Calenhad Lake Dock, Kingdom of Ferelden, 9:41 Dragon
The group had been forced to divert their route toward Redcliffe after the encounter with the king's guard. That was how they arrived at the dock on Lake Calenhad, under an intermittent rain that seeped into the bones. Everyone was shivering with cold—except Solas, who had conjured a faint magical barrier to shield himself from the downpours. That, of course, immediately sparked a debate with Vivienne, who did not take long to point out, insistently, how imprudent such an "abuse" of magic was.
This time, Solas didn't even bother answering her with words.
He answered with deeds.
He ignored her. And, in addition to maintaining his barrier, he released around himself a thin layer of mist—constant and deliberate—forcing the Enchanter to remember for the entire trek that he was using magic without disguise and (worse still) without guilt.
It was the first time Solas had displayed his arcane aura so openly. And he was doing it out of sheer spite.
That made her smile.
Solas was a mystery; Elentari had assumed that for a long time. That aura, for example. Why did he use magic without fear of tearing the Veil? As she watched him—now that she understood his secrets better—she began to notice what he was actually doing. Solas wasn't forcing the currents; he was redirecting the ambient energy into his own personal aura to keep himself relatively dry and warm. He used magic constantly, yes, but in such an exact way that he could sustain a thin barrier that barely brushed the Fade, making it unlikely to cause any disturbance strong enough to weaken the Veil.
It was a strange technique. Something she had never seen, but found fascinating. And that "trick" of his was the perfect excuse to keep herself at his side for the entire stretch since it had started raining. She didn't know why, but walking beside Solas made her feel… comfortable. Perhaps even calm. And little by little, she began to seek him out naturally, to match her stride to his, to prolong conversations because he always had something interesting to share. Better still if it allowed her to remain relatively dry.
Elentari looked ahead. There rose Kinloch Hold, the ancient tower that had once housed the Circle of Magi of Ferelden. It was a spire-like construction—imposing and dark, elegant in its severity, as if it still meant to pierce the sky. Though winter had yielded a few weeks earlier, the island was still blanketed in snow, and the lake surrounding it showed patches of ice clinging to the surface.
On the dock rested a small boat, empty, tied with a wet rope. And farther on—standing and unmoving—there was a single figure cut out against the gray.
Without thinking too much, Elentari gently squeezed Solas' arm to draw his attention. He turned his face slightly toward her.
- Who is that?
He looked ahead to see what she meant.
- I have no idea, but we're going to find out. - he proposed, and moved forward with steady purpose, without stepping away. And he let her walk pressed to his side, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
Elentari dropped her gaze to her hand, still gripping Solas' arm, and wondered if it would be too inappropriate to wrap it completely… whether Vivienne would consider it improper for the Herald of Andraste, or whether he himself would remind her that they needed to keep up appearances. The answers came with unnecessary clarity, because yes, she knew it would be improper, and yes, she knew they had to keep to propriety. And yet they were walking side by side, far too close for a simple gesture like looping her arm through his to change the final result of the hold by much.
She let out a deep sigh (out of sheer frustration)… Solas looked at her.
- What is it?
How was she supposed to tell him she wanted to wrap her arm through his without admitting many other things—things she didn't dare to think about, not even to herself, where he was concerned?
- Nothing… - she lied. She didn't hook her arm around him, but she rested her cheek on his shoulder. - Have you ever visited this place in your dreams?
She noticed Solas' attention flick toward her hand, so she released her grip (before he could tell her they needed to keep up appearances), but she stayed leaning against him. If he confronted her, she would tell him it was to stay dry. But he didn't say anything. He didn't move away either—he let her body remain pressed to his. A glow of triumph washed over her. She was very close to Solas and the warmth of his body wrapped around her.
Why had she started thinking these things?
- I haven't visited this Circle in particular. - she heard him answer. His tone was calm, as if none of this disturbed him. Perhaps he was only doing it with her; perhaps her closeness meant nothing to him at all. - But it is an elegant old Tevinter construction. The passage of years has not been able to defeat it.
- Surely there will be many secrets to seek among the Fade's echoes. It would be interesting, don't you think?
- It is always interesting to roam the Fade…
And just then, they reached the man they had seen earlier.
The mark on his forehead gave him away... he was Tranquil.
Elentari let out a small sigh when she recognized him and took a step back, unintentionally moving away from Solas. She still wasn't used to seeing these people. In Haven there was one who was always near Josephine, and Elentari avoided her constantly because she made her shiver.
- Good afternoon… - Solas stepped forward toward the man. - Why are you out here? The temperature has dropped, and this weather has no intention of improving…
- Good afternoon. - the Tranquil replied in that lifeless voice they had. - I have nowhere to go.
That was all he said.
Solas' mouth tightened briefly, and then he looked at her.
- Uhm… - Elentari hesitated. - In the Inquisition, all kinds of help are welcome… - she stammered as she spoke.
- I apologize for inconveniencing you. - the man clarified. - You are a mage. - He looked at Solas. - You too… Mages do not like my presence because it reminds them what they can become.
- No mage should ever become Tranquil. - Solas murmured. - Nor should you. I'm sorry.
- Are you trying to reach the Circle? - Elentari asked.
- I have nowhere to go. - he repeated. - I was in Redcliffe, but they say we are not welcome there.
- Do you have news of Redcliffe? - Solas asked. - What is happening there?
At that moment, the rest of the group joined them.
- The mages from Tevinter prefer not to see us. They asked us to leave.
- Tevinter mages? - Vivienne cut in. - Are there Tevinters there?
The Tranquil nodded.
- And why is that? - Bull's voice.
- Hey, kid. What are you useful for? - now Varric.
- How long have the Tevinters been in Redcliffe? - Vivienne again. The Tranquil looked from one to the other.
- I am an alchemist. - he answered Varric first, monotonous. Then he looked at Elentari. - You told me the Inquisition seeks help. - She nodded. - Surely you need potions. I could offer my services.
- Of course. - she said.
The Tranquil looked at Vivienne. - Magister Alexius arrived in Redcliffe two days after the explosion at the Conclave. He drove out everyone who lacked magic and could not serve him.
- Why haven't we heard of this sooner? - Solas intervened, but he was looking at the group. - We've been traveling these lands for days…
- You're right… - Vivienne murmured. - The news should have reached the Inquisition earlier…
- What is your name, kid?
- Clemence.
- Well then, welcome to the Inquisition… Clemence. - Elentari said, trying to order her thoughts with everything she was hearing about Tevinter and the occupation of Redcliffe. - Do you know how to get to Haven? - The man nodded. - Speak to Leliana, Cullen, or Josephine. Tell them the same thing you've told us. We will give you shelter and protection.
- Thank you.
- Though it's raining heavily and night has already caught us… - she pointed out, and looked at the sky, which showed no sign of relenting in its storm or its cold. - Wouldn't it be prudent to spend the night inside the tavern? - She turned and gestured behind her.
- The Spoiled Princess. - Varric joked. - Come on—tonight the Inquisition's paying, kid.
- Thank you very much, but I do not wish to be a burden.
Elentari clenched her jaw. It shouldn't be, but it was horrible to witness that… shell… Ah—she was being prejudiced… this man couldn't even be rude or cruel… from what she understood, they had taken all emotion from him.
- You are welcome, Clemence. You are not a burden.
- Well… let's go to the inn. - Bull interrupted. - I'm soaked down to my smallclothes. I need to dry off.
- My dear Iron Bull, there is no need to lose your manners to indicate that you are drenched…
- I was really only complaining about how many hours we've been at this… - Bull grumbled. Vivienne crossed her arms, watched him, and began tapping her index finger against her forearm; it made Bull growl. - You're right, ma'am.
- Of course I am, dear.
She turned and set the pace for the group, who followed her slowly into the Spoiled Princess. Elentari lagged behind the rest, letting Solas continue on his way this time. As the group moved ahead—along with the Tranquil—she couldn't stop looking at him…
Why couldn't she stop looking at him?
She shook her head…
She was behaving like a fool.
She quickened her step until she was at his side. She brushed his shoulder—barely—and pressed close again, without hiding it. Solas looked at her; she held his gaze.
- You're dry… - she excused herself, before he even asked.
- You are also a mage... - he noted calmly. - You could do the same thing I'm doing.
- And risk irritating Vivienne even more? - she joked. - No, thank you.
His lips curved into a brief smile, and he didn't insist. He looked forward again and, with that simple gesture, allowed her to stay there.
Elentari, meanwhile, couldn't stop looking at him.
Solas kept his eyes fixed on the path… the blue gleamed under short lashes, unable to veil it completely. The profile of his face was clean, firm; his lips were sharply defined when he relaxed his expression… and that fine bluish mist that surrounded him lent him, in a way, the bearing of an elven prince…
And then she blushed. But what nonsense was she thinking!? And why couldn't she stop looking at him?
Perhaps because she had just understood that his closeness was beginning to… comfort her.
And she liked that.