Prologue - Crackling and Low Whispers

Boots skidded through mud as the wounded human fled through the forest. Clutching her waist, she forced her body forward as the rain pelted against her paling face. The full moon was hidden behind thundering clouds, engulfing the forest in darkness. Lightning strikes were her only source of light on this fatal night. If she stopped the once noble woman would be struck down by the hungry blades of the pursuing Templars.

Many mages she'd known had already been slain during her escape. The whereabouts and safety of her friends were still unknown. The twenty-eight year old pushed through the leaves and dirt, hoping to stumble across them. She had no idea how long she had been running now, the only thing she was sure of was that she wouldn't be able to keep running for much longer.

Lightning erupted above her, striking a nearby tree. She lost her footing and stumbled several paces forward. Suddenly her foot sunk into the mud causing her whole body to lurch forward and crash into the forest floor. Dirt and grime seeped into her wounds. Crying out she clasped her hands around her waist. She refused to die here. Gritting her teeth she threw her hands forwards in the dirt and dragged herself forward, freeing her feet.

Shouting could be heard in the distance. She needed to move quickly. Using all her strength she kept on dragging herself forward as she tried to get her footing in the sludgy ground. Her body felt waterlogged and heavy. Her breathing came out in ragged gasps. Her dark auburn hair plastered to her face as she tried to look ahead of her.

"There it is! This way!" bellowed a voice behind her. The Templars. The woman heaved herself forward, grabbing onto anything that would assist in her pulling herself forward and away from her enemy. Her face fell into the mud several times as she crawled. Her side felt like it had been ripped in two. Something grabbed the worn collar of her shirt and heaved her backwards onto her knees. Cold metal pressed against her throat. She was defenseless, wounded and exhausted.

Her lips trembled as she gazed up to her executioner. The lightning overhead silhouetted his body across her, burning the image into her mind. He pulled back the sword ready to make the final blow. A sob ripped from her throat as she clenched her eyes shut. She was going to die here in the rain covered in dirt. Awaiting the final cut of the sword she turned her hands into fists. But the blow didn't come. A cry tore through the air as the Templar was thrown backwards by a bright glowing light. She fell forwards back into the mud. Screams erupted around her as she covered her head with her arms. When all had quietened down and only the sound of the storm remained she felt a gentle touch at her shoulder.

Gazing up she looked into the eyes of one of her own kind. The middle aged mage pulled her up onto her feet. When she drooped forwards he placed his arm around her. He led her away from the battleground. After a few steps her body couldn't hold herself upright anymore and gave out. The mage hooked his arms under her legs and carried on through the foliage. She lost consciousness to the warmth of his body as he carried her into darkness.

...

Crackling and low whispers filled her ears. The tired mage felt like she was being consumed by fur as her fingers stretched out over the soft blankets covering her body. Slowly opening her blue orbs it took her a few moments before a yellow glow became clear on the cave ceiling. It flickered occasionally, making the shadows dance from the rocky surface. Turning her head to its source she watched two people warming their hands by a campfire.

The closest was a middle aged woman with grey hair pulled back into a bun. Her features were soft in the fire's warm glow. She smiled to something the other person had said. He was her savior she remembered. He had white hair with a large bushy beard. He laughed a good hearty laugh and turned his body more towards the younger woman. His laugh stopped short as he noticed that she had awoken. He smiled as he nodded to her.

The other woman made her way over to her and gave a kind smile. "Hello my girl. How're you feeling?" she spoke softly.

After a moment she tried to speak up but only a croaky sound was the reply. Clearing her throat she tried again, "Rough… thank you, for saving me." They both smiled to her in gratitude.

"Name's Ned and this lovely lady is my wife, Sandra." He chuckled as his wife rolled her eyes.

"What's your name my dear?" She asked as she tried to ignore the hurt look her husband gave her.

"Aurora…. but my friends call me Roe," she replied quietly.

"That's a pretty name, think I'll stick to calling you Aurora though. I prefer to use the name you're born with." Sandra explained as she checked Aurora's head for her temperature.

"You're lucky Templars aren't that bright. Saw their touches yards away. Few times back there I thought you wouldn't make it though." Ned stated as he stared into the fire.

"Don't scare the poor girl Ned! Now, I've cleaned your wounds and stitched it. Going to take a while to heal I'm afraid. I cleaned you up the best I could as well but your clothes... I couldn't save, "she said remorsefully.

"Ha! She didn't even try. Took one look and chucked them into the fire." he chuckled. Aurora smiled at the old couple as they bickered and teased one another. "You can have these clothes I found a while back. Don't fit me but they look small enough for you." he said.

Aurora looked between the two nervously, "Why are you being so kind to me?"

"Why, you're one of us my dear," Sandra exclaimed. "With this war we have to look out for one another."

"We're heading to a meeting Divine Justinia's holding. We should be able to meet up with other mages too. You might even be able to find some people you know as well if you want to come with us?" he asked.

Aurora laid her head back against the soft blankets as she took in everything they'd said. It wasn't just Templar's going crazy in her tower… it was a war between both groups. What if she didn't travel with them…. where would she go? Aurora thought about it for a few more seconds before looking back to the kind couple. "I'd like to go with you… if that's alright?" she spoke timidly.

"Then it's settled. We'll rest for a few more days before we set off for the Chantry." Ned declared.