Blood dripped from her fingers as her twin blades scythed through his throat, severing his head from his body. Blood jetted from the stump of his neck, a macabre red shower. Even as he lay dead, blood pooling around his corpse, Faelyn fell to her knees plunging her blades into his chest once more.
A ragged sob broke free from her throat, both terrified at what she could do and that she'd been too late to stop her cousin from being raped. She had used the skills her mother taught her to steal, to sneak around and remain undetected, but never once in all that time had Faelyn taken a life.
Vaughan was not the first person she had killed today, but he was the last. His death and the horror he had wrought were the straw that broke the druffalo's back. Like Shianni, Faelyn would be forever changed by this day.
She cried for a moment, briefly mourning Nola, Nelaros, and all the elven women who'd entered these halls and came out changed or dead. She would have time to mourn after she got everyone to safety.
With her tears drying streaks in the blood on her face, Faelyn stood with a new determination. A new purpose. Get Soris, Shianni, and the others back to the alienage and the families that cared for them. Keys in hand she released the other women, leading them through the manor and out into the streets.
Back-alleys and shadows hid the group from prying eyes, while sharply whispered words kept the noise down. Finally the gates came into view, freedom and prison all in one.
As soon as she was able she changed out of her bloodstained wedding dress and into a long tunic and breeches. The same people who had just recently congratulated her on her well made match were now staring solemnly as she silently mourned her almost husband.
Even if she hadn't been propping up--almost dragging--Shianni, she wouldn't have had the strength to carry Nelaros back with her. Faelyn slipped the ring he gave her on a cord with the one he'd been wearing when she found him.
She'd cried all her tears and as they dried on her cheeks Valendrian approached, the human--Duncan?--in tow.
He gazed at her with sorrow written across his features. "Thank the Maker, you've returned. Has Shianni been hurt? Where is Nola?" The look in her eyes said it all before Valora could speak.
Tears flowed anew from Valora's eyes and her mousey voice quivered as she spoke. "Nola didn't make it. She resisted and..." She sobbed unable to finish her sentence.
"...They killed her," Shianni finished, her voice oddly calm after her ordeal. It was clear she was already repressing what had happened in the manor.
Soris rested his hand on Faelyn's shoulder, pity in his eyes. "Nelaros too. The guards killed him." Were she not physically and emotionally exhausted, Faelyn may have broken down again. But she didn't, her limbs felt heavy and light at the same time, as if she were floating in water.
Valendrian nodded. "I see... Ladies, please take Shianni home. She needs rest." Shianni almost protested but the dead look in her cousin's eyes stilled her tongue. With a nod of understanding she allowed herself to be led away. Valendrian returned his attention to Faelyn and Soris.
"Now, tell me what happened." His steely eyes bored into theirs, his sorrowful gaze sweeping their faces.
After a moment she spoke, her voice flat. "Vaughan's dead on the floor like a mongrel." She met the keeper's eye and held his gaze. "He didn't deserve to live. What he did to the women before us... Monsters like that need to be put down."
Valendrian shook his head, sorrow melting into worry. "Maker preserve us all."
After watching the exchange silently the human spoke, his voice calm. "Then the garrison could already be on its way. You have little time." His knowing eyes briefly scanned the two of them, assessing them.
Faelyn raised her eyes to meet Soris'. "We might need to leave Denerim. Wait until this is over." She almost hoped she was right. Almost.
Keeper Valendrian shook his head sadly, sighing. "That it has come to this. I loathe to see either of you harmed."
There was a commotion at the gates as a dozen armed guards marched in, their arrival heralded by a red-headed boy, not yet sixteen. Soris turned around, his features wrought with panic.
"Calm. Don't panic." Their keeper's low voice broke through. "Let's see what comes of this." Silently the group watched the guards approach, the soldiers' mail clinking as they marched.
As they came to a stop, the captain spoke. His voice rung in the silence that had fallen over the alienage. "We seek Valendrian, elder and administrator of this alienage!"
Valendrian stepped forward, his chin raised, almost in defiance. "Here, Captain. I suppose you are here about today's disruption?" He enquired, his voice even and calm.
The Captain was taken aback. "Do not pretend ignorance, Valendrian! You won't stop justice from being served." His piercing gaze scanned the gathered elves. "The Arl's son lies dead in a river of blood that runs through the entire palace!" He raised his voice for all those gathered to hear. "I need names and I need them now!" The captain's grey beard quivered with barely controlled rage.
Knowing there was only one way to end this, Faelyn squeezed Soris' hand and stepped out of the crowd. "It was me. I did it. I killed Vaughan and all his lackeys!"
The guard captain laughed--actually laughed. "You honestly expect me to believe that one woman did all that?" With the way he looked she may have well claimed to be Queen Anora.
"We aren't all helpless, Captain," she replied, her voice lacking it's normal vigor.
"You save many be coming forward. I applaud your courage." He pulled from his belt a pair of handcuffs and proceeded to lock Faelyn into them. The cold metal bit into her wrists, but she didn't care. She'd done one last good thing. She saved Soris from this fate.
"Take her to the dungeons to await the Arl's return. The rest of you, back to your houses! There's nothing more to see here!" The captain near bellowed, his voice echoing. His instructions cleared the area quickly, no one else wanting to be led away in cuffs as well. Soon, only the guards and the original group remained.
Before she could be led away, a heavy hand fell on her shoulder. looking up, she saw Duncan offer her a small smile before calling to the captain.
"Captain? A word, if I may?"
With and exasperated huff the guard turned. "What is it, Grey Warden? As you can see," He swept his arm out, gesturing, "everything is well under control."
The Rivani nodded. "Be that as it may, I invoke the Right of Conscription. I remove this woman into my custody." Faelyn stared in muted awe, having been unaware that the Grey Wardens could do that.
Faelyn didn't know what to say. Or do, even. She swivelled, her emerald gaze locking with the older human's. "You can do that?" She murmured, her voice barely loud enough to be heard.
Soris nearly exploded with excitement, his cousin was going to live! "Ya hear that?!" He almost shouted. "You can't touch her! Let her out of those cuffs!" Somehow he was still standing there, instead of running around the alienage shouting the news.
The look on the guard captain's face was priceless. "Son of a tied down..." he exclaimed, continuing with a sigh. "Very well. I cannot challenge your rights. I ask only that you get her out of the city. Today."
Duncan's grip on her shoulder tightened momentarily, before he let his hand fall, nodding to the other man. Seemingly satisfied, he guard captain unlocked the cuffs and turned to his men.
One of the armored men spoke up then, "Captain, Ser, if this is settled, shouldn't we focus on damage control? The news will be getting out any moment now."
The captain nodded. "That is true O'Connell. Move out!" The assembled group watched as they marched out of the alienage, tension easing from their muscles.
Faelyn, relieved as she were, couldn't help but feel nervous. Only rarely had she heard of the Grey Wardens, and almost never an elven one.
Duncan turned her to face him, his amber Rivani eyes locking with hers. "You're with me now." His voice solemn, as if her knew what it was like to leave home and family. "Say your goodbyes and see me when you're ready. We leave as soon as I've gathered the horses."
Faelyn nodded, her heart constricting at the thought of leaving the only home and family she had. "I understand," she muttered, her normally confident voice meek.
"I know it is hard, but do not take long. I agreed to have you out of the city forthwith."
She turned to Soris, still by her side, always her friend. He pulled her into a tight hug, not wanting to let her go. "Thank you. You saved my life back there."
She stifled a chuckle against his chest. "I did what was right... what any would do for family."
It was Soris' turn to chuckle as he pulled away. "Always valiant. It's time to follow your lead. I'm done with daydreaming. I'm settling down with Valora. She has ideas. She'll make lives easier here. For everyone." His eyes glazed as he remembered what had happened. "Will you see Shianni before you leave?"
At her nod, he pulled her back into his arms. "Good luck cousin. You've always been my hero, its just official now."
Walking slowly, Faelyn took time to bid everyone farewell. She shared a tear filled hug with Dilwyn, her aunt, not by blood but by bond.
"Maybe this is best," Dilwyn whispered as she pulled away. "Now go see Cyrion, he's worried to bits."
Her shoulders slouched as she made her way home, slipping through the door. Her father's eyes lit up upon spying her.
His voice cracked, tears lining his eyes. "If... if this is what the Maker has planned, then it's for the best. Adaia would be proud." Cyrion smiled sadly, gazing at the daughter that looked so much like his late wife.
Faelyn nodded, her throat constricting. "I hope so."
Cyrion pulled her into a hug, placing a kiss to her hair. "Take care, da'len. Be safe... And wise. And--know that we'll all miss you." Pulling away, Faelyn planted a kiss on his cheek, a single tear falling.
She disentangled her arms and went to her room, wrapping her meager possessions into a tight roll. With a smile over her shoulder, she walked to Shianni's door.
A soft knock announced her to her cousin, who wasted no time folding herself into Faelyn's arms. It was a sorrowful embrace, each knowing what was going on, yet neither having the guts to say it.
With a shaky breath, Faelyn pulled away, holding Shianni's hands. "I have to leave soon."
A nod was the only response. As Faelyn made her way to the door, arms wrapped around her midsection. "There's something I need to say first. Whenever I needed you, you were there. What happened--" she drew a shaking breath. "It was beyond anything I'd have expected of you. When it was at its worst, there you were with fire in your eyes." Shianni's voice took on a near reverent tone. "It was like something from a storybook. I'll never forget that. I love you. Make us proud."
She twisted in her cousin's arms, kissing her forehead. "I love you too, Shianni."
Deep breath, she thought, keep walking. She had no more tears to shed, nor energy to give voice her sorrow. She hugged Keeper Valendrian as she came to him.
Duncan stood by his side, three Ferelden Forders standing idly by him. "Ready?" He inquired, his voice soft.
She choked back the lump in her throat, squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. "Yes."
"Good," was the response. "We leave for the Circle immediately." He handed her the reins to her mount, a tall bay gelding, before lacing his fingers to help her mount. She sat unsteadily as she waited for him to mount his gray mare.
The horse stepped forward, the lurching gait nearly unseating her. With a mischievious twinkle in his eye, he chuckled, "You'll get used to it. Squeeze with your thighs and hold the reins loosly. He'll follow me and Kara."
Still holding the lead to the last horse, it's saddle pilled with supplies, they set out. Soon Denerim was growing smaller as they travelled westward toward the banks of Lake Callenhad and the Circle Tower.