Disclaimer: I am not affiliated to Bioware and cannot claim ownership of any recognizable characters or plot.

V***V

Lyna knew that she should only practice her magic near a healer or the keeper. The rule had been ingrained in her since she was discovered to be a mage at the age of ten. But she thought she had to practice. She wanted to be a halla herder, not a healer, and so she would have to display more control when the time came to test for her vallisin. The gentle and beautiful creatures were always kind to her especially. The craft of healing, however, she found lumpy, cold, and rather impossible. But their clan and others nearby needed healers. It was kind of selfish of her to want to be a herder, but there were four other mages her age in the clan. She had to be the best, only one would be chosen as herder. And so she practiced her chants on the outskirts of the halla den. One of the calves sat on her lap, so it looked like she was cooing to it. She didn't want to practice weaving magic in the daytime, so she would usually wait until night to practice calling to the halla through a connection to the fade. She would need to be a protector of them and as such sometimes she practiced elemental spells. She thought it was harmless, if a little dishonest. But she knew that Maya also practiced without supervision and Lyna suspected that Luca did too.

When it turned dusk on the day of the ritual, the mages lined up mixed in the other da'len ready for their vallisin. The one to be hunters were first, then the craft makers, one of which was Maya, and then the Firsts, which left Lyna standing with Eli, who also wanted to be a herder. There were only two categories left, healer and herder. Lyna knew that her lack of skill would not help the decision, as the Keeper did not like to think in negatives, and so she was nervous. Eli would be a decent healer, he enjoyed helping people and talking with them. He wanted to be with the herd because it seemed like less work, and he wouldn't have to leave. But he didn't understand that herders put the halla before everything, many never bonding or having children. The Keeper knew that, but he knew that Lyna was unpredictable. She was somewhat erratic and overly emotional. A herder had to be stoic and tender. Lyna was naive and controlling. She had kindness in her, but the Keeper was unsure what would have to happen to make that a dominant feature. The Keeper feared that Lyna wanted to be herder because it was easier than learning how to deal with people. Two candidates that wanted it; both because it would be easy, in some way or another. The Dalish was not an easy life. Whichever she picked would think it was. As Keeper, is was his job to weigh the options of putting a hardship on a clan with an unenthusiastic and unskilled healer, versus letting Lyna be spoiled in the first major choice in her life.

Many people got what choice they wanted and some grew to be exceptional. Being misguided in choices and set straight was part of being a da'len. This was the hardest decision he had faced in a while, but he made his decision when Lyna didn't waiver from making eye contact like Eli did. Perhaps she was strong enough to be a herder if she could be brave against the person who made this decision.

"The Herder to our clan is Lyna, and finally, the Healer, who must unfortunately leave us for a clan who needs him desperately, is Eli." The Keeper finally announced. In the background you could hear Lyna's parents issue a sigh of relief and Eli's mother's hushed sob. "For the ones who must leave our clan, you will do so as adults. You receive your vallisin here, where your birth clan will always remember you. Now comes the part where you choose and receive your markings. May the rest of the clan enjoy the celebration, as da'len goes into the land ship and an adult comes out." The clan dispersed. One by one, the Keeper called an elf into her tent.

Lyna was to be second to last and Eli last, as that is the order in which they were called. "Congratulations." Eli said to her. "You were picked over two others that wanted it, that's…" He trailed off.

"Lucky." Lyna supplied. "Thank you for your congratulations." She said with a smile.

"Why do you say it is luck, lethallin?"

"I'm lucky that you're good with people. You will make an excellent healer, Eli. I'm sorry to see you leave, you know." Lyna blushed as she said that. She didn't have any room to say that in the manner she did. She was an awkward, young teen, who was to be a herder. She knew they could never bond, but she had a crush on him.

"I'm sorry to leave you." He said with a knowing smile. "I have to confess that I thought you would become a craft worker if not a herder. I never realized that you were my competition until it was too late to change my preference. I wouldn't have almost forced you to be healer." They kept speaking, hinting at things that they had no right to. She likely wouldn't bond, and he was to leave, but they let themselves share a kiss when they were the only two left waiting to be marked.

Lyna went into The Keeper's tent knowing that he held her no ill-will. Lyna sat in front of the healer with a smile. "What made you chose me, Keeper?"

"I saw a strength in you that goes deep. One needs to be absolute in decisions with the Herd and must know themselves very well. Eli will make a charismatic healer, and may be too rough with the Herd. And I think that you are willing to sacrifice yourself to the Herd."

Lyna blushed a little at the compliments she was being paid. "Am I correct in assuming you want the design of Chilan'nain?"

"Yes." She knew that she wanted to dedicate herself to The Mother of the Halla. Beyond that, the shy creatures reflected her personality. Lyna was a lucky one that didn't have to choose between honoring the god reflecting her job or her personality. "Full design in grey." The Keeper did one line at a time. Cutting the swirl into her forehead and then pouring ink into the wound, catching it with a cloth before it got into her eyes. Lyna bit down on her lower lip, but otherwise did not show any outward signs of the pain. After the healer finished with the part on the forehead, there was a scream outside, shortly followed by somebody bursting into the Keeper's tent.

"What's going on?" The Keeper asked with an authoritative, annoyed, and apprehensive tone.

"There are Templars outside. They sensed magic, and are here to collect the mages. They've killed a hunter." The craft master explained. The Keeper got up and rushed out with his staff. Lyna followed, knowing that she couldn't stay hidden. When she stepped outside, she saw flames burning the land ship of the story teller, meaning that even more of their history would be lost. The flames were not contained to the one spot, spreading across the entire left side of the camp. The group of Templars were attacking from the right side, slowly making the elves edge towards the fire. The terrifying warriors had killed many more than a hunter. Some mages lay dead and some were screaming in pain after the Templar had temporarily cut off their connection to the fade. Lyna quickly brought a wall of ice to stop the destructive flames. Two Templars turned on her, which allowed them to be felled by arrows. Many of the fighters in the clan were unconscious or dead, and so the four remaining Templars turned to her and the keeper after throwing flasks to take care of the remaining rogues. Lyna pulled a heavy force field around herself, unsure what else to do. The non-fighters of the clan were huddled together, scared and confused. The clan let out a collective scream as the Keeper fell.

Lyna knew that she would either have to kill four men herself, men that just took out the majority of the camp, or run. If she ran, they would chase her and leave everybody else alone. She saw an unconscious mage begin to stir and ran before the Templars could kill him for sure. Taking off into the woods was easy, they had lost track of her during their murdering of the Keeper. She let fire breathe through her hands while running, catching brush and raising a lot of smoke. The Templars left the camp to chase after her. She ran, still leaving traces of magic of magic to make sure that they would catch her once she was far enough away to ensure her clan's safety. She tumbled down small cliffs as she went, her only consolation that humans had worse eyesight than elves at night. They continued to chase her for two days before she was caught. She was hungry and weak, but Lyna knew that her clan had more than enough time to hide escape and assimilate with another clan. She let herself be caught. On the third day, just as dawn began to rise, they caught up to her.

They beat her and put her in shackles and kept draining her mana every other hour. When they passed through a town, they humiliated her by leaving her outside, chained to a wooden hold used for horses. She did not cry. Lyna didn't let her tears escape. She didn't show any emotion at all. She did what a herder had to. She literally gave up everything she ever knew or had to ensure the safety of her herd and clan. What hurt Lyna more than any of the insults or things thrown at her was that she didn't know how successful she had been. Her clan was small, many of them were mages. How many mages died versus were simply unconscious?

Lyna hoped that they could make it to a new clan soon; they wouldn't have many supplies or tools. The worst had been seeing her little sister's face. The five year old didn't understand that people lay dead. Or that when Lyna ran, it wasn't to get away, but to save people. Her brother saw everything and likely understood why she ran. If their parents didn't survive, it would be his responsibility to explain it to her. That thought caused her to shake. She was young to be given her vallisin. Mages were typically considered adults earlier, because they had to start training earlier. But she would turn fifteen on the winter solstice, still a year until a mage would typically get their vallisin. If she hadn't insisted to the Keeper, she could have been outside and done more to protect her clan. She could have helped instead of let her Keeper die. Maybe she made up for it by saving what was left of her clan, but that didn't help her feel better.

As the Templars got closer to their destination, they treated her with less brutality, but still very hostile. They began to feed her twice daily a week before they arrived at their destination. Lyna didn't know what awaited her, and didn't know if she could ask. "We should be there by midday tomorrow, girl." One of the less hostile ones told her.

"Where are we going?" Lyna asked with a sore throat, partially form the lack of water, mainly because it was tremendous effort to hold back all of her tears.

"To the Circle at Kinloch Hold. It is where all the mages in Fereldon live."

"How long will I be there?" Lyna asked, unsure where they even were in Thedas.

"Probably for the rest of your life, child."

Lyna heard those words and suddenly felt like she had to vomit. He explained that it was a tower made of stone and she felt even sicker, though she didn't know that was possible. The whole situation seemed to be a mockery. She would have to live like a shem for the rest of her life because she saved her clan. Lyna spent the rest of the trip enjoying every sound and every sight that she may never see again. The young teen considered asking the Templar to kill her. She didn't want to never be able to bury her feet in the dirt and see the sky again. Before she knew that that was what she wanted, they arrived.

Lyna sat in the boat with a dead stare, the color drained out of her face, and the life out of her eyes. When she was pushed inside, some of the mages gaped. She was older than most are when they are discovered. Her robes announced that she was Dalish and the wounds across her body that she was hard to catch. The First Enchanter was impressed. He had seen many mages come in screaming, some come in crying, and even some unconscious ones. Never had he seen somebody come in with such dignity. She was ushered past him and announced to the Templar Commander Gregoir. Irving knew that all mages would have to go through screening before he got to meet them. When Lyna was escorted to the Head Knight to the basement, she realized that none of the other mages they passed seemed injured, so she had that to look forward to, at least.

They stood in a drab, dark hallway. Gregoir led her into a room where a man with a blank stare and a shaved head was doing some type of inventory. The room had robes that Lyna recognized the other mages were wearing. There were many, many blue ones, but less yellow, and even fewer red. She assumed they meant some type of ranking system. "Mark, we have a new mage that needs a phylactery, a set of robes, a journal, and a quill." A thought occurred to Gregoir and he spoke again before the odd man could speak. "You do know how to read and write, don't you?" He asked the elf. She nodded. Gregoir liked how quiet this one was. She seemed rather attentive too, so Gregoir was sure she'd do fine in her studies.

"Here is the vile, Knight Commander." Mark spoke with a dry monotonous voice that Lyna had never heard before. She pushed the disturbing sound out of her head and hoped he wouldn't speak again.

"A phylactery is a vile of blood. It's laced with lyrium. If you ever managed to get away from here, we'll track you down with it. And we will drag you right back. You'll spend time in solitary for any transgressions you do while you're here, running off is the worst one. Do you understand?" Again Lyna nodded instead of speaking. "Hold out your arm." He commanded. Lyna lifted her arm lazily and turned away slightly- she didn't want to see any blood. She felt a hot pain go through her hand and a warm liquid slide over it. "Mark, give her a poultice." Gregoir commanded while putting a stopper in the vile. "Process her, and then give her the supplies. After that, you'll take her to Irving." He said to him and then looked back to the small mage. "Follow Mark's directions. There's a Templar right outside the door, so don't try any funny business. Irving will explain things better for you." He frowned when she only nodded a third time, instead of speaking and then left. In his experience, the quieter mages, though less troublesome, rarely made it through their harrowing. The fact that she is going to have five less years practically guarantees he'll have to burn her corpse someday.

V***V

Lyna had been cleaned, put in robes, her old ones put into a rubbish bin, and given supplies. She didn't like the way these shoes didn't bend with her feet. She would have to wear them down so she didn't make so much noise. The robes, she was apathetic to. They were longer than her old ones, but it was cold inside the stone walls and winter was coming. On the walk up to see the man called Irving, they climbed up several stories, but it felt to her like they were just going around and around. The ceilings were bearing down on her and the walls were unyielding, so unlike the land ships she had been used to. When the odd mage told her they had arrived, she was glad she wouldn't have to walk around this place for very much longer.

Lyna knocked on the door and heard a man with a warm voice beckon her inside. "You're the new mage?" He asked and stood up from behind his desk.

"Yes, I am Lyna Surana of the Medae clan." She answered with a small incline of her head. He was the equivalent of a Keeper here and it wouldn't do to be rude to him. Lyna knew that she would be here for a while, and even if she ever left, she would have to come back here. He was the person in charge of her life, or at least one of two. She was less intimidated by him than Gregoir, however. Gregoir had that terrible power that cut her off from her magic and could use her own mana against her. She never wanted to feel that again. Lyna wasn't sure how far she would go to avoid the pain, but she didn't think she was above much after watching her Keeper die.

"You're going to have to shorten that, child." Irving had seen many mages try to keep their hometown or family. It was always harder for those ones.

"I am not a child. I was an adult by my clan and I will not be treated like da'len around here." She corrected him while taking a seat he had gestured to.

"That is why you have the blood writing, then?" He gestured to her forehead.

"That is why I have part of it. Your Templars interrupted the ritual." She said with a bitter bite. Lyna wanted to be able to be respectful towards him, but she did not want to be treated condescendingly. "I was caught willingly and will remain here so, but you will not treat me as a child."

"Would you tell me the story of how you were caught?" Irving asked, his interest piqued. The Templars that delivered her gave their report to Gregoir and then left. Lyna told him the whole story. She delivered it hastily, leaving out a lot of the parts about how she recognized the corpses or how she let her Keeper die before she distracted the Templars. "I see." He said at the end of her story. "What magic did your clan train you in?"

"Why do you need to know that?" She asked with a small voice, trying to be polite. She didn't want to expose any more of her clan's secrets. Especially not the ones that could lead to the capture of other clans.

"I only ask to see where you are with the studies. Normally a mage will spend ten to twelve years studying as an apprentice. You come as a young adult, and so I ask where you are to avoid putting you in classes in children." Irving explained and saw that she still remained distrustful. "Okay, I will display several spells; you just try to copy them." Lyna nodded to that arrangement and then followed what he was doing. He did basic things only, like creating flames, wisps, things like that. He only tested her in primal and creationism, not venturing into entropy, blood, arcane, or spirit. She did not volunteer any knowledge for fear of further exposing Dalish secrets. She knew that Shemlen held a stigma to blood magic, and she didn't really blame them. It was taught by demons and as such normally involved making oneself a beacon for all of the creeps in The Fade. If they didn't teach the other magic, though… then they were just trying to control their mages by hacking parts out of a rounded magical education. "You're on track for your age. Currently the mages have a break from lessons. Usually there are five days a week when lessons in magic are taught. One day for history of Fereldon, that's taught for three years, and I'm sorry but you'll be with younger children for that when you start. One day for independent studies. This is when you can study in the library, revise your tomes, some of the apprentices hold card games. The day is officially for honoring the maker. There are four different services held that day and you will be expected to attend one. There are also daily readings of the chant and the worship room is open during curfew hours."

"Okay." Lyna was interested in the stories, but she wasn't sure if she could believe in more gods. Especially not ones that looked down on the blessing of magic. "Are there any other rules that I should know?" She asked rather naively. If she only knew about all of the rules.

V***V

PM or leave a Review if you have questions. I take prompts, if you're interested. I update one of my stories every week, sometimes more often. This one is shorter, but I aim for 4,000 words a chapter. I write live and without a Beta, so feel free to politely point out any grammar mistakes. I don't always have chapters this heavy with symbolism. Plot will start churning soon enough.