Pride, Wolf and Rebellion

Comfort

Fen'Asha woke with the sun burning her temples. It had been an overwhelming night, the finite point on a remarkable day that saw servants and nobles turned in disarray.

She rubbed her temples, tried to jog her memories. She was with the Wolf. She searched for him across the span of Skyhold, even pressed Sera and Dagna into her employ. He wasn't found, no one had seen him, not even a hair turned up in the search.

Had she imagined it? Had she imagined the frenzy, the ferocity of his movements inside her? Was it possible?

She shook the thoughts from her head and dressed, carting herself downstairs and to Josephine.

"Good morning, Inquisitor," said the Ambassador. "That was...quite the day."

"Yes," said Fen'Asha.

"And to think, in Antiva it lasts for an entire week," said Josephine.

"I've been reading about that," said Fen'Asha with a grin.

Josephine nodded. "And speaking of reading..." She slid a piece of paper across her desk.

It was a note from a Professor Bram Kenric from the University of Orlais. She grimaced, remembering her last interaction with someone from the place.

"He wishes for us to investigate the Frostback Basin," said Josephine. "He believes there are findings there that could revolutionize the Inquisition."

"Sounds like it'll benefit him too," said Fen'Asha.

"Well," said Josephine. "We often make arrangements that are of mutual advantage."

Fen'Asha nodded. "I'll go myself," she said.

"Scout Harding is ready," said Josephine. "And Professor Kenric already has established himself at a camp."

"So you've already made arrangements?" said Fen'Asha with a smirk.

Josephine nodded.

"And what of our friends. Is anyone else..." said Fen'Asha raising her eyebrows.

"Ah, I am sorry to say they all absconded once I mentioned the buckles were our lead," said Josephine.

"The buckles?"

Josephine nodded again. "Professor Kenric will be able to explain better than I," she said. "But the carriages are packed and Scout Harding awaits."

Fen'Asha smiled, shook her head and set out for Harding, who was waiting on tenterhooks near the carriage. They rolled away from Skyhold and toward the Frostback Basin, with Harding going talking about dance class and how attendance was dismal.

The road was long and Fen'Asha hadn't had time to pack any books, but she was able to doze off once Scout Harding took the opportunity to rest her eyes.

Fen'Asha sighed, wandering the springs with the twin wolves watching over her.

"You look beautiful this evening, Fen'Asha," came a voice. It was the Dread Wolf and he was near.

She gulped, a strange noise escaping her throat. She was no longer certain he was confined to her dreams, no longer confident Fen'Harel was in uthenera.

"You seem uneasy," said the Dread Wolf, encircling her with his arms. The paws drifted.

She shook her head. "I am...um," she said. "We...there was a celebration at Skyhold."

"Ah," said Fen'Harel.

"Satinalia," she said. "The servants enjoyed it."

The Dread Wolf nodded. "I am familiar with Satinalia," he said. "A celebration for Zazikel, Satina..."