"Faydren! Faydren, come back here this instant!"

Servants moved to hug the walls as a little girl in expensive finery darted down the hallway, giggling uncontrollably. Her sparkling grey eyes and shockingly white hair identified her as the youngest member of the Trevelyan family. Those watching attempted to hide their smiles as the girl's mother huffed down the passage after her. Lady Trevelyan was the very picture of decorum under all circumstances, but seven-year-old Faydren could bring her closer to the edge than anything.

The youngster's progress was stopped abruptly as a strong, calloused hand reached from around the corner and snagged a handful of the dress back. Faydren looked over her shoulder to see who thwarted her escape. Face lighting up in a brilliant smile, she threw her arms around the legs of the tall dark-haired man. His face was scarred but kind, and his bright green eyes held a twinkle of mischief.

"Marcus! Don't you have anything better to do than ruin my fun?" Faydren clearly didn't mind though, as she was always thrilled to see him. He chuckled and ruffled her hair.

Faydren's mother finally caught up, clearly annoyed as she cleared her throat. Long black hair framing her face, the matriarch's dark eyes were humorless. "Thank you, Guard-Captain. How go preparations for the journey?"

Marcus clicked his heels and bowed smartly. Not an easy task with Faydren still glued to his legs. "Everything has been done to your exact specifications, my lady."

"Excellent. Come now, Faydren."

Lady Trevelyan reached down and snatched her daughter's wrist tightly before walking off at a brisk pace. Faydren winced at the vice-like grip as she was dragged off back to her room, but she turned enough for a farewell wave and grin at Marcus. There was a concerned look on his face but he quickly hid it behind a smile and a wink as he waved back.

The Trevelyans set out early the next day with a small accompaniment of guards and servants. They were visiting distant relatives for a wedding. The family started out all riding in the carriage, but it was crowded and uncomfortable. This eventually led to Lord Trevelyan succumbing to Faydren's constant requests to ride with Marcus on his horse. Everyone in the carriage was relieved to have the extra space and the lack of an energetic child.

Marcus looked positively heroic in full armor atop his white thoroughbred, Alterion, and was more than happy to accommodate the young mistress on the saddle in front of him. He was a single man whose focus was his career. Faydren was sweet and affectionate, and he treated her like his own daughter - which was more than he could say for her actual parents. They were too busy grooming their older children for noble life or the Chantry.

Faydren was thrilled to ride with Marcus. She loved horses and the feel of the wind as it whipped through her hair. Much of the ride passed quickly as she chatted with her favorite person. He wasn't like everyone else. They treated her like a child or a nuisance, but he listened carefully to everything she said and responded with real answers. The day grew later and she eventually fell asleep leaning back against his chest.

The sounds of shouting woke Faydren with a jolt. Night had fallen. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she was alarmed to see flames licking at the wheels of the carriage and arrows sticking out starkly from its sides. She froze in terror as she saw bodies on the ground with pools of blood steadily growing beneath them. Marcus' voice bellowed from behind her, so close she could feel the vibrations in his breastplate.

"Quickly, take the family on our fastest horses and get them out of here! The rest of you, we shall block any pursuit!"

He sidled Alterion next to another rider and lifted Faydren over to the young man. She was trembling in fear, her eyes wide. The soldier placed her firmly on the saddle in front of him and wrapped an arm securely around her.

"Keep her safe, no matter what," Marcus placed a hand on Faydren's head and smiled reassuringly before turning back to order his men. Faydren kept fear-filled eyes locked on Marcus as the horse was turned, reaching her small hand out towards him. The horse was urged in the direction of the other escaping family members. It didn't get very far.

There was a shrill whistling noise and a thud. The soldier behind her gave a coughing sputter before sliding from the saddle, taking Faydren to the ground with him. She screamed - a piercing sound that echoed across the battlefield. The fall knocked the breath from her lungs and disoriented her. Without its rider, the steed whinnied in terror and took off after the others. Tears ran down her face as she got to her hands and knees, looking around in terror at the fighting that now surrounded her.

"Captain!"

"I see her!"

A strong arm wrapped around Faydren's waist from behind and lifted her up. She nearly screamed again, but turned her head to find the familiar armor and determined face of her guardian. There was blood, sweat, and ash dripping from his brow and coating his armor now. He pushed his way to the edge of the fighting, avoiding as much as he could. They reached the sheer wall of a cliffside before Marcus stumbled and dropped to his knees. Setting Faydren down gently, he gritted his teeth against the pain. Once she faced him, it was obvious what was wrong – there was an arrow protruding from his left shoulder.

Wide-eyed and pale, Faydren watched as men she didn't recognize began to block them in against the cliff. Many had vicious scars, and cruel grins lit their faces. Raindrops spattered the ground before turning into a steady pelt. Marcus staggered to his feet, sword in hand. She'd never seen his eyes so filled with rage.

"I won't let you touch her," his voice held a dangerous edge.

There was some raucous laughter at that, but it was quickly silenced as Marcus lunged at the nearest bandit and impaled him. The battle was brutal, but short-lived. Faydren could only watch, frozen in fear. At the end, several men lay dead or bleeding but Marcus had not remained unscathed. He collapsed to the ground and the remaining bandits closed in, kicking at him as he lay defenseless. The most important person in her young life, and she was about to see him die because of her. Marcus...

Faydren's hands slowly balled into fists as she took one step towards them. Then another. The hair on her arms and neck stood on end, a strange hum of energy swirling in the air around her.

"St- stop it."

They ignored her. She walked faster.

"Leave him alone!"

One of them looked up at her in annoyance that quickly turned to surprise and confusion. He nudged the others and soon they were all staring at the small girl - and for good reason. Her white hair floated eerily around her head as though moved by some strange force. Even more unnerving was her eyes – their bright grey was lined with a glowing purple that seemed to spark. The clouds above them flashed angrily as a low rumble echoed across the skies.

"Just kill him now and grab her," came a voice from the back.

Looking at one another and shrugging, one of them raised his dagger and began to bring it down at Marcus' throat. An unholy shriek erupted from the child and bolts of lightning struck the men near her fallen friend. The electrified bandits convulsed on the ground before going still, wisps of smoke rising from them.

"Oh Maker, it's a mage! Just kill it now, there's no way we can risk capturing that!"

Faydren screamed again but there was no fear in it now, only fury. Marcus was her best friend - her only friend. If they had killed him... Electricity arced out from her very being, striking any assailants and leaping to the next until there was nothing left standing. Even some nearby trees had been struck and toppled flaming to the ground.

Once the threat was gone, the newborn mage dropped to her hands and knees. She had never felt so exhausted. It was all Faydren could do to keep her eyes open, but she had to make sure Marcus was alright. The ground was nothing but mud now as she crawled her way over to his side. Dark hair was matted with mud and blood against his ashen face. Faydren reached out a cold, trembling hand and touched his cheek.

"Marcus?"

There was no response. She felt the tears coming again as sobs wracked her small frame. Faydren threw herself onto his chest and hugged him tightly. He couldn't be gone... The storm had calmed, leaving the night sky peeking through vanishing clouds. Large raindrops continued to create small splashes on the soaked ground. Faydren was chilled to the bone and covered in streaks of blood and ash. Some nasty injuries from the fall were making themselves known as well, but none of it mattered. Maybe she could just die there too.

Suddenly, there was a grunt of pain.

"Try not to hug so tightly, little one."

Raising her head, she saw Marcus smiling painfully at her. Faydren's face lit up with a smile as bright as the sun. One might have thought nothing had ever been wrong. She quickly let go and moved to sit by his head instead, picking it up out of the mud and resting it gently on her legs.

"I knew you wouldn't leave me, Marcus."

"Never, young mistress."

The sound of horses hooves and clanking armor grew close. Everything would be alright now. Everything would be just fine...

Faydren could hear them shouting through the study door. She shifted uncomfortably on the chair outside. Things had been odd since they got back. Everyone was looking at her strangely now and would quickly leave the room once she entered. There were always whispers surrounding her.

Marcus had been slow recovering from his wounds. He still treated her the same at least, and she had stayed glued to his side. He was in the study now talking to Lord and Lady Trevelyan, along with a strange man in armor that she'd never seen. She saw them enter and decided to wait for Marcus outside.

"You know how this works. Once someone shows signs, they're sent to the Circle."

"But you have no proof she's a mage!"

"How else do you explain that night? You two survived when lightning came from heaven and struck down everyone but you? They heard her screams. They saw the lightning!"

"How can you be so willing to send her away? She's your child, dammit!"

"That's right- she's our child not yours, Guard-Captain! You would do well to remember that."

"I know she's important to you, Marcus... But I have to take her. You understand, don't you?"

"Yes, of course. I just... I promised never to leave her."

"I'm sorry, old friend..."

The door opened and Faydren stood up, looking at the adults with a sad resignation in her eyes. This was what the whispers said would happen. They were sending her away... and this time Marcus wouldn't be coming with her.

"It's okay, Marcus. I'll be fine, you'll see!" Faydren forced out a smile.

Marcus froze in the door when he saw her standing there with that look in her eyes. It broke his heart. And when she tried to reassure him... He dropped to his knees and pulled her into his arms, tears streaming down his face.

"I know you will, my brave little warrior," he looked up at the Templar. "Take good care of her. Promise me?"

The Templar nodded solemnly and gently reached out his hand to the young girl. Faydren placed a tentative hand into his large, gloved palm. Then they left. She looked over her shoulder once to see Marcus still kneeling in the hall, face buried in his hands. Her parents stood aloofly behind him.