Sisters of Tevinter

Returning

        It was late evening when Jor hesitantly worked up the courage to approach Cassandra. She shoved her hands in her pockets and stepped up beside the Seeker, who hadn't taken a single break from watch. She was sitting against a boulder, her arm resting across her knee.

         "I think we should head back to Haven," Jor began softly. "I don't want to leave anyone hanging. Have we heard from Leliana?" 

         Cassandra shifted slowly, exhaling through her nose. "No."

         "Ah." Jor glanced nervously at the skyline, turning indigo in the setting sun. "...No what." 

         "I have not heard from Leliana." She rose to her feet in a smooth movement. "If you believe we should go, that is what we will do." 

         "...Alright. Thank you." 

         Cassandra passed her quietly, but the scholar fought not to flinch. There was no longer a freezing aura of hostility around the Seeker, but Jor feared it would soon return if she even breathed the wrong way. 

          "Kaisen!" the Seeker barked. 

         The Crow lifted her head sharply with a grin. "Yes, dear?" 

         Cassandra scoffed, but a smile tugged at her mouth. "Gather Varric and those you wish to take home." 

        Kaisen beamed and clapped Krem on the shoulder. "Can I take this one?" 

        Bull laughed, passing her the mug of hot brandy the Chargers were sharing. "He goes where I go." 

        "Good, because you were next on the list, tall man." 

        Krem laughed, and the sound was pure. Jor smiled slightly. They know her so well. The smile faded. Or they think they do. 

        Kaisen stood up, tugging a hood over her head and whistling for Dane. The hound trotted to her side happily as she strode into the line of tents to find Varric. Bull rose, lifting Krem to his feet with a grin as he spoke to his mercenaries. No doubt he'd send them directions to Haven. 

        Solas rose from where he'd been sitting by the fire, fastening a few pouches to his belt as he dusted off his hands. 

      "Ey! Up and at 'em old man!" 

      Varric stumbled from the tents, batting away a chortling Kaisen. Dane pranced beside him, panting. Varric slung his bag and crossbow over his shoulder. 

      Jor turned to Harding, who was rolling out a large Inquisition flag. "Hold the fort?" 

      The scout gave a solid salute. "Count on me." 

     Jor nodded, satisfied she was leaving her soldiers in good hands. The party of eight set off into the darkening forest. 

        Night fell entirely, the stars fogged out by moonlight and mist. Jor glanced at the sky, listening intently to the cries of owls and the distant rush of the ocean. It was fading behind them now, so they were going in the right direction. 

         Bull and Krem were talking to Cassandra, unbothered by the dark. Krem was narrating some kind of story about moving trees that tried to brutally murder the Chargers in their bedrolls. 

          Solas strode beside the scholar, serene as always. It was comforting. "There are no wolves here." He smiled his smallest of smiles, and shadows seemed to flee from him as he looked ahead.