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Her Destiny Lies Elsewhere	By : TheStarvingArtist Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 7184 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN DRAGON AGE. This is a work of fiction, and I make no money from it. This fic contains dialogue from the game.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
Author's Note: Okay, so I'm sorry for how long this chapter has taken. The writing prompt that I took the break for only took like a week--and then I just had trouble getting this chapter down. It's short, probably my shortest chapter to date, but I've been working hard to keep this going. I have plans--big plans and a real direction now that I've stayed up way too late for way too many nights in a row. With any luck, chapter 16 will go faster and I can get moving on to the more fun stuff--including origin story stuff and personal quests for other people. (Next is Fallow Mire, I need to play through it again because other than a vague memory of how it goes, I don't really remember what I had planned, followed by Crestwood, a dragon, more sex, Hawke, and a lot of poor map-reading skills)
(Also, please no one crucify me for this chapter, I know it's rough and it's kind of lacking, but it'll get you through.)
Review Replies:
Rhino: I need to remember to add rumors, but other than "she likes 'em big" and "hard to tell if she's enjoying it or if she needs help", it's hard to come up with something original XD

**This fic contains many quotes and much dialogue straight from the game.**
Chapter Fifteen
Morning

Early morning found Bull too soon, groaning softly as he opened his eye to look around in the faint light. The fire had burned down in the night, but the chill hadn't seeped into the stones just yet. He listened quietly to the sounds of faint birdsong outside as Skyhold woke to the new day. Shifting a little, he started to sit up, stopping when he felt a gentle weight resting on him. Glancing down, he edged the blankets down, a smile quirking his lips a little.
Rio's hair fell in tumbling waves over his chest from where she lay, deep in sleep. She didn't stir as he pulled the blankets down a bit further, though she made a soft sound of protest as he tried to get up. Pale lashes fluttered, though she remained asleep, nuzzling his chest as she settled back into his arms.
For a moment, he seriously considered staying in bed, watching the play of emotions on her face. It was an easy enough thought to entertain, relaxing back as she nuzzled his chest. He let one hand slide through her hair, caressing those locks tenderly as he smoothed them back out of her face. No one would blame them for wanting to stay in bed, and after the look he'd shot the guard last night, he doubted anyone would disturb them. It was tempting...
His fingertips trailed along the burn scars, over one shoulder, brushing over the small scar in her shoulder. Further down, his fingers traced the inked lines there, caressing the ridge of her shoulder blade over the black wing there. He could just make out the details in the feathers in the dim light of early morning. When she shivered in her sleep, he smiled, letting his fingers trail over the white wing adorning her right shoulder. Curious marks. He hadn't quite pegged her for the kind to get tattoos like that, though she had the typical vallaslin, these were different. They looked like actual wings, outstretched and feathered, rather than tribal like the ones on her face.
Sighing to himself, he started to untangle their limbs. Moving her carefully, he shifted her to the mattress, tucking the blanket around her as she whimpered. She reached blindly for him as he slipped from bed, eyes fluttering open for a moment. For a moment, she looked almost awake before those blue-gold eyes drifted shut again, her body slumping into the mattress. Chuckling, he tucked the blanket back around her once more. Smiling down at her, he watched her for a few seconds more before gathering his clothes.
Dressing quickly, he grabbed a page of blank parchment, grabbing one of her strange pens. Scrawling a short note, he folded it and placed it on the trunk at the foot of her bed, knowing she would see it there. Glancing back where she had uncovered herself again, he couldn't help smiling once more. A bit of extra sleep would do her some real good.
It was still early morning when Stitches knocked on the Inquisitor’s door. He waited a few moments for an answer before he opened the door. He was pleased to find her room was warmer than he’d expected as he made his way up the stairs towards her loft. The curtains were drawn tightly and a fire was blazing in the hearth—evidence that the maid had been through already. Good, the Inquisitor isn’t going to end up chilled, he thought to himself as he nodded. He turned to the bed, slightly shifting the tray in his hands.
She lay where Bull had left her, her back to Stitches. He gave her back a cursory glance, noting there a couple of faint marks where much larger hands had held her hips, but nothing that looked serious. The sheet had been kicked down at some point, riding low on her frame, legs tangled in the blankets around her lower half. She was sound asleep and didn’t seem likely to stir.
He felt himself frowning a little before he cleared his throat. “Inquisitor,” he said softly, trying not to startle her. He blinked as she simply groaned. She turned to bury her face in her pillow, hair spilling across her shoulders. He waited a few minutes longer before he cleared his throat, louder this time. “Inquisitor.”
She groaned, turning slightly as she blinked sleepily at him, still sprawled on her stomach. He had to admit, the Chief was right—Rio did not wake up easily. She stared at him for several long, silent moments before her eyes widened. Within moments she’d grabbed the blanket from near the foot of her bed and yanked it up to help cover herself.
“What is with you people and coming into my room?!” She wiggled stiffly, trying to sit up without uncovering herself.
Stitches gave a small sigh and shook his head a little. “Begging your pardon, Inquisitor, but nothing I haven't seen before.”
Rio sputtered as he set the tray down on her nightstand. She frowned back at him as she tried to hide herself under the blankets. “I like to pretend I have some modesty at least...” she muttered, trying to crawl across the bed as her legs protested. She moved uncomfortably, hissing in pain. She managed to inch closer to the far edge before flopping back to the bed with a groan. “I give up,” she said softly, face buried in the mattress. “The Inquisition can run itself without me today.”
Stitches' chuckle made her look up at him with tired eyes. “I'm sure the boss had every intention to let you sleep it off, but it seems your advisers have another plans,” he said before motioning to the tray. He pointed to a pot of salve. “This will help with the soreness. Be careful running around until you've rested a bit.” He paused a moment before adding, “External use, of course. I'll send something else for any...internal discomfort.”
Her face turned a brilliant shade of red as she tried to burrow under the blanket, giving a thumbs-up to show she understood. He waited until she was looking again before he pointed to the cup of hot tea next to the salve.
“It's very important that you drink all of this. And eat as much of the food as you can. Food'll help the tea go down and stay down,” he said firmly. He watched the Inquisitor wiggle under the blankets, wrinkling her nose at the bitter scent of the tea. She smiled a little in thanks as he lifted the saucer and cup to place it in her hands.
She brought it closer, sniffing it curiously. “What is it?” She sipped it and made a disgusted face at the overly bitter taste, causing her to almost to spit it back into the cup. “Ugh, god, that's disgusting! What the fuck is that?!”
One of Stitches' brows raised curiously before he gently replied, “Contraceptive.”
Rio was almost too preoccupied with trying to discern the awful taste to catch his statement at first. She sniffed the cup again. “Contra-what, now?” she said, racking her brain. She wasn't stupid; she knew the word, but what did it mean? Her thoughts clicked together as her eyes widened. “O-oh,” she said softly, still wrinkling her nose at it. “Don't suppose I can get some sugar to put in this...” she added quietly as she hopefully glanced up at Stitches.
He shook his head at that, trying not to chuckle at the face she made. “That would make it ineffective. You'll have to hold off on the sweets for an hour or so, just to be on the safe side. The tea will also help with some of the other aches.” He motioned to the tray where a couple of strips of bacon and half a sausage sat on a plate. “Remember to eat.”
She grimaced, realizing that her usual pastry wasn't on the tray. “Starting to think I'm getting the raw end of the deal,” she murmured, reaching for the bacon first. “Sore muscles, no pastries, awful tea—what do men get out of this?”
“Explaining to the rest of the castle why the Inquisitor was screaming last night, I imagine,” Stitches said calmly as he enjoyed watching her choke on the tea again. “On the plus side, he kept your advisers at bay this morning. From what I hear, your spymaster has more than a few things to bring up—most of which don't involve last night's noise level.”
Rio had already retreated back under the blankets. Her groan echoed around the room as Stitches chuckled. “Take it easy, Inquisitor. Don't worry too much. Life's too short to be buried in what everyone else thinks.”
He turned to head back down the stairs, pretending not to notice the curious look she shot him from under the blankets. Her blue-gold eyes watched him as he slipped from sight.
As she moved gingerly to the edge of the bed, she caught herself glancing around, frowning when she realized that Bull wasn't there. Her memories flickered over the night before, remembering how caring he'd been... A deep blush crawled into her face as she let her legs dangle off the high bed, toes curling into the thick carpet. She definitely remembered feeling unbelievably full as she'd arched.
She felt herself frown as she downed the tea quickly, shuddering at the taste but forcing herself to keep it down. A necessary evil, she supposed. The second piece of bacon followed next, chewing thoughtfully as she started to slowly stretch her legs, working up from her feet to her calves. The light rush of elfroot underlying the other herbs helped to ease the ache of her muscles. Pushing to her feet as she finished the strip of bacon, she carefully made her way to the foot of her bed, knowing she would need to get dressed.
Rio paused when she saw the piece of parchment there, frowning a little as she grabbed it. Slowly unfolding it, she chewed thoughtfully, reading over the words slowly.
Morning, Rio,

Sorry I wasn't there when you woke up this morning. Try to take it easy when you get up—probably going to be sore and stiff. Don't push yourself.

You know where to find me if you need me.

Bull.
Blushing at the words, Rio found herself smiling as she read the note again. Finishing the strip of bacon, she set the note on her desk as relief washed over her again. She hadn't even realized she was concerned about it, the thought of Bull just up and leaving in the morning. Having the note, though, that made it better. Not quite waking-up-beside-Bull better, but definitely nicer than just an empty bed in the morning.
Gathering her clothes, she tugged on fresh small-clothes, pulling leggings and her undershirt on. Overshirt, sash, and socks soon followed before she grabbed for her footwraps. Looking over the itinerary—her trainer was going to arrive today, it appeared—she chose the lighter ones, the silverite glittering on her shinguards as she secured everything in place.
As much as she wanted to spend time in bed today, she knew it just wasn't going to happen. Grabbing her staff, she took one last look around her room, sighing deeply as she settled the staff in its holster, starting to tug her unruly hair into a messy braid. The sooner she started her day and made her decisions, the sooner she could wind down for the day, right?
* * *
Rio slowly picked herself up again, spitting out the coppery taste in her mouth. If she'd thought Commander Helaine might go easy on her because she had a long night, or because she was the Inquisitor, it hadn't lasted long. Looking at the willowy elf as she straightened her leathers again, she felt her legs tremble, threatening to give way. It was surprisingly difficult to keep her feet as she prayed her legs would hold out.
“Perhaps we should take a break,” the commander said with that faintly disappointed look on her face, the one that made Rio bristle, even if she wanted to fall to her knees in relief. “Get some water and catch your breath for now. We'll pick this up again soon.”
Sensing she was dismissed, Rio managed only a tense nod before she turned, heading back towards the kitchens. She needed more than water right now—she needed a strong drink. Quickly untying the confining leathers, she got herself just up the stairs when the door opened, watching Dorian stride out, waterskin and goblets already in hand. On a normal day, seeing her friend probably would have cheered her up—but today, she wanted nothing more than to sidestep him, even as he expertly hooked his arm with hers and pulled her back down the steps.
“On break already?” Dorian asked, smiling a little. “Good! You didn't look like you were doing so well...”
“I don't need anyone criticizing me any more than I'm already doing to myself,” Rio said with a deepening frown. “I already know that I suck at this...”
“Nonsense!” Dorian said, leading her over to a bench, motioning for her to sit. She frowned as he poured the water, knowing she'd rather drown herself in ale right now. “You're doing a wonderful job!”
Blue-gold eyes rolled at that. “We have two very different definitions of 'wonderful', Dorian,” she mumbled, shaking her head a little.
“Perhaps,” Dorian said, handing her the goblet and watching her drink deeply from it before refilling it again. “Slower this time, or you'll make yourself sick,” he chided gently, smiling a little as he nudged her shoulder with his. “I don't want to think what kind of conclusions people might jump to if the Inquisitor suddenly fell ill in my company...”
She managed a small smile at that, nudging him right back. “Oh yes... wouldn't want that...” she said, chuckling faintly before she relaxed back a little sighing. Gently swirling the water in her goblet as she stared at it, she fell silent at his side, letting her thoughts run away with her. Doubts started to creep up again, insecurities that gnawed at her. She couldn't keep it up like this. She could see it in her trainer's eyes when she looked at her—Rio wasn't cut out for training like this. She wasn't getting better at this, and if her skills suffered, then the Inquisition would suffer...
It wasn't until Dorian nudged her that she realized he was even talking to her. “Sorry,” she murmured gently, bringing herself back to the present again, “I wasn't listening...”
His frown was deep as he watched her before he reached into his pocket pulling out a small rectangle device of metal and plastic, tucked carefully into a leather case. “You have no idea how long it took Harritt to make that,” he said, frowning, “but he said it should handle a beating now... I still don't understand how it works...”
Rio's face warmed as she took the case, opening a small pocket at her shoulder, tugging out headphones as she flicked the device's on switch. Dorian's eyes widened as he watched the small screen flare to life with a myriad of colors, Rio's thumb quickly manipulating the device to get through the music, earbuds slipping just in her ears as she adjusted the volume. “Don't need to know how it works,” she said, shaking her head a little. “Just need to know that it does.” Locking the device, she slipped it into the pocket securing it as she got up again from her seat.
Frowning as he watched her go, he could see the change in her demeanor as she walked back into the practice. Maybe it was just his wishful thinking that maybe she didn't fall as much, or that her casting got better, but he liked to believe that she got her second wind at least. She pressed on late into the day before her advisors whisked her away from the training grounds to hole up in the war room, the night falling over Skyhold before she managed to free herself from them, making her way down the steps on shaking legs.
* * *
Bull looked up from his reports, watching Rio almost fall into the tavern. She looked quite the sight, dirt smudged on her face and bruised all over, but determined. He'd watched her outside in the training yard for a while—almost everyone had at one point. Commander Helaine had been a hard teacher, and she didn't take pity on Rio's already-tired state. However, with her few options for both specializations and teachers, knight-enchanter was the best option for Rio, and thus Helaine was the only teacher.
One thing he would have to give Rio credit for, she kept getting back up. When she didn't get it right, she had wanted to give in, sitting where she'd fallen before she resolutely got back up. After a short break, she was back at it, more fiercely this time. He'd smiled just a little when she'd at last been able to summon—and maintain—the spirit sword that marked the very beginning of her training.
Even now, with her legs trembling and barely able to stand, she crossed the tavern, giving a tired little wave to the others as they greeted her. Those blue-gold eyes followed through the crowed before spotting him. Smiling just a little, she weaved her way through the thicker crowd back to the far corner. Krem, Stitches, and Dalish were the only ones back there, though they welcomed her presence as she flopped into a chair. A mug of bitter ale found its way into her hand as she tried to sit up again, Bull clapping her on the shoulder.
“There's the boss! How was your first day as a knight-enchanter?” he asked, watching her try not to spill the drink when she took a long swig, though her hands shook a little to hold it.
“Ugh!” she said when she set the mug down, making a face. “It was awful! Now I see why Lady Vivienne's in a bad mood all the time—it's a lot of fucking work!” Sighing, she relaxed back in her seat, fighting a yawn. “What about you?” she asked tiredly, her smile almost strained. “Anything more interesting than watching someone half my size toss me about while the surgeons pray they don't have to stitch me back together?”
“You'll pick it up pretty quick, I think. And actually,” Bull said, nudging her as she rubbed one eye sleepily, “got a job. Not far from here, just a couple days' ride. Good gold, and better intel, from the sounds of it.”
Rio seemed to wake a little better at that, blinking before she smiled again. “Well that sounds perfect! When do we ride?”
Chuckling, Bull shook his head at her. “We aren't going anywhere. You are going to stay put and continue your training.”
“Whaaaat?” Rio said, frowning at that. “You get to go off and do fun things while I have to stay put?”
“I told you she wasn’t going to go for it, Chief,” Krem said, shaking his head as he drank his own ale.
Frowning at Krem, Bull looked to Rio, who was waiting for an explanation. “It’s just for a few days, and you have a lot of training to get through in a very short period of time.”
Grumbling at him, she frowned deeper, shaking her head a little. “This is so not fair...”
Reaching out, he fuzzed her hair, laughing at the look on her face as she tried her hardest not to smile back at him. “Life isn't fair. Besides, it’s not the end of the world, Boss. If you promise to finish your training, maybe you’ll get to go next time...”
She harrumphed for a moment before nudging him back, most of her good humor returning. “All right, but you better hurry back. I’m supposed to get word back from Crestwood any day now, and I don’t want to leave without my bodyguard—that’s what I pay him for.”
Smiling down at her as she leaned tiredly on his shoulder, he smoothed those wind-blown locks out of her face, watching her slowly relax. “Wouldn’t have it any other way, boss...”
She looked like she wanted to say something more, but a round of raucous singing made her push it to the side as he watched her. She definitely wanted to talk to him, probably even about last night, but with the others, she didn't want to bring attention to it. One of the men said something about last night's noise level and nudged her, and he couldn't help laughing as her face flooded a brilliant red. Her only response to it was to stammer quietly for a few moments before looking down at her mug as the others cheered. He smiled, slipping his arm around her before he told his men to play nice, that the Inquisitor was still the boss. Bull was almost surprised at the number of respectful nods in their direction before talk changed to the upcoming job and past victories for the Chargers.
Within a couple of drinks, Bull was carrying Rio up the stairs towards her room as she slept heavily in his arms. He tried to be careful, tugging the necessary clothes off, her sash and overshirt, even managing to tug her footwraps off before lifting her to place her on the bed. She was fast asleep, cheeks a warm pink as she nestled herself into bed again. The blanket was tugged up around her shoulders, roughly tucked around her as he tried to make her comfortable.
Looking down at her, he couldn't help admitting to himself that he kind of wished he could take her with them. If nothing else, she would be entertaining, and she would probably learn a thing or two, but she needed to stay. She had to keep learning, both for her duty and for the sake of her own safety.
It was already almost staggering to him that she was the Inquisitor, and she chose him. And it wasn't casual for her, which spoke volumes. She had thought it over and had been very careful in her choice, and he didn't want to be the one that messed that up.
Looking down at that sweet face, lax in sleep, he had trouble seeing the Inquisitor. Most days, he had trouble seeing more than just a moment of it, just a spark, but he remembered the look on her face, the determination as she gave orders during the attack on Haven. The Inquisitor was in there, he just knew it—she only needed to learn to wield that spark.
Reaching up to take her braid, he carefully untied the strip of leather that held it in place, letting the braid slowly unwind in his hands before finally letting her hair fall around her on the pillow. As his thumb pushed a lock of wispy hair out of her face, she frowned, grumbling as she reached up to brush his hand away, making him smile.
There it was. That spark of I'll do what I want. He wondered if any of the previous Inquisitors had been like this, bright and fiery, but then, he supposed there probably weren't many people like Rio ever, let alone Inquisitors from forever ago. Chuckling, he lightly traced the line of her nose, watching her face scrunch up a little in her determined sleep as she swatted his hand away again. Turning to go, he made sure she was tucked into bed before turning to leave. She was going to need all the sleep she could get as her training picked up. Much as he might enjoy a quick tumble into the wee hours of the morning, it wouldn't do to make her suffer stiffly through her second day of training.
Smiling, he tromped his way down the stairs towards the door to make his way out of the tower.
- 14
- 15
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Her Destiny Lies Elsewhere