She had never been afraid. Not before and not since. Only that one time. That one time when the horned mage had trapped her, away from her brother. He had charged the mage, his shield infront of him, roaring as he raised his sword above his head. He had cut of the mage's head, but it had been too late. The sarebaas had released a energyexplosion that had caught her in a white, bright light. When it had been over, everything had been black.
She had heard her brother cry out. Screaming in fear, not for something he was afraid of, but it had been a scream so haunted by the fear for a loved one. She had felt him kneel beside her, take her in his arms, pressing her against him. She had whispered his name, her voice hoarse and broke. Pain had wreaked her body and she, too, had cried out. Her brother had rocked her slowly, whispering that all would be okay. She had heard him, but her sight had never been there.
She had felt strong arms wrap around her. A voice had spoken to her. It was not a voice she had heard before, and she had tried to get free. Terrified. The man had continued to speak to her. Gently had he whispered trivial things. Things like 'everything will be alright.' and 'you'll soon be safe.' She had asked after her brother, but she had never heard the answer.
She had awoken in a soft bed, cloth covering her eyes. 'There is nothing more I can do.' a man had said, whispering as if he didn't want her to hear. 'I am sorry.' She had heard a low howl, a tormented scream and she had stirred, sitting up. Footsteps had approached the bed, someone had taken her hand. 'Rosalynn..' her brother had murmured, 'I'm so sorry!' Someone else had aslo approached the bed, placing a hand on her arm, 'My name is Hawke,' he said, 'and I will do anything in my power to help you!'
Kirkwall was almost empty, its denizens safely tucked away in their homes. A auburn-haired, sweet-faced young woman was sitting on a bench outside the Keep with a massive black mabari by her side, panting in the moonlight.
The woman sighed, crossing her arms over her chest, leaning her back against the smooth surface of the Keep's wall. The mabari whined and nugged her on her knee.
"Restless, boy?" she asked the dog, reaching out a delicate hand to stroke the mabari's back.
The dog barked, wagging his stubby tail at a figure appearing from around a corner. The figure smiled when he saw the young woman and her dog, waving as he approached them.
"Rosalynn!" he called out and crouched, gestured to the dog to come. The young woman rose as the dog darted to the young man, licking him on his cheek.
She smiled as she heard the laughter from the man, and she brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear.
"John!" she smiled, taking a few steps towards the sound of him and Loke, her beloved mabari.
"Have you waited long?" he asked as he rose, walking towards her. He hugged her, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"I don't know.." she mumbled but a disapproving whine from Loke told her that she had.
"I am sorry.." John answered, taking her hand, "The templars had a little problem I needed to resolve." His brown eyes were haunted and he pulled his free hand through his short, black hair.
"You can tell me." she smiles, her grey eyes glistening in the moonlight.
"I'd rather not." John mumbled, "You don't need the gory details."
She laughed, following John as he lead her up the stairs leading to the Keep's courtyard. And John glanced at her, sorrow tugging at his heart when he saw her eyes. It was his fault, and would always be his fault, that she become blind.