Not Quite Damsels, Definite Distress

[justice_is_blond]

WHO: Anders, Alistair, Zevran, Nathaniel, Teren, Merrill, Ciri, Jamie, Cyril, Velanna
WHAT: Rescuing two princesses who went into the wrong castle
WHEN: Around Haring 10th
WHERE: A village handwavily somewhere around Skyhold, on the Fereldan side of things.
NOTES: Minor violence warnings for now. Signup Post.

Sometimes people vanish. Sometimes there's a trail to follow, and luckily for these two, there's some information about where they were going.

Comments

Heading Out

[justice_is_blond]

The morning is clear and cold, and probably a good one to stay in one's blankets except for a slightly pressing issue of two missing people. Some people probably want Alistair found and around, some people are a bit worried about the possibility of Anders being unaccounted for, it makes for a good reason to go looking.

[pinprick]

Nathaniel has been up for hours, since before dawn, packing and preparing for the journey. If he has to leave ahead of everyone in order to leave on time, he will. He has been grim and silent, speaking to no one, clearly perturbed but trying to be manly and stoic about it.

[wontforgetyou]

It doesn't take much convincing to talk Jamie into leaving with the others. Anders is a friend, and Alistair is...well, Alistair. To be fair, Jamie doesn't really know Alistair half as well, but from the little they'd talked Jamie's gotten the impression he's an alright sort of chap. He doesn't have any problems with going along and seeing if they can't figure out what's happened to delay them like this.

He's up early, despite the cold, and it doesn't take him long to get everything he'll need together. After that, it's just a matter of seeking out whoever he can from the group that's agreed to go and seeing if people are ready to go yet. He's never really been particularly good at waiting as it is, and something like this strikes him as a situation where it's better to leave sooner, rather than later.

"So are we just about ready, then?"

[doneisdone]

Nobody can recall telling Teren or her even being present to overhear the discussion, but she materializes in the company of rescuers shortly before they depart, wearing a fur-lined surcoat (with enough knives beneath to constitute their own suit of armor) and carrying a pack that contains all manner of warm clothing, first-aid supplies, and a well-concealed arsenal of tiny bottles and tinctures containing... well, one can only guess what's in there, but it certainly isn't friendly. Hopefully, nobody will see it to begin with, least of all the people it will be used on.

She speaks little, and throughout the journey often ranges ahead and around, seeking out signs of the disappeared Wardens and potential dangers. It's as close as she can get to traveling alone in the company of such a well-populated group.

Arrival

[justice_is_blond]

As the party enters the small village, people start slipping away until only a handful are left out on the main road. After some glances back and forth, a younger man with light brown hair steps forward, crossing his arms over his chest. There's no attempt to hide he's a mage as he's wearing heavy brown robes and with a staff in a holster on his back. Glances around will show anyone in sight is wearing a staff, and that the man who stands in front is the youngest of those still present.

"Can we help you?" he asks.

[doneisdone]

Teren strides right up to the mage, whom she seems to tower over, regardless of whether or not he's actually shorter.
"I think you know quite well that you can," she replies, her tone flat and brusque. "Whether or not you do, however, will determine many things. Such as, how long you shall continue to live, and with how many holes in your person."
She hasn't, thus far, made any moves to draw any weapons. Perhaps she doesn't have to. Her gaze bores directly into their host's, daring him to make a quick move or shout for assistance.

[chainlightning]

From behind Teren, Merrill very literally facepalms. Unlike the Warden, she's short and also has dismounted from her horse, who is much, much larger. He's led by the reins as she pushes forward to try and be a bit more gentle about the situation, Honeysuckle (her horse) taking a spot next to her side. Her staff is on her back as well, smile friendly and a bit hopeful.

"That is- two people we know came here to help take care of some Darkspawn, and now they seem to be missing. Assuming you're not like the last people I met who kidnapped someone and aren't experimenting on them and torturing them, I'm sure we can work something out, if they happen to be imprisoned somewhere. Which we're pretty sure they are, based on the lack of messages. They both like to talk so it's not like them, you see."

[doneisdone]

When the diminutive elf appears beside her, Teren's eyes cut down to the side and then back to the man's. This... will considerably alter their first impression.

"..yes," she grunts in grudging agreement. damnit Merrill

Rescuing the Captives

[justice_is_blond]

When the party is lead deeper into the village, it's to the building that looks the most sturdy with a larger, older man sitting in a chair by the door on the small raised porch. He looks up from what he's reading as they approach, expression gruff as he meets Ashton's aggravated one before looking over the apologetic expressions on the other three's faces.

"Mm." The stack of paper gets set down, a rock placed on it, before he stands up. "That was fast. I almost wonder who persuaded who." It isn't a question. He steps forward off the porch, cracking his knuckles before shaking his head. The latter shows off his nose, which has clearly been broken before. A few times, no less.

"We're proving that they're alive before we start negotiating," Kian says, looking a little nervous under the older man's scrutiny.

"You found your nerve with me, you can stop being the sheep to him," Ashton mutters. Vidal raises an eyebrow in Kian's direction, which gets a shrug in response. Aleigh's only reply is rolling his eyes.

"If that's what's been agreed to," the older man says, giving Kian another glance before looking over the visitors one at a time.

"Velanna, Merrill, probably Nathaniel Howe," Ashton says helpfully as she points.

"Robert, Riannon," Vidal adds.

"Bitch," Ashton finishes up, pointing at Teren. To the man's blink, she shrugs. "She didn't give a name."

He sighs heavily as he turns to unlock the door to the house. "I'm Javion. Keep your heads as you go inside and remember that if anyone acts aggressively, we can have you asleep in a split second."

Once inside, it becomes clear why the place looks as sturdy as it is - it's the former village's jail. There are metal support beams, as well as three cells that are entirely metal bars. In the middle one is Alistair, looking a little worse for wear but awake, and in one next to him is Anders, curled up in the corner nearest Alistair and giving the doorway a dead-eyed stare.

[byblow]

"Ooh, visitors," Alistair says at the sight of them—not brightly, quite, because he's too obviously foggy-headed for it, but there's an effort. There's also an effort to stand up, but he only makes it to his knees before he stops, one hand out like he might lose his balance, and says, "Ooh," again. "No. One minute... Anders, look. Prince Charming is here."

[pinprick]

Right. Nathaniel notes, coming inside, that the captives are unlikely to be moved. It's a simple snatch and grab, then, picking locks and stealing away. The captors are clearly expecting violence, not subterfuge. Nathaniel scans the structure of the buildings, the cells--

"Anders." He's suddenly on his knees, up against the bars of Anders' cell, reaching through to touch hands. His calm is returned, because his calm is what is needed. Calm and confidence, and comfort.

And Maker help him, he's even glad to see Alistair. Giving cheek, no less.

[doneisdone]

Teren's 'name' elicits a subtle smirk from her, the corners of her mouth twisting up in a moment of triumph. That's MADAM Bitch to you.

Her expression quickly grows serious again, however, when they spot the captives. She steps abruptly forward into the room, casting a concerned glance at Anders, but because she knows Nate has him, she beelines for Alistair.
She crouches on the floor in front of him and reaches through the bars, putting her hands on his head in an uncharacteristically tender way as she turns it from side to side, inspecting him for any bruises or signs of other injury.
"What have they done," she whispers-- she noticed his apparent groggy state, which leads her to suspect poison.

On the Way Home

[justice_is_blond]

[Opens, post-mission discussion, whatnot can go here!]

Nathaniel

[pinprick]

Open

Nathaniel is focused. Vigilant, pragmatic. Grim and silent. And yet he makes mistakes. Misses loops in rope when setting up tents. Leaves little things behind after pulling up camp. Those who know him will immediately recognize this as a sign that he is quite rattled despite his stoicism.

Closed to Anders

The first evening, the day of the rescue, Nathaniel wastes no time setting up their bedrolls. It isn't even dark when he wordlessly takes Anders by the hand and pulls him into the little tent, too small to even stand up in. As soon as they are situated, Nathaniel wraps his arms around him and gives a heavy, but mostly relieved, sigh.

[justice_is_blond]

He doesn't really react to being lead into the tent. He's tired, has drugs in his system, and is weighed down by guilt and far more thoughts than he can process. Laying down is a relief. Being held? Even more so. Anders tucks his head under Nate's chin and exhales, closing his eyes.

[pinprick]

They lie together like this for some time, though Nathaniel cannot sleep yet. The state he enters is meditative, but it is not sleep. He is alert, aware of each tiny movement Anders makes, the beat of his heart and the warmth radiating from him. He cannot sleep, because he has to be awake to take in every bit of it, to narrow the world down to those things and leave the fear and anger behind for a little while. And he knows, as he holds him close, that those things will also bring comfort to Anders.

Lady and Purrelden are immediately settled on them, thinking bedtime has truly begun. Purrelden is purring, and Nathaniel thinks of those times when the cat has a harrowing ordeal, such as when an invisible thing moves and startles her, or when Lady kisses her face. She curls up tightly with Anders and purrs, and that quiet sound lets them both know they are both there until she has recovered.

[chainlightning]

Merrill is subdued herself, a clear sign that not all is well with the elf. She's come across one of the things Nathaniel has accidentally left behind, an arrowhead that perhaps came off one of his arrows, and it provides an excuse to ride up to him as they return to Skyhold.

It's offered with an outstretched hand, though Merrill keeps her eyes foreward.

"What happened in that building, while we were outside?"

[pinprick]

Nathaniel doesn't look, at first. He doesn't see that she's offering anything. His face is grim. He's angry, and when he's angry, he's not as polite as he usually would be.

"Lady found one of Anders' hair ties," he says lowly. "We made them tell us the truth. They were originally going to release just one of the captives to us, but Ashton changed her mind. After seeing Alistair's arms, I have some idea why."

Teren

[doneisdone]

Although quiet, Teren is fidgety and cross, making rounds of each camp they make despite whatever need she may have for rest. She's on-edge, waiting for someone to step out of the darkness and confront them, hit them with another murderous spell, and perhaps worst of all, take her--
... take Anders and Alistair away.
She looks in on them to an aggressive extent, seeking them out every hour just to make sure they're still where she left them, not disturbing them necessarily, but always checking. When they travel, she rides close behind them, one hand on her dagger hilt.

Are those a few new grey hairs twisted up in her braided bun? Perhaps they've always been there.

[justice_is_blond]

Between Teren and Nate Anders feels like he's being constantly watched... but he's not complaining. He's safer while they're watching and he's too mentally exhausted to watch his own back right now. On one particular check-in Anders looks up and nods toward the patch of grass near him.

"Have a seat?" His voice is quiet, just loud enough to carry to her.

[doneisdone]

Though Teren hesitates, as she is wont to do, she concedes more easily than she normally would. With a small sigh, she stiffly makes her way to sit down by Anders-- it's clear she's still recovering from the encounter with the fist-from-the-floor, but she's taking it into stride the way she always does.
Once she's seated herself, she brandishes a small flask, takes a pull, and hands it to Anders. Whiskey, and not especially good whiskey. As far as she's concerned, it's the strength of it that matters.

Merrill

[chainlightning]

They've found their friends. That's the most important, the first step, done. They've rescued them, but that's the first step. There are injuries to finish healing, both mental and physical, and Merrill is a worrier. She tries not to be too overbearing or loud with it now, keeping more to light touches and gentle looks. She is still very much in the mindset of a Keeper, but now it is not the diplomat or the warrior but the caretaker.

Have a moment? Need a smile or a hug or a comforting shoulder? Merrill is there, even when she's on top of her massive war horse.

[justice_is_blond]

His memories while he was in the cells aren't entirely organized, and he's not entirely certain if some things did or didn't really happen. What he does know, or is mostly certain of, is that Merrill brought back his cat. She'd made a break for it when he and Alistair had been taken, and he'd spent many of his few moments of awareness worried about her.

On top of that, what's indisputable is that Merrill came.

Anders nudges his horse to walk near hers during one stretch. It takes a little work. He's not the best at horsemanship and Purrelden isn't exactly making it easy by sitting on the front of the saddle and sometimes trying to bat the reins.

"You came," he says when he's finally in line with Merrill. Purrelden takes the opportunity to rest a paw on one of his hands as if to say he should stop guiding the horse.

[chainlightning]

In all fairness to Anders' horsemanship, Merrill is riding a stallion and a war horse to boot -- not all horses want to get close. Still, Honeysuckle doesn't snap at the other horse, though he does snort; perhaps it's a warning or some other message. Merrill just cheerfully reaches over to pet Purrelden behind the ears.

"Of course I came," she says, shifting just enough that her hand can cover one of Anders' own -- how she manages to do this without falling off her horse is very likely mostly partially due to the fact that he's an extremely large horse and partially because Merrill has a sort of elven springiness to her. "You're my friend. If I couldn't come with I would have bothered them on the crystals the whole time about how it was going."

[byblow]

Hours after they've left, Alistair is still tired and a little disoriented - including, on one occasion, laughing at apparently absolutely nothing. But quietly. Not in too worrisome a way. And it isn't really at nothing, only at a thought he doesn't voice aloud.

Not long afterwards, when they all stop to rest, he comes up alongside Merrill. The smile he gives her is only a little strained - from being tired, not from any lack of meaning it. "That was such a gallant rescue," he says, "I think I might swoon."