Dragon Age Inquisition Short Stories

Wicked Grace

"You know, Hawke is the only person that has ever beat me at Wicked Grace. She would buy the entire room a round of drinks every time she won." Varric smiled at the memories flooding his mind. "I'm really not looking forward to telling everyone this. Especially Anders."

I put a hand on his shoulder as he sat down at his usual table in the great hall. "I'm so sorry, Varric. I tried to stop her. I'm- You'll never believe how sorry I am."

He smiles sadly again at my condolences and pats my hand that's on his shoulder. "Me to, Inquisitor. Me to."

But then all of the sudden a guard went flying through the air towards the back of the room. The main doors crashed open with an ungodly force.

And then a blonde mage marched into the hall. A very angry blonde Mage. I couldn't see his face but his posture said everything. He was poised like a cat ready to strike at any moment. His staff was at the ready.

"Anders," Varric gasped. Then he looked down and ducked, suddenly trying to make himself disappear.

I then went to intervene. I had very weak-hearted nobles and refugees in the room. I couldn't afford for any of them to feel... threatened.

"Stand down!" I said forcefully. "Where's Hawke? Where is she?" He yelled turning around. And then I saw his face. His eyes shown with a raw lyrium-like hue. An unnatural brightness. And his veins closest to his eyes were lit in the same blue.

His face was contorted in rage. He had angular features and was handsome besides the burning anger. "Varric!" He shouted. "Where is she?" He started to stalk towards the dwarf but I quickly put myself in his path. "I'm afraid you're going to have to calm down before I let you do anything in my hall."

He didn't push any further, but his eyes stayed lit in that unsettling blue. And then Solas walked in from his rotunda, "Vhenan, what is going on?"

"Don't ask." Varric said. In any other situation we would have laughed, but under the circumstances it was not appropriate. "So you're the mighty Inquisitor everyone's raving about? I thought you'd be taller. But I hear you support the rebellion. So you must not be too bad." His eyes dropped their color and settled into a natural golden almost caramel color. And he put his staff away.

"You'd be surprised at how much I get that. And you're Anders I take it?" He doesn't smile. The dark circles under his tired, red eyes say he hasn't slept well or much at all. His shoulders sag as he leans onto his staff for support. He looks older than he probably is.

"You would take it right, Inquisitor. But this is between Varric and myself. It does not concern you." He tries to push me aside. I feign more confidence than I feel. I scoff. "When you stomped into my hall, nearly killing my soldier, you made it my business."

He gives me a kind, yet distant look that I can't quite describe. "Well either way. I must speak to Varric- we have some unfinished business." I look over my shoulder to see what Varric's thoughts are on the matter but he just seems to be busy looking at the ground in shame.

"Fine. But lay a hand on my friend here and I will personally execute you for consorting with with enemy and treason against your betters. Hear?" I snarl. He chuckles lightly, "that sounds like something Hawke'd say." He moves around me to speak to Varric. But I grab his shoulder with as much intensity as possible.

"I mean it, mage! So much as lay a finger on his head and I'll have you charged with murder! And, I'm not dealing with the paperwork your death would cause!" I whisper yell.

He just shakes me off, smiles, and continues on. And Solas soon stands at my side. "Vhenan, what just happened?" I give the back of Ander's blonde head a glare. "I just saved Varric's ass." He laughs.

"I see. You might want to tell the Ambassador about him. She'll want to know we have an important... friend staying at Skyhold."

I nod. "I'll go tell her. See you in a bit?" I ask as I start walking. I look over my shoulder and give my most suggesting smirk.

"I wouldn't miss it."

*threw in a little Solavellan! Hope you liked it!*