Introductions
@breathing2nd here is your drabble. I couldn’t find a submissions button on your blog? But this works. Oof. Please tell me if there’s anything off with your Isala baby.
Esra utterly despised fighting demons. At least darkspawn stayed put for the most part. She couldn’t help a growl as the Inquisition soldier at her back slid toward the ground. The greater terror was proving to be more of a hassle than the wretched beast was worth and only her previous encounter with such a fiend’s claws in her brain helped her ignore the nightmarish images it tried to conjure.
Green light flickered sickeningly across the ground from the open wound in the air a few yards away that had debilitated the scouting party along the Storm Coast. Ser Barris had sent her north to warn the soldiers of a potential Red Templar encampment but halfway along the beach she had found another camp under attack. A branch of the tear scorched the air past her and made the gold of her armor gleam in the fading light of the day.
Stepping over the dazed soldier, she hefted her two handed sword and resettled, piercing eyes that near matched the power of the Fade in color if not intensity watching the approach of the wounded terror and now a lesser one and a despair demon. A match made in hell.
Swinging for the one closest to death already, she ignored the pull in her shoulder but nearly leaped from her skin as the tear in the Veil gave a crackle and pulsed with energy. The wave that came out made every monster slump and stumble as the sounds of running came closer. A wicked but tired grin crossed her face sharply as she took instant advantage to cut into the greater terror until it dissolved in a very satisfying manner. By then, her backup had started on the despair demon which was furthest away from her due to its penchant for long distance fighting.
A familiar voice caught her attention and she grinned in sudden delight as she caught sight of Cole only to swear as the lesser terror recovered and lunged for her with a screech. It met her blade and flew back in rage right into Blackwall who finished tearing it to bits. Solas waved a hand to motion her away from the rift, so she hefted the injured soldier and dragged him behind a rock at the edge of the water as the crackling grew and suddenly snapped with an explosion of green shards. “It’s clear!” Blackwall was easily heard over the waves as he hurried to check on the other two soldiers.
“You remembered.” Cole’s smile dragged her own to a tired face as she nodded. He was always so surprised when she did, it hurt but at the same time it seemed to make his day which she was always happy to do.
The last of the group was descending from farther up the gully between the cliffs, the wind tugging pale locks about the elegant point of her ears. “Is everyone alive?”
“Andaran atish’an, Inquisitor. Your timing is excellent, ma serannas. I think everyone made it.” After settling the recovering soldier next to his companions, she gave a slight bow instead of the customary Templar salute.
Solas chuckled as he leaned on his staff, “Such manners still.”
The warrior removed her helmet and arched a brow at the mage, though the scars slicing across the left side of her head kept the corner of her eyebrow from rising as high as the rest of it. “Hahren, you think very little of me if you think my manners an act.” He raised a hand in apology although his small smile only widened, but it seemed to mollify her as she sheathed the massive blade over her shoulder.
Isala’s eyes widened ever so slightly at the greeting and exchange, surprising a twitch of a smile to her lips. “Aneth ara, vehnallan. Your elven is quite well practiced. Are you here with the Inquisition? Your armor is unfamiliar.”
Esra seemed to take a second to review what she had said and then awkwardly rubbed the back of her head with a sheepish laugh, “I fell back on habit I suppose, Inquisitor. For a while I lived near a Dalish camp in the Brecilian forest. It only seemed right to learn since I was in their lands. My name is Esra, I am with your Inquisition. I was allowed to keep my armor from my time in Ferelden’s army, but if you wish me to assume the Inquisition’s armor I can do so.”
“No, I was just curious.” The mage shook her head as Blackwall and Solas began to tend to the injured and Cole flitted into the distance to scout ahead. “Your armor looks like it’s been damaged before?”
Clearing her throat, Esra took a breath and nodded, “Yes. Dagna repaired it. I never thought it would be usable again. Ah, I’m sure you already know of the Red Templars and bandits, but I’ve run into some bands of darkspawn as well out here. In the event you were unaware.”
Sharp eyes recognized the sudden discomfort but passed by it for now, “Thank you for the information. Are you returning to Skyhold then?”
Esra nodded, glancing each direction down the beach. “Also a dragon. If there is something else you would rather I do I can do that. Otherwise I have no further work out here and need new orders if you’re arriving to take care of the Red Templars.”
“If it isn’t too much to ask, perhaps we could talk whenever we’re at Skyhold together? I’d like to know more about the clan you lived with.” The question was hesitant and below the ability of others nearby to hear, but her expression was collected and watchful as her eyes scanned the cliffs around them.
The veteran nearly rocked back on her heels, but she shook all but the shock on her face off quickly. “I could... manage that. It’s an interesting clan with a lot of history to say the very least, I’m sure Keeper Lanaya would be happy if I shared them with you.”
Another small smile crossed the elven woman’s face as she held out a hand to shake Esra’s firmly. “Dareth shiral, Esra. You can call me Isala.”
A smirk crossed her face as she returned the friendly grip, “Dareth shiral. I’ll see you at Skyhold.”
