Hello everyone and welcome to my Dragon Age Fic!
This is going to be fun filled with action and love, betrayal and what not! Maker, I have a lot of ideas for this series! Yeee! I can't wait!
Story is Rated M for lemony scenes later and lots of heavy language, later. To be safe.
Since I am playing Dragon Age: Inquisition, this is going to be up most of the time. Taking a small little break from my other fic The Chilling Shards of Illusion. I will post chapters for it so for all my readers it will still be up.
I have some homework and stuff to work on but this story should be up every two to three days (maybe) if I can get to it. Other wise look for it ever Saturday or Sunday.
Now lets get started!
-Lots of love SerenityxGarrus
P.S. I made the spacing within each paragraph and dialogue a bit more open, in case it looked like a jumbled mess together. Let me know if it helps.
A MAGE'S PLIGHT
Prologue
"Magic exist to serve man, and never to rule over him."- Transfigurations 1:2
That's what the Chantry teaches. Across Thedas, there isn't a circle that knows this specific stanza of the chant. They recite this chant before starting a lesson and before going to bed.
Many who were turn over to the circle have feared being within its halls. The thought of being locked away and never feeling freedom again made many turn away and branded apostates. Many have turned to forbidden magic and forever known as maleficar.
Every circle in Thedas is different. Some have leniency, others rule with iron fists. Only the circle of the Imperium have complete control of the Chantry and its Templars.
But the one where this tale begins, starts at Kinloch Hold's circle tower. Where a mage hitting her twentieth birthday is in class absorbing everything Senior Enchanter Sweeney is instructing to the class.
"And so, that is why we must be vigilant within the Fade. It is a place where demons watch us in our dreams and will do anything to posses a mage to taste our mortal world…"
Every student, including herself were grasping the edge of their seats as they stared wide eyed, waiting to hear more. He trailed off on purpose because he loved the way half the students paid attention even if others did not. Those who did were soaking up everything he had to say. It brought a smile to his face. He was proud of his acolytes. The ring of a bell sounded and Sweeney sighed dramatically.
"We will continue this next week. It is time for lunch." He beamed at the students as they all groaned with disappointment.
As he neared his desk, he looked at one specific student.
"Vivianna, please stay for a moment?" He asked without looking at her.
"Of course Senior Enchanter." She responded.
Vivianna Amell. Half Orlesian, half Marcher. Her father was Orlesian as her mother was from Kirkwall. Both very influential and important nobles. Due to the shame it carried to have a mage child and to avoid a scandal, her mother gave her up to the Chantry once Vivianna showed signs of magic.
It was discovered when her father was gravely injured and with the commotion, Vivianna cried and healed her father out of fear of losing him. Another incident was when one of the cooks accidently set the kitchen on fire and she stopped it from spreading, with ice. Her mother was devastated and hence why they had to give away her daughter even if it killed her. The Amell name soon went sour after she was given away.
She was the spitting image of her mother with her fathers eyes. Chocolate curly hair with caramel highlights that reached past her hips, tied with a bow at the end. Her very bright pale green eyes always glittered with happiness. Round cheeks, oval face. Her eyes, slightly slanted but wide and big with very defined and perfectly arched brows. She was tall and naturally tan as if she had been outside in the sun her whole life. She wasn't dark but neither light.
She was very intelligent in every subject and pronounced top of her class. Very popular but as well very hated. She only has three friends and trust only a very few Senior Enchanters. She very much adores First Enchanter Irving. He has been a father or grandfather figure of sorts since she came to the circle.
Her perfer class is the Spirit school. She has mastered three of four spells of the Primal school. Thunder being a fear she had yet to master. She knew healing but only on herself. Despite her childhood experience to save her father, she had yet to master the skill to heal others. She knew Creation to a certain extent. She had the basic knowledge of the Arcane arts.
She is known as an Arcane Warrior. She prefers to use weapons than a staff. Someone knowing this class has been known to be rare and many who have mastered it, have known to be rarer.
She has also gotten her hands on a very old grimoire, she has learned Shapeshifting. She can Shapeshift to a black wolf and a white owl. She has been trying to become more creatures but lately, it has been increasingly hard to be alone within the circle.
Overall, she was perfect. Never broken a rule and loved by all, including the Templars and the Knight-Commander.
She approached the desk with her books being held by her arm as she held them at her side. She smiled at the Enchanter as he looked at her.
"So, in a week you turn twenty and we are having a ball…" He stared at her, searching within her an answer. "But most importantly, your Harrowing." He tilted his head to the side. "Are you ready?"
Her smile faded. Seriousness creased her soft features as her eyebrows knitted together. Her eyes harden. She nodded.
"Yes. I am."
The Senior Enchanter beamed at her and shook her hand.
"I wish you luck. Let Andraste and the Maker, guide you within the Fade, child."
She shook his hand in return and turn to leave.
"There you are!"
She turned around. Barely leaving the classroom as she was practically tackled by her best friend Jowan. She held her ground as they laughed. He put an arm around her shoulders as they walked to their dorm room.
"How was class? Sweeney still trying to keep everyone on the edge of their seats?" He was amused as he looked at her.
Jowan. Her first and only best friend. They were inseparable when she first came to the circle. He was her companion many nights that she had cried and Irving made sure he was near. Until they hit their teens. He separated them two beds away from each other. But they always found their way to gossip and talk, either on her bed or his. Talking about the outside world and wishing to smell the air. To be free to walk around Ferelden. She didn't mind the constant eyes watching her. If she could leave, she wouldn't mind having a Templar with her. He on the other had, disagreed. And thats mostly what they had been doing lately: was disagreeing in everything.
Jowan had the messiest, blackest hair with blue eyes. He had a five o'clock shadow stub. He was good looking but with dark features. He was very pale, more so than most. It was unusual. Round cheeks, high cheekbones. He wore the same robes as herself, except more lighter and didn't have the huge buckle in the front.
She snorted. "What else is new?"
They arrived at their dorm.
"Besides the ball and your name day, I cant think of anything else new, really." He looked around for any Templars or other mages around.
Vivianna looked at him after putting away her books inside her chest of items. She closed it and locked it.
"What's wrong?" She looked around as well. She was concern as she looked at him.
"I need-I need to tell you something. But I cant tell you at the moment." He said softly. He approached her and bend slightly forward. "Meet me at the Chantry." He whispered quickly before he quickly left her alone.
She was confused. He never acted that way. But when he needed to say something urgent he would do weird things. It was a game she knew very well. She waited a few minutes before following to see him.
"Lady Amell. Nice to see you this afternoon."
She stopped once she was near the stairs to the second floor. Her heart quickened. She turned around as her eyes clashed with yellow-honey eyes. Her breath always caught when she looked at him.
"Ser Cullen. How are you?" She let the breath out through her nose. She tried to appear casual.
Cullen. He was assign to watch her when he came to work at this circle. He tried to look as if she wouldn't notice but she also had ears to the ground and eyes always watching when he wasn't. He was charming to a fault. His eyes always made her melt instantly. His hair always combed back. It looked like golden waves since his hair was curly. He was always so sweet to her. His smile always soft, inviting. She wanted to kiss those soft lips.
"Im fine. Are you heading to see the First Enchanter?"
"Uh, n-no." She cleared her throat. "I'm going to the Chantry."
"Ah, I see. You're not afraid are you?" He approached her slowly.
"No. More like nervous." She watched his every step until he was in front of her. "Care to join me on my small stroll to the Chantry?"
He extended his arm for her to take. "It would be my pleasure."
She smiled and looped her arm through his and walked up the stairs to the second floor.
Jowan was pacing around the little space he chose to speak to Vivianna in the Chantry when he heard her voice. Her voice was melodic and very orlesian. If he could compare it to something it would be silk. It was soft as silk the way she would talk. She was always happy go-lucky. He admire her carefree nature, despite the fact that they were both mages, locked in a pretty prison.
Once she was within view he smiled at her.
"Took you long enough." He huffed as he crossed his arms.
"Im sorry, but you try telling Cullen no to something." She huffed in return.
"I could easily say no to him. Hello, male mage named Jowan not Vivianna."
She laughed. "Ok. You made your point." She looked around and stood next to him facing the altar.
They pretended to pray as they got on their knees and closed their eyes with their heads bowed and their hands clasped together in front of them.
"What did you need me here for?" She whispered. Her ears twitched to hear anyone close by. She had learned to listen to the faintest sounds around her. It was a useful tactic when she was reading that ancient grimoire and learning its spells and talents without anyone knowing.
"You know the rules about… fraternizing right?"
She hummed in response.
"Im in love with someone. And I don't know what to do…"
"Jowan. I'm hardly one to ask for advice on love." She whispered sarcastically.
"No, you dolt. Thats not what I meant. I need your help more like."
"On?" She turned to face him as they got up from 'praying.' A brow raised in question.
He hesitated slightly and blew a breath. "Escaping." He whispered softly.
Her ears twitched.
'I heard wrong.'
"Pardon?"
He looked at her with such seriousness. The same look he gave her all those years ago when he confessed to loving her but she shot him down gently. It took years to repair their friendship to the way it is now.
"Escaping. I need your help on escaping." He said quickly looking around.
Her eyes flew wide. "Have you gone mad?!" She raised her voice.
"Shhh!" He brought his hand to her mouth to shush her. He glared at her. "Keep your voice down!" He whispered harshly.
She nodded and he let go of her slowly. "Have you gone mad?" She tried to say it with harshness, but it came out soft instead.
He shook his head. "I love her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her."
"Jowan. We haven't left the circle, in like ever." Her face turned to suspicion. "Where did you meet her?"
"Here. Within this prison." He shrugged.
She sighed as she massaged the bridge of her nose with a hand on her hip. "Again. This is not a prison Jowan. Its home." She glared at him. "A mage?"
He shook his head. Before he could utter another word, they both jumped when they heard armor clanking. They looked at each other. Their eyes conved their message. Before he left her alone he whispered in her ear hurriedly.
"Listen to the chant."
And with that he left. Templars came inside with a group of mages. She sighed and turned to the statue of Andraste.
'Adraste, guide me. What should I do?'
"Vivianna?"
She smiled as she turned around.
"Hello Wynne." She greeted. She opened her arms as Wynne went to give her a hug.
Wynne. A mother figure to her when she arrived. Always patient and caring with her. She protected her from many people who tried to harm her. Defended her when they tried to belittle her. She loved her like a mother and she in turn loved her as a daughter.
"I came to find you. Irving needs to speak with you." She said as they separated.
"Do you know what he might need me for?" Vivianna raised a brow in curiosity.
She shook her head. "I didn't get to know because i'm in a bit of a hurry. I'm behind schedule."
They started to walk towards the hallway.
"What's going on?"
"I'm leaving."
She stopped mid stride. Wide eyed stared at her. Disbelieving.
"Why?" She asked.
Wynne looked at her and could have sworn she had tears building behind her eyes by the way they were shining brightly.
"No child. Don't cry." She laughed softly. "Although touching, im sure you heard of the war in the south?"
"You're going to war?"
She sounded like a child about to never see her parents again. The way she sounded when her parents let her leave with the templar all those years ago.
"I volunteered. They need mages. We help turn the tide with our magic." She laid a comforting hand on her shoulder to ease her worries.
"Be careful. Please?" She asked. Her eyes pleading.
"I promise. I will see you when I get back." Wynne hugged her again. At that moment a templar cleared his throat.
'He must be new.' They both thought.
"Just be careful." Her eyes narrowed at what she meant with that. "And when I get back, you and I will celebrate, you becoming a full fledged mage." She smiled softly at her.
Vivianna laughed as she wiped her eyes with her fingers, feeling as though tears were in her eyes about to spill. She didn't want to mess up her makeup. She always wore natural colors. Golden brown eyeshadow around her eyes and slightly pink lipstick.
"I will hold you to that promise." She said softly.
Wynne gave her a reassuring smile before she turned and walked down the hallway, disappearing from view, followed by the templar.
Vivianna sighed and went ahead to see Irving. The elder mage was hunched over his desk writing something. He looked very concentrated until she knocked on the door politely. He looked up and smiled softly.
"Come in child. Please sit." He gestured at the chair in front of his desk.
She followed his gesture and sat. "Wynne said you called for me." She clasped her hands and laid them on her lap in a relaxed position.
"Yes. Greagoir thought it would be best to… move your Harrowing for tomorrow."
Greagoir looked at her eyes as they practically bulged out of her head.
"Tomorrow? But why?" She panicked.
"Calm down dear. Dont panic. Everything will be fine." He gave her a reassuring smile to ease her worries. "He didn't want for it to interfere with the ball we are having. And in case something happens…" He cleared his throat. "We want to have a good day for the ball." He finished lightly.
"But-But…" She was at a loss for words.
"Everything will be fine. You will see." He winked at her. "Now go rest. It will be early in the morning."
He rounded his desk to give her an encouraging smile and a comforting squeeze on her shoulder. Her wide panic eyes slightly relaxed and she sighed heavily. She got up as he walked with her to the door.
"Everything will be fine. You will see." He said softly to her.
All she did was nod and walked down the hall. Irving looked at her with sad eyes.
"How did she take the news?"
Irving turned to the stairs as Knight-Commander Greagoir stared at the hopefully apprentice turned mage, if all goes right. Irving turned to look at where Vivianna disappeared. Irving and Greagoir had a lot of faith in her talents. She is top of the class after all.
But still, Irving and Greagoir prayed to every being out there to watch out for her and her long day tomorrow. Hoping she would come out victorious.