This is how Zahra had always imagined it, way back when she was just a wee lass sticking her hands in the mud, scooping up clams along Rivainâs plentiful shorelines. Having someone she lovedâa womanâat her side, while she set sail, bobbing along the ocean with no clear destination in mind. A pirate, a sailor, an adventurer who, for once, could be true to herself.
Still.
It felt bittersweet, this particular ending and beginning. There was a heaviness in leaving the Inquisition and all of her friends behind. Sheâd never liked goodbyes. They always felt too final. Too emotional. But, this was just another chapter, another page flapping in the wind. She had no doubt that sheâd see them again somewhere along the line, somewhere down those pages. Trouble had a knack for nipping at their heels, and they knew that she, and Asala, had both promised that theyâd always be there to swoop in if they were needed.
Because they were family. Theyâd become more, far more.
While her heart still ached at the news that Cyrus hadnât returned, she couldnât help but smile at Stelâs words. He hadnât wanted to leave. Of course, he hadnât. Seemed like, as of late, he always had to try and save the world. Fill in the spaces, push himself further than anyone else, because it was the right thing to do. Even though she understood better than anyone that people like them, the ones who sat somewhere between gray, muddied morals, struggled with those concepts most of all. Sheâd miss him. More than anything, she wished him the best. Hoped he succeeded in whatever he needed to do.
Perhaps she was a little more wishy-washy than sheâd thought she was, Zahra had left one of her own beady-eyed ravens in Rilâs old rookery. Used for when she was opening trade-lines of lyrium for the Inquisitionâs personal stores; and now, it was just a means of keeping in touch. Sheâd left notes in her friends studies, dog-eared in the corner. They didnât say much, just a couple of sentences. An inflection, a jibe, thank you's, and incoherent swear words; affectionate, in nature.
She leaned her elbows across the polished railing and watched as the pier and buildings grew further and further away. The salty spray of the tide lapping up onto the bow felt nice on her skin. Comfortable. This is where she always belonged, but she would never forget what other place had become her home. A small smile tipped up the cornerâs of her lips as she crooked her head to the side, curls blowing in the soft wind. âIâm really gonna miss them, you know?â
"Yes," Asala said in agreement. Asala was knelt down beside her, arms resting on the railing, and her chin resting on them. She was close enough that Zahra could feel her warmth, and she could see her eyes locked intently on the familiar land quickly fading away from them. "I will too," she added, with perhaps a bit of worry in her voice. Over the years, Asala had tended to their wounds, worked to see them alive the following day. Day in and day out, she worked tirelessly to heal the Inquisition's injuries. To leave all of that behind for the open seas, it made sense that Asala was worried. It would no longer be her hand to stitch their cuts or mend their bones.
She let the moment hang in the air for a moment or two, until the pier became only a blur. She then turned and sat, her back comfortably pressed up against the railing. "I trust them," she said, confidently, "They will be fine." They've all been through so much, it was hard to think otherwise. Of course they would be fine, after all that they went through, and they were stronger for it. "And if not?" Asala added, with a glance upward toward Zahra, a smile forming on her lips. "We'll just have to go back and make sure."
How would they ever survive without Asala to patch them up? Mending their bones and spirits, whenever they were too weary-worn to keep moving forward. How would they fare without Zahra always pulling them aside, hauling them onto Skyholdâs ramparts to think of anything but saving Thedas? Sheâd miss it all. Staring at the stars and knocking elbows at the Heraldâs Rest. Of course, Asala was rightâtheyâd be just fine, the way they were. They were some of the strongest people she knew, in ways she wasnât even sure how to describe.
Theyâd do just fine without them there, she was sure. It didnât mean she would miss them any less.
The wistful smile broke into a toothy grin as she turned to face away from the place sheâd come to love; its shoreline a blurry line, its buildings specks on the horizon and growing further still, until only the sea would remain. It swallowed everything. Eventually. Being back on the water would take some time to get used to, seeing how long sheâd kept her feet anchored on land. Only they seemed to make staying away that long that bearable. She hmâd softly and slid down to sit beside Asala, leaning her head into her shoulder. âI like the sounds of that.â
A laugh bubbled from her lips as she gave her head a shake. âIâm sure they can go a little while without us having to save their arses from another big baddie bent on taking over the world,â she lamented with eccentric flair. She trusted them, too. Trusted them to be there, whole and alive, whenever they came back again. She reached down for Asalaâs hand and took it in hers. She gave it a squeeze, and released a heavy breath. She brought her free hand up to her face, knuckling at her eye; wiping the wetness away. Just a little moisture. The salt-spray of the sea. Nothing more.
âTheyâre big important people, now. All those titles. Paperwork. Itâs like running a small kingdom. Bloody hell, all those politics makes my head swim...â She paused and exhaled once more, softer this time, âYou think theyâll miss us?â
Asala's head had drifted to lean softly against her own, though at Zahra's words she lifted it and looked to her. "I'm sure they will," she answered. Then she smiled and planted a soft kiss into her thick hair. "You're unforgettable Zee, wherever they go will feel hollow without you there--It would to me," she added.
"But..." Asala said, her face turning pensive for a moment. "I think--no, we will see them again. Even if its just for a visit. We spent too much time together to never go back to them," she continued, leaning back onto the railing behind them, her head drifting back down onto Zee's. "I'd... like to see the world, and that includes their new castle." The hand wrapped around Zahra's held on tighter, and was lifted up for the both of them to see.
"But I am in no hurry, if you aren't Captain," Asala said with a coy smile.
Zahra smiled at that. Maybe she just needed someone else to say it out loud. Foolish as it seemed to her, the thought of being forgotten was a very real fear of hers. One that rivaled failure. The tension in her shoulders melted away when Asala set her head onto hers, fitting themselves like puzzle pieces. She sure hadnât realized that sheâd been missing something before. Not until sheâd met her. She felt the kiss on her head and grinned wide, feeling the telltale signs of redness burning at her ears and cheeks.
Asala had always been the only one capable of making her squirm like thatâluckily enough none of their companions had teased them too much. Certainly not as much as sheâd teased them about their couplings and budding relationships. A mercy, she was sure.
âYouâre right. No matter how far we go. Weâre family now, aye?â Even if they sailed to the far stretches of Thedas⊠it wouldnât change anything. Not how they felt. Not all the things theyâd done, everything theyâd gone through together. Their experiences and their bonds; unbreakable. They were the goddamned Irregulars, after all. She crinkled her eyes and laughed louder this time, assured. Asala always seemed capable of smoothing away her worries. It was a feat sheâd never take for granted. âThat so? Then I guess I guess itâs my duty as Captain to show you the very reaches of the world. Every nook. Every cranny.â
The crew moved about the ship and seemed keen to give them personal space, though on more than one occasion sheâd spotted Nuka smirking at them across the way as she stomped across the decks, hauling ropes, checking the sails. Nixium absently turned the wheel, back facing them. Perhaps, awaiting orders. A destination. From the smell wafting from the Riptideâs belly, Brialle was cooking something meaty. Soon, theyâd need to find someone to fill Garlandâs shoes; his absence would make it hard to maintain the ship, but surely across their new adventure, they could find someone just as capable.
A thick eyebrow raised along her hairline, âAny place youâve in mind, Madame Kaaras?â In a feigned, rolling accent that sounded strikingly familiar to those who lived in Val Royeaux. Sheâd gotten rather good at mimicking their high-and-mighty manner of speaking. Practice, mostly from making fun of them. She drew her knuckles to her lips and waggled her eyebrows, planting a soft kiss there, before awaiting her answer.
"Well," Asala smiled and stirred, first pulling herself onto her feet before she turned and offered Zahra her other hand to help her do the same.
"I think what's over that horizon is a decent start," She said with a giddiness.
Zahra had never truly gone anywhere without a destination in mind. Being a raider, a pirate, and an opportunist required meticulous planning, even if those particular plans were nefarious in nature. Going somewhere without any prior planning felt⊠unexpectedly freeing. She grabbed onto Asalaâs hand and hauled herself back to her feet. Without a momentâs hesitation she pulled her along towards the middle of the ship and drew breath in her lungs.
âNixium!â it was a bellow, cutting across the wind that billowed against the sails. One reserved for Captainâs issuing orders, âFull sail ahead. North untilâuntil we find something worth stopping for.â There was a cry in response, from her crew, scrambling with gusto. There was a thumping of hands on chests and a contagious giddiness that made her want to laugh and pump her hand in the air. Instead, she opted for tugging Asalaâs hand down so that they were more on equal footing. She was fairly short, after all.
âTo future adventures, and whatever we might find there. Together.â
She wanted to seal that promise with a kiss.
"Together," Asala answered, and leaned down to oblige her captain, oblivious to eyes on them.
Zahra pressed her lips to hers, ignoring the ooing in the background. Soft and sweet and warm; warmer than she thought she deserved, but in this moment, it meant everything to her.
They'd set sail to nowhere, together. At their own pace, as slowly as they could. Time was no issue.
Not anymore.
Still.
It felt bittersweet, this particular ending and beginning. There was a heaviness in leaving the Inquisition and all of her friends behind. Sheâd never liked goodbyes. They always felt too final. Too emotional. But, this was just another chapter, another page flapping in the wind. She had no doubt that sheâd see them again somewhere along the line, somewhere down those pages. Trouble had a knack for nipping at their heels, and they knew that she, and Asala, had both promised that theyâd always be there to swoop in if they were needed.
Because they were family. Theyâd become more, far more.
While her heart still ached at the news that Cyrus hadnât returned, she couldnât help but smile at Stelâs words. He hadnât wanted to leave. Of course, he hadnât. Seemed like, as of late, he always had to try and save the world. Fill in the spaces, push himself further than anyone else, because it was the right thing to do. Even though she understood better than anyone that people like them, the ones who sat somewhere between gray, muddied morals, struggled with those concepts most of all. Sheâd miss him. More than anything, she wished him the best. Hoped he succeeded in whatever he needed to do.
Perhaps she was a little more wishy-washy than sheâd thought she was, Zahra had left one of her own beady-eyed ravens in Rilâs old rookery. Used for when she was opening trade-lines of lyrium for the Inquisitionâs personal stores; and now, it was just a means of keeping in touch. Sheâd left notes in her friends studies, dog-eared in the corner. They didnât say much, just a couple of sentences. An inflection, a jibe, thank you's, and incoherent swear words; affectionate, in nature.
She leaned her elbows across the polished railing and watched as the pier and buildings grew further and further away. The salty spray of the tide lapping up onto the bow felt nice on her skin. Comfortable. This is where she always belonged, but she would never forget what other place had become her home. A small smile tipped up the cornerâs of her lips as she crooked her head to the side, curls blowing in the soft wind. âIâm really gonna miss them, you know?â
"Yes," Asala said in agreement. Asala was knelt down beside her, arms resting on the railing, and her chin resting on them. She was close enough that Zahra could feel her warmth, and she could see her eyes locked intently on the familiar land quickly fading away from them. "I will too," she added, with perhaps a bit of worry in her voice. Over the years, Asala had tended to their wounds, worked to see them alive the following day. Day in and day out, she worked tirelessly to heal the Inquisition's injuries. To leave all of that behind for the open seas, it made sense that Asala was worried. It would no longer be her hand to stitch their cuts or mend their bones.
She let the moment hang in the air for a moment or two, until the pier became only a blur. She then turned and sat, her back comfortably pressed up against the railing. "I trust them," she said, confidently, "They will be fine." They've all been through so much, it was hard to think otherwise. Of course they would be fine, after all that they went through, and they were stronger for it. "And if not?" Asala added, with a glance upward toward Zahra, a smile forming on her lips. "We'll just have to go back and make sure."
How would they ever survive without Asala to patch them up? Mending their bones and spirits, whenever they were too weary-worn to keep moving forward. How would they fare without Zahra always pulling them aside, hauling them onto Skyholdâs ramparts to think of anything but saving Thedas? Sheâd miss it all. Staring at the stars and knocking elbows at the Heraldâs Rest. Of course, Asala was rightâtheyâd be just fine, the way they were. They were some of the strongest people she knew, in ways she wasnât even sure how to describe.
Theyâd do just fine without them there, she was sure. It didnât mean she would miss them any less.
The wistful smile broke into a toothy grin as she turned to face away from the place sheâd come to love; its shoreline a blurry line, its buildings specks on the horizon and growing further still, until only the sea would remain. It swallowed everything. Eventually. Being back on the water would take some time to get used to, seeing how long sheâd kept her feet anchored on land. Only they seemed to make staying away that long that bearable. She hmâd softly and slid down to sit beside Asala, leaning her head into her shoulder. âI like the sounds of that.â
A laugh bubbled from her lips as she gave her head a shake. âIâm sure they can go a little while without us having to save their arses from another big baddie bent on taking over the world,â she lamented with eccentric flair. She trusted them, too. Trusted them to be there, whole and alive, whenever they came back again. She reached down for Asalaâs hand and took it in hers. She gave it a squeeze, and released a heavy breath. She brought her free hand up to her face, knuckling at her eye; wiping the wetness away. Just a little moisture. The salt-spray of the sea. Nothing more.
âTheyâre big important people, now. All those titles. Paperwork. Itâs like running a small kingdom. Bloody hell, all those politics makes my head swim...â She paused and exhaled once more, softer this time, âYou think theyâll miss us?â
Asala's head had drifted to lean softly against her own, though at Zahra's words she lifted it and looked to her. "I'm sure they will," she answered. Then she smiled and planted a soft kiss into her thick hair. "You're unforgettable Zee, wherever they go will feel hollow without you there--It would to me," she added.
"But..." Asala said, her face turning pensive for a moment. "I think--no, we will see them again. Even if its just for a visit. We spent too much time together to never go back to them," she continued, leaning back onto the railing behind them, her head drifting back down onto Zee's. "I'd... like to see the world, and that includes their new castle." The hand wrapped around Zahra's held on tighter, and was lifted up for the both of them to see.
"But I am in no hurry, if you aren't Captain," Asala said with a coy smile.
Zahra smiled at that. Maybe she just needed someone else to say it out loud. Foolish as it seemed to her, the thought of being forgotten was a very real fear of hers. One that rivaled failure. The tension in her shoulders melted away when Asala set her head onto hers, fitting themselves like puzzle pieces. She sure hadnât realized that sheâd been missing something before. Not until sheâd met her. She felt the kiss on her head and grinned wide, feeling the telltale signs of redness burning at her ears and cheeks.
Asala had always been the only one capable of making her squirm like thatâluckily enough none of their companions had teased them too much. Certainly not as much as sheâd teased them about their couplings and budding relationships. A mercy, she was sure.
âYouâre right. No matter how far we go. Weâre family now, aye?â Even if they sailed to the far stretches of Thedas⊠it wouldnât change anything. Not how they felt. Not all the things theyâd done, everything theyâd gone through together. Their experiences and their bonds; unbreakable. They were the goddamned Irregulars, after all. She crinkled her eyes and laughed louder this time, assured. Asala always seemed capable of smoothing away her worries. It was a feat sheâd never take for granted. âThat so? Then I guess I guess itâs my duty as Captain to show you the very reaches of the world. Every nook. Every cranny.â
The crew moved about the ship and seemed keen to give them personal space, though on more than one occasion sheâd spotted Nuka smirking at them across the way as she stomped across the decks, hauling ropes, checking the sails. Nixium absently turned the wheel, back facing them. Perhaps, awaiting orders. A destination. From the smell wafting from the Riptideâs belly, Brialle was cooking something meaty. Soon, theyâd need to find someone to fill Garlandâs shoes; his absence would make it hard to maintain the ship, but surely across their new adventure, they could find someone just as capable.
A thick eyebrow raised along her hairline, âAny place youâve in mind, Madame Kaaras?â In a feigned, rolling accent that sounded strikingly familiar to those who lived in Val Royeaux. Sheâd gotten rather good at mimicking their high-and-mighty manner of speaking. Practice, mostly from making fun of them. She drew her knuckles to her lips and waggled her eyebrows, planting a soft kiss there, before awaiting her answer.
"Well," Asala smiled and stirred, first pulling herself onto her feet before she turned and offered Zahra her other hand to help her do the same.
"I think what's over that horizon is a decent start," She said with a giddiness.
Zahra had never truly gone anywhere without a destination in mind. Being a raider, a pirate, and an opportunist required meticulous planning, even if those particular plans were nefarious in nature. Going somewhere without any prior planning felt⊠unexpectedly freeing. She grabbed onto Asalaâs hand and hauled herself back to her feet. Without a momentâs hesitation she pulled her along towards the middle of the ship and drew breath in her lungs.
âNixium!â it was a bellow, cutting across the wind that billowed against the sails. One reserved for Captainâs issuing orders, âFull sail ahead. North untilâuntil we find something worth stopping for.â There was a cry in response, from her crew, scrambling with gusto. There was a thumping of hands on chests and a contagious giddiness that made her want to laugh and pump her hand in the air. Instead, she opted for tugging Asalaâs hand down so that they were more on equal footing. She was fairly short, after all.
âTo future adventures, and whatever we might find there. Together.â
She wanted to seal that promise with a kiss.
"Together," Asala answered, and leaned down to oblige her captain, oblivious to eyes on them.
Zahra pressed her lips to hers, ignoring the ooing in the background. Soft and sweet and warm; warmer than she thought she deserved, but in this moment, it meant everything to her.
They'd set sail to nowhere, together. At their own pace, as slowly as they could. Time was no issue.
Not anymore.