33. Prepare to Meet Horsemaster Dennet

If you want to read 15 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!

Go to https://www.patreon.com/DeathGun24

________________________________________________

As the camp settled into an exhausted but victorious quiet, Daniel stared into the fire. They'd struck a major blow today, but the Hinterlands still had challenges ahead—the remaining Astrariums, the mystery of the shards, and who knew what else lurking in these war-torn hills.

The morning sun cast golden light over the conquered templar encampment as Daniel emerged from his tent, stretching the stiffness from his limbs. The scent of brewing coffee and sizzling bacon drew him toward the makeshift kitchen where soldiers were already lining up for breakfast.

"Morning, Herald," greeted a freckle-faced cook as she handed him a steaming mug. "Biscuits and bacon today—proper reward for yesterday's work."

Daniel accepted the food gratefully, the rich coffee banishing the last remnants of sleep. As he ate, his eyes scanned the camp, noting the strategic advantages of the templars' chosen position—high ground, natural barriers, and multiple escape routes. No wonder they'd held out so long.

Breakfast finished, Daniel began a thorough search of the compound. Behind what had been the commander's quarters, he found two locked chests half-buried in the dirt. The first yielded a polished metal insignia—a Specialist Crest bearing the mark of the Templar Order. The second contained its twin, both gleaming dully in the morning light.

[2 Specialist Crests Added to Inventory]

His perception skills led him next to a cluster of rocks near the palisade wall, where veins of dark onyx ran through the stone. Careful work with his dagger freed several quality chunks. Nearby, nestled in a shady crevice, grew a single Royal Elfroot plant, its leaves shimmering with an almost metallic sheen.

[4 Onyx Added to Inventory]

[1 Royal Elfroot Added to Inventory]

As Daniel completed his circuit of the camp, a narrow path caught his attention—partially hidden behind a supply tent, it wound down the mountainside. Curiosity piqued, he called the others to investigate.

The path descended steeply before opening onto a stunning vista—a thunderous waterfall cascading into a crystal-clear pool, spanned by an ancient stone bridge. The sight triggered a memory, and Daniel pulled the treasure map from his pack. The sketch matched perfectly.

"Looks like we found our treasure location," Varric remarked, peering over his shoulder.

Daniel activated his perception skills, scanning the area methodically. His instincts drew him toward the base of the waterfall, where the earth showed signs of recent disturbance—a patch of dirt noticeably looser than its surroundings.

[10 Iron Deposits Discovered]

[44 EXP Gained - Treasure Location Found]

"Here," Daniel called, marking the spot. Several soldiers set to work with shovels, their efforts soon revealing a rusted but intact chest buried about three feet down.

The contents made the effort worthwhile:

[3 Ironbark Obtained (Tier 1 Masterwork Material)]

[20% Critical Crafting Chance]

[Belt of Winter Pact Obtained (Rare)]

[Cold Ability Power +15% / Health Drain -5%]

The Ironbark was extraordinary—strips of wood hardened to a metallic sheen, yet still pliable enough for crafting. But the belt was truly remarkable, its silver-blue surface shimmering with frost patterns that seemed to move when tilted.

"This should serve you well," Daniel said, handing the belt to Solas. The elf's eyes lit up as he fastened it around his waist, a visible aura of cold momentarily surrounding him before dissipating.

Returning to camp, Daniel found the lieutenant overseeing weapon maintenance. "Prepare the men to march," he ordered. "We're done here—it's time we paid Horsemaster Dennet that long-overdue visit."

As soldiers broke camp with practiced efficiency, Cassandra approached, her new sword gleaming at her hip. "You're thinking about mounts for the Inquisition."

Daniel nodded. "We need mobility if we're to be effective across Ferelden. And from what Corporal Vale said, Dennet's horses are the best."

Varric groaned. "Ugh, horses. Why can't we get some nice, sensible aravels like the Dalish?"

"Because we're not elves," Cassandra said dryly. "And we don't have ten years to wait for trees to grow into shapes."

By midday, the Inquisition forces were ready to move out. Daniel took one last look at the smoldering remains of the templar pyres—a grim reminder of the cost of their victory—before leading the column down the mountain path toward Dennet's farm.

Then they arrive at a shallow river gurgled peacefully as the Inquisition forces waded across, the cool water providing welcome relief from the day's growing heat. The broken bridge's remnants loomed overhead like skeletal fingers, a stark reminder of the conflict that had ravaged these lands.

As they reached the opposite bank, the grim discovery awaited them—three corpses sprawled in the mud, their clothes tattered but their bodies remarkably intact. Daniel knelt beside the nearest one, his fingers carefully searching through the dead man's possessions.

[Red Jewelry Obtained]

[10 Gold Added to Inventory]

The jewelry was exquisite—a ruby pendant set in intricate gold filigree that glimmered even in the overcast light. But it was the crumpled letter clutched in the corpse's stiff fingers that truly captured Daniel's attention. The handwriting spiraled wildly across the page, growing increasingly frantic:

"Take it back take it back take it back

Dreams won't stop until you take it back to the Western Fortress

They will never stop

You will wake up screaming and find notes written by your own sleeping hand

Take it back

Or I will draw Allies to do it for me."

Varric whistled low as he read over Daniel's shoulder. "Well that's not creepy at all. Someone really wanted this bauble returned."

Cassandra examined the other bodies. "Thieves, by the look of them. But what killed them? No visible wounds..."

Solas' fingers traced an invisible pattern in the air above one corpse. "Their spirits were torn from their bodies. This is the work of powerful dream magic."

Daniel turned the ruby pendant in his hands, watching how the light played through its facets. "So these thieves stole something they shouldn't have, and whatever they took... took its revenge."

"The Western Fortress," Cassandra mused.

Varric raised an eyebrow. "You thinking of taking a field trip, Herald?"

Daniel pocketed both the jewelry and the note. "Not our priority right now. But we'll keep it in mind." He gestured to the soldiers. "Bury them properly. No one deserves to rot in the open."

As the men set to work, Daniel's gaze followed the road northwest toward Dennet's farm. The encounter left an uneasy feeling in his gut—another mystery to add to the growing pile. Between the shards, the Astrariums, and now this cursed jewelry, the Hinterlands seemed determined to reveal its secrets one piece at a time.

The march resumed, the column winding through increasingly fertile land. The scars of war became less frequent here—farmsteads stood intact, though many appeared abandoned.

The glint of metal caught Daniel's eye just off the path—a dwarven corpse half-hidden in the tall grass, one arm outstretched as if reaching for something in its final moments. The body showed signs of violent death, with deep gashes across the chest that could only have come from monstrous claws.

Beside the dead dwarf lay a crumpled letter, its edges stained with blood. Daniel carefully unfolded it, revealing a terse message written in a harsh, angular hand:

"I don't care how many demons and apostates are in that area. The package was lost somewhere on the river north of those farms. Follow the river and find it, or we'll find you."

[50 EXP Gained]

Varric peered over Daniel's shoulder, his usual humor absent. "Carta," he muttered, pointing to a small brand on the dead dwarf's wrist—the mark of the dwarven crime syndicate. "Looks like someone failed a delivery."

Cassandra knelt to examine the wounds. "Demon claws, no question. But why would the Carta be operating out here?"

Solas studied the surrounding area with narrowed eyes. "The river north of here."

Daniel pocketed the letter, his mind racing. First the haunted jewelry, now a dead Carta courier—the pieces didn't quite fit together, but he sensed they were part of some larger puzzle. The Hinterlands kept revealing its secrets in fragments, like a mosaic missing half its tiles.

"We'll make note of this," he said finally, "but our priority remains Dennet's farm. Lieutenant, have someone bury this poor soul properly."

As they resumed their march, the landscape transformed around them. The war-scarred hinterlands gave way to rolling pastures dotted with wildflowers. The air smelled of rich earth and growing things, a stark contrast to the blood and smoke they'd left behind.

Yet even here, signs of unrest lingered. They passed abandoned farmsteads with doors hanging open, fields left untended. A scarecrow in one overgrown wheat field wore the tattered remains of a templar's surcoat, its straw-stuffed arms sagging in mock surrender.

Varric broke the uneasy silence. "You know, I've been thinking about that ruby pendant. If it's got dream magic powerful enough to kill thieves from across the countryside..."

"Then it's extremely dangerous," Cassandra finished. "And we're carrying it."

Daniel's hand went to his pack where the jewelry rested. He could almost imagine he felt a faint pulse through the leather, though that was surely his imagination. "We'll deal with it after securing Dennet's cooperation. One crisis at a time."

The peaceful march was shattered without warning as a pack of black wolves burst from the undergrowth, their emerald-green eyes glowing with unnatural intensity. The beasts moved with coordinated ferocity, far beyond the behavior of normal animals, their fangs bared in silent snarls as they launched themselves at the party.

Daniel barely had time to raise a barrier before the first wolf was upon them. "Watch their eyes!" he shouted as he channeled a Chain Lightning spell. The electricity arced between the creatures, making their fur stand on end but failing to stop their assault.

Cassandra's new sword, The Sweetish Finger, flashed in the sunlight as she cleaved through a leaping wolf. "No normal wolf would fight with such determination!" she grunted between strikes.

Varric's crossbow sang as he backpedaled, planting bolts between the eyes of two attackers. "Yeah, and normal wolves don't have glowing green peepers either!"

Solas, his new frost belt shimmering with power, froze one wolf solid with a gesture. "The Breach may have driven them mad... or perhaps a demon took command of the pack."

The battle was short but brutal. When the last wolf fell, its glowing eyes dimming in death, Daniel's interface pulsed:

[75 EXP Gained]

[3 Black Wolves Defeated]

[4 Canine Leather Added to Inventory]

Varric nudged one carcass with his boot. "Well, that's not disturbing at all. Just what we needed—demon wolves."

Cassandra wiped her blade clean. "We should burn the bodies. Who knows what corruption they carried."

As the soldiers set to the task, the lieutenant approached, pointing northwest. "Herald, this area is called Redcliffe Farms. There's a spot near here that would make an excellent outpost—good sightlines, fresh water, and it's on the way to Dennet's lands."

Daniel nodded. "Show us."

The lieutenant led them to a gently sloping hill overlooking a small, crystal-clear lake. An abandoned farmstead stood nearby, its fields overgrown but its structures mostly intact. The position offered commanding views of the surrounding countryside while being easily defensible.

"This will do perfectly," Daniel said. "Lieutenant, have the men start setting up camp. Cassandra, Varric, Solas—we'll clean up and prepare to meet Horsemaster Dennet."

The cool waters of the lake provided welcome relief after days of travel and battle. Daniel scrubbed the grime of the road from his skin, the tension slowly leaving his muscles. Nearby, Cassandra was meticulously polishing her armor, the ruby pendant of her new amulet catching the sunlight.

Varric, waist-deep in the water, made a face as he scrubbed at a bloodstain on his shirt. "Remind me again why we can't just show up looking like the badasses we are? Battle scars impress people, right?"

Solas, who had finished washing and was already dressed, arched an eyebrow. "Because we're asking for horses, Master Tethras, not trying to intimidate a tavern full of drunks."

As they prepared to leave, Daniel took one last look at their new outpost taking shape. Soldiers were already repairing fences, digging latrines, and setting up watch rotations. The lieutenant had chosen well—this position would give them a solid foothold in the northern Hinterlands.

"Ready?" Cassandra asked, adjusting her sword belt.

Daniel nodded. "Let's go meet this horsemaster."

The road to Dennet's farm wound through increasingly well-tended pastures, though the absence of farmhands was noticeable. The tension grew with each step—where were all the workers? The silence was unnatural for what should have been a bustling horse ranch.

________________________________________________

Name : Daniel Carter

Race: Elf

Level 5 : 852/2500 EXP

Professions: Mage

Gold Coins: 1439 Coins

Weapon: Staff of the Dragon

Armor: Light Armor of the Dragon and Templar Scribe Scowl

Accessories: Lifeward Amulet 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, and Exacting Longbow

Crafting Materials: 34 Elfroot, 62 Iron, 2 Blue Vitriol, 1 Dawn Lotus, 11 Silk, 17 Lambswool, 3 Royal Elfroot, 10 Ram Leather, 23 Drakestone, 3 Fire Essence, 3 Blue Vitriol, 7 Canine Leather, 4 Plaidewaive, 2 Frost Essence, 1 Fade-Touched Iron, 4 Blood Lotus, 5 Embrium, 10 Spindleweed, 13 Onyx, and 3 Ironbarks

Upgrades: Sigil of the Gamordan Stromrider and Sigil of Deathroot

Valuables: 3 Aquamarine, Silver Bracelet, 2 Figurine of Maferath the Betrayer, 2 Shadow Essence,

Gurn Gallstone Charm, Braid of Rank, Glass Halla, 3 Silver Necklace, 1 Ram Horn, 1 Bride's Blood Vial, 2 Silk Handerchief, 1 Glass Fox, 1 Silver Earring, 1 Dreamer Rag, 1 Miniature Throne, 5 Weapon Fragment, 2 Bowstring, 3 Mysterious Shards, Nevarra Skull, 1 Simple Pendant, and 2 Specialist Crest

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,

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