(no subject)

[hallaherald]

Traveling was something the Inquisitor actually liked about his job. As a Dalish, the open road just felt right, even if he was traveling on a hart rather than in an aravel. Adamant Fortress was nearly two weeks away from Skyhold, but they had made good progress so far and the weather had been surprisingly decent through both Ferelden and Orlais. They had mostly been traveling on the Imperial Highway, and it has been blessedly empty of Corypheus' forces. Just plenty of refugees.

...he would honestly never be used to people bowing to him.

When they stopped for the night about a day from Montsimmard, Mahanon took a moment to stretch his legs after caring for Ghilan. The large scar on one leg that he had gotten after Haven was destroyed didn't like being in the saddle for hours on end, but it was nothing he couldn't take with a few stretches and a cup of tea. Maybe some food, too - he wasn't sure when he had eaten last.

Speaking of, the mage made his way over to one of the fires lit for cooking, pleased to see that food and warm water was already there for him. Sinking down on a fur next to it, he noticed that he had the Champion - Hawke - as company by the fire. The rogue was a fascinating person who Varric did nothing but praise, but Mahanon hadn't really had time to get to know her other than plan-related discussions and brief pleasantries.

A smart woman with biting wit and good ideas. Surprising amounts of humor, too. He could definitely see what Varric liked about her. The elf gave her a little nod and a smile, unstrapping his staff for a less cumbersome seat. "Hawke. How is traveling with us treating you so far?"

Comments

[questionablewit]

"A Dalish clan in a human city? There's something I never thought to hear." She remembers what the alienage was like the day Marethari visited. Merrill had been astonishing enough to them, but Marethari had been a walking legend. The awe and wonder had been palpable.

She wonders how it will change the elves, to have the Dalish interacting with their lost kin, and wonders more how it will change them to be able to affect human politics. Hopefully it'll shake elves and humans both out of some of their prejudices. That would be good.

Though she won't hold her breath waiting for it.

Still, they can take steps, like what she's going now. "You can certainly say that again." She grins and counts off on her fingers. "Elves, humans, dwarves, Qunari, whatever that strange boy is..." What's his name again? Con? Colin? It's annoying how she never seems able to remember. "You've got a full set in your Inquisition. No wonder it's so popular. I expect any day now you'll recruit a dragon."

[hallaherald]

"It sounds so strange, doesn't it?" Things were really changing in the world after the sky was torn open and the red lyrium had spread all over. It was the main reason for the Duke of Wycome's insanity, after all. "They're safe, and that's one weight off my shoulders. Apparently the people appreciate their presence and the Inquisition protection as well."

Well. Maybe not the humans, but the racist naysayers had enough wits to stay quiet. The city elves, however, were ecstatic and had risked their lives giving information to his clan before things were cleared up.

When Hawke started mentioning the diversity of the Inquisition, the elf brightened a bit more. "Cole. His name is Cole, and from what Solas has told me, he's a spirit." A strange person, a bit alien in his thinking... but so kind.

It's impossible to not laugh a little at her last comment, however, and he shook his head. "I wish. It would help immensely against this Archdemon." Plus Bull would be out of his mind from excitement.

[questionablewit]

"A spirit?" Hawke had personal reasons for finding that interesting, even if they weren't really relevant by this point. "That's a good trick. He's pretty solid for a spirit. How'd he manage that?"

She assumed it was some other way than by possessing someone and being an abomination, or else it'd have been put like that.

[hallaherald]

"I honestly don't know. He's not possessing someone... he just is here." In all honestly it's super weird, but the kid was a good person despite his weirdness. "It's unique, if anything."

In all honesty he had been worried at first, but Cole had been so adamant about wanting him to strike him down if he ever became a demon. After a while, he had come to trust him.

Taking another sip of tea, he then looks over at her again. "Did you ever meet any spirits, or was it just all those blood mages and demons?"

[questionablewit]

Justice would count, no doubt. But Hawke doesn't discuss Justice, or the man it inhabits, not even with people she likes. Varric, maybe, or any of the others if she ever ran into them. But no one new. No one who didn't know him at the time.

"Nothing so uncomplicated," she answers smootthly, which is true if misleading. "Ghosts, once, or something weirdly like them. And scores of blood mages and demons." She shakes her head. "Moral of the story: don't weaken the Veil under your city. Pity the magisters who built the place didn't learn that one."