The cool night air danced around the camp, they were on their way to the little secluded area called Haven. Very little was known of the area, which also made it dangerous and they would need their rest, but it was her turn at watch. Azriæl sat silently at the fire, watching the flames dance across the logs. Her mind had drifted back over the past few months. What she had lost; not just her family, but all the battles and people as well. She thought about the decisions she was forced to make, if she had made the better choices.
Then she wondered why it was all on her shoulders, why was it her choices that would result in victory or defeat? Why did her opinion matter above all others, even if she was a Grey Warden? The role of a Grey Warden was dealing with the Blight and darkspawn... wasn't it? Not a ruler without a title that has the power over people... At least that is how it felt.
Since thinking of the Blight, her mind thought of the recent dream encounter with the Arch demon in which Alistair believed that the dragon had 'seen' them. He had asked what it meant; she could only shrug in response. She had a feeling as well, but didn't want to scare the man anymore than he was. It was like the dragon was challenging them to come after it.
Both she and Alistair could feel the darkspawn a little closer to camp so even Morrigan was forced to bring her tent closer. Not that she couldn't defend herself, it was a matter of watching each others backs. Morrigan had finally agreed when Azriæl pulled the 'we are friends' talk, though Morrigan was still away from the others... at least it was something.
Suddenly, she could feel a number of darkspawn heading towards them. She yelled for Bodahn and his son to take cover and the others to wake. A noise cut through the air and right into her left shoulder. Looking down, an arrow was sticking out the front of her armor plate, but she could feel the arrow tip against her collar bone. Swinging her blade and dagger, she was able to cut the stock down before running the blades through the first shriek from running passed her.
Azriæl was making her way through a third and towards a shade when the others joined her. The entire camp was soon engaged in battle and war cries could be heard echoing across the camp. The battle seemed like it went on for hours when finally the last of them were finally killed. Azriæl wiped some blood off her face and looked around. There wasn't many darkspawn, but it startled her to think they were trying a sneak attack. She and Alistair began to pile the bodies as the others went to wash off.
She felt a little weak and nearly lost her balance, but recovered fast. Alistair was giving her strange looks and she hoped he hadn't seen. Azriæl guessed he either didn't or knew better not to draw attention. He hurled the last shriek onto the pile and was looking at her and Morrigan with his signature grin. Morrigan ignored the Templar and used one of her many spells to rid their camp of the darkspawn.
"I don't think there are any more darkspawn close to camp. Do you?" Alistair asked.
Azriæl shook her head, "None that warrant any attention. Still, to be safe we should keep a good watch the rest of the night."
"You're probably right. Well, since it is still your watch..." Alistair stretched.
"You're not much of a Templar nor gentlemen are you?" Morrigan shot at him, "She was on watch for a good time and the first to the fight."
Alistair was about to protest, though she knew he was joking… she just wasn't in the mood.
"Forget it Morrigan. I don't mind and I doubt that I will sleep much." She interjected.
"That is not the point, my friend. I insist that he take watch." Morrigan stated, then she leaned closer to Azriæl, "I also know you are wounded, my friend."
"It's nothing, Morrigan. Just give me one of your injury kits." Azriæl pleaded.
"Fine, but this is your own doing." Morrigan warned, but handed her one.
"Are you sure, I mean I can take watch." Alistair asked, worry lacing his voice.
"Come relieve me in a few hours so I can rest before we set out again." She stated.
She headed back to the fire and watched as her companions slipped back into their own tents. Alistair was the last, still watching her until she finally waved him off. Once everyone was gone from sight, she let her mind wander again as her eyes stared into the flames.
Loghain and his madness was a war in itself and one they couldn't deal with right now. What did he expect to do when the Arch demon came blasting his door down? Had Duncan and Loghain exchanged words to make the regent compare them to the darkspawn? There were so many questions and no one to get any answers from. Azriæl shook the thoughts away and knew she had to place her mind elsewhere.
She took a dagger she kept in her boot and slowly worked at the arrow tip. She worked away minutes until she was able to pull the intrusion out. She couldn't see anything that indicated that it was coated and tossed it into the fire. Azriæl looked at the blood on her hand and the night Howe's men attacked her home replayed in her mind over and over, how it could have gone so much better or so very wrong.
She knew that if not for her mambari, neither she nor her mother would have survived very long. Orina and Oren, their guests, and the servants were never given a chance. Were they tortured or just gutting like animals for slaughter. She guessed that some of Howe's men opened the gates for their fellow soldiers. She had pleaded for her parents, but they gave her their lives so that she could run.
She had lost everything, had nothing to her name; no home or family she was fighting for. So why should she fight? So that her companions could feel better, while she could be spat and kicked upon? Why should Alistair find his sister, Leliana find solitude, Sten find his sword, Wynne find forgiveness, or Ogren find his lover? She couldn't even find peace…
"Azriæl, are you alright?" Alistair's voice cut into her thoughts, "Is that blood and a tear?"
"Alistair… couldn't have been hours, you still look as horrid as ever." She relied with a coy smile and took out the injury kit. "Just a scratch… or an arrow. I got it out."
"But the tear?"
"So I had to cut deep and pry it out. It's nothing now shush so the others can rest." She shot at the Templar and began dressing her wound.
"Here, at least let me help." He sighed, placing the bandage where she could not reach, "I will take up watch. You really need to rest now. I am the senior Grey Warden and I command it."
Azriæl was offended at this and tripped Alistair to the ground and held the same small dagger to his throat, "Listen here, bastard. You have no right to even joke about commanding me. You have dragged your feet and forced my swords and strength to lead…" It was as if Alistair had slapped her, the look on his face and she was off and feet away from him, "Sorry…"
Alistair watched Azriæl nearly flee into her tent without a glance backwards. Though her words did sting a little, it was her eyes that betrayed her. He knew she really didn't feel that way and there was a glaze to her eyes. Alistair then heard a low whine and saw Azriæl's mabari walking past.
"Watch her carefully tonight, boy."
The night drifted on without any other problems. Alistair awoke by the smoldering fire and noises of something moving about. Grabbing a sword, he slowly rose to his feet and glanced around. All the tents were still up and Azriæl's mabari hadn't moved either, but if he hadn't moved, then…
"I have a wonder, Alistair, if you will indulge me." Morrigan asked coyly, walking around the fire pit.
"Do I have a choice?" Alistair moaned, sheathing his sword.
"Of the two of you that remain, are you not the senior Grey Warden here? I find it curious that you allow another her lead, while you follow." She replied, the smile not leaving her face.
"You find that, of all things, curious, do you?" Alistair asked, trying to not let the Witch get to her as he kicked dirt on the fire pit.
"In fact, you defer to a new recruit. Is this a policy of the Grey Wardens or simply a personal one?" Morrigan prodded, sounding as innocent as she could, which just irritated the ex-Templar more.
"What do you want to hear?" He asked, throwing his hands into the air, "That I prefer to follow? Well I do."
"You sound so very defensive." Morrigan simple replied, though a laugh could be heard in her voice.
Alistair did his best not to be done in. "Couldn't you crawl into a bush somewhere and die? That would be great, thanks."
"Enough you two, you are starting to sound like a married couple." Azriæl stated, causing both to jump a little, "We need to pull up camp, come on. Haven isn't that much further."