Marked with Shame
Chapter 1
Bioware owns rights to all characters.
Mirra Tabris, warrior, city elf, mostly paragon, straight black hair in ponytail, black eyes, rated mature for adult content, language, and eventual Leliana femslash. Some AU for story and dialog, but not much. Disturbing physical violence in this first chapter.
"Wake up cousin. Why are you still in bed? It's your big day." Shianni said, attempting to wake Mirra from her slumber. Mirra tried to keep sleeping. Go away, Shianni. I'm having the best dream.
"Come on! Don't make me use cold water again. You do remember what today is, don't you?" Shianni said as Mirra drags herself out of bed. I've been trying to forget all month.
"Someone's wedding?" Mirra asked, looking downcast.
"A double wedding. You're getting married, and so is Soris! That's what I came to tell you! Your groom, Nelaros... He's here early!"
Unless he's got breasts and is missing a few key parts, he's not my type. I was hoping I could find a way out of this. "Already? Then I guess I don't have a choice."
"That's the spirit, sort of... All right, I'll stop tormenting you. Oh, Soris said that he'll be waiting for you outside. So move it!" Shianni left.
Mirra went to her trunk and pulled out her wedding dress. She couldn't believe how much father paid for it. She looked at it with sad eyes. If only she had told him about her inclination towards the softer sex. But no, she thought it would break his heart. He had his heart set on grandchildren. She took off her sleeping clothes and put on the extravagant dress. She combed out her hair and pulled it back into her usual ponytail, showing off her ears. If this Nelaros fellow doesn't like it, too bad. She decided to go ahead and put on her purple eyeshadow. She didn't have much left. She would miss it when it ran out. She had found the half used pot in the Denerim market. Some shem noble had dropped it.
She left her sleeping area and found her father waiting in the kitchen.
"Ah, my little girl. It's...the last day I'll be able to call you that. Oh, I wish your mother could have been here!" He was wearing his best tunic, and had braided his hair as he did when mother was alive.
"Me too, Father. Well, what should I be doing?" Mirra asked, trying to sound convincing. Would I have been able to tell mom? I don't know.
"All right, time for you to go find Soris. The sooner this wedding starts the less chance you two have to escape." If only you knew, father.
"Thank you, Father."
"Oh, one last thing before you go, my dear. Your martial training... The swordplay, knives, and whatever else your mother trained you in. Best not to mention it to your betrothed."
"He'll find out sooner or later." Very soon indeed if he pushes his marital privilege too soon.
"Later. Definitely later. We don't want to seem like troublemakers, after all. Adaia made that mistake."
"The humans who killed her made a bigger one."
"Our world is full of so many injustices. Here, take these. You mother would have wanted you to have them." He handed Mirra a pair of very well made boots. They weren't fancy either. These were the kind of boots you made long treks in, and they looked like they could take some abuse.
"Thank you, Father."
"Go on, then. I still have some things to do, and Soris is no doubt waiting for you."
Mirra left him to work and headed out into the alienage. She had to walk to the opposite end of the alienage to find Soris, not that it was all that big. The shems hadn't given them much room to work with, not considering the large elf population of Denerim.
"Well, if it isn't my lucky cousin. Care to celebrate the end of our independence together?"
"Getting cold feet, Soris?" Mirra asked him.
"Are you surprised? Apparently, your groom's a dream come true. My bride sounds like a dying mouse." Want to trade? I can enjoy my marriage, and you can have lots of manly conversations with your husband. "Great. I'll spend the next fifty years with a 'nice' girl who hides grain away for the winter... Let's go introduce you to your dreamy betrothed before you say 'I do'."
Mirra heads towards the Vandenahl, where the alienage stage was located. Unfortunately there seemed to be some trouble. Some humans in fine clothing were bothering the bridesmaids. One of them grabbed Nola, a pretty brunette.
"Let go of me! Stop, please." She shouted. He lost his grip on her and she took off running past Mirra, who started looking for a useable weapon.
"I know what you're thinking, but maybe we shouldn't get involved." Soris said to her. The humans were making pigs of themselves. Time to show them the error of their ways.
"Objection noted. Now get out of my way." No weapon. I'll have to do this the hard way.
"Fine. But let's try to be diplomatic, shall we?" Unlikely to work, but what the heck.
"What's this? Another lovely one come to keep me company?" The human was referring to Mirra now.
"Dream on, human." Mirra said straight to his face.
"Do you have any idea who I am?" He asked her.
Mirra was considering her options when Shianni took care of it for her, smashing the human over the head with a bottle. Thank you, dear cousin.
"Are you insane? This is Vaughan Urien, the ark of Denerim's son!" One of the other humans said. Oh no...
"W-what? Oh, Maker..." Shianni said, holding her head in her hands.
"Look, things got out of hand." Mirra switched to diplomacy mode.
"You've a lot of nerve, knife ears. This'll go badly for you." A shadow formed instantly over Mirra's vision. She forced herself to calm down. Luckily the shems left with their fallen lordling.
"I really screwed up this time." Shianni said.
"It'll be all right." Soris said. "He'll never admit an elven woman took him down."
"I hope so." Shianni said. "I should get cleaned up." She walked towards her dwelling.
"Is everyone else all right?" Soris asked as a pair of elves walked up to them.
"I think we're just shaken. What was that about?" The female of the pair asked.
"Looks like the arl's son started drinking too early." Soris added nervously. "Um, well let's not let this ruin the day. Uh, this is Valora, my betrothed." He gestured toward the lady. Mirra thought she didn't look as bad as Soris described, though not spectacular by any means.
She looked to the man next to her and her heart dropped. Darn. Nelaros was a handsome man. It was a shame she was pulling him off the market. It really was a disservice to some woman who could be truly happy with him at her side. Father, you really shouldn't have. Couldn't you have found some nice, ugly elf for me to marry? It really would have been the best option. Urgg. Time to be nice, after all, I'm going to be seeing a lot of this guy.
"Then this handsome man must be Nelaros." She said to him.
"I'm a lucky man to be so warmly welcomed." Nelaros answered.
"I'm sure you two of you have a lot to discuss." Soris said before leading Valora away.
"Well, here we are... Are you nervous?" Nelaros asked.
"Not really, no." Not about the wedding, nor about you, maybe about everything that follows.
"I thought I'd stay calm, but finally seeing you has made me... Well, let's just say I'm not calm." Nelaros told her.
"Come on, Cousin. We should let them get ready." Soris said from behind Mirra.
"We'll see you two in a bit. Don't disappear on us." Valora said.
"Or we'll come find you." Nelaros finished as they walked off. Oh, father. Couldn't you have used a cheaper matchmaker?
"Don't look now, but we have another problem." Soris said.
"Is it Vaughan? Has he returned?" Mirra asked, turning to look.
"Another human just walked in. Could be one of Vaughan's or just a random troublemaker. Either way, we need to move him along before someone does something stupid." Soris told her. A well armed and armored human entered the far side of the square. He was dark skinned and had a full beard. His armor looked very good, and well enough worn to demonstrate his skill. Mirra could tell by the way he carried himself that he could handle himself if necessary. Maybe if he had been here earlier Vaughan wouldn't have been so bold, though, knowing Vaughan, probably not.
"One human shouldn't cause too much trouble." Mirra said, not really wanting to confront him physically.
"I'm more worried about some of our boys. Wine is flowing, and I don't think we want another incident."
"Right, let's go talk to him."
"Let's do this quickly." Soris said. They head across the square to the visitor.
"Good day. I understand congratulations are in order for your impending wedding." The dark stranger said. More polite than normal for a Shem.
"Thanks, but please go. I'd rather avoid any unpleasantness." Mirra's said.
"What manner of unpleasantness might you be referring to?" He asked.
"The alienage just isn't a good place for humans to be. We just had an incident involving the arl's son, and some of the elves are on edge." Mirra pleaded.
"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of leaving." He answered.
"Fine, maybe we can compromise." Mirra's said.
"She keeps her composure, even when facing down an unknown and armed human. A true gift, wouldn't you say, Valendrian?" The human says as Valendrian, the leader of the alienage, joins the group. Oops.
"I would say the world has far more use of those who know how to stay their blades. It is good to see you, my old friend. It has been far too long."
"I'm sorry, I had no idea..." Mirra's started.
"I was hardly forthcoming. I apologize." The stranger said with a nod.
"May I present Duncan, head of the Grey Wardens in Ferelden." Valendrian added.
"Why would a Grey Warden come here?" Mirra's asked.
"The worst has happened; a Blight has begun. King Cailan summons the Grey Wardens to Ostagar to fight the darkspawn horde alongside his armies."
"Yes, I had heard the news. Still, this is an awkward time. There is to be a wedding. Two, in fact." Valendrian said.
"So I see. By all means, attend to your ceremonies. My concerns can wait, for now." Duncan replied.
"Very well. Children, treat Duncan as my guest. And for the Makers sake, take your places!" Valendrian told them.
"Please, do not let me interrupt further. We shall speak more later." Duncan added before walking off.
"Ready, Soris?" Mirra asked. I know I'm not.
"Let's go". Soris answered without much enthusiasm.
They mounted the stage in the center of the Alienage. Valendrian and the human Chantry sister were already there, along with the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
The ceremony had just gotten started when a large group of humans entered the square, headed up by Vaughan himself. Oh no. Mirra's started looking around for a weapon. Damn wedding dress.
"Milord? This is an unexpected surprise." The chantry sister said after she was aware of his presence.
"Sorry to interrupt, Mother, but I'm having a party and were dreadfully short of female guests." Vaughan said as he mounted the stage with long strides. A shadow drew across Mirra's vision.
"Milord, this is a wedding!" The sister exclaimed.
"Ha! If you want to dress up your pets and have tea parties, that's your business. But don't pretend this is a proper wedding." Vaughan said with a laugh. "Now, we're here for a good time, aren't we boys?"
One of the other shems answered, "Just a good time with the ladies, that's all." They were all laughing at this point. Mirra's lips formed a thin line.
"Let's take those two, the one in the tight dress, and...where's the bitch that bottled me?" Vaughan announced.
"Over here, Lord Vaughan!" Another announced next to Shianni. Damnit. Why didn't I bring my weapons?
"Let me go you..." Shianni started.
"Oh, I'll enjoy taming her. And see the pretty bride.." Vaughan glanced back at Mirra, who was glaring daggers at this point.
"Don't worry, I won't let them take you." Nelaros said.
"I won't let them take Shianni." Mirra said.
"Ah, yes...such a well formed little thing." Vaughan added.
"You villains!" Nelaros said, though Mirra thought it was fairly obvious by this point.
"That's quite enough. I'm sure we all want to avoid further unpleasantness." Vaughan said inches from Mirra.
"Take me, but let the others go." Mirra told him.
"That wouldn't be much of a party then, would it? Oh, we are going to have some fun." Vaughan said, then hit her with the perfect uppercut, rendering her unconscious.
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Mirra woke in a room with the girls that had been snatched. The room looked like a room in a noble's estate. Fancy drapes and expensive furniture. No windows. Very solid door. Mirra didn't like it at all. Damn it. Not fast enough. She was annoyed at herself for not anticipating the punch.
"Oh, thank the maker you've come to. We were so worried." Shianni said once she pulled herself off the floor.
"That human is going to die." Mirra said.
"Glad you've still got some fight in you." Shianni said.
"They locked us in here until that bastard is 'ready' for us". Valora said.
"We'll kill the first human who comes through that door." Mirra said with conviction.
One of the other ladies did not share her confidence. "But we're five unarmed women, what makes you think we can kill anyone?" Mirra rolled her eyes. "Look, we'll do what they want, go home, and try to forget this ever happened!"
"She's right. It will be worse if we resist." Valora said. Mirra was not impressed with Soris' bride to be.
"It will be worse if we don't!" Shianni said.
"Someone's coming." One of the girls said.
"Be quiet. Don't do anything until I say." Mirra said. A group of guards entered the room. The head of the group was a huge man more than six feet tall made of solid muscle. He had several scars across his face, some of which looked suspiciously like fingernail marks.
"Ello wenches. We're your escorts to Lord Vaughan's little party." The huge man said.
"Stay away from us!" Nola said before she was cut down by a massive swing from the huge man's sword.
"You killed her!" One of the other ladies said.
"Ah suppose that's what happens when you try teachin whores respect. Now, you grab the little flower hidin in the corner. You two take the homey bride 'n the drunk. Me 'n the rest o' the boys have been instructed to take the pretty scrapper 'n break her." Mirra didn't like the sound of that at all.
Shianni tried to resist, but two guards easily overpowered her. "Cousin!" She yelled as she was dragged from the room. Once the door was shut the huge man approached Mirra, dropping the lower portion of his armor on the way.
"Don't resist too much, love. I'd hate to have to kill you. Not that it matters much to my pecker. Yeh'll still be warm for a while."
Mirra's vision went red. She waited until he was the perfect distance away, then kicked quickly. His 'pecker' as he called it, took the brunt of the impact, and he went down with a thud. The other four guards rushed her and slammed her to the ground. Mirra saw stars for a minute. They held her there until the huge man was able to speak. It took several minutes.
"You... Bitch." He said finally, spit flying from his mouth. "You're going ta remember this." He pulled himself up. "Each of you grab a limb 'n spread her wide."
"No!" Mirra said, vainly trying to resist the four men, but each of them outweighed her. She had no hope against them. Each grabbed an arm or leg then forced it straight. They pinned her legs at an angle way past comfortable. The wedding dress tore in several locations. She was completely helpless. She thrashed against their hold.
"Good." The huge man said. He kneeled between her legs and reached up to the neckline of her dress. Mirra was shaking back and forth, trying to pull an arm free. No, no, no, no! He ripped her dress straight down the front, tearing her underclothes with it. She was completely naked. Mirra had never felt this exposed before. Tears were pouring from her eyes as she tried to pull free again and again. "That's better. Now she's starting to look like the whore she is." He paused, watching her squirm. "Needs somethin else. Somethin permanent." Mirra's eyes went wide, and her skin got even more pale.
The huge man got up and walked to the fireplace. He pulled a poker from the stand. "This'll do." He said, then stuck the tip into the fire. Mirra fought against her captors desperately for the next few minutes to no avail. The huge man pulled the poker out of the fire and looked at it closely. It was glowing orange. "Perfect." He said, then walked back over to Mirra. "Hold 'er still, boys." The guards holding her arms leaned on her shoulders with all their weight. Mirra froze as she listened to the searing metal get near.
The huge man dragged the blazing hot poker over the skin on her chest. The pain was excruciating. The searing sound was horrific. The smell was nauseating. Mirra screamed until she was hoarse. Tears were pouring out of her eyes. Her muscles were completely useless against her attackers. After only a minute he was done, and Mirra felt completely ruined. The word 'WHORE' stood out in perfect burned and bleeding detail on her upper chest. The marks in her skin would stop smoking soon, but the marks in her mind would last a very long time. "Now to tear her the rest o' the way." The huge man dropped his trousers.
The door opened. "Ah said ah didn't want to be disturbed!" The huge man yelled over his shoulder.
"Excuse me." A small elven voice said. Soris! The huge man turned his head in shock.
"Lookie here, boys. Little elf found hisself a sword." The huge man started to chuckle.
The guard holding her left leg let up a little bit. Mirra quickly yanked her limb free and kicked across her body at the guard holding her right arm, who crumpled when her foot connected with his head.
"Mirra!" Soris tossed a sword at her, then pulled out a crossbow. Mirra grabbed the sword with her right hand.
"Sod." Several of the guards said at once. As Mirra dispatched the last two guards still holding her Soris put an arrow through the guard at her leg. The huge man was still trying to pull his pants back up. Mirra pulled herself up, tears still pouring from her eyes. Her vision was still red. Her legs, arms, and chest should be killing her, but she couldn't feel anything. The tattered remains of her dress billowed around her as she stalked towards the huge man, who finally pulled his pants back up.
"Come on whore, show me what ye've got." He was trying to get into some kind of fighting stance. Mirra whipped the sword through a quick arc upward, splitting his pelvic bone, along with most of the fleshy bits in that area. The huge man fell over backward howling in pain, trying to hold himself together. Mirra planted one of her feet upon his chest and looked directly into his face.
"It is a kindness to kill you now." Then she split his throat all the way through to his spinal column. He bled out in seconds.
Soris looked at her with wide eyes, then quickly looked away. Mirra looked down at herself, then wrapped the shreds of her dress around her as well as she could. Her tears were still falling. "Don't tell anyone about this." She told him.
"Never." He answered.
Mirra found the smallest guard and removed his armor. Soris checked the rest for anything useful. Mirra took the man's shirt and pants as well. While Soris guarded the door she changed into the clothes and armor. She moved stiffly through the process of pulling the clothes over herself. The pain and outrage still burned through her mind, along with the realization that she could never show her body to another person. The shame would destroy her. The blood on her chest instantly soaked through the shirt, and it stung. The armor hurt when she draped it over her chest, but she would need it for vengeance she was to enact. The huge guard had a large sword that Mirra decided to use two handed.
"Let's go get the rest of the girls, Soris." She told him before walking out the door.
"Nelaros is down the hall. Duncan gave us his sword and crossbow. We think they took the rest of the girls into Vaughan's chambers."
Nelaros had been killed before they arrived. Mirra found a wedding band in his pocket. She was instantly sad. If only he had been promised to someone else, he would have been a fine husband to someone other than me.
They met guards and bodyguards on the way to Shianni and the rest of the girls. None of them stood against the vengeance embodied within Mirra. Her new sword cleaved a bloody trail through the palace leaving none living. In time they found Vaughan and his cronies standing over Shianni. She did not appear to be enjoying herself. Mirra's eyes narrowed to slits.
"My, my. What have we here?" Vaughan said.
"Don't worry. We'll make quick work of these two." One of his fellow lordlings said.
"Quiet, you idiot. They're covered with enough blood to fill a tub. What do you think that means?" Vaughan yelled at them.
"You will die, very soon, I think." Mirra told him.
"All right, let's not be too hasty here. Surely we can talk this over..."
"You really think you can talk your way out of this? I'm going to mount your head on my wall!" Mirra growled at him.
"Bah! I always regret talking to knife ears! Now I'll just have to gut your ignorant carcasses, instead!"
The battle didn't last nearly long enough for Mirra's satisfaction. Male shems are a Blight upon this earth. Vaughan's head rolled into a corner.
"He... He's dead." Soris said. "Tell me we did the right thing cousin."
Mirra glanced at Shianni on the floor. "At least Shianni is safe now."
"Cousin?" Shianni was talking to her. Mirra kneeled by her side. Soris went to look for the other girls.
"Shianni, are you ok?" Mirra asked.
"Don't leave me alone...please... Please, take me home." Shianni pleaded.
"I'm with you Shianni"
"Did you kill them?" Shianni asked.
"Like the dogs they are, Shianni." Mirra answered.
"Good, good.". Shianni noticed the bloody shirt under Mirra's armor. "Did they hurt you?" She asked.
Mirra's face flushed. "Don't worry about that. How are you feeling?" Mirra asked
"Just take me away from here, please." Shianni asked. Soris showed up with the rest of the girls.
Mirra crouched and picked Shianni up. They walked to the Alienage like that.
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Valendrian and Duncan were waiting when they reached the Alienage.
"You have returned. Has Shianni been hurt? Where is Tormey's daughter, Nola?" Valendrian asked. Mirra put Shianni on her feet.
"Nola didn't make it. She resisted, and..." Valora started.
"They killed her." Shianni finished.
"Nelaros, too. The guards killed him as well." Soris added.
"I see. Would the rest of you ladies please take Shianni home? She needs rest." Valendrian said resignedly. Valora and the others led them off, leaving Mirra and Soris. "Now tell me, what happened? How badly are you hurt?"
"Vaughan's dead. He left me no choice. I am fine, I'll pick something up at the store." Mirra answered.
"Then the garrison could already be on their way. You have little time." Duncan said.
"We may need to leave Denerim for a while." Mirra said.
"The guards are here!" An elf shouted.
"Don't panic. Let's see what comes of this." Valendrian said.
Five well armed guards walked towards them.
"I seek Valendrian, elder and administrator of the Alienage." The lead guard announced.
"Here, captain. I take it you have come in response to today's disruption?" Valendrian said.
"The arl's son lies dead in a river of blood that runs through the entire palace. I need names, and I need them now." The guard said.
"It was my doing." Mirra announced. My life is over anyway, no need to ruin Soris' as well.
"You expect me to believe one woman did all of that?" The guard said with disbelief, glancing at the blood coating her armor.
"We are not all so helpless, Captain." Valendrian said, looking him in the eye.
"You save many by coming forward. I don't envy your fate, but I applaud your courage. This elf will wait in the dungeons until the arl returns. The rest of you, back to your houses." The Captain said loudly.
"Captain... A word, if you please." Duncan interrupted.
"What is it Grey Warden? The situation is well under control, as you can see." The Captain said.
"Be that as it may, I hereby invoke the Grey Warden's Right of Conscription. I remove this woman into my custody." Duncan said. Can he do that? Mirra looked at the shocked face of the guards.
"You can do that?" Mirra asked.
"Son of a tied down... Very well, Grey Warden; I cannot challenge your rights, but I'll ask one thing, Get this elf out of the city, today." The captain was glaring at Mirra, who was elated and confused at the same time.
"Agreed." Duncan said.
The Captain stalked off muttering something about dropping standards in the Wardens.
"You're with me now. Say your goodbyes, and see me when you're ready. We leave immediately." Duncan told her.
"Understood." Mirra said before turning to Soris.
"Thank you, you really saved my hide back there..." He said.
"I did what was right. I expected a quick trip to the gallows, I didn't want to take you with me." Mirra told him.
"As you always do. Well, I'd like to follow your example. No more daydreaming. I'm settling down. Valora's a good woman, and she has ideas on making life better for everyone here. Your father had the women take Shianni back to your place. Will you see her before you go?"
"Of course." Mirra said.
"Good luck, cousin. You've been my hero since we were kids. It's just official, now. Umm...". Soris looked uncomfortable. "I hope you don't scar." Soris added too low for the others to hear. Mirra nodded, then turned to Valendrian.
"Well, I guess Duncan got his recruit after all." He said.
"It was not my choice, elder." Mirra said.
"No, I wouldn't think so. Hopefully the rest of the world treats you better than this place. Goodbye, young one, and Maker keep you." Valendrian said before leaving to see to Nola's father.
Mirra first headed to the Alienage store to see Alarith. He wasn't open yet, but she banged on the door long enough that he opened.
"Mirra? What do you want?" Alarith asked, peeking out the door.
"Alarith, I need a few items desperately. After I get them, I would suggest staying closed today. I made a mess of things in the palace. The guards are likely to be unhappy for weeks." Mirra said
"Ok, come in. Let me know what you need."
Mirra picked up some pants, a new shirt with a high neck, some new underclothes, and a large poultice specially treated for burns.
"What do you need that for?" Alarith asked.
"You don't want to know," Mirra changed behind a curtain, wincing as she pulled the shirt off her fresh wounds. Then she applied the poultice and put her new clothes on.
When she came out from behind the curtain, Alarith handed her several healing potions. She looked up at him with confusion in her eyes.
"They're on the house. I can smell the blood from across the room." He said.
"Thanks Alarith. Good luck, I might not see you again." He nodded at her as she walked out of the shop.
Mirra headed quickly to see her father, who was standing outside their home.
"If this is what the maker has planned for you, then I guess it's for the best. Your mother would have been pleased." He said, though he looked quite sad.
"I hope so." Mirra said.
"Take care, my girl. Be safe. And wise. And... Well, you know. We'll all miss you." He said.
"I'll miss you too, father." Mirra said as she headed into her house.
Valora was waiting for her. "There you are... Thank you. For me, for Soris, for everything. Shianni is waiting for you in the back."
"You're welcome, Valora. You take care of Soris, now." Mirra said.
"I will. Thank you again." She left.
Mirra walked around the corner to see Shianni. She seemed in better spirits than before.
"You took all the responsibility for what happened. You're amazing, you know that?"
"I did what had to be done. How are you doing?" Mirra asked.
"I'm... All right. As far as the others know, Vaughan just roughed me up a bit. I just don't want them treating me like some fragile doll." She sighed. "I love you, cousin. I know you'll make us proud out there."
She hugged Mirra hard. Mirra took a sharp intake of breath. "What did they do to you, cousin?" Shianni asked with concern. She could feel the large bandage on her chest.
"Nothing to concern yourself about, Shianni. I'll miss you." Mirra said. Shianni looked at her dubiously as she walked away.
Once out of her house she ran back to Duncan. She knew she had taken much longer than he intended.
"Are you ready to go?" Duncan asked.
"I am." She said.
"Good. We leave for Ostagar immediately." He answered.