You must bring us, a Shrubbery.

The lead over this particular ruin couldn’t have come at a better time. A chance to escape Arlathan for a few days, clear his head and shake off the simmering rage building, barely kept to some heavy, snippy and close cutting sass. Ever since Kellam had arrived, ever since Meg had dropped the bomb that Nairn was alive and kicking. Though obviously leaning on a different form of spring to keep himself upright. Fuck. It was enough to drive anyone to the bottle.

A myriad of emotions had gripped him. Anger firstly, but that was easy to tap into. He’d question over and over again why Nairn hadn’t reached out to him somehow. Regardless, Ruth had decided he’d punch the Coterie shit for having him babysit his Stoner all these years.

His research had finally paid off though. Months of tracking the location of this tomb were finally beginning to pay off as he navigated across the stream, following the worn and overgrown path ahead. There had been clues before, pieces of stonework, crumbled statues dedicated to the worshipped Evanaris. Andruil was a hunter, perhaps her and June collaborated to create something. Or the means to. Even Ruth admitted the idea was a weak one, but if Sylaise dwelt within Megara and now June had appeared with Revas, Andruil could also.

Would they fight against Elgar-nan… difficult to say, but it was an idea worthy of pursuing. The least he could do was see if such weapons might exist, hidden away in the long abandoned chambers. It wasn’t much further, and once he’d crossed the stream the elf paused to catch his breath a moment, scanning the darkening path ahead, a canopy of foliage dimming the light.

“Well, that looks positively grim,” he’d chuckle. The idea of wandering through a darkening tunnel of vines and shrubbery, completely unappealing, though not the worst way he’d ever made his way into something.

Ever since the veil had fallen, Grim hadn’t been himself and he just had no idea why. He had fairly regular black outs and it effected his ability to do things, to the point he’d opted to leave the Chargers, feeling like he was letting them down. He mainly kept his issues to himself, until one day Vassenia was with him when he blacked out and informed him that he was acting weird while blacked out, talking to her like he was a totally different person.

He wanted answers but he didn’t know where he could go or who he could trust. Most of the people that came and went out of his life were just people he did odd jobs for, mercenary things. A lot of the times it ended up being things like guarding shipments or people as they travelled. He’d meet people briefly, do the job, and then never talk to them again. He was hardly going to go around to past clients asking if they knew anything about blackouts.

The more frequently they occurred the more worried he got, and the more freaked out his dogs got. Lately though he’d been feeling odd, after leaving Vassenia a note he decided he needed to travel north. He had no idea why, it just felt like the right thing to do. He simply could not explain it, but whatever reason he was headed north, pretty soon he found himself across the Waking Sea and into the Free Marches.

As he walked about, with no idea where the fuck he was even going, at a few points it felt like he wasn’t even on an actual well beaten path any more. As he continued walking, deeper into wherever the fuck he was. Floki suddenly barked and took off ahead, rounding a corner and out of Grim’s site. He called after the dog, but Floki didn’t come back, but he also didn’t sound like he was using his distressed bark either. Whatever had peaked his interest, it wasn’t a foe, at least not that Floki believed.

Floki splashed excitedly across the stream, splashing water everywhere. Then came to a stop a meter, perhaps two, away from Ruth. It was almost as if Floki was happy to see anyone that wasn’t overtly an enemy because Floki and Cheese Ball hated to be alone if and when Grim had a blackout. Grim finally rounded the corner with Cheese Ball at his heels and realised they weren’t alone, but also realised that Floki didn’t seem to think Ruth was a threat, and Floki did tend to be a good judge of character. Keeping the stream between them just in case, Grim rubbed the back of his neck and decided if Floki was going to introduce himself, then Grim might as well properly introduce them all.

Sorry about Floki, h’s not dangerous or anything, unless you are, and right now he seems to think you’re not. I’m Grim and this is Cheese Ball, and I’m going to be perfectly blunt, I have no idea where I am or why I’m even here. Well that was certainly an interesting way of introducing oneself, but he rather hoped that if he didn’t know where they were, perhaps this new person would at least know that much.

This was the wilds, so noises and odd sounds were part of the course. Ruth was usually quite content, sure that he was capable enough to extricate himself should things turn hairy. He wasn’t a fighter. A scrapper, certainly. He could hold himself well in a game of feisty cuffs but he wasn’t a martial fighter capable of using weapons other than maybe a knife and his staff and fists. A foot drew back as the splashing intensified, blue eyes narrowed waiting for the creature or person making their way towards him. He even prepared a spell, but there would be no need.

It was a dog.

Ruth laughed, firstly at his own paranoia and overreaction, though was it really with everything going on? Especially given the remoteness of the location and then the man came along, followed by another small hound.

Ruth straightened, brows low, caught between bewilderment and suspicion. But then he said he was lost. The elf scoffed, “... Well, I’m Ruth and this is the entrance to an old Elvhen ruin. You’re not here to rob it are you?” A flash of irritation moved through his expression, “Cos I will tell you now, I don’t care how friendly your dogs are, I won't allow it.” Mostly because that’s what he was here to do and Ruth wasn’t about to share with a “lost” stranger.

Though as he scrutinised him, Ruth began to sense something else. “...Are you alright? You look rather peaky, unwell?”

Grim tipped his head at the comment about being there to rob the place, Grim was a lot of things, but thief definitely wasn’t one of them. Unless you counted thief by extension when Cheese Ball liked to steal people’s shit, but usually it was food or socks, nothing valuable.

Well, if there are socks in that ruin, we’d best keep Cheese Ball here away, he’s a sucker for a pair of good smelly socks. Really the only thieving I can be accused of, is what food and socks Cheese Ball here steals from people and I’m left to pay the price. Cheese Ball tipped his head and looked from Grim and then over to Ruth. Grim hadn’t given him the run and hide command, so he was taking that as a sign that Ruth could be trusted, at least for the moment. Grim then shrugged at the comment about his health.

Don’t really sleep good any more, not since the veil came down. There was more to it than that of course, but he didn’t want to burden some stranger he’d only just met with his problems. Vassenia had said the same thing about him, the way he looked. Though Vassenia got to learn the true extent of what was wrong firsthand when he passed out while they’d been fighting. Floki stayed near Ruth, sat down on his hind legs, panting. He didn’t seem to think Ruth was a threat either.

Suspicion still clung at the back of his mind as Grim spoke, claiming not to be a thief and merely this lost traveller and his pets. Ruth glanced between the dogs, briefly imagining that at some point he may be chased through the brush with them nipping at his heels.

Socks? Was he serious? “No,” he simply, flatly replied. “Truthfully I’m not sure what I’ll find, but if you’re coming along, stay where I can see you. I’d maybe advise the dogs to remain out here.” He didn’t know this guy from Elgar-nan, nor the intelligence of the dogs not setting off a trap even accidentally. “I’d rather not be incinerated or fall through a concealed pit, or a javelin to the jugular.”

Yet even with Ruth’s lack of trust there was no denying his better nature. The man looked off and not in a way that bode well. His words, though, drew some hints to the affliction, causing Ruth to grin slightly. “Since the veil eh? You a mage?”

Grim wasn’t sure what to think, he hadn’t planned on going in, he hadn’t even known what was out there or why he was there, but it felt like maybe joining the elf was the right path to take. Though he didn’t like the idea of leaving Floki outside, he also didn’t like the idea of leaving Cheese Ball on his own, at least if Floki was outside with him he could watch out for his little brother.

I guess I can go in, never really been in an Elvhen ruin before. He commanded Floki to guard Cheese Ball, Floki found a spot under a tree to sit and wait. Cheese Ball went over, but paused by Ruth, his but waggling a bit, wondering if he would get any attention from the man. As far as being a mage, he shook his head.

Nope, not a mage. It’s just… He paused, did he trust this stranger enough to explain what had been going on, the blackouts, the strange things he’d been hearing around animals, and the way they’d been reacting to him. Blacking out and waking up to a roaring campfire he didn’t remember starting. He hadn’t trusted his friends with the information, why would he trust a stranger. However, something inside him, something wanted him to answer.

Things have been strange…. Not an explanation, he paused yet again and then continued. In fact, me going in there may not be a good idea. If I blackout at the wrong step or place, it might not be good for either of us, and I never know when I’m going to black out. He did his best to explain.

Ruth let out a soft chuckle, no, old elvhen ruins were not to be tread lightly, though Ruth was finding this newcomer diverting his attention. He’d managed to find it, waiting a few hours wouldn’t eat into his time spent. Raising his hand in a pause, Ruth gestured to some nearby steps, “Let’s … take a seat for a moment,” though as he did so, he noticed Cheese Ball. His gaze met the dogs and the elf awkwardly shrugged at the dog. “Um. Hello.”

What else was he meant to say? Pets were always strange to him, dogs even stranger given their strong jaws which could easily wrap around an ankle bone.

Blinking, Ruth cleared his throat and listened while he took a seat for himself. Leaning forwards, the healer mulled over the hints, clues, the obvious clear to him. Glancing over to Grim, Ruth pondered their positions reversed, Ruth would ask for the full, undiluted truth.

Letting out a long sigh, his hand ran through his hair before shrugging. “Well… I’d hate to break it to you, but… As a mage myself, you and I have acquired companions. When the veil fell, you gained a stowaway. Magic is now part of you, so now.. You also share your body with a spirit… or demon…” then his brow turned suspicious, “... or something worse.”

“Please tell me it’s not worse.”

The shift in Ruth, in deciding they’d remain outside for the time being, Grim nodded and followed to the nearby steps. Upon seeing the change in plans, Floki left the tree he’d been sitting under and took up a position by Grim. Cheese Ball on the other hand still seemed enamoured with Ruth, he took up a spot near Ruth sitting as if waiting for something. Almost as if the little dog were determined to win Ruth over.

There’s worse than a demon or spirit? He asked, while rubbing the back of his neck. He didn’t sleep well, he couldn’t remember the last time he had really. Probably since before the Veil fell, back when he’d been with the Chargers. Then he thought about what Vassenia had told him, about how he’d acted while he’d been blacked out in her presence.

Vassenia, I uh, blacked out in front of this uh, person. How did he even describe Vassenia, without getting into the complicated cat and mouse game they’d been playing all because of his asshole brother putting a bounty on his head under false pretenses. It hardly mattered who Vassenia was to him, only what she’d observed.

They said while I was out, I was talking to her, but not talking like it was me, talking like I was someone else. He also decided it wasn’t worth mentioning that whomever it had been, wasn’t exactly the biggest fan of Vassenia.

As Ruth sat and the others followed, the elf eyed the smaller of the dogs carefully as it padded after him. He wasn’t nervous about the hounds attention, just a little confused by the fawning. The light explanation of the lost man’s condition didn’t send him running for the hills, so Ruth nodded at his question.

“You’ve heard of this Elgar’nan I assume?” It was difficult missing the sudden darkness that had swallowed some of Antiva and paused its Empire making policy. “That’s an example of something worse. The Evanrus have returned, along with others. Strong beings from ancient times are returning. A friend of mine carries one, but hers is at least sensible and tolerant, I haven’t caught her murdering slews in a rage.” Ruth shrugged, gesturing for Grim to take a seat.

“Your blackouts are the spirit, demon or being, assuming control over you. Not all do. I rarely interact with mine as they are content to observe and aid me if asked, but I rarely do.” Perhaps if the spirit had asked first, Ruth may have been more willing, but the lack of choice in the matter was what irked him more. The elf was merely grateful he didn’t have to endure what Megara did, or dwell with a more damaging one. Compassion was preferable to Rage, he had plenty of that without being egged on.

With a sigh, the elf began rolling up the sleeves of his robes and layers to the elbows. “It is wise to figure out your companions temperament, else they land you in something trickier than a simple misunderstanding.” A brow arched, palms open in a gesture of may I? to take one of Grim’s wrists.

As Grim listened to Ruth, he tried to remember exactly everything that Vassenia had said that he had said to her while blacked out. If he recalled, one thing that had been insinuated was some nasty things about Vassenia not being an elf.

Grim had heard of Elgar’nan, but he wasn’t sure if the things he’d heard were all to be believed. He also was having a hard time following what some ancient elf duche bag had to do with the possible passenger he had residing within himself. How exactly did they go from being inside of someone to being a walking and talking fully functional individual. His head was spinning with questions.

I’ve heard he’s some, ancient elvhen god? I mean, that can’t be right can it? A god? It just seemed so surreal, but then again with all the things that were known to be true about Thedas, was a god so farfetched? I mean I guess there’s been some crazy shit in this world, I just…. He wasn’t even sure how to finish that sentence.

He trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck anxiously. He looked at Ruth, a mix of disbelief and worry etched on his face. How do I even start to figure out who or what is inside me? And what do I do if it turns out to be something dangerous? The fear in his voice was palpable, a stark contrast to his usually laid back demeanor. When Ruth gestured at Grim’s wrists, Grim merely nodded permission and laid his arms in a relaxed position out in front of him.

As Ruth explained some, his brow furrowed in studying the stranger across from him. Grim was listening, but his mind was also elsewhere, using the elf’s knowledge to fill in some of the missing pieces. It was curious that no-one had pieced the… episodes with magic when the soul manifested control.

“He’d like us all to believe that, but really he is just another exceptionally powerful asshole.” Rolling his eye, Ruth let out a sigh. “I shouldn’t joke, he tore the ancient kingdom apart before humans walked the surface, but let's have some hope that you’ve nothing like him lurking.”

Now Grim looked worried. His pallor paled even under the heavy brow lining his forehead. Ruth laughed then reached to take each wrist between his index and thumb, “That is what I am going to attempt to find out. Close your eyes.” After a moment's observation Ruth followed his own advice, closing his eyes to focus, eventually reaching out with a ghostly aura. Inwardly he’d nudge the spirit of compassion who accompanied the elf, Can you tell? Is this someone known to you? hoping that it could read how fucked in the ass the wanderer was.

“Relax Grim. You do have quite the mental fortitude, which explains a little why your lapses have been few and far betw-.” His voice cut off for a hiss and snatching a hand back, Ruth rubbed his temple with a growing scowl. “Fuck. Ow! That was fuckin’ rude! I just asked, there was no need to… Yes, I understand that, but…. Fine! You tell him then…”

Grim listened to Ruth's comment about Elgar’nan being just another exceptionally powerful asshole, responding with a chuckle. However, his expression quickly turned serious when Ruth advised against making light of such things, given the past events in Thedas that occurred long before humans arrived. He nodded, showing his understanding.

I can’t say that I know any of the stories about how it was in Thedas before. then again, I’m not even from Thedas. He said with a shrug, he really ought to brush up on the history though, since it was suddenly alive and walking around Thedas.

Upon Ruth's instruction to close his eyes, he took a deep breath and complied. Although he wasn't entirely comfortable relaxing and closing his eyes around a stranger, he noted that the dogs seemed okay with Ruth. He trusted their judgement as they were usually accurate in assessing character.

Despite that, he was having a tough time relaxing, his brain kept swimming and it felt like. He wasn’t sure how to even describe how he felt. Perhaps a bit like his brain was actively trying to retreat away from Ruth, even though it made no sense whatsoever. At least it made no sense to Grim.

When Ruth started cussing, Grim couldn’t help but open his eyes. He was still thinking over what Ruth had said about his mental fortitude when the mood seemed to suddenly change. Grim tipped his head curiously, with a furrowed brow of worry on his face.

Dare I ask? He asked, part of him didn’t want to know, but then a bigger part of him knew it was just a matter of time until he blacked out for good, or some place that blacking out wouldn’t be at all ideal, like in the middle of a serious fight with someone that wouldn’t hesitate to cut Grim down while he was vulnerable.

Ruth felt his magic ripple across something, someone with Grim. Expecting this he’d pushed deeper, but gently not to spook the companion into a defensive response. Following the ebb and flow it soon became clear that he’d been led, the Soul far more complex than most spirits Ruth had encountered.

The jolt to his conscience which had him swearing was when confronted harshly through the link. Then the swift understanding of who and what sent him reeling back, eyes snapped open to stare at Grim in disbelief. “Him? Really?... you Evanarus are dubious in your choices.”

Releasing the man’s wrists, Ruth sent one to rub the back of his neck while the other his thigh. It wasn’t at all what he’d expected to be, lurking within such an unsuspecting human. “I’m afraid things are a little more complicated… you have… how do I put this?” Ruth’s hands gestured, splayed briefly before he shrugged. “You basically have a piece of an old Elven God, but not really a God… Mage remember, and well… that’s who’s skulking about when you go night night.”

All Ruth could do was stare, his expression just as surprised as no doubt Grim would be.

So, another exceptionally powerful asshole? How many are there anyway, and why did this one have to possess me of all people.” Then again maybe they couldn’t choose who they possessed, he hadn’t really thought about that. Though it still made him curious how he ended up with one. He rubbed the back of his neck, drawing attention to the pendant he wore, that was currently mostly hid by his clothing.

I mean, I understand more or less how demon and spirit possession works, but Elvhen gods, that’s a whole other thing. Should I be worried? Can it take over completely? How do I get it out of my head? A barrage of questions. What was he going to tell Vassenia. They were due to meet up in a few days.

He was worried, he didn’t want to wake up one day and find out he was the passenger along for the ride with no real access to his body. It almost gave him sympathy for his passenger, though as he wasn’t entirely sure who they were beyond being a self-proclaimed Elvhen god, he wasn’t sure if he should have sympathy for them, if they were anything like Elgar’nan.

“Of known elvhen gods? Nine. But pieces? Who’s to say, double, triple that?” Ruth shrugged. His knowledge was limited to what he knew of Megara’s condition and Sylaise’s state of being. “I can’t tell you how powerful this piece of Ghilain’nan is, nor why they’ve picked you. Sometimes it’s convenient, sometimes just shit luck.” The realm of spirits and their odd ways were out of Ruth’s scope of expertise, even while his own, often helped him in tending to the sick and injured.

“Think of them as the A-team of heroic adventurers,” he’d snicker, and while the sarcasm dripped from his words the elf would eventually sigh. “Look. They are rumoured to be powerful guardian’s of my people, but history is often wrong, very wrong in this case.” Shifting back a little, Ruth made the best of his seat, the temple was definitely going to have to wait for tomorrow. “A great many injustices were stemmed from their rule, a war that resulted in the veil, they were considered both tyrant and God, merciful and mercilessly murdered and sacrificed thousands at their peak. Time has changed some of them. Well I say changed, Sylaise has always been a Nanny in many ways, but others… well I can’t describe Elgar’nan as completely sane. You’re beginning to understand, yes?”

There. Band aid ripped off. A quick and dirty explanation of the facts, if butchered somewhat. “If you want rid of it, your best bet would be Arlathan, or Skyhold. Both have the means to remove the soul, though… have you tried opening your mind to it?” Ruth’s brow furrowed, curiosity biting at the opportunity to be a fly on the wall of that conversation. “You have a strong, mental fortitude to get past. They may have been trying to commune with you and these episodes have been it’s only means to.”