Sisters of Tevinter

Stasis

         She had lied of course. It was more of a joke than anything. Her elder brother had taught her, in the courtyards of the Trevelyan estate, under the guidance of an old chevalier who served as a groundskeeper. 

          The rest of the evening was uneventful. One of the Blades approached Jor and asked her bidding. "Serve the Inquisition. Through them, serve Andraste," she bluffed with a grim stare. "Defend the Storm Coast, guard the comings and goings of my people. Remove the corpses from your walls, give them a proper burial." 

           "Your will is our will." She bowed her helmed head and turned to issue orders. 

          Jor stumbled out of the camp, silently cursing it and all its people. Bruises were blossoming up the side of her face, blood trickled from under her shirt. She yanked off her gloves and shoved them into her belt with an irritated chuff. 

         Cassandra shouldered her shield and fell into step beside the scholar. "They will be useful." 

         "Surely," Jor deadpanned.

        Bull chuckled. "You're going to be black and blue tomorrow, boss. I can't wait to tell my boys everything." 

        "Yes, well I appreciate the escort. You both looked very tough standing there for me." Jor smiled slightly, her aching head nearly dropping to her chest as she took another trembling step. 

         They reached the Inquisiton settlement on its overlook of the ocean. It was truly dark by then. Waves crashed against the shore below, campfires flickered and the sky was clear enough to bleed pinpricks of silver around the moon. 

          Dane gave a resounding bark and bounded out of the shadows, dancing around Jor and whining. She laid a weary hand on the mabari's head, wondering why he was acting this way. Everyone was gathered around the two fires, eating rations and passing drinks. Jor paused to watch, smiling softly. The Chargers seemed to mingle with the soldiers well enough. Many were laughing.

            Bull laid a hand on Jor's shoulder as he passed, striding for Krem and earning a round of cheers. Cassandra settled between scout Harding and Varric, who had turned to greet them. Kaisen whistled for Dane, who went bounding back to lay at her side. 

            "You alright?" she called over the distant roar of the tides and many voices. 

           Jor nodded and scanned the gathering for- there. She relaxed slightly, her hand pressed to the wounds of her stomach and staggered to sink down beside the shape with his back to the fire and a staff across his knees. The firelight flickered in dancing scarlet shapes over the back of his head and shimmered on the buckles of his quilted armor.

            "Welcome back."

            Solas smiled slightly, glancing at her. "Hello." 

           The way he said it, so lightly and curious, made Jor smile too. "You alright?" 

           "No worse than you." He gestured to the red stains on the gray of her jacket. "Your wounds, they've reopened."

          "Rocks." 

          "I see. I heard you went to face the Blades of Hessarian. I gather from your head still being attached to your shoulders that you were victorious."

          "Yes. They won't trouble the Inquisition again." Jor laid on her back beside the mage, her palms pressed over her belly as she watched clouds and mist drift across the stars. "You left."