Time to start a new story for DA2. I hope you will like it and I'm looking forward to your reviews about it. Ava Hawke is a young female mage who has to flee Lothering to escape the blight. Follow her story which starts by the confrontation of Loghain's troops and the Wardens and their companions.
o-o-o
Mother was nervous. I could tell. She was pacing back and forth, or doing things to keep herself busy. She would check on both Bethany and me to see what we were doing and even trying to get us to help her with her tasks. Not that we never helped out, but this time it was different. Her mind was wondering off in the middle of her sentences. It had been like this for weeks, ever since Carver left to Ostagar. She was so worried for him and tried to stop him from going entirely. We did not receive word from Carver yet and this was exactly what Mother was afraid of. The thought of losing her children would kill her.
Today was not different. She called Bethany and me inside to help her make dinner. While Bethany moved to prepare the food that was available, I started to check if there was anything else we would need. Our stock was running quite low so I collected my purse to do some shopping. I barely had it in my hands when Mother stopped me. Her eyes were filled with worry and I knew exactly the reason why she stopped me. I am a mage and she felt like I should be hiding instead of going out to refill the stock. Usually Carver would take this task upon him, but I took care of it since he left. Mother tried to stop me from going out several times a week and even though I usually calmed her by reassuring I would be careful.
"Ava, you know well enough that there are Templars outside. They will force you to the Circle if you get caught." I looked at her and softly sighed.
"Mother, I'm not exactly dressed as a mage. I've got no robes, just light armor. Don't worry I'll be fine. I'll come back as soon as I can, I promise." I softly said. She held my shoulders with both hands while staring back at me. Finally she nodded and let me go. As she walked towards Bethany I saw my sister looking up. Without words she said I should be carefull. I nodded to her and left the house. I loved being outside. The fresh air did me well and I enjoyed the sight of people walking all over the place. It wasn't as if Lothering was a wealthy town, but people were content enough. Lately things were tensing up in the town as well. Relatives of the families who live in Lothering were also worried for those who went to Ostagar.
I decided to stop by the local bar first. When I stepped inside I could see a small group of an army of some sort standing in the middle of the room, talking to a red-headed Sister. I stepped closer and I was now standing near the fire. It was nice and warm and now I could hear what those men were bothering the Sister about. They were demanding to know where the Grey Wardens were. Obviously they thought she was hiding them. The Sister insisted she did not know what they were talking about and I could hear the front man talk in a more dangerous manner. I turned around and saw he was practically on the Sister, but she did not move. I couldn't let anyone talk to a Sister like that! Despite my promise to Mother to be careful I walked up next to the Sister.
"Is something wrong?" I asked while I crossed my arms. The guard shot a look at me and nearly bursted out in laughter. I did not move from my spot. The Sister put a hand on my arm.
"Do not worry young lady. He has the answer he requested, it's just not the one he's looking for." I looked at the Sister and saw she was not at all afraid of him. She couldn't be just a Sister? I nodded.
"That doesn't make it right to make threats to a Sister." I said. The man's eyes were flaming with anger as he roughly took my wrist. I had to control my instincts to defend myself with magic, but I managed. I looked him straight in the eyes. I tried to remove my wrist from his hands, but instead he squized even harder. It hurt, but I tried not to let it show. At that very moment a group of people came in. They were all dressed in armor as well and they were heading straight to the group of men of which their leader held my wrist. Without releasing me he cast a look at the group. His guard spoke up, saying that this was the man they were looking for. The coincidence surprised me and I shot a look to the group as well. The man who leaded their small group was quite handsome. He had bright blue eyes and dark hair. Behind him was a woman who was scarcely dressed. Somehow it suited her and she didn't seem like the type one would want to run into or get into an arguement with. Clearly she was an apostate and she did not attempted to hide it. Next to her was another man, with strawberry blonde hair. His eyes were amber colored and shining bright. Had this been another situation I would definately attempted my chances on him. The thought made me smile and caught the attention of the man who was still holding me.
"What are you smiling about, bitch!" I closed my eyes to control my anger and my magic and the Sister spoke up.
"Let's not fight shall we? Let go of the young lady. I am sure we can talk about this." she calmly said. The man laughed and so did his guards.
"Talk? Not at all, this people must surrender themselves. They are Grey Wardens who betrayed King Cailen!" My eyes widened at this remark. Grey Wardens? Here in Lothering? This could only mean one thing. The battle in Ostagar was lost. The words of them betraying King Cailen did not sound true to me so far. Most of my thoughts went to Carver. If there were Wardens here, this could mean that Carver had fallen. The groups got into a discussion and suddenly the man, who was still holding my wrist, dragged me right in front of him. This would definately turn out in a battle. I shot a look at the men behind me and a look at the group which contained the Wardens. I sighed and decided I had no other choice. In order to get out of here relatively unharmed I had to do this. My other hand was not bound and I focussed my magic on it while looking at the group in front of me. The second I used my magic I saw the strawberry blonde man raising his defenses. Maker, well done Ava! Using magic in front of someone who could be a emplar! Deciding it was too late to pull back anyhow, I formed a firebolt in my right hand. I felt it growing bigger and bigger and I suddenly casted it behind me, hoping it would land on the group behind me. The man who was holding me suddenly let go when he felt the fire. It ceased quickly, but I had enough time to pull myself away from his grip and ran to the other side of the room.
"You will pay for this, mage!" he yelled. Great, make it even more obvious will you? He took out his sword while he instructed his guards to kill me and take the Wardens into custody. The Sister came in between and took out a set of daggers. The Wardens charged in and I decided to help them as well. I focussed on the man who held my wrist, which was still hurting a bit, and casted a Wintersgrasp on him. He froze up and the apostate who was with the Wardens made quick work of him. When he was defrosted by her spells, he yielded. I stepped forward next to the dark haired Warden.
"If I were you I would now beg for my life or a chance to run away from this place." I said with a mocking tone. He looked up at me and I could still see his anger. He didn't do anything now though, instead he focussed on the Warden who agreed on my suggestion. He was given a message for Loghain and before I could blink with my eyes the whole group left. I walked after them and stopped in the door post. They were indeed leaving the city as quickly as they could. I chuckled and turned around. The dark haired Warden was talking to the Sister. I could hear she was convincing him and the apostate to join them. I barely noticed the strawberry blonde man looking at me. When my eyes caught his gaze he walked towards me. I instinctively walked back until I hit the wall. I started letting my magic flow to defend myself if he would do anything. Again, he noticed and held up his hands.
"Wow wow calm down. I won't hurt you. I just want to talk." he said with a grin. I stopped and crossed my arms. He noticed this and walked a bit closer. I looked past him and noticed the apostate making unhappy sounds to the dark haired Warden. The Sister was still trying to convince them and her happy looks confirmed she managed. I looked at the strawberry blonde man next to me.
"Are you a Grey Warden too?" I asked. He nodded. "Has..." I was afraid to ask this. Afraid to get my fears confirmed. Afraid for what happened to Carver. "Did anyone else made it out of Ostagar?" I continued. The man changed completely. From the cheery happy man he seemed to be he turned into a sad and hurt person. He tried to confirm with words, but all he could do was shake his head. I could feel my tears burning in my eyes, but I refused to let them go. Oh Brother! My eyes were stuck on the floor when the dark-haired Warden walked up next to the strawberry blonde Warden. He wanted to leave and the Sister had suddenly changed into armor instead of keeping her robes. The apostate and Sister walked outside and I could see the Sister pet a dog. Probably one they had taken with them. He reminded me a bit of my own Mabari as well. Someone cleared his throat and I noticed the dark-haired Warden had been talking to me.
"Oh sorry. I was distracted." I said. I felt a blush coming up and I hated my cheeks for doing that! The two Wardens laughed softly.
"No matter. You have my thanks for helping out. My name is Aedan and my fellow Warden here is Alistair." he said as he motioned to the strawberry blonde man. I stared at Alistair and gave a small smile.
"My name is Ava Hawke. You are very welcome. Those men deserved every bit of it." Aedan left after nodding in agreement and saying his goodbyes and Alistair followed after him. I couldn't help but check if I was right, so I quickly walked after Alistair.
"Warden Alistair! May I ask you something? I won't take much of your time, I promise." I said. The man stopped and quietly turned around. He nodded and I moved closer to him.
"I... have to know. Are you a templar? I mean you obviously noticed my use of magic the moment I started actually using it and..." I spoke faster and faster until Alistair stopped me.
"Calm down." he said with a smile. "I hadn't taken any vows yet, but I did train to be a templar and I do have their abilities yes. I understand what you're trying to say. You needn't worry about your secret. It's safe with me. It was a pleasure to meet you, Ava Hawke." With this he turned around and caught up with his companions. I stood there for another minute, knowing I had to trust on his word. Next thing I knew I was running towards the house again. I had to warn Bethany and Mother what happened at Ostagar. It was starting to get dark so I had to hurry. When I arrived a candle was already lit. I knew I was in trouble for taking so long and I haven't even got the food I promised to get. When I rushed inside Mother looked shocked and relieved at the same time. She started to lecture me about taking so long and wanted to know exactly why I had taken so long. Bethany decided to join the lecture and asked me where the food was. The words did not get registered completely and I just stared at them. Bethany suddenly saw my wrist and gently took it. Wondering who had caused the bruising she examined it. I ignored that part and told them about the Wardens in Lothering. I told them about Ostagar and finally I told them what the Warden told me. Mother refused to take my word on it and walked to the fire. She started to poke in it and kept on saying that Carver would come home. He would be fine. We just had to wait.
I sighed and sat down for dinner. We just had to wait.
