In which the Inquisitor makes a choice that isnāt really a choice after all
Her vision sputters in bursts of white and a sickly, horrifying green, and the Inquisitor is terrified to ask for a mirror, or to ask Bull how bad she looks. She can see it reflected in the barely disguised horror on his face that he attempts to twist into a comforting smirk when he catches her watching him. It just looks like a grimace.
The pain recedes for a moment and she groans, blinking slowly as the room comes back into focus and the searing pain radiating from her left hand ebbs into a sharp ache. Bull is right there, one hand on her back to steady her, the other settling on top of her right, pulling it into his.
ā Kadan-ā He starts, and Ā she realizes that throughout the wave of pain, she had dug the nails of her good hand into her wrist, hard enough to draw blood. She canāt feel it, but waveringly she looks down at her hand, and sees the blood under her fingernails, which makes her want to vomit at the sight of it.
She snorts, a weak and deathly sound. Wouldnāt be the first time today.
āDonāt give me that shit, Boss.ā He still hasnāt let go of her hand, dwarfing it in his massive palm. Heās clinging tight enough to hurt, but she doesnāt say anything, just smiles weakly and scoots over, so she can rest against Bullās chest.
ā Youāre going to be fine, but you donāt have to be yet. Donāt lie for me.ā
She exhales a breath of relief.
ā The healer is on her way, right?ā Her voice cracks and she squeezes her eyes shut against the tears burning at the corners. The strength that she had summoned earlier, to rally their troops, to bring hope to her friends and allies was gone. Here in this room, with just her and Bull and the ancient mage snaking its way up her arm, she could stop pretending that she wasnāt scared.
Of the magic threatening to kill her.
Of what her only option was to survive this.
Dorianās almost musical tone is subdued now, worried, and she looks up, head wobbling like a newborn filly taking to its feet for the first time. Her vision dances, but she can see him, and behind him standing on the threshold, Skyholdās healer.
Dorian steps in and Bull shifts on the bed, but doesnāt let her go. She can feel him tense up as the room is once again filled with people who werenāt the two of them, and she squeezes his hand in reassurance.
ā Iāve never been as happy to see you as I am now, Mags.ā She murmurs, looking away when she sees the crate in the other womanās arms; all she can see is the rim of a bucket and a handle, but she knows exactly what it is, and even though this was her decision, it still makes her nauseous to think about.
She looks at her lap and Bullās, anywhere but towards the sounds of Magdalen setting up the tools of her trade.
ā Youāre never excited to see me, Inquisitor. I doubt today would be any different.ā
ā As long as you brought the good herbs, Iāll be as happy as anyone could be, about to-ā
She stops, everything she hadnāt said choking in her throat. Ā The silence is palpable, and she feels the whole room watching her.
After too many painful moments, Magdalen clears her throat and steps forward, holding an uncorked vial in front of her. ā I brought a draft of poppy and elfroot, Inquisitor. You wonāt-you wonāt feel a thing, I promise.ā
The tension abates and the Inquisitor nods mutely, wrapping shaking fingers around the neck of the bottle. It shakes violently in her hand and Bull makes a noise, reaching up to steady her hand, but she waves him off.
ā Iāve got it.ā She snaps, and regrets it immediately. She shoots him an apologetic look before looking back to Magdalen. ā Thank you. I- for everything. If this doesnāt workā¦ā
ā Right. Alright, well- bottoms up, I guess.ā And she brings the mouth of the vial to her lips, upturning it and draining the contents in one quick swig. A rush of warmth spread through her and she gave Dorian and Magdalen a small smile before looking up at Bull, darkness already pulling her down.
ā Donāt let her chop off the wrong arm, Bull- Iāll know.ā
And then everything went dark.