Across Worlds

Ch 10 - Skyhold

The next two days consisted of more of the same; travel, making camp and traveling some more. They eventually left the Imperial Highway and wound their way west toward the snow-capped peaks of an imposing mountain range. It reminded Wren of the Rockies back in the states.

As they got closer to them, it got decidedly chillier and she wished for the comfort of her sweatshirt. But her clothes had been completely ruined during her captivity and discarded long ago. Thankfully, with the cold winters back home in Massachusetts it wasn't anything she wasn't used to. Still, when Evan approached her the morning of the third day and handed her a pair of fleece lined leather gloves and a heavy woolen cloak, she could've wept with joy.

"I took the liberty of procuring these for you back in Crestwood," he explained.

"Thank you," she said, her face lighting up. She pulled the gloves on and swung the cloak around her shoulders before mounting up. It fell to her knees, just above her riding boots. The clasp for it at her throat was in the shape of a feather. She ran her fingers over it, smiling and thinking of Evan's pet name for her, little bird. No one had ever given her something so thoughtful.

It was slower going as they climbed from the foothills to the higher elevations. They stuck to narrow trails and mountain passes, having to ride single file. The path became steeper as they started to climb a larger rise, but widened at the top of it. She looked up to see Evan waiting for her, letting the others continue on and down into the valley on the other side.

"Wren," he said warmly as she approached. He turned his gaze from her to the vista beyond and she followed it. "Welcome to Skyhold."

"Holy shit!" she said in wonder, her jaw dropping at the sight of the mighty fortress below them.

A camp spread out in the valley outside the drawbridge that led to the main gate, dotted with tents, horses, and soldiers moving about their duties. The walls of the fortress rose high, built on the top of a plateau in the rise of the next set of peaks. They were dotted with watch towers, but the main keep and a larger tower next to it rose even higher behind them. A half-frozen waterfall cascaded down the peak directly behind the castle. It was an extremely defensible position as the only way to approach was across the drawbridge, as water and the mountains surrounded all other sides.

"Evan, this is amazing!"

He smiled at her enthusiasm. "Well, half of it is still in ruins and being rebuilt, so don't get too excited," he said good-naturedly.

Soldiers in the camp saluted Evan as they rode past and he nodded at them, speaking to some to inquire about their families and their lives. He's truly someone who cares about the people that follow him, Wren thought, looking at his interactions with his troops.

They rode across the drawbridge and into the lower courtyard, where there was a training ground outside a barracks on one end and a stable on the other. Merchants had set up around the area, as well, similar to Caer Branoch, but on a much larger and grander scale. Stable hands ran forward and took their horses as they dismounted. Dawson, Carter and the few other soldiers that had ridden with them headed for the barracks while Solas, Varric, Cassandra and Evan walked toward the stairs leading to the upper courtyard and the entrance to the keep.

"Wren?" Evan called back, seeing her hesitate, not sure which group she was supposed to follow. "Are you coming?"

She nodded, thankful for the direction, and hurried to follow them. At the stairs leading to the keep three people were waiting for them, a man and two women. The man was a soldier, broad shouldered and handsome with blonde hair and amber brown eyes. The woman to his left was dark haired and bronze skinned, wearing a ruffled silk outfit that reminded Wren of men's clothing from the 1500's on Earth. Despite her strange clothing, she had a warm smile. Something that the other woman most definitely lacked. She wore light armor similar to Evan's with a hood covering her shoulder length flaming red hair. Her blue eyes were hard as ice and her mouth was set in a slim line.