open: something grabs ahold of me tightly

[faderifting]

WHO: Inquisition Forces
WHAT: Inquisition forces cross the mountains into Orlais to deal with Emprise du Lion
WHEN: Wintermarch 25 onward
WHERE: EMPRISE DU LION
NOTES: This is a mingle-style log for the Inquisition camps, local tavern, and general/open Inquisition work, etc.

This time they hike down to the west, but the trip through the mountains is no easier. The snow is heaped up about the road where wagons have pushed it aside, stomped into slippery pack beneath the feet and hooves that have gone before. Of the main track it is ankle deep at best and in places it drifts, waist-deep on a tall man and enough to bury a dwarf who hasn't come prepared with snowshoes. Everywhere the wind howls, biting cold, and the sky hangs low, a pale flat grey that makes it difficult to judge distances. Those who know winter weather call it a snow sky, and near-daily squalls prove them right.

They set up camp in Sahrnia, across the broad expanse of frozen river that has trapped the villagers here upstream. Tents pop up in rows and in the shells of tumbled-down buildings, fires blazing and thawing the ground to mud. When the supply wagons roll in they re-open the local tavern, brightly lit with flaking paint on the walls that might once have been colorful and patterned tiles on the floor that seems to swim like an optical illusion after too many glasses of the cheap red wine that fills the cellars.

Even deadlier reds hold the hills: Red Templar sightings have been frequent and it is said they are operating in several locations in the region in significant force. Some of these men and women have become hulking, crystalline beasts. Many others are in the earlier stages of corruption: red-veined and -eyed, aggressive and superhumanly strong, but still visibly human and coherent if spoken to. Red lyrium is even easier to find, jutting out of the ground or cliffsides, filling caves-- the Tower of Bone, a fortress that has stood for centuries, now threatens to split from the inside out. The area's wildlife was none too friendly before, but now the wolves and bears have begun to be corrupted by the lyrium and many will attack on sight, without provocation. (The snofleurs that bumble harmlessly around the river seem unaffected.)

Everywhere there are ruins: broken bridges, crumbling colosseums, and the great hulking mass of Suledin's Keep tucked between the distant hills. Scouts reported that Red Templars hold it as well.

RIFTER ARRIVAL - SAHRNIA - THE HILLS - TOWER CAMP - A HANDY MAP

Comments

After everything at Skyhold

[fleurdesel]

Camp:

"Have your injury exposed and an explanation ready. Those needing only potions or poultices step to the right to receive them. Those actively bleeding step to the front. Those simply cold; warming salve is to the left." Adelaide leans out the opening of her tent to call this out at odd intervals as she keeps the line moving; magic and mending narrowing from the miraculous to the mundane. Heal an injury, cure an illness, take a bit of coin or food or bottle of what have you, move along. She spends the better part of her day shuffling through the injured and checking them over before sending them along- encouraging bed rest when it suits. After awhile the broken bones and the frostbite peters out long enough for her to brew a kettle of tea, to rest, to restock her stores of energy and patience before she must do it all over again.

Hunting:

Why this.

No, truly, why this? She is no great hunter but creating little traps or walls to funnel the snoufleurs into striking distance seems to have fallen to her. At least the kills, when they are made, are done quickly and she's able to keep people from being overly foolish and getting injured.

Or ill.

[justice_is_blond]

He flashes her an amused look the first time he hears her speech, keeping it to himself the subsequent times. There's too much work to do and he doesn't need to tease her in front of people who should respect her.

That doesn't stop him from coming over when there's tea brewing and the line's died down.

"So you like to have them exposed and ready." Anders pulls two stools over, one for each of them, before opening up his belt pouch and letting Purrelden come out to curl up in his hands. "I'll remember that for the future."

[fleurdesel]

She takes the moment to roll out her shoulders- to twist and pop her spine with a series of muttered swears and sighs. Out here she isn't the councilor or the teacher- she is the healer and under that? She is herself. Stressful as things have been back at Skyhold it is good to get away.

All the more so when company is pleasing.

"I like to see what I shall be working with." She doesn't so much as settle in the chair as sprawl, grace cut away with exhaustion and the promise of comfort. She stretches a hand out to scritch under the kitten's chin, lips curling in a soft smile. "Et vous, mon petit chéri? Est-ce qu'il vous empêche chaud et en sécurité?"

[justice_is_blond]

"Always good, to have an idea of that. But sometimes it's more about the working with than what one has."

There are times Anders wishes this could go somewhere. It won't, there's no way she could take the further reveal on top of everything else, but it doesn't stop idle thoughts. And it doesn't stop how much he likes her company. When the kitten makes a tiny noise and bumps against Adelaide's hands for more petting Anders shakes his head.

"If she's telling on me, it's all lies, I'll have you know. She even got the best portion of my lunch today."

[fleurdesel]

"Perhaps I wish to be particular in what it is I mean to have." Pink, yes, but easier about the innuendos than she once was if only through exposure and conversations with Varric. It isn't the academic debates she's accustomed to but- it's challening in it's own way and worthwhile.

Still. Adorable kitten, handsome man, and she still isn't prepared for the way they interact to warm her despite the cold. Voice pitched in a soft lilt, Adelaide directs her attention to Purrelden. "Vous ne mentez pas à moi, vous faire chaton? Non, non, vous ne le faites pas."

Her eyes flick up to Anders. "She says you skipped breakfast."

[justice_is_blond]

He has no game face. There's an obvious guilty look on his face before Anders glances away.

"There were already patients by the time I awoke. Time slipped away from me." More like Justice demanded that they start healing early and Anders doesn't want to fight that when it's something they both agree on. He's worried. He has control, but now he also has a cat, he's had liasons with people, he's... finding parts of himself again, and it frustrates Justice that Anders is getting so distracted. All it will take is one loss of control for his life to be over.

"I had some lunch, and now I'm having tea. There's nothing to worry about. I'm already eating more than I ever had the chance to on the run." It's a weak defense and he knows it.

[fleurdesel]

"If you burn yourself out, Detlef, you are of no good to anyone-" Her eyes narrow faintly as she looks to him- through him, voice pitched low in the space between. "You need to let him take care of himself. He is not like you; he needs food, warmth, and rest. To deny him this out of impatience- some might call it unjust."

She holds a hand up to forestall any- well. Outbursts this might prompt. "Some. You mean well, you have a purpose to fulfill. But you must allow him to be himself otherwise you both will suffer for it."

[justice_is_blond]

He stiffens a little, just noticeably, as Justice bristles as if he's been accused of trying to actively harm Anders. There's so much that is actually unjust that they'll never be able to fully fix, not with a mortal's lifespan or limitations... and then the spirit stills and Anders relaxes again. She's only trying to help. Justice still isn't sure they need her help, but as Anders thinks it's important, he will relent on this. For now.

Anders can't quite meet Adelaide's eyes as he pets the tummy Purrelden is now putting on display. It's a relief that someone else knows, but he feels weak every time it's that obvious Justice has made a call and Anders might not have.

"I do sleep enough," he offers lightly. "And it's not his fault Emprise du Lion is unnecessarily cold. But your point is taken. I'll make sure I eat a full dinner." Purrelden makes a little noise again, and Anders finally looks up. "...Full dinner minus a couple of scraps of meat, for the greedy little thing."

[fleurdesel]

"It is easy to forget." Compassion only recalls due to keeping track of that ties deeply into their purpose. Justice? Has an entirely different focus. Adelaide reaches out to rest her hand against Detlef's jaw for a moment, checking the warmth of his skin, the circles under his eyes, if any, the color to his cheeks. One missed meal. It is in the long run a forgivable offense. "Skip tomorrow and I will know- and I will have words for you."

Her hand drops to his shoulder to squeeze gently before she turns, pulling out a loaf shaped dish and a loaf of bread warmed by the coal brazier in the corner. Lunch has come and gone but- a man must eat. "If you need a coal warmer for your bedroll I might spare mine. The fool I share a tent with radiates heat better than expected. The one thing Fereldans do well, apparently."

[justice_is_blond]

The day he's without circles under his eyes will be cause for celebration. They're better, though, steadily shrinking from where they'd been when she'd first met him. Being among people is something he'd needed more than he knew. If he can be cared about, he's not fully lost yet.

"I'll add that to the mud and dogs assessment I've made of them." Maybe he should have chosen a Fereldan name to match his accent, but he's never wanted to pass for one. With a nod of thanks he accepts the bread. There's the faintest string of pride that says maybe he should decline, but Adelaide is sensible. She wouldn't offer what she can't afford to give.

"I'm sharing with another mage, a Salvatore. I've managed to keep the tent fairly warm, but I'd not turn down the loan ifyou're sure. Purrelden doesn't have a full coat yet and I'd prefer to be safe. Though I'm curious about which Fereldan you're dealing with. Handsome? Dripping in muck?"

[fleurdesel]

Adelaide pulls the lid off the dish and cuts into the mass within, pulling out a fatty terrine of diced rabbit, onion, and garlic, set in fat. It kept well enough in this weather and offered something to help make up for missed meals.

She may or may not make use of it herself.

The slices are set in a dish that she hands off to Detlef as well, snorting. "Salvatore is a kind, capable, and interesting young man. Not often I have the opportunity to speak to a Necromancer that offers straight answers."

After a moment's thought she pours out the tea, adding a dribble of honey to her cup. "The fool I am stuck with in particular- I suppose some might think him handsome for all the sighing of my students. A templar hobbyist by the name of Alistair. I've never before met someone so thoroughly useless."

[justice_is_blond]

If only he'd been half as prepared while running away as she is here. Granted, he'd at least taken some supplies most of his escape attempts, minus the one where he'd simply jumped into the lake, but it's nothing like her set up.

Anders murmurs a thanks as she hands over the food, more listening to what she's saying. Necromancer. Now that's interesting. He's never really spoken to one before. They're not really... the sort of practitioners he's ever had much in common with. But the name of her tentmate gets a raised eyebrow and a slightly amused look on Anders' face.

"As in the Alistair? The one who was companion to the Hero of Ferelden?" Templar hobbyist would be a suitable description, certainly. But he'd heard fond stories from Cousland, and seen the man in action, which makes it a little difficult to call him thoroughly useless.

"He's decent enough in a fight." There's a pause. "When he's not walking into a trap. And dispelling the barrier I've just put up over the group. And glaring at everyone. I... go ahead and take back that. He didn't seem an idiot, at least. And I'll allow that perhaps he was preoccupied. If one of my... if someone I'd traveled with for a time was taken, I'd be upset as well."

[fleurdesel]

"As in Maric's bastard, yes." Fereldan politics weren't ever a concern of hers, she hadn't put much thought into who or what Alistair was beyond 'annoying' and 'useless'; these details of his skill in a fight aren't particularly relevant to her contempt for him. She stirs the honey into her tea and sits back, frowning down at the surface. That is right, the Antivan Assassin had been taken recently, hadn't he?

And returned.

Detlef hadn't mentioned anything of what happened there and Adelaide finds herself loathe to ask. And yet... "Working with him was not horribly difficult, in Antiva?"

Not the most graceful segue but coming outright to wonder if he'd been hurt, if there'd been an excess of danger, if any of what Korrin had said was true- Adelaide isn't certain she has the right to ask. She wants to, the questions knotting on her tongue- but it may not be something Detlef wishes to think about.

Camp

[gatheringstorm]

Not being a healer of any particular sort, the best Korrin can offer is to keep out of Adelaide's way while she's busy. That's easily enough accomplished, since the Vashtosh mage hasn't accumulated any injuries beyond what a simple healing potion could fix. But she wants to check in on the Spirit Healer anyway, so at some point when things seem quiet and a kettle is brewing, she'll slip inside, her voice quiet so as not to exacerbate any headache she suspects is already in place.

"Adelaide?"

[fleurdesel]

"Rinot?" Adelaide peers around a stack of papers and books set up off to one side, squinting in the dim light provided by her lantern. To be out in the field working again on simple tasks with simple answers has been something of a relief- even if it is bitterly cold. "Come, sit- I think I have an empty tea cup you might use somewhere."

[gatheringstorm]

"I won't say no to that, especially after just returning from patrol. Thank you." Korrin flashes a smile as she sits, glad to be out of said bitter cold whenever possible. Whatever novelty Emprise du Lion had has long since worn off; now it's just red lyrium spikes, and frozen landscapes. "I'd been hoping to check on you when neither of us were occupied. How are you holding up?"

It's not an idle question with Korrin; it never is, though rifts and emergency council meetings have a way of making it even more relevant.

[fleurdesel]

"Middling to well." She sits up with a roll of her shoulders, reaching for the kettle. "Between research, injury, red templars, the threat of dragons, this business with the Inquisition's Templars, the rift at Skyhold, the rifters, Sina's illness and my own research projects..."

Five hours of attempted sleep a night, four she actually manages relatively well on a good day- it has been taxing. "I may need to invest in a secretary."

[gatheringstorm]

There's a weak smile from Korrin who gives a thoughtful shrug. "That's not a bad idea, though don't take that as me volunteering. I'd be a terrible one, even if I had the time." And really, who does when Red Templars and dragons are threatening everything?

Her smile fades as her thoughts turn to Sina, terrified for the Dalish girl. She takes out a letter from a pouch at her hip, a little worn and much-read at this point. "Nahariel said Sina's been sleeping better, but she still sounds so weak. Poor girl. She didn't wake when I visited, not that I expected her, too. I...had to tell Araceli, as they're friends and she'd want to know. Now she's terrified of what her shard will do, and I have no answers to give."

[fleurdesel]

Pouring two cups of tea and rummaging about for honey gives Adelaide time to wind that new shiver of stress back in place. Sina still. Sina not breathing, heart not beating under her hands. Regaining strength has taken time- more than it should. "It is the placement that causes Sina's distress. The other rifters- it is in their hand. Painful but not life threatening. For Sina- it stopped her heart. There was a moment when..."

She turns, offering Korrin her mug, voice low. "A moment when I thought her dead. Beyond saving."

[gatheringstorm]

Taking the mug, Korrin's eyes are suspiciously bright for a moment, but she manages to hold those tears back that were threatening to escape. Her voice catches a little when she replies, still shaken and she can only imagine how much worse it would have been to actually be present. Which isn't to say that she wouldn't have given anything to rush over and do something, anything. "You -and Compassion- worked a miracle that night. She was lucky to have you with her; as were all of us who care about her, whether we were there or not.

...I wonder why, about the placement. Why does everyone else have it located on their hand, like the Herald, but not her? You'd think there might be other cases of different placements, but I haven't heard of even one other." Yeah, she knows. 'Why is the Fade and everything related to it so weird' is a question that will likely never be answered. But it still nags at her. Anyway, she pauses to take a sip.

[fleurdesel]

"I have not pulled someone from the brink for a fair while." Not since the Spire, not truly. "It is taxing, pulling them back is only half the work. Keeping them alive afterward is the rest. We did what we could but I fear she'll never be quite as she was."

Falling through the veil, even for a moment, changes a person. Adelaide does not know many that were fortunate enough to survive such an encounter; Sina will be the first in Skyhold.

Tea in hand she turns to face Korrin, lips pressed thin. "The rifters fall through and have it when they arrive. Sina- she said there was a bright light and she was struck. Perhaps it's only in her chest because that is where it struck her."

[gatheringstorm]

"Maybe, but it's still odd. Mal -a native friend of mine- was struck too, but it's in his hand, like everyone else." And oh, is he just thrilled about that. Korrin won't get into detail about that, though, since he wouldn't care for it and there isn't much to say about a typical case.

Not bothering to hide her concern, even if she could, Korrin looks Adelaide over. " I can only imagine the toll this has taken on you. Not as much as Sina, of course, but even so, that's not a feat pulled off without some sacrifice. Will you recover your strength?"

[fleurdesel]

"Part of what I do, part of what makes my skillset rare and dangerous, is that I do not use my own power. I use Compassion's. The channeling can be draining, this is true, but we have worked together for so long and so well that it is not as difficult as it might be. Which...truly is part of the danger." It is not often she speaks so bluntly of what the cost might be, of what it means to be a Spirit Healer. The door to the Fade is ever present for Mages, but for a Spirit Healer? It is propped half open. "I had the worst overcasting hangover the day afterward but...it was worth it. I am recovered."

As much as she ever is.

[gatheringstorm]

Speaking bluntly is always something Korrin prefers, so she listens with interest on this insider perspective on Spirit Healers. Her immediate concern diminishes, though Adelaide's point about that bond and its dangers is something to consider. "I'm glad to hear it...and I don't envy your path, but I'll always respect it. It can't be easy to balance that kind of bond, working together and yet ensuring your own safety. I'd never really been exposed to all this before joining, but it's interesting playing catch-up."

She tilts her head, as other ideas come to mind. "What's your opinion on Seekers, Adelaide? Now that we actually have those other than Cassandra, I'd like to know." To Korrin's non-Circle trained mind, all she knows is that they're like Templars, but not. It's time to find out more from one bound to have insight.

[fleurdesel]

"I am candy to the undead and demons. It feels a fair price to pay for what I am able to do." Frustrating, yes, wearying more often than not...but worthwhile. She can do so much with Compassion's help. What more can she ask for? "One of the few benefits of the rebellion. That we can share what we have learned with one another regardless of circle or what has been self taught. There is value in this."

More than she can possibly say.

Adelaide slumps back a little, sipping her tea- a muscle under her eye twitches at the mention of Seekers. Lambert they were all not, for every one like him there was one like Cassandra, and for that? She must be mindful. "If they are able to work as they should? They watch the watchdogs. Mind and police the templars against abuses of power."