Solavellan

Grey Wardens

Lavellan's P.O.V

My advisers and I were crowding around the war room table. Our intentions were to plan fight strategies to deal with the Grey Wardens, and the Venatori magister, Erimond, at Adamant in the Western Approach. The room was stuffy and dull. It was silent, besides the soldiers training in the courtyard by the tavern. They were loud, but in here we can barely hear their battle cries. Every now and then muffled voices of those who walked by could be heard. The silence grew awkward as it was dragged out. Lelianna spoke up.

"Adamant Fortress has stood against the Darkspawn since the time of the second Blight."

"Fortunately for us, that means it was built before the age of modern siege equipment. A good trebuchet will do major damage to those ancient walls. And thanks to our Lady Ambassador..." Cullen started.

"Lady Seryl of Jader was pleased to lend the Inquisition her sappers. They've already delivered the trebuchets." Josephine finished. She returned fully immersed to her papers.

"That is the good news"

"And the bad news?" I asked Lelianna.

"Erimond called the ritual at the Western Approach a test. He may already be raising his army of demons in the Fortress."

"The Inquisition forces can breach the gate, but if the Wardens already have their demons..." Cullen trailed off again.

"I found a record of Adamant's construction. There are choke points we can use to limit the field of battle."

"That's good. We may not be able to defeat them outright, but if we cut off reinforcements, we can carve you a path to Warden-Commander Clarel."

"Taking this Fortress is going to get a lot of good soldiers killed," I replied.

"Our soldiers know the risk, Inquisitor. And they know what they're fighting for." Josephine briefly looked up from her papers.

"It'll be hard-fought, no way around it. But we'll get that gate open." Cullen reassured me.

"It's also possible that some Wardens may be sympathetic to our cause."

"The warriors may be willing to listen to reason, though I doubt they will turn against Clarel directly. The mages, however, are slaves to Corypheus. They will fight to the death." Lelianna was right.

"We've built the siege engines and readied out forces, Inquisitor. Give the word, and we'll march on Adamant." I nodded in acknowledgement to Cullen.

Missing my better half, I go to his study to find him. When I arrive, he's not there. Neither is he in his bedchambers or mine. I return to his study and slump down on the couch. He's probably at the tavern playing card games with Blackwall or The Iron Bull. But after last round of Wicked Grace with Solas, I doubt Blackwall will be playing with him. I assume Blackwall likes keeping his clothes, after losing and having to walk back to his quarters with nothing but a bucket for his bits. He shouldn't have bet on them, then he wouldn't have lost them. Imagine if Solas had to do the same, but walk back to my bedchambers, which have kind of become our bedchambers, with nothing but a bucket for his bits. I giggled as I imagined the disapproving glare on his face. Thankfully the only look he gives me is one of adoration. He looks so cute and happy when he looks at me like that, it makes my heart race. I love moments when we just stare into each other's eyes, lost in their beauty. I smile to myself as I think of his dreamy eyes until I fall asleep.

"Vhenan..."

"Solas, emma lath, are you okay?" I looked up at him, his eyes filled with hurt, or what I thought was hurt.