Nethra Ashanril was never a shy mage, even after the snide comments she received from the Templars in her Circle. Magic thrived within her – it would not be right for her to keep it to herself. Regularly, Dalish mages would stay with their clan to be trained, but Nethra was an exception. Early on in her childhood, her Keeper Mirial began to notice the power that dwelled within Nethra, and for fear of her safety and the safety of others, she was sent to the Fereldan Circle to hone her powers and control them. It was since then that the young, freckled, brunette elf had resided inside the stone building, awaiting her chance to see the rest of Thedas.

It was in the Circle where Nethra met Ser Cullen, perhaps the only Templar in the entire circle who did not shove her or curse her under their breath. Nethra never knew why Templars were so callous toward her. Perhaps it was because she was always asking them questions, trying to understand the human world as well as she could. Perhaps it was because her smaller frame made her easier to pick on. Whatever it was, it never seemed to affect her blond friend very much. Ser Cullen was a strapping young hopeful who also joined the Circle early on in his childhood. From what Nethra had heard, he would beg Templar recruiters every summer to join them until Ser Fredric finally accepted him.

Nethra spent much of her time in the library, studying new techniques as well as the history of the Magi. It was in the library where she met Ser Cullen.

On a spring afternoon, the brunette girl had her nose stuck deep in a book about Tevinter Magistry when one of her regular bullies knocked over her staff, cracking its crystal into pieces. It was then that Ser Cullen came over to see what all the noise was about, only to discover a teary-eyed elf and a smug-looking teenager. From then on, the two were nearly inseparable. Eventually, Ser Cullen was even assigned to be her guard after one of the Enchanters spotted several of the more troublesome Templars following Nethra around with looks that the Enchanter described as "mischief and spite".

"Cullen, do you have any siblings?" Nethra asked one day while the two sat across from each other in the library.

"Two sisters and a brother. Why do you ask?" Cullen said as continued reading his sword strategy text.

"Well, Keeper Mirial always told me that human families have many children, but most Dalish couples only have one child. Did it ever get too overwhelming?"

"Well, sure," Cullen chuckled, "we would get into scuffles every now and then, especially over chess. But no, not really. Without them, I may have become lonely at times."

"…chess?" Nethra whispered slowly. Cullen looked up from his book. "What's that?"

Ser Teagan rolled his eyes from beside the entryway to the library.

"It's a game. Do they not play chess where you're from?" Cullen smiled softly.

"I don't believe so. I don't remember very much from my clan, though. Is it anything like hunting?"

Teagan scoffed. Cullen chuckled.

"No, sorry. Not really."

Over the years, Nethra began to notice a shift in the mood between her fellow mages and the Templars. Slowly, it began to feel as though the mages were tip-toeing around the Templars, being careful not to anger them. Many of the mages had taken to staying in their rooms for long periods of time, often together, to avoid getting into any trouble. Even Enchanter Wynne would speak in a lower tone when the Templar patrols were around.

One evening, while Nethra was picking a book to bring with her into her room, she heard yelling from outside the library. The next thing she knew, the library door burst into flames, the small blast making Nethra nearly jump into the air.

"You'd best pray to Andraste to save your soul tonight, blood mage!" She heard a man's voice echo through the stone hall, "For we will show no mercy!"

"I'd like to see you try!" another male voice shouted, "We have been leashed for far too long!"

"Nethra," the elf turned her head to see Miss Wynne, brows furrowed and staff in hand, "take your staff and hide. The Circle may no longer be safe. Quickly, now." Even while panicked, Wynne maintained a calm voice. Nethra ran to the window where her shocking staff was leaning, clutched it, and ran across library to the broom cupboard. Wynne disappeared through the burning archway into the hall. Clattering sounded as Nethra continued through the library, winding in and out of the bookshelves.

When she got to the end of the room, Nethra stopped in her tracks. A pride demon stood between her and the broom cupboard. By the monster's feet, there lay a mage, face-down and bloodied. Nethra readied herself in a fighting stance. She shot electrical waves toward the demon, spinning and waving her staff fluidly. The monster screamed as it fell down and began shrinking into a pool of green and black. As she panted, Nethra heard the stomping of metal feet echo through the library. She turned to see three Templars staring at her with wide eyes.

"She's in on it too! She raised a demon!"

"What? No, I-" Nethra stuttered.

"Quiet! Magic was made to serve, never to harm. You have dug your grave, blood mage. Now lay in it!"

Her heart was beating out of her chest as the knights advanced toward her.

"Please! I would never!" She begged, "Please don't do this! I don't want to fight you!"

One of the knights began to raise his sword, "With this strike, I will purge your sins."

"PLEASE! NO!" She shouted desperately. She had backed up against the cold stone wall. His sword sped down toward her arms as she braced for the impact. She closed her eyes tight, but the pain never came, instead, she heard three grunts and the clatter of metal against stone. She opened her eyes to see the soldiers twisted onto the ground. One had been thrown against a bookshelf, causing it to fall over. "What…" She panted. Nethra looked at her hands, trying to find an explanation.

"Search the library!" She heard someone shout. There was no time to figure out what had just happened. She quickly grabbed her staff and ran into the broom cupboard, silently chanting a charm to lock the door from the inside.

Hey! Thanks for reading! Let me know how I'm doing by giving me a quick review! Suggestions are appreciated! I apologize if the timelines of Origins and DA2 are a little bit wonky - I haven't played them in quite a while. This is a suuuuuuuuper slow burn series.