Dragon Age: Revolution *Private Thread*

This is an archived version of FeralFront. While you can surf through all the content that was ever created on FeralFront, no new content can be created.
If you'd like some free FeralFront memorabilia to look back on fondly, see this thread from Dynamo (if this message is still here, we still have memorabilia): https://feralfront.com/thread/2669184-free-feralfront-memorabilia/.

    There was that fire he had always loved about her, had missed about her actually, the elvhen not even flinching when she poked at him, or even when she grabbed him up by the collar and yanked him towards her. But following that came the familiar voice of his mother in the back of his head. So now she chose to speak? Solas huffed within his mind as he could hear Mythal practically berate him for his actions and for not stopping her or lashing out, it earning her a slam of the door in the face and shutting her out. Through the years as he had changed so had Mythal, becoming less feral and cruel and more... kind and caring, even if she had an odd way of showing it. Soon his attention turned back to Sylvara and he reached up to grasp his hands on her wrists, taking them away from his collar and looking her over once more. "What is the last thing you remember before waking up?" he questioned in a gentle tone, not even going to comment on what she had demanded yet. He needed to know. He needed to know if she remembered her death or not... and if not then it would be a very long and emotional night indeed.


    Anastasia couldn't help but to roll her eyes at Gretta as she asked that last question. "I did not say I wished for you to not come with me, only that i understood if you did not." she mumbled rather sheepishly as she straightened up and nearly fell off the bed as she felt Seks' hand ruffle her hair, earning him a pout. "I know how much you want to go back to your hold, and I know Sek well enough to know he will follow you anywhere. I just didn't want to disappear without a word." she muttered, leaning back on her palms. "I love being with you both... Horace too. Speaking of which... we should really extend this to him too" she admitted with a small laugh, hoping to divert the conversation elsewhere. It's not that she didn't want them to go with her, it's that she didn't want to feel like she was keeping them from finding their own family.

    There it was again. That damned calmness and serenity that even his threats carried so cleanly through the air. Sylvara fought the tug in her chest that was screaming to settle against him and take the affection she so desperately craved from a lover that had left her pregnant and alone so many years ago...it had to be many years ago. How long...what did happen? "Men came in the night...from the village. It was in flames." Her lips trembled slightly and her eyes flickered away from the Wolf's deadly gaze, it was hard to breathe. Why was it hard to breathe? "I told Skoll and Hati to...to run and-" Oh, Maker her babies, "Solas, I- I don't know where they are. They're your sons and I- I don't know if you even want them-! Where are they?!" Why couldn't she remember anything? No! She would not fall apart. Sylvara shook her head lightly, her legs trembling as she continued on, "I...fought with them...killed six or seven...but they sent the hounds after my little wolves, I turned to kill them but then..." Green eyes twisted in puzzled and hesitant horror, "Nothing. I don't... Vhenan?" The Shewolf was terrified at best as her gaze screwed upwards to meet his, "What's going on?"


    Gretta's features twisted into hesitance at that, "I would...be careful when asking Horace," she advised gently, "I know his...Clan? Herd? Whatever he called them-"

    "Pack." The voice of the mute rung in all their heads. The deep, scarlet haired shifter lay settled against the side of the door with his gaze settled harshly down to the ground, "They were my Pack. Friends and family of my father and mother's that came together to protect the Graves from those that would sully it. I'm sure we'd seen your Clan once or twice." There was a faraway look in his eyes, "They're...all gone now."

    Solas found himself unable to resist any longer as he gently reached out and settled a hand on her cheek, thumb running along the ridge of her cheek bone as he let out a shaky breath. She didn't know, she wouldn't have known, he was a fool for hoping she would have. Tears stung at his eyes as the pent up emotions from so long ago came flooding back. It was painful how much he remembered from that night, how he had watched from the fade as his beloved was taken from him and his son taken. The Dread Wolf had been powerless to stop any of it. "Sylvara... vhenan... you died nearly thirty years ago.. on that night. Those men... they took your life and then took our sons to Tevinter." he breathed out, barely managing to get the words through the tightness in his throat at having to tell her this. "I... I regret everything I did back then, I regret it even more now. There is so much that I need to tell you, want to tell you, but before that happens I need you to sit down." he murmured softly, almost hesitantly as he remembered her temper at being told what to do.


    "I'm so sorry Horace." Ana murmured softly, gaze downcast as she tried to think of anything else to say other than 'i'm sorry'; a phrase that grated on the nerves and did little to comfort anyone but was always said as if it did so. "You don't have to come with us... we understand how painful it can be." she added hesitantly.

    Sek watched the mute with knowing eyes and gave a nod of his head "Like she said, you are more than welcome to come, but we won't force you. But sometimes we have to remember that facing the nightmares of the past can open up possibilities for us in the future, even ones we do not know yet." he stated gently. The qunari understood his pain to a degree, he may not have watched the whole of his family die, but he had watched as they ran him out and chased after him to kill him. "Maybe you'll find something there that you weren't looking for before." he added with a light shrug of his shoulders.

    Sylvara was shaking now, her breathing haggard as she crumpled into the arms of the lover that had left her and clung to him desperately for some source of comfort. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she buried her face into the crook of his neck, "I- I didn't- I'm..." There was still that hint of forest scent that felt so much like home it made her want to give in and let all her grudges go in an instant. There were more important things to worry about now though, "I'm alive, I-... I know I am, that's not..." Sylvara choked on a strangled moan and shut her eyes tightly, clinging to Solas tighter than before, "Don't leave me again..." Her voice was a hoarse whisper amidst painfully withheld sobs, "Not again..."


    "I...will accompany you." Horace rose his gaze screwed up with sorrowful agony, "It's been...a long time since I saw the resting places of those I had once called friend and family." The last time had been an ill considered journey of his rebellious years. He'd been...13? 14? Something of the sort. He'd weaseled his way out of the watchful eye of his grandfather and Abelas to flee into the night. By the time he'd reached the Graves he'd had little by the way of food and water. He'd been half starved, dehydrated, and sobbing when Babae had finally found him. There hadn't been a proper scolding for that excursion. Only disappointed and hesitant looks cast when Horace had not been thought to be looking.

    "I know vhenan I know" Solas murmured as he wrapped his arms around her in return and held her close, one hand on her back while the other cradled the back of her head and soothed into her hair. "You're alive now. You're alright. There's so much to tell you but I don't want to put you in more of a shock." he added, unable to help the feeling of dread at his own words for he knew he would have to tell her about Horace and what had happened to their boys. Right now though he wanted nothing more than to hold her close and assure himself that this was real and not a dream or a trick of the fade. "I'm not leaving you, I promise. I'm not going anywhere, never again." he assured "Ar lath ma vhenan, never again will I hurt you like that." Through everything he had done and faced in his life there was much he regret, but leaving her had been his biggest mistake of all and now he felt as though his brother had given him a second chance of sorts.


    "Well... It looks as though it is time that we all go home..." Ana found herself murmuring before she had even registered what had left her lips. In a sense it was like going home for all of them, maybe even Sek too. "Well.. In a sense... ignore my ramblings, I don't know what I say half the time." she mused, hoping to lift their moods just a little. "I'm glad you will come with us Horace, I think Fen would want you to come too, for you to not be left all alone." she added with a softer expression.

    Sek hummed out a keen note of agreement as he straightened up in the bed, glancing down at all of them with a raised brow "Well then, let's go let the big guys know, hm? Then we can get supplies and head out in the morning." he mused. Oh it was either going to be a fun experience telling Hawke they were leaving or end up hearing them tell them that they couldn't go yet. Either way, it would be interesting. Even though the qunari would never admit it, he actually liked Hawke and his friends more than he had thought he ever would.

    Breathe. That's all she had to do right now. breathe and try and convince herself that there were no lies in his words. Sylvara let her breath shudder against his skin, hands tugging gently at his body as she slowly back up and settled herself down onto a cot. Her thoughts raced a hundred leagues a heartbeat and her hands shook from where they grasped tightly to the Dread Wolf, afraid that if she let him go again he would be gone forever and leave her alone in this strange new world. Her sons...had been taken to Tevinter because of her failure. Her mind was desperate to make sense of the fight that had finally claimed her spirit. Sylvara remembered nothing, save for walking alongside a strange man in robes made of shadow boasting about...something. It didn't matter now, there was only one thing she needed to know: "Where are they, Solas?" the white haired warrior whispered into the shadow of his neck, "Where is Skoll? Where is Hati? Where are the bastards that ran their swords through me and took my babies away?"


    "I'll go and pack then," Gretta hummed quietly to herself, moving to some of the drawers and settling Sek's things out onto his bed. They all travelled quite lightly, it was more a gesture of good faith with her packing of everything rather than some overprotective nonsense, "You all tell the Viscount I expect a date with him and Bianca when I stop back here someday, and Hawke that I intend to drink his cellar dry when the opportunity presents itself...and mention Velvet to Fenris. I'm convinced that man is still frightened of kittens."

    Horace could only hum hesitantly before pulling away and wandering towards the Main Hall. Fenral had always done better with...talking. That was to go without saying. The situations were always strange when he'd the need to use magic to speak to those around him. Especially with those individuals were not fond of magic in its entirety. Needless to say, Fenris and Horace had not gotten along well at all.

    Once again the Dread Wolf found himself struggling to form words and fight through the pain of knowing what he had to tell her, what he didn't want to tell her. It would be too painful, for her and him both. "Sylvarra..." he murmured out, taking a seat on the cot beside her but not once making her let him go. Gently he soothed a hand through that hair he had loved so much and looked into her eyes with conflict in his own "Skoll is safe, he's at SkyHold, or so that was the last I had heard he was. Hati..." he had to fight himself to say it, to get the words out "Hati passed during a battle... fighting for his pack." there, he had finally gotten it out, though he could already feel the pinpricks of tears in his eyes at the memories. Though he had not been close to Hati, that being of the shifters own choice, but he had grown to love and cherish Horace and thus it was always hard to bring it up. Not only that, but Hati had still been of his blood, still his son, even if he had not wanted to be. "That boy there" Solas murmured, tilting his head towards Fenral "That is Fenral, Skoll's son. Hati had a son as well, though he's run off on his own adventure somewhere."


    Anastasia was hesitant for a moment before rising to her feet and hurrying after Horace with an apologetic expression "Maybe I should go with you to see them. I know Fenris isn't fond of magic so maybe it'll help to have someone there to keep him from... oh i don't know, getting angry or something." she mused.

    Sek watched them run off and glanced to Gretta with a chuckle. "Looks like our adventures begin again" he mused, reaching out and plucking a loose feather that had made it out of his pillow and into her hair. "I'll go get us supplies from the kitchens. I'm sure that Varric won't mind at all." he muttered with a grin, scratching a finger over the top of velvet's head before starting for the door.

    It felt like a punch to the gut and the hand had scooped out all her insides to leave her hollow. Sylvara was silent, her gaze lowering to the floor and her weight slumping in its entirety against Solas, "He always was a stubborn boy," she whispered quietly, "fighting for everyone smaller than him...I like to think he got that from you." Green eyes had lost their light to sorrow, "It...it wasn't your fault. Trust me on that. He knew what he wanted and there was never anything that could stop him once he set his mind to doing what he thought was right." The smile that she mustered was small and lacked any of the joy in her, "He...really was your son. Still is. Nothing remembered is every truly gone." Sylvara turned her head to look the Dread Wolf over, "That was something you never could understand when you were going on and on about the Veil and Elvhenan." Her gaze turned then to Fenral, slumbering away and curled up to protect his middle and look smaller than he actually was, "Fenral... He looks like Skoll. Who's the lucky lady?"


    Fenris and Hawke were in the middle of a halfhearted game of Wicked Grace over the arms of the Viscount's 'throne', a pile of forged signatures off to their left to lighten the load on the useless requests and formalities made to posture some of the lesser nobles of the Free Marches attempting to coerce Kirkwall's trade agreements. While Fenris still struggled with reading, he'd no trouble at all with copying what was right in front of him and with Hawke clearing everything the work was passing quickly. To be sure there was a certain level of distraction as Hawke did his best to tease his partner into an affectionate display, but was met with disinterested looks from the branded Elf.

    Velvet mewled in pleasure and arched her back up to follow Sek's hand as best as she could. The rumbling purrs from the tiny silver tabby were quite amusing as the kit tumbled back and cuddled against the covers beneath her. This earned a goodnatured laugh from Gretta as she looked over to the Qunari above her, "Are we showering me with gifts now?" The Avvar hummed with a quirked smirk, moving the feather into the twines of her braid, "Do I look like those pretty Orlesian nobles yet?" The question was taunting as Gretta blinked with doe eyes up to Sek, snorting with laughter before long and staggering out to settle against the bed as she began to fold their belongings together.

    "I wish I had only understood that sooner ma vhenan" Solas murmured out in admittance as he sat beside her, looking her over as if mesmerized by just the site of her, as he should be. To have his long dead lover back before him and breathing, he able to touch her once more, see that fire in her eyes and the emotion she showed so clearly. "He died protecting his pack and keeping his son from being taken by those that had taken him and his brother. He died a true hero and father." he murmured with a gentle nod of agreement to her words. His attention turned to Fen and he couldn't help a faint grin that only faltered at the mention of the young mans mother "She passed some time ago... Skoll though... well, he's married to a Tevinter mage. A good man he is though, treats our son with respect... for a tevene." he mused, knowing that if Damien or Dorian heard him they would slap him.


    Varric watched his friends from out of the corner of his eye as he had moved from his office to work on his paperwork and instead into the throne room where he sat on the ground with papers littered around him and a pen in hand that scribbled away. At the approach of the two elvhen he couldn't help a grin and relief at the excuse to greet them and get away from the tedious tasks. "Horace, Anastasia. Now why the serious faces?" he questioned as he took in their expressions and could not help a chuckle, getting to his feet and walking over towards Fenris and Hawke. Taking one look at their hands he smirked to his friend and shook his head without explanation.

    Sek hummed at the return in affection from the little kit, shaking his head with mirth as his attention turned back to Gretta, offering up a grin at the question. "Well, honestly, no. Because they could never hope to look up to your raw beauty." the qunari mused out honestly and without missing a beat, chuckling at the snort of laughter she let out at her own question. It was cute, her laugh. "I don't know about showering you with gifts, but if a feather from your own hair is what you want I can arrange that." he mused teasingly with a wink.

    Sylvara hummed quietly in affirmation at that, her green gaze twisting curiously, "I...need to think for a bit," her hands were shaking on her lap and moved to clutch at Solas' quietly as the resurrected warrior collected her thoughts. In an instant she seemed smaller than she ever had and settled against the Dread Wolf for whatever comfort his body could offer her. The pressure in her chest refused to leave. She'd been dead for decades. One of her baby boys was dead. They had both been enslaved for Maker only knew how long. Her sacrifice had meant nothing. That hurt more than anything else, "Solas?" Green eyes flickered up to look over her lover, "I need you to tell me the truth... Where are we? You didn't..." her breath cut off in a short huff as she rubbed a hand over her chest to chase away the aches of anxiety rising within her, "You didn't do what you were planning...yes? Thedas is still...Thedas?"


    Gretta snorted again and felt the blush rise to her cheeks at the sound of her own laughter echoing to her ears, "Well look whose been reading the romance section in the Viscount's library," the Avvar shook her head lightly and continued tucking the clothing and supplies neatly and snugly into the packs that each of their party had been able to scrounge together during their hurried exodus from Skyhold, "I don't remember teaching you lines that smooth."

    Horace swallowed hard and opened his mouth, it shut swiftly instinctively and the mute turned rather sharply to look at Anastasia. His voice halted at the boundaries of his own mind under Fenris' intense green stare, wavering only through Hawke's antics and the work he had taken to upon the vanishing of his apprentice and the assistance to his dear friend. Feet shifted uncomfortably against the stone and the shifter took to looking anywhere but the dwarf before them.

    That familiar ache in his heart was back and Solas felt a tightness in his throat as he tried to speak. Gently he gave her what comfort she wanted, keeping his arms around her and letting her press as close as she needed. It hurt to admit this to her but he could only hope that she would understand that he had learned from his mistakes... even if it had been through the hard way. "I did do what I said I would. I regret that decision every day since it happened. But yes, this is still Thedas. Those that I released from the veil were either stricken down by the Inquisition or have become allies... hiding themselves to the world and looking for peace. I made a mistake, I've learned from it, and even with all of that I've been given friendship, a family, and opportunities I thought no elven could receive in this new age." he let out a steady breath as he realized he had been rambling but knew that even he needed to voice it to make it real to himself sometimes.


    "How do you know I didn't already know it?" Sek mused teasingly as he leaned in the doorway, crossing his arms over his chest to watch her hurry about to pack. It was cute, and gods forbid he ever told her that. "You know, I know a great many things thanks to the Viscount and Fenral, I could have gotten it from one of them directly." he added with a chuckle, a teasing light in his eyes as he straightened back up a bit. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea for him to go down to the kitchens alone now that he thought about it... he would wait for Ta. Undoubtedly everyone in there would panic that the qun were attacking again if they saw a qunari walking about so freely in Kirkwall.

    "Stop being mean to him already, I may be blind but even i can see that glare." Anastasia chimed with a rueful smirk to Fenris, knowing that he could very well hurt her if she wasn't careful, not that she was afraid of that actually happening. The young woman could then feel Horace's gaze on her and had to release a sigh as she shook her head "Thank you Varric for letting us stay here when Fen isn't with us, but we think it's time we left. Gretta and I... we still have hopes of our families being out there and I think we need a resolution as to if that hope is be answered." she admitted, the blind elvhen beginning to fidget now that she said it out loud.

    Sylvara could only breathe deeply in what seemed to be disappointment, "Those chances were always there for our species during the ages," she pressed quietly, "you were just too stubborn to see them." Her hand pressed tightly against the Dread Wolf's and let her gaze linger to the exhausted, slumped form of Fenral huddled beneath the covers as he dozed away, "When...when can I see him? Skoll?" Green irises flickered back towards Solas, "Does he know I'm...not..." dead. The word went unspoken and the elvhen woman seemed perturbed at even the thought of the word, a flinch travelling through her pale body. Well that revelation would take some getting used to. With some luck there would be a councilor of some sort to deal with trauma after coming back from the dead, but alas, Sylvara knew herself not as lucky as that. There was a flicker of a smile that crossed her lips at that sarcastic thought, and the longer she breathed and focused on the here and now, "Does he know I'm back? You'll... I won't be some secret to keep?"


    Gretta tilted her head curiously, pausing in her movements and looking instead back to the Qunari with a quirked brow, "Maybe we can explore the length of that knowledge later, Sek," with a subtle wink and a sharp turn of her body, the Avvar moved to continue packing at a deliberately slower rate. her exaggerated movements left nothing up to the imagination and her eyes made regular passes over Sek suggestively. In her culture, it had been a custom for men to claim their women however there was another side to every story. The stubborn women of the mountains and the paths that ran through the unwavering stone would make their opinions known in the clearest of ways. Their bodies had been hardened to protect themselves from male greed, equipping them with spirits to seduce even the more ironclad of wills within the very souls of their desired partners, "What happened to that trip to the kitchen?" Gretta Ablesdottir teased as she stooped down to retrieve some fallen trousers.

    "Well, never before had an elvhen been given the position so high as to run a city, so no, that wasn't really there before." Solas mused with a knowing wink to the woman he had missed for so very long. The mention of Solas had him shaking his head "No, he does not know yet but I intend to go to him and bring him here. I just found out you are alive myself ma'vhenan, haven't really had the time to go and tell anyone else." he admitted with a rather sheepish tone. "I do not intend to keep you secret, no, but I do intend to give you the freedom to make your own choices, wether that mean you stay here with me or go with our son. I won't stop you from whatever you would like to do with this second chance." he murmured softly, a sort of sadness in his eyes as he spoke. The Dread Wolf had accepted long ago that he had made a mistake with the one woman he had ever loved and with that he now accepted whatever decision she would make, even if that meant she no longer loved him. He had hurt her and with that she had been hurt along with their children, he didn't deserve her, not even now.


    The change in tone had the attention of the qunari immediately, Sek tilting his gaze up to her in time to catch on to the subtle movements and suggestive body language. Oh how this woman would be the death of him now that she had made her intentions clear. Before they had even really established anything and he was left to flirt and hint she had not been so... forward with her liking of him, but now that he had told her she was going to make it extremely hard for him to keep his composure. "Maybe I can. Might even get to learn a new little Avaar trick or two, teach you something about the qunari as well." he mused in return, tone gruff and holding just how much he was fighting himself not to lose it over just change in her tone and the suggestive way she was acting. "I decided it probably wasn't a good idea to go alone... kitchen maids might faint at the sight of a handsome qunari come to sweep them away" he hummed with a low smirk.

    Sylvara threw her head back and laughed hollowly, "Oh, Solas," her hand reached up to cradle his cheek gently with her green eyes shining with affection. In an instant the light was gone and replaced with a look of sarcastic triumph, her hand lightly tapping his cheek in chiding motive, "really no matter how old you get women are still a mystery to you." The warrior shook her head lightly and pulled her hand away, "As if I'd let you ever be alone again. I'm gone for a few decades and you've managed to break the world and put it back together with the pieces you found." Sylvara scoffed and rolled her eyes lightly, "You'll be lucky if I ever leave your side again, vhenan." The woman risen from the dead glanced back to the Dread Wolf pointedly, "So watch your steps carefully, Wolf." Her words carried that old tone of teasing that their relationship in their golden days had carried. She never had been one to sit back and wait while the men of the world carried their will out, she had always been one to hold her own leash.


    Gretta could not stop herself from snorting through her fit of giggles, "Perhaps I should let them know that you have a bad back, eh?" As the last of the packs were bundled away, the Avvar stepped back to survey her work that had swiftly become Velvet's new playing ground, "Well it seems someone's enjoying the fruits of my labor, isn't that right little kit?" The silver tabby purred beneath the hand of the rogue scritching across her tiny spine, eyes shut tightly in what could only be interpreted as a smile, "Alright then, let's go to the kitchens?" Gretta strode forwards and came to a halt just before Sek, standing high on her tiptoes and crossing her arms over her chest, "We may have to pick up another tent to keep us from the others."

    Solas hummed in knowing acknowledgement to her words, giving a nod to her as he reached out and grasped the wrist of the hand that had tapped his cheek, pulling her forward ever so gently as he couldn't help but to grin. It was a relief to hear her say that, to know that she didn't want to leave him, and oh how he had missed that teasing stride that came with her so well. Sylvara had always been a strong and independent woman, she proved that even now with her last statement. "Good to hear vhenan, this wolf really needed its' master the past few decades" he teased "And I wouldn't say women are a mystery to me ma'vhenan, but that you are the biggest mystery to me even now." he added as he pressed a gentle kiss to her the wrist he grasped. "If you would like to join me I'm going to go and send word to Skoll that I have news for him about you. I would normally go through the mirror... but our dear grandson here decided to shatter it." he mused with a pointed look to the slumbering figure.


    A grunt left the qunari's lips long before he could even consider to stop it, rolling his eyes at her as he grinned mischievously down to the little kit and her. "The only reason I would ever develop a bad back would be because of you asaaranda." he hummed out, using the qunlat word for Thunderstorm, a word that best fit her when he could not use the other quite yet. It frightened him a bit to ever use that endearing of a term, one he left for those he loved dearly, that he did for her, but did not want to frighten her away with it. He grinned softly to the kitten as it began to purr and arch its' back to Gretta and her affection, his gaze just beginning to soften when she changed tone and started out, he nodding and hurrying to follow her. When she halted again he paused and placed his hands on his hips as he examined her and took in her change of tone. "Well then... probably would be a good idea." he admitted with a tilt of his head to her "Or you could just come to share my tent and let Horace have Fen's for now..." he suggested as he could not help the crinkle in his eyes at the mirth he had with her.

    Sylvara huffed and tried to convince herself that she was indeed not blushing when she looked over the wrist held by Fen'Harel himself. Oh, how her Clan was probably rolling in its wet and shallow grave. Her head shook back and forth lightly as she chuckled and slowly stood up, "Oh my dear Wolf, you say you understand women and yet struggle so deeply. I am no master," her wrist gave an insistent tug and her other hand reached down to pull the Dread Wolf to his feet, "I am your partner. The one who whacks you in the back of the head when you make a foolish mistake of chasing a rabbit that can outsmart you by running down its hole or leaping off a cliff. Now come, if our son is anything like you he will need more than your word to believe what has happened." Sylvara hummed quietly to herself as she cast her eyes to the curled up form of Fenral, wound so tightly and tensed as though in preparation for a blow, "And you'll have to tell me about my grandsons while we work...also explain how you went from almost destroying the world to becoming the first elvhen lord."


    Gretta smiled mischievously, leaning forwards slightly as though to perform something untowards...but cut such an action of affection off by plopping Velvet atop the Qunari's head and brushing past him out the door, "That could work," she agreed with a grin clear in her voice as she started for the kitchens, "Don't forget to grab extra blankets so we can hide Velvet's innocent eyes from whatever happens in our tent."

    After some deliberation and slow convincing Solas had managed to get Skoll to believe that the sight of his mother was not an illusion through the sending crystal, or at least he wasn't playing out her voice. If he had wanted to do that he would have long ago when his mind still lay corrupt. With his mirror broken Skoll could not have the satisfaction of immediately seeing his mother, so Solas had asked that he come to Braeil for a while, especially now that Damien had gone back to Tevinter. It was easy to hear in his voice let alone know that he would be depressed with his husband gone and son as well, once again being left alone. Now the lord or Braeil sat in his library reading away at his journals from long ago, looking for any information about Lillith once more as well as anything he could find about his brothers creation of the mirrors and the world that it held home to.


    Damien's hope of reaching the mind of the other magisters had begun to whither, he struggling to get through their heads that they could no longer live like they had for centuries, that they needed to change or the world around them would and they would be left to the past. Even with all of that though his gala had gone well, only three assassination attempts being dealt out during the event, all of which he had put a stop to himself. If these fools thought they could poison him they were wrong, he'd been sipping poisons for a long time now thanks to what his fathers had warned him about, but it was a nice try though. Even before and after the gala though there had been a few attempts to kill him with a break in here or there of assassins, dispatched either by himself or his fathers trusted guard. Today was the day to find out if he wold become a legitimate candidate for the position or not.


    The children of the Inquisitor had been given attention by just about everyone in SkyHold, especially the mages. They all seamed curious about the twins abilities, especially Tevis since he had not shown his gifts until now. Though it was becoming clear he had no intention of wanting to learn any further, but yet they persisted and tried. Kira watched from the corner of the room, arms crossed over her chest and looking curious but understanding as the mages that had been teaching their daughter now turned to the boys to do the same. It was adorable but she could tell that even before this that Tevis wanted nothing of it, he had said as much when his siblings and father had been taken.

    Amara was content to watch her brothers, not wanting to join in as the last time she had used her magic it had resulted in a painful memory to haunt her. Though it was obvious she was paying attention to the mage as he explained the spell and showed them what it could do, she taking in that information and storing for when she was perhaps alone and could do it out of sight.

    Fenral had been in a silent debate for himself for the past week. To flee before his father came to Braeil or do sit still and heal and try and salvage what little remained of his mind. Being with family helped to an extent, and Sylvara had been nothing but accommodating when it came to needing the Dread Wolf's calming words. The first two days that Fen had been in Braeil he had slept nearly constantly. Now that he was moving around regularly he found some of his rasher symptoms coming to light: irritability and terror coming over him in cold waves of freezing fits. Solas had been the only one to successfully talk him out of it. Now Fenral slipped quietly into the library and settled down in the chair beside his grandfather. The young shifter pulled his legs up and settled his forearms atop them, burying his face into his arms as he focused on breathing and keeping himself together. Fenral let his eyes wander over to the Dread Wolf in the hesitation that had been lurking through him since the message to his father had first gone out, "Will he be mad? About the way I left?" The words were quiet and hoarse, Fenral letting his gaze fall to the ground as his body slumped back into the chair, "I didn't... I don't regret killing those men. At all. That...should feel wrong. There was nothing left." The voice was a whisper and hardly anything else.


    The circular seats of the Magisterium placed further and further away from the center where the speaking podium stood were slowly filling in. In the center, already having claimed her role as First Speaker of the Session, was a young girl. She couldn't have been older than 12 and was by no means a great beauty. Her brown hair was pulled back in a tight braid that looped about into a bun, and her skin was blemished with faint scars or marks of breakouts. There was something in her eyes however. Dark and hollow and unforgiving as they flickered across the bodies and pried into the souls of every Magister that strode in. The girl was flanked by two hounds, one the black Mabari: Dhite, and the other a brown Hessarian Hound. Her robes fit tightly against her body and her staff settled sheathed on her back. She was dressed in black. Signs of mourning, but her features held no sorrow. As Damien entered, her head snapped towards him, chin held high and eyes gleaming with a silent challenge before returning back to the door to glare down some younger Lucerni entering after their Party Leader.


    Secrets had been painful to keep but they were even worse now that everyone knew it. Tevis was holding back tears as he sat on a stool, hunched over and trying to block out the words of the tutor before them. Sigru was listening intently, scribbling notes and gazing up with gleams in his eyes as the words meaning nothing to the Shadowwalker echoed throughout the room. Tevis could feel hi stomach churning and his head pounding as the burning became nearly unbearable. They had told him he needed to control his powers, but that wasn't true. He'd been fine. For the longest time he'd been fine and no one had known and now-

    "Would you like to demonstrate, Tevis?" The human man was kind and gentle as always, but his voice made Tevis want to rake his hands down the sides of his head and wait until his ears were but a memory. There was something lodged in his throat and the pale boy with the black hair shook his head tightly, "Are you sure? You've come along in your studies quite nicely. Why not try it just once?" He hadn't come along in his studies at all. Every day it was the same thing. Conjure this or do that or try this. Tevis hadn't been able to make his way down to the sparring ring for his real lessons since this mess had all started. The man was still talking, "-make you feel better if Sigru does it t-"

    "NO!" His voice was hoarse but firm as Tevis pressed himself off the stool so swiftly that it clattered to the floor. Sigru stared at him with a silent glare. Perturbed for ruining the lesson no doubt. The lodge was still in his throat and now it was growing. Tears were streaming down his face freely now and the pale, black haired boy turned to race from the room on quick pattering feet, swallowing sobs as he went.


    Aric had been hesitant to let Amara go anywhere since Skoll had left for Braeil so unexpectedly. The Commander was still recovering, but for the most part he had taken back a large portion of his duties. He now sat watching his sons with Amara on his lap. It was only a matter of time before Tevis snapped, and Aric was just counting the second and the lessons before it happened. Every time he looked at the boy named for his old, dead friend and brother, he remembered himself. Defiant and helpless in the wake of a power he never wanted. As the outburst finally erupted and Tevis raced from the room, Aric could only offer what calming looks he could muster to his daughter and son, "Why don't we have a break for lunch?"

    "Papae, I don't want to!" Sigru was scowling now, irritation flecking across his freckled face and brows creasing along his untamed red mop of hair, "Tevis-"

    "Is just a little upset. We don't speak about family behind their backs. Now we're all going to take a little break for lunch, and then you can both do whatever you'd like. I'm sure that Mage Tyrin would be happy to continue teaching you after." Aric was swift to cut down on the tantrum rising within his son, bearing down on that fire with a stern flame of his own.

    Solas gently closed the book in his hands as his grandson began to speak, he having made it a habit to continue what he was doing and just be a calming presence for the young man until he would speak and make his worries clear. It was a game of waiting and patience, something he knew like the back of his hand. Releasing a slow sigh gentle blue eyes turned onto the young wolf in understanding "Fen, he won't be angry with you, I can assure you of that. He may scold you a bit just for leaving, but more than likely he will be understanding as to why. Not only did he lose you but he lost your Da as well in the same day, he's hurt and lonely. I think seeing you again will do him some good." he admitted softly. "As for what you did, you should feel no guilt or regret for it one bit. No remorse is deserved to them for what they did." he muttered, the words coming out a bit more harsh than meant to but his own anger over the situation that had befallen his grandsons friend had made itself clear.


    The sight of the girl standing at the podium had Damien curious, especially when he took in her appearance and the familiar hound with her. Dhite... he remembered the mabari... and the clothes of mourning left him wondering but knowing the obvious, hurtful truth. So her brother had been taken long before his time... the young Pavus could not help but to blame himself for that. As he moved past her he took in her tilted chin and defiant nature, chuckling under his breath and unable to help the grin as it reminded him so much of others he held dear. Kira would be impressed, that much he could note. The magister took in those around him as well, turning his gaze onto each and giving a respectful dip of his head as he went to take his seat and straightened up, pulling at the collar of his embroidered tunic gently, his father having a knack for picking out elegant and eye catching clothing that always seamed to make him itch.


    As Tevis seamed to grow more and more tense so did Kira. She could tell with just one look how frustrated and angry he was becoming and he attended these lessons, each time she wanting to rush forward and hold him and assure him it was alright, and with that she had to always stop herself. No longer could she coddle them, rush to them with every problem they had, baby them in a way. One day her and Aric would not be here and their children would need to know how to act without them. The moment that Tevis snapped and ran out though it seamed like a good time for her to step in. "I'll go find him." she murmured to Aric with a soft smile, winking to Amara and Sigru before giving a polite nod to the mage "Thank you for the lesson, and apologies." she muttered. Just as quickly as those words had left her lips she was off to find the irate little boy "Tev" she called out softly as she knew now to keep an eye out on the shadows "Tev talk to me. What's the matter darling?" Even she knew the answer to that question, but she wanted to hear it from him, for him to get it out and understand his own anger.

    Amara was content with her father, finding comfort and stability in his presence alone, but having him near was even better. From where she sat on his lap she could watch her brothers and listen closely yet know that she was safe with her father and mother so close. When Tevis lashed out with his anger though and Sigru seamed off-put by his attitude she was quick to jump into action after her father. Swiftly she hopped down from his lap, not before giving his cheek a quick peck, and reached over to take Sigru's hand in her own, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Tevis isn't like you and me Sig, he's not eager to learn magic. But magic means that you need to take breaks, so lunch is a good idea, isn't it?" she suggested with a sweet and understanding tone. "Can't learn on an empty stomach can we?" she added with a smile.


    The Emerald Graves sounded like nothing that Anastasia could recall from memory, the sounds having become a little different from the last time she was here, but the smell, the smell was mostly the same. The sweet grass permeated the air followed by the scents of halla, bear, and the tinge of Crystal Grace, a herb she remembered from childhood when her father would send her looking for the rarity. The journey had been a long one but it had also been a learning experience for them all, allowing them to better get to know one another, not that they had really needed that though. More it was an opportunity for them to learn more about Horace, the odd man out that they had welcomed without a second thought. "So from what the villagers told us my tribe is here, but they couldn't quite pinpoint where, just that they stick close to the old elvhen ruins." she muttered, they having gone through some camps and the main village of the graves on their way, she taking that time to ask around for an information.

    Sek had stood out amongst his rag tag group during their travels, the towns and camps they passing through getting them more attention than they would have gotten if he had not been there. Though he welcomed it in a way, it giving him wanted and unwanted attention, allowing him to get warnings for them about qunari that had been spotted in the area. Now that they were traveling further into the graves though there was nothing before them except green, trees, bears, and nug. Undoubtedly Velvet was having fun chasing the pink hairless things around at least. "Maybe we should find a good place to set up camp soon if we can't find them today, it'll be dark soon enough and I don't advise that we stay out in the open like we are." he suggested.

    Fenral swallowed hard and tried to fight the bile rising in the back of his throat, unfurling his legs and settling them on the ground quietly as he listened to his grandfather spoke. It took him a long moment to gather his words before replying, "It...wasn't just them." The Branded Wolf rumbled out almost inaudibly, settling his marked arm atop his lap and trying to ignore the burning pain that accompanied, "It was everyone. Everyone I killed." There wasn't even a need to mention the Pits, "Bull said I shouldn't linger...but he's been killing people for a long time...and he always waits for them to come at him. I know, I've watched him fight. Dorian needs to kill, before they kill him. I had a choice. Some of them...some of them didn't even fight back." Fenral was gripping his knee so tightly that it hurt, but he pressed on, "I had a choice. I have a choice whenever I ended someone else." The next sentence hurt more than it should have and was hardly a whisper, "Geldauran understood. More than any of you ever could."


    As the Magisterium filled more and more, until all or most of the seats had settled, the doors shut with a resounding bang and the Templars took their customary stances to ensure 'security within the chambers'. It was a front like most things in the crumbling Tevinter. Assassinations in the chamber were not common, but they occurred nonetheless. The murmuring was still in effect and it seemed as though the girl's patience was waning swiftly. There were a few chortles at the youngest Magister standing so defiantly in the throng of hungry serpents and cunning cowards. A particularly loud laugh finally urged her to brandish her staff.

    Crack! Crack! Crack!

    Sparks and the beginnings of flame flew from the bottom of the staff as it struck the stone beneath three times. One after another after another without relenting. The girl looked over the quieting assembly, "I, Andromeda Cassiopeoa, now open the Magisterium to session." Her voice was as cold as steel, and her hounds seemed to be perked and steadied as though expecting a strike or attack. Despite the determination of the young girl, there were still lingering murmurs and chortles at the audacity of the seemingly powerless girl, "Pardon me but is there something funny, gentlemen?" Andromeda strode to the edge of the circle in the center of the room to glare down upon four men in the from row. One of them was Magister Cassus, the man whose children had been butchered in the riots, "Unless of course you are speaking of the burning of your district markets. Which I agree shines your incompetence in a most amusing manner. Now you will silence yourselves or be removed." Her words echoed finitely across the now silence of the Magisterium chamber, "Too long have we wasted bickering amongst ourselves and yet we can all say with confidence that such squabbling will never end. Not until an Archon is put into place. Even then, the natures of the men and women in this room is as repulsive as spoiled meat. It will however keep my ears from hearing your pathetic proclamations in the name of a better Tevinter." Andromeda turned sharply on her heel to stalk slowly back and forth like a predator about to strike down its prey, "As such, the Independent Party moves to begin the voting of the next Archon to represent Tevinter." Her steps halted before the Lucerni, a tiny hand reaching up to settle on the desk in a tiny fist, "We nominate the Lucerni leader, Damien of House Pavus. First of his name and Heir to Qarinus. Should the entirety of his party back him, he shall have majority vote." Andromeda looked down unimpressed upon Damien before striding back towards the center of the room, "Now, the Loyalist Party may regain majority, but to do so must move against the currently protected Lucerni, which has greeted them in failure time and time again-" raven eyes narrowed upon Magister Cassus at that, "-so as such you snakes claiming to be dragons shall likely target my own party. If you must know I am located at the Southern End of the capital's main road, the one with the statues that look like they're trying to shit out water. Tea Time is at noon and my lessons are shortly thereafter. I welcome visitors and suggest the killers of my brother make themselves known so I do not have to go through the trouble of finding you myself. Good Day, and I welcome the next speaker." Andromeda snapped sharply with a single finger and turned to return back to her seat, Dhite and the Hessarian hound in tow.


    Tevis could see his mother wandering down the halls calling for him. There was little incentive to break free from the comforting whispers of the darkness around him. There were never words to understand nor issues to solve, there was merely company that did not ask any questions simply because it was unable to. The cold was a small price to pay for that. Ever since Sigru had come back he'd been obsessed with learning. His twin would bury himself into books for hours and even when Tevis would come with a joke or a treat to help him smile, he'd be shooed away. Sigru had come back, but he seemed further away than ever. Mamae's next call broke Tevis free from the shadows as his concentration shattered, and the pale boy stood just a few steps ahead with his shoulders squared and his eyes downcast, "I don't want to go to the lessons anymore." the Shadowwalker's voice was quiet but firm, "I want to go back to Ser and learn how to be a warrior like Papae."

    It all made sense and that was perhaps the most frustrating thing, "Fine," Sigru's face was sour as he shifted off his stool and plopped hollowly down to the cobblestones below. His hand reached out to take Amara's and leaned against his sister for a shared sense of support. The red haired mage in training had become accustomed to waiting for their father as the Commander strained himself and winced and grimaced trying to get out of the chair. In the end, Sigru's tutor had to rush forwards to help the man up and hand him his cane.

    "Come along then, Ama, Sig," Aric smiled gently to his children and ushered them out of the mage tower's opposite exit along the battlements to leave Tevis and Kira to their own conversation, "What do you say to eating in the gardens?"


    Horace had been quiet for most of the trip into the Emerald Graves. Already he remembered the night sky ablaze with fire and blood and screams. The Wolf remembered the too familiar scent of burning flesh and the ashes of his father and mother swept away so swiftly that there had been no more to remember them by than the breeze whispering so gently through the tops of the trees. It hadn't been fair. None of it had been fair. There had always been a part of Horace envious of Fenral. He had grown up in the shadows of adventurers and fathers, while Horace had been confined to a stone cage. Given a title he never wanted. Forced to learn reading and writing and politics that went against everything the Pack had stood for. Returning to the Graves had only rekindled those bitter feelings. He was lucky to be shaken out of the fit by Sek when the Qunari spoke up, "I know a place!" The answer was eager. His home. His birthplace. Horace was swift to overtake the lead, guiding the ragtag group east towards the river, "My old den, it wasn't too far from here!"