Archive of Our Own ^beta

Davrin stood in the doorway looking at a woman he hadn't seen since he was a youth; his mother. She looked almost like he remembered , a little shorter maybe; her long thick curly hair now peppered with white and gray from its original black. Her almond eyes the same color as his and Junai's; her strong facial features. Mythal's Vallaslin gracing her forehead and though her deep brown skin had wrinkled and freckled with age, she was still the beautiful woman that raised him. She smiled as she reached for him, pulling him into a hug.

"My son," she said. "It has been so long."

"It's really you?" Davrin's voice broke as he spoke.

"It is," her voice calm. "I am so glad to see you again after all these years."

Davrin felt a rush of guilt run through him as she pulled from him to look him in the face, her hands resting on his forearms. "I'm so sorry mamae, I didn't mean… I should have…" he felt tears in his eyes and Rook's hand on his back.

"It is okay, you do not owe us an explanation."

'Us' Davrin looked quickly past her only to see Junai and Eldrin in the aravel. "Where…"

"Relax, he's taken Lorrik and Dav'ari out hunting," she said. She was speaking of his father. "Now come in, won't you?" Davrin nodded his head and they walked into the aravel.

Sylphie came running from a corner of the room quickly with her hands in the air running right to Rook. "Uncle Rook!" she yelled as Rook bent down and picked her up.

"It's good to see you two," said Eldrin standing to greet them each. Davrin nodded to him and Rook smiled from behind Sylphie's curls as she hugged him.

"Brother we weren't expecting to see you today," said Junai smiling at them.

Davrin looked from her to Rook as he spoke. "We've had something come up and we wanted to come by and see you." Their mother looked at Rook holding Sylphie, who was sitting quietly in his arms, before walking to the table and sitting down. "Mamae what brings you here? I didn't know you and Junai were in contact, or I would have reached out sooner." Davrin looked at Rook then back to his mother. "I've got a lot to tell you."

"Your sister was not in contact. The nomadic clans still remain true to their nature. We knew she was here, and the clan has stopped nearby to hunt and gather food," said the older woman. "Now who is this shemlen my grandchild runs to so willingly? Rook was it?"

"Um…" Rook looked at Davrin before putting Sylphie down. Rook offered his hand to her. "Kalen, but yes everyone calls me Rook."

Davrin felt a ball in his throat as he took a breath to speak. "Mom, Kalen is my… husband," Davrin smiled to himself as he looked at Rook and then back to his mother.

"Husband?!" The women's eyes widened and Davrin could hear the disappointment in her voice. He hadn't thought about how his parents would react in a long time, he was used to everyone being happy for them and that had become the norm. "Have you no respect for any of our traditions, boy? A shemlen? Dirthara'ma."

"Mother!" Junai interrupted. "That's enough." The older woman looked at Junai surprised as did Rook and Davrin. "This human not only defeated the Evanuris, but he saved Dav'ari from a Fear Demon. Davrin loves him and you will respect him while you are in my home."

Davrin watched as his mothers features softened as she thought a moment. She looked at Rook and him then to Junai. "Daughter, you know what they are capable of… Lorrik's clan."

"Yes mamae, Lorrik respects Kalen as his brother. If he can do it, then none of us can say a thing," Junai's voice became strained as she countered where their mother was trying to take the conversation. Davrin couldn't help but think how far his sister had come since they first reconnected.

"What may I call you?" asked Rook standing up straight.

"I am called Sylphaya," she snapped.

"Sylphaya, I know what humans have done in the past," Rook started. "And I know that you know not all of us are the same, just like all elves aren't the same. I fell in love with your son the first time I laid eyes on him, and I've not left his side since. I love this family, and I would give everything I am to protect Dav'ari and Sylphie."

"And he has," Eldrin chimed in. "This clan and I were taken by Tevinter slavers and these two showed up to save us. Rook helped rebuild this very aravel."

"Thank you, Eldrin," said Davrin.

"Look Sylphaya, human or not, he's been good for the boy." Eldrin stood up and patted Davrin on the chest. "I've never seen him so happy as he was on his wedding day… you've never seen a happier couple."

Sylphaya adjusted in her chair and sat forward looking at Davrin. "Can't you just be happy for me?" he asked. "It would mean a lot if we could just have a good night." Davrin waited as he watched his mother intently for any sign of what she would do next. He thought briefly of how perfect it would be if he could have all of his family in one place for the night and have everyone happy before they had to set out on their coming journey.

She stood up slowly and her expression softened as she approached Rook. "It would seem that my family has determined that you are worthy of at least a chance," Sylphaya smiled at him. "His father will want to hear of your battles against Elgar'nan. Even the nomadic clans have heard tell of that battle."

"Of course," Rook smiled as the woman raised a hand and put it to his cheek.

"A mage I see," she said. "That's surprising."

"How could you tell?" asked Rook. Sylphaya smiled at Rook as she pulled her hand away before waving it in front of him as it emanated a familiar green glow. "Oh, and why is it surprising?"

"Let's just say I recall a boy whom even though his own mother could call fire from the sky; would deny the existence of the beyond, and argue that magic wasn't magic," Sylphaya chuckled.

"Oh. Yes, we've had some of those discussions," Rook joined her in laughing.

Davrin put his hands on his hips and raised an eyebrow at both of them. "Here we go…" he sighed.

"We were in the Dreadwolf's home inside the fade, and this one was still saying the fade wasn't real," Rook smirked at Davrin as he spoke. "It was quite literally, all around him."

"Hey, I've changed since then," Davrin spoke quickly as he crossed his arms.

"Well, I'm glad he got there eventually," laughed Sylphaya as she took her seat. "Now did you say you were in the Dreadwolf's home? The clans speak of the fall of Evanuris and the darkness they wrought. I'm surprised the one who stopped them is so… unremarkable."

"I'm just a person, like anyone else," said Rook.

Davrin was glad Rook didn't react to being spoken of that way, she only meant he was normal. "Depends on who you ask," said Davrin. "He's pretty remarkable to me." Davrin watched as Rook smiled and bashfully looked at the ground a red hue flushing his cheeks.

"I see you have your father's charm. Junaine used to say those things to me, don't let him fool you."

"We're well past that," said Rook. "And I don't even care."

"Neither did I," Sylphaya took a sip from the cup on the table. "What are you waiting for? Sit, please."

Davrin and Rook looked at each other and took a seat at the small table beside each other. "When will they be back?" asked Davrin.

"Shouldn't be much longer, they've been out a couple hours by now," answered Eldrin. Junai brought Rook and Davrin a cup of tea and sat it on the table before of them.

"Why didn't you go with them Eldrin?" Davrin sipped the tea, it had been a long time since he had Dalish tea. The flavour profile was much stronger than what he had grown accustomed to, the earthy flavour sweetened with honey with just a dash of Halla milk at the end made it unique. He watched as Rook took a sip and right away saw the reaction on his face as he looked into the cup before looking at Davrin and smiling. Davrin took another mouthful as Eldrin started to speak.

"Oh, my boy, my days of the three trees are long done," Eldrin chuckled. "I'm afraid if it's not hunting through a supermarket for some vegetables or cured meats, I won't be much good."

"Come now Eldrin, you don't give yourself enough credit," laughed Junai. "He taught Dav'ari how to use a bow this week."

"Oh? I bet they both loved that," laughed Davrin.

"They did," Junai agreed.

"It almost took me back to some of our days together," Eldrin smirked at Davrin as he took a sip from his cup.

"Almost?" said Davrin already feeling like he might regret pushing for more.

"Well, he's a good deal smarter than you were, and you were twice his age," Eldrin let out a guffaw of a laugh and the others laughed with him.

"Alright alright, enough about that," Davrin laughed but rolled his eyes. Rook pushed into him a bit and he felt a comforting hand rest on his leg.

"I have a feeling Dav'ari is just excited to learn, he's certainly been easy for us to teach," said Rook.

"Oh?" Sylphaya questioned.

"Rook and his friends have been teaching Dav'ari to use his magic since it manifested," explained Junai reaching out, and resting a hand on her mother's forearm.

At that moment they heard Assan let out a loud squawk from outside followed by a thud on the deck of the aravel. Rook and Davrin looked at each other as they got up quickly to go outside. Davrin stepped out of the aravel to see Assan perched on the deck in a defensive posture with his father and Dav'ari on the ground below him, his father had an arrow at the ready and Dav'ari was trying to pull down on the older man's arm to stop him. "No papa! That's Assan, don't hurt him!" he yelled.

"Dal'en this creature is dangerous," Junaine's voice was deep like Davrin remembered but gruffer with age.

"Assan get back here!" called Davrin to the griffon. As Assan turned his attention to Davrin he heard the string from the bow cut the air. "No!" The arrow stopped just before it landed its target and fell to the ground and Davrin looked back at Rook expecting to see that he had stopped it but Rook just looked back at him with a look of relief in his eyes. Assan ran over to him and Dav'ari scurried up the ladder to him.

"I stopped it Assan! Are you hurt?" exclaimed Dav'ari running up to the griffon. Assan knelt down so Dav'ari could put his arms around his neck and let out a happy squeak. "Good boy." Junaine stepped up the ladder and settled on the deck hoisting his bow over his shoulder as he looked at them.

"Is this creature your…" Junaine started to speak as his eyes widened at the sight of Davrin. "My boy is that you?" The man took a step forward and Assan hissed and arched his back putting himself between them.

"Whoa boy easy," Davrin calmed. "It's okay Assan."

"You gave me quite a scare when you hoisted him up on your back." The older man spoke calmly and extended his hands in a submissive manner. "My apologies… Assan. I thought I was protecting the little one." Davrin thought it odd that the Junaine spoke directly to Assan. The door shut behind them and Sylphaya and Junai stepped out into the cold. Assan calmed and turned to Davrin; he could tell Assan was confused.

"Who is this magnificent creature?" asked Sylphaya.

"Well…" Davrin started not sure how to answer.

"This is your grand griffon," said Rook. "Meet Assan. Assan meet your grandparents." Assan sat down and looked back and forth from Rook to the two elders on either side of him, Dav'ari now tucked up under his wing. "He's a little overwhelmed."

Davrin could see the confusion in his mother's face. "It's okay boy," said Davrin walking over and resting a hand on the back of the griffon's head.

"Well would you look at that," said Junaine. "We thought they were extinct." Junaine took a couple steps forward.

"It's a long story," said Davrin.

"Davrin this might be better to do later," said Rook. Davrin could see Assan was getting uneasy. "Dav'ari come here, give Assan some room." Rook reached out his hand to Dav'ari and Rook guided him to his side.

"Go ahead boy," Davrin took a step back and the griffon lifted into the air going to a nearby tree and looking down at them. "Tear a Darkspawn limb from limb but can't face down his grandparents." Davrin chuckled as he looked at Rook. "Where did we go wrong?"

"Your fault, you baby him too much," Rook quipped.

"You know, I don't remember you being this funny," Davrin beamed at him when he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. He turned to see his father just as he was being pulled into an embrace.

"My boy, how good it is to see you." Davrin felt a lump in his throat, the last time they saw each other, his father was furious with him.

"I'm sorry, Dad," Davrin spoke low as he pushed back tears.

"It is not your fault; I should be apologizing. Had I been more understanding you may not have left us in the first place," said Junaine hugging his son tightly.

"You're not mad that I married a human?" Davrin wanted to get the hard part out of the way as he let the question hang in the air. He wanted to know what his father thought of him being with a human before the conversation went any further.

His father pulled back and looked his son over with his hands on his shoulders. "My boy, with what our gods did…" the old man paused and looked at the ground. "…there's not time to worry about that." Junaine looked over Davrin's shoulder at Rook then looked his son in the eye. "Treats you good?" he nodded as he spoke.

"Better than I had ever hoped…" Davrin looked over his shoulder as he spoke and Rook walked up beside him resting a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Good, that's all that matters," Junaine put a hand on Rook's shoulder before pulling them both into a hug.

Davrin was shocked, he could barely speak. "Dad I…"

"It's okay, we've got the night," Junaine pulled back letting his arms fall to his sides just as Lorrik stepped onto the aravel deck. "Lorrik, could we see about bringing the aravel closer together, we should have a bonfire tonight. Your aravel will be a little crowded for all of us and I would like for us to be able to be outside."

"Of course, Junaine. Rook, can you give us a hand?" asked Lorrik as he turned to head back down the ladder.

"Sure," Rook obliged and followed him down.

Rook used his magic and helped Lorrik and some of the other hunters adjust the four larger aravel into a square formation with their sails adjusted in such a way that they would hold the heat in. Junai and Davrin helped some of the other gatherers collect wood for a large fire in the centre that would heat the area and let them be comfortable outside. Sylphaya used an impressive fire spell to send the wood up in flames and they arranged several logs for seating. Rook realized that some of the people helping were new faces when he put it together that these were Junaine's clan members, likely some of Davrin's cousins. Junai, Eldrin, and Sylphaya put together a rather large meal cooked on the open flame and had set up a buffet table everyone could pick from as they pleased. It was cool but the heat from the bonfire kept it cozy as long as you had a blanket in your lap. Rook had just sat down with a bowl in hand of some stew, a well seasoned dish with a nice touch of spice to it with meat and veggies mixed in. Assan, Dav'ari and Sylphie were playing behind where he sat and Junai, Lorrik and Sylphaya were filling a plate. He watched Davrin with his father for a moment at the buffet before they joined him. Davrin was the spitting image of Junaine, while it was clear that he got his mother's eyes, everything else about him was his father. Even in the short few hours they had set everything up, watching them together Rook could see his mannerisms and the way he carried himself echoed his father. Junaine was broad like Davrin though a bit shorter, the chiselled features he had passed onto his son showed age and experience. His dark skin hung a little bit, and Elgar'nan's Vallaslin patterned his face, Rook had seen the same pattern in the past but with much more to it than Junaine had. There was no mistaking that this man was Davrin's father. Even his hair though mostly white now was styled like Davrin's was. At one point Rook had watched him reach up and touch Davrin's hair so the comment had been made. Everyone was smiling and laughing as they interacted, and Rook couldn't help but wonder if the mood would last when they told them they'd be leaving soon. Rook smiled as they approached.

"Rook, how do you like the stew?" asked Junaine as they approached each with a plate of their own. "My wife likes it a little spicier than the recipe calls for, so be careful."

"I'll be fine, our friend Bellara is no stranger to spice either," Rook looked down at the bowl in his lap and stirred it with his spoon lightly.

"Good man." Junaine picked up something from his plate and took a bite.

"The best," said Davrin sitting next to Rook and kissing him on the cheek. "Dad, I can't tell you how much it means for me that your happy for us. Mom took… more convincing."

"Forgive your mother, she has had a hard time since the fall of the Evanuris. To think that we had gotten everything so wrong. She took it hard." Junaine looked down at his plate for a moment. "She is a resilient woman; she's come around since."

"I'm glad, knowing what we know now, the elves need to be ready for change," said Davrin taking a forkful of food in his mouth. Sylphaya, Junai and Lorrik all walked over and sat down with them and Davrin looked around at each of them. "I never thought this would ever happen." Junai looked at Davrin with a smile on her face. "All of us here together," Davrin let out a sigh and lowered his head. Rook could tell that he was thinking of telling them.

"Dav'ari, Sylphie," Lorrik called back to the children playing behind them. "Aren't you two hungry?

"Yes!" both children answered with excitement.

"Well then go to the table and get something. Eldrin can help you," Lorrik instructed. "Dav'ari make sure you help your sister with her plate."

"Okay!"

The two children ran past them panting from their rough housing in the snow and Rook watched them go up to the table.

"So Davrin, you ran off and joined the Wardens?" asked Junaine. "What becomes of you now that the arch demons are all dead? Will your blighted blood still be the end of you?" The older mans voice went low as he asked the questions and Rook could tell he was preparing himself for the worst.

"No, Rook and I are free of the blight as of our wedding night," said Davrin.

Junaine tilted his head to the side and looked at him. "How? I though the blight couldn't be cured."

"The woman, I would practically call mother, found the cure," added Rook.

"Impossible," said Sylphaya. "The best Dalish healers have tried to cure the blight to no avail."

"It was the dwarves… not local to here but the ones far north of the Donarks," explained Davrin.

"Son are you sure you haven't been tricked by some snake oil salesman?" asked Junaine.

Davrin chuckled. "No dad, Elissa is more than reputable, she put an end to the Fifth Blight."

"Sounds like you've kept good company." Junaine reached out and put a hand on Rook's shoulder. "Defeated the Evanuris, a ward of the Hero of Fereldan, and you can stomach my wife's cooking, where did you find this human?" Junaine chuckled as he finished speaking and a snowball hit him in the chest from Sylphaya's direction and the group broke out into laughter.

"Foolish old man, you can starve from now on if you'd like," Sylphaya quipped.

The group calmed down and Junai sat her plate next to her on the log. "It's good we're all here but what brings you our way Brother?" she asked.

Davrin and Rook's eyes met briefly before Davrin looked down at the plate on his lap, he let out a breath and Rook could tell he was dreading what was coming next. "About that. Do you mind if we take the kids back with us tonight?" Davrin looked at Dav'ari and Sylphie who were sitting down with Eldrin.

"Well with Mom and Dad here, I think they'd like for them to stay here so they can spend time with their grand parents," answered Lorrik.

"Can we take them tomorrow or the next night then?" asked Davrin. It wasn't unreasonable to want the kids to stay with their grandparents whom they also didn't see very often.

"Davrin what's this about?" asked Junai.

"We uh… have to go away for awhile, there's something dangerous we think is going to attack Thedas and we're going to try and stop it," Davrin took a deep breath as he spoke, and Rook moved to sit beside him. "I just wanted to keep them for a couple nights before we leave." The group went quiet and Junai and Lorrik looked at each other.

"My son the Hero," said Sylphaya breaking the silence. "I can hear that tone in your voice, your father gets it too. I want to talk you out of it, but I know there is no use trying."

"It's a shame, we just got you back…" Junaine hung his head as he spoke, and Rook could hear the disappointment in his voice.

"We don't want to do this," said Rook. "But we have to. The Inquisitor is helping us get the resources together and our ship will depart Minrathous inside a week."

"Why don't you and Rook stay with us for a couple of days? The children will be heartbroken to hear you're leaving," said Lorrik.

Davrin looked at Rook as if asking if it was okay given what they had to do in the next couple of days. "Is that okay?" he asked.

"Of course we can stay. We may have to leave and come back tomorrow after we meet with the others," said Rook. "I just have to … well." Rook paused considering the company he was in before he finished the sentence. "I have to speak with Solas."

"The Dread Wolf?" said Junaine. "I thought all the Evanuris had fallen?"

"It's a long story dad, Solas came around at the end," said Davrin.

"I see." Junaine took up a bite from his plate.

Rook could tell that Sylphaya had questions but wasn't speaking on them. "It just means I'll need a quiet place to meditate before the night's out," he said.

"You can use the room in our aravel," Junai offered, and Rook nodded in acceptance.

"That's why it was so important that we could all get along tonight," Davrin sighed.

"Of course, my son, we are so happy to see you," said Junaine putting his free arm around Davrin.

They spent the rest of the evening in pleasant conversation, Davrin filled them in of how he struggled before becoming a monster hunter and then a Grey Warden. He explained how he and Rook met, how they fell for each other and how they'd saved each other. Rook got into detail about the final confrontation with Elgar'nan to Junaine's delight at one point even reenacting part of the battle for him with Davrin as stand in. Davrin got to meet some of his younger cousins from his clan and it wasn't long before the night started to die down. Everyone had full hearts as well as bellies and the fire that burned bright was calming to a flickering cinder. Junai sat on the ground with Sylphie in her arms both of them had nodded off under a blanket. Lorrik had gone to bed wanting to be up early to go hunting again, Davrin and his father sat in quiet conversation, Rook could hear him talking about the wandering hills and smiled to himself. Assan had hunkered down for a nap a few feet from the fire, tired from playing with the kids all night. Dav'ari was curled up under Rook's arm as he sat with his back to the log with Sylphaya across from him. They had been quiet for a few moments after making small talk about the recipe she had used for the stew and what she had added to it, but Rook could tell she had questions burning a hole in her chest.

"Go ahead," said Rook.

"Excuse me?" she said trying to be subtle.

"I can tell you want to ask me something, so just ask." Dav'ari shifted beside him and stretched an arm across his stomach pulling himself close.

"The Dread Wolf…" Sylphaya said the name and acted as though she just cursed. "How can you trust he speaks the truth?"

"Because I know his regrets… we've seen his memories and why he wanted to tear down the veil," Rook thought a second before continuing. "He was manipulated by Mythal to do what he did and was made to feel that restoring the old world would undo it all. I told you the sacrifice he made, he's now imprisoned within the Black City, his immortal life maintains the veil between our world and the fade."

"I hope your faith in him has not been misplaced, forgive me Rook," she looked down at the ground before raising her head to him. "When I see my eldest child getting ready to follow you on this… this journey across the sea. I have to question it. We do not wish to lose him again."

"I promise to bring him back," Rook looked her in the eye as he spoke. "We've promised to look after each other."

Another pause of quiet between them as Sylphaya looked at the fire the light flickering in her deep brown eyes. She looked at him again. "Does he know about the shadows?" she asked.

Rook felt his heart sink; he had let himself forget briefly that the shadows lingered around him, watching him. "Yes," he said suddenly timid. "You see them too then?"

"I do…" she paused. "Who else can see them? You said 'too'."

Rook looked down at Dav'ari who slept with his head on Rook's chest. "He can…" he whispered.

Sylphaya's eyes widened. "How? I am a skilled mage, I can see the shifts in the veil, the ripple effect they make around you."

"Surely as a skilled mage, you've felt the presence that's attached itself to him?"

"I have seen signs; he has conversations when he is alone. Possession?" she questioned.

"No, the spirit has promised it won't possess him, but it is a spirit of Hope…" Rook felt the veil shift and knew the spirit was present at the mention of it's name, Sylphaya shifted and looked around briefly, she could sense it too. "It helped me rescue him from becoming an abomination by a fear demon."

"It is here, isn't it?" she said quietly.

Rook nodded. "It's always around him, sometimes it just doesn't make itself known. It's protecting him but it also gives him very powerful healing capabilities."

"Junai has told me of a couple of instances where he demonstrated those abilities," she said. "Hope is such a rare spirit, did it say why it chose him?" Rook could feel the veil shift as the spirit got close to listen to the conversation.

"It said that even before the Fear Demon attacked Dav'ari he could feel that he brought hope to others, like any spirit it resonated with him. It wants to see that hope spread. It felt we were going to need it. I assume it means for the upcoming events, but spirits have more insight on that than you or I," explained Rook.

"Hopefully they will share it," he could tell she agreed with him and as she spoke Rook couldn't help but feel that it would be a good idea to consult with the spirit as well since it originally brought the warning. However now wasn't the time.

"It's getting late. I should go try to reach out to Solas, it takes a good deal of focus to achieve it, I shouldn't attempt it with a tired mind." Rook looked down at Dav'ari feeling bad for having to wake him up. "Uh, Dav'ari…" he said quietly rubbing his cheek with the back of his hand. "Wake up baby boy."

Dav'ari picked his head up and smiled through tired eyes. "What is it Uncle Rook?" he asked.

"I need to get up and … go talk to a friend," Rook didn't want to give too many details not wanting to involve Dav'ari in what was going on even though Hope would likely know what was really coming.

"You need the light though, want me to stay with you?" asked Dav'ari and Rook could tell as the little boy looked past him, he was seeing the shadows again.

"Don't look at them okay. I'll be okay," he reassured putting his hand on his nephew's chin. Dav'ari smiled at Rook and moved so he could stand up. "Go sit with Uncle Davrin okay?" Davrin turned to them from where he sat, at the mention of his name and Dav'ari ran over to him.

"Well then, I'll be back after…" said Rook as he stood and started to walk away.

"Hey!" Davrin called. Rook turned to him, and Davrin was turned toward him with his hand out beckoning him over. Rook walked over and Davrin reached up to him, Rook bent down and Davrin caressed the back of his neck and pulled him into a quick kiss. "Be safe," he whispered as Dav'ari crawled into his lap.

Rook gave a gentle smile in response. "I will." He turned slowly and walked toward the aravel he was to use to meditate in. He passed several people just napping around the fire, a couple were sitting and chatting nodding to him as he passed. He climbed up the ladder and looked back over the crowd and now that he was away from the fire the cold wind was biting at his skin. A slight shiver ran through his body before he turned and walked into the aravel. As he shut the door behind him and stepped down inside the voices and sounds outside muted and he could no longer hear anything above a muffle. The aravel was two rooms but the second was really more of a large closet, he walked in and realized that Lorrik or someone must have set up the room for him. A small table with a Fen'Harel statue and a candle on either side, already lit, had been set up with a pillow in front of the table for him to kneel on. Rook took a couple of steps and knelt on the pillow in front of the statue and bowed his head closing his eyes. As he closed his eyes he focused on pulling himself into a trance, he felt his mana begin to fluctuate a feeling of heat rushed through him followed by a chilling cold, then a static flushed over his skin when the wound in his shoulder and leg began itching. He ignored the feeling at first but as he got to the point where he should be crossing into the fade it became too much, breaking his concentration. "Dammit…" he said as he opened his eyes and scratched at the wounds. The feeling quickly subsided, and he took a deep breath to get himself back to his point of focus. As he did the feeling started again, it became unbearable again and he had to stop.

Rook looked around the room suddenly feeling like he wasn't alone, he didn't see anything but given recent events he knew better. "Solas if you can hear me…" A sudden ache in his mind was his answer as the Dread Wolf reached back through their connection. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes a pain in his mind suddenly almost unbearable as he was pulled into their connection and it was gone almost as it had started.

"What is it, Rook?" Solas' voice was comforting and concerned. Rook opened his eyes having been successful in being projected into the fade. Solas stood in front of him an arms length away and looked him up and down, concern crossing the elf's long face. "You've fought them, haven't you?"

"Yes…" Rook shook his head suddenly feeling like his mind was fuzzy. "I'm sorry I'm having trouble concentrating."

"I sensed you reaching out, when it broke twice, I figured you were having difficulty," said Solas. "Let us get to the reason you are here. Forcing the connection is difficult for me but could prove fatal to you if we aren't careful."

"The creatures they summon, they're not like anything we've fought before. They seem to be immune to our magic," Rook spoke quickly. Solas closed his eyes and Rook could feel him fishing around in his head, as he did, he began to feel a rush of different emotions as Solas seem to take him through his memories. Hurt over Davrin's words, excitement over the touch of Davrin's lips to abdomen, joy when Dav'ari hugged him at the lighthouse, terror when he saw Davrin struck down by Hawke, and finally the fear and physical pain of being held in the air by the creature's blades. Tears came to his eyes as the pain was becoming too much. "Solas please," he whimpered.

"I am sorry, Rook," Solas reached down and put a hand on his shoulder. "I needed to see your encounters with them." Solas pulled Rook to his feet. "I wish I could offer you more than this Rook, the executors themselves are not invulnerable to magic as you've seen. For these creatures they summon. They appear to be made of pure darkness; I believe that magic from the spirits could be effective against them. I can impart some of this knowledge to you, but it may be painful."

"Do it, we can't just keep blowing them up with unstable artifacts and lyrium." Rook felt discomfort permeate his skull and he closed his eyes and shifted his head back and forth feeling sick to his stomach, the feeling passed almost as quick as it had begun. "Can you tell me anything about my wounds? They kept flaring up when I tried to contact you and they're starting to sprout black tendrils from them."

Solas took a step back and reached out a glowing hand. Rook felt himself begin to lift into the air, a gentle energy seemed to caress the wounds made by the creatures. "Though I cannot discern what it means, they have left something behind… it is spreading. I cannot tell you more, other than for now it does not appear that it will kill you."

"That's… comforting," said Rook as he was sat back to the ground. "Is it why I can see them?"

"I cannot know for sure but given that only you can see them and it started when this happened, I believe that is a sound hypothesis," Solas turned and walked away. "I cannot stay with you any longer, I believe you are on the right path, keep going…"

Rook drew in a breath, and he was back in the aravel in the quiet, flames flickering in front of him, the candle had burned down to almost nothing. The taste of blood in his mouth and the feeling of it flowing from his nose. He reached for a cloth hung from a rack nearby. It was far worse this time than last. The bleeding must have started when he first tranced as it was down his face and soaking into his shirt already. He let out a sigh and tilted his head back as he placed the cloth to his face.

An aching behind his eyes as he suddenly felt lightheaded and braced himself before he fell backwards. Letting himself lie back on the floor and just lay still for a moment taking deep breaths. He wondered how long he had been in the trance, he could no longer hear the muted sounds from outdoors, only silence. He silently wiped the crusted blood from his face, regulating his breathing to try and keep the room from spinning. The combination of the blood loss and effort his connection to Solas took was taking its toll as he tried to slowly sit up to go find Davrin and maybe get something to eat. As he tried to push himself up his arm began itching profusely, he rubbed at it but it wasn't going away suddenly a pain at both of the former wounds.

"Davrin!" he called out. "Davrin, somethings wrong!" Rook wasn't sure but panic was setting in and he couldn't control it. The cloth of his armor felt like it was burning his arm, he had to rip it away. He quickly undid the buttons and pulled his arm out he looked down at the wound, he could see the dark tendrils spreading across his skin and getting thicker! "Davrin!" he struggled to get up, but he couldn't, a crippling pain washing over his body that was far worse than when he had gotten the wounds themselves. He gasped for air as the tendrils moved across his scars and up his neck, he attempted to use a chilled touch to try and freeze them. "Somebody help!" he felt as though he was screaming for his life at this point and somehow no one could hear him. "Please," he gasped.

Rook opened his eyes and sat up quickly from the floor a pang biting into his head. He brought his free hand up slowly applying slight pressure to his forehead. His mouth was dry, and he could feel blood crusted on his lips and chin, the cloth sat not far from where his head had laid. He quickly ripped down his armor and checked the wound. The tendrils hadn't moved. "A nightmare…" he whispered as he picked up the cloth and wiped at his face, he had fainted. The crusted-on blood coming away but scraping at his skin. He stood up slowly and walked out of the aravel, his wounded arm still out of his armor as he pushed the door of the aravel open slowly. The fire had calmed to barely a cinder and the air had cooled even though the sails of the aravel kept in a good amount of the heat. Rook could see from the doorway the sky was brightening even though the sun wasn't yet visible, Davrin and his father and Dav'ari were still in the place he had left them. Davrin had likely gotten wrapped up in conversation and Rook couldn't blame him for it. They had a lot to catch up on; it appeared as though everyone else had gone to bed. Rook walked to the side of the aravel and stood there not wanting to risk the ladder since he was still feeling a little bit lightheaded with the cold air hitting him.

Davrin turned to him and rose from his seat and he saw him gently lean Dav'ari into his grandfather. "Rook, what the heck happened are you okay?!" he called running over with a blanket in his hand and quickly climbing up the ladder. "You look terrible. I checked on you a couple hours ago and you were still in a trance."

"I'm okay now, just a lingering headache," said Rook stumbling a bit into Davrin.

Davrin caught him and wrapped the blanket around him. "Hey… hey careful."

Junaine climbed quickly up the ladder with Dav'ari on his back he popped up over the side. "What happened?"

"Connecting with Solas proved to be more difficult than I thought it would be… then I passed out after I woke up with my nose bleeding and this is the result… ah," Rook snapped his eyes shut and reached up to the back of his neck. "I had a nightmare and woke up like this… head's killing me."

Dav'ari dropped down from Junaine's back and took Rook's hand. "Uncle Rook, may I help?" he asked looking up at him.

Rook smiled at Dav'ari and knelt down to him. "If you think you can."

"Hope says it can," said Dav'ari. Rook waited as Dav'ari rested his hands gently on the sides of his face. "Will you make him better?" Dav'ari asked the question into the air and his eyes began glowing a gold hue. Rook could feel another hand rest gently on his forehead; he closed his eyes, and the pain slowly began seeping out of his body. "There's something else Hope, something dark…" Rook opened his eyes, and he could see Hope's noncorporeal shape extending from Dav'ari's body as its hand ran down his face and along his arm to the wound. "Can you try to fix that too?"

"Careful Dav'ari," said Davrin hearing the whisper.

"My grandson is incredible," said Junaine in awe.

Rook was fairly certain that they couldn't see the spirit touching him. Its hand landed on the wound, and it flinched back from it. Rook could see an expression of discomfort on Dav'ari's face, and the child took in a sharp breath. "Stop Dav'ari, tell Hope it doesn't have to do anything if it hurts." Rook took Dav'ari's hands and pulled them away from his face, the little boy blinked, and his eyes went back to normal. The pain and light headedness had completely subsided.

Dav'ari threw his arms around Rook's neck and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry Uncle Rook; Hope is scared of the shadows…"