Sparkler and the Wolf

6. Inadequate

For the hundredth time Dorian cursed himself for not studying the healing arts of magic. As a youth, top of his class in every subject and with his skills in offensive spell-casting, there'd been no good reason to spend time learning it. There were laetens and preateri for that. Even if there hadn't been, his parents would never have permitted him to waste time studying the healing arts. It was beneath his status as an Altus, but more than that it would have scandalized and ruined the Pavus name if anyone learned of it. So he hadn't studied it beyond the required minimum to meet his basic study requirements.

Yet as he lay in a sickbed, recovering from falling into a stand of spindleweed and a barrier misstep which resulted in being hit with wyvern venom, he vowed to change that as soon as he returned to Skyhold. He didn't care who he learned it from, but by the Maker he would not leave the keep again until he was bloody well able to heal more than just superficial cuts and bruises.

It didn't help that he'd been wallowing in thoughts of Fenris since they'd arrived either. Vacillating between keeping his distance and the ridiculous hope that the elven warrior wouldn't let him go so easily. Nor did it help that as far as he was concerned, both the wyvern accident and subsequent spindleweed problem was entirely his fault.

Neither the Inquisitor nor the Iron Bull agreed but if he'd been paying attention, he was certain he would have seen the wyvern coming up behind him and the Bull who'd been coming to his aide in time to put up a barrier to protect them both. But he hadn't and both he and Bull had taken a direct hit of venom.

The pain and inability to see clearly was excruciating and after they'd left the den of wyvern behind and were on their way back to camp, he'd tripped. Bull had tried to help, but being as incapacitated as Dorian, rather than help, he'd fallen with the mage, dumping them both into a stand of spindleweed.

Sera had laughed like a maniac finding the entire incident the funniest thing she'd ever seen. The Inquisitor joined in and was soon followed by Bull until they were all laughing hysterically. All except him, since he hadn't seen anything and instead gotten a face full of the horrid plant which had subsequently swollen his eyes shut. The only thing that had kept him from losing his patience completely was the fact he couldn't see the damage to his face. But that part had been short-lived since his companions had then had to carry him back to camp.

After sending for a healer from their forward camp, the Inquisitor had announced she was sending for a second team to assist. He'd growled and swore under his breath after she'd left his tent, convinced they were all now blaming him for what had happened. Both Sera and Iron Bull had come to see him, assuring him nothing of what happened was his fault and he listened but didn't agree. He couldn't argue though since after the first day, he'd had a reaction to the spindleweed and lost his voice.

When news arrived that the second group would be there within the hour, he could barely crack an eye open. He was miserable and inconsolable until he heard Vivienne was coming and he allowed himself to release some of his tension. At least when she arrived she could heal him and get him out of this Maker forsaken tent.

"Dorian." The Inquisitor said from his left. "I'm sure you've heard Vivienne is on her way."

"I have and I thank you for that. It will be a relief to get out of this tent." He said, his voice still rough.

"Well you should also know that Fenris and Varric are with her. They've been informed about what happened and I'm told Fenris was concerned." What she didn't tell him was that the elf had wanted to separate from the others to reach Dorian sooner and had to be talked out of it after a heated argument with Varric.

"I see."

"He's asked to see you when he arrives."

"Absolutely not." Dorian growled. "Bad enough I've been stuck in this tent due to a failure on my part to do my job properly, but I do not wish to have anyone else witness to my embarrassing state of health."

"Dorian." The Inquisitor sighed. "I've already told you it wasn't your fault. It was an accident. If anyone is to blame for what happened it's me. I'm in charge and I should have had more grenades on hand before we even entered that nest."

"I thank you for your assurances Inquisitor and I appreciate the concern, but you have your version and I have mine. I welcome Vivienne's administrations, but I do not want the elven warrior to see me like this."

"I think you're making a mistake Dorian, but I will respect your wishes."

"Thank you."

"Is there anything you need while I'm here?"

"Water would be nice."

"Alright. I'll be right back."

----xxx----

Fenris was beside himself with worry when they heard the extent of what had happened to the Inquisitor's party. He'd been furious when he'd not been allowed to go ahead of the group, but had agreed despite his resentment to stay with them.

As they neared the camp, the Inquisitor met them on the outskirts, waving Vivienne ahead to continue on whiles he spoke to himself and Varric.

"What do you mean he doesn't want to see me?" He growled.

"He's embarrassed and has convinced himself the entire incident is his fault." She said, giving him a look. "Also he can't quite see yet either. He took a hit of wyvern venom to the face before landing in the spindleweed. He then had a reaction and lost his ability to talk. He's had some improvement, but he looks a lot worse than he is and he has limited use of his voice."

"Fasta vaas." Fenris swore. He knew what the mage was doing and he knew that despite his wishes, the last thing Dorian needed was time alone.

"I thought you said Tiny was injured too?" Varric reminded her, puzzled. "Why are you only talking about Sparkler?"

"Apparently it's a Qunari thing or maybe Ben-Hasrath I'm not clear on that part, but Bull is in the habit of infecting himself with all kinds of nasty things. Something to do with building poison resistance?"

"He is Hissrad." Fenris growled. "It is Qunlat for liar. He's a spy and a Qunari, their Tal-Vashoth enemies always use poison on their weapons."

"Right." She nodded. "That's it. Anyway, aside from some redness and a few scars, which Bull is quite proud of, he's fine."

"Well, we've been warned."Varric said cheerily. "Tiny is fine and Sparkler will be after Vivienne does her thing."

"Pretty much." The Inquisitor smiled. "Anyway, Sera and I are headed out for some fresh water. See you back at camp."

He and Varric continued down the path to the camp, the dwarf with a spring in his step, happy to be able to sit after several days of walking.

"You gonna respect Sparkler's wishes?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at the elf.

"I haven't decided yet."