Full summary: Ixia Trevelyan wants adventure, but living under the thumb of her mother and already destined for a job in the Templar, she knows she won't find any. So for the mean time, she lives her life one day at a time. Bring in the Chargers who are hired to take care of a darkspawn infestation at a farm nearby. Called by the sounds of the battle, she meets the charming Iron Bull. Something about her strikes him as different. Bull wants to take her away from her home, give her a life she'll be proud of. But will he give her more than that?
*I really do suck at summaries. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this.
The Iron Bull may be a little OCC. I'm finding his voice as well as I can.*
"Did you hear about the problem at Nabbor's farm down the road? They had an infestation of Darkspawn," Ixi's mother says to her. "They called in a group of some kind of mercenaries. Led by…"But Ixi isn't paying attention. She's picking at the small plate her mother, Bele, put in front of her. Some potatoes and barely any meat. While her mother and father enjoys the full course.
"Ixia, when I am talking, I expect you to pay attention," Bele says, snapping her fingers in front of Ixi's face.
Ixi blinks. She doesn't care what her mother has to say about the mercenaries.
Samuel, her father, stares at her until Ixi looks up to meet his eyes. "Are you alright, dear?" he asks.
"I guess I'm not very hungry." She is starving, but she needs to get away from the table. "I'll be out in the training yard."
Bele and Samuel don't pay attention to her leaving. Nor do they know that she hasn't eaten what's been given to her. Her mother's reasoning for giving her such small portions was to keep her weight manageable. "You're looking a little chunky, dear."
Chunky. Chunky . Her mentor swore up and down when she found out Bele was cutting some of Ixia's food. "Does that insane woman realize that you need that food to put on muscle? How does she expect you to survive the Templar Order?" It was a rhetorical question, one Ixia answered anyway.
"She doesn't." It's enough to shut her mentor up. After that, her mentor took it easier. Giving her shorter lessons and not going at her as hard. Which Ixi hated. If she was out in the wilds and starving, the enemies wouldn't take it easy. They wouldn't mind her energy and make sure she had plenty of water. They'd kill her and it would only be easier on them.
Ixi opens the door, welcoming the fresh, cool spring air as it washed over her body. Nobody was left in the training yard this late. A square dirt yard with three dummies still standing in the formation her mentor had them in the last they trained. She put her hand through the two handles on the back of her shield and gripped her short sword. Her thwacks against the dummy is the only sound in the air until battle cries and metal clashing with metal flits through and remains. Pausing, she looks toward Nabbor's farm.
Something akin to excitement crawls under her skin. It's like they're calling her. Only her. Almost mesmerized by the sounds themselves, she opens the gate. Her senses come rushing back, grounding her feet.
Don't leave , a voice says. You'll get in trouble . Ixi almost listens to it. Almost turns around and goes back in. But Nabbor's farm is lit up with torches. It's lit with the sound of battle. The one thing she doesn't have experience in. How hard can darkspawn be really? If she could just sneak over and...Bele would never know she was gone. Ixi would be back before neither of her parents knew it.
Ixi is out. Out of the prison of the manor. Of the fenced in certainty of the training yard. Alone in the night with her weapons, no armor and no light to guide her. She uses the dancing shadows ahead to tell the edge of Nabbor's farm. Her stomach twists at the unknown. But it's exhilarating. Every time she wants to go beyond the confines of her parents home, they make her take at least two guards. It's embarrassing when she has to go into Ostwick to talk to the blacksmith about the weapon he made her or have something new made.
She slows as she comes closer to Nabbor's farm. It isn't that far from where her parents built their own home, on the cliffs of the Free Marches.
The sounds become louder, echoing across the field as if just for her. Calling her to arms. She spies five silhouetted figures, one them of hulking. He has horns on his head and he carries a massive weapon. The group tears through the Darkspawn as if it's nothing. She comes to stop behind a tree, peeking from behind it. Ixi almost expected more people. How is she supposed to get into the heat of the battle if they definitely will notice an extra person among them?
Ixi startles at the sound of a twig breaking behind her. A darkspawn stumbles out of the darkness and towards her at almost a full run. She clumsily grabs the shield off her back and blocks the weapon from coming down. The well-made shield creaks under the weight of the creature. She gasps quietly, not wanting to bring attention to herself lest the mercenaries were the type to kill unsuspecting girls. Holding the shield in place, her knees start to buckle under the pressure. Now on her back, she places the shield on her feet and pushes up. The creature, which had been leaning fully on her shield, rotting teeth inches from her face, is launched back, hitting a low hanging tree and hisses as it lands bodily.
Ixi gets to her feet, picking up the fallen sword. She swings down, not giving herself a chance to second guess this. Her sword cleanly opens its stomach. Screams of pain erupts from it making it bend in half as the darkspawn attempts to protect its entrails. Ixi wheels back from the scream and the fountain of blood that splatters on her. They felt pain? It hits her like a rock. She stands, watching the blood leak out of the stomach wound. Darkspawn feel pain. It seems to strange, almost unreal. "Chief!" a male voice calls. "There's a girl here."
The voice scares Ixi and she backs up, tripping over the fallen creature's body. She lands ass first into mud. It splashes up cold onto her clothes, mixing with the still warm, wet blood. In her need to put down the darkspawn, she didn't notice they already finished off the rest. Unsure of what to make of the mercenaries that crowd around her, she puts up her shield and puts out her sword with a shaky arm. She says nothing.
"Bring light over here," a different voice commands. His is gravelly and deep. It pulls at her in a way she can't quite understand. Pulls at something deep in her stomach. An elf holds a torch stopping not far from Ixi. The Qunari, or at least that's what he looks like. She's only seen them in pictures in her books. His skin is gray and chin is covered in a short, coarse black beard. A smile lights up his face, cutting into the imposing demeanor. "Are you alright? You took down that darkspawn like a champ." He laughs. It booms in the air around her.
Ixi tries not to whimper in fear. Tries not to allow them to see how shaken up she is from the only battle she's ever been in her life. Ever so slowly, her sword tips to the ground until it's out of her hands. It's clear they won't hurt her. The man in armor helps her up.
"You are too inexperienced to fight darkspawn," the elf holding the torch says in a near monotone. "You could've gotten yourself killed."
"I'm trained! I mean… I have training and I can fight!"
The Qunari laughs again. "Dalish, back off the poor girl. She only got curious. What's your name?"
"Ix-Ixia." He's bigger than she thought Qunari would be. Of course, there's no measurements in the book back at the manor.
"I'm The Iron Bull. This here is Krem. Dalish is holding the torch. That's Rocky and Stitches behind her. Did it hurt you?" The Iron Bull bends down and gets as close as he dares to her. Ixia pulls her leg close to her body, still holding the shield in front of her.
"Nu-no. He caught me off guard, but-"
"You beat his ass." Another hearty laugh vibrates through the air. "Come on." Bull stands, holding his hand out. Hesitantly, Ixi takes it. He nearly lifts her off of her feet getting her up.
"Are you the farmer's daughter?" Krem asks. His eyebrows are furrowed as he inspects the symbol on the front of the shield.
"I… No. I'm from House Trevelyan, which is just right over there." She points to the manor behind her. "I really need to get back. My parents will be wondering where I am and I don't want to get in trouble."
Bull grins. "We'll walk you there."
Ixi shakes her head vehemently. "No. No, it's alright. I can make it back on my own. It's not that fair," she says, holding her free hand up. Her voice raises a pitch in panic. There's no way she'll let them walk her home. If Bele finds out she left the manor without guards...muchless permission, Ixi is going to be confined to her bedroom until the day she leaves for the Templar Order.
"You barely held yourself together in that one fight in that darkspawn," Dalish says. "If there are more, you might not arrive alive."
Okay, Ixi doesn't know if Dalish is trying to scare her into letting them joining her the short walk, but it's working.
"Chargers, ahead," Bull yells. The five of them form a close circle around her and they walk at the fairly fast pace. Before she realizes it, they're at the front door of the manor.
"Wait… No. Don't-" Krem steps up, not hearing her pleas and knocks on the door. An elven servant answers it, surprised to find such people on her doorstep.
"Can I help you?"
Bull steps forward. Ixi places a hand on her face, hoping he doesn't say her name. Or announce her. "We're here to escort Lady Trevelyan home."
The elf starts to close the door. "You must be mistaken. Lady Trevelyan went to bed not that long-"
Bull steps aside and shows Ixi in her muddy and bloody glory. The servant seems to be at a loss for words, her mouth opening and closing. "Ah, I see," she finally manages. "I will get the Lord and Lady. Please come in." She disappears and Ixi is ushered in by the group.
There are ohhs and ahhs from them. Bull is careful not to hit the chandelier with his horns. The manor was not built in mind for a seven foot Qunari. A small tussle breaks out between Rocky and Dalish. Ixi steps forward to catch a vase that's knocked over in the pushing.
One look and a clearing of his throat makes both Dalish and Rocky stand to attention.
Bele comes down the stairs wrapped in a house coat. "Ixia, darling. Do you want to intro-" A screech ends her sentence as she takes in her daughter covered in blood. "What in the Maker did you do to my daughter?" She approaches Bull with the ferocity of a bear and jabs her finger into his chest.
Ixi looks up at the massive men. He could break her mother in two if he truly wanted to. Do it. She shakes her head, waiting for the inevitable anger. For the response that will tear the walls away from the house. But it never comes. In fact, he loves absolutely amused by her. As if she was a kitten and not a powerful woman with connections stretching as far as Nevarra.
"Your daughter came to our rescue, my lady," Bull lies. He turns his head slightly and winks...or blinks at her. It's hard to tell as he only has one eye.
Bele crosses her arms, not believing him. "Did she?"
"Oh yes. She jumped to our rescue without a second thought to her own safety. Saved my ass back there, she did."
Why is he lying?
Bele uncoils her muscles, allowing her arms to drop. "Oh, I bet she did," she says, suddenly sounding proud of Ixi. "My sweet Ixia is about as selfless as they come." She calls for a servant and demands for the guest bedrooms to be made up. "You have to stay with us for the night." Her voice is practically purring as she bats her eyelashes at Bull.
Ixi puts her sword and shield in the corner. She'll have to come back for them as her parents under the suggestion of her mentor ordered the servants not to touch or clean the weapons.
His grin widens. Ixi stands in the foyer alone as the Chargers are led by her mother into the parlor. Did she really just flirt with The Iron Bull? Oh Andraste's tits, what did she get herself into?
Hurriedly, she follows after them. Bele stands right outside the edge of the room, smiling. "My servant will be here shortly with plenty of Antivan wine." Her expression changes. Corners of her mouth dip into that old crease. The one Ixi is sure is named after her. "You. That way."
Bull wonders where their little Lady Treveylan went. She stood in the foyer last time he checked. Making sure the four weren't going to cause trouble and get some kicked out of a place with a warm bed, he exits the room and follows the sound of voices.
He stops short when the tone of the voice surprises him. It's Bele, her mother, but her voice is different. It cuts through the air like a knife. He gets as close as he can without being seen.
"Do you really think I'd believe you just jumped to the rescue of seasoned soldiers? You good-for-nothing girl. Looking for fame were you? For a chance to get your name out there before you joined the Templar Order? I'll you something, Ixia, they won't give a rat's ass if you fought darkspawn." There's subtle movement. A foot drags across the carpet.
Lady Trevelyan sighs or sobs. He can't tell. It's too quiet. Leaning against the wall, he tries to get closer.
"I… I'm sorry Mother. I wasn't looking for fame. I just wanted to see…"
"See what? My dear, I only do this because I care." Hands brush through hair. Bele's voice is muffled, "You'll understand when you have your own daughter."
By the time Bele rounds the corner, Bull is back in the parlor.
Ixi pulls at her hair, wanting to tear it off her head. Tears drip from the corner of her eyes. Understand? Understand what? The ability to be a bitch to your daughter? A loveless relationship? Constant nagging. Constant complaining. Whining. Being compared to her mage sister Jewel. The pain spreads from her scalp to her neck. She lets go, itching where she pulled.
Damnit. The sooner she's out of here, the better. How much longer is the Templars going to take? Being the daughter of the Trevelyans, she thought getting into the Order would be an easy thing to do. Easiest thing of her life. Maybe it's Jewel. Reaching far from the Circle and influencing her life.
But that's unfair. Her sister didn't choose to be born a mage nor to be born in an intolerant family. Jewel would never make her life hard on purpose.
Ixi rubs her cheeks, hiding any evidence of crying. She exits the room, closing it softly. Laughter is carried from the parlor. She wants to join them, take in as much as time as she can with other people in the house, but she can't bring herself to put on the mask she reserves for company. Instead she heads straight to bed.
She's halfway up the stairs when she hears Bele call out her name, sticky and sweet. "We have company. Come into the parlor and help me entertain."
Bull's own voice rings out as loud as hers. "If she's tired, let her sleep. She fought bravely tonight." Warmth pools in the middle of her chest. Ixi isn't used to being praised like that. Did he want something?
Listen to her mother? Or take the opportunity Bull has given her and run to bed?
Ixi decides to escape when Bele's voice doesn't stop her. In her room, she feels like it's the only place she can be without having to please everyone.
She sheds the dirty clothes, shoving them deep inside the hamper so she won't have to look at them again. The strangled cry still haunts her. Taking a cloth, she washes her body with cold water, which only makes the energy under her skin buzz.
Ixi climbs into her bed and burrows under the fluffy blankets. Time passes as she tosses and turns. The house quiets around her, voices pass by her door at one point. It sounds like Dalish arguing with a man with a deep, hard to understand voice.
More tossing and turning. Every time she closes her eyes, it's there, waiting. The bent in half darkspawn with the strangely human cry. She rips back the covers, dresses in clean clothes and makes her way down to the foyer where her bloodied sword and shield are waiting where she left them.
Cleaning the weapons are the best way to take her mind off what happened at Nabbor's farm. She opens the door to the small armory her parents keep mostly for looks. It rarely gets used, only as a place where she can sit in silence or store her weapons.
But she has no interest in sitting in a small room, confined by walls. She wants the moon, stars, the velvety expanse of the night sky. After grabbing what she needs, Ixi moves a chair and herself to the training yard outside. Putting her feet up on the fence, she cleans her weapon by the silver moonlight.
"I'll be honest, Lady," Bull says behind her suddenly, "I was hoping to find you out here."
Ixi jumps, holding the half cleaned sword in her hand. "Damnit, you scared me." His grin returns, white teeth seemingly more white against the gray color of his skin."Why? Do you need something?"
"Only you."
Oh. Those words in his voice which is barely above a whisper pulls apart her carefully put together mask. She drops the sword and plops back down in the chair.
"I want you to come with us."
Ixi snorts. Very unladylike. "Go with you? Impossible."
"Are you not a consenting adult? Do you not know how to make your own decisions?"
Ixi looks at him from the top of the chair. She nods to the spot next to her which he sits down on. "You don't understand it. Yes. But I'm my parents' property. I'm theirs to do what they see fit with."
Bull laughs. He leans back on his hands and looks up at the sky. "I get the ownership. Being underneath something you don't think you can question. While I can't and gladly don't, you are obviously not happy."
"Are you talking about the Qun?" It's an unfamiliar element. Religion? Way of life?
He smiles. "Yeah. But you don't live under the Qun."
"Wait… How did you know I wasn't happy?"
"I eavesdropped on your conversation with your mother." Bull says it so simply. So nonchalant like pointing out the phase of the moon.
"You...eavesdropped?" Her brow furls and she sits up to fully looking at him. "My mother invites you into her room and you have the gall to eavesdrop on us?"
"Do you really care?" Ixi breaks out into a rueful smile.
"Not really."
"So. Come with us. We can leave right now." Bull sits up, bringing himself closer to her. They are inches apart and Ixi's face floods with blood and warmth. He looks so genuine, like he truly wants her to come with him.
"Still impossible," she mutters. Is it though? Or she just hesitating as she always does? What would her life be like on the road with the Chargers, a new adventure and place every night? To be a part of the camaraderie that seems to run strong in the group.
"The only thing that stands in your way is you, Lady."
Ixi puts her sword in her lap. He's right. She's leaning towards yes, but can she actually leave everything behind? Will her parents let her? "Alright," she says far more confident than she feels. "I'm no longer Ixia Trevelyan. I'm just Ixi."
Bull nods as if this is completely normal and people decide everyday to leave the only home they've ever known. Ixi stands with a new purpose. She sheathes the blade, promising to clean it when they camp for the night. Or day.
Fear settles in her stomach. It twists and turns, speaking in a tiny voice. Bad idea. You can't fight. They'll only leave you behind.
And the other voice. The one that overpowers everything in its wake. Stay. Stay. Stay.
It's hard to ignore these warring voices. She wants nothing to do with them. But they want her. They consume her days, her time and emotions. And they are forever hungry.
Ixi does her best to ignore them as she packs a small satchel, hooks her shield onto her back and her sword to her belt. Bull has already woken up the others, they stand in the hall next to her door, rubbing eyes or silently glaring at her.
"Warm beds, Chief," says Krem. He's the only one who isn't glaring at her.
"We have to get Ixi out of here, Krem," Bull replies. But there's something more to his voice, something that Krem understands but Ixi completely misses. An edge that wasn't there a second ago.
And out the door they go. She looks back at the disappearing manor. There isn't one emotion she can pinpoint to describe this feeling she has. Freedom. Hope. Sickening fear. Worry. Concern. Anger that it is easy to just walk away. They all swirl in her mind, blending into one another until she's jittery and jumping at every sound.
"Alright! Chargers, we're setting up camp here." They've gone far enough, Ixi can't see the manor anymore. It's either a blessing or a curse.
The Chargers are efficient in setting up camp. Bull chooses a spot that overlooks the restless Waking Sea. A fire is built, five bedrolls are set out around the fire in a circle. Ixi tries not to let the sight of only five bedrolls-she didn't have her own-pierce her heart. She shakes out the thick, wool cloak, wraps herself up in it and curls up in a small area on the flattest surface she can find.
"Lady, what are you doing?" Bull asks from directly above her. She rolls over, exposing herself to the chilly air.
"Sleeping…?"
"Take my bedroll for tonight. I'll keep watch. I'm not tired."
Ixi hesitates. Take his bedroll? Her face flushes from the sudden attention as everyone is staring at her. "Okay…" She slips into the huge bedroll, feeling so tiny inside. It smells of him, musky sweat and leather. She doesn't mind it. Her satchel is protected underneath her feet, tucked into the corner and her shield and sword are placed right in front of her. As she closes her eyes, she last sees the fire glint off the blade.
"Chief, do you think it was such a good idea to bring the girl along?" Krem asks. His feet dangle over the edge of the cliff while Bull sits against a rock facing the camp.
"Yeah. I do."
"She barely knows how to fight." Bull rolls his eyes at his second. Krem was too full of logic. It sometimes annoyed Bull. Things aren't always logical. Sometimes there is strange emotions he can't quite grasp on. How she's different. Her hair gleams bright in the fire, like blood. It spans out against the black pillow her head lays on. One hand is outstretched towards her shield as if she's battle-ready. Even in sleep.
"Chief? Have you been listening?"
"Krem, I respect what you've got to say, but I've made my decision. Lady stays."
"Be careful, okay? I don't know what you think you're doing, but be careful."
Bull clasps hands with Krem as he passes to get into his own bedroll. What is he doing? And why?
The night holds no answers from him, only secrets of events to come.
A/N: If I have something wrong about the lore, please let me know kindly. I've written for DA before, but nothing like this. Feel free leaving me a review.