It was sighting the odd gathering of ravens while he took a walk on the battlements that had gotten his attention and drew him out into the field. Knowing what he did about the ravens it seemed likely that they were gathering around a dead or dying animal and as such he had expected to see just that. So it is with a decent amount of surprise when he finds a pile of cloth at the base of the boulder instead, and has the mage hesitating for a moment.

Only when he's moved closer and notices boots sticking out of the pile does Sam move quicker, concern moving him, that another traveler had fallen to the cold. "Hey-!" The words are quick to die in his throat as he yanks carefully around the cloth, immediately recognizing Merrick when the elf's head lolls out.

There's a small curse from Sam then, working quicker to roll Merrick over, noting that his skin was extremely cold and not responding at all to any of his words or being moved around. It's only when he moves to press his fingers against Merrick's throat to feel for a pulse that he notices the wound, which doesn't look all that fresh. It's small, and there's also very little blood pooling from it, which leads him to believe that the wound isn't for bleeding out, but rather that Merrick has been injected with something. The only thing that stops him from panicking further is the faint, slow drum of a beat under his quickly chilling fingers.

Sam's first reaction is to yell out, hoping guards would hear him, but with the wind it's clear that they won't. His next action is to grab his crystal and call for Zevran - if anyone knew about trying to sneakily get rid of someone it would be him. There's no answer. Cursing again Sam then starts to wrap Merrick back up so that carrying him would be easier, hefting the Elf against his chest in hopes in getting him warmer before making his way towards the gates.

Awkwardly with his arms full and trying to rush through snow, he uses the crystal again, hoping to get someone this time.

"Cyril! Maker- Are you in Skyhold?!"