Journey of an escaped slave
All characters are owned by Bioware, I simply borrow them for my interpretation.
Fenris has been in the camp nestled within the jungles of Seheron since his master had taken the last spot on a ship headed out of the harbor during the Qunari attack. It was the first time he had been separated from Danarius in the decade that he had served him. His primary responsibility to Danarius was protection. He was a fierce warrior, carrying a blade nearly as large as his small frame. In addition, he had special talents that ensured his masters safety. The ability to reach into a man, or woman's body and rip their heart out of their chest while it was still beating tends to make even the most battle hardened soldiers take pause.
That was Fenris' job, protect Danarius, and Fenris was very good at his job. His eyes were constantly on the move, watching for danger, and anticipating the unexpected. His lithe, strong frame was lethal to any person who might have the heart to challenge him. He had yet to find someone that could best him.
The Qunari had attacked during the dead of the night, rolling over the city and destroying all that stood in their way. Danarius was only in Seheron checking on a lyrium trading concern he had there. It was supposed to just be a day or two in the city and the boat they had commissioned would return. However, only hours after their ship had pulled out, Fenris was awoken to the sounds of screaming and fighting as the Qunari terrorized the populace of the city. He snatched his sword up from next to him, where it was leaning against the wall. Standing quickly, he ran to the bed to awake his master.
Danarius quickly pulled a robe over his head while he evaluated the sounds of fighting. He knew they weren't to the little inn they were staying in yet, but it wouldn't be long until they were. If they didn't get to the harbor and on a ship now, they would be trapped.
Danarius was a very powerful mage, and had his pet wolf, Fenris, at his side, but he would never risk his life fighting if the stakes didn't involve his property. The lyrium smugglers here had not been doing well, and in a quick order, Danarius decided to cut his losses and leave the city.
And so, they walked, Danarius, followed behind by Fenris towards the harbor. Danarius had yet to find a threat he felt he needed to run to escape, and he didn't feel today would be the day to start. Besides, he knew that if any trouble were to get to them before the harbor, Fenris would deal with it.
Fenris kept his sword in his hands, ready to deal harsh punishment to any that challenged their passing. His eyes scanned the darkened corners of the buildings and doorways. He peered into the alleys, adrenaline surging through his taut body with anticipation of the fight to come. Other people had heard the sounds of fighting and had escaped into the street looking for the source. Twice, they had ventured too close to Danarius, and Fenris had stricken out with his sword each time without a word from Danarius. One quick pass of his blade and the offending person fell. The dead men were left in the street, without even a glance or second thought from either the mage, or the warrior.
Reaching the harbor, there was only one ship still at dock. Several ships stood out in the water burning. The flames sent sparks flying through the air, and Fenris could see several sailors, in the water, swimming towards shore, but they would find no refuge here. One Qunari ship had fire in the sails, and the deck was buzzing with activity as they attempted to extinguish the flames. Apparently one of the burning ships had managed to set the Qunari tactics against them, before they completely abandoned their ship. For the moment the Qunari were busy, and that was the only reason Danarius escaped that night.
They ran down the dock, Danarius calling to the captain of the vessel near the end of the dock. Fenris kept his mouth tightly shut, still surveying the scene for possible dangers. He knew it was not his place to speak unless he was specifically told to do so, and he also knew that to break this expectation would result in very harsh punishment before he could even explain why. His place was to keep his master safe, and that is what he would do.
The sailors threw a rope overboard, and Danarius had to jump into the water to grab ahold of it. Fenris saw him jump, and tensed, eyes scanning the water, waiting on him to resurface. A sigh of relief escaped his mouth, only once he saw his master safely about the vessel. He sheathed his sword on his back and prepared to jump into the water, but heard shouts coming from the ship. Danarius was nose to nose with the captain, screaming that they had to get Fenris. The captain was gesturing to the Qunari ship, fires now extinguished, heading towards them. Fenris knew if they had any chance of escaping they had to leave now. He watched as his entire masters frame seemed to droop, and then Danarius called to him, "My little wolf, stay safe, and hide. I will return for you."
Fenris panicked, screaming in rage, "No!"
"Please, my pet, run now. I will be back for you." Danarius said, then turned his back on Fenris, and moved below decks.
The little elf stood, heart pounding while panic flooded through his body. He was going to be separated from his master and there was absolutely nothing he could do about it. He watched in horror as his masters saving vessel pulled away. He had lost his charge, his job. With Danarius out of the reach of his protective arm he felt useless, and lost. Fenris had never been separated from Danarius in the entire time he had served him. The elf traveled everywhere with him, and Danarius had been so kind as to offer him a spot at the foot of his bed to sleep. Fenris had taken comfort in knowing he had a purpose to serve, and aimed to do so better than any had ever served before him, and in that, he had succeeded, until now.
Confusion overtook his brain, and he spun on the docks. "Where do I go, master? What do I do?" Fenris spoke aloud, with only himself to answer. He had never led, only followed, right on Danarius' heel. He didn't know where to go, or even what direction he should go in. He didn't understand what major blunder he had committed that resulted in Danarius leaving him. His mind fled through the events of the last few days, trying to find the moment he had let his master down, so that he could understand why he had been abandoned. He couldn't think of a single moment in which he had acted in any way other than the ways he had been taught were acceptable for him.
So, Fenris did as his master last requested of him, and he ran. He ran back down the still dark streets they had walked over shortly before. He ducked into darkened alleys, and jumped over anything that stood in his way. He heard the sounds of the fighting in the distance, but the sound was softer, so he knew he was headed away from the bulk of the battle. He ran until his breathing was labored, and his legs were screaming with fatigue, and then he ran some more. He lost track of time, but eventually the first light of the morning was shining behind him and he knew he had to find a place to hide, for to be found by the Qunari army during the day would mean a certain death.
He found an old barn, abandoned if he could judge by the dusty smell that invaded his nose when stepped inside. He shimmied quickly up the rotting ladder, nimbly avoiding the missing rungs, and let his eyes scan the empty loft for any kind of cover. He found none, however, he did find a window, the glass pane long gone. Balancing himself carefully, he was able to climb onto the flat, thatch roof. He carefully made his way to the center of the roof, which should be very difficult, if not impossible to see from the ground, and after checking that it was still sturdy, laid down. It would be hot, and it would make him itch uncontrollably, but for the moment he felt safe. It was there that he let his misery overtake him.
Fenris did not cry. It was unacceptable for a slave to cry and would result in very harsh, painful punishment. However, tearless sobs wracked his body and his entire frame shook violently, causing his teeth to smash together painfully. The sun was high overhead before the shaking subsided and Fenris fell into an emotionally exhausted sleep.
A/N - I expect this to spawn 10 or more chapters, This is the story of Fenris, from the day Danarius left him on the docks of Seheron, to the day he met Hawke. I hope to show how his ideas of how life could be lived are changed through his ordeal.