The Cobra Empress's Son
Seraphis moved slowly over Blackcrest Mountain. He was impossibly beautiful – dark obsidian eyes, cream and honey-colored scales, and dressed like royalty.
He was the Cobra Empress's Son and heir, and he was angered. It had taken him all this time to recuperate, and he still wasn't back to 100% health. He was enraged at his state and because his mother had been killed.
He arrived at Esmeralda's cave and paused. He wasn't really sure what the hag could do for him, but she was his last resort.
"You've come all this way. Enter."
Seraphis glided into the cave like he was royalty. Esmeralda looked up at him, a small smile on her lips. She waited, unmoving, as the Cobra beast-kin slowly moved to the table that sat before her. He touched the table, and a pile of gems appeared. Esmeralda's expression did not change, and her head cocked to the side.
"And what are you looking for?"
The gems stayed on the table, waiting. Esmeralda would not take payment from Seraphis until she knew she could deliver.
"I want Varric."
The ancient witch narrowed her eyes. The warts on her face shifted as if they were sentient and nervous.
"How can I help you with that?"
Seraphis looked down at the pile of gems between the two. His eyes shifted back to Esmeralda. "You have nothing."
Esmeralda thought for a long moment, and suddenly the Stronghoods came to mind. Seraphis narrowed his eyes and turned his head.
"I want that."
"They are humans. They wanted me to help them find a woman, but she is attached to Varric and Elsa."
Seraphis nodded slowly. He pointed to the gems. "All of these are yours for these humans."
"They live in Silver Vale. The Stronghoods."
"Silver Vale."
Seraphis turned and left without a word. The gems disappeared, and suddenly Esmeralda felt like it was time to move; she seemed to be a bit too accessible.
Ardyn rose, her eyes slowly opening, and the Bear Beastkin roar washed over her. She allowed the roar to move over her skin as she breathed it in. A new, nature-based magic began to swirl within her as if it was getting to know her.
She threw her hand out, and branches shot out like they had been waiting to be released. They drove down into the ground, and all went quiet.
Both Bess and Elsa looked on knowingly. The branches burst from the ground and surrounded, but did not touch, a starlight white item.
The item twirled toward her, and she took it into her hand and looked to her teacher.
The branches quieted and retracted, and she smiled. She bowed slowly.
"Master. It's time. I need to find a way to always be with him. A way to fully embrace what Sidus Serpens and Ursi Viridis Circulus have for me." She bowed again. "Thank you for everything."
"Don't talk like you won't ever see me again." As she spoke, they both, along with Bess, looked to the north.
"And if I don't want you to leave?"
Ardyn smiled at the sound of Varric's voice. She twirled the piece of starlight white root in her fingers. It changed into a soft flute. She put it to her lips and began to play.
The sound was more like a feeling than a sound. It rose up and crept along Varric's skin. As the flute played, his soul stirred and became stronger and calmer. He moved to her and put his forehead to hers even as Ardyn kept playing.
It was the Radix Animi. It was of nature and sound and could change forms to meet the wielder's needs.
Ardyn's soul reached out for Varric, and he shuddered. He knew that he had to let her go.
"I will wait for you." He brought out one of the lilac cattail-like flowers from the emerald pond.
"Carry this with you for me. It will tell me if you need me."
Ardyn lowered her flute and twirled it between her fingers. It shrank to a small white hairpin shaped like a hibiscus. She put it in her hair and embraced Varric.
She took the lilac flower, and it shattered into soft purple light and entered her chest. Varric smiled sadly.
"Remember. I love you as you are and I will love whoever you become."
"I will return to you. And when I do, you will know it was all worth it. I will return as your true other half."
She kissed him sweetly, and he reciprocated with passion. Varric picked her up and held her to him for a long moment.
He put her down, looked at her for half a breath – she nodded imperceptibly – and then he was gone. Ardyn closed her eyes, braced her resolve, and disappeared as well.