Hello there fellow DA fans. This is my first attempt at creative writing EVER, so please be kind. Would love to know what you think, so please review! Contructive critisism welcomed, but please be kind! Disclaimer: Bioware owns Dragon Age and all that entails (hopefully this wouldn't offend them!)
Alistair,
My Congratulations once again on your joining the order, welcome to the Grey my friend. I am sorry to depart so soon after your conscription at my hand. With darkspawn amassing in the south, I fear we will need all the recruits we can muster in the days to come. A tourney is to be held in Highever, and the name Roland Gilmore has been mentioned to me by the Teyrn himself. I would be a fool to miss it. I will depart Denerim soon and will hopefully return with others that match your potential. I expect you to keep at your training; Gregoir has consented to assist you where he can, though perhaps not under the table this time.
May the Maker watch over us all
Duncan
Hurried footsteps and a heavy sigh were the only warnings she had before her thin wool blanket was whipped off her and she was forced to open her eyes. Standing over her was her cousin, brown eyes twinkling with the wide grin spreading across her face. 'Wake up!' The intruder demanded, 'it's your big day!' Without waiting for a response, the fiery red head leaped forward and pulled her cousin from the bed, over balancing in her enthusiasm and landing them both on the floor entangled in the mangled bedclothes.
She mustered up a reproachful glare, before demanding; 'Did I oversleep?' while stifling a yawn. She had spent the previous evening running the drills that her mother her taught her, something she always did when she was nervous or frustrated. Somehow she had ended up drilling into the small hours of the morning, which she regretted only slightly now. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and felt her cousin stiffen beside her. She let the silence stretch between them, arranging her features into innocent curiosity. 'Shianni..?' She quietly prompted. 'You do remember what today is don't you?' She could see the worried disbelief creep into her beloved cousins features, and the young elf couldn't help goading her a little further.
Pushing back her equally flame coloured hair; she pretended to ponder the question. 'Hmmmm, well I'm guessing you're not looking for Tuesday as an answer… Someone's wedding..? She answered eventually. 'A double wedding!' came the exasperated response, 'you're getting married and so is Soris!' Shianni practically screeched
At this her resolve crumbled and the soon-to-be-wed elf collapsed in a fit of giggles. Shianni blinked rapidly in surprise, not one to be so easily fooled. 'Cliodna Tabris, by Andraste's ass, you are so going to get it!' With that said, she launched herself once again at the blushing bride and began to tickle her mercilessly.
A small cough put a stop to these shenanigans a little while later, their squeals no doubt having brought the owner of the house to them. Cyrion merely raised an eyebrow at the pair of young women, sprawled on the floor, red faced and grinning wildly.
The appearance of her uncle, reminded Shianni why she had woken her cousin in the first place. 'That's what I came to tell you! Your groom, Nelaros… He's here early! Clio shot a wide eyed look at her father, who smiled down at his only child and gave her a small nod.
Shianni had kept talking; as she was want to do, oblivious that her cousin was not hearing her any longer. 'Oh and Soris said that he'd be waiting for you outside.' Giving Clio a quick jab in the ribs to ensure she had heard at least this 'So move it!' And with a wink Shianni practically skipped from the room, leaving father and daughter alone together.
Disentangling herself from the bedclothes, Cliodna ran her fingers through her shoulder length hair before crossing the room and burying herself in her father's chest, allowing herself to feel like a child this one last time.
'My little girl' he said as he stroked he hair, he pulled back to look down at the face of the bright young woman his daughter had become. 'I wish your mother could have been here.' This remark caused her to look down and bite her lower lip before replying in barely a whisper, 'I know, me too.' Then steeling her resolve, she met his gaze once more and asked 'what should I be doing?'
'Time to find Soris. The sooner we get him wedded, the less chance you two having to escape' he gave her a mock stern look and wagged his finger. This having the desired effect caused a giggle to escape his daughter's lips. She shook her head and made to leave, still smiling.
She dressed, in simple clothing, not wanting to ruin the dress she had sewn herself for the ceremony. Just as she pulled on her mother's old leather boots, her father put a hand on the shoulder. 'One more thing before you go, my dear.' She turned back to her father and took in his serious expression. 'Your martial training…' he seemed unsure of where to go with this so she cut him off 'It doesn't matter' Relief seeped into his features and he opened his mouth to go on. Knowing his pain, Clio wrapped her arms around Cyrion and simply said 'I know Papa.' She kissed him on the cheek, shot him one last smile and ran from their home to find the elusive Soris.
It wasn't supposed to be this way. She was a bride. She should be happy, there should be laughter. She should be about to start her life with the wonderful man she had met. She should be wearing white.
She looked down at her gown. It was a delicate lace, not as fine as what the Shems would wear perhaps. But still the most beautiful garment she had ever owned. And it was red. Ruined with red smatterings, spattered with darker patches of red. She didn't much care for red.
They stumbled back to the Alienage in silence. Shianni gripped her hand tightly, it would have probably have been painful if she could feel anything. But as it stood she was numb. So numb she had yet to notice how violently her cousin was shaking as she struggled to put one foot in front of the other. Soris watched them both anxiously, the two strongest people he had ever known, now somehow broken.
On entering the Alienage he noticed the dark-skinned shem who had armed him talking in hushed tones to the Elder. On seeing their approach Valendrian took in the group before him and noted the absences. He then asked Soris' newly wedded wife to escort Shianni home. The group dispersed leaving only himself and Cliodna. 'Now tell me,' the Elder spoke softly 'what happened?'
Soris opened his mouth, dreading what he needed to say and really not knowing how to phrase it, when Clio suddenly snapped back to herself and saved him the trouble. 'The Arl's family just got a bit smaller.' She spat, fury radiating from her, making Soris snap his mouth closed and wince. 'Then the Garrison is most likely already on its way. You have little time.' Remarked the shem. 'Soris. To Shianni. Now!' She whirled around at him, something feral in her eyes that caused him to run.
Having hidden himself behind the Vhenadahl he saw the City Guard enter the Alienage. He watched the calm composure of the Elder and the heated retorts from the shem guard. Then he watched in horror as she stepped forward. No! She wouldn't, couldn't, but she obviously had. To save him. To save Shianni. To save them all. The shem that had known the Elder then stepped forward also. He also remained stoic, even as the face of the guard turned a deep red with fury and jabbed a finger at Clio before throwing his arms up. Was that defeat? He spat one last remark at them both before retreating.
Soris watched; leaning up against the tree of the people as she looked up at her shem saviour, giving a curt nod before speaking quickly to Valendrian. Then she fell into step beside the man they had only met that day, as they left the Alienage together.
He watched her retreating back, tears swimming in his eyes. A flower that she had twisted into her hair for the earlier celebrations, caught in the wind and sailed over to where he stood. He bent to collect the bloom, still pure white, unadulterated by the horrors she had lived this day.