Post by Silver on Sept 2, 2021 23:39:33 GMT
Dragon Age
The Secret Life of Lyria
Human Mage
Chapter 1
The Harrowing
Circle Tower
Dear Diary,
Yesterday was an interesting day. I snuck into my secret passage I had found so I could listen in on Uldred’s secret meetings, oh what people say when they think no one is listening. I laughed to myself. It's a good thing I am so short although I am often mistaken for an elf. "Bugger that I mean does it look like I have pointy ears?! I am 18 not a child!!!” If only I had been born in Orlais and not a mage, I could have been a bard spy, because I am good at not being seen. The Maker wills it and all that rubbish bah! The Maker says this, the Maker says that, BAH I say! Uldred has made a few good points over the years, but lately I feel this chill go up my spine when he talks as if something of great horror is going to happen. Maybe I should talk to Wynne...... hmmm nah she would just insist everything was fine and be all motherly as usual uugh.
~~~
“LYRIA!!!!” My quill snapped as my fingers tightened on it. I jumped at Knight Commander Greagoir’s shout and looked up from my diary, giving him an annoyed look.
“Yes Knight Commander, oh Holy One.” I rolled my eyes at him, which I knew he disliked.
“It is time. Come along, I'll have none of your jests today!” I crawled off my bed and put the diary back in my chest at the end of the bed, making sure I locked it. Some apprentices could be so nosy. “Uh huh.” It seemed like short answers would be best.
“To think I came myself to get you. I should have sent Cullen since he has more patience with you mages, now COME ON!”
I walked slowly, my feet feeling heaver with every step. "So the day has come, the day all mages fear... the harrowing....my harrowing. Am I truly ready?" I thought. Up, up we went, "Almost there". By the time I got to the Harrowing Chamber I was so lost in thought I didn't hear Greagoir spew his Maker nonsense. The room was bigger than I thought it would be.
First Enchanter Irving sought to reassure me. “Lyria, child, it's going to be ok. Remember what you have been taught and you should be fine.”
“Yes, the fade is a realm of dreams blah blah resist temptation blah blah.” I know I should not be so flippant, but it would help me stay calm. Both the Knight Commander and the First Enchanter gave me a scolding look. I just giggled to myself. I love annoying them both, it was just too easy.
Knight Commander Greagoir pushed me towards the pedestal. “It is time child. Now come, you are more than ready.”
As I walked toward the pedestal I felt as though I was walking to my destiny. I reached out to touch the lyrium, expecting it to burn me. Although I remember the lyrium having negative effects before, it felt strangely warm and inviting to me now.
~~~
When I opened my eyes there was a bright light, and everything looked distorted - like I was drunk or something. Not that I would know what that felt like. I started my journey towards a new beginning.
I had been walking for some time when I came across a sobbing child. “P-p-please H-h-help me.” It was a boy, looked to be around 10 years old. I looked at him suspiciously, knowing somehow this was a ploy. The old “playing a defenseless child” trick, something I had done many times myself when I was growing up in the tower. I decided to play the demon’s game for the moment.
“What is wrong child, are you lost?” He looked up at me with a tear stained face. “I-I -I am all alone, p-p-please can you help me? Can you take me with you out of this sc-c-cary place? I want to go home!”
I looked at him, and rolled my eyes. S-s-s-sure if I wanted to be an abomination, I thought to myself. I motioned for the kid to follow me, to see how far the demon would take this game. A dangerous gamble, but progress was never made by playing it safe.
We walked for awhile, the boy acting sad and scared, and me pretending to comfort him. Suddenly, feeling a shift in the energy around us, I knew the demon was beginning to make its move. Big mistake demon. I turned around quickly, staff ready and had to avert my eyes. It had to be a desire demon, unashamed in its state of undress. Ugh, put some clothes on, I don’t want to see that.
“It is obvious you are not easily fooled,” she said seductively. I asked her, “What gave me away?” I don’t think she would have liked my thoughts at the moment. “Enough of games mage, I know you tire of your confinement. I could help with the release from your prison.”
I can handle my own release thank you. “No thank you, please go away now!” She purred at me. “Do you really wish to remain in the tower? You could be so much more with my help.”
Yeah I could be tall dark and gruesome. “True, true, but I can handle it just fine. Now, if you don’t mind, I am going to kill you, since you won't go away.” The desire demon sighed. “Very well, I hope you enjoy dying.”
I quickly threw a fire ball at her but missed, and before I could dodge her spell, she froze my legs and I fell. Stupid desire demon and her quick thinking. I smashed the ice from my legs with my staff just before her next blow hit me and managed to burn her arm with a cone of fire. She screamed in pain and I laughed delightedly.
She attempted to fool me with copies of herself, surrounding me and laughing. I don't have time for this! I decided to do something crazy; I tried something I had never done before. Summoning all the energy I could, I slammed my staff down hard, and whirled it around, sending waves of flames outward. The flames ignited every desire demon in front of me, copy and original alike. I listened to her screams and watched in triumph as she died.
Then everything went dark.........
________________________________________
Chapter 2
It has been two weeks since I became a full fledge mage by surviving my Harrowing. I have been spying on Uldred for what feels like months now, and with each passing day his speeches become more angry and hateful. I have a hard time believing what the chantry says about the Maker and I don't really care for most templars, but I don't think I have ever seen someone radiate such a violent aura.
After getting a message from one of my spies in Uldred’s little group, I am on my way to spy on one of his meetings again. I have a sick feeling in my stomach that gets worse the closer I get to the secret passage. I reached the secret passage that I found in the library when I was very young, and pulled on what looked like a blank book. There is a secret passageway located in the exterior walls of the Tower that leads to a peep hole for almost every room in the tower. As I got closer to the peep hole near Uldred’s secret meeting place, I started to smell blood and lots of it; I froze before the peep hole and just listened.
Uldred was giving a speech. “Finally our numbers are large enough! My fellow mages, the time for us to strike back at the templars is near. We will no longer be subject the law of the chantry. Soon we will unleash our wrath using the great power of blood magic. We will attack when they least suspect and all who oppose us will die!” The blood mages roared their approval.
I froze, vibrating with fear, rage and pity for the witless fool. To turn to blood magic is the true sign of a coward and lack of wit. I stood there at war with myself at what to do.
Should I go to the templars or the First Enchanter, but what proof would I have. All they would do is investigate and that would give Uldred time to get rid of any evidence or worse. What should I do?
As I stood there thinking, it came to me. I would have to break a few rules but I had to do something.
I rushed to the other entrance to the secret passages, located in the repository. Once I arrived there, I started to go through the books, looking at different kinds of magic; magic that we weren't supposed to know about.
While searching, I came across a three interesting books: Shifting Away, Holy Mage, and Spirit Bound. I skimmed the books and, thanks to my eidetic memory, quickly memorized passages in those and other books that had to do with heavy shields and healing, but they were not as interesting. As I was memorizing the last book I heard something behind me....
I whirled around and came face to face with the last person I expected to see. “Don't you have another escape plan to carry out?”
The mage gave me a look that said my comment annoyed him but he quickly cast it aside. “All in due time. I come down here often to clear my head and to my surprise found the queen of hermits breaking the rules!”
“So says the guy who has "tried" to stay "free" but always gets caught as you should!” I said as I jabbed his shoulder with my finger. He glared at me again but then just smiled and shrugged. “When will you give up your foolish escape attempts, Anders? One day they won't bring you back, they might just kill you outright next time.” He laughed and it was my turn to glare.
“So concerned for my welfare. I am touched. A pretty girl such as you shouldn't frown so, with such lovely white hair and silver eyes. Come give us a kiss, no one will hear us down here.” He moved closer to me and I pointed my staff at him.
“Sorry Anders, I prefer men who don't have commitment issues. Now, if you will excuse me, I am leaving!” He looked really pissed now, and I almost laughed in his face but I was too irritated to do so.
Stupid Anders, one day he will be his own undoing. Where does he get the gall to assume I would be free with my affections like that? I stomped through the secret passages and thought about how to go about practicing for what I had planned for Uldred.
________________________________________
It had been five weeks since my Harrowing.
Dear Diary:
Gar was recruited into the Grey Wardens a few weeks ago. He had helped his friend escape; I am beginning to understand why someone would want to risk being an apostate. I caught Anders escaping again, I should have said something but something inside me said not too. Oh well, not my problem anyway. I wonder why Uldred hasn't made his move yet, what is he waiting for?
KABOOOOM!!!!
“WHAT IN THE MAKER’S NAME WAS THAT!?!?!!” I think my heart just stopped, even though it is actually beating too fast. What is that smell.... dear Maker it smells like blood and fire.
I gather up my sack, throwing in my diary, lyrium I had snatched from stores, the spell books I had taken from the repository and ran to see what the source of the smell was. As I reached the library, I came face to face with a horde of abominations. I was too late; Uldred has begun his plan. I quickly snapped out my shock and threw a fireball at them. As they lay burning, I quickly fled the scene and rounded the corner to see Wynne go down protecting a fellow mage. Instead of allowing fear to take over, I summoned all my rage and threw myself at the demon, running it through my staff and blowing it to pieces with another fireball. I thought I was going to be sick from the sight of demon guts.
Wynne was down and Petra was in hysterics, screaming at her, “WYNNE! WYNNE! OH WYNNE PLEASE GET UP!” I pulled her to her feet. “Calm yourself woman, lest you draw more demons to us!” The girl was in such a state of shock she didn't hear me. I don't blame her, I should be as scared as she was, but we didn’t have time for hysteria so I slapped her, hard. “Petra, snap out of it! We must get away from here!” She looked at me and said, “We can't leave Wynne, we just can’t!”
“She's dead, and there is nothing we can do about it now. Don’t let her death be in vain! Now let's get going!” Just as I was about to slap her again, a horde of rage demons found us. "I refuse to die today," I screamed as I twirled my staff around, gaining speed and casting a snow spell. The spell continuously created a swirling vortex of ice, blasting through the horde and freezing them solid. "Maker’s breath, it worked, I can't believe it worked."
“Oh thank the Maker....” She suddenly gasped as Wynne opened her eyes. “Wynne, can you hear me are you alright?” Wynne groaned as Petra helped her to a sitting position. “I am alright Petra, what about you?” Petra smiled at me. “I am fine, thanks to Lyria.” Wynne added her thanks to Petra’s. “Maker bless you, Lyria, thank goodness you were here.”
“You’re welcome; now get up please, before another horde of Maker knows what comes along.” It is just too much, it seems like nowhere is safe. If the templars can't handle this, then they can’t protect us anymore and they definitely have no right to rule over us. I can’t be a good little Circle mage anymore. I have to get out - but how? Wynne and Petra will try to talk me out of it or try to stop me. Well, since I don't want to kill them, I will have to do something drastic now all I need is....
KABOOM!!!
All of a sudden I was sent flying through the air, and it took me a second to realize I had been shot out of a window and was now falling to my death. Think fast think fast! I began to chant as fast as I could and right before I hit the ground, I successfully shape-shifted into to a crow and flew across the water. I had barely made it in time. Talk about a close call! I flew high into the sky, taking in my surroundings, and smelt death everywhere. "So this blight is real then...pity."
What was I to do now? I am now an apostate but hopefully they will think I am dead - for the time being at least.
________________________________________
It has now been three months since my Harrowing.
What to do, what to do? I have been in the wilds for two months now, practicing every spell that I could from the books I brought with me. Since I had an eidetic memory, and had memorized the books, they now seemed more like dead weight then something useful. As I had been taught, the books and other items locked in the repository were there for a reason. What should I do with these books now? I stood there thinking and decided that, since I had what I needed from them and didn't want anyone else to get their hands on them, I would burn them. Mages in the tower would think it was a waste I am sure, but I couldn't risk any mage with bad intentions getting hold of them. After making sure there was nothing left of the books, I decided to leave the wilds.
I had walked for days, and finally saw a town in the distance; I decided to try out a spell that I had done only once, when I flew from the tower as a crow. After I had found a hidden spot where I wouldn't be seen, I again shape-shifted, only this time I turned myself into an orange tabby cat. Everyone loves cats. It was time to get some food, one way or another. As I got closer a horrible smell assaulted my nose, but I decided to venture forward anyway. I sensed danger, so I crouched down and faded into the tall grass. I crawled closer until I saw them, a whole hoard of darkspawn.
I stayed in the tall grass and the shadows looking for survivors. After hours of searching, I came to the sad conclusion that no one survived. I could only hope some escaped.
As I was leaving the destruction the darkspawn had done, I came across a little elven girl. It looked like she had been infected by the blight and was dying slowly. I don't know how to cure such a thing and I can't bring myself to kill a little girl. I twitched my tail, trying not to cry because it seemed so unfair. The little girl managed to turn her head with what little strength she had. She reached out to me and so I went to her, putting my head next to hers while she petted me.
She coughed violently and her breath came in short gasps. “Nice kitty. Please…..stay….with….me…I…am so….scared.” I curled up next to her to keep her warm the best I could, purring to keep her calm. Her breathing began to weaken before long and I knew the end was near for her. As the sun set, she took her final breath, and I cried for her and for everyone that died here today.
After shifting back to my human form temporarily, I buried her by the small river nearby and prayed for her to reach the Maker’s side. When I was done with my unhappy task, I shifted back into a cat and went on my way.
You know, that is the first time I have ever prayed to the Maker?
What should I do? Where should I go? What could be my purpose? After going through something I had never gone through before, the death of a young elven girl, I felt something in me change. I don't know what the something was, but I knew it was going to change me forever.
________________________________________
It had now been five and a half months since my Harrowing.
I prowled the streets of Denerim, looking for food in my cat form. It turns out Fereldans do love dogs more than any other animal. In my current form I avoided the dogs of course, although the mabari are really impressive; maybe I will get one someday. I decided to try the alienage to see if they were less harsh than the humans. As I snuck around the alienage, I managed to swipe a few fresh fish, for they had plenty. As I was about to leave, a large group of humans charged into the alienage. They began to kill without rhythm or reason, men, women, even the children. I can't let this happen!
I jumped toward a human, transforming back into my human form as I moved. “APOSTATE!!!!!!! SOMEONE GO GET THE TEMPLARS,” a Denerim guard shouted as he saw me.
Oh no you don't. Before any guards could leave, I tried to seal both exits but unfortunately, a guard made it out before I could. Probably should have done that first.
“GET BEHIND ME I'LL PROTECT YOU!” Most of the elves looked at me as if my wits had left me, but I stood my ground regardless. The guards looked at me like I was crazy. “Don't do anything foolish, mage!”
“Why are you killing these elves? They have no means to defend themselves. What have they done?”
“We are just following orders from the new arl of Denerim. Due to the riots, he has ordered the alienage purged.”
“Yeah, I heard about this riot. I think the elves had reason to riot, since the last arl’s son had committed crimes against these elves.”
“Well, that is not for you to decide now is it mage? Step aside or we will use deadly force and I don’t think you would survive.” He raised his sword, and I raised my staff. I knew who would win if we engaged.
I lifted my head and glared at the man. “I'd like to see you try!”
“LYRIA, STOP THIS MADNESS!!!” The last person I ever expected to be in Denerim stood there with Circle Tower templars.
“Cullen! The only madness happening here is the slaughter of innocent elves here.”
He looked at me and surprisingly, agreed with me! “I understand, but there is no need for you to cause more trouble for the elves by killing these guards.” I stood there thinking. He’s right the blighter, but I refuse to go back to the Fereldan Circle because it is useless and unorganized.
“Please just come along quietly, I don't want to have to hurt you Lyria. Please come with me!” As I looked into his eyes, I noted that there seemed to be something there that I am sure shouldn't be there. He looked really concerned for my welfare and something else.
“Give it up, mage. You have nowhere to go, we have you surrounded!” Sod it; they had managed to get around me while I was distracted. Cullen begged me again to come with him. “Lyria...please!”
Maker, the look he is giving me, his eyes are showing too much, what is with him? Just then I heard a templar make a move behind me to grab me, and managed to evade him. The Templars came at me in an attempt to capture me. Oh no, you don't! Despite Cullen and the Templar’s attempts, I managed to quickly transform into a cat and jumped to the top of one of the elven houses. I looked back at the templars and saw Cullen mouth something to me.
Cullen: "Be safe.”
________________________________________
CHAPTER 6
A few days after I left Denerim, I came upon a camp in my cat form, which I had maintained the entire time. It was a mixed group of people that I didn't recognized until I looked near the tents and froze. It was Wynne! What is she doing outside the tower? Standing not far from Wynne was Gar. He looked rough, dirty and he had cuts all over his face. What is going on? I wandered close to Wynne. She must have heard me somehow and turned to look at me.
“Did you think you could sneak up on a fellow mage?” I was irritated that she recognized me, but shifted back to my human form to converse with her. “Hello Wynne, it has been a long time since last we met. What brings you way out here?”
“I am travelling with the Grey Warden, so I may help stop the Blight.” Stop the blight - I was sure I heard her correctly and wondered why she would attempt something so dangerous after her ordeal at the tower. She looked healthy enough, but I could sense something different in her, something changed.
“Wynne are you sure you should be out and about after what happened at the tower? You almost died!” She smiled at my worry for her. “I am fine, but why are you out here? Why are you not at the Circle? You do not seem to be the type to become an apostate.”
“I will always be a Circle mage, but I can't return to the Fereldan Circle.” Her look changed to one of worry. “You should go back; I don't want to see you get hurt.” “I will be fine Wynne, please don't fret.”
Suddenly I heard my name called. “LYRIA!” I looked over to see Gar walking towards me; he looked so worn out. “Hello Gar, it has been awhile, hasn’t it?” He told me, “You should be in the circle, where it’s safe.”
“Safe! Really! And here I thought hordes of shades, rage demons and abominations were a bad thing. My mistake! I'll just head back right now and skip while I'm at it!” He gave me look that reminded me of a father scolding his child. “You know what I mean; this is no time for...” I interrupted him. “My jests, I know. I may return to the Circle eventually, but not right now.”
“Well if I cannot convince you, please be safe, and may the Maker watch over you.”
“I wish the same for you as well Gar.” I said my goodbyes to Gar and Wynne and went on my way.
I had not traveled a half mile before I found myself confronted by a single templar. From a distance, I knew he was a templar because of the symbol on his clothing. He was unarmed and unarmored. I thought he must have lost his wits, or he is most surely drunk. Once I looked closer, I was stunned.
“Lyria, I am glad you are safe. Please know I come to you as myself and not as a templar.” I looked at him suspiciously. “Is that right? Well if you are not here to take me back to the circle then why are you here? And with no armor or arms? It would only take one fire ball to burn you.” I held my staff out in case this was a trap of some sort.
“I came here unarmed and unarmored to show you that I trust you and that I mean you no harm. I wanted to talk to you, alone and face to face.” I looked at him as if he were truly daft. If he was about to say what I thought he was about to say, I was at a loss for words.
“Well what is it you want to talk to me about, Cullen?” He looked nervous, and as if he was to be ill at any moment. He reached for something in his robe and I blushed; I let out a breath of relief when he just pulled out a bottle. Upon closer inspection, I could see it was a phylactery! My phylactery?
“I want you to come back to the circle, but I won't force you.” He then did something I never thought any templar would do, let alone Cullen. He threw my phylactery into the river where it shattered on a rock, and the blood washed away. I tried to speak. “Cul..”
“Don't say anything. Just know that I will be going to the Kirkwall Circle soon.” I had so many questions for him, but he had turned his back and was already walking away. What is he up to, is this some sort of test? Why does he trust me so much? Not that he shouldn't trust me, but it just boggles the mind that he does. I was still thinking about what had just happened when out of nowhere three individuals came running out of the forest.
“RUN!!! DARKSPAWN!!!!!!!!!”
________________________________________
Why is it that no matter where I go chaos and death follows?
Out of nowhere a dwarf burst from the bushes with a horde of darkspawn behind her, and a battle began!
“HEY YOU DON’T JUST STAND THERE HELP US!!!!!!” the dwarf shouted at me. From the looks of her she was a rogue and was pretty good with daggers went through my head. I put up my shields and prepared for what looked to be a long battle; there had to be at least fifty or more darkspawn.
I asked her between spells “SO ARE THESE LOVELIES FRIENDS OF YOURS OR DO YOU DO THIS SORT OF THING FOR FUN?” She answered me in a sharp voice, “SOD OFF!!”
I laughed at her. “I guess it was your charm that attracted them to you!” As the dwarf beheaded a genlock, she gave me a glare that said I was next if I didn't shut my mouth and start getting busy. I just laughed and continued to blow up dark spawn. As I turned to my left I saw the emissary and did what any smart person would do in a huge battle. Take out the mage!
Oh, the irony! I ran through the large group of dark spawn that surrounded it, blowing off heads as I went. “EWWWW BLOOD, AND WHATS THIS?!? MAKERS BREATH!!!!! THERE WAS AN EYEBALL IN MY HAIR!!!!!!”
It was the dwarf’s turn to laugh at me now, while striking out at darkspawn. “Talk about having eyes on the back of your head! HA!!!” I ignored her and kept running towards the emissary. Just when I was about to reach it, I saw a huge fire ball coming up behind it.
BOOM!!!
The emissary went down in flames and Gar nonchalantly strolled up. I hate it when someone takes my kill. “Why Gar, it is so good of you to join us!” He just looked at me and made an obvious statement. “No time, kill now!!” He wasn’t kidding; three hours later there was still a good number of darkspawn. All of a sudden the ground started to shudder violently. Without warning, a giant boulder came flying at us from what seems like out of nowhere.
SPLAT!!!!
Ironically the boulder landed on a few darkspawn, and I had a good laugh at that. My laughter died, however, when a huge ogre came stomping onto the road. For some reason when it saw me, it thought I was the biggest threat or weakest link, like I said everyone goes for the mage first but since I am not the only mage here that's kind of irrelevant.
It charged at me in a burning rage. I didn't know what to do, and an idea struck me just as it was about to reach me. I gathered all my reserves of mana and created a giant slanted ice spike with the tip of it pointing in the ogre’s direction. As fast as he was running, he couldn't stop himself. I barely managed to get out of the way when he impaled himself right through the heart. Finally, we triumphed. After we finished washing ourselves in the nearby lake we made our way back to Gar's camp. The dwarf, who had introduced herself as Isana, and I found a private place out of the sight of the men and threatened their lives if they should get any ideas. Afterwards, we all found a place to sleep, and rested after such a long day.
________________________________________
It had now been several months since my Harrowing.
I woke to the suffocating smell of burning flesh. When I came out of my tent there was a pile of templar corpses and a mage whose face I couldn’t see due to his hood pulled up, talking to Isana. I was horrified at the sight and my anger kicked in. I stomped up to the mage and punched him in the face, breaking his nose with a nasty crunch. Isana shouted at me, “HEY, HEY, CALM YOUR ARSE, LYRIA!!!”
“WHY SHOULD I? THE IDIOT KILLED TEMPLARS, WHICH NO DOUBT WILL BRING MORE TO FIND US WHEN THEY DONT REPORT IN. HOW CAN HE BE SO STUPID!?”
“First off, these templars were looking for you! They were about to wake you when he came out of nowhere and distracted them. He saved you!” I was still angry, and it showed in my tone. “He did nothing but make things worse. If he truly wanted to help he could have led them away and lost them in the woods or something.”
Isana conceded the point. “Hmm, I suppose you make a good point, but what done is done.”
“Fear not Isana, that was Lyria’s famous love tap that she always so seems eager to give me.” I whirled around and saw the last mage in the world I wanted to see - Anders.
“Still alive I see!” I spat the words at him.
“Your concern for my current condition overwhelms me, pretty lady.”
I proceeded to give him a list of what was wrong with him. “What are you doing all the way out here and covered in filth? Could you not find a lake or some body of water to wash in? Have you eaten recently? You look thin. And find something to brush that mop you call hair, you look like a mabari after a battle.”
“Yes mother, right away mother.” He laughed. I glared at him but said nothing. I just stomped over to the camp fire and sat down on a log.
“YOU’RE WELCOME, BY THE WAY!!!” I didn’t look back at him; I just stared at the fire with my anger starting to flame, which in turn made the fire bigger. I heard him and Isana coming to join me and looked away when Anders sat next to me.
“You know I am a Grey Warden now. I chase down and kill darkspawn!”
I threw it back in his face, his recent kills. “…and templars!!!” He shrugged like it was the normal, everyday thing to do, which made me want to break something else.
I finally decided to be nice, or pretend to at least. “You hungry? We have some nug we caught in a deep road entrance not far from here.
“I would eat anything you give me, mother dear!”
“Don't call me mother, for Maker’s sake! You’re older than me. GRANDPA!!” I laughed at him.
“HAG!!!”
“LIMP NOODLE!!!”
“And she throws a low blow! How would you know if I am a limp noodle or not hmmmmmmmmm???”
I told him to shut up.
He surprised me with his next statement. “So want to go to Kirkwall with me?” It seemed funny to me when he laughed and sighed in the same breath.
“Kirkwall, the city of templars! Why would I go there?” Although I may join the circle there, but I also enjoy my freedom here."
“Well, we aren't well known there and there are good places to hide out.”
I knew he was a healer and came up with an idea. “We could start a clinic for refugees, which would give the poor a reason not to rat us out!”
Isana joined into the conversation enthusiastically. “I could join the Red Iron or become a lone mercenary!”
Anders sound unsure at first, but then agreed. “Uh yea sure that could work!” He stood up and started gathering his belongings. I laughed at the two of them and took Isana’s arm.
Lyria: “Shall we?”
Anders: “We shall!
________________________________________
Chapter 9
Three years have passed since we arrived in Kirkwall.
It's just awkward, sitting in the Hanged Man, drinking life away, not sure what to do with myself. Varric and Isana were drinking with me. I sighed. Varric asked me, “Something the matter???”
“Nothing much; it's just that I have been in Kirkwall for three years and Cullen has only come to see me once.”
Isana looked at me in disgust. “WELL YOU SHOULD SEND HIM A NOTE TELLING HIM WHAT A WASTE OF TIME HE IS. WHO LEADS A GIRL ON LIKE THIS!? I mean, I get the whole thing, he's a templar and you're a mage, but sod it all, it doesn't take a genius to sneak here to see you. I say he is as dumb as a nug and you should forget him and find someone who will love you no matter what.”
I agreed with her. “Yea you’re right Isana, I think I will do that. I am not getting any younger and I want kids some day before I am old and grey.” She then decided to distract me. “Speaking of grey, you check out that Qunari in the corner over there?”
I knew who she was talking about. “If you mean Maaras, what about him? He knows I am a mage and I am sure he wants nothing to do with one. I mean, you know what Qunari do to their mages.”
“Well if he wanted to kill you, or did not think much of you, I am sure he wouldn't watch you the way he does.” I told her “He watches everyone like they have dirt on their face or something; it’s kind of creepy.”
Varric though it was funny. “Since when are you turned off by creepy?”
Isana agreed with him. “Yea why don't you go talk to him hmmmmmm???”
I looked at them like they were crazy. “WHAT? NO! Are you insane???? What would I say to him anyway that wouldn't annoy him. Qunari are very serious!” Isana told me, “You have a point!” Varric made an outrageous proposal. “You could grab his butt as he passes!”
“I don't like it when a guy does that to me, so I am not about to do that to another person. Besides, he is like 6'1 and I am 5'0. It would be awkward!” I gave Varric an irritated look as I said this.
Isana laughed and said, “Or perfect if you think about it!” Of course she would go there!
Finally, a rescuer! Hawke strolled up. “What’s so funny?”
“Lyria is scared to talk to Maraas.” Isana laughed heartily at her little joke.
I glared at Isana and told Hawke “I am not; I mean, what does one talk about with a former Qunari/ Tal-Vashoth turned mercenary??”
“Hmmmm, uuuh…. the ...WEATHER!” I planted my face in my palms at Hawke’s supposed wit. He found it funny, and so did everyone else except me. Anders finally joined us.
“What’s so funny?” Hawke whispered in Anders’s ear and told him his “funny” joke, which Anders enjoyed thoroughly. I did not think it was funny and glared at the occupants of table, who laughed even more at me.
Anders put his sarcastic with to use. “Everyone run, the elf is gonna blow!”
I had to correct him – again. And did so loudly! “MAKERS BREATH!! I am not an elf!!!!”
Anders repeated something I had heard my entire time in the Circle. “Really? Because besides the shape of your ears and your eyes, you look almost exactly like Merrill.”
I hate you all!!!
________________________________________
I had moved into Hawke’s home in Lowtown, because I did not like Darktown. “Thanks for letting me live here with you for awhile, Hawke. I really didn't want to live in Darktown.”
“It’s no problem, Lyria, as long as you don't mind the smell, and Gamlen’s stares.”
“The smell and Gamlen are not a problem, I’m just glad there's a lock on my door.”
“So, are you going ever confess your undying love for Maraas?” He laughed as he said this.
I laughed with him. “I am not in love with Maraas; I mean, he is attractive in his own way, but I wouldn't know what to talk to him about.”
“Well, you could talk about living your own life without having someone tell you what to do! Or better yet, the weather!” I rolled my eyes at his “wit”.
I smacked his arm. “I was just about to take you seriously and you had to go mess it up! Well I’m heading out, try to clear my head and what not.”
“Awwwwww. I was having fun having girl talk with you!” He pretended to sob into his hands.
“I will be back soon and then we can talk about you and Fenris.” I thought turnabout would be fair play, since he decided to tease me about Maraas.
“WHAT!? Me!? Fenris!? I don't know what you’re talking about!”
“Mmmmm hmmm, talk to you later Hawke.” With that and a cheery wave, I left.
A strange elf I did not know greeted me. “Aneth ara Lyria!”
“Do I know you?”
He replied to me, “No, but I know of you. My name is Pol and my keeper sent me to find you. She wishes to speak with you. Please come with me!”
I looked at him suspiciously. “You don't look like a Dalish!
He explained. “That is because I wasn't born among the Dalish; I was born a city elf. I left the city and found the Dalish camp outside Kirkwall. The keeper thought it would be best to send me to get you, since we have some things in common.”
We started towards the gate of Kirkwall that led to Sundermount. “Why does the Keeper want to see a random apostate?”
“I don’t know, but when she was telling me where to find you and what to say to you, she was very emotional.”
I wondered out loud. “Hmmmm. What about me would make her emotional?” I wondered out loud.
“She said she saw you on her way to the alienage two years ago and has had one of our hunters watch over you ever since.” This made me a little wary now – it was downright creepy.
“Well I guess I better go see why she is having you stalk me!” It was a three hour walk from Hawke’s mansion in Hightown and the Dalish camp near Sundermount; and I cursed every hill we had to climb. Pol laughed in sympathy. “Yes it took me awhile to get used to traveling so much as well.”
A Dalish guard stopped us. “HOLD! Pol, who is this? Why do you bring a shem here?” Pol answered him sharply. “The Keeper ordered me to bring her here!” The guard had the sense to look embarrassed. “Oh this is her! My apologies. Aneth ara Lyria!”
I returned the greeting. “Aneth ara to you also.” I turned to Pol and asked “So where is the keeper Pol?” Pol indicated the way to the Keeper. “She is over there, please go speak to her. I have some things I need to do, so I will see you later.”
I wonder what the Keeper wants with me? She greeted me warmly. “Welcome to our camp, Lyria. Please, come walk with me!”
“Okay.” I again wondered why a Keeper of the Dalish would want to meet with me.
She asked me a strange question. “How much do you know about where you come from Lyria?”
“Not much, other than the fact that I was brought to the Circle as a baby. Why?” Her answer surprised me. “You were brought to the circle as an infant because your father was a templar.”
“WHAT! How could you possibly know who my father is? I mean I have never even met you until now!” The Keeper sighed deeply. “I know who your father is because… I am your mother!” I could not keep the shock from my voice. “WHAAAT!?!?! I am half Dalish? Half-elf? No wonder I look elfish. “Well, if you’re my mother, who is my father?” The name she uttered stunned me even further.
“Greagoir is your father.” I couldn't breathe – me, the offspring of a Dalish keeper and a templar - I couldn't stand. I sank to the ground in disbelief. The Keeper sat down next to me and took my hand. “Lyria is the name your father gave you; it is a Dalish name.”
“Really? What is my Dalish name then? Please don't be something hard to say. She replied to me “The name I gave you at birth was "Suledin", which means "To Endure".” I smiled at her. “Actually, that name sounds perfect for me, considering I am a mage!”
“I knew you would be tis why I named you such,” she told me. “So why did you give me up, why couldn't I have lived among our people?”
She gave me the explanation. “Because all babies born from a union between an elf and a human are human in appearance, so while you have the same height as an elf, and have some of my features, you still appear almost completely human. Your father thought it best to raise you in the Circle, where you would be an equal with your fellow mages, rather than looked down upon among the people.”
“Really? Or is it because you didn’t want anyone to know you had lain with a human, and a templar of all things. You are ashamed of me?” She looked at me sadly. “Of course not! But I couldn't bear to see you hurt, so I let you go.”
“Why wasn't I told? Why didn't Greagoir tell me who he was?”
“I don’t know why he did not, but I am glad to finally get the chance to know you, if you will let me.”
“Of course....mother.” We hugged, tears flowing. After we had calmed down and dried our tears, we continued our conversation.
“I have told the clan who you are and that you are my child. You are always welcome amongst the clan.”
“Thank you, but I have one question. Do I get a face tattoo too?” She gave me a look that said she thought I was a bit strange. I tried to explain. “I mean, I know I am half Dalish, but I figured I would like something of my heritage.”
“Of course my child, I have been thinking of one that I think you might like. How about this one? It’s a mask-like tattoo.” I said, “It looks very pretty!” To my surprise, she wanted to start on it right away!
“Shall we begin?” I asked her in amazement. “What, now???” I was sure my reluctance showed in my voice. “Yes, now.”
I told her, “Very well.” It took approximately 3 hours to complete the tattoo. She said to me after the tattoo was done, “It will take some time for your face to heal, but this salve will help. You will stay here until the swelling goes down.” All I could do was nod my head in agreement, because my face was too swollen to talk. I remained in the camp for a week, waiting for face to mend. To my great surprise, I had a visitor after the week – Hawke had somehow found me in the Dalish camp.
“THERE YOU ARE! WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME WHERE YOU WERE!?!? I HAVE BEEN WORRIED SICK I..... WHAT IN THE MAKERS NAME HAVE YOU DONE TO YOUR FACE!?!?!”
I had to laugh at him. “I have accepted my heritage, don't I look pretty?”
“You’re Dalish???”
“Well, half Dalish.” I told him.
Hawke began to laugh uproariously. “HA HA HA HA HA HA! You know everyone is going to start calling you elf now, right? And Merrill will most likely never leave you alone once she finds out.”
“Wonderful…”
After he had calmed down, he admired my vallaslin, for that was what it was called. “Honestly, though, it is a nice face tattoo. So, did it hurt???”
“Not at all, I love having a needle continually stabbed into my face and then laying in bed for a week with a swollen face. It’s my ideal vacation.” I replied sarcastically to Hawke, since he seemed to think he was so witty.
“Ha ha... Well, I am glad you’re alright. Anyways, you missed Cullen a few days ago, he came to see you.”
Oh wonderful! When I am not in Kirkwall! “WHAT!?!?! It figures, he would visit while I am gone.”
“When we told him you were missing, however, he became very distraught and has been looking for you ever since.” The news made me happy, I think. “Well I suppose I should go find him and let him know I am okay.” Hawke looked at me a bit guiltily. “About that...”
“Hawke, what did you do?” Hawke gave me a sheepish grin before answering. “I kind of … brought him with me.” He really surprised me with that. “WHAT!?! Why would you do that?”
“Because he was so upset, almost to the point of lying on the ground, crying over you, thinking you were dead - or worse. Besides, you know I would never help him if I thought he would turn you into the Circle.” I sighed, and left the aravel to look for Cullen. “Well, I might as well go talk to him.” As I exited the aravel, I spotted Cullen walking back and forth muttering to himself.
“Hello Cullen!” I did not get the response I expected. “MAKER’S BREATH, YOUR FACE!!”
“That’s some greeting Cullen. Anyways, do you like it? It turns out I am half Dalish!”
“Well… umm.... it looks nice!” I thanked him politely, and then tore into him. “Thank you Cullen. So… WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN???? YOU GET ALL EMOTIONAL WITH ME AND MAKE ME THINK THINGS AND ONLY VISIT ME ONCE!! NO LETTERS, NO VISITS!!!! NOTHING!!!! WHY LEAD ME ON LIKE THIS YOU BASTARD!?!?!!”
He looked shocked as he answered. “I couldn't contact you; the Knight Commander of the Kirkwall Chantry is smarter than Greagoir is. I think he would have known.”
Lyria: “Hrmph ....”
He did apologize however. “I am sorry Lyria, really I am. Will you walk with me so we can talk about our situation? We can go back to Kirkwall together while we talk.”
Lyria: “Yeah...” I told my mother and the other Dalish goodbye, and began the trek back to Kirkwall with Cullen. Hawke has decided to stay with the Dalish for a short visit.
Picture of the Tattoo Lyria now has-
_______________________________________
After Cullen and I were approximately an hour into the three hour return trip, traveling along the Wounded Coast, I decided to question him about he had been doing. “So tell me Cullen, what have you been up to?” He didn't respond to me, and turned away with a strange look on his face. He didn't seem to want to look at me, and he was sweating a great deal.
“Cullen?”
“I am sorry Lyria; I feel this is the right thing to do!” Fear like I have never known shot through me.
“Cullen, what are you talking about?” Just then a large group of templars seemed to come out of nowhere. Cullen grabbed me before I had the chance to react and made sure I couldn't use any magic!
Cullen: ‘’I am sorry Lyria, with all that is happening lately I can't take a chance that you will join the rebel mages! I hope in time you will see this as more of a blessing then a betrayal! I do this out of love.”
“YOU BASTARD! LOVE?! YOU DO THIS OUT OF LOVE?!?!?” I struggled and tried to fight, but I couldn’t move and I could feel my magic being drained.
The leader of the Templars, Sir Karras, told Cullen, “There is no need to apologize, Ser Cullen. The Knight Commander wants this one taken care of, so she won't be alive long enough to hate you.” Cullen stared at Ser Karras in shock, unable to comprehend what he was being told. “That wasn't the plan; I was told we were to take her to the Circle.”
“I know. You were told that so you would help without question. Your weakness for these mages will be discussed with the Knight Commander later today.” Ser Karras turned to me then and drew his sword. I feel the pain before he even touched me. He ran me through so fast I didn't even see it coming. The pain was unbearable and I looked at Cullen, whose face was as white as snow and as cold as ice. I had let my guard down and fallen into a trap. Ser Karras withdrew his sword from my body, and I was thrown into the water. Luckily I landed near a small patch of shore, before I blacked out. As darkness took me all I could hear was the sound of men screaming.
_____________________________________
My name is Isana, of house Kondrat, and baby sister to Oghren Kondrat. My brother, although a drunk, was a great big brother; we were very close. I had made some mistakes when we were kids and was cast out from our house, the warrior caste and had to move to Dust Town. I guess I shouldn't have let my anger get the best of me, but, in my defense Branka had it coming. I was only 15 at the time and desperate. Instead of becoming a prostitute, I decided to join the carta. It was hard at first, but it soon felt like I was born into it. I even got my own casteless tattoo that looks like the top of a castle and wear it with pride.
That was ten years ago. I now live in Kirkwall, an ocean away from where I was born. I am on the Wounded Coast looking for my friend who disappeared. Maaras, Anders and Varric were my companions that day, and what we find almost broke me!
“SOD IT, BLASTED....”
Varric tried to calm me down, but it was not working. “Calm down Isana, we will find her!” Maaras gave Varric an annoyed look.
Anders asked, “Wasn't Hawke supposed to be out this way? I thought we had a pretty good lead.”
“BY THE STONE WE BETTER OR I.......” I looked ahead of us and saw the remains of what must have been a nasty battle. I walked up to the battlefield, and looked upon carnage. The bodies of templars and mages lay scattered about like so many discarded dolls. It seems that the apostates were getting cocky and they had bitten off more than they could chew. I couldn't find Lyria among the dead.
“So much blood, so much death.” I whispered quietly to myself, still shaken by the horrors before me.
Anders called for me urgently. “ISANA, COME HERE, QUICK!” I ran to where Anders stood over a comatose body. “What is it Anders? What did you find?” He pointed down to the body in front of him. “Look here, at who managed to survive…unfortunately!”
“Cullen...... WHERE IS SHE YOU ROTTEN SON OF A NUG!!!!!” I grabbed at Cullen and began shaking him violently, but Varric stopped me. “ISANA ENOUGH! You won't get anything out of him if you shake him to death!” I gave the dwarf a dirty look and faced Cullen, whom I still held. “Fine.” I gave Cullen another shake. “What happened? Where is she?!?” Cullen coughed as he answered me.
“I thought we were going to take her back to the circle - I just wanted her to be safe. I didn't know it was a trap, didn't know...that…” I released Cullen long enough to backhand him across the face. “ ‘THAT’ WHAT YOU SCUM?!?” Varric pushed himself between me and Cullen, and spoke softly to him. “Cullen, I would answer her if I were you; I can't hold her back forever.”
Cullen answered Varric. “Ser Karras ran her through with his sword and tossed her over the cliff there.” He pointed to his right, and I moved. I ran to the cliff’s edge and saw her down below. “WHAAAAAT?!? BY THE STONE THERE SHE IS!!!! MAARAS BRING YOUR SEXY GREY SELF OVER HERE!!!!” The tall Val Tashoth walked over to me, grumbling.
“It's not that far down and you’re strong and tall. Please go down and get her!” Varric grinned his usual cocky grin. “Wow now that is something I never thought I would live to see - Isana using the "P" word!”
Maaras started to climb down the cliff face and I could feel knots form in my stomach. If Lyria, who I had come to love as a sister, was truly dead, then… well there were going to be a lot of dead templars soon. Cullen made as if to speak, and I basically told him not to say anything. “If you want to live much longer, you will shut up! Maaras, please hurry!!!”
Varric looked at Anders with concern. “Anders, you have been awfully quiet. Don’t you feel any angry at what has happened to our dear Lyria?” Anders had a strained look on his face.
Anders: “I am trying to control Justice, it is....difficult.” Varric, having seen Anders try to control the spirit before, understood the effort Anders was putting forth.
As Maaras brought Lyria up, I could see she was still breathing but was a bloody mess. We now had to make sure she stayed that way.
“Anders! Heal her now...please.” I nearly broke down, as Anders began to heal Lyria. There was so much blood! I can’t lose her, please ancestors don’t take her from me. After a few minutes, Lyria began to cough and moan. “Okay, Anders. I am fine now.” I did not think she was, but helped her up. “Can you stand?” Lyria groaned and stood up unsteadily. “Where is Cullen!? The traitor....” I gripped Cullen’s hair and pulled his head back, putting a dagger to his throat. I wanted to kill him on Lyria’s behalf, for his betrayal. “He’s right here. Let me kill him Lyria, please! You almost died because of him!”
Cullen began pleading with Lyria. “Lyria, please, I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I heard the mages were gathering, and I was scared you were a part of it! I didn't want anything to happen to you.” Lyria looked at him angrily. “So instead of trusting me like you claimed to, you betrayed me to the Knight Commander! He no doubt thinks I am a witless blood mage now!”
“I am sorry Lyria! Please forgive me!” Lyria sighed and looked at Cullen sadly. “I forgive you Cullen, but I no longer trust you. Anything we could have had died the moment you let Ser Karras run me through. Goodbye Cullen. May the Maker always be with you!” At this, Cullen realized no one wanted him around any longer, and started the long slog back to Kirkwall.
I was outraged! “THAT’S IT?! YOU ARE LETTING THE BASTARD LIVE!?!” Lyria looked at me resignedly and sat down, still weak. “Isana, please! I just want to go home! Anders, can you help me up?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lyria
“Of course, but I am not happy you are being so forgiving right now. I sorely wish I could kill Cullen for what he let happen to you.” I looked at my rescuers. “I understand everyone but please let’s go home, I need to rest.” The healer in Anders now came forth. “It will take time for you to fully heal, Lyria. Please let me carry you home!”
“Anders that's not necessary. Yes, I was gutted and left for dead, but hey, I have been through worse.”
He looked at me worriedly. “I can hardly imagine anything worse than being gutted.” I tried to smile at him. “So true Anders, so true!” As Anders began to lift me up into his arms, I felt a strange tug on my heart that left me light headed.
Isana was still angry for me. “I still say you shouldn't have let him live!” I told her, “Isana there is enough death and hate in the world, and we shouldn't be eager to add to it.” Isana grumbled at my response. Anders held me to him, trying unconsciously to convey something to me. “So, what now Lyria? Now that you and Cullen are through?”
“Oh I don't know Anders, the first thing is to try not to get gutted by templars, and I think I will be joining the mage rebellion after all. What I do know is that I will never be a circle mage again if I can help it. Things need to change!” He concurred. “I couldn't agree with you more!” From the comfort of Anders’s arms, I spoke to Isana. “Isana, why don't you stay out here and calm down before you return to Kirkwall? I appreciate your anger on my behalf, but I don't want you to get into trouble. I am sure you and Maraas will be fine outside the city walls for a day or so. Besides I have things I need to talk to Anders about.” Isana looked unhappy about my request, but agreed and sat down on a fallen tree.
~~~~~~~
Isana
As Lyria was carried away by Anders and accompanied by Varric, I felt myself break and the tears came. I had almost lost the only family I was ever likely to have. I never knew how much it scared me, the thought of losing Lyria. My greatest fear was being alone, and I felt like my heart could not take it if I lost her. I stomped the ground, and began cursing and crying. I paced back and forth, not realizing Maraas was close behind me. Suddenly the normally taciturn Val Tashoth spoke.
“Parshaara! Enough crying woman!”
I kept pacing, when to my shock, Maraas grabbed me, lifted me up by my wrists, slammed me against the rock side and kissed me deeply. I was so shocked, I nearly died right there. He let go of my wrists and held me up around my waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck and ran my fingers through his rough white hair and we kissed as if this was our last moment alive. As quickly as it started, he ended it by putting me down and walking away. I didn't know how to react other than to stand there in shock and look at his back as he moved away from me. I ran to catch up with the tall man.
“So Maraas um...” I did not know what to say to him. “You were distressed, now you are not!”
“I am good now, um, thanks?”
He spoke again. “Parshaara! Let us return to Kirkwall!”
“That's the plan!”
We continued to walk down the path to Kirkwall and I noticed he would occasionally try and sneak a peek at me. While that same emotionless expression remained on his face, I swear I saw red in his cheeks – I did not know a Qunari could blush, and I have a feeling that things are going to get very interesting in the future.
________________________________________
Dear diary
It's been awhile since I have wrote anything down, it's been four years since I escaped the circle. Well if you count getting blown out of a window escaping. Ugh it smells like moldy cheese in my room, I think Hawke put some bad cheese under the floor board again and forgot about it. I think the next time hawks uncle gives me that creepy look ima freeze him to the floor. I can't believe that Isana is with maaras, I mean how does that even work....
A voice surprised me. “Well we haven't gotten that far yet!” I jumped and looked around, seeing no one. “MAKERS BREATH! Where are you?” Isana poked her head over the edge of the bed and grinned at me. “Up here, on the second bed. Gives me a great view of your journal as you write it.”
I glared up at her. “What are you doing reading my journal????”
“I find it fascinating, to know what goes on in your head! So, curious about me and Maaras huh?”
“Well yeah. I mean from what Fenris tells me they don't do love or relationships, they just have kids with who they’re told to have kids with, and kill things! Oh and we can't forget order!” I rolled my eyes at Isana.
“Maaras wanted to leave to find his own path, and I am sure that wanting to find someone to be with was in his mind, regardless of what he says.”
I said to her, “He doesn't seem the romantic sort.”
She explain Maaras to me. “No he isn't the romantic sort; he is more of ‘this is how it is so deal with it’ kind of guy. After we got back from the Wounded Coast he pulled me aside and told me "I have a feeling of attraction towards you and the desire to impregnate you.” At first the impregnate part kind of freaked me out, but he said it was his way of saying he wanted to have sex.
I gave a surprised look. “SEX!? Maker’s breath did you?” She looked at me, curious. “Not yet, why?”
“I don't know it just seems...well...dangerous!” Isana laughed at that comment. “Yeah, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?”
Since she seemed open to my questions, I asked rather embarrassing one. “Aren’t you scared he will hurt you? I mean he is so big and you’re well…not.”
“I can handle him just fine I am sure...at least I think I am sure. Anyways, on to other subjects! Have you noticed the Qunari seem a bit restless like they’re expecting something big to happen?”
“Yeah, I talked to Aveline and Hawke the other day and they seem to think something is going to happen. A lot of fugitives have run to join the Qun and I think if it keeps up Aveline is going to snap. I mean, the crazy sister from the chantry seemed to light a fire that’s going to spread.”
“True.” Isana sighed, but soon changed her tune. “Let’s head to the Hanged Man, I need a drink!” I wholeheartedly agreed with her. “Same here, let's make it a few drinks!”
“I like the way you think, salroka (friend)!”
We left home with Hawke’s uncle giving us one uncomfortable stare and made our way to the Hanged Man. It was only a short walk, but it never took long for the smell of the ocean, blood, garbage, that dead elf in the ally and everything else to crawl into your nose and make you want to be sick. The smell of the Hanged Man wasn't any better and there wasn't a nice breeze to give us any relief from the smell.
Isana asked, “So, what will you have? An ordinary ale, or are you brave enough to try dwarven ale?”
I said, “Well, I was hoping to live a few more years, but I guess death by dwarven ale is fine.” I sighed as Isana looked at me and gave me an evil grin. “Good, I bet I could drink you under the table! Us Kondrats know how to hold our spirits!”
I smiled at her and decided to accept her challenge. “How much do you want to bet me?” She bet 100 silver, and I said, “You're so cheap!” She defended her bet amount. “Heh, in my defense work has been slow, sodding bandits been hiding.”
I glanced at her. “Well after a few times of being on the receiving end of tar bombs and setting them on fire, it tends to make people wary!” She said, “BY THE STONE! I only did that 5 times, sodding nug humpers need to grow a pair and come out and face me.” I reminded her about the ale she was to get us, and the bet. “Hmm… Oh yeah! I shall start!” She took out a five gallon jug of ale.
I saw markings on the jug. “There are runes on the jug! What do they do?”
“They keep the ale cold, of course! Warm ale tastes like piss, never drink warm ale! TRUST ME!”
“I will take your word on it.” Isana took a huge gulp of ale, describing the taste of it to me. “Mmmmmm…has an almond flavor with some spice to it!” She then passed the jug to me. “So, if you had your own ale why did we come to the Hanged Man?”
“To see if Maaras was here, of course!”
I took a sip of the ale and passed the jug back to Isana. “You call that drinking!?” I told her, “I don’t need to gulp my spirits Isana and I don't want to pass out from lack of air!”
“That's why you breathe through your nose when you drink, Lyria!”
“I feel some tingles,” looking at my hand, giggling. “I think it's affecting me!”
“Well it better, you need to loosen up a bit forget about that mess with Cullen.” I answered her, sighing. “I guess!”
As I sat there with Isana in the Hanged Man, I began to hear screams outside and what I took to be someone speaking Qunlat.
I spoke to Isana worriedly. “Hey Isana, I think there is something happening outside!” She smiled at me mischievously before answering. “Yes sounds like a fight! Shall we go partake? You know, to protect the innocent lives and all that. Sodding Qunari and their "Qun"! Sodding ridicules' if you ask me.”
“Yeah, we should go help; no doubt Hawke will be in the middle of it.”
“Yeah everything fun happens to her.” Isana rolled her eyes at me.
As we gathered our things a small group of Qunari came bursting through the door like they owned the place, and started killing. Poor fools at the tables were too drunk to realize the danger. The Qunari were covered in their red paint and smelled like they had rolled around on the ground outside, because they smelled like they had not cleaned themselves in awhile.
“Maker’s breath!” I charged my staff, ready to fight. A Sten pointed at me and spoke. “BAS SAARABAS!” I blasted the Qunari off his feet with fire. “Sod it!”
“LYRIA! GET DOWN!” I looked around, and saw Isana at the top of the stairs. “What are you doing?!”
Isana smiled mischievously again, while holding a tar bomb. I rolled my eyes at her and ducked for cover. Isana threw the tar bomb and watched as it covered all the Qunari in the tavern with sticky tar. She then got a fire bomb out and proceeded to throw it at them. She then decided to be kind to the Qunari and took out her daggers; continuing her killing by taking out the rest of the Qunari while they screamed in pain. I looked at her from behind my cover, and got annoyed at Isana. “I could have done the fire part, you know!”
She said “True, but we need you at full strength, since there is no telling what we are going to find when we get outside!” We emerged from the wrecked Hanged Man only to find Lowtown littered with the bodies of elves and human alike. There were a few dead Qunari here and there but not that many. We looked to our left to see Hawke, Varric and Aveline come running toward us. “THANK THE MAKER LYRIA! ISANA!”
“Why Hawke, are theses Qunari your doing? And here it's not even my birthday!” Hawke was so angry! “No, we have Isabella to thank for this horror!” “What'd she do this time?” I asked. Aveline said, “That poxy tart stole their sacred book! That’s why they have been here for so long and now they have had enough!”
Isana looked at everyone. “By the stone, who cares! Let’s go collect some horn eh!” Varric stared at Isana. “Aren’t you with a Qunari?” Isana returned Varric’s surprised look with a glare. “Maaras is Tal- Vashoth not Qunari!” Varric just laughed.
Aveline told the two of them off sharply. “Enough! We have to get to Hightown and rally my men! No telling what the Arishok has planned!” Isana took a deep breath and got out her daggers as I charged my staff again. “Kill everything seems to be their answer to everything that isn't in their precious Qun.” I looked at the companions and asked, “Anyone need healing before we run into any more trouble?”
As they all shook their heads no to my question, we headed off, Isana saying enthusiastically: “Let's do this!” Stepping over the dead broke my heart, for a few of them were children. The smell of Lowtown took a while to get away from; it seemed to follow us to Hightown. I nearly vomited from the smell of death and the normal horrid smell of Lowtown as it clung to our clothes. As we ascended the stairs we spotted two Qunari dragging a noblewoman away.
Hawke spoke quietly to Isana and me. “Good they don’t see us yet. Isana and Lyria I need you two to sneak around them and scout ahead.”
“On it!”
________________________________________
We made our way through Hightown, managing to keep out of sight to Isana's disappointment. “Sod it all! I want to fight!” I said to her, “No doubt you will get your way, but do you really want to kill those that look like your beloved Maaras?” She looked at me with a mixture of irritation and the strong need to hit me. I just laughed and enjoyed the less repugnant smell of Hightown and somewhat clean streets. As we turned the corner we ran into what looked like a lone Qunari until we realized he didn't have any red paint covering him. Isana said, “By the stone the first person we run into and I can't even gut him!”
I laughed. “My, aren't we violent tonight!” “Well work has been slow!” she responded.
Maaras looked her over. “You are unharmed Isana?” She glared at him. “Of course I am not hurt, one must fight to get an injury!” I laughed at her. “So Maa......" Just as I was about to ask what he planned on doing, Maaras grabbed Isana by the waist, lifting her from the ground, pulling her up against him and kissed her fiercely. Fierceness she returned in kind. “Well, I am glad you two are happy, but we are kind of in the middle of a battle!”
Isana looked at me from his arms. “Yes let’s go greet the Arishok, for as they say in Orlais ‘I have some silver for him!’” she said as she pulled away from Maaras. Maaras spoke in his normal stolid way. “Although I do not wish to fight them, I will nonetheless!” Isana smiled at her love and said teasingly, “Well, for someone who needs order, you sure seemed to be attracted to chaos!” He replied, “When chaos is beautiful and tastes like sweet mead, it is hard to resist!” Isana blushed so hard I fear she would pass out. She recovered quickly but not before giving me a glare that said not to say a word lest I lose my tongue.
“Well, if he is going to fight with us he needs to be distinguishable from the rest of the Qunari, besides the no body paint!” Isana already had an idea, I guess, as to what to do. “Way ahead of you! Maaras! Get down on your knees please!” He looked at her as if she had asked him to dance the Remigold but complied nonetheless. As he knelt before her, she pulled out what looked like a bottle of blue paint from the bag that she kept tied to her belt. “Isana, what are you doing?”
“I am making him distinguishable from the other Qunari!” Isana also got out a bowl from her bag and poured some of the blue paint from the bottle into it. After she filled the bowl, she dipped both her hands in the bowl, covering them in the blue paint. When she felt she had enough paint on her hands, she started making hand prints all over Maaras's chest and one hand print on each cheek. It took all I had not to laugh at Maaras's pained expression. “There! Now let us go kill us some Qunari, don't want to keep them waiting!”
“That would be a shame, wouldn't it?” We moved on into the area with rather large dwarven statues and right into a horde of Qunari, who looked to be fighting the carta! I was about to suggest we try sneak past them, but Isana was having none of it. “FINALLY! A FIGHT! FEED THE STONE! She screamed as she ran and dove into the fray.
While I am not surprised at her actions, I thought to myself that one day Isana would get herself killed. Maaras looked annoyed, of course - he always did - but he joined the fray alongside his ‘chaos that tasted of sweet mead’ as he called Isana. I thought to myself, “Wish I was someone's sweet mead."
I had little time to watch because I spotted a Saarabas in the corner and he was about to cast a spell; lucky for me he was slow about it.
“Oh no, you don't!” I cast a lightning spell on the Saarabas. As the lightning came down from the sky it spread to nearly all of our enemies. Luckily it didn't reach Isana and Maaras. As the attackers I killed fell, Isana gave me that look that she gives when she thinks I overdo things. I just laughed and pointed at the Qunari heading straight for her. She turned, saw the Qunari coming, and threw a dagger, hitting him right between the eyes. “Show off!” I told her as she smiled at me.
“MAKERS BREATH! WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS! ISANA! MAARAS! GET BACK!” As they both ran to get behind me, I rained fire down on the rest of our enemies. Unfortunately a carta member got away in time and tossed a dagger at me, getting me in the leg. I screamed in pain. “SOD IT ALL! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH”
Isana thought she would be witty. “By the stone, you sure have a habit of getting stabbed!” She threw her other dagger at the retreating dwarf, getting him through the back of the skull. I glared at her and she simply smiled. “Can’t you heal yourself?” I answered in the affirmative, and began healing my leg.
As I finished healing, I observed Maaras examining Isana for any sort of injury. I had to look away when he picked her up and held her close. I wondered if I would someday have what they have. “Sod it, Maaras, put me down I am fine! Lyria, are you ready? We have much to do!”
“Yeah boss, I am just peachy!” She laughed out loud at my statement. I said, “Well, shall we go?”
Another grin lit her face. “Yes, let’s! I still have bombs left, and that is never good! Can't let them go to waste!” She smiled, thinking of what she could do with her bombs. As we continued towards the keep we spotted Hawke, the First Enchanter and the Knight Commander. They looked like they were arguing, so we walked over to investigate.
The First Enchanter, Orsino, was emphatic. “I WILL NOT LET YOU LEAD, FOR YOU WILL NO DOUBT GET US KILLED!” The Knight Commander was equally as emphatic. “I AM PROTECTING THIS CITY, AS I HAVE ALWAYS DONE!”
Hawke looked exasperatedly at the two of them. “Will you both calm down!? Fighting each other will not help us!” I looked at him and asked, “Hawke! Having trouble with the children?”
Both the Knight Commander and First Enchanter glared at me. I couldn't help but laugh, and teased them more. Meredith ground her teeth and tried to insult me. “Apostate!” I told her “Your perception skills are amazing, Knight Commander. I mean, if robes and a staff don’t give me away, then nothing will.” She glared at me so hard it seemed her eyes would pop right out of her head. It would have been funny to see, but I doubt my stomach could handle such a sight. She looked around her and commanded her Templars to arrest me.
First Enchanter Orsino interjected, “There isn't the time for that Knight Commander; we have to take care of the Qunari first. Of course, one little apostate is so much more important than protecting this city." His voice dripped with sarcasm. The Knight Commander and First Enchanter tried to stare each other down. I thought they would attack each other until the Knight Commander broke the silence.
“Fine, but until this Qunari problem is dealt with she is your responsibility, and she WILL go to the Circle once it is over!”
First Enchanter Orsino evidently agreed with her, stating, “Fine!” I stood frozen in horror as my fate was decided. I was to go back to the Circle after all this time, back to the cage, back to the condemning stares.
Isana looked like she wanted to shake someone. “Sod it, Lyria! Snap out of it! We have to run; we can't let them take you to the Circle!” I looked at Isana and sighed sadly. “As much as I love that plan Isana, we both know what would happen to innocent people during the search for me. No one needs that, not when I could just go with them. Besides, I may be able to assist my fellow mages better from inside the Circle than outside of it. This may lead to greater things.”
“Are you breathing smoke? How could this possible lead to anything good?!” she asked angrily. As we continued to bicker, the First Enchanter made his way over to me, while Hawke and the Knight Commander argued about strategies for taking out the Qunari. “What is your name child?”
“My name is Lyria.” He looked at me as if studying a wild animal, starting at my feet and stopping at my face, with an expression of confusion. “You look completely human yet you have Dalish markings. Why?” I told him, “I am half Dalish; my mother was a keeper, a mage.”
“I see. Who was your father, if you don't mind me asking?” I said, “As far as I know he was a Templar.”
He looked at me with such a look of surprise and fascination that you would have thought he had never heard of a mage and templar producing offspring. Meredith interrupted our conversation. “Orsino bring the apostate, we are beginning our attack!”
“Sodding cow!” Isana whispered loud enough for me to hear. “Isana, please, don't make it worse!” She glared at me and I could see she was tearing up, and about to cry. My heart ached at the pain she must be feeling. I know she must think I am giving up without a fight but it simply isn't true. I just hope I am given the chance to tell her that. Orsino gestured to me. “Come along Lyria, we mustn't keep the dragon waiting...I mean the Knight Commander.”
I looked at him and quipped, “I can see how you would mix those two up.” He laughed and we followed Hawke and the Knight Commander up the stairs, Isana grumbling the entire way. Meredith outlined the battle plan she had made with Hawke. “Hawke and I have agreed - we will attack them head on and retake the keep.”
First Enchanter Orsino looked at her. “Are you mad? They have hostages so we need a distraction!” She said to him in a stern voice, “I am in charge here and we will be doing what I say! Orsino, you and the apostate will make sure nothing follows us. Hawke, let's go!”
Isana glared at her – she was doing a lot of that now. “What about me and Maraas, you cow?! We are not invisible you know!” Knight Commander Meredith said to her, “Watch your tongue dwarf! You and your pet will stay back with the mages!”
“PET! How about I "pet" your forehead with my dagger you mewling quim?!” I attempted to calm Isana down, without much success. “Isana now is not the time!” She now turned her glare on me. “Sod off, you don't get to talk to me!”
Maaras tried himself. “Isana, if you don’t calm down, your anger will affect your fighting!”
“Fighting? Who said I was fighting? I am done!” She walked away with Maaras close behind her. !” I tried to go after her, asking her to wait for me, but the First Enchanter put his hand on my shoulder and stopped me. “Let her go child, you must think of your duty and responsibility to your fellow mages now.” I looked at the First Enchanter, torn. “I just hope she will calm down enough to talk to me later.”
“While we are waiting for more Qunari to storm the keep, tell me - have you ever been in a Circle or were you always an apostate?” I gave a brief reply to his question. “I am from the Fereldan circle, although I have been an apostate for long time now. I was blown out of a window when the demons attacked.” Orsino asked me how I survived the fall, and gasped at my answer. “I became a crow.” Just as he was about to ask me another question, a horde of Qunari materialized from what seemed to be thin air; we were instantly fighting for our lives. Both the First Enchanter and I rained fire down upon them, but a few managed to evade the flames. I spotted the two Saarabas in the back and could not aim at them due to their position. I decided then and there I would try a spell that I learned years ago but had been too scared to try. It had never been done before except by the mage who had created it. I started to chant the necessary words and made the right hand gestures, getting weird looks from the First Enchanter. I could feel the immense power surging through me and knew this was going to be big.
“FIRST ENCHANTER, GET BACK!” I was getting close to finishing the spell, so I ran into a decent sized square outside the palace, finished the chant and successfully became a wyvern! It was disorienting at first but I quickly gained control and began taking down the Qunari and also managed to take out both of the Saarabas rather quickly. I took a spear in the side but with the added muscle mass I had, it did little damage. After I killing the Qunari, I shifted back to my own shape and put my robes back on, just in time to see Hawke and everyone else come down from the keep. Judging by their faces and the fact that Hawke was covered in blood, everything had gone well.
Hawke said to no one in particular, “Well that was bracing! How are you Lyria?” I replied, “Wonderful! You?”
“Well, the Arishok is no more, the Qunari are leaving, and I am dirty and going to go home and take a bath! Goodbye!” I said goodbye in return. The First Enchanter spoke to me gently. “It is time Lyria. We must go to the circle now.” Meredith looked at Orsino, seemingly angry he spoke first. “Yes it is. And as soon as she gets there she is to go through the Harrowing!” I looked at her in anger. “I took my Harrowing years ago! “
“Says the apostate from OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE! You WILL take the Harrowing. Templars, make sure she makes it to the Circle with the First Enchanter.” I scowled and groaned in agony at the thought of going through the Harrowing again. Maybe this will lead to something better. I laughed at the thought and hoped Isana would visit me before anything bad happened. Only time would tell.
________________________________________
A month has passed since the Qunari have left Kirkwall and I wrote again in my diary.
Dear Diary
My room or I should say my cell, was less then comfortable and very cramped. It is a good thing I don't own much. My biggest concern is that Isana hasn't come to see me yet, and Cullen avoids me, which I don't mind....mostly. For some reason they haven't made me go through the Harrowing again, I thought for sure I would be made to do right away. I forgot how nice it was to be around nothing but my fellow mages. I miss hawk and everyone else, I hope they are alright. It's nice to have access to so many books again. First Enchanter Orsino has been very nice and welcoming, although First Enchanter Irving will always be a like a grandfather to me. I wonder.....
As I was going to write more a templar, I had to come to know and not particularly care for banged on my cell, I mean room door. “Lyria, come on the First Enchanter and Knight Commander want to talk to you!” he said in an annoyed tone. I replied to him in a sarcastically, “Oh joy.”
We walked down halls until we reached the First Enchanter’s office; I walked in to see a templar I didn't know. She didn't look happy, and the long dark hair that framed her face didn't help. She looked at me as if I had done something unpleasant, a look which intensified when she saw my face tattoo.
First Enchanter Orsino looked up at our entrance. “Come and sit child, you may not want to be standing when I tell you this.” I instantly became very nervous when he said that, for he looked very sad, and I feared the worst. “I am afraid the Circle in Orlais needs new talent, and the Circle here is becoming crowded. You are being sent to Orlais, and Ser Evangeline will be your escort. She will make sure you get there in one piece.”
“Yes I am, so go and pack your things; we leave immediately.” She spoke to me as if I were a troublesome child and stared at me as I turned to leave. I walked back to my room, dumbstruck. I was going to the White Spire in Orlais! I couldn't believe it. I am also Ferelden, which isn't good, considering how Orlesians felt about us. Whatever shall I do? I have never been there nor do I know anyone. I am glad I don't own muc,h for it all fit into one bag. When I was almost done, Ser Evangeline arrived at my door holding my new phylactery they had made a month ago.
“Are you done Lyria? We are leaving now so we can catch the boat to Val Royeaux. From there we will be on horseback until we get to the White Spire.” I looked around the spare cell. “Yes this is everything, we can go now.” As I walked with Ser Evangeline in tow, I got a few looks from the mages I had gotten to know. They said they would miss me and didn't envy my fate. As we got closer to the Docks, I hoped to see Isana there, all ready to help me. As I suspected we would, we made it onto the boats and were on our way. I stared at Kirkwall, a place that had been my home for so long. I sat in my temporary cell, I mean room, below decks and prepared myself for the journey to my new home.
Meanwhile back in Kirkwall…
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE ISNT HERE!?!” The voice from the small form echoed around the main hall upon receiving the answer to her question from the Templar. He added, “The mage you are asking about is no longer in the Kirkwall Circle. I am not at liberty to discuss her location with those that are obviously not her family.”
“THAT’S A LOAD OF ......” Maaras quickly interrupted me. “We will find her.”
"Just because we aren't the same race doesn't mean we aren't family."
I glared at Maaras first and then back at the templar before storming off. I couldn't believe Lyria wasn’t in the Kirkwall Circle anymore. Why did I wait so long to visit her, I could have done something! I’m not sure what I could have done but I should have been able to do something. I still can't believe she didn't put up a fight, when before all this she had said she would never go back to the circle. In addition, what had happened at the Wounded Coast is still fresh in my mind. I hope she is ok.
________________________________________
Kirkwall
It had been a week since Lyria had disappeared from Kirkwall, and I was ready to kill someone. “SODDING NUG HUMPERS CAN’T EVEN GIVE ME SIMPLE INFORMATION!!!!!”
I was losing my temper more and more easily these past few days. The templars weren't talking and the mages were too scared to. How am I supposed to find Lyria, if no one will grow a pair and help me?!
Maaras, as tranquil as always, tried to calm me down. “Losing your temper with those you wish to get information from doesn't seem to be working.” I snarled at him, “Well you aren't exactly helping! I am so mad I could spit fire! Oh, to change the subject, I have a gift for you in the Hanged Man.” However, his soothing voice did manage to dampen my anger.
He raised an eyebrow at my abrupt change in topic, but I was thinking of so many things at one time it was hard to keep track of it all. Holding hands, we made our way to the Hanged Man, and the closer we got the more nervous I became. His gift was more of an impulse thing and I didn't know if he would like it or not.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orlais
It took us a week to get to Orlais and a mile from the White Spire I was hit with what smelled like a fog of perfume. I nearly gagged, but I didn't want to start things off on the wrong foot with my new "best friend". She barely spoke to me the whole way, which was fine. She felt more like a captor then a body guard but it could just be me. As we got closer to the dock at Val Royeaux I became uneasy, for reasons unknown to me.
A few minutes later, as we were leaving the ship, I got some strange looks from the locals. Being escorted by a templar didn't leave much to the imagination as to what I was. Most looked afraid, and kids stared up at me with wonder in their eyes, as if I was a rare creature they had never seen before.
As we walked through the docks, the smell got worse; and they complain about Ferelden. It smelled like overpriced perfume and fish and frankly, the fish smelled better. Val Royeaux was pretty enough though, with flowers here and there and the over dressed nobles with their overdone masks. Their servants weren't much better, with masks to match the family they served.
Ser Evangeline gestured as we marched along. “Come, I have some horses waiting for us.” I answered her cheekily, “As you say, boss lady!”
She grumbled under her breath as she escorted me to the edge of town, where a stable held our horses. The horses looked good, but as I got closer my nose noticed they were perfumed a "tad" as well.
I thought to myself, "What is with the perfume, are they trying to kill people? Where's a wet dog when you need one?"
As I got on the horse, I took my last breath of fresh air before the long ride to the tower.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kirkwall... 3 days later
“SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!” I spewed a great number of curses, ready to eat nails.
Maaras spoke in his deep voice, “We will find the information you need, although your anger is understandable. Perhaps this Coriden will help. He is known to do anything, if you have enough coin.”
I tried to calm down, but without much success. “Well he sodding better, or I just might break his knee caps!” I have at least 50 sovereigns, so I should have enough for whatever "fee" he charges. If not, bye bye knee caps! Either way I will get what I need to find Lyria.
_______________________________________
Isana
“HERE HE IS! FINALLY!” I was mad it had taken so long to find this Coriden. We had been walking around Dark Town for what seemed like an eternity. I would rather walk around the Deep Roads than down here. Maaras was actually no help in finding this Coriden, but I was still glad he was here. We walked towards the back of Dark Town, where Coriden was rumored to be. Once we started to look more closely at the residents of Dark Town, it wasn't hard to spot him; the description I had of him was flawless. He didn't look all that dangerous; but of course neither did I, a mistake a lot of people won't be making again.
As we approached him, he gave us a nervous look but stood his ground. “Hey! Are you Coriden???” I asked the question in the calmest tone I could muster. Although he sounded irritated, he acknowledged that he was the man I was looking for. “Good, I have been looking for you for awhile. I hear you know a great deal about things and you are good at obtaining information.” I said this in a commanding tone, hoping to cover the way I truly felt. He acted bored, as if it did not matter to him. “I may, and I may not. What of it?” “I need to know where the Templar's sent a mage they recently captured named Lyria.” I gave him a him a pleading look despite not wanting to show my desperation. He ignored my look as he stated his price. “Ten sovereigns.” He raised his eyebrow waiting for my response. I grumbled a few curses as I gave him the gold.
“Ah yes, I know where the mage is. My contacts in the Circle say she was taken to the White Spire.” He said this in a matter of fact voice. The anger flared in me again. “The White Spire?!? Where is that at?” The question came out in a heated tone. “Five sovereigns please.” He gave me a smirk that said he was enjoying this. I needed to hit him, wanted to hit him but I also needed to find Lyria so I restrained myself - for now. I gave him 5 more sovereigns, glaring at him as I did so. “Ah, very good. The White Spire is in Orlais. Nice doing business with you,” he remarked as he got up and walked away. I would have gone after him, but I had what I needed; all was left was to find away to get to Orlais.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lyria
We have been on the road to the White Spire for two weeks now. It had taken longer than it should have, due to a few issues coming out of nowhere, like the bandit attack. Our horses were killed by the bandits when they tried to rob us of what little we had. It didn't end well for them, of course. I was surprised Ser Evangeline didn't fuss about me using magic. Of course I healed her arm and leg after the fight, so that might have had something to do with it. We started out again, walking somewhere along the Imperial Highway. We had not been traveling long, when I felt an urgent need to relieve myself. “Ser Evangeline I need to stop a moment. I need to relieve myself in the bushes.” She looked annoyed but said nothing. We stopped and she motioned to the side of the road where there were some bushes a few yards away. I walked over to tend to business and as I went towards the bushes, I noticed that the ground caved in somewhat. It worried me a little but I had to pee so bad I didn't care. Once I was finished, I returned to Ser Evangeline. At least, I tried to. I carefully walked back over the uneven ground when all of a sudden I heard a loud crack and I was falling. I fell far and quick and didn't have time to cast the spell I did when I was blown out of the tower before. As I fell it got darker and darker, and the smell was horrible. I realized I was falling into tunnel in the Deep Roads, and no doubt right into a horde of darkspawn. All of a sudden, instead of falling to what I thought would be the bottom of the Deep Roads, I was caught in very muscular arms. I didn't have time to look up to see who had caught me, because a falling rock hit me in the head just at that moment. “OW! SODDING STONE!” I said in an angry and pained voice. I felt the one holding me chuckle a bit as he put me down. He proceeded to wipe my head with some cloth, at the same time holding me tightly with his other arm. It was dark in the tunnel, lit only by a torch another held; still, I was glad that I hadn't splattered on the ground.
As my eyes began to adjust to the low light, I could somewhat see the people around me. From what I could tell by their armor they were Grey Wardens! I looked up at my rescuer and blushed so hard that I thanked the Maker it was dark enough he could not see it. He had the longest and blackest beard I had ever seen and eyes that captured and held you. He smiled at me as I stood there gawking at him like an idiot and was rendered speechless. “Are you alright?” one of the others asked me. “I am fine,” I said to the warden, who I could see was a human woman. She spied my staff and immediately looked worried, which annoyed me. I told her, “I am not going to attack you or turn into an abomination so you can just relax warden.” I definitely sounded irritated. The warden that had caught me laughed out loud this time. It was glorious, a laugh that could fill you with such joy just from hearing it. The human women looked angry, but I didn't care; I had almost died.
“LYRIA! ARE YOU ALRIGHT! HELLOOO!” Ser Evangeline called down to me in a panicked voice, which I found surprising. “YES I AM FINE! I FELL ON SOME GREY WARDENS!” I shouted back up to her. “THERE IS A DEEP ROADS ENTRANCE FAR FROM HERE, TO THE SOUTH. I WILL MEET YOU THERE!” she yelled in a voice which said I had better be there, and soon. I looked at my new - and temporary – companions. Most of them looked happy to have me around, but the human woman was glaring at me. I gave her a beatific smile, which lead to her glaring at me even harder. “I am Lyria, soon to be of the Circle in Orlais,” I said in a surprisingly chipper tone. The human woman introduced everyone in the band. The man that had caught me was Blackwall, and the glaring woman’s name was Megan. There was a third companion, an elf by the name of Luke. Megan said in a firm voice “The entrance the Templar spoke of is a day's walk from here, let us go now.” I was not looking forward to walking the Deep Roads, but at least the scenery was amazing.
________________________________________
We walked for what seemed like forever, stepping on bones, muck and Maker only knows what. The smell alone was enough to knock you flat, and the random noises in the distance were enough to stop your heart. They put me in the middle to protect me or simply keep an eye on me. I wasn't stupid enough to run off on my own in the Deep Roads of all places, so they had little to worry about in that area; it made me kind of mad they would think that of me. “We should be there soon, you need not worry mage!” Warden Megan said in a firm tone. I frowned at the word mage, which I knew was often used as a slur or insult. “Why thank you ‘warden’ it is so nice to be informed,” I replied with a huge grin on my face. She turned around and glared at me again – glaring seemed to be her tool of intimidation, which I found sort of sad. We had walked for some distance when we came across a body. Judging from the robes and what was left of the hair it was a female. She was a mage, no doubt about it, because the body still had robes and staff. I inspected the body further and discovered a journal. It looked worn but in good enough condition that the words could still be read. I tucked the journal away to read later and picked up her staff;, it was a really fine one. The staff seemed to be made of a mixture of some sort of metal and wood, swirled together; at the top it tapered to a sword like point. Upon closer inspection I noticed a latch which I found odd, because I had never heard of a staff that had such a thing. I opened the latch which enabled me to pull apart the staff, to reveal a silverite blade the size of a short sword. It looked brand new and barely used. The staff must be infused with silverite and some sort of wood I could not recognize in this light. “Well that looks useful and very pretty I might add,” said Luke. “Yes it does,” I said while staring at the blade with glee. I put my old staff where I found the new one, because there was no way I was leaving this staff behind. The wardens didn't seem to mind and I just hope they didn't tell the Knight Captain about the blade.
“We are almost there”, Megan said with more relief than I thought necessary. I raised my eyebrow questioningly. “How do you know, Warden?” I asked. She pointed straight ahead. “You can smell the fresh air and look, there is some light up ahead,” she said. I looked and she was right! There was a faint ray of light ahead that you had to really look to see. I did smell the fresh air, but only after she mentioned it. We were almost there when a loud noise came from the other side of the wall, and before we knew it an ogre came through the wall! Behind it was what looked like a horde of darkspawn! “Well isn't that just great,” Megan said with irritation. I ignored her while I powered up my new staff, which I had yet to name, and was surprised when the staff glowed with a multi-colored hue, the likes of which I had never seen before. The glow from the staff seemed to burn the darkspawn like the sun melting ice. Megan noticed it too and, for the first time since we met, smiled with joy. “LYRIA GET UP FRONT AND LET THEM HAVE IT!” Megan yelled, shouting because of the noise the darkspawn were making. I did not have time to respond, because the horde was getting close. I ran to the front of our little group and put more power into the staff and decided to cast a fire spell. However, when I cast the spell sending the fire in wide blaze, the flame showed as a rainbow, rather than the normal orange and red of fire. I was stunned but fascinated at the same time. When the blaze reached the horde they melted instead of burned as they should have. They melted so fast they didn't even have time to scream. When the blaze subsided there was nothing left but a large pile of bones. We all stood there in silence, unsure of what to say about what just happened. “Well, that certainly was different,” Luke said in faint whisper. “Yes it was,” I responded, staring at the staff.
We finally made it to the opening that the Knight Captain spoke of. I was the first one out and took my first breath of fresh air in what felt like forever. Of course the Knight Captain was there waiting for me, phylactery in hand. She looked annoyed, yet relieved, when she could see that it was me. “You are alright, and didn't try to run that is good,” she said with a smile on her face. “Of course I didn't try to run! I mean, don't get me wrong, the darkspawn are a fun group, but I knew you would be mad about me hanging out with the wrong crowd”, I said as she began to frown. She looked like she was going to say something when the wardens emerged from the Deep Roads. “Well, that was, without a doubt, quite an adventure,” Megan said as she walked toward us with Blackwall and Luke following behind. “It was indeed,” I replied as she reached us. The Knight Captain pulled me along and said, “Well, thank you Wardens for protecting Lyria, but I am afraid we have to get moving.” The wardens looked annoyed, but did nothing. As we walked away I turned back to see Megan giving me a look that said to me we would meet again and soon.
________________________________________
Lyria
The White Spire
After traveling for a week, we finally made it to my new prison, the White Spire in Orlais. It wasn't as fancy as I thought it would be, given where we were. At least it didn't smell like someone bathed in perfume; otherwise I might have had to become an abomination just to escape it. Ser Evangeline walked me to a large room that looked eerily similar to a room I seen in the circle in Ferelden. I put my hand to my head in frustration, because I now realized what they had in store for me. A mage I assumed was the First Enchanter and a group of templars were ranged around a pedestal filled with lyrium. This would be the third time I have taken the Harrowing and frankly, I am sick of it. I turned to Sir Evangeline with a grim look. “I have taken the Harrowing twice already. Is this really necessary?” I asked her. “You will take it again, just to be safe,” she said in a firm voice. As I approached the pedestal, I noticed a man to my right behind the templars; he had dirty clothes on and blonde shaggy hair. I wondered why he was here, and why the templars would allow him to be here. I looked at him, at the templars, and then back at him again. This seemed to surprise him and he stepped backwards as I continued to walk toward the pedestal. As I stepped up to the pedestal, I noticed as the man moved closer. I looked at him and raised my eyebrow in question. He gazed back at me and leaned his head to the side, as if studying me. “What are you looking at Lyria?” Sir Evangeline asked. I froze at her question, at the sudden realization of what I was most likely looking at. Instead of blurting out that there was a man with us, I looked at her…and lied. “Oh, this room reminds me of the one in Ferelden is all,” I calmly said to her with a smile. “Well while that's nice, it is time now, no more stalling,” Ser Evangeline said as she pointed to the pedestal. I walked the few remaining steps to the pedestal and put my hand in the lyrium as I had done twice before.
The familiar detached feeling came over me and I was in the Fade again. This time I was at the Circle Tower in Ferelden, back where I started! Everything around me was burning and there were dead bodies everywhere! I felt a presence behind me and I turned to see the same man, who was now no more than an arm's reach away. “Who are you? How did you get here?” I asked sternly. He looked scared, and was trembling badly. “I am Cole,” he said as he stepped back from me. “Are you a mage?” I inquired. “No I am not a mage, I don’t know what I am,” he said with a pained look on his face. I could not sense what he was exactly, so I took a chance and stepped closer to him. “It's ok Cole you don't have to be afraid of me. I do not sense that you are evil, whatever you are,” I said in a soft tone. He looked at me with such pain in his face so I could not help what I did next. I reached out to him, and when he didn't step away from me, I hugged him as I would a family member. He hugged me back tightly and began to cry quietly, so I patted him on the back to calm him down. Before I could pull away, everything went dark.....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isana
Kirkwall – same week
“Sod! Sod! SOD! Stupid templars! Stupid Mages! Always have to bring everyone down with them,” I said as I ran through Kirkwall to get to the Chantry. “You know I am one of those supposed ‘stupid mages’", said Hawke in a jestful tone. “Calm yourself love, before I have to calm you down,” Maaras said in a soft tone. I blushed when he said that, remembering the last time he had to ‘calm me down’. I couldn't walk for a week afterwards. Between breaths I told him, “Well we don't have time for you to ‘calm me down, we have to go kick some sense into the mages and templars before they do something we all have to clean up.
As we approached, Knight Commander Meredith and the First Enchanter were arguing again, and from the vibe I was getting there was going to be a fight. Hawke got in between the two of them, trying to talk some sense into them. As usual the Knight Commander was having none of it, and the First Enchanter wasn't helping much either. I hate blood mages as much as the next person, but to accuse someone without proof is pretty ridiculous. Just as I was about to knock some sense into the both of them by knocking heads, Anders came from what seemed to be out of nowhere.
He began ranting and raving at both the Knight Commander and the First Enchanter. To be honest, some of it I agreed with. I got a very bad feeling looking at his face. His eyes glowed a strange blue; a few seconds later a massive explosion sent us all flying back with massive force. I landed on Maaras who had jumped behind me to take the brunt of the damage I would have gotten being thrown against the wall. This left him unconscious, and from what I could see, his arm was broken. It was utter chaos and I looked up to see the Chantry was now nothing more than a pile of rubble. Anders had destroyed the Chantry and was now spewing some nonsense about how we all needed to see. All I saw was a selfish ignorant sod that just started a war in Kirkwall that no doubt would spill out into the country. Besides that, because of this fool, Lyria may die before I can get to her and all because this shorted sighted abomination wanted Thedas to ‘wake up’ and ‘see’. He spoke of liberation which just pissed me off more.
Finally I couldn't take it anymore; I took out my dagger and got within throwing range. “Liberate this!” I shouted as I threw my dagger, hitting him right between the eyes. He dropped like a stone on water, falling to the ground, eyes still open in shock. I walked past everyone to retrieve my dagger, and turned to look to see everyone staring at me in stunned silence. “What?” I said as I stood there staring back at them. “Have you lost your mind?!” Hawke asked, breaking the silence. “Why yes I have, and I don't miss it one bit,” I said to him in a teasing tone. Hawke looked at me with frustration and a small flash of anger. I shrugged my shoulders making no apology. After a silent standoff, both the Knight Commander and the First Enchanter began arguing again, while Hawke resumed trying to calm things down, but to no avail. As the argument got louder, weapons were drawn and the battle I had seen coming began.
________________________________________
Kirkwall
Isana
I drew my daggers and got beside Hawk, who sided with the First Enchanter. The Knight Commander left her flunkies behind to keep us busy but only worked for a few minutes. When we had finished with the templars we began running to the docks, so we could get to the Gallows before Meredith. As we rushed past a mage surrounded by templars, she turned into an abomination before we could help her. Her body exploded and before us was this … thing that looked like it had been roasted over a fire too long. “Hawk we need to go!” I said urgently. “What! Isana is passing up a good fight?” Hawk said in jest. “No! We have bigger concerns at the moment, let’s go NOW!” I said in an angry tone.
We continued on our way and got as far as Hawke’s Statue that in my opinion looked nothing like him. At the base of the statue was a mage, who said nothing but just started casting blood magic. She summoned a great deal of shades and....”BY THE STONE!” I shouted in terror mixed with excitement. All of a sudden, a huge demon came out of nowhere. It was massive and very purple which I found odd. At least it wasn't one of those naked women demons I thought to myself. I pulled out the new bomb that I learned to make from a merchant in Darktown. It vibrated a bit and was loud; of course that tends to happen when you have a jar of killer bees. I shouted to my companion. “Hawke! Everyone make way! BEES AWAY!” I threw the giant jar of bees at the blood mage, which helped more than I thought it would. Not only did they swarm her but also attacked the giant demon. I smiled the biggest smile I had had today. “Oh no, I know that look, Isana! Don't even think about it!” Hawke said in a firm voice. The giant demon was in hysterics because of all the bees, and when it got close to the water I saw my chance. I ran as fast as I could and jumped on its back. I climbed up as high as I could, and it tried to throw me off. I held on for dear life. I got to the head and sank my daggers into the back of its neck. Of course, when I did that the demon started to collapse, but not to the ground. I guess it decided wanted to go swimming because it hit the water. Without thinking about what I was doing, I did a back flip off its back and landed on Maaras, who still had a broken arm. He managed to catch me, and didn't hurt his arm more, which was good. “Okay, we need to go”, said Hawke. We ran to the docks and luckily there was a boat big enough to carry us to the Gallows.
It took us fifteen minutes to get the Gallows, which was less time than I thought it would take. When we docked, the first thing we noticed was the amount of bodies that already littered the ground. Bodies of both mages and templars. We ran to the Gallows courtyard just in time to see the First Enchanter take out some templars. Hawke and the First Enchanter exchanged words moments before the Knight Commander came in behind us with more templars. I swear they were like a plague, always popping up where they aren't wanted. I slipped into the shadows, helping Maaras sit down where he wouldn't be seen. “I should...be out there....fighting at your side...Kadan”, said Maaras between breaths. “No stay here, you can show me your fighting spirit when this is over and then I can help you relax”, I told him as I gave him a passionate kiss. “You shouldn't be fighting”, Maaras said as he coughed slightly. “It will be okay, it hasn't been that long.” I hugged him tightly and ran out to be at Hawke’s side. As I walked out to stand beside Hawke, he and the First Enchanter were talking again. I never understood why they were talking, but I guess even among all this chaos there was still hope. Unfortunately, that hope was short lived, because the next thing I knew the First Enchanter and the Knight Commander were spewing insults at each other as we headed into the Gallows. I was glad that I put Maaras somewhere safe and made sure to put extra armor around what had come from our love. I was so angry that something like this war should come at a time like this. When I had someone special, Lyria was safe..ish and wondering what was to come in the future. I walked up to Hawke because I wanted to talk to him privately. “Hawke, what are we going to do?” I asked in an irritated tone. “Honestly I don't know, I am kind of making it up as I go along”, he said in a tired voice. I moved over to stand next to Varric, who looked tired and worried. “Nervous, are you Varric?” I said in a strained happy sounding tone. He looked at me, chuckled and simply nodded. I went off to a corner and simply had a moment to myself. I put my hand to my stomach thinking of what lay ahead. I hadn't been paying attention when Varric came up behind me. “Isana!” he angrily said. “Yes Varric?” “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” he said matter of factly. I glared at him. “Shhh do you want everyone to hear you?” “You can't fight; I can't stay quiet about this!” He went over to the others. He didn't get very far because all of a sudden a group of templars burst through the door charging at us with swords drawn. Varric quickly ran back to me, moving me to a corner. “Varric what are you doing???” I said angrily. “Protecting you and your child from your stubbornness and stupidity!” he shouted angrily at me. The fighting quickly got out of control and before we knew it there was more templars then mages. Most mages were quickly cut down, but Hawke and the others were able to stand against the templars. Unfortunately five of the templars spotted me and Varric and charged us. Because they moved so quickly, Varric was forced to jump to the side away from me. I was able to roll out of the way, but landed far from Varric. Before I could get up a templar was on me, his sword raised. I had no time to run and nowhere to go. I got out my daggers, in hopes I could do something. He had almost reached me, when Maaras suddenly came out of the shadows and intercepted him. “MAARAS! NO! YOU’RE HURT!” I screamed out as I tried to reach him. Time seemed to slow as I scrambled to be at his side, to protect him as he has protected me. Just before I reached him, out of the corner of my eye I saw a Templar running up behind him. Without thinking, I threw both of my daggers, one hitting the Templar Maaras was fighting and the other dagger got the templar coming up behind him. I collapsed and right before I blacked out I smiled, knowing he was alive and that we would be together – the three of us.
Lyria
Val Royeaux - The White Spire
Several months later.....
I couldn't believe there was actually going to be a conclave that would decide the fate of mages. I still couldn't completely side with the Libertarians or any fraternity. I just don't know what to think about all of this. I share some beliefs in common with every fraternity, so I can't stick to one fraternity or another. I thought about this as I walked to where the conclave would be held. I wondered where Cole was and hoped he wasn't getting into trouble. As I got closer, I could hear the noise of many voices talking at once; as I walked in I could see why. Everyone was in separate groups, chatting away about one thing or another. I found an empty corner away from everyone and waited for the conclave to begin.
I didn't have to wait long before those in charge began talking and debating and, as usual, there were those that spoke for independence, loyalty and much more of the same. I had to keep from rolling my eyes at most of what was being said, which was probably why I stood alone. At a time like this I wished Isana was here; I wonder what she would say about all this.
The debate raged on and on. It would seem that the vote for independence was going to win. Of course it wasn't long after vote had been taken and confirmed that there was a great commotion and what seemed to be a great many templars coming towards the meeting place. The sound of armor got louder and louder until they burst into the conclave, taking up positions around the room. Lord Seeker Lambert looked a little too confident in whatever he was about to say as he took his place at the podium. He threw a dagger down and started ranting about how Rhys was a murderer and a lot of other supposed “evidence”. I knew about the murders and I doubted that Rhys was responsible.
It looked like things were getting heated, so I readied my staff and prepared to fight. I didn't have to wait long; all it took was a random templar, without provocation, running a mage through. When I saw him just stab the mage I flinched, remembering what that felt like. As I stood there in shock, the fighting began in earnest, with swords and magic colliding back and forth. Five templars saw me and came at me as if I was the most evil abomination they had ever seen. I wasn't going down without a fight and I had gotten a lot faster at casting spells. If I was going down, I would take as many templars down with me as I could. As quick as lighting, I began the shifting spell. Just as they were upon me, there was a burst of light and I became a wyvern once more. I roared mightily and with one swipe of my tail, sent the five templars flying against the wall. As I stood there in my altered form, everything seemed to stand still. All the mages stood in shock at what they were seeing. I saw this as my chance to charge the templars, sending at least twenty flying and making a loud crash as they landed at the other end of the room, battered and bloody.
As I cleared a path, a great deal of mages saw it as a chance to escape. I made sure they had a clear path. As some templars gave chase, I spewed poison at them, ensuring they were stopped. As the hall cleared out, I changed back into my own form. To my surprise, a single elf was standing in the corner just staring at me as if studying me, with the bluest eyes I had ever seen. He had abnormally long ears, for an elf and long brown hair. He was also very pale, I would have to get him into the sun or he might become see through.
“Why haven't you run like the others?” I asked him gently. “He stayed hoping you would protect him.” The reply came in a low tone of voice. I thought it odd that the elf spoke in third person, as I looked at him with surprise. “Aren't you scared of me; especially after what you saw me do?” I said with a raised eyebrow. “He thinks it is because of what you are capable of doing that he feels he is safest with you, for the moment. Also, he wishes to leave, not fight,” the male elf said, louder this time. I asked what his name was. He eagerly responded. “He is Fen Vhenan, he said in a more cheery voice.
“I am Enchanter Lyria; let us go.”
________________________________________
Kirkwall Dock
9:41 Dragon
A week before the conclave
It's raining and Commander Shokrakar wants us to cross the sea in an approaching storm, on a ship called "The Fate"!? You could hear the thunder from the shore. Have his wits left him or does he have an ill conceived notion that we would risk our lives for sovereigns in this particular manner? As I continued to rant in my head and silently scream, Durgen came up beside me. “Hey Hornless, how are we this morning?” he said teasingly. I glared at him and replied, “Not now, Dwarf! I am in no mood for your smart remarks right now. “Awww, is my lady cranky? Should I rub her tummy for her?” he said with laughter in his voice. I glared at him again and decided to reply to his joke with one of my own. “It would seem that your attempts at humor fall short, but by all means keep trying” I laughed to myself as I walked away, listening to him mumble under his breath angrily.
As I walked down the dock I made sure my bow and arrows were secure and that my armor was tightened. As I continued on my way I came across a booth that had books for sale. I almost squealed out loud because my excitement could not be measured. I walked, seemingly calm, to the booth and began to look over the titles. “Hmmmm Swords and Shields by Varric Tethras,” I said with interest. I skimmed the book and decided against getting it, since I prefer the real thing when it comes to romance. I looked over more of the books and found some on elven history and language, along with many other books.
“If you're really interested, I have some special books you might want to see.” The proprietor of the stall, a dwarf, caught my attention then. I raised my eyebrow and approached the dwarf. “What kind of books are we talking about?” I asked in a calm tone of voice. He pulled out a trunk filled to the top with books. I looked a few over and it seemed these books contained information about various topics I was interested in: books on history, spell techniques, and magical lore. It took me only a second to come to the realization that the dwarf must have looted the Circle here. I smiled to myself with delight, especially since I had enough for all of the books. “Now, dwarf, let us talk business,” I said will a smile full of confidence. “I will take all the books and the trunk.” The dwarf picked up on my confidence and smiled. “Well, that will be 50 sovereigns plus 100 silver for the trunk,” he said holding out his hand. I smiled back at him and handed him a very heavy sack of my spare money. He looked dumbfounded as he peeked inside to see what must have been the largest amount of money he had seen in his life.
An hour later
“Hey, it's time to depart!” Dag said as he approached me. I nodded in reply and picked up the trunk full of my new books and made my way to the ship. Dag has grown so much since I first met him in his alienage, and has become a fine assassin in his own right. As I approached the ship, it appeared to be very large and very solid. This is good, I thought. As I got to the ramp there was a human there waiting; I assumed he was the captain. “Hey, what is your name!” he said rather rudely. I restrained myself from putting the human in his place, as I wanted to get to Jadar in one piece. “My name is Ebasit Arvaarad Adaar, but you may call me Bauble,” I said with little cheer. He grunted and replied, “Well, it’s better than calling you ‘oxman’.” “Indeed.” I retorted as I turned and boarded the ship.
After reaching the deck, I noticed the rest of the Valo-kas mercenary company had made themselves at home. I walked to the back of the ship and set my trunk down, getting one of the books out to read, shutting the trunk and sitting down on top of it. I hadn't had the chance to even read one page before I heard yelling.
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE SHIP IS FULL? YOU’RE DAFT IF YOU THINK I WILL BELIEVE THAT! MY SON, LOVER AND I WILL BOARD THIS SHIP OR SO HELP ME….”
I looked over toward the dock to see a female dwarf, a tal-vashoth and what looked like a small child. The captain looked annoyed, no doubt not wanting to deal with a child and another of my kind. I smiled in delight and walked down the ramp toward the captain. When he saw me he groaned and crossed his arms. “My dear captain, what seems to be the issue?” I asked, laughter in my voice. Before he could reply the dwarf answered. “THIS SODDING NUG HUMMPER IS REFUSING ME AND MY FAMILY PASSAGE! I AM ABOUT TO STUFF MY DAGGER IN A PLACE NOT SO NICE!”
Before she could continue, Commander Shokrakar came up behind me. I assumed it was to see what the commotion was about. Without looking at anyone but the Tal-Vashoth with his family, the commander did something I didn't expect. “Hey, you! Looking for work?” he asked. The Tal-Vasoth looked up at him with a blank face and said yes. “Then get on the ship with your family and let's get going.” He then turned around and returned to the ship. I crossed my arms and raised my brow as the family of three boarded the ship.
I walked back to my trunk, to try and find some peace before we reached our destination. Dag was there, sitting next to the trunk as if guarding it. I had noticed that he had picked up my mannerisms since I first started training him, he spoke little. I attempted to start reading again but the loud dwarf was having none of it. “Hey, you! Hornless!” she yelled as she approached me with her family. I gave up and put the book away and prepared myself for whatever issue was plaguing this dwarf now. “Yes, my lady what can I do for you?” I said in a tone drowning with sarcasm. “Do you have any food, my son is hungry.” Her tone said that she had had enough for one day. I looked down at the child, who looked back up at me with his big dark purple eyes. He looked like a pure bred qunari, just little paler than normal. He was big for his age and it made me wonder how such a tiny dwarf gave birth to what had obviously been a big infant. I decided it was best not to ask and replied to her question. “Why yes, I have an apple, will that do?” I said as I handed the boy the apple. “Yes....thank you,” she answered me in a tired tone. She and her "lover" sat down near me, while their son was still staring up at me, devouring the apple I had given him.
“So uh, what is your name kid?” I asked, trying to break the awkward tension. He took a big bite of his apple before practically spitting his name at me. “My name is Beres-taar, it means ‘shield’ in qunlat,” he said as he took another bite. He looked really proud of himself for knowing that about his own name. “Well that is a good strong name for a fierce warrior.” I patted him on the head. He smiled up at me and went over to cuddle with his mother. “So, dwarf, do you and your lover have names?” I inquired as the ship began to move out to see. She gave me an annoyed look before responding. “I am Isana and this is my love, Maaras.” She leaned up against Maaras for what I assumed was a well deserved sleep.
I found a high place on the ship and settled down for what I knew would be a long trip across the Waking Sea.
________________________________________
One day later
The Waking Sea
Dag and I sat in the crow's nest, because it seemed the best place to allow us to avoid the loud dwarf. The sea air was heavy with salt and there was a cold wind coming off the water. Being in the crow's nest also spared our noses from the smell of the various odors that rose from the ship and its crew. Therefore, the only ones to bother us up here were the birds. The storm that had graced us with its presence earlier decided to flare up again. In the last few hours, Isana and the captain argued about cabin accommodations. The captain didn't like the last minute additions to our company and was making his feelings known. I rolled my eyes at the antics of the two of them and went back to reading my book, which translated elven words into their human equivalent. The elven people had such an interesting language; too bad most of them didn't know it. I turned the page and tried to sound out the words in my head. Ar'din nuv..enin... na'din; hmmm. This seems to be some sort of threat or plea. Since I was not sure, I decided that should check my other elven books and see if I could find it anywhere else. As I was about to turn to another page, I looked up to see three raider ships heading our way! I dropped everything as I stood up and leaned over the edge of the crow’s nest, shouting, “RAIDER SHIPS INBOUND!”
As everyone scrambled to their battle stations, I got my arrows, Antivan Fire and poison flasks ready. Dag quickly grabbed his bow and arrows and got into the proper position, just like I had taught him to do in this kind of situation. The captain and our commander were barking orders as it began to rain. We all were soaked in seconds and the calm that we enjoyed was gone; in its place was raging chaos.
Within fifteen minutes we were all positioned, prepared and ready to fight as the raider ships got closer. They were coming in faster than I had ever seen. As they got within range, Dag and I drew back our bows and took aim. The Val- Kos mages and warriors readied themselves below, powering up their staffs and bracing themselves for the battle to start.
I spotted my target right away and let loose my arrow; it hit home immediately. I achieved first blood in this battle, as one of the raider leaders dropped like a sack of potatoes. After that, it got even more chaotic; before I knew it arrows, spells and people were flying through the air. A fog rose up smelling of blood and burnt flesh mixed with the regular stink of the ship. I would have died from the smell alone, if it weren't for the fact we were up so high. Dag and I picked off those we deemed the biggest threat, mostly going for the enemy mages.
Before I knew it I had run out of arrows. There were still a goodly number of raiders and their ships were still afloat. “Dag! Stay and cover me, I am going down!” I put away my bow and got out my silverite murder knife. He nodded and went about clearing a path for me so I could get to the deck unchallenged. I climbed down the net connected to the crow's nest and made my way to the main fight. Halfway down, I could see the loud dwarf was in trouble and gave up on safety, jumping down and landing right behind her. “SODDING STONE,” she yelled as she whirled around to face me. I smiled down at her, and proceeded to throw my murder knife at the approaching raider. “I COULD HAVE DONE THAT!” Isana shouted at me angrily. I simply shrugged and then came to the realization that I was unarmed, since I had used the murder knife on a raider now lost in a sea of bodies. At that moment, a group of seven raiders decided I looked like a good target, and attacked. The first two, I took out with a swinging kick, knocking them both overboard. The next had a sword and shield, which I used to my advantage. As he charged me with his sword raised, I quickly dropped to the deck. Just as he was about to swing his sword down, I shot my foot upwards, connecting with the bottom of his shield. I must have kicked harder than I thought, because the shield went up and decapitated the raider, spraying blood everywhere. Picking up his fallen sword, I got ready for the last four who seemed to think numbers would help them win. I charged them, sword out to my right, head butting down and cut another in half. Seeing this, the last two decided to retreat. I threw the sword like a javelin, spearing one in the back of the head. I charged the final raider, grabbing him by the back of the neck. I raised him up high in the air, and slammed him down hard on his head, breaking his neck. As I looked up I could see what remained of the raiders were now abandoning their lost endeavor and retreating back to their ships.
I smiled with delight; we had won, thereby depriving the raiders of whatever prize they sought.
________________________________________
Two days later
The Waking Sea
I had gone below decks, which wouldn't you know it, was a bad idea. The smell… oh by the gods, the smell! It smelled of sweat, blood and vomit; the impression I got was that the sailors had voided their bowels, consumed it and then vomited it up again. I had to tie a scarf around my face in order to be able to stand it. It made no sense to me to have the only place to wash yourself in the smelliest place in the ship. I had Dag guard the door while I sat in a very small iron tub. Given my height and how long my legs were, I was forced to dangle my legs over the edge; well I say dangle, but my feet actually were on the floor. Since this was a very uncomfortable position, I washed as quickly as possible and got out. I was in the process of putting my armor back on when I heard a commotion outside my door. “WHERE IS SHE? I NEED HER OUT HERE NOW!” It sounded like Commander Shokratar. Dag answered him with ice in his voice. “She is bathing Commander, so do not disturb her.” I could almost hear them glaring at each other, and I nearly laughed out loud at the mental image of a tiny elf standing up to a huge Qunari. “I will be out in a minute Commander,” I said trying very hard not to laugh. I quickened my pace, because the commander usually doesn't yell at me unless there is something serious going on. I finished putting on my armor; I would have to replace it soon. I sheathed my daggers and secured my bow and quiver. I had run out of arrows during the battle, so when we landed I would have to replace them. I was thankful that I was able to at least retrieve my silverite murder knife.
I opened the door to see Dag standing there looking cheerful as usual. He looked up at me and there was an air about him that said he had something important to say to me. I raised my eyebrow and crossed my arms. “Is there something you need Dag?” He looked hesitant when I said that but stood firm, looking up at me. “I feel that you have become like a mother to me over these last few years, Bauble. I love you and I would like to call you Mamae,” he said as he put his head down. I squatted down and put my hands on his shoulders. “Dag I would love for you to call me Mamae. I have always thought of you as my son, since the day I took you out of the alienage after your father’s death.” He looked up at me with surprise in his eyes. That he might have thought I would say no broke my heart. The joy that suffused his face made my heart whole again.
“BAUBLE! NOW!” I glared at the direction the shout came from and sighed. “Well son, it's time we did our job, wouldn't you say?” I smiled down at him as he looked away and gave me a half grin. I chuckled to myself and turned to go up the ladder to the upper deck, where the commander waited for me. As I reached the commander, I was greeted by the sight of my kith surrounding the captain, who was on his knees and bound. He looked like he had put up a struggle, since he was bruised and bloody. “Well commander, what seems to be the problem?” I asked as I approached the group surrounding the captain. “This idiot forgot to make a payment on the debt he owes some noble and that's why we were attacked!” The commander told me as he kicked the captain. “So a noble paid some raiders to try and kill the captain?” I asked the commander, irritated. His arms crossed, the commander answered in the affirmative. I asked the commander if we were going to kill him, in a tone that said I was so over this already. “Considering you have worked closely with nobles in the past, and used to be an assassin, I figured you would know what to do in this situation.” The commander sounded tired. I sighed and thought about it. Well if this noble had sent raiders to kill him, then the debt no longer mattered. But if we kill him we may get paid, and then again we may not get paid. After telling the commander what I thought, I crossed my arms, and waited for his signal. The commander thought about it for only a second before he nodded. I sighed again and got out my silverite murder knife. The Captain began to struggle, but my kith held him down. I walked over to him and grabbed him by the hair, pulling his head back. My knife was plunged into his jugular and I left him to bleed out. He died quickly. The commander told the sailors to wrap the body, and dictated a letter to whatever noble it was who had ordered the captain’s death. Both the letter and the body would be returned to the noble.
________________________________________
One day later
Jadar Docks
“DRY LAND THANK YOU!” I screamed as I jumped off the ship. I didn't even wait for the ramp, I just jumped from the ship to the dock and ran to the shore. I turned back to see Dag looking at me with his eyebrow raised and his arms crossed, and I almost laughed. If it weren't for the fact that he was an elf, I swear he would look just like me in that moment. I turned around and the people on the dock looked like they were in shock. I smiled and waved and they slowly walked away; before they had gone more than a few steps, they started sprinting to what I assumed was their destination. I sighed at the reaction I still got from humans, but I guess it's to be expected. I mean, if I was that short I would be scared of someone as tall as me, at least a little...maybe...
“Hey, Mamae! Can you not start a panic as soon as we get here?” Dag asked from the ship’s railing. I shrugged and waited for everyone else to get off the ship. We were finally in Ferelden, home of hardy people and big dogs. It would certainly be an interesting change from the Free Marches. My kith and I spread out in search of supplies and distractions until we were to head to the Temple of Sacred Ashes for guard duty. Taverns lined the streets near the docks. I walked to one of the local taverns with Dag in tow; it wasn't hard to find out which taverns were nice and which taverns were worse. I walked in and was assaulted by the usual stench of sweat, blood and vomit. Dag and I sat down in the corner, and waited for the waitress to notice us. The waitress finally came over and got our order for two small roasted chickens and accompanying side dishes, along with some dwarven ale. We weren't there very long when the oddest looking human I had ever seen walked in with an elf close behind her. Both were obviously mages, and the fact that they would come into a tavern full of what were no doubt mage haters was either very brave or incredibly stupid. Something told me I was going to get into a fight soon. I looked at Dag and he returned my look with one that said he was ready for trouble.
The mage was easy to keep an eye on due to her white hair, and the elf that stayed close to her side. They must be desperate to come in here. “Dag run and get our new friends, before a fight starts that could burn down the town.” I said this as sweetly as possible. Dag rolled his eyes and went to talk to the pair; hopefully in a nice, polite way. They seemed startled and scared, looking in my direction. I smiled encouragingly and motioned for them to come and join me at the table. They did so, but with obvious reluctance. After they joined me and took their seats, I tried to break the tension by introducing myself and Dag. “My name is Ebasit Arvaarad Adaar, but please call me Bauble, everyone does. This is my son, Dag.” They didn't speak for a few seconds but then introduced themselves as Enchanter Lyria, formerly of the White Spire in Val Royeaux and Fen Vhenan, her close friend. Her answer came in a low tone, as if she was afraid of being overheard. “It is nice to meet you, Lyria of the White Spire, and Fen Vhenan. Where are the two of you headed, if I may ask?” As I asked my question, we were interrupted by the waitress bringing over the food we had ordered. Enchanter Lyria and Fen Vhenan looked nervous and uncomfortable, being asked such a question. “I just thought you might be heading to the conclave at the Temple of Sacred Ashes,” I said as I took a huge bite of chicken. I kept eyeing this Fen Vhenan, he gave off a weird vibe and he was seemingly calm now. He also kept shooting glances my way and smiling, which I found odd; usually I received a much different reaction most of the time from others who don’t know me.
“So, uh, Fen where are you from?” I asked while taking a sip of ale. He looked like he was about to speak, then looked away and blushed. I smiled and told him it was ok not to tell me. He appeared to take a deep breath for courage and then raised his eyes to mine. “He is from all over, he does not remember his home,” Fen said quickly. I raised my eyebrow at how he spoke and before I said anything, Lyria spoke up, no doubt catching my reaction. “Oh that's just how he talks, you get used to it soon enough,” she said with a smile. I shrugged and continued eating as I looked at Dag, who had already eaten his chicken and was chugging his ale. “So, Lyria are you two hungry? I have enough to feed you two if you are,” I asked as I dangled my money bag in front of them. “Oh yes please! We haven't had a decent meal since the rebellion started,” responding in a low tone. I waved to the waitress, who came over quickly in anticipation of a good tip; I told her to bring us two more chickens, and a pitcher of ale. She nodded and hurried off, but not before giving my new friends nasty looks. I sighed and looked at Dag, who had caught the look as well. He put his hands on his daggers in preparation. We sat in silence for awhile, and I took that time to scan the tavern. I saw the waitress talking to a few people on the other side of the tavern, and when they all looked our way, I sighed and gave Dag the look that said trouble was coming. “Hey Lyria and Fen, do us all a favor and switch seats with me and Dag.” They looked skeptical at first, but saw the serious look on my face and me eyeing the tavern behind them and quickly complied.
Just in time it seemed, because some of the villagers started making their way towards us. Dag noticed and stuck his leg out in preparation to defend himself, just as I had taught him. “Hey brute! What’s with the mages? We don't need abominations and some dirty knife ears in our town!” The leader of the idiots was quite audible in his protestations. I sucked my teeth and sighed as I turned around and stood up. I towered over them, which intimidated most of them into stopping, which in this case came in handy. “Well stupid human, what are you prepared to do about it?” It was evidently my lucky day, because at that moment five of my kith, Qunari also, walked into the tavern. They quickly sized up the situation and moved beside me, their weapons drawn.
The mob swiftly lost their fire and walked away, leaving the idiot alone. I glared at him daring him to make a move. He began to sweat and looked around him, realizing he was suddenly alone. The whole tavern had stopped to see what would happen now. My kith sat down nonchalantly, seeing the inevitable outcome. The idiot and I stared at each other silently before a look of rage crossed his face. I sighed audibly, which must have given him courage, because he all of a sudden picked up a chair and swung it at me. I grabbed the chair, and he tried to pull it back, but couldn't take it from my firm grasp. The whole tavern broke out into loud hearty laughter, and I smiled. Well, that was it for Mr. Idiot. He finally lost all his fight and dejectedly walked out of the tavern. I stood on a small stool and shouted, “WELL EVERYONE, I THINK WE ALL NEED TO RELAX AFTER ALL THAT, AND DRINKS ARE ON ME!” The tavern erupted in loud cheers.
The next day
Jadar Market
I was purchasing arrows for me and Dag when Lyria and Fen entered the fletcher’s shop. “Hey Bauble, can I ask you something?” For some reason, Lyria seemed nervous. As I began putting the new arrows in my and dags quivers, I answered her question. “Of course Lyria what do you need?” “I was talking to some of your kith and was wondering if it is true there is a dwarf on your ship that everyone nicknamed “the loud dwarf”, her real name being Isana?” She seemed to find the ground fascinating for some reason. “Yes there is, she is still on the ship with her son and lover Maaras.” She tensed when I said Maaras, and I wondered if she knew them. “What of it?” As we began to walk back to the ship, she explained. “Isana and I traveled together, before I was taken to the Kirkwall Circle.” I stopped in mid-stride and looked down at her. “I thought you were from the White Spire.” I must have allowed my surprise to show in my voice. “Well, I am but I was sent to Val Royeaux from the Kirkwall Circle. Before the Blight I was in the Ferelden circle, where I grew up. “I see you have been moved around, haven’t you? Well Isana should be on the ship. You want me and Dag to leave you while you go talk to her? As she climbed the ramp, she told me yes. I sighed and decided Dag and I would go back to the tavern to get something to eat before the big march to the Temple.
________________________________________
On board "The Fate"
It has been years since I have seen Isana, and I wondered if she will want to even see me. I told Fen to wait on the dock while I searched for Isana. It wasn't hard to figure out how she had received her nickname, as she was a very loud person and no doubt would be today. As I walked towards the open door in the back of the ship, I heard her for the first time in Maker knows how long. “SODDING SHIP SMELLS LIKE A THOUSAND SOILED NAPPYS! I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!” I froze, and could hear her stomping up the stairs. I moved to in front of the door, waiting for her to see me. It felt like a million years passed before I saw her. She looked much the worse for wear, but I guess that happens when you're a mother. She froze mid step and looked at me in utter shock. For the first time ever, I wager, the "loud dwarf" was speechless. We just stared at each other for an eternity, and then quick as a flash Isana tackled me to the ground landing hard on top of me. Thank goodness there wasn't anyone or anything behind me. I lay there, out of breath, with Isana on top of me. She began to cry which in turn made me cry. Before I knew it we were laying there in front of the Maker and everyone, crying loudly, hugging each other tightly. Our tears flowed for a long time. I know this because the sun was going down while we lay there. When we finally couldn't cry anymore we sat up and she stopped, glared at me, then punched me in the face! OWWWW! SODDING…! OWWW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?” I yelled in pain. “THAT’S FOR LEAVING ME DAMMIT! WHY DIDN’T YOU RUN? WHY DIDN’T YOU TRY TO GET OUT OF THE CIRCLE BEFORE THE REBELLION? WHY DIDN’T YOU CONTACT ME?” Yes, my old Isana was back. She stood up with fists clenched and tears streaming down her face.
I tried to explain. “I was in the Circle and I didn't want to give the templars any more reason to hurt mages. Besides, I learned a great deal more about magic. You should know I couldn't help being transferred to the White Spire. I couldn’t get a letter to you without the templars finding out either. I am sorry Isana, I really am. When the rebellion started it was about hiding, about surviving and trying to not run into templars. What’s more, I didn't know where you were. Can you forgive me?” My voice was hoarse from crying so much. She looked at me in silence, breathing hard and tears still flowing down her cheeks. A few minutes passed before she collapsed, hugging me again. We sat there in companionable silence, holding each other, before I heard footsteps from the direction whence Isana had come. To my pleasant surprise, it was a child, and a Qunari child at that. I had never seen one before, and always wondered what they would look like. “Mama, I am hungry.” He came up to us and jumped on Isana who was still hugging me. The two of them climbed off me so I could stand up. Suddenly I remembered I had left Fen on the dock and looked over to see him still waiting patiently for me. He saw me, smiled and waved. He is so odd, I thought as I waved back.
“Well I say we take off right now, we are NOT going to get separated again.” Isana said with firm resolve. She pulled an apple out of her pack for her son. I most emphatically agreed with her, but wondered where we should go. She told me anywhere but here, as she picked up her things. I looked up at Maaras and as usual his face was expressionless. “Well Isana shouldn't you at least leave a note for Bauble?” I asked as we left the ship. “Hmmm I suppose I should, since she did reunite us,” she said. Rummaging in her packs, she dug up some parchment and ink. She quickly wrote a message out and ran back up the ship to where a trunk was, and put a book on it so it would not blow away.
She returned to us and, taking her son’s hand, said, “Let's get out of here, maybe find a good camping spot.” Maaras followed us without saying a word. Fen gave me a questioning look and I told him we were leaving. “Remember Fen, we have to keep moving.” For first time he looked sad and nodded as he followed our little group.
________________________________________
On board “The Fate”
The next day, 11 a.m.
With our stomachs full, Dag and I boarded the ship. Just before I was about to head below deck, I decided to check my books and I noticed someone had moved one of them. Walking over to the trunk, I saw a piece of parchment sticking out from underneath the top book. I picked it up to read and wasn't surprised at what it said.
Hey Bauble,
Me and the family are heading out with Lyria and that odd elf she has with her. Tell your boss I said thanks for everything, and I hope to meet you all again.
Goodbye salroka
Isana Kondrat
P.S My son ate all the apples and meat on the ship, just thought you should know.
Huh. Well that was short, I thought as I put the paper back under the book. I looked at Dag, who wore an annoyed look on his face, which didn't surprise me. "It's ok Dag, I am sure we will see them again." I patted him on the head. "I don't like it," Dag said as he crossed his arms. As I motioned for him to join me below deck, I asked him, "What don't you like about it?" He sat down on his cot and answered my question. "I don't like that they think it is a good idea to travel the countryside during a war with a child with them, even if that child is half Qunari.” I understood how he felt. "I don't like it either, but they left while we were gone and honestly, I don't think we could have stopped them peacefully, do you?” He just grunted and got out his poison making kit.
3 hours later, 2 p.m.
After getting the supplies we needed for the march to the Temple, we headed out. We didn't have the money to waste on horses, so we had the luxury of walking. For those in heavy armor, it would be brutal indeed. It was a good thing it was so cold now, since we would not to get too fatigued so quickly. Dag, steel faced as ever, marched like it was nothing. Of course he has lived this type of life since he was very young, thanks to me. He looked up at me and raised his eyebrow questioningly. "You are looking at me with that look again Mamae! How many times do I have to tell you, I don't regret leaving with you and going down this path in life. We were family before and have always been and there is no other life I would rather have, ok?" he said with concern and frustration in his voice. I sighed and patted him on the head as we continued to walk. "I know that, Dag, I just worry as a Mamae should.” We both sighed and braced ourselves for what was going to be a very long walk, filled with cold nights and crappy food.
________________________________________
Temple of Sacred Ashes
7 days later
After what seemed like endless days of marching, camping, and more marching, we finally arrived at our destination. As we were walking up to the temple to meet our "employer", a familiar eerie, feeling went up my spine. I always got this feeling when I was around a lot of lyrium or magic. “I have a bad feeling.” Dag got out of his bow and said he could feel the same thing. I moved up to the commander’s side to warn him that we should be careful. “Commander I have a bad feeling, we should be wary.” I whispered to him. “Hmmmm. Well if it will make you feel better, find a way around and come in the back way,” he said, his whisper even quieter than mine. I looked back at Dag and motioned for him to stay with the company, he nodded and continued walking.
I pulled up my hood and melted into the bushes, moving around the rear of the temple. I managed to find an open window and quickly peeked in. The sight that met my eyes was one of horror! Bodies of mages and templars alike littered the floor, the smell of blood and burned bodies choking the air. I climbed into the window, and listened, all nerves taut. All was quiet except for the sound of my breathing; I slowly got out my bow and nocked an arrow. Moving as silently as possible, I moved towards the hallway. I hadn't gotten far when I came across two people that I know shouldn't have been there. Upon closer inspection I could see that they were wardens. I was shocked, and wondered what wardens were doing here acting as if they were standing guard. From what I had seen in the room I had entered through, they weren't here as rescuers but as killers. It was dark enough I could hide in shadows. My old assassins training was coming in handy and I was able to get close enough to get a clear shot of them both.
I drew an extra arrow and nocked both of them. I pulled back and aimed, positioned the arrows just so, and released them; both arrows reached their mark, right through the head. They fell to the floor with a loud clanking noise. I froze, staying in the shadows and waiting for reinforcements to come. I heard nothing, so I kept moving until I could feel the prick of magic and knew the source of it was close. I crept through the dark, blood-soaked halls of the temple for what seemed like an eternity and finally came to a big double door. I walked slowly to the door and listened in.
“WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? YOU, OF ALL PEOPLE!” The voice sounded Orlesian. Could it be the Divine?
“Keep the sacrifice still!” A deep voice barking an order!
“Someone help me, please!” A sound of someone in pain!
I kicked down the door, bracing myself for what I thought would be a group of blood mages. However, to my horror, it was something much worse! There, in the middle of the room, was Divine Justinia being magically help by warden mages. My eyes could not look away at what was the most disgusting creature I had ever set eyes on. The orb he held caught my attention, and my entry evidently distracted him; it gave the Divine a chance to act. She quickly kicked the orb out of the creature’s hand, sending it flying. Out of reflex I dove for it and picked it up. I was instantly racked with the most crippling pain you can imagine.......and then everything went dark.
________________________________________
I awoke to the sound of water dripping, the floor wet. I was cold, my hands were shackled and I couldn't see well at first. I slowly rose, not knowing where I was or what had happened. As my hazy vision cleared, I saw that I wasn't alone. There were soldiers all around me, their iron swords drawn. I looked at their faces with expressions that had many emotions all at once it seemed. A mix of anger, grief and most of all - fear. They looked like they really wanted to kill me, why I didn't know. My head hurt and......"AAARGH!” My hand was suddenly seized with pain and a green light emitted from it. As I continued to gaze upon my hand the front door swung open and two women appeared, one that I knew. The other I was a bit weary of, given the fact I was unable to defend myself. The black hair one circled me like a beast, having found her prey. "Why shouldn't I kill you right now, Murderer?!" she growled in my ear. She continued to circle me as she spoke, "The conclave is destroyed and countless are dead. Why are you the only survivor?" she said in a tone mixed with rage and grief.
I sat there silent, in shock at hearing the fate of the conclave. My thoughts immediately went to Dag...my son....is he dead...did he make it to safety. My thoughts were interrupted again as the dark haired women grabbed my glowing hand. “Explain this!” she said with a snarl. I glared at her then. “Don't you think I would if I could? I don't even know what's going on! My son may be dead! My kith may be dead!” I yelled at her as strong grief took hold of me. Tears streamed down my face and my hands were shaking as I collapsed to the ground. My energy drained, I just cried, shook and grieved for what must be the truth. My kith were gone, but more importantly my son was gone. My beloved son has been taken from me, before he had a chance to do anything...he was still so young. I laid there on the cold stone and as I did so, I heard Leliana tell the dark haired women they needed me. She called her Cassandra, a name I have heard before. They exchanged a few more words and sideways glances in my direction. Cassandra approached me again, this time unshackling me and replacing my current iron shackles with rope bindings. She pulled me to my feat, and started to escort me outside. Where she planned to take me I didn't know, but it felt like it was going to change my whole world.
________________________________________
Chapter 29
New Perspective
The floor was paved stone and chilly, the cold quickly seeped into my clothes. I felt frozen within minutes; all the while my hands were bound. As I looked up I saw it, the enormous tear in the veil. It felt like staring into forever, as if there were no end. Demons poured out of the hole in the sky like snow falling upon the ground. I could hear them in the distance the sound of metal upon metal, the screams of the dying. I looked around at the people ranged before me, their grief and rage clear upon their faces. They looked upon me with fear, a look that silently said....Monster. Then without warning the tear convulsed and my hand seized with crippling pain. I fell to my knees in agony, but as quickly as it came the pain left. I laid there in a daze, all the pain of loss I felt drowning me. It was hard to breathe; after a few moments I was able to get back to my feet. Cassandra and I began to walk down the path out of the village. As I walked past them, the people of village would throw rocks and shout insults, screaming for my death. Hasn't there been enough death, I thought to myself. After a few rocks, Cassandra stepped in and got the villagers to leave me alone.
We finally made it to a bridge and Cassandra cut my bonds, mentioning a trial while she did so. Why she cut my bonds left me wondering if she lost some of her wits, because I could run if I wanted. Not that I would, especially when there wasn't anywhere to go.
We continued on our way, walking through the frigid snow, passing many bodies. As we strode along the path, I feared discovering Dag's body, I feared the worse. As we approached the second bridge the veil tear convulsed again and again crippling me with pain. I fell to my knees, waiting for the pain to fade as it did before. Cassandra helped me to my feet and we continued on our way.
We began to cross the bridge when a massive green ball of fire crashed in to the bridge. I felt the bridge give way, sending me and Cassandra plummeting to the ice below. As we laid there in a daze demons came raining down from the veil. There must have been at least twenty. I was unarmed, and I looked to see Cassandra getting to her feet. She looked at what must have been certain death for her, but charged anyway. I frantically looked around for a bow or dagger, but instead I came upon a weapons chest that had a small wooden shield and an iron sword. I quickly grabbed both, and turned around just in time to bash a demon in the face with the shield. It felt good, and helped me to feel better. I felt a rush of adrenaline and smacked the shield with my sword and taunted the demons.
“HEY, OVER HERE! COME AND GET IT!”
And come they did, at least ten. I tried to think of how to stand, unfamiliar with fighting like a warrior. I simply held my shield out in front of me and pointed my sword forward and braced myself. The first three charged me, slamming into my shield. I swiftly shoved them off and brought down my sword slicing one in half. I twirled around knocking three more demons down with my shield. I bought down my sword again on another demon and stomp my foot through a second. I looked up to see that Cassandra was really holding her own as she ran two through at the same time. Cassandra and I battled the demons for what seemed like an eternity, but they just kept coming.
Cassandra and I stood back to back, as more demons surrounded us. Suddenly a battle cry filled with pain and rage rang out. I looked to see where it came from and to my surprise it was Isana, jumping off the cliff into what remained of the demons. She cut through them like they were made of paper, shredding them with her daggers. I charged forward, not wanting her to fight alone. Together Cassandra, Isana and I finished off the remaining demons.
When it was all over, Isana fell to her knees and wailed and cried and punched the ground. I slowly walked up to her, with Cassandra close behind. “Isana are you alright? What happened?” She looked up at me with red puffy eyes that showed she had been crying a lot lately. “My.....son....Maaras…” she said between sobs. I didn't know what to say, so I just hugged her and let her cry. She cried for so long I feared we would become frozen solid in the snow. I pulled away from her and asked, “Isana where is Lyria and that elf she was with?” She looked up at me and frowned. “We got separated again, sod it all!” she replied as she got to her feat and sheathed her daggers. “We have to keep moving, we must get you to the breach,” said Cassandra. I looked at her with an irritated glare but nodded in response. We continued on, with Isana close behind.
________________________________________
We continued on, while the cold seeped into our armor, and added to our freezing. The demons just kept coming; how we managed to get through them I will never know. "There are more demons ahead, I can hear the fighting," said Cassandra between breaths. I could hear it too - the clanging of metal, the screams of demons. I could feel the prickle of magic being cast on my skin, there must be a mage nearby. We climbed a set of stairs, breathing hard from battle when we came upon soldiers, an elf and a dwarf fighting yet another group of demons. With my sword and shield at the ready, I charged with all my strength at the enemies and managed to take out one. The other demon in my path managed to evade me and came at me with full force. I put my shield up and braced myself for impact with surprisingly little strain. The demon slammed hard into me, but I managed to shove him down. I saw this as my chance and I ran it through, grinning in satisfaction as it died.
Suddenly my hand was grabbed and pulled towards the rift, causing it to close. I looked over at the elf, and thought he looked very determined. As the rift closed I jerked my hand away, and glared at the elf. He simply smiled which annoyed me more. "How did you know to do that?" I asked him. "I didn't. It was just a theory and one that proved to be correct", he answered with a smile. "My name is Solas and you are?" "I am Ebasit Arvaarad Adaar, but you may call me Bauble," I replied. With an inquisitive look on his face, Solas commented on my name. “Curious.” "What is curious about my name?" I asked, irritated yet again. "Your name ‘Bauble’. How did you get such a name?" He wore a look that said he was studying me. "In my days as an assassin before I became a mercenary, I would wear little baubles on my armor," I replied. "This is very interesting but we all must remember that there is a giant hole in the sky,” said the dwarf, pointing out the obvious. "Oh sorry," I replied as we continued on our way. The dwarf introduced himself with a smile. “I am Varric Tethras by the way, known as a rogue and story teller; although more recently the title of ‘an unwanted fourth wheel’ has been added. As he finished speaking, I heard what could have only been a disgusted noise from Cassandra. It made me want to laugh.
We continued on our way, talking about our backgrounds and killing off more demons in the process. We came upon a man named Cullen and his soldiers and yet another fade rift. We made short work of both the demons and the rift. Cullen, who I learned was the commander of the military forces here, retreated with the rest of the soldiers.
Following the path, we finally reached the start of it all. The breach was far more intimidating up close, and I was looking forward to closing it for good. I looked to the elf, Solas I think he said his name was. “Solas, what do we do? This rift is the biggest, are you sure I can close it?” I whispered to him. With conviction, he answered in the affirmative. “Yes, with the mark you should be able to close this one as you did the others.” I nodded in response and as we made our way down, we heard a deep voice speaking of a "sacrifice". I didn't like the sound of it and hoped to stop whoever that voice belonged to. Leilana and her scouts were already in position and everyone prepared themselves for the worst. Anything to do with the fade always resulted in trouble. “You must open it first and then re-seal it properly,” Solas said with an intent look. Everyone was read, so I aimed the mark on my hand at the rift, beginning the process of opening it. As the rift opened, we had the distinct pleasure of a giant demon and a few of its minions joining us. The battle immediately began, magic and metal clashing with demon flesh.
My companions and I instantly engaged the enemy, cutting down the smaller demons with ease while trying to stay a fair distance from the bigger one. Not being used to wielding a sword and shield, I had to make do. While cutting down a few of the smaller demons, I made my way to the largest demon, a Pride Demon Solas called it, trying to sneak up behind it while it was occupied with the other soldiers. I managed to get close enough and lunged forward, slashing it behind the knee. It roared in pain and anger, swinging around to try and fend me off. As it swung around, it fell to its knees and I saw this as my chance to end the creature. I ran forward with my sword raised high, taking advantage of its current incapacity. When I reached the demon, I brought my sword down, taking off its head; well, most of it, because the head hung from the body only by a thread as it collapsed.
“You must seal the rift! Do it now!” Cassandra yelled. I looked towards the rift, and hoped it would work again. I made my way closer to the rift and raised my marked hand. The reaction was instant and the power surged. It was difficult to keep my arm up, but I forced my way through the pain, knowing what would happen if I gave up.
I concentrated with all my strength and BOOM! The tear in the veil looked to be sealed, but I didn't know this due to blacking out.
________________________________________
3 Days later...absurd
I awoke to a migraine that made it hard to open my eyes, but I managed to open them anyways. As opened them, everything that had happened came rushing forward, renewing my pain. “My son...my son,” I whispered to myself as I felt tears run down my face. I couldn't believe he was gone, whoever was responsible for the blast would pay. I looked around, finding myself in a cabin; the smell of dog told me I was still in Ferelden. I sat up and felt a thump under the bed I lay on. I bent over and looked under the bed. It was a baby mabari, seemingly no more than a couple of months old, who was chewing on something. I lifted the bed up and grabbed the tiny pup, who held onto what looked like a half made leather gauntlet. I managed to laugh a little, trying to get it from him. I pulled and he pulled, giving me his baby growl. I smiled and shrugged and put down the brown little terror. The pup hopped around and wagged its little nub of a tail, all the while trying to bark with his toy in his mouth. “So where did you get your toy pup, did you take it from a poor blacksmith?” I said with half a smile. He barked again, dropping the gauntlet this time. I bent down to grab it as an elven women came in and gasped. “Oh you little looter! First you steal, then you wake up Andraste's chosen!” she said as she glared at the pup. “Take it easy it's just a gauntlet, and I will make sure the pup doesn't do it again.”
She looked at me, nodded and bowed; “I shall tell Seeker Cassandra you have awakened.” I gave her a nod in response and bent down to pick up the pup; as I did so I could see that it was a male. “So little man, shall I call you Looter? It seems to fit you given what I know of your behavior.” He barked or, I should say, squeaked his approval. “Good, and we are now partners! When you are big enough we will fight side by side! How does that sound, Looter?” He squeaked again as he wiggled in my hand.
I laughed and put him down, and he proceeded to bounce around my feet as I walked. As I stepped out of the small hut, I was greeted by soldiers forming a path with their heads bowed, which made me very uncomfortable. I didn't want to be some chosen one, especially of some god I didn't follow. I could see over their heads and they were making a path that led to the chantry. "Oh joy, I get to go into to chantry", I thought sarcastically. It was a very quiet walk. The only sounds were my footsteps and the sound of Looter not far behind me. I would have to talk to the seeker about this chosen business when I saw her; I did not want to be their chosen one. I certainly do not want to be worshipped in any way, shape or form.
I made it through the front doors and could hear arguing coming from the door in the back. I looked down at Looter who tilted his head with his tongue sticking out the side of his mouth. “You're going to protect me right?” I asked half laughing. He squeaked at me and ran ahead, leaving me to chase after him.
As I neared the door, the arguing voices were much clearer. I heard the Chancellor’s voice and the Seeker’s, arguing about me and the breach. "Leave to chantry folk to talk about everything but what's more important", I thought. I took a deep breath and opened the door, only to be greeted by Templars. "Arrest her before she does anything else to worsen the situation!" said the Chancellor with a sneer. As the seeker immediately canceled the Chancellor’s order, I caught Looter doing his "business" on the Chancellor’s foot. I straightened up immediately and covered my mouth to keep from laughing out loud. This pup was turning out to be a nice distraction from my current pain and stresses.
The Chancellor had finally had enough and walked out, with Looter’s steaming pile of love on his boot. I laughed again to myself as the Seeker and Sister Leliana began speaking to me again. They spoke about how we needed to do something and that we were alone with no support from the chantry. Good riddance I say, the chantry is useless.
“Will you help us restore order?” the seeker asked as she offered her hand. I nodded and shook the hand she held out to me. This should be interesting!
________________________________________
The Secret Life of Lyria
Human Mage
Chapter 1
The Harrowing
Circle Tower
Dear Diary,
Yesterday was an interesting day. I snuck into my secret passage I had found so I could listen in on Uldred’s secret meetings, oh what people say when they think no one is listening. I laughed to myself. It's a good thing I am so short although I am often mistaken for an elf. "Bugger that I mean does it look like I have pointy ears?! I am 18 not a child!!!” If only I had been born in Orlais and not a mage, I could have been a bard spy, because I am good at not being seen. The Maker wills it and all that rubbish bah! The Maker says this, the Maker says that, BAH I say! Uldred has made a few good points over the years, but lately I feel this chill go up my spine when he talks as if something of great horror is going to happen. Maybe I should talk to Wynne...... hmmm nah she would just insist everything was fine and be all motherly as usual uugh.
~~~
“LYRIA!!!!” My quill snapped as my fingers tightened on it. I jumped at Knight Commander Greagoir’s shout and looked up from my diary, giving him an annoyed look.
“Yes Knight Commander, oh Holy One.” I rolled my eyes at him, which I knew he disliked.
“It is time. Come along, I'll have none of your jests today!” I crawled off my bed and put the diary back in my chest at the end of the bed, making sure I locked it. Some apprentices could be so nosy. “Uh huh.” It seemed like short answers would be best.
“To think I came myself to get you. I should have sent Cullen since he has more patience with you mages, now COME ON!”
I walked slowly, my feet feeling heaver with every step. "So the day has come, the day all mages fear... the harrowing....my harrowing. Am I truly ready?" I thought. Up, up we went, "Almost there". By the time I got to the Harrowing Chamber I was so lost in thought I didn't hear Greagoir spew his Maker nonsense. The room was bigger than I thought it would be.
First Enchanter Irving sought to reassure me. “Lyria, child, it's going to be ok. Remember what you have been taught and you should be fine.”
“Yes, the fade is a realm of dreams blah blah resist temptation blah blah.” I know I should not be so flippant, but it would help me stay calm. Both the Knight Commander and the First Enchanter gave me a scolding look. I just giggled to myself. I love annoying them both, it was just too easy.
Knight Commander Greagoir pushed me towards the pedestal. “It is time child. Now come, you are more than ready.”
As I walked toward the pedestal I felt as though I was walking to my destiny. I reached out to touch the lyrium, expecting it to burn me. Although I remember the lyrium having negative effects before, it felt strangely warm and inviting to me now.
~~~
When I opened my eyes there was a bright light, and everything looked distorted - like I was drunk or something. Not that I would know what that felt like. I started my journey towards a new beginning.
I had been walking for some time when I came across a sobbing child. “P-p-please H-h-help me.” It was a boy, looked to be around 10 years old. I looked at him suspiciously, knowing somehow this was a ploy. The old “playing a defenseless child” trick, something I had done many times myself when I was growing up in the tower. I decided to play the demon’s game for the moment.
“What is wrong child, are you lost?” He looked up at me with a tear stained face. “I-I -I am all alone, p-p-please can you help me? Can you take me with you out of this sc-c-cary place? I want to go home!”
I looked at him, and rolled my eyes. S-s-s-sure if I wanted to be an abomination, I thought to myself. I motioned for the kid to follow me, to see how far the demon would take this game. A dangerous gamble, but progress was never made by playing it safe.
We walked for awhile, the boy acting sad and scared, and me pretending to comfort him. Suddenly, feeling a shift in the energy around us, I knew the demon was beginning to make its move. Big mistake demon. I turned around quickly, staff ready and had to avert my eyes. It had to be a desire demon, unashamed in its state of undress. Ugh, put some clothes on, I don’t want to see that.
“It is obvious you are not easily fooled,” she said seductively. I asked her, “What gave me away?” I don’t think she would have liked my thoughts at the moment. “Enough of games mage, I know you tire of your confinement. I could help with the release from your prison.”
I can handle my own release thank you. “No thank you, please go away now!” She purred at me. “Do you really wish to remain in the tower? You could be so much more with my help.”
Yeah I could be tall dark and gruesome. “True, true, but I can handle it just fine. Now, if you don’t mind, I am going to kill you, since you won't go away.” The desire demon sighed. “Very well, I hope you enjoy dying.”
I quickly threw a fire ball at her but missed, and before I could dodge her spell, she froze my legs and I fell. Stupid desire demon and her quick thinking. I smashed the ice from my legs with my staff just before her next blow hit me and managed to burn her arm with a cone of fire. She screamed in pain and I laughed delightedly.
She attempted to fool me with copies of herself, surrounding me and laughing. I don't have time for this! I decided to do something crazy; I tried something I had never done before. Summoning all the energy I could, I slammed my staff down hard, and whirled it around, sending waves of flames outward. The flames ignited every desire demon in front of me, copy and original alike. I listened to her screams and watched in triumph as she died.
Then everything went dark.........
________________________________________
Chapter 2
Conspiracy and an Unwelcomed Surprise
It has been two weeks since I became a full fledge mage by surviving my Harrowing. I have been spying on Uldred for what feels like months now, and with each passing day his speeches become more angry and hateful. I have a hard time believing what the chantry says about the Maker and I don't really care for most templars, but I don't think I have ever seen someone radiate such a violent aura.
After getting a message from one of my spies in Uldred’s little group, I am on my way to spy on one of his meetings again. I have a sick feeling in my stomach that gets worse the closer I get to the secret passage. I reached the secret passage that I found in the library when I was very young, and pulled on what looked like a blank book. There is a secret passageway located in the exterior walls of the Tower that leads to a peep hole for almost every room in the tower. As I got closer to the peep hole near Uldred’s secret meeting place, I started to smell blood and lots of it; I froze before the peep hole and just listened.
Uldred was giving a speech. “Finally our numbers are large enough! My fellow mages, the time for us to strike back at the templars is near. We will no longer be subject the law of the chantry. Soon we will unleash our wrath using the great power of blood magic. We will attack when they least suspect and all who oppose us will die!” The blood mages roared their approval.
I froze, vibrating with fear, rage and pity for the witless fool. To turn to blood magic is the true sign of a coward and lack of wit. I stood there at war with myself at what to do.
Should I go to the templars or the First Enchanter, but what proof would I have. All they would do is investigate and that would give Uldred time to get rid of any evidence or worse. What should I do?
As I stood there thinking, it came to me. I would have to break a few rules but I had to do something.
I rushed to the other entrance to the secret passages, located in the repository. Once I arrived there, I started to go through the books, looking at different kinds of magic; magic that we weren't supposed to know about.
While searching, I came across a three interesting books: Shifting Away, Holy Mage, and Spirit Bound. I skimmed the books and, thanks to my eidetic memory, quickly memorized passages in those and other books that had to do with heavy shields and healing, but they were not as interesting. As I was memorizing the last book I heard something behind me....
I whirled around and came face to face with the last person I expected to see. “Don't you have another escape plan to carry out?”
The mage gave me a look that said my comment annoyed him but he quickly cast it aside. “All in due time. I come down here often to clear my head and to my surprise found the queen of hermits breaking the rules!”
“So says the guy who has "tried" to stay "free" but always gets caught as you should!” I said as I jabbed his shoulder with my finger. He glared at me again but then just smiled and shrugged. “When will you give up your foolish escape attempts, Anders? One day they won't bring you back, they might just kill you outright next time.” He laughed and it was my turn to glare.
“So concerned for my welfare. I am touched. A pretty girl such as you shouldn't frown so, with such lovely white hair and silver eyes. Come give us a kiss, no one will hear us down here.” He moved closer to me and I pointed my staff at him.
“Sorry Anders, I prefer men who don't have commitment issues. Now, if you will excuse me, I am leaving!” He looked really pissed now, and I almost laughed in his face but I was too irritated to do so.
Stupid Anders, one day he will be his own undoing. Where does he get the gall to assume I would be free with my affections like that? I stomped through the secret passages and thought about how to go about practicing for what I had planned for Uldred.
________________________________________
Chapter 3
Blood and Fire
It had been five weeks since my Harrowing.
Dear Diary:
Gar was recruited into the Grey Wardens a few weeks ago. He had helped his friend escape; I am beginning to understand why someone would want to risk being an apostate. I caught Anders escaping again, I should have said something but something inside me said not too. Oh well, not my problem anyway. I wonder why Uldred hasn't made his move yet, what is he waiting for?
KABOOOOM!!!!
“WHAT IN THE MAKER’S NAME WAS THAT!?!?!!” I think my heart just stopped, even though it is actually beating too fast. What is that smell.... dear Maker it smells like blood and fire.
I gather up my sack, throwing in my diary, lyrium I had snatched from stores, the spell books I had taken from the repository and ran to see what the source of the smell was. As I reached the library, I came face to face with a horde of abominations. I was too late; Uldred has begun his plan. I quickly snapped out my shock and threw a fireball at them. As they lay burning, I quickly fled the scene and rounded the corner to see Wynne go down protecting a fellow mage. Instead of allowing fear to take over, I summoned all my rage and threw myself at the demon, running it through my staff and blowing it to pieces with another fireball. I thought I was going to be sick from the sight of demon guts.
Wynne was down and Petra was in hysterics, screaming at her, “WYNNE! WYNNE! OH WYNNE PLEASE GET UP!” I pulled her to her feet. “Calm yourself woman, lest you draw more demons to us!” The girl was in such a state of shock she didn't hear me. I don't blame her, I should be as scared as she was, but we didn’t have time for hysteria so I slapped her, hard. “Petra, snap out of it! We must get away from here!” She looked at me and said, “We can't leave Wynne, we just can’t!”
“She's dead, and there is nothing we can do about it now. Don’t let her death be in vain! Now let's get going!” Just as I was about to slap her again, a horde of rage demons found us. "I refuse to die today," I screamed as I twirled my staff around, gaining speed and casting a snow spell. The spell continuously created a swirling vortex of ice, blasting through the horde and freezing them solid. "Maker’s breath, it worked, I can't believe it worked."
“Oh thank the Maker....” She suddenly gasped as Wynne opened her eyes. “Wynne, can you hear me are you alright?” Wynne groaned as Petra helped her to a sitting position. “I am alright Petra, what about you?” Petra smiled at me. “I am fine, thanks to Lyria.” Wynne added her thanks to Petra’s. “Maker bless you, Lyria, thank goodness you were here.”
“You’re welcome; now get up please, before another horde of Maker knows what comes along.” It is just too much, it seems like nowhere is safe. If the templars can't handle this, then they can’t protect us anymore and they definitely have no right to rule over us. I can’t be a good little Circle mage anymore. I have to get out - but how? Wynne and Petra will try to talk me out of it or try to stop me. Well, since I don't want to kill them, I will have to do something drastic now all I need is....
KABOOM!!!
All of a sudden I was sent flying through the air, and it took me a second to realize I had been shot out of a window and was now falling to my death. Think fast think fast! I began to chant as fast as I could and right before I hit the ground, I successfully shape-shifted into to a crow and flew across the water. I had barely made it in time. Talk about a close call! I flew high into the sky, taking in my surroundings, and smelt death everywhere. "So this blight is real then...pity."
What was I to do now? I am now an apostate but hopefully they will think I am dead - for the time being at least.
________________________________________
Chapter 4
Loss
It has now been three months since my Harrowing.
What to do, what to do? I have been in the wilds for two months now, practicing every spell that I could from the books I brought with me. Since I had an eidetic memory, and had memorized the books, they now seemed more like dead weight then something useful. As I had been taught, the books and other items locked in the repository were there for a reason. What should I do with these books now? I stood there thinking and decided that, since I had what I needed from them and didn't want anyone else to get their hands on them, I would burn them. Mages in the tower would think it was a waste I am sure, but I couldn't risk any mage with bad intentions getting hold of them. After making sure there was nothing left of the books, I decided to leave the wilds.
I had walked for days, and finally saw a town in the distance; I decided to try out a spell that I had done only once, when I flew from the tower as a crow. After I had found a hidden spot where I wouldn't be seen, I again shape-shifted, only this time I turned myself into an orange tabby cat. Everyone loves cats. It was time to get some food, one way or another. As I got closer a horrible smell assaulted my nose, but I decided to venture forward anyway. I sensed danger, so I crouched down and faded into the tall grass. I crawled closer until I saw them, a whole hoard of darkspawn.
I stayed in the tall grass and the shadows looking for survivors. After hours of searching, I came to the sad conclusion that no one survived. I could only hope some escaped.
As I was leaving the destruction the darkspawn had done, I came across a little elven girl. It looked like she had been infected by the blight and was dying slowly. I don't know how to cure such a thing and I can't bring myself to kill a little girl. I twitched my tail, trying not to cry because it seemed so unfair. The little girl managed to turn her head with what little strength she had. She reached out to me and so I went to her, putting my head next to hers while she petted me.
She coughed violently and her breath came in short gasps. “Nice kitty. Please…..stay….with….me…I…am so….scared.” I curled up next to her to keep her warm the best I could, purring to keep her calm. Her breathing began to weaken before long and I knew the end was near for her. As the sun set, she took her final breath, and I cried for her and for everyone that died here today.
After shifting back to my human form temporarily, I buried her by the small river nearby and prayed for her to reach the Maker’s side. When I was done with my unhappy task, I shifted back into a cat and went on my way.
You know, that is the first time I have ever prayed to the Maker?
What should I do? Where should I go? What could be my purpose? After going through something I had never gone through before, the death of a young elven girl, I felt something in me change. I don't know what the something was, but I knew it was going to change me forever.
________________________________________
Chapter 5
An Unusual Encounter
It had now been five and a half months since my Harrowing.
I prowled the streets of Denerim, looking for food in my cat form. It turns out Fereldans do love dogs more than any other animal. In my current form I avoided the dogs of course, although the mabari are really impressive; maybe I will get one someday. I decided to try the alienage to see if they were less harsh than the humans. As I snuck around the alienage, I managed to swipe a few fresh fish, for they had plenty. As I was about to leave, a large group of humans charged into the alienage. They began to kill without rhythm or reason, men, women, even the children. I can't let this happen!
I jumped toward a human, transforming back into my human form as I moved. “APOSTATE!!!!!!! SOMEONE GO GET THE TEMPLARS,” a Denerim guard shouted as he saw me.
Oh no you don't. Before any guards could leave, I tried to seal both exits but unfortunately, a guard made it out before I could. Probably should have done that first.
“GET BEHIND ME I'LL PROTECT YOU!” Most of the elves looked at me as if my wits had left me, but I stood my ground regardless. The guards looked at me like I was crazy. “Don't do anything foolish, mage!”
“Why are you killing these elves? They have no means to defend themselves. What have they done?”
“We are just following orders from the new arl of Denerim. Due to the riots, he has ordered the alienage purged.”
“Yeah, I heard about this riot. I think the elves had reason to riot, since the last arl’s son had committed crimes against these elves.”
“Well, that is not for you to decide now is it mage? Step aside or we will use deadly force and I don’t think you would survive.” He raised his sword, and I raised my staff. I knew who would win if we engaged.
I lifted my head and glared at the man. “I'd like to see you try!”
“LYRIA, STOP THIS MADNESS!!!” The last person I ever expected to be in Denerim stood there with Circle Tower templars.
“Cullen! The only madness happening here is the slaughter of innocent elves here.”
He looked at me and surprisingly, agreed with me! “I understand, but there is no need for you to cause more trouble for the elves by killing these guards.” I stood there thinking. He’s right the blighter, but I refuse to go back to the Fereldan Circle because it is useless and unorganized.
“Please just come along quietly, I don't want to have to hurt you Lyria. Please come with me!” As I looked into his eyes, I noted that there seemed to be something there that I am sure shouldn't be there. He looked really concerned for my welfare and something else.
“Give it up, mage. You have nowhere to go, we have you surrounded!” Sod it; they had managed to get around me while I was distracted. Cullen begged me again to come with him. “Lyria...please!”
Maker, the look he is giving me, his eyes are showing too much, what is with him? Just then I heard a templar make a move behind me to grab me, and managed to evade him. The Templars came at me in an attempt to capture me. Oh no, you don't! Despite Cullen and the Templar’s attempts, I managed to quickly transform into a cat and jumped to the top of one of the elven houses. I looked back at the templars and saw Cullen mouth something to me.
Cullen: "Be safe.”
________________________________________
CHAPTER 6
Destiny Comes Charging In
A few days after I left Denerim, I came upon a camp in my cat form, which I had maintained the entire time. It was a mixed group of people that I didn't recognized until I looked near the tents and froze. It was Wynne! What is she doing outside the tower? Standing not far from Wynne was Gar. He looked rough, dirty and he had cuts all over his face. What is going on? I wandered close to Wynne. She must have heard me somehow and turned to look at me.
“Did you think you could sneak up on a fellow mage?” I was irritated that she recognized me, but shifted back to my human form to converse with her. “Hello Wynne, it has been a long time since last we met. What brings you way out here?”
“I am travelling with the Grey Warden, so I may help stop the Blight.” Stop the blight - I was sure I heard her correctly and wondered why she would attempt something so dangerous after her ordeal at the tower. She looked healthy enough, but I could sense something different in her, something changed.
“Wynne are you sure you should be out and about after what happened at the tower? You almost died!” She smiled at my worry for her. “I am fine, but why are you out here? Why are you not at the Circle? You do not seem to be the type to become an apostate.”
“I will always be a Circle mage, but I can't return to the Fereldan Circle.” Her look changed to one of worry. “You should go back; I don't want to see you get hurt.” “I will be fine Wynne, please don't fret.”
Suddenly I heard my name called. “LYRIA!” I looked over to see Gar walking towards me; he looked so worn out. “Hello Gar, it has been awhile, hasn’t it?” He told me, “You should be in the circle, where it’s safe.”
“Safe! Really! And here I thought hordes of shades, rage demons and abominations were a bad thing. My mistake! I'll just head back right now and skip while I'm at it!” He gave me look that reminded me of a father scolding his child. “You know what I mean; this is no time for...” I interrupted him. “My jests, I know. I may return to the Circle eventually, but not right now.”
“Well if I cannot convince you, please be safe, and may the Maker watch over you.”
“I wish the same for you as well Gar.” I said my goodbyes to Gar and Wynne and went on my way.
I had not traveled a half mile before I found myself confronted by a single templar. From a distance, I knew he was a templar because of the symbol on his clothing. He was unarmed and unarmored. I thought he must have lost his wits, or he is most surely drunk. Once I looked closer, I was stunned.
“Lyria, I am glad you are safe. Please know I come to you as myself and not as a templar.” I looked at him suspiciously. “Is that right? Well if you are not here to take me back to the circle then why are you here? And with no armor or arms? It would only take one fire ball to burn you.” I held my staff out in case this was a trap of some sort.
“I came here unarmed and unarmored to show you that I trust you and that I mean you no harm. I wanted to talk to you, alone and face to face.” I looked at him as if he were truly daft. If he was about to say what I thought he was about to say, I was at a loss for words.
“Well what is it you want to talk to me about, Cullen?” He looked nervous, and as if he was to be ill at any moment. He reached for something in his robe and I blushed; I let out a breath of relief when he just pulled out a bottle. Upon closer inspection, I could see it was a phylactery! My phylactery?
“I want you to come back to the circle, but I won't force you.” He then did something I never thought any templar would do, let alone Cullen. He threw my phylactery into the river where it shattered on a rock, and the blood washed away. I tried to speak. “Cul..”
“Don't say anything. Just know that I will be going to the Kirkwall Circle soon.” I had so many questions for him, but he had turned his back and was already walking away. What is he up to, is this some sort of test? Why does he trust me so much? Not that he shouldn't trust me, but it just boggles the mind that he does. I was still thinking about what had just happened when out of nowhere three individuals came running out of the forest.
“RUN!!! DARKSPAWN!!!!!!!!!”
________________________________________
CHAPTER 7
Body Count
Why is it that no matter where I go chaos and death follows?
Out of nowhere a dwarf burst from the bushes with a horde of darkspawn behind her, and a battle began!
“HEY YOU DON’T JUST STAND THERE HELP US!!!!!!” the dwarf shouted at me. From the looks of her she was a rogue and was pretty good with daggers went through my head. I put up my shields and prepared for what looked to be a long battle; there had to be at least fifty or more darkspawn.
I asked her between spells “SO ARE THESE LOVELIES FRIENDS OF YOURS OR DO YOU DO THIS SORT OF THING FOR FUN?” She answered me in a sharp voice, “SOD OFF!!”
I laughed at her. “I guess it was your charm that attracted them to you!” As the dwarf beheaded a genlock, she gave me a glare that said I was next if I didn't shut my mouth and start getting busy. I just laughed and continued to blow up dark spawn. As I turned to my left I saw the emissary and did what any smart person would do in a huge battle. Take out the mage!
Oh, the irony! I ran through the large group of dark spawn that surrounded it, blowing off heads as I went. “EWWWW BLOOD, AND WHATS THIS?!? MAKERS BREATH!!!!! THERE WAS AN EYEBALL IN MY HAIR!!!!!!”
It was the dwarf’s turn to laugh at me now, while striking out at darkspawn. “Talk about having eyes on the back of your head! HA!!!” I ignored her and kept running towards the emissary. Just when I was about to reach it, I saw a huge fire ball coming up behind it.
BOOM!!!
The emissary went down in flames and Gar nonchalantly strolled up. I hate it when someone takes my kill. “Why Gar, it is so good of you to join us!” He just looked at me and made an obvious statement. “No time, kill now!!” He wasn’t kidding; three hours later there was still a good number of darkspawn. All of a sudden the ground started to shudder violently. Without warning, a giant boulder came flying at us from what seems like out of nowhere.
SPLAT!!!!
Ironically the boulder landed on a few darkspawn, and I had a good laugh at that. My laughter died, however, when a huge ogre came stomping onto the road. For some reason when it saw me, it thought I was the biggest threat or weakest link, like I said everyone goes for the mage first but since I am not the only mage here that's kind of irrelevant.
It charged at me in a burning rage. I didn't know what to do, and an idea struck me just as it was about to reach me. I gathered all my reserves of mana and created a giant slanted ice spike with the tip of it pointing in the ogre’s direction. As fast as he was running, he couldn't stop himself. I barely managed to get out of the way when he impaled himself right through the heart. Finally, we triumphed. After we finished washing ourselves in the nearby lake we made our way back to Gar's camp. The dwarf, who had introduced herself as Isana, and I found a private place out of the sight of the men and threatened their lives if they should get any ideas. Afterwards, we all found a place to sleep, and rested after such a long day.
________________________________________
Chapter 8
Setting Sail!
It had now been several months since my Harrowing.
I woke to the suffocating smell of burning flesh. When I came out of my tent there was a pile of templar corpses and a mage whose face I couldn’t see due to his hood pulled up, talking to Isana. I was horrified at the sight and my anger kicked in. I stomped up to the mage and punched him in the face, breaking his nose with a nasty crunch. Isana shouted at me, “HEY, HEY, CALM YOUR ARSE, LYRIA!!!”
“WHY SHOULD I? THE IDIOT KILLED TEMPLARS, WHICH NO DOUBT WILL BRING MORE TO FIND US WHEN THEY DONT REPORT IN. HOW CAN HE BE SO STUPID!?”
“First off, these templars were looking for you! They were about to wake you when he came out of nowhere and distracted them. He saved you!” I was still angry, and it showed in my tone. “He did nothing but make things worse. If he truly wanted to help he could have led them away and lost them in the woods or something.”
Isana conceded the point. “Hmm, I suppose you make a good point, but what done is done.”
“Fear not Isana, that was Lyria’s famous love tap that she always so seems eager to give me.” I whirled around and saw the last mage in the world I wanted to see - Anders.
“Still alive I see!” I spat the words at him.
“Your concern for my current condition overwhelms me, pretty lady.”
I proceeded to give him a list of what was wrong with him. “What are you doing all the way out here and covered in filth? Could you not find a lake or some body of water to wash in? Have you eaten recently? You look thin. And find something to brush that mop you call hair, you look like a mabari after a battle.”
“Yes mother, right away mother.” He laughed. I glared at him but said nothing. I just stomped over to the camp fire and sat down on a log.
“YOU’RE WELCOME, BY THE WAY!!!” I didn’t look back at him; I just stared at the fire with my anger starting to flame, which in turn made the fire bigger. I heard him and Isana coming to join me and looked away when Anders sat next to me.
“You know I am a Grey Warden now. I chase down and kill darkspawn!”
I threw it back in his face, his recent kills. “…and templars!!!” He shrugged like it was the normal, everyday thing to do, which made me want to break something else.
I finally decided to be nice, or pretend to at least. “You hungry? We have some nug we caught in a deep road entrance not far from here.
“I would eat anything you give me, mother dear!”
“Don't call me mother, for Maker’s sake! You’re older than me. GRANDPA!!” I laughed at him.
“HAG!!!”
“LIMP NOODLE!!!”
“And she throws a low blow! How would you know if I am a limp noodle or not hmmmmmmmmm???”
I told him to shut up.
He surprised me with his next statement. “So want to go to Kirkwall with me?” It seemed funny to me when he laughed and sighed in the same breath.
“Kirkwall, the city of templars! Why would I go there?” Although I may join the circle there, but I also enjoy my freedom here."
“Well, we aren't well known there and there are good places to hide out.”
I knew he was a healer and came up with an idea. “We could start a clinic for refugees, which would give the poor a reason not to rat us out!”
Isana joined into the conversation enthusiastically. “I could join the Red Iron or become a lone mercenary!”
Anders sound unsure at first, but then agreed. “Uh yea sure that could work!” He stood up and started gathering his belongings. I laughed at the two of them and took Isana’s arm.
Lyria: “Shall we?”
Anders: “We shall!
________________________________________
Chapter 9
What is Love Worth to You?
Three years have passed since we arrived in Kirkwall.
It's just awkward, sitting in the Hanged Man, drinking life away, not sure what to do with myself. Varric and Isana were drinking with me. I sighed. Varric asked me, “Something the matter???”
“Nothing much; it's just that I have been in Kirkwall for three years and Cullen has only come to see me once.”
Isana looked at me in disgust. “WELL YOU SHOULD SEND HIM A NOTE TELLING HIM WHAT A WASTE OF TIME HE IS. WHO LEADS A GIRL ON LIKE THIS!? I mean, I get the whole thing, he's a templar and you're a mage, but sod it all, it doesn't take a genius to sneak here to see you. I say he is as dumb as a nug and you should forget him and find someone who will love you no matter what.”
I agreed with her. “Yea you’re right Isana, I think I will do that. I am not getting any younger and I want kids some day before I am old and grey.” She then decided to distract me. “Speaking of grey, you check out that Qunari in the corner over there?”
I knew who she was talking about. “If you mean Maaras, what about him? He knows I am a mage and I am sure he wants nothing to do with one. I mean, you know what Qunari do to their mages.”
“Well if he wanted to kill you, or did not think much of you, I am sure he wouldn't watch you the way he does.” I told her “He watches everyone like they have dirt on their face or something; it’s kind of creepy.”
Varric though it was funny. “Since when are you turned off by creepy?”
Isana agreed with him. “Yea why don't you go talk to him hmmmmmm???”
I looked at them like they were crazy. “WHAT? NO! Are you insane???? What would I say to him anyway that wouldn't annoy him. Qunari are very serious!” Isana told me, “You have a point!” Varric made an outrageous proposal. “You could grab his butt as he passes!”
“I don't like it when a guy does that to me, so I am not about to do that to another person. Besides, he is like 6'1 and I am 5'0. It would be awkward!” I gave Varric an irritated look as I said this.
Isana laughed and said, “Or perfect if you think about it!” Of course she would go there!
Finally, a rescuer! Hawke strolled up. “What’s so funny?”
“Lyria is scared to talk to Maraas.” Isana laughed heartily at her little joke.
I glared at Isana and told Hawke “I am not; I mean, what does one talk about with a former Qunari/ Tal-Vashoth turned mercenary??”
“Hmmmm, uuuh…. the ...WEATHER!” I planted my face in my palms at Hawke’s supposed wit. He found it funny, and so did everyone else except me. Anders finally joined us.
“What’s so funny?” Hawke whispered in Anders’s ear and told him his “funny” joke, which Anders enjoyed thoroughly. I did not think it was funny and glared at the occupants of table, who laughed even more at me.
Anders put his sarcastic with to use. “Everyone run, the elf is gonna blow!”
I had to correct him – again. And did so loudly! “MAKERS BREATH!! I am not an elf!!!!”
Anders repeated something I had heard my entire time in the Circle. “Really? Because besides the shape of your ears and your eyes, you look almost exactly like Merrill.”
I hate you all!!!
________________________________________
Chapter 10
Heritage Unveiled, Ice Cracked
I had moved into Hawke’s home in Lowtown, because I did not like Darktown. “Thanks for letting me live here with you for awhile, Hawke. I really didn't want to live in Darktown.”
“It’s no problem, Lyria, as long as you don't mind the smell, and Gamlen’s stares.”
“The smell and Gamlen are not a problem, I’m just glad there's a lock on my door.”
“So, are you going ever confess your undying love for Maraas?” He laughed as he said this.
I laughed with him. “I am not in love with Maraas; I mean, he is attractive in his own way, but I wouldn't know what to talk to him about.”
“Well, you could talk about living your own life without having someone tell you what to do! Or better yet, the weather!” I rolled my eyes at his “wit”.
I smacked his arm. “I was just about to take you seriously and you had to go mess it up! Well I’m heading out, try to clear my head and what not.”
“Awwwwww. I was having fun having girl talk with you!” He pretended to sob into his hands.
“I will be back soon and then we can talk about you and Fenris.” I thought turnabout would be fair play, since he decided to tease me about Maraas.
“WHAT!? Me!? Fenris!? I don't know what you’re talking about!”
“Mmmmm hmmm, talk to you later Hawke.” With that and a cheery wave, I left.
A strange elf I did not know greeted me. “Aneth ara Lyria!”
“Do I know you?”
He replied to me, “No, but I know of you. My name is Pol and my keeper sent me to find you. She wishes to speak with you. Please come with me!”
I looked at him suspiciously. “You don't look like a Dalish!
He explained. “That is because I wasn't born among the Dalish; I was born a city elf. I left the city and found the Dalish camp outside Kirkwall. The keeper thought it would be best to send me to get you, since we have some things in common.”
We started towards the gate of Kirkwall that led to Sundermount. “Why does the Keeper want to see a random apostate?”
“I don’t know, but when she was telling me where to find you and what to say to you, she was very emotional.”
I wondered out loud. “Hmmmm. What about me would make her emotional?” I wondered out loud.
“She said she saw you on her way to the alienage two years ago and has had one of our hunters watch over you ever since.” This made me a little wary now – it was downright creepy.
“Well I guess I better go see why she is having you stalk me!” It was a three hour walk from Hawke’s mansion in Hightown and the Dalish camp near Sundermount; and I cursed every hill we had to climb. Pol laughed in sympathy. “Yes it took me awhile to get used to traveling so much as well.”
A Dalish guard stopped us. “HOLD! Pol, who is this? Why do you bring a shem here?” Pol answered him sharply. “The Keeper ordered me to bring her here!” The guard had the sense to look embarrassed. “Oh this is her! My apologies. Aneth ara Lyria!”
I returned the greeting. “Aneth ara to you also.” I turned to Pol and asked “So where is the keeper Pol?” Pol indicated the way to the Keeper. “She is over there, please go speak to her. I have some things I need to do, so I will see you later.”
I wonder what the Keeper wants with me? She greeted me warmly. “Welcome to our camp, Lyria. Please, come walk with me!”
“Okay.” I again wondered why a Keeper of the Dalish would want to meet with me.
She asked me a strange question. “How much do you know about where you come from Lyria?”
“Not much, other than the fact that I was brought to the Circle as a baby. Why?” Her answer surprised me. “You were brought to the circle as an infant because your father was a templar.”
“WHAT! How could you possibly know who my father is? I mean I have never even met you until now!” The Keeper sighed deeply. “I know who your father is because… I am your mother!” I could not keep the shock from my voice. “WHAAAT!?!?! I am half Dalish? Half-elf? No wonder I look elfish. “Well, if you’re my mother, who is my father?” The name she uttered stunned me even further.
“Greagoir is your father.” I couldn't breathe – me, the offspring of a Dalish keeper and a templar - I couldn't stand. I sank to the ground in disbelief. The Keeper sat down next to me and took my hand. “Lyria is the name your father gave you; it is a Dalish name.”
“Really? What is my Dalish name then? Please don't be something hard to say. She replied to me “The name I gave you at birth was "Suledin", which means "To Endure".” I smiled at her. “Actually, that name sounds perfect for me, considering I am a mage!”
“I knew you would be tis why I named you such,” she told me. “So why did you give me up, why couldn't I have lived among our people?”
She gave me the explanation. “Because all babies born from a union between an elf and a human are human in appearance, so while you have the same height as an elf, and have some of my features, you still appear almost completely human. Your father thought it best to raise you in the Circle, where you would be an equal with your fellow mages, rather than looked down upon among the people.”
“Really? Or is it because you didn’t want anyone to know you had lain with a human, and a templar of all things. You are ashamed of me?” She looked at me sadly. “Of course not! But I couldn't bear to see you hurt, so I let you go.”
“Why wasn't I told? Why didn't Greagoir tell me who he was?”
“I don’t know why he did not, but I am glad to finally get the chance to know you, if you will let me.”
“Of course....mother.” We hugged, tears flowing. After we had calmed down and dried our tears, we continued our conversation.
“I have told the clan who you are and that you are my child. You are always welcome amongst the clan.”
“Thank you, but I have one question. Do I get a face tattoo too?” She gave me a look that said she thought I was a bit strange. I tried to explain. “I mean, I know I am half Dalish, but I figured I would like something of my heritage.”
“Of course my child, I have been thinking of one that I think you might like. How about this one? It’s a mask-like tattoo.” I said, “It looks very pretty!” To my surprise, she wanted to start on it right away!
“Shall we begin?” I asked her in amazement. “What, now???” I was sure my reluctance showed in my voice. “Yes, now.”
I told her, “Very well.” It took approximately 3 hours to complete the tattoo. She said to me after the tattoo was done, “It will take some time for your face to heal, but this salve will help. You will stay here until the swelling goes down.” All I could do was nod my head in agreement, because my face was too swollen to talk. I remained in the camp for a week, waiting for face to mend. To my great surprise, I had a visitor after the week – Hawke had somehow found me in the Dalish camp.
“THERE YOU ARE! WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME WHERE YOU WERE!?!? I HAVE BEEN WORRIED SICK I..... WHAT IN THE MAKERS NAME HAVE YOU DONE TO YOUR FACE!?!?!”
I had to laugh at him. “I have accepted my heritage, don't I look pretty?”
“You’re Dalish???”
“Well, half Dalish.” I told him.
Hawke began to laugh uproariously. “HA HA HA HA HA HA! You know everyone is going to start calling you elf now, right? And Merrill will most likely never leave you alone once she finds out.”
“Wonderful…”
After he had calmed down, he admired my vallaslin, for that was what it was called. “Honestly, though, it is a nice face tattoo. So, did it hurt???”
“Not at all, I love having a needle continually stabbed into my face and then laying in bed for a week with a swollen face. It’s my ideal vacation.” I replied sarcastically to Hawke, since he seemed to think he was so witty.
“Ha ha... Well, I am glad you’re alright. Anyways, you missed Cullen a few days ago, he came to see you.”
Oh wonderful! When I am not in Kirkwall! “WHAT!?!?! It figures, he would visit while I am gone.”
“When we told him you were missing, however, he became very distraught and has been looking for you ever since.” The news made me happy, I think. “Well I suppose I should go find him and let him know I am okay.” Hawke looked at me a bit guiltily. “About that...”
“Hawke, what did you do?” Hawke gave me a sheepish grin before answering. “I kind of … brought him with me.” He really surprised me with that. “WHAT!?! Why would you do that?”
“Because he was so upset, almost to the point of lying on the ground, crying over you, thinking you were dead - or worse. Besides, you know I would never help him if I thought he would turn you into the Circle.” I sighed, and left the aravel to look for Cullen. “Well, I might as well go talk to him.” As I exited the aravel, I spotted Cullen walking back and forth muttering to himself.
“Hello Cullen!” I did not get the response I expected. “MAKER’S BREATH, YOUR FACE!!”
“That’s some greeting Cullen. Anyways, do you like it? It turns out I am half Dalish!”
“Well… umm.... it looks nice!” I thanked him politely, and then tore into him. “Thank you Cullen. So… WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN???? YOU GET ALL EMOTIONAL WITH ME AND MAKE ME THINK THINGS AND ONLY VISIT ME ONCE!! NO LETTERS, NO VISITS!!!! NOTHING!!!! WHY LEAD ME ON LIKE THIS YOU BASTARD!?!?!!”
He looked shocked as he answered. “I couldn't contact you; the Knight Commander of the Kirkwall Chantry is smarter than Greagoir is. I think he would have known.”
Lyria: “Hrmph ....”
He did apologize however. “I am sorry Lyria, really I am. Will you walk with me so we can talk about our situation? We can go back to Kirkwall together while we talk.”
Lyria: “Yeah...” I told my mother and the other Dalish goodbye, and began the trek back to Kirkwall with Cullen. Hawke has decided to stay with the Dalish for a short visit.
Picture of the Tattoo Lyria now has-
_______________________________________
Chapter 11
Betrayal
After Cullen and I were approximately an hour into the three hour return trip, traveling along the Wounded Coast, I decided to question him about he had been doing. “So tell me Cullen, what have you been up to?” He didn't respond to me, and turned away with a strange look on his face. He didn't seem to want to look at me, and he was sweating a great deal.
“Cullen?”
“I am sorry Lyria; I feel this is the right thing to do!” Fear like I have never known shot through me.
“Cullen, what are you talking about?” Just then a large group of templars seemed to come out of nowhere. Cullen grabbed me before I had the chance to react and made sure I couldn't use any magic!
Cullen: ‘’I am sorry Lyria, with all that is happening lately I can't take a chance that you will join the rebel mages! I hope in time you will see this as more of a blessing then a betrayal! I do this out of love.”
“YOU BASTARD! LOVE?! YOU DO THIS OUT OF LOVE?!?!?” I struggled and tried to fight, but I couldn’t move and I could feel my magic being drained.
The leader of the Templars, Sir Karras, told Cullen, “There is no need to apologize, Ser Cullen. The Knight Commander wants this one taken care of, so she won't be alive long enough to hate you.” Cullen stared at Ser Karras in shock, unable to comprehend what he was being told. “That wasn't the plan; I was told we were to take her to the Circle.”
“I know. You were told that so you would help without question. Your weakness for these mages will be discussed with the Knight Commander later today.” Ser Karras turned to me then and drew his sword. I feel the pain before he even touched me. He ran me through so fast I didn't even see it coming. The pain was unbearable and I looked at Cullen, whose face was as white as snow and as cold as ice. I had let my guard down and fallen into a trap. Ser Karras withdrew his sword from my body, and I was thrown into the water. Luckily I landed near a small patch of shore, before I blacked out. As darkness took me all I could hear was the sound of men screaming.
_____________________________________
Chapter 12
Isana's Origin, Lyria's Resolve
My name is Isana, of house Kondrat, and baby sister to Oghren Kondrat. My brother, although a drunk, was a great big brother; we were very close. I had made some mistakes when we were kids and was cast out from our house, the warrior caste and had to move to Dust Town. I guess I shouldn't have let my anger get the best of me, but, in my defense Branka had it coming. I was only 15 at the time and desperate. Instead of becoming a prostitute, I decided to join the carta. It was hard at first, but it soon felt like I was born into it. I even got my own casteless tattoo that looks like the top of a castle and wear it with pride.
That was ten years ago. I now live in Kirkwall, an ocean away from where I was born. I am on the Wounded Coast looking for my friend who disappeared. Maaras, Anders and Varric were my companions that day, and what we find almost broke me!
“SOD IT, BLASTED....”
Varric tried to calm me down, but it was not working. “Calm down Isana, we will find her!” Maaras gave Varric an annoyed look.
Anders asked, “Wasn't Hawke supposed to be out this way? I thought we had a pretty good lead.”
“BY THE STONE WE BETTER OR I.......” I looked ahead of us and saw the remains of what must have been a nasty battle. I walked up to the battlefield, and looked upon carnage. The bodies of templars and mages lay scattered about like so many discarded dolls. It seems that the apostates were getting cocky and they had bitten off more than they could chew. I couldn't find Lyria among the dead.
“So much blood, so much death.” I whispered quietly to myself, still shaken by the horrors before me.
Anders called for me urgently. “ISANA, COME HERE, QUICK!” I ran to where Anders stood over a comatose body. “What is it Anders? What did you find?” He pointed down to the body in front of him. “Look here, at who managed to survive…unfortunately!”
“Cullen...... WHERE IS SHE YOU ROTTEN SON OF A NUG!!!!!” I grabbed at Cullen and began shaking him violently, but Varric stopped me. “ISANA ENOUGH! You won't get anything out of him if you shake him to death!” I gave the dwarf a dirty look and faced Cullen, whom I still held. “Fine.” I gave Cullen another shake. “What happened? Where is she?!?” Cullen coughed as he answered me.
“I thought we were going to take her back to the circle - I just wanted her to be safe. I didn't know it was a trap, didn't know...that…” I released Cullen long enough to backhand him across the face. “ ‘THAT’ WHAT YOU SCUM?!?” Varric pushed himself between me and Cullen, and spoke softly to him. “Cullen, I would answer her if I were you; I can't hold her back forever.”
Cullen answered Varric. “Ser Karras ran her through with his sword and tossed her over the cliff there.” He pointed to his right, and I moved. I ran to the cliff’s edge and saw her down below. “WHAAAAAT?!? BY THE STONE THERE SHE IS!!!! MAARAS BRING YOUR SEXY GREY SELF OVER HERE!!!!” The tall Val Tashoth walked over to me, grumbling.
“It's not that far down and you’re strong and tall. Please go down and get her!” Varric grinned his usual cocky grin. “Wow now that is something I never thought I would live to see - Isana using the "P" word!”
Maaras started to climb down the cliff face and I could feel knots form in my stomach. If Lyria, who I had come to love as a sister, was truly dead, then… well there were going to be a lot of dead templars soon. Cullen made as if to speak, and I basically told him not to say anything. “If you want to live much longer, you will shut up! Maaras, please hurry!!!”
Varric looked at Anders with concern. “Anders, you have been awfully quiet. Don’t you feel any angry at what has happened to our dear Lyria?” Anders had a strained look on his face.
Anders: “I am trying to control Justice, it is....difficult.” Varric, having seen Anders try to control the spirit before, understood the effort Anders was putting forth.
As Maaras brought Lyria up, I could see she was still breathing but was a bloody mess. We now had to make sure she stayed that way.
“Anders! Heal her now...please.” I nearly broke down, as Anders began to heal Lyria. There was so much blood! I can’t lose her, please ancestors don’t take her from me. After a few minutes, Lyria began to cough and moan. “Okay, Anders. I am fine now.” I did not think she was, but helped her up. “Can you stand?” Lyria groaned and stood up unsteadily. “Where is Cullen!? The traitor....” I gripped Cullen’s hair and pulled his head back, putting a dagger to his throat. I wanted to kill him on Lyria’s behalf, for his betrayal. “He’s right here. Let me kill him Lyria, please! You almost died because of him!”
Cullen began pleading with Lyria. “Lyria, please, I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I heard the mages were gathering, and I was scared you were a part of it! I didn't want anything to happen to you.” Lyria looked at him angrily. “So instead of trusting me like you claimed to, you betrayed me to the Knight Commander! He no doubt thinks I am a witless blood mage now!”
“I am sorry Lyria! Please forgive me!” Lyria sighed and looked at Cullen sadly. “I forgive you Cullen, but I no longer trust you. Anything we could have had died the moment you let Ser Karras run me through. Goodbye Cullen. May the Maker always be with you!” At this, Cullen realized no one wanted him around any longer, and started the long slog back to Kirkwall.
I was outraged! “THAT’S IT?! YOU ARE LETTING THE BASTARD LIVE!?!” Lyria looked at me resignedly and sat down, still weak. “Isana, please! I just want to go home! Anders, can you help me up?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lyria
“Of course, but I am not happy you are being so forgiving right now. I sorely wish I could kill Cullen for what he let happen to you.” I looked at my rescuers. “I understand everyone but please let’s go home, I need to rest.” The healer in Anders now came forth. “It will take time for you to fully heal, Lyria. Please let me carry you home!”
“Anders that's not necessary. Yes, I was gutted and left for dead, but hey, I have been through worse.”
He looked at me worriedly. “I can hardly imagine anything worse than being gutted.” I tried to smile at him. “So true Anders, so true!” As Anders began to lift me up into his arms, I felt a strange tug on my heart that left me light headed.
Isana was still angry for me. “I still say you shouldn't have let him live!” I told her, “Isana there is enough death and hate in the world, and we shouldn't be eager to add to it.” Isana grumbled at my response. Anders held me to him, trying unconsciously to convey something to me. “So, what now Lyria? Now that you and Cullen are through?”
“Oh I don't know Anders, the first thing is to try not to get gutted by templars, and I think I will be joining the mage rebellion after all. What I do know is that I will never be a circle mage again if I can help it. Things need to change!” He concurred. “I couldn't agree with you more!” From the comfort of Anders’s arms, I spoke to Isana. “Isana, why don't you stay out here and calm down before you return to Kirkwall? I appreciate your anger on my behalf, but I don't want you to get into trouble. I am sure you and Maraas will be fine outside the city walls for a day or so. Besides I have things I need to talk to Anders about.” Isana looked unhappy about my request, but agreed and sat down on a fallen tree.
~~~~~~~
Isana
As Lyria was carried away by Anders and accompanied by Varric, I felt myself break and the tears came. I had almost lost the only family I was ever likely to have. I never knew how much it scared me, the thought of losing Lyria. My greatest fear was being alone, and I felt like my heart could not take it if I lost her. I stomped the ground, and began cursing and crying. I paced back and forth, not realizing Maraas was close behind me. Suddenly the normally taciturn Val Tashoth spoke.
“Parshaara! Enough crying woman!”
I kept pacing, when to my shock, Maraas grabbed me, lifted me up by my wrists, slammed me against the rock side and kissed me deeply. I was so shocked, I nearly died right there. He let go of my wrists and held me up around my waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck and ran my fingers through his rough white hair and we kissed as if this was our last moment alive. As quickly as it started, he ended it by putting me down and walking away. I didn't know how to react other than to stand there in shock and look at his back as he moved away from me. I ran to catch up with the tall man.
“So Maraas um...” I did not know what to say to him. “You were distressed, now you are not!”
“I am good now, um, thanks?”
He spoke again. “Parshaara! Let us return to Kirkwall!”
“That's the plan!”
We continued to walk down the path to Kirkwall and I noticed he would occasionally try and sneak a peek at me. While that same emotionless expression remained on his face, I swear I saw red in his cheeks – I did not know a Qunari could blush, and I have a feeling that things are going to get very interesting in the future.
________________________________________
Chapter 13
9:34 Dragon
Dear diary
It's been awhile since I have wrote anything down, it's been four years since I escaped the circle. Well if you count getting blown out of a window escaping. Ugh it smells like moldy cheese in my room, I think Hawke put some bad cheese under the floor board again and forgot about it. I think the next time hawks uncle gives me that creepy look ima freeze him to the floor. I can't believe that Isana is with maaras, I mean how does that even work....
A voice surprised me. “Well we haven't gotten that far yet!” I jumped and looked around, seeing no one. “MAKERS BREATH! Where are you?” Isana poked her head over the edge of the bed and grinned at me. “Up here, on the second bed. Gives me a great view of your journal as you write it.”
I glared up at her. “What are you doing reading my journal????”
“I find it fascinating, to know what goes on in your head! So, curious about me and Maaras huh?”
“Well yeah. I mean from what Fenris tells me they don't do love or relationships, they just have kids with who they’re told to have kids with, and kill things! Oh and we can't forget order!” I rolled my eyes at Isana.
“Maaras wanted to leave to find his own path, and I am sure that wanting to find someone to be with was in his mind, regardless of what he says.”
I said to her, “He doesn't seem the romantic sort.”
She explain Maaras to me. “No he isn't the romantic sort; he is more of ‘this is how it is so deal with it’ kind of guy. After we got back from the Wounded Coast he pulled me aside and told me "I have a feeling of attraction towards you and the desire to impregnate you.” At first the impregnate part kind of freaked me out, but he said it was his way of saying he wanted to have sex.
I gave a surprised look. “SEX!? Maker’s breath did you?” She looked at me, curious. “Not yet, why?”
“I don't know it just seems...well...dangerous!” Isana laughed at that comment. “Yeah, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?”
Since she seemed open to my questions, I asked rather embarrassing one. “Aren’t you scared he will hurt you? I mean he is so big and you’re well…not.”
“I can handle him just fine I am sure...at least I think I am sure. Anyways, on to other subjects! Have you noticed the Qunari seem a bit restless like they’re expecting something big to happen?”
“Yeah, I talked to Aveline and Hawke the other day and they seem to think something is going to happen. A lot of fugitives have run to join the Qun and I think if it keeps up Aveline is going to snap. I mean, the crazy sister from the chantry seemed to light a fire that’s going to spread.”
“True.” Isana sighed, but soon changed her tune. “Let’s head to the Hanged Man, I need a drink!” I wholeheartedly agreed with her. “Same here, let's make it a few drinks!”
“I like the way you think, salroka (friend)!”
We left home with Hawke’s uncle giving us one uncomfortable stare and made our way to the Hanged Man. It was only a short walk, but it never took long for the smell of the ocean, blood, garbage, that dead elf in the ally and everything else to crawl into your nose and make you want to be sick. The smell of the Hanged Man wasn't any better and there wasn't a nice breeze to give us any relief from the smell.
Isana asked, “So, what will you have? An ordinary ale, or are you brave enough to try dwarven ale?”
I said, “Well, I was hoping to live a few more years, but I guess death by dwarven ale is fine.” I sighed as Isana looked at me and gave me an evil grin. “Good, I bet I could drink you under the table! Us Kondrats know how to hold our spirits!”
I smiled at her and decided to accept her challenge. “How much do you want to bet me?” She bet 100 silver, and I said, “You're so cheap!” She defended her bet amount. “Heh, in my defense work has been slow, sodding bandits been hiding.”
I glanced at her. “Well after a few times of being on the receiving end of tar bombs and setting them on fire, it tends to make people wary!” She said, “BY THE STONE! I only did that 5 times, sodding nug humpers need to grow a pair and come out and face me.” I reminded her about the ale she was to get us, and the bet. “Hmm… Oh yeah! I shall start!” She took out a five gallon jug of ale.
I saw markings on the jug. “There are runes on the jug! What do they do?”
“They keep the ale cold, of course! Warm ale tastes like piss, never drink warm ale! TRUST ME!”
“I will take your word on it.” Isana took a huge gulp of ale, describing the taste of it to me. “Mmmmmm…has an almond flavor with some spice to it!” She then passed the jug to me. “So, if you had your own ale why did we come to the Hanged Man?”
“To see if Maaras was here, of course!”
I took a sip of the ale and passed the jug back to Isana. “You call that drinking!?” I told her, “I don’t need to gulp my spirits Isana and I don't want to pass out from lack of air!”
“That's why you breathe through your nose when you drink, Lyria!”
“I feel some tingles,” looking at my hand, giggling. “I think it's affecting me!”
“Well it better, you need to loosen up a bit forget about that mess with Cullen.” I answered her, sighing. “I guess!”
As I sat there with Isana in the Hanged Man, I began to hear screams outside and what I took to be someone speaking Qunlat.
I spoke to Isana worriedly. “Hey Isana, I think there is something happening outside!” She smiled at me mischievously before answering. “Yes sounds like a fight! Shall we go partake? You know, to protect the innocent lives and all that. Sodding Qunari and their "Qun"! Sodding ridicules' if you ask me.”
“Yeah, we should go help; no doubt Hawke will be in the middle of it.”
“Yeah everything fun happens to her.” Isana rolled her eyes at me.
As we gathered our things a small group of Qunari came bursting through the door like they owned the place, and started killing. Poor fools at the tables were too drunk to realize the danger. The Qunari were covered in their red paint and smelled like they had rolled around on the ground outside, because they smelled like they had not cleaned themselves in awhile.
“Maker’s breath!” I charged my staff, ready to fight. A Sten pointed at me and spoke. “BAS SAARABAS!” I blasted the Qunari off his feet with fire. “Sod it!”
“LYRIA! GET DOWN!” I looked around, and saw Isana at the top of the stairs. “What are you doing?!”
Isana smiled mischievously again, while holding a tar bomb. I rolled my eyes at her and ducked for cover. Isana threw the tar bomb and watched as it covered all the Qunari in the tavern with sticky tar. She then got a fire bomb out and proceeded to throw it at them. She then decided to be kind to the Qunari and took out her daggers; continuing her killing by taking out the rest of the Qunari while they screamed in pain. I looked at her from behind my cover, and got annoyed at Isana. “I could have done the fire part, you know!”
She said “True, but we need you at full strength, since there is no telling what we are going to find when we get outside!” We emerged from the wrecked Hanged Man only to find Lowtown littered with the bodies of elves and human alike. There were a few dead Qunari here and there but not that many. We looked to our left to see Hawke, Varric and Aveline come running toward us. “THANK THE MAKER LYRIA! ISANA!”
“Why Hawke, are theses Qunari your doing? And here it's not even my birthday!” Hawke was so angry! “No, we have Isabella to thank for this horror!” “What'd she do this time?” I asked. Aveline said, “That poxy tart stole their sacred book! That’s why they have been here for so long and now they have had enough!”
Isana looked at everyone. “By the stone, who cares! Let’s go collect some horn eh!” Varric stared at Isana. “Aren’t you with a Qunari?” Isana returned Varric’s surprised look with a glare. “Maaras is Tal- Vashoth not Qunari!” Varric just laughed.
Aveline told the two of them off sharply. “Enough! We have to get to Hightown and rally my men! No telling what the Arishok has planned!” Isana took a deep breath and got out her daggers as I charged my staff again. “Kill everything seems to be their answer to everything that isn't in their precious Qun.” I looked at the companions and asked, “Anyone need healing before we run into any more trouble?”
As they all shook their heads no to my question, we headed off, Isana saying enthusiastically: “Let's do this!” Stepping over the dead broke my heart, for a few of them were children. The smell of Lowtown took a while to get away from; it seemed to follow us to Hightown. I nearly vomited from the smell of death and the normal horrid smell of Lowtown as it clung to our clothes. As we ascended the stairs we spotted two Qunari dragging a noblewoman away.
Hawke spoke quietly to Isana and me. “Good they don’t see us yet. Isana and Lyria I need you two to sneak around them and scout ahead.”
“On it!”
________________________________________
Chapter 14
We made our way through Hightown, managing to keep out of sight to Isana's disappointment. “Sod it all! I want to fight!” I said to her, “No doubt you will get your way, but do you really want to kill those that look like your beloved Maaras?” She looked at me with a mixture of irritation and the strong need to hit me. I just laughed and enjoyed the less repugnant smell of Hightown and somewhat clean streets. As we turned the corner we ran into what looked like a lone Qunari until we realized he didn't have any red paint covering him. Isana said, “By the stone the first person we run into and I can't even gut him!”
I laughed. “My, aren't we violent tonight!” “Well work has been slow!” she responded.
Maaras looked her over. “You are unharmed Isana?” She glared at him. “Of course I am not hurt, one must fight to get an injury!” I laughed at her. “So Maa......" Just as I was about to ask what he planned on doing, Maaras grabbed Isana by the waist, lifting her from the ground, pulling her up against him and kissed her fiercely. Fierceness she returned in kind. “Well, I am glad you two are happy, but we are kind of in the middle of a battle!”
Isana looked at me from his arms. “Yes let’s go greet the Arishok, for as they say in Orlais ‘I have some silver for him!’” she said as she pulled away from Maaras. Maaras spoke in his normal stolid way. “Although I do not wish to fight them, I will nonetheless!” Isana smiled at her love and said teasingly, “Well, for someone who needs order, you sure seemed to be attracted to chaos!” He replied, “When chaos is beautiful and tastes like sweet mead, it is hard to resist!” Isana blushed so hard I fear she would pass out. She recovered quickly but not before giving me a glare that said not to say a word lest I lose my tongue.
“Well, if he is going to fight with us he needs to be distinguishable from the rest of the Qunari, besides the no body paint!” Isana already had an idea, I guess, as to what to do. “Way ahead of you! Maaras! Get down on your knees please!” He looked at her as if she had asked him to dance the Remigold but complied nonetheless. As he knelt before her, she pulled out what looked like a bottle of blue paint from the bag that she kept tied to her belt. “Isana, what are you doing?”
“I am making him distinguishable from the other Qunari!” Isana also got out a bowl from her bag and poured some of the blue paint from the bottle into it. After she filled the bowl, she dipped both her hands in the bowl, covering them in the blue paint. When she felt she had enough paint on her hands, she started making hand prints all over Maaras's chest and one hand print on each cheek. It took all I had not to laugh at Maaras's pained expression. “There! Now let us go kill us some Qunari, don't want to keep them waiting!”
“That would be a shame, wouldn't it?” We moved on into the area with rather large dwarven statues and right into a horde of Qunari, who looked to be fighting the carta! I was about to suggest we try sneak past them, but Isana was having none of it. “FINALLY! A FIGHT! FEED THE STONE! She screamed as she ran and dove into the fray.
While I am not surprised at her actions, I thought to myself that one day Isana would get herself killed. Maaras looked annoyed, of course - he always did - but he joined the fray alongside his ‘chaos that tasted of sweet mead’ as he called Isana. I thought to myself, “Wish I was someone's sweet mead."
I had little time to watch because I spotted a Saarabas in the corner and he was about to cast a spell; lucky for me he was slow about it.
“Oh no, you don't!” I cast a lightning spell on the Saarabas. As the lightning came down from the sky it spread to nearly all of our enemies. Luckily it didn't reach Isana and Maaras. As the attackers I killed fell, Isana gave me that look that she gives when she thinks I overdo things. I just laughed and pointed at the Qunari heading straight for her. She turned, saw the Qunari coming, and threw a dagger, hitting him right between the eyes. “Show off!” I told her as she smiled at me.
“MAKERS BREATH! WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS! ISANA! MAARAS! GET BACK!” As they both ran to get behind me, I rained fire down on the rest of our enemies. Unfortunately a carta member got away in time and tossed a dagger at me, getting me in the leg. I screamed in pain. “SOD IT ALL! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH”
Isana thought she would be witty. “By the stone, you sure have a habit of getting stabbed!” She threw her other dagger at the retreating dwarf, getting him through the back of the skull. I glared at her and she simply smiled. “Can’t you heal yourself?” I answered in the affirmative, and began healing my leg.
As I finished healing, I observed Maaras examining Isana for any sort of injury. I had to look away when he picked her up and held her close. I wondered if I would someday have what they have. “Sod it, Maaras, put me down I am fine! Lyria, are you ready? We have much to do!”
“Yeah boss, I am just peachy!” She laughed out loud at my statement. I said, “Well, shall we go?”
Another grin lit her face. “Yes, let’s! I still have bombs left, and that is never good! Can't let them go to waste!” She smiled, thinking of what she could do with her bombs. As we continued towards the keep we spotted Hawke, the First Enchanter and the Knight Commander. They looked like they were arguing, so we walked over to investigate.
The First Enchanter, Orsino, was emphatic. “I WILL NOT LET YOU LEAD, FOR YOU WILL NO DOUBT GET US KILLED!” The Knight Commander was equally as emphatic. “I AM PROTECTING THIS CITY, AS I HAVE ALWAYS DONE!”
Hawke looked exasperatedly at the two of them. “Will you both calm down!? Fighting each other will not help us!” I looked at him and asked, “Hawke! Having trouble with the children?”
Both the Knight Commander and First Enchanter glared at me. I couldn't help but laugh, and teased them more. Meredith ground her teeth and tried to insult me. “Apostate!” I told her “Your perception skills are amazing, Knight Commander. I mean, if robes and a staff don’t give me away, then nothing will.” She glared at me so hard it seemed her eyes would pop right out of her head. It would have been funny to see, but I doubt my stomach could handle such a sight. She looked around her and commanded her Templars to arrest me.
First Enchanter Orsino interjected, “There isn't the time for that Knight Commander; we have to take care of the Qunari first. Of course, one little apostate is so much more important than protecting this city." His voice dripped with sarcasm. The Knight Commander and First Enchanter tried to stare each other down. I thought they would attack each other until the Knight Commander broke the silence.
“Fine, but until this Qunari problem is dealt with she is your responsibility, and she WILL go to the Circle once it is over!”
First Enchanter Orsino evidently agreed with her, stating, “Fine!” I stood frozen in horror as my fate was decided. I was to go back to the Circle after all this time, back to the cage, back to the condemning stares.
Isana looked like she wanted to shake someone. “Sod it, Lyria! Snap out of it! We have to run; we can't let them take you to the Circle!” I looked at Isana and sighed sadly. “As much as I love that plan Isana, we both know what would happen to innocent people during the search for me. No one needs that, not when I could just go with them. Besides, I may be able to assist my fellow mages better from inside the Circle than outside of it. This may lead to greater things.”
“Are you breathing smoke? How could this possible lead to anything good?!” she asked angrily. As we continued to bicker, the First Enchanter made his way over to me, while Hawke and the Knight Commander argued about strategies for taking out the Qunari. “What is your name child?”
“My name is Lyria.” He looked at me as if studying a wild animal, starting at my feet and stopping at my face, with an expression of confusion. “You look completely human yet you have Dalish markings. Why?” I told him, “I am half Dalish; my mother was a keeper, a mage.”
“I see. Who was your father, if you don't mind me asking?” I said, “As far as I know he was a Templar.”
He looked at me with such a look of surprise and fascination that you would have thought he had never heard of a mage and templar producing offspring. Meredith interrupted our conversation. “Orsino bring the apostate, we are beginning our attack!”
“Sodding cow!” Isana whispered loud enough for me to hear. “Isana, please, don't make it worse!” She glared at me and I could see she was tearing up, and about to cry. My heart ached at the pain she must be feeling. I know she must think I am giving up without a fight but it simply isn't true. I just hope I am given the chance to tell her that. Orsino gestured to me. “Come along Lyria, we mustn't keep the dragon waiting...I mean the Knight Commander.”
I looked at him and quipped, “I can see how you would mix those two up.” He laughed and we followed Hawke and the Knight Commander up the stairs, Isana grumbling the entire way. Meredith outlined the battle plan she had made with Hawke. “Hawke and I have agreed - we will attack them head on and retake the keep.”
First Enchanter Orsino looked at her. “Are you mad? They have hostages so we need a distraction!” She said to him in a stern voice, “I am in charge here and we will be doing what I say! Orsino, you and the apostate will make sure nothing follows us. Hawke, let's go!”
Isana glared at her – she was doing a lot of that now. “What about me and Maraas, you cow?! We are not invisible you know!” Knight Commander Meredith said to her, “Watch your tongue dwarf! You and your pet will stay back with the mages!”
“PET! How about I "pet" your forehead with my dagger you mewling quim?!” I attempted to calm Isana down, without much success. “Isana now is not the time!” She now turned her glare on me. “Sod off, you don't get to talk to me!”
Maaras tried himself. “Isana, if you don’t calm down, your anger will affect your fighting!”
“Fighting? Who said I was fighting? I am done!” She walked away with Maaras close behind her. !” I tried to go after her, asking her to wait for me, but the First Enchanter put his hand on my shoulder and stopped me. “Let her go child, you must think of your duty and responsibility to your fellow mages now.” I looked at the First Enchanter, torn. “I just hope she will calm down enough to talk to me later.”
“While we are waiting for more Qunari to storm the keep, tell me - have you ever been in a Circle or were you always an apostate?” I gave a brief reply to his question. “I am from the Fereldan circle, although I have been an apostate for long time now. I was blown out of a window when the demons attacked.” Orsino asked me how I survived the fall, and gasped at my answer. “I became a crow.” Just as he was about to ask me another question, a horde of Qunari materialized from what seemed to be thin air; we were instantly fighting for our lives. Both the First Enchanter and I rained fire down upon them, but a few managed to evade the flames. I spotted the two Saarabas in the back and could not aim at them due to their position. I decided then and there I would try a spell that I learned years ago but had been too scared to try. It had never been done before except by the mage who had created it. I started to chant the necessary words and made the right hand gestures, getting weird looks from the First Enchanter. I could feel the immense power surging through me and knew this was going to be big.
“FIRST ENCHANTER, GET BACK!” I was getting close to finishing the spell, so I ran into a decent sized square outside the palace, finished the chant and successfully became a wyvern! It was disorienting at first but I quickly gained control and began taking down the Qunari and also managed to take out both of the Saarabas rather quickly. I took a spear in the side but with the added muscle mass I had, it did little damage. After I killing the Qunari, I shifted back to my own shape and put my robes back on, just in time to see Hawke and everyone else come down from the keep. Judging by their faces and the fact that Hawke was covered in blood, everything had gone well.
Hawke said to no one in particular, “Well that was bracing! How are you Lyria?” I replied, “Wonderful! You?”
“Well, the Arishok is no more, the Qunari are leaving, and I am dirty and going to go home and take a bath! Goodbye!” I said goodbye in return. The First Enchanter spoke to me gently. “It is time Lyria. We must go to the circle now.” Meredith looked at Orsino, seemingly angry he spoke first. “Yes it is. And as soon as she gets there she is to go through the Harrowing!” I looked at her in anger. “I took my Harrowing years ago! “
“Says the apostate from OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE! You WILL take the Harrowing. Templars, make sure she makes it to the Circle with the First Enchanter.” I scowled and groaned in agony at the thought of going through the Harrowing again. Maybe this will lead to something better. I laughed at the thought and hoped Isana would visit me before anything bad happened. Only time would tell.
________________________________________
Chapter 15
Is the grass always greener…
A month has passed since the Qunari have left Kirkwall and I wrote again in my diary.
Dear Diary
My room or I should say my cell, was less then comfortable and very cramped. It is a good thing I don't own much. My biggest concern is that Isana hasn't come to see me yet, and Cullen avoids me, which I don't mind....mostly. For some reason they haven't made me go through the Harrowing again, I thought for sure I would be made to do right away. I forgot how nice it was to be around nothing but my fellow mages. I miss hawk and everyone else, I hope they are alright. It's nice to have access to so many books again. First Enchanter Orsino has been very nice and welcoming, although First Enchanter Irving will always be a like a grandfather to me. I wonder.....
As I was going to write more a templar, I had to come to know and not particularly care for banged on my cell, I mean room door. “Lyria, come on the First Enchanter and Knight Commander want to talk to you!” he said in an annoyed tone. I replied to him in a sarcastically, “Oh joy.”
We walked down halls until we reached the First Enchanter’s office; I walked in to see a templar I didn't know. She didn't look happy, and the long dark hair that framed her face didn't help. She looked at me as if I had done something unpleasant, a look which intensified when she saw my face tattoo.
First Enchanter Orsino looked up at our entrance. “Come and sit child, you may not want to be standing when I tell you this.” I instantly became very nervous when he said that, for he looked very sad, and I feared the worst. “I am afraid the Circle in Orlais needs new talent, and the Circle here is becoming crowded. You are being sent to Orlais, and Ser Evangeline will be your escort. She will make sure you get there in one piece.”
“Yes I am, so go and pack your things; we leave immediately.” She spoke to me as if I were a troublesome child and stared at me as I turned to leave. I walked back to my room, dumbstruck. I was going to the White Spire in Orlais! I couldn't believe it. I am also Ferelden, which isn't good, considering how Orlesians felt about us. Whatever shall I do? I have never been there nor do I know anyone. I am glad I don't own muc,h for it all fit into one bag. When I was almost done, Ser Evangeline arrived at my door holding my new phylactery they had made a month ago.
“Are you done Lyria? We are leaving now so we can catch the boat to Val Royeaux. From there we will be on horseback until we get to the White Spire.” I looked around the spare cell. “Yes this is everything, we can go now.” As I walked with Ser Evangeline in tow, I got a few looks from the mages I had gotten to know. They said they would miss me and didn't envy my fate. As we got closer to the Docks, I hoped to see Isana there, all ready to help me. As I suspected we would, we made it onto the boats and were on our way. I stared at Kirkwall, a place that had been my home for so long. I sat in my temporary cell, I mean room, below decks and prepared myself for the journey to my new home.
Meanwhile back in Kirkwall…
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE ISNT HERE!?!” The voice from the small form echoed around the main hall upon receiving the answer to her question from the Templar. He added, “The mage you are asking about is no longer in the Kirkwall Circle. I am not at liberty to discuss her location with those that are obviously not her family.”
“THAT’S A LOAD OF ......” Maaras quickly interrupted me. “We will find her.”
"Just because we aren't the same race doesn't mean we aren't family."
I glared at Maaras first and then back at the templar before storming off. I couldn't believe Lyria wasn’t in the Kirkwall Circle anymore. Why did I wait so long to visit her, I could have done something! I’m not sure what I could have done but I should have been able to do something. I still can't believe she didn't put up a fight, when before all this she had said she would never go back to the circle. In addition, what had happened at the Wounded Coast is still fresh in my mind. I hope she is ok.
________________________________________
Chapter 16
Perfume Fog and a Temper on the Rampage!
Kirkwall
It had been a week since Lyria had disappeared from Kirkwall, and I was ready to kill someone. “SODDING NUG HUMPERS CAN’T EVEN GIVE ME SIMPLE INFORMATION!!!!!”
I was losing my temper more and more easily these past few days. The templars weren't talking and the mages were too scared to. How am I supposed to find Lyria, if no one will grow a pair and help me?!
Maaras, as tranquil as always, tried to calm me down. “Losing your temper with those you wish to get information from doesn't seem to be working.” I snarled at him, “Well you aren't exactly helping! I am so mad I could spit fire! Oh, to change the subject, I have a gift for you in the Hanged Man.” However, his soothing voice did manage to dampen my anger.
He raised an eyebrow at my abrupt change in topic, but I was thinking of so many things at one time it was hard to keep track of it all. Holding hands, we made our way to the Hanged Man, and the closer we got the more nervous I became. His gift was more of an impulse thing and I didn't know if he would like it or not.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orlais
It took us a week to get to Orlais and a mile from the White Spire I was hit with what smelled like a fog of perfume. I nearly gagged, but I didn't want to start things off on the wrong foot with my new "best friend". She barely spoke to me the whole way, which was fine. She felt more like a captor then a body guard but it could just be me. As we got closer to the dock at Val Royeaux I became uneasy, for reasons unknown to me.
A few minutes later, as we were leaving the ship, I got some strange looks from the locals. Being escorted by a templar didn't leave much to the imagination as to what I was. Most looked afraid, and kids stared up at me with wonder in their eyes, as if I was a rare creature they had never seen before.
As we walked through the docks, the smell got worse; and they complain about Ferelden. It smelled like overpriced perfume and fish and frankly, the fish smelled better. Val Royeaux was pretty enough though, with flowers here and there and the over dressed nobles with their overdone masks. Their servants weren't much better, with masks to match the family they served.
Ser Evangeline gestured as we marched along. “Come, I have some horses waiting for us.” I answered her cheekily, “As you say, boss lady!”
She grumbled under her breath as she escorted me to the edge of town, where a stable held our horses. The horses looked good, but as I got closer my nose noticed they were perfumed a "tad" as well.
I thought to myself, "What is with the perfume, are they trying to kill people? Where's a wet dog when you need one?"
As I got on the horse, I took my last breath of fresh air before the long ride to the tower.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kirkwall... 3 days later
“SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!” I spewed a great number of curses, ready to eat nails.
Maaras spoke in his deep voice, “We will find the information you need, although your anger is understandable. Perhaps this Coriden will help. He is known to do anything, if you have enough coin.”
I tried to calm down, but without much success. “Well he sodding better, or I just might break his knee caps!” I have at least 50 sovereigns, so I should have enough for whatever "fee" he charges. If not, bye bye knee caps! Either way I will get what I need to find Lyria.
_______________________________________
Chapter 17
Falling to my Destiny!
Isana
“HERE HE IS! FINALLY!” I was mad it had taken so long to find this Coriden. We had been walking around Dark Town for what seemed like an eternity. I would rather walk around the Deep Roads than down here. Maaras was actually no help in finding this Coriden, but I was still glad he was here. We walked towards the back of Dark Town, where Coriden was rumored to be. Once we started to look more closely at the residents of Dark Town, it wasn't hard to spot him; the description I had of him was flawless. He didn't look all that dangerous; but of course neither did I, a mistake a lot of people won't be making again.
As we approached him, he gave us a nervous look but stood his ground. “Hey! Are you Coriden???” I asked the question in the calmest tone I could muster. Although he sounded irritated, he acknowledged that he was the man I was looking for. “Good, I have been looking for you for awhile. I hear you know a great deal about things and you are good at obtaining information.” I said this in a commanding tone, hoping to cover the way I truly felt. He acted bored, as if it did not matter to him. “I may, and I may not. What of it?” “I need to know where the Templar's sent a mage they recently captured named Lyria.” I gave him a him a pleading look despite not wanting to show my desperation. He ignored my look as he stated his price. “Ten sovereigns.” He raised his eyebrow waiting for my response. I grumbled a few curses as I gave him the gold.
“Ah yes, I know where the mage is. My contacts in the Circle say she was taken to the White Spire.” He said this in a matter of fact voice. The anger flared in me again. “The White Spire?!? Where is that at?” The question came out in a heated tone. “Five sovereigns please.” He gave me a smirk that said he was enjoying this. I needed to hit him, wanted to hit him but I also needed to find Lyria so I restrained myself - for now. I gave him 5 more sovereigns, glaring at him as I did so. “Ah, very good. The White Spire is in Orlais. Nice doing business with you,” he remarked as he got up and walked away. I would have gone after him, but I had what I needed; all was left was to find away to get to Orlais.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lyria
We have been on the road to the White Spire for two weeks now. It had taken longer than it should have, due to a few issues coming out of nowhere, like the bandit attack. Our horses were killed by the bandits when they tried to rob us of what little we had. It didn't end well for them, of course. I was surprised Ser Evangeline didn't fuss about me using magic. Of course I healed her arm and leg after the fight, so that might have had something to do with it. We started out again, walking somewhere along the Imperial Highway. We had not been traveling long, when I felt an urgent need to relieve myself. “Ser Evangeline I need to stop a moment. I need to relieve myself in the bushes.” She looked annoyed but said nothing. We stopped and she motioned to the side of the road where there were some bushes a few yards away. I walked over to tend to business and as I went towards the bushes, I noticed that the ground caved in somewhat. It worried me a little but I had to pee so bad I didn't care. Once I was finished, I returned to Ser Evangeline. At least, I tried to. I carefully walked back over the uneven ground when all of a sudden I heard a loud crack and I was falling. I fell far and quick and didn't have time to cast the spell I did when I was blown out of the tower before. As I fell it got darker and darker, and the smell was horrible. I realized I was falling into tunnel in the Deep Roads, and no doubt right into a horde of darkspawn. All of a sudden, instead of falling to what I thought would be the bottom of the Deep Roads, I was caught in very muscular arms. I didn't have time to look up to see who had caught me, because a falling rock hit me in the head just at that moment. “OW! SODDING STONE!” I said in an angry and pained voice. I felt the one holding me chuckle a bit as he put me down. He proceeded to wipe my head with some cloth, at the same time holding me tightly with his other arm. It was dark in the tunnel, lit only by a torch another held; still, I was glad that I hadn't splattered on the ground.
As my eyes began to adjust to the low light, I could somewhat see the people around me. From what I could tell by their armor they were Grey Wardens! I looked up at my rescuer and blushed so hard that I thanked the Maker it was dark enough he could not see it. He had the longest and blackest beard I had ever seen and eyes that captured and held you. He smiled at me as I stood there gawking at him like an idiot and was rendered speechless. “Are you alright?” one of the others asked me. “I am fine,” I said to the warden, who I could see was a human woman. She spied my staff and immediately looked worried, which annoyed me. I told her, “I am not going to attack you or turn into an abomination so you can just relax warden.” I definitely sounded irritated. The warden that had caught me laughed out loud this time. It was glorious, a laugh that could fill you with such joy just from hearing it. The human women looked angry, but I didn't care; I had almost died.
“LYRIA! ARE YOU ALRIGHT! HELLOOO!” Ser Evangeline called down to me in a panicked voice, which I found surprising. “YES I AM FINE! I FELL ON SOME GREY WARDENS!” I shouted back up to her. “THERE IS A DEEP ROADS ENTRANCE FAR FROM HERE, TO THE SOUTH. I WILL MEET YOU THERE!” she yelled in a voice which said I had better be there, and soon. I looked at my new - and temporary – companions. Most of them looked happy to have me around, but the human woman was glaring at me. I gave her a beatific smile, which lead to her glaring at me even harder. “I am Lyria, soon to be of the Circle in Orlais,” I said in a surprisingly chipper tone. The human woman introduced everyone in the band. The man that had caught me was Blackwall, and the glaring woman’s name was Megan. There was a third companion, an elf by the name of Luke. Megan said in a firm voice “The entrance the Templar spoke of is a day's walk from here, let us go now.” I was not looking forward to walking the Deep Roads, but at least the scenery was amazing.
________________________________________
Chapter 18
Shiny...and Rainbow hued?
We walked for what seemed like forever, stepping on bones, muck and Maker only knows what. The smell alone was enough to knock you flat, and the random noises in the distance were enough to stop your heart. They put me in the middle to protect me or simply keep an eye on me. I wasn't stupid enough to run off on my own in the Deep Roads of all places, so they had little to worry about in that area; it made me kind of mad they would think that of me. “We should be there soon, you need not worry mage!” Warden Megan said in a firm tone. I frowned at the word mage, which I knew was often used as a slur or insult. “Why thank you ‘warden’ it is so nice to be informed,” I replied with a huge grin on my face. She turned around and glared at me again – glaring seemed to be her tool of intimidation, which I found sort of sad. We had walked for some distance when we came across a body. Judging from the robes and what was left of the hair it was a female. She was a mage, no doubt about it, because the body still had robes and staff. I inspected the body further and discovered a journal. It looked worn but in good enough condition that the words could still be read. I tucked the journal away to read later and picked up her staff;, it was a really fine one. The staff seemed to be made of a mixture of some sort of metal and wood, swirled together; at the top it tapered to a sword like point. Upon closer inspection I noticed a latch which I found odd, because I had never heard of a staff that had such a thing. I opened the latch which enabled me to pull apart the staff, to reveal a silverite blade the size of a short sword. It looked brand new and barely used. The staff must be infused with silverite and some sort of wood I could not recognize in this light. “Well that looks useful and very pretty I might add,” said Luke. “Yes it does,” I said while staring at the blade with glee. I put my old staff where I found the new one, because there was no way I was leaving this staff behind. The wardens didn't seem to mind and I just hope they didn't tell the Knight Captain about the blade.
“We are almost there”, Megan said with more relief than I thought necessary. I raised my eyebrow questioningly. “How do you know, Warden?” I asked. She pointed straight ahead. “You can smell the fresh air and look, there is some light up ahead,” she said. I looked and she was right! There was a faint ray of light ahead that you had to really look to see. I did smell the fresh air, but only after she mentioned it. We were almost there when a loud noise came from the other side of the wall, and before we knew it an ogre came through the wall! Behind it was what looked like a horde of darkspawn! “Well isn't that just great,” Megan said with irritation. I ignored her while I powered up my new staff, which I had yet to name, and was surprised when the staff glowed with a multi-colored hue, the likes of which I had never seen before. The glow from the staff seemed to burn the darkspawn like the sun melting ice. Megan noticed it too and, for the first time since we met, smiled with joy. “LYRIA GET UP FRONT AND LET THEM HAVE IT!” Megan yelled, shouting because of the noise the darkspawn were making. I did not have time to respond, because the horde was getting close. I ran to the front of our little group and put more power into the staff and decided to cast a fire spell. However, when I cast the spell sending the fire in wide blaze, the flame showed as a rainbow, rather than the normal orange and red of fire. I was stunned but fascinated at the same time. When the blaze reached the horde they melted instead of burned as they should have. They melted so fast they didn't even have time to scream. When the blaze subsided there was nothing left but a large pile of bones. We all stood there in silence, unsure of what to say about what just happened. “Well, that certainly was different,” Luke said in faint whisper. “Yes it was,” I responded, staring at the staff.
We finally made it to the opening that the Knight Captain spoke of. I was the first one out and took my first breath of fresh air in what felt like forever. Of course the Knight Captain was there waiting for me, phylactery in hand. She looked annoyed, yet relieved, when she could see that it was me. “You are alright, and didn't try to run that is good,” she said with a smile on her face. “Of course I didn't try to run! I mean, don't get me wrong, the darkspawn are a fun group, but I knew you would be mad about me hanging out with the wrong crowd”, I said as she began to frown. She looked like she was going to say something when the wardens emerged from the Deep Roads. “Well, that was, without a doubt, quite an adventure,” Megan said as she walked toward us with Blackwall and Luke following behind. “It was indeed,” I replied as she reached us. The Knight Captain pulled me along and said, “Well, thank you Wardens for protecting Lyria, but I am afraid we have to get moving.” The wardens looked annoyed, but did nothing. As we walked away I turned back to see Megan giving me a look that said to me we would meet again and soon.
________________________________________
Chapter 19
9:37 Dragon, Hello and Goodbye!
Lyria
The White Spire
After traveling for a week, we finally made it to my new prison, the White Spire in Orlais. It wasn't as fancy as I thought it would be, given where we were. At least it didn't smell like someone bathed in perfume; otherwise I might have had to become an abomination just to escape it. Ser Evangeline walked me to a large room that looked eerily similar to a room I seen in the circle in Ferelden. I put my hand to my head in frustration, because I now realized what they had in store for me. A mage I assumed was the First Enchanter and a group of templars were ranged around a pedestal filled with lyrium. This would be the third time I have taken the Harrowing and frankly, I am sick of it. I turned to Sir Evangeline with a grim look. “I have taken the Harrowing twice already. Is this really necessary?” I asked her. “You will take it again, just to be safe,” she said in a firm voice. As I approached the pedestal, I noticed a man to my right behind the templars; he had dirty clothes on and blonde shaggy hair. I wondered why he was here, and why the templars would allow him to be here. I looked at him, at the templars, and then back at him again. This seemed to surprise him and he stepped backwards as I continued to walk toward the pedestal. As I stepped up to the pedestal, I noticed as the man moved closer. I looked at him and raised my eyebrow in question. He gazed back at me and leaned his head to the side, as if studying me. “What are you looking at Lyria?” Sir Evangeline asked. I froze at her question, at the sudden realization of what I was most likely looking at. Instead of blurting out that there was a man with us, I looked at her…and lied. “Oh, this room reminds me of the one in Ferelden is all,” I calmly said to her with a smile. “Well while that's nice, it is time now, no more stalling,” Ser Evangeline said as she pointed to the pedestal. I walked the few remaining steps to the pedestal and put my hand in the lyrium as I had done twice before.
The familiar detached feeling came over me and I was in the Fade again. This time I was at the Circle Tower in Ferelden, back where I started! Everything around me was burning and there were dead bodies everywhere! I felt a presence behind me and I turned to see the same man, who was now no more than an arm's reach away. “Who are you? How did you get here?” I asked sternly. He looked scared, and was trembling badly. “I am Cole,” he said as he stepped back from me. “Are you a mage?” I inquired. “No I am not a mage, I don’t know what I am,” he said with a pained look on his face. I could not sense what he was exactly, so I took a chance and stepped closer to him. “It's ok Cole you don't have to be afraid of me. I do not sense that you are evil, whatever you are,” I said in a soft tone. He looked at me with such pain in his face so I could not help what I did next. I reached out to him, and when he didn't step away from me, I hugged him as I would a family member. He hugged me back tightly and began to cry quietly, so I patted him on the back to calm him down. Before I could pull away, everything went dark.....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isana
Kirkwall – same week
“Sod! Sod! SOD! Stupid templars! Stupid Mages! Always have to bring everyone down with them,” I said as I ran through Kirkwall to get to the Chantry. “You know I am one of those supposed ‘stupid mages’", said Hawke in a jestful tone. “Calm yourself love, before I have to calm you down,” Maaras said in a soft tone. I blushed when he said that, remembering the last time he had to ‘calm me down’. I couldn't walk for a week afterwards. Between breaths I told him, “Well we don't have time for you to ‘calm me down, we have to go kick some sense into the mages and templars before they do something we all have to clean up.
As we approached, Knight Commander Meredith and the First Enchanter were arguing again, and from the vibe I was getting there was going to be a fight. Hawke got in between the two of them, trying to talk some sense into them. As usual the Knight Commander was having none of it, and the First Enchanter wasn't helping much either. I hate blood mages as much as the next person, but to accuse someone without proof is pretty ridiculous. Just as I was about to knock some sense into the both of them by knocking heads, Anders came from what seemed to be out of nowhere.
He began ranting and raving at both the Knight Commander and the First Enchanter. To be honest, some of it I agreed with. I got a very bad feeling looking at his face. His eyes glowed a strange blue; a few seconds later a massive explosion sent us all flying back with massive force. I landed on Maaras who had jumped behind me to take the brunt of the damage I would have gotten being thrown against the wall. This left him unconscious, and from what I could see, his arm was broken. It was utter chaos and I looked up to see the Chantry was now nothing more than a pile of rubble. Anders had destroyed the Chantry and was now spewing some nonsense about how we all needed to see. All I saw was a selfish ignorant sod that just started a war in Kirkwall that no doubt would spill out into the country. Besides that, because of this fool, Lyria may die before I can get to her and all because this shorted sighted abomination wanted Thedas to ‘wake up’ and ‘see’. He spoke of liberation which just pissed me off more.
Finally I couldn't take it anymore; I took out my dagger and got within throwing range. “Liberate this!” I shouted as I threw my dagger, hitting him right between the eyes. He dropped like a stone on water, falling to the ground, eyes still open in shock. I walked past everyone to retrieve my dagger, and turned to look to see everyone staring at me in stunned silence. “What?” I said as I stood there staring back at them. “Have you lost your mind?!” Hawke asked, breaking the silence. “Why yes I have, and I don't miss it one bit,” I said to him in a teasing tone. Hawke looked at me with frustration and a small flash of anger. I shrugged my shoulders making no apology. After a silent standoff, both the Knight Commander and the First Enchanter began arguing again, while Hawke resumed trying to calm things down, but to no avail. As the argument got louder, weapons were drawn and the battle I had seen coming began.
________________________________________
Chapter 20
"Chaos" and "Beginning Again"
Kirkwall
Isana
I drew my daggers and got beside Hawk, who sided with the First Enchanter. The Knight Commander left her flunkies behind to keep us busy but only worked for a few minutes. When we had finished with the templars we began running to the docks, so we could get to the Gallows before Meredith. As we rushed past a mage surrounded by templars, she turned into an abomination before we could help her. Her body exploded and before us was this … thing that looked like it had been roasted over a fire too long. “Hawk we need to go!” I said urgently. “What! Isana is passing up a good fight?” Hawk said in jest. “No! We have bigger concerns at the moment, let’s go NOW!” I said in an angry tone.
We continued on our way and got as far as Hawke’s Statue that in my opinion looked nothing like him. At the base of the statue was a mage, who said nothing but just started casting blood magic. She summoned a great deal of shades and....”BY THE STONE!” I shouted in terror mixed with excitement. All of a sudden, a huge demon came out of nowhere. It was massive and very purple which I found odd. At least it wasn't one of those naked women demons I thought to myself. I pulled out the new bomb that I learned to make from a merchant in Darktown. It vibrated a bit and was loud; of course that tends to happen when you have a jar of killer bees. I shouted to my companion. “Hawke! Everyone make way! BEES AWAY!” I threw the giant jar of bees at the blood mage, which helped more than I thought it would. Not only did they swarm her but also attacked the giant demon. I smiled the biggest smile I had had today. “Oh no, I know that look, Isana! Don't even think about it!” Hawke said in a firm voice. The giant demon was in hysterics because of all the bees, and when it got close to the water I saw my chance. I ran as fast as I could and jumped on its back. I climbed up as high as I could, and it tried to throw me off. I held on for dear life. I got to the head and sank my daggers into the back of its neck. Of course, when I did that the demon started to collapse, but not to the ground. I guess it decided wanted to go swimming because it hit the water. Without thinking about what I was doing, I did a back flip off its back and landed on Maaras, who still had a broken arm. He managed to catch me, and didn't hurt his arm more, which was good. “Okay, we need to go”, said Hawke. We ran to the docks and luckily there was a boat big enough to carry us to the Gallows.
It took us fifteen minutes to get the Gallows, which was less time than I thought it would take. When we docked, the first thing we noticed was the amount of bodies that already littered the ground. Bodies of both mages and templars. We ran to the Gallows courtyard just in time to see the First Enchanter take out some templars. Hawke and the First Enchanter exchanged words moments before the Knight Commander came in behind us with more templars. I swear they were like a plague, always popping up where they aren't wanted. I slipped into the shadows, helping Maaras sit down where he wouldn't be seen. “I should...be out there....fighting at your side...Kadan”, said Maaras between breaths. “No stay here, you can show me your fighting spirit when this is over and then I can help you relax”, I told him as I gave him a passionate kiss. “You shouldn't be fighting”, Maaras said as he coughed slightly. “It will be okay, it hasn't been that long.” I hugged him tightly and ran out to be at Hawke’s side. As I walked out to stand beside Hawke, he and the First Enchanter were talking again. I never understood why they were talking, but I guess even among all this chaos there was still hope. Unfortunately, that hope was short lived, because the next thing I knew the First Enchanter and the Knight Commander were spewing insults at each other as we headed into the Gallows. I was glad that I put Maaras somewhere safe and made sure to put extra armor around what had come from our love. I was so angry that something like this war should come at a time like this. When I had someone special, Lyria was safe..ish and wondering what was to come in the future. I walked up to Hawke because I wanted to talk to him privately. “Hawke, what are we going to do?” I asked in an irritated tone. “Honestly I don't know, I am kind of making it up as I go along”, he said in a tired voice. I moved over to stand next to Varric, who looked tired and worried. “Nervous, are you Varric?” I said in a strained happy sounding tone. He looked at me, chuckled and simply nodded. I went off to a corner and simply had a moment to myself. I put my hand to my stomach thinking of what lay ahead. I hadn't been paying attention when Varric came up behind me. “Isana!” he angrily said. “Yes Varric?” “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” he said matter of factly. I glared at him. “Shhh do you want everyone to hear you?” “You can't fight; I can't stay quiet about this!” He went over to the others. He didn't get very far because all of a sudden a group of templars burst through the door charging at us with swords drawn. Varric quickly ran back to me, moving me to a corner. “Varric what are you doing???” I said angrily. “Protecting you and your child from your stubbornness and stupidity!” he shouted angrily at me. The fighting quickly got out of control and before we knew it there was more templars then mages. Most mages were quickly cut down, but Hawke and the others were able to stand against the templars. Unfortunately five of the templars spotted me and Varric and charged us. Because they moved so quickly, Varric was forced to jump to the side away from me. I was able to roll out of the way, but landed far from Varric. Before I could get up a templar was on me, his sword raised. I had no time to run and nowhere to go. I got out my daggers, in hopes I could do something. He had almost reached me, when Maaras suddenly came out of the shadows and intercepted him. “MAARAS! NO! YOU’RE HURT!” I screamed out as I tried to reach him. Time seemed to slow as I scrambled to be at his side, to protect him as he has protected me. Just before I reached him, out of the corner of my eye I saw a Templar running up behind him. Without thinking, I threw both of my daggers, one hitting the Templar Maaras was fighting and the other dagger got the templar coming up behind him. I collapsed and right before I blacked out I smiled, knowing he was alive and that we would be together – the three of us.
Lyria
Val Royeaux - The White Spire
Several months later.....
I couldn't believe there was actually going to be a conclave that would decide the fate of mages. I still couldn't completely side with the Libertarians or any fraternity. I just don't know what to think about all of this. I share some beliefs in common with every fraternity, so I can't stick to one fraternity or another. I thought about this as I walked to where the conclave would be held. I wondered where Cole was and hoped he wasn't getting into trouble. As I got closer, I could hear the noise of many voices talking at once; as I walked in I could see why. Everyone was in separate groups, chatting away about one thing or another. I found an empty corner away from everyone and waited for the conclave to begin.
I didn't have to wait long before those in charge began talking and debating and, as usual, there were those that spoke for independence, loyalty and much more of the same. I had to keep from rolling my eyes at most of what was being said, which was probably why I stood alone. At a time like this I wished Isana was here; I wonder what she would say about all this.
The debate raged on and on. It would seem that the vote for independence was going to win. Of course it wasn't long after vote had been taken and confirmed that there was a great commotion and what seemed to be a great many templars coming towards the meeting place. The sound of armor got louder and louder until they burst into the conclave, taking up positions around the room. Lord Seeker Lambert looked a little too confident in whatever he was about to say as he took his place at the podium. He threw a dagger down and started ranting about how Rhys was a murderer and a lot of other supposed “evidence”. I knew about the murders and I doubted that Rhys was responsible.
It looked like things were getting heated, so I readied my staff and prepared to fight. I didn't have to wait long; all it took was a random templar, without provocation, running a mage through. When I saw him just stab the mage I flinched, remembering what that felt like. As I stood there in shock, the fighting began in earnest, with swords and magic colliding back and forth. Five templars saw me and came at me as if I was the most evil abomination they had ever seen. I wasn't going down without a fight and I had gotten a lot faster at casting spells. If I was going down, I would take as many templars down with me as I could. As quick as lighting, I began the shifting spell. Just as they were upon me, there was a burst of light and I became a wyvern once more. I roared mightily and with one swipe of my tail, sent the five templars flying against the wall. As I stood there in my altered form, everything seemed to stand still. All the mages stood in shock at what they were seeing. I saw this as my chance to charge the templars, sending at least twenty flying and making a loud crash as they landed at the other end of the room, battered and bloody.
As I cleared a path, a great deal of mages saw it as a chance to escape. I made sure they had a clear path. As some templars gave chase, I spewed poison at them, ensuring they were stopped. As the hall cleared out, I changed back into my own form. To my surprise, a single elf was standing in the corner just staring at me as if studying me, with the bluest eyes I had ever seen. He had abnormally long ears, for an elf and long brown hair. He was also very pale, I would have to get him into the sun or he might become see through.
“Why haven't you run like the others?” I asked him gently. “He stayed hoping you would protect him.” The reply came in a low tone of voice. I thought it odd that the elf spoke in third person, as I looked at him with surprise. “Aren't you scared of me; especially after what you saw me do?” I said with a raised eyebrow. “He thinks it is because of what you are capable of doing that he feels he is safest with you, for the moment. Also, he wishes to leave, not fight,” the male elf said, louder this time. I asked what his name was. He eagerly responded. “He is Fen Vhenan, he said in a more cheery voice.
“I am Enchanter Lyria; let us go.”
________________________________________
Chapter 21
To Be One Who Holds Back Evil
Kirkwall Dock
9:41 Dragon
A week before the conclave
It's raining and Commander Shokrakar wants us to cross the sea in an approaching storm, on a ship called "The Fate"!? You could hear the thunder from the shore. Have his wits left him or does he have an ill conceived notion that we would risk our lives for sovereigns in this particular manner? As I continued to rant in my head and silently scream, Durgen came up beside me. “Hey Hornless, how are we this morning?” he said teasingly. I glared at him and replied, “Not now, Dwarf! I am in no mood for your smart remarks right now. “Awww, is my lady cranky? Should I rub her tummy for her?” he said with laughter in his voice. I glared at him again and decided to reply to his joke with one of my own. “It would seem that your attempts at humor fall short, but by all means keep trying” I laughed to myself as I walked away, listening to him mumble under his breath angrily.
As I walked down the dock I made sure my bow and arrows were secure and that my armor was tightened. As I continued on my way I came across a booth that had books for sale. I almost squealed out loud because my excitement could not be measured. I walked, seemingly calm, to the booth and began to look over the titles. “Hmmmm Swords and Shields by Varric Tethras,” I said with interest. I skimmed the book and decided against getting it, since I prefer the real thing when it comes to romance. I looked over more of the books and found some on elven history and language, along with many other books.
“If you're really interested, I have some special books you might want to see.” The proprietor of the stall, a dwarf, caught my attention then. I raised my eyebrow and approached the dwarf. “What kind of books are we talking about?” I asked in a calm tone of voice. He pulled out a trunk filled to the top with books. I looked a few over and it seemed these books contained information about various topics I was interested in: books on history, spell techniques, and magical lore. It took me only a second to come to the realization that the dwarf must have looted the Circle here. I smiled to myself with delight, especially since I had enough for all of the books. “Now, dwarf, let us talk business,” I said will a smile full of confidence. “I will take all the books and the trunk.” The dwarf picked up on my confidence and smiled. “Well, that will be 50 sovereigns plus 100 silver for the trunk,” he said holding out his hand. I smiled back at him and handed him a very heavy sack of my spare money. He looked dumbfounded as he peeked inside to see what must have been the largest amount of money he had seen in his life.
An hour later
“Hey, it's time to depart!” Dag said as he approached me. I nodded in reply and picked up the trunk full of my new books and made my way to the ship. Dag has grown so much since I first met him in his alienage, and has become a fine assassin in his own right. As I approached the ship, it appeared to be very large and very solid. This is good, I thought. As I got to the ramp there was a human there waiting; I assumed he was the captain. “Hey, what is your name!” he said rather rudely. I restrained myself from putting the human in his place, as I wanted to get to Jadar in one piece. “My name is Ebasit Arvaarad Adaar, but you may call me Bauble,” I said with little cheer. He grunted and replied, “Well, it’s better than calling you ‘oxman’.” “Indeed.” I retorted as I turned and boarded the ship.
After reaching the deck, I noticed the rest of the Valo-kas mercenary company had made themselves at home. I walked to the back of the ship and set my trunk down, getting one of the books out to read, shutting the trunk and sitting down on top of it. I hadn't had the chance to even read one page before I heard yelling.
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE SHIP IS FULL? YOU’RE DAFT IF YOU THINK I WILL BELIEVE THAT! MY SON, LOVER AND I WILL BOARD THIS SHIP OR SO HELP ME….”
I looked over toward the dock to see a female dwarf, a tal-vashoth and what looked like a small child. The captain looked annoyed, no doubt not wanting to deal with a child and another of my kind. I smiled in delight and walked down the ramp toward the captain. When he saw me he groaned and crossed his arms. “My dear captain, what seems to be the issue?” I asked, laughter in my voice. Before he could reply the dwarf answered. “THIS SODDING NUG HUMMPER IS REFUSING ME AND MY FAMILY PASSAGE! I AM ABOUT TO STUFF MY DAGGER IN A PLACE NOT SO NICE!”
Before she could continue, Commander Shokrakar came up behind me. I assumed it was to see what the commotion was about. Without looking at anyone but the Tal-Vashoth with his family, the commander did something I didn't expect. “Hey, you! Looking for work?” he asked. The Tal-Vasoth looked up at him with a blank face and said yes. “Then get on the ship with your family and let's get going.” He then turned around and returned to the ship. I crossed my arms and raised my brow as the family of three boarded the ship.
I walked back to my trunk, to try and find some peace before we reached our destination. Dag was there, sitting next to the trunk as if guarding it. I had noticed that he had picked up my mannerisms since I first started training him, he spoke little. I attempted to start reading again but the loud dwarf was having none of it. “Hey, you! Hornless!” she yelled as she approached me with her family. I gave up and put the book away and prepared myself for whatever issue was plaguing this dwarf now. “Yes, my lady what can I do for you?” I said in a tone drowning with sarcasm. “Do you have any food, my son is hungry.” Her tone said that she had had enough for one day. I looked down at the child, who looked back up at me with his big dark purple eyes. He looked like a pure bred qunari, just little paler than normal. He was big for his age and it made me wonder how such a tiny dwarf gave birth to what had obviously been a big infant. I decided it was best not to ask and replied to her question. “Why yes, I have an apple, will that do?” I said as I handed the boy the apple. “Yes....thank you,” she answered me in a tired tone. She and her "lover" sat down near me, while their son was still staring up at me, devouring the apple I had given him.
“So uh, what is your name kid?” I asked, trying to break the awkward tension. He took a big bite of his apple before practically spitting his name at me. “My name is Beres-taar, it means ‘shield’ in qunlat,” he said as he took another bite. He looked really proud of himself for knowing that about his own name. “Well that is a good strong name for a fierce warrior.” I patted him on the head. He smiled up at me and went over to cuddle with his mother. “So, dwarf, do you and your lover have names?” I inquired as the ship began to move out to see. She gave me an annoyed look before responding. “I am Isana and this is my love, Maaras.” She leaned up against Maaras for what I assumed was a well deserved sleep.
I found a high place on the ship and settled down for what I knew would be a long trip across the Waking Sea.
________________________________________
Chapter 22
Calm to Chaos
One day later
The Waking Sea
Dag and I sat in the crow's nest, because it seemed the best place to allow us to avoid the loud dwarf. The sea air was heavy with salt and there was a cold wind coming off the water. Being in the crow's nest also spared our noses from the smell of the various odors that rose from the ship and its crew. Therefore, the only ones to bother us up here were the birds. The storm that had graced us with its presence earlier decided to flare up again. In the last few hours, Isana and the captain argued about cabin accommodations. The captain didn't like the last minute additions to our company and was making his feelings known. I rolled my eyes at the antics of the two of them and went back to reading my book, which translated elven words into their human equivalent. The elven people had such an interesting language; too bad most of them didn't know it. I turned the page and tried to sound out the words in my head. Ar'din nuv..enin... na'din; hmmm. This seems to be some sort of threat or plea. Since I was not sure, I decided that should check my other elven books and see if I could find it anywhere else. As I was about to turn to another page, I looked up to see three raider ships heading our way! I dropped everything as I stood up and leaned over the edge of the crow’s nest, shouting, “RAIDER SHIPS INBOUND!”
As everyone scrambled to their battle stations, I got my arrows, Antivan Fire and poison flasks ready. Dag quickly grabbed his bow and arrows and got into the proper position, just like I had taught him to do in this kind of situation. The captain and our commander were barking orders as it began to rain. We all were soaked in seconds and the calm that we enjoyed was gone; in its place was raging chaos.
Within fifteen minutes we were all positioned, prepared and ready to fight as the raider ships got closer. They were coming in faster than I had ever seen. As they got within range, Dag and I drew back our bows and took aim. The Val- Kos mages and warriors readied themselves below, powering up their staffs and bracing themselves for the battle to start.
I spotted my target right away and let loose my arrow; it hit home immediately. I achieved first blood in this battle, as one of the raider leaders dropped like a sack of potatoes. After that, it got even more chaotic; before I knew it arrows, spells and people were flying through the air. A fog rose up smelling of blood and burnt flesh mixed with the regular stink of the ship. I would have died from the smell alone, if it weren't for the fact we were up so high. Dag and I picked off those we deemed the biggest threat, mostly going for the enemy mages.
Before I knew it I had run out of arrows. There were still a goodly number of raiders and their ships were still afloat. “Dag! Stay and cover me, I am going down!” I put away my bow and got out my silverite murder knife. He nodded and went about clearing a path for me so I could get to the deck unchallenged. I climbed down the net connected to the crow's nest and made my way to the main fight. Halfway down, I could see the loud dwarf was in trouble and gave up on safety, jumping down and landing right behind her. “SODDING STONE,” she yelled as she whirled around to face me. I smiled down at her, and proceeded to throw my murder knife at the approaching raider. “I COULD HAVE DONE THAT!” Isana shouted at me angrily. I simply shrugged and then came to the realization that I was unarmed, since I had used the murder knife on a raider now lost in a sea of bodies. At that moment, a group of seven raiders decided I looked like a good target, and attacked. The first two, I took out with a swinging kick, knocking them both overboard. The next had a sword and shield, which I used to my advantage. As he charged me with his sword raised, I quickly dropped to the deck. Just as he was about to swing his sword down, I shot my foot upwards, connecting with the bottom of his shield. I must have kicked harder than I thought, because the shield went up and decapitated the raider, spraying blood everywhere. Picking up his fallen sword, I got ready for the last four who seemed to think numbers would help them win. I charged them, sword out to my right, head butting down and cut another in half. Seeing this, the last two decided to retreat. I threw the sword like a javelin, spearing one in the back of the head. I charged the final raider, grabbing him by the back of the neck. I raised him up high in the air, and slammed him down hard on his head, breaking his neck. As I looked up I could see what remained of the raiders were now abandoning their lost endeavor and retreating back to their ships.
I smiled with delight; we had won, thereby depriving the raiders of whatever prize they sought.
________________________________________
Chapter 23
Debt paid
Two days later
The Waking Sea
I had gone below decks, which wouldn't you know it, was a bad idea. The smell… oh by the gods, the smell! It smelled of sweat, blood and vomit; the impression I got was that the sailors had voided their bowels, consumed it and then vomited it up again. I had to tie a scarf around my face in order to be able to stand it. It made no sense to me to have the only place to wash yourself in the smelliest place in the ship. I had Dag guard the door while I sat in a very small iron tub. Given my height and how long my legs were, I was forced to dangle my legs over the edge; well I say dangle, but my feet actually were on the floor. Since this was a very uncomfortable position, I washed as quickly as possible and got out. I was in the process of putting my armor back on when I heard a commotion outside my door. “WHERE IS SHE? I NEED HER OUT HERE NOW!” It sounded like Commander Shokratar. Dag answered him with ice in his voice. “She is bathing Commander, so do not disturb her.” I could almost hear them glaring at each other, and I nearly laughed out loud at the mental image of a tiny elf standing up to a huge Qunari. “I will be out in a minute Commander,” I said trying very hard not to laugh. I quickened my pace, because the commander usually doesn't yell at me unless there is something serious going on. I finished putting on my armor; I would have to replace it soon. I sheathed my daggers and secured my bow and quiver. I had run out of arrows during the battle, so when we landed I would have to replace them. I was thankful that I was able to at least retrieve my silverite murder knife.
I opened the door to see Dag standing there looking cheerful as usual. He looked up at me and there was an air about him that said he had something important to say to me. I raised my eyebrow and crossed my arms. “Is there something you need Dag?” He looked hesitant when I said that but stood firm, looking up at me. “I feel that you have become like a mother to me over these last few years, Bauble. I love you and I would like to call you Mamae,” he said as he put his head down. I squatted down and put my hands on his shoulders. “Dag I would love for you to call me Mamae. I have always thought of you as my son, since the day I took you out of the alienage after your father’s death.” He looked up at me with surprise in his eyes. That he might have thought I would say no broke my heart. The joy that suffused his face made my heart whole again.
“BAUBLE! NOW!” I glared at the direction the shout came from and sighed. “Well son, it's time we did our job, wouldn't you say?” I smiled down at him as he looked away and gave me a half grin. I chuckled to myself and turned to go up the ladder to the upper deck, where the commander waited for me. As I reached the commander, I was greeted by the sight of my kith surrounding the captain, who was on his knees and bound. He looked like he had put up a struggle, since he was bruised and bloody. “Well commander, what seems to be the problem?” I asked as I approached the group surrounding the captain. “This idiot forgot to make a payment on the debt he owes some noble and that's why we were attacked!” The commander told me as he kicked the captain. “So a noble paid some raiders to try and kill the captain?” I asked the commander, irritated. His arms crossed, the commander answered in the affirmative. I asked the commander if we were going to kill him, in a tone that said I was so over this already. “Considering you have worked closely with nobles in the past, and used to be an assassin, I figured you would know what to do in this situation.” The commander sounded tired. I sighed and thought about it. Well if this noble had sent raiders to kill him, then the debt no longer mattered. But if we kill him we may get paid, and then again we may not get paid. After telling the commander what I thought, I crossed my arms, and waited for his signal. The commander thought about it for only a second before he nodded. I sighed again and got out my silverite murder knife. The Captain began to struggle, but my kith held him down. I walked over to him and grabbed him by the hair, pulling his head back. My knife was plunged into his jugular and I left him to bleed out. He died quickly. The commander told the sailors to wrap the body, and dictated a letter to whatever noble it was who had ordered the captain’s death. Both the letter and the body would be returned to the noble.
________________________________________
Chapter 24
Sweet Dry Land (I think)
One day later
Jadar Docks
“DRY LAND THANK YOU!” I screamed as I jumped off the ship. I didn't even wait for the ramp, I just jumped from the ship to the dock and ran to the shore. I turned back to see Dag looking at me with his eyebrow raised and his arms crossed, and I almost laughed. If it weren't for the fact that he was an elf, I swear he would look just like me in that moment. I turned around and the people on the dock looked like they were in shock. I smiled and waved and they slowly walked away; before they had gone more than a few steps, they started sprinting to what I assumed was their destination. I sighed at the reaction I still got from humans, but I guess it's to be expected. I mean, if I was that short I would be scared of someone as tall as me, at least a little...maybe...
“Hey, Mamae! Can you not start a panic as soon as we get here?” Dag asked from the ship’s railing. I shrugged and waited for everyone else to get off the ship. We were finally in Ferelden, home of hardy people and big dogs. It would certainly be an interesting change from the Free Marches. My kith and I spread out in search of supplies and distractions until we were to head to the Temple of Sacred Ashes for guard duty. Taverns lined the streets near the docks. I walked to one of the local taverns with Dag in tow; it wasn't hard to find out which taverns were nice and which taverns were worse. I walked in and was assaulted by the usual stench of sweat, blood and vomit. Dag and I sat down in the corner, and waited for the waitress to notice us. The waitress finally came over and got our order for two small roasted chickens and accompanying side dishes, along with some dwarven ale. We weren't there very long when the oddest looking human I had ever seen walked in with an elf close behind her. Both were obviously mages, and the fact that they would come into a tavern full of what were no doubt mage haters was either very brave or incredibly stupid. Something told me I was going to get into a fight soon. I looked at Dag and he returned my look with one that said he was ready for trouble.
The mage was easy to keep an eye on due to her white hair, and the elf that stayed close to her side. They must be desperate to come in here. “Dag run and get our new friends, before a fight starts that could burn down the town.” I said this as sweetly as possible. Dag rolled his eyes and went to talk to the pair; hopefully in a nice, polite way. They seemed startled and scared, looking in my direction. I smiled encouragingly and motioned for them to come and join me at the table. They did so, but with obvious reluctance. After they joined me and took their seats, I tried to break the tension by introducing myself and Dag. “My name is Ebasit Arvaarad Adaar, but please call me Bauble, everyone does. This is my son, Dag.” They didn't speak for a few seconds but then introduced themselves as Enchanter Lyria, formerly of the White Spire in Val Royeaux and Fen Vhenan, her close friend. Her answer came in a low tone, as if she was afraid of being overheard. “It is nice to meet you, Lyria of the White Spire, and Fen Vhenan. Where are the two of you headed, if I may ask?” As I asked my question, we were interrupted by the waitress bringing over the food we had ordered. Enchanter Lyria and Fen Vhenan looked nervous and uncomfortable, being asked such a question. “I just thought you might be heading to the conclave at the Temple of Sacred Ashes,” I said as I took a huge bite of chicken. I kept eyeing this Fen Vhenan, he gave off a weird vibe and he was seemingly calm now. He also kept shooting glances my way and smiling, which I found odd; usually I received a much different reaction most of the time from others who don’t know me.
“So, uh, Fen where are you from?” I asked while taking a sip of ale. He looked like he was about to speak, then looked away and blushed. I smiled and told him it was ok not to tell me. He appeared to take a deep breath for courage and then raised his eyes to mine. “He is from all over, he does not remember his home,” Fen said quickly. I raised my eyebrow at how he spoke and before I said anything, Lyria spoke up, no doubt catching my reaction. “Oh that's just how he talks, you get used to it soon enough,” she said with a smile. I shrugged and continued eating as I looked at Dag, who had already eaten his chicken and was chugging his ale. “So, Lyria are you two hungry? I have enough to feed you two if you are,” I asked as I dangled my money bag in front of them. “Oh yes please! We haven't had a decent meal since the rebellion started,” responding in a low tone. I waved to the waitress, who came over quickly in anticipation of a good tip; I told her to bring us two more chickens, and a pitcher of ale. She nodded and hurried off, but not before giving my new friends nasty looks. I sighed and looked at Dag, who had caught the look as well. He put his hands on his daggers in preparation. We sat in silence for awhile, and I took that time to scan the tavern. I saw the waitress talking to a few people on the other side of the tavern, and when they all looked our way, I sighed and gave Dag the look that said trouble was coming. “Hey Lyria and Fen, do us all a favor and switch seats with me and Dag.” They looked skeptical at first, but saw the serious look on my face and me eyeing the tavern behind them and quickly complied.
Just in time it seemed, because some of the villagers started making their way towards us. Dag noticed and stuck his leg out in preparation to defend himself, just as I had taught him. “Hey brute! What’s with the mages? We don't need abominations and some dirty knife ears in our town!” The leader of the idiots was quite audible in his protestations. I sucked my teeth and sighed as I turned around and stood up. I towered over them, which intimidated most of them into stopping, which in this case came in handy. “Well stupid human, what are you prepared to do about it?” It was evidently my lucky day, because at that moment five of my kith, Qunari also, walked into the tavern. They quickly sized up the situation and moved beside me, their weapons drawn.
The mob swiftly lost their fire and walked away, leaving the idiot alone. I glared at him daring him to make a move. He began to sweat and looked around him, realizing he was suddenly alone. The whole tavern had stopped to see what would happen now. My kith sat down nonchalantly, seeing the inevitable outcome. The idiot and I stared at each other silently before a look of rage crossed his face. I sighed audibly, which must have given him courage, because he all of a sudden picked up a chair and swung it at me. I grabbed the chair, and he tried to pull it back, but couldn't take it from my firm grasp. The whole tavern broke out into loud hearty laughter, and I smiled. Well, that was it for Mr. Idiot. He finally lost all his fight and dejectedly walked out of the tavern. I stood on a small stool and shouted, “WELL EVERYONE, I THINK WE ALL NEED TO RELAX AFTER ALL THAT, AND DRINKS ARE ON ME!” The tavern erupted in loud cheers.
The next day
Jadar Market
I was purchasing arrows for me and Dag when Lyria and Fen entered the fletcher’s shop. “Hey Bauble, can I ask you something?” For some reason, Lyria seemed nervous. As I began putting the new arrows in my and dags quivers, I answered her question. “Of course Lyria what do you need?” “I was talking to some of your kith and was wondering if it is true there is a dwarf on your ship that everyone nicknamed “the loud dwarf”, her real name being Isana?” She seemed to find the ground fascinating for some reason. “Yes there is, she is still on the ship with her son and lover Maaras.” She tensed when I said Maaras, and I wondered if she knew them. “What of it?” As we began to walk back to the ship, she explained. “Isana and I traveled together, before I was taken to the Kirkwall Circle.” I stopped in mid-stride and looked down at her. “I thought you were from the White Spire.” I must have allowed my surprise to show in my voice. “Well, I am but I was sent to Val Royeaux from the Kirkwall Circle. Before the Blight I was in the Ferelden circle, where I grew up. “I see you have been moved around, haven’t you? Well Isana should be on the ship. You want me and Dag to leave you while you go talk to her? As she climbed the ramp, she told me yes. I sighed and decided Dag and I would go back to the tavern to get something to eat before the big march to the Temple.
________________________________________
Chapter 25
Reunion
On board "The Fate"
It has been years since I have seen Isana, and I wondered if she will want to even see me. I told Fen to wait on the dock while I searched for Isana. It wasn't hard to figure out how she had received her nickname, as she was a very loud person and no doubt would be today. As I walked towards the open door in the back of the ship, I heard her for the first time in Maker knows how long. “SODDING SHIP SMELLS LIKE A THOUSAND SOILED NAPPYS! I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!” I froze, and could hear her stomping up the stairs. I moved to in front of the door, waiting for her to see me. It felt like a million years passed before I saw her. She looked much the worse for wear, but I guess that happens when you're a mother. She froze mid step and looked at me in utter shock. For the first time ever, I wager, the "loud dwarf" was speechless. We just stared at each other for an eternity, and then quick as a flash Isana tackled me to the ground landing hard on top of me. Thank goodness there wasn't anyone or anything behind me. I lay there, out of breath, with Isana on top of me. She began to cry which in turn made me cry. Before I knew it we were laying there in front of the Maker and everyone, crying loudly, hugging each other tightly. Our tears flowed for a long time. I know this because the sun was going down while we lay there. When we finally couldn't cry anymore we sat up and she stopped, glared at me, then punched me in the face! OWWWW! SODDING…! OWWW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?” I yelled in pain. “THAT’S FOR LEAVING ME DAMMIT! WHY DIDN’T YOU RUN? WHY DIDN’T YOU TRY TO GET OUT OF THE CIRCLE BEFORE THE REBELLION? WHY DIDN’T YOU CONTACT ME?” Yes, my old Isana was back. She stood up with fists clenched and tears streaming down her face.
I tried to explain. “I was in the Circle and I didn't want to give the templars any more reason to hurt mages. Besides, I learned a great deal more about magic. You should know I couldn't help being transferred to the White Spire. I couldn’t get a letter to you without the templars finding out either. I am sorry Isana, I really am. When the rebellion started it was about hiding, about surviving and trying to not run into templars. What’s more, I didn't know where you were. Can you forgive me?” My voice was hoarse from crying so much. She looked at me in silence, breathing hard and tears still flowing down her cheeks. A few minutes passed before she collapsed, hugging me again. We sat there in companionable silence, holding each other, before I heard footsteps from the direction whence Isana had come. To my pleasant surprise, it was a child, and a Qunari child at that. I had never seen one before, and always wondered what they would look like. “Mama, I am hungry.” He came up to us and jumped on Isana who was still hugging me. The two of them climbed off me so I could stand up. Suddenly I remembered I had left Fen on the dock and looked over to see him still waiting patiently for me. He saw me, smiled and waved. He is so odd, I thought as I waved back.
“Well I say we take off right now, we are NOT going to get separated again.” Isana said with firm resolve. She pulled an apple out of her pack for her son. I most emphatically agreed with her, but wondered where we should go. She told me anywhere but here, as she picked up her things. I looked up at Maaras and as usual his face was expressionless. “Well Isana shouldn't you at least leave a note for Bauble?” I asked as we left the ship. “Hmmm I suppose I should, since she did reunite us,” she said. Rummaging in her packs, she dug up some parchment and ink. She quickly wrote a message out and ran back up the ship to where a trunk was, and put a book on it so it would not blow away.
She returned to us and, taking her son’s hand, said, “Let's get out of here, maybe find a good camping spot.” Maaras followed us without saying a word. Fen gave me a questioning look and I told him we were leaving. “Remember Fen, we have to keep moving.” For first time he looked sad and nodded as he followed our little group.
________________________________________
Chapter 26
Heading out
On board “The Fate”
The next day, 11 a.m.
With our stomachs full, Dag and I boarded the ship. Just before I was about to head below deck, I decided to check my books and I noticed someone had moved one of them. Walking over to the trunk, I saw a piece of parchment sticking out from underneath the top book. I picked it up to read and wasn't surprised at what it said.
Hey Bauble,
Me and the family are heading out with Lyria and that odd elf she has with her. Tell your boss I said thanks for everything, and I hope to meet you all again.
Goodbye salroka
Isana Kondrat
P.S My son ate all the apples and meat on the ship, just thought you should know.
Huh. Well that was short, I thought as I put the paper back under the book. I looked at Dag, who wore an annoyed look on his face, which didn't surprise me. "It's ok Dag, I am sure we will see them again." I patted him on the head. "I don't like it," Dag said as he crossed his arms. As I motioned for him to join me below deck, I asked him, "What don't you like about it?" He sat down on his cot and answered my question. "I don't like that they think it is a good idea to travel the countryside during a war with a child with them, even if that child is half Qunari.” I understood how he felt. "I don't like it either, but they left while we were gone and honestly, I don't think we could have stopped them peacefully, do you?” He just grunted and got out his poison making kit.
3 hours later, 2 p.m.
After getting the supplies we needed for the march to the Temple, we headed out. We didn't have the money to waste on horses, so we had the luxury of walking. For those in heavy armor, it would be brutal indeed. It was a good thing it was so cold now, since we would not to get too fatigued so quickly. Dag, steel faced as ever, marched like it was nothing. Of course he has lived this type of life since he was very young, thanks to me. He looked up at me and raised his eyebrow questioningly. "You are looking at me with that look again Mamae! How many times do I have to tell you, I don't regret leaving with you and going down this path in life. We were family before and have always been and there is no other life I would rather have, ok?" he said with concern and frustration in his voice. I sighed and patted him on the head as we continued to walk. "I know that, Dag, I just worry as a Mamae should.” We both sighed and braced ourselves for what was going to be a very long walk, filled with cold nights and crappy food.
________________________________________
Chapter 27
Fate
Temple of Sacred Ashes
7 days later
After what seemed like endless days of marching, camping, and more marching, we finally arrived at our destination. As we were walking up to the temple to meet our "employer", a familiar eerie, feeling went up my spine. I always got this feeling when I was around a lot of lyrium or magic. “I have a bad feeling.” Dag got out of his bow and said he could feel the same thing. I moved up to the commander’s side to warn him that we should be careful. “Commander I have a bad feeling, we should be wary.” I whispered to him. “Hmmmm. Well if it will make you feel better, find a way around and come in the back way,” he said, his whisper even quieter than mine. I looked back at Dag and motioned for him to stay with the company, he nodded and continued walking.
I pulled up my hood and melted into the bushes, moving around the rear of the temple. I managed to find an open window and quickly peeked in. The sight that met my eyes was one of horror! Bodies of mages and templars alike littered the floor, the smell of blood and burned bodies choking the air. I climbed into the window, and listened, all nerves taut. All was quiet except for the sound of my breathing; I slowly got out my bow and nocked an arrow. Moving as silently as possible, I moved towards the hallway. I hadn't gotten far when I came across two people that I know shouldn't have been there. Upon closer inspection I could see that they were wardens. I was shocked, and wondered what wardens were doing here acting as if they were standing guard. From what I had seen in the room I had entered through, they weren't here as rescuers but as killers. It was dark enough I could hide in shadows. My old assassins training was coming in handy and I was able to get close enough to get a clear shot of them both.
I drew an extra arrow and nocked both of them. I pulled back and aimed, positioned the arrows just so, and released them; both arrows reached their mark, right through the head. They fell to the floor with a loud clanking noise. I froze, staying in the shadows and waiting for reinforcements to come. I heard nothing, so I kept moving until I could feel the prick of magic and knew the source of it was close. I crept through the dark, blood-soaked halls of the temple for what seemed like an eternity and finally came to a big double door. I walked slowly to the door and listened in.
“WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? YOU, OF ALL PEOPLE!” The voice sounded Orlesian. Could it be the Divine?
“Keep the sacrifice still!” A deep voice barking an order!
“Someone help me, please!” A sound of someone in pain!
I kicked down the door, bracing myself for what I thought would be a group of blood mages. However, to my horror, it was something much worse! There, in the middle of the room, was Divine Justinia being magically help by warden mages. My eyes could not look away at what was the most disgusting creature I had ever set eyes on. The orb he held caught my attention, and my entry evidently distracted him; it gave the Divine a chance to act. She quickly kicked the orb out of the creature’s hand, sending it flying. Out of reflex I dove for it and picked it up. I was instantly racked with the most crippling pain you can imagine.......and then everything went dark.
________________________________________
Chapter 28
I am Not Guilty!
I awoke to the sound of water dripping, the floor wet. I was cold, my hands were shackled and I couldn't see well at first. I slowly rose, not knowing where I was or what had happened. As my hazy vision cleared, I saw that I wasn't alone. There were soldiers all around me, their iron swords drawn. I looked at their faces with expressions that had many emotions all at once it seemed. A mix of anger, grief and most of all - fear. They looked like they really wanted to kill me, why I didn't know. My head hurt and......"AAARGH!” My hand was suddenly seized with pain and a green light emitted from it. As I continued to gaze upon my hand the front door swung open and two women appeared, one that I knew. The other I was a bit weary of, given the fact I was unable to defend myself. The black hair one circled me like a beast, having found her prey. "Why shouldn't I kill you right now, Murderer?!" she growled in my ear. She continued to circle me as she spoke, "The conclave is destroyed and countless are dead. Why are you the only survivor?" she said in a tone mixed with rage and grief.
I sat there silent, in shock at hearing the fate of the conclave. My thoughts immediately went to Dag...my son....is he dead...did he make it to safety. My thoughts were interrupted again as the dark haired women grabbed my glowing hand. “Explain this!” she said with a snarl. I glared at her then. “Don't you think I would if I could? I don't even know what's going on! My son may be dead! My kith may be dead!” I yelled at her as strong grief took hold of me. Tears streamed down my face and my hands were shaking as I collapsed to the ground. My energy drained, I just cried, shook and grieved for what must be the truth. My kith were gone, but more importantly my son was gone. My beloved son has been taken from me, before he had a chance to do anything...he was still so young. I laid there on the cold stone and as I did so, I heard Leliana tell the dark haired women they needed me. She called her Cassandra, a name I have heard before. They exchanged a few more words and sideways glances in my direction. Cassandra approached me again, this time unshackling me and replacing my current iron shackles with rope bindings. She pulled me to my feat, and started to escort me outside. Where she planned to take me I didn't know, but it felt like it was going to change my whole world.
________________________________________
Chapter 29
New Perspective
The floor was paved stone and chilly, the cold quickly seeped into my clothes. I felt frozen within minutes; all the while my hands were bound. As I looked up I saw it, the enormous tear in the veil. It felt like staring into forever, as if there were no end. Demons poured out of the hole in the sky like snow falling upon the ground. I could hear them in the distance the sound of metal upon metal, the screams of the dying. I looked around at the people ranged before me, their grief and rage clear upon their faces. They looked upon me with fear, a look that silently said....Monster. Then without warning the tear convulsed and my hand seized with crippling pain. I fell to my knees in agony, but as quickly as it came the pain left. I laid there in a daze, all the pain of loss I felt drowning me. It was hard to breathe; after a few moments I was able to get back to my feet. Cassandra and I began to walk down the path out of the village. As I walked past them, the people of village would throw rocks and shout insults, screaming for my death. Hasn't there been enough death, I thought to myself. After a few rocks, Cassandra stepped in and got the villagers to leave me alone.
We finally made it to a bridge and Cassandra cut my bonds, mentioning a trial while she did so. Why she cut my bonds left me wondering if she lost some of her wits, because I could run if I wanted. Not that I would, especially when there wasn't anywhere to go.
We continued on our way, walking through the frigid snow, passing many bodies. As we strode along the path, I feared discovering Dag's body, I feared the worse. As we approached the second bridge the veil tear convulsed again and again crippling me with pain. I fell to my knees, waiting for the pain to fade as it did before. Cassandra helped me to my feet and we continued on our way.
We began to cross the bridge when a massive green ball of fire crashed in to the bridge. I felt the bridge give way, sending me and Cassandra plummeting to the ice below. As we laid there in a daze demons came raining down from the veil. There must have been at least twenty. I was unarmed, and I looked to see Cassandra getting to her feet. She looked at what must have been certain death for her, but charged anyway. I frantically looked around for a bow or dagger, but instead I came upon a weapons chest that had a small wooden shield and an iron sword. I quickly grabbed both, and turned around just in time to bash a demon in the face with the shield. It felt good, and helped me to feel better. I felt a rush of adrenaline and smacked the shield with my sword and taunted the demons.
“HEY, OVER HERE! COME AND GET IT!”
And come they did, at least ten. I tried to think of how to stand, unfamiliar with fighting like a warrior. I simply held my shield out in front of me and pointed my sword forward and braced myself. The first three charged me, slamming into my shield. I swiftly shoved them off and brought down my sword slicing one in half. I twirled around knocking three more demons down with my shield. I bought down my sword again on another demon and stomp my foot through a second. I looked up to see that Cassandra was really holding her own as she ran two through at the same time. Cassandra and I battled the demons for what seemed like an eternity, but they just kept coming.
Cassandra and I stood back to back, as more demons surrounded us. Suddenly a battle cry filled with pain and rage rang out. I looked to see where it came from and to my surprise it was Isana, jumping off the cliff into what remained of the demons. She cut through them like they were made of paper, shredding them with her daggers. I charged forward, not wanting her to fight alone. Together Cassandra, Isana and I finished off the remaining demons.
When it was all over, Isana fell to her knees and wailed and cried and punched the ground. I slowly walked up to her, with Cassandra close behind. “Isana are you alright? What happened?” She looked up at me with red puffy eyes that showed she had been crying a lot lately. “My.....son....Maaras…” she said between sobs. I didn't know what to say, so I just hugged her and let her cry. She cried for so long I feared we would become frozen solid in the snow. I pulled away from her and asked, “Isana where is Lyria and that elf she was with?” She looked up at me and frowned. “We got separated again, sod it all!” she replied as she got to her feat and sheathed her daggers. “We have to keep moving, we must get you to the breach,” said Cassandra. I looked at her with an irritated glare but nodded in response. We continued on, with Isana close behind.
________________________________________
Chapter 30
The Rift, Take 1
We continued on, while the cold seeped into our armor, and added to our freezing. The demons just kept coming; how we managed to get through them I will never know. "There are more demons ahead, I can hear the fighting," said Cassandra between breaths. I could hear it too - the clanging of metal, the screams of demons. I could feel the prickle of magic being cast on my skin, there must be a mage nearby. We climbed a set of stairs, breathing hard from battle when we came upon soldiers, an elf and a dwarf fighting yet another group of demons. With my sword and shield at the ready, I charged with all my strength at the enemies and managed to take out one. The other demon in my path managed to evade me and came at me with full force. I put my shield up and braced myself for impact with surprisingly little strain. The demon slammed hard into me, but I managed to shove him down. I saw this as my chance and I ran it through, grinning in satisfaction as it died.
Suddenly my hand was grabbed and pulled towards the rift, causing it to close. I looked over at the elf, and thought he looked very determined. As the rift closed I jerked my hand away, and glared at the elf. He simply smiled which annoyed me more. "How did you know to do that?" I asked him. "I didn't. It was just a theory and one that proved to be correct", he answered with a smile. "My name is Solas and you are?" "I am Ebasit Arvaarad Adaar, but you may call me Bauble," I replied. With an inquisitive look on his face, Solas commented on my name. “Curious.” "What is curious about my name?" I asked, irritated yet again. "Your name ‘Bauble’. How did you get such a name?" He wore a look that said he was studying me. "In my days as an assassin before I became a mercenary, I would wear little baubles on my armor," I replied. "This is very interesting but we all must remember that there is a giant hole in the sky,” said the dwarf, pointing out the obvious. "Oh sorry," I replied as we continued on our way. The dwarf introduced himself with a smile. “I am Varric Tethras by the way, known as a rogue and story teller; although more recently the title of ‘an unwanted fourth wheel’ has been added. As he finished speaking, I heard what could have only been a disgusted noise from Cassandra. It made me want to laugh.
We continued on our way, talking about our backgrounds and killing off more demons in the process. We came upon a man named Cullen and his soldiers and yet another fade rift. We made short work of both the demons and the rift. Cullen, who I learned was the commander of the military forces here, retreated with the rest of the soldiers.
Following the path, we finally reached the start of it all. The breach was far more intimidating up close, and I was looking forward to closing it for good. I looked to the elf, Solas I think he said his name was. “Solas, what do we do? This rift is the biggest, are you sure I can close it?” I whispered to him. With conviction, he answered in the affirmative. “Yes, with the mark you should be able to close this one as you did the others.” I nodded in response and as we made our way down, we heard a deep voice speaking of a "sacrifice". I didn't like the sound of it and hoped to stop whoever that voice belonged to. Leilana and her scouts were already in position and everyone prepared themselves for the worst. Anything to do with the fade always resulted in trouble. “You must open it first and then re-seal it properly,” Solas said with an intent look. Everyone was read, so I aimed the mark on my hand at the rift, beginning the process of opening it. As the rift opened, we had the distinct pleasure of a giant demon and a few of its minions joining us. The battle immediately began, magic and metal clashing with demon flesh.
My companions and I instantly engaged the enemy, cutting down the smaller demons with ease while trying to stay a fair distance from the bigger one. Not being used to wielding a sword and shield, I had to make do. While cutting down a few of the smaller demons, I made my way to the largest demon, a Pride Demon Solas called it, trying to sneak up behind it while it was occupied with the other soldiers. I managed to get close enough and lunged forward, slashing it behind the knee. It roared in pain and anger, swinging around to try and fend me off. As it swung around, it fell to its knees and I saw this as my chance to end the creature. I ran forward with my sword raised high, taking advantage of its current incapacity. When I reached the demon, I brought my sword down, taking off its head; well, most of it, because the head hung from the body only by a thread as it collapsed.
“You must seal the rift! Do it now!” Cassandra yelled. I looked towards the rift, and hoped it would work again. I made my way closer to the rift and raised my marked hand. The reaction was instant and the power surged. It was difficult to keep my arm up, but I forced my way through the pain, knowing what would happen if I gave up.
I concentrated with all my strength and BOOM! The tear in the veil looked to be sealed, but I didn't know this due to blacking out.
________________________________________
Chapter 31
New Beginning
3 Days later...absurd
I awoke to a migraine that made it hard to open my eyes, but I managed to open them anyways. As opened them, everything that had happened came rushing forward, renewing my pain. “My son...my son,” I whispered to myself as I felt tears run down my face. I couldn't believe he was gone, whoever was responsible for the blast would pay. I looked around, finding myself in a cabin; the smell of dog told me I was still in Ferelden. I sat up and felt a thump under the bed I lay on. I bent over and looked under the bed. It was a baby mabari, seemingly no more than a couple of months old, who was chewing on something. I lifted the bed up and grabbed the tiny pup, who held onto what looked like a half made leather gauntlet. I managed to laugh a little, trying to get it from him. I pulled and he pulled, giving me his baby growl. I smiled and shrugged and put down the brown little terror. The pup hopped around and wagged its little nub of a tail, all the while trying to bark with his toy in his mouth. “So where did you get your toy pup, did you take it from a poor blacksmith?” I said with half a smile. He barked again, dropping the gauntlet this time. I bent down to grab it as an elven women came in and gasped. “Oh you little looter! First you steal, then you wake up Andraste's chosen!” she said as she glared at the pup. “Take it easy it's just a gauntlet, and I will make sure the pup doesn't do it again.”
She looked at me, nodded and bowed; “I shall tell Seeker Cassandra you have awakened.” I gave her a nod in response and bent down to pick up the pup; as I did so I could see that it was a male. “So little man, shall I call you Looter? It seems to fit you given what I know of your behavior.” He barked or, I should say, squeaked his approval. “Good, and we are now partners! When you are big enough we will fight side by side! How does that sound, Looter?” He squeaked again as he wiggled in my hand.
I laughed and put him down, and he proceeded to bounce around my feet as I walked. As I stepped out of the small hut, I was greeted by soldiers forming a path with their heads bowed, which made me very uncomfortable. I didn't want to be some chosen one, especially of some god I didn't follow. I could see over their heads and they were making a path that led to the chantry. "Oh joy, I get to go into to chantry", I thought sarcastically. It was a very quiet walk. The only sounds were my footsteps and the sound of Looter not far behind me. I would have to talk to the seeker about this chosen business when I saw her; I did not want to be their chosen one. I certainly do not want to be worshipped in any way, shape or form.
I made it through the front doors and could hear arguing coming from the door in the back. I looked down at Looter who tilted his head with his tongue sticking out the side of his mouth. “You're going to protect me right?” I asked half laughing. He squeaked at me and ran ahead, leaving me to chase after him.
As I neared the door, the arguing voices were much clearer. I heard the Chancellor’s voice and the Seeker’s, arguing about me and the breach. "Leave to chantry folk to talk about everything but what's more important", I thought. I took a deep breath and opened the door, only to be greeted by Templars. "Arrest her before she does anything else to worsen the situation!" said the Chancellor with a sneer. As the seeker immediately canceled the Chancellor’s order, I caught Looter doing his "business" on the Chancellor’s foot. I straightened up immediately and covered my mouth to keep from laughing out loud. This pup was turning out to be a nice distraction from my current pain and stresses.
The Chancellor had finally had enough and walked out, with Looter’s steaming pile of love on his boot. I laughed again to myself as the Seeker and Sister Leliana began speaking to me again. They spoke about how we needed to do something and that we were alone with no support from the chantry. Good riddance I say, the chantry is useless.
“Will you help us restore order?” the seeker asked as she offered her hand. I nodded and shook the hand she held out to me. This should be interesting!
________________________________________