#until they found Din'an Hanin | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

ahrorha · 6 years ago

Text

Flame of Winter

Are you guys as excited as I am that we finally get a sliver of the next Dragon Age game? And yes I have questions!

Anyways I am at home on sick leave and so I could spend some time writing and I couldn't let you wait for too long ;) It is time some secrets are unveiled.

Chapter 21

From outside the tent, the laughter of Sera could be heard over the crackling of the fire. Inside there was a dead silence as Solas stared at Eirlana in shock. His mind tried to digest what she just told him. Pregnant, no she couldn't be, this couldn't happen.

“Can you feel it?” she looked lovingly at him with a hopeful smile on her lips.

Still, in shock, he moved his hands automatically. Carefully he placed them on her belly and let his magic flow. There it was, he could feel it, a small presence, a new life.

His eyes went big, staring at her he gasped. “You are...?”

“Yes.”

He pressed his hand firmer against her. “How? When?”

Thrill, confusion and dread filled him as he felt the tiny heartbeat pulsating against his magic.

Worried by his reaction, Eirlana got anxious. “I think after Adamant...” she fell silent unsure what to make of his response.

Solas mind raced, they had been careful ever since they had become intimate, he had always made sure she drank the tea. He... “After the siege.” he whispered.

“I think so.” Eirlana replied nervously; he wasn't reacting like she hoped. Saddened she cast her eyes down and wrapped her arms protectively over her stomach.

“How long have you known?”

“I felt her presence last night in the Fade.”

“Her?”

“I don't know. It feels like a girl. I can't explain it.”

“So your illness?”

“Morning sickness.”

Falling silent again he tried to apprehend what this meant; she was really pregnant. He was becoming a father, and that thought filled him both with panic and pride, the latter more than he would have ever imagined.

“I am sorry. I know you didn't want...” she was close to tears.

He took her in his arms and held her tightly. “Vhenan, I am sorry. I am a little overwhelmed.” he kissed her temple and smiled at her. “Thank you.”

With Solas finally smiling at her Eirlana relaxed a little. “For what?”

A flood of different emotions went through him. Ever since she had entered his life, she had shaken him countless times. With every step, she had made him question the things he thought he knew about this world. She had shown him there was still beauty, wonder, hope and love to be found, and now she had given him the greatest gift, the gift of a new life. For once he hadn't destroyed but created something, something precious and beautiful. He pressed his forehead against her temple. “For everything. I never dared to dream, to hope. You are a wonder I never thought would be possible.”

If he believed in the existence of gods, he would thank them at this moment.

The tears Eirlana held back fell from her eyes. “So you are happy?”

“Vhenan, ma 'lath. Of course, I am happy. Ma vhenan.” He kissed her tears away and held her. “Ar lath ma.”

The camp began their morning preparations and woke up Solas. He propped himself up on his elbow and watched Eirlana, who was asleep next to him. Slowly he reached out to her and ran his hand along her bare arm. A smile ghosted across her face, but she didn't open her eyes. He still couldn't believe she was pregnant, that he was to become a father.

Back in his days fathering a child was always planned, decades could pass to find the right partner and the right moment to make such a commitment. He had always been too preoccupied even to consider to start a family.

Now he lay next to the person that was offering him this miracle. Gently he moved his hand to her tummy and let it rest there, his magic carefully sensing tiny presence growing there. He was in awe; he had helped to create a new life, something he never thought he would do or wanted. Now he couldn't imagine anything more beautiful or more special than the gift she had given him. He needed to make arrangements immediately; he needed to prepare a place where she would be kept safe and cared for. Being pregnant with his child would make her, even more, a target for those who opposed him. He needed to change things, and even if he couldn't change the bloody path that lay before him, he could change this. He could forge a place where his family could live and be safe.

He also needed to tell her the truth; he couldn't lie to her any longer, he needed to bring her somewhere alone and finally tell her everything.

Eirlana stirred and tangled her fingers between his. “Morning.” she murmured sleepily.

“Good morning.”

She stretched herself, and he saw the opportunity to slip his hand under her shirt. With reverence and wonder, he stroked his thumb over her bare skin, indulging himself at feeling her still flat stomach. Soon she would begin to show, and he couldn't even imagine how beautiful she would look then.

She was his light in this dark world, and he vowed he would permit himself to feel this happiness. For once he was filled with hope that things would change for the better, that there was hope for a brighter future.

A small group of ten soldiers gathered to accompany them. Ryan had decided to check on Taven and his fellow Dalish. They were excavating some elven ruins, called Din'an Hanin, not to far away and Ryan was curious at their progress. Also, he wanted to check on the men he had sent to assist them, they had failed to report back, and he hoped that meant they had succeeded in finding a way into the ruins. He decided to bring the extra manpower just in case more was needed. If all went well, they would go back to Skyhold the next day. With everyone ready to go Eirlana reached for her bag, but Solas was faster and shouldered it.

“You shouldn't lift anything heavy.”

She put her hand on her hip at his gesture. “Solas I am pregnant, not made from glass.”

“You shouldn't even leave the camp.”

“We already talked about this.”

Solas wasn't happy she wanted to go. Anything could happen, what if they ended up in a fight? What if she got hurt? What if she fell?

Seeing him looking so worried she cupped his face. “It will be alright, and I won't sit still and be surrounded by cushions for the coming eight months. This is our last day here and if you want you can confine me at Skyhold when we get back. Don't worry, we have dealt with all the threads in these parts, and I promise I will stay back if we encounter anything. Besides” she pecked him on his nose. “I have you to protect me.”

They set out through the forest. Solas was extra vigilant on the way, offering his hand to Eirlana whenever they needed to climb upon the moss-covered rocks. Stifling a laugh, she accepted his help and wondered how he would act when she was further in her pregnancy. She knew that his care and caution would be suffocating, and she didn't look forward to the fights they were bound to have. After a steep walk, they reached the ruins, but nobody was expecting what they found. The Dalish lay brutally murdered in front of the open doors leading to the ruins, their bodies cut and burned beyond recognition.

“Who did this?” exclaimed Ryan, horrified by the sight.

Weapons drawn they carefully got closer and Eirlana true to her word stayed back.

Iron Bull knelled by one of the corpses. “The blood is already dried up; this happened a few hours ago.”

Suddenly everyone startled as one of the elven bodies started to cough. Eirlana immediately went to the elf, who was bound against one of the Dalish aravel's wheels. He had been beaten and had several burns and cuts over his body; he had been tortured. She unpacked her healing supplies and tried to help him.

“Many footsteps are leading into the ruins.” Iron Bull noticed. “Whoever did this is inside.”

“Bull, Sera and Solas you are with me.” Ryan ordered. “Eirlana you help the elf, maybe he has some answers to what happened, the rest stay here to secure this entrance.”

They walked through the underground entrance until they came up in the open again in the main building of the ruins. Here they found the rest of the elves and the Inquisition's soldiers, they all had suffered the same gruesome end, cut down and burned by magic.

The culprits were quickly found, a large group of Venatori had spread out through the whole complex. Solas was glad Eirlana hadn't joined them, for the Venatori were accompanied by several red templar behemoths. These giant monstrous creatures were once a man that had been entirely consumed by red lyrium. It was hard to believe that these deformed mindless monsters had once been templars. Although they were bulky and slow, their attacks were brutal and forceful. Solas didn't even want to think what would happen if Eirlana would be hit by one. Iron Bull was, on the other hand, thrilled that he had something big to strike.

They soon discovered the Venatori were once again looking for an elven artefact that was hidden somewhere within these ruins. Ryan decided it would be better if they found it first, so they spent hours looking for the seals that would unlock the underground tomb. They had to fight the Venatori time and time again, and with every passing hour, Solas was getting more anxious to return to Eirlana.

When they took a short rest to eat something Iron Bull elbowed him.

“You are to tense after the good night you had.” he grinned at him.

“A very special night.” Sera laughed. “Almost called out elven glory.”

“This is not a topic for discussion.”

They both laughed even more.

“This is not a topic.” Sera imitated him “Boring topic anyway; the elf always goes after the elf.”

“That is not true I have had plenty of elves.” Iron Bull took a bite from his bread.

“What? How does that even fit?”

“Oh, it fits. Though they sometimes walk funny the next day.”

“I'll bet. Need some creative stretching for that one.” Sera sniggered.

Solas groaned inwardly, hoping they would soon move on.

Evening was already approaching when they exited the ruins, and Solas hoped that Eirlana and the troops had decided to return to the camp without them because he didn't look forward to walking through the woods in the dark with her in her condition.

“Maker!” Ryan exclaimed.

At the entrance of the ruins, a catastrophe awaited them.

Dead bodies of the Inquisition's soldiers and Venatori lay everywhere. Solas rushed past Ryan and began frantically to search for Eirlana, but there was no sign of her. All he found was her staff, lying abandoned on the ground.

What had happened?

Where was she?

With shaking hands, he picked up her staff and again looked around; both hoping and dreading he would see her among the dead bodies.

The others also spread out, trying to make sense of the situation.

“Shitballs, why? We killed all the buggers inside!” Sera knelt down and picked something up. She walked to Solas and held out Eirlana's wolf pendant, its leather cord snapped in two.

He took it and stared at it in his hand. They must have taken her.

Why did they take her?

His mind puzzled over the events that had happened, the attack outside of Skyhold, the notes he found, the attack at the Winter Palace. They didn't come for him; they came for her.

But why? What could they possibly want from her? Why had they gone to this length to capture her?

“She fought them with everything she had.” Iron Bull said. “Most of the bodies have crush and ice wounds on them. They left on several horses, there is a trail heading to the west.”

“Damn! And of course it is getting dark.” Ryan mumbled. “Do you think we could follow them in the dark?”

Bull nodded and dropped the pack of treasures they had found in the ruins.

“Come let's make haste, with luck we will find them before sunrise.”

Pain was the first thing Eirlana registered, her hands and head were throbbing. What had happened? Where was she?

Slowly she regained consciousness; she was slumped over a horse, gagged and her hands tightly bound. Her back stung and she felt dizzy as she tried to recollect what had happened.

She had been at the ruins, Solas and the others had been away for an hour, and she had managed to stabilise the wounded elf. The soldiers had gathered the bodies and were preparing a pyre. Suddenly arrows flew through the air, and several soldiers fell dead to the ground. Venatori jumped out from everywhere and attacked them. She had fought back with everything she had and tried to help the soldiers but being surrounded by so many, one by one they fell.

“Get her!” the Venatori leader had yelled, and someone tried to grab her from behind. Using her force-magic she managed to throw him off her, but he had gotten hold of her necklace, and it had snapped from her neck. She needed to get away; she needed to find the others. Impaling another fighter on a cone of ice she ran towards the entrance of the ruins when out of the shadows a blade suddenly slashed her in the back.

She screamed out in pain and fired more ice to protect herself but the nimble rogue dodged away. She turned to run further but the world had turned fuzzy, too late she realized she had been poisoned. Quickly she tried to neutralise it, but her magic felt strange and far away.

“Don't kill her! You idiot!”

Rough hands grabbed her, and her staff was pulled from her, a wet cloth was pressed against her face. She recognised the smell immediately magebane; they had poisoned her with magebane. “Make her breath it in.”

A man stepped forward, and Eirlana panicked, they were going to punch her. Afraid they would harm her child she took a couple of deep breaths, poisoning herself even more.

The leader looked around, kicking one of the bodies of the fallen Venatori. “You haven't made this easy for us witch.”

She trembled as they half dragged, half carried her away from the ruins. What were they going to do with her? She froze when the leader pulled a knife, but he only used it to cut off her belt with supplies. Without her magic she could only watch helplessly as they manhandled her, it was a feeling she wished she would never experience again. She hoped that at any moment Solas and the others would come out of the ruins to save her.

“Hold her hands. Who knows if we can hold her if this stuff has worked out.”

“NO!” she yelled as they pushed her to the ground and the leader stomped on her hands with his iron boots. She screamed out in pain, and another wet cloth was pressed against her face, slowly she the world grew dark, and she lost her consciousness.

Remembering what had happened Eirlana tried to look around. They were still riding through the forest, but it was already getting dark which meant she had been unconscious for half a day. The forest opened into a clearing, and she could make out several fires spread out through a large old elven ruin. She could see several dug holes with a few broken chests next to them. They were digging here also for lost treasures.

A man stood up from one of the fires and walked up to them, he looked like a Venatori mage and was probably the leader of this group. “There you are. What happened? Where is the rest?” “Dead.”

“I still can't believe how many she got from us.” another one commented.

“What did you expect, she travels with the Inquisitor. If they were so easily defeated, we wouldn't be in this predicament. Let's hope you got the right one.” the mage-leader lifted her face and studied her with cold eyes.

“That's her.”

“You sure?”

Eirlana's heart jumped when she recognised a voice from her past. A hand grabbed her painful by the hair and pulled her face up. There he was, Ferrer, the only one that had escaped Solas' wrath all those months ago. His breath still smelled rotten as he hissed in her face. “Yes, there is no doubt about it.”

He was shoved to the side by a Venatori, who lifted her from the horse. They carried her deeper into the ruins to one of the campfires and put her on the ground. She looked around; there were almost two dozen Venatori, too many for her to have any chance against them. The ruins they were excavating were ancient and had to be from the time of Elvhenan.

The mage-leader knelt before her and looked at her with interest. Eirlana glared at him, not wanting to give him the satisfaction that she was afraid. Afraid for her child, afraid what they would do to her. All she knew was that she was alone, wounded and surrounded by people that could harm her. Her wounds throbbed painfully with every beat of her heart and without magic, she was helpless and at their mercy.

“We heard interesting tales about you; we will find out if these things are true. Let's see if you can help us find here something before they come to pick you up.” The mage-leader removed the gag from her mouth.

Not wanting just to sit still and do nothing Eirlana spat in his face. “Let me go!”

He wiped his face in disgust and slapped her hard across the cheek. “No manners. Too bad you will be picked up soon, or I would teach you a lesson. Hold her!”

She shuddered involuntarily when Ferrer grabbed her. “You have become spirited.” He sniffed at her hair. “Maybe they let me have a go at you again when they are finished with you.”

Eirlana felt revolted, but she had gotten more information. They wanted something from her, and this was just a temporary stop. She needed to stall for time and hope the others would get here soon. She also saw the disgusted look on the mage-leaders face as he looked at Ferrer. Good, Ferrer was also a nothing in this group.

“If I remember correctly you were the one who had problems getting it up.” she snarled at him.

Several Venatori laughed at his expense and Ferrer pulled his knife. “You bitch, you will regret that.”

He was quickly shoved to the side by a Venarori. “Get lost!”

Ferrer scurried away, but she could see in his eyes that he would try again.

Two Venatori grabbed her painfully, and the mage-leader pulled out a vial of lyrium.

“Let's see what you can do.”

Someone grabbed her face, and the blue liquid was poured into her mouth. She tried not to swallow everything but with her nose hold shut she had no other choice. As the lyrium entered her body, she could immediately feel its effect. It burned away the residual magebane still in her system. It had been a long time since she was exposed to this much lyrium and she struggled to keep awake. The mage-leader took another vial, and he gave her even more. The world around her disappeared as she was thrown into the Fade.

With effort, Eirlana got her barrings, with the amount of lyrium they had fed her she had been thrown deep into the Fade. These idiots didn't know what they were doing to her; she could only hope they would leave her body alone for the time being. She needed to get out of this state; if what the mage-leader had said was correct, others would come to collect her. She needed to regain consciousness before that and try to escape. She could hide in the woods and wait until Solas and the others would catch up with her. She needed to burn the lyrium in her system as soon as possible, embracing the lyrium, she willed her mind even farther into the Fade in the hopes she would awake sooner.

The Fade around her turned grey and empty; it was filled with memories so ancient that they were all forgotten. She knew from experience it was here on could find very rare and almost fragmented spirits. They were almost disappearing but held on to a treasured memory. To her surprise she found such a spirit, it was old and nearly invisible, and she doubted she would have noticed it if she hadn't been drugged. Curious she touched it with her mind and dove into the feeble memory.

The Fade shifted around her again leading her to a time a palace stood here in all its splendour. She stood in a corridor, the walls were painted in a brilliant white, golden inlays of flowers and plants curled around the marble pillars and splendid mosaics covered the floors. This memory felt old, older than anything she had experienced in a very long time. An older elven woman walked through the corridor accompanied by a fair young elven girl in her teens. The older woman was dressed in elegant robes, and the girl was clad in a fine white robe that barely covered her body. They both were marked by a golden vallaslin of Falon'Din. The woman walked upright, but the girl had her eyes cast down and looked frightened.

“Why me?” the girl asked with a trembling voice.

“Hush girl. It is an honour that you have been chosen. It is the wish of Falon'Din.”

“May his splendour never diminish.” they both said like they were reciting a mantra.

Slowly Eirlana followed them; she noticed the girl was getting more frightened as they walked into a magnificent garden. Flowers bloomed everywhere in meticulously kept beds, small fruit trees spread a pleasant aroma, and golden statues of elves and owls could be seen everywhere. They followed a path of white marble stones through the maze of blooming hedges and stopped as they arrived at a marble square. A fountain springing pure magical energy stood in the middle, and two elves were talking behind it. The older woman stood back, and the girl approached them, trembling she knelt down on her hands and knees.

With the girl not moving further Eirlana figured they had arrived at the heart of the memory. She stepped closer to the two men, one she could see clearly, the other one was obscured by the fountain. The one she could see was a tall elf with powerful facial features and rich bronze skin. His face was bare, and his long pitch black hair was secured by an elegant golden headband. He wore rich golden summer robes and several ornate golden jewellery pieces inlaid with gemstones. He had an air of confidence and arrogance around him.

“You know you should take better care of yourself. Andruil is furious at you for neglecting her. And look at yourself this is not you at all.”

“You don't have to concern yourself, Falon'Din.”

Eirlana froze, that voice, it couldn't be. She stepped closer and stared at the other elf. Solas' face looked back at her, but he looked younger. He had long dark brown dreaded hair that was pulled away from his face in a messy ponytail, the sides of his head were shaven, and his skin was darker, but it was Solas. His eyes looked brighter, not clouded by the sadness she so often saw in them. He wore a simple robe with a wolf pelt attached to his shoulders.

Solas, it couldn't be him and yet he stood before her. Why was he here in this memory and why was he talking to Falon'Din? Could this be an actual memory of one of the high elves of power?

“Come, old friend, I have a gift for you. I heard you have lost a pet of yours.” Falon'Din snapped his fingers at the girl, who rose and slowly came closer. She was visibly shaking.

“Please Master.” she pleaded with him. She shook physically and trembled even more whenever she glanced at Solas. She wasn't terrified of Falon'Din but of Solas.

“Here look at her she is young, beautiful and untouched. I especially have chosen her for you. This path you're on is not healthy; you should take more pleasures in life.”

“Please my lord. Don't send me away.” the girl spoke again.

“Be silent.” Falon'Din snarled and shoved her towards Solas.

He braced the girl so she wouldn't fall. Scared the girl stepped away from him quickly.

“Taking women against their wishes is not my style.” Solas glared at Falon'Din, his eyes burning with silent anger.

“Oh, believe me, she will soon be willing, and you deserve a small distraction.”

Solas shook his head.

“You have changed Solas.”

“Not as much as you have. Your lust for power and rulership has reached a new level.” his tone was cold and menacing. Eirlana shuddered at the sheer power and confidence Solas emitted. Falon'Din laughed. “And you would rather steal slaves than get them as a gift. Here take her, I don't need her any longer.” He grabbed the girl by the hair and flung her to Solas' feet.

Solas knelt and helped the girl back to her feet. “I have no need for slaves, and neither should you.”

Falon'Din glared at Solas. “Do you even know what the others are calling you now? Fen'Harel. Do you have no shame?” he turned to the girl. “Go! You are no longer needed here.”

The girl looked relieved and hastily left.

The memory started to fade away, Eirlana stepped towards Solas trying to grasp what she just had witnessed. Cupping Solas' fading face she whispered. “Ma lath, is this really you? Are you Fen'Harel?”

The Fade shifted around her, something had changed, and she felt a presence. She turned around guarded at what was with her in this part of the Fade. Falon'Din stared at her but unlike everything else he hadn't faded away. A chill ran through her as he peered at her with cold dark purple eyes, he looked like a predator having found his next meal.

A wave of power came from him, and she couldn't move, she was parallelised. Slowly Falon'Din began to circle her, studying her. Eirlana wanted to walk away, but she was trapped, whoever or whatever he was, he had tremendous power and was dangerous. One thing she knew he was neither a spirit nor a demon.

“So this is what has captured the lone wolf's heart.” his hand stroked her cheek, it was ice cold and sent chills through her.

She needed to get away, concentrating she gathered her power, and with a shock-wave, she shattered the spell.

Stepping away she glared at him. “Get away from me!”

He chuckled and gave her a sly smile. “Such a fighting spirit. It will be almost interesting to break you.” With a gesture, golden tendrils appeared to ensnare her, but this time she was prepared. They erupted in blue flames burning away into nothing.

No one was going to break her.

Falon'Din laughed hard, staring at her with renewed interest. She needed to get away from him. Concentrating the Fade shifted around her. He only laughed harder. “Run, little halla. Run. I will find you again.”

With a startle, Eirlana woke up, her heart hammering.

Was what she just saw the truth? Was that Solas? And why had Falon'Din been there?

A few men sitting at a fire laughed, reminding her she was still in danger. Pushing back her questions she focussed on her surroundings. It was still dark, and she lay on the ground next to a broken down wall in the middle of the ruins. Most Venatori had gone to sleep and only a couple sat next to a fire talking. They didn't seem to pay her any attention and she lay a little farther back from the fire. With luck she could sneak away without them noticing. Slowly she checked her bindings and shuddered when she found they had shackled her hands, the weight of the iron familiar around her wrists. Carefully she moved her feet and was relieved when they weren't bound.

A couple of guards came closer, and she stilled. Closing her eyes, she relaxed and evened her breath, hoping they wouldn't notice she was awake.

“Still out cold?” One of the men murmured and shoved her with his foot.

“Will be for a couple of hours more.” the other commented, and they walked further.

Eirlana let out a sigh of relief; quickly she checked the condition of her wounds. Her back felt tense were the wound had crusted over, her hands were broken and painfully swollen; she had almost no movement in them, casting would be agonising and difficult. With a light healing spell she soothed her headache she had from the lyrium exposure and numbed the pain she felt. She couldn't do more, her other wounds needed to be cleaned first and she had to set the bones in her hand.

Carefully she looked around; there were no lights behind her, so chances where there were no Venatori in that direction. She needed to risk and slip away before the men arrived that would pick her up. It was still dark, and she could make use of the darkness to disappear into the woods.

With the guards far enough away she carefully rose to her feet and slipped over the wall to have more cover. Silently she moved through the dark as fast as she dared. Suddenly there were calls behind her; they had noticed her disappearance. Torches began to spread out over the ruins as the Venatori tried to find her. Eirlana ran, she needed to get clear of the ruins and make it into the forest where she would have more cover.

Running along a corridor she jumped over a fallen pillar, gritting her teeth when she felt the wound on her back rip open. Voices and torches were closing in on her; she needed to delay her pursuers. Not knowing what else to do she created several forcefields and ice traps behind her, making them as strong as she could and ran further. Shortly after she heard curses as the Venatori slammed into them in the dark. Relieved that it had worked her heart skipped when she could see the end of the ruins and the dark forest beyond them. If she could manage to reach it, she could easily lose them in the dark. With the Venatori falling behind she sped up, running as fast as she could, her heart pounding, her lungs panting for air.

A curse slipped from her lips when she saw lights approaching; there were people ahead of her. Not having much choice she ran through the archway right in front of a group of red templars. She threw a wave of force in front of her toppling the first of the templars. She groaned as her hands protested and broken bones pushed together.

What were they doing here?

Not slowing down she turned to the left into the forest.

“GET HER!” she heard someone shout behind her, not looking back she ran. Suddenly a wall of red lyrium shoot from the ground, and she slammed into it.

“Damn!” she yelled out in pain, they have a behemoth.

Hands grabbed her roughly, and another a blast of energy sent them flying away. They wouldn't get her without a fight. Dodging another templar, Eirlana noticed they hadn't drawn their weapons; they wanted to catch her alive. Two templars ran towards her; she yelled out in pain as ice shot out in front of her impaling both of them. Cursing her broken hands, she managed to slip out of the circle of red lyrium. Her legs protested when she started to run again; she needed to get out of here.

The giant fist of the behemoth came crashing down on her. She shrieked and dodged to the ground, but the tip of the massive fist hit her hard on the side of her skull. She flew a few feet through the air before she smacked against a tree and landed hard on the ground. There were yells, and torches came closer. Trying to get back up on her feet, she slumped to the ground again; she had no strength left. A pair of massive metal boots was the last thing she saw before darkness claimed her.

Solas and the others rushed through the forest as fast as they could, but it was hard to tell if they gained any ground on the Venatori. They had lost precious time when they almost lost the trail a couple of times. Finally, in the early morning, they found the ruins with the Venatori camp. Immediately they attacked, taking them by surprise. Solas kept an eye out for Eirlana, but he didn't see any sign of her.

Where was she?

The battle was hard fought, but they quickly won.

With the Venatori were dead and the camp destroyed. Ryan looked around at their work. “Let's find one that still breaths and question him.”

Solas looked around he knew these ruins, but it wouldn't help him now.

Ryan found a man, Ferrer, who was only lightly wounded and dragged him to the others.

Solas thought he had seen him somewhere before but couldn't remember where.

“The elf, where have you taken her?” Ryan demanded.

“You have come too late.” Ferrer groaned when Ryan pushed him on his knees. Spitting out some blood he continued. “Your little goldmine is long gone.” he grinned foul at Solas. “Thank you for cleaning her up.”

Now Solas recognised him from months back when he freed Eirlana, the one that had fled.

Not taking his eyes of Solas he continued. “You know she tasted as good as ever.”

Solas paled. No, it couldn't be, they couldn't have assaulted her again.

“And her sweet moans were like a song.”

Solas knew that Ferrer was baiting him and it worked. He felt sick; he had witnessed too many cruelties in his life that he knew all too well what they could have done to Eirlana. He almost could her hear screaming, calling out for him to help her and he hadn't been there to protect her. Searing anger burned within him, he had failed her. Seeing the smug look on Ferrer's face, he wanted to shut him up and wipe him out.

“What does he mean by a goldmine? What do they want with her.” Confused Ryan looked at Solas.

An arrow flew through the air right into Ferrer's crotch; he screamed out in pain only to get another arrow lodged in his neck.

Startled Ryan yelled at Sera. “What did you do? I wasn't finished questioning him.”

“You let that rat talk too much.” Sera spit in Ferrer's direction, who was bleeding out slowly from his neck wound, she had missed his arteries on purpose.

“He could tell us more!”

“That guy didn't know shit.”

“Boss, over here.” Bull called to them.

Frustrated Ryan walked to Bull with Sera and Solas close behind him.

“Don't worry elfy, that rat hasn't touched her. If he had, she would have frozen his dick off. We will find her.”

Solas never felt anything but pity or disdain for Sera, but at this moment he was grateful. “Thank you.” he said.

“Rat got what he deserved.”

Iron Bull led them outside of the ruins were he had found a couple of dead red templar, with injuries from magic. “It looks like she tried to escape. There are a couple of cart tracks going north.” he pointed to several large red lyrium crystals. “Looks like this is one of their smuggle routes.”

“Solas, you know something. Why would they be after Eirlana?” Ryan asked.

With Ferrer being here, it made now more sense to Solas why they had taken her, and he needed to find her quickly. “She is the same as me; she is an expert in travelling the Fade and communicating with spirits.”

“What?”

“When I first met her the templar and the men that held her captive used her to find long forgotten treasures.”

“She can do what?”

“Spirits are attracted to magic and strong emotions. She is able to determine with their help where old treasures lie. Corypheus is searching the elven ruins for old magic and treasures. This must be the reason why they have taken her. That man you were questioning escaped when I freed Eirlana, he must have given his information to Corypheus. We must find her! She is in grave danger.”

“Why wasn't I told about this?”

“It was her choice. She has been abused for her given gift her whole life, so her caution is justified, and whatever our course has been, her ability wouldn't have helped us any further. She has done more than enough to help.” “Who can blame her for keeping it a secret when this is what happens.” Iron Bull pointed out. “And the red templars that have her now have an hours-long head start; this trail is from last night.”

Ryan sighed. “Alright, Sera and Iron Bull determine which direction they are heading. Chances are they bringing her to their base of operation. Solas and I will look for any documentation. Then we will grab the horses and ride back; we need to send out ravens to inform our troops and spies. We can't chase them blindly; someone must have seen or heard something. If they are really bringing her to their base, we need more manpower to deal with them.”

Solas wanted to drop everything and chase after the red templars, but he couldn't deny the logic of Ryan's plan. Reluctantly he began to search the Venatori's camp hoping to find any clue where they would take Eirlana. He needed to contact his agents as soon as possible to get help in the search.

“Don't worry Solas we get her back.” Ryan grabbed one of his shoulders. “All of the Inquisition's people will look for her.”

“Thank you Inquisitor.” he replied and for once he wasn't put back by Ryan.

Eirlana slowly woke up, her head hammered in pain where she had been hit. She felt sick, miserable, cold and her connection to the Fade was weak. What had they done to her? She was lying on a rough wooden surface, and when she tried to move, she noticed her hands were still shackled and now bound above her head. With effort she opened her eyes, the world was spinning and moving strangely, she had to blink a couple of times before she could focus on the sky above her that was coloured by the setting sun in all its splendour.

Carefully she looked around and saw several red templars sitting around her, some with oars in their hands. They were on a boat. Where were they taking her?

A chunk of red lyrium lay next to her; she could feel it's sickly aura on her body. It made her feel even worse and weakened her connection with the Fade even more.

One of the red templars noticed her being awake, his ironclad hand grabbed her head, tilting it roughly. Then he poured water in her mouth. She swallowed a few gulps before she got a coughing fit. The templar waited before giving her more. The water tasted funny, but she was still too groggy to register what was wrong with it, she was thirsty, and her wounded body demanded water. Only when her connection to the Fade disappeared completely, she noticed what was wrong; it was laced with magebane. Fearful she looked at the templar.

He evilly grinned at her. “You guessed right. We can't let you cast your filthy magic.”

Eirlana struggled as the poisonous magebane went through her. Her body ached, her muscles were sore, her hands, back and head were throbbing. She began to shiver, and she knew she was going into a state of shock. She had survived worse in the past, but she was worried about the safety of her child. She needed to become warm and heal before she could have any hope of escaping.

“Hey, you.” her voice sounded raspy, she cleared her throat. “Hey, you!”

The red templar turned back to her and raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Hoping they wouldn't hurt her more she gathered her bravado. “I suspect someone has sent you to pick me up. I assume he or she wants me in somewhat decent health for whatever they are planning. I have a concussion, and I need more water and a blanket if you don't want to get in trouble with your boss.”

He watched her for a while, and Eirlana thought she could try to act sicker on purpose to make her point. In the end, he threw a blanket over her and gave her more water laced with magebane. Even with the water being poisoned she drank, she needed the water to replenish the blood she had lost, even when it meant she couldn't use her magic for the time being. Feeling a little better she forced herself to fall back into a dreamless sleep, she needed to conserve her energy.

The days went by, the templars didn't seem to need any rest and travelled with her day and night. Eirlana was asleep most of the time, recovering from the blow to her head. She couldn't tell how many days had gone by, but slowly her headache subsided a little. At one point they abandoned their boat and put her on a cart.

She woke up when the cart jolted it was icy cold, and she shivered in her thinner clothes she wore for the Emerald Graves. She tried to curl herself up slightly under the blanket, but she knew it wouldn't help much. For a moment she thought they had travelled back to the Frostback Mountains but that couldn't be, the temperature had changed so abruptly that it couldn't be natural.

She still felt sick and weak, but there was something positive, the magebane was slowly leaving her system. They had given her normal water the last time she got something to drink, and now she could feel her powers slowly returning to her. That they hadn't given her more poison meant they would soon arrive at their destination. The cart tilted slightly as they ascended a mountain, they passed through snow-covered woods and past abandoned, ruined houses. Then she saw the first of many enormous red lyrium crystals growing out of the rocks, the farther they went, the more crystals she saw. They passed through several camps filled with red templars and more red lyrium. It looked like the further they travelled, the more deformed these lands were.

What had they done to this place?

Eirlana trembled fearing what all this red lyrium would do to her unborn child.

Suddenly they stopped, two templars grabbed her and loosened the chains holding her; they pulled her from the cart. They had arrived at an old stronghold; it looked elven in origin. Giant red lyrium crystals grew from the ground, emitting their sickly aura. A man came through the gate smiling at her; he seemed free of the deforming influence of the red lyrium. Eirlana braced herself sensing from his aura that he was a demon, a powerful one if he walked freely outside the Fade.

“Welcome, welcome.” he greeted her. “I am sorry for the long, unpleasant journey. My name is Imshael, and I welcome you to these modest accommodations.”

I like the forbidden ones their quests always are completely random but interesting in my opinion, especially Imshael, I loved him in the Masked Empire, he is a really twisted demon. Choice Spirit!

I hope we will meet the fourth, the Formless One in the next game

#flame of winter #Solas #dragon age solas #solas romance #solas x oc #eirlana #fanfic #dragon age #dragon age inquisition

4 notes · View notes