I wake with a start, muscles aching and eyes heavy. Sleep hadn't come easy last night. And what little sleep I did get was plagued by nightmares… Maker's breath, I hope my brother is alright.
The room is dark and I dress into my armour and grab my weapons. I pad across the house to the door and open it.
It's only early morning, the sun just peeking out of the mountain range. The Breach is the main source of light, sending a green tinge across the valley. Even the moon doesn't shine as bright as the Breach.
The village is quiet and empty, only a few scouts guarding the inn and merchant shops. I make my way down towards the gates, leading out to the stables and training grounds. I hadn't seen those yet, and now's as good a time as any.
The wooden stables house four horses, their shiny brown coats glinting in the sunrise. A blacksmiths forge sits idle beside the stables and I smile. Blacksmithing was somewhat of a hobby before the sky ripped a hole in itself.
I turn away from the stables when I hit a grunt. Looking at the training area, I see various tents pitched in the snow, well away from the grounds, but I'm guessing they give the scouts some beds and privacy. Not as luxurious as my little house, but tents made from druffalo hide are warm and cozy.
I see someone dancing around the practice dummies, hitting the straw dummies with her sword. She smashes one dummy with her shield and smacks another. She moves with grace and control, better than any dancer.
"She's good, isn't she?" comes a voice from behind me. I turn to see Varric watching the Seeker. "The Seeker's been training for years. Always wakes up early."
"Every morning?" I ask.
He nods, "It's the only time she doesn't look angry."
I smile, "And why are you up so early? I don't see you training. Maybe you're here to admire the view." And I don't mean the Breach.
Varric shrugs, "Early morning is where all my best ideas come from." He ignores my other comment.
"You're a writer, aren't you?"
"One of my many talents," the dwarf teases.
Cassandra whacks a dummy with her sword, with no inkling that we're watching her.
"So… now that Cassandra's too busy beating up those dummies, how are you holding up?"
"Me?
"Well, I mean, you go from being the most wanted criminal in Thedas to joining the armies of the faithful. Most people would have spread that out over more than one day."
"Well, to be honest, I'm just glad to be alive," I say.
Varric chuckles, "I still can't believe you survived Cassandra. You're lucky you were out cold for most of her frothing rage. She's getting the last out of her system now," he cocks his head towards her.
"As long as she doesn't start beating me up."
Varric smiles, but his eyes drift to the Breach, "For days now, we've been watching demons fall out of it." He sighs, "Bad for morale would be an understatement. I still can't believe anyone was in there and lived."
I glance at my hand, "I…ah, I guess I was fortunate enough."
Varric shrugs, "Very fortunate."
"Why did you stay?" I ask. "I mean, Cassandra did say you were free to go."
"I like to think I'm as selfish and irresponsible as the next guy, but this… thousands of people died on that mountain. I was almost one of them. And now there's a hole in the sky. Even I can't walk away and just leave that to sort itself out." His eyes flick to Cassandra, "Plus, someone's gotta make sure Cassandra doesn't beat you up."
"Well, that's very kind of you," I say with a laugh.
We hear footsteps approaching and we turn to see Cassandra walking towards us, her cheeks red from her training and sword in sheath. She nods at us both then looks at Varric, "What are you doing up?"
"Making sure you don't fall on the tip of your blade while training."
"Ugh. I'm not that stupid."
"Of course not Seeker."
She looks at me, "When would you like to leave?"
I jolt, "You're asking me?"
"You are the Herald of Andraste."
I nod, "Well, we'll leave when the sun rises above the mountains."
+++
"Only two horses?" asks Cassandra. "How are we meant to ride then?"
The stable hand shrugs, "My other two are injured from the comets the Breach hurled at us. For now, these are the only two we have until the others heal. But these horses are well equipped for two riders."
Cassandra's face is yet again twisted in a scowl. She looks a Cullen for help.
"Perhaps it would be best if we search for more mounts in case this happens again," he says. There is a horse master in the Hinterlands—he should help us."
"What if we're attacked? We won't be able to move fast enough with two riders on one horse," she argues.
"We will keep a look out," says Solas. "I shall ride with the Herald, if it means all the same to you."
Cassandra looks at Varric. The dwarf grins—a mischievous smile.
"I am not riding with him."
Varric sighs, "Right back at you Seeker. You've too heavy anyway."
Cassandra's eyes flash.
"I'll ride with Cassandra," I suggest, before the two start hitting each other.
Solas nods, "As you wish."
I mount the horse and hold my hand out, allowing Cassandra to take it and pull herself onto the horse.
Varric and Solas look almost as uncomfortably as I feel.
"Let's just get this over with," growls Cassandra.
"And that, Seeker, sounds like a great idea," says Varric.
+++
We jump down from our mounts, the four of us secretly glad the ride is over. I pat the mare on the neck, feeling her soft fur beneath my fingers. The ride was almost two hours and with Cassandra fidgeting behind, me it felt like four.
I glance around the small camp that Leliana's scouts have set up. A few tents and tables make up the entirety of the camp, but it seems to work.
A dwarf walks over to us, smiling. Her brown hair is tied back in an intricate bun, her face, neck and shoulders covered in freckles.
She looks up at me, smiling, "The Herald of Andraste. I've heard some great stories about you—everyone has. We know what you did at the Breach."
"Oh," I say, a little overwhelmed by the praise. "Thank you."
"It's an honour to meet you, my Lady." She blinks, "Oh. Inquisition Scout Harding, at your service. I—well all of us here—we'll do whatever you need."
"Another two horses would be great," mutters Cassandra.
"Harding, huh?" asks Varric, cutting Cassandra's comment. "Ever been to Kirkwall's Hightown?"
"I can't say I have, why?"
"You'd be Harding in… oh never mind."
"Ugh," Cassandra rolls her eyes.
"Pleased to meet you Harding, I'm sure if there's anything we need, we'll come straight to you."
She smiles and looks at the thick forest of trees surrounding us. Everything here is green. "It's pretty bad out there. We secured a few more horses from Dennet's herd near Redcliffe—I see you're a little low on mounts at the moment. But, with the mage-Templar fighting getting worse, we couldn't get to the horsemaster. Maker only knows if he's still alive."
"We should go there at once," says Cassandra. "Walking around on foot will take too long."
Scout Harding nods, "Mother Gisselle is at the crossroads, helping refugees and the wounded. Reports say that the war has spread there as well. We have men down there, protecting the people they can. But I doubt they'll hold much longer. You best get going, no time to lose."
"Thanks for the information," I say.
"Traversing the Hinterlands on foot may not be such a bad idea," suggests Solas. "If we are to get to Mother Giselle—and the horsemaster— without being seen, walking will be quieter."
"I'm with Chuckles," says Varric.
We all stare at the dwarf, "Chuckles?"
"For all the times Solas laughs."
A small smile forms on Solas' lips, but he looks away, "We best get going."
The four of us walk down a dirt path, silence washing over us. Cassandra has her hand on the hilt of her sword, Solas is watching the trees around us and Varric is scratching his stomach.
"So…" I begin, flicking my eyes at Varric. "Scout Harding seems cute."
Varric's hand falls from his stomach, "Harding?" He laughs, "Herald, what are you trying to say?" There's a sparkle in his eye.
"Oh please, Varric couldn't get a girl if he tried," says Cassandra.
"Oh Seeker, you hurt me," says Varric. "And I bet you couldn't get a man if you tried."
Cassandra turns away, making one of her trademark disgusted noises.
I copy her and she looks at me, her dark eyes like steel. She pulls a map from her pocket and unfolds it, holding it out in front of her as we walk. I walk by her side, "It will take us a few hours to get to the crossroads on foot. The Hinterlands is huge—it would perhaps be best to see Mother Giselle and then the horsemaster."
I nod, "We can ride the horses back to Scout Harding once we know Mother Giselle is safe and we know what she wants."
My foot catches on something and I feel myself falling. My legs try to steady myself, but I'm already tipping forward.
I brace myself, but someone catches me before I fall face first in the dirt. I look up to see Solas, his arm wrapped around my waist. His bald head shines in the sun.
I straighten and pull away from his grasp, "Ah, thank you."
He bows his head and fixes his tunic, "You are welcome, Herald."
"So," says Varric. "Shall we continue into the mage-Templar infested forests?"
"I think that sounds like a great idea," I say.