Da'len

The colour of pain

If someone had asked Taniel Lavellan what he thought about the colour red a few days ago, he might have said that he found it beautiful and vibrant, or that it brought to mind the aravels his clan used for travel.

Now there was only burning and death.

No matter how hard he tried, the images of red lyrium spikes sticking from the walls and corpses were burned to the back of his eyelids. He did his best to avoid turning his head to Iron Bull who walked beside him for fear that he might lose what little he had eaten. Yet Bull was stoic beside him, no hint of pain other than the gleaming red of his eyes and the shards of red lyrium that broke through his armour as he guided them through the empty hallways to where Solas was most likely being kept.

The Herald shook his head and returned his focus to their new associate who sauntered a few steps ahead of them, his staff held at the ready in case some of Alexius's soldiers decided to show up. It had been less than a day since they met and they had barely had the time to sit for more than two minutes, so Taniel wasn't sure what to make of him yet. He radiated confidence and moved with a flowing, carless grace that made it hard for Taniel to predict his next moves. Creators know that he'd had enough trouble already with people who he couldn't read, he didn't need to be worrying about whether they could trust the Tevinter.

Even so, Taniel could admit to himself that the mage was alluring. That flowing grace also came with a quick wit and an even quicker mouth and Taniel found himself smiling and returning the banter with much more ease than he was used to. It also didn't help that the man was unfairly attractive.

Iron Bull snapped the Herald out of his thoughts as he came to a stop in front of a small, unassuming door. "Solas should be just through here in the room on the right, boss." Taniel nodded and made to enter but turned back when he saw Bull hesitate. "If it's all right boss, I'd prefer to wait outside. You never know when a few unlucky guards might decide to come check on the prisoners."

Taniel suspected that it might be more of a case of not wanting to see more of Alexius's prisoners and being unable to help, but he nodded nevertheless and moved passed him. Dorian let his palm fill with a small ball of flame to light the room and Taniel unslung his bow. He took a few deep breaths as he fought down the panic that rose in his throat as he waited a few precious seconds for his eyes to adjust. He bounced a bit on his heels as his eyes worked quickly over the room, not lingering any longer than necessary on the red lyrium that stuck out from the walls. There were two doors opposite each other, one leading left, the other right. Dorian followed Bull's instructions and pushed open the door on the right.

The room was just as dark and wet as the others had been with a row of cells lining the side. Solas was leaning against a wall in the second cell from the door and Taniel slung his bow back over his shoulder before working on getting the lock open. It took longer than it would have usually taken for Solas to recognise them and the mage bolted upright away from the wall when his eyes finally focussed on them. "You're alive? We saw you die."

Dorian stepped closer to the cell, hovering over Taniel who continued to struggle with the rusted lock. "The spell Alexius cast displaced us in time. We just got here, so to speak." Solas looked sceptically at Dorian - after all, he had only known him for a few hours before he saw both the Tevinter and the Herald die. Luckily, he didn't pry and instead launched himself into an explanation of all that happened after they 'died'.

Taniel only heard half of what he said about reversing the spell as the lock finally broke loose and clattered with an ear-splitting clank to the stone floor.

Taniel stepped back as the cell door creaked open, nearly bumping into Dorian who had been standing a lot closer than he had expected. Taniel took a moment to inspect Solas as he stepped out of the cell - his eyes had the same glow as Bull's had, but otherwise, there was no trace of lyrium on him.