Inner Conflict

It was a long journey back to Skyhold after the events of the Storm Coast. Honestly, Bandit had lost track of time. How many days was it? Was it a week? Two? She couldn't recall, for she had one thing on her mind-- The Iron Bull. He had hardly spoken to her at all on their way back. To a certain degree-- she understood. She was sure he was processing what had happened. The dreadnought went down. It burst into flame; an explosion. He chose The Chargers over his life, his people; The Qun. And she had a major role in that choice.

It replayed over and over in her head.

Gatt kneeled, and signaled the Qunari dreadnought after they tore their way through enemies. The flare went up and shot through the sky. Bull looked over to his men across the way, happy that they completed their part. Things were going well, Venatori were killed. The alliance between The Inquisition and The Qunari seemed to be solidifying as the moments passed.

Bandit watched in awe and curiosity as the dreadnought launched its attack on the nearby ship. It was fast, efficient. It was true-- Qunari strove for perfection. The Iron Bull smiled proudly at The Boss' amazement before fondly speaking,

"Brings back memories... Nice..!"

That's when things decided to take a turn.

"Crap..." The Iron Bull's tone shifted to concern. Bandit's eyes shifted from the dreadnought, to follow where his gaze went. A mass of Venatori began to close in on The Chargers. Where did they come from?!

"Bull, your men--!" Was all Bandit could get out as she watched. The Chargers held their ground, preparing for the fight to come.

"Yeah..." His eyebrows upturned as he looked to The Inquisitor, then back to his men. Gatt frowned, locking onto Bull.

"Your men need to hold that position, Bull." He stated, a hint of threat dripping from his voice. Bandit furrowed her brow, frowning.

"They do that...They're dead." Bull frowned to Gatt.

"And if they don't, the Venatori retake it and the dreadnought is dead!" The Viddathari countered. "You'd be throwing away an alliance between The Inquisition and the Qunari!" Bull turned away to watch the Venatori continue to close in on The Chargers below. "You'd be declaring yourself Tal-Vashoth." Gatt knew that would get a reaction out of Bull.

The Iron Bull was a part of the Ben-Hassrath. They were spies, and among their duties were to enforce rules; and be especially ruthless to those who transgress against it. The Tal-Vashoth; traitors to the Qun. Bull shifted his gaze to Gatt, scowling at him for even mentioning it.

"With all you've given The Inquisition, half the Ben-Hassrath think you've betrayed us already..!" Gatt gave a frown, losing the hint of edge in his voice to upturn his brows now. "I stood up for you, Hissrad. I told them you'd never become Tal-Vashoth..!"

Bandit watched the exchange as the larger Qunari turned to face Gatt. She had a scowl on her face-- and it took all her might to bite back her words. Something about the way Gatt spoke-- it felt as if it were a backhanded statement to her. Her personally.

"They're my men!" The Iron Bull pointed to the Viddathari, his tone oozing with pent-up anger.

"I know..." Gatt sighed. "But you need to do what's right, Hissrad. For this alliance," Gatt shifted his bright green eyes to Bandit for but a second. It made her feel a twinge of guilt. She shifted her gaze away, but kept stern. "For the Qun."

Bandit heard Hissrad-- no, The Iron Bull, turn towards her. She met his gaze. He was at a loss. She could see it in his eye. He was normally so sure, and so strong. But now...

Bandit regained her assertion. "No," She reached up and picked up a horn from the ground. She looked to Gatt, baring her teeth a bit as she shook her head. She forced it into his hand firmly. "Call the retreat." She demanded, looking back to her companion.

"Hissrad-- Inquisitor--!" Gatt stammered in disbelief. "Don't--!"

"Silence!" Bandit spat at the would-be-elf before looking to Bull. "Call it." She held her voice sure. Someone needed to be certain. They couldn't let The Chargers die. No. Not after getting to know them all. The faith and trust they put into The Iron Bull. What they lacked in numbers, they made up for with morale.

The Iron Bull locked his eye with Bandit's, trying to read her. She nodded to him as he turned away, gripping the horn. He brought it to his lips, and sounded the retreat. Gatt shook his head, ashamed. He had to look away.

The Chargers heard the retreat, and one by one, they began to fall back.

"There. They're falling back..." The Iron Bull stated, as if he were processing what he had just done. Bandit watched, then looked to Bull, then finally her eyes landed on Gatt. He circled, running his hands through his hair. Frustrated. He threw his arms down at his side.

"All these years... Hissrad," He looked up to the large man. "You throw away all that you are? For what? For this?! For them?!" Gatt looked to the female Vashoth with a resenting scowl, pointing at her. He gave her a look of absolute disgust. Bandit took one step forward and returned the expression.

"His name isn't Hissrad. It's The Iron Bull." She growled at him. The, now, Tal-Vashoth looked to Bandit. His stomach was in knots, but at the moment having her so sure of herself, having his back... It eased him.

"Evidently so..." Gatt coldly spoke as he began to walk away without further word.

It was then the Venatori launched an attack on the Qunari battleship, now having no Chargers to mangle. It was then that Bandit learned a little more of the Qunari culture-- their ships never sink. But instead, they explode.

The Iron Bull saved his men, but had to watch his people die.

Since then... they haven't exchanged words. It made Bandit nervous. It made her want to throw up-- did she do the right thing? Upon arrival, Bandit broke away from the group. The Iron Bull went to the Tavern to drink. Varric watched, having sensed the tension as Bandit immediately went to her room. Dorian tapped his chin.

"Now, wasn't that just a delightful journey back?" The Tervinter mage said.

"Yeah, sodding great!" Varric sighed. The Commander walked up to the two.

"You're back. Where's The Inquisitor? I have--" Cullen was interrupted.

"Not now, Curly." Varric stopped him right there. "There's trouble in paradise. Flashy's probably not in the best of places to deal with that."