#apologies for the lack of vip pov

[redbaretta]

Dir en grey - EUROPE TOUR24 FROM DEPRESSION TO ________ [mode of Withering to death. & UROBOROS] - London, UK (2024.03.25-26) ↳ Day 2: mode of UROBOROS - T.D.F.F. - Toshiya Focus

Original video © redbaretta @ Tumblr

[unicornforcewinds]

WAM Chapters 11 & 12

The Wolf and the Mermaid: Solas is a forensic financial investigator, and Lavellan is a mermaid performer with a mysterious past. Fluff, Smut, Angst, and lots of Drama. Solas POV.

Chapters 1 & 2.   Chapters 3 & 4.  Chapters 5 & 6.    Chapters 7 & 8.     Chapters 9 & 10.    Fic on AO3.

Chapter 11: Morrigan’s Nightclub

Solas 10:22 I need you to look into something for me.

Leliana 10:27 Of course, what is it?

Solas 10:28 No questions asked.

Leliana 10:29 Sounds suspicious, is everything alright?

Solas 10:31 That is what I intend to find out.

Leliana 10:34 So, what is it?

Solas 10:35 There will be no questions?

Leliana 10:36 I’m insulted you have to ask.

Solas 10:37 A person. Ellana Lavellan .

Leliana 10:41 [●＿●]! Your mermaid paramour?

Solas 10:42 I believe that is a question .

Leliana 10:43 Just making sure that you’re sure.

Solas 10:43 I am.

Leliana 10:45 Very well. {((=_=))}

He pinched the bridge of his nose and then spread his fingers to massage his temples. Why did everything have to be so difficult? It was an uncomfortable surprise when he received a text from Ellana that evening, though he probably should have anticipated it. After their time together, a lack of communication was a deplorable breach of etiquette on his part. It was confounding that the deeper implications of her simple message left him feeling so ill at ease, though it was unsurprising.

Ellana 4:51 Hey stranger :)

He wondered if he should not simply ignore the message, waiting to respond until his concerns were put to rest. Of course, he should not lead her to believe something was amiss by not responding, which meant that a prompt response might prove to be more prudent.

Solas 4:59 Hello

Ellana 5:02 Haven’t heard from you. Everything alright?

Solas 5:03 Apologies. I have been busy.

Ellana 5:05 Hopefully not for the entire week. I’d love a tour of your apartment ;)

Solas was not such an old man to be ignorant of her allusion. He gulped, eyes shutting instantly, and his mind flashed for a brief moment to the image of her on the dining room table. Still, strong as they may be, he was not a man to be swayed by his baser impulses.

The sensible action was to push such things firmly out of his conscious thoughts, and so he would. Agreeing to meet now would be unwise, but he did not wish to outright reject her, should his worries prove to be unfounded. If there turned out to be some credence to his suspicions, then it might be even more beneficial to keep his options open.

Solas 5:13 I may be unavailable. My plans remain unsettled until I hear from a colleague. I will inform you as soon as I’m able.

Ellana 5:16 It’s alright. There’s always next week.

The trouble with text was that it left so much room for interpretation. The subtle nuance of tone and pitch and shifting expression were utterly absent from the impersonal electronic communication. Was she resigned or disappointed or understanding of his fabricated dilemma? It was all impossible to tell. He hoped Leliana would have information for him soon, because waiting was the worst way to test his patience.

-----

A nightclub was not Solas�� natural habitat. He was both too old and too sober for the noise and the crowd. Having attended Dorian’s party, he’d intended to avoid such places for at least the rest of the year. His only consolation lay in his appearance not being part of a social obligation.

For work, he was the wolf. He prowled across the floor, moving with purpose; focused. To be an observer rather than a participant made it almost enjoyable, if perhaps not as intriguing as he might have hoped. The imminent contact with his cousin did certainly curtail whatever pleasure he might derive from the evening. He breathed in and out deeply, and readied himself.

He sat at a table on the upstairs balcony, where he was both out of sight and at a good vantage. From his perch, he could see nearly every angle of the main floor, and for the space of roughly thirty minutes, he silently observed the room. It was enough to tell him that his quarry would be found in the VIP lounge.

A pair of humans too often came and went, handing off small envelopes in exchange for currency. There was no doubt in his mind they were engaging in the sale of illicit substances, but he was unable to determine from this distance whether it was red lyrium or something more mundane.

“I did wonder at your presence, cousin, to what do I owe your honoring of my humble establishment?”

It was exactly as unpleasant to see her as he suspected it would be, but a necessary evil nonetheless.

“I need to access your VIP room.”

“And which one of my guests were you intending to harass this evening?”

“The one selling red lyrium.”

“Red… lyrium?! Tis not possible.”

“I’m afraid it is.”

She splayed a hand across her forehead, took a deep breath, and scowled.

“Fine, do what you must.”

“Thank you.”

As he turned to leave, her voice stopped him.

“Oh, and Solas?”

“Yes?”

“Do try not to get distracted by the entertainment.”

He gave her a puzzled look and she smiled at him darkly, raising her eyebrows. She was insufferable . Whatever vulgar exhibition awaited him, he felt quite certain in his ability to ignore it. The only thing of interest to him here was a step higher in the red lyrium supply chain.

The first thing he noticed was that the VIP section was much larger than he’d anticipated. There were private rooms off the main area, and a large, clear, pool of water in the center, which seemed odd but not noteworthy.

“Good to see you again, Solas, didn’t think this was your scene.”

He turned quickly to see a vaguely familiar face, Krem, wasn’t it? But what was he doing here? Solas’ heart thumped loudly in his chest, his breath catching.

“It is not, I am here on business. And yourself?”

“Same thing, though I kinda like the place myself.”

“You’re working here ?”

“Yeah, one of our usual bookings. We’re here at least once a month, usually.”

“Your security company?”

“Just me and the Chief tonight. The Sea Maiden, as he calls her, doesn’t usually require more than that.”

Solas paled, his mouth suddenly becoming intolerably dry. How was it that this kept happening? He’d been trying in earnest to avoid her, and so of course she was here. It should not come as a surprise at this point, as she seemed to be present at nearly every function he attended, so why should she not show up here as well?

“Speaking of, here she is now,” Krem informed him, chin lifting toward the center of the room.

The mermaid descended from the ceiling on her back, her lower half supported by some sort of crystalline net; her upper body arched and extending towards the floor. The music began in a slow series of low beats, becoming progressively faster and louder, the closer she got.

With a rounded back, she slowly reached her arms up to grab the net, pulling it into a sling and flipping fully over it backwards. Rotating onto her stomach, she bent over the supporting fabric and spun gracefully with increasing momentum until her torso was flush against the tail. With arms outstretched, she gripped the corners of its fluke.

It unlike anything he had seen before, and he was mesmerized - her body artfully spinning and twisting to the rhythm of the music. In other circumstances, he would not have appreciated it, but the manufactured, electronic sounds enhanced the otherworldly atmosphere, giving the performance a very appealing and exotic air.

At the end of the song, she winked at him, and he closed his mouth. How long it had been hanging open, he couldn’t say, but it was more than a little embarrassing, and the tips of his ears felt white hot. He had gone from cautiously distancing himself and suspecting her of duplicity, to a slack-jawed fool staring at her with stars in his eyes.

It was unacceptable, and he’d nearly lost sight completely of his purpose in coming here. He hoped that Leliana would have information or him soon, because being in her presence seemed to render him all but senseless. It was not until another person physically bumped into him, that he was able to turn his attention back to the matter at hand.

After a short conversation with Bull, he entered the room where his target was holed up. Looking around, he tried to subtly ascertain who was in charge, and that’s when he made eye contact with someone he vaguely recognized. For a moment they shared a significant look, both trying to recall the other, until the pieces clicked into place.

The blonde woman from the tranquil ward, who’d vanished before the police arrived. There was not a doubt in his mind.

Solas 12:27 Person of interest located in VIP lounge. Qunari will direct you.

“I believe we have business to discuss,” he told her placidly.

“What is it you want? I know you aren’t in law enforcement.”

“I seek information. Who are the Venatori?”

“You’re a clever one, Wolf,” she smiled cruelly. “As a courtesy, leave now. Where this road goes, you don’t want to.”

“Be that as it may, my course is set.”

“Then you are a fool, nothing but a dog chasing after a bone. The knowledge would serve you no use but death, if I was to share it.”

“It is my life. You would lose nothing in telling me.”

She considered him a moment while weighing the options in her head. He hoped she would decide quickly, they had precious little time before the police arrived to haul her away, and this might be his only chance to get any sort of answers.

“Alright men, there she is! Quickly now,” Cullen ordered, bursting through the door.

She smiled at him as the police approached, resolution in her eyes. They moved to grab her but she attacked, knocking one of the officers to the ground. Before they were able to capture her, she ran toward him, whispering one word, Corypheus.

He moved aside just in time to avoid being hit as they tackled her to the floor. Her eyes remained on him all the while, a small smile stuck on her face. She spoke not another word during the arrest and was led out the back entrance to a waiting squad car.

He was a little surprised she seemed to go with them willingly, and his instincts told him that all was not well. Just the same, it was a police matter now. He had what he hoped would prove to be a promising lead, and there was likely to be nothing more he required from her.

“You wanna tell me what that was about, Solas?”

Bull was leaning against the wall outside the doorway, arms crossed over his massive chest.

“A simple work matter,” he offered plainly.

“Uh huh. Look, whatever you’re involved in, it’s not my business. But, if you let any of this touch her, then I’ll make it my business. Are we clear?”

“I believe we understand each other well.”

“Glad to hear it.”

The qunari smiled at him winningly, giving him a light smack on the shoulder before walking away. He did not generally appreciate being threatened, but he could understand the sentiment behind it. Working as her bodyguard, he was naturally inclined to be protective of her, and that was nothing to fault him for.

“Leaving so soon?” a familiar voice interrupted him as he made his way to the exit.

“I had planned to, yes,” he told her, smile finding his face despite himself.

From up close, she was just Ellana, even despite the purple contacts. Beneath the allure and mystery of the costume, she was still extraordinary and the sight of her arrested his breath. His concerns all seemed so foolish now, with her in front of him. What was it he was afraid of before?

“Well, I think you pretty much shut the place down, so I’m free now, if you want company.”

She smiled, but it seemed a little hesitant, uncertain.

“I would like that very much.”

“Good choice,” she teased. “It will take me about twenty minutes to be ready, that is if you don’t mind waiting.”

“I do not, mind that is. It is probably good I speak to my cousin, anyway.”

“Alright then, I’ll see you soon.”

He bowed his head as a form of farewell and went to find Morrigan, who had apparently been waiting for him at the bar.

“Well, well. Caught yourself a fish, have you? How interesting.”

“Perhaps you should be more concerned with keeping your business in order, cousin.”

The feline smirk on her lips quickly fell into a hard line.

“So the police made an arrest, the situation has been resolved then?”

“For now, perhaps, though I suggest you monitor such things more actively in the future.”

“I will take it under advisement.”

“Then I take my leave.”

-----

They’d both been very tired when they arrived at his apartment; so they forewent physical intimacy in favor of sleep. He did not mind in the slightest, and was perfectly content just to feel the soft warmth of her body against him, burrowed together beneath the blankets. It was a miracle that he could sleep at all after the goings on of the night before, but his investigation didn’t seem quite so urgent with her beside him. In truth, he had not slept half so well since the last time they shared a bed, and he hoped to do so much more often.

“Good morning,” she groused, eyes slitting open.

“It is,” he agreed, pressing a chaste kiss to her forehead.

“Mmmm,” she hummed, pulling herself against him.

He pushed the hair out of her face, tucking it gently behind her ear. The way she leaned into his simple touch filled him with an airy sort of warmth. In the space since he’d last been with her, he’d nearly forgotten just how nice this truly felt. It was artless and honest; it was… everything. She looked up into his face and smiled lopsidedly.

“You are so beautiful ,” he spoke earnestly, placing his lips to her temple.

“Sweet talker.”

They stayed in bed for nearly an hour, simply enjoying each other’s warmth, but the increasing frequency of her stomach growling was selfish to ignore. When he offered to make breakfast, she eagerly accepted, and he was glad to return the favor.

“Do you mind if I use your computer to get a bit of work done?” she asked, while he was mixing ingredients together in a large bowl.

“My laptop is in the office, if you bring it to me, I’ll unlock it for you,” he explained, pointing to the door.

“Thanks,” she said, leaning in for a quick kiss as he bent down towards her.

He busied himself as she left the room, preparing her tea and heating a pan on the stove.

“Solas, what is this?”

He’d never heard her voice sound that way before. It was worried, sharp, and he knew something was wrong. When he turned, he could see she was holding a stack of papers in her hand, eyes searching his face; demanding answers. Oh no.

“I…” he began, but had no idea what to say.

“You’ve been investigating me?” The accusation in her voice poorly hid an undercurrent of pain, and he felt suddenly as though he could not breathe.

“There… were some inconsistencies.”

“ Inconsistencies ? And you didn’t think to simply ask me ?”

“…I suspected you may respond badly to being questioned, if indeed you were hiding something.” He kept his breathing intentionally even, forcing himself to get through this without breaking down.

“What would I be hiding, exactly? And just what business of yours would it be anyway?”

“I… do not know.”

“And I’m supposed to accept that as an answer?”

“No, I do not expect you will.”

He could feel the guilt beginning, a little wave rolling in and building up until it became tidal. He trained his face to hide the emotions underneath, it was all he could do now.

“So, because I don’t like to talk about my past with people I’m just getting to know, a trait we have in common, I might add, you assume I’m hiding some dark secret? And that seems reasonable to you?”

She was upset, hurt, and she had every right to be. To have her tell it, he was paranoid and invasive, and… was that not the truth? He violated her privacy and her trust, but his reasoning had seemed so sound.

“I realized last night that it was a mistake. In truth I have not seen the information myself.”

“Does any part of you think that makes it okay? Seriously?”

He breathed in and out slowly, steadying himself before speaking.

“No, I know that it does not.” He held onto the counter to prevent his hands from trembling.

She looked down and away, avoiding his eyes. It hurt profoundly, but he deserved it. How was he such a fool ? Did his self-sabotage truly extend to such lengths? In retrospect, he could not imagine any realm of possibility in which this would have turned out in some way other than catastrophic.

She had given him a second chance already, and it seemed impossible that she could look past this transgression. It was a misstep of considerably greater proportion than the last, and she was perfectly justified in not forgiving it. She would be done with him now, and he did not blame her in the slightest. No, he put the responsibility exactly where it belonged, he put it on himself.

“I… I have to leave.”

“For what it is worth, I –“ she cut him off before he could finish.

“Stop. Whatever you’re planning to say, I don’t want to hear it.”

“Of course,” he assented, exhaling deeply, “goodbye, Ellana.”

He knew it was probably the last time they would speak, and even with her still here, the gravity of losing her was profound. As she collected her things and left the apartment, she said not a word. It was the loudest silence he had ever heard in his life.

Chapter 12: A Rendezvous at the Station

"I am not in denial," he insisted flatly.

"Of course not," Dorian mocked, swirling the claret around in his glass. "And the fact that you've barely left your apartment in months is just a coincidence."

"You speak as though I have holed myself up. With as busy as work has been, simple errands are best left to Cole." He was growing somewhat indignant, but why was this any of Dorian's concern?

"And that meeting last week? Using your assistant and communicating over speaker phone? That certainly went over well." The look was pointed, but he pretended not to see it.

"I was taken ill, Dorian. Is it any wonder with the poor condition of the weather? Should I have chosen to attend, risking not only my own health but everyone else’s as well?”

"Alright," he sighed, "that I will grant you, but this?" He walked determinedly from the kitchen to the hall, thrusting open the closet door before Solas could object, and gestured emphatically towards its contents. "Is this also reasonable?"

Irritably, he pinched the bridge of his nose, and avoided looking at the carefully stacked canvases. He was a painter, and she was well suited to the medium. It hardly merited such a reaction.

Calmly, and with measured steps, he walked down the hall and shut the door. Turning away, wrists crossed behind him, he did not look back as he suggested that Dorian take his leave.

It was true, he'd been affected by her to the point of being infected, and as yet had not determined a treatment for the illness. There had been something about her though, beyond the obvious, that had touched him in a way he'd never imagined was possible. She had changed him, changed everything , and he could not simply go back.

Burying himself in his work had been an effective means of circumventing the pain, but it was not a foolproof method. Little things would cause him to recall her face or her scent, and sent him reeling. Still, it had been a largely productive few months, even if he had not left his apartment often.

The Venatori case had still not been closed however, and progress was slow, and sporadic at best. Despite his efforts, the trail had all but gone cold. As with his own condition, he hoped that being patient would turn things around. An unexpected text message that evening had come at a most opportune moment, when he was sorely in need of good news.

Cullen Rutherford 8:23 Solas, meet me at the station tomorrow at 3. It's about that case. I could use your help.

He didn't bother responding to the text, but he would, of course, show up. He was not proving Dorian wrong either, he was merely fulfilling his professional duties. Finally gaining more ground on the Venatori case would also serve as an excellent distraction. At least, that is what he hoped.

-----

The station was busier, and noisier , than he was used to. Officers were scurrying about, too otherwise occupied to take notice of someone wandering in. It was not until he'd dinged the bell a second time that anyone bothered to ascertain his purpose.

It took only a few moments for Cullen to greet him, once he’d been notified, coming out a door that civilians were not meant to travel past. His hair was unwashed, and there were heavy circles under his eyes, leading Solas to wonder at the state of his health.

"Solas," he sighed, wringing his hands, "thank the Maker you came."

"I am always happy to be of assistance, Sergeant. Can I expect that my cooperation will be remembered in the future?"

"You're as bad as Leliana," he shook his head wearily, "but it doesn't matter. Just follow me. I'll explain when we're inside."

As instructed, he followed the officer down a labyrinth of hallways, finally reaching a door accessible only via keypad and digital fingerprint scanner.

"I'm sure I don't need to tell you that anything you hear or see is classified?"

"You know well my discretion, Commander."

Where the rest of the precinct had been abuzz with activity, it was fairly quiet in this section, like due in no small part to the clearance level normally required to enter.

"Alright," Cullen gestured, "just have a seat there and I'll be with you in a minute. Please don't talk to anyone, technically you aren't supposed to be here."

Casually, he surveyed the room, noting the people and the screens. It all seemed fairly as expected, except that one particular person caught his eye. He could see them only from behind, and it couldn't possibly have been who he thought it was... No, it had to be only a coincidence, and wishful thinking on his part. If he was to happen upon her, it was unlikely to be here of all places.

He grew impatient as he waited, hoping they would turn their head enough that he could verify or refute what his brain was telling him. When finally they turned, his heart fell to his stomach, his spirit somehow sinking and soaring simultaneously.

That this was where he’d run into her… even now, she continued to surprise him. So close she was, and yet, he could never reach her now. That he found himself again able to take in the sight of her at all, it was so painful as to be near heartrending, and yet filled him with overwhelming relief.

Her face was like he'd never seen it - stern; focused. The officers listened to her attentively, respectfully, with a deference he'd only expect towards a superior. What brought her here, and why they reacted thus, both questions left his curiosity near bursting.

The moment she saw him, her eyes went wide with surprise, narrowing almost immediately into a withering look that cut him like a knife. She stared, mouth open slightly, wondering at an explanation, he assumed, when Cullen returned.

“Sergeant,” she stiffened, “I certainly hope you can explain to me what this civilian is doing here.”

Cullen bristled as she looked at him expectantly, the rest of the room falling silent.

“Yes, Ma'am, you see... ahem, well. Solas is something of a... an independent contractor. I've asked him here because I believe his unique talents can be of assistance to us.”

She paused, eyes sharpening minutely. “This is meant to be a secure facility. Sharing classified information with an outsider, Rutherford?” she shook her head disdainfully. “Do you imagine this breach of conduct will go unpunished? Is this the sort of thing the department has fallen to in my absence?”

“No Ma'am,” he nodded, resigned. “It was my decision, and I will take full responsibility.”

“Yes, you will. Now then,” she continued, turning towards Solas, “you will come with me.”

Admittedly a bit awestruck, he silently followed as she lead him into a meeting room of sorts. When the door was closed behind them and she'd switched off the camera feed, she finally spoke.

“The respect I have here, I worked hard for. I hope you will not do or say anything that could undermine my position.”

It hurt him to think she imagined him capable of such a thing, but after his previous betrayal of her trust, he supposed it was fair.

“Ellana, I...” but there was nothing he could say.

Clearly she was displeased to see him, and here of all places. It had obviously been a much less pleasant shock for her than it was for him.

“You need not worry, I will say nothing.” He knew not if she believed him, and could hardly blame her if she did not, but there was little besides his word that he could offer her.

“Thank you,” she acknowledged. Her tone was in sharp contrast with her words, being decidedly ungracious, but it was, perhaps, kinder than he deserved.

“May I ask,” he interrupted, as she moved for the door. She didn't turn, but she paused, and he took it as a sign to continue.

“What,” he gestured, unsure how to phrase his question, “brings you here?”

Now, she spun round to face him, eyes hard as glass and piercing into his. There was a subtle shine of wetness in her gaze, a hint of pain he mightn’t have noticed, had he been less observant or less familiar with her features.

“I'm surprised it wasn't in my file,” she snapped.

The words bit into his flesh like a blade, hurtling straight towards his heart. The resounding pang of guilt, the vivid recollection of how they had parted; how he hurt her.

“In truth,” he admitted, “I could not bring myself to read it. Though, of course, I know that changes nothing.”

Whether she believed him or not, he couldn't tell, and it did not matter. Despite that, he couldn’t help but hope she would provide him with some kind of explanation, if only to slake his burgeoning curiosity.

She sighed, closing her eyes, and shook her head, seeming to relieve built up tension.

“I am, I was, an Inquisitor.”

He felt his brow tense momentarily, surprise evident on his face. A Dalish elf Inquisitor? That was... surprising did not come close to adequate. He realized now what she'd meant, when she told him that she used to be a different person.

“That is surprising, and impressive.” It was likely also how she arranged for the Arcanist's release, he thought.

“Yes, well, I need to get back. I will trust Sergeant Rutherford’s discretion as long as you stay out of my way.”

He wanted to ask for more specific details, and why exactly she was here now, if she had indeed retired from the Inquisition. She was glad to leave her old life behind, that is what she'd confessed to him. Hopefully then, her return would only be temporary. Though the strong, nearly ferocious person he saw had impressed him, he did not enjoy seeing her personality stifled under the weight of her responsibility.

She left him alone with his thoughts, heart and mind equally conflicted. He bowed his head, releasing a slow, deep breath, and returned to where Cullen was anxiously waiting.

“I, uh, I apologize for that, Solas,” he offered sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Inquisitor Lavellan is strict, but I’ve never seen her so angry. Don’t worry, I’ll sort this mess out.”

He shook his head, “you need not worry, Sergeant, the Inquisitor was more than fair. Shall we go over the reason you asked me here?”

“Yes, of course. I’d like you to take a look at these documents. Our team hasn’t been able to make heads or tails of them, and I was wondering if anything made sense to you.”

“I am glad to be service.”

His own research into Corypheus Industries had revealed precious little, and these financial records, likely gibberish to the untrained eye, were a veritable treasure trove of data, if you knew how to read them. This was the puzzle piece he needed to verify the link between the shadowy conglomerate and Gereon Alexius.

He was only too happy to help, so long as he was given a copy of the relevant information. Was he not working alongside the police on this case, more or less? Was it not then in their own best interest to aid in his investigation? Unfortunately, this decision would not be up to Cullen, and he was unsure of how Ellana would feel about it. He did doubt, however, that she would let their personal history get in the way of professional matters.

“Maker’s breath,” he sighed, shaking his head slightly and slumping into the nearest chair. “That woman is terrifying.”

With his face trained against the disappointment, Solas asked if his request had been denied.

“No,” he explained, “she’s agreed to it, but I’m likely to lose more than just my job if anything should happen.”

“You shouldn’t put yourself in such a position on my behalf, Commander.”

“I owe you Solas, but I am doing this because I believe it is the right thing to do. Whatever happens, I’m willing to accept the consequence.”

He nodded. “A position worthy of respect. I shall endeavor to be worthy of your support.”

“Do what you must, just catch the bastards.”

-----

He was feeling better, and more like himself, than he had in months. With a solid lead, at last, he was able to successfully distract his thoughts and shift his focus away from Ellana, at least, for the most part. Stray fragments would pop up, flooding his mind with her face, and her eyes, vague connections his mind had formed to words or phrases.

Even having seen her, he was better able to direct his focus elsewhere, and in time, he hoped and feared, that he could put her from his mind completely. The thought made his chest feel tight, and stung his eyes, but he pushed those feelings away, as well. He made do without her before, and he could do so again. In fact, he might find himself better off. At this moment, it was difficult to believe, but perhaps he could convince himself of it in time.

With determined resignation, he redoubled his efforts, sending off bits of information to Leliana, and forwarding others to the Arcanist. He hoped that by the morning, the seeds he’d planted would bear fruit. There was nothing left for him to do now, and though it was still fairly early, sleep seemed the least unappealing way to spend the rest of his night.

He dreamed again of the six eyed wolf and the halla, only this time, their roles were reversed. The deer bounded after the much larger beast, through a dark wood, illuminated only by scattered bits of moonlight that had broken through the trees. The deeper they went, the thicker the forest became, until the wolf found itself trapped.

It howled mournfully, bowing its head low, seeming to ask for forgiveness, or mercy. The halla reared, hissing loudly, and brought its hooves down upon the wolf. With a pained whine, the wolf curled in on itself, offering submission. With an angry thrust of its head, the wolf was gored by the halla’s horns.

Solas woke, panting; cold sweat clinging to his nightclothes. His stomach felt as though it had been ripped open, much like the wolf in his dreams. Fingers hastily pulled up his shirt, nimble fingers carefully examining the flesh. As he suspected, there was no wound, but it did not ease his discomfort. After downing a disgusting mug of tea and changing his clothes, he lied restless in bed, tossing and turning until the sun was slitting through the blinds. It had been a miserable night, but at least now it was over.