assan was the first to hatch, he's got 12 siblings that are back with the Wardens now." The salve began to feel warm and Davrin could feel the relief seeping into his muscle. "I started as their bodyguard but I grew to love the feathery fluff head." Assan cooed and cocked his head to the side as Davrin scratched under his chin.
"Is that what you've done all these years? Taken care of griffons?" asked Junai. Davrin could hear genuine curiosity in her voice as she spoke.
"No, I didn't join the Wardens right away. I spent some time with Uncle Eldrin helping him with the halla, he taught me the way of the three trees. That helped me realize that not everything in the forest should be seen as quarry," explained Davrin, "I became a monster hunter at that point and that's how I made a living for a while. Spent a lot of time alone and travelled a lot before I finally found the Wardens."
"Sounds like you had made a good living. Why join the Wardens?" asked Junai.
"I got to a point where I felt like I needed a purpose, then the darkspawn became my purpose. The people I met, the places I saw. I couldn't have achieved that with the clan. I've often said I wish I could have found a way to do both." Junai took her hand away as she had rubbed the lotion in as much as she could, the pain had subsided as Davrin put his arm back into his sleeve.
"Well, it would make our parents happy to hear you say that I think." Davrin got up and sat beside Junai.
"Ultimately if I hadn't chosen to leave. I wouldn't have met Rook, I'm happy with my choice." Davrin shifted as Assan walked over and sat in front of him so that he could continue to pet him. "About that…" Davrin paused and his sister just sat in wait. "I asked Rook to be my Bonded that's what brought us out this way to begin with, when we found that everyone had been taken."
"From what you and Rook have been through I can see why you've fallen for him," Junai paused and Davrin felt a bit of anxiety building in his stomach. "Mother and Father would not have been happy with any of us being with a human, let alone in a relationship that will bear you no children."
"Junai, being a warden I was never going to have children anyway," Davrin spoke calmly.
"I have heard that as well. I wondered if it were true. Davrin I'm glad to have spent this time with you, I hope that you will stay in touch once you're gone this time." Davrin felt a tinge of guilt as his sister spoke. "I'm sure Rook is very nice, but your relationship will be difficult for our family to accept."
"Is it difficult for you? Forget what our family thinks," Davrin looked at his sister and waited for her reply. She seemed to be thinking about it for a moment.
"After what you two have done for me I couldn't reject him. However, I don't have any difficult past with humans. Lorrik does." Davrin stayed quiet waiting for Junai to explain. "Lorrik's clan was destroyed by human raiders when he was out for a hunt…" Davrin could tell that even though the memory wasn't her own it was painful to talk about. "He had been out for a couple of days to return finding every man had been hung, the women brutalized, and the children…" Junai looked away as if reliving the memory unfortunately Davrin knew the story to be too familiar, other Dalish he had run into over the years with the Wardens or otherwise had shared similar stories with him.
"Junai don't," he started. "You've got to know that Rook isn't like those people."
"I know that."
"Though I wish you might have said something before I left Rook to be alone with him." Davrin stood up to go see how Rook had been doing with Lorrick. "Let's go check in." Assan lifted off into the air and Davrin started to walk away when his sister took his hand. He turned to face her and she pulled him into a hug.
"I don't care who you're with and I don't care that you haven't been around. You were there when I needed you whether you meant to be or not. You and Rook saved my family," she sobbed. Davrin hugged her back and they sat for a moment in quiet.
"Thank you Junai, it means a lot to hear you say that." Davrin pulled back and they smiled at each other.
"I'll try to talk some sense into my husband. When the time comes."
Rook had been levitating the aravel for some time now he started to feel like he might need a lyrium potion if he were to go on for much longer but he held in there. After what they had learned about lyrium and where it came from he preferred natural recovery wherever possible. Lorrik and the others had been working on the repairs to the bottom. The fire had caused a lot of structural problems and the only fix in some spots was to completely rebuild. He and Lorrik hadn't had any other discussion since his outburst but the other elves were more than friendly.
"We should be just about done Rook, are you good to keep holding it," said the youth whom he had learned was called Ilariel.
"Actually, I should take a break it is starting to become straining," said Rook lowering his head and taking a deep breath.
"That's it for now everyone, the mage can't hold it anymore," said Lorrik, taking a step back. Rook watched everyone step back and could feel the tips of his fingers tingling as his connection with the fade was weakening. He held his concentration long enough to set the aravel down gently and without incident. He picked up his staff and put it on his back and walked over to Lorrik. "Good job Rook, that would have taken much longer without your help." Lorrik smiled at him and Rook was ready to defend himself but he could find no sarcasm or taunt in his voice.
"How'd you guys do?" Davrin spoke from behind him. Rook made eye contact with Lorrik before turning away.
"Pretty good I guess," answered Rook. Davrin walked up and put an arm around his neck pulling into a kiss on the side of his head. Rook could tell Davrin was making a point to Lorrik but wasn't quite sure what. Junai was with him and she seemed to be smiling. "You look tired, you okay?"
"We got a lot done," said Lorrik as he and Junai embraced.
"Rook held up the aravel the entire time we were working," said Illariel.
"That's why you look tired I guess," said Davrin.
"Yeah, I'm good. Glad I could help," said Rook, "What about you how'd it go?"
"We got the mast back on and the wheels back in place thankfully," said Junai.
"Well I don't know about you two but I have worked up an appetite," said Lorrik, "Would you care to join us for lunch before you leave?" Rook and Davrin were both taken aback by the offer coming from Lorrik. "If you prefer not, that is okay too."
"Sure we'll stay," said Davrin. "I haven't had Dalish food since Bellara was cooking for us at the lighthouse." Rook wasn't sure if Lorrik was changing his behaviour because Davrin was there or if he had legitimately gained the man's respect.
They had gathered around the fire pit Rook and Davrin sat with Assan, Dav'ari, and Syphie, as Junai and Lorrik were presumably preparing the food. The children's caretaker a young woman sat across from them on the other side of the fire. The children both sat with Assan, Dav'ari had spent time looking for truffles while the others had done repairs he now sat feeding Assan one at a time. Rook sat on the log and Davrin sat between his legs in front of him, they had laid their weapons down beside them.
"That was unexpected huh?" whispered Rook, leaning into Davrin as he spoke.
"Yeah, Junai and I talked," Davrin kept his voice down matching Rook's tone, "Lorrik's got a rough history with human raiders."
"Is that what it is? I knew he had a problem with me," explained Rook, "I confronted him about it and he just stopped talking to me."
"You what?" Davrin looked back at Rook surprised.
"I outright asked him what his problem with me was. Ilariel said they were all grateful for what we did but Lorrik wasn't good at showing it. He and I never talked again the entire time we were working together," Rook shared. "Maybe that made him respect me? I don't know."
"I talked to Junai about us. Didn't seem like she'd take it well at first," Davrin laid back against Rook who randomly started massaging his shoulders. "That's nice."
"What did she say?" asked Rook, realizing that he distracted Davrin.
"Huh, oh… after everything we did for them she said she couldn't reject you," Davrin spoke quietly. "Though she said my parents may not be happy if they ever find out."
"It's a start I guess." Rook leaned down and put his arms around Davrin's neck.
"We should head out after this," Davrin kissed Rook on the cheek. "I've gotta tell our other family that you said yes too you know."
"Could just tell Harding," laughed Rook.
"If I could find her." Davrin laughed along with him.
"I need to talk to Emmrich about what happened anyway." Rook changed his tone and Davrin took his hands and kissed them in his.
"It's good to get help Rook, you know they're here for you too." Junai and Lorrik brought out a couple of servings of the food they had been preparing. Lorrik brought servings to Davrin and Rook and Junai served the children. He smiled at each of them as he passed it to them.
"Enjoy," he said as they each took their serving before walking back to where they were preparing the food. Rook looked the plate over he didn't recognize it as anything Bellara had made them before. It was on a bed of elf root and he recognized cheese, wildflower and pine nuts but those weren't the only things in the mixture. There was some sort of cake or biscuit on the side.
"I can't remember the last time I had Deep Forest Comfort," said Davrin using the utensil to sift through and mix it.
"I've never had it before I don't think," said Rook smelling the dish and catching a hint of garlic and halla butter.
"It's surprisingly salty."
"What's the little cake on the side?"
"It's a hearth cake, it'll be kind of familiar think cinnamon and sugar," explained Davrin. He knew that Rook had a bit of a sweet tooth so the comparison would resonate. It wasn't long until Junai and Lorrik joined them and the children came over to sit with them as they all ate together, they had given a plate to Assan as well which Rook appreciated. The texture was not what Rook expected from the forest comfort, it was almost softer than he was prepared for. He had prepared himself for more of a salad but there were more cooked elements to it than that.
"Do you like it Rook?" asked Junai.
"I do," said Rook swallowing a mouthful, "It's different than what I expected but it's quite good." Junai smiled at his answer and continued to eat.
"Davrin, care to tell us how you defeated Elgar'nan?" asked Lorrik. Rook suddenly felt slightly uncomfortable. Davrin looked back at him as if to ask permission, Rook simply nodded and took a mouthful from his plate.
"Just so long as no one here's going to be offended by it," said Davrin. It was still unclear how the majority of the Dalish clans felt about the defeat of the gods. It was something they wouldn't talk about in mixed company.
"We won't be. We heard the story of the Dalish clan that he intended to sacrifice to feed his archdemon," Lorrik answered and they could hear the disgust in his voice.
"We stopped that," said Rook.
"It was actually Rook who defeated Elgar'nan. I mean Lucanis and I helped but when he finally went down, Rook went hand-to-hand with him using the Dread Wolf's lyrium dagger." Lorrik looked at Davrin and then to Rook in disbelief. Rook smiled. "It was amazing, watching my tiny human go up against that demon of a god matching him in strength and speed."
"How? They're saying that Elgar'nan was eight feet tall?" exclaimed Junai.
"Determination, the world needed me to win. Everyone sacrificed to get us there," Rook shook his head as he spoke. "I had to make sure it was worth it."
"Well Rook, turns out you're quite the formidable individual," said Lorrik.
"And I'm the man who won his heart," Davrin smiled over his shoulder at him giving Rook the eye that made him fall for Davrin so quickly. Rook just smiled at him and they lingered on each other for a few seconds before returning to their food. "How have the clans reacted in general to the gods being evil blight monsters anyway?"
"A lot of the hahren have been taking time to rethink and review the old teachings trying to look for an answer in there. I don't know that they will find what they're looking for though," explained Lorrik. "These are strange times we live in. Our clan has chosen to discontinue some of the old ways."
"Really?" said Davrin surprised. "Like what?"
"Well for one our children will no longer be put through the Vallaslin," exclaimed Junai.
"That's a relief. I almost passed out from the pain when I got mine," recalled Davrin. Rook had heard about the process and read about it some, he had noticed that Davrin's was unusually embedded in his skin. Dav'ari brought his plate over and sat down with his back against Rook's leg, he looked up and smiled as he ate.
"Does he warm up to everyone like this?" asked Rook smiling at the child's parents and rubbing his head.
"No actually, I think you're probably the first shemlin he's met," said Junai. "He told us how you saved them and took them to stay with Emmrich while you and Davrin saved us."
"What did you think of Uncle Emmrich and Strife Dav'ari?" asked Davrin looking down at Dav'ari. "I hear you and Manfred got along quite well."
"Manfred was fun!" laughed Dav'ari. "I liked Uncle Emmrich."
"I heard Emmrich say he," Davrin changed his posture to do his best impression of Emmrich, "Thoroughly enjoyed having the little ones around." Even lightly bowing as he spoke. Rook had to keep himself from losing it laughing instead kept it to a light snicker.
"Stop it Davrin." Rook hid his smile under his hand and regained his composure as Davrin let out a full-on belly laugh. "I'm glad I made a good impression on the little guy."
"I saved you too Rook," said Dav'ari as he ate. "You said so remember."
"Of course how could I forget," Rook took a bit of the hearth cake and the sweetness was familiar to him. Davrin's demeanour changed a bit after Dav'ari spoke, Rook felt him shift almost uncomfortably and he could tell that he was hoping they wouldn't ask what they were talking about. He could also see Junai catch her brother's energy.
"Davrin, what's he talking about?" she asked.
"Uh well," said Rook not sure if he should continue. Davrin looked back at him his eyes telling him to let him tell them.
"Junai just promise me that you'll look at it as we're all here and we're all safe," Davrin began. When Junai didn't react Rook watched as Davrin sat his plate on the ground before speaking. Rook didn't look up from his plate almost scared to see their reactions. "We had a Despair Demon attack us last night." Junai took a breath. "But, but I was the only one in any real danger. Dav'ari snapped Rook out of it before anything happened."
"A demon?" she gasped.
"What drew it to you?" asked Lorrik sitting his plate down beside him.
"I … had a… nightmare," Rook murmured.
"Dav'ari, come here," barked Lorrik. Rook felt Dav'ari react to his father's voice, a reaction that Rook remembered getting from some of the Chantry sisters and brothers as a kid.
"Hey Lorrik come on don't do that, he's fine," said Davrin sitting forward.
"Dav'ari!" The little boy jumped up from where he sat and Rook looked over at him to see tears in his eyes.
"Hey listen to me!" Davrin raised his voice as he stood and everyone went silent for a moment, Sylphie ran to Junai and put her arms around her. "Lorrik we killed the damn thing. I just told you the story of how Rook killed a god. Do you really think a demon was anything to us? We killed it in our small clothes!" Dav'ari froze as Davrin spoke.
"It's okay, no one's mad at you," Rook whispered, "They're just scared."
"Haven't your children been through enough in the last forty-eight hours?"
"How do we know that Rook isn't an abomination?" accused Lorrik.
"Because you're still alive and you were with him all morning," Davrin retorted. "Look we'll leave if it'll keep the peace but don't yell at the kid like that, not now. It's not his damn fault."
"A couple of days ago he didn't even know you existed now you tell me, his father, how to treat him? I'll do what I feel I must to protect my children!" exclaimed Lorrik. Rook watched as Davrin looked at his sister seemingly expecting her to reel in her husband.
"Junai you know I'm right here."
"Lorrik perhaps we should take a step back, Dav'ari is safe as Davrin said, we cannot base how we treat our family on something that never happened."
"Like I said we'll leave if that'll make you happy but we're not stepping out of your lives. I want to be involved with our niece and nephew." Davrin put his hands on his hips and stood staring at them. Rook quietly sat his plate on the log he'd been sitting on and raised to stand next to Davrin as they waited for the response. "Junai promise me you won't let this ruin what we started here today."
"You should know, that Dav'ari's voice pulled my mind from the fade in time to save Davrin. You should be proud of him, he was very brave," said Rook. He could see Junai's look soften as he explained. Lorrik seemed to be staring at him but Rook couldn't tell if he was seeing fear or rage in the man's eyes.
"We thank you for what you've done for us," said Junai resting a hand on Lorrik's shoulder, "But if only for now you should probably take your leave. Let us get our lives back together and Eldrin can keep us in touch with one another. Lorrik stayed quiet as his wife took his hand. "You can take a few moments to say goodbye to your niece and nephew." Davrin nodded to Junai and let out a sharp whistle bringing Assan quickly to his side. He turned to Rook and gave him a reassuring look. Dav'ari quickly started crying as Davrin knelt in front of him and Rook couldn't help but feel bad that they had to leave him.
"Hey don't cry, it's okay buddy," comforted Davrin. He took Rook's hand and gestured for him to kneel beside him.
"I don't want you to leave yet though!"
"Uncle Davrin and I are closer than you think, anytime you want to get us a message give it to Uncle Eldrin and he can get it to us okay," Rook whispered.
"I'm sorry about what I said, Uncle Rook," Dav'ari stopped crying.
"Oh kiddo, you never said anything wrong. You were right you did save me. Mommy and Daddy are just scared for your safety." While it upset Rook, he did understand that his parents were just trying to look out for him. The little boy practically threw himself into Rook with a hug.
"I'll miss you." Dav'ari whimpered as he hugged each of them. Assan let out a soft coo before Dav'ari hugged him as well. Rook enjoyed watching them together and how sweet their relationship had become so quickly. Sylphie had come up behind them and tapped on Davrin's shoulder.
"Uncle Davrin," she spoke softly as she stepped in front of them.
"Well hello there," Davrin greeted. The little girl didn't say anything else as she gave them each a hug. "Thank you for coming to say goodbye, I hope we get to spend more time together next time." The little girl just smiled wide as Davrin spoke before hugging Rook as well.
"Thanks for the hug Sylphie," said Rook as they hugged. "Next time we see you I want you to think of something fun for us to do together. Okay?" The little girl nodded her head enthusiastically. They looked at each other and stood up ready to leave. Junai and Lorrik both approached them. "If there's anything else we can do, Eldrin knows how to get in touch with us. Please don't hesitate."
"Of course. Thank you, Rook," Junai graciously accepted the offer though Rook was sure she was just being polite. Junai hugged Davrin and Rook stood back while they said their goodbyes. Assan sat next to him and he found himself rubbing the top of Assan's head as they waited. Davrin finished up and joined them, Rook could see something in his features as they started to walk.
"How are you feeling?" asked Rook walking up and taking his hand.
"You know surprisingly good," Davrin smiled at Rook, "Lorrik's a bit of an ass but Junai did tell me earlier that she'd accept you and me." Davrin released Rook's hand and snaked his arm around his waist as they walked. "I'm glad you encouraged me to pursue this."
"Me too, it seemed pretty uncertain at the end there. I'm glad they came around for the most part even if we had to leave. At least we can go back. I felt bad leaving Dav'ari like that though. That kid stole my whole heart."
"I feel the same, I'll make sure Eldrin knows to send along any letters from him."
"That'll be nice."