Dragon Age: Beyond the Dawn

by Gyles

Drake was never a holy man, but they see him as one. Drake was never a leader, but they want him as one. War has stewed across the land and now the sky is falling but the real danger is just beyond the horizon and Drake has seen it first hand. And he'll be damned if he lets this world come apart. M for language and other adult themes.

1. Prolouge

Outside it felt hollow though despite the hoarding crowd circling around, all quiet and somber. Echoing sounds of the Chant began as the revered mother began her benediction.

"Maker give us your a light in the darkness for your child returns to your side."

The boy sits in the front row, his hands trembling on his lap as he looks at the horrid sight of his mother, lying there the pyre. Eyes closed as if she was in a peaceful sleep. Her skin pale as milk, not that glow she would always have, her golden curly locks flanked down to her shoulders like a drapes, never in the brightness of tied ribbons she would make herself, the dress a simple black gown not the fine silks with colorful embroderies she would always be garnished in. No. None of it.

The boy remember the softness of her voice, the songs she would sing to him whether it be a lullaby, or just a fine tune they would sing together in fun. The boy remembered the fond times she would take him to the markets to buy tiny cakes and other treats, she would buy him one and a bushel of others to give to the other children playing outside. The boy remembered every torn in a shirt or trouser, or a stuff animal ripped from day of hardplay, his mother would sew it herself, he remembered the garden they would spend afternoons in, letting the hours pass by. Everything about his mother….was perfect. She was beautiful in every way.

But here she looked tragic...dead.

The boy's sister placed a calm hand over his shaking ones, his sister hold such grace as their mother but it still wasn't enough. Their father remained still like stone his unnerved face staring at his dead wife.

"Ashes we bore for ashes we become…" continued the revered mother. As she spoke, a priest carrying a torch slowly stepped towards the pyre.

A tinge of fear hit the boy's gut as then sees what the flame was intended for.

"NO!" he yelps startling everyone. He leaps from his seat, "Fire hurts! Don't burn her!"

He continue to scream in protest, causing his father to grab him, sweeping him from his feet. "NO! Don't let me see her body burn father! Don't let me see please!" His eyes grew hot with tears as he is then carried away, watching a great flame swarm so suddenly.