Solavellan

The Hissing Wastes

Solas' P.O.V.

It's been several days since we celebrated at Skyhold, and since everyone found out about Lavellan and I. As we walked hand in hand around Skyhold I could feel the glares of anyone we passed.

"Solas, we are going to head out to The Hissing Wastes tomorrow, Viviene requested the heart of a legendary beast which roams the area."

"Okay, Vhenan." She smiled and we continued to amble along the wall, occasionally passing a soldier on the look out for Corypheus.

It was getting late so I lead Vhenan back to her bedchambers.

"Shall I stay tonight, Vhenan?"

"Of course." She was now leading me into her chambers.

Once up the stairs, Lavellan pulled me over onto her bed in the centre of the room.

We were lying side by side, still holding hands, staring at the ceiling in silence. Several minutes later I felt her curl up against me so I looked down at her as I wrapped my arms around her small body. "Vhenan, ar lath ma"

"Ar lath ma Solas" She whispered half asleep. Not long later we were both fast asleep.

It was dark and empty, the moon provided just enough light to see, but not enough to be safe. The creatures of this land are accustomed to this place in all its dark glory, whereas we are not. To them, we are sitting ducks, laid out for them, a simple meal. Ah, but will they be surprised when Vhenan fights back with her amazing sword skills, she's strong, she doesn't need the rest of us. We need her for protection. Which is why I don't understand why she is with me, she doesn't need anyone. But she chooses to be with us, and with me especially. And I am grateful for this.

"There's a trail leading south." She said, kneeling and inspecting the ground with interest.

I lost my train of thought when she looked up and directly at me. Our eyes locked and a smile crept upon her lips.

"Perhaps we should follow it, Viviene did say it tends to hunt in that direction, supposedly." I offered my reply.

"Let's." She slowly rose and took her place by my side once more. Together we led a small group of soldiers after the trail of the legendary beast.

Much further along the trail of unique footprints, we found a Lurker carcas, recently deceased. Blood pooling around the torn apart frame, the few remaining innards scattered around its new grave.

"Poor thing." A soldier behind me muttered.

"Barely been dead an hour, the flies are only just beginning to swarm and the body's still warm. We must be nearing the end of the track, and with that, our prize waiting for us to claim it." Vhenan stated, eyes shining.

She believes it's for a good cause, but with it being a request from Madame de Fer, it could be for anything. Her being the First Enchanter does make her ever so slightly more trustworthy, but I wouldn't trust her as much as Sera can down in one sitting.

Swords in hands, and staff in my own, the soldiers, Lavellan, and I moved as stealthy as their clunky, noisy armour would allow. A low growl could be heard from just passed the rocks up ahead. Slowing to a snail's pace to keep the armour quiet, we split up and hid behind the rocks. I dared to peek my head around the rock to glimpse at the foul creature. Its black body blended in with the darkness making it difficult to see, but when I finally spotted it I gasped. It was grotesque looking, with claws to big for its limbs, a tail too big for its body, and a head too small to house the hundreds of sharp teeth. Just looking at them, blood dripping off them from its last meal, brings images of those teeth snapping at our party, breaking through skin and bone in an instant. The beast was certainly a thing of Legends. No wonder no hunter has ever managed to defeat it. I heard it's talons click on some stones as it walked providing me with fresh mental images. It pouncing on its unexpecting victim, claws extended. They'd slice through a human's torso in a mere swipe of its law. I swallow my fear for Vhenan's safety in the next battle. I return to behind the safety of my rock. I looked at lethallan, determination and courage gleamed in her eyes. I gain my strength from hers. Her hand was at the ready, waiting to signal the attack. You could hear to a low growl and track roar forming in the creatures throat. It's back to us, Vhennan's hand went down in a flash, signalling us to attack. The soldiers and my love herself leapt over the rocks. Their battle cries echoed around us. I simply stood and began to cast a spell. I froze the monster mid-way through a deadly swipe of its paw. The large moon reflected it's light on the sword of my companions (and lover) whilst my magic provided colourful lights all around us, harming none but the beast itself. I summoned a boulder from The Fade to smash into the creature's side as lethallan's sword cut through its throat, the killing blows, creating a fountain of blood. The decapitated creature, however, is not quite done with. We are yet to harvest its heart. In a flash, Vhenan had sliced open the creature's belly. Guts and organs spilt out onto the sand, turning it red. Using the blunt end of her sword, she struck the rib cage of the fowl creature. Bones shattered instantly, and the purple-ish heart was retrieved. One soldier looked green.

"That was repulsive. Let us leave before the stench and the sight provokes me to throw up the contents of my stomach." Whipping her hands around her to clean off as much blood as she could, she said through clenched teeth.

"Agreed, sir." The soldiers replied.

"Here, take this back to camp. Solas and I will join you later." She instructed, handed the heart to the nearest soldier, who profusely threw up.

Marching away, the soldiers quickly disappeared from our sight. Vhenan looked at me.

"Can we go somewhere else, there's too many bodily fluids around here for my liking." Her nose scrunched as she said this. It was adorable.

"Of course my love." I took her hand and lead her to a spot spied earlier.

The boulders had fallen from a nearby cliff and acted as stairs. The three rocks were easy to climb so we seated ourselves on the highest step. The Inquisitor slowly removed the top layer of armour, which was soaked in blood. Once she remained only in her under a layer of clothes, she moved the pile of bloody metal to the edge. I sat there watching her throughout this process. I held out one arm and she moved closer to me. With one arm draped around her shoulders, I took hold of her other. I kissed her hand once, twice. My eyes found hers. She pulled herself out from under my arm only to move and sit on my lap. One arm around my waist and one against my chest. I wrapped both of mine around her small body. We stayed like that for a very long time before we decided to return to camp, and then to Skyhold.