Halam'shivanas:The sweet sacrifice of duty

The Inquisitor

Solas watched as Aniel Lavellan wiped of the blood from her sword hilt before she secured it on her hip. The blade had long ago returned to the fade. He had to admit that he was impressed over how fast she had mastered the skills of the knight enchanter. But then again the fight had been easy with wolfs as the only enemies.

" Well that was annoying. " Aniel said with a frown on her face. She was leaning against her staff and looked at the dead bodies. She let out a deep sigh and sat down on a stone.

" What's this? Has the almighty inquisitor been bested by some wolf. " Dorian teased as he crouched down next to her. He received a playful punch on the arm and a smile from the inquisitor before she leaned against him and hugged his arm.

Solas watched the two of them and felt somewhat uncomfortable over how easy and freely they were interacting with each other.

He hastily shook off the strange feeling and looked down on the dead wolfs.

" She don't like to kill wolfs. She likes them. " Cole said from under his hat as he suddenly stood next to Solas.

Solas arched an eyebrow and opened his mouth to ask a question.

" But do not the elves fear some dark wolf god or something?" Dorian asked before Solas was able to voice his question.

" Aah you must mean Fen'Harel, the dread wolf. Well ...... I don't think I fear him. " Aniel simply said with a casual shrug.

" Interesting, what may the reason for your lack of fear be?" Solas found himself asking. He regret the question when he saw a dark shadow flash by in her usual crystal blue eyes.

" Lonely, dark, fear. But a wall against danger, hiding from ....." Cole started but was interrupted when Aniel poked him with her staff. He looked up at her and then down on the ground. Dorian let out a small nervous laughter.

" Thank you Cole, but I'm pretty sure I'm capable of telling the story on my own. " Aniel said simply and gave him a pat on the shoulder. She looked at her comrades. Solas noticed the small changes in her face. The smile was not as big, the eyes seemed darker and there was a small frown.

" Well long story short. When I was a kid I lost my parents. We were out hunting, but got attacked by bandits. My mama hide me next to a big statue of Fen'Harel. Between its big paws, under its head. They were dragged away and probably killed while I was too afraid to move. The men came back and looked around, but did not find me. A day later the clan found me and took me to safety. I guess I own Fen'Harel my life or something." Aniel said and stood up as she finished the story.

Dorian looked at her whit big eyes. Cole did not look up from the ground and Solas found himself staring into the air. The air felt heavy and the silence somehow hurt the ears. It was Aniel who broke the silence first.

" Well that was it. Now you know. I probably should tell the rest or something. Perhaps next time we play wicked grace. Josephine just might let me win out of pity." Aniel laughed and scratched her head.

" Well just so you know it, that evening the drinks will be on me." Dorian said and gave her a small hug.

Aniel returned the hug then turned to Cole with a smile. Cole looked carefully at her from beneath his hat.

" No worry Cole, no harm done. I guess it had to come out sooner or later and it could have been worse. " Aniel said as she took off the big hat and ruffled his hair before she put it back. She then started to walk toward the camp.

Cole and Dorian walked after her but

Solas took some time trying to analyse the things he had been told, but when Aniel called for him he started to walk. They made their way to the camp in silence.