Come What May

Chapter 1: The Calling

She shivered with the freezing wind gnawing at her back. She didn't need this cold alongside the superficial wounds she was suffering from. She should have known better than to try getting at the carrion the vultures were picking at across the river; she shouldn't have tried to walk over the slippery rocks, but she had, and because of that she fell into the water and suffered through several falls and was lucky to escape with a sprained ankle and scattered bruises. She was starving and needed meat but she was no hunter - she didn't even know how to fashion anything to hunt with. This place was … odd. She had been here for more than a few days and hadn't seen a single person, but even so, she didn't have the faintest idea how she got here.

"Where the hell am I? It's like this forest doesn't even stop," she muttered to herself in annoyance. Not only was she cold and hungry but now something smelled bad - really bad. She held her nose in protest and gasped when she saw what was causing it. Along the side-path she was following were many cat corpses strewn about, their innards splayed out for any and all to see. The forest was thinning but so was the life that dwelled within it. Edging the road, but making sure not to step on any part of the dead cats, she found dead birds, plants, and a few mice. This place was riddled with death and decay.

Further on she noticed the ground looked burned - it was like someone had set the entire road on fire. Blackened soot covered a rather large portion of the road, it had to be at least 20 feet across on all ends. She stopped to look at it, more out of fear than curiosity. Who had done this? Why would someone set a random patch of the road on fire? She tsked to herself,"Jesus, this shit doesn't make any damn sense."

She inched around what she could but ultimately could not avoid all of the touched area; on one side of the road was scorched and smoldering while the other was very near the edge of a cliff. The trek through was painful because the ground was still smoking - this happened very recently. Her mind kept racing, she kept ruminating about how she got here even though no memory was there. All she really remembered was sleeping in her tent and when she woke up she was in a strange part of the camping area, only it didn't look familiar at all. Some of the animals she had seen were strange.

She continued onward and saw the thickening of trees which only frustrated her further. Was this ever going to end, or was she going to spend the next three days wandering around some abandoned campsite that never seemed to stop? It wasn't as if she hadn't tried her cell phone, the damn thing wasn't getting any service. As if on cue she checked it again but she knew it was dead. She had to charge it every day to get the thing to work but she hadn't seen any stand-alone outlets this deep into the forest, but it made sense they wouldn't be out this far; people weren't supposed to go this far in she bet. But there weren't any signs to show the way to the road. She figured if she could find one of the mountie's lodges she could have them guide her back to her campsite. Why did she have to go camping alone? And why the hell of all places was it in freezing ass Canada?

Something landed in the dirt right at her feet. Alarmed, she checked to see what it was but was confused. An arrow. Its feathered end was still vibrating from the impact. Someone was shooting at her. Before she could imagine why she bolted behind a large boulder just off to her left and flattened her back against it, trying desperately to still her breath. What was going on? Was it a hunter? If it was, why the hell was he using arrows and not a hunting rifle? She heard scuffling around, footsteps, there were more than one of them whoever they were. She heard them getting closer, each step making her heart race and thump inside her chest. Were they coming to check on her to make sure they hadn't hit her, or were they coming to finish the job?

They started talking to one another in a language she couldn't understand, but it didn't sound french. They started speaking English after a moment and started arguing about firing the arrow too soon. One of against the idea and the other was for it - they mentioned something about upsetting the keeper? She crouched as low as she could to veer them off her track, she didn't know what the hell they were talking about but she wasn't going to take any chances that they might want to talk instead of kill.

"We know you're there Shem, so just come out and tell us what you're doing here," one of them yelled,"or we'll come and get you."

She didn't like the tone of his voice. She was frightened and alone while two men were screaming at her. What was she going to do? What had he called her - a shem? What was a shem? Her mind was racing again but this time she was frozen in a state of terror.

"I'm giving you to the count of three and then I'm coming over there to slit your filthy throat. One. Two. Th -"

The other one interrupted him,"We want to know what you're doing here. You aren't supposed to be here."

"I said get out here! Now!" The more aggressive one screamed and then fired another arrow near her position. She gasped at how close it had landed to her. Had they seen her hide? She didn't have time to really think on it before another arrow zipped through the air, grazing her hair and then pierced right into the pine tree just a foot away from her.

Out of terror she shot straight up and yelled,"What are you doing? Are you trying to murder me?"

"I pretty much did say that more than once. Now what are you doing here? Why don't you go back to one of your Shem cities and leave the Dalish alone? I'm sick and tired of your kind polluting the forest with your stench."He spat at the ground after his short speech.

She was confused again - their outfits were strange, and so were their weapons. They were wearing what looked like medieval armor and carried slender elongated bows, they kept them drawn to show they weren't kidding around. Or maybe they were just trying to scare her. She could see they were in some sort of costume after she examined their faces and saw the prosthetic elf ears. She calmed down a bit but still kept her guard up. "What. The. Hell… You're firing arrows at me dressed up as elves? Don't you two have anything better to do that to go around scaring the crap out of people? I have half a mind to call the police and tell them about you."

"We are elves you idiot." The brunette scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"What's the puh-leece?" The blonde one asked in what looked like actual bewilderment.

"Jesus," she sighed,"knock the shit off. I have a phone and I know how to use it."

"What? What's a phone? What the hell are you going on about you flat-eared bitch? We aren't here to play games. You're trying my patience!" The brunette drew his bow higher and aimed it at her but the blonde one settled his hand on the other's arm and shook his head and motioned for him to lower the bow. They both looked her over and gave her and equally confused look. The brunette spoke up again,"what's with your clothes? They look ridiculous, even for a shem. Did you get them out of the garbage heap or did you actually craft those?"

"You two are the ones dressed up for the renaissance festival but I'm wearing strange clothes? Nevermind. I don't care anymore. I'm looking for the mounties and if you can't help me then at least move out of my way and stop shooting fake arrows at me." She made a move to walk past them but the brunette shoved her back so harshly that she fell to the ground.

"You aren't going anywhere, not that way at least. Turn back the way you came or I'll plant one of my 'fake' arrows into your skull."

"God damn it, knock it off! This isn't funny anymore."

"Was it supposed to be funny?" The blonde one asked in genuine curiosity. "Do humans find this sort of thing amusing? That would probably explain your violent nature."

"Fine. Play your D&D game, but do it with someone else. Now can you just tell me which way it is to the nearest park ranger?"

"What's a park ranger? If you're going to speak then speak plain. Use real words. Hell, you damn humans steal everything from us - including our language - and then force us to use this language, and then you go and start making words up. No wonder our two peoples can't get along - we can't even communicate because you hairy walking apes can't even talk right. Elgar'nan save me, this human is a complete moron."

She sighed and didn't even respond. This was clearly some sort of in-depth role playing from a couple of Canadian nerds who didn't want to break character. She did have to admit their acting was pretty convincing considering this was on-the-spot improvisation. She wanted to go the way the boys were but they wouldn't let her pass, again.

"Go back the way you came. I won't warn you again."

"I can't. I've been walking this way for the past three days. I'm cold. I'm hungry and I need to get back to my fucking camp site. Oh but I can't, because two nerds are in my way and are refusing to help me. Enough with this role playing shit already!"

"What's a nerd?" The blonde one asked. "Nevermind. Turn around. Or take the side passage over there. Either way you're not passing us. You will not harass the Dalish."

"Oh Christ almighty… what is a Dalish? What's a keeper? And what the hell is a shem? Do I have to play into your stupid game in order to pass?"

"I've had enough of this bitch. Now she's insulting us by feigning ignorance."

She felt faint, so it was probably a good thing she was still sitting on the ground. She wanted to ask for food but she didn't have the strength. The men were arguing now but she couldn't make out the words with the ringing in her ears. She knew this feeling - she was about to pass out. "Unnnh no," she muttered to herself, as if this would somehow prevent her loss of consciousness. She fell backward and looked at the sky for the brief moment she would be awake and noticed it was graying; it would rain soon.

She awoke to the sounds of rain and chattering and realized she was in some sort of contraption. The ceiling was low and there was hardly enough room inside for the make-shift bed she was lying in. There was a rustling sound and she could hear movement. She turned over to see what it was and was in utter awe of yet another cosplayer, except this time it was an elderly woman. She didn't have time for this anymore, all of it was juvenile and idiotic - why were these people larping? She cleared her throat and hoarsely uttered,"who are you? Why are you dressed like that?"

"I am Keeper Isera. I am the one who tended to your needs. We tried to get you to eat earlier but you were too weak and delirious to do so. Are you from one of the cities? Why did you wander out so far into the woods?" She asked as she handed her a small bowl of clear liquid, though it took her more than one try to get her to take it. The bowl was hot to the touch so she set it in her lap and waited for it to cool off but she wasn't sure she should even drink it - what if these freaks were trying to feed her cat piss or something?

"What is this stuff?"

"It's a lemongrass broth with a few other ingredients, mostly curative like what you humans refer to as elf root. It should help with your wounds."

"What wounds? I don't have any wounds."

"My dear, your body is covered in burns. Did someone do this to you? Are you seeking sanctuary from a torturer of some kind?"

She peeled her shirt back to see she was covered in burn marks. How had she not noticed these for the past few days? Were they even there before? No, these assholes had to be the reason they were there, but they didn't look fresh. "No, you did this to me. You and your larp group did this to me. I'm calling the cops. Give me my damn phone."

The old woman looked at her in confusion for a moment and then turned to her pack behind her, wherein she pulled out an amulet. "Dennan was right about you; your words are strange and you assume a lot of things that are not true... You don't sound Ferelden or Orlesian and you certainly aren't large enough to be from one of the Avvar tribes. Are you from Rivain? Hmm," she paused,"what is your name?"

"What's it matter to you, and what are all those weird places you're talking about? What's with the necklace?"

"It's an amulet of protection. Here, drape it across your neck." She replied and settled the chain in her hands. She clasped her hand shut and left her own wrapped around hers for a time before pulling back and nestling into her chair, and then she just stared. Although the woman's words were kind and well-mannered her gaze was anything but warm; she had the ice cold eyes of a timber wolf and no smile to speak of. Something about her really was giving her the creeps.

"What is your name? I must admit that I am tiring of this charade. Although I suppose it doesn't really matter - you're leaving as soon as you are able. Your trinkets are in a sack next to the cot. Please leave as quickly as possible. The others are growing weary of your presence."

"Look, I've had enough of this game -"

"Is that what you think this is? A game? Tell me human, do you think this entire world is a game? The hunters have known of your presence ever since you wandered into this wood - they've been watching you for three days. You wandered around, fumbling clumsily about and making some sort of feeble attempt at gathering food. You've got to be from the city because you know nothing of the wood or how to gather food. It doesn't matter," she tsked angrily,"you're not welcome here shemlen and you will leave as soon as I deem you fit."

"Why not just make her leave now?" A man asked and flipped open the flap to the caravan-type thing she was in. She recognized him; he was the brunette from earlier.

"It's you." She sneered.

"Aneth ara Dennan."

"Christ, can you speak English? I don't understand you."

"Those words weren't meant for you. Now get out." He said and grabbed her arm, roughly pulling her aside and shoved her out of the caravan. She didn't have time to respond before he pushed her again, towards a path out of the camp.

"Stop pushing me freak; I'm still weak!" She yelled in annoyance.

"Get out. None of us want you here!" He retorted and shoved her again, this time sending her to the ground.

"Enough Dennan. There is no need to be so physical. Just let her pass."

"But Keeper -"

"Shush my child. Ir abelas. Perhaps you two should have left her in the woods afterall. Tarith's soft heart got the better of him the poor dear. He wants to help everyone but he needs to learn not to trust all that he sees." She said softly, her gaze soft and warm as she looked at Dennan but it turned ice cold again when she looked at her. "It appears none here wish to tolerate your company any longer. Please leave."

"What was the point of all that? Why give me this amulet of protection and then have some asshole rough me up and throw me out? Why help me at all if you're just going to treat me like shit?"

"Leave! We won't ask you again." Dennan demanded and drew his bow. No, it wasn't a bow, it looked like some sort of staff. A wizard's staff.

She laughed at what he was doing, now at a point where she couldn't bear this confusing game any longer. She laughed so hard that tears fell from her eyes and wetted her cheeks. "Good God you're all a bunch of embarrassing freaks! Where did you get all this stuff from anyway? Some loser's estate sale? I'm done playing with you -"

"Fenedhis lasa! This is not a game!" He bellowed in seething anger.

She watched as he pointed his staff at her and some strange blue light circled the tip of his staff and swirled around the red stone therein, but the light quickly amplified into a blinding blue fire and came right at her. It was too fast, she couldn't get out of the way, and before she knew what really hit her she felt an icy, throbbing pain in her left shoulder. She breathed in slowly, everything seemed to slow down as she felt the seething pain radiate down her shoulder and into her arm and chest. Tears flowed from her eyes and she fell backward, astonished at what just happened. She gasped,"wh-what… WHAT IS THIS? How…"

She couldn't finish her sentence before she felt another cold blast to the other side of her body, and then heard a clamor of murmuring among the people of whatever clan this was. Some were protesting slightly while others were egging him on.

"Oh my God," she breathed out in pained gasps,"oh my God, how did you do that? What weapon is that? What weapon is that?!"

He looked at her in anger but it soon settled into confusion when he witnessed her wriggling about, gripping both of her shoulders and wincing in pain with shock on her face. He questioned,"how can you not know magic when it's in front of you?"

"MAGIC ISN'T REAL!" She screamed which set off an agonizing cramp in her stomach. "Demons. You're all demons. Satan sent you. This is… impossible. Impossible."

He looked at her with even more of a bewildered look on his face than before. They had to be demons, that was the only explanation aside from hallucination, but this pain was real - she could feel it ebbing its way even further down her body. She felt like she was being frozen alive. She didn't know how she got into this mess, or really what the hell was going on, but it had to be an act of evil. She did the only thing she could think of, which was to pray.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death," she gulped,"I-I will fear no evil: For thou art with me."

"We are not evil. We are not demons." One of the women spoke up but it startled her and coerced her into more fervent prayers.

"In the name of Jesus, I rebuke you spirit of D-Denan," she heaved with great difficulty; it was getting harder to breathe,"I- I command to go directly to Jesus, without manifestation and without harm to me or anyone, so that He can dispose of you according t-t-to His Holy Will."

The one called Dennan had long since set his staff aside and was now crouching over her, as were the rest of the clan, but she was verging on the edge of conscious collapse. She couldn't take this anymore. She was surrounded by demons, or cultists… something was very wrong here and she could no longer stay awake for it. She felt the coldness of unconsciousness grip her and gave in to it. Maybe this was all just a horrific nightmare… she hoped.

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