A/N: Hello, internet! It's been a while! I have recently gotten back into writing, and I am very excited. I've been on a Dragon Age kick lately, and have had this story in the back of my head for the last couple of months, and thought "Eh, why the hell not?" I feel as if I should explain some things before we get going. This particular story will be one, of two. I am hoping this one will be a bit shorter, as this is the back story, to the main one I will hopefully be getting into. The main one will be a romance, eventually. Because of my OC's age in this one, it will be not.
This one will follow the Dragon Age Origins game, whereas the next will follow Inquisition. I wanted to write this one before I started my main idea, so you can get acquainted with the characters ^.^
Happy reading!
Someone was in the ruins.
I had been following the small group for some time, hidden in the shadows so they would not be aware of my presence. They were getting dangerously close to the clan now, but I was still unsure of their intentions.
"Are we sure this even the right way? The barkeep didn't seem very sure of his directions."
The group consisted of two men and one woman, all of whom were human. It was strange to see them so far out in the Brecilian Forest, as many were too frightened at the prospect of the hidden dangers the forest held.
"We should be getting close. This is a smaller clan, as far as I could tell. However, any Elven clan that will trade so openly with humans is worth checking out." The shorter of the two men replied.
I silently raised an eyebrow. So they were indeed looking for the clan, as I had feared. The woman scoffed before readjusting the staff attached to her back. Mage. I hadn't encountered many outside of the clan, but she piqued my interest. They all did in fact.
The taller of the two men carried what looked like a very fine sword and shield. His chain mail looked like it had seen better days, and his blond hair was sticking on end. The shorter looked more refined, with a great broadsword across his back. His dark hair was neatly trimmed to his head, and his face was lightly dusted with a couple days' worth of hair.
The woman was wearing, if you'd even call it clothes. It was nothing more than a dark red piece of material that stood between modesty and shame, the only embellishments were the many necklaces that hung around her neck.
"It just seems quiet…too quiet." The blond one said slowly, as he looked around.
"Oh, is the great Grey Warden afraid of a couple of shadows?" The woman sneered, sending a look towards the man.
"Hush, Morrigan. Leave Alistair alone." The dark haired human shook his head as they continued down the small path.
I shifted slightly from my crouched position. I was up high enough in one of the trees that my movement could be mistaken for wind in the leaves. I wondered why they would be seeking out the clan. It was true that they had stopped a mere couple of days ago to trade for essentials, but surely that was not out of the ordinary? Roused from my musings, I silently descended from my hiding spot, and continued to follow them at a distance. I was far enough away that I could only hear murmurs of their conversations, but I still had them in my sight. Suddenly, without warning, a fireball was released in my directions. I quickly flattened to the soft forest floor to avoid getting hit.
"What was that?" The one called Alistair said nervously.
"We are being followed. We have been for some time, but I could not be sure until now." Morrigan responded, taking her staff into her hands. The other two brandished their weapons, survey their surroundings.
Shit. I had thought I was being more careful in my pursuit.
"Show yourself. It would be harder for you, should we need to set this wood ablaze."
Silently cursing, I slowly got up from the ground, holding onto my daggers as I did so. Slowly, as to not frighten them, I stepped around the trees, and into their line of sight.
The group looked ready to jump into a fight. Realizing that fighting was not the best option, considering how close we were to the clan, I holstered my daggers and held my hands up, slowly moving forward.
"That's far enough!" Alistair barked. I raised a brow, but complied, slowing to a stop.
Morrigan scoffed, putting her staff back on her back. "Tis but an elf, and a small one at that."
"Yeah, but she could be a….sneaky….assassin…thing."
Sneaky assassin thing? I bit my lip to keep from giggling. He may look like a big warrior, sure didn't sound like one.
Chuckling, the shorter man put his sword away before stepping forward.
"Hello, there! You must be a part of the Veranni Clan, am I correct? My name is Calum Cousland. This is Morrigan, and Alistair." He said, nodding to his companions. Alistair seemed to deflate a little from his aggressive stance, but tension was still present in his posture. However, he put the sword and shield away none the less.
Lowering my hands, I place a hand on my chest. "Ashlanni, but you may call me Ash."
Now that the initial tension had gone, I moved closer to the group, still keeping a good amount of distance between us. "Why do you seek out the clan? It is not usual for humans to willingly seek us out, "I paused, "Unless you are hunters, come to seek the treasures of "filthy knife ears"?" I all but spat out that last bit. It was what shemlen's called us, and I had heard it a few times in our travels.
"Maker, no!" Calum chuckled nervously. "We seek aid. Alistair and I are Grey Wardens, and we seek to end the Blight. We were told of a clan that had recently been trading with humans, and had some information of interest. We were hoping they'd be willing to offer some aid…" He trailed off, his right hand coming to rub the back of his neck as he spoke.
I was silent, as I pondered his words. It was indeed unusual for shemlen to willingly seek out the aid of the Dalish, however with the recent amount of attacks from what I learned where called Darkspawn, perhaps a trade was in order.
"Very well. Keep your weapons sheathed, and I shall guide you to them. Follow me."
I swept passed the group, knowing that they would follow. While the one called Alistair stood at the back of the group, the other two had no problem keeping pace. We walked on silently for a couple of moments, before Calum spoke.
"How old are you, if I may ask? You seem a little young to be a scout."
I gritted my teeth before answering. "I am a few months shy of fifteen."
"Maker, but you are a child! Why would the Dalish allow one so young to be by themselves?" Alistair exclaimed.
Not wanting to divulge too much information, I looked over my shoulder at him. "We Dalish may be few, but we are strong. I am a capable woman, so why would I not look out for my clan?" I answered, being as vague as I can. My heart sped up a little. I wasn't lying, but I wasn't being truthful either.
"But you are a child, how could..."
"Enough, Alistair. It would not be prudent to rile up those we seek aid from?" Calum cut him off with a laugh. Alistair grumbled under his breath, but said nothing more. Morrigan remained silent as we continued through the forest.
It was another few moments before I could hear the distinct chatter from the clan up ahead. I slowed my pace, and finally came to a stop just before we entered the camp.
"This is where I leave you. You shall find Keeper Cadis over near the red aravel. Remember what I have said about your weapons."
Calum nodded. "Thank you…Ash was it? I appreciate the help." He took my hand and bowed. I stiffened at the gesture. Shemlen were odd. The group turned and entered the camp. The hunters stationed just inside brandished their weapons, as I knew they would, demanding who they were. After a moment of explanation, the hunters cautiously allowed them to enter, following close behind. I crouched, and snuck my way around the far side into camp, making sure that no one saw me. I quietly made my way to the red aravel, and crouched down. I could see the party as they were led to the Keeper Cadis. Cadis was a kind woman, the only one to really ever show me an ounce of kindness, without sneering. He face was covered in red ink depicting the design of Mythal, and her grey hair was just above her shoulders. She turned to great the party, a look of surprise on her face.
"Well, this is certainly unexpected. Welcome, I am keeper Cadis. What brings you to our encampment?" She asked, politely. Like before, it was Calum that took charge.
"My name is Calum Cousland. I am a Grey Warden, as is my companion Alistair. This is Morrigan. We come seeking aid against the blight, and we were told that you may have some information that could help us."
Keeper Cadis frowned as he spoke. "I suppose that is a just cause for traipsing about the forest in search of us. Tell me, how did you find us? Our scouts had taken many precautions in keeping us hidden."
"We met one of your scouts, "Alistair pipped up "Ash, I think she said her name was. Small, bright red hair, and sharp stabby knives."
I grimaced as he said my name. I shouldn't have introduced myself.
"Ash, you say?" Keeper Cadis mused.
"You see, keeper! Instead of watching out for threats, she led them right to us!" One of the hunters spat with malice. I cringed, and I could feel my face heat up with shame. Some of the clan had no problem with expressing their hatred of me, while most would just rather pretend I didn't exist. It was only the word of the Keeper that kept me around.
"Hush, Elgen. They hardly seem to be a threat. You are dismissed." Keeper Cadis said calmly. Elgen and the other, whose name I had forgotten, left with one last look of distrust. Keeper Cadis smiled at the trio.
"You must forgive him, we have not had many happy encounters with those outside of our clan."
"There is nothing to forgive. These times are dangerous, and you can never be too careful with who you trust." Calum said gravely. There was a look of sadness in his eyes as he said so. As if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.
"How true." Keeper Cadis said with a thoughtful look on her face. "Now, what is it that you wish to discuss?"
Calum straightened before he spoke. "There was a barkeep in Lothering who said that you might have some information on a great weapon that could potentially aid in our fight against the Darkspawn."
Keeper Cadis smiled. "Perhaps. Though it may not be as you think."
"Please, anything you could offer, we shall gladly take." Alistair all but pleaded. Keeper Cadis' smile grew.
"You may regret saying that." She chuckled. Turning, she looked over her shoulder, peering through the forest as she did so. I crouched a little further down, hoping that she wouldn't see me. I breathed a sigh of relief when she turned back to them.
"However, tis not I who you should be speaking to."
The trio exchanged a look, before Calum cleared his throat. "Then who shall we seek out?"
Shaking her head, Keeper Cadis sighed.
"Perhaps you should be speaking to the shadows."
The men looked confused at her words, and Morrigan raised an eyebrow.
"Ashlanni, perhaps you'd like to stop hiding in the shadows and join us?"
Shit. I was in trouble.
And there we have chapter one! I am so excited to be writing again. I am not sure when the next time I will be able to update will be, but I am hoping it will be soon! Please leave me a review and let me know what you think :)