Pride, Wolf and Rebellion

Burned

The roar of the dragon excited the group and they ran for it, bowling up to the towering coliseum's remains. The Hivernal seemed to be awaiting the group, almost sitting atop the structure in a pool of water and ice.

"Taarsidath-an halsaam," Iron Bull thundered as the group took the stairs.

"What does that gibberish mean?" asked Sera.

"The closest translation would be..." Iron Bull said, nearly stopping on his way up the steps. "I will bring myself sexual pleasure later while thinking about this with great respect."

Fen'Asha raised an eyebrow. "Interesting," she said.

"Ataashi," beamed Iron Bull. "The glorious ones. That's our word for them."

"We're not killing one of your gods, are we?" said Sera.

"Nah," said Iron Bull. "Maybe one of Dorian's..."

"Don't start," said Dorian.

Iron Bull roared with laughter.

The scene of the Hivernal soon became apparent, as did the chill in the rocks surrounding the beast. Its eye caught the group and the dragon took to action, swinging its great tail first and swooping so that its entire massive form spun around in place. Water splashed as it danced forward, groping claws grinding at the ice below.

"It's fucking cold up here," said Iron Bull. "I'll give it that."

"Spread out," said Fen'Asha as she assessed the Hivernal's movements.

The neck of the dragon craned to watch the Inquisition scatter into different corners. It kept pushing forward, scrabbling to the top of the stairs and narrowly missing Cole with a swooping claw. Ice burst from the ground as the rogue rolled out of the way and landed atop the stone archway topping the steps.

Fen'Asha twisted her staff in her hands and let fly a blast of flame, which caught the dragon at the tip of its tail. It was a greeting, a flaming burst to get its attention.

It worked.

The Hivernal spun again, tail catching on the stone and ice and spreading debris as it rotated its way to the Inquisitor. She held her ground, meeting its eye as it snarled and began to plunge toward her.

"This dragon's hurt," shouted Iron Bull over the racket.

Fen'Asha gritted her teeth and let another burst of flame go from the tip of her staff, scorching the front paw of the dragon. It staggered backward like a wounded animal, limping and clattering around like a massive nug with a broken leg. The water was proving more difficult to move in than before and the flames lapped at the scaly skin of the Hivernal, magic keeping them burning regardless of any frozen temptations below.

She closed her eyes as the Inquisition gathered around the dragon, tentatively firing an arrow here and letting loose with a sweep of a sword there. Iron Bull roared with delight as his axe caught itself in the scaly underbelly of the Hivernal. The beast responded with a wailing sound, a great screech that nearly shattered the stone.

Fen'Asha shouted too, aiming her staff right at the roaring Hivernal's open mouth. She let fly and...nothing. A burst of black erupted from her staff and the dragon clattered further forward. Fen'Asha scanned her surroundings and watched the others. Nobody noticed. She was sure of it.

The Hivernal noticed and staggered ever forward, limping heavily. Something was inhibiting its flight and Sera took it upon herself to pump the base of the wings with arrows, turning the scaly flesh into a veritable pincushion before hopping back to her position with a cackle.