From her first steps in the forest as a child, Da'Assan had always known that she wanted to become an archer. At a young age, she crafted her first bow and practiced into nightfall. Some nights, she would sneak out and hunt solo for small game. As she grew older, she became the leader of the clan's main hunting group. With her intense and clever hunting strategies, they were known to take down any game or enemy that came too close. Once she was ready, and showed her determination, she was given Andruil's markings.
Her best friend, Zilyana, was the daughter of the Keeper; therefore, she grew up under a more watchful eye. Keeper Deshanna always expected more out of her and pushed her to her limits. Because of this, her parents had always known that she was destined for greatness. However, they never expected her to leave the clan for good.
"Da'Assan, come. I need to speak with you," the Keeper spoke quietly while ushering her to a tent on the far corner of the camp. It was dark, but the night sky was littered with bright stars. The clan hadn't been in this area for long, and the land was now flourishing with plants and wildlife. Da'Assan silently hoped the Keeper wasn't planning to move so soon.
They entered into her spacious tent, and Keeper Deshanna gestured her to sit. As Da'Assan sat, Deshanna used magic to light a small fire. A red light emitted from the staff she was carrying, and a fire burst into the middle of her tent.
"Yes, Keeper? Where are the others? Usually when we move, you bring us all here so we can lead the way." Da'Assan looked on as Deshanna started a cup of tea and warmed it over the burning wood. She didn't answer her immediately. Instead, they sat in a stilled silence while the Keeper finished her task. Da'Assan looked around impatiently, curious as to what was going on.
"This isn't for the others, lethallan. This is a task that you, and only you, can do for me. I will send some of my finest warriors to protect you on your mission, including my dear Zilyana. But you will be the one that brings back what I need." The Keeper turned away from her and looked out through a small slit in the opening of the tent. Da'Assan could not see outside, but the bright moon revealed a concerned look on Deshanna's slim face. She knew that the Keeper was looking out onto her daughter's tent.
The Keeper's face did not show her age. Da'Assan knew that her parents had grown up with the Keeper as she had grown up with Zilyana. However, when the Keeper's husband, Heldar, died in a hunting accident involving templars, Da'Assan's presence that day solidified the bond between the two families. She still suffers flashbacks that plague her mind now and again as Da'Assan considered Deshanna and Heldar as another set of parents and Zilyana as a sister. Da'Assan and Zilyana didn't have siblings, so they grew up roaming the forests together. They were never apart from each other.
"Anything you ask of me, I will do," Da'Assan said more sternly than she intended. She didn't realize it until after Deshanna looked at her unexpectedly. Those normally big, baby blue eyes pierced through her before she softened her gaze.
"Yes, I assumed you would say that. You know about the problems the shems are having, yes? I'm sure you have heard enough about them during your interactions with them."
She had heard many things. She knew there was a war between mages and templars. She had heard rumors of a Chantry conclave happening soon, but she had not put much thought into it until now. She knew the fighting was expanding, but the clan tended to move before it got close enough.
"I had sent Sylvar to a local Chantry to investigate and bring back any information he discovered about the upcoming meeting," Deshanna continued. "As you may have noticed, the fighting between these two sides is becoming progressively worse. More deaths are happening, with little to no resolution in sight. We have come too close to being stuck in the middle. So with this, I want to send you with a very small elite group to this conclave. You are to be the one to listen in on this conversation, and I need you to inform me of everything when you return."
Da'Assan's palms started to sweat. She had been waiting for a moment like this to truly prove herself. She couldn't resist an opportunity to help her people; she cared for this clan more than anything else. Her whole life had been about leading and fighting for clan Lavellan, and this gave her another opportunity to prove her place in the clan.
"I humbly accept. I can't imagine the full extent of the impact this war has inflicted upon the shems. It has impacted us as well. If there will be any chance of peace, it will be at this meeting." Da'Assan swiftly stood up from her spot on the dirt floor, and bowed towards the Keeper before asking, "When do we leave?"
The Keeper cracked a wry smile at her and said, "Right away. You only have three days to travel. We will be waiting on a message from you. I have met with each of you separately and the others are already preparing themselves now."
"I will be swift. We will send word as soon as we can." Hastily bowing, Da'Assan left the Keeper's tent and hurriedly walked to her own. When she pulled open the flap, she noticed her parents were already waiting for her.
"Deshanna informed us already. We are so proud of you," her mother gleamed. Though she tried to hide it, Da'Assan could see tears starting to form in the corner of her eyes. "You have never gone this far away before, but we know how important this is for all of us. Stay safe. I prepared this for you." Her mother gave her a small pouch that contained her favorite seeds and some fruit.
She gave her parents a short embrace. Her parents moved outside as she finished packing a small bag of essentials, including her mother's gift, and her bow. With a quick farewell, she hurried off to the Keeper's tent. It wasn't long before the party had gathered.
"I have chosen all of you because of your great strengths and experience. Clan Lavellan couldn't be more proud of you and I speak for all of us when I say stay safe and hurry back," Deshanna raised her staff, and sternly slammed it on the ground. They each bowed, before glancing side to side to each other.
They all quickly noticed that this was the same group who does most of the hunting for the clan. Each of them was young and quick, all known for their immense skill and ability. They had formed a strong friendship through their missions: gathering resources, reconnaissance, and eliminating threats of the clan. There were five in total. Each specialized in a skill needed for the journey ahead. They were not surprised that this was the group the Keeper had chosen to go on this intense journey.
"You will travel to the top of this mountain in the Frostbacks," the Keeper instructs, pointing to an area on a simple map before folding it and handing it to Da'Assan. "It will be ruthless this time of year as the forests are filled with dangerous creatures, layered in snow, and pelted by howling winds," Deshanna finishes as she walks by, touching each of them on their shoulders so that they may rise. "But keep an eye on each other, and I know you will all return home safely."
Zilyana nudged Da'Assan as her mother was speaking. They gave each other smiles as the speech ended. They shared their final goodbyes with the rest of the clan, and headed off in the direction of the Temple of Sacred Ashes in the Frostback Mountains. None of them knowing what to expect.