Chapter 1
Dark clouds loomed on the horizon, threatening rain with menacing grumbles that echoed along the Wounded Coast. The sea was restless and wild, steely grey waves bleeding white foam as they crashed against jagged rocks. Lightning ripped across the sky, the electric flashes fighting back the encroaching darkness that followed the storm. From the bow of the Kalipsa, Tristan Amell stared out at the impressive display of Nature's wrath impassively. Sailors were scurrying to and fro on the wooden deck of the galleon, frantically passing comments about the treacherously dangerous rocks that hugged the coastline as they set about lowering the mainsail to stop the wind from ripping the canvas to shreds. At any moment, they feared, the writhing grey waves would toss the wooden craft too near to shore and they would run aground.
"She's not going to survive much more of this." Reynold Thameran, the Kalipsa's Captain, called out as he strode towards him. The older man's dark eyes were uncharacteristically worried. Tristan had never seen him so unsettled before.
"She has less chance of surviving without you steering her. Who's at the helm?" He asked, casting a quick glance towards the wheelhouse.
"Parish." The Captain replied shortly and Tristan nodded, a small measure of relief granted to him by the name. Sonja Parish was the Captain's first mate, and one of the most capable sailors Tristan had ever met.
"We could anchor somewhere." He offered, scowling up at the sky as rain began to pour down upon them in heavy waves. "Where's the nearest port in the Free Marches?"
Relief flooded the Captain's sea-weathered features. "Kirkwall." He answered without hesitation. "We're not far from the city."
"Kirkwall?" Tristan echoed, grimacing. "There's nowhere else?"
"We're several days away from Ostwick still." The Captain replied with a shrug. "I suppose if we could find a natural cove…"
"Don't bother." Tristan cut across him quickly. "This weather would only make that a suicide mission. I'd rather dock in Kirkwall than risk losing my ship. Give the order to your men."
Reynold nodded in satisfaction and quickly turned, issuing out commands as he returned to the helm. Tristan heaved a sigh, raking his hand back through his raven hair, sweeping the wet strands out of his cobalt eyes.
Kirkwall… The name caused an odd stirring within him. The memories he held of the city were brief and faded, mere flickers of his former life, but he held onto them with everything he had. Before the first signs of his magic had shown as a child, before his noble parents had sent him to the Ferelden Mage's Guild to avoid the scandal his abilities would cause for their family, he had been the contented second son of the most prestigious noble family in Kirkwall. He knew, of course, that everything now would be different. According to the annual letters he had received from his mother whilst in the guild, their family had left Kirkwall not long after sending him away to the Circle, choosing instead to live in Starkhaven. Where they were now, he could not say. The letters had stopped not long after his fifteenth birthday. Either his mother had died, or she simply no longer cared. Tristan wasn't brave enough to make the trip to Starkhaven and find out. A part of him preferred not knowing.
Another flash of lightning lit up the stormy sky, the blazing white light revealing the massive cliffs that surrounded the city like a wall. Reynold had been right, it seemed. The storm had driven them straight towards the former City of Chains.
"Are you sure this is such a good idea?"
Tristan turned at the voice at his side, startled to find Sonja standing beside him. He had been so caught up with his thoughts that he had scarcely noticed the first mate as she approached him.
"You have any better ideas, Parish?" He asked, his voice a sigh. Of course she had an opinion on his decision to dock at the city. She wouldn't be the Parish they all knew and loved if she didn't argue about absolutely everything. She crossed her arms defiantly over her chest at the tone of his voice, her steel grey eyes flashing dangerously.
"Surely you realize that in order to sail into the city, we'll have to pass through the channel."
"So?"
"Reynold is an impressive Captain, but he's no miracle worker. The entrance into Kirkwall is nothing more than a death trap in this weather."
Tristan frowned, considering her words. "We only have to get into the channel." He said, after a few moments thought. "Once we're between the cliffs we'll be sheltered from the storm."
"That's assuming we even make it between the cliffs." Parish snapped.
He smiled reassuringly. "The Kalipsa is the finest ship in Thedas. She's fast and nimble enough to outmaneuver anything."
"You put far too much faith in her, Amell." Parish grouched.
Tristan placed one hand on the ship's rail, stroking the fine polished wood. "Don't insult my ship, Sonja." He told her, deliberately using her first name to irk her. The blonde haired first mate hated being treated as anything else than just one of the boys. According to her, her name wasn't appropriate for a sailor. "We're nearing the channel." He added, leaning over the bow and squinting into the darkness. He could just make out the two enormous bronze statues that guarded the entrance to the channel through the gloom. The statues were called the 'Twins of Kirkwall', and could be used to control the sea-faring traffic through the Waking Sea by erecting an enormous chain net between the statues and the lighthouse which sat on the outcropping of rock on the opposite side of the channel.
"Are you ready for this Warden?" Reynold yelled out from his position at the helm.
"Guide her in Captain!" Tristan called back, his voice all but lost over the roar of the wind.
Parish rolled her eyes in frustration. "You two will get us killed."
Tristan couldn't help but smile as he watched her race to the starboard side of the ship, calling out instructions to the Captain as he expertly rode the wild waves of the Waking Sea. The Kalipsa weathered the storm masterfully, flaunting her impeccable design as she stealthily slipped between the narrow gap that formed a passage through the black stone cliffs. The crew heaved a collective sigh of relief as they sailed into the calmer waters of the channel.
That wasn't so bad. Tristan thought, smiling smugly. He tossed a glance towards Sonja, his smile turning into a smirk as he caught sight of her irritation. He turned away from the bow, heading across the foredeck towards the wheel house where the Captain still stood triumphantly behind the ship's helm.
"Well done." He said, clapping the man on his back. Reynold grinned.
"You didn't ever doubt me, did you Amell?"
"Not for a second." Tristan assured him, glancing up thoughtfully at the massive cliffs that surrounded his ship on either side. The last time he had sailed through this passage he had been five years old. He shook off the memory, the shiver that ran through him having nothing to do with the cold.
"Andraste's ass." He grumbled. "When is this blighted rain going to cease?"
"We'll anchor soon enough." The Captain replied, his eyes following the same path that Tristan's had as he scanned the cliffs. "We might as well take advantage of this stop. We've been running low on supplies. Perhaps a couple of days spent in the city could be useful."
Tristan nodded his head absently. "Good plan. With any luck we won't have to stop again until at least Wycome."
"Are you sure that staying here is a good plan?" As if on cue, Sonja appeared at his side to argue his decision.
"Dear Maker Parish." Reynold growled. "Do you have to question everything?"
"This city is reputedly harsh on mages." Sonja replied, giving Tristan a pointed look. "They might not welcome us so readily when they find out who owns this ship."
"I'm a Warden Commander, Parish." He replied. "They can't do anything to me." He reached one hand out, playfully ruffling her short, blonde hair. She shoved his hand away, grumbling as she pushed the wet, spiky strands out of her eyes. "You worry too much."
She glared at him. "They lock their mages in a prison here, Tristan."
"Okay, okay." He sighed. "Look, I have my blades… No one will even know I'm a mage. Does that make you feel better?"
The First Mate nodded her head slowly, considering his words. Tristan had spent the last couple of years honing his swordsmanship skills. He was nowhere near as proficient with a blade as he was with his magic, but he was skilled enough to defend himself should he suddenly be caught in a fight.
"Well now that your nanny is satisfied," Reynold remarked, rolling his dark eyes in exasperation.
Tristan grinned at the anger on Sonja's face as she turned upon her Captain.
"Somebody has to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid!" She replied heatedly.
"He survived an entire blight without you watching his back, Parish."
Sonja grew silent at this, her grey eyes glaring daggers into Reynold's back as he turned around to issue orders to his men. Tristan glanced around, relieved to find that the Kalipsa had finally reached the Kirkwall docks.
"At last." He sighed, crossing back to the bow. Parish followed just behind him. "Let's just hope this place has a decent tavern." He remarked, elbowing her in her ribs. "I could do with a drink that isn't ale."
The Orlesian sailor glanced around the docks warily, undoubtedly scanning the area for the Templars she was certain would rush to claim him the moment he stepped foot off his ship. Tristan couldn't help but grin. The girl really did worry too much. The rest of his crew didn't seem to share their First Mate's inhibitions. The rain seemed to spur them on and in record time they had secured the hawser to the bollard and lowered the gangplank to the wharf.
"Well?" Reynold asked, coming to stand beside the pair of them once more. "What are you two waiting for? Somewhere down there is a dry tavern ready with a warm bed and a pitcher of ale."
"You go on ahead." Tristan told him. "And tell your men they're free to leave the ship as they wish. I've no doubt they're eager to be back on dry land."
"What about you?" The Captain asked curiously. "Don't tell me Parish has gone and scared you with her nonsense about the Templars here."
"Of course not!" Tristan laughed, earning himself another glare from Sonja. "I'd simply rather sleep in my own bed in my cabin as opposed to the flea-ridden ones the taverns here might have to offer."
"You have a fair point there." Reynold conceded, his brow narrowing as he considered this point. "But the tavern wenches should more than make up for the fleas!" He added suddenly, a wicked grin playing at his lips.
Tristan shook his head, laughing again. "Tomorrow." He assured the Captain. He turned away from them, heading back towards the hatch which led to the lower decks. He slipped quickly down the companionway and made his way toward his cabin, eager to slip into the warmth of his bed. He hurriedly stripped himself free of his wet clothes, rolling his shoulders back to ease the knots of tension that had formed in his back. Sailing through storms had always left him feeling nerve wracked. His reached for the amulet that hung around his neck, clasping it tightly in one hand.
Still okay, Umbra? He asked silently, his eyes closing as he allowed his mind to wander across the sea in search of her. He felt a small buzz of electricity throb through the amulet in response to his silent call, and he smiled in relief. Of course she was okay. He thought, silently chastising himself for worrying so much about her. After all, it took more than a mere storm to kill a dragon.
AN: Okay…. So as you can no doubt guess, this is gonna be a lengthy fic. Will try and update when I can though, holding thumbs that work doesn't bury me. The beginning is set in Act II, but I will be running through the events pretty quickly as I'm not a fan of rehashing game events. If some of the characters end up being a bit OOC, I apologize. I tend to try and twist the characters to fit my story, and not visa versa. One last note, I was unfortunate enough not to get a chance to play Awakenings, and so in this fic, as far as I'm concerned it never happened. I'll fill in the gaps with my own events ;) Hope you enjoy…