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Then they shared a quick meal of camp rations (Varric complaining loudly about the lack of proper seasoning), they looked and felt markedly more presentable as they prepare themselves to go see Elaina, at Master Dennet farm.
The journey to Master Dennet's farm felt markedly different from their previous visits. The late afternoon sun cast golden light across the fields, painting the landscape in warm hues that seemed to soften the harsh realities of the Hinterlands. As they approached, the familiar figures of Bron and his guards came into view, their postures noticeably more relaxed than before.
Bron stepped forward, offering a respectful nod. "Herald. Good to see you return in one piece." His sharp eyes took in their cleaner appearances. "I take it your mission was successful?"
Daniel returned the nod. "The immediate threat's been dealt with. We've come to speak with Elaina."
The guard captain motioned for them to follow. "She's in the south fields, tending to the new seedlings. I'll escort you."
As they walked through the farmstead, Daniel noticed subtle changes - farmers moving with less tension in their shoulders, children playing near the fences rather than being kept strictly indoors. Word of their earlier efforts must have already spread hope through the community.
Elaina stood amidst rows of young plants, her hands caked with rich soil. She straightened as she saw them approach, wiping her hands on her apron. The lines of worry that had creased her forehead during their last meeting seemed less pronounced now.
"Daniel," she greeted, using his given name for the first time. "I had a feeling we'd be seeing you again soon."
Daniel smiled. "The wolves should be back to normal now. You shouldn't have any further trouble from them."
Elaina's shoulders visibly relaxed, her breath leaving her in a quiet sigh of relief. "That's good to hear." She looked out across her fields, then back to Daniel with genuine gratitude in her eyes. "I'll send word to the farmers and let my husband know what you've done. It may not seem much to you, but you've given this land hope it desperately needed. Thank you."
[177 EXP Gained - Resolved Wolf Threat]
As the notification appeared in his vision, Daniel felt a quiet satisfaction. This was why they did what they did - not just for grand causes, but for moments like this, when ordinary people could return to their ordinary lives.
Elaina tilted her head, curiosity replacing some of her relief. "If I may ask... what was the reason for the wolves becoming so aggressive? We've lived alongside them for generations without such problems."
Daniel exchanged glances with his companions before answering. "We found a demon controlling them. It had corrupted their behavior, made them more violent than normal."
Varric chimed in, "Nasty business, really. The kind of thing that gives all demons a bad name."
Solas, added, "The creature was likely drawn to the area by the weakened Veil. With it gone, the remaining wolves should return to their natural patterns."
Elaina absorbed this information with a thoughtful nod. "A demon... I suppose that explains why none of our usual deterrents worked." She shook her head slightly. "We've had enough trouble with human conflicts in these lands. Now we must worry about demons as well?"
Cassandra stepped forward. "The Inquisition is working to stabilize the region. This is precisely why we need watchtowers and proper defenses established."
"Of course," Elaina agreed. She looked back toward the farmhouse. "Would you care to stay for supper? It's the least I can offer after what you've done."
Daniel offered Elaina a polite bow. "You don't have to trouble yourself, Madam. We still have other matters to attend to."
Elaina smiled warmly. "Well okay then. And thank you for the help, Herald. You've done more for us than you know."
As they left Elaina tending her crops, Daniel turned to his companions. "Let's go see Master Dennet's daughter Seanna at the stables. I'd like to try that race course she mentioned earlier."
Varric chuckled as they walked toward the stables. "Finally, something that doesn't involve demons or death. Though knowing our luck, we'll probably find a demonic racehorse."
The stables bustled with activity as they approached, the scent of hay and horses strong in the afternoon air. Seanna stood brushing a chestnut mare, her skilled hands moving in smooth strokes across the animal's coat. She looked up as they entered, her face lighting up in recognition.
"Cassandra," Daniel said, "would you mind retrieving Max from the outpost camp?" The Seeker nodded and strode off purposefully.
Daniel approached Seanna. "I'd like to try one of your courses, Seanna."
The young woman's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Wonderful!" She set down her brush with a clatter. "Get your horses, and I'll set up the stakes with my father's workers." She paused, considering. "If you make good time, I'll throw in some of the dress money father gave me. Consider it a donation to the Inquisition."
Before Daniel could respond, Seanna had already dashed off, calling to the stable hands with the energy of someone half her age. The farmhands immediately began gathering wooden stakes and flags, following Seanna's animated directions.
While waiting for Cassandra to return with Max, Daniel took the opportunity to inspect the stables more closely. The stalls were immaculate, each horse groomed to perfection. Varric leaned against a post, watching the preparations with amusement.
"Kid's got spirit," he remarked. "Reminds me of a younger, less murderous version of Isabela."
Solas examined the training equipment with quiet interest. "The craftsmanship here is remarkable. Master Dennet's reputation is well-earned."
When Cassandra returned with Max, the stallion looked freshly brushed and eager to run. He nickered softly as Daniel took the reins, his powerful muscles twitching with anticipation.
Seanna came bounding back, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "All set! The stakes are placed and the course is ready." She held up an ornate hourglass. "I'll start the time when you pass the starting gate."
Daniel swung into the saddle, feeling Max shift beneath him. The horse practically vibrated with pent-up energy. "Easy boy," Daniel murmured, patting the stallion's neck. "Let's show them what you can do."
As Daniel guided Max past the starting gate, Seanna flipped the hourglass with a dramatic flourish. "Go!"
Max needed no further encouragement. The powerful horse surged forward, his hooves kicking up clods of earth as they navigated the first turn. The course took them in a wide circle around Dennet's property, weaving between strategically placed stakes. Daniel leaned low over Max's neck, feeling the wind rush past as they took each turn with precision.
The farmhands cheered as they completed the circuit, returning to the starting gate in what felt like record time. Seanna's eyes were wide as she checked the hourglass. "Nicely done!" she exclaimed as Daniel dismounted. "Fancy another race?"
Daniel, still catching his breath, grinned. "Set up the next course."
Seanna clapped her hands together. "Great! Go get mounted. My father's men and I will put the stakes straight away."
The second course proved more challenging, taking them farther afield - past the hills where they'd surveyed the first watchtower location, near their outpost camp, and through rougher terrain. Max handled it all with effortless grace, his powerful strides eating up the distance. Daniel could feel the horse's joy in running, the sheer pleasure of testing his limits.
When they completed the second circuit, Seanna looked genuinely impressed. "You and that horse make quite the team," she admitted. "Ready for the final challenge?"
Daniel wiped sweat from his brow. "Bring it on."
Seanna's smile turned competitive. "This will be the last race. Let's see if you can beat it." She dashed off again to arrange the most difficult course yet.
The final course was a true test of horsemanship - taking them past their outpost camp, around the watchtower hills, behind Dennet's house, and up a steep dirt path to a small hill behind the stables before the final sprint back. Max's sides heaved with exertion by the end, but the stallion never faltered.
As Daniel dismounted at the finish, Seanna shook her head in amazement. "I'll be dipped! You mastered every course I set up!"
[50 EXP Gained - Completed Seanna's Courses]
Seanna handed Daniel a waterskin as Max was led away to be cooled down. "I'll have the reward money sent to your headquarters at Haven," she promised. "And... if you're ever looking for more challenging courses, you know where to find me."
Daniel smiled. "It was our pleasure. Max certainly enjoyed it."
As they left the stables, the sun beginning its descent, Varric clapped Daniel on the back. "Not bad, Herald. For a minute there, I almost forgot we're in the middle of a war."
Cassandra nodded approvingly. "It was good to see the people here beginning to live normally again."
Solas added quietly, "These moments of peace are what we fight for, are they not?"
The brief respite had rejuvenated them all. But as they made their way back toward their outpost camp.
The journey back to the outpost camp was peaceful, the golden light of dusk painting the landscape in warm hues. As they walked, Daniel found himself savoring the simple pleasure of a day that hadn't involved life-or-death battles for once. Max trotted contentedly beside him, the stallion's energy pleasantly spent from their races.
When they reached the camp, the familiar sights and sounds of Inquisition soldiers going about their evening routines greeted them. The smell of cooking stew wafted from the central firepit, making Daniel's stomach growl in anticipation. Lieutenant Arens nodded to them as they passed, his usual gruff demeanor softened slightly by the day's successes.
"Let's eat by the fire," Daniel suggested, gesturing toward the crackling flames where several soldiers were already gathered. The others agreed readily, their expressions more relaxed than they'd been in days.
As they settled onto rough-hewn logs around the fire, a young recruit brought them steaming bowls of hearty stew and crusty bread. Varric inhaled deeply, his nose twitching. "Now this is more like it. Actual food that hasn't been boiled into oblivion."
Cassandra took a careful sip from her bowl before speaking. "Today was... pleasant." She seemed almost surprised by the admission. "It's good to remember what we're fighting for - moments like these, people going about their lives without fear."
Daniel nodded, tearing off a piece of bread. "Speaking of which," he said between bites, "when I was riding that last course, I spotted something interesting on the hills behind the stables." He paused to swallow. "Another Ocularum, I'm almost certain of it."
Solas's sharp intake of breath was audible even over the crackling fire. "Another one? That makes two we've found in the Hinterland's."
Varric set down his bowl with a thunk. "Let me guess - you want to go poking around this mysterious shard-collecting device tomorrow?"
"Exactly," Daniel confirmed. "If these shards are as important as we think, we should investigate while we're still in the area."
Cassandra frowned thoughtfully. "It would mean delaying our return to Haven, but... you're right. These Oculara and their shards could be crucial to understanding what's happening with the Veil."
Solas's eyes gleamed in the firelight. "Each shard we've found so far has contained remarkable energy. If there's another Ocularum nearby, it may lead us to more."
The conversation lulled as they focused on their meals for a time, the comfortable silence broken only by the occasional comment about the food or the day's events. Daniel noticed how the firelight softened Cassandra's usually stern features, how Varric's jokes came more easily after a day without bloodshed, how Solas seemed more present than usual, his mind not wandering to distant thoughts of the Fade.
After a while, Varric leaned back with a contented sigh. "You know, for a ragtag group of world-savers, we don't do too badly when we're not getting stabbed at."
Cassandra surprised them all by actually chuckling. "I suppose that's one way to put it."
Daniel seized the moment to steer the conversation toward lighter topics. "Varric, you never did finish telling us about that time in Kirkwall with the nug and the cheese wheel."
Varric's eyes lit up. "Ah! Now that's a story worth hearing." He launched into the tale with his usual flair for dramatic embellishment, his hands painting vivid pictures in the air as he spoke. Even Solas cracked a smile at some of the more outlandish details.
As the night deepened and the fire burned lower, their talk meandered from humorous anecdotes to more personal stories. Cassandra spoke briefly of her childhood in Nevarra, surprising them all with a wry observation about palace politics that had Varric in stitches. Solas shared a carefully edited tale from his travels in the Fade, leaving out the more esoteric details for once. Daniel found himself talking about his early days as an apprentice, before the Conclave, before the Anchor - simpler times that already felt like someone else's life.
This easy camaraderie, Daniel realized, was just as important as their official mission. These moments of connection strengthened their bonds in ways that no formal alliance ever could. He could see it in the way Cassandra didn't bristle at Varric's jibes quite so sharply anymore, in how Solas occasionally joined in the banter instead of remaining aloof.
Eventually, the conversation wound down as yawns became more frequent. One by one, they began preparing for sleep, the events of the day catching up with them. As Daniel banked the fire for the night, he found himself looking forward to tomorrow's expedition with genuine enthusiasm rather than grim determination.
"First light, then?" he asked as the others stood to retire.
Cassandra nodded. "The Ocularum won't investigate itself."
Varric stretched with an exaggerated groan. "Just promise me that it won't involve any more demonic wildlife. A dwarf can only take so much excitement."
Solas's lips quirked. "No promises, Master Tethras. The Veil is thin in these parts."
With that ominous-but-playful warning hanging in the air, they dispersed to their respective tents. Daniel lay awake for a while longer, listening to the sounds of the camp settling for the night - the quiet murmurs of the night watch, the occasional snort from the horses, the distant call of a night bird.
Tomorrow would bring new mysteries to unravel, new dangers to face. But for tonight, there was peace, and companionship, and the quiet satisfaction of a day well spent. As sleep finally claimed him, Daniel found himself smiling slightly. Whatever came next, they would face it together.
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Name : Daniel Carter
Race: Elf
Level 5 : 2133/2500 EXP
Professions: Mage
Gold Coins: 2289 coins
Weapon: Staff of the Dragon
Armor: Light Armor of the Dragon and Templar Scribe Scowl
Accessories: Token of the Packmaster and Belt of Health
Inventory: Acolyte Ice Staff, Morning Star, Stiletto, Hunting Longbow, Fire Resistance Cowl, Mercenary Coat, Acolyte Fire Staff, Disciple Lighting Staff, Apprentice Armor, Qunari Battleaxe, Raider Hatchet, 2 Disciple Fire Staff, Apprentice Mail, Qunari Buckler, Medium Adventure Armor, Mindleech Staff, Soldier's Nemesis, 2 Recruit's Dirk, Reinforced Dagger, Sledgehammer, Disciple Lighting Staff, Apprentice Armor, Exacting Longbow, Barbarian Lord Maul, Lifeward Amulet, and Grenade Belt
Crafting Materials: 37 Elfroot, 62 Iron, 2 Blue Vitriol, 1 Dawn Lotus, 11 Silk, 17 Lambswool, 3 Royal Elfroot, 10 Ram Leather, 23 Drakestone, 4 Fire Essence, 3 Blue Vitriol, 11 Canine Leather, 4 Plaidewaive, 2 Frost Essence, 1 Fade-Touched Iron, 4 Blood Lotus, 5 Embrium, 10 Spindleweed, 16 Onyx, 3 Ironbarks, 2 Crystal Grace, and 1 Serpenstone
Upgrades: Sigil of the Gamordan Stromrider and Sigil of Deathroot
Valuables: 2 Shadow Essence, 1 Ram Horn, 1 Dreamer Rag, 5 Weapon Fragment, 2 Bowstring, 3 Mysterious Shards, Nevarra Skull, 1 Wisp Essence, and 1 Wolf Fangs
Potions: Lesser Health Potions x8, Lesser Regeneration Potions x5, and x5 Lyrium Potion
Skills: Chain Lighting, Flashfire, Barrier, Winter's Grasp, and Energy Barrage
Armor Schematics: Shokra-taar Schematic, Antaam-saar Schematic, Avvar Armor Schematics Acquired, Stone-Bear Armor Schematics, Vanguard Coat Schematic, Sturdy Defender Coat Schematic, and Scout Mail Arms Schematic
Weapon Schematics: Curved Dagger Schematic and Hunting Bow Schematic
Potion Recipe: Lesser Regeneration Potion recipe and Lyrium Potion Recipe
Bottles of Thedas: Vint-9 Rowan's Rose and Carnal, 8:69 Blessed