The Summons
There was a storm coming, one of the last to shatter winter and usher in spring. It was a night to lull by the fire, leaving the howl of the wind without, but there would be no rest this night for Maric for a letter had appeared on his desk that afternoon.
This was a summons he had been dreading, but one he could not ignore. One did not make hollow bargains with her kind. She had done more than give aid, much too much, and he now regretted the impetuousness of his curiosity that led him to seek more than he should.
Going through the gardens and over the wall had been easy enough. Between the darkness and the wet weather, few were out wandering the streets, preferring to carouse in the Gnawed Noble, or whatever other tavern they could find berth in.
Maric wended his way among the labyrinthine alleys until he reached his destination. He walked into the Pearl, his hood casting a shadow across his face.
He approached the proprietress, speaking in a low tone, "I am here to meet someone…a woman…?"
At these words, the smile that had been gracing the woman's face became strained and she beckoned for Maric to follow her down a side hall. As if rehearsed, the woman stopped at the door on the far end and rapped on it with her knuckles three times. A dark, languid voice replied, "Come in."
When Maric entered, there was a cheery fire and a woman sitting in a chair beside it. Her hair was like spun silver in the flickering light and it fell down the center of her back in one perfect braid. She did not turn her head, but continued to stare into the flames, "You considered trying to run, didn't you?"
"Doesn't everyone?"
"Yes, but the consideration lasts only a moment before they actually do it. I did not have to hunt you. Instead you came to me. It is…gratifying…and somewhat disappointing at the same time." These dark, molasses words stuck in his ears.
"I am a man of my word."
"Yes you are…who does that remind you of?" she asked off-handedly.
This confused him, "Should it remind me of someone?"
"No…forgive me, I was looking forwards from behind. It is an occupational hazard of sorts. I saw the one who will come after you…he is a man of his word too…or he will be…"
"Cailan?" Maric said hopefully.
"Yes and no. I did not lie about Loghain. I warned you but you did not heed me," she chided.
He shrugged, "I can live with the well intentioned betrayals the he dispenses."
"Not all men can live with betrayal, some will not live and some will not forgive…" she sounded weary now, "but that is of no concern to either of us. You made a promise and you are here to keep it. Come, the ship to Wycome waits in the harbor…though our destination is farther afield."
This story was written as part of the Cheeky Monkeys of Dragon Age "Consequences Challenge" that was organized by Perahn. The stipulations of the challenge were as follows: the story must be between 400 to 500 words long and you must utilize two Dragon Age characters, one place and one question that are provided at random from the other participants in the challenge.
My required parameters were:
Flemeth (from Hot_Elf)
Maric Theirin (from alexmancer)
The Pearl (from MidnightMoonCat)
"Who does that remind you of?" (from Oleander's One)
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