Dawn broke once more over the village of Haven, and Solas was in a particularly sour mood. He had not managed to find Veilfire anywhere nearby. Perhaps it was not only that; perhaps the irritation had more to do with the interrogation the day before… or, simply, with the frustration of not having an adequate source to decipher his agent's message.
What sort of beings were these? Uneducated? Had no one discovered the usefulness of ancient elven script? By all the realms of the Fade, what tedium.
Ever since his Orb had torn the Breach into the sky, arcane currents had behaved so erratically that he had deemed it prudent to avoid contacting his agents through dreams. It was dangerous. With so much raw power leaking between the waking world and the world of sleep, the risk of drawing unwanted attention (or losing control of the information exchanged) was far too high. And so they had been forced to communicate as they had in antiquity, letting time do its work and trusting loyal elven agents to carry information by hand. A slow method… and dangerously exposed.
Sometimes he told himself that, perhaps, in this world such caution was excessive. But in Elvhenan, not even inside their own minds had they ever been truly free. So yes… perhaps Solas was merely sinning by paranoia, or perhaps… he had simply learned not to trust.
The worst of it was that, when he woke, he had had to grow accustomed to the absence of eluvians—and now this new inconvenience…
Perfect.
Thank you, Felassan, for your efficiency and loyalty. Today I thank you from the heart…
- Solas! - he heard Elentari's voice from afar.
No. Exactly what he was missing.
Dealing with her today was precisely what he had tried to avoid. The memory of yesterday's interrogation persisted, lodged at the back of his mind like an irritation that refused to fade. And, despite himself, he had begun to wonder whether the Dalish woman would be capable of coming through an interrogation with the spymaster unscathed. It was not that he had something to hide (not between the two of them, at least), but the possibility still unsettled him… if Leliana interrogated Elentari, would it slip out that he was a somniari?
He let out a soft breath, clenched his teeth, and forced himself to compose—adopting the familiar disguise of the wandering apostate. Though, this morning, he was a thoroughly frustrated wolf… still, he turned where he stood to look at her.
Solas was near the Chantry, in the shade of an ancient, leafy tree that had offered him shelter.
- Good morning… - he murmured, with a hiss barely kept in check.
She laughed freely—a fresh, jovial, almost radiant sound. A frankly offensive contrast to his mood.
- If it's a good morning, it doesn't show. - she replied between laughs as she approached with that ethereal ease in her walk. She always seemed to move with elegant stealth. - You look annoyed.
- Sharp observation… - he answered, skirting mockery. He nearly added more, but bit his tongue—because she looked at him with renewed interest upon catching the sarcasm, as if she had found exactly the thread to tug in order to bother him.
Elentari stopped in front of him.
- Can I help you with something? - Solas asked, dryly.
- Can I help you? You're annoyed, Solas…
He tilted his head slightly, weighing her.
Was she asking? Would it be a tactical mistake to trust her (again)? Inside the tent he had confessed he was somniari, and then, in Val Royeaux's market square, he had slipped away from the group in full view of Elentari. She had kept the secret both times. She had not even written it in the report.
Wait. She hadn't, had she? And what if she had?
It did not matter.
- Unless you have Veilfire hidden inside your pack, no… you can't help me.
- What do you want that for?
Solas stopped his visual inspection and lowered his gaze to her. - Do you know what it is?
- Shouldn't all mages know it? - She arched a brow with insolence, as if his question were the stupid one.
Solas blinked. Because, honestly? He had assumed Dalish arcane education extended as far as painting their faces and worshiping trees. And false gods, of course.
- Possibly. - he conceded with a bored sigh. - Then enlighten me, Elentari… is there anywhere in this lovely village that has Veilfire?
- I don't have the faintest idea.
Solas let out a dry laugh, humorless. - You see? Predictable. You're no use to me.
He "joked," though the word felt generous, because his voice came out too cold. Other people's uselessness had rarely been a joke to Fen'Harel; usually it was merely a statistic. Here he was "Solas, the wandering apostate," only today it was particularly difficult not to be swallowed by the Dread Wolf's legendary frustration. The irony was abundant (if you asked him)…
She laughed anyway. Far from offended, she seemed amused by his foul mood.
- Well, if that's what puts you in this state. - she said. - I'll tell you I have the privilege of ruining your day even more, Solas. Or completely.
The mage closed his eyes for a moment, asking for patience, though he had to admit her insistence on being cheerful all the time amused him too. He knew that optimism was one of Elentari's defense mechanisms—this way she presented herself as strong, vigorous, and kind to everyone, always. Yet he also knew (because he had learned it long ago) that people like that were precisely the ones who had helped him through his ancient depressions and tedium, because they faced reality without letting it crush them. And then, a sharp pang crossed his chest when an inevitable comparison surfaced… Revas and Felassan had been very much like Elentari in that tireless optimism in the face of the world's calamities. And that was why they had worked so well with him.
Solas was not a pessimist. He was simply too logical. He analyzed the world until he exhausted every possibility, and in that constant exercise he ended up suffocating himself. That was why he had needed Fen'Harel in the first place. Where Solas analyzed, the Wolf acted. People like her did not offer him easy comfort or false hope, but something far more useful and just as necessary: balance. A point of support against a mind that, without pause, tended to tilt toward the fatal.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself smiling at the realization. Worst of all… the closeness of the little halla no longer bothered him.
- Make it quick. - he joked—this time truly—trying to release some of the tension in his body.
- Cullen wants to see us.
The sarcasm evaporated at once, replaced by pure weariness. Definitely ruined.
- Both of us? - He arched a brow. She nodded, with an apologetic little smile that helped not at all.
May the Void take him. And Cullen. And this miserable day.
- Come on. - he ordered, and started walking without waiting, hoping his own frustration would let go of him if he kept moving.
Elentari caught up in a few long strides and draped herself against his shoulder, leaning into him.
- Sorry. - she said, and a little giggle followed.
The commander wanted to see both of them. Why? Fenedhis. Another interrogation? And now having to worry—on top of it—about making sure Elentari did not say too much?
Wait. Wait…
That could be interesting. Cullen was not skilled at interrogating—not like Leliana and Josephine. Perhaps this time Solas could take advantage of the situation to watch how the elf handled herself and guide her carefully, identifying the Herald's weak points so he could strengthen them for future interrogations.
- Yes? - His tone was unmistakably ironic. - You're sorry? - She nodded, still leaned against his side, that enthusiastic brightness in her eyes. - And… do you want to make me feel better?
Elentari let out a soft laugh.
- Of course!
Solas leaned slightly and slipped out from under her weight. He straightened, hands behind his back.
- Then you keep the conversation alive with the commander.
Elentari mirrored him. She straightened, clasped her hands behind her back, and did not stop smiling. It was obvious she had just plotted something. And that she was making fun of him.
- All right. We have a deal.
- It's not a deal if the scales tip only in my favor. - he replied. - I'm not giving you anything in return.
She laughed again, shaking her head.
- You're quick… how did you know it was a trap so I could collect the favor later?
- Because you underestimate my ability to detect opportunism, Elentari. - he answered with complacent confidence, not hiding the ironic half-smile.
- Well, in that case, you'll talk to him. - Solas let out a brief, incredulous laugh.
- So now you're blackmailing me?
- It's not blackmail if it has academic purposes. - she shrugged, feigning innocence.
The line inevitably echoed the wordplay he himself had used in Cassandra's tent, when he had refused to admit to trickery, claiming it was not trickery if he outsmarted her. Was she imitating him?
And then, trying to look indifferent, she concluded:
- I just want to see how long it takes you to lose patience with our commander.
- My patience is eternal.
- We'll see.
- You learn too quickly to imitate me. - he said, and her eyes brightened when she heard it.
Was Elentari beginning to admire him? That could become a useful tool later, though the truth was he would rather train her than take advantage of the girl. Too many people were already trying.
Good. Time to let her believe she would choose her next actions on her own, when in reality he would shape her response until it matched what he expected. He told himself he was doing it to train her, though he knew (perhaps too well) that it also involved a touch of manipulation.
- No, seriously—please… you do the talk. - he said, and the exhaustion bled into his voice. He knew it would be harder for her to remain firm if he looked vulnerable.
- One more plea and I might start considering it. - she replied, smiling—but the last words were touched by a faint tremor… oh, the tremor of doubt.
Solas sighed, appearing defeated, but keeping his dignity. His posture made it clear he would yield, though reluctantly. That he was doing it for convenience rather than desire was something he expected she would learn to read with time.
- All right. Let it be a deal. - he conceded. - You handle the commander today, and I'll owe you a favor.
She arched a brow, clearly pleased.
- Well… now that got interesting. - she teased. - Fine. I'll handle Cullen.
- Shall we?
Solas resumed walking and she moved to his side. He set an unhurried pace, intending to use those minutes to assess how disastrous it might be to leave her in charge of the interrogation. He assumed: not very. The commander rarely surprised him.
- Hey—where did you go during our visit to Val Royeaux? - Elentari asked at his side. It did not surprise him; he had always known she would find the moment.
- Given that I am in your debt and it wounds my pride... - he began in an ironic tone that made her laugh softly - I'll make you a proposal. A game. - He noticed she was watching him, fully intrigued. - I will answer your questions only if you know how to handle your interrogation properly. Do you accept?
- And that's because…? - He shrugged.
- Being the wandering apostate somniari myself, I've had to learn to avoid direct confrontations all my life. Besides, the memories I've visited in the Fade were always enormous support for observing how others did it. You would be surprised what can be found there… if you know where to look.
- Will you teach me?
- I'll think about it. - he teased, smiling at her.
That was enough to make her laugh again.
- All right. I accept the game. What are the rules?
- Only one. Do it properly.
Elentari pressed her lips together, displeased.
- But… I don't know how to interrogate. No one has ever interrogated me… and it shows when I'm uncomfortable or nervous. If that's the only rule, you won't answer anything…
Solas smiled, feeling a pinch of tenderness at how honest she was.
- First advice. - he said. - Only for interrogations. - he clarified. - Don't adopt it as a way of life. - She nodded, giving him her full attention. -Never deny emotions you cannot effectively hide. Redirect them.
- And that means…?
- You just confessed you're not good at interrogating. Fine—I take it. You did not deny your nervousness… now redirect it.
She made a face again as she thought.
- Maybe an example would help.
Elentari nodded, looking at him.
Solas stopped; she mirrored him, and they stood facing each other.
- 'I don't know how to interrogate. I'm terrible at it. My discomfort and nervousness show…' - He paused to make the point. - Precisely because of that—if you see me hesitating too much, give me a moment to express properly what I'm trying to clarify.
- So that puts the control back on me? The interrogator has to adjust to my pace?
Solas shook his head. She huffed.
- See!? I'm terrible at this.
- You're not terrible. - he corrected. - You learn quickly. It's not about forcing the interrogation to adjust to your emotions; that would be dangerous. It's about not denying them—recognizing them, and reframing them. You decide how exposed you appear. That makes you believable.
- Even if I'm lying… - she murmured, bringing a hand to her lips and fixing her gaze on the horizon.
She was reasoning.
- All right. I understand. - she said at last, lowering her hand. - Where did you go during our visit to the market square?
- I walked the bazaar.
- Right. I asked the wrong question, didn't I? Because obviously you didn't go anywhere but there.
Solas nodded.
- Fine. And why? Why did you leave?
- I took the chance to get away from the templars.
- Are you going to tell me you did it out of fear?
- More like trauma. - he joked, not hiding it. - After the attack, I was afraid.
- Stop being an idiot. - she laughed. He did too. - All right—assuming that kind of joking answer is valid… what advice should I take from it for an interrogation?
- Never answer what your interrogator wants to hear. - he said. - Answer what benefits you.
- Right…
She fell silent again, thinking. Solas kept smiling as he watched her.
- So saying that nonsense about templars benefits you somehow. Why?
- Because if I add body language that matches it, you would have believed it. - he replied. - It's perfectly plausible I'd be afraid after they nearly killed me. That way I'm still not being sincere when I answer you.
- It's true… you're still avoiding sharing the reason you left.
He nodded.
- Whenever you answer someone's questions, you must remember who you are to that person. Not who you are to yourself.
Elentari looked at him again.
- Who do you think you are to me, Solas?
- When I was injured, you were worried the way you would be for any member of the team, weren't you?
She nodded.
- Good. Then to you, I'm someone worth worrying about. You think you should protect me, even if I consider it unnecessary. Still, that impulse to protect is your weakness. - He paused so she could consider it, then added. - If I appear affected by the attack and allude convincingly to trauma, I shut down your curiosity. And as a bonus, I make you feel guilty for insisting.
She burst out laughing.
- You're good.
Suddenly, her expression filled with enthusiasm. Her golden eyes shone, widened slightly, and she looked at him with a radiant smile. - Hey! I just had a great idea—what if I test all this with Cullen?
He almost smiled at that youthful enthusiasm, precisely because that had been the entire point from the beginning. However, faithful to what he was teaching her, he showed no approval at all and instead seemed to consider it seriously.
- You think so? The commander must be an excellent interrogator…
Her enthusiasm collapsed instantly.
- You're right… he was a templar. He must know how to interrogate better than anyone…
They would see…
- I'm one of those who believes a good opponent is better than a mediocre one. - he continued. - Perhaps the commander is relentless, but you'll learn much more from someone like that than from an obtuse person.
- What will he want?
- I have no idea... - Solas said - ... but let's find out. On the way, I'll keep advising you. Does that suit you?
She nodded, and the enthusiasm lit again on her face.
- Oh—and if at any point during the interrogation I interrupt you, consider it a lesson in disguise.
Elentari nodded again, watching him with full attention.
- If I intervene, it means you're doing it quite badly and I'm saving you. - he added. She nodded again, laughing. - And pay attention to how I fix it. - he continued. - But if I interrupt out of necessity, I'll let you know somehow.
She nodded once more and, this time, he couldn't help it—he smiled at her.
- You'll do fine either way.
- We'll see. - she replied, laughing—clearly unconvinced of that possibility.