Hunt

Chapter 6: Wilderness

Lavellan
I jerked awake soaked in sweat, almost falling from my horse. I had stopped at our main camp to supply and regroup. Cole was the only one who I allowed to travel with me.

"You had a vision," he said. "You were talking to the dragon woman."

I frowned. Mythal. Again. Talking to me about how death provided a wisdom beyond all.

"She wants me to die," I replied.

"Yes. Then she wants you to come back. Wants you to be her, but better. Her daughters can't do it. They don't have the blood or the fire it carries."

I was silent for a moment. "I can't die yet. And what about the blood?"

"You won't have a choice. It won't be long. I can feel it. I'm not sure what she means by blood."

I sighed. "I guess we'll find out."

There was a pause.

"You can feel that I'm going to die?!" I almost fell off my horse again.

"Only you. It's dark around you, but you're so bright, even without the mark. Death isn't new to you though."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You died, but you don't remember. You've been to where we're going before."

I bit my lip. "Only in dreams."

"Breaking the seal will kill you."

"The seal?"

"The thing that keeps the blood dormant. Death is the only way to break it. It can change the path Solas is on."

"Good to know."

"Why you?"

I looked at the reins in my hands. "I wish I knew."

Cole nodded and stared into the fire in contemplation.

"Well, Cole, I'm getting tired. Why don't we find somewhere to set up camp for the night? If memory serves, there's a perfect spot up ahead."

He nodded.

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Solas
I was in my office going over preparations when a messenger ran in without knocking.

"Apologies, sir, but I think you'd want to know. We tracked them to an encampment on the border of Orlais. As we arrived, we saw two horses departing. We believe one of them was the Inquisitor and the other was the one known as Cole."

"Where were they heading?"

"To the southwest, sir. We have scouts following them now. They appear to be heading to the Arbor Wilds, but we aren't sure yet."

The Arbor Wilds? Why would she head there? "Monitor the situation for now until we see what she's up to. In the meantime, how is the search for the whereabouts of my brethren going?"

"We believe we have found them all except Dirthamen. Considering he is our god of secrets, that's hardly surprising."

"All right. Let me know as soon as you find him. You are dismissed."

"Yes, sir."

I sighed. Technically, they weren't my siblings. They were locked in the Fade currently, paying the price for killing Mythal. I hadn't thought a fragment of her would survive. Now, I needed them to reclaim Thedas for the elven people. They were generals before they were named gods. If anyone could help me, it would be them.

First, I'd rip open the Veil and bring them through. After Thedas falls to the chaos, we would strike. We will reclaim what's ours. The price for this is a small one. For this fight, I would have to die. Lavellan and everyone else from this world would follow me shortly as my brethren purified this world for the loyal Elven people.

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Lavellan
After a week of hard riding, we were deep in the Arbor Wilds. It was only a couple more days until we hit the coast. Only a couple more days until we finally got some damn answers for what was going on along with a big pile of emotional crap.

"You're anxious," Cole commented.

"You have no idea. I'm very worried about what we might find."

"What do you think it'll be?"

"I have no idea. I'm sorry. I wish I could help."

"You are helping me to stop Solas from slaughtering thousands of innocents. That's good enough."

He nodded to himself, and we continued our ride through the wilderness.