When Country Meets Thedas

The Crossroads

Reagan left her tent and saw that Cassandra was sitting at the fire alone. Glancing around the camp, not seeing the others, she heard Cassandra speak up.

"I asked them to get us some fish for breakfast so you and I could talk," she said.

Reagan held the Seekers gaze and gave her a sharp nod, walking towards the fire to sit across from her.

Cassandra let out a loud breath.

"I owe you an apology for yesterday. You were right, I was not thinking and I did jeopardize everyone in the process."

Reagan held her gaze before finally nodding her head.

"Thank you for your apology and admitting your mistake, we all make them."

As Reagan had just finished speaking, Varric and Solas walked back into the camp holding four fish for breakfast, instantly stopping the conversation.

"Well it looks like they were successful, Cassandra," she said.

"Bet you a sovereign it was Solas that caught them. That dwarf wouldn't know where to start," Cassandra joked and Reagan chuckled.

"Hey now, I'll have you both know that Hawke taught me how to fish," Varric said loudly.

"He did not teach you very well, Master Tethras," Solas commented dryly from behind him.

Varric gave him a small glare and both Reagan and Cassandra burst into laughter.

"I will not be taking that bet, Cassandra," Reagan joked, taking the fish that Solas held out.

"I'll just fry these beauties up, and then we will pack it in."

Reagan started cooking the fish while everyone else broke down the camp. Solas observed that Reagan had obviously forgiven the Seeker after her apology and he was not surprised. He found that the woman did not have a malicious or duplicitous side to her. What was curious was the way her eyes darted away from him every time they met his own. Sighing, he only hoped he had made her uncomfortable with his intentions.

The Inquisition camp had a dwarf woman that greeted them, and Reagan smiled at her as she walked towards them. Grasping her hand, the woman returned the tight grip, pleasing her.

"Herald of Andraste, I've heard the stories. Everyone has; we know what you did at the Breach. Everyone's a little nervous around here right now, but you'll get no back talk from me that's a promise. Inquisition Scout Harding at your service. I... all of us here will do whatever we can to help."

"Harding hu... ever been to Kirkwall's, Hightown," Varric asked giving her a wink.

Harding looked at him oddly and shook her head.

"I can't say as I have, why?"

Varric laughed his eyes full of mischief. "You'd be Harding in... no, never mind."

Cassandra shoved him back with a disgusted noise before turning back to Harding.

"Ugh"

Reagan chuckled at the constant love/hate relationship between the two and focused on Harding.

"It is good to meet you, please, just call me Reagan."

Harding's smile lit her small cherub face.

"Sounds good to me, just call me Lace then. I know you guys didn't come all this way for the scenery, so let me tell you what is going on around here. We came here to secure horses from Redcliff's old horse master. I grew up here, and people always said that Dennett's herds were the strongest, and the fastest this side of the Frostbacks. But with the Mage, Templar fighting getting worse, we can't get to Dennett. Maker only knows if he's even still alive. Mother Giselle is at the Crossroads helping the refugees and the wounded. Our latest reports say the war has spread to there too. Corporal Vale and our men are doing what they can to protect the people, but they won't be able to hold out very long."