Dragon Age: Inquisition: Behind the Scenes

Test of Skill and Honor

This was the day our minds were blown, our worlds destroyed.

What, Corypheus? No, something far worse.

Sera lost an archery contest.

It wasn't a close one, either. Oh, no, she was decimated, blown out of the water. It was

humiliating beyond compare. And it was also hysterical.

We started the competition as a morale-booster for the soldiers, but we quickly had to

remove Varric and Sera from the challenge because they won almost every time. Varric gave us

a grin when we told him the news and wandered off to pester Cassandra or something, but Sera

was still slightly bitter about the whole affair. So when she showed up at the registration table

anyway, with flames in her pupils, I expected a massacre. Leliana only grinned shyly, but didn't

say anything at first.

"What, you aren't going to let me in, 'cause I'm too good? Arse." She emphasized the

insult, as if it would sway the spymaster's mind on the matter. Her response, therefore, was

curious.

"What about...a special challenge?" she offered. "If you can beat the best archer in the

camp, in front of everyone, we'll let you participate in the future challenges. If not, you won't be

worthy of being in the challenges in the first place."

Woah. No one was expecting that. Everyone in the area started staring at the two of them,

waiting for the elf's reply. Cullen and I gave each other worried glances, knowing exactly what

Leliana had managed to do. Sera was trapped. She couldn't back down now, and none of us had

any idea who this "best archer in the camp" even was. Sera, however, lit up like a firework.

"Deal."

The stations were set up just like the regular event: standalone targets, moving targets

with friendly fire, and a large, armored statue, with small weak points to break with the arrows.

Sera was given her bundle of arrows; hers had blue feathers on them. She and Leliana waited at

the first event.

"All right," Sera started, "where's my challenger, then?"

One of Leliana's attendants came to her, carrying a long, wodden bow, with metal

bracers on either end. It looked somewhat worn, like it had been used many years ago, but kept

in good shape all these years. Leliana took it from the girl's hands. In the quiver were several

arrows...with red feathers.

"You're looking at her."

I immediately turned to Cullen.

"Ten silver she kicks Sera's butt."

I love it when he gets flustered like that.

"W-what?" It took him several seconds to get over the shock of me asking. "Why would

you bet against Sera of all people? You know she's an outstanding shot. You've said so

yourself."