Chapter 1

Blood thundered In her ears as Nia ran through her beloved wood. The men chasing her were quickly gaining ground on the young mage. Turning to look was her mistake. A net flew over her head trapping her inside in. A man in black robes spoke a few words to her in a language she did not understand. But every part of her body began to get heavy and soon sleep took hold.

"This one will set a fine price a wilder witch to be certain. They are known for their deep pools of magic. She is a rare fine indeed and it looks as if she may turn out to even be pleasing to look at." The old mage knelt down pulling the net away from the sleeping form of the young girl. "You will make us a lot of money little girl."

Nia jerked awake glancing around the dark forest. Still in her wolf form Nia carefully weaved through the shadows and listened. Something or someone was in the forest. Larger than most wolves and all black Nia was terrifying when she wanted to be. Ears pricking forward she caught the scent of a fire and meat. Licking her chops she began to move closer to the smell. She had not eaten in a while and hunger was getting the best of her.

She found what she was looking for in a small clearing. Her green eyes found a lone man with a bow and sword sat by a small fire roasting a wild goat, his medium length black hair was tied behind him. He seemed to have not shaved for a few days. His clothes were weathered and worn. Hazel eyes stared at the goat with determination though his thoughts were distant.

Nia crouched under the brush watching the solitary human. When his head turned slightly in her direction she thought to run, but he looked back at the fire and she settled back down. He sat up again and this time she tensed as he began cutting a massive chunk out of the goat and to her surprise tossed it in her direction.

Her nose sniffed the food and she felt her stomach rumbling and protesting. A deep voice spoke "I know your there might as well eat." Did he know what she was? Nia panicked and stood up turning to run but the need for food was too much. Slowly emerging from the brush she started over to the meat and then paused staring at the man who remained motionless. Rushing quickly she grabbed the piece and took off for fear of something happening.

Her paws made barely any sound as she bounded through the woods. Settling down she began to eat thankful for the food in her belly.

Keeping in wolf form Nia made her way carefully back to the camp. The man was gone his fire doused but on a rock lay the remains of the goat. Sniffing the air carefully and listening she realized there was no on around. Moving quickly she grabbed remains of the goat and began devouring it.

After finishing her meal she sniffed the air, the human she had seemed different. Something about him piqued her curiosity. It baffled her, this feeling she had. Picking up his scent she decided to follow it having no real other plans at the moment. The sun shone brightly through the forest trees, animals had begun to emerge starting their daily routines.

Nia freezes hearing the familiar voice.

She watched Nathaniel grumble as he paced for a moment and then finally whistled. A large black mare appeared and nuzzled him. He pets her neck and murmured softly to her. She had already been saddled and bridled all he did was throw his pack over back and mount up. Gathering his reigns he kicked her gently and the mare took off.

Nia bolted right after why she didn't know but there was something different about this human and she wanted to know what it was.

Nathaniel knew the wolf had been following him he caught a streak of black fur every now in then weaving through the forest beside him. That and his horse would jerk nervously when the wolf appeared. It would still take several days for him to return to Vigils keep and he meant to take his time. He would take back what was his no matter what the cost.

Before the sun set he decided to find a place to set up camp. Keeping Sarah close would be important, he didn't know the wolf's intentions and that beast was huge. He tied her to a tree near where he put his bed roll. Before leaving for a hunt he started a fire, it was one way of keeping predators away from Sarah while he was out. He grabbed his bow and silently made his way deeper into the wood.

Pausing he listened carefully he heard movement but it didn't sound like a goat or deer. He turned his head slowly to see a pair of green eyes staring at him through the bushes. The wolf was still following him? Ignoring it to an extent he moved away from it slowly and continued his hunt. Creeping up to a clearing he spotted a buck grazing.

He moves slowly grabbing an arrow, he aimed at the deer. The arrow flew straight and true piercing the deer in the neck. So sudden was its death it was still standing as Nathaniel walked over to it. He pulled his knife out twirling it in his hands and cut the neck open. Grabbing the rope he had with him he tied the back legs up and threw the remaining rope over a branch.

He quickly pulled the deer up tying the rope around the trunk. With one swift pull he cut the core of the deer and the insides spilled to the ground in a wet splash. Nathaniel thought nothing of the grisly task as he went to work skinning the creature and cutting it to pieces. Saving the horns for carving he gathered up the pieces he planned to cook and left the rest for the scavengers that waited impatiently in the brush.

Returning to camp Sarah whickered lowly at him and as quick as his smile appeared it disappeared. Tossing the horns on his bedroll and grabbing wooden sticks he impaled pieces of flesh and leaned the meat over the fire to let it cook. Sitting back on his bed he took one of the horns and began carving. His thoughts went back to the letter he had received not so long ago. The Howe's had become pariah's, his whole family had been drug through the gutters killed by the so called Hero of Fereldan. Something had to be done; he would have his revenge by the Maker he would see to it that they paid.

Movement in the brush had him drop the horns and grab his sword.

"Whoever you are show yourself." He snarled angrily. He was ready for a fight no he craved a fight.

Nia cursed herself, she should not have gotten so close but she stuck now. If she ran he may chase after her and try to kill her. He may try it anyway if she moves towards him. Standing up slowly she carefully edged her way through the brush revealing her presence to him. His body relaxed but he kept his sword up.

"Why are you following me?" he asked aloud.

Nia made a small whine and licked her chops then sniffed the air.

"So you like my cooking then." He said with slight amusement. Nia took a hesitant step forward then laid down keeping her head low. Her eyes moved from the meat that was cooking to him and back again. "Maker you're a strange wolf." Sitting back down, he grabbed his knife and took a chunk of meat off. Instead of throwing it he held it out.

Nia stared at the meat in his hands. This was an unexpected turn of events she thought as he looked away still holding the meat in his hands. She crawled ever so slowly over to him keeping a wary eye on the blade in his other hand. Her instinct was to run her mind raced between the need for some kind of companionship and staying safe.

Inching closer still she reached out and took the piece of meat careful not to touch him. He let go and she quickly ate. Moments later another piece appeared in his hand and she again took it with trepidation. After that he returned to carving on the horns.

Nia's head tilted she was still hungry and she knew he had more than enough meat cooking to fill both of them up. Feeling slightly emboldened she whined at him. He had smiled slightly at that and her tail wagged. Making a small crawl closer she laid her head down and huffed at him. Taking his knife in hand he again cut a piece of meat off this time he set it down near him.

Maker, she thought, what was he trying to do? Stab her when she got close? Was her first thought, but if he had wanted to kill her he would have tried much earlier. Rationalizing her move in her head she decided to throw caution to the wind. What else did she really have to lose? Her thoughts laden with sadness, standing slowly up Nia walked slowly over to the man's side.

Nathaniel held his breath as the massive wolf slowly made its way over, it laid back down close to him and ate the piece that was right next to him. He cut another piece but this time held it inside his fist. The wolf sniffed around his hand when a paw came out scratching at him to open up and reveal his prize. Slowly unfurling his fingers the greedy wolf was trying to use its tongue to get to it. Gulping the piece down it looked at him expectantly.

Nathaniel showed her an empty hand and it sniffed it over then snorted. His hand was hovered over her head "Easy now just going to give you a pet." His voice a soothing tone, he gently stroked her head. Her fur was the softest he had ever felt. The tension in the wolf's body from his touch soon went away and he was rewarded with a tail wag.

For the rest of the night he kept his motions slow not wishing to startle the huge wolf. After he had his fill of food and the wolf did as well he settled down to get some sleep. He watched as the wolf curled up next to the fire and drifted off to sleep. Nathaniel shook his head of all the things he expected to find upon returning to Fereldan he did not think it would be a lone wolf with a taste for cooked meat.

Nia had been terrified when the man's hand landed on her head but the gentleness of his touch woke a need in her unlike anything she had ever felt. How long had it been that she had felt kindness extended to her? His eyes were filled with hurt, much like hers and he was alone. She listened carefully to his steady breathing. Maker Nia, what are you getting yourself into she huffed and settled back down pulling her tail over her face.

"Nia come here now!" Archon's voice echoed through the hall. The other servant's gave her a fearful look as the young girl got up. "Just do as he says child understand!" the older elf told her. Nodding she took off her bare feet freezing from the cold stone.

Entering the Magister's chambers Nia saw the walls line with books, scrolls and potions. Bottles of blood were kept chilled and guarded with multiple spells. Archon spun around "There you are, how many times must I call for you?" he growled grabbing her arm. Nia's widened in fear. "I, I am sorry master." She stumbled over the words. Archon picked her up and sat her on a bloodstained table.

"I was told that a wild witch's blood was highly valued. I can't believe my father even gave you to me, even if it was my birthday." Archon was young having just turned eighteen. He still lived under his father's house not ready to make a stand yet against the cutthroats that lay in wait. His father wished him to become even more powerful than him and that would require a lot of work. His sandy brown hair hung in strands around his perfect blue eyes and beautiful face. To look at him you would not even think that attractive smile held such darkness.

"How old are now Nia?" stepping back he walked over to a counter that held several knives.

"I'm fifteen my lord." She watched as he picked on out and grabbed an empty bottle.

"That's right father got you when you were twelve. You stayed with him for a while learning magic. Tell me did you like learning from my father?"

The closer he got the more nervous she became. He set the bottle down and stared intently at her. "I learned much while with your father." Her voice was weak a she looked back at him.

He laughed "Oh I like you Nia…" his eyes darkened "…hold still now this will hurt."

The blade cut down her chest between her breasts. Nia screamed.