Welcoming Inn

A hush fell between them, the forest holding its breath.

Solas finally broke the silence.

"So… am I the first man you've ever met?"

"Eh?" Rowena blinked, stiffening. Her face flushed as the question sank in.

"S-shut up!" she snapped, turning away with a pout. "I-I was only born not that long ago! There are plenty of women like me who've never met a man before!"

"I didn't mean it as an insult," Solas said calmly. "Just… explains your reaction."

"Oh…" She twiddled her fingers, flustered. "Y-yeah. It's my first time… I didn't expect to meet anyone out here. Let alone a man…"

Solas stepped forward, closing the space between them. Slowly, he lifted his right hand and rested it gently on her cheek. Her skin was soft—warm and delicate.

"Eh?" Rowena blinked in surprise. But strangely, she didn't recoil. His touch felt… calming. Familiar. She looked up at him, captivated by his gaze.

Solas smiled softly. "I'm certainly glad I met you out here." His voice lowered, gentle. "I think we'll get along just fine."

Rowena's guard melted. Her stance loosened, and her eyes softened. In that moment, she let herself trust him.

Solas, meanwhile, noticed the faint glow pulsing from the symbol etched on his right hand. His expression shifted briefly.

He pulled his hand away and looked at it, puzzled. The glow faded.

"What's wrong?" she asked, watching him closely.

"Nothing." He lowered his hand, slipping it into his pocket, concealing the mark. "Must've been my imagination."

"Why are you out here this late?" Solas redirected the conversation, keeping her from asking more about his hand.

Rowena straightened up a bit, eager to answer. "I was assigned patrol duty tonight. To ensure the safety of the village."

Alone? 

That struck him as foolish.

"No one accompanied you?"

"Oh, well…" Her fingers fidgeted again, nervously tangling in one another. "It's usually a two-person task but… I was sent out by myself this time."

Solas studied her closely. From her body language, this was either punishment—or she simply wasn't well liked. Whichever it was, she could be useful. He needed shelter, and she might be his ticket in.

"Let's forget that for now." He softened his tone. "Why don't you take me to your village? I've nowhere to go at the moment, and it doesn't seem far. What do you say?"

Rowena hesitated, caught off guard. She opened her mouth, but no words came.

Solas leaned in slightly, his expression calm, his voice velvet. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I promise I'll make it worth your while. I can help with your duties, or simply offer company. You shouldn't be out here alone."

Rowena froze, then quickly turned her head away, cheeks flushed.

"Y-yes! Of course! I can take you there now." She spun around fast, trying to hide the heat rising to her face, flustered by both his words and touch.

She held her lantern out in front of her, the soft glow casting flickering light along the narrow forest path. Solas followed behind, his eyes occasionally flicking to the trees around them, but mostly lost in thought.

He wondered what was happening back at the college. Everyone had seen it—seen him get yanked out the window, screaming, vanished in an instant. What kind of chaos followed? What faces did they make? What did they say, after everything? If there was one thing he regretted, it was not seeing their reactions.

But his thoughts were cut off by Rowena's voice.

"S-So… what land do you come from?" she asked, hesitant, almost afraid the question was too forward.

"Ah, you see… I forgot that as well," he replied smoothly. "My memory's foggy. I can't recall where I'm from or why I'm here. I think I mentioned that earlier."

"Oh. Right… sorry," she mumbled.

She's trying to keep the conversation going, Solas thought, perhaps to keep things from feeling awkward in the silence.

He gave a soft hum. "What's your village like?"

"It's nice," she said, her voice quiet. "Not many people live there. It's peaceful. We sometimes get visits from the knights of the Elara Kingdom, but that's all."

"It sounds lovely," he replied gently.

"Y-Yes… it is…" Her voice wavered slightly, a touch of sadness sneaking in. But before he could ask about it, she shifted the topic. "What's your name?"

"Solas. Solas Caelum."

"Solas…" she repeated softly, then giggled. "That's a pretty name."

As her laugh faded into the night air, Solas felt a familiar warmth. A soft glow shimmered from his pocket. He slipped his hand out and saw it again—the symbol on his right hand pulsing faintly with light.

It had glowed earlier when he touched her face… now again, after she praised his name. Could it be reacting to affection? Admiration?

"We're almost there," Rowena said, pointing ahead.

Solas looked up. Down the hill, nestled in the quiet valley, was a small village. A few scattered lights flickered in the windows, but the streets were silent.

He glanced once more at his glowing hand before slipping it back into his pocket, following Rowena as the forest gave way to the sloping path toward the village.

*** 

Before long, they reached the village. Solas glanced at the buildings — dark timber wood with pale stone foundations, and steep, slate roofs built to endure heavy rains and snowfall.

Lanterns hung from curved iron hooks, glowing faintly with golden firelight. The streets were empty, cloaked in silence. No sign of life stirred as they continued forward.

It must be quite late… or this is a very peculiae village, Solas thought.

Rowena halted. "We're here," she said, turning left.

Solas followed her gaze. Before them stood an inn, its small, foggy windows aglow with soft, warm light.

Rowena raised the lantern to her lips and gently blew out the flame dancing within. The golden light flickered once, then faded.

Lowering her hand, she rested her left on the inn's doorknob and glanced back at Solas. "Please try to stay quiet. Everyone's asleep by now."

Solas gave a small nod.

She pressed down on the doorknob and opened the door slowly. It let out a soft wooden creak as warm light spilled out onto the darkened street.

Solas shielded his eyes for a moment before slowly lowering his hand as they adjusted to the brightness.

Rowena glanced back once more. "Come on."

Without another word, he stepped inside.

As he stepped inside, Solas was met with a warm, gentle aroma that hung in the air—something soft and nostalgic, like fresh bread and old wood. The room itself felt cozy, almost like a memory he couldn't quite place.

Ahead of him stood an island counter, behind which a middle-aged woman was at work. Her gentle eyes and kind face were softened by time. Dark hair, streaked with silver, was tied into a loose braid that fell over her shoulder. A woolen shawl draped over her arms, and she wore an earth-toned dress with a flour-dusted apron tied neatly around her waist. Her hands, though calloused, moved with practiced ease, and her entire presence radiated quiet warmth—like someone who had weathered many winters and welcomed each one with patience.

She was wiping down the counter with a rag when she looked up and offered Rowena a soft smile. Then her gaze shifted to Solas.

Just as he was about to speak, Rowena quickly stepped in. "Oh! She's new around here," she said quickly, stumbling slightly over her words. "I found her lost in the woods, so I brought her here for the night. She's, um… a little shy."

Solas nodded, standing just behind Rowena, lowering his gaze and feigning nervousness.

"Well then," the woman said, her voice like a warm hearth. "I hope you enjoy your stay. Rowena could use more friends around here."

Rowena's eye twitched slightly. "R-Right! Thank you!" she said hurriedly, then grabbed Solas by the wrist. "Okay, let's go!" she added with a nervous laugh, dragging him toward the stairs.

She didn't stop until they reached the end of the hall. She pushed open a door and shoved him inside before quickly shutting it behind them.

Solas didn't ask why. He could already tell she was embarrassed, and he didn't feel like pressing it—he was tired.

Rowena leaned back against the door with a deep sigh, then slowly straightened herself. "Please forget everything you saw and heard downstairs."

"Don't worry," Solas said calmly. "I already forgot all of it."

A clear lie, but she seemed to take comfort in it. She sighed again and walked over to a small shelf near her bed, placing the lantern down gently.

Her room was small, but cozy. A twin-sized bed sat against the wall with white blankets and sheets, a single pillow resting at the head. A small armor stand stood in the corner near the door, and a candle burned softly on the shelf, casting a warm light throughout the space.

She leaned against the nearby counter, resting her hands on it, then turned around—only to be cut off before she could speak.

"There's only one bed," Solas said. "Where am I supposed to sleep?"