Sparkler and the Wolf

25. It's Hopeless

"Dorian." He looked up to see the Inquisitor approaching him where he sat by the campfire staring at nothing.

"Inquisitor."

"You've been very quiet on this trip. Did something happen with Fenris?"

"It's nothing."

"You're a terrible liar Dorian Pavus. Talk to me."

"The truth is we're just not good for each other. Was bound to end eventually. Impossible situation really."

"Dorian."

He smiled and got to his feet. "I'm fine Inquisitor. Goodnight. I'll try to be more upbeat tomorrow."

The Inquisitor watched him go and felt a wave of guilt and concern wash over her. This was her fault. Whatever was going on had happened before they'd left Skyhold and if Dorian wouldn't talk, she'd find someone who would.

Walking over to the Requisition table, she hastily wrote a quick note, attached it to the leg of a raven and sent it flying. With luck, she should have answers by tomorrow.

----xxx----

Though he was still consumed with guilt and recriminations toward hinself, killing slavers and other misguided cultists was having a cathartic effect on his mood. He'd calmed somewhat since leaving Skyhold, the panic he'd felt replaced with a faint worry but he no longer wanted to chase down the Inquisitor's party and beg forgiveness from the mage. He hated that they'd parted in anger and hated it more that it had been his doing.

"Hey! Elfy!" Sera shouted. "You wanna wake up and do some more killing or what? Getting overwhelmed here!"

He snarled, activated his markings and rejoined the battle, hacking and slashing through their enemies until the clearing lay quiet.

"Damn grumpy." Sera smiled. "Good to know you weren't sleeping over there."

"My name is Fenris." He scowled, wiping his sword on a clean spot on the body he stood over.

"Ew. Gross!" Sera wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Did you just wipe your sword on a body?"

"It was closest. I'll clean it properly at camp."

"It's still icky."

"A sword must be kept clean Sera." Solas murmured, joining them. "It can ruin the blade otherwise."

"Pfft. Doesn't change anything. Gross." She said again, turning to catch up with Cassandra.

"So." Fenris said, watching the elven apostate. "You're Solas."

"And you're Fenris."

Fenris grunted. He'd seen the mage in passing at Skyhold but had felt no need to speak to the man. He couldn't understand why Solas had joined the Inquisition or why Cassandra hadn't tossed him out for being an apostate. Nothing about Solas made sense and he didn't like how the mage watched him sometimes.

"Your markings seem to be serving you well." Solas said as they turned to follow the others back to camp.

"Well enough."

"The pattern is one I've not seen in many years, though only in memories of the Fade."

"And?"

"And nothing. It is merely an observation. Your master seems to have had access to a great many elven treasures and used what he found to create the perfect weapon."

Fenris bristled. "I no longer have a master and I'll thank you not to mention him again."

"Of course. I'd heard you'd slain him. In Kirkwall? My apologies, I did not mean to offend you."