Hunt

Chapter 14: Heart-string

Lavellan

Leaquila had told me to put on the gear I found and take the staff with me for our entry into the Fade. She planned to make a rift from her side that could let us in. The fact that she had that much power surprised me at first, but she did create magic. All of us grouped together in the courtyard. The elder sent everyone away in case something went awry. He and Laran stood on a balcony that overlooked the courtyard.

The rift opened, and we waved at them at them before passing through.

It felt weird being back in the Fade again. Leaquila was waiting on the other side. 

"I'll lead you to the Black City. He's still awakening his brethren so we'll likely beat them there, but we had better move quickly."

Traversing the winding paths of the Fade was easier said than done. I did notice there were far less demons here than the last time. I pointed this out to Leaquila.

"Well, the Fade is a reflection of the physical world. When there are less negative emotions in the physical world, we see less spirits reflecting them in the Fade."

"Could that be why Solas wants to wipe us out? The spirits will return to their benign state?"

She sighed. "It's possible, but I don't think so."

 Eventually, we reached it. The ruins of Arlathan were so impressive, it made me wonder what the place looked like whole. As we strolled up, I noticed a group of people standing in front of the door. I only recognized one person, but the sight still tugged at my heart-strings. I stopped, and the rest of the group halted with me. They hadn't noticed us yet.

"Royce? Give us some cover. I want to watch these idiots try to open a locked door."

Royce, who mastered misdirection and mimicry magic, set up a spell to mask our presence. Eloise leaned over and whispered, "I have the map too."

"You got it to work?" Surprise and pride leaked into my voice.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Congratulations," I whispered. She beamed back at me.

We turned our attention back to the Evanuris.

Solas seemed to be performing a ritual to open the door. After he seemed to finish, it remained sealed.

"Should we go intervene?" Royce looked at me out of the corner of his eye.

"Nah, let him suffer a little more."

Royce chuckled and shook his head.  "Remind me never to piss you off."

Solas did the ritual a few times. Once he was obviously frustrated, I told Royce to drop the ruse.

"You're so off your game, I'd think you'd have drank some tea before coming here," I called out.

He visibly stiffened before facing me. His expression looked like he'd been caught stealing cookies before it morphed into shock.

"Vhenan," he whispered. One of his 'buddies' had a bow and arrow pointed at me.

She spoke in ancient elven and asked a question that was along the lines of, "Who the fuck are you?"

I didn't like rude strangers, especially those who thought it was wise to aim an arrow at me. My subjugation magic encased her like a spider's web. I sensed her thoughts as well. She and her brethren had decided to kill Solas and steal his power. I rolled my eyes. What a crew.

"Andruil-," a cloaked male called out, probably trying to warn her to back off. It was too late. I was not in the mood to be talked down to and toyed with. I decided to nip any of that behavior with these fools in the bud, and this one was the perfect candidate.